by Risk, Mona
At the gate, Stefano stopped and opened the mailbox. “There is another letter. I’ve never bothered to check after Yaya’s death.” He extracted a blue envelope. They both glanced at the handwriting.
“It’s from Grandpa. His last letter. That’s so sad.”
“Then don’t open it now. I don’t want you crying when we’re supposed to be happy. Just put it in your purse for tomorrow.” He held the door of his Ferrari for her.
Ashley shoved the envelope in her purse, determined not to let anything cloud her perfect time on the Athena.
Stefano called Mikhali, gave him a few orders, and then drove away. “I thought we were going to the harbor.” She recognized the downtown of Mykonos and the Kostapoulos building.
“I need to stop by my apartment for a minute.” He parked against the curb, brushed her lips with a kiss, and slid out of his car. “One little minute to pick up something.”
She wished he’d invited her to come upstairs. God, how she wanted to visit the place where he lived, and learn more about his tastes. But hadn’t he said that he practically lived on his yacht? Strange. Maybe he simply wanted to change? In that case she’d ask him to stop by her hotel for a minute too. She chuckled. It would take her more time than that to change.
“I’m back. I hope I didn’t make you wait long.” He was still wearing his brown pants and the beige button down shirt he favored at the office. “Off we go. Directly to the Athena,” he added with a devilish smile that made her blush. Forget changing dresses. Ashley checked the green printed cotton slip-on she was wearing with a quick glance. With its straps and short hem, it was perfect for a boat outing.
The Ferrari smoothly took the road again. Ashley closed her eyes, savoring the moment, wondering if it could get better.
“In a moment we’ll be at the harbor,” Stefano said, his tone as tender and pleased as if he’d take her to the moon and back.
“I can’t wait for our next cruise.”
“We won’t go far. Just have dinner and...relax on the deck, under the stars.”
Relax? Her pulse raced as she anticipated a new type of relaxation in his arms. “Lovely.”
Mikhali waited for them aboard a little motor boat. Both men helped her into the tender and boarded after her. Mikhali revved the engine at full speed until they came close to the Athena. Stefano jumped aboard first and pulled her up. The sailor tied the little boat to the side of the yacht and joined them on board.
“Mikhali, take us to Agios Ioannis.” Turning toward Ashley, he explained, “We passed it the first time you cruised on the Athena.” He ushered her to the upper deck.
The late afternoon sun bathed the sky in hues of pink, orange, and mauve. “I’m glad we’ll watch the sunset from the yacht. It was beautiful last time.”
“I’ll make sure it’s even more beautiful this time.” He gave her a strange smile, and walked to the side bar, where his steward had set glasses and a few bottles. “Let’s have an ouzo.” He filled a drink for her and another for him. “Yia mas.” He clinked his glass against hers.
“Cheers. I mean yia mas.”
“Much better. I’m surprised your grandfather never taught you Greek.” He sipped his ouzo, but his gaze never wavered from her face.
“Grandpa tried. I can manage a few sentences. But my mother and grandmother did their best to discourage him.”
“Greek didn’t meet their approval, right? My family, too, hated anything that came with an American label. I put up a fight to convince my father to let me study at Harvard.”
“You’ve never mentioned your parents. Are they...” She hesitated, afraid to continue.
“They live in Athens. My father retired from his construction business a few years ago. He’d like to come back to Mykonos, but my mother wants to be close to my sisters. In summer, they spend a month in a resort, on one of the beaches.”
“Your sisters?” Good God, she’d agreed to marry him, but she didn’t know much about him, beyond what she read in Elena’s letters. “How many sisters?”
“Three. Don’t worry, my kookla. I’ll introduce you to the whole family soon.”
“How big a family? As big as the one in the movie, My Big, Fat Greek Wedding?” She chuckled, and hoped he didn’t hear her heartbeat bang against her ribs.
“Bigger.” He burst out laughing at her horrified expression.
“Sorry,” she hastened to say. “I didn’t mean—”
“It’s okay. You’ll meet them soon enough. My older sisters Olympia and Catherina married wonderful men that my mother introduced them to.”
