A Date with Dr. Moustakas

by Amy Ruttan

  Naomi’s stomach knotted as she realized exactly who Alexandra was talking about. She was referring to Chris.

  “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Naomi glanced over her shoulder to see the stage director motioning toward her. “I’d better go. It’s almost showtime.”

  The director came over and she was led to the back, where about twenty very handsome and eligible men, all wearing gorgeous tuxedos, were milling about and chatting.

  “Hey, y’all!” Naomi called out, her Southern accent getting thick because she was nervous. “Thank you for coming and donating your time to this worthy cause.”

  There was applause, and she scanned the crowd of men until her gaze landed on the one man she was looking for. Her heart skipped a beat. He stood there grinning at her, his hands in the pockets of the expensive tuxedo that fitted him in all the right places. He winked at her, his dark eyes glittering with mischief—and something else that made her weak in the knees.

  Focus.

  “We’re going to get started in a moment. I’ll be talking you up to all those who are bidding on the date, and my friend Antreas here will be taking the bids.”

  Antreas bowed and spoke a few words while Naomi tried to regain control of her nerves. She was suddenly sweltering in her designer gown.

  “They’re ready,” the stage director said. “You’re up, Dr. Hudson. They’re about to introduce you.”

  “Okay.”

  She took a deep breath and climbed the stairs behind the stage, waiting until the chief of the board of directors announced her. There was applause as she crossed the stage and made her way to the podium, with Antreas trailing behind her.

  When the applause died down, she took one of the microphones handed to her and gave Antreas the other.

  “Welcome, everyone, and thank you for supporting International Relief’s bachelor auction. The money from tonight will be used to help earthquake victims on Mythelios as well as those who were brought to the hospital here in Athens for treatment. It will also go toward replacing damaged equipment at the Mythelios Free Clinic.”

  There was another round of applause.

  “All the bachelors here tonight are from Athens and the surrounding islands, and we have thirty-five eligible men taking part! They have generously donated their time and money to give someone a great date night. Antreas Satros will be conducting the auction and taking your bids. I hope you all have your paddles. If you win a date with one of our bachelors, please hand in your paddle and give your information to our lovely ladies in the back. You’ll have time to meet with our bachelors after the auction, during our mix and mingle. All dates will take place tomorrow night. Now, are we ready to get started?”

  There were cheers from the crowd and she could feel her heart pounding loudly between her ears as she plastered a fake smile on her face.

  “Without further ado, please welcome our first bachelor of the evening. Taki Hatzidou—a real estate magnate from Athens.”

  Taki, a tall Greek god with blond hair, came out onto the stage and flashed a brilliant smile under the bright lights. He winked at Naomi and openly flirted with her, and she played right along.

  “Your date with Taki will involve a night of luxury in Athens. A private evening dinner atop the Acropolis, a helicopter ride and dancing under the stars. We’ll start the bidding at ten thousand dollars. Remember, this is in US currency!”

  It didn’t take long before the date with Taki Hatzidou was won by someone bidding well over eighteen thousand dollars, and Naomi announced the next bachelor.

  As the bachelors came out on stage in turn they all flirted with her. It was working well, and Naomi soon found herself in a bit of a groove and started enjoying herself.

  “Now for bachelor number ten...” She trailed off as she realized it was time to auction off Chris in front of the hungry hordes of single wealthy females who wanted to win a date with him. “Dr. Christos Moustakas—world-renowned neurosurgeon and native of Mythelios.”

  Chris came out on stage, looking mighty sexy and svelte in his designer tuxedo.

  “Your date with Dr. Moustakas will involve a ride on one of the Mopaxeni yachts under the stars to the small island of Spritos, where dinner will await at the private beachfront property of shipping magnate Nikos Moustakas, who happens to be Dr. Moustakas’s father, well-known in Athens’s social circles. We’ll start the bidding at ten thousand.”

  In a flurry, multiple paddles were raised, and Chris shot her a flirty glance, just like all the other men had done before.

  Then Alexandra Pappas stepped forward and raised her paddle. “Fifteen thousand!”

  Naomi’s stomach twisted.

  There was another flurry of bidding and then Alexandra shouted out, “Twenty thousand!”

  Chris was flirting with Alexandra too, as he was supposed to do.

  Before Naomi knew what she was doing, she shouted out, “Twenty-one thousand!”

  Antreas was taken aback, but he continued taking bids and Naomi kept bidding.

  Chris was still smiling, but she could see the surprise on his face. She was just as surprised at herself—but she didn’t want another woman to have a dream date night with Chris.

  The crowd seemed to love the fact that the master of ceremonies was getting in on the event and bidding.

  It all came down to her and Alexandra Pappas—the Athenian socialite who had been married four times to wealthy men, who was a man-eater and who probably had way more money in the bank than Naomi.

  But there was no way she was going to let that woman, dripping in diamonds, get her claws on Chris. Naomi had some money stashed away after a shrewd investment a few years back, and suddenly she felt compelled to dip into it. A lot...

