The Passionate Greek

by Catherine Dane

  ‘I accept,’ he said. Relief flooded over Melanie and as he took her in his arms her tears flowed. He wiped the tears away tenderly. ‘Is it going to be that bad being married to me?’ he teased gently. He led her to the table. ‘No champagne and blush roses tonight,’ she said shakily, attempting humor. He smiled at her and rang a small hand bell. The double doors from the terrace opened and Andreas appeared, smiling broadly and wheeling a trolley complete with roses and a champagne bucket. Melanie, her tears drying, laughed with delight.

  ‘I wasn’t sure you were going to accept me, so I kept them out of sight,’ explained Nicos, filling her glass with the bubbling champagne.

  ‘The roses are beautiful,’ exclaimed Melanie. He picked one out and placed it in front of her. ‘Look inside,’ he said. ‘The interior of a rose is fascinating.’ She did as he instructed, gently pulling the petals apart. A cluster of diamonds sparkled up at her. She gasped and looked up at him. ‘I hope it fits,’ he said. He removed the ring and placed it on the third finger of her left hand. ‘I’ll give you a happy life, I’ll make it work,’ he promised.

  Later, his arm round her, he led her to his bed. Slowly and lovingly he began to undress her. Turning her he unzipped her dress, slipped the straps from her shoulders and as it fell to the ground cupped her breasts in his hands. He buried his head in her shoulder and while his fingers played over her nipples his teeth gently bit against her skin. She moved against him, loving how hard he felt. His hands moved from her breasts, down towards the dark hair where her sex throbbed for want of him. His fingers penetrated her and she moaned softly as he brought her nearly to climax.

  Then he lifted her gently and placed her almost reverently on the bed. He moved on top of her. His fingers had made her wet with desire. Now he entered her, his eyes never leaving hers. Slowly he moved inside her, his rhythm becoming more and more insistent till he finally exploded into her. Her body arched under his and as they reached the heights in unison he called her name over and over.

  They lay in each other’s arms talking softly. ‘I once told you that sex didn’t mend anything,’ he said. ‘But tonight we didn’t have sex. I made love to you. From now on I will always make love to you.’ Melanie’s heart sang with hope. If fate gave her time she would prove to him that she was a woman he could not only love, but could trust like no other. She lay in his arms, at last secure in the knowledge that he wanted her in his life, no matter what he believed she had done .He had promised to marry her unconditionally. He had done what she wanted of him. Surely now was the time to tell him the truth.

  He had been silent for a while. ‘Nicos,’ she whispered. He didn’t’ reply. She turned in his arms and looked up at him. He was asleep. She smiled lovingly and stroked his cheek. He didn’t stir. Laughing softly she extricated herself as quietly as she could from his arms, careful not to wake him and tiptoed from the room. Tomorrow would be time enough.

  She woke to glorious sunshine and soaring joy within her. Everything in her world was wonderful. She had Nicos and after all the heartache she had her daughter for the rest of her life. Nothing could go wrong for her now. Humming happily to herself she picked Electra up from her cot and hugging her close, crooned, ‘You’re mine forever now.’ Scarcely able to believe that everything was coming so right in her life she dismissed the small warning voice that whispered in her ear ‘Don’t be too happy. Life’s not like that.’

  Last night seemed like a dream but the sun sparkling on the diamond cluster on her left hand had told her it was all true. Electra clutched at the bright new toy on her mother’s hand and Melanie, kissing the top of her daughter's fluffy head, told her, ‘that means we are going to be a real family.’ She spent the morning with Electra,, relishing the sheer joy of being with her and not counting the hours when she had to leave her. At lunchtime she took her on to the terrace and was feeding her when she heard Nicos’s voice. He was talking to Andreas. ‘I’ll take lunch on the terrace with my family,’ Melanie heard him say and her heart soared. My family. She realised how long she had wanted him to say those words.

  He came out and held her close. Kissing her long and lovingly and whispering in her ear, ‘Why didn’t you stay with me last night? I woke and you’d gone. You’re never to leave me again.’

  Melanie, at last feeling safe in the cocoon of his arms, whispered back, ‘I’ll stay with you for however long you want me.’

