Читать книгу Wedding Party Collection: Here Comes The Groom - Rebecca Winters - Страница 13

ALEX didn’t know what Dimitrios had said to his nephew. But the expression on his face revealed a world of love and concern.

After he put the phone back in his pocket he said, “If Leon hears my message, he’ll be under the impression I’m still too dizzy to ride in the parade. I told him he was the only Pandakis I trusted to stand in for me at the opening ceremony. We’ll find out if he takes the bait.”

She looked out the side window so he couldn’t see her blinking back the tears. There were many ways to love a man. At sixteen, he’d been her handsome knight in shining armor who’d come to rescue her.

After she’d gone to work for his company, she’d learned to love him for his generosity to the staff. When she became his private secretary, she fell in love with his little foibles along with his most endearing traits. Above all, she admired that selfless quality about him which was rare in a man so influential.

Right now her heart was swollen with emotion because he hadn’t been too proud to find a way to reach out to his troubled nephew.

The man had no vanity.

Alex loved him with a searing intensity that needed to find expression soon or she’d go mad trying to hold back her feelings.

She continued to stare out the window as the car wound through a small village on its climb to a more forested area. They passed a tiny white church sheltered by dark pines. There were cars all around it and a few people outside the doors in native dress. It had to be some kind of religious celebration.

She was on the verge of asking Dimitrios about it when he announced they’d come to the lodge.

Alex turned her head to the other side of the road in time to see a cluster of white buildings nestled in the trees. It looked deserted.

“After we’ve freshened up and changed, we’ll walk to the top of the peak. From there you’ll be able to see over the entire forest.”

In such a remote place, this was going to be even more intimate than her stay at the villa.

“How long will it take?”

“The rest of the day.” He drove up to the front of one of the buildings, which appeared to house a dining room. After he’d shut off the motor he said, “Is there a reason you’re in such a hurry?”

A wry tone had entered his voice. Whenever he sounded like that, she knew he was probing for something. But what?

“Not at all. I just wondered if it might be too soon for you to exert yourself to that extent.”

Her explanation was part lie, of course. Any time spent alone with him was too long because she kept falling deeper and deeper in love. On the other hand, she was worried that he hadn’t fully recovered yet.

“Nothing relaxes me more than to get out in nature.” He pulled off his sunglasses, revealing those penetrating black eyes to her gaze for the first time that day. “We both need a break from the stress before the fair begins.”

So saying, he levered himself from the car and came around to help her. When they went inside the reception area, the lodge keeper rushed to greet Dimitrios in Greek. He obviously knew him well.

While they conversed at some length, the man’s wife brought them tea and biscuits. The repast tasted good. After they’d finished, she bid Alex to follow her from the office to one of the nearby cottages.

It turned out to be a pleasant room with an ensuite bathroom and three twin beds. Dimitrios came inside with her suitcase. He tipped the woman, then shut the door behind her.

Turning to Alex, he pinned her with his dark, level gaze. “I arranged for two rooms before I left Thessalonica this morning. However, the concierge just informed me that a problem has arisen and now there’s only this one available. Apparently the granddaughter of the concierge and his wife is being married today, and they’re expecting more family.”

“In that little church we just passed?” she cried in delight.

He nodded. “The wedding party is staying here for the night, so the lodge is closed to the public.”

She smiled to herself. “But there’s always a room for you.”

“Because I serve on the eco council for special preserves like this throughout Greece, an accommodation is usually made available if a member is in the area.”

He served on many boards, but being his New York assistant, she hadn’t heard of this one. It seemed that every day in his presence meant she learned something new about him.

“How special?”

His eyes gleamed. “If we’re lucky, you’re going to find out. Don’t worry about tonight. I brought my bed-roll. After we have dinner, I plan to sleep in the forest. Excuse me for a moment and I’ll bring in my things.”

Once he left the room, Alex stood there immobilized with fresh pain.

Given the unexpected circumstances, any other man might have tried to take advantage of the situation. Not Dimitrios. The night of the accident he’d wanted her to stay with him to help run interference. But now that he was recovered, it didn’t occur to him to ask her to share the room with him.

