No Other Love

by Jean Adams

  His meaning was clear and she jumped at the chance. “Will that be all right?”

  “Of course. I wouldn’t have a friend of mine staying in a bed and breakfast when I have a perfectly good guest room.”

  Friend? “Thank you, Lucas.”

  He poured the wine and leaned forward on the table. “So, what happened to Roger?”

  “I’m afraid I wasn’t very nice to him.”

  Lucas took a drink of wine. “How’s that?”

  “I left him at Los Angeles airport.” She ran her finger around the rim of her glass in thought, lifted her shoulders and looked him in the eye. “He turned into a bit of a control freak, so I gave him back his ring and ran.” She dropped her gaze to stare into the bottom of her glass. “Do you think that was terrible of me?”

  He reached out his hand to lay it over hers. “To some it may seem like a harsh thing to do, but by staying you could’ve ruined two people’s lives.”

  “Two?”

  “Roger’s and your own, of course.

  Only two? “Of course.”

  “The point is, if you genuinely believe, in your heart of hearts, you did the right thing, then you did. Try not to beat yourself up over it.”

  “Thank you, Lucas. You truly are a good friend.” It was the most she could expect under the circumstances, and at least he didn’t think too badly of her.

  Their meal arrived.

  “So, what’s happening about the Bahamas now?”

  “I had to give up that idea. Broke my heart to resign from the program.”

  He frowned. “That’s a pity. Don’t suppose they’d reconsider?”

  “No, Roger made me leave the job, too.” She shrugged philosophically. “At the time I was planning on getting married.”

  “Of course.”

  Jenna took in a deep breath. “So, tell me about the island.”

  “Well now, let me see.” He leaned back in his chair and smiled. “There are some great walks. Great views. And there’s a lemon plantation right across the channel.”

  “I thought I could smell citrus in the air.”

  “We’ll go tomorrow, if you want. I just have a job to get finished. It has to be done tonight so—”

  “Oh, I’ve disturbed you. I should find a bed and breakfast somewhere and leave you in peace.”

  “Don’t even think about it. I was about to say that while you sleep, I’ll get it finished. Then I’m all yours.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Don’t start that again. Now, let’s get you up to bed.”

  She laughed. “I am very tired. I’ve been traveling a long time.”

  “Didn’t you take a break in Athens? Catch up on some sleep?”

  “No, I came straight through.”

  “Hell, you must be bushed.”

  Lucas paid the bill, grabbed her suitcase and led her up the hill to the apartment.

  Once inside, he crossed the room and threw open the patio doors. A fresh sea breeze rushed in. Jenna breathed deep. “Oh, that air is wonderful.”

  “Take a seat. I’ll get you some towels, then you can do your own thing.”

  As she’d expected, Lucas’ apartment was clean and crisp. Nothing out of place, just pure simple good taste, as only a European apartment can be.

  On the patio a glass-topped, cane table sat in front of a cane sofa with cushions that had moons and stars woven in gold thread into the scarlet material.

  Lucas came back carrying two glasses of frosty white wine. “Here you go.” He handed her one, sat beside her and took a drink from his glass.

  “So, this is your sister’s place.”

  “Sure is. Not bad huh? And it’s all set up for my purposes.”

  “It’s lovely. Very roomy.”

  He laughed. “I’ve often told her if ever she wants to sell it, to give me first option.”

  “I don’t blame you.” She gazed out to where the sun sparkled on blue Aegean waters. “Hmm. This is just like the fantasy I had in the restaurant. I’ll bet it’s wonderful waking up to that view every morning.”

  “Sure is.”

  “Lucas, I’m sorry about that lunch date on your birthday.”

  “The day you got engaged to Roger.”

  “Yes.”

  “So what happened?”

  “Quite simply, he tried to take over my life.”

  Lucas shot her a look of amusement. “I can imagine how you felt about that.”

