Forbidden to the Powerful Greek, page 1
“I want to be kissed goodnight,” Roula admitted. “That is what is on my mind.”
Galen looked at her. “Kiss you?” Galen asked, checking.
“Yes, but if you kiss me here, can we end it there? I mean, I won’t ask you in.”
A kiss?
Two weeks ago, he would have laughed, at least on the inside, at the thought of just a kiss, but he guessed it was her first since her husband.
Roula felt his hands on her arms and she breathed in, nervously preparing for his mouth. But then it was the softest brush of lips. It was nothing she could liken it to, for it was soft and slow. Yet it made that deep breath pointless, for she was hungry for air, as his kiss did not end with a brush of lips.
The pressure of his mouth was a relief, and as his hands moved from her arms to her head and she felt his fingers in her thick hair, it was Roula who parted her lips. The slip of his tongue was the most beautiful thing she had ever known.
It was like dancing, and it was like laughing, and it stroked her and gently coaxed until her hands were in his hair.
This was how it felt to be kissed, to kiss, to want the touch of another.
Cinderellas of Convenience
The innocent women these Greek billionaires need!
Successful, powerful, desirable... Costa and Galen are Greece’s most notorious billionaires. They hold the world in their hands and keep the secrets of their difficult upbringings close to their chests. Until their lives are upended by the most unexpected of women...
When Costa comes to Mary’s rescue, she gets under his skin in a way he never thought possible! She’s everything he thought he’d never want but can’t resist. Find out more in:
The Greek’s Cinderella Deal
Galen loathes distractions...until he meets Roula. But his temporary PA is a distraction this billionaire can’t afford to give in to! Enjoy their explosive romance in:
Forbidden to the Powerful Greek
Available now!
Don’t miss this enthralling duet from USA TODAY bestselling author Carol Marinelli!
Carol Marinelli
Forbidden to the Powerful Greek
Carol Marinelli recently filled in a form asking for her job title. Thrilled to be able to put down her answer, she put “writer.” Then it asked what Carol did for relaxation and she put down the truth—“writing.” The third question asked for her hobbies. Well, not wanting to look obsessed, she crossed her fingers and answered “swimming”—but, given that the chlorine in the pool does terrible things to her highlights, I’m sure you can guess the real answer!
Books by Carol Marinelli
Harlequin Presents
Secret Prince’s Christmas Seduction
Cinderellas of Convenience
The Greek’s Cinderella Deal
One Night with Consequences
The Sicilian’s Surprise Love-Child
Secret Heirs of Billionaires
Claimed for the Sheikh’s Shock Son
Those Notorious Romanos
Italy’s Most Scandalous Virgin
The Italian’s Forbidden Virgin
Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.
Contents
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
EPILOGUE
EXCERPT FROM CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR WEDDING CHARADE BY CATHY WILLIAMS
PROLOGUE
‘WHAT HAVE THEY done to you now?’
Almost thirty years ago, six-year-old Galen Pallas had heard the weariness in his yaya’s tone as he’d stepped in their home high on the hilly Greek island of Anapliró.
Galen’s shorn black hair had been full of mud, his clothes torn and his face bruised, so there had been no denying that there had once again been trouble...
And, again, it had seemed it was all his faut.
‘Galen!’ Yaya had been cross when she’d found out the reason the boys had again ganged up on him—and she’d blamed Galen. ‘You don’t tell your teacher that she’s got bigger after the summer.’
‘She said it to me, though...’ Galen had frowned. It was the first thing everyone said when they saw him!
Yaya had turned from the stove and held her hands apart. ‘I meant you don’t comment on someone’s size...’ Yaya had looked skywards for guidance and muttered some prayers. ‘I am too old for this...’
‘I didn’t say it to them, though,’ he’d pointed out, ‘just the teacher.’
‘They are boys being boys and you provoke them. Trust me on this,’ Yaya had insisted. ‘Sometimes it is better to say nothing, or even to lie. Your first thought, your first response, is not always the appropriate one. Galen, you offend people...’
With the table laid Yaya had brought over dinner, and though Galen had closed his eyes as they’d said prayers, his mind had been somewhere else, and as she’d started to serve he’d told Yaya the truth. ‘I would never kick someone, or spit on them, or call them names, no matter how much they offended me.’
And they offended him daily! Calling him a rompot, or robot, for his undemonstrative ways. Laughing because he lived in the hills with his trelós yaya as they all called her. Yes, she was eccentric, and she wept in church, and at times openly on the street. Galen knew she was almost demented with grief at the loss of her family. His papu had died before Galen had been born, and when he had been two Galen had been in an accident that had claimed his parents.
Yaya had been left to raise him and, as he was frequently told, it was not an easy task.
‘Galen, you are different...’
He watched how Yaya’s glass of water trembled as she brought it to her mouth, and he hated the trouble he caused her. ‘You need to think before you speak every time. You want to fit in, don’t you?’
As a child, and later as a teenager, Galen simply hadn’t.
