Kitabı oku: «Wearing The Greek Millionaire's Ring», sayfa 2
She shook her head. “You’re just like my brother. You both thrive on the chaotic energy of business. Without it, I think you’d both be bored. In fact, I know it.” Her beautiful eyes studied him as though if she stared long enough, layers would peel back, and she’d be able to see what truly made him tick.
Roberto glanced away. Under her gaze, he felt exposed and vulnerable. That was a first for him. He’d sat through a lot of tense meetings with some of the toughest businessmen. They’d all sized each other up for the other’s weakness, but none had made him feel like an open book.
He cleared his throat. “Actually, I’m here at my grandmother’s request.”
The twinkle of surprise showed in Stasia’s eyes. “Your grandmother is on the ship?”
He nodded. “So are a number of my family members.”
“That must be so nice.”
He remained quiet. He knew Stasia only had her brother these days. She didn’t know what it was like to have a bunch of well-meaning but intrusive family members delving into her personal life.
“It must be something special to get you out of the office. I hope you have a great time.”
And then he realized there wasn’t any reason to be secretive. “We’re here for my grandmother’s eightieth birthday celebration and my cousin’s wedding in Venice.”
“Wow. That’s a lot to celebrate.”
He nodded and then glanced around to make sure none of his family were within listening distance. Once he was sure the coast was clear, he leaned closer to Stasia and lowered his voice. “I should probably tell you that my cousin and her fiancé applied to Infinity Island but were turned down.”
Stasia’s brows rose but she didn’t say anything.
“I just wanted to forewarn you because this ship isn’t that big, so you’re likely to run into them.”
“No problem. Thanks for the warning.”
He nodded. “I just wonder if it’s a good idea for them to get married.”
“Why? Don’t you like who your cousin is marrying?”
“It’s not that.” If anything, he really liked Anthony. “He’s a great guy. But Xander told me a little of how the system works on Infinity Island. Do you know how the process works?” When she shook her head, he continued. “It seems pretty involved. The legend or folklore or whatever you call it says if you don’t pass the test, it means you’re ill suited for each other.”
“Really? Do you think it’s true?”
He shrugged. Weddings were never of interest to him. “I just don’t want my cousin to be hurt. She’s a great person. Loving and caring.”
“I’m sure it’ll all work out for her.”
This was his turn to study Stasia. It definitely wasn’t a hardship. He could stare at her all day. She was beautiful in a very classic and stylish way. Her dark hair was straight and cut in a sleek bob that brushed over the tops of her shoulders. Her makeup only emphasized her vibrant eyes and her high cheekbones. She went for more color when it came to her lips. They were a deep rose shade. Her lips were pouty and inviting.
“Roberto?”
He jerked his gaze back to her eyes. He’d been busted staring. He cleared his throat and glanced away. What had they been discussing?
It took him a second to recall the conversation. “I’m not normally one to give in to such superstitious kind of stuff, but this is my cousin. She’s the closest thing I have to a sister.”
Stasia reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “I wouldn’t worry. There’s also this saying that love can overcome everything.”
“I sure hope you’re right.” And then he had a question for her. “If it were you, would you take the test? Would you want to get married on Infinity Island?”
Her eyes didn’t give away anything. “That’s not a fair question. After all, I’m related to the owners of the island. And as such, I’ve spent quite a bit of time there. It’s a gorgeous place.”
“And you still haven’t answered my question.” It was only then that he realized he was asking a widow about getting married again. He inwardly groaned at his thoughtlessness. “Never mind. I shouldn’t have probed. I guess it’s just a side effect of my job, always digging for information.”
He was about to take a drink when he noticed she didn’t have anything in front of her. “Can I get you anything to drink or eat?”
“Actually, yes. I’d love an espresso. I need the caffeine.”
It was only then that he noticed the shadows beneath her eyes. They were faint, as though they were covered up, and you wouldn’t even notice them unless you were looking for them. Something was keeping her up at night. And then he realized what it might be. She was still grieving for her husband. Sympathy welled up in him.
“I’ll be right back with caffeine.” He got to his feet and walked away.
He couldn’t even imagine what she was going through. It was just one more reason that remaining a bachelor was a good idea. Families were messy with entanglements, emotions and responsibilities. It was easier to just deal with himself.
