Her Greek Romance aka Greek Encounter (4 page)

A slow smile developed on her lips as she stared at the bubbles with longing. “Soaking in this bath is going to be heaven.”

Soaking with her in his arms would be his heaven. Stefano lowered his eyes and turned to leave, lest she read his lascivious thoughts and noticed the improper flutter of his shorts.

 “Relax for as long as you want. I will be on the upper deck.”

****

What a nice man, gallant and considerate. So different from Ted who seemed to have forgotten his manners. Unless…

Ashley frowned, her professional suspicion on alert. Her gaze flew to the door from where her host had just exited the room. After studying hundreds of suspects and learning to sort truth from lies, she’d developed an acute attorney sense—her sixth sense as she called it. Had Ted been ordered to take a hike? If yes, why?

The only logical explanation that came to mind was that Stefano wanted to spend an afternoon alone with her.

Why? Was he attracted to her?

She bit her lip then smiled. Heck, she was attracted to him and would enjoy his company without a chaperone as he said. Without Ted who constantly, although not on purpose, reminded her of tomorrow’s struggle in court. 

 Relaxing in the warm aromatic bath would do her a world of good. Physically and mentally. To make sure Stefano wouldn’t be tempted to disturb her, she quietly locked the door of the bedroom, then the door of the bathroom. Stripping in a sec, she entered the bathtub and lay down, her head leaning against a soft floatable cushion.

“Heaven. I’m in heaven.” She inhaled the delicious scent of eucalyptus and mint and laughed at herself for trying to remember the old song. Yes, this was heaven, after yesterday’s long flight from Boston to Athens, via New York and Paris, the arrival at the crowded Greek airport, the three hours sailing to Mykonos, the night spent on an uncomfortable hotel bed, and in the morning, the rush to visit the Pink Villa.

Destiny had offered a reprieve from her hectic daily schedule and the exhausting month of preparation to win her case. She’d be stupid not to enjoy an evening of rest, admire Mykonos from the sea, and chitchat with a good-looking hunk before returning to her hotel.

“Heaven…mmm…I find the happiness I seek…mmm.” Greek men, Apollo, handsome hunks…

The cooling of the water brought back awareness. Ashley glanced at the fish-shaped clock hanging on the wall. Had she dozed? Probably. And she’d lingered too long in the green marble bathroom that was more fitting for a Hollywood celebrity than a struggling attorney.

Hastily, she stood and stepped out of the tub, and then dried herself with an oversized scented towel. Rummaging in her bag, she extracted a thong that belonged to a bikini, and hesitated as she considered the skimpy piece. She didn’t expect to swim again but she hadn’t brought underwear with her when going to the beach in the morning, only the bottom part of a bathing suit—a micro suit bought in the Piraeus market—that no acquaintances were supposed to see. With a shrug, she slipped on the thong and a pair of printed yellow shorts, and then wore a sleeveless V-neck orange shirt. The dryer and magnifying mirror attracted her attention. Appreciating the amenities of the luxurious bathroom, she brushed her hair, letting it flow freely on her back, and applied her make-up.

Ready to walk out, she glanced back at the tub she’d forgotten to empty and unplugged it to drain the water. The aromatic scent wafted to numb her mind once more. What would it be like to lie down in the tub with her gorgeous host?

Counselor Sheppard, control your wandering thoughts, or you’ll be found guilty by reason of temporary insanity
.

 Ashley burst out laughing, rolled her wet bikini in her towel and shoved it in her bag. In the bedroom, she considered the luxurious space with interest. Did Stefano sleep on satin sheets by any chance? Curious, she flipped over the golden bedspread and skimmed the sheets with her palm. The feel of satin twirled another round of forbidden images in her mind. Stefano rolling and tossing on the smooth sheet. Did he sleep without—

Counselor Sheppard, enough
.

Ashley shook her head and went upstairs to the living room.

Stefano lounged in a recliner, watching a soccer game on TV. He had changed into a pair of navy blue shorts and a white shirt that enhanced the dark tone of his face and arms. “Did you have a nice, relaxing bath?”

 “Very nice, thank you.”

“Let’s go on the deck. You’ll have a better view of the island.”

“Strange, I had the impression we already sailed, but the yacht is not moving now, right?”

“We sailed while you were downstairs. And then Mikhali, my skipper and handy man, lowered the anchor to help Nina with our dinner. Nina is his fiancé. She’s also the maid and cook. They live on the yacht most of the time.”

“How convenient.” A permanent honeymoon on this magnificent yacht.

In fact, when they climbed to the sport deck, a round table had been set for two, and dressed with blue and yellow china over matching placemats. A flower arrangement of red roses and purple iris gorgeously displayed in an oblong glass vase perfumed the open-air dining area. 

“’Scuse me, Stefano. I lift the anchor. We can sail again.” A darkly tanned young man wearing a pair of long shorts appeared at the top of the stairs. “Food trays are ready in warmer. I go home now for two hours. Nina’s downstairs if you need anything.”

“
Andaxi
. Okay. We’ll use the trays later, when we decide to have dinner. I’ll get the boat closer to Chora.” Stefano turned to Ashley. “It’s the downtown area of Mykonos where Mikhali lives. Come, Ashley.”

She followed him up another set of stairs. Can one get lost on a boat? With all these stairs that led to various areas, she might. When they entered the pilot house, she whistled in amazement. “This yacht beats my grandfather’s boat by far. His is much smaller and easier to maneuver.”

Stefano burst out laughing. “The
Athena
is a piece of cake to sail. Obedient like a Greek virgin.”

The only Greek virgin she’d heard of had been poor Elena, Grandpa’s first love. According to the sad story he’d told her, the pregnant ex-virgin had been forced to obey her tyrant of a father, forget her young lover, and marry a wealthy Greek. Talk about obedient.

