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“I took an ibuprofen and now it’s hardly noticeable. At this rate I’ll be able to fly home soon.”
“What’s the rush?”
“Work is waiting for me.” I don’t dare spend any more time around you. I didn’t come to Greece to meet a man who has already become too important to me.
He leaned forward with his hands clasped between his hard muscled legs. “What kind?”
Oh, boy. She could tell she was in for a vetting. The less he knew about her, the better. She was afraid to be open with her feelings for fear of being hurt again. After having made a huge mistake in choosing Byron, she feared she didn’t have wise judgment when it came to men.
Byron had been relentless in his pursuit of her. She’d been so naive and so flattered by his attention, she’d fallen into his grasping, narcissistic hands like an apple from a tree. His betrayal of her even before their marriage had scarred her for life, forcing her to grow up overnight.
Never again would she allow herself to be caught off guard, even if this man thrilled her to the core of her being. Raina would rather leave Greece without feeling any tug of emotion for this dark-haired stranger. He was already dangerous to her peace of mind.
“I work in a lab with a team of people.” That was as much as she was willing to reveal. “What do you do for a living?”
He studied her intently. “My brother and I are in business. That’s how I met Theo. So now that we have that out of the way, how did you meet Chloe?”
Raina could tell he was equally reticent to talk about himself. That was fine with her. He could keep his secrets, whatever they were. “My senior year of high school, she came to live with me in California for the school year so she could learn English. That year there were three other students from other countries living with some of the students’ families.”
“Was it a reciprocal arrangement?”
“Yes. After graduation I was supposed to spend the next year with her family, but too many things at the time prevented me from coming here to live with them.”
Needing some space to gather her composure before he asked her any more questions, she sat up and swung her legs to the ground. He anticipated her movements and handed her the crutches lying by the side of the lounger. “Thank you,” she said, tucking them beneath her arms. “If you’ll excuse me, please, I need to use the restroom.”
“Of course.”
Raina could see in his eyes she hadn’t fooled him, but what did it matter. She hurried through the mansion to her suite of rooms. The fabulous Milonis estate had been built along neoclassical lines in its purest architectural form. So different from the home where she’d been raised in Carmel.
When she eventually returned to the patio, she discovered Akis in the swimming pool. Their lunch had been brought out to the patio table. While he was doing laps at tremendous speed, she sat down in one of the chairs around the table and dug into the salad filled with delicious chicken, feta cheese and olives.
Chloe’s parents were nowhere in sight. Raina had hoped they’d come out to provide a buffer against his questions, but no such luck. Chloe’s parents were a very hip couple she adored. Raina could see why. Too bad they thought they were aiding a romantic situation by staying away.
As her eyes looked out at the pool, Akis suddenly raised his head. The wet black hair was swept back from his forehead to reveal his extraordinary male features. The moment he saw her, he levered himself from the aquamarine water and reached for a towel, giving her more than a glimpse of his splendid body. He must have borrowed someone’s black trunks. They hung low on his hips.
“Last night you resembled one of your disgruntled gods,” she teased to fight her attraction. “Today you’ve morphed into Poseidon.”
Akis finished drying himself off before he sat down in a chair opposite her and plucked a big olive from the salad his white teeth bit into with relish. Between his olive skin and black hair, he was a work of art if there was such a label to describe a beautiful man. To her consternation, everything he said and did intrigued her.
“Oddly enough you haven’t changed since last night,” he remarked. “The concierge said you resembled Aphrodite, a description that fits you in every detail except for your crutches.”
She laughed to let him know she didn’t take him seriously. To believe him would be a huge mistake. “Careful,” she cautioned. “You might just turn my head if you keep up that malarkey.”
One dark brow lifted. “Malarkey?”
“An English expression for nonsense.”
His jet-black eyes came alive. “You mean my methods are working?” By now he’d devoured a roll and most of his salad.
“Absolutely. But since I won’t be in Greece long, maybe your time would be better spent talking to someone of your own kind and background.”