Oh, but as a man...
His brilliant brain had soon been so in demand that the world had rather quickly decided it might be wiser, as well as extremely profitable, if it chose to fit in with him.
CHAPTER ONE
‘GALEN.’ HIS PA placed a large take-out coffee on his desk, though it went unacknowledged for he was deep in his work. ‘Sorry to interrupt, but Costa keeps calling—says you were supposed to be meeting him and Leo for dinner at V’s?’
The restaurant was opposite Galen’s head office in Kolonaki Square, a very upmarket neighbourhood in Athens. Both he and Costa had bought, and now worked from, the once dilapidated building. Their businesses were separate entities, though—Costa was into property, and Galen’s passion was technology. And right now, he was exceptionally busy.
‘No,’ Galen said. ‘I’ve told him I can’t make it.’
‘Sure.’
‘Kristina!’ Galen called her back. ‘The care home called this morning with the treatment regime?’
‘Yes,’ she nodded. ‘It’s on the report.’
‘I just saw.’ Galen took a breath. Had she told him about Yaya he would have gone over today. Then again, he had insisted on not being disturbed and the care home did call a lot. ‘Let me know if it’s regarding treatment.’
‘Noted.’
He heard the slightly tired edge to her tone, reminding him that she was heavily pregnant. ‘Go home?’ he suggested.
‘I don’t need favours.’
‘It’s not a favour. We’ve got a busy weekend coming up and I want you fully on board.’
Galen was by most accounts brilliant...mathematically, technically, fiscally... As for his looks...he was way more than the requisite tall dark and handsome, with intense hazel eyes and an incredible body. His thick black hair, when he had time, was superbly cut. Even by Athens’ high standards, he dressed impeccably.
Not that he cared for fashion. His mind was filled with more important things.
Numbers. Food. Sex. Or numbers. Sex. Food.
Most of the time it was just numbers.
Charts.
Code.
Programming...
Galen didn’t notice the lights going off outside his glass office—he had blacked out the glass. Nor them coming back on as the cleaning team arrived—they knew not to come into his office when he was deep in work.
There were many satellites that orbited Galen’s world—legal, admin, social media, maintenance... The list went on, but Galen loathed all the distractions they created so, in as far as it was possible, they orbited his world offsite.
Onsite, though, aside from the developers, quants, programmers and such, was a small vital army who, apart from one very lazy exception, worked away all the days and nights so that Galen and the team could immerse themselves in tech.
And, yes, while Galen’s brilliance might pay an awful lot of wages, at the core they were a very loyal and exceptionally devoted team to their aloof, at times arrogant and rather remote boss.
A short rap on his door had him frowning, but he remained immersed in work until he heard his name. ‘Galen.’
‘What?’ Galen sighed when he saw that it was Costa. ‘I already said I can’t get there...’ Though come to think of it he was a little hungry. ‘Maybe a quick dinner.’
‘Galen, it’s almost midnight.’
‘Oh!’ He had long since lost track of time.
V’s generally did not do take-out, but there were always exceptions, and Costa handed over a container. ‘Here.’
‘Thanks.’
The chef would probably weep as his carefully prepared lamb tenderloins drizzled in his signature sauce, with delectable baby potatoes and a delicate side salad, were all scooped onto a piece of pitta and rolled up as Costa asked, ‘How’s it all going?’
‘Do you want the long or the short answer?’ Galen asked, because he was more than aware now of how people’s eyes tended to glaze over when he spoke of his work.
‘I won’t understand either of them,’ Costa admitted. ‘The drift...’
‘Well, the first of the ICOs went well.’
‘You’ve already lost me.’ Costa grinned.
‘Initial coin offerings. Although there is still...’
Galen saw that Costa had tuned out, so he took a large bite of his wrap, but then frowned as Costa produced from a bag a bottle of champagne and two glasses.
‘What’s this?’ Galen checked, hastily swallowing as Costa popped the cork. ‘Are you going to tell me you love me, Costa?’ he joked. ‘Because if you are, then it really has to wait. I need a clear head to work...’
‘Galen, I’ve got news,’ Costa said, handing him a glass and then sitting down.
‘Okay...’
‘Good news,’ Costa said—and, yes, he was telling him how to react, Galen realised. ‘Mary and I are getting married.’
‘Mary?’ Galen frowned. Frankly, he couldn’t quite keep up with Costa’s love life, but Mary was the most recent one. ‘You’re serious?’ Galen checked. ‘But you only recently met...’
He was more than a touch bemused. It had nothing to do with his own views on relationships and marriage, more that Costa really wasn’t the settling down type. Still, even though Galen was actually itching to get back to work, it was indeed good news and so, remembering his manners, he halted his own impatience and raised his glass. ‘Yamas...’
‘Yamas.’ Costa shared in the toast and then put down his glass. ‘Galen,’ Costa said. ‘I’d like you to be my koumbaros.’
