Husband By Request

She’d heard voices coming from the foyer and went to investigate. Andreas had gotten there ahead of her and escorted the trio into the living room.

He looked particularly sensational in pearl-gray trousers and an open-necked black silk shirt that revealed the dusting of hair on his chest. Her body always melted in an automatic response to his superb male physique.

You’d have thought it had been weeks instead of a few minutes since they’d embraced in the bedroom.

Dominique’s gaze traveled to Olympia, who looked stunning in a black print dress that showed off her tanned, voluptuous figure to perfection. Paul wore a cranberry crewneck beneath a cream jacket. He looked good.

But of course it was Ari who stole the show, in a little sailor suit. Bernice reached for him and he didn’t even cry. Dominique was jealous. “Everyone help themselves to some slush while I put the dinner on.”

Andreas caught her around the waist. “I’ll help you.”

When they reached the kitchen, he surprised her by backing her up against the wall.

“What are you doing?” she cried breathlessly.

“You look exceptionally beautiful tonight. I think I have to have another appetizer before we eat.”

His smoldering kiss made her go limp with desire. She forgot where they were in her need to get even closer to him.

“Oh—excuse me—” Olympia’s voice. “I just wanted to put Ari’s bottles in the fridge.”

Andreas recovered with enviable calm. “Here. I’ll take them for you.”

Dominique hurried over to the stove, where she could hold on to something until she stopped weaving.

With her husband’s help, they got the food on the table. She urged everyone to come into the dining room. Paul brought Ari in his carrycot and put it on the floor next to Olympia.

Bernice oohed and ahhed over the fresh flowers of the centerpiece. Her reaction augured well for the evening ahead.

It warmed Dominique’s heart to watch everyone devour her pot roast—especially Andreas. She’d served it with mashed potatoes, gravy and carrots. The men finished off everything. She had no leftovers, which meant the menu had been a big hit.

Of course Ari’s antics dominated the conversation. Delighted at the way the dinner party was going, she got up to serve the strawberry shortcake.

When Eli was through eating, he raised his head. “Dominique? I had no idea you were such a wonderful cook.”

“Thank you.”

“You could open up your own restaurant in Athens,” Paul quipped.

“You know, you really could,” Bernice concurred.

Andreas darted Dominique a private thank-you with eyes that gleamed like black jet.

“Where did you find strawberries like these?” Olympia wanted to know.

“At a little market in the Plaka. Their produce is fabulous.”

“You’ll have to show me.”

“I’d be happy to.” She looked around. “If everyone’s through, Andreas and I have a surprise for you. Come into the study.”

By now Ari was awake and wanted a bottle. While Andreas dealt with warming it, Dominique headed for the other room.

When everyone was seated she said, “I’ve always wanted to see movies of your family. So I badgered Andreas to get them out of storage. He informs me all of you are in them.”

The next two hours were a revelation, punctuated with laughter and tears from Andreas’s parents.

He’d arranged the videos in chronological order. They showed him and Maris as babies, at their early birthday parties, at family gatherings with grandparents and extended family. By the time they’d both reached school age Paul and Olympia had begun to figure in many of the scenes.