She had to admit it wasn’t anyone’s fault but hers. Michael had created this persona for her. One that made her blend into the woodwork.

Alex blended all right. So well, in fact, that Dimitrios saw her as one of the guys. She could be Stavros for all he cared.

Of course he cared a great deal for his Greek secretary. She knew Dimitrios cared a lot for her, too. Wanting to show her a favorite place of his meant they’d become friends. But never lovers.

Back in high school and college she’d dated quite a bit, but because she’d lost her heart to a certain Greek, no other man had ever meant enough to her to become intimate with him.

Tonight that was what she wanted. To lie in his arms and get so intimate with him, he would never let her go.

But if she dared shed her disguise right now in order to make him see her in a different light, it would end their friendship. He would despise her for misrepresenting herself to get a job with his corporation. Everything would blow up in her face. It was going to blow up anyway after she resigned.

The mere thought of never seeing him again was anathema to her. She couldn’t imagine getting through the rest of her life without him, yet the day of parting was almost here. There was nothing she could do now but play this out to the bitter end.

Stifling a tiny sob, she hurried into the bathroom with her suitcase. After freshening up, she pulled out the plastic bag holding her sneakers. Once she’d slipped off her matron pumps, she put on her navy and white tennis shoes.

They didn’t match her three-piece, oversize suit with the high square neck. It was an unattractive jacquard design of intricately woven salmon pink, gray and brown. During the hike she imagined she’d get hot wearing it, but that would have to be her punishment.

When she finally went into the room, the sight of his powerful body in cutoffs and a white T-shirt revealing the well-defined chest beneath caused her to suck in her breath.

On the same note, his eyes passed over her with less interest than if he’d glimpsed a plate of fried eggs left out on the table for the better part of a week.

How awful she looked. It killed her to go on wearing such unattractive clothes in front of him, never being able to let down her hair and be herself. Just once she’d like to see those black orbs ignite when she walked into a room….

He hung his suit in the closet, then reached for his backpack. It was sheer poetry watching his bronzed, hard-muscled arms slip into the straps.

“What have you got inside?” she inquired. “It looks heavy.”

“This is nothing. Some food and water plus a few other items. Shall we go?” He locked the door behind them.

For the next twenty minutes she followed him along a path, which started to wind into foothills studded with black pine and oak. “Are we on sacred ground yet?”

Dimitrios paused to look back at her with an amused smile that tripled her pulse rate. “We’ll be coming to the strictly protected area before too long. When you see something move, I’ll give you the binoculars.”

Startled, she said, “I’d settle for a clue about now.”

His lips twitched. “That would spoil all the fun.”

Uh-oh. This outing seemed to have brought out the boy in him. She had an idea she was in for it.

He handed her a bottle of water from his pack. “Don’t drink too much all at once,” he cautioned.

After a moment she returned it and they resumed their trek. He continued along the path, pacing himself so Alex could keep up. Though the scenery was beautiful, she found herself watching the backs of his legs. They were perfectly molded machines of whipcord strength.

Content to feast her eyes on Dimitrios, she almost bumped into him when he stopped ten minutes later to point out a family of badgers partially hidden by the underbrush. Alex took a step off the path to get a closer peek at them. They were burrowing for all their worth.

“Oh—look how hard they’re working!”

“They remind me of you.”

The mocking comparison to the grizzle-coated mammals was hardly flattering, but she’d come to recognize his mockery as a compliment of sorts.

“Thank you very much.”

She thought she heard a chuckle as they continued up the path. The higher they rose, the more she became aware of a forest alive with the sounds of rustlings and whirrings. No doubt foxes and other creatures abounded in the wooded setting.

They stopped to drink more water. When he’d put the bottle away, he took out the binoculars. Before she knew how it happened, he’d hung them around her neck.

In the process, his hands brushed her hair and shoulders, setting her on fire wherever there was contact. She quickly averted her eyes, afraid to look at him.

“We’re getting closer to the peak. Keep your gaze skyward.”

She nodded, unable to talk with his body practically touching hers, radiating his male warmth. Once he’d turned and started up the trail again, she was able to expel the breath she’d been holding.