‘Me?’ Costa was asking him to be his best man. ‘Doesn’t that involve speeches and...?’
‘Yes.’ Costa nodded. ‘Speeches and dancing and being Mr Sociable and everything you hate...’ Costa smiled. ‘Look, we go back for ever. Long before...’ He gestured to the very sumptuous surroundings. ‘Of course it has to be you.’
‘Well...’ Galen blinked. ‘Thank you.’ He was both stunned and flattered, yet a little uncertain as to whether this was...well... A set-up. This was Costa after all! ‘So...’ Galen checked the little he knew about the sudden bride-to-be. ‘Mary’s English?’
‘Yes.’
‘Will you get married there?’
‘It’s still a bit up in the air...’ Costa was toying with the champagne cork. ‘I’m hoping the service will take place at my hotel in London.’ Costa was very guarded to most, yet now he shared a confidence with Galen. ‘Mary’s father is in prison there; I’m trying to get his leave approved and surprise her.’
‘I do have a good lawyer in the UK...’ Galen offered.
‘I’ve already pinched him,’ Costa freely admitted. ‘Anyway, the plan is to marry there, spend whatever time we can with her father, then fly back to Anapliró for a church blessing and reception.’
Galen felt his guts tighten a touch even at the mention of the island. He had left as a teenager and had, of course, gone back to visit Yaya. But she was now in a nursing home here, close by, and had been for years.
Galen felt neither the need nor the desire to return to Anapliró.
In fact, he hated the place.
Still—his analytical mind ticked over—he had to deal with the family home there, which was no doubt going to ruin. It was one of those jobs he’d been putting off, but this wedding might be a good time to put things in motion.
‘A big Anapliró celebration, then.’ Galen commented, trying to keep his mind on the conversation and wedding plans and all the things that just did not interest him. But when it came to friends, he had trained himself to listen.
‘No,’ Costa corrected. ‘Without Mary’s father that’s not fair, so I’m keeping the reception to twelve and that includes us...’ He gestured to Galen.
‘And the bride,’ Galen added.
‘Indeed, and then there’s Leo and Deacon, Yolanda of course...’ She was Costa’s mother. ‘Your plus one.’
‘I shan’t be bringing anyone,’ Galen said—not that Costa was listening.
He could not believe he was sitting here discussing Costa’s wedding. The two men were both seriously single. Well, in different ways. Costa dated and borrowed Galen’s PA to make bookings and to send flowers when it all invariably went wrong. As for Galen... Well, suffice it to say there were no flowers required when it was simply sex. And while that might appear cold, both Galen and his partners would contest that assumption—not that they cared what others thought.
In fact, his phone was buzzing now.
‘I thought your calls were being diverted to Kristina.’ Costa frowned. ‘I’ve been trying to get you all night...’
Galen offered no explanation as he read the message and saw that it was one of his partners.
Catch up?
Galen fired a rapid response.
Can’t now.
He added a sad face to his message.
And received a sad face in response.
His sex life really was as delightfully uncomplicated as that.
Right now, though, he dragged his focus onto Costa, who seemed to have everything planned.
‘I’m going to offend a lot of people by keeping the reception small,’ Costa admitted. ‘But there will be a big party on the beach afterwards for everyone on the island—’
‘Pias to avgo kai kourefto.’ Galen shrugged. It literally meant grab an egg and shave it, but it referred more to the Catch-22 situation Costa was in. ‘It’s not your job to please everyone. And anyway, that’s an impossible ask on Anapliró.’
‘Yes, well, I need to keep the locals happy, given that I didn’t sever all ties like you.’ Indeed, Costa had both masterminded and financed the development of a lavish retreat there. Once the impoverished poor relation of the islands, Anapliró was now an exclusive destination for the extremely well heeled. ‘You still haven’t seen the retreat.’
‘I know,’ Galen said. Costa had long since been pushing for him to fly over, yet Galen, thankfully, had always managed to be too busy. Yes, a trip to Anapliró was long overdue, and of course he would not miss Costa’s wedding just because he loathed the place. ‘When are you looking at?’ Galen asked. ‘I will ensure everything is cleared in my schedule...’
‘Galen,’ Costa said, and he tapped the champagne cork on the desk a few times, ‘the wedding is on Saturday.’
‘Excuse me?’ Galen had long ago been taught not to not say the first thing that came to mind and rapidly deployed his filter rather than shaking his head and stating the truth—that’s impossible!
‘Yes.’ Costa nodded. ‘We fly to London tomorrow, the wedding is the following morning, and we go back to Anapliró that afternoon.’ Costa took a breath. ‘I know it’s short notice...’
Short notice?
There was absolutely no way Galen could be there. He had to make a major announcement regarding a partnership on Saturday. And there were vital system updates to be checked and run. Every hour between now and then was accounted for.
Even sex was being forfeited!
While Galen didn’t expect Costa’s nuptials to be arranged around his schedule, in the same vein Costa was more than aware of the importance of the coming days for him.