  ‘Forever then,’ he said, looking deep into her eyes. ‘Forever,’ she agreed, smiling up at him.

  Andreas came out pushing a lunch trolley piled with salads and talking volubly in Greek. ‘He is saying he is very happy for us,’ translated Nicos, and Melanie realised that by now the whole island must know the news. ‘I am going to start really earning the language properly,’ she said. ‘By the time Electra is talking I need to be fluent for her sake.’ They sat side-by-side making plans and every so often Nicos leaned over and kissed her cheek fondly. Melanie thought ‘Life doesn’t get any better than this. I’m never going to let anything stand in the way of our happiness again.’

  ‘I’m going to have to leave you for a couple of days,’ Nicos was saying. ‘But I’ll get back as soon as I can. I have some business in Azistan I need to sort out.’

  ‘Isn’t that where Mikhail and Katerina come from?’ Melanie asked innocently.

  ‘I owe him a favor,’ said Nicos, a little sheepishly. ‘I have a confession to make.’ He gave her a sideways glance. ‘I wanted him off the boat and away from you so I…’ He paused and looked around as if seeking for the right word. ‘manufactured a crisis for him,’ he said finally.

  Melanie looked astonished. ‘How could you do that?’

  ‘Oh, easily,’ he said. ‘I control all the mineral rights in Azistan. That is the business that Mikhail and I were involved in so I ….’

  ‘Don’t tell me’ cried Melanie horrified. ‘A harmless flirtation and you jeopardised a whole country.’

  ‘It’s a very small country and it wasn’t quite that bad,’ he defended himself. ‘and I’ll put things right for him now. I’ll even make sure he makes a handsome profit.’

  Melanie couldn’t help laughing. ‘You are incorrigible,’ she said.

  He looked at her seriously. ‘I owe Mikhail a bigger debt than that. Without him I might not have come to my senses.’

  * * *

  In the afternoon while Electra napped they swam in the warm sea, lay in the sun on the bathing platform and made sweet, slow love together. ‘This is how it is going to be for the rest of our lives,’ he told her. ‘I’ll be away for at least a week but when I come back we can really start planning our future together.’

  Melanie spent days missing him but living in a haze of expectation. She couldn’t wait for him to return. The sound of the motor launch’s engines alerted her after only three days and she hurried down to the harbor. Perhaps Nicos had finished his business earlier than he thought and was coming back to her.

  But the passenger wasn’t Nicos – it was Mark. Melanie’s heart turned over. She hadn’t seen him since that dreadful night outside the restaurant in London. Anxiety gnawed at her. What was he doing here now?

  Leaping ashore he enfolded her in a bear hug. ‘Melanie, darling. Found you at last. Had the devil of a job but here I am.’ Melanie looked at him stupefied. ‘You can’t come here, Mark. It’s private,’ she said stupidly. ‘Why did the boatman bring you? He’s not supposed to bring anybody here without permission.’ She was gabbling incoherently in her surprise and anxiety. Thank goodness Nicos was off the island so she wouldn’t have to explain anything to him until she felt he was ready to listen.

  ‘You can’t stay here,’ she told Mark. ‘Nicos will be back soon.’

  ‘The thing is, my old love, I’m in a bit of a fix,’ announced Mark, and putting his arm around her and swinging his small suitcase in the other hand he practically pulled her along with him. ‘Is that the house up there?’ he asked. ‘It looks big enough to have a few spare rooms and I’m a b
it short of readies. I was hoping you would be able to help out. Maybe I could stay on for a few days.’

  Panic engulfed Melanie. ‘No,’ she almost shouted. ‘You have to leave. I haven’t explained anything to Nicos about you.’

  ‘Well, I can’t go back now,’ said Mark. ‘I’ll just stay for the night and be off in the morning. That is, if you can find a bit of cash me a fund me for a bit. I’m absolutely stony broke as per usual. If I could get my hands on the trust fund I’d be all right.’

