Silently he cursed himself for his inevitable reaction. And for being so disappointed in her. Hadn’t he told himself she was no different?
‘Ready to go?’ His tone was carefully even, revealing none of his simmering anger.
Yiorgos jumped, clear evidence of a guilty conscience, and put a decent distance between himself and Sophie.
She swung round, a tentative smile on her lips. The look of welcome on her face made it seem as if she’d been filling in time, waiting for Costas’ arrival. Unbidden, answering warmth flared in his belly.
But he wasn’t fooled by her.
‘Not the limo today, I think.’ He gestured curtly to one of the other vehicles. ‘We’ll take the Jaguar. No need for you to drive us,’ he said over his shoulder to Yiorgos.
Minutes later they were heading along the coast road, Costas describing the local highlights. That should have distracted him from the unreasoning disappointment that had taken hold when he’d seen her amusing herself with Yiorgos.
Why was he surprised? It must be second nature to her, as it had been to Fotini, to seek male attention. Hadn’t the investigator’s report specifically mentioned Sophie’s popularity with the opposite sex?
The knowledge should make it easier for him to resist the temptation she represented. After all, he had discriminating tastes. He didn’t share his women.
Yet still he burned for her. And that made him furious.
‘You do not mind driving alone with me?’ Costas asked. ‘I should have asked if you’d prefer the limousine.’
‘No, this is lovely. It’s a beautiful car.’ Sophie smoothed her hand over the seat—she’d never felt leather so soft.
‘I’m glad you like it.’ Costas’ deep voice thrummed across her skin, drawing it tight. She looked up and for a moment met his eyes, dark and glowing with an intense emotion she couldn’t identify. Then he turned his attention back to the road and she let out a slow breath, wondering how he managed to affect her so with just a glance.
‘Some women prefer not to be alone with a man who is not a close friend or family member.’
Sophie frowned at the edge in his voice. He was showing her the local sights—what was there to object to in that? ‘In Australia no one would think anything of it.’
She turned and stared at the coastal development they were approaching. It was modern and brand-new. But her attention was caught by the figure of an old, black-clad woman, leading a laden donkey down a narrow lane right beside the massive new structures.
‘I suppose the customs here are different from those at home,’ she murmured.
‘Things have changed, but some of the old ways linger. We still have a strong tradition of protecting our women.’
Her mouth pursed at the idea. Much good it would have done her or her mother to wait for their male relatives to protect them! ‘In Australia we’re independent. Women look after themselves.’ It came out as a challenge. But then he’d hit a raw nerve. Far from looking after his womenfolk, Petros Liakos had shunned them, left them utterly alone to sink or swim. If that was an example of Greek male protectiveness she wanted nothing to do with it.
Her mother had made her own way, against the odds, in a new country. Sophie remembered how exhausted her mum had used to be after her long shifts and how that never stopped her putting in a few more hours, taking in ironing for extra money. Never once had she complained.
‘You never felt the need for protection? Not even from unwanted male attention?’
Why the sudden interest? He wasn’t thinking of setting himself up as some sort of male guardian, was he? Instantly she rejected the disturbing idea.
‘I find there’s safety in numbers.’ It was much better having a large group of friends.
He sent a piercing stare her way. ‘So, you have many male friends? Doesn’t that make life complicated?’
She frowned. ‘Not at all. Sticking with one guy isn’t all it’s made out to be.’ Her one serious boyfriend had turned out to be a disappointment. And after that experience Sophie wasn’t eager to rush into intimacy again.
Now she found it easier to be part of a group. There was no pressure to pair off and she could go out and enjoy herself without worrying about sexual politics. Simpler. Safer.
Sophie felt Costas’ scrutiny and turned to meet his brooding look. His expression had settled into grim lines that accentuated the stern set of his face.
His disapproval was obvious.
So, he didn’t think women should take charge of their lives? She tilted her chin and looked out at the view, surprised at her disappointment.
For a while there she’d felt as if she and Costas were developing tentative understanding. She was dismayed to discover how strongly she felt his rejection. Why should it matter so much to her?