the wrong idea she said, “I told you before you went to sleep, you’re the most important person in Thessalonica. If anything had gone wrong during the night, I wanted to be prepared to handle it in case your doctor needed to be phoned. We couldn’t afford for the media to know anything.”
As an afterthought she blurted, “Fortunately this morning your pupils don’t look dilated, so I’m assuming you’re feeling better.”
“I’m still a little dizzy, but I only see one pair of green eyes this morning instead of three.”
Alex trembled that he’d even noticed her eyes, but she didn’t dare take it personally.
“That’s a very good sign you’re on your way to a full recovery.” Hard as it was to separate herself from him, she moved the chair to the table. “Your family’s going to be delighted with the news.”
“Unfortunately I’m not delighted to see how exhausted you are,” came the less than flattering remark, underlining her belief that his comment about her eyes held no significance whatsoever.
“I catnapped here and there. Do you feel ready for something to eat or drink?”
“Like you, I’m ravenous, and could swallow a gallon of that sage tea with honey.” He sounded like he meant it.
“Let me find your housekee—”
“You’re going to bed!” he interrupted her. “I’ll ring the kitchen and ask them to send us trays. They’ll deliver one to your room. Then I want you to sleep for as long as you need to. We’ll talk business later in the day when you’re up and feeling refreshed.”
She was his secretary and had been banished to the guest bedroom. It was the surest sign that he was once more in command.
Without further words passing between them, she left his room and shut the door. At the click, she felt a death knell in her heart because those precious moments of intimacy while he’d been at his most vulnerable would never come her way again.
A few minutes later she stood beneath a hot shower, attempting to shut out her mother’s warning. But it was too late.
I’m afraid for you to go to Greece. It can only put you on a more intimate footing with him without getting anything back in return.
Dimitrios moved slowly to reach for the phone. His housekeeper sounded relieved he was well enough to eat. He told her to send one breakfast tray to the guest room and another to his bedroom.
After he hung up, he realized Ms. Hamilton must have covered him with a blanket during the night.
She’d done more than that. He’d felt her fingers like little angel wings brushing his forehead. Though it was hours since the experience, he could still feel her touch. So soft…yet it had electrified him. He’d actually wanted to pull her down on the bed next to him and…
Lord. The accident on the plane must have done something more serious to him than he’d thought. Never in all these years had he been tempted to break his vow and take a woman to bed.
Frustrated and shocked by feelings of desire for his secretary, of all women, he made another vow that he wouldn’t allow her to disturb him again.
Carefully pushing the blanket aside, he got off the bed. The action reminded him he’d hurt his shoulder. He winced while he clung to the nightstand, waiting for his equilibrium to return.
Every muscle in his body ached, but at least he was standing on his own. It didn’t surprise him to hear a knock on the door. Everyone else would have been up for several hours.
“Uncle? Serilda said you called for breakfast. Can I come in?”
“Of course.”
His nephew rushed over the threshold. He looked worried to see Dimitrios standing by the bed. “Should you be up yet?”
“I’m all right.”
“That’s a great relief. Let me help you into the shower.”
“Tell you what. Stay close by while I try to make it on my own.”
It was a struggle, but he managed without having to rely on his nephew for support.
“Be careful, Uncle. The doctor said not to get your head wet for another day.”
“Thank you for the reminder.”
The hot spray felt good on his sore shoulder. Deciding to forgo a shave, he dressed in a clean robe. By the time he’d joined his nephew for breakfast, he was feeling reasonably normal except for certain memory flashes. He could still remember being held in her arms on the plane, of being touched when she’d thought him asleep.
“I hope Ms. Hamilton didn’t allow you to stay up too late.”
Dimitrios finished off his orange juice in one swallow. When he put the empty glass down he said, “You don’t have to worry. She’s that rare secretary who anticipates my every need.” It would be too much to hope she would repeat last night’s experience tonight.
Once again it dawned on Dimitrios he was entertaining thoughts that had no place being there. He groaned at his lack of mental discipline. Damn if the room didn’t spin when he moved his head too fast.
“I’m glad you’re so much better, Uncle.”
That was debatable. But a few minutes later, after he’d consumed a cheese omelette and butter biscuits, he felt ready to take care of a little personal business.
“I might have an errand for you to run. Afterward, we’ll go out on the terrace with your mother and talk. Would you mind handing me my cell phone? It’s in my suit jacket hanging on the chair. I’ll also need the phone directory.”
“Don’t move. I’ll get everything.”
Once his nephew gave him both items, he looked up the number of the hotel and called reception.
“Mediterranean Palace. Kalimera.”
“Kalimera. This is Dimitrios Pandakis. Put me through to Ms. Hamilton’s suite, please. It’s booked in my name.”
“Mr. Pandakis! We heard you’d had an accident.”
“A small one, but I’m fine.”
“I’m pleased to hear it. Just a moment and I’ll put you through.”
“Thank you.”
On the third ring, a man speaking English answered the phone. “Better late than never, Alexandra, darling. What happened? I was beginning to wonder if Zeus had whisked you off to parts unknown in that private jet of his, never to be seen again.”
Dimitrios felt a negative rush of adrenaline. “This is Dimitrios Pandakis. Sorry to disappoint you. Ms. Hamilton is staying at my villa for the moment. This is Michael, I presume.”
“That’s right.”
“My secretary’s asleep, but I’m sure she’ll