“You mean they agreed to arranged marriage? I didn’t know marriages of convenience still existed here,” she added with a grimace.
Stefano burst out laughing. “Don’t look so distressed. My sisters knew their pretenders since a young age, and were delighted with Mama’s choices for them. They are both very happy. Olympia has three kids, two teenage boys and a sweet nine-year old girl. Catherina has adorable twin girls and one toddler boy. Maria is a doctor. She’s engaged to a young man she met two years ago.”
“Wow. Your mother had her hands full with so many kids. Three girls and one boy.”
“Two boys. I have a younger brother, Filipo, who’s determined to stay a bachelor, although our mother is introducing him to a new right girl every month. She gave up on me.” He added with a chuckle.
Good God, would they accept an American among them? The granddaughter of their former enemy?
“Maybe we should think carefully before rushing into—”
A passionate kiss silenced her protest and befuddled her mind. When she was able to breathe again, he nuzzled her throat. “My kookla, I love you. Don’t think about anything else. I’ll take care of my family and the details.”
“But—”
“Come here next to the railing. It’s almost sunset. As soon as the sun dips under water, make a wish.”
He held her in his arms while they eagerly watched the ball of fire sink at the horizon. “Now,” Stefano ordered.
She closed her eyes. “Please, make it true. I want my special Greek.”
Her special Greek released her. Immediately anxious, she spun toward him. Shoving his hand into his pocket, he brought out a small velvet box and opened it.
“Oh my God.” Her hand flew to her throat as she stared at the blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds. “It’s so beautiful with its antique setting.”
“Ashley, my love, this is the ring my grandfather gave Yaya, after ten years of marriage. I want you to wear it until we choose your engagement diamond.” He slipped the gorgeous ring on her left finger.
“Tell me I’m not dreaming, please.” She contemplated the ring on her finger.
“You’re not dreaming, my darling. But we can start dreaming together.” Stefano bowed over her hand and kissed her fingers. “I love you.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, she locked her lips to his.
Could kisses improve with time and practice? Definitely. Although ten days ago, she’d thought Stefano’s kisses deserved a special rating. “Love you,” she whispered when his lips glided to her jaw and neck.
“Love you,” he groaned back. “Always,” he added as he scooped her into his arms. Lacing her fingers around his neck, she didn’t even protest.
Around them, the sky had turned into a palette of flames that matched the riot in their hearts. “Oh Stefano, what a beautiful sunset.”
“The most beautiful I’ve ever watched,” he said, gazing in her eyes.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Sweetheart.” Stefano carefully cradled Ashley as he climbed down the stairwell to his room. “We’re supposed to have dinner, but our food can wait in the warmer. We can’t. We’ve been waiting long enough, right?”
“Right.” She offered him a lovely smile and trailed kisses along his throat.
“Glad we have only a few stairs.” He twisted to open the doorknob of his room without dropping her and set her in the middle of the bed. “You recognize this room?”
“Umm.” She hung onto his neck and dragged him down next to her to unbutton his shirt. “You were impatient to come here, my handsome Greek. Don’t waste time now.”
How he loved her passion, her eagerness. “Darling, your wishes are my command, especially when they match mine.”
With a big laugh, he slipped her straps down her arms and slid the dress all the way to her legs. She wriggled out of it, while tugging at his belt. “I can’t do it,” she complained, pulling at the leather.
“Allow me.” He undid the clasp to remove his belt while she unzipped his pants, her fingers brushing his erection. “Easy, my love. I want to make it slow and perfect.”
“How about fast and perfect?” She panted, her hands skating inside his slip.
“Ah. Easy.” But he frantically tore off her thong in his haste to rid her of any barrier.
Her fingers wrapped around his shaft, moving relentlessly. Unable to cope with her sweet torture, he bent over her and buried his face between her legs, his lips and tongue tormenting her inner folds at the same rhythm her hands stroked his manhood.
“Ah.” Her moan escalated, until she shuddered and finally let go of him.
