Dreaming Of... Greece

“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.”

“Wait, wait—start over again. You’re not making sense.”

“Nothing has made sense since we first saw each other.”

“Akis? Are you still with me?”

“Yes.”

“What’s your gut telling you?”

“I don’t know,” he confessed.

“Maybe she wanted to meet you. It wouldn’t be hard to connect the dots. After all, she knows the circles Chloe’s family runs in. Maybe when Chloe invited her to come to the wedding, she told her about Theo’s best man and promised to introduce you.”

“There’s a flaw in that thinking, Vasso, because it didn’t happen that way. By sheer chance I asked her to dance. Otherwise we would never have met. After I took her to her hotel, she made it close to impossible for me to find her.”

“But she did end up at Chloe’s, so it’s my guess she hoped you’d show up there at some point. Even if that part of the evening wasn’t planned, what if all along her agenda has been to come to the wedding and use Chloe’s parents to meet you? Is that what you’re afraid of? That she’s after your money?”

“Hell if I know.”

“It stands to reason Chloe would have told her all about Theo’s best man. There’s no sin in it, but the way things are moving so fast, don’t you think you need to take a step back until more time passes? Then you can see what’s real and what isn’t. Think about it.”

Akis was thinking. His big brother had touched on one of Akis’s deepest fears. The possibility that somehow she’d engineered their meeting like other women in the past had done tore him up inside. He wanted to believe that everything about their meeting and the unfolding of events had been entirely spontaneous.

But if Chloe had discussed him with Raina, then her comment about his background made a lot of sense. He and Vasso were the brothers who’d climbed out of poverty to make their way in the world. They lacked the essentials that other well-bred people took for granted—like monetary help from family, school scholarships, exposure to the world.

They’d been marked from birth as the brothers who’d come out of that class of poor people who would be lucky to survive. Whatever he and Vasso had achieved had come through sheer hard work.

Akis could hold his own, but he was aware of certain inadequacies that would never change.

If in the past the situation had warranted it, he and Vasso had always given each other good advice. But this one time he didn’t want to hear it even though he was the one who’d called his brother.

Akis didn’t want to think Raina might be like Althea who was looking for a husband who could keep her in the style of Chloe’s parents.

“Isn’t that why you phoned me, because you’re worried?” his brother prodded. “She’s seen the kind of wealth Chloe comes from. You remember how crazy Sofia and I were over each other when we lived on the island without a drachma to our name?”

“How could I forget?”

“But she turned down my wedding proposal because she said she could do better. It wasn’t until our business started to flourish that she started chasing me again and wouldn’t leave me alone. At that point I wasn’t interested in her anymore.”

“I remember everything,” Akis’s voice grated. Both he and Vasso had been through the painful experience of being used. It had made them wary of stronger attachments. A few years ago when they’d set up two charities to honor their parents, one of the women they’d hired as a secretary to deal with the paperwork had made a play for Vasso. But it turned out she wanted marriage rather than the job.

Akis had run into a similar situation with an attractive woman they’d hired to run one of their stores. She’d called Akis one evening claiming there was an emergency. When he showed up at the store, it turned out the emergency was a ploy to get him alone.

Most women they met were introduced to them by mutual friends. After a few dates it was clear they had marriage and money on their minds. But the essential bonding of two minds and hearts of the kind he saw in Theo and Chloe’s relationship always seemed to be missing.

“Sorry to be such a downer, but Chloe’s friend did lie about her name, which I find strange. When are you going to see her again?”

“I told her I’d be over tomorrow.”

“Did she tell you not to come?”

He grimaced. “No.” But earlier she’d told him he’d be better off to find a woman of his own kind and background because she was leaving Greece. She’d been keeping up that mantra to hide what was really wrong.

“Okay. As I see it, maybe she’s taking advantage of her friendship with Chloe. Then again, maybe there is no agenda here. All I can say is, slow down.”

