The Summer Deal (24 page)

Tears blurred her vision. The house was perfect: Cozy, but big, and nestled on a slope just right for sledding, with a yard large enough to play any kind of ball game.

“The house is ours,
koukla mou
.” He closed his fingers over hers. “It will be absolutely perfect for us.”

“I love it.” She squirmed in her seat and bit her lower lip as his thumb wiped the moisture on her cheek. “Thank you.” She swallowed hard and hugged her abdomen.

“Then why do you look so worried?”

She shrugged. What if her hunch was off?

“Okay, go back in the bedroom. It’s not midnight and it doesn’t count as the day of the wedding. I’ll stay out here until the ladies arrive in the morning and then I’ll go to my parents’ home.” He kissed her nose. “I didn’t think you were so superstitious.”

“I’m not,” she replied. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Demo, this might just be wishful thinking, but I’ve had this strange feeling for a few weeks.” Turning, she collected the gift box. “I pray this is a good Christmas present.”

Demo took the package and smiled. “Anything from you is good.” He removed the cover, then the cotton. He glanced from the pregnancy test to Sammy and back again. “Is this what I think it is?”

“Only if you think it’s a pregnancy test.” Her knees shook and her stomach fluttered. “I took it a few minutes ago.”

“And?”

“I didn’t check. I figured we’d do it together.”

He grinned, leaning over for another kiss. “We’ll do this, and everything that matters, together,
agape mou
. Do you want to look or should I?”

Her fists balled into her stomach. “You do it.”

Demo removed the test and made a grand gesture of searching for the little window. Twirling the stick, he winked at her.

“Oh, you’re taking too long.” She snatched the test away from him.

A plus sign.

Plus.

Positive!

“Oh, my God. We’re pregnant. We’re having a baby.” She laughed and jumped into his arms. “It’s a miracle.”

“
You’re
my miracle.” He lifted her off the ground and spun her in a joyful dance. “Mrs. Lakis, I told you it was out of our hands.” He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her long and hard. “I have everything I’ve ever wanted in my arms. What a fantastic Christmas it has been.”

“Yes it has, Mr. Lakis.”

“I love you, Mama Lakis.”

“Back at you, Baba Lakis.”

Born in Athens, Greece, and raised in the
S
tates, Aleka has straddled the Atlantic and had one foot on each continent for many years.
Aleka
loves to travel and does so with every excuse available to her. Blending her life passions of story telling, travel, and exotic cultures, Aleka aims to transport her readers into the magical world of romance.

http://www.alekanakis.com

Book one of The Greek Series:

The Greek Rule

by Aleka Nakis
.

Ambitious and beautiful Athena Lakis has one simple rule:

No romance with a Greek. In theory, th
is tenet should be easy to keep.

After all, reaching for her life long dream to own and operate a prestigious hotel on

prime seaside property in Greece, she has her hands full.
The major hurdle being her

drop-dead gorgeous competition: Greek tycoon Alexandros Strintzaris.

Alexandros has his sights set on more than just a real estate deal. He wants Athena, and he always gets what he wants. When he discovers she is the one outbidding him on the resort,

will he feel the same? From a Naples ballroom, to the exotic island of Santorini,

Alexandros and Athena learn when it comes to affairs of the heart,

there are always exceptions to the rule.
 

Read on for a
quick treat.

The Greek Rule

Copyright © 2012
, Aleka Naki
s

Chapter One

Two months to learn from the best hotelier in the world, then, if everything went as planned, Athena Lakis wouldn’t be working for someone else. She did enjoy her job. She loved it. But Athena had always dreamed of running her own empire.

Sitting opposite the man who’d agreed to make it all possible her boss, Lucas Giardetti, she relayed the last minute details of the Naples Children Charity Ball. It was Athena’s last big project under her current position. She’d worked hard to make the event a huge success for Giardetti Worldwide Hospitality. Honestly, it was the least she could do in appreciation for the opportunity they had given her. The charity ball was the cherry on the whipped cream, and she wanted everything to go just right.

The florist had delivered the proper shade of pink freesias, even if it had taken him three tries. The 1969 Vintage Dom chilled at the perfect temperature, even if upon delivery it had been two degrees too warm. They weren’t spending that kind of money to drink warm champagne. And the maitre d’hotel had reassigned the waiter who didn’t own an iron to a different function. She didn’t want the young man to lose his job. She simply didn’t want him serving guests while wearing wrinkled attire.

No, this night was too important for anything to be off by a single degree. The sponsors of the Naples Children Charity appreciated the worthiness of the cause, but they also expected pampering for their great generosity.

Suddenly distracted, she froze when the most striking man she’d ever see entered her peripheral vision. Her abdomen tightened, her heart raced, and she had to work very hard to her keep breathing steady as he walked across the hotel lounge, maneuvering around the antique tables in her direction. She didn’t need the disturbance of this Adonis male three hours before the fundraising ball began.

Making a conscious effort not to look beyond the dossier she reviewed with Luca, she attempted to continue with her final report. “The guests will arrive from the south entrance between eight and nine. Cocktails will begin with—”

“Hello,
my friend.” Luca rose to greet the man commanding Athena’s attention. Standing a handsome six-foot-two, Luca was not a small man, but the obvious confidence and physical appearance of the tall, broad stranger with the dark eyes and bright smile dwarfed her employer. “I am so glad you could make it to Naples for the ball. What is it? At least three months since we sat together for anything other than business. We have some catching up to do.”

