Her Greek Romance aka Greek Encounter (8 page)

“Sure.” He smiled at the irony of the situation, but didn’t mind giving her the stimulus she wanted to fight...him. Lying beside her, he gathered her in his arms. “We have time for a quickie only.”

“Quickie it is.” She chuckled and yanked the sheet away. “I don’t have patience for foreplay.”

He slid off his shorts, protected himself, and rolled her on top of him. “Come, my impatient darling.” He cupped her hips and raised her to straddle him. She spread her legs to accommodate his jutting manhood and gasped when he caught a nipple between his lips and sucked on it. With a moan, she sheathed him with her thrust and collapsed upon him. He let go of her breast and fastened his mouth to hers as he pumped into her and shuddered in a climax.

It’d been too quick, like a raging volcano erupting out of control. Around her, he would never be able to slow down. He’d tried twice before, with no success. She inflamed him with her kisses and he combusted right away.

“Ashley, I’ll never let you go,” he swore savagely against her hair. “Never. Say that you are mine,” he ordered in a heavy breath.

“Oh, Stefano, I’m yours.”

“I promise I won’t let you go. Ever. Can you promise the same to me?” He didn’t care if his request was unfair. He wanted to bind her to him, to make sure he won’t lose her when the truth came out.

“Yes, yes. I promise, my love.”

He claimed her mouth, branding her with a passionate kiss. And then he let her go and captured her gaze. “Ashley, I am…I am not... You’re so dear to me.”

The words of truth wouldn’t pass his clogged throat.

“You too, my Stefano.”

Let her enjoy their last minutes together. Let his yacht be a happy memory for her.

“I think we have to get ready to leave.” She sighed and eased off him. He let her go. She gathered her clothes and entered the bathroom.

Damn. He punched the bed, frustration boiling in his heart.

“Yaya, I’m cursed, like you.”

****

 Satiated and refreshed, Ashley emerged from the shower and hummed softly. To think of it, she should be grateful to her grandfather’s enemy. If it wasn’t for his refusal to respect Grandpa’s wishes she wouldn’t have come to Greece, she wouldn’t have met Stefano.

An inner peace filled her heart as she surveyed the bed, rumpled with lovely memories, and smiled. “Wicked. I think I’m in love.” Nina would probably change the sheets, but Ashley plumped the pillows and quickly rearranged the bedspread to make the room look neat. After she stuffed her clothes in her bag, she crossed the empty living room and climbed up the stairs to the pilot house. Stefano stood at the helm, a ferocious look on his face.

“What’s wrong?”

His scowl instantly faded. “We docked. I’ll help Mikhali tie up the boat to the pilings. Meanwhile, you can have a cup of coffee.” He left her and strode to the lower deck.

What had upset him? She sighed, walked out to the area where they had dinner the previous evening. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeted her. She poured herself a cup. On the lower deck, Stefano bunched his muscles and threw the thick rope to Mikhali who’d jumped on the dock and now wrapped it around the piling. The surrounding docks harbored luxurious yachts similar to Stefano’s. A couple of men busied themselves washing and waxing their boats, but the place was otherwise deserted at that early hour.

When Stefano turned around and walked to the stairs, she waved. “The coffee is delicious.”

He climbed up and sat next to her. She glanced at him and poured him a cup of coffee. “How do you take it?”

“With heavy cream and two spoons of sugar.”

Amazing, she knew his body intimately, had caressed his muscled chest and corded neck, and tasted his delicious mouth, and yet she didn’t know anything about the man who now meant the world to her. She handed him his cup. He took it quietly and kept staring at the island.

“Stefano?”

His lips curled at the side as if he wasn’t sure if he wanted to smile. “I am a lousy host this morning. We have croissants here.” He presented her the basket.

“Delicious.” She ate one and reached for a second. “You’re not eating?”

“I’ll eat later. I’m not very hungry now.”

Something was definitely on his mind.
I hope it’s not about me or our night together
.

His cell phone chimed. “
Yassou
,” he said with a curt tone. “
Occhi.
No, I said, no,” he repeated several times as he strode the width of the deck.

He shut his phone and stood next to her, considering her with his impenetrable gaze.

She covered his hand and squeezed it. “Do you have regrets?”

He brought her hard against him and wrapped her in his arms. “No, Ashley. My only regret is that we came back here, and I have to let you go for now.”

Her heart filled with joy. He wasn’t afraid to acknowledge their attraction although they had just met the day before. “I’ll be back. Right after the hearing.”

He nodded and kissed the tip of her nose.

“That reminds me. Can you give me your mobile number? I’ll call you as soon as I’m over.”

He turned his head toward the dock. “You won’t have to call me. I’ll be waiting for you at the door of the courthouse.”

“You sure? I don’t want to waste your time.”

“Positive. You’re too dear to me,
Cardia mou
.” He glanced at his gold wrist watch and grabbed her hand. “It’s seven thirty. We can’t procrastinate any longer.”

He walked her out of the yacht and called a taxi. “Where are you staying?”

“Poseidon Hotel.”

He slid into the back seat behind her and gave the cabby his orders. Without saying another word, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and held her tight against him, not uttering a single sound during the short drive.

As the taxi approached the hotel and slowed, Stefano cradled her face and gazed into her eyes. “
Aghapie mou
,” he said in a husky voice. “Last night was the most beautiful night of my life. Remember that. No matter what happens.” Before she could answer and reassure him that it was the most beautiful night of her life too, he crushed her mouth with a searing kiss.

