Aphrodite's Stand

by Sandra Scott

  Soon enough, the rising temperature shook her from her reverie.

  Lazily, she scanned the area until her sights landed on a quaint little stone cottage. At first glance, it appeared to be abandoned, but upon closer inspection, she knew it to be storage for the grove’s smaller gardening equipment. Standing motionless, she debated whether or not to head for it.

  Soon perspiration dotted her forehead, and its watery appearance decided for her. She quickly made her way toward the tall structure and the cool promise of shade behind it.

  Her breathing heavier, Andra allowed her thoughts to stray toward Jayson and their marriage. As usual, her heart skipped a beat the instant his handsome face and perfect body materialized into mental view. She ached for him and loved him beyond reason, yet at the same time, her heart grew heavy at knowing she would soon leave him behind once she headed back to America.

  With a bittersweet feeling, she pondered their airplane ride over and what Hog had said about love.

  Maybe sometimes love wasn’t enough.

  A burning behind her eyes painfully blinded her.

  “Stop it, you dunce!” she firmly told herself. “Don’t you dare cry.”

  Determined not to stain the beauty around her with despondent tears, she blinked rapidly until her eyes cleared.

  Andra finally reached the toolshed and rounded its corner, grateful to step into the building’s shade. At once, an extreme weariness washed over her, and she backed against the bumpy chill of the large, irregular-shaped stones, allowing gravity to pull her to the ground. Sighing with ecstasy, she undid her top buttons, allowing delicious, zesty breezes to caress her heated skin.

  Closing her eyes, she reclined against the stone wall and relaxed, her mind embracing no other thoughts but the soft summer wind, the smell from sweet green grass, and the unwinding of her exhausted body.

  Andra woke with a start, her sleep-filled eyes darting upward to encounter a looming darkness. Her heart beating wildly, she opened her mouth to scream, only to have the shadow stoop and swiftly cover it.

  The figure placed a vertical finger against pale lips in a silent command.

  “I’m sorry. I did not mean to frighten you,” Stefano said. Rising slowly, he removed his palm from her lips only to extend it. “I meant no harm.”

  Seconds passed as Andra stared at the proffered hand. He stood there like an eternal Greek statue, ready and willing to outwait her. An indeterminate amount of time passed before she finally placed her palm in his.

  Easily, Stefano pulled her to her feet and toward him, their bodies now separated by mere inches.

  His warm grip wrapped her in comfortable warmth, giving the illusion their hands had been created to fit perfectly inside one another. The familiarity stunned Andra. Emitting a small gasp, she jerked free and took a wobbly step in reverse.

  “What are you doing here? Where’s Jayson?”

  Stefano moved closer. “I believe he is at the villa, looking for you.”

  Andra’s eyes widened. “Did you tell him where I was?” At his silence, she frowned. “You didn’t tell him, did you? Wait a second. How did you know I was here?”

  His shadowed eyes skimmed her body, their mood reflective, until they came to a rest upon her partially open blouse. Not wanting to bring any more attention to her exposed skin, she fought the urge to refasten her buttons under his watchful stare.

  Why am I always in some state of undress when it comes to encountering this man?

  An eon later, his eyes lifted. “I studied you from my window. I knew you would perhaps end here. Everyone does at one time or another.”

  Stefano’s voice drew her in with its electric baritone. Fascinated, she watched his mouth.

  “I decided to seek you out.”

  “I don’t understand. What do you want from me?” she asked. When he licked his lips, Andra forced her gaze from the glistening result. “I believe you know your brother wouldn’t like this at all. If you’ve noticed, I don’t go out of my way to bother you.”

  Silently, Stefano’s eyes watched her mouth only to look to her left. His hand lifted to capture the blue-and-white lily, pulling it with sensual ease from her hair. He brought it to his nose and breathed deeply.

  She stood gaping at the hand that clutched the fragile flower with amazing gentleness. In a flash, her mind cruelly dished up a memory of the two of them inside her bedroom, where that same hand had crushed her semi-naked body against his. Abruptly, she grew angry with Stefano—and herself—when she wished to be the lily he now held.

