Authors: Aleka Nakis
His fingers slid under her moistened panties, and he stroked her soft curls to find her sleek warmth ready for him. She tilted her hips in invitation, but he resolved today was about her needs. They would have many opportunities together in the future. He would see to her first, and he would wait for a safer time to lose himself within her glory.
He filled her tenderly, then retreated bit by bit. Sinking into her again, he felt her quiver, and he increased the pressure and tempo, driving her to the edge and holding her there.
“I, I—” she breathed the incomplete statement.
She was holding back. Why didn’t she give herself to him?
“This is for you,
agape mou
. I want this for you.” His coaxed her pleasure points as he took her sweet nipple into his mouth and held it between his teeth, darting over the delicious peak like a starved man.
“I can’t,” she whispered.
His arm wrapped tighter, taking her weight. “You can,” he said gently. She was so close. Lavishing kisses over her exposed breast in warm worship, he added, “And you will, right now.”
As the words left his lips, she came undone in his hands, clamping onto him as vibrations shuddered through her body. He grazed his teeth lightly across her breast to intensify the sensation. Short gasps escaped her lips and he captured each one with a kiss.
Watching her climax in his arms stoked a fire deep inside him. She was so beautiful, so responsive, and she was designed exclusively for him. He would have to make their summer deal stretch a much, much longer time.
Sammy’s head burrowed into his chest. He played with her hair, and her breathing softened. Tilting her chin up with his finger, he bent to kiss her.
God, the most delicious flavor in the world!
“This is the sweetest deal we’ve reached. Agreed?” He held her gaze, waiting for her agreement.
“You provide a convincing argument, counselor. I can’t seem to counter.” Her tongue flickered over her lips.
“Good, because I’m a sore loser, and you wouldn’t like that side of me.” He looked past her toward the blown out window and was grateful for the walls, which still provided privacy. He had lost himself in the moment. “We’re lucky nobody came to the door.” He chuckled and looked out the window, thankful that it allowed him to see if someone approached from the drive. “I also don’t share well. Perhaps you should get ready now.”
There was a tap on the door, and he playfully swatted her behind. He watched her walk to her bedroom, admiring the view, and making a mental note to stop at the pharmacy before they left the city. He went to answer the insistent knocking.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Lakis. Would you like to inspect your vehicle before you take possession?” A young man from the car rental agency indicated the Hummer parked past the two charred vehicles.
“Yes, give me a moment please.” Closing the door, Demo inspected all the entrances off the veranda. Satisfied they were secured, he joined the other man outside.
Walking on jellied legs, Sammy tried to appear smooth and collected as she went back to the shower. She’d had an orgasm, her first, without even making love. She never knew what it was like.
Demo had given to her, and had not put his physical needs into the act. He left her breathless. Heart still racing, and her head in a haze, she touched her swollen lips and smiled at the irony.
The most satisfying sexual experience of her life happened not in the darkness of night, but in the afternoon. Not laying in a lush bed, but standing in the living room. And not in her dreams, but rather, with the man of her dreams.
What would it be like to have him fill her? She craved so much more, things she had never wanted.
In her boss’s arms, she felt like a goddess, and she was surprisingly willing to tempt her man with her womanly wares. Embarrassment took a back seat and she wore her physical prowess proudly. So unlike Samantha—so brazen, but only with her Demo.
Brad had never made her feel like this. He had never given to her and made her feel treasured as Demo did. He had called her a prude, unwilling to experiment past the safety of their bed. But it wasn’t the bed or the other places he wanted sex that lacked the safety, it was Brad.
In Demo’s arms, she’d found comfort and encouragement. Her inhibitions had vanished, and a woman she had never known surfaced. It was uncharacteristic of her, but she’d given herself to the feelings he bestowed in her. She reveled in the dizzying bliss.
She had reached for him, to take him with her, but he had whispered, “This is for you,
agape mou
. I want this for you.”
She’d believed him, and she had felt like a princess, his princess. Thinking of his heated breath against her flesh as he spoke those words sent a quivering sensation to her core. He’d promised more to follow, and she couldn’t wait. The worries and events of the day took a back seat to her admitted needs and desires involving Demo.
