“You’re hovering.”
“He does that on occasion,” Alex couldn’t help adding. Already she liked the older man who’d been with the Pandakis firm for so many years.
Now it was Stavros whose eyes were smiling. “There’s a lot of work waiting for you, Dimitrios. If you want to get busy, I’ll show Ms. Hamilton into her office.”
She’d never known anyone who spoke to Dimitrios that way. It showed the measure of affection, even love between the two men who treated each other as equals.
Dimitrios muttered something about his secretaries being partners in crime before he wheeled away and strode toward his private office, taking her heart with him.
After finishing her lemonade, she felt restored and was able to get up and follow Stavros without problem. The fabulous office that would be her headquarters during the fair was obviously someone else’s inner sanctum. He didn’t tell her which of the Pandakis cousins had been asked to make the sacrifice.
For the next hour they got down to business. Toward the end of their meeting, she acted on a suggestion Dimitrios had made in regard to Stavros.
“Before I leave, can I be frank with you?”
“Of course.”
“I’m not much of a people person. I would prefer to work behind the scenes from here to make sure every event goes off as planned. You’re the mainstay of the corporation, and the only one who can handle the VIPs flying in for the fair. Would you take over in that department? Please?”
He looked surprised. “If that’s what you wish.”
“It is. To be honest, if I thought I had to entertain foreign dignitaries, I’d probably have a nervous breakdown.”
“Dimitrios told me you’re not the type to fall apart on him.”
“I have to retain a few secrets to stay in with the boss.”
The older man’s hearty laugh delighted her.
“If I’d known this was going to be a party, I wouldn’t have left.”
At the sound of Dimitrios’s vibrant voice, Alex got up from the desk. Stavros remained in his swivel chair, eyeing her employer in amusement.
“Ms. Hamilton and I have been sorting things out. She’s afraid for me to tamper with her work agenda, so it looks like I’m going to be the fair’s goodwill ambassador.”
“Whatever makes the two of you happy. Now I’m afraid it’s getting late. We have to go, Alexandra.”
She turned to Stavros. “I’ll see you later then. Thank you for everything.”
“It’s been my pleasure.”
Dimitrios cupped her elbow and ushered her out to the elevator. On their ride down to the lobby he seemed to be staring into her soul.
“Did you know that Stavros rarely laughs like that? You made him a happy man. For that, you’re going to get a reward.”
She shook her head. “Please. No more bonuses.”
“Actually I had something else in mind,” he said in a quiet voice. “When the fair is over, you’ll find out what it is.”
Alex didn’t want gifts from Dimitrios. What she did want was still out of reach. Last night had to have been an aberration. Right now she had to keep reminding herself that the only reason he kept a hold was because she’d been dizzy earlier.
He didn’t let go until he’d helped her climb in the back of the limousine waiting for them.
“Oh—my suitcase!”
“It’s in the trunk with my backpack.”
Dimitrios went around to his side of the car. After he issued instructions to the driver, they were off.
“Isn’t the hotel the other way?” Alexandra cried as the limo made an unexpected right turn.
He nodded. “Yes. However, we still have work to do after dinner. There’s no time to ferry you back and forth. Now that I know Michael and his friends can entertain themselves, it only makes sense you stay at the villa. As for your friend Yanni, he and his girlfriend might as well use the other bedroom in your suite, which is going to waste.”
After a pregnant pause, “How long do you expect the party to last?”
“I have no idea. Does it matter? You’re my guest. Naturally you’ll be attending the dinner with me.”
“But I’m not family.”
Dimitrios cursed beneath his breath. “You must have a poor opinion of me if you think I would leave you on your own! Everyone in the family is anxious to meet the woman who has managed to bring back the splendor of Thessalonica to a world that is looking on in fascination.”
She bowed her head. “Thank you for the compliment, but as usual, you exaggerate my part in things.” He heard a deep sigh. “Should I dress up for dinner, or will one of my suits be all right?”
“Whatever makes you the most comfortable.”
“Maybe I should ask your sister-in-law. She’ll have definite ideas.”
“It’s not up to Ananke to decide.”
“Isn’t she the hostess?”
“No. We’ll be eating at Uncle Spiros’s villa.”
“I thought he’d passed away.” Her voice trailed.
“He did. After his death, his son Pantelis moved in with his family. You’ll like his wife, Estelle. She doesn’t fuss about things that aren’t important.”
Another long silence ensued. He glanced at her. “What’s going on in that mind of yours to put such a fierce expression on your face?”
“It may surprise you to know that even nondescript secretaries want to look their best when the occasion demands.”
“In my employ you’ve never presented a less than perfect picture,” he bit out in frustration. “If you thought I implied otherwise, you’d be wrong.”
He could feel her pulling away from him. Nothing was the same since they’d left Dadia.
When Nicholas appeared, Dimitrios asked him to bring in their luggage, then he grasped Alex’s elbow to escort her through the villa. She seemed in a great hurry to reach the guest bedroom. After what had transpired in the last twenty-four hours, he rebelled at the idea of their being separated for any reason.
“Be ready to leave in an hour.”
She nodded, then started to shut the door.
“Alexandra—”
“Yes?” she said, sounding as breathless as he felt. “Is there something you forgot
