The Summer Deal (9 page)

“Demo, I brought you some
bougatsa
.” The Greek beauty handed him a box with a gold ribbon. “It’s from your favorite shop.”

“Thank you,
koukla mou
.” He jumped off the couch, took the package, and kissed her cheek. Opening the box, and releasing an aroma of the sweet cheese pastry mixed with cinnamon, he walked towards Sammy. “Have you met Zoë Markos?”

“No. Pleased to meet you, Miss Markos. I’m—”

“Sammy, I know.” The gorgeous woman smiled sweetly. “How was your trip?”

“Good.” Taken aback by Zoë’s friendliness, she swallowed hard, helpless to halt her embarrassment. “And how was your trip?”

“Don’t ask. I’m scared to fly. But I love it here, so I’d never complain about the trip—other than the need to take a plane to get here.” Zoë laughed, the sensual sound shaking Samantha’s confidence. “Oh, I almost forgot. Your suitcases arrived yesterday, but I didn’t know if you wanted the staff to unpack for you. I requested they leave them by the wardrobe in your room.”

“Yes, I saw that. Thank you. It was very thoughtful of you.” Sammy nodded and forced a smile. No wonder Demo liked spending time with this woman. Not only was she good-looking, Zoë Markos was so…so…nice.

“Demo said you’re joining us for dinner. I hope you’re not very hungry, he won’t go anywhere before the game is over.”

“Actually, I’m begging out of dinner. I feel tired.” She met Demo’s quizzical gaze, and wet her lips with a nervous flickering of her tongue. “It must be the time difference. I think I’ll go to bed early tonight. It was a pleasure meeting you Miss Markos, and goodnight Mr. Lakis.”

Samantha hurriedly closed the door, not allowing any further conversation. She wasn’t going to be a third wheel. And she needed time to get her feelings under control.

Demo had not asked her to come to Greece for pleasure. She arrived in the ancient country to do her job. She would spend business hours with him, and after hours, she would not impose on his time or politeness. She would not read anymore into their relationship than she knew it was. No brooding; she was going to follow her original plan. She had to find the freedom within herself.

Samantha sat on her bed and listened to the basketball game playing on the television in the other room. Thinking it appropriate to give the couple their privacy, she waited patiently until the set was off, and she heard them leave. Walking into the living area, she spotted the refrigerator and remembered how hungry she was.

She took a small cup of strawberry yogurt to the table on the veranda. Watching the fishing boats and the lights play in the nearby harbor, she realized why Greeks spent most of their time outside. The night sky was amazing. Stars danced in the darkness, which met the sea, smooth as oil. She could hear music from somewhere, and looked down to see people eating at a
taverna
to the right of the seawall. There were more people out now, close to midnight, than there had been when she had arrived.

Samantha would take advantage of the night’s rest and be ready to go in the morning. She finished her yogurt, washed up for bed, and stayed in her room, watching a John Wayne movie until she fell asleep.

Sunlight filled the quiet living space and silent hope for a relationship blossomed in the morning glow. Demo smiled and walked past the temporary office then knocked softly, cracking the bedroom door when Sammy didn’t answer after several moments. His gut clenched. Her room was empty.

Where was she? It was only seven-thirty in the morning.

He let out a long breath, and scanned the suite for a note. The kitchen counter was empty, the desk was clean of papers, and the coffee table sat bare. He looked out on the veranda. Nothing.

“First, she bails on dinner and now breakfast.” He ran his fingers through his hair and scratched the back of his head. He had been looking forward to seeing Sammy’s bright green eyes early in the morning.

The silence nagged him. He missed the sound of her voice. Demo made a mental note to pickup a local cell phone for her. At least in case of emergency, she’d have a way to contact him. At most, he could hear her voice whenever he wanted to.

What the hell had gotten into her? It was as if she’d pushed a button and turned off to him.

He pulled on his Nikes and went for a run. Returning to the resort, he jogged by the pool and spotted a copper mass gliding in the water. He stopped and placed his hands on his knees to watch.

Sammy did a few more laps and then walked out of the pool like Aphrodite emerging from her shell. Wearing a shiny brown bikini, she sauntered to a lounge chair and shook out her hair. Lying in the sun, her fair skin wet and reflecting the light, she radiated with bewitching temptation. He wiped a trickle off his brow, and smiling in appreciation, walked over.

“Good morning, Sammy, or
kalimera
as we say in Greece.”

“
Kalimera
,” she attempted the Greek greeting, and raised her hand to shield her eyes. “I thought you were still sleeping. Did you want to start work early?”

“Work?” he said in a grudging voice. Now that he’d found her, he didn’t want to think of business. Soon she’d be back to calling him Mr. Lakis. “No, not at all. I was hoping we could have some coffee together. Did you have breakfast yet?”

“I usually just have some juice. They have fresh squeezed orange juice at the pool bar.”

“How about you join me at the café? I need a real breakfast.” He offered his hand, not waiting for her answer.

“Where is Miss Markos?”

“Zoë?” He twisted his outstretched arm in question. “She likes her sleep and never gets up early on vacation. Come on, my stomach is growling.”

Standing, she wrapped a gold sarong around her hips, slipped her tiny feet into a pair of sandals, and reached for her bag at the same time as he did. Their fingers touched, and a spark jolted up his arm.

He paused a moment and then took the bag from her hand. Holding it with two fingers, he swung it over his right shoulder and placed his left hand in the small of her back. Her warm and welcoming skin seemed to sizzle beneath his fingertips. He enjoyed touching her and wondered why he had wasted so much time in not getting to know her better sooner.

Maybe it was just the jetlag that had her acting strange last night. She seemed fine this morning—back to the woman who had stepped off the plane.

“You need to try some Greek coffee. It’s like espresso, but not bitter.”

