A Face To Die For Read Online Free Page B

school here in England, Eton. Papa had a couple of offices here and an apartment, so I usually saw him during school vacations.' He smiled, treating me to his melting gaze once more. 'Then when I was twelve my father married Laura, Vanessa's mother, and from then on I guess it must have been a real drag to have me around.'
    I think he must have noticed my brief look of concern there.
    'It was okay… I was cared for well enough and actually Laura was pretty kind to me. Even though I am told I was a real handful as a kid. Anyway, other relatives took turns having me during vacations; my grandparents in Greece especially. Then at eighteen, after taking A levels here, I went on to study at Berkeley College in the States.'
    I found my voice again; as I’d now felt I wanted to know more about him. 'What about your Greek roots, Alex? Don't you want to retain them? Or have you been totally taken over by more western influences?'
    'Well, I do try to spend a little time each year in Athens and sometimes visit friends who live on Crete. But yes, I'm afraid I've really become thoroughly westernised in my outlook. For one thing, Greece still has so many archaic customs and philosophies. Relating to them has become hard for me, I guess. Papa and I disagree continually over that, of course. You see, he has always maintained a very strong Greek attitude to life; in spite of Laura's influence.'
    We chatted a while longer, until Alex went off to get me another drink. Seeing me alone, Fiona whisked me off to meet some more people. However none of them registered properly with me. I was now thoroughly preoccupied with thoughts of Alex. Not only was Alex Karos the most gorgeous man I'd ever met, but he also had a voice that could seduce me any time.
    He brought me a replenished drink and at every opportunity we had, he continued telling me more about himself, while I lingered on his every word.
    'I'm currently working my butt off in one of my father's shipping offices in New York, so when this vacation suddenly came up I grabbed it. Actually I'm joining friends skiing in Switzerland on Monday... but there was just time to stop off here to see Vanessa before flying on.' He lowered his voice again. 'Bad luck I guess though, that it's coincided with this damned party. Although I've sure enjoyed meeting you, Annabel.'
    Wow! Had he really just said that? I could hardly believe it. So Alex was genuinely enjoying my company, was he? Amazing! And to the exclusion of just about everyone else at the party. Crikey!
    Vanessa suddenly appeared again and grabbed him. 'Sorry to interrupt, darlings, but Alex I do want you to meet Rowley.' As she dragged him by the hand across the room I sadly watched him disappear from sight.
    The evening progressed and I consumed more and more alcohol. Then the Fortnum caterers laid out a wonderful spread of food on a long sideboard. As I looked at the amazing choice of luxurious delicacies I was constantly cajoled by one inane male to, 'come on, tuck in, old girl!' There was a load to eat - more than enough for everyone. By now I was feeling much more relaxed and thoroughly enjoying myself; particularly when Alex was around.
    Apart from Alex I wasn't particularly enamoured with any of the other men present. To my mind they fell roughly into two categories; dopey looking, chinless types, or the loud guffawing sort. The conversation also seemed to get louder and coarser as the night progressed.
    There was barely room to dance, but I shuffled around with a couple of guys. One grabbed me for what turned out to be a most distasteful smooch, his right hand wandering all over my left buttock. Luckily another girl soon whisked him off to dance with her. Next he was almost eating her alive and I last saw them disappearing along the hallway to presumably find a free bedroom. My eyes constantly scanned the room for Alex, who thrilled me by occasionally raising a dark eyebrow at me whilst he was talking to others.
    This party, I decided,