In an instant his jaw hardened. Uh-oh. She must have struck a nerve.
“My own kind?” The words came out more like a soft hiss.
She choked on her iced tea. What had she said to provoke such a reaction? “Surely you must realize I meant no offense. Perhaps the maid of honor wasn’t to your liking last night, but I saw a lot of lovely Greek women at the reception—women who live here and would enjoy your attention.”
Akis sat back in the chair. “Meaning you don’t?”
“I didn’t say that!” Their conversation had taken a strange twist.
“Let’s start over again.” He cocked his head. “We weren’t formally introduced. My name is Akis Giannopoulos as you already know. What’s yours?”
She took a deep breath. “Raina.”
“Ah. Raina what?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Does it matter when we’ll never see each other again?”
“That’s the second time you’ve used the same excuse not to tell me.”
“I simply don’t see the point.” He grew on her with every moment they spent together. This wasn’t supposed to happen!
An ominous silence surrounded them. “Obviously not. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to change clothes in the cabana.”
She’d made him angry. Good. Raina wanted him to leave her alone. But as she watched him stride to the other side of the pool, she experienced a strange sense of loss totally at odds with her determination to separate herself from him.
Raina wanted to escape any more involvement because she had a premonition this man had the power to hurt her in a way not even Byron had done. Akis made her feel things she didn’t want to feel. To give in to her desire to be with him could bring her joy, but for how long? When the excitement wore off for him, would he find someone else? Raina was afraid to trust what she was feeling. She quickly grabbed her crutches and hurried to find Chloe’s mother who was in the kitchen.
“Thank you for the delicious lunch, Nora. Now if you don’t mind, my ankle has started to ache again. I’m going to go to my room and lie down for a while. Please say goodbye to Mr. Giannopoulos for me. He came over to your home to visit with you and is still out in the pool.”
Her eyes widened. “Of course. Can I get you anything?”
“Not a thing. You’ve done too much for me already. I just need to rest my leg for a while.”
“Then go on.” The two women hugged and she left the kitchen for her suite of rooms. In truth Raina needed to get her mind off Akis. Since she hadn’t had family around for a long time, it felt wonderful to be spoiled by two people who showed her so much love. Hopefully when Raina went back outside later, she’d find Akis gone.
With Chloe and Theo touring the fjords in Norway for the next two weeks, she hoped Akis wouldn’t drop by until after the couple had returned from their honeymoon. After a few days’ reunion in order to meet Theo, Raina would fly back to Monterey.
* * *
Akis took his time dressing. He knew instinctively Raina had said and done things to discourage him. Why? One of her stiletto-like jabs had worked its way under his skin and had taken hold.
How much did she know about him? Had she been insinuating that he wasn’t good enough for her? Was it something Chloe had told her about his roots?
His own kind and background? Was he being paranoid?
Raina had rushed to explain what she’d meant when she’d told him he’d be better off spending time with his own kind and background instead of an American who’d be leaving soon. Even if he’d felt her sincerity and were willing to believe her explanation, the words had sunk deep in that vulnerable spot inside him and wouldn’t go away.
He and Vasso were the brothers who’d climbed out of poverty without the benefit of formalized education. No college, no university degrees to hang on the wall. Akis wasn’t well read or well traveled. He came out of that class of poor people who didn’t have that kind of money, nor the sophistication. Whatever he and his brother had achieved had come through hard work.
No matter how much money he made now, it didn’t give him the polish of someone like Theo who’d attended the finest university to become a banker like his father and grandfather before him. Akis could hold his own, but he was aware of certain inadequacies that would never change.
By now he got along fine in English, but being with her made him realize how much he didn’t know about her language. He wasn’t like Theo, who’d spent a year in England and spoke English with only a trace of accent.
Chloe could answer a lot of his questions, but she wasn’t available and wouldn’t be home for a fortnight. That presented a problem. Before long her former high school friend would be back in California. This woman worked in a lab? What kind? She could have meant anything.
His head was spinning with questions for which there were no answers. Not yet anyway.