She made a note to look up the words he said after her shower:
Agape mou.
She’d heard that phrase in a different context, but couldn’t place it. What was he saying to her during those magical moments?
This was more that she expected of her
fun
summer, so much more that it sent a chill through her body. How could she be with Demo and then casually walk away?
If she couldn’t turn her back on him, he would surely leave her. Every man she had loved had left her.
Her father was the first man to betray her. She never saw or heard of him after her tenth birthday. Brad had proven to be her mistake too, tearing at her heartstrings and beating her self-esteem.
At least Demo was honest. There was no pretense of a great love. He wanted her for the summer.
Acknowledging the truth was difficult, but she knew she wanted anything and any time he would give her. If he offered a few weeks, she would take them. She would remain silent, protecting her heart, and not tell him she loved him, not ever. For once in her life, she would live in the moment.
“
Pame
, let’s go, we have to make it to the village before it gets too dark. And we need to pick up a few supplies because I’m starving.” Demo’s voice rang out as he entered the seating area. He was showered, the bags were in the car, and all the work files had vanished.
“Is food all you can think about?” Sammy said, walking out of her bedroom.
“No, not all.” He draped his arms around her back and brought his groin into contact with her abdomen, showing her that other things occupied his mind. “That’s not the starving I meant. However, if I don’t feed you, I fear you won’t have the strength for my other wishes.”
Sammy wound her fingers into his belt loops and tugged him closer, smiling seductively. “I’m feeling quiet strong right now,” she said.
“Very bewitching,
musista mou.
”
She liked the sound of that, his bewitching muse, how empowering. Placing her mouth over the shirt’s opening on his chest, her tongue flicked over his tanned skin.
“You’d better stop that. I’d rather be out of town and be able to enjoy you completely. Unless, you want my brother standing guard while I make love to that tempting body of yours.”
Her tongue stopped midway. He had effectively gained a different type of her attention. “You need Tony to be around?” she teased.
Make love
, she repeated in her mind.
“You do have a witchy side to you,” he said, and kissed her lips. “You know we have to leave soon. I want to get to there and speak with the other men. Location and the villagers are our biggest advantage. No one will be able to use the element of surprise against us there.”
She looked at him, realizing it wasn’t that he didn’t want her earlier. It was that he didn’t want to lose any of his control while they were at the resort. Now it was clear. He wanted to get to the village for safety and away from any more explosions.
“Well, come on. We only have two hours before the sun sets.” Walking out the door, she saw the Hummer. “Would you like me to drive?”
“Suddenly you can drive standard?”
“If it’s a Hummer, yeah.”
He laughed. “I enjoy seeing you smile.
Pame, koukla mou
.” He opened the passenger door, but she detoured to the cargo area and fished out the dictionary and a pencil instead. Then she returned, curtsied and climbed in.
They drove into the city, and Demo dropped her at a café with Tony and Zoë. He went to pick up supplies, came back in less than fifteen minutes, ready, and stocked for the village.
Demo slammed his phone shut. How did a low-life like Daniels get out of the country with a fake passport? Where the hell were all the eyes that were supposed to be watching him until they took him into custody?
He could be here. Daniels could be sitting at a café in the same harbor watching Sammy. Demo scanned the area and saw too many people he didn’t know. This wasn’t a controlled environment, so he had to get her out of here. He had to get her to the village where he would know if a stray goat crossed the street.
Sitting with his brother, smiling and laughing, Sammy was unaware of what was happening. She didn’t know Daniels was sending her threatening e-mails at work, or that he had sent her poisoned chocolates. She was probably not even aware of Teddy sitting in the next café watching her.
She looked happy, carefree, and he would do everything in his power to keep her that way. She had been under his nose all these months and she was finally in his grasp. He would protect her, shield her, and bring the bastard threatening the woman he loved to his knees.
Yes, Sammy was the woman he wanted, she was the reason no other woman had seemed like enough these past months. He loved her, he wanted her, and he would do anything to keep her safe.
