Page 39 of Her Greek Inheritance

Chapter 15

The next day…

Gemma woke slowly. Her head was beating like a painful drum. Her body was sweltering hot. She pushed at the covers, only to realize they weren’t blankets, but a man’s arms holding her tightly. She turned her head slowly, groaning at the pain the movement caused, and came face to face with Leo. She gasped.

His eyes popped open. He hugged her tightly, muttering to himself in Greek for several minutes before releasing his grip. He searched her eyes. “You are awake!”

“Apparently so. Could you please let me go? It’s really hot under these covers.” Her voice was scratchy, making her head ache something fierce.

Leo loosened his arms. Gemma pushed the blankets back, realizing too late that she was completely naked underneath. “Where are my clothes?”

Leo pointed to a sodden heap of clothing lying on the tiled floor. “I didn’t have the foresight to hang them up to dry last night. I was too worried about you. Gemma, how do you feel?”

Gemma pulled a blanket around her naked torso.How do I feel?Everything that had happened the day before rushed back. “Petrina! She brought me out here and then left me here.” She gripped Leo’s arm. “She had a gun! Leo, she was going to shoot me!”

Leo looked grim. “The authorities have already questioned her. Once you have given your statement, she will be held accountable for her actions. Why would you go sailing with her after the way she treated you?”

Gemma flushed. “She said she was sorry and that she wanted to be friends. She seemed nothing like the woman I had originally met, and I wanted to get away….”

Leo’s eyes softened. “From me?”

“I just needed some time to think. Your parents took Damien…” She looked around frantically, as if she expected to see her son. “Leo, I need to make sure Damien is okay.”

Leo pushed himself to his feet. “I will try the radio, but I warn you, the storm was vicious last night. It might be a while before we get reception back.”

Gemma tried to stand, crying out as sharp pain lanced through her skull. She gripped her head with both hands. It was several seconds before she could speak. “What happened to my head?”

“You were bleeding when I found you floating at the sea. It’s a wonder the boat didn’t capsize.”

Gemma blanched. “I thought several times it might. Oh, God, Leo! The waves were so big…”

Leo pulled her into a hug. Gemma closed her eyes, basking in the comfort he offered.I’ll remember this feeling. I’ll need it in the days to come.She was pretty sure she would be having more than one nightmare about being trapped on the boat during the storm.

“Shush,lígo gáta. You are safe now.”

Gemma nodded gingerly. She allowed him to comfort her for several long moments. “Did you come after me?”

Leo nodded. “Yes, as soon as I realized what had occurred. I feel that this is all my fault.”

Gemma didn’t give him a pass on his feelings of guilt. It was pressure from him that had brought her to Greece in the first place. She pulled away. Immediately a wave of nausea hit her. “Oh, no.”

“What’s wrong?” he inquired, holding her up as her knees started to buckle.

“I’m going to be sick.”

Leo immediately swept her up in his arms, carrying her through to the closest bathroom. He deposited her by the toilet, holding her hair as she emptied her stomach.

When she was finished, he handed her a cup to rinse her mouth out with and then a damp rag to wipe her face. He then carried her back into the bedroom and settled her in the bed once more.

Gemma felt like a damp cloth. She could only huddle in the bed as shivers wracked her body. Her body was hurting everywhere and her headache was becoming more intense. “Leo, I don’t feel very well.” She closed her eyes, finding the effort to keep them open more than she had in her.

“I know.” His voice was soothing, and he gently massaged her hands. “Let me go try the radio and see if I can get some help headed this way. I could take you back in the boat…”

Gemma moaned in distress. “No boat!”

“I didn’t think you would be up for that and to tell you the truth, neither am I. Hang on, and I’ll get help coming as soon as possible.”

*****