When he left the cabana, he wasn’t surprised to find Raina had disappeared on him. She couldn’t get away from him fast enough. On his way into the house he ran into Nora. Though tempted to ask questions he knew she could answer, he didn’t want to drag her into something that was strictly between him and Raina.
“The wedding was beautiful. Now you can relax for a little while. Thank you for lunch.”
“You’re always welcome here. You know that. Raina’s ankle was hurting and she went to her room. She asked me to say goodbye to you.”
“I appreciate that. She did seem a little under the weather.”
He kissed her cheek and left the house for the limo where his driver was waiting. “Take me to the office.”
During the ride he sat back trying to figure out what was going on with her. She’d told his employee at the store her name was Ginger Moss, but the concierge denied any knowledge of it. Why in the hell had she done that?
Once back at the Giannopoulos business complex off Syntagma Square, he walked through the empty offices to his private suite. It was a good thing it was Sunday. In this mood he’d probably bite the heads off the staff.
Vasso would be back tomorrow, but Akis needed to talk to him. His brother was busy overseeing a new store opening in Heraklion. If not for the wedding, Akis would have gone with him.
He rang Vasso’s cell phone number. It was four o’clock in the afternoon. He should still be at the grand opening to make sure everything went smoothly. “Pick up, Vasso.” But it went through to his voice mail. Akis left the message for him to call ASAP. While he waited to hear from him, he caught up on some paperwork.
When his brother hadn’t phoned him by seven-thirty, Akis couldn’t take it anymore and decided to drive back to the Milonis estate. Before the night was out he would find out why she didn’t want to let him into her life. Was it because she thought he was beneath her socially? Wasn’t he good enough for her? If that was the case, then she needed to say that to his face.
Raina was different than any woman he’d ever met. He was deeply attracted not only to her looks but to her personality, as well. She could fight it all she wanted, but they had a connection. He just had to tear down that wall she’d put up. It was important to him.
Ione, the Milonises’ housekeeper, met him at the door and explained that Chloe’s parents had gone out for dinner, but they’d be back shortly.
“What about their houseguest?”
“Thespinis Maywood is in the den watching television.”
Maywood...
So she hadn’t run away quite yet. Pleased by the information he said, “I’ll just say hello to her, then. Thanks, Ione.” Without hesitation he walked past her and found his way to the room in question. Having been over here many times, he knew where to go.
The door was already open so he walked in to find her lying on the couch in front of the TV with a couple of throw pillows elevating her leg. She was dressed in the same jeans and T-shirt she’d worn earlier.
“That was quite a disappearing act you performed earlier,” he stated from the doorway.
Her eyes met his calmly, as if she’d known he would show up again and was amused by it. Challenged by her deliberate pretense of indifference to him he said, “What does one call you? Ginger when you’re with strangers, but just Raina with close friends?”
A sigh escaped her lips. After turning off the TV with the remote, she sat up and moved her legs to the floor. “I take it you went to the store where I fell.” She stared hard at him. “I must admit I’m shocked that the clerk would give you my name. That’s privileged information.”
“Agreed, but it was false information. In case you were worried, I happen to own that store.”
“What?” Those incredible lavender eyes of hers had suddenly turned a darker hue. At last something had shaken her out of her almost condescending attitude. Did she really not know how he earned his living? Because of her relationship with the Milonis family, he found it hard, if not impossible, to believe.
“I read the incident report written up in the back room. You gave my employee the name of Ginger Moss, age twenty-six. What name will I find if I ask you to show me your passport? It will be important when I pay your hospital bill. They’ll need more information to correct the discrepancy on the record.”
“My insurance will reimburse you.” She rested her hands on the top of her thighs. “I sometimes go by the nickname Ginger.”
“Because of your hair?”
Her eyes fell away. “Yes.”
“Even if I were to believe you, that’s neither here nor there. I want to know why you felt you had to maintain your lie with me when you’re a close friend of the woman who married my best friend.”
The silence deafened him.
“I’ll find out the truth before long. Why not be honest with me now and get it over with?” he pressed.