Fighting the urge to throw her in the car and to take her away from this exposed area immediately, he took the time to fill in Tony and engaged in the necessary pleasantries with Zoë before they left.
“It’s a little over two hours to the village, so you can take a nap if you’d like.” He hoped she would not notice how he backtracked through the city streets to make sure they were not being followed.
“I’m fine,” she said, tuning the radio to a station that played Greek and American pop music.
Confident that they had no company, he headed into the mountains. Minutes passed, an hour passed, and he stayed in his head preparing for necessary safeguards in the village.
The biggest advantage was the hardship they were facing now. The village was nearly inaccessible, the roads dangerous and totally in view of the residents. During the Nazi occupation of Crete, the enemies were never able to gain access to the village. It was one of the few places where a Nazi boot had never touched the ground.
Her sigh interrupted his thoughts. He looked over and saw the woman he loved looking as if she was about to cry.
“What is wrong,
koukla mou
?” His fingers left the wheel and settled on her thigh in a soft squeeze. “Sammy, why do you look so sad?”
He was doing this to her. He was making her miserable and he needed to stop. Daniels would never find her here. Demo had the best people on the island looking for him, and the authorities had the paperwork ready to arrest him. There was no reason for him to wear such a grim mask when he was with her.
The quaint city roads had directed them into the country, with tall mountains and brownish-green forests springing up on either side of them. Traffic left behind, the towns were now marked by a single church, the few shops on either side, and the small village residences surrounding them. Clusters of the stone homes grew fewer and farther apart as they continued deeper into the mountains.
The infamous Cretan mountain goats, the Kri-kri, were the lone source of congestion and the only reason they needed to occasionally stop the truck. The third time they had to wait for a group to cross the road, Demo got out and filled a water bottle from a natural spring.
“Delicious,” Sammy said. “I didn’t know water could taste so good.”
He laughed and put the car back in gear. “Glad to hear that.”
Settling against her seat, Sammy flipped to the back cover of her new dictionary and wrote her ten Greek words for the day:
pame, let’s go
koukla, doll
agape, love
filia (filakia), kisses
polla, many
mou, my
efharisto, thank you
ne, yes
ohi, no
entaxi, okay
Ten words she’d heard Demo say, but one in specific seared her heart:
agape
. He had called her
agape mou
. If only it was more than a casual expression for him. If only it were true.
She looked at his profile against the backdrop of the jagged mountain terrain. Beautiful, strong, and commanding. He hadn’t said a word since they’d left Chania, rather his jaw was set in a stoic line and his hands were tight on the wheel.
They were over an hour deep into the mountains. The roads, winding and treacherous, seemed to grow narrower every minute. High on a turn, she could see the sun dropping to hide behind the neighboring mountain. Soon it would set and mark the end of the day, a day that had introduced so much to Sammy.
Demo mumbled some explicit Greek words at the same sight and smacked his hand on the steering wheel. Shocked, she let out a long sigh. Thoughts of regret danced in her head. She was doubting herself again.
“What is wrong,
koukla mou
?” His fingers released their rigid grip on the wheel and settled on her thigh in a soft squeeze. “Sammy, why do you look so sad?”
She bit on her lower lip to steady the trembling. The knot in her throat didn’t allow her voice to come out. Not being able to answer, she twisted her hands in her lap and stared straight ahead.
A few turns later, Demo pulled the Hummer into what looked like someone’s private honeybee field, yanked on the emergency brake, and switched on the hazard lights.
“
Agape mou,
I’m sorry if I upset you. I was absorbed in my thoughts and forgot my manners. I didn’t mean to take you for granted.”
His palm rested on the side of her face, turning her to look at him. She had seen that look before, when a client insisted on doing something Demo felt was wrong. He would spend hours reviewing the details, listing the pros and cons, and preparing reports to advise the client. If the client persisted, Demo’s jaw would clamp and he would do everything he could to avoid the pitfalls he knew would be part of their deal.
His lips were set in a strong line, his sculpted cheeks were not at ease, and his eyes were worried and apologetic. Was this regret, or was something else bothering him? She couldn’t tell, and he was not letting her in. She felt stranded in a sea of conflicting emotions.
