Page 17

CHAPTER 17

W illow

“We’re being stared at,” I whispered, although I wasn’t certain why I lowered my voice. It was a little after four in the afternoon and the place was packed with people, music drowning out most conversations.

Dimitrios pushed his wine forward on the table. “That’s because you’re stunning.”

For all the clothing items that had been packed for me by Eleni, she’d made certain most were sensual.

Including lingerie.

What did she really think? That her boss was madly in love with me? Maybe our chemistry had become known over the house. I was wearing my favorite dress, which I’d chosen on purpose. The emerald color was vibrant and brought out my eyes, and also highlighted my copper hair. I’d done my best to style it quickly given his mandate we leave in fifteen minutes.

“You look dashing yourself.”

The trouble was he did. He’d changed into dark slacks and a black shirt, which added to his villainous look. Or maybe I’d start calling him Zorro. There wasn’t a single woman in the restaurant who wasn’t staring at him. A slight twinge inside my tummy troubled me. Why should I care?

The restaurant was located on a cliffside point looking out at the Ionian Sea. The late afternoon lunch started with wine, both of us remaining quiet. I hadn’t intended on making the proclamation I had, but just seeing the blood dripping into the sink had brought visions of what had happened to my parents.

So much blood.

I was angry. With my brother. With God. With people in general. But mostly with myself. After providing first aid that included a hefty looking bandage, Dimitrios had allowed me to explore the house alone for a few hours before making the declaration we were headed out to a very late lunch. Although my stomach was growling, I didn’t think I could eat. Why should I be sitting here enjoying a beautiful location overlooking crystalline blue ocean waters while drinking some expensive Greek wine when my parents were lying on a cold slab?

I was still unable to put any of this into a decent perspective.

Our table was nestled in the corner of a deck, the railing unable to block the fabulous view. With the light breeze, warm temperatures, and the combined scent of seafood and the salty ocean waters, this could be described as yet another slice of heaven. It was also far too romantic for a couple who’d entered into a business arrangement.

He was sitting back in his chair, looking far too relaxed for a man who’d been told I’d been responsible for killing his brother. While technically it wasn’t true, I’d felt the guilt of his loss as well as that of my own.

“Talk to me, Willow. You can’t keep this bottled up.”

“I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“You either did it to hurt me or allow your conscience to be cleansed. Which is it?”

There was the fabulous hint of venom in his voice I’d heard the night inside the villa. Why was I here? Why had I agreed to marry him? “I don’t think this is going to work.” When I started to stand, he leaned over the table.

“I’ve tried to be patient with you because of what you’ve been through. However, the fact you’re playing dangerous games with me isn’t something I can tolerate. Sit down and tell me what you meant.”

He wasn’t threatening me, but I’d been reminded of how powerful he was the moment we’d walked into the restaurant. I don’t know how many pictures were taken, so many customers yanking out their cell phones. It was as if a big-name celebrity had walked into the place. One of the waitresses had even asked for his autograph. At least that’s what I’d thought was happening. She’d spoken in Greek, keeping her voice seductively low.

My God. It was like I was the jealous one now.

Dimitrios’ celebrity had continued, the ma?tre d’ insisting he give us the best table, the bartender handing us wine because we’d had to wait for five minutes. Oh, golly gee. A five-minute wait. How tragic.

But there was no mistaking his control, including over me. I had nowhere I could go. I’d seen him taking my passport. I was stuck.

His prisoner.

I sat back into my chair, hating the way my face felt more heated than before.

“What did you mean?” He was growing more impatient as the minutes ticked by.

“Did you know my parents were basically broke?”

He narrowed his eyes. “No. Gregory never mentioned it.”

“My father was a proud man. There’d been some unexpected medical expenses that insurance wouldn’t pay for. His investments had all but dried up. He used the savings account to try and keep things normal. He took out a second mortgage recently. I wasn’t supposed to know but caught my mother crying. She confessed.”

“Then why this trip? Renting that villa cost a lot of money.”

“I was the one who wanted to come. I’ve been asking myself why. After all the years since I’d been to Greece, why had it seemed so important to come here? I still don’t know.” Although the little voice inside my head had been hammering me for days. Some part of me had wanted to recapture the moments spent with his family.

With him.