  ‘Oh, Mark,’ sighed Melanie, ‘If you could have got your hands on the trust fund there would be none of it left by now.’ She couldn’t help feeling exasperated with him. ‘Why is it always me that has to come to your rescue'

  She went to find Anna, to tell her that a guest would be staying the night. Anna pursed her lips but said nothing. Dinner was served for the two of them that evening, not on the terrace but in the formal dining room. Anna’s orders, Melanie suspected. Did she deem the terrace too romantic for this uninvited guest?

  Mark gazed admiringly around the luxuriously appointed room, his eyes swivelling to the diamond cluster ring. ‘You’re doing all right,’ he said, helping himself to a large portion of lobster salad and topping up his wine glass. ‘Until I saw you in London I thought the famous and oh so very rich Nicos Chalambrous was out of your life after our little debacle.’

  Only Mark could describe what happened to them which such insouciance, thought Melanie ruefully. ‘It wasn’t all plain sailing between us for a while,’ she said with admirable restraint. ‘Not surprised,’ said Mark. ‘He didn’t seem to like the look of me.’

  ‘I think it would be better if you were gone by the time he gets back,’ she said diplomatically. ‘He doesn’t know the full extent of what is between us.’

  ‘No problem. Not here to cause you trouble. Just didn’t have anyone else to turn to. You know the way it is.’

  Melanie studied him carefully. The blond good looks were starting to look a little faded. She saw that he was beginning to look his age and her heart went out to him.

  She put a hand on his arm affectionately. ‘What am I going to do about you?’ she said, but her gaze was tender. ‘You know the way I feel about you but you and I and I are going to have to have a very serious talk.’

  Mark avoided her eye. ‘Not tonight, eh?’ he said. ‘I’m absolutely bushed. I think I’ll have an early night.’

  ‘In the morning we’ll talk before you leave,’ said Melanie firmly. ‘We have to come to an understanding.’

  Mark yawned theatrically. ‘I’m really tired now. I think it’s the heat,’ He trundled off leaving Melanie alone to ponder on promises made she knew she had to keep come what may.

  Mark slept late. She didn’t see him till almost twelve o’clock. She found him on the terrace, tucking in to eggs Benedict, which he had inveigled the kitchen to cook for him. ‘Good morning,’ he sang. ‘It’s nearly afternoon,’ she said wryly. ‘Don’t be cross,’ he said. ‘I’m all packed and I’ll be out of your way in no time.

  ‘By the way,’ he said casually, ‘what we were talking about last night. Do you think you can manage it? Melanie looked closely at him. She knew him too well. His casual tone could not conceal the panic she saw in his yes.

  ‘Oh, Mark,’ she said. ‘Are you in trouble again?’ ‘A bit’, he conceded. He looked at her pleadingly. ‘Owe the casino a tidy sum.’ Melanie sighed. ‘Wait here. I’ll get my check book.’ She went up to her bedroom and came down to find Mark pacing the terrace. ‘How much?’ she asked. He named a sum that made her gasp. He looked shamefaced. ‘It won’t happen again. I know I’ve said it before but I really mean it.’

  ‘It will clean me out,’ she told him. ‘It’s all the money I have.’

  ‘But Chalambrous is loaded, isn’t he?

  Melanie glared at him. ‘Don’t even think about it. I will never ask Nicos to give me money to clear your gambling debts. Is that understood?’

  Mark looked chastened. ‘I’ll pay you back,’ he promised. ‘I know what you must think of me but I can change. I know you think I won’t. I’ve let you down so many times. I know you suffered terribly because of me. I came here to get money out of you. Melanie will come through for me. She always has. That’s what I told myself.’

  He ran his hands distractedly through his blond hair. ‘Maybe I’m growing up at last, but I’m sorry for what I did too. I’ve been doing some serious thinking. The truth is I feel ashamed.’ Melanie threw him a look both loving and sceptical.

  ‘Don’t look at me like that,’ he said gruffly. ‘I don’t know what I’d do without you. I’ve had so many disappointments in my life. Please don’t you turn against me. I couldn’t bear it.’ Suddenly she realised he had tears in his eyes. Dear feckless Mark. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for him. She went to him and hugged him close. ‘I’ll always look after you just as I promised and I’ll always love you.’