“I’m trying to reach the village before the day’s light is completely gone. The road only gets worse as we get closer. I was just concentrating on the drive.”
His thumb stroked her clenched bottom lip until it relaxed. Applying slight pressure, he parted her mouth and softly covered it with his. He ran his tongue over her teeth, asking her for permission to kiss her.
God, he’s sweet
.
She consented. She needed this. She wanted him to soothe her, to pull her close and to fill her with his strength. She kissed him back, and when he ended their kiss, her lips smiled.
“That is the look I want on your beautiful face,
koukla
. If I become introverted and annoy you again, just kick me. Deal?”
“Are you sure you want to make all these deals with me?” Her voice may have been teasing, but her heart was shaking with the possibility of rejection.
“More than you could possibly imagine.
Pame
?” The even white grin spreading on his face calmed her racing pulse.
“
Ne, pame
,” she responded.
“Ooh, good accent. What else do you know?” He turned his attention back to the road and put the Hummer in gear.
“Just a couple of words I’ve picked up from you.
Ne, ohi, entaxi, and pame
, to name a few.”
“I’m happy you want to learn, and we’ll work on your Greek vocabulary if you’d like. But I need to be careful from now on, lest I teach you something inappropriate for mixed company.” His face and shoulders were relaxed. “Here’s a word that will get you far:
gia sas
. It means
hello, goodbye, bless you
and
to your health
.”
“Good one,
efharisto
.” She smiled, happy to see he was in a better mood.
His fingers stroked the fabric over her thigh as if he had been doing it forever, and they settled into a conversation about the surrounding mountains and the village’s history.
“They’re named The White Mountains because their peaks are covered in snow even in the summer.”
“The village is coming into view.” The cerulean blue abyss was giving way to a gray palette streaked with warm orange and rosy pink. “See those lights on the side of the mountain to the left? Pappou’s father built the family home on the cliff overlooking that valley.”
“Do you have many relatives here?”
“That’s putting it mildly. At least a third of the village is a Lakis of some sort. The rest, you could say, are people we choose to call
Thea
and
Theo
, very good family friends. Most the young people have moved into the cities, but they visit for holidays and the summers.”
“This doesn’t look like any of the postcards I’ve seen. No white homes or blue domes stand out. The houses blend into the scenery.”
She squinted, tried to focus on the village, but the buildings meshed with the mountainside, and if it weren’t for the lights, she never would’ve known there was anything there.
“That’s no coincidence. The village has survived through centuries, avoiding hostile occupation and has never been taken by enemies because adversaries could never surprise the residents. It was historically very hard to find, let alone access. Even today, not many outsiders step foot past the
platia
, the village square.”
Perhaps she should have stayed behind and let him come alone. She had no right to intrude on his family home, or his private time with relatives.
“Demo, I shouldn’t have come, and you should’ve told me the village won’t welcome me.” Sammy felt like an imposter and she felt like a fool for thinking she could ever walk away from him in the end. She should never have put herself in this position.
“You’re wrong,
agape mou
. Everyone will love you, because you’re part of me. New family is always cherished; it’s intruders that aren’t welcomed.”
“But I’m not family. We work together—”
“No, we don’t. I fired you this afternoon. Remember?”
Sammy could see the grin spread across his face as he recalled the afternoon’s events.
“Now we’re a
zevgari
, a couple, and that’s what the family will see. Are you reneging on our deal?”
She squirmed in her seat and the safety belt tightened around her. “It was a silly deal made in the heat of passion.”
“Are you reneging,
koukla
?” His good-natured tone taunted her.
“No, I didn’t say that.” She lifted her chin and glared at him in defiance.
“That’s nice to hear.” Then he laughed, rubbing the back of her neck tenderly. Taking his hand back, he removed the gold ring he wore on his left pinky. “Put this on your right hand, and everyone will know you’re not an outsider. We’ll talk about it when we’re alone later. We’re here now.”
They arrived at the square as the final light of day disappeared. Demo pulled up by the
taverna
and his body seemed to relax. “It was the right thing to bring you here. The whole village has gathered to greet us.”
