“I take that as a no.” Eleni sat across from her.
“I know important things about him.”
“Like how much he has in his checking account?” Her grandmother popped a morsel of feta cheese in her mouth.
Olivia snorted. “He’s employed. And he’s a sweet, considerate man.”
“He was groping you like a…a squid with suction cups attached to your rump.”
Olivia laughed.
Eleni huffed. “I wasn’t making a joke, young lady. You barely know the man, but you were…I hope you don’t make a habit of behaving like that.”
“I don’t. Believe me. I…I don’t know how it happened. I’ve never gotten so carried away before.”
Eleni’s eyes softened. Obviously, she could tell her granddaughter was telling the truth. “Are you in love with him?”
Olivia took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I don’t know. I feel very strongly for him, but as a psychologist, I have serious doubts a person can actually fall in love this quickly.”
Eleni waved a hand in dismissal. “It’s not science. It’s love.”
“There’s a certain amount of science involved,” Olivia protested. “Chemistry, hormones, pheromones—”
“And how are your hormones reacting?”
Olivia winced. “Off the charts.”
“And the chemistry?”
“Highly combustible. We could provide electricity for half the United States.”
Eleni nodded knowingly. “You’re falling in love.”
“It’s too fast.”
“Then slow it down.”
“We’re leaving for Houston in two weeks.” Olivia drank some hot tea.
“That’s plenty of time. Besides, he can come to Houston, too. He’ll need to if he’s going to ask permission to marry you.”
Olivia spewed some tea on the table. “Who said anything about marriage?” She grabbed a napkin to wipe up the mess.
Her grandmother narrowed her eyes. “Surely you’re not intending to live in carnal sin?”
“I just met the man.”
“You looked well acquainted with him last night.”
Olivia ate some more bread. “I am…extremely attracted to him. But I still can’t read his emotions, so I don’t know how he feels about me.”
“Child, he was mauling you like a bear. We can safely assume he’s attracted to you.”
“That doesn’t mean he wants to marry me.”
“If he wants to climb the honey tree, he’ll have to.”
Olivia shook her head, smiling. “You make him sound like Pooh Bear.”
“Hmm. I hope he’s more intelligent than that.” Eleni motioned toward the fridge. “He forgot his plate of food.”
“I’ll give it to him tonight.”
“We can take it to him right now.” Eleni stood and started clearing off the table. “I found out at the bakery which house he’s staying at.”
“What else did you find out?”
Eleni placed the cheese and olives in the fridge. “The house is owned by a rich American family, the Draganestis, and they have lots of friends who come and go. No one has seen much of your Robby, but they all know a man named Carlos who is also living there. Now, go on and get dressed, so we can go.”
Thirty minutes later Olivia was dressed in jeans and her nicest cashmere sweater and knocking on the door of an elegant villa. Pots of overflowing geraniums flanked the rough, antique wooden door. The house was dazzling bright in the morning sunshine, with a fresh coat of whitewash. The tiled roof looked new, as well as the stone-paved driveway.
Eleni had insisted on coming as a chaperone. She was wearing one of her best black dresses, and she clutched a canvas tote bag filled with foil-wrapped food.
The door cracked, and a young man peered out at them. He flashed a smile as if he recognized them, then opened the door wider and leaned his long, slim body against the door frame.
“Good morning.” Olivia suspected this was Carlos. “We’re here to see Robby MacKay.”
He nodded. “You must be Olivia and Eleni Sotiris.”
Olivia detected a slight accent. “Yes, we are. Robby told you about us?”
His grin widened, showing off very white teeth. “Menina, everyone on the island knows about you.”
Menina. Not quite Spanish, but close. “You’re…Portuguese?”
“Brazilian. From Rio.” He winked. “If you ever want to samba, I’m your man.”
“Ah. I’ll keep that in mind.”
He sniffed, and his gaze shifted to Eleni’s tote bag. “Is that lamb? It smells delicious.”
“It is delicious,” Eleni announced. “My granddaughter is an excellent cook.”