He ordered two coffees. Though he didn’t rely on caffeine to get him up and going in the morning—that was what running was for—that didn’t mean he didn’t appreciate the flavor and warmth of a cup of coffee.
He’d picked up the coffees and started back to the table when he noticed a young guy headed straight for Stasia. He couldn’t blame the guy. She was a beautiful woman. And if she weren’t his friend’s sister as well as being a widow, he definitely would have pursued her. Nothing serious, but they’d have made some great memories together.
Roberto slowed down, unsure what to do. Maybe Stasia knew the man. Maybe she’d welcome the company. As Stasia smiled at the man, Roberto’s body tensed. He knew it shouldn’t bother him. It wasn’t like the guy was horning in on a date. They’d merely bumped into each other.
Maybe he should head over there and take his seat. After all, this was his time with Stasia. Was that a thing? Could friends claim time with each other?
Or perhaps he should head to his cabin. He could get some work done before meeting up with his family for dinner. Just then his phone vibrated, letting him know a new email had landed in his inbox.
But instead of withdrawing his phone to find out what required his attention, he continued gazing in Stasia’s direction. He wanted to be sure everything was all right before he moved on.
Stasia’s smile faded. He couldn’t hear what was being said, but the shake of her head let him know she was no longer interested in the man’s company. And yet the man didn’t move on. Instead the man reached out to touch her. Stasia quickly withdrew her arm.
That was it. The decision had been made for him.
Without giving himself time to reconsider what he was about to do, Roberto headed across the busy deck, weaving and bobbing around the vacationers. He did his best to keep an eye on the situation—it was what Xander would want him to do.
He wondered if Xander had picked this cruise specifically for his sister because he knew Roberto would be on it. If so, it was strange that Xander hadn’t mentioned anything to him.
The young man made himself comfortable in his chair and that wouldn’t do. Roberto walked up to Stasia. The easiest and fastest way to get rid of her newfound admirer was simple.
“Sorry it took so long, darling.” Roberto placed the coffee on the table and then kissed Stasia’s cheek.
He noticed the softness of her skin and wondered if her lips would be just as soft. The thought of sneaking in another kiss crossed his mind, but just as quickly he dismissed it.
As Roberto straightened, he noticed the gentle floral scent of her perfume. It was pleasant and fresh like spring. It so suited her because anytime he’d been around Stasia, she’d been sunny and energetic.
The man across the table sat there with his mouth slightly agape as his gaze moved between the two of them. Was it so hard to believe they were together? Sure, he was a few years older than Stasia, but he wasn’t an old man by any stretch of imagination.
“I...uh...” The man practically tripped getting to his feet. “Gotta go.”
And that was it. The guy turned and made a quick retreat to the bar. Roberto could only wonder if he was seeking a drink to calm his nerves or if he was about to try his luck with one of the young women sitting at the bar.
“What did you do that for?” Stasia’s eyes reflected her confusion.
The lack of a smile on her face led him to wonder if he was in trouble. “I saw the guy bothering you.” The guy had been bothering her, hadn’t he? He hadn’t misread her agitation with the young guy, had he? “You weren’t interested in him, were you?”
For a moment, Stasia didn’t respond. Roberto started to worry he was going to have to track that guy down and apologize. That was about the last thing he wanted to do on this trip.
At last, she shook her head. “I think he was hitting on any available woman on the cruise. I tried to tell him I wasn’t interested, but he was the type that didn’t take no for an answer.” And then her gaze narrowed in on him. “And you couldn’t think of any other way to get rid of him other than to act like we’re a couple?”
Roberto smiled. “It worked, didn’t it?”
She sent him a funny look as though she wasn’t sure what to say. Luckily, she didn’t know how that innocent kiss had affected him. He’d make sure not to do that again. Getting sucked into Stasia’s orbit did strange things to his mind.
* * *
Had that just happened?
Stasia resisted the urge to touch her cheek where just moments ago Roberto’s lips had been. They’d known each other for years, but they’d never shared a hug, much less a kiss. Usually, it was a passing hello or a nod of recognition.
And it wasn’t like he was the first man to kiss her cheek. Why was she letting it get to her like this? When he’d kissed her, her heart had pounded, her mouth had gone dry and her palms had dampened. Sheesh! She really needed to get out more.
