The Renegade Billionaire

“It’s sore, but the intensity of it has gone.”

“When you climbed into the boat yesterday, I could see the pain in your face. I’m so thankful you’re feeling better.”

“Me too, and we both know who deserves the credit for getting me immediate help.”

“Except that, in my haste, I’m afraid the hamper is still in the boat.”

“No problem. I’ll get it later in the week. Did you phone your boss?”

“I left him a message to call me.”

“Good.” When he’d finished eating, he said, “Okay. Now that we’ve gotten all the small talk out of the way, let’s get rid of the tray.”

Adrenaline filled her bloodstream. “I’ll take it out. Is there anything you want me to bring you?”

“If you’d bring my laptop from the den.”

“Coming right up.” She hurried to the kitchen, darted to his den and returned. “Here you go.” As she handed the computer to him, he pulled her down on the side of the bed where the tray had been. “Stavros—” Her heart pounded outrageously.

“What’s the matter? I only want to thank you properly. Come here, Andrea.”

He’d put one arm around her neck, forcing her down until their mouths fused. The unexpectedness of his action had caught her off guard. She half lay against his chest, unable to fight those seductive forces taking over her body. Her hands had a will of their own and slid into his hair. She loved its vibrancy.

“I could eat you alive,” he cried softly, treating her to every kind of kiss imaginable until she was losing awareness of the surroundings. Her longing for him had reached a dangerous level of intensity. She had to fight not to go under.

“Your leg—we have to stop.” She found the strength to tear her lips from his and pulled away so she could stand up. Weaving on her feet, she drank in gulps of air. “This isn’t the kind of bed rest Dr. Goulas had in mind.”

“Not even if it’s the best medicine for me?”

She let out a laugh bordering on hysteria. “Only you would say that. You’re impossible, Kyrie Konstantinos, so I have an idea. While you do some work, I’ll drive down to the marina in the Jeep and bring the hamper back. I might as well fill the gas tank and buy a newspaper for you at the same time. You can phone if you need me. I promise to be quick.”

“As long as you’re going, buy me a pasteli.”

“I’ll get one for me too.” She reached for the car keys on the nightstand. “Those sesame seed candy bars are yummy.”

“So are you, An

drea. Hurry back.”

Two hours later she returned, having done all her errands. She emptied the hamper, then did the few dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. With that accomplished, she hurried through the house to Stavros’s bedroom with goodies. He’d propped himself on his side to work on the computer.

She put the newspaper and candy bars down next to him. His piercing gaze found hers. “You were gone so long, I was starting to worry.”

Andrea laughed. “Sure you were.” She sat down on the chair next to him. “What have you been working on?”

“Our trip. Did you hear from your boss yet?”

“Yes. He’s rough around the edges, but has a kind heart. When he heard about your encounter with the stingray, he told me to take care of you and not worry about things at the office. Dorcas is going to fill in for me.”

“I haven’t heard that name before.”

“She’s a friend of mine who works in Accounts. Already I can tell Sakis is thinking ahead.”

One side of his mouth turned up at the corner. “You have him wrapped around your little finger. Even though you haven’t left him yet, inside I wager he’s been mourning his loss.”

She let out a sigh. “You always manage to say the right thing.”

“Do I?”