  She had no warning, she didn’t hear him come. But she found herself wrenched from Mark’s embrace and swung round to face Nicos, his eyes blazing fury. ‘So this is the man you will always love,’ he sneered. ‘I was stupid enough to believe it was me. I suppose I should consider myself lucky that I found out the depth of your deception before it was too late.’

  She looked at him horrified. ‘How can you say those things? You don’t understand.’

  ‘I understand the evidence of my own eyes and ears. That’s enough for me.’

  ‘Listen to me', she began desperately.

  ‘I’ve listened to your lies once too often. I don’t want to hear any more. Get off my island and take your boyfriend with you.’

  Mark who had stood like a stone, a mixture of guilt and consternation on his face, came to sudden life.

  ‘Boyfriend!’ he spluttered. ‘I’m not her boyfriend. I’m her brother.’

  Chapter Fourteen

  Melanie didn’t hear him say it. She had fled the terrace, tears pouring down her face. She flung everything she could find into her suitcase, pausing only to snatch the ring from her finger and fling it in the bathroom sink. She couldn’t bear to see Electra one last time. She would have to live with the memories of her. At the harbor she called one of the fishermen over and asked him to take her to the mainland. The man took one look at her white shocked face and said ‘Are you ill, Missy? The launch would be quicker.’

  ‘No, cried Melanie sharply. She wanted nothing more to do with anything belonging to Nicos Chalambrous. She would pay the fisherman for the trip and make her own way. Swamped in misery the bus journey to Athens was a haze. She couldn’t think clearly. All she knew was that she had to get away. At the airport she used her bankcard for a ruinously expensive single ticket to London.

  ‘Sorry, Mark,’ she mentally threw at him. ‘I’ll have to find some other way to pay off your debts now.’

  On the flight she tried to marshal her disordered thoughts. Would she have kept her promise if she had known the high price it would extract from her? She had held the hand of her dying father and he had said, ‘Give me your word you will take care of Mark. He has a small trust fund from his mother that if he is careful will take care of him financially. I know he has his weaknesses but I always told his mother I would care for him. He’s not strong like you. He will need you. He’s no good on his own. Promise me.’ ‘Of course, I will.’ She had assured him and he had looked into her eyes with loving trust. At that moment she would have promised him anything… She had kept her word and the price she had paid had been higher than he could have ever envisaged. She had gone to jail for Mark and lost her daughter because of him. But she knew in her heart that she would do it all over again. It was a vow she couldn’t break.

  The seat belt sign came on and the plane was making its approach to land. Melanie was forced into practicalities. She’d need somewhere to stay and she would have to find a job. Suddenly she remembered Mark’s flat. Did he still own it or had he lost it to the casinos? She just hoped the terms of the trust would
mean he had been unable to sell it. She would make it her first port of call. She knew where Mark kept the spare key and with any luck it was still there. She slipped past the porter in his cubbyhole and took the lift to the third floor. She found the key on the ledge over the door. Not a very original hiding place. If he had sold the flat its occupants were going to get a surprise. But opening the front door she found Mark’s usual disarray and his clothes hanging in the main bedroom. So far so good she thought

  She took her case into the spare bedroom and hunted around for some clean linen for the bed. Surprisingly she found a neat stack of laundry in a cupboard, then remembered that Mark, with his knack of charming everyone into doing things for him, had a kindly cleaning lady who seemed to turn up whether Mark was paying her that week or not. She would have to alert her to her presence in case tomorrow was one of her ‘days’. She scrawled a note on the kitchen table and left it propped up against the kettle.

  The next week passed in a furious flurry of activity for Melanie. She found if she kept busy she could keep the misery at bay. It was always there, rising up to meet her the minute she let down her guard. She combated it as best she could, telling herself that this was the rest of her life and she had to get on with it. She didn’t dare think of the scene she had left behind on Skiapolos.

  Finding a job wasn’t proving easy with her record. She visited countless employment agencies where often the staff were sympathetic, but there were too many applicants for too few jobs. She came back to the flat exhausted after a particular trying day thankfully throwing her bag down on the hall table and heading for the sitting room.

  Nicos was there, seated on the sofa, looking as if he had been there for some time. Her breath caught in her throat. She turned, wanting to run from him. Seeing him had resurrected all the pain. She wanted him to go.