  “Exactly. I thought it was what I wanted.” She hesitated briefly. “Until he spent the whole week trying to tell me what to do, what to think. Right up until we got to the airport. That’s when I knew I couldn’t go through with it, dream or no dream. Can you ever forgive me for letting you down so badly?”

  He chuckled. “Did you come all this way just to ask my forgiveness?”

  Oh, lord. He thinks I’m a moron. “Well, no, but I―”

  “Relax. There’s nothing to forgive.”

  Tension filled the air. Spit it out, Jenna. “I did a terrible thing, dumping him like that.” She paused. “I just apologized, and ran.”

  “At least you apologized. So are you sure you want to stay here?”

  Her stomach slipped back to its rightful place. Her heart did a quick march. “If you’re sure I won’t be in the way?”

  “In the way of what?”

  “Your plans.” Unfortunately, she couldn’t hold back a yawn.

  “Hell, I don’t make plans when I come here. I have to get work done, sure. But when I’ve emailed off the piece I’ve been working on, I can take the rest of the week off. Next week too, if I want, unless something urgent crops up. I take each day as it comes.” His beautiful smile beamed. “You’re all in. Why don’t you go get to bed? Get some sleep. We can talk tomorrow.”

  Jenna agreed. Her eyelids drifted down and she released a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. She breathed deeply of the well-being that enveloped when she was with Lucas. He always had a way of making bad things seem better. Never stood in judgment. Never chastised. When she opened her eyes again, he wasn’t there, but she heard him moving about in one of the rooms.

  “Come on, sleepyhead,” he said with a grin. “Time you got some rest. You’ve been traveling a long time.”

  “If you don’t mind me leaving you alone like this.”

  “Course not. Like I said, I still have some work to finish.”

  “Good night then, Lucas. Thank you for putting up with me.”

  He laughed at her quip. “My pleasure. Sleep well.”

  She smiled. Just like old times.

  She wanted to tell him he was the only man she’d ever love. That there could be no other love for her. But now wasn’t the time.

  Tomorrow. After a good night’s sleep, when she was in no danger of saying anything stupid. She’d tell him how she felt about him and the devil take the consequences. She had plenty of time to psyche herself up before then.

  ****

  Grateful Jenna had come, Lucas promised himself whatever her stay here would cost him emotionally, he’d tell her how he felt, now the competition was out of the way. He made up his mind to enjoy every moment of it, whatever the outcome.

  One of two things could happen after this week. He’d be in deep trouble when she left and suffer unbearable heartache for the rest of his life. Or she’d turn out to be a real pain in the ass and he’d be glad to see the back of her.

  Somehow he doubted the latter would be the case.

  Hadn’t he decided to go to London to find her? Tell her how he felt? Now that the earl was out of the picture, he might be in with a chance. But he had to play his cards carefully. He didn’t want to spook her. She trusted him, or she wouldn’t be here.

  He could hardly believe she’d come and he intended to make the most of it. Maybe memories made on this vacation would be the most he’d ever have of her, but he’d treasure them forever, keep them in his heart.

  He pointed out the bathroom, showed her into a small b
edroom and left her to unpack, then went to stand for a while on the open patio, gazing out to sea, lost in thought. Finally, he headed back inside to the living room, sucked in a deep breath of contentment, and turned on his computer.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Jenna opened her eyes, stretched and yawned and remembered she was on a beautiful Greek island with the love of her life. She knew for certain, the moment he came rushing toward her yesterday with that wonderful smile firmly in place, there could be no one else for her. He was exciting, generous of himself and as sexy as sin.

  A knock on her bedroom door made her sit up, instantly alert. “Come in, Lucas.”

  The door opened slowly. “If you’re decent, I’ve brought you some fresh squeezed orange juice.”

  “I’m decent.” She smiled as he entered the room. “Great room service,” she said, taking the glass he offered. “What time is it?”

  “Just after eight thirty.”

  “Good grief. Did I oversleep?”

  “‘Course not. Take all the time you need.”

  She took a sip of the juice. “Mmm. That’s great. How long have you been up?”