It was silly since I’d been a girl, but I’d felt as if a part of me had been left here.

He seemed surprised, nodding a couple of times. “And the villa?”

“Not my doing and I honestly don’t think it was my father’s either. I offered to pay half on a basic cheap hotel, but he was having none of it for his baby daughter. He told Mother and me he’d make the arrangements. I didn’t know a thing until we arrived on the doorstep.”

“I still don’t see why you think it was your fault what happened.” At least his voice had softened.

Maybe he wasn’t going to kill me.

“Don’t you see? If I hadn’t begged to come back to Greece, everyone would still be alive.”

I meant what I said and felt it deeply in my soul. He stared at me for an abominable period before half laughing.

“Don’t make fun of me,” I challenged. “I admitted it. You wanted the truth, so I gave it to you.”

He reached over, placing his hand on mine, and I almost jerked my arm free. I didn’t, fearful of what he’d do. The tender, caring man had just returned, shoving aside the monster seeking revenge. “You aren’t to blame and I’m not convinced the two situations were caused by the same person.”

“Since when? You’ve been harping on the fact my brother is to blame this entire time.”

“Please lower your voice, Willow. As you’ve already seen, the restaurant has ears.”

“Then why are we here? I thought you didn’t want to be seen, especially with me.”

“That’s not the case.”

As intelligent as I was, I had to face facts that I wasn’t a conniving woman. At least not usually. That’s why it took me a few seconds to realize what he was doing.

Parading around his new fiancée.

“Arm candy. I didn’t know that existed in Greece. Will we end up on the front page? Should I lean over and kiss you or am I expected to crawl under the table and service you?” I was being bratty, but it was easy around his arrogance. I hammed it up for anyone taking videos, crawling my fingers up the length of his arm.

He grabbed my hand quickly, squeezing until a hint of pain washed up the length of my arm. “Don’t do that, Willow. It’s beneath you. When I said I hated games, I meant personally, but everything in business and politics is exactly that.”

“The best player wins all the gold?”

“In a manner of speaking. I may not be the ideal husband, but I won’t allow you to be embarrassed in front of katachristiká parásita .”

“You have me at a loss.”

“Abusive vermin.”

“I imagine there are those who call you that from time to time.”

He pulled the bottle of wine from the edge of the table, his eyes locking onto mine as he refilled both glasses. “Absolutely. If they aren’t doing so, then I’m not doing something right.”

I wanted to relax around him, but everyone was now staring at the two of us. He was calling out whoever was responsible.

“Are we still safe?”

“Very, little dove. My men have an ear to everything that occurs, including flights out of Athens as well as ferries coming into the port. Plus, they are in constant contact with various sources, which helps protect the borders from unwanted and unanticipated guests.”

“What about private boats?” No soldiers. Why did it feel like he was flaunting his power to the assassin? In my mind, he was playing Russian roulette.

“Possible, but you’ve seen where the house sits.”

“Including the stairs leading directly to the back door. Are you trying to get both of us killed?”

His laugh sent a shiver through me. He was not only in his element surrounded by his people, he was also in complete control. How long would that last before his luck ran out?

“Contrary to what you might think, I very much want to remain alive. You’re part of the reason why. You are not responsible for what happened. You need to erase that guilt at least, Willow. If not, it will eat you alive.”

“Like the guilt you have over whatever happened inside that dance studio?” I instantly regretted blurting out the question.

His face instantly hardened. “The subject is off limits.”

“You’re right. Guilt will eat you alive. You’re a shell of a man.”

The timing was perfect for the waiter to arrive, hopeful to take our orders.

I didn’t need to look at the menu, already knowing what I wanted. “Pastitsada.” I adored the cockerel and fresh tomatoes, the casserole one that was passed down by the Venetians.

“Fish Bianco,” Dimitrios ordered, preferring fresh fish with a garlic lemon sauce. He didn’t bother looking at the waiter as he handed the young man the menus. Instead of the smirk from before, I was rewarded with a pleasant but amused smile. “When you were here, you ordered the same dish every time we went out. Do you remember my mother insisting she make her version for you?”

I had to think about it and gasped. “Oh, God. I almost ate the entire casserole. Didn’t I?”

“You did.”

