Читать книгу Wedding Party Collection: Here Comes The Groom - Rebecca Winters - Страница 14

AFTER Dimitrios had left the room, she decided the best thing she could do to get rid of the light-headed feeling was eat her dinner. Without him torturing her with questions, she found her appetite had returned.

Now that everything was out in the open concerning the friends staying at the hotel with her, she felt a lot better.

Once she’d finished her meal, she put the covers on the plates. As she blew out the candles, Dimitrios emerged from the bathroom wearing a pair of gray sweats and another T-shirt in pale blue. He brought the tang of soap into the room with him.

She noticed that his black hair was still damp from the shower, but he hadn’t taken the time to shave. The shadow of a beard made him look so dark and handsome, she could only stare at him.

His gaze swept over her, igniting her senses all over again. “I don’t know about you, but watching that bridal couple has put me in the mood to dance. Would you honor me with one before I leave you in peace?”

Dance? With her? When she’d never looked worse in her life?

Her boss probably knew she was in love with him. Maybe he’d known it all along and had decided to give his old-maid secretary a few thrills while she was in Greece. Let her have a memory to take back to New York.

“Something you have to learn about the Greek male. He loves to dance.” Dimitrios put out his hands. “Indulge me.”

Delicious waves of excitement raced through her body. Maybe her dream to become unforgettable to him was starting to come true. Her legs almost buckled as she dared to imagine he might really want to hold her close. “I don’t think—”

“This is one time when I don’t want you to think, Alexandra. Just go with the music. The bouzouki is too compelling to ignore.”

“I don’t know any Greek dances,” she grumbled.

But her declaration had no effect on him as he drew her resisting body into his arms.

“All you have to do is relax,” he whispered near her ear. After he’d removed her glasses and put them on the bed, he held her close enough that she could follow his lead.

Earlier she’d practically melted to feel his broad chest against her back. Now that her curves were melded to his rock-hard physique, her bones turned to liquid every time their legs brushed against each other.

Zeus in her arms.

She didn’t dare let this go on any longer.

“I think we’d better stop. You’ve had enough activity for one day.”

“I’ll live to see another.”

As if to make his point, he pulled her closer and moved her around the room with practised ease.

“Dimitrios,” she begged.

“I like it when you say my name. I like being with you. Admit you enjoy my company, too.” She felt his deep voice resonate to every cell in her sensitized body.

“If that weren’t true, I wouldn’t have worked for you all these years.”

“A man likes to hear the words once in a while, even from his secretary.”

“Well, now that you’ve been given your wish, I really must insist we stop. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.”

“So we do.”

He stopped moving his legs, but continued to rock her in place. “Thank you for the dance, Alexandra. It was exactly what the doctor ordered.”

His hands seemed to slide away reluctantly, leaving her bereft. “I’ll see you in the morning. Be sure to lock the door after me.” He reached for his backpack.

“Wait,” she cried.

“Yes?” He paused at the entrance.

“Where’s your sleeping bag?”

“In the trunk of the car.”

“What if you should become ill during the night?”

He shot her an enigmatic glance. “It isn’t going to happen.”

“But it could!” After their hike, she was fearful he might have overdone things. “I don’t think I’ll get any sleep tonight knowing you’re out there somewhere in the forest where you might suffer a dizzy spell and no one would be there to help you.”

He rubbed his jaw absently. “If you’re that concerned, then I’ll sleep in the car outside the cottage door.”

“No!” she cried. “You’re too big and you need a good night’s rest,” she stammered. “Stay in here. It isn’t as if we haven’t spent all night in the same bedroom before. That way if you’re sick, I’ll be here to help you.”

She could read nothing from his expression. “That’s very generous of you. If you’re sure—”

“Of course.” Once again she disappeared into the bathroom.

With pounding heart, he turned off the lamp and slid under the covers. When his adorable secretary finally emerged, his hungry gaze followed her silhouette as she got in her bed and purposely rolled away from him.

One dance with her and a fire had been lit that wasn’t about to go out. He could still feel her delectable body pressed against him. In fact he was dangerously close to joining her in her bed.

The cell phone rang. Smothering a groan of frustration, he reached for it and clicked on.

“Yassou.” He spoke in Greek.

“Uncle?”

Relief swept over Dimitrios. “Leon, thank goodness. Where are you right now?”

“With Nikos.”

“He’s a good friend.”