  “Twenty-five thousand!” Alexandra said, sounding smug but seeming to waver.

  Naomi saw the look of concern in her eyes and knew that she almost had her. “Twenty-six thousand!” she shouted.

  “Twenty-seven!”

  “Twenty-eight!” Naomi’s pulse was thundering in her ears and she wasn’t sure she was going to be able to maintain her grip on the microphone.

  “Thirty thousand!”

  “Thirty-five thousand!” Naomi shouted.

  Chris’s mouth dropped open—as did Antreas’s.

  The man-eater dropped her paddle and shook her head, but there was a look of venom pointed in Naomi’s direction. She didn’t care. She had kept that woman from getting her greedy hands on Chris.

  “Going once...twice...and Dr. Naomi Hudson has won a date with Dr. Moustakas!” Antreas shouted.

  There was loud cheering—because it was all for charity and for fun.

  Naomi’s hands were shaking as Chris came up beside her. He said nothing, just led her down the stairs and offstage. She had to go and give her information to the ladies at the back. And he walked with her.

  One of the stagehands took her microphone and Antreas began to work the crowd and get them worked up for the rest of the bachelors.

  Chris’s arm slipped around her waist, steadying her. She was still in disbelief over what had just happened.

  “You just bid thirty-five grand on me,” he said.

  “I know,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “I’m in shock.”

  “You’re not the only one—but I’m glad it was you who won the date with me,” he said huskily in her ear.

  Warmth spread through her body. “Me too.”

  “You look beautiful, by the way. Wear this tomorrow night and I’ll wear my tuxedo. It’s going to be a fantastic night.”

  He left her then, to return to where the other bachelors were standing. She was still shaking as she gave her information and wrote a large check.

  She headed back to the stage when she’d regained her composure.

  When she walked back onstage, everyone applauded her—includi
ng Chris, who was still standing in the bachelor holding area.

  Focus.

  She’d deal with the repercussions of her impulsivity later—tell herself that at least the money was going to a good cause.

  “Right, so now that I’m completely broke, you ladies won’t have to worry about me jumping the gun like that again. Y’all got me so excited I had to join in too.”

  There was laughter—except from Alexandra Pappas, who was still shooting daggers at her. Naomi had definitely dug her own grave within the Athens social circle. But she couldn’t think about that right now—and she frankly didn’t care. There was nothing in the contract that said she couldn’t bid on a bachelor. It was for charity, and she’d won fair and square.

  “So, bachelor number eleven—will you come up here, please? Bachelor number eleven is Petros Krivo, who is a surgeon at the hospital. He specializes in broken hearts...”

  She glanced briefly over at Chris again, and he winked at her, but she looked away as Petros came onstage and bidding on him began.

  * * *

  Chris hadn’t managed to get to Naomi after the bachelor auction was over. Everyone was congratulating her for a job well done, and for the amount of money she’d both donated and managed to raise.

  She might not like public speaking, but she’d owned that crowd tonight. She’d been sexy, funny and vibrant as she’d announced the bachelors. And it had only made the event even more fun when she’d started bidding.

  What had surprised him was that it had been on him—but it had also thrilled him. He knew the woman who had been trying to outbid Naomi, and he was glad that he wouldn’t have to spend all of tomorrow night trying to fend her off.

  Now he had to spend his date night trying very hard not to take Naomi in his arms and kiss her, as he’d been longing to do ever since he’d first laid eyes on her again in Mythelios. But he wouldn’t hurt her. He couldn’t do that to her again.

  He smiled, watching her speak to all the bigwigs who were just gushing. They were putty in her hands and she had no idea.

  When the crowd around her was finally relaxing a bit, he grabbed an extra glass of champagne from one of the side tables where it was being poured by the waitstaff and made his way over to her.

  “Ah, the man of the hour,” said the head of the board of directors at the hospital. “It really added to the excitement of the evening when Dr. Hudson bid on you.”

  Chris grinned. “Well, we do have a bit of a history. We were fellows together in Nashville, in America.”

  Naomi blushed and he handed her the glass of champagne.

  “You’re all to be congratulated for raising over eight hundred thousand dollars!”

  “Yes—job well done, Dr. Hudson,” said the head of the board, and the group that was still around Naomi applauded.

  “If you don’t mind, I would like to discuss with Dr. Hudson the details of our date tomorrow night.”

  “Not at all,” said the head of the board.

  Chris took Naomi’s arm and led her away from the gaggle of people.

  “Thank you for rescuing me. My face feels frozen from all the smiling.”

  Chris chuckled. “Have a glass of champagne—it’ll help ease your nerves.”

  She took a sip. “I’m so glad you’re not annoyed with me.”

  “Why would I be annoyed?” he asked.

  “Because I won the date.”

  “I’m relieved. I know the woman who was trying to outdo you. I would have spent my entire evening trying to pry her tentacles off me.”

  Naomi laughed and took another sip. “Still, I’m glad you’re okay with it.”

  “Are you looking forward to the date?” he asked.

  “We don’t have to go through with it.”

