“I’m not much of an artist.”
“You have talent.”
“Some,” she agreed. Not enough to dedicate her life to it, but enough to enjoy losing herself in painting.
“More than a little, but certainly enough of an artist’s soul, regardless, to appreciate the rich texture of this port.”
“You’ve been here before?”
“I’ve been to all the ports my ships dock. Though I’d been here years ago, with Pappous as a child on holiday.”
“From your tone you have fond memories.”
“All my good childhood memories are from times spent with my grandfather.”
“He is a wonderful man.”
“Yes.”
Ariston was right about the market. It was so busy, so many shops with a plethora of color and imagery. The juxtaposition of a modern eatery only a few feet from a centuries-old fountain still cascading water kept her snapping photo after photo.
She caught sight of a painting in one of the shop windows. It was of the view from the Rhodes harbor and done by an artist who clearly loved his subject matter.
When Ariston noticed her admiring it, he wanted to go inside to purchase it. She nodded at him, waving him away as she crouched to get a shot of a small child playing in the water of the fountain.
When she stood up, one of the security team stood at a discreet distance, but Ariston had gone. The sun was already high in the sky and Chloe felt the wave of heat press down on her. They’d been shopping since early morning.
She approached the outdoor café, thinking a cold drink sounded good right about then. Two men were in charge of luring patrons and seating them.
One of them approached her, a glimmer of devilment in his dark gaze that she couldn’t help but appreciate. “You would like to take a seat out of the sun, miss?”
“Yes.”
“A table,” he said with a wave of his hand to his helper. “For one?”
She shook her head. “Two, please.” She knew from experience, the security team would refuse to sit down themselves.
The area was too crowded and they would feel hampered by the confines of space.
“Ah, so you do not travel alone? I thought we could find a nice Rhodesian husband for you.” That glimmer of devilment had developed into a full-grown teasing grin.
She laughed, knowing it was part of the charm and maybe even shtick of the place.
“That will not be necessary,” came in clipped Greek.
She turned to share her smile with Ariston only to find him glaring at the hapless café host.
The man stepped back a respectful distance. “Of course not, sir. Your table is just this way.”
“You are thirsty?” Ariston asked rather than reply, or move toward the table.
“I am.” She took his arm and tugged. “And you can either have a refreshment with me or stand glowering in the square. I know which I’d prefer.”
“Since you are pulling me along like a cart, I will assume it is my company.”
“Yes, though right this second, I’m not sure why.”
“He offered to get you a husband.” Irritation more than laced his voice—it drowned it.
“It was a joke, Ariston. The rock you put on my finger is big enough for even the visually challenged to spot.”
“I thought you liked your ring.”
“Oh, for goodness’ … I love my ring. Now, will you please sit down and order us both some fresh lemonade?”
For once, her oh-so-powerful husband did exactly as he was told. The host himself brought their drinks with a wink for her and a respectful salute to Ariston.
She managed to stifle her giggle, but her smile wasn’t going anywhere.
Ariston finally matched it. “You are enjoying yourself.”
“More than I can possibly say.”
“I am very glad.”
“You are a wonderfully attentive husband, Ariston. Thank you.”
“It comes with the job description, I think.”
“But you do it better than most I’ve seen.” And always had, love or no love.
He preened under the compliment, but kept any arrogant remarks to himself. Full points for the billionaire tycoon on that one.
Santorini was every bit as magical in its pristine blue and white beauty as she’d expected it to be.
The steep ride up the cliff in the cable car made her nervous, but even Ariston couldn’t cajole her into riding a smelly donkey up the switchbacked trail to the same destination.
They ate dinner at a small restaurant overlooking the harbor, the view of the cruise ships spectacular. “Colossus is truly that, isn’t it?”
Ariston nodded with proud satisfaction. “My fleet of ships are some of the largest sailing the cruise routes.”