After a brief silence, “You shouldn’t have left the villa until you were better,” he blurted in a voice of chastisement, which was very touching.

“I found that out earlier today. Fortunately I’m in bed now.”

“Where?”

“At the lodge on the edge of the Dadia forest.”

“With Ms. Hamilton?”

He sucked in his breath. “Yes.”

“Mother told me I jumped to conclusions about your confiding in her. I’m sorry. It was rude of me to walk out on you like that.”

“There’s no need for apologies. It was a misunderstanding all the way around.”

“What are you doing in Dadia?”

“Reliving a memory I have of your father. I should have shared it with you years ago, but when he died, I was in so much pain, I shut off emotionally.”

“Uncle Vaso told me you two were really close.”

“Very. When your grandparents were killed, Leonides became mother, father and brother to me. After his death, I suffered. Then you were born, and it was like having my brother back. Only you were my little brother, and I could boss you around for a change.”

His nephew laughed. Dimitrios felt the dark clouds begin to disperse.

“I’d like to climb the peak with you, Leon.”

“I’d love it,” his nephew responded emotionally.

“Good. Then we’ll plan it after I get back from my honeymoon.”

“Honeymoon?”

“Yes.” Dimitrios realized that nothing less than marriage would satisfy him. “I’m going to take a long one, and I’ll need someone to run things in New York while I’m away.”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course. Who else would I ask to fill in for me? Maybe by the time I return home, you’ll know better if you want to finish college and go into business with me, or live the religious life.

“Personally, I’d like my nephew with me. Any sons or daughters I have won’t be able to help me until I’m a much older man.”

“Uncle, you’re going too fast for me.”

That’s the point, Leon. I want to fill your head with enough ideas to confuse you.

“I feel breathless these days.”

“You’re in love with Ms. Hamilton, aren’t you.”

Dimitrios’s eyes closed tightly. “Yes.”

“I knew it the moment you told me to take her to the villa with us.”

“You have all the right instincts, Leon. That’s why you’ll make it in business if that’s what you choose.”

Another long period of quiet followed before his nephew spoke again. “Have you asked her to marry you?”

“As soon as the fair is over.”

“I don’t pretend to know her, but she must be wonderful because I’ve never seen you this happy in my life.”

“She’s a gift, but you’re the only person I’ve told. I’d like to keep it a secret until we’re ready to announce our plans.”

“I won’t say anything, not even to Mother.”

“I’ve always been able to trust you. Thanks again for being willing to stand in for me at the parade. We’ll meet at the villa tomorrow before the family dinner. I want to see you in that costume.”

“She had it made for you.”

“True, but we’re blood, so it’s the same thing.”

“You’re sure you’re going to be all right?” The concern in his voice spoke volumes.

“Alexandra is better than any nurse. She won’t let anything happen to me.”

“That’s good. Just be careful. I love you, Uncle.”

“I love you, too, Leon. More than you know.”

He rang off, then sank back against the pillow.

Seeds had been sown. Only time would tell if they’d fallen on fertile ground.

As for the woman lying within touching distance, her days of being known as Ms. Hamilton were almost over.

If it weren’t for the fair, he’d snatch her away this very night to somewhere they could lose themselves in each other for days and nights on end. It was going to be a long night.

The next morning after breakfast at the lodge dining room and a quick inspection of the impeccable silk exhibits in Soufli, the flight back to Thessalonica in the helicopter provided its own set of thrills for Alex.

Under Dimitrios’s guidance, the pilot flew low over castles and churches dotting the ancient landscape, giving her a history lesson she would always cherish. But when it came in for a landing on top of the Pandakis building, Alex was the one who suddenly felt strange.

Dimitrios got out of his seat, ready to assist her. She undid her seat belt and started to stand up, then weaved in place.

His powerful arms immediately went around her. “What’s wrong?” he demanded anxiously.

“Would you believe I’m the one feeling dizzy?”

“You’re having a bout of vertigo. It sometimes happens when you’re not used to landing above ground. I’ll carry you inside.”

“No, please!” she cried in a hushed tone. Last night she’d tasted a little bit of heaven. But it was morning now, and everything had gone back to reality. “Just let me hold onto your arm and I’ll be fine in a minute.”

“Would you prefer to wait here until it subsides?”

“No— I think maybe that’s what’s wrong. Knowing we’re up so high and—”

“Come on. Let’s get you inside the building.”