“Excellent timing. I’m starving.” The man stepped back and motioned for them to enter. “Please come in.”
“Thank you.” Olivia stepped into a narrow foyer, followed by her grandmother. She noted a large icon of the Apostle John, patron saint of Patmos, on the wall. “Are you on vacation, Mister…?”
“Panterra. But call me Carlos. And no.” He led them into a large family room. “I’m working here like Robby.”
Olivia glanced around the empty room. “Where is Robby?”
“He’s not available right now. He…had to go to Horos on business.”
It was a lie. Olivia stiffened and glanced at her grandmother. By the look on Yia Yia’s face, she’d caught it, too. “When do you expect him back?”
“This evening. Sometime after sunset.”
That was the truth. Olivia wondered what Robby was doing that took all day. The family room was tastefully furnished, but not filled with expensive artwork or anything else that warranted extra security. “You work for the same company as Robby? MacKay Security and Investigation?”
“Yes. Are you investigating us, Olivia?” He looked back, his amber eyes twinkling.
“I was just hoping to see Robby.”
“Believe me, menina. He will be very sorry he missed you.” Carlos escorted them into a roomy country kitchen, decorated in blue and yellow.
Eleni plunked the tote bag on the kitchen table, then began removing foiled-wrapped packages. “These should go in the refrigerator, and when you’re ready to eat, you should heat it up properly in the oven.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Carlos bowed his head, and his long black hair fell forward, obscuring his face. “We will follow your instructions exactly.”
“Hmm.” Eleni leaned close to her granddaughter and muttered, “I’ve never seen so many security guards in need of a decent haircut.”
Olivia winced, but Carlos simply chuckled and hooked his black shoulder-length hair behind his ears. A gold stud gleamed in each earlobe.
He picked up the food packages and began stashing them in the fridge. “Is there a message you’d like me to pass on to Robby?”
“Not really.” Olivia grabbed the empty tote bag. “I’ll come back this evening.”
“Good.” Carlos smiled as he closed the refrigerator door.
Olivia could sense a great deal of amusement coming from him, but there was something more. Excitement. Anticipation. And underlying it all, a hint of deception.
She and her grandmother left and headed back home. Eleni was unusually quiet as they walked, and Olivia felt an aura of concern radiating from her.
“Are you tired, Yia Yia? I could call a cab.”
She shook her head. “I walk like this every day. It’s good for me.” She grew silent again, frowning at the road.
“It’s a shame we missed Robby,” Olivia murmured. “Does it seem strange to you that there are two security men at that house? I didn’t see anything that needed protecting.”
“Carlos lied about Robby,” Eleni said.
“I know.” What was Robby doing that needed to be kept secret?
“There’s something strange about that Carlos,” Eleni whispered. “But I can’t figure out what it is.”
“I’ll go back tonight and get some answers.”
&
nbsp; Eleni cast her a worried look. “Are you sure it’s safe?”
Olivia patted her on the back. “I’m fully trained in self-defense. I can take care of myself.”
That evening after sunset, Olivia strolled down the Grikos beach, headed for Robby’s house. A full moon hung heavy in the sky, casting sparkles on the sea. The breeze was chilly, and she was glad she’d worn a jacket over her sweater. She strode around Petra—or Kallikatsou, as the locals called it—and spotted the house she’d visited that morning. From the back, she could see the extensive garden and stone columns. She surveyed the rocky bluff, searching for steps that would lead up to the house.
A sudden movement caught her eye, a black blur that seemed to fly off the bluff and land with a soft thud on the sand.
Her heart lurched. She blinked her eyes to make sure she was seeing right. A cat. A giant, hulking black cat.
A jaguar? On Patmos? It bared its teeth and growled at her.
A chill settled over her, prickling her skin. She could die. She couldn’t outrun a jaguar. She had no weapons, and she doubted her martial arts could save her from those vicious claws and gleaming white teeth.
The giant cat watched her with golden eyes; then, with a slow, graceful move of its big paw, it took a quiet, lethal step toward her.
