They left the ferry and hurried to the Jeep. When they got inside, she buried her face in her hands. It took all his control not to pull her into his arms. “I’m so thankful we found him.”
He turned on the engine and drove out of the parking area. “You’re not alone.”
She finally lifted her head. “Because of the problems you’ve had with your father, you were wonderful with him. It touched my heart. You gave him hope and the direction he needed. I’m in awe of the way you handled a very difficult situation.”
Moved by her words, he glanced at her. “The lieutenant will fill me in after they release him to his parents. In the meantime, all we can do is hope this means the beginning of some kind of reconciliation, but it’s not our problem.”
She wiped her eyes. “No. Thank heaven he’s no longer missing. That’s because of you. I couldn’t have done the search for him I wanted without your help.”
Satisfied he could concentrate on her from now on, he lounged back in the seat. “We worked well together. After our fine piece of detective work, we deserve the best lunch I can make for us after we reach the house.”
“Only if you let me help.”
“Do you like to cook?”
“If I have the time.”
He liked the sound of that since he had plans for them for the rest of the weekend. When they reached the villa, he walked her to the guest room. “I’m sure you’d prefer a shower before we eat. I need one myself and a shave. There’s a robe and toiletries in the en suite bathroom for the use of guests. Bring your clothes to the kitchen and we’ll get them washed while we eat.”
She looked away, but he caught the flush on her cheeks. “I couldn’t impose on you.”
Stavros had been waiting for that response. “I’m afraid you don’t have any say in the matter. We camped out in the forest all night. You helped a teacher and tour guide hold on to their jobs and saved your company and mine from notoriety we don’t need. When you get to know me better, you’ll find out I’m prepared to indulge you endlessly.”
Before she had time to argue, he walked away from her.
CHAPTER THREE
ANDREA HUNG ON to the handle after she’d shut the door to the bedroom. Had he said endlessly?
She knew he was grateful that both their companies had been spared making headlines in the media. But his comment had indicated something more personal. For a man like Stavros Konstantinos to be interested in a foreigner working for a tour company when he could have any woman he wanted didn’t make sense.
After removing her clothes, she went into the bathroom and stood under the shower, but she couldn’t get him off her mind. While they’d been talking last night, she’d inferred he was allergic to marriage, but he’d admitted to having girlfriends. Naturally he did. With his kind of potent male charisma, what woman in her right mind would resist him?
Her thoughts flicked to Ferrante, who had attracted her for other reasons, particularly his happy nature. You couldn’t compare him to Stavros, who was more brooding. They were in different leagues. Andrea couldn’t think of another man who measured up to the dynamic member of the Konstantinos family. Though she knew he was powerful when necessary, she admired the kind way he’d handled Darren when he’d found him.
Intuition told her he was the real force behind the corporation’s success. He was a man who lit his own fires in spite of his father’s heavy hand. Who wouldn’t admire him for the courage of his beliefs? Last night he’d told her they’d find Darren and she’d believed him.
In the light of day she realized it was amazing she’d trusted him enough to spend the night alone with him. He’d had that effect on her. Such a complete effect, in fact, she was taking a shower in his villa before joining him for lunch.
Andrea shut off the water and stepped out on the bath mat surrounded by a floor of gleaming white Thassos marble. A white toweling robe hung on a hook on the back of the door, but she stopped short of walking around his home in it.
Just remembering that moment on the ferry when he’d grasped her arms to keep her from danger made her breath catch. His lips had come too close to hers. Here they’d been looking for Darren, yet she’d wanted him to kiss her.
You need to go home, Andrea.
When she got back to her apartment she would wash her clothes.
After reaching for a towel to dry off, she brushed her teeth and then went back to the bedroom to put on her blouse and skirt. A thorough brushing of her hair, a coat of lipstick, and she was ready to face her host for a meal before she left for Thessaloniki.
Her stomach growled as she walked on stunning stone-and-marble floors on her way to the kitchen. Everywhere she looked she saw the ancient blue-and-white Greek pattern, whether it was on the tufted cushion of a couch or a vase of flowers. During her rare shopping jaunts, she’d learned its geometric elegance was thought to resemble the waves of the sea and shapes of labyrinths, a symbol for infinity.
When she reached the kitchen, she found Stavros putting a salad together and hoped he hadn’t heard her hunger pains. While they’d been apart, he’d showered and shaved. Andrea could smell the soap he’d used. It was impossible not to stare at the way the white collared polo and khaki trousers fit his incredible physique.
His gaze played over her, but he made no comment that she wasn’t wearing the robe. “Except for a dip in the ocean, there’s nothing as refreshing as a shower. I’ve got lunch ready and thought we’d eat out on the patio.”
“What can I do to help?”
His black brows lifted. “Not a thing except to join me.”