  “I’m an early riser. I’ve been down to the market. Bought some stuff.”

  “Did you get your work finished?”

  “Sure did. Finished and sent away.” He turned to leave, then turned back. “If you want to go to that lemon plantation, I’ve booked a boat for eleven.”

  “Sounds great.”

  “I’ll make a start on breakfast. No rush.”

  She took another sip of juice. “So, tell me about that lemon forest?”

  He moved back into the room and went to pull back her curtain. “You can see it from here.” He pointed to the land on the far side of the channel. “Goes all the way to the top of that hill.”

  She glanced out the window and drew in a deep breath. “Looks like quite a climb.”

  “Don’t worry. We ride up on donkeys, but we walk down.”

  “Downhill is easier.”

  “And just for you, I’ve ordered that the air be heavily lemon-scented.”

  “Thank you.”

  Jenna showered quickly, happy now she’d come. Last night, when she’d seen the tightness in his face all through their meal, she’d had reservations and wondered whether she’d pushed in where she wasn’t wanted. This morning he was a lot more relaxed.

  A little later she heard him moving around and made her way to the kitchen. “What can I do?”

  Lucas looked up and grinned. This was a sight she was getting used to seeing. His jeans were molded to his tight backside. He wore a white short-sleeved shirt. “Thought we’d have breakfast on the patio.”

  “Wonderful. It’s a beautiful day. The sun is sparkling on the water. Just like I visualized it in the restaurant in LA.” She drew in a deep breath and laughed at herself. “Listen to me waxing lyrical. Want me to take anything outside?”

  “That’d be great. Thanks.”

  The beautiful smile he gave her made her heart stutter.

  “I’ll bring the toast right out.” He turned back to the toaster. “There’s fresh fruit and fresh coffee out there. Help yourself.”

  “You’re spoiling me,” she said over her shoulder.

  Within a few minutes he placed a rack of golden toast in front of her on the patio table. “Here you go.”

  “It looks a veritable feast.”

  He laughed. “You should feel honored. I usually eat breakfast down at the taverna.”

  She laughed. “My compliments to the chef,” she said, and took a second bite of the toast.

  Lucas put down his knife. “Mind if I make an observation?”

  “Go ahead.”

  “I can’t help wondering what you want. You had an earl in the palm of your hand. Had his ring on your finger, then…” He shrugged. “What happened?”

  Everything changed.

  “Well,” she began, careful how she chose her words, “I think I told you last night. After Roger put the ring on my finger, he turned into a control freak. Even tried to make me quit my job a week too early. I might have done it if he hadn’t told me in no uncertain terms he’d talk to Claude.” She paused to take another mouthful of coffee. “I’d had the dream for so long at first I thought it was my imagination. I did a number on myself I suppose.”

  “Sure sounds like it.”

  “Then I got a glimpse of what life might be like as his wife.” She paused. “That I’d have my choices taken away from me and I realized I don’t love him. Could never love him.” She looked up at Lucas to see him staring at her intently. “Are you shocked? Disappointed in me?”

  “Hell, no. You have to do what’s right for you.”

  He buttered another slice of toast and put down his knife. “So, you want love and an earl?”

  She laughed. “Love, yes. I’m not too sure about an earl any more.”

  “Just like those sassy heroines in those books you read.”

  “Exactly like them. Did you ever finish Woman Tamer by the way?”

  He smiled and let his gaze fall on her. “Can’t say I did.”

  “Well, it all ended happily.”

  Dark eyebrows lifted with amusement. “He tamed his woman?”

  “And then some.”

  He laughed. “Quite right too.”

  Lucas poured her another coffee and one for himself. “So, tell me about those opera tickets. Did someone really give them to you?”

  “Opera tickets? Oh, you mean The Pearl Fishers.”

  “Uh huh.”

  The bluntness of his question took her by surprise. Her eyes met his chocolate-colored gaze. “How did you find out?”

  “Bill was stuck at traffic lights and saw you going into the theater.”

  “You got me. I bought the tickets.”