“My thoughts exactly,” drawled the sexy stranger in an accent that was more than a little familiar to her. He did not wait for an introduction. Rather he took Athena’s hand and gently raised it to his lips. His warm breath caressed her skin, sending a parade of tingles through her body. “I can see why you choose to work such long hours.”

There was playful recognition in his eyes. He must know her, or know of her. She was curiously aware of the familiarity in his tone, but she couldn’t place him. Who was this man who sucked every bit of air from the lounge?

She mentally searched the evening’s guest list, but the shape of his eyes and the set of his jaw did it. Suddenly, she knew who he was.

Drop dead gorgeous competition!

Not only was he bidding against her dream, he was soon to be related to her best friend.

Dumbfounded, she stared at her best friend’s future brother-in-law and the head of Strintzaris Enterprises. She’d had no idea her boss kept the competition as a close friend.

Shifting in her seat, she waited for him to say something about the property they were both fighting for in Crete. DDGC sat atop the Strintzaris mega-empire, while she hid within the coattails of Luca Giardetti’s name.

Luca smiled and made the introduction. “Alexandros Strintzaris, this is Athena Lakis. Miss Lakis chairs the consulting committee responsible for the symposium.”

“I’m very pleased to finally meet you, Athena.”

“Likewise.” Trying unsuccessfully to retrieve her burning hand, she broadened her smile.

“Athena is a great force within Giardetti. She doesn’t climb the rungs on the corporate ladder, she jumps over them.”

“Ah, but what a pleasure it would be to lure her to Strintzaris Enterprises. Then, she would be our force.”

Alexandros raised his eyebrows to the other man in a fun challenge and laughed. Then he turned his dark eyes in Athena’s direction, and his gaze stroked every inch of her body before he spoke.

“I will have to find an offer you can’t refuse. We already have ties that bind us, and now I look forward to exploring new options that will keep us connected.”

The cryptic message swirled in her mind as she explored the possibilities of
new options
. Would these options be professional, personal, or very personal?

No, she couldn’t let her mind wander into a territory where he had the upper hand. Alexandros was smooth, like a panther in disguise. And Athena hated herself for being attracted to an arrogant Greek. Even worse, to the man who’d just up the ante on her dream property and was raising the resort almost out of her reach. She needed to remain detached and professional.

“It will be a cold day beneath us before I let such an asset come your way.” Luca offered comedic relief, and she attempted a nonchalant smile.

“Duly noted,” Alexandros said, allowing Athena to retrieve her hand while looking from her to Luca. “I have one more
industry
question before we settle down to enjoy the evening.”

“Anything, my friend,” Luca said.

“Why the sudden interest in Greece? Not that Strintzaris minds the competition, but Giardetti’s play for the property in Crete surprised me.”

Holding her breath, Athena wondered how Alexandros would react to the truth. Her gaze skirted toward her boss, who didn’t reveal anything more than required. Luca simply shrugged.

“We both know it has a certain appeal, good potential, and the timing is right. Now come, let’s catch up.” The Italian indicated a seat, inviting his friend to join them for a drink. “I’d love to put business aside for an hour or so.”

“Certainly.”

Sitting back in the leather antique wing chair, Alexandros placed one long leg across his opposite knee, drawing a slight glance from Athena. This was a man very comfortable in his own skin. Warm, sun-drenched skin covered with the world’s best clothing.

“My staff assures me the symposium is a great success. They are looking forward to tonight’s closing festivities. And of course, I could not have missed the fundraiser you hold so dear, Luca.”

Shifting in her seat, Athena interjected in a pleasant and professional voice. “We are happy to hear that, Mr. Strintzaris. Your staff is delightful, but your generosity will be the most effective tonight. The Naples Children’s Charity is a worthy cause, and the funds raised this evening will be allocated toward a home for children waiting to be adopted by loving families.”

“Undoubtedly, a worthy cause. I look forward to contributing in any way needed. In any
way
,
” he emphasized, causing the flame deep inside her to flare up.

When he turned back to his friend, Athena tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with uncertain hands. She couldn’t decide what to make of the powerful Alexandros Strintzaris. Known for being a ruthless businessman, he was now friendly and supportive despite the recent clash of interests in the Cretan property. Alexandros’ next question confused her further.

“Luca, where are we with the monetary situation? Will we need Strintzaris Enterprises to fund half the project?”

“No, no, we will save your name and influence for a different time,” said Luca. “Between us, tonight will exceed the amount necessary for the home. We’ll surpass our projected goals. Miss Lakis has single handedly secured the most generous donations from our industry.” He awarded her a proud smile. “It seems that no one is able to refuse or minimize her requests.”

“I know I never could,” Alexandros added.

It was her turn to raise a mocking eyebrow and smile. “Duly noted. Now if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have a ball to attend.”

Both men stood as she left the lounge.

Alexandros watched Athena’s departing form, loving the way her tight suit skirt swayed with each step. His friend’s hand on his shoulder guided him to sit, and Alexandros turned his attention back to Lucas.

“Something you care to discuss?” Lucas asked. “Perhaps our magnificent Miss Lakis?”

“No. I know who Miss Lakis is. I just didn’t know how much more I’d like to know her.” He blew out his breath with a low whistle. Letting his hands express deeper feelings, Alexandros gestured in a repetitive circular pattern while he spoke. “She is rather intriguing.”