  “Nonsense—it’s part of a charity event and you paid good money to be wined and dined. We’re going.”

  “Okay...”

  “I’ll pick you up at six and then we’ll take the yacht out for a cruise and head to Spritos for dinner on the beach. My father has lent me the use of his beach house for the evening.”

  “Sounds wonderful!” she gushed, and then she blushed.

  He leaned in and whispered, “It will be wonderful.”

  Her blush deepened, and it took every piece of his self-control not to reach out and pull her into a kiss right then and there.

  “You were amazing tonight, Naomi. Truly.”

  “Thank you. That means so much to me. I liked the way the bachelors all pretended to flirt with me—it seemed to get the bids up.”

  “Who said they were pretending?” Chris asked. “You were radiant out there tonight.”

  “Really?” she said, her breath hitching in her throat.

  “Really.” And then he couldn’t help himself. He touched her face and leaned in, and he was just about to kiss her when Antreas the auctioneer came up.

  “Dr. Hudson, there are some benefactors who wish to congratulate you.”

  Naomi took a step back and Chris dropped his hand.

  “I’d better go. I’ll talk to you later.”

  Chris nodded and Naomi made her way through the partygoers with Antreas to the far end of the ballroom. Chris watched her, his pulse thundering between his ears and his blood raging with a flame that could not be extinguished.

  He wanted her desperately—but then again, he’d never stopped wanting her. And tonight, with all those men openly flirting with her, he’d felt jealous, and angry at himself for letting her go three years ago.

  What the hell had he been thinking?

  You weren’t thinking back then.

  He had to get better control of himself. He couldn’t lose his head like that again.

  He finished the rest of his champagne and left the gala.

  He’d see Naomi tomorrow night and give her a date she’d always remember.

  One night. One stolen moment with her again before they went back to reality.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHRIS WAITED IN the limousine for her. It had been the longest day of his life, and Evan had been extra-fussy, but Lisa was great at calming him down and she was thrilled that her cousin had won the date with him.

  He had an inkling that Lisa was hoping that he and her cousin would get together, and he wondered how much Lisa knew of their story and if she would feel the same if she knew how he’d treated Naomi three years ago.

  Don’t think about it.

  Naomi came out of the building. She was wearing another beautiful dress, with the shoes from last night that made her already long legs look even longer. The shimmering dress made her skin glow and, seeing the way it fit all her curves, he was instantly thrown back into the memory of what she looked like under her clothing, how she felt in his arms, how she tasted on his lips.

  Don’t think about it.

  He got out of the limousine as she approached and opened the door for her.

  “Thank you,” she said, slipping in and sliding over to the far side.

  “My pleasure.” He got in beside her and shut the door.

  Once the door was shut, the limo took the long route down to the yacht club, where his father’s yacht was waiting with a small crew to take them to Spritos.

  “Is that champagne again?” she asked.

  “Close—it’s prosecco. Would you like a glass?”

  “I would love one.”

  He handed her one of the flutes and saw her hand was shaking, as if she was nervous.

  “You okay?” he asked, though deep down he was secretly pleased that she was as nervous as he was. The only time he’d been nervous around a woman was when he’d been with her.

  It unnerved him how much he wanted her. Even after years apart.

  “I’m fine,” she said, her accent becoming thicker, which he found incredibly endearing. She t
ook a sip. “This is really good. I think I like it better than champagne.”

  “The Italians will be pleased,” he teased as he downed his own drink.

  The limo wound its way through Athens, and they got glimpses of the Parthenon, but he was looking forward to their night’s escape away from the city. Away from all the people so that it was just them.

  The tension in the back of the limo was heavy, and he couldn’t find the words to say to break it.

  “How is the baby?” Naomi asked nervously.

  “Fine... But if you don’t mind, I don’t really want to talk about him tonight.”

  This would be so much easier if she was a stranger. With a stranger he could chat about nothing and know that the night would not end up in his bed. Now he was fighting every instinct he knew not to seduce the only woman he’d ever cared for deeply.

  Maybe he should talk about Evan, then at least it would distract him.

  Only, he didn’t want to talk about his son tonight. Tonight he didn’t want to be a single father. Tonight he wanted to be the man he’d been before his son had come. Actually, scratch that, he wanted to be a better man than he had been before. Even if just for a night.

  The limo parked at the docks and Chris got and went to the other side and opened her door, holding her hand to help her out. Her hand shook in his and he smiled at her. When she was standing, he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.

  “What was that for?” she asked, surprised.

  “It calmed you down, didn’t it.”

  Naomi frowned but then laughed. “I suppose it did. I don’t know what my problem is tonight. It’s just you.”

  “Right. It’s just me. And we know each other very well already. Just relax.”

  She nodded and he took her hand, leading her to the yacht. The captain was there to greet them, but he was quick about it because he already knew where they were going and what the plan was.

  “This is a different yacht,” Naomi remarked as they walked up from the main deck to the sun deck and into the living area. “It’s larger than the one your father took me home in.”