Akis took a deep breath, more confused than ever over her mixed signals. Why would she have flown all the way to Greece, yet she hadn’t attended the wedding of her good friend at the church? Bombarded by a series of conflicting emotions, he felt a negative burst of adrenaline, not knowing what to believe.

“I don’t want to think about it anymore tonight. Thanks for listening. I’ll see you in the morning.” He clicked off.

Without that kiss he might have decided it wasn’t worth it to pursue her further, except that he didn’t really believe that. It had taken all his willpower not to chase around the corner after her with some excuse to detain her. But this evening he hadn’t been thinking clearly. The need to feel her in his arms outweighed every other thought. It still did...

“Kyrie?” his driver called to him. “We’ve arrived.”

So they had. Akis thanked him and climbed out of the limo. On his way up to the penthouse, he went over the conversation with his brother. Vasso had given him one piece of advice he would follow from here on out.

Slow down.

CHAPTER THREE

BY THE TIME Raina had unwrapped her ankle to shower on Monday morning, she had to admit it felt a lot better. Resting it had really helped because there was little swelling now. It didn’t need to be rewrapped as long as she walked with crutches and was careful.

After dressing in a blouse and jeans, she brushed her hair and put on her pink lipstick. Every time she thought about Akis Giannopoulos, she got a fluttery feeling in her chest, the kind there was no remedy for.

Her lips still throbbed from the passion his mouth had aroused. For a little while she’d been swept away to a place she’d never been before. After having no personal life for so long, she supposed something like this had been inevitable. Maybe it was good this hormone rush had happened here in Greece. Before long she’d be leaving, so whatever it was she felt for this man, their relationship would be short-lived.

Since she couldn’t do any sightseeing this trip, her only option was to stay at Chloe’s. Such inactivity for a man like Akis would wear thin. When he found himself bored, he’d find a plausible reason to leave.

Breakfast came and went. She lounged by the pool and read a book she’d brought. Every time Nora or a maid came out to see if she wanted anything, she expected Akis to follow. By lunchtime she decided he wasn’t coming.

After kissing her as payback for the way she’d treated him last night, he’d left the house. It wouldn’t surprise her if he’d had no intention of coming back today. Raina ought to be relieved. Once she’d eaten lunch with Nora, there was still no sign of him.

Hating to admit to herself she was disappointed he hadn’t come, she went to her bedroom to do some business on the phone with her staff running the estate in California. No sooner had she gotten off the phone than the maid knocked on her door. “Kyrie Giannopoulos is waiting for you on the patio.”

At the news her heart jumped, a terrible sign that he mattered to her much more than she wanted him to. “I’ll be right there.” She refreshed her lipstick before using her crutches to make it out to the pool area where Akis was waiting for her.

His intense black gaze swept over her while he stood beneath the awning in an open-necked tan sport shirt and jeans. His clothes covered a well-defined chest and rock-hard legs. Whether he wore a tux, a bathing suit or casual clothes, her legs turned to mush just looking at him.

“I would have been here sooner, but my business meeting this morning took longer than I’d supposed. The housekeeper told me you’ve already had lunch. Have you ever been to Athens?”

“I came here once with my grandparents when I was young, but remember very little.”

“What happened to your parents?”

“They were killed in a light plane crash when I was twelve.”

“How awful for you.”

“I could hardly believe it when it happened. I suffered for years. We had such a wonderful life together. They were my best friends.”

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“So am I, but I was very blessed to have marvelous grandparents who did everything for me.”

“Thank heaven for that.” He eyed her thoughtfully. “Are you up to some sightseeing then?”

Her breath caught. “Much as I’d love to tour Athens, I can’t. You didn’t need to come over. A phone call would have sufficed.”

“You can see Athens from my penthouse terrace.” She blinked. “The city will be at your feet. I have a powerful telescope that will enable you to see its famous sights up close from the comfort of a chair and ottoman for your leg.”

“Go with him, Raina,” Chloe’s mother urged, having just walked out on the patio. “Socus and I went up there one night. You can see everything in the most wonderful detail. The Acropolis at twilight is like a miracle.”

