Читать книгу Greek Affairs - Кейт Хьюит - Страница 42

SARA kissed him back. Her tongue met his. His slow kicking kept them upright while the kiss went on and on. She hugged him, her hand brushing against the top of his tanks, the breathing hose and straps separating her from his skin. She wanted to be closer, impatient to drop the tanks and have nothing between them.

Then reason returned. Slowly she pulled back, her eyes wide as she gazed at him. He looked at her lips again, then into her eyes.

“This is so not a good idea,” she said. For a gazillion reasons. Yet she couldn’t move.

“Why is that?” he asked.

“Relationships between boss and employee always end badly—usually for the employee.” It was not her first reason, but one that would suffice.

He released her and swam back a foot or so. “This was merely a kiss. You are correct, relationships between working people don’t end well.”

Sara sank to her chin, turning to swim toward the runabout. He’d shown pity on a lonesome crew member and with his free afternoon offered to show her how to dive. He’d probably wanted to go alone. She was not reading anything into their afternoon. Not even the kiss. People kissed others for various reasons.

She refused to explore why she’d kissed him back. Enough to have enjoyed the afternoon. She didn’t need anything further from Nikos Konstantinos.

The kiss had surprised her. But she’d not been able to help herself and had returned the kiss. Magical—like the entire cruise. The sooner she had her wits about her, the better.

Sara reached the boat first. She tried to pull herself in, but the weight of the tanks offset her balance too much. Rats, now she’d have to rely on his help, and that was the last thing she wanted. If she could levitate herself in, she’d do so.

Nikos pulled himself easily into the small craft, shrugged out of his tanks and went to the side to assist Sara, lifting her without difficulty. Once standing on the rocking boat, she unfastened her own straps. Before the tanks could slide off, he lifted them from her shoulders, carefully placing them in the rack built into the back of the boat.

“Thank you again, I enjoyed the diving,” she said politely, refusing to meet his eyes. If the yacht hadn’t been so far away, she would have struck out swimming to avoid this awkwardness.

“My pleasure.” His deep voice sent shivers down her spine. Could they recapture the ease they’d enjoyed before? Did she want to?

He pulled up the anchor and started the motor. Sara sat in the seat next to his and gazed straight ahead. The day had been magical. She would ignore the change after the kiss and remember the good part. Her friends would want to hear every detail when she returned. And she’d tell all—except about the kiss. Some things were too private to share.

It took less than ten minutes to return to the Cassandra. One of the crew heard the motor and was there to take the lines and secure the small boat when Nikos stopped. He turned and offered his hand.

She smiled politely and took it to step to the swim platform and then up the ladder to the aft deck.

“Oh, Nikos, where have you been?” Gina leaned over the side, eyeing Sara as she climbed swiftly up.

“Took advantage of the time for some diving,” he said. “What are you doing here?”

“The captain said you’d be returning on the aft of the boat, so I came to wait. You should have told me you wanted to go swimming.”

Gina continued to watch Sara ascend. When she reached the deck, Gina walked over. “Aren’t you the cook?”

“Chef,” Sara corrected, walking back down the deck toward the door to the lower decks.

“We didn’t go swimming, Gina,” Nikos said as he reached the deck. “We went diving. You said you didn’t know how or I would have invited you.”

“I could have gone swimming,” Gina was saying to Nikos as Sara walked through the door and headed for her cabin. Let him explain to his guests why he’d taken the hired help diving and ignored his invited guests.

As Sara stood beneath the minuscule shower a few moments later, she wondered why herself. He certainly had the choice of a wide variety of women. She knew a half dozen who would love to trade places with her. So why had he spent the day with her? Was it because he recognized a kindred spirit who also loved antiquities? She hardly thought so.

By the time Sara had the evening meal prepared, she had regained her equanimity. The duck à l’orange was perfection. The lightly steamed vegetables al dente and nutritious. Once the dishes were served, she’d send the crew’s meals out and begin to work on the dessert. Not that all the delicacies were consumed each evening. She had her suspicions about which guests did not eat the sweets. Their loss. The triple-chocolate mousse cake tonight would melt in their mouths, the bitter chocolate flakes on the frosting a contrast to the sweetness of the mousse. It was one of her favorite desserts. She’d made a double batch to make sure the crew had enough. And she could indulge, as well. Nothing like chocolate to set things right.

