Authors: Aleka Nakis
Her eyes traveled up his tailored black slacks, past his crisp black cotton shirt, and over his sculpted face. The resemblance between the two men in the muscular body type and the defined jaw line was now apparent. However, their personalities were at opposite ends of the spectrum; Demo gave orders and Teddy followed them.
“Where’s your luggage?” Demo asked.
“It didn’t make it.”
He gave her a quizzical look. “How could that be? It was only the two of you on the plane.”
“Actually, they said it probably got confused with Teddy’s and was sent to Crete after it cleared customs. Your cousin wanted them to pull it from the baggage compartment of the commercial jet because we never placed a tag on it in New York. But the woman at the counter assured us she’d send an email and to have it met on the tarmac in Crete. We filled out a claim and they said—” She put her hand over her mouth as she realized what had happened. “Oh no, I gave them the address in Crete.”
“Don’t worry,
koukla.
They’ll leave it at the reception if we’re not there. Unless you want it right away, then we’ll have them pull it immediately.”
“Not necessary. I’ll be okay for now,” she said, waving a dismissive hand, and then patting one of her cases.
“Always prepared.” A large smile crossed his face. “Anyway, the stores are open late tonight. I guess there is no rest for you now. We must go shopping.”
Placing his hand in the small of her back, he led her outside and they walked towards the uncovered jeep in the parking lot across the drive-by lane. Demo put her carry-on in the back, and then helped her climb into the passenger side. Folding his legs behind the steering wheel, he turned to her with a look of accomplishment gracing his handsome features.
“I’m glad you’re here, Sammy.” His gaze brushed her face, and he reached to move a strand of hair whipping across her cheek. “Your hair looks like it’s on fire. I like it loose and down your back.”
Was he flirting? She couldn’t tell.
Putting the car into gear, he pulled onto the expressway. The wind carried the scent of the blooming wild flowers lining the road, and blended with the fresh smell of the sea. It picked up her hair and blew it wild. She was tempted to pull it back into her collar, but she didn’t want to stop Demo from reaching over every few minutes and smoothing it away from her face.
*****
Opening the door to a penthouse suite overlooking the sea, Demo waited for her to enter ahead of him. “We have an hour before the stores reopen. You can freshen up while I arrange for a snack.”
Thankful for the private bathroom in her bedroom, Sammy took a few moments to wash off the effects of the nine-hour flight. When she was done, he gave her a quick tour of the apartment, explaining this was where he stayed when time allowed him to leave headquarters in downtown Athens. They were about half an hour out in the southern suburbs.
“Come on, I’ll show you the water.”
The view from the balcony stole her breath. She watched as the sun laid a golden path on the Aegean. The cool breeze picked up her hair again, and she inhaled the sweet-scented air, simultaneously enjoying a sense of excitement and tranquility. She could stay here forever.
“Have you heard from him?”
She felt the warmth of his words on her nape as he spoke. Too bad her enjoyment of the setting was a short-lived experience.
“Him?” Turning, she found herself only inches from the perfectly chiseled face. He had leaned down and was grasping the balustrade behind her. His eyes were darker than usual.
“Has he threatened you again?” Demo asked in a deep controlled voice.
“No. Your brother had me turn off my cell phone, so Brad had no way of contacting me. I don’t think he will try to either,” she answered, her gaze darting over the tense male body standing in front of her, her voice growing smaller as she spoke. “It’s weird. He seems to harass me in phases, as if he’s on some sort of high when he does.”
“You’re probably correct about the high. Daniels has developed a significant drug dependency in the past year.”
Her heart skipped a beat at the news. Demo stood tall and pulled her against his chest, easing the impact of his words. Stroking her hair, he spoke low, but very firm.
“
Koukla
, you can’t have any contact with him. He’s under investigation for drug trafficking and running a prostitution ring.”
She pushed off his chest and out of his hold. Looking up, she saw the grave look on his face, and fear thrust through her body with a vengeance. “How? I mean, I don’t understand.”
“According to information we’ve received, the authorities are about a week away from arresting him. In the mean time, Daniels is a walking time bomb.” He stepped closer, as if to shield her with his body.
Sammy’s breath labored, and her heart beat fierce. How could she have ever loved Brad? How could she have been such a blind fool?
Her palms covered her ears and she turned away from Demo. She came here to escape from all the harm Brad had done to her self-worth. Needing to reclaim her confidence, her laughter and to be at ease with others, she didn’t want doubt clouding her last chance to open herself to fun.
“Drugs do things to a man. Sammy, you saw he was changing, and you got away. You did the right thing.”
She dropped her shoulders and pivoted on her heels to face him. He was so good. So admirable and honorable. If only he knew the whole story.
Demo’s arms gently wrapped about her again. She laid her cheek against his chest, welcoming the security his mere presence offered and fought the tears threatening to stream down her cheeks.
“What do you think he wants from me?”
“It doesn’t matter. He’s currently in Miami and under surveillance, and he has no idea where you are. He’ll be in custody by the time we return to New York.”
Demo’s strong and steady heartbeat lulled her into calm. Sammy sighed and stayed close, secure in his embrace. Realizing he had more information than she’d have thought, she wondered how he got it. But she didn’t care. She just wanted to stay against him. It wasn’t until his hand came to rest on her nape and massaged her sensitive skin did she realize that she was in her employer’s arms and not the arms of the man she dreamt about each night. She shouldn’t do this.
The intimacy was very inappropriate. She pulled away.
“I’m sorry for blubbering all over your shirt. The truth is, I feel safe in Greece. I don’t think Brad would put the energy into following me. He really has nothing to gain from it. It was over between us months ago.”
“I don’t think that’s all there is. He’s been threatening you all this time and wants something. Do you have any idea what it is?”