They hadn’t been hiking more than five minutes before she saw several dark specks in the sky. With each leisurely circle, they came closer.

She took off her glasses and lifted the binoculars to her eyes. Unprepared for the powerful magnification of the lenses, she gasped in shock at the incredible sight.

“I don’t believe it! They look like gargoyles come to life! I’ve never seen anything like them.”

“You’re viewing a pair of Griffon vultures,” sounded her companion’s deep voice. “They would be extinct by now if there weren’t forest preserves like this to provide needed habitat. Along with the Black and Egyptian vultures, they’re one of the most endangered species of raptors in the world.”

“No wonder you love to come here! I feel like I’ve gone back in time. I wish I had my sketch pad with me.”

“Wait till you see the Imperial eagle.”

“Is that the one you have emblazoned on your plane?’ She was still looking through the field glasses.

“So you noticed.” He sounded pleased.

I notice everything about you.

“Well, it didn’t look like an American bald eagle, so I figured it had special significance.”

“You don’t miss much.”

Not when it comes to you.

“Once when Leonides brought me here, we found an Imperial eaglet that had been poisoned. We notified the authorities and they took it to the bird hospital. After it recovered, we were allowed to watch it from the observatory when it was returned.”

She swallowed hard. “That must have pleased you both.”

“We were very happy. My brother felt it was important to fight for their preservation.”

“So you took up the cause. What a perfect way to honor his memory.” She handed him back the binoculars and put her glasses on. “Does your nephew know about that story?”

He stared at her with brooding eyes. “No. In the beginning, I found it too painful a subject to talk about. I realize it’s another oversight I intend to rectify if it isn’t already too late.”

“I don’t imagine it’s ever too late for a son to hear something truly wonderful about his father.”

She saw his throat move before they continued the last of their climb side by side.

“You had a happy childhood, didn’t you, Alexandra.”

“My parents are loving people who gave me and my sisters a wonderful life.”

“Is that the reason why you don’t talk about it around me? Because you’ve learned enough to know mine was less than idyllic?”

No. It was the fear of loving him too much when she knew it was one-sided that kept her silent, but she couldn’t let him know that. With his all-seeing gaze focused on her, she started to feel nervous.

“I guess I’ve been too busy being your secretary to realize much of anything else. Where did you say that observatory was?” Their conversation was getting too personal.

“Along another path. It’ll be closed today, but we have our own binoculars and can stop there on our way down to watch the raptors feed.”

The next three hours were sheer delight for Alex. They ate by the ruins of a Byzantine castle on top of the peak, then made their descent. Dimitrios identified fifteen endangered species for her, including the Imperial eagle.

Almost at the bottom, she thought she heard music and stopped along the trail to listen.

“It’s the wedding party. See that little meadow through the trees? They must have arrived from the village church.”

Her breath caught in her throat to witness the joy of a radiant bride in her wedding dress with a crown of flowers in her hair, dancing with her dark-haired groom.

In the background their friends and relatives clapped and cheered to the music while the little children played.

Tears sprang to Alex’s eyes. “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.”

The scene before her was too painful to watch because she wanted to be that bride smiling into her husband’s eyes. She wanted that wedding to be her wedding. She wanted Dimitrios for her husband. To have and to hold. Forever.

“I agree that village weddings tend to have a certain charm,” he murmured. “Come stand over here where we can see better.”

Needing to touch her, he grasped her shoulders from behind and moved her off the path where they could remain hidden behind the undergrowth to watch. But it was a mistake.

There was no way he could focus on the bridal party when the intoxicating scent of pear from her shampoo made him want to take down her hair and bury his face in it.

Like before, on the plane, Dimitrios was aware of the superb mold of her body. Considering the eighty-degree heat, it came as a shock to discover she was trembling. He knew she wasn’t afraid of him. Was it desire she felt for him?

If that were the case, then her struggle to conceal it made her different from all the other females who’d come on to him since his teens. She was that rare woman he never expected to meet.

Earlier that morning he’d awakened full of determination to keep her at a professional distance. Yet here he was, held in the grip of sexual desire, wanting to turn her around so he could kiss her senseless.

