‘Loukas is my godson. As the only male Andreou of his generation, I consider it is of vital importance he has taken a wife worthy of bearing his name.’
‘While I consider the importance lies with Loukas’ ability to share equal partnership in Karsouli.’
Lexi clapped her hands lightly. ‘Well fielded.’
Constantine indicated a collection of comfortable sofas. ‘Please, be seated. I’ll open the champagne.’
‘I prefer ouzo.’
Naturally, Alesha conceded, Daria would take pleasure in being contrary. Was it a game? Maybe two could play …
Over dinner, perhaps.
A delicious meal prepared especially by Angelina, comprising several courses … tasty samples of various seafood dishes, followed by mouth-watering sweet honey and nut pastries and fresh fruit.
It was during dessert that Daria made an announcement in the form of a statement … no one could possibly term it a suggestion, Alesha decided a trifle ruefully.
‘You have denied your family the pleasure of participating in your wedding. A ceremony will be repeated here in Athens. Tomorrow,’ she determined firmly, ‘we will shop.’
‘A reaffirmation of your marriage vows,’ Angelina declared with enthusiasm. ‘All that is required will be the documented proof the marriage has already taken place.’ Her eyes sparkled. ‘There will be guests … a party.’ She paused for a few seconds. ‘Afterwards you will take Alesha to the island for a few days,’ she concluded.
Oh, my. The light touch of Loukas’ hand on her thigh caused her to look at him askance.
‘A charming idea.’ His eyes speared her own. ‘Alesha?’
That was right … throw the ball into her court! Like she was going to refuse? ‘Charming,’ she agreed. In a moment of inspiration she turned towards Lexi. ‘I’d love it for you to be my attendant.’
‘Done,’ Loukas’ sister concurred with delight. ‘Which means I get to join in the shopping expedition.’
‘It will be my pleasure. My gift to you both.’ Constantine beamed as he sank back in his chair. ‘And now we shall adjourn to the lounge and Angelina will bring the coffee.’
It was almost midnight when Loukas summoned Cristos and they took their leave.
Alesha settled into the rear seat of the limousine as Loukas joined her, and she sat in reflective silence as Cristos traversed the driveway.
Loukas reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. ‘You managed very well.’
His features appeared as shadowed angles in the evening’s darkness, illuminated by passing street-lighting and the beam of oncoming traffic.
‘Your aunt is a lioness.’
‘Yet beneath the surface lies the heart of a pussycat.’
‘You’re kidding me?’
‘You’re now part of the Andreou family. One Daria guards with her life. You will discover she is generous to a fault,’ he relayed quietly. ‘And very caring towards those who earn her trust.’
‘You could have warned me what to expect.’
‘Perhaps,’ Loukas conceded. ‘But would it have made any difference?’
No. For how could she have disappointed his parents, Lexi … Daria, even, if she’d indicated a reaffirmation of her wedding vows was too much to ask?
‘So we get to do it … when?’
‘I imagine my mother and Daria already have the details in hand.’
Alesha didn’t doubt it for a moment.
Sleep didn’t come easily, and she sighed a little as Loukas drew her close and brushed his lips to her temple. ‘You want me to help you sleep?’
‘Depends what you have in mind,’ she managed in a voice husky with tiredness.
‘If I promise to do all the work?’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘I assume that’s a yes?’
His light teasing held a sensuality that warmed her blood and sent it pulsing through her body. ‘What are you waiting for?’
A faint chuckle emerged from his throat as he sought the softly beating pulse at the edge of her neck, savoured a little, then his lips trailed a path to her breast, suckled there, and moved low to create the sort of sensual havoc that demanded release … hers, by him.
He gifted it to her, eventually, and caught her as she climaxed. Then he held her for what remained of the night, sleeping as she slept until dawn crept over the horizon and gave birth to a new day.
CHAPTER NINE
LOUKAS’ words ‘have fun’ echoed in Alesha’s mind as Cristos drove to Voula, collected Angelina, Daria and Lexi, and headed towards one of several elite shopping areas in the city where designerwear graced exclusive boutiques.
Angelina and Daria quibbled and clicked their tongues as one gown after another was submitted for their approval … or not. Mostly it was not.
‘Don’t despair,’ Lexi encouraged quietly. ‘They both have excellent taste.’
And no regard whatsoever to cost, Alesha perceived, and gave up figuring the exchange conversion.
By comparison, it made shopping for the dress in Sydney with Lacey seem like a breeze.
‘Lunch,’ Daria announced. ‘After which Cristos will take us on a tour of the city until the shops reopen.’
Although Alesha had explored some of the tourist sights with her parents during her last visit to Athens, it proved interesting to revisit familiar places and hear a different perspective of the history. Tales passed by word of mouth through the generations, doubtlessly distorted by the passage of time, but there was a sense of admiration that some of the buildings had been painstakingly assembled without benefit of machinery so long ago.
To pass over ground trodden by an ancient civilization, where the blood of her ancestors had been spilt, and heretics were put to death.
Modern roads, homes, industry now covered ground that had once been barren. If one possessed an overly vivid imagination, it was almost possible to hear the thunder of galloping horses, the roar of men as they went into battle, the clash of swords.
A return to the city streets where some of the most famous shops were located ensured forays into a few, where recognition of the Andreou name resulted in almost obsequious attention.
‘Today we look, we compare,’ Angelina confided. ‘Anything of particular interest we request a twenty-four-hour reserved hold. Tomorrow we return and decide.’
