but I’d be interested to hear what you like.”
“Well, I’ve loved this fresco for a long time and already know the one I’d use.”
“In that case let’s take it to the store and match the paint we want. I’ll put these things in the kitchen and we’ll eat later.”
As she watched him disappear, Lys imagined that deep down he was anxious about introducing her to his parents and needed to keep busy. That was fine with her because her angst about being favorably received was shooting through the roof.
They went out to his car with the fresco and drove into the village. The thirtyish female clerk inside the store had them sit at a table. She couldn’t seem to take her eyes off Takis even though she could see Lys wore an engagement ring.
After admiring the artwork, the woman set it on a chair before bringing in a dozen color strips for them to look through, but she addressed her remarks to Takis.
Though Lys knew Takis wouldn’t be marrying her if Nassos hadn’t given him half the hotel, she planned to help him redo his house. She adored him and wanted to help make it as beautiful as possible. This was where he planned to live until he died, so it had to be right.
His gaze fused with hers. “Let’s pick our favorite color and see how close we come.”
Being with Takis like this made every moment an exhilarating one. Among the various colors, her eye went to the pastel green shades until she found the perfect match in the fresco.
She would have reached for it, but Takis’s hand was quicker. He lifted a certain strip off the table and glanced at her. “I knew exactly what I was looking for. Now it’s your turn. Choose the one you prefer.”
Lys couldn’t believe it. “You’re holding it. Soft sage is my choice too.”
“You’re teasing me.”
“No.”
The smile left his eyes. “I’m beginning to think we’re dealing with something here beyond our control.”
A little shiver raced through her. “I admit this is amazing.”
“That was so easy, I’m afraid to ask what other colors you’re thinking of for the rest of the house.”
“How about these for the walls in the kitchen?” She picked up the Minoan red and canary yellow strips.
He looked astonished. “You’ve been reading my mind.”
“The borders on the fresco influenced me.”
Takis kissed her neck before getting up to talk to the clerk. He couldn’t have done anything to please Lys more just then. She made a silent choice of pale blue for one of the bedrooms upstairs, but didn’t say anything. Perhaps they’d make that decision later.
“I’ll be happy to help you with anything else you need.” The woman smiled into Takis’s eyes and couldn’t have been more obvious. Lys was glad to leave.
Again she thought she saw the same car she’d noticed earlier, but it disappeared around the next corner. After what she’d been through while the police were investigating the reason for Nassos’s death, she was probably being paranoid.
SOON THEY DROVE back to the house with the paint. While Lys carried the bags into the living room, Takis brought in the fresco and set it back on the mantel. “Shall we eat? I’m starving.”
Lys chuckled. “Aren’t you always?”
They walked into the kitchen, where he’d put the wrapped vase of flowers in the sink earlier. She set the food on the table and they sat down to eat.
Halfway through a second sandwich he smiled at her. “We’ll set up our computers to the hotel’s mainframe. Giorgos won’t be the wiser when we use this house to discuss business while we transform this place. Have you told him we’re engaged?”
“Last night I showed him my ring.”
Takis’s eyes glittered with amusement. “It’s the best thing that could have happened to him. He took one look at you and fell hard. I feel sorry for him because there’s only one of you.”
“Speaking of problems, maybe I should go alone to the paint store next time.”
“Why?”
She laughed. “You do that so well.”
“What?” He stared at her.
“Pretend you don’t know that woman can’t wait to see you again.”
His mouth curved sensuously. “You noticed.”
“Even blind, I would have been able to tell.”
“Now you know what I put up with whenever you’re with me. We both know Giorgos is already a lost cause. As for Basil, I’ve done business with him from time to time and have never known him to give anything away. But he was so besotted with my fiancée and her violet eyes, he lost his head.”
She scoffed. “I thought he did it because he cares for you. More and more I’m convinced that’s the way Nassos felt about you upon a first meeting, not to mention the manager, who was so impressed, he introduced you to Nassos twelve years ago.”
He sucked in his breath. “Why do I feel I’m being set up for something?”
“Why don’t you believe you’re a wonderful son worth loving?”
They finished eating in silence before he started to clean up. “Thank you for bringing lunch.” She felt his eyes on her. “We should leave for my parents’ in a few minutes. If you need to freshen up, the water is on now. Don’t worry. I cleaned the downstairs bathroom. This house has stood vacant for a long time.”
“I thought as much.”
She got up and discovered it next to the area for a washer and dryer down the little hall off the kitchen. There was a lot of work to be done, but Lys found she couldn’t wait to help.
When she came out, he stood in the kitchen waiting for her. The realization of what they were about to do frightened her. “Takis? What if they can’t accept me?”
“We’ve been over this before—they will adore you. Are you saying you want to back out?” His voice sounded too quiet.
“No, but I’m nervous.”
His hands reached out and he drew her against him. “Perhaps now would be the best time to put the seal on our relationship.” When his compelling mouth closed over hers, she’d been halfway out of breath in anticipation. The shocking hunger in his kiss robbed her of the rest and she clung to him in a wine-dark rapture.
There was no thought of holding back on her part. Her desire for him was so great, she had no idea how long they stood there clinging to each other,