Bumps formed on her skin, and she rubbed her upper arms. There was no way she could explain the motive behind Brad’s actions. She’d never told anyone what happened that night or discussed what Brad wanted from her. He was twisted in thinking he could replace a life. Maybe his guilt drove him.
It didn’t make any sense because a sick mind probably didn’t comprehend guilt. But even if she wanted to, she couldn’t put herself in that position again and never in a hundred lifetimes with a beast like Brad.
No one knew how much she’d lost in one night.
“The world owes him, or at least that’s what he believes.” Dropping her gaze, she fiddled with her bracelet and rubbed her fingers. “He’s a control freak, and he thinks he can run my life. But he can’t, and he won’t. Everything will be fine. Thank you for the warning, Mr. Lakis.”
“Demo,” he corrected.
“Excuse me?”
“Please don’t call me Mr. Lakis. It’s Demo. Okay, Sammy?”
A knock at the front door interrupted their conversation. Motioning for her to have a seat at the balcony dining set, he went to answer the door.
Sammy needed to sit. She’d almost told her boss about the ill-fated control Brad held over her. Dropping her head into her hands, she rubbed her aching forehead. How could a five-minute discussion of a man thousands of miles away affect her like this?
No, she didn’t owe that delusional man a thing. She’d pay for his actions for the rest of her life.
Damaged
was now her middle name.
A waiter emerged from inside, carrying an old-fashioned scale-like tray with two
frappés
, glasses of water, her favorite soda, a variety of sandwiches that looked like grilled cheese, and a plate of local cookies.
“
Kalispera
, good afternoon,” the young man said, and arranged the tray’s contents on the table. He then turned and asked Demo something in Greek. Demo shook his head negative and sat in the other chair. Saying goodbye, the young man let himself out.
“Where’d he come from?” Sammy asked, wondering if there was more to the penthouse than she’d seen.
Demo set an iced coffee in front of her and arranged her soda with a straw. “There’s a café downstairs. It isn’t uncommon for people to deliver in Greece.”
“Yeah, but what about the dishes and glasses?”
“He’ll pick them up when we’re done.” Demo lifted a hand and made it clear he didn’t want to waste time discussing the food. “Please,
koukla mou
, put something in you for energy and put your shopping face on. We’re on an important mission in half an hour.” He reached across the table and caressed her hand. His thumb wandered over her wrist as he continued. “Glyfada has great shopping. You’ll find anything your heart desires here.”
“Oh, I only need some basics to hold me over until my suitcase arrives. Maybe I’ll splurge on a swimsuit, if you can show me how to get to that beautiful beach.”
She needed the distraction. The mistake of Brad Daniels didn’t mean she had to sentence herself to a life of misery and horror.
Focus. You’re in Greece. Have fun. Forget.
Demo was talking. “Nope. Assume the luggage won’t arrive, and pick up everything you want while we’re here. You’ll enjoy the European fashion and–”
“I can’t do that. It’ll cost a fortune,” Sammy interrupted, and thought about the new white D&G dress that was packed in her missing suitcase. Shoot, that was her “it” item of the year. She’d spent a fortune on it. A sigh escaped her lips before she could stifle it.
“We’ll get everything here, and if you don’t select what you want, I will.” Demo raised his eyebrows, smiled a challenging grin, and she knew there was no arguing with her boss. “Then, when you have a bathing suit, we can go for a swim in the morning.”
“The sea looks amazing. I can see why you have this place,” Sammy said, enjoying the view of the blue waters dotted with wind surfers and small boats a little further out. “But I don’t want to impose on your time, and I don’t want you to have to wait for me while I shop. Just take me to the mall, and I’ll find my way back when I’m done.”
Looking at her, he moved his chair next to hers and very distinctly brushed the back of his fingers across her cheek. His dark, enticing glance seared deep into her and reignited a desire she tried to keep hidden. It wasn’t fair. She couldn’t handle being this close to him outside of a business setting. Holding her breath, she bit her bottom lip and tried to think of anything but Demo.
“
Koukla,”
he began. “Let’s get something straight. You’re not, and could never be, an imposition. I want to spend my time with you, and I’d really enjoy shopping together. Unless you tell me that you don’t want me there, and you don’t like my company, you’re stuck with me. Besides, there is no mall.” He touched the ends of her hair. “So revel in the pleasure of a lazy, sun soaked, Greek afternoon.”
The man she dreamt about wanted to be with her. She stared at his tanned face and imagined running her fingers over the defined lines of his jaw— her boss’s jaw. She needed to stop thinking like this. It simply wasn’t appropriate, and she’d jeopardize her desperately needed job if she continued. Worse, she’d break like a china doll when he was tired and done with her.
“Thank you, Mr. La—” His narrowing gaze warned her not to finish, and she laughed. “I mean, Demo.”
“Much better,
koukla mou.
”
“Demo, what does ko-kla mean?” She was curious about the Greek term, since she’d only heard him use it on the phone.
“
Koukla mou
?” He drawled in the sexy accent. “A
koukla
is exactly what’s sitting at this table with me. A beautiful, tender, yet strong, and wonderful doll.”
Demo watched those bright green eyes grow big and a crimson flush spread across Sammy’s porcelain face. Damn, how he wanted to taste those sweet lips that trembled under his gaze. This was the first time he was completely honest with himself. He could no longer deny how much he wanted her.
Knowing he’d never breach professional ethics and pursue her in the office, he’d brought her here. But, was this proper moral code? The tightening in his groin told him he simply wasn’t going to think about it anymore. He was going to act.
Nevertheless, he’d never cornered a woman, and he wasn’t about to start now. It would have to be mutual; she would have to want it too.