Stefano returned for the desserts a short time later, and Sara took her own dinner to the aft deck. Those crewmen off duty were lounging in contentment.

“The dinner was great,” one called when she stepped out.

“I’d have more dessert if there is any,” another said, holding up his empty plate.

Sara smiled; she loved it when people appreciated her efforts.

“There’s more. Help yourselves, or ask Stefano to get you another piece.” She sat at the end of the long table, eating while she listened to their desultory conversation. The gentle rocking of the boat was soothing. The air was cooler than earlier, but quite pleasant enough to sit outside. If she were in London now she’d be slogging away in some hot kitchen, making dishes to order and dashing around to find everything she needed with other chefs working at frantic speed, as well. Maybe after she found her grandmother she’d consider working for a private club or household or yacht. She enjoyed planning the meals and preparing them at a more leisurely pace.

That day was still a long way off.

Sara didn’t leave the aft deck when she finished eating. Stefano cleared the dishes. One by one the rest of the crew bade her good-night and left. Soon darkness fell and she felt alone standing by the railing as she gazed over the sea. The surface was calm, almost glassy, reflecting the stars that pierced the night sky. When the moon began to rise, its sliver of light cast a delicate pale yellow trail across the sea. She felt almost as if she could step out and walk along it all the way to the moon.

Nikos watched Sara from the bridge. She stood so still as she gazed across the sea. He wondered what she was thinking about. The captain looked up from the chart he was reviewing by the small lamp.

“Is everything all right?” he asked.

“Yes. The cruise is going well,” Nikos replied, still watching Sara. He wanted to go down to the aft deck and steal a few minutes of peace. Today’s kiss had shown him how dangerous that would be. It had just been a kiss. And if he had resisted that impulse, their time together could have continued. Now he had to distance himself before she thought there was more to his wanting to spend time with her than an escape from the duties of work.

That thought firmly in mind, he’d refrained from going down to the aft deck tonight. But it didn’t stop the desire to do so.

“We head for Mazure tomorrow?” the captain asked.

Nikos swung around. “No, head for home. I’m cutting this cruise short. I’ll explain to my guests tomorrow.” With a nod he left. The sooner he got his guests on their way, the sooner he could head for the family island. The return was only one day ahead of schedule. He’d treat them to a lavish suite at the resort to make up for it. And he’d head for his grandfather’s. He still had not asked Gina to marry him. After today he wasn’t sure he wanted marriage. He would bide his time a bit longer, bid the Fregulias farewell and think about the future when he was on the island.

And say goodbye to Sara.

In his office a few moments later, he was churning with frustration. He’d only been with the woman a few times. Once back into the swing of things, he would forget her soon enough. She’d be cooking in the kitchen of the farthest restaurant at the resort; he’d be at the other end in his offices and suite of rooms.

“Blast it!” he rasped out, slamming his palm against his desk. She was pretty, talented and content with her life. She had not made a single overture that could be misconstrued. Unlike him.

He sat in his chair, leaned back and gazed out of the darkened window.

What if he continued to see Sara for a while? The novelty would wear off and he’d be on to the next woman on the horizon. Maybe marriage wasn’t for him. At least his father had settled on one woman.

Sara’s appeal was her unique spin on things, which made her intriguing. Once back in his normal routine, he’d soon miss the witty repartee of women of his own social set. He’d miss the gala dinners, the receptions. He’d find her enthusiasm and wonder boring after a while and begin to long for the more sophisticated, cynical women he knew.

But until then, could he continue to see Sara?

Why not take her to the island? The thought came unbidden.

Why not, indeed. She seemed content to be on the boat. He knew she liked swimming, standing in the dark watching the stars, diving.

Would she be equally content going to formal receptions, meeting dignitaries and businessmen who played an important role in developing Greece? Wearing designer dresses and expensive jewelry? Any woman he developed a relationship with needed the sophistication to move in his world.

He knew how to play the game. He wanted his resort to become world renowned and knew what it took to get there. But sometimes he longed for quiet, tranquility and genuine people. Like Spiros and Eleani. They were content on the island, or traveling when the mood suited them. They entertained and also spent time alone enjoying their own company.