Trying to hold on to a last shred of control, he released her, trailed kisses along her belly and chest, and sucked on a rosy nipple. She writhed and grabbed his head with both hands, pulling him toward her face.
“Yes, yes.”
He groaned, understanding her need. His lips molded to her mouth, and his body covered her. As if on cue, her legs wrapped around his waist, allowing him immediate entrance to his haven. He cupped her cheeks. “Cardia mou, my dear heart, I love you,” he whispered as he buried himself in her. Exactly where he wanted to dwell. A shudder shook him and he let go of all thoughts.
An eternity later, Ashley opened her eyes. Nothing compared to the magic of this moment. “I love you, my Greek god.” She raked her fingers through his hair, messing his dark locks over his forehead.
“Mmm, I like that name, my lovely Aphrodite.” He started rolling to his side, but she held him over her.
“Don’t. Let me enjoy the feel of you a bit longer.” She massaged his back and patted knotted flesh and hard angles. “You sure know how to use your muscles.” She chuckled as a smug smile brightened his chiseled features.
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“Hungry for what exactly?”
He burst out laughing and kissed the tip of her nose. “Just for food now. I can have you for dessert later. Although, you never let me savor you slowly.”
Oh dear, how could she learn to curb her wanton behavior? “I’ve never been like this before. Ever. I mean—”
“No need to blush. I love your enthusiasm. Maybe one of these days, we’ll learn to slow down while making love. Although, our method is not bad at all.” He slid to the side of the bed and tugged at her hand. “Let’s shower, have dinner, and then enjoy the night,” he added with a wink.
Shower with him? Ashley swallowed. No way was she going to stand naked next to a man while washing herself. Not any man. The diamonds on her ring twinkled in the dimmed light of the night table lamp. “My fiancé,” she murmured.
“Yes? Hey, I like that title.” He brought her fingers to his lips and kissed them one by one. “Now don’t linger too long in bed or else... You know.” He chuckled and slipped out of the bed, gloriously naked. She averted her eyes, then turned her head for a quick glance, and stared. Her jaw dropped.
Oh dear, he was such a handsome specimen. Wide shoulders, muscled back, all tanned and tapering at the waist. Below, the very white imprint left by his swim short tempted her to run a caressing hand over his buttocks. She raised herself, leaning her elbow on the pillow, and watched him stroll to the bathroom.
“Would you rather have a bubble bath?” he called from the door of the bathroom.
“Yea...yes.” She almost didn’t hear her throaty murmur.
“Kookla.” Stefano suddenly spun. His eyebrows arched, he grinned. “I hope you like what you see.”
Embarrassment burned her cheeks. Unable to talk, she nodded.
His scorching gaze caressed her breasts. “I like what I see too. Want me back in bed?”
“No, no, I’m coming. Just get into the tub,” she said as she pulled the sheet to cover herself.
His laughter resonated, soon covered by the running water.
She collected her dress and fetched her thong from the floor, only to realize its elastic sideband was torn. Oh dear, she couldn’t go outside without some underwear. Even with a dress hiding, whatever... When she entered the bathroom, the sheet twirled around her body like a beach wrap. Stefano already lazed in the tub, decently covered by a blanket of bubbles.
“I can’t wear this and I can’t not wear it.”
He snatched the little white thing dangling from her hand. “No,” he said with a serious tone. “Topless is acceptable on the beach, but not bottomless. I’ll find you something. Don’t worry. This is my trophy.”
“Stefano, I’m not joking.”
“But I am. Come on, kookla, the water is deliciously warm.” He dropped her thong in the water and pulled the sheet away from her.
She hastened to enter the tub at the opposite end, and submerged herself under the bubbles. The fragrance of eucalyptus and rose soothed her. “That feels so good.”
“Why are you so far away?” He tugged at her feet and drew her toward him. Her head dipped under water. With the next move, she found herself sitting between his open thighs. His arms closed around her waist.
“Oh, this wasn’t my idea of a bubble bath.”
“Trust me, it’s the best way. We’ll clean each other.”Already his hands lathered her breasts and trailed low on her belly. “You see we can’t rush now. We’d risk drowning. Or sloshing all the water on the floor.”