  Painfully, she swallowed. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?”

  Andra held her breath and watched as he inserted the plant’s stem into his shirt pocket, the flower looking like a simple wedding boutonniere.

  His hands were now free.

  Stefano moved closer. “As I stated to you in the library, I want nothing except to speak with you alone. I informed you then we would continue this conversation at a later time. Now is the time.”

  He was close enough for her to smell his perspiration mingled with aftershave. The combination mingled with the lily’s fragrance, and she refused to inhale too deeply the arresting blend. Resolved, she placed a trembling hand against his chest in order to push him away. Instead, it lay there like a limp dishrag.

  “Please back up,” she whispered. “I can’t …”

  Think. Speak. Breathe.

  “Can’t what?” Stefano asked. He moved closer, forcing her other hand to join its mate in holding him at bay. “Maybe you can’t understand why it is imperative you leave my brother and return to the States?”

  Energy left her body in a slow leak. She said nothing, glad he’d offered an alternative answer to the truth.

  Stefano captured a curly lock of her hair. In an unhurried manner, he wrapped it around one finger. “Must I spell it out for you, my lovely one?”

  Andra swallowed nervously. She fought an automatic response to rub her cheek against his unnervingly close hand. “Yes,” she managed to say. “You may have to.”

  He delayed a reply to reach inside his pocket and pull out a black handkerchief. Turning slightly, he coughed twice into it, and then, without looking at it, he returned it to its hiding place.

  At once, her mind replayed Stefano’s coughing fit when he’d almost kissed her inside the bedroom, its bloody result leaving her to soak her white bathrobe before Jayson returned that afternoon.

  “What’s wrong with you, Stefano?” she asked. “Are you sick? I’m only asking because back in the bedroom, you coughed up some blood.”

  Stefano paused to release the strand of hair twirled about his finger. Then, lowering his hand to the curve of her neck, he allowed his thumb to delicately trace her jawline. “I bit my tongue earlier in the day.” His eyes locked with hers, causing a violent tingle to run along Andra’s spine. “Would you like to examine me, Doctor? Make sure I am well?”

  The distant echo of men’s laughter, tweeting birds busily flitting from tree to bush, and their own mingled breathing were abruptly interrupted by someone clearing her throat.

  Both heads jerked simultaneously at the sound. Sly stood at the building’s edge, watching them with her arms folded. Seeing her, Stefano calmly stepped away from Andra.

  “I am sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I was taking a hike,” Sly said. Her green eyes cooked with fiery intensity as they bounced between Stefano and Andra. “Please, do not mind me.”

  “Did I not tell you everyone ends here?” he said ruefully.

  Panicked, Andra slipped past Stefano to move closer to the incensed girl. “Sly, there’s nothing to interrupt. Believe me.” Her heart was determined to hammer its way through her chest at the ensuing silence that suddenly poured from the two. Andra’s eyes shifted from Sly to appeal to her mute brother-in-law. “Right, Stefano?”

  “I must retur
n to the house,” he said, his tone all business. He walked away from Andra and past Sly, motioning to the latter with his head. “Would you care to walk back with me, Sylvia? There are things we need to discuss.”

  Pausing behind his retreating back, Sly scowled, scrutinizing Andra’s undone buttons, which brazenly revealed her glistening brown skin. After throwing her a hateful “I’ve got you now” look, Sly turned and ran after Stefano.

  Alone once again, Andra took a shaky breath and leaned against the toolshed for support. She wasn’t sure whether she was more bothered by the possibility of Sly squealing to Jayson about finding her and Stefano in a compromising position or by the fact that Stefano hadn’t bothered to ask if she wanted to walk back to the villa with him too.

  33

  The knocking came in rapid, nervous taps.

  Hog took his time crossing the hotel room floor, wanting the person on the other side of the door to feel more anxious and off balance with each passing second. It always gave him an edge.

