‘How can I forget the soap?’ His hands slid into her hair and his mouth hovered close to hers. ‘I smell it on you and it drives me crazy because it makes me think of you naked in my shower.’
‘You have a focused mind, Mr Ziakas.’
‘I do indeed. And right now it’s focused on you.’
* * *
They flew to Santorini in his private jet and Selene was dazzled by her first views of the stunning volcanic island with its pretty whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches overlooking the sparkling Aegean Sea.
‘It’s stunning. I didn’t even know places like this existed.’
‘Did you never travel anywhere with your father?’
‘No. He liked to give the impression of being loving and protective, keeping us out of the media glare, but in reality he just didn’t want us to cramp his style. I think he probably stayed in places like this all his life, but without us.’
‘This’ was the Ziakas Hot Spa, an exclusive hotel consisting of individual private suites nestling into the hillside overlooking the Caldera.
‘I never imagined anywhere as romantic as this existed,’ Selene murmured as she walked onto their private terrace and stared across the sea.
‘You surprise me. Your brain appears to have infinite capacity for dreaming.’
‘I know. It’s what kept me sane. But this...’ She sighed happily and picked up a card from the table placed in a strategic position overlooking the sea. ‘This place even has...’ She read the card and looked at him in astonishment. ‘A pillow menu?’
‘Duck as the starter, goose as the main, hypo-allergenic for dessert.’ Smiling, he stripped off and dived into their private pool, soaking Selene in the process.
She stood there, gasping, showered in droplets. ‘Thank you. Now I’m wet.’
‘Good. Join me.’
‘We’re in public.’
‘We are not in public. This is their best suite and it isn’t overlooked. And I am the boss.’ He gave her a slow, wicked smile. ‘No one will dare disturb us, and if they do you have a choice of over seven different pillow types with which to assault them. Are you going to join me voluntarily or do I have to fetch you?’
She put down the pillow menu. ‘This is my work suit. It’s wet.’
‘I’ll buy you another. You have to the count of three to get naked. One—’
‘But—’
‘Two—’
Selene toed off her shoes and wriggled out of her skirt and jacket.
Stefan groaned as he saw her stockings. ‘You’re killing me.’
‘Good.’ She slid the stockings down her legs slowly, enjoying his reaction. ‘By the way, I’m keeping my underwear on.’ As she held her breath and jumped in she thought she heard him mutter ‘Not for long...’ but the cool water closed over her head and felt blissful on her heated skin.
She surfaced to find him right next to her.
His hand was on her hip and then her waist, and a fierce stab of excitement shot through her body and pooled in her pelvis.
I love you.
The words flew into her brain but for once she managed to stop her thoughts popping out through her mouth because she knew this one would send him running.
Instead she stayed still and savoured the contrast between the cool of the water and the heat of his mouth.
She was here. She had now.