“Is that the only reason you came over here again?”
“What do you think?”
More color filled her cheeks. “I—I wish I hadn’t told you where I’d fallen.”
“Since I found you here at Chloe’s, it’s a moot point.”
She stirred restlessly. “You want me to apologize?”
Akis had her rattled, otherwise she wouldn’t have asked those questions. He rubbed his lower lip with his thumb. “You want the truth from me? Do you think that’s fair when you’ve exempted yourself from being forthcoming with me?”
She moistened her lips, drawing his attention to them. All night he’d wondered what she’d taste like. “I meant no harm.”
“If that’s the case, then why the deception?”
“Look—” She sounded exasperated. Her cheeks grew more flushed as she got to her feet and fitted the crutches beneath her arms. “I haven’t had a meaningful relationship with a man for a long time because it’s the way I’ve wanted it.”
He walked over to her. “But clearly there’ve been a lot of men who’ve wanted one with you. You think I’m just another man you can ignore without telling me why?” She looked away quickly, letting him know he’d guessed the truth. “A woman with your looks naturally attracts a lot of unwanted attention. It must be galling to realize that whatever you did to put me off, fate had a hand in my showing up at Chloe’s home. Prove to me my interest in you isn’t wanted and I’ll leave now.”
She looked the slightest bit anxious. “Akis—I just don’t think it wise to get to know you better.”
“Why? Because you haven’t been honest with me and there is a man back home you’re involved with?”
“No,” she volunteered so fast and emphatically, he believed her. “There’s no one. This conversation is ridiculous.”
“It would be if I didn’t know that you’re interested in me, too. But for some reason, you’re afraid and are using the excuse of having to fly to California to put me off. I want to know why.”
“I’m not afraid of you. That’s absurd.”
“Last night you cheated me out of a dance. I don’t know about you, but I need to feel your mouth moving beneath mine or I might go a little mad with wanting.”
“Please don’t say things like that,” she whispered.
“Because you know you want it, too?”
Her breathing sounded shallow. “Maybe I do, but I’m afraid.”
“Of me?” He brushed his lips against hers.
“No. Not you. I’m afraid of my own feelings.”
“Shall we find out if they’re as strong as mine?” He wrapped her in his arms, crutches and all. His lips caught the small cry that escaped hers, giving him the opportunity to coax a deeper kiss from her. First one, then another, until she allowed him full access and the spark between them ignited into fire.
“Akis—” she cried softly before kissing him back with a hunger that thrilled him. He’d kissed other women, but nothing prepared him for the surge of desire driving both of them as they swayed together.
“I want you, Raina,” he whispered against her creamy throat, “more than any woman I’ve ever wanted in my life.” He came close to forgetting her sprained ankle until a moan sounded in her throat, prompting him to release her with reluctance and step away.
She steadied herself with the crutches for control. Those enticing lips looked swollen and thoroughly kissed. “That shouldn’t have happened.” The tremor in her voice was achingly real.
“But it did because we both wanted it.” He took a quick breath. “I want to spend time with you, and from the way you kissed me, I know you want the same thing.” His comment coincided with the arrival of Chloe’s parents, who walked in on the two of them.
“Weren’t you over here earlier?” Socus teased him in his native tongue. “No wonder our guest didn’t mind that we had an important business dinner to attend.”
Akis shook his head. “She didn’t know I was coming over again.”
“We’re glad you’re here, Akis,” Nora said in English. “We don’t want her to leave. Please do what you can to persuade her to stay until Chloe and Theo get back.”
Socus chimed in. “If we had our way, we’d insist on your living with us for a long time, young woman.”
Raina’s eyes misted over. “You’re such dear people and have been wonderful to me. But I’m afraid I have too many responsibilities at home to remain here for any length of time.”
“Your ankle needs at least a week to heal before we let you get on a plane,” Chloe’s father declared. “But we can talk more about this in the morning. Good night, you two.”
After they left the room Akis said, “Your ankle could use more rest. There’s nothing I’d like better than to help you pass the time.”