  By the time he opened the door to Paulo’s sickly expression, he couldn’t help but chuckle with delight. “Well, well, well! If it isn’t my partner in crime! Come on in!”

  Paulo tucked his shoulder and slipped past Hog, his evasive maneuver effectively dodging the pounding his back would’ve received in welcome. “Good afternoon, sir.”

  Closing the door, Hog turned to his young visitor. “You know, son, I wouldn’t mind it at all if you called me Hog.” At Paulo’s reluctant expression, Hog moved toward his hotel suite’s sitting room. “Suit yourself. You Greeks are a little too formal for me.”

  Paulo nervously glanced around the elegant suite as he trailed behind Hog. “Mr. Grainger, I am sorry, but I do not believe I can assist you with your takeover.” He quickly took the seat Hog motioned to. “It’s …” Paulo’s misery forced his remaining words into nothingness.

  From his chair, Hog studied the young Greek, now summing up Paulo’s extreme apprehension as a possible liability. For the first time, he grew worried. Tuning into his business sixth sense, he realized the anxiety Paulo displayed could yank him beyond any manipulation he had planned.

  Hog coughed assuredly. “Well now, son, I’m not asking you to do anything illegal.” He curled the fingers on one hand to nonchalantly study his nails. “I’m just asking you to stay close by and report what’s happening. That’s all.”

  The sigh Paulo uttered sounded like that of a cornered animal. Unsteadily, he stood and ambled over to the sliding glass door that overlooked the balcony. His back to Hog, he stared through the pane into opulent blue skies. When he finally spoke, his voice grew wistful, as if he wished he could take flight beyond the horizon he beheld. “Myself, it seems wrong. I am their friend. Their family.”

  Choosing not to speak until he recalculated his thoughts, Hog rose and crossed over to the minibar. He took his time fixing a scotch on the rocks. “Well, Paulo, there’s nothing underhanded going on here. I can assure you. As I told you before, I’m trying to help out your family.”

  “Yes, but you’re attempting to take away their business.”

  “Maybe I was initially. But once I sat down and talked with the Theonopilus clan, I’ve decided to modify my plans.”

  Paulo pivoted toward Hog, his expression hopeful. “In what way, may I ask?”

  “I’ll still initially invest the money and take over the company; however, once I get things planted on solid ground again, I’ll turn it back over to them and move on.”

  “You will?” he asked, his face breaking out into a relieved smile. However, just as quickly, it disappeared. Paulo’s eyes narrowed. “Why?”

  Noting the other’s squinty suspicion, Hog lifted a palm. “Now, listen. I’ve met them personally; they’re more than a paper deal to negotiate. They’re real people—honest, hardworking, decent family men.” He took a sip of scotch. “But unfortunately, they’re a proud and arrogant group of boys, especially that Stefano fella. Might not take too kindly to someone like me bailing them out—me not being family and all, such as yourself.”

  Hog considered his young patsy before continuing. “So, I’ve decided not to tell them what I’m planning until I’m able to return the business back to them fully running, operational, and profitable.”

  “Well, if this is your plan,” Paulo said, his voice soft with hope.

  Hog nodded. “Yep, you’ve got my word on it, son.” He produced a smile he hoped projected sincerity. “Good people shouldn’t have to lose things that are extremely precious to them. It’s never right—I should know.”

  Exhaling, Paulo returned to his seat. He sat on its edge like a schoolboy sitting before a school’s headmaster. “That is very kind, Mr. Grainger! If all goes well and everything is returned to normal, I believe Papa George and the boys should be grateful for such assistance.”

  Tension flowed from Hog’s body at Paulo’s pleased tone. Smiling broadly, he refreshed his drink and returned to his chair. “Glad I’m able to get you to see it my way.” He paused, purposely drawing Paulo’s undivided attention. “Did anyone discuss our meeting with you?”

  Paulo shook his head. “Stefano informed me I was not needed; therefore, no information will be imparted to me. And I must agree with him.”