She assured herself that it was just the shock of Roberto acting like her significant other. It had caught her completely off guard. Everything would be fine now.
Stasia’s mouth suddenly felt dry. She took a large gulp of the strong coffee. That might not have been her brightest idea. She coughed.
Roberto sent her a concerned look. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, then coughed again. “Swallowed the wrong way.”
She took a more conservative sip and it calmed her throat. “I should be going. There’s so much on the ship to explore. I’m not even sure where to begin.”
“They have an app. Did you load it to your phone?” When she looked at him with a blank look, he said, “Could I have your phone?”
She pulled it from a pocket in her black purse and handed it over. He quickly downloaded the app and handed it back to her. “There you go. It’ll give you a schedule so you know what’s available. Oh, I almost forgot. You should switch your phone to airplane mode to avoid premium roaming charges.”
She swiped her finger over the phone until she had the right screen. “Got it.”
“And one more thing. You’ll want to hook up to the ship’s Wi-Fi.”
He talked her through the process, and in no time, she was set to go. “Thank you. I wouldn’t have thought of that. You must go on a lot of cruises.”
“Actually, this is my second. But I do a lot of research. It’s one of my hobbies. I research locations, periods in history, all sorts of things. I guess you could say my mind is filled with all sorts of trivia.”
“That will come in handy for you.”
Lukos had always known how to do those types of things for her. It was just one more thing that she needed to learn to do for herself. The more she did for herself, the more confident she felt.
She smiled at Roberto. “Thank you. I’m sure we’ll see each other again.”
“I’d like that.”
She reluctantly walked away. If given the opportunity, she would have liked to sit and talk the rest of the morning. Roberto had always been easy to be around.
But she had a life plan to brainstorm. Socializing would have to wait for another time. Besides, she couldn’t impose on Roberto’s time with his family.
DAY TWO
Katakolon, Greece
SO FAR THE TRIP was okay.
Stasia’s image came to mind. Maybe the trip was better than okay. Roberto smiled. Much better.
But then there was his grandmother. She was a lady who didn’t accept the word no from anyone, including him. And right now, she was more interested in his love life than he found comfortable.
Why exactly had he agreed to come on this cruise? Oh, yes, it was his cousin’s wedding. And he loved his cousin. But still, wedding bells and his matchmaking grandmother were not a good match. He really should have given this more thought. Perhaps he could have flown in for the ceremony and had the helicopter wait for him after the reception. That would have been much better than enduring the entire trip.
Still, he did have the opportunity to get to know Stasia better. The thought brought another smile to his lips. She was a nice surprise on this ship. At least he had an ally on this voyage.
It was as though his thoughts of Stasia made her appear. She entered the passageway just ahead of him. This trip was definitely looking up.
“Hey, Stasia.”
She turned.
He rushed to catch up with her. “Did you make plans for dinner?”
Her forehead scrunched up. “Is this something I should check on my app?”
He chuckled. “I meant to say, do you want to have dinner with me? But if you don’t want to or you have other plans, that’s fine—”
“No. I mean no, I don’t have other plans, and yes, I’d enjoy having dinner with you.”
“Roberto! Roberto!”
He didn’t have to turn around to know the perky voice belonged to his cousin. If he had a sibling, he’d want them to be just like Gaia. She was so full of life that it bubbled out of her and spread to those around her.
Roberto paused in the passageway. Stasia stopped next to him and they both turned. His cousin rushed up to him with one of her great big warm smiles. And then she wrapped him in a big hug. He hoped her future husband realized how lucky he was to have Gaia in his life.
When Gaia pulled back, she was still smiling. “We kept missing each other yesterday and I was starting to wonder if you were really on the ship. But I’m glad you’re here.” It was then that her gaze moved to Stasia. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Remembering his manners, he said, “Gaia, I’d like you to meet Stasia Marinakos. Stasia, this is my cousin Gaia, the blushing bride.”
“It’s so nice to meet you,” Stasia said, holding a hand out to Gaia.
“We can do better than that.” Gaia hugged a surprised Stasia.