He sensed she knew she was defeated, but that didn’t stop her from darting him a piercing glance. “What about your work?”
“My brother will fill in for me. We do it for each other when necessary.” He stood there with his hands on his hips. “You look tired, so I’m going to leave. If I come over in the morning, will I still find you here?”
Her eyes flashed. “Perhaps the question should be, will you show up since you have a disparaging opinion of me?”
“You mean after you told me I should stick with my own kind and background?”
She stirred restlessly. “I can see you still haven’t forgiven me for an innocent remark.”
“There was nothing innocent about it. But the way you kissed me back a few minutes ago confirms my original gut instinct that you know something significant has happened to both of us. Good night, thespinis.”
He left the house for the limo. On the way to his penthouse his cell phone rang. One look at the caller ID and he clicked on. “Vasso? How come it’s taken you so long to get back to me?”
“Nice talking to you, too, bro.”
His head reared. “Sorry.”
“The phone died on me and I just got back to my hotel to recharge it. What’s wrong? You don’t sound like yourself.”
“That’s because I’m not.”
“The opening went fine.”
Akis was in such a state he’d forgotten to ask. “Sorry. My mind is on something else.”
“Was there a problem at the wedding? I saw you on the evening news helping a beautiful woman on crutches into the limo.”
So Vasso saw it. “She’s the reason I called. When will you be back?”
His brother laughed. “I’ll fly in around 7:00 a.m. and should be at the office by nine.”
“If you’re that late, I’m afraid I won’t be there.”
“That sounded cryptic. Why?”
“Something happened at the reception.”
“You sound odd. What is it?”
“I’ve...met someone.”
“I’m not even going to try to figure that one out. Just tell me what has you so damned upset.”
“Believe it or not, a woman has come into my life.”
“There’ve been several women in your life over the years. Tell me something I don’t know. Are we talking about the woman on crutches?”
“Yes. This one is different.” Both brothers had led a bachelor life for so long, not even Akis believed what had happened to him since he’d seen Raina on the street.
“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“Yes.”
“You’re serious.”
“Yes.”
Vasso exhaled sharply. “She feels the same way?”
His teeth snapped together. “After the way she kissed me back tonight, I’d stake my life on it.”
“But you only met her last evening.”
“I know. She looks like Aphrodite with lavender eyes.”
“I’ll admit she was a stunner.” Laughter burst out of Vasso. “But you sound like you still need to sleep off the champagne.”
“I swear I only had a sip.”
“Come on, Akis. Quit the teasing.”
“I’m not.” For the first time in his life Akis was swimming in uncharted waters where a woman was concerned.
A long silence ensued. “How old is she?”
“Twenty-six.”
“From Athens?”
“No. California.”
“She’s an American?”
“Yes. On the day of the wedding rehearsal, we almost bumped into each other on the sidewalk after I left Theo at the bank. I couldn’t get her out of my head. On the night of the reception, to my surprise she was sitting at a table in the back of the ballroom.
“When I asked her to dance, she didn’t understand because she said she didn’t speak Greek. But she couldn’t dance anyway because she was on crutches. I helped her out to the limo and took her to her hotel.”
“Just like that you spent the night with her? You’ve never done anything like that before. Wasn’t that awfully fast?”
“I didn’t stay with her and you don’t know all that happened. When I couldn’t find her at the hotel today and learned she’d checked out, I checked with Theo’s family. They hadn’t heard of her so I decided to go over to Chloe’s for help. When I went walked in, to my shock I found her relaxing at the side of the pool.”
“She was at Chloe’s?”
“Yes. It seems Chloe spent a school year with her back in high school on one of those exchange programs to learn English.”
“How come you’ve never heard of her?”
“I once remember Theo telling me that Chloe had an American friend she lived with in high school, but I never made the connection.”
“What’s her name?”
“Raina Maywood. But when she fell and sprained her ankle in our number four store, she gave Galen a different name before going to the ER. I had a devil of a time tracking her down.”