Zac threw Pandora a rueful glance. “I was hoping to escape this.”
“Not a chance.” The taller of the men chuckled, his hawklike features alight with good humour.
Zac sighed dramatically. “Pandora, meet Tariq and Angelo—more of my cousins.”
Pandora examined them with interest. Zac had spoken about both men with affection and admiration. When his grandfather, Socrates, had died, each of his three grandsons had inherited a sizeable part of his fortune. As the only son of the only son, Zac had inherited the biggest share. But Tariq and Angelo had been well provided for—as had Zac’s sister.
Looking from one man to the other, Pandora could discern small similarities. Not only in the family resemblance in the cast of their features but also in the air of command each of the three radiated.
“Welcome to the family.” It was Angelo who spoke. He had piercing eyes, the colour of the sea, and a crop of golden hair.
Pandora smiled. “Thank you.”
Then Tariq took her by the shoulders and bestowed a kiss on each cheek. “Bring your husband and come and visit Zayad.”
Give us some time alone first,” Zac growled. “We’ll visit in a couple of months.”
Tariq grinned. “Take your time. Now you better go dance.”
Zac whisked her off into a large adjoining room where the ensemble was now playing Greek music and guests swayed in seemingly never-ending counterclockwise spirals. At their appearance a shout went up.
“Zac, here, join in.”
Dimitri beckoned to them.
An opening appeared in the hands. Zac pulled Pandora forward. Then they were part of the swaying, shuffling mass. For the first few minutes it was as if she had two left feet, and she struggled to find the steps to the dance, frowning as she watched Zac’s feet beside her. Right step, cross, right foot point to the back, forward, shuffle and a little hop.
Suddenly the rhythm came, fitting to the strum of the bouzouki on the bandstand. Euphoria swept over her.
She could do this.
As Zac moved, her body mirrored his steps. As his arms went back, hers did, too. As he widened the circle, she went with him and the line behind followed. It was heady stuff.
The music quickened. Zac’s steps quickened. Her feet danced faster and her breath came more rapidly. All around her she could hear a few of the guests singing along in Greek.
She wished she understood the lyrics.
Zac’s hand enfolded her right hand, while on the left she linked hands with Dimitri. The person on the other side of him moved forward. Pandora caught the woman’s eye and they exchanged hectic smiles, then Pandora was concentrating on her feet again, taking care not to lose the rhythm.
The music changed, became softer, slower. She stumbled, Zac’s arm came aroundher, steadying her, then his hand slid down her arm and took her hand again. Heat shot through her. The steps had changed. A frown pleated her forehead. She bit the tip of her tongue and concentrated furiously.
“Let the music take you,” Zac murmured. “Relax. Your body must be fluid like the tide in the sea, not stiff like driftwood.”
Pandora missed the next step.
His fingers shifted under hers. “Loosen your grip on my hand. You’re trying too hard. Listen to the music, feel it ebb and flow through your body.”
Pandora concentrated on the plaintive wail of the singer’s voice.
“She’s singing about her love who went away.” His voice was low. “Each day she waits at the wharf for his boat to return, she is sure he will come back for her.”
The music caught Pandora up. Loss and grief filled the singer’s voice. Tears thickened the back of Pandora’s throat.
“That’s right. Now you have it.” Zac sounded triumphant.
Pandora jerked back to reality.
She was following the steps. “How on earth did that happen?” she asked, amazed.
“Greek music comes from the heart. The dancing translates the music. Your body must feel the music.” His gaze held hers. “It is easy. It’s about what you feel. Don’t make it difficult by thinking about technique, about complex things. Just feel the emotion. The joy of love, the pain of betrayal. The steps will follow.”
A warm flush of accomplishment filled her. The music flowed through her, her feet shifted, her body sequayed forward as she followed Zac.
Again the music changed.
The line broke apart.
Zac tugged her hand. “We’ll sit this one out.” A waiter materialised with a tray of champagne flutes and tall glasses of ice water. “Would you like a drink? Champagne?”
She was hot and thirsty from the effort of the dancing. “Just water, please.”
Zac handed her a glass. She sipped, the ice bumping against her top lip. Placing the empty glass on a passing tray, she said, “That was wonderful.”
“Come, let’s go somewhere cooler.” He guided her, skirting the edge of the room. “You picked up the steps easily.”
She laughed up at him. “Not easily. You’ll have to teach me more—when we’re alone.” If that ever happened.
His mouth curved. “Perhaps on our honeymoon, hmm?” He led her through the open French doors. Outside, the night air was warm and stars studded the black velvet sky. Zac reached up and tore off the bow tie and undid the top button of his shirt.
Her heartbeat picked up. “So we’re going to have a honeymoon? Some time together? Totally alone?”
“Oh, yes.” He leaned against a pillar and, reaching out, pulled her toward him, his eyes darkening. “Totally alone. I think we deserve it.”
“Where are we going?”
“I will surprise you. Suffice to say there will be sun, sea and only Georgios and Maria, the couple who look after the villa.”
Excitement thrummed through her. “I can’t wait. When do we go?”
“Tomorrow,” Zac’s voice turned husky. “I, too, can’t wait.”
Inside, the music had stopped.
There was an instant of simmering silence. She could feel Zac’s gaze, intense, waiting.
Waiting for her to move. To do something. Say something. She did not know what he expected. So she did what she wanted. She rose on tiptoe, pressed her lips against his … and the fire caught. Zac moaned, his lips parting under hers.
His mouth was hot and hungry.
Distantly