“I should have known that with you a bath is not a simple bath.”
He chuckled. “I’m an efficient man, good at double tasking.” As if to confirm his point, he nibbled at her throat and his fingers slid between her thighs and played with her folds.
She moaned and grumbled. “No fair. Give me some soap.” She worked a good lather, bent down and rummaged an eager hand between the dense bubbles. “Ah, ha.” Her fingers closed on his shaft.
“Easy, my love. Don’t play with fire.”
She chuckled. “More like with water and soap and...” The hardness growing between her hands proved the joke was on her. His hands clamped on her hips to lift her up. Losing her balance, she released him. In a swift motion, he turned her to face him and lowered her on top of that same hardness she’d just teased. It wriggled and slid triumphantly inside her.
“I give up, my kookla. Slow lovemaking is not our forte. But I love every move we make.” And move, he did. Rocking with her until he was totally embedded inside her. She cradled his face and they kissed, moaned, groaned and shuddered together. Fireworks exploded in her mind, followed by a relaxing rainbow of colors.
“Oh, Stefano,” was all she could mumble and repeat.
“My darling, my love,” he answered, after exhaling aloud.
“I think we’re very clean, after soaking so long. I’m famished now. For food,” she hastened to add.
“Me too.” He chuckled and stretched his arms wide. He helped her out of the tub and followed her. Any shred of modesty she had a moment ago must have dissolved in the soapy water. He held a large towel open and wrapped it around her.
“Here,” he handed her a short navy terry robe. “No need to get more fancy. We’ll eat under the stars.”
“Where are your skipper and his fiancée?”
“Probably in their rooms. The yacht is not moving. Mikhali must have thrown down the anchor in one of the coves for the night.” Stefano wore a similar robe to the one he gave her, and opened the drain to empty the tub.
“Oh my God,” she said, watching the water level lower in the tub and her thong emerge. “Oh dear, I can’t believe we’ve been so car
eless.” Grabbing his arm, she shook it frantically. “We haven’t used a condom. Am I wrong? Stefano, tell me I’m wrong.”
His gaze serious, he shook his head. “No, we haven’t. You made me forget the whole world. It’s my fault, but we’re engaged. And we’ll marry soon. If we made a baby, I’ll be a very happy father. I hope you don’t regret our lovemaking.” A cloud masked his previous cheerfulness.
“No regrets at all, my Greek god. I love the new memories we’ve created on your yacht.”
He ushered her up the stairs to the deck where they found a lovely table set with a vase of roses, two candles waiting to be lit and a bottle of ouzo. Stefano filled two glasses with his national drink and handed her one. “To my lovely fiancée.” He raised his glass and clinked it against hers.
“To our happiness.” A happiness they had created out of the unhappy past of their families. “We should never let anyone or anything separate us.” Thank God, she didn’t have meddling and autocratic parents like poor Elena.
****
In the morning, Stefano dropped her at her hotel. The previous night, after a wonderful dinner under a canopy of twinkling stars and a full moon, they went to bed for another try at slow lovemaking that turned out to be even more passionate than their earlier ones. Exhausted, they’d collapsed, and she slept in Stefano’s arms till the morning.
Ashley chuckled as she felt his cotton briefs under her dress while walking up the stairs to her room. She’d asked Stefano to drive her to her hotel to change. He’d pick her up in a couple of hours to take her to the Pink Villa. A brief shower rejuvenated her. “I have to call Grandpa,” she said out loud while drying and setting her hair. “That’s going to be a hard pill for him to swallow. Me and his former enemy.” She really needed to introduce the subject slowly, carefully to avoid giving her grandfather a sudden heart attack.
After donning an orange and yellow strapped dress—Stefano had mentioned he loved that style on her—she emptied her purse on the bed, looking for her cell phone. The torn thong maliciously fell on the phone and an envelope. Yorgho’s last letter to his Elena.
Now was a good time to read it. Nothing could dim the happiness in her heart, not even Grandpa’s farewell to his beloved. Ashley sliced the top of the envelope and extracted the thin blue sheet of paper to read.