“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “Was it hard to see Chloe go?”
“Yes, but thankfully I had college and became engrossed in my studies.”
He turned on his side toward her. “I missed out on that experience a lot of people take for granted.” Akis sounded far away just then.
She smiled at him. “You didn’t miss anything.” Mindful that his impoverished background had made him the slightest bit sensitive, she said, “What you learned growing up was something no professor or textbook could ever teach you. Every student could take lessons from your work ethic alone.”
“Thanks, but I don’t want to talk about me.”
“I’m not patronizing you, Akis.”
“I know that. Keep talking. I love to hear about you. What did you study?”
“My father took after his father and his father before him. I guess a little of it rubbed off on me. I did well in math and science so I went to graduate school and studied physics. After that I went to work for the Maywood Corporation at our jet propulsion lab in Salinas, not far from Carmel.”
* * *
Incredulous, Akis jackknifed into a sitting position. “Where the helicopters Vasso and I bought are manufactured?”
Her eyes lit up in amusement. “My team did work on its sensor system, one that spanned the electromagnetic spectrum using state-of-the-art instrumentation.”
He was aghast. “You rode in a helicopter whose electronics you helped design and you never said a word?”
“Maybe I didn’t for the same reason you didn’t tell me your number-four store was only one of many.”
They’d both been gun-shy of revealing themselves. He got it. “I’m so impressed with the work you do, I can hardly believe you’ve decided to prolong your vacation here.”
“If you want to know the truth, I’ve worried that you’ve taken your tour director duty too seriously and your brother might feel that you’re neglecting business because of me.”
After the information Vasso found on Raina, no doubt he was curious about what was going on and had left a message for Akis to call him. But he’d put off returning it because for the first time in his life, a woman filled his world and he couldn’t concentrate on anything else.
“It’s getting late, Raina. Before we go to bed, what would you like to do tomorrow?”
“Swim in that green water off your private section of beach. It tops anything I’ve seen in the Caribbean.”
“I’ve never been to the Caribbean.” It was yet another reminder of how worlds apart they were in experience. But her observation caused him to expel a satisfied breath. “That can be arranged. There are few cars on the island, but I have a run-down truck parked on the property to get me around if I need it. We’ll drive down to the shore line. Getting there would be tricky with your crutches.”
“After tomorrow I’m hoping I can throw them away.”
“That can’t come soon enough for me. I’m living to dance with you at a charming taverna in Loggos without being impaled.” Her chuckle excited him. “We’ll take the cabin cruiser over.”
“Is the hut you were born in still there?”
“Yes. But today it’s surrounded by a vineyard. The vintner uses it to store his tools and such.”
“Did that bother you?”
“When Vasso and I found out what was planned, we were happy about it.”
“You have amazing resilience.” After a pause, “Can we explore one of those caves that glows blue?”
He was prepared to do anything for her. “Whatever your heart desires.”
She got to her feet. “You’d better not say that around me. I might just take you up on it because this has been a day of enchantment and I’m borderline addicted already. Good night, Akis.”
He watched her fit the crutches under her arms and make her way to the guest room. The urge to carry her to his room brought him to his feet. Needing something constructive to do so he wouldn’t follow her, he cleaned up the kitchen, then went out on the terrace to call Vasso. There was no answer. He left the message that he planned to be away from Athens with Raina for a few days. If there was a problem, let him know.
No sooner had he locked up and headed for his bedroom than the phone rang. He picked up on the second ring. “Vasso?”
“You’re on vacation with her now?” Akis heard the incredulity in his voice.
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Anti Paxos.”
“You’re kidding! What has happened to you?”
Something that had already changed his life, but he couldn’t say the words out loud quite yet. “Do you need me back at the office?”
“That’s not the point. What’s going on? Bottom line.”
“I’m still trying to figure things out.”
“Has she been honest with you?”
He sucked in his breath. “We’re getting there.”
“Akis—I’m really worried about you.”
He didn’t want to listen. “Why?”
“You’ve never been hurt soul-deep by a woman. The way you feel about her, she could be the first to do damage I don’t even want to think about if it doesn’t work out.”
“You mean like Sofia did to you?”
“Yes, but I was younger then and got over it. I’m warning you to be careful.”
“I thought you gave me the green light.”
“So I did, but she’s not just any woman. Hundreds of people depend on her as CEO. Don’t forget she came for the wedding and has to go back.”
Akis had forgotten nothing. The fear that she’d be able to walk away from him after their vacation was over would keep him tossing and turning during the nights to come. Once in a while the big brother in Vasso took over.
“What are you really trying to warn me about?”
“You’ve let her into your life where no other woman has gone. I guess I just don’t want to see you get hurt. But don’t mind me. Papa told me to look after you before he died. I guess I’ve forgotten you’re a grown man now and can take care of yourself. Forgive me?”
“If you can forgive me for asking for a few more days off.”
“What do you think?”
“I know it’s asking a lot.”
“Akis? Take care.”
His brotherly warning had come too late. It had been too late by the time she’d flashed those violet eyes at him on the street.
* * *
After swimming for the better part of an idyllic day in aquamarine water so clear and clean you could see everything, Raina walked on white-gold silky sand to the little truck to go back to the villa. Akis had played gently with her, always careful so she wouldn’t injure her ankle. He’d honored his promise to maintain his distance to the point she wished he hadn’t carried it this far.
Once in the house, she washed her hair in the shower and blow-dried it. She’d picked up some