He could find that tranquillity at the family island. His father wanted him to stop in. His grandfather had invited him. He’d go.

And he’d take Sara with him.

The next morning Nikos rose early. Ignoring his computer and the work that awaited, he donned his swimming trunks and grabbed a towel. In less than ten minutes, he was on the aft deck, contemplating the sea. He’d had all night to think about his plan. If Sara kept her distance as she had yesterday on the runabout, he’d have a harder sell. If she showed some sign of interest, he’d move ahead.

“Good morning,” she said from behind him.

Nikos let out a breath he hadn’t known he’d been holding as he turned slowly around.

Sara dropped her own towel and cover-up on one of the chairs. Her hair was bound back in a ponytail. She didn’t look directly at him, but he didn’t care. She’d come to swim. He would take that as the sign he wanted.

“Good morning. I hoped you would come to swim.”

She looked at him in surprise. “You did?”

“You seemed to enjoy it. Why not take advantage of the opportunities?” He thought that sounded reasonable. Which was not at all the feeling he had seeing her again this morning. He felt a most unreasonable attraction.

“My thoughts exactly.”

He wished she’d smile. Her eyes lit up when she did. But her expression remained solemn.

He opened the railing gate and gestured for her to go first. She descended the steps quickly and without a word dove into the sea. He followed. She was ahead of him, swimming leisurely. She didn’t seem angry or upset. Just distant.

She bobbed up and trod water, looking around. The sun was rising, the air crisp and clear.

“Is it always this beautiful?” she asked when he stopped next to her.

“Always.”

She grinned at that and shook her head. “What about the storms? Wasn’t one of Shakespeare’s plays based on a severe storm in the Med?”

“Ah, but this is the Aegean, always perfect.” He relished her grin. What could he do to keep it there?

“And never any storms?” Her doubt was obvious.

He shrugged. “Only if nature’s awesome power can be described as beautiful.”

She rolled her eyes at his attempt to describe the storms that sometimes erupted without warning and were the bane of sailors. No body of water ever escaped storms.

“Today will be clear, however,” he reassured her.

“And duty calls,” she said, turning to swim back to the Cassandra. “I need to get breakfast ready for your guests.”

“And for today’s meal?”

“Eggs Benedict.”

“A favorite of mine,” he said, keeping pace with her.

She frowned. “I didn’t know that.”

“Now you do.” He would not let her retreat.

“So tomorrow will be oatmeal,” she retorted. Reaching the swimming board at the back of the yacht, she held on while kicking her legs lazily in the silken water.

“No oatmeal.”

She grinned again. “We don’t have any on board anyway. But it’s good and nourishing.”

“Fine for a cold winter’s morning.”

“So should I wait for such a cold snap?”

He felt foolish talking about oatmeal, but at least Sara hadn’t scurried up the ladder and disappeared into the galley. Twice she’d grinned at him. Could he go for three?

“I’ll come up with something different tomorrow,” she promised.

“Actually, there will be no need.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’re returning to the resort this afternoon. I’m cutting the cruise short.”

“Why?”

Nikos hesitated. “Family business,” he said.

“Oh.” She grabbed hold of the support and lifted herself onto the swim board and then scrambled up the steps to the deck. “I’ll make today’s breakfast special, then,” she said, leaning over the rail to see him. “And lunch on board?”

He nodded.

She disappeared from view.

Sara’s heart pounded. Family business. Did that mean something was wrong? Not with her grandmother, she hoped. While she had no warm feelings for the woman, she desperately wanted her to read her daughter’s last letter. It meant so much to Sara that her mother’s mother knew how much her daughter had loved her and wanted to return to Greece. How much she regretted her impetuous marriage and asked for forgiveness.

All through breakfast Sara speculated on what Nikos had meant. Would he be going to the family island? Would he take the Cassandra and its crew? Even if he did, she’d learned it was less than a three-hour cruise to the island. There was a chef in residence on the island, so he undoubtedly would feed the smaller crew. A ship’s chef would not be needed.

And she had no other incentive to offer. She couldn’t hope that the chef fell ill like the ship’s chef she was substituting for had.