They sat at a table overlooking the water, eating fresh rolls and cheese. Demo’s bacon and eggs arrived and he immediately broke the yolk with a piece of bread. “I might be in Greece, but I love a good American breakfast.”

“I can see that. I’m surprised you fit in that chair with what you’ve eaten so far.”

Demo heard the laughter in her voice and saw the amusement in her eyes as their gazes locked. He reached across the table and touched her hand.

Tilting his head and waggling his brows, he said in a mocking voice, “I seem to remember a chocolate monster behind those beautiful green eyes. I plan to tempt that little creature tonight, and I guarantee there will be no more talk of my big breakfast.”

“It sounds delicious, but deadly, just like everything else around here,” she replied, sliding her hand into her lap.

Demo deduced that there was a double meaning in her words and grinned, realizing the second included him.

Gazing across the horizon she asked, “How are we going to get any work done here?”

“We’ll do what we have to. We always do. I’ve never known you not to fulfill your responsibilities.”

He didn’t care one bit about work. He’d arranged for a long overdue vacation, included her—okay so it wasn’t completely upfront—but since he was being honest, he wanted to vacation
with her
.

“I don’t want to forget the reason we’re here. This place is a definite distraction,” she said, her eyes darting out over the sea.

“Why would you worry? Don’t you like it? Just let yourself unwind and enjoy,
koukla mou
.”

His mouth might be asking the questions, but it was her eyes that were big and full of them. He saw apprehension in them and leaned back in his chair to give her space.

“Demo, this isn’t like you. You’re so relaxed, laughing and taking pleasure in a leisurely coffee on an average day. I’m used to the man who is in the office before everyone else, and the man who is more precise than the Swiss timepiece he always wears. You’re not even wearing your watch.” She skimmed his wrist, and as if realizing she was touching him, she pulled back again.

Her hand trembled and he wrapped his fingers around it to steady it. He leaned closer to hear the rest.

“I’m not sure what to think of the new you,” she whispered.

“
Koukla-,”
he began.

“You use
koukla
a lot. You called Miss Markos that yesterday.”

So, she was jealous… that was why she didn’t go to dinner. Good, at least it showed she felt something.

“There is more to life than work,
koukla mou
,” he said, emphasizing the endearment. “We’ll work, and we’ll enjoy ourselves. Look at this place. As I see it, we don’t have a choice. And to let you in on something very personal, that is why I decided to spend the summer here. I want to enjoy myself.” He studied her for a brief moment, wondering if she truly understood what he meant. He didn’t want to push her too fast. He didn’t want her to shut down. “So you like Greece?”

“It’s gorgeous. The rugged beauty, the warm weather, not to mention the nice people.”

“Give it time. It really grows on you. You haven’t seen much yet, and you haven’t met anyone.” He forced himself to stop staring at her and returned his attention to his breakfast. Samantha Mallone was enjoying Greece.

“Not much, but I like what I’ve seen. The staff is very friendly, more than paid employees usually are, and the Americans I met said that everyone was very hospitable. They invited me to a
taverna
tonight. It’s supposed to have the best fish on the island.”

Drawing in a deep breath, Demo almost choked on a piece of bacon. “Americans?” he asked, swallowing the last bite.

“Yes, they’ve been here for six months, and they love it. Navy or Air Force, I’m not sure; some type of pilots though. They offered to show me around after work.”

“I could do that,” he said, knowing he sounded more that a little possessive. This was a new feeling for him, and he struggled to control his facial features.

“No, I could never impose on your personal time.”

A tense silence sat between them. How quickly the shoe changed foot. He gestured for the bill, signing the paper immediately upon its arrival. “We have work to do. Let’s go.”

Standing, he started walking to the bungalow. He noticed she had to double her steps to keep up, but he didn’t slow down.

Demo wasn’t going to let her go without making his feelings for her clear. No more hiding behind work. He’d show her how he felt as soon as possible. First, he needed time to sort out the feelings he had over her pilot. Her pilot? No way.

*****

Samantha hit the print button and lifted her hands over her head to stretch. Swinging her head in a circular motion and relieving the tension of work, she took in the view spread before her.

The wind had picked up and there were little white crests on the waves rippling towards the shore. Sunshine flooded the room through the large windows, eliminating the need for artificial light. The shutters were folded and secured with long hooks on the stone walls, allowing the breeze to enter. Five hours had passed quickly, but she was aching to get outdoors.

Long, tan fingers found her shoulders, and sent sparks through her body. Demo was standing over her. “How about we go for lunch?”

She hesitated, the sudden end of breakfast still fresh in her mind. She cleared her throat. “I think I’ll eat something here. I need to study for the bar.”

“We’ll devote tomorrow to that. I promised to help.”

“Thanks, and thank you for the AmeriBar course. I can’t skip when I only have an hour or two per day to study. I’ll grab one of those delicious yogurts.”

“Again with the yogurt?”

She smiled and stood to walk towards the kitchen, stopping when he wrapped his fingers around her wrist.

“We could spend the whole day tomorrow. Five, eight, ten or twelve hours if you choose. I have no other plans.” An invitation loomed in his dark eyes.

She didn’t want to misconstrue his motives a second time, but this new, relaxed image was perplexing. This wasn’t the workaholic boss she knew. Always courteous and respectful, he pushed himself more than he did his employees, never leaving the office before the street lamps were necessary to see down the block.

Now he wanted to go out for lunch in the middle of the day, and he didn’t plan to work tomorrow? She searched his face for hidden answers, but she saw no veil. It was just as he said.

“Don’t be so serious. We caught up on work, and the office can handle it for a few days without you. Pack your bathing suit and let’s go to lunch.” He drew out each word, teasing her. “You’ve had gyro in Astoria, now it’s time for the real thing.”