She got to her feet. “You’d better not say that around me. I might just take you up on it because this has been a day of enchantment and I’m borderline addicted already. Good night, Akis.”
He watched her fit the crutches under her arms and make her way to the guest room. The urge to carry her to his room brought him to his feet. Needing something constructive to do so he wouldn’t follow her, he cleaned up the kitchen, then went out on the terrace to call Vasso. There was no answer. He left the message that he planned to be away from Athens with Raina for a few days. If there was a problem, let him know.
No sooner had he locked up and headed for his bedroom than the phone rang. He picked up on the second ring. “Vasso?”
“You’re on vacation with her now?” Akis heard the incredulity in his voice.
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Anti Paxos.”
“You’re kidding! What has happened to you?”
Something that had already changed his life, but he couldn’t say the words out loud quite yet. “Do you need me back at the office?”
“That’s not the point. What’s going on? Bottom line.”
“I’m still trying to figure things out.”
“Has she been honest with you?”
He sucked in his breath. “We’re getting there.”
“Akis—I’m really worried about you.”
He didn’t want to listen. “Why?”
“You’ve never been hurt soul-deep by a woman. The way you feel about her, she could be the first to do damage I don’t even want to think about if it doesn’t work out.”
“You mean like Sofia did to you?”
“Yes, but I was younger then and got over it. I’m warning you to be careful.”
“I thought you gave me the green light.”
“So I did, but she’s not just any woman. Hundreds of people depend on her as CEO. Don’t forget she came for the wedding and has to go back.”
Akis had forgotten nothing. The fear that she’d be able to walk away from him after their vacation was over would keep him tossing and turning during the nights to come. Once in a while the big brother in Vasso took over.
“What are you really trying to warn me about?”
“You’ve let her into your life where no other woman has gone. I guess I just don’t want to see you get hurt. But don’t mind me. Papa told me to look after you before he died. I guess I’ve forgotten you’re a grown man now and can take care of yourself. Forgive me?”
“If you can forgive me for asking for a few more days off.”
“What do you think?”
“I know it’s asking a lot.”
“Akis? Take care.”
His brotherly warning had come too late. It had been too late by the time she’d flashed those violet eyes at him on the street.
* * *
After swimming for the better part of an idyllic day in aquamarine water so clear and clean you could see everything, Raina walked on white-gold silky sand to the little truck to go back to the villa. Akis had played gently with her, always careful so she wouldn’t injure her ankle. He’d honored his promise to maintain his distance to the point she wished he hadn’t carried it this far.
Once in the house, she washed her hair in the shower and blow-dried it. She’d picked up some sun and applied a frost lipstick, then donned a white sundress and sandals. All day she’d been waiting for evening. He was taking her to Paxos Island to show her where he’d grown up and worked. She brought her crutches, hopefully for the last time.
They drove to the only harbor on Anti Paxos, where he’d moored their cabin cruiser. In a lightning move he lifted her like a bride and placed her on one of the padded benches. While she put on a life jacket, he untied the ropes. She could hardly take her eyes off him, dressed in a collared navy knit shirt and cream-colored pants outlining his amazing physique.
He started the engine and they backed out of the slip at no-wake speed until they reached open water. Different kinds of boats dotted the marine-blue sea separating the two islands. Akis pointed out landmarks along the coastline till they reached Loggos. The small, quaint town with its horseshoe-shaped waterfront held particular significance for her. This was where Akis and his brother were born.
He found a slip along the harbor and berthed the cruiser. She removed the life jacket before he reached for her and set her down on the dock. Their bodies brushed, ramping up the temperature from a fire that had been burning steadily for days now.
“Here you go.” He handed her the crutches. Once she was ready, they began an exploration of the beachfront with its tavernas and shops. He pointed out an apartment above one of the bars. “That was our first place to live after we sold the hut.”
“I don’t know your language, but I recognize the Alpha/Omega 24 sign up ahead. You lived close to your store.”
“That’s how we were able to be on duty day and night.”
She turned to him. “I’ve got gooseflesh just being with you where the whole business began. Your number-one store. When you look back at the beginning, can you believe what you’ve accomplished this far?”
His smile quickened her heartbeat. “Watching your reaction makes it all worth it.”
“I want to go inside.”
“The interiors are the same, but we’ve kept the facades of our various stores in keeping with the surroundings.”
He was right. Once they stepped over the threshold, it was like entering the shop in Athens. There were several people in summer gear doing some shopping. A middle-aged man and woman beamed when they saw Akis and hurried over to him, giving him a hug, obviously holding him in great esteem.
Akis introduced Raina to the married couple who ran the store. Their gaze fastened on her with unchecked curiosity. They held a long conversation with Akis in Greek. At the very end he shook his head and ushered her back outside.
“What was that all about?”
He stared at her through veiled eyes. “Aside from giving me a rundown about how business was going, they said you were very beautiful like a film star and that we looked beautiful together. They saw the news the other night where I was helping you out of the hotel into the limo. They wanted to know if you were my fiancée.”
To be Akis’s fiancée would be the ultimate gift after fearing it was all an unattainable dream. Heat filled her cheeks. “It’s evident they’re fond of you. So am I,” her voice throbbed, “and I’m having a wonderful time with you. Where are we going to have dinner? I’m in the mood for
