Kellie looked even paler than she had earlier in the morning. She shot Fran a private message before she looked at Nik. “That’s very thoughtful of you, but Fran and I have decided to fly back to the States in the morning and vacation in California.”
Uh-oh. For Kellie to have made a decision like that, the situation between her and her husband had reached flashpoint.
Nik’s piercing gaze shot to Fran. “I haven’t been there in years. How would you feel about having a third party along?”
Fran had no choice but to back up her friend. “I had no idea you could be such a joker.”
“It turns out we make a good pair.” His comment was meant to remind her of the way she’d talked to him last night. “But if you’re not going to take me seriously, at least agree to have dinner with me this evening. I refuse to let you leave the country without enjoying a night out in the Plaka. I owe you a great deal for all you’ve done.”
Afraid he would be unstoppable until she gave in, she decided to capitulate to that extent. “Your invitation sounds delightful, but if I say yes, it will have to be an early night.”
“Good. In that case I’ll ask Leandros to drop us off at my apartment. You can change clothes there. We’ll go casual and play tourist while we walk around and eat what we want.”
In the next instant he spoke to Leandros who nodded and gave instructions to the pilot. Soon Fran saw the glory of Athens spread before them in the late afternoon sun. The magnificent Parthenon, one of the most famous landmarks in the world, sat atop the Acropolis.
Seeing this sight from the air with Nik gave it special meaning. Just when she thought she’d figured him out, he did something unexpected that illuminated other appealing facets of his intriguing personality. She had to admit she wanted to spend the rest of the day and evening with him.
Right now his spontaneity thrilled her down to her toenails. With Rob every move had been calculated and planned out. She didn’t want to compare the two men, but she couldn’t help it. Rob wasn’t unkind, but he’d expected her to conform. When she didn’t, he went into a private sulk until she ended up being the one to apologize.
Nik, on the other hand, wouldn’t know how to pout. He had hidden depths. Already she’d learned that his way was to zoom in and change the game plan if necessary to achieve the desired outcome. If he ever settled down, it would have to be with a woman who was even more unpredictable than himself. His psyche required a challenge.
Unfortunately Nik occupied too many of her thoughts and was becoming important to her. Any woman who became involved with him would know joy for a time, but in the end she’d pay for it. Wasn’t that what Kellie had been saying about Leandros? The thought was terrifying.
Her mind was still full of him when the helicopter set down on the helipad atop his apartment building. She had to look away so she wouldn’t get dizzy. This form of transportation was as natural as breathing to businessmen like him and Leandros, but for Fran it would have to become an acquired taste.
She turned to Kellie. Close to her ear she said, “I’ll see you later tonight.”
“Be back before the clock strikes twelve,” her friend responded without mirth. Something dark was on Kellie’s mind, leaving Fran troubled.
“I promise.”
* * *
Nik grabbed Fran’s bags. As they started for the stairs, the helicopter lifted off, creating wind that molded her skirt to her shapely legs. She caught at it with her hands, but she was too late. When they entered the elevator, he could see the flush that had crept into her cheeks. How nice to be with a truly modest woman. It made her more enticing to him.
“Here we are.” The doors opened on his glassed-in penthouse.
She stepped into the entrance hall. For a full minute she appraised his fully modern apartment. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was in the control tower at the airport.”
He burst into laughter. Fran Myers was a breath of fresh air. “I pretend Athens is the sea I miss when I’m working in the city.”
“The view is spectacular.” She darted him a mischievous glance. “I’d say Atlas has it pretty good splitting his time between here and Mykonos.”
“There’s no Atlas here today. Haven’t you noticed I’m not carrying the world on my shoulders?”
She studied him rather intently. “How does it feel to have all that weight removed for a little while?”
“I’ll let you know later. First I’m sure you’d like to freshen up and change. The guest bedroom is down this hall.” He set her bags inside the room. “Come into the living room when you’re ready.”
After closing the door, he walked to his bedroom for a shower. The idea of mingling with the crowds like any foreigner visiting Athens appealed to him. In deference to the heat, he changed into a well-worn pair of jeans and a linen sport shirt. Once he’d slipped on his sandals, he was ready to go.