Could she smuggle herself on board? Hide in the stateroom? Or did the crew sweep through before sailing to verify no stowaways? Just her luck to be found. Then what would she say?

The word about the change in plans swept through the crew quickly. Stefano told Sara and she pretended she didn’t know and asked what he’d heard. “Why the change, do you know?”

“He is probably tired of his guests,” Stefano said as he waited for the plates for breakfast.

“He would cut the trip short for that? I thought he was interested in Miss Fregulia.”

Stefano shook his head. “He never has cut short a cruise before and sometimes he can get some very demanding guests. But it’s only a day early. The captain said we were returning, no reason given. I’m not privy to the captain’s orders. Nor the path of true love—or at least the proposed walk down the aisle.”

“Nor am I. Just curious.” Raging with curiosity, was more like it. “What happens with the Cassandra? Do we stay aboard?”

Stefano shrugged. “I also work at the resort. If he does not plan another trip soon, I would resume my duties there. As you would, I’m guessing.”

“Probably.” At least she had the job at the resort. And if Nikos took another cruise, maybe he’d ask for her. Oh, no—wait. The regular cook for the yacht would be ready to sail again in only a few weeks. If the ship didn’t go out before that, she would not be included on the next trip.

It had seemed destined when she’d landed this berth. Now without ever getting close to the family island, she was going to miss the opportunity. She would not wish sickness on anyone, so she couldn’t keep hoping the regular chef would not be able to go the next time. But one quick trip before he was well would suffice.

“I’ll return as soon as they finish lunch to clear the galley and stow any nonperishables. The rest will be taken to one of the restaurants,” Stefano said as he hoisted the tray laden with breakfast plates. “We’ll wait until the guests take off before leaving—just in case they want any last-minute assistance.”

“I’ll make sure my cabin is clean,” she said, wiping off one of the counters.

Sara packed quickly. It didn’t take long. She’d only been aboard a few days and her clothing was almost entirely resort uniforms. Suitcase by the door, she went to the porthole in her wall and gazed out. She could see land in the distance.

They’d be back at the resort soon. And she’d accomplished nothing.

Sara went up on the aft deck as the resort came closer and closer. The wind blew her hair back when she leaned over to look toward the direction they were heading. Shading her eyes with her hand, she looked up to the bridge. Nikos stared down at her. She caught her breath and looked away. For his sake she hoped the family situation was not an emergency.

Leaning over the railing, she watched as the yacht was tied to the dock, the gangplank lowered and the passengers disembarked. Gina held on to Nikos’s arm as if she’d fall without his support. Senor and Senora Fregulia followed with their friends behind. No one seemed particularly upset, Sara thought. Maybe the family situation was a happy event—like a new baby born or someone got engaged.

“We’re leaving,” Stefano said from the doorway. “The Cassandra sails again this afternoon. Captain wants to talk to you on the bridge.”

“I’ll go straightaway, then pick up my bag.” She walked over and offered her hand. “It’s been a pleasure, Stefano.”

“It was mine,” he said as he shook her hand. “I hope we sail again together,” he said formally. “I’m sure to see you around the resort.” With a slight nod of his head he turned and walked back down the short corridor.

Sara climbed up to the bridge, loving the view of the resort from this height.

“You wanted to see me?” she asked the captain when she entered the pilot house.

He looked up from some papers he was reading. “Ah, Sara Andropolous. Mr. Konstantinos would like you to remain on board. We sail again in a few hours and he has requested you sail with us.”

“I’m happy to stay,” she said, thinking what an understatement that was. “To where do we sail next?” she asked, almost crossing her fingers and toes.

“To the Konstantinos family island.”

Sara almost jumped with joy at the news. But conscious that all things could change, she merely nodded and smiled. “I like sailing on the Cassandra. I look forward to extending my time on board.”

“Your meals are excellent. It’s no wonder Nikos wishes you to remain. I’ve enjoyed each one you’ve made.”

She smiled in delight. “Always words to warm a cook’s heart. Thank you.”

She did a little skip as she headed out. Walking down carefully to the main deck, she went to the railing and looked around. There were several luxury yachts moored in the resort’s marina. Three smaller boats were also tied up. The activity on the docks seemed lively and she enjoyed people watching.

There was one person she was especially watching for.