The Greek's Unwilling Bride by Sandra Marton Read Free Book Online Page A

wasn’t a ‘he’ at all,” Laurel said, forcing a smile to her lips. “It was just what you suggested. I thought about what I was having for dinner tonight.”
    â€œNo steak ever made a woman look like that,” Haskell said with a lecherous grin. “Who’s the lucky man, and why isn’t it me?”
    â€œPerhaps Miss Bennett’s telling you the truth.”
    Laurel spun around. The slightly amused male voice had come from a corner of the cavernous loft, but where? The brightly lit set only deepened the darkness that lurked in the corners.
    â€œAfter all, it’s well past lunchtime.”
    Laurel’s heart skipped a beat. No. No, it couldn’t be...
    Damian Skouras emerged from the shadows like a man stepping out of the mist.
    â€œHello, Miss Bennett.”
    For a minute, she could only gape at this man she’d hoped never to see again. Then she straightened, drew the robe more closely around her and narrowed her eyes.
    â€œThis isn’t funny, Mr. Skouras.”
    â€œI’m glad to hear it, Miss Bennett, since comedy’s not my forte.”
    â€œLaurel?” Haskell turned toward her. “You know this guy? I mean, you asked him to meet you here?”
    â€œI do not know him,” Laurel said coldly.
    Damian smiled. “Of course she knows me. You heard her greet me by name just now, didn’t you?”
    â€œI don’t know him, and I certainly didn’t ask him to meet me here.”
    Haskell moved forward. “Okay, pal, you heard the lady. This isn’t a public gallery. You want to do business with me, give my agent a call.”
    â€œMy business is with Miss Bennett.”
    â€œHey, what is it with you, buddy? You deaf? I just told you—”
    â€œAnd I just told you,” Damian said softly. He looked at the photographer. “This has nothing to do with you. I suggest you stay out of it.”
    Haskell’s face turned red and he stepped forward. “Who’s gonna make me?”
    â€œNo,” Laurel said quickly, “Haskell, don’t.”
    She knew Haskell was said to have a short fuse and a propensity for barroom brawls. She’d never seen him in action but she’d seen the results, cuts and bruises and once a black eye. Not that Damian Skouras didn’t deserve everything Haskell could dish out, but she didn’t want him beaten up, not on her account.
    She needn’t have worried. Even as she watched, the photographer looked into Damian’s face, saw something that made him blanch and step back.
    â€œI don’t want any trouble in my studio,” he muttered.
    â€œThere won’t be any.” Damian smiled tightly. “If it makes you feel better, I have every right to be here. Put in a call to the ad agency, tell them my name and they’ll confirm it.”
    Laurel laughed. “You’re unbelievable, do you know that?” She jabbed her hands on her hips and stepped around Haskell. “What will they confirm? That you’re God?”
    Damian looked at her. “That I own Redwood Computers.”
    â€œYou’re that Skouras?” Haskell said.
    â€œI am.”
    â€œDon’t be a fool, Haskell,” Laurel snapped, her eyes locked on Damian’s face. “Just because he claims he owns the computer company doesn’t mean he does.”
    â€œTrust me,” Haskell muttered, “I read about it in the paper. He bought the company.”
    Laurel’s chin rose. “How nice for you, Mr. Skouras. That still doesn’t give you the right to come bursting in here as if you owned this place, too.”
    Damian smiled. “That’s true.”
    â€œIt doesn’t give you the right to badger me, either.”
    â€œI’m not badgering you, Miss Bennett. I heard there was a shoot here today, I was curious, and so I decided to come by.”
    Laurel’s eyes narrowed. “It had nothing to do with