Roberto smiled as Stasia experienced the Gaia effect. When it came to making people feel comfortable and welcomed, his cousin knew how to do it. They may be opposites, but he couldn’t love her more if she were his sister.
When the two women parted, Stasia said, “Roberto told me about the wedding in Venice. Congratulations. I’m sure it will be absolutely beautiful.”
Gaia’s dark brows drew together. “You sound like you won’t be there.”
“I... I won’t be.”
Gaia’s puzzled gaze moved from Stasia to him and then back again. “Consider yourself invited. You will be Roberto’s plus-one.” Gaia’s phone buzzed. She glanced at it. “I’ve got to go. It was so good to meet you.” Gaia turned to him and mouthed, “She’s great.”
Without waiting for anyone to speak, Gaia took off down the passageway.
“What just happened?” Stasia’s eyes reflected her confusion.
“That was my cousin. She’s kind of like a force of nature.”
“But she thinks you and I...that we’re a couple. Why didn’t you correct her?”
He smiled. “Because she wouldn’t care what I said. She likes to come to her own conclusions. She’s a lot like our grandmother. She’ll figure out the truth eventually.”
“And the wedding?”
He paused. His cousin didn’t have such a bad idea after all. Weddings made him uncomfortable, especially when his family started asking when he was going to walk down the aisle. His answer was always the same—never.
“What do you think?” he asked. “Would you like to go to the wedding?”
Stasia immediately shook her head. “I couldn’t impose.”
“You wouldn’t be. My cousin is expecting you to be there.”
Stasia paused as though considering the idea. “I always did like weddings, and one in Venice has got to be beautiful.”
“Good. That’s settled.” He glanced at his phone and the growing number of emails in his inbox. “I have some work to do, but I’ll see you at dinnertime.”
They exchanged room numbers and he said he’d pick her up at seven for dinner. Why did that seem so far away? After all, it was already after eleven. After eleven? That meant he didn’t have long to work before meeting up with his family for lunch shortly.
* * *
This is great. Some downtime to relax and regroup. Maybe Xander had the right idea all along.
Stasia decided not to go ashore at Katakolon. Instead she grabbed her laptop and headed to the deck to enjoy some sun while she did research on her computer. It was time for her to make a plan for the future.
She moved to one of the lounge chairs and sat down. She glanced at her phone and thought about checking out the ship’s app. On second thought, she placed her phone in her bag. She didn’t have time for fun. She wanted to have a life plan or at least a five-year plan by the time they returned to Athens.
She wondered what Roberto was doing at that moment. Was he having fun with his family? Or was he checking his phone every minute for a new business email? Probably the latter. She smiled. They’d make a good pair on this voyage—each busy with their own endeavors.
The warmth of the sun was so relaxing. Each stiffened muscle loosened. For just a moment, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes.
She hadn’t realized until then how much time she’d spent indoors in the past few years. Other than her time on Infinity Island, she’d been inside, at first taking care of Lukos, and then for a number of months after that, she wasn’t sure what she did. It was all a blur of tears, regret over all the missed opportunities and then the finality of the paperwork. She never knew there could be so much paperwork involved with a death.
A gentle breeze rushed over her body, cooling it from the sun’s rays. If she didn’t have so much to do, she could be just like a cat and curl up for a nap in the sun. She really should get to work.
She opened her laptop. Realizing that it was too sunny where she was, she moved to a shaded spot. It was so much easier on her eyes.
She would start with a search engine. She did searches on her interests that included reading and teaching, but she lacked the appropriate degree... Maybe she could go back to school. But the more she thought of it, the more she decided against it.
The afternoon wasn’t without its interruptions. It appeared she must have a sign on her forehead that said Single and Alone. Because she was hit on numerous times. Thankfully, the men were charming and respectful when she said she wasn’t interested. Still, it was awkward and time-consuming. And the last thing she wanted to do was stay in her cabin for the whole cruise. She could have stayed home if she were going to do that.
It was almost time for her to get ready for dinner and she still didn’t have an idea of how she wanted to focus her life. At the age of twenty-nine, weren’t people supposed to have these things figured out? Well, she’d thought she had it all figured out, but then Lukos had been diagnosed with cancer, and it hadn’t just affected his life—hers had changed dramatically too.
