Kandy Shepherd - Conveniently Wed To The Greek

A marriage for the sake of her baby...

When luxury hotelier Alex Mikhalis encounters the blogger who once nearly destroyed his reputation, he wants to get even. Only Adele Hudson isn’t exactly as he remembers. She’s pregnant and alone, and he can’t stop his protective instincts kicking in!

After a difficult breakup, Adele is very wary of all relationships. She has no choice but to accept the Greek tycoon’s offer of a job, despite their complicated past. But his next suggestion is much more intimate: becoming his convenient wife!

‘Why should I trust you?’ Memories of his intimidation on the courtroom steps flooded back.

Adele became aware that she and the tall, broad-shouldered Alex Mikhalis were the focus of interest among the customers of the café. She moved closer to him so she could lower her voice. He moved closer as well. Too close. She felt as if he were taking up all the air, making her heart race, her breath come short.

‘I’m a different man,’ he said, his expression intent, his dark eyes unreadable as he searched her face.

He looked different—that was for sure. Stripped of designer trappings to a raw masculinity that, in spite of her dislike of him, she could not help but appreciate. As for his nature… Leopards didn’t change their spots. And there had always been something predatory about him.

She couldn’t help the snort of disbelief that escaped her. ‘Huh! You ? As if I’d believe—’

A flash of pain contorted his features, but was gone so quickly she might have thought she’d imagined it if it hadn’t made such an impression on her that it stopped her words short. For a long moment she stared up at him. It had been three years since she had faced him on the courtroom steps. He had been through trauma such as she couldn’t imagine. Who knew how that might have affected him? Maybe he was telling the truth. Maybe she should consider taking his offer. Maybe their convenient arrangement would change everything… for both of them.

Conveniently Wed to the Greek

Kandy Shepherd

www.millsandboon.co.uk

KANDY SHEPHERDswapped a career as a magazine editor for a life writing romance. She lives on a small farm in the Blue Mountains near Sydney, Australia, with her husband, daughter and lots of pets. She believes in love at first sight and real-life romance—they worked for her! Kandy loves to hear from her readers. Visit her at www.kandyshepherd.com.

To Catherine and Keith,

with thanks for introducing me to the beauty of the Ionian Islands.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A marriage for the sake of her baby... When luxury hotelier Alex Mikhalis encounters the blogger who once nearly destroyed his reputation, he wants to get even. Only Adele Hudson isn’t exactly as he remembers. She’s pregnant and alone, and he can’t stop his protective instincts kicking in! After a difficult breakup, Adele is very wary of all relationships. She has no choice but to accept the Greek tycoon’s offer of a job, despite their complicated past. But his next suggestion is much more intimate: becoming his convenient wife!

Introduction ‘Why should I trust you?’ Memories of his intimidation on the courtroom steps flooded back. Adele became aware that she and the tall, broad-shouldered Alex Mikhalis were the focus of interest among the customers of the café. She moved closer to him so she could lower her voice. He moved closer as well. Too close. She felt as if he were taking up all the air, making her heart race, her breath come short. ‘I’m a different man,’ he said, his expression intent, his dark eyes unreadable as he searched her face. He looked different—that was for sure. Stripped of designer trappings to a raw masculinity that, in spite of her dislike of him, she could not help but appreciate. As for his nature… Leopards didn’t change their spots. And there had always been something predatory about him. She couldn’t help the snort of disbelief that escaped her. ‘Huh! You ? As if I’d believe—’ A flash of pain contorted his features, but was gone so quickly she might have thought she’d imagined it if it hadn’t made such an impression on her that it stopped her words short. For a long moment she stared up at him. It had been three years since she had faced him on the courtroom steps. He had been through trauma such as she couldn’t imagine. Who knew how that might have affected him? Maybe he was telling the truth. Maybe she should consider taking his offer. Maybe their convenient arrangement would change everything… for both of them.

Title Page Conveniently Wed to the Greek Kandy Shepherd www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author KANDY SHEPHERD swapped a career as a magazine editor for a life writing romance. She lives on a small farm in the Blue Mountains near Sydney, Australia, with her husband, daughter and lots of pets. She believes in love at first sight and real-life romance—they worked for her! Kandy loves to hear from her readers. Visit her at www.kandyshepherd.com .

Dedication To Catherine and Keith, with thanks for introducing me to the beauty of the Ionian Islands.

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

Extract

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

ADELE HUDSON WAS too busy concentrating on the yoga teacher’s instructions to take much notice of the latecomer who took a place to her left and unrolled his mat. From the corner of her eye she registered that he was tall, black-haired, and with the lean, athletic body she would expect from a man who did yoga. Nice. But that was as far as her interest went.

Until she attempted to balance on one leg, with the other tucked up against her upper inner thigh, in the vrksasana or ‘tree’ pose. It seemed impossible for a beginner. Why had she thought this class was a good idea?

Dell risked a glance to see if the guy next to her was doing any better. He held the pose effortlessly, broad shoulders, narrow hips, tanned muscular arms in perfect alignment. But the shock of recognition as he came into focus made her wobble so badly she had to flail her arms to stay upright.

Alexios Mikhalis. It couldn’t be him. Not here in this far-flung spa retreat on the south coast of New South Wales where she had come to find peace. Not now when she so desperately needed to regroup and rethink her suddenly turned upside down life. But a second quick glimpse confirmed his identity, although he looked very different from the last time she had seen him three years ago pummelling her reputation in court. This man had done everything in his power to destroy her career. And very nearly succeeded.

A shiver of dread ran through her—threatening her balance in more ways than one. He was the last person on earth she wanted to encounter. She had more than enough on her mind without having to shore up her defences against him. Quickly Dell looked away, praying her nemesis hadn’t recognised her. Tragedy had visited him since they’d last met, but she doubted he would be any less ruthless. Not when it came to her.

‘Lengthen up through the crown of your head,’ the yoga teacher intoned in her breathy Zen-like voice.