He knew he should be feeling guilty for spending time with her in activities that had nothing to do with business. For that matter, he should never have insisted she stay at the villa. But it was too late for that now, too late to remember the vow that no woman would entice him to bed before marriage.

He wanted, needed Alexandra in all the ways a man could want a woman. He’d fallen in love with her….

“I—I hope you don’t mind if we hurry back to the lodge now. All of a sudden I’m fading fast.” She eased away from him and started down the path.

Dimitrios followed at a more leisurely pace, wondering if guilt over betraying Michael or Yanni had caused her to put distance between them. Determined to find out, he closed the gap.

“You’re reading my mind again. An early night is exactly what I need, too.”

She slowed down before darting him a backward glance. “Are you feeling dizzy?”

“No. Only pleasantly tired.”

“Somehow I don’t quite believe you. Thank goodness the lodge isn’t very far now. That backpack must feel heavy.”

He waited for her to say he could lean on her, but the offer didn’t come.

Because she didn’t trust herself to get that close to him again?

Desperate to know the answer to that vital question, an idea came to him how he could discover the truth.

Filled with a sense of anticipation for the evening ahead, Dimitrios walked her toward the lodge. The pines cast their long shadows across the path. His heart thudded to realize evening had crept up on them without him realizing it. He would have her all to himself.

It didn’t matter that there were cars in every parking space. The wedding guests would stay occupied for hours, leaving him and Alexandra strictly alone.

“Do you mind if I stretch out for a few minutes?” he asked as soon as he let them inside the room.

She looked at him in alarm. “Are you feeling sick? Sometimes a cola helps. I could ask for one at the lodge.”

He loved it that she showed this kind of concern for him. It staggered him how much he loved her.

Shaking his head, he said, “I’m sleepy. That’s all. If you want to shower, go ahead. The concierge said they’d bring dinner to our room. I’ll call the office now.”

After putting his backpack on one of the chairs, he laid down on one of the twin beds and picked up the receiver to order their meal. Through veiled eyes he watched her reach for her suitcase.

“I’ll hurry,” she murmured before disappearing.

The second he heard the shower, he called Stavros for a short chat on his cell phone, then listened for any messages. So far there was no response from Leon. He hoped by morning he’d hear from his nephew.

His eyes flicked to the radio on the table between the beds. He turned it to a popular music station, curious to know Alexandra’s taste. With the curtains drawn and the lights turned low, there was nothing else to do but wait for her. He couldn’t think of anything else more important.

The shower had felt wonderful, but Alex stood before the mirror in a panic.

It had grown dark. Before long it would be time for bed. She couldn’t go out there in front of him wearing another three-piece suit. But to suddenly appear in jeans and a T-shirt would be disastrous.

When she’d packed for this trip, it never occurred to her she might need a granny gown. All she’d thought to bring with her were some shortie nighties. Her robe was a simple yellow brushed nylon that fell to the knee and looked too youthful compared to the other things she’d been wearing to work.

Of course if she didn’t use the belt, and wore one of her heavy white blouses and a half slip beneath it, she’d be able to conceal her figure. Alex hadn’t brought slippers, but she’d packed a clean pair of white socks. In a moment she’d pulled them on.

Once her glasses were in place, she left the bathroom with her suitcase.

“I’m sorry if I took too—”

But she didn’t finish what she was going to say because everything had changed since she’d been in the shower.

Her gaze shot to the square table, which had been set with candles and flowers. Dimitrios stood next to it filling two tall stemmed glasses with wine. She could smell something delicious. Greek music played in the background.

When he’d ordered dinner, she hadn’t expected all this! Her heart couldn’t take anymore.

Dimitrios turned toward her. In the flickering candlelight, his eyes gleamed like polished jet. He looked amazingly refreshed. “Leave your bag there and join me.”

Once she’d done his bidding, she crossed the expanse on legs that had turned to jelly. He held the chair while she sat down. What was going on?

He took his place across the table from her and lifted his wineglass. “Shall we drink a toast to the fair?”

Trying not to look at him for fear he’d see the love in her eyes, she raised her glass. “May it be the success you envisioned.”