“How embarrassing. I snuck out of bed in the middle of the night, not bothering to heat it up.” I remembered something else about that night too. When I looked away, he reached over, immediately turning my head back to face him.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just remembered I wasn’t alone the entire time.”

He cocked his head. “Who was with you?”

“I don’t think you want to hear it.”

I was surprised when he laughed. “Leandro.”

“Yes. That doesn’t bother you?”

“The dude was always hungry. He was a big soccer star at that point. Thought he was wickedly cool.”

“He was nice enough but not my type.”

“You didn’t have a type. You were twelve.”

“Fair enough. I wasn’t into boys for a long time.”

He was full of surprises, brushing the same finger he’d just used around my lips. When he pulled the long digit into his mouth, I held my breath. The man was entirely too sensual for his own good. “I’m curious. When were you attracted to boys?”

My smile might have fessed up to the first of many sins. “I was never into boys. They’re far too childish. I was always into older men.”

Every action he took was either fueled by anger or by desire. As he pulled the wineglass to his lips, I found myself mesmerized by the simple action. As he slowly lowered the dense crystal, he offered a heated gaze much like he had two nights before. “Are you flirting with me, Ms. Winters?”

“What if I were?” It was impossible to stop wanting him. He had a way about him that was alarmingly alluring. When we’d been bickering earlier, all I’d been able to think about was kissing his soft lips for hours. I touched the bandage, looking down at it as if he’d given me a gift before lifting my gaze very slowly.

He tossed his napkin onto the table, pushing back his chair. As he stood, he held out his hand.

“What are you doing? Making some crazy announcement?”

His growl was low and throaty. “Something much better. Come with me.”

The sight of his eyes twinkling sparked another ember low in my core. I reached out, taking his hand, the electricity expected but colliding with my continued apprehension. His mood swings were difficult to predict let alone navigate. But as he pulled me away from the table, his fingers firmly clasped around mine, I felt almost like a princess. A wash of peace fell over me as he led me through the crowd of diners.

There wasn’t a pair of eyes not capturing our advance. When he led me to the empty dance floor, a wash of embarrassment swept in, shoving aside the sweet relief I’d felt before.

“What are you doing?” I asked as he took me into his arms. He seemed surprised when I touched the light scar on his face. He was lucky I hadn’t put out his eye.

“What does it look like? We’re dancing?” He pulled my hand free, rolling his lips across my knuckles.

“Does it still hurt?”

His smirk was the one I adored, my entire body responding with a warm flush creeping up from the base of my breasts. “No. I’m tougher than that.”

“So you say. By the way, there’s no one else on the floor.”

“So what? That doesn’t change the fact I’m in the mood. And you?”

Being so close to him, almost certain I felt his thudding heart was as exciting as the man. “I’m always in the mood to dance.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” He swung me around, his steps completely in time to the music. It wasn’t long before a group of customers gathered around the dance floor, all with drinks in their hands. Every being was watching us intently. Now I knew for certain we’d be tabloid news in the morning.

I couldn’t help myself, enjoying the soft strains of the guitar music as he guided me around the floor with expertise.

“Dance lessons?” I asked.

“Natural ability.”

“Is there anything you can’t do?”

Dimitrios’ brow furrowed. “I’ve yet to find it.”

“Accomplished and so sure of yourself. In my world, that’s called total arrogance.”

“I’ll happily accept that.”

He could make me laugh like no other man. I remembered that as well. The music was sensual, one song turning into another. I didn’t think the man ever blinked, but his wry smile told me in no uncertain terms what he had planned for later.

I wondered if I would always be thrown by my extreme attraction for him or if lust would slip away, leaving an ugly reality in its wake.

For now, I enjoyed the moment, finally leaning my head on his chest. I felt safe in his arms, something I never thought I’d feel again. His scent was intoxicating, the feeling of lightheadedness pleasant and fulfilling.

All throughout the moments of closeness, my heart was beating rapidly. It was as if I was finally accepting that I belonged to him.

“I have a surprise for you after dinner,” he said moments later.

“Oh, yeah? I’m not much for surprises at this point.” I lifted my head, realizing he was lowering his.

When our lips brushed together, I had the sense pictures were being taken.

“You’ll like this one,” he promised.

“Are you certain?”

“Yes. Do you trust me?”

As I attempted to find an answer, I realized for some strange reason I did. “Yes.”