“Stefano,” she whimpered in a breath.

“Go.” He opened the door for her. “Go, before I stop you.”

She climbed out and stood on the sidewalk, watching the taxi speed away. Hope, desire and love swirled in her mind and her heart, and a tender smile lingered on her lips.

 As she entered the hotel lobby a man came toward her. “Ms. Sheppard, I am Anton Benatis, your lawyer. We spoke on the phone.”

“Hello Counselor Anton. Thank you for representing Mr. Zanis. My grandfather counts on you to win the case.”

“I will do my best, counselor.” He gave her a once over and scowled at her shorts and bare legs. “I was worried about you as the receptionist couldn’t find you in your room. I hope everything is fine,” he added with a curious look.

“Everything is fine,” she answered with a placid smile. “We’ll have a vicious fight in court, but I’m used to winning my cases. I hope we’ll be done quickly. I’ll meet you here in half an hour.”

She couldn’t wait to get the hearing over with and be in Stefano’s arms again.

CHAPTER FIVE

At nine o’clock, Ashley walked up the three steps leading to the courthouse of Mykonos, a white stone house with blue shutters, similar to the many others in the harbor. Inside the small lobby a dozen men milled about, talking loudly, gesticulating, and creating an unbelievable racket. Clouds of fumes assailed her with the strong smell of cigarettes. She wrinkled her nose in distaste.

“This way. Sorry, no elevators in the courthouse,” Anton said. And probably no air-conditioning, either. Good thing she bypassed her usual suits and wore a beige skirt with a matching black and beige linen shirt. Anton led her to a stuffy corridor at the end of which they climbed to a second-floor hall with big windows, opened wide to admit a refreshing breeze. He approached a reception desk and talked to the court clerk.

“Our case will be the first one in the main chamber. They expect quite a crowd to attend. The whole town is excited about having a big, modern, luxurious resort that could accommodate a lot of tourists and bring good income to the local businesses.” His enthusiastic tone confused Ashley. Had he forgotten he was her grandfather’s lawyer, not the opposition’s or the town’s supporter?

“Mykonos didn’t strike me as a place where people were unemployed or poor.”

“Everyone can always use more money or a higher salary.”

Taken aback by this new aspect of the conflict that was supposed to be strictly between their opponent, Dimitri S. A. Kostapoulos, and her grandfather, she frowned. “The situation is not about building a resort for the town’s benefit, but first and foremost, it’s about preserving a cherished old house for its legal owner. And that is the way we will handle the debate.”

Had she hired the wrong attorney to represent them? Seriously worried by Anton’s personal preferences, she added with a firm tone. “Just remember that the Pink Villa is very dear to Mr. Zanis. He is paying you a lot to keep it.”

“Of course, counselor, I assure you I am dedicated to Mr. Zanis’ cause,” he said with an obsequious bow. “Let’s take our seats.”

The courtroom was similar to an American one. They sat at a small table and she opened the case folder to study her notes.

“By the way,” Anton added. “If you want to address the judge with a few words, you can do it. This is only a hearing, not the official judgment. I will translate for you.”

“Thank you.” Maybe Anton was trustworthy after all. She started reading the papers she’d organized in the folder. “Is the opponent coming or just sending his lawyer?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t talked to Mr. Theodore Pastroudis in the last two days.”

Without lifting her eyes from her file, Ashley nodded and didn’t bother telling Anton, she had seen Ted yesterday. A half-smile curled her lips as she remembered their encounter and all that followed.

“What are they waiting for?” Anton huffed and checked his watch. “Everyone involved should be present by now. Ah, here is the opposition.”

Ashley raised her head as Ted entered the room, and behind him…Stefano, her gorgeous Greek sailor, in navy pants and light blue shirt. Her pulse raced with joy.

“Oh my God.” She couldn’t hold back an ecstatic smile. Her heart filled with reassurance. He’d told her he’d be waiting for her after the hearing, but he never mentioned he’d attend the session to support her. The hearing promised to be much easier than anticipated. At least Stefano’s presence would help her through the annoying motions with more confidence than usual.

Ted settled at the opposition table. Stefano sat beside him. He met her gaze with a stern look and didn’t return her smile. What was going on?

Her smile disappeared. Her pulse accelerated.

“Ah, he came after all,” Anton muttered.

“Who?” Still holding Stefano’s gaze, she mumbled the single word in a weak voice.

“Mr. Kostapoulos. He’s sitting next to his lawyer.”

“Mr… No.” Her breath stalled in her throat and her heart squeezed in denial and pain. “No,” she repeated while urging Stefano to refute the horrible possibility. He kept looking at her, a deep scowl between his eyebrows. “No, no.” He couldn’t be such a contemptible sleazebag. There must be an explanation.

The bailiff called, “All rise.” Ashley rose.

Her eyes still fixed on Stefano, she hardly paid attention to the judge’s entry and nudged Anton with her elbow. “What’s the name of the man next to Theodore Pastroudis?” She asked under her breath, hoping against hope, that she misunderstood his identity.

“I told you. He is Dimitri Stefano Alexios Kostapoulos.”

Oh God, he’d deceived her, tricked her, lied to her. Oh God, last night was a sham. A sob gurgled from deep in her throat. She hiccupped and inhaled to suppress it.

“Snake. Monster. Imposter,” she mouthed for him to read her lips. “Traitor, bastard, despicable SOB,” she uttered louder when he trapped her gaze.