She shoved the thoughts to the back of her mind. She had a dinner date. Not a date date, but dinner with a man who wasn’t her brother. The thought spurred her into action. She was actually looking forward to this dinner. Roberto seemed so different outside of the office—much more relaxed and, dare she say it, fun.
* * *
At last it was dinnertime.
Roberto couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so anxious for a meal. He made his way down the passageway toward Stasia’s cabin. His footsteps grew faster.
After a day of touring Katakolon with his family and being introduced to one available woman after the next, he couldn’t wait to have the company of an ally. His grandmother had been so upset when he’d almost gleefully told her that he had dinner plans. When his grandmother pushed, he’d admitted that it was Stasia. His grandmother had given him a suspicious look. He hadn’t revealed any details, letting her think whatever she wanted so long as she didn’t set him up with any other granddaughters of friends.
He had firmly decided that was his last trip ashore with his family. He’d rather stay on the ship the remainder of the cruise than be subjected to his grandparents’ tag-team approach to dissecting his life.
The one question he did want to ask his grandmother was how she was able to get all of these single women on this cruise. But he figured he was better off not knowing and pushed the whole matchmaking scenario to the back of his mind.
He double-checked the note he’d made on his phone to remind him of Stasia’s cabin number. This was it. He’d just knocked on the door when it was jerked open a crack.
Stasia peered out at him. “You’re here?”
He frowned. Had he been so rattled today by his grandmother’s blatant matchmaking that he’d mixed up the time in his head? “Weren’t we supposed to meet at seven?”
“Oh. Is it that late?” The look on her face was one of panic.
He’d never seen Stasia anything but cool and collected—even at her husband’s funeral. Her eyes had told another story, but on the outside, she was elegant and graceful. He’d never known how she’d held it all together so well. If he’d been in her shoes, he’d have been a total wreck, inside and out.
He cleared his throat. “If you need more time, I can come back.”
She worried her bottom lip as though considering what to do. And then she shook her head. “You might as well come in.”
He wasn’t sure what he’d be walking into considering her worried expression. As she swung the door wide open, he took in the sight. On the bed was a pile of dresses that looked like they’d been tried on and then discarded.
“I... I couldn’t decide what to wear.” Her face bloomed with pinkness that looked totally adorable on her. “I haven’t gone to dinner with a man that wasn’t my brother since...well, since Lukos.”
Roberto nodded in understanding. “It’s okay. You can relax. After all, this isn’t a date. Right?”
The look on her face was not telling. “Right.”
“Do you want help cleaning this up?”
She shook her head. And that was when he noticed she was wearing a strapless black gown with a sequined bodice and a flouncy skirt. She looked... He struggled for a word that did her beauty justice.
“You look amazing.” His gaze met hers. The color in her cheeks intensified. “Shall we go?”
“I... I can’t. Could you help me?”
“Sure. Whatever you need.”
She turned around. “Could you pull up my zipper?”
He told himself not to, but he couldn’t resist the temptation of taking in the sight of her bare back. Her smooth skin had a warm bronze tone to it. And in that moment, Stasia had gone from being the sister of his friend to a woman that he desired. He swallowed hard.
He stepped toward her. He told himself that if he did this quickly, it would be all over. The temptation would be gone. And they could return to being nothing more than friends.
Stasia lifted her long hair and swiped it off to the side, revealing her long, slender neck. It was so tempting to lean forward and plant a kiss on the gentle slope where her neck met her shoulder. He wondered what her reaction would be.
“Roberto? Is there a problem?”
Yes! A great big problem. How am I to remain a perfect gentleman when you look so utterly desirable?
“No. No problem.” His voice came out deeper than normal.
Now he had to touch her and act like it was nothing. Otherwise, she would suspect something. And there was no way he wanted to risk their fledgling friendship. He told himself that their friendship was so important to him because she was his only true ally on the ship. Even his cousin was telling him to give romance a chance. Gaia was so happy and she wanted everyone to be just as happy.
He reached out for the zipper. In the process, his fingertips slid across the small of Stasia’s back. He noticed the ever-so-slight intake of her breath. So, it wasn’t just him who was uncomfortable with this intimate situation.