“Amen.”

They clinked glasses before he drank from his.

Alex rarely touched alcohol, but she needed something to steady her nerves, and the wine was very sweet to the taste. Unfortunately she swallowed too much, too fast. Grabbing the napkin, she coughed into it. “I’m sorry,” came her muffled apology.

As he removed the covers off their dinner plates, a faint smile curved the corners of his mouth. “Perhaps this wedding fare will go down more easily.”

She took a bite of the roast lamb and found it as delicious as everything else. But her awareness of the man seated opposite her had taken away her appetite.

Something was different. He was different. By his behavior, she could almost believe he was attracted to her, too. Dear God. Was it possible? Or had her desire for him grown to such a degree she saw only what she wanted to see?

“If the food isn’t to your taste, I can go to the village for fruit and a sandwich.” By now he’d practically devoured everything on his plate.

“Oh, no— I mean, that isn’t the problem, but thank you anyway.”

His gaze scrutinized her. “If you’d shed your jacket during the climb, you wouldn’t have overheated.”

“I’m fine. It’s simply a case of my being more sleepy than hungry.”

“Alexandra, you needn’t pretend with me.”

Her head reared back. “What do you mean?”

“I realize you were planning to spend your free evenings with Michael. So far I’ve claimed all your time.”

She blinked. It hadn’t occurred to her he would think she was romantically involved with Michael. Yet what else would he assume considering she’d offered to let Michael stay in her hotel room.

That put a different complexion on things. She hated the idea of deceiving Dimitrios any more than she already had.

“Michael knows my work for you comes first.”

He finished off the rest of his wine. “Is that what you’re going to tell him? That it was all work?”

“If he should ask, naturally I’ll be honest with him.”

“And he won’t be jealous?”

“Heavens, no! You’re my boss.”

He sat back in his chair eyeing her narrowly. “If you were my girlfriend, I wouldn’t allow you to spend a whole day with your employer in the woods.”

Alex couldn’t help smiling despite the pain she was feeling inside.

“My remark amused you?” He sounded anything but pleased.

“Today’s woman doesn’t consider herself a man’s property. But the truth is, if I were Michael’s girlfriend, I wouldn’t have chosen to spend my free time with you, even if you do pay my salary.”

There! She’d told him the truth.

“Does Michael know you’re not his girlfriend?” He persisted in the same vein.

“Did he say something to Leon when he went for the costume that led him to believe we’re more than good friends?”

“Not that I’m aware of,” came the silky response.

Dimitrios was after a certain answer. She wished she knew was it was. Unless—

“It was probably one of Michael’s friends playing a joke.”

Her host’s dark brows furrowed. “I don’t follow.”

“Michael’s an old friend of mine who brought two of his buddies to Greece with him. One of them is divorced. Michael and the other one are between girlfriends at the moment.

“They work in the day and act in the theater at night. When they heard about the fair and the idea of wearing costumes, they were so excited to come, I told them they could stay in my suite. There weren’t any more rooms to be had, and I knew I wouldn’t be using it except to sleep.”

She hoped that was the end of the questions. Alex reached for her wine and drank most of the contents.

“What about Yanni?”

She almost choked again. “I don’t understand.”

“Is he planning to stay in your suite, too?”

Alex put the glass on the table, wondering when the interrogation was going to stop.

“Yes. He went to Athens first to be with his family. From what I understand, he’s bringing a girl along I’ve never met. As far as I know, they haven’t arrived in Thessalonica yet.”

“It all sounds very cozy,” he murmured. “I wonder what would be your response if I asked to sleep over, too.”

It was a teasing comment, but at the mere thought, her heart leaped. “Everyone would love it.”

“Even you?”

Dimitrios. He sounded very much like a man who cared. If by some miracle that were true…

“Naturally it would be worth it to see the look on their faces. They wouldn’t believe the legendary Kyrie Pandakis came down from Olympus to—”

Oh, no!

“Go on.”

“I—I don’t remember what I was going to say,” she dissembled. The wine had made her careless.

“Maybe it will come to you while I’m in the shower.”