She could only think she’d better not act like prey. She glared at the cat, then screamed as loud as she could. The cat snarled and took another step toward her.
She couldn’t retreat without getting caught. She couldn’t climb the bluff faster than the cat. She sure didn’t want to advance toward it. That left the sea. Cold and treacherous with a strong undertow caused by the full moon.
She could only hope the jaguar didn’t like cold water.
CHAPTER 7
Robby had just stepped out of the shower when he heard a scream. A feminine scream. He dropped his towel, pulled on a pair of boxer shorts, and strode into the family room. “Carlos, did ye hear something?”
The shape-shifter was gone.
Robby stepped onto the patio. A chilly wind slapped his bare skin and whipped his wet hair across his face. He shoved his hair back and noted the steam coming up from the Jacuzzi. Carlos must have turned it on, but where was he? Robby strode to the edge of the bluff and looked down.
Damn it to hell. He’d found Carlos. And Olivia.
Something must have snapped in the were-panther’s head, ’cause for some insane reason, he was terrorizing Olivia. He stalked along the water’s edge, a large beast with a shiny black coat and a long pair of canine teeth that made Robby’s fangs look downright wimpy in comparison.
Carlos was purposely pushing her into the cold sea. Damn him. Robby could hear her teeth chattering.
“Olivia!” He called out to her. “Hold on! I’ll be right there.” He sprinted to the stairs. It was tempting to jump off the bluff or teleport down, but he didn’t want to cause her further alarm. He didn’t think Carlos would actually hurt her. Not if the bastard wanted to live through the night.
“Robby, no!” Olivia screamed. “Don’t come down here!”
She was trying to protect him? His beautiful, sweet Olivia was so brave. “I’ll be right there!”
“Just call the police,” she yelled. “Please! I don’t want you to get hurt.” She moved toward the beach, but Carlos pounced toward her, splashing his front paws in the water. She lurched back, now up to her waist in the chilly surf.
Robby paused at the bottom of the stairs with a sudden realization. Olivia was loyal. He could trust her. After all these years, he’d finally found a trustworthy woman.
He couldn’t let her go. He strode onto the beach.
“Robby, no.” Her voice cracked with emotion, and he could see the tears on her face. “Go away before it sees you.”
Lord Almighty, he could love this woman forever. He stepped closer, and Carlos whipped around, hissing at him.
Robby attempted vampire mind control, focusing all his mental powers on the were-panther. He hit a rock-solid barrier.
Bugger. The shape-shifter had good defenses. That would normally be a good thing since it meant Carlos would be impervious to any control by the Malcontents. But it didn’t help the situation now.
“Ye crazy cat,” Robby whispered. “What the hell are ye doing?”
The were-panther snarled, showing his gleaming white, sharp teeth. Attack me, Big Red. Make it look good.
Robby stiffened. He hadn’t realized Carlos was capable of telepathic communication while in cat form. What are ye doing here?
Waiting for you to chase me off. Come on, dude. Rescue the fair maiden. Be a hero.
This was a matchmaking scheme? Robby balled his hands into fists. Ye bloody bastard. Ye’re scaring her to death.
Carlos growled. That’s the thanks I get. Look, if you play your cards right, you’ll get lucky. The hot tub’s ready—
“Get the hell out of here!” Robby charged toward him.
Oh, good acting skills. Carlos backed away. You’re looking really pissed.
“I am pissed!” Robby scooped an egg-shaped rock off the beach.
Merda. No need to get violent. Carlos trotted down the beach.
Robby hurled the rock. Carlos yelped when it clipped him on a rear leg. You big lummox! See if I ever help you again!
I doona need yer help, ye mangy hellcat! Robby ran into the water to fetch Olivia. A strong wave pummeled her from behind, and she lost her balance. For a few terrifying seconds he saw her go under.
“Olivia!” He reached her just as she broke the surface, sputtering. He swooped her into his arms and charged back to the shore. Her clothes were soaked through. Her hair was dripping wet. And her body shook violently.