Raina couldn’t very well turn him down with an endorsement like that from Nora. “You’ve sold me. I’ll just go back to the room for my purse.” Reaching for her crutches, she hurried away with a pounding heart. Retrieving her purse, she headed for the front door, but Akis was there first to open it for her.

“Thank you,” she whispered, so aware of his presence it was hard to think. Once he’d helped her inside the limo out in front, he sat across from her. “I know you want to rest your leg so I’ve told the driver to take us straight to the Giannopoulos complex.”

“We could have stayed at Chloe’s and played cards. It would have saved you all this trouble.”

The compelling male mouth that had kissed her so thoroughly last night broke into a smile, turning her heart over. “Some trouble is worth it.”

She looked out the window without seeing anything. Going to his penthouse wasn’t a good idea, but her hectic emotions had taken over her common sense. Raina wanted to be with him. She would only stay awhile before she asked him to take her back to Chloe’s.

The driver turned into a private alley and stopped at the rear of the office building. Akis helped her out and drew a remote from his pocket that opened a door to a private elevator. In less than a minute they’d shot to the roof and the door opened again.

Adjusting her crutches, Raina followed him into his glassed in, air-conditioned penthouse. No woman’s touch here, no curtains, no frills or knickknacks. Only chrome and earth tones. It was a man’s domicile through and through, yet she saw nothing of his dynamic personality reflected.

The best man who’d tracked her down despite all odds didn’t seem to fit in these unimaginative surroundings. But she could understand his coming home to this at night. Glorious Athens lay below them from every angle.

“Come out to the terrace. I have everything set up for you.”

The telescope beckoned beneath the overhang. Working her crutches, she stepped out in the warm air and flashed him a glance. “Were you an eagle in another life? I like your eyrie very much.”

“As far as I know, this is the only life I’ve been born to, but I was hatched in a very different place as you well know.”

She frowned. No, she didn’t know. Akis was trying to rile her. In retaliation she refused to rise to the bait.

He took her crutches so she could sit on the leather chair and prop her leg on the ottoman. After putting the crutches aside, he placed the telescope so she could look through it while she sat there. “I’ve set it on the Acropolis and the Parthenon.”

“The cradle of Western civilization,” she murmured. “This is the perfect spot to begin my tour. Thank you.” One look and she couldn’t believe it. “Oh, Akis—I feel like I’m right there. How fabulous! A picture doesn’t do it justice. Do you mind if I move this around a little? There’s so much to see, I could look through it for hours.”

“That’s why I brought you here. Enjoy any view you want. Since it’s heating up outside, I’ll get us some lemonade.”

She was glad he’d left. The brief intimacy they’d shared last night hadn’t lasted long enough. The fire between them had been building since he’d shown up at Chloe’s house. But he was only gone for a few minutes and returned with a drink for both of them. The second he came back out, her pulse raced.

He lounged against the edge of a wrought-iron patio table and played tour director for the next two hours. Akis was a fount of information, responding to all her questions.

No one watching them would know how disturbed she was to be this close to such a man who on the surface appeared so pleasant. Underneath his urbane facade Raina knew he was just biding his time until she tired of sightseeing and he had her full attention.

When she’d eventually run out of questions, she sat back with a sigh. “Thanks to you, I feel like I’ve walked all over this city without missing anything important. I’ll remember your kindness when I watch the city recede from my plane window.”

Akis moved the telescope out of reach, then flicked her a probing glance. “Forget about returning to California. You’ve only seen a portion of Athens. What you haven’t seen is what I consider to be the best part of Greece. I’m prepared to show it to you. I understand Chloe’s parents have extended you an open invitation to stay for a while.”

She shook her head. “Why would you want to do anything for me when it’s obvious you have issues with me?”

“Maybe because you’re different from the other women I’ve met and I’m intrigued.”

“That’s not the answer and you know it.”

One black brow lifted. “You can’t deny the chemistry between us. I’m still breathless from the explosion when we got in each other’s arms last night.”

