Rebecca Winters - Dreaming Of... Greece

The driver turned into a private alley and stopped at the rear of the office building. Akis helped her out and drew a remote from his pocket that opened a door to a private elevator. In less than a minute they’d shot to the roof and the door opened again.

Adjusting her crutches, Raina followed him into his glassed in, air-conditioned penthouse. No woman’s touch here, no curtains, no frills or knickknacks. Only chrome and earth tones. It was a man’s domicile through and through, yet she saw nothing of his dynamic personality reflected.

The best man who’d tracked her down despite all odds didn’t seem to fit in these unimaginative surroundings. But she could understand his coming home to this at night. Glorious Athens lay below them from every angle.

“Come out to the terrace. I have everything set up for you.”

The telescope beckoned beneath the overhang. Working her crutches, she stepped out in the warm air and flashed him a glance. “Were you an eagle in another life? I like your eyrie very much.”

“As far as I know, this is the only life I’ve been born to, but I was hatched in a very different place as you well know.”

She frowned. No, she didn’t know. Akis was trying to rile her. In retaliation she refused to rise to the bait.

He took her crutches so she could sit on the leather chair and prop her leg on the ottoman. After putting the crutches aside, he placed the telescope so she could look through it while she sat there. “I’ve set it on the Acropolis and the Parthenon.”

“The cradle of Western civilization,” she murmured. “This is the perfect spot to begin my tour. Thank you.” One look and she couldn’t believe it. “Oh, Akis—I feel like I’m right there. How fabulous! A picture doesn’t do it justice. Do you mind if I move this around a little? There’s so much to see, I could look through it for hours.”

“That’s why I brought you here. Enjoy any view you want. Since it’s heating up outside, I’ll get us some lemonade.”

She was glad he’d left. The brief intimacy they’d shared last night hadn’t lasted long enough. The fire between them had been building since he’d shown up at Chloe’s house. But he was only gone for a few minutes and returned with a drink for both of them. The second he came back out, her pulse raced.

He lounged against the edge of a wrought-iron patio table and played tour director for the next two hours. Akis was a fount of information, responding to all her questions.

No one watching them would know how disturbed she was to be this close to such a man who on the surface appeared so pleasant. Underneath his urbane facade Raina knew he was just biding his time until she tired of sightseeing and he had her full attention.

When she’d eventually run out of questions, she sat back with a sigh. “Thanks to you, I feel like I’ve walked all over this city without missing anything important. I’ll remember your kindness when I watch the city recede from my plane window.”

Akis moved the telescope out of reach, then flicked her a probing glance. “Forget about returning to California. You’ve only seen a portion of Athens. What you haven’t seen is what I consider to be the best part of Greece. I’m prepared to show it to you. I understand Chloe’s parents have extended you an open invitation to stay for a while.”

She shook her head. “Why would you want to do anything for me when it’s obvious you have issues with me?”

“Maybe because you’re different from the other women I’ve met and I’m intrigued.”

“That’s not the answer and you know it.”

One black brow lifted. “You can’t deny the chemistry between us. I’m still breathless from the explosion when we got in each other’s arms last night.”

Raina’s hands gripped the arms of the chair. “So am I.”

“After such honesty, you still want to run from me?” he said in a husky tone.

“Physical attraction gets in the way of common sense.”

He folded his arms. “What is your common sense telling you?”

“I think your questions about me have fueled your interest.”

“Is that wrong?”

“Not wrong, just unsettling. I know you’ve been upset with me since the night of the reception when I wouldn’t tell you my name and gave your employee a different name. I already told you the reason why.”

“Just not all of it,” he challenged in that maddening way, causing her blood pressure to soar.

“What’s the matter with you?” she cried softly. “Earlier today you accused me of knowing something about your origins, when in truth I know next to nothing about you except that you were the best man!” Her voice shook with emotion. “If there’s some sinister secret you’re anxious to hide, I promise you I don’t know what it is.”

His eyes narrowed on her features. “That’s difficult for me to believe when you’ve been Chloe’s best friend for years.”

She nodded. “We became best friends and have seen and stayed in touch with each other over the years. I knew she was crazy about Theo months ago, but I only heard she was getting married a month ago. She was so full of excitement over the wedding plans, I didn’t even know the last name of her fiancé’s best man, let alone any details about you. If that offends your male pride, I’m sorry.”

He shifted his weight. “I’m afraid it’s you I’ve offended without realizing it. Shall we call a truce and start over? Nora wants us to come back and eat dinner with them by the pool. Afterward they’re going to show us the wedding video.”

“You can tell they’re missing Chloe,” she said.

“That’s what happens when there’s an only child.”

Raina knew all about that and agreed with him. “Their family is very close. Just being with them this little bit makes me surprised they allowed her to leave home for the school year.”

“If she hadn’t been happy with you, I’m sure she wouldn’t have stayed.” While she felt his deep voice resonate, his gaze traveled over her. “Surely you can understand how much they want to pay you back for the way your family made her feel so welcome. If you want my opinion, I think you’ll hurt their feelings if you fly to the States too soon, but it’s your call.”

Privately Raina feared the same thing. “I’m sure you’re right. If I stay until Chloe and Theo get back, it’ll give me a chance to rest my leg a little more.” More days to spend with Akis.

Wasn’t that the underlying factor in her decision just now, even though her heart was warning her to run from him as fast as she could? To love this man meant opening herself up to pain from which she might never recover.

“They’ll be happy to hear it. Are you ready to go back?”

No, her heart cried, but her lips said “Yes.”

After she finished her drink, he helped her with the crutches. Their hands brushed, sending darts of sensation running up her arms. He didn’t try to take advantage, but it didn’t matter. Every look or touch from him sensitized her body. As they left the penthouse for the drive back to the Milonis estate, she fought to ignore her awareness of him.

Later, after a delicious dinner, Akis took the crutches from Raina while she settled on the couch in the den. Nora sat next to her while Socus started the video. Akis turned off the light and sat in one of the upholstered chairs to watch. Cries of excitement, happiness and laughter from Chloe’s parents punctuated the scene of the wedding day unfolding before their eyes.

The videographer had captured everything from the moment Chloe left the house for the church. Parts of the ceremony in the church left Raina in happy tears for her dear friend. She just knew they’d have a wonderful life together.