She clung to him while he half pulled her along. Part of the time she kept her eyes closed. He helped her down the stairs from the roof to his suite of offices on the top floor.

Being inside helped a lot.

“Better?” he whispered close to her cheek.

“Much.” Just don’t touch me anymore.

“Drink this.”

He’d stopped at the water dispenser and put a cup of it to her lips. It tasted good. She drank the whole thing. As she handed it back, their eyes met. His searching gaze revealed a depth of concern that shook her to the foundations.

“Thank you.” Her voice trembled.

She felt him take a deep breath. “You’re welcome. Your color’s come back. Are you ready to go the rest of the way? It’s only a few steps further.”

“I think I can do it without your help now.”

He ignored her comment and assisted her inside his office where his staff waited to be introduced to her.

“This is probably the most embarrassing moment of my life.”

He ushered her to the couch where she could sit down. “But think what it’s doing for Stavros, who has been under the impression you’re superhuman.”

Alex chuckled in spite of the situation. Within minutes everyone had taken turns greeting her so cordially, she felt right at home. Stavros showed up last of all with a glass of lemonade for her.

He sat down next to her. “I have a confession to make, my dear,” he said in excellent English. “I’ve never liked flying in the damn thing.”

“Now he tells me!” Dimitrios pretended to be upset, but his eyes were smiling. When they did that, he was virtually irresistible to Alex.

She drank half the lemonade before she said, “I think if I just don’t have to land on a roof again, I’ll be all right.”

“Good for you,” Stavros murmured. He looked at Dimitrios. “You’re hovering.”

“He does that on occasion,” Alex couldn’t help adding. Already she liked the older man who’d been with the Pandakis firm for so many years.

Now it was Stavros whose eyes were smiling. “There’s a lot of work waiting for you, Dimitrios. If you want to get busy, I’ll show Ms. Hamilton into her office.”

She’d never known anyone who spoke to Dimitrios that way. It showed the measure of affection, even love between the two men who treated each other as equals.

Dimitrios muttered something about his secretaries being partners in crime before he wheeled away and strode toward his private office, taking her heart with him.

After finishing her lemonade, she felt restored and was able to get up and follow Stavros without problem. The fabulous office that would be her headquarters during the fair was obviously someone else’s inner sanctum. He didn’t tell her which of the Pandakis cousins had been asked to make the sacrifice.

For the next hour they got down to business. Toward the end of their meeting, she acted on a suggestion Dimitrios had made in regard to Stavros.

“Before I leave, can I be frank with you?”

“Of course.”

“I’m not much of a people person. I would prefer to work behind the scenes from here to make sure every event goes off as planned. You’re the mainstay of the corporation, and the only one who can handle the VIPs flying in for the fair. Would you take over in that department? Please?”

He looked surprised. “If that’s what you wish.”

“It is. To be honest, if I thought I had to entertain foreign dignitaries, I’d probably have a nervous breakdown.”

“Dimitrios told me you’re not the type to fall apart on him.”

“I have to retain a few secrets to stay in with the boss.”

The older man’s hearty laugh delighted her.

“If I’d known this was going to be a party, I wouldn’t have left.”

At the sound of Dimitrios’s vibrant voice, Alex got up from the desk. Stavros remained in his swivel chair, eyeing her employer in amusement.

“Ms. Hamilton and I have been sorting things out. She’s afraid for me to tamper with her work agenda, so it looks like I’m going to be the fair’s goodwill ambassador.”

“Whatever makes the two of you happy. Now I’m afraid it’s getting late. We have to go, Alexandra.”

She turned to Stavros. “I’ll see you later then. Thank you for everything.”

“It’s been my pleasure.”

Dimitrios cupped her elbow and ushered her out to the elevator. On their ride down to the lobby he seemed to be staring into her soul.

“Did you know that Stavros rarely laughs like that? You made him a happy man. For that, you’re going to get a reward.”

She shook her head. “Please. No more bonuses.”

“Actually I had something else in mind,” he said in a quiet voice. “When the fair is over, you’ll find out what it is.”

Alex didn’t want gifts from Dimitrios. What she did want was still out of reach. Last night had to have been an aberration. Right now she had to keep reminding herself that the only reason he kept a hold was because she’d been dizzy earlier.

He didn’t let go until he’d helped her climb in the back of the limousine waiting for them.

“Oh—my suitcase!”