“See.” Stefano’s voice poked through her distraction. “She’s as fast as a beautiful antelope.” He stood at the helm station and motioned for her to approach.

Ashley didn’t know enough about the man to judge him but he seemed in love with his boat. Did he protect all his property with the same fierceness?

Suppressing the urge to shrug, she stared with dismay at the three dozen buttons and levers. Her hope of driving the luxurious yacht evaporated with her inability to figure the use of the switches. Her companion grabbed a lever and lowered it. The yacht launched forward and gained speed.

“We’re cruising the open sea now to the other side of Mykonos.” Stefano pointed to the land that dwindled at the horizon, then enlarged again a few minutes later. He lowered the speed and stopped the yacht.

“Mikhali,” Stefano called from the top of the stairwell.” You can go ahead.”

“
Kalinikta
,” Mikhali answered, as he climbed down the aft deck stairs to the swimming platform and dove into the sea.

Behind the windshield, Stefano raised his hand in a goodbye gesture. “
Kalinikta
.”

“Good God, he’s swimming to shore.” Ashley arched incredulous eyebrows and stretched her gaze over the length of sea from the swimming platform to the island. “Are you all used to swimming such long distances?”

Stefano burst out laughing, a thousand stars glittering in his eyes. “That’s not very far. All Greeks learn to swim and dive as soon as they can walk.”

No wonder Greeks developed wide shoulders and corded torso bronzed to perfection. The man standing beside her could qualify as
Hunk of the Year
. Her chest heaved on a sigh of repressed hunger. To think she’d spent three months wondering if she’d done the right thing to dump that no-good Randy after catching him nuzzling a clerk’s neck at work. The sleazeball called it a crazy moment of distraction and accused her of being narrow-minded. Randy’s chest didn’t compare to Stefano’s muscled expanse of tanned flesh.

“Would you like to take the wheel?” Stefano’s voice penetrated the cloudy fog of irritating memories.

“Oh, I can’t handle such a big yacht.” Randy’s snicker echoed in the back of her head, warning her not to be too bold in her goals.

“I’m sure you’ll do great. Besides I’ll be next to you if you need guidance. Go ahead, trust yourself.” Her host’s confident courtesy erased her ex-boyfriend’s belittling comments.

“Thank you.”
For your encouragement and for being so different from the jerk that had done his best to erode my self-confidence
. Grandpa had been the first to detect Randy’s sneaky character so well-hidden under a smooth façade and refined elegance.

“All yours.” Stefano moved aside. She stepped in front of the dashboard and held the helm with firm hands.

“The levers with black knobs control the four engines. Lower the two on the right to the first mark.”

“Okay.” She grabbed the knobs and followed Stefano’s instructions.

“See, we are passing Chora, the capital of Mykonos.”

“What a lovely town.”

Mountainous landscape and long sandy beaches faded away. Square whitewashed houses with flat roofs, flowered balconies, blue doors and window shutters lined the cluttered narrow paved streets of the picturesque villages. Beautiful churches, chapels and windmills lent a magical atmosphere to the quaint town.  

“Now, keep your hands on the helm and steer to the left.”

The
Athena
glided through the water and gained speed. Stefano opened the side windshield and let the breeze invade the pilot station. “What’s your pleasure?”

With a toss of her head, Ashley flung her hair back and took a deep breath. “Can we stay close enough to the shore to discover the beaches?”

“Absolutely. This little cruise is all yours.”

Exhilaration filled her heart. She steered a superb ship and the captain was determined to please her. “Thank you, Stefano. I really appreciate you taking the time to show me your beautiful island.”

“We’re passing Korfos. Keep straight. The main island is looping into a cape. Now you can see Agios Ioannis—St. Jeanne Beach there. It’s small but picturesque.” He handed her a pair of binoculars and she scanned the beach.

Blood rushed to her cheeks at the sight of the topless bathers lying on towels or relaxing on lounge chairs. A couple hours ago, she’d been soaking up the sun on a similar chair—in a similar pose. Good thing Stefano had been lazing in a café. Besides, he didn’t know her at the time and wouldn’t have noticed her in the crowd.

 Lowering the binoculars, she glanced at him. His face expressionless, he stared at the horizon and hadn’t noticed her embarrassment. “We are crossing a strait between Mykonos and the ancient island of Delos. I’ll handle the helm while you enjoy the view. The rocky islet offers an impressive exhibit of columns, temple remains, and statues of lions.”

Ashley shifted to the other side of the pilot station and adjusted the binoculars to her eyes while Stefano took back the control of his boat.

“Delos is the birthplace of Apollo. His mother, the nymph Leto, was seduced by the god of gods, Zeus,” Stefano explained while Ashley admired the sculptural ruins of sanctuaries. “When his wife, the goddess Hera, learned of his treachery she banished the pregnant young nymph from earth.”

“What happened to Leto?” she asked, genuinely interested in the sad love story. Had all the Greek maids been destined to suffer because of love? She had Greek blood in her veins and wanted to hear of a happy ending.

“Poseidon, Zeus’s brother, rescued the nymph and had her deliver her baby on the island of Delos which wasn’t considered as part of the earth.” Stefano told her more about the history of Delos, a necropolis with too many burials for her taste.

No happy ending here. They passed Delos and continued to cruise.

“What’s next? Is there anything more fun than Delos and its dead?”

“Sure.” He navigated through the crystalline waters, along miles of golden sand uninterrupted by umbrellas. He gave her a strange smile and brought the boat closer to shore. “Keep watching. We are coming to the most famous beaches of Paradise and Super Paradise where young crowds like to gather.”