In this, at least, she had power.
‘You are beautiful, glikia mou. Exquisite.’ He stepped forward and took her hand in his, lifting it and pressing a kiss to the back of it. To her palm, her wrist.
Tessa shuddered as need pierced her. He only had to touch her, look at her that way, speak in that glorious, deep masculine voice and she was ensnared all over again.
In that moment she realised the devastating truth.
Even if he didn’t envisage a long-term commitment between them, she’d stay and take whatever he chose to give of himself. She loved him that much.
‘Come,’ he murmured, pulling her close and tucking her hand into the curve of his elbow. ‘Melina has promised us a special meal tonight.’ His fingers laced through hers, gently caressing. ‘We’d better go down. Otherwise I’ll be sorely tempted to forget about food and persuade you to spend the whole evening here.’
He lifted his hand to the curve of her cheek, feathering across to her jaw and the pulse beating out of control there. He dipped his head to whisper in her ear. ‘That dress deserves to be worn for at least half an hour before I take it off you.’
Tessa’s tongue cleaved to the roof of her mouth as she envisaged him stripping the fabric away with those large, powerful hands. But she made herself smile up at him and shrug, aware of the way her breast pressed against his arm.
‘We can’t disappoint Melina. She’s been cooking all afternoon.’
It was a perfect meal. Delicate savoury pastries that melted in the mouth. The freshest, most succulent seafood, prepared simply, to reveal its flavour. Chicken cooked in champagne. Tiny bread rolls that Melina had twisted into knots. Crisp vegetables. An array of local specialities that made Tessa wish she could do justice to the feast.
And the setting was pure fantasy. They ate in a secluded arbour right on the waterfront, lit by myriad tiny globes threaded through the climbing roses that surrounded them. In the distance the bobbing lamps on a passing boat decorated the velvety darkness.
A soft breeze made the candles on the table flicker, throwing shadows onto Stavros’ face, accentuating the strong, masculine cast of his features.
Her heart felt full just looking at him. But she had no time to swoon over him, for Stavros, as usual, was intent on engaging her in animated discussion. Probing, debating and finding common ground on all sorts of subjects.
It was only as his gaze dipped repeatedly to the shadow of her cleavage that she realised he was having as much difficulty as she, ignoring the awareness that throbbed between them.
‘I have something for you,’ he said when the plates had been cleared away. His voice took on a sombre tone and instantly Tessa stiffened, wary of what might be coming. Was it another of his legal documents, limiting her claim on his precious money?
He reached into his pocket and drew out something dark and flat. Too small for papers. Tessa’s breath caught as he put it down before her. Black velvet, decorated with a single gold triangle, the Greek letter delta. D for Denakis. She’d seen that symbol recently on the glossy pages of magazines that featured fabulous jewellery.
‘For me?’ Her voice shook. It was one thing for him to give her clothes when she had only threadbare hand-me-downs. It was another thing totally to offer her jewellery.
‘For you.’ He sat back, watching her. ‘Open it.’
Tessa’s mouth dried. This felt…momentous. Her mind whirred with the possibilities of what this gesture meant. Her hand was unsteady as she lifted the lid.
Emerald fire caught the light, dazzlingly bright. Tessa gasped. She’d never seen anything so beautiful. Her hand hovered over the large, square-cut gem in its simple antique-gold setting. But she didn’t touch. She didn’t dare. This had to be some mistake.
‘It will look perfect on you.’ His words were a low, throaty burr that made her skin prickle.
She stared at the exquisite pendant, unable to believe her eyes, or her ears.
‘You’re giving this to me?’
‘It could have been made for you.’ His voice slid like warm honey along her jangling nerves. ‘But it’s actually a family piece. It was worn by my mother and, before her, my grandmother.’
Tessa’s lungs squeezed tight, cutting off the flow of air. There was a buzzing in her ears as she struggled to take it in. Stavros wanted to give her his mother’s necklace? A gorgeous heirloom piece that looked as if it belonged on display in a museum? A piece that must surely hold incredible personal significance for him?
Her mind reeled at the implications. Could it be? Had Stavros fallen in love with her as she had him? Surely it was impossible, too soon after Angela. Yet hope burgeoned, strong and vibrant, in her heart.