Page 3

The elevator chimed, and they stepped into a wide foyer.
She covered her mouth to keep a gasp from escaping.
Stavros swept his arm out. “The view is spectacular.”
Rose slid off her shoes and gingerly stepped across the champagne colored carpet to the floor-to-ceiling windows opposite. Athens was literally at her feet on the other side of the glass. She went to touch her fingertips to the pane but pulled her hand back at the last minute, not wishing to leave fingerprints for the staff to clean.
“Are you pleased?” Stavros stepped beside her. He removed his sunglasses and stowed them in the breast pocket of his jacket. His eyes were dark brown, almost to the point of black.
“Quite speechless.”
He gave her a few minutes to admire the view before he said, “Let me give you the tour.”
Rose trailed him through the suite of rooms that occupied the entire floor. Bedrooms, bathrooms larger than her flat, a game room, a play room, a piano room, an office, a gourmet kitchen. Everything from wall to wall was of the highest quality. And that was only two-thirds of the space.
Stavros took her through another doorway. “The staff occupies these rooms.” He guided her through more bedrooms and bathrooms all centered around a living and kitchen space.
“Where do I stay?”
“Next to the children. There’s a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom so you can be close to them day and night.”
“Of course,” she murmured and gravitated to the massive windows once more. “I thought the family would already be here. Where are they?”
“Mr. Papadakis regrets that he and the children won’t be joining you in Athens. He’s been delayed by some business in Istanbul. They will meet you in three days at Meteora.” He produced a tablet from his pocket. “Your itinerary is here along with any information you may need to make your stay comfortable. Your reserved table in the dining room will be available in an hour, giving you time to relax and freshen up.” He held the tablet toward her.
She folded her arms. “Did he order my meal as well, or do I get any say in my arrangements? Does he really expect me to dine alone in a foreign country?” She’d dined alone more nights than she cared to count, but at least it was in the privacy of her home where the world couldn’t turn pitiful eyes on her.
“Mr. Papadakis wishes you to be comfortable. If you’d prefer to dine in the suite, I’ll cancel your reservation and place your order.” He woke his tablet, stacking it on hers. A few taps later, he turned the screen toward her. “Here is the menu.”
She perused the items, noting no prices were listed. The rich didn’t bother with cost. Another wave of irritation coursed through her, and she curled her toes. “There’s a restaurant a few doors down. I’ll eat there and pay for my meal.” She crossed the room and put on her shoes.
The smallest of sighs reached her ears.
“I’d be happy to accompany you,” Stavros said.
“I’m perfectly capable of getting my own dinner.” She scowled at him. “I don’t require a babysitter.”
“However, you do require a bodyguard.”
A laugh pealed from her lips. “A bodyguard? You can’t be serious.”
A hint of a frown graced Stavros’s features. “When it comes to the safety of the family and staff, I am always serious, Ms. Berret.” His stance left no room for doubt about his sincerity.
Rose was taken aback.
“You’re head of security, then?”
“Among other areas. I do whatever Mr. Papadakis requires.”
Since Stavros didn’t elaborate, Rose was left to wonder what the other areas might be. Stavros carried a distinctly military air about himself, and she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to know. Better to plead ignorance than knowledge should anything illegal be among his duties.
“To help you feel more at home, Mr. Papadakis encourages you to use the master suite for your stay here in Athens.”
Rose felt her jaw go slack. She made three attempts to speak before she got words out. “I simply can’t. I’ll stay in my appointed room so as not to incur any confusion as to where I stand in my employ.”
Stavros’s brows contracted. “Mr. Papadakis is a kind and respectful employer. He regards the staff as an extension of his family.”
Rose sniffed. “My experience has been different with those like Mr. Papadakis. I’ll reserve judgment of Mr. Papadakis until after I meet him, but until then I’ll hold to my past.”