This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She’d known from the first day she’d walked into Christos Drakakis’s office that there was no other man like him.
The brooding looks, the smouldering energy, the hunger he didn’t bother to hide any more, all said he wanted her. That he wanted, even if only temporarily, to make their marriage a real one.
Adrian swayed you with words and passion too.
But that thought did Christos an injustice. He’d stated his expectations upfront. No emotions. Nothing long-term. Just a physical exploration of their chemistry. A chapter to be closed when they tired of the story.
But was it worth her career?
The fervent no she’d expected arrived with a question mark. The kind that questioned the choices she’d believed were cemented in her heart. She’d seen a different facet to Christos. His care for his grandfather. For his godson even from afar. The lengths he was prepared to travel to protect the one place that meant something to him...
That already made him miles better than Adrian.
Take the leap...
She shivered, the enormity of the decision gathering strength inside her becoming a physical need as they trundled along over verdant fields and then onto a wide rocky pathway that sloped gently downwards.
‘Are you cold?’ Christos asked, the keen observance telling her his attention was on her despite his easy, offhand attitude.
She shook her head and tucked her hands into her lap. ‘Not really.’
‘We’re almost there.’
The sun was due to set in about an hour, and its brilliant rays turned the water into a jewelled, breathtaking expanse as far as the eye could see. Alexis was so enthralled by the spectacular view, she didn’t notice their destination until the buggy bounced onto rougher sand and gravel, then onto the powdery golden sand of a wide, hidden beach.
She stared around her, her eyes widening when she saw the yawning forty-foot opening set into the sheer rock face. ‘Is...is that a cave?’
The flatbed buggy she’d watched depart a few minutes before them was parked at the cavernous entrance, the staff unloading. Christos parked and stepped out. ‘Yes.’
The simple response made her glance at him. ‘And? What’s inside?’ she asked, unable to hide her excitement.
He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his eyes doing that intense thing that sparked fireworks inside her. ‘You’ll see once we’re alone in a few minutes.’
Excitement surged higher, not helped by the light breeze that made her aware of every goosebump on her body. And the fact that she would be alone with Christos. All night long since she’d packed an overnight bag.
The bag that was currently being carried inside...
The staff emerged a few minutes later, and Christos led her in, his attention fixed on her as Alexis stepped inside the most entrancing place she’d ever seen.
Dozens of lanterns, large and small, were dotted around the living area where divans and plump futons were spread around in inviting comfort. A coffee table graced the centre, and large, thick rugs kept her bare feet cool.
Beyond the charming living area, several foldable privacy screens hand-printed with Greek hillside vistas shielded a softly lit space.
Alexis stepped around the farthest screen and stopped in her tracks, a gasp of awe leaving her lips at the sight before her.
The bed was an immense four-poster. A floaty work of art, decked from headboard to bottom in gold silk sheets, dozens of fluffy pillows and billowing muslin raining down from sturdy pegs in the cave ceiling.
In perfect complement to the gold, fat candles in lacquered lanterns were dotted all over, casting soft shadows on the ceiling and bathing the space in a seductive glow.
It was the stuff of romantic dreams. And, heaven help her, she was utterly seduced.
‘This...this is more than a few minutes’ work,’ she breathed in stunned awe.
He drew closer, setting her senses alight with his intoxicating scent. In London, he’d worn an earthier aftershave with a sandalwood base. Since their arrival, he’d switched to bergamot and leather. Her favourite. ‘They’ve been preparing the place since morning.’
‘I...why?’
He quirked an eyebrow at her. ‘Do I really need to spell it out?’