The funeral had robbed him of an appetite, but the thought of being with Fran for the rest of the evening had brought it back. In fact, he was starving, and he wagered she was hungry, too.
More pleasant surprises greeted him to discover she was waiting for him at the window overlooking Stygmata Square. She’d put on a pair of jeans and a short-sleeved cotton top in a raspberry color. Her skin absorbed some of its hue. With her luscious honey-blond hair worn up, she presented a prim, cool look, making him long to put his lips to the curve of her neck.
He wandered over to her, once again aware of her wildflower fragrance. “We’ll be walking in that area beyond the square,” he pointed out. “I know a taverna that serves flaming sausages and grilled trout to die for. But if that doesn’t appeal, there are dozens of restaurants offering what you would consider traditional Greek cooking.”
Purplish-blue sparks lit up her eyes. “I’m one tourist who doesn’t want traditional fare.”
“Then be prepared for a gastronomical adventure. Let’s go.”
They rode the elevator and set off for the Plaka, the oldest part of the city. The place swarmed with visitors buying everything from furniture to jewelry in the shops lining the streets.
Hunger drove them to eat before they did anything else. She ate the trout and sausage right along with him. While they sat watching people and making up outrageous stories about who they were and where they’d come from, a girl selling flowers came up to their table.
“Isn’t she sweet, Nik?”
“I agree.” He bought a gardenia and put it in Fran’s hair. The flower gave him an excuse to touch her. He wanted to touch her and the desire was growing.
Filled with good food and wine, he ushered her through the streets so they were constantly brushing against each other. While she marveled over all the souvenir shops, he marveled over her. She didn’t want to buy anything, just look.
They ended up on top of the roof at the outdoor theater. With the Acropolis lit up in the background, they watched a local film with English subtitles. “The tragic story was ridiculous, but I loved it,” she confided after they left to explore another street. Nik had been so aware of her, he hadn’t been able to concentrate on the story line.
“Around the next corner is a taverna famous for its ouzo. Would you like to try some?”
“I experimented the last time I was in Athens and didn’t care for it, but please don’t let that stop you.”
He smiled. “I don’t like it either.”
His comment prompted laughter from her. “How unpatriotic! I promise I won’t tel
l anyone. Let’s go down this narrow little alley and see what goodies could be hiding there.”
Nik guided her along, amused at the way she expressed herself.
One of the shops sold every type of cheap figurine, both religious and mythological. He thought she’d just look and keep going. Suddenly she stopped and picked up a small metal figure of Atlas holding up the world. She asked the owner how much. He named a price and she paid for it with euros.
“Shall I wrap it?”
“No. I’d like to take it just as it is.”
When they’d walked a little ways further, she turned to Nik. “It’s getting late and I have to go to Kellie’s. Before we leave, please accept this as my gift for showing me your world today. If you dare to keep it on your office desk, it will remind you about the necessity of taking a breather once in a while.”
“The table by my bed will be an even better place for it,” he fired back. “Each night it will be the last thing I see before I fall asleep. What greater way to help me keep my priorities in order.”
They eyed each other for a moment. “Thank you for tonight, Nik. I’ve never had a better time.”
Neither had he. The realization had made a different man of him.
He reached for the simple gift. It meant more to him than she could imagine. Instead of her begging him to buy her something the way one of his girlfriends would have done, she’d turned the tables. Her generosity of spirit ranged from saving a baby in the aftermath of a tornado, to presenting him a keepsake he’d always treasure.
“On our way back to the apartment, there’s one more place you have to visit.”
“Will I like it?”
“I’ll let you be the judge.”
Nik had been saving this stop until the end. He needed to get closer to her. The Psara taverna was housed in two old mansions with a roof garden. You could dance while you enjoyed a view of the Plaka. Getting her in his arms had been all he could think about.
He asked her to keep the figurine in her purse until later. After they’d consumed an ice cream dessert, he led her out on the floor. The band played the kind of rock whose appeal was fairly universal. At last he was able to clasp her to him while they moved to the music.