  Hog nodded. “Fair enough. But I still want to gain access to their weaknesses.” At Paulo’s returned concern, Hog pitched him another palm. “And strengths. Make sure this thing goes the way we want it to.” Subliminally, Hog threw in the word we for Paulo’s sake. “Unfortunately, my meeting with them this morning didn’t go as I’d hoped. As I said, there’s a prideful, stubborn streak a mile wide over there. From what I can tell, they might be leaning toward pulling outta the deal.”

  Hog took another nip from his drink and said, “Ahhh,” before he smiled at Paulo. “But during the meeting, I learned a piece of information that’s most interesting. I believe I’ve stumbled upon a weakness of young Stefano’s.”

  “You have?” Paulo lifted a curious eyebrow. “Yes?”

  “Andra.”

  Paulo’s expression went from curious to confused; however, after another second passed, his face gave way to a benevolent smile. “No, no—you are mistaken. You must mean Jayson’s weakness. Dr. Andra is his wife.”

  Hog grinned. “I understand that, son. Remember—I told you I met those two young’uns on the flight over.” He held up a hand for emphasis. “Dr. Andra, as you call her, is the youngest one’s weakness—that’s a given. But she represents a greater weakness for the eldest. Mark my words: that boy’s in love with his sister-in-law.”

  Paulo shook his head. “It cannot be,” he said, his voice adamant. “I have it from my sister, Sly, that Stefano actually despises Dr. Andra.”

  Chuckling, Hog drained his scotch and set the empty glass on the coffee table between them. “Your sister’s in denial—either that, or there’s something in it for her believing such a thing. Any direction you come at it, she’s wrong.”

  At Paulo’s insistent head shaking, Hog impatiently scrambled to his feet. He headed for the suite’s exit, knowing Paulo didn’t have a choice but to follow. “I’ve been in business far too long not to detect things—these subtle carryings-on. Just keep your head up and your eyes and ears open,” he said over his shoulder. “Since I’ve pointed it out, you’ll spot it sure enough for yourself.”

  Hog arrived at the door and opened it wide.

  Paulo hesitated to cross the threshold; instead, he stared out into the hallway, his body language uncertain. “But what if I do see it? What am I to do with such information?”

  Hog placed a large hand on his visitor, gracing him with a firm pat on the back. Hog then gave him a friendly shove out the door. “That’s what I’m paying you for, son.” He grinned at Paulo, tipping an invisible Stetson his way. “You figure it out. You’ve got my number. Call me.”

  The door closed abruptly in Pa
ulo’s frustrated face.

  34

  Insistent knocking sounded.

  Sighing, Andra slowly pulled the damp washcloth from her forehead and swung lethargic limbs off the bed. She sat up. Gripping the mattress edge with both hands, she willed the room to stop spinning long enough for her to stand.

  More knocking produced a throbbing inside her head.

  “Coming! Just a minute.”

  Attempting to get her bearings, she glanced about the room. The cloak of darkness threw off her senses, and she was unable to pinpoint the time. The balcony curtains were closed tightly; she’d made sure of that prior to succumbing to a nap.

  After crossing to them, she averted her eyes as she flung aside the curtains and opened both doors wide to allow the late-afternoon sun to pour in. Stumbling toward the bedroom door, Andra squinted at the nightstand clock, noting it was 3:50 p.m.

  Knocking, louder than before, erupted again.

  “Andra?” Racine called from the other side. “You in there? What’s taking so long?”

  “Okay, okay! Wait a sec!”

  Andra forewent putting on her robe and moved toward the door wearing only her light gray T-shirt and panties. She’d barely disengaged the lock and cracked the door before Racine pushed through.

  “I didn’t think you were ever going to let me in!” Racine made her way over to the rumpled bed and fell upon it. “Where were you earlier? I looked all over for you.”

  You wouldn’t want to know, she thought as the toolshed, Stefano, and Sly popped into her head. “I went for a walk.” Wearily, she closed the bedroom door and turned to face her sister. She flinched at Racine’s “Wow!”

  “A walk, eh? Well, it didn’t do you much good, did it? Man, you look a mess!”