Raina’s hands gripped the arms of the chair. “So am I.”

“After such honesty, you still want to run from me?” he said in a husky tone.

“Physical attraction gets in the way of common sense.”

He folded his arms. “What is your common sense telling you?”

“I think your questions about me have fueled your interest.”

“Is that wrong?”

“Not wrong, just unsettling. I know you’ve been upset with me since the night of the reception when I wouldn’t tell you my name and gave your employee a different name. I already told you the reason why.”

“Just not all of it,” he challenged in that maddening way, causing her blood pressure to soar.

“What’s the matter with you?” she cried softly. “Earlier today you accused me of knowing something about your origins, when in truth I know next to nothing about you except that you were the best man!” Her voice shook with emotion. “If there’s some sinister secret you’re anxious to hide, I promise you I don’t know what it is.”

His eyes narrowed on her features. “That’s difficult for me to believe when you’ve been Chloe’s best friend for years.”

She nodded. “We became best friends and have seen and stayed in touch with each other over the years. I knew she was crazy about Theo months ago, but I only heard she was getting married a month ago. She was so full of excitement over the wedding plans, I didn’t even know the last name of her fiancé’s best man, let alone any details about you. If that offends your male pride, I’m sorry.”

He shifted his weight. “I’m afraid it’s you I’ve offended without realizing it. Shall we call a truce and start over? Nora wants us to come back and eat dinner with them by the pool. Afterward they’re going to show us the wedding video.”

“You can tell they’re missing Chloe,” she said.

“That’s what happens when there’s an only child.”

Raina knew all about that and agreed with him. “Their family is very close. Just being with them this little bit makes me surprised they allowed her to leave home for the school year.”

“If she hadn’t been happy with you, I’m sure she wouldn’t have stayed.” While she felt his deep voice resonate, his gaze traveled over her. “Surely you can understand how much they want to pay you back for the way your family made her feel so welcome. If you want my opinion, I think you’ll hurt their feelings if you fly to the States too soon, but it’s your call.”

Privately Raina feared the same thing. “I’m sure you’re right. If I stay until Chloe and Theo get back, it’ll give me a chance to rest my leg a little more.” More days to spend with Akis.

Wasn’t that the underlying factor in her decision just now, even though her heart was warning her to run from him as fast as she could? To love this man meant opening herself up to pain from which she might never recover.

“They’ll be happy to hear it. Are you ready to go back?”

No, her heart cried, but her lips said “Yes.”

After she finished her drink, he helped her with the crutches. Their hands brushed, sending darts of sensation running up her arms. He didn’t try to take advantage, but it didn’t matter. Every look or touch from him sensitized her body. As they left the penthouse for the drive back to the Milonis estate, she fought to ignore her awareness of him.

Later, after a delicious dinner, Akis took the crutches from Raina while she settled on the couch in the den. Nora sat next to her while Socus started the video. Akis turned off the light and sat in one of the upholstered chairs to watch. Cries of excitement, happiness and laughter from Chloe’s parents punctuated the scene of the wedding day unfolding before their eyes.

The videographer had captured everything from the moment Chloe left the house for the church. Parts of the ceremony in the church left Raina in happy tears for her dear friend. She just knew they’d have a wonderful life together.

Other parts of the film covered the reception, including the dancing. The camera panned from the wedding couple to the best man dancing with the maid of honor. “You and Althea make a beautiful couple,” Socus exclaimed.

Raina concurred. He was so handsome it hurt, but the inscrutable expression on his face was distinctly different from the adoring look on Althea’s. Suddenly the camera focused on the guests. Raina saw herself at the table. Shock!

But there were more shocks when it caught Akis accompanying her from the ballroom. She’d had no idea they were being filmed.

Nora laughed. “Oh, Akis... Now I understand why you didn’t spend the rest of the evening with poor Althea. You remind me of the prince at the ball who avoided the stepsisters because he wanted to know the name of the mystery woman on crutches and ended up running after her.” Socus’s laughter followed.