Christos had disappeared after the incident by the pool, while she’d retreated to the smaller of the villa’s two libraries, then walked on the beach for an hour before returning indoors.
She’d been glad for the reprieve from Christos, feeling mildly terrified of what she’d revealed. So what if she fe
lt a little naked and vulnerable after blurting out her pain? But when it came down to it, what could he do with the information? Her emotions hadn’t affected her work so far, and they wouldn’t in the future either.
Alexis repeated that mantra to herself as she chose a knee-length white dress with a wide black belt and black butterfly-wing sleeves, paired with elegant monochrome platform heels and, for a splash of colour, a jade necklace and earring set she’d treated herself to at Christmas. Two dabs of perfume behind her ears and a dash of lip gloss and she was ready.
Downstairs, a maid materialised in the hallway and directed her to Costas’s favourite terrace located in the east wing, directly beneath his suite. From memory, she guessed that Christos might be having his pre-dinner ouzo with his grandfather.
On the cosy little terrace, candles shone from an ornate candelabra, illuminating the exquisitely laid table and bathing its occupants in soft light. Alexis paused, unseen, at the door, the resemblance between the two men with their attention focused intently on each other catching at her.
Regardless of whatever tensions existed between them, they were family. Devoted to one another on a primal level she’d yearned for since she was old enough to know what family meant. She inhaled shakily, willing the longing away.
Even if she hadn’t sworn off relationships, attempting to form one with Christos would’ve been foolhardy, especially in light of his unvarnished confirmation that anything that happened between them would be purely physical. Their agreement was still finite, still a quid pro quo arrangement counting down to the moment he took possession of Drakonisos.
Nevertheless, that curious little fizzing in her belly ignited as her gaze landed on him. She battled the sensation by quickly looking at his grandfather.
Costas looked much better than he had this afternoon. The lopsided half-smile so reminiscent of his grandson came easier, and there was a tranquillity about him, perhaps now he’d got what he wanted?
Knowing she risked being rude with her tardiness, she stepped onto the terrace. Christos’s gaze swung to her, then conducted a slow appraisal as he rose and pulled out her chair.
‘There you are. I was wondering whether I’d need to come and fetch you.’
‘I dissuaded him. I couldn’t risk him getting sidetracked and finding myself once again enjoying dinner for one,’ Costas tagged on dryly.
Catching his meaning, Alexis couldn’t stop the heat that rushed into her face. Nor could she stop Christos from brushing his lips over one hot cheek in greeting. ‘Be warned, glykia mou. He’s in an incorrigible mood.’
Pulse racing, she forced a smile as she took her chair, struggling not to breathe in Christos’s mind-scrambling masculine scent. ‘Good evening, Costas. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.’
The old man shrugged. ‘I’ve been kept waiting a moment or two in my time. My late wife was fond of telling me that practising patience would earn me rewards. A tough lesson to start off with, but one I eventually learned to appreciate.’
‘Wine? Or ouzo?’ Christos offered as he retook his seat.
She wanted to say neither. The ground hadn’t quite resettled beneath her feet since this afternoon, and she was loath to further upset her equilibrium.
But, aware of two sets of stormy grey eyes staring at her, she sensed refusing might draw disapproval, maybe even offend her host. ‘I’ll try some ouzo, thanks.’
Costas smiled, his eyes warming further with approval as he sat back in his chair. ‘Kalos. I have an exclusive ouzo distiller two islands away. He sent this batch in today. Tell me what you think,’ he said, pouring a thankfully small measure of the cloudy white drink into a crystal glass.
As she accepted the offering, she spotted the Drakonisos label in sleek blue and silver lettering, because of course Christos’s grandfather would have his own brand. A small sip and the aromatic flavour of anise and cardamom burst onto her tongue.
She’d attended enough functions with Christos to have had the opportunity of sampling ouzo before. But she recognised superiority and authenticity when she tasted it. ‘It’s the best I’ve ever tried,’ she said honestly.
Costas beamed, then his grandson followed suit with a slow smile that ignited flames at her feet that slowly scorched upward throughout her body.
She tried to limit herself to small sips but by the time the first course of stuffed vine leaves and roasted peppers was served, Costas was pouring her a second glass.
By unspoken agreement, she didn’t mention his illness, and neither did Christos. Instead they spoke extensively about his shipping company, with Alexis noting that each time Georgios’s name came up, Christos stiffened.
‘Are you looking forward to your party?’ she asked during their main course of moussaka with tomato and feta salad.
‘It should be interesting,’ Costas drawled after a contemplative moment, his deep rumbling tone indicative of what his grandson’s would be like in a few decades. ‘There are those who are still curious as to why my grandson chose to marry his bride in secrecy and hasn’t made any attempt to introduce her to other members of his family.’
Her gaze darted to Christos, her heart thudding at the thought that she’d fallen into a trap. His lips pursed, his eyes flicking away from hers to narrow warningly on Costas. ‘The most important family member has already met my bride. To everyone else, what I do is none of their business.’
Costas shrugged, a wicked gleam in his eyes. But behind it, she saw a shadow of pain. ‘I’m merely relaying the family’s sentiments. Especially your mother’s.’
Christos visibly tensed, the hand holding his fork momentarily tightening before he eased his grip. ‘My whereabouts aren’t a state secret. She’s known where I’ve been since the last time we saw each other.’