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“Thank you.” I stepped across the threshold and allowed myself to be enveloped by the opulence of the foyer.
The floors, a pristine expanse of white marble, gleamed under the light, while a grand staircase swept gracefully upward, an inviting path to the second floor. Nestledwithin the staircase’s curve stood a statue of a nude woman, her form lending the space an air of serene elegance and timeless sophistication.
Across the room, a massive abstract painting burst forth with vivid gold, green, and white hues, infusing the area with a lively splash of color.
Just as I entered, a pack of four massive dogs bounded toward me, their exuberance palpable as they encircled my feet, tails wagging with uncontained joy.
“Oh, wow,” I breathed, lowering myself to their level and extending my hands to pet them. They were shepherds, one with the distinct features of a Dutch breed, the others proudly representing Greek breeds. “Aren’t you all beauties?”
I crouched farther, my hands roaming over their sleek coats as they vied for attention. Their friendliness was undeniable, their demeanor unbothered by the presence of a stranger.
Curious, I inspected the nametags dangling from their collars, chuckling when I discovered one of them bore the name Leontios.
It was the Greek word for fearless, a name I recognized instantly, for it was mine as well.
Rising to my feet, I noticed Calista entering the foyer, her presence commanding the room.
“Hello,” she greeted me in a gentle voice. “I see you’ve made friends with the dogs already.”
“I’m not sure I had a choice,” I responded as I studied her.
Calista was a vision of beauty, her allure even morestriking than I remembered from our previous encounter. She wore a pair of crisp white slacks and a white silk blouse that opened tastefully at the neck.
My gaze traced the graceful line of her neck to the top of her chest, captivated by the gentle curve revealed there.
Her golden blond hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing her face with a natural elegance. As I absorbed the sight of her, the Dutch shepherd named Leontios trotted over to her side, standing with a protective air as she assessed me with a watchful gaze.
“Is that one yours?” I inquired, nodding toward the impressive dog standing loyally by her side.
“Yes, she is.” Cali rested her hand firmly on the dog’s broad back, as if to claim her as her own. I immediately knew a profound connection existed between Cali and this magnificent creature. “Her name is Leo.”
“That’s interesting because her name tag doesn’t agree with you,” I remarked, arching an eyebrow. The sight of her cheeks turning a delightful shade of pink was a small victory.
“I know, but I swear I didn’t know you when I named her. Leontios is a girl’s name, after all.”
“I’m not sure about that,” I said, feigning skepticism. “And if it’s true, then my parents were tragically misinformed when they named me.”
Her laughter was a melody that danced through the air, and when she shrugged, it was with such charm that I felt an overwhelming urge to hold her close and kiss her.
But I knew it was far too early for such an impulsive act. If I had any hope of getting closer to Cali, it would require aslow, measured approach. For now, I would have to suppress those impulses.
“Would you like to go out to the gardens? I’d love to show you around,” Cali suggested with enthusiasm.
“That sounds wonderful,” I replied, falling into step behind her.
We strolled through a lavish sunken living room, where a grand stone fireplace dominated one wall and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows offered a stunning view of the sprawling estate beyond.
Cali pushed open a pair of glass doors, and we stepped onto a terrace, the dogs trailing behind us, their paws pattering softly against the floor.
“Do you have any pets?” Cali asked, turning her head to catch my response.
“Yes, I have a shepherd of my own.” I thought of my more-than-exuberant companion. “His name is Cosmo. You’ll have to meet him sometime.”
“I’d love to,” she said, casting a warm smile over her shoulder. We paused near the stone railing, taking in the sight of the expansive rose garden below. “Maybe when you finally invite me over for that moussaka.”
Her playful wink made my heart skip a beat.
“Absolutely,” I agreed, struggling to maintain my composure in her captivating presence.