Page 28 of Her Greek Inheritance

“Do you come here often?” she asked as they climbed out of the car. Damien had yet to wake up. She reached for him, calling his name to slowly wake him up. “Hey, little boy. Time to wake up.”

Damien blinked at her and then at Alexi. He held out his hands to her. She unbuckled him from the child seat and realized he needed a diaper change right away. She grabbed his diaper bag and used the seat to get him cleaned up and into dry pants once again.

She looked up to see Alexi watching her with a look in his eyes she couldn’t quite explain. When she opened her mouth to question him, he stood up. “Hey, Damien. Let’s go see the ocean.”

Damien responded to the excitement in his father’s voice. He went to him, pointing to the ocean. “Water.”

“Yes, that is water.Neró.The ocean.Okeanós.”

Gemma laughed as she followed them. “You know he’s not going to remember a thing you’re trying to teach him?”

Alexi looked at her over his shoulder. “Who says I’m trying to teachhim?”

Gemma blushed, seeing the heat in his eyes. He set Damien down near the water’s edge and she watched him experience the ocean for the first time. Alexi was a watchful caretaker, making sure the waves didn’t send Damien sprawling as they receded, pulling the sand from beneath his feet in the process.

She settled on the sand, content to soak up some sun and listen to her son’s joyful giggles. When Alexi and Damien returned, she smiled at Alexi. “You’re very good with him.”

Alexi looked stunned by her compliment. “If you watch him, I’ll retrieve the blanket and lunch the kitchen staff prepared for us.”

“You thought of everything, didn’t you?”

“I hope so.” He jogged back up the beach.

She stared after him, loving the way his body moved so gracefully. He was like a fine animal, his concealed energy just waiting to burst forth. She vividly remembered the way he moved when they had sex. Suddenly her body was on fire for him.

He returned with a large blanket, which he spread on the dry sand. He then settled a large basket in the corner and beckoned her and Damien to join him. “Come and eat.” He began removing things from the basket.

Gemma felt her eyes open wider and wider at the array of food he set before them. There were small containers of marinated olives, grape leaves stuffed with rice and herbs, spiced chicken and a platter full of cheeses and breads. There was a salad made of tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, Kalamata olives and feta cheese. Gemma laughed when Damien discovered he could put the olives on his small fingers and then eat them off. Olive spread and a lemon sauce to dip the stuffed grape leaves in completed the meal.

“Here, try this.” Alexi handed her a crystal wine glass filled with a rich, red wine.

Gemma sipped it and then smiled. “It’s good. What is it called?”

“Krasí. Wine. It comes from a local vineyard.” Alexi grinned at her as she took a second sip. “You like?”

She nodded, feeling her cheeks heat. She looked away, seeing that her son had eaten his fill and was now lying on the blanket. His eyes looked sleepy once more. Gemma instinctively reached out and felt his forehead, afraid he was coming down with some illness. To her relief, he was simply tired. “Do babies get jetlag?” she asked, with obvious concern in her voice.

Alexi nodded. “Everyone gets jetlag. It can take a day or two to bounce back. His day has been exciting and worn him out. Let him sleep for a while.”

Gemma followed Alexi to one of the bungalows where he laid the child down on a large cushioned surface. “Sleep, Damien. Your momma and I will be right here when you awaken.”

Gemma watched Alexi with her son. She felt a wave of tenderness fill her. She’d often seen babies with their fathers in the park and regretted that Damien would never know such affection. Now, it seemed the fates had changed course.Can I give up everything I know so that Damien can have a relationship with his father?

“What are you thinking about so hard?” Alexi sank down onto a neighboring cushion. He pulled her down to kneel by his side. He smoothed her hair back, releasing it from the plastic clip and running his fingers through her auburn tresses. “Your hair is like fire.”

Gemma flushed beneath his gaze, “What are we doing?” She couldn’t resist voicing the doubts plaguing her mind. Her body yearned for his touch, but her mind warned her there would be a price to pay for giving into her lusts.Can I pay it?That was the question.

*****

Leo watched her. In his mind he heard his father’s demands that he secure her hand in marriage and rectify the stock situation. He could see the mounting desire in her eyes. With only a little work, he could stoke that fire and keep her focus on the feelings he evoked in her body.

He wanted her. There was no doubt about that. He let go of her hair and slipped his palm around the back of her neck, drawing her mouth towards his own. He kissed her lightly at first, but soon she gripped his shoulders, wanting to get closer to his heat.

He pulled her down beside him, stretching her body out along his entire length and making sure she knew how badly he desired her. He used his hands and his mouth to map his way around her body, removing items of clothing as he went.

Gemma wasn’t a passive observer. She tugged at his t-shirt and the fly of his shorts until he was clad only in his boxers. He sat back on his haunches, watching her as she lay there clad in only her underwear. Her breasts were high and tight, their fullness and the slight stretch marks on their undersides a testament to the fact that she had nourished her child.

Her nipples were peaked and begging for attention. He lowered his head, tugging one into his mouth and laving it with his tongue until she clutched his head to her breast. He gave her other nipple similar attention. Only when she moved restlessly against the cushion did he start his downward journey. He kissed her ribs, her slightly rounded stomach, and then trailed wet kisses down one hip until he reached her knee.