“It’s in the trunk with my backpack.”

Dimitrios went around to his side of the car. After he issued instructions to the driver, they were off.

“Isn’t the hotel the other way?” Alexandra cried as the limo made an unexpected right turn.

He nodded. “Yes. However, we still have work to do after dinner. There’s no time to ferry you back and forth. Now that I know Michael and his friends can entertain themselves, it only makes sense you stay at the villa. As for your friend Yanni, he and his girlfriend might as well use the other bedroom in your suite, which is going to waste.”

After a pregnant pause, “How long do you expect the party to last?”

“I have no idea. Does it matter? You’re my guest. Naturally you’ll be attending the dinner with me.”

“But I’m not family.”

Dimitrios cursed beneath his breath. “You must have a poor opinion of me if you think I would leave you on your own! Everyone in the family is anxious to meet the woman who has managed to bring back the splendor of Thessalonica to a world that is looking on in fascination.”

She bowed her head. “Thank you for the compliment, but as usual, you exaggerate my part in things.” He heard a deep sigh. “Should I dress up for dinner, or will one of my suits be all right?”

“Whatever makes you the most comfortable.”

“Maybe I should ask your sister-in-law. She’ll have definite ideas.”

“It’s not up to Ananke to decide.”

“Isn’t she the hostess?”

“No. We’ll be eating at Uncle Spiros’s villa.”

“I thought he’d passed away.” Her voice trailed.

“He did. After his death, his son Pantelis moved in with his family. You’ll like his wife, Estelle. She doesn’t fuss about things that aren’t important.”

Another long silence ensued. He glanced at her. “What’s going on in that mind of yours to put such a fierce expression on your face?”

“It may surprise you to know that even nondescript secretaries want to look their best when the occasion demands.”

“In my employ you’ve never presented a less than perfect picture,” he bit out in frustration. “If you thought I implied otherwise, you’d be wrong.”

He could feel her pulling away from him. Nothing was the same since they’d left Dadia.

When Nicholas appeared, Dimitrios asked him to bring in their luggage, then he grasped Alex’s elbow to escort her through the villa. She seemed in a great hurry to reach the guest bedroom. After what had transpired in the last twenty-four hours, he rebelled at the idea of their being separated for any reason.

“Be ready to leave in an hour.”

She nodded, then started to shut the door.

“Alexandra—”

“Yes?” she said, sounding as breathless as he felt. “Is there something you forgot to tell me? Something you want me to do?”

There was so much he wanted from her, he wasn’t able to think with any coherence. “It can wait.”

With that oblique comment, he turned and strode toward his suite. Alex shut the door, then leaned upon it. She couldn’t understand what had come over him. Maybe it had to do with this house that once upon a time contained the family he’d lost. He always seemed happier away from it.

Last night when he’d held out his hands for her to dance, he’d been a totally different person. Alex had never known such ecstasy as those moments in his powerful arms with the wine and the music feeding the flame of her desire.

Again she was struck by the fact that he’d always accepted her just the way she was. She loved him for it. But right now he sounded so upset. What had she said?

A shiver passed through her body. There’d only been a few times at the office when she’d seen him truly angry. The last thing she’d ever want was to be his target, even if it were deserved.

Once again Alex found herself wishing she dared to be her real self for tonight. If it weren’t for the likelihood of Giorgio being at the party, Alex was tempted to end the charade for good.

A knock on the door made her jump. She thought it was Dimitrios, that he’d changed his mind and had come back to ask a favor of her. When she opened it, she discovered Nicholas standing there with her suitcase. He placed it inside the room.

Though she needed it to get ready, she felt a bitter disappointment that it wasn’t Dimitrios. She quickly thanked the other man, then shut the door after him.

Almost to the bathroom, tears streamed down her face. Too much had transpired in the last twenty-four hours to contain her emotions any longer. She needed a release.

Half an hour later, she padded over to the suitcase with a towel wrapped around her and pulled out the only dressy outfit she’d brought from New York.

When Michael had planned her wardrobe, they’d laughed over the choices he’d come up with. But Alex wasn’t laughing now. She lifted the boxy, drab, gray three-piece suit to her gaze. The wrinkle-proof affair felt like stiff taffeta. Her eyes studied the beading on the collar and cuffs.

It was hideous. She could hardly bare to put it on, but she had no choice.