He waved to a lady walking toward them. “Even though you might think that I’ve brought you to a one-donkey town, I know you’ll enjoy the people, the simplicity and beauty surrounding the village.”
“I’m sure it is lovely. Looks like a great place to find some quiet time and to study.”
“It is.” He turned off the engine and checked the glove box. “Okay
koukla
, show time. Remember, everyone over fifty is either ‘Theo’ or ‘Thea.’” He smiled, leaned across her, and then popped her seatbelt.
A dozen people surrounded the car. When Demo stepped out, an elegant woman, the group’s matriarch, opened her arms and waited for him. She pinched his cheeks, as if he were ten, and pulled him down for kisses. She spoke in rapid-fire Greek and her dark eyes motioned towards Sammy, who inched her way out of the car.
Demo took the woman’s hand and led her to where Sammy stood. “Thea Eleni, this is Sammy,” he said, placing Sammy’s right hand in the older woman’s. “Sammy, this is Thea Eleni.”
Thea Eleni smiled and gave Demo a knowing look as her thumb rubbed over the ring on Sammy’s finger. Thea placed a palm on either side of the younger woman’s head and kissed her.
“
Kalosorises, koukla mou.
” She turned to speak to the other people gathered. “
Irthe o Demosthenis me tin kopelia tou. Elate.
”
Sammy wondered what was being said. Demo raised his hand in answer, and smiled over an old man’s shoulder as he hugged the stocky male with the twisted moustache. He would come and explain in a minute.
A pretty blonde woman, around Sammy’s age, approached and hugged her. “She said you’re welcomed, and then she told everyone to come and greet Demo with his girl.”
The blue-eyed savior spoke perfect English.
“I’m Anne or Anna as they call me here. Manoli, my husband, is Demo’s cousin. We run the tavern. Welcome to the family and our village.”
“Thank you, Anna.” Sammy breathed a sigh and the tension camped in her shoulders relaxed when the young woman stood by her side and continued to translate. Demo came, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her against his side. His fingers splayed across her ribcage, just under her right breast, and conveyed silent encouragement each time she met another Theo or Thea.
*****
They sat at long wooden tables covered in checkered blue and white cloths on the
taverna’s
patio. Plates full of grilled meats, vegetable salads, local cheeses, and tasty dips were placed family style in the center. Carafes of homemade wine emptied into glasses and the feast was underway.
Good food, loud laughter, and animated talk filled the night with delight.
“
Heromo pou se efere o Demosthenis se mas, koritsi mou.
An thes tipota, ego eimai edo. Ante, troge, eisai sketo kokala.
”
One of the Theos had come up behind her and had spoken close to her ear. His mustached lips settled loudly on her cheek and then he turned to speak to Demo. “
Bravo, paidi mou
.”
Anna giggled and translated above the loud conversation. “Uncle Andoni says he is happy Demo has brought you to us. If you need anything, feel free to ask him. He also said you are too thin and need to eat.”
“I like Theo Andoni.” Sammy laughed when the uncle proceeded to pile her plate with more meat and bunched his fingers together motioning towards his mouth, telling her to eat more.
“You speak Greek like a native, and you speak English like a Brit. How did that happen?” Sammy asked Anna.
“It’s good for me that you can’t hear how I slaughter the Greek grammar.” Anna said with a straight face. “I’m from London. I met Manoli on summer holiday in Crete five years ago. We married that August, and the rest is history as they say.”
“Why did you decide to stay in Greece?”
“Manoli had a year of graduate work left at the university, while I had finished, so we decided to live in Rethymno, a city like Chania, so he could complete his studies.”
Anna’s eyes twinkled as she spoke of their first apartment and the first few months of living as husband and wife. She blew a kiss to her husband who sat across from her at the table.
“We still live in the city. I have my own English school, and Manoli teaches Economics at the University of Crete. We run the
taverna
in the summers and on the weekends for the rest of the year. Then there’s the family wine and olive co-ops. I love it here.”
Anna placed a hand over Sammy’s and leaned closer to whisper. “These Lakis men did a number on our hearts, eh?”
“
Ne
,” was all Sammy could manage.