Damn you, Carlos. He watched the were-panther as it scrambled up the bluff. Where the hell are ye going?
None of your business. The were-panther stopped at the top of the bluff and peered down at them. I’ll be back by sunrise. Have fun, Big Red. Is it true what they say, that a good Vamp can last all night long?
Piss off. Robby heard a strange huffing sound that sounded like a feline chuckle, then the were-panther scampered off.
Olivia wrapped a trembling, cold hand around his neck. “How d-d-did a jaguar g-g-get here?”
“Let’s get you warmed up.” He strode toward the stairs.
“Robby.” She touched his face with icy fingers. “Th-Thank you.”
She was turning blue. He should teleport straight to the patio. It was the fastest way to get her in the hot tub. And the surest way to provoke some unwanted questions.
Forgive me. He hugged her tight against his chest and invaded her mind with a surge of vampire mind control. Normally, a mortal would feel a blast of cold air when a vampire took over their mind, but in Olivia’s case, she was already freezing to death.
Sleep, he commanded.
She went limp, and he teleported them to the patio.
Olivia felt deliciously warm and cozy as she slowly awoke. Someone was stroking her cheek and brushing her hair back from her brow. Soft fingers. A deep, sexy voice.
“Wake up, sweetheart.”
Robby. That made her smile. Her eyes opened and there he was, his handsome face shrouded in mist. Unfortunately, her mind was just as foggy. She was up to her neck in hot churning water? “Where am I?”
“Ye’re in the Jacuzzi of the villa where I’m staying. Ye needed to warm up as quickly as possible.”
Her sleepy brain fumbled for an explanation, then she remembered and sat up with a jolt. “There was a jaguar! On Patmos! How on earth did it get here?”
“I—well—”
“I thought I was a goner.” She pressed a hand to her chest, then gasped when she felt bare skin. Good God, she was only wearing her bra and underwear. “Where did my clothes go?”
“Over there.” He motioned with his head, and she spotted a heap of wet clothes on the stone floor next to a chaise lounge.
“I don’t recall taking them off.” And what the heck was she
doing on his lap? She lurched to the other side of the hot tub and glared at him. “What did you do to me?”
His jaw shifted. “I took off yer wet clothes.”
“Did I give you permission?”
“Nay, ye were unconscious. And turning blue. I was trying to save you.”
Heat invaded her cheeks. She wasn’t used to men seeing her without her clothes on. And here she was in her boring white cotton bra and panties. Damn, if only she’d worn her black lace undies.
She winced inwardly. She’d come close to getting mauled by a jaguar, and all she could think about was the sexiness factor of her underwear? She must be in shock. Or suffering from hypothermia. Or fuzzy-headed from being unconscious. She rubbed her forehead. She was overanalyzing again. “I apologize. You did the right thing.”
A corner of his mouth lifted. “It was a tough job, but someone had to do it. I could say that I refrained from leering or drooling, but that would be a lie.”
Her blush grew hotter. “Well, thank you for your honesty. And your bravery. I can’t believe you chased away that huge jaguar. You were incredible.”
He shrugged one shoulder. “I couldna let it harm you.”
Her gaze dropped to his broad shoulders, and then his bare chest. He’d run down to the beach in his underwear to rescue her. “You saved me.”
“Ye tried to stop me,” he whispered.
Her gaze lifted to his eyes and her heart fluttered in her chest. “Well, there was no sense in both of us getting mauled to death.”
“Ye wanted to protect me.”
The look in his eyes was so intense, she was starting to tingle all over. Now she felt strangely overdressed.
His eyes darkened. “Ye were willing to face danger alone in order to keep me safe.”
She squirmed on the molded seat. She shouldn’t have left his lap. She could be touching him right now. He could be touching her. “I–I assume you called the police about the jaguar?”
He hesitated.
She sat up. “You didn’t call?”
“Ye were unconscious. I couldn’t let go of you.”
She stood. “We have to call. Right away.”
“I—” His gaze shifted downward.
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