  “Thought the story was a little too pat. So why did you try to hide it from me?”

  “If you thought that, why did you come?” He didn’t answer, but she should’ve realized he wouldn’t pussyfoot around. Then neither would she. This was why she’d come, wasn’t it? To clear the air of anything, however trivial, that might stand in the way. Little things had a way of escalating from nothing into something more than they should. “I didn’t think you’d go if I told you I’d bought them.”

  A frown creased his brow. “Why not?

  “Because you never sought thanks. For anything.” She reached out to rest her hand over his. “You could be quite ungracious at times. I thought you might refuse to go.”

  His following laugh sounded nervous. “Ungracious? Me? Nah.”

  “And, regardless of the way I treated Roger, I wanted you to know not all women are as cold-hearted and calculating as the ones who hurt you so badly.”

  He nodded slowly. He didn’t ask any more questions, merely said, “Then, thank you. It was a wonderful birthday gift.”

  While they were on the subject, she wanted this cleared up once and for all. “And I really am very sorry about the lunch. I had no choice in that.”

  “I know that now.”

  Judging from the shuttered expression on his face, she had no way of telling if her openness and frankness had made a difference. But she’d wanted him to know. Now he did. What he did with the information was his call.

  Chapter Twenty

  The little boat looked old and decrepit, but Lucas climbed aboard without a second thought. Trusting his judgment, Jenna followed suit, letting him take her hand to help her on board. The strength of his long, hard fingers gripped hers tight.

  The journey took just under half an hour in an idyllic, calm Aegean sea, with the scent of lemons in the air, tickling her nose. They docked at the foot of Lemonadassos hill and once again she readily gave Lucas her hand when he offered his to help her disembark.

  In a large, shady grove several men sat, playing with their strings of worry beads, while they waited with visitors’ four-legged transport, the donkeys that would take them to the top of the steep, lemon-covere
d hill.

  Jenna took a step back when she saw the donkeys with square slabs of wood strapped to their backs. “Don’t tell me those blocks of wood are the saddles.”

  Lucas laughed. “‘Fraid so.”

  Jenna laughed too, albeit nervously. “You might have warned me.”

  “Hey, it’s an adventure.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Never let it be said Jenna Blake wasn’t game for an adventure.”

  “No one could ever accuse you of that.”

  A man led two of the animals forward. “Separakallo.”

  “What did he say?”

  “All aboard or words to that effect.” Lucas lifted Jenna onto the back of her steed. “Here, hold on to the reins.”

  “What reins? It’s just a strip of leather.” Nevertheless, she clung to it with trepidation. How could this control an animal?

  “It’s not gonna bolt.”

  “I’ll reserve my judgment.”

  When Lucas climbed aboard his donkey Jenna laughed out loud. “Your legs are so long they touch the ground on either side. You could walk it.”

  He lifted one dark eyebrow good-humoredly. “I probably will.”

  With Lucas’ beast in the lead, they left the shady grove without the help of a guide. Jenna turned back to the men. “Aren’t you coming with us?”

  “The animals know the way,” came the lazy response and the man rejoined his comrades under the trees.

  Jenna needn’t have worried about the reins. The donkeys slowly wound their way up a well-worn path, thick with lemon and orange trees, toward the top of the hill. Bees hummed in the still air, thickly scented with citrus.

  When they were almost at the top of the hill, the donkeys stopped their upward plod. Lucas dismounted and went to help Jenna from her trusty steed.

  “Just a few yards further up and we get a refreshing glass of chilled lemon juice.”

  “Whew! I’m ready for it. It’s so hot.” Furiously, she fanned her face with her hand.

  Lucas took her hand and they made their way up the final few feet to the top of the hill, where a large open-air cafe with wrought iron tables and chairs opened out over the whole bay and some of the other islands. Lucas ordered two glasses of lemon juice.

  Enchanted by the idyllic scene of green islands in a sparkling, deep blue sea, Jenna exclaimed enthusiastically, “Oh, look at that view.”