Dreaming Of... Greece. Rebecca Winters

      “You’ve let her into your life where no other woman has gone. I guess I just don’t want to see you get hurt. But don’t mind me. Papa told me to look after you before he died. I guess I’ve forgotten you’re a grown man now and can take care of yourself. Forgive me?”

      “If you can forgive me for asking for a few more days off.”

      “What do you think?”

      “I know it’s asking a lot.”

      “Akis? Take care.”

      His brotherly warning had come too late. It had been too late by the time she’d flashed those violet eyes at him on the street.

      * * *

      After swimming for the better part of an idyllic day in aquamarine water so clear and clean you could see everything, Raina walked on white-gold silky sand to the little truck to go back to the villa. Akis had played gently with her, always careful so she wouldn’t injure her ankle. He’d honored his promise to maintain his distance to the point she wished he hadn’t carried it this far.

      Once in the house, she washed her hair in the shower and blow-dried it. She’d picked up some sun and applied a frost lipstick, then donned a white sundress and sandals. All day she’d been waiting for evening. He was taking her to Paxos Island to show her where he’d grown up and worked. She brought her crutches, hopefully for the last time.

      They drove to the only harbor on Anti Paxos, where he’d moored their cabin cruiser. In a lightning move he lifted her like a bride and placed her on one of the padded benches. While she put on a life jacket, he untied the ropes. She could hardly take her eyes off him, dressed in a collared navy knit shirt and cream-colored pants outlining his amazing physique.

      He started the engine and they backed out of the slip at no-wake speed until they reached open water. Different kinds of boats dotted the marine-blue sea separating the two islands. Akis pointed out landmarks along the coastline till they reached Loggos. The small, quaint town with its horseshoe-shaped waterfront held particular significance for her. This was where Akis and his brother were born.

      He found a slip along the harbor and berthed the cruiser. She removed the life jacket before he reached for her and set her down on the dock. Their bodies brushed, ramping up the temperature from a fire that had been burning steadily for days now.

      “Here you go.” He handed her the crutches. Once she was ready, they began an exploration of the beachfront with its tavernas and shops. He pointed out an apartment above one of the bars. “That was our first place to live after we sold the hut.”

      “I don’t know your language, but I recognize the Alpha/Omega 24 sign up ahead. You lived close to your store.”

      “That’s how we were able to be on duty day and night.”

      She turned to him. “I’ve got gooseflesh just being with you where the whole business began. Your number-one store. When you look back at the beginning, can you believe what you’ve accomplished this far?”

      His smile quickened her heartbeat. “Watching your reaction makes it all worth it.”

      “I want to go inside.”

      “The interiors are the same, but we’ve kept the facades of our various stores in keeping with the surroundings.”

      He was right. Once they stepped over the threshold, it was like entering the shop in Athens. There were several people in summer gear doing some shopping. A middle-aged man and woman beamed when they saw Akis and hurried over to him, giving him a hug, obviously holding him in great esteem.

      Akis introduced Raina to the married couple who ran the store. Their gaze fastened on her with unchecked curiosity. They held a long conversation with Akis in Greek. At the very end he shook his head and ushered her back outside.

      “What was that all about?”

      He stared at her through veiled eyes. “Aside from giving me a rundown about how business was going, they said you were very beautiful like a film star and that we looked beautiful together. They saw the news the other night where I was helping you out of the hotel into the limo. They wanted to know if you were my fiancée.”

      To be Akis’s fiancée would be the ultimate gift after fearing it was all an unattainable dream. Heat filled her cheeks. “It’s evident they’re fond of you. So am I,” her voice throbbed, “and I’m having a wonderful time with you. Where are we going to have dinner? I’m in the mood for fish.”

      “We’ll go to the taverna ahead where you can eat beneath the olive trees. Their appetizers serve as an entire meal.”

      His choice didn’t disappoint her. The waiter brought mezes made of octopus, salad, sardines, calamari, shrimp and clams. They feasted until they couldn’t eat another bite. He taught her how to say the names of the fish in Greek. It was hilarious because her pronunciation needed help with gareedes, the name for shrimp, causing them both to laugh.

      “I’m humbled when I realize you picked up English and are fluent in it. You’re brilliant, Akis.”

      “We had to learn it out of necessity, no other reason.”

      “Those who know your story would call it genius. I lived with Chloe for nine months, but I didn’t pick up her language. I’m ashamed to admit I didn’t really try. Your genius is that you knew what you had to do and you did it against all odds.”

      “But my pronunciation needs help.”

      “No, it doesn’t.” She put a hand on his arm without realizing it. “I love the way you speak English. It’s so sweet.”

      His black brows met together. “Sweet?”

      “It’s part of your unique charisma. There’s nothing artificial about you. Never change.”

      He reached for her hand and kissed the palm. Full of food and so happy, she felt delicious sensations run through her body at the touch of his lips against her skin. She wanted, needed to be close to him.

      “Vasso?” a female voice called out, causing Raina to lift her head in the direction of the lovely woman who’d come over to their table. She was probably Raina’s age.

      Still grasping her hand, Akis turned around to the person who’d interrupted them.

      “Akis!” She looked shocked before her gaze strayed to Raina.

      At that point he had to let go of her hand and stood up. “Sofia Peri,” he said in English, “meet Raina Maywood.”

      The other woman nodded to Raina.

      “Sofia grew up here at the same time with Vasso and me,” he explained.

      From the other woman’s troubled expression, Raina suspected there’d been an uneasy history. “Akis and his brother must look a great deal alike for you to mistake him.”

      “Yes and no. How is he?”

      “Busy running the office while I’m on vacation. How are you and Drako?” His gaze flicked to Raina. “Her husband owns the best fishing business on Paxos.”

      Sofia averted her eyes. “This has been a good year for us.”

      “I’m glad to hear it. Nice to see you, Sofia. Give my best to Drako.”

      “It was nice to meet you, Sofia,” Raina chimed in.

      Clearly Sofia wanted to prolong the conversation, but Akis had sat down, effectively bringing their meeting to a close. When they were alone once more Raina said, “She’s a very pretty woman.”

      “A very unhappy one,” Akis responded. “When Vasso got out of the military he asked her to marry him, but she turned him down because she was looking for a man who could give her all the things she wanted.”

      Raina read between the lines. “Now that you and your brother have prospered, she’s wishing