He grasped the zipper, but it wouldn’t budge. How could that be? He pulled harder. Nothing. Though he didn’t want to, he used his other hand to pull the material together, being careful not to touch Stasia’s back. He pulled again. Still nothing.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s the zipper. It’s stuck.”
“Stuck?” She attempted to turn around.
“Don’t move! You’re making it worse.”
He pulled gently on the material, clearing it from the teeth of the zipper. He gave it another go. It started to move. He breathed a sigh of relief. His relief was short-lived as the zipper got stuck again.
“This is ridiculous,” Stasia said. “I’ll just put on something else. Pull down the zipper so I can get out of it.”
He tried pulling it the other direction. “It won’t budge.”
“What?” Concern rang out in her voice. “You mean I’m stuck in this dress that is only half-zipped?”
He needed to get a better view of the zipper. “Move over here.”
He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. This gave him an eye-level view of the problem.
She turned around and took a step toward him. When her heel caught on the carpeting, she lost her balance. Roberto reached out to her, wrapping his hands around her slender waist. He guided her to him. She landed on his thigh.
She turned to look at him. At this point, her face was mere centimeters from his. The breath caught in his throat as his heart hammered against his ribs. He couldn’t ever remember experiencing this powerful of an attraction.
His gaze lowered to her lips. They wore a rosy shade of lip gloss. They reminded him of sun-ripened berries just perfect for picking. But dare he?
When his gaze rose to meet hers, he saw the flames of desire flickering in her eyes. In that moment, she was no one’s widow, no one’s little sister. She was just a very desirable woman who wanted the same thing as him.
He leaned forward. His mouth lightly brushed hers. He had to move with caution. And then he stopped. Too much, too fast, and she’d bolt. The only sound in the room was the beating of his heart echoing in his ears.
He wanted her so badly, but he wasn’t going to rush her. If it killed him, he would sit here and let her walk away. If this kiss were to happen it had to be wanted by both of them.
And then she was there, pressing her lips to his.
At first, her touch was tentative, unsure. He let her lead the way. Right now, he would follow her just about anywhere. Her kiss was sweet and yet it was also spicy. This was a kiss unlike any other—and he’d been kissed a lot. But he knew going forward that Stasia had ruined him for any other woman.
His hand moved to her back. With her zipper stuck, it left her back completely bare. His mouth grew dry. His fingers grazed over the silky-smooth flesh. A moan swelled in the back of his throat. If this didn’t stop soon, it would go so much further than either of them was ready for. And he didn’t want to lose Stasia—as a friend.
It took every bit of willpower in him to grip her bare shoulders and pull back. Desire and confusion warred within her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
“Um...you’re right.” She got to her feet and started to walk away.
“Wait.”
She turned back to him. The confusion was still evident in her eyes, but in place of the desire there was now something else. Could it be disappointment? In a blink, whatever he saw was now gone.
He ran his fingers over his mouth. “Your zipper. I need to get it unstuck.”
She shook her head. “I’ll just change.”
“But I don’t think you can get out of it until the zipper is fixed.”
A distinct frown settled over her beautiful face. He could tell she was considering ways to get out of the dress that didn’t involve him touching her again. And it made him feel bad that he’d let go of his common sense and caused this rift between them. He wondered if—no, he hoped—they could move past it.
“Come here.” When she didn’t move, he said, “The kiss, it won’t happen again.”
Her eyes reflected the uncertainties churning within her.
“I promise.”
That seemed to be enough to get her to move toward him. When Stasia stopped in front of him, he noticed she’d kicked off her high heels. And when she stood with her back to him, she left a modest distance between them. It saddened him that he’d ruined the easiness between them. He would have to work extra hard throughout dinner to gain her trust back.
It took him a few minutes to work the delicate material out of the teeth of the zipper. He slowly pulled on the zipper until it was to the top.
Once she gathered her shoes and purse, he presented his arm to her. For a second, she didn’t move. And then she slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. It was a small thing, but it was a start.
* * *
What in the world had happened back there?
Stasia’s heart still hadn’t returned to its normal rhythm. She wasn’t sure it would as long as she was with Roberto. She’d always been aware of his devastatingly handsome looks, but she never thought he would be interested in her. She’d seen him in photos on the internet with fashion models, pop stars and countless other beautiful women on his arm, but she never thought she’d be one of them.
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