One glance in the mirror and she was equally repulsed by her dyed brown hair, which she wore in an eternal twist pulled back from an unimaginative center part. Alex’s mother wasn’t the only person who didn’t know what she looked like these days.

It astounded her that Dimitrios didn’t appear to mind being seen with her.

“Alexandra?” His peremptory voice was followed by a rap on the door.

“I’m ready.”

She slipped into her black matron shoes once more, then reached for the door handle. If he said one word about how nice she looked…

But at her first glimpse of the tall, virile male dressed in a long-sleeved black silk shirt teamed with black trousers, she forgot all about the ghastly picture she presented.

“Leon and his mother are waiting for us in the car. They’re both under the impression that I’m still too unsteady to mount a horse, so play along with me while I hang onto you for support. Shall we go?”

Once again he ushered her down the hall with his arm around her shoulders. The familiar smell of the soap he’d used in the shower assailed her again. He was clean-shaven tonight. Dimitrios had to be the most gorgeous man alive. How comical she must look standing next to him!

The strange glance Ananke flashed her when they got in the back of the limousine verified Alex’s opinion of herself. But Leon’s eyes were kind as they rested on her.

“Good evening, Ms. Hamilton.”

“I’m so glad to see you again, Leon. Since the other day I’ve wanted to apologize to you for anything I said that upset you.”

He shook his head. “No, no. I was the idiot. We don’t need to talk about it again.” Just then he sounded and acted very much like Dimitrios.

His mother chose that moment to say something to her brother-in-law.

“Speak English, Ananke.”

“It’s my opinion you should stay home from the party, Dimitrios. You should never have left your bed yesterday.”

“I agree with you, Mrs. Pandakis,” Alex inserted. “Considering the fact that we still have work to do this evening after dinner, I don’t think he should stay long. Not when he’s still feeling light-headed.”

“Then it’s settled,” his nephew declared with surprising finality. “We will eat quickly and leave.”

“Thank you all for deciding for me.”

Dimitrios’s wry comment prompted Alex to mutter, “Someone has to.”

“I’ll make it a short night on one condition.”

“What’s that?” Ananke asked the question foremost on Alex’s mind.

“After Ms. Hamilton went to all the trouble of having a costume made for me, I want the family to see Leon model it before he wears it in the parade tomorrow.”

“I’d be happy to do that, Uncle, but it’s too late now. We’ll be at the villa in a moment.”

Alex darted her host a sideward glance and caught a gleam in his eye. “As it happens, I asked Nicholas to put it in the trunk.”

Leon wouldn’t be able to wiggle out of it now.

Pleased to see Dimitrios’s tactics working where his nephew was concerned, Alex turned her head and looked out the window.

They’d been passing through another beautiful residential area of the city. As they turned into a private drive lined with cars, she caught sight of a pastel villa built along neoclassical lines. It looked even larger and more imposing than the one they’d just come from.

Mrs. Landau had once confided to Alex that even if Spiros headed the Pandakis family and had four sons to help run the company, his brother’s son, Dimitrios, was the driving force.

True to her prediction, after Spiros’s death there really wasn’t a transfer of power because Dimitrios was already the natural leader to whom the entire family and business magnates deferred.

It would be interesting to see if, after all Dimitrios had done to let Leon make his own decisions about life, his nephew ended up showing the same spark of business genius as his illustrious uncle. Stranger things had happened.

For Ananke’s sake, Alex hoped her son would marry and have children. The other woman was suffering. Her husband had been dead too many years for her to be actively grieving. Alex surmised that her pain stemmed from another source. She also had the impression Leon wasn’t the sole cause of it.

“We’ve arrived,” Dimitrios whispered against her ear. She knew it was accidental, but his lips grazed her lobe. His touch sent tiny ripples of delight through her system.

“Leon?” he called to his nephew. “I’ll help your mother inside while you take the garment bag and get ready.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

Alex struggled not to smile. Leon wasn’t used to Dimitrios making demands, but as far as she was concerned, it was exactly what he needed.

Within minutes both Alex and Ananke flanked Dimitrios as they made their way around the side of the villa to a terrace where a large crowd was gathered. Alex counted at least thirty beautifully dressed family members.

Spiros’s sons were all married with children, some of whom looked to be in their teens. Coupled with staff loading food on the tables placed around the ornate gardens, it made an impressive sight.

“Dimitrios!” someone cried in delight.

“Don’t move from my side,” he cautioned her.