“You’re a terrific dancer,” he whispered against the side of her neck. “I could stay like this all night.”
“I’m enjoying it, too.”
“Have you dated much since your divorce?”
“There’ve been a few men, but if you’re fishing for compliments, I can tell you now they don’t dance like you.”
“It’s my Greek blood, but please continue. Flattery will get you everywhere, Kyria Myers.”
Her body shook with silent laughter.
He relished the feel of her, pulling her even closer. “Don’t fly back to the States tomorrow.”
“I have to, Nik.”
He pressed a kiss to her temple. “You do realize Kellie is running away from her husband.”
The second he spoke, she stopped dancing and looked up at him. “Did Leandros confide in you?” She sounded anxious.
“He’s told me nothing, but it’s clear they’re having problems. I felt something was wrong from the start. Leandros isn’t the same man I’ve known in the past.”
“Neither is Kellie,” she said in a tremulous voice.
Unfortunately it was Nik’s fault the mood had been altered. “It’s eleven-thirty. I heard her warn you not to be late. Let’s go back for your cases. My driver will run us to their apartment. Are your bags packed?”
“Yes. I put them outside the bedroom door.”
“Then I’ll have them brought down.”
As they moved through the crowds, he pulled out his phone to make the arrangements. When they reached his apartment building, the limo was waiting for them. He helped her in the back. Once he’d told his driver where to take them, he got in across from her so he could look at her. She had a glow about her he’d noticed while they were dancing.
“You’re not really going to California.”
She put the flat of her hands against the seat. “I don’t honestly know.”
“So if I flew over to the States, too, would I find you home tomorrow evening, or not?”
“Are you pursuing me?” she asked with refreshing bluntness.
“Isn’t that obvious? I know you’re not indifferent to me.”
She stirred in place. “No woman could be indifferent to you, Nik, and you know it.”
“So you’re already branding me as a Romeo with no staying power.”
Fran looked away. “You said it, I didn’t.”
“The tabloids never print the truth, but the public will consume it.”
She rolled her eyes. “Give me a little credit for not believing everything I read. As long as you’re still single, I guess it’s your lot to be labeled. But I haven’t done that.”
“If this isn’t about me, then it’s personal where you’re concerned.”
“Not at all. But we both know you won’t be making any trips to Pennsylvania.”
“If you knew the real me, you wouldn’t make such a careless statement.”
In the silence that followed, her cell phone rang. He checked his watch. “It’s five to twelve, Cinderella.”
She eyed him almost guiltily before pulling it from her purse to check the caller ID. “It’s Leandros—” Her voice sounded shaky before she clicked on. Once she’d said hello, the color drained out of her face. She only said a few more words before hanging up.
“What’s happened?”
“It’s Kellie. This evening at the apartment she became ill and fainted. They’re in the E.R. at the Athens regional medical center. Will you please ask your driver to take us there?”
Nik alerted him, then moved across to sit next to her. Without conscious thought he drew her into his arms. Whispering into her hair he said, “I’m sure whatever it is, she’s going to be all right.”
* * *
If Nik just hadn’t joined her on the seat...
If he hadn’t held her like some cherished possession...
While they’d been dancing earlier, the contact had been wildly disturbing. But this comforting tenderness was too unexpected and welcome for her to move away from him. She’d been worried sick about Kellie. Now her worst fears were confirmed and he knew it.
“Do you have any idea what could have brought on her fainting spell?” His lips grazed the side of her forehead before she buried her face in her hands.
“You might as well know the truth. She’s going to file for a legal separation after she’s back in Philadelphia. They probably quarreled tonight. Kellie’s emotions have been so fragile, I was afraid the stress might be too much.”
“I didn’t realize their problems had reached such a serious state. Otherwise I wouldn’t have suggested the four of us take a trip together.”
His sincerity reached her. “Don’t feel guilty. In truth, I didn’t suspect anything was wrong until she called me several weeks ago and insisted I take my two-week vacation right now. She said Leandros would be away on business and it would be the perfect time.
“They’ve been so happy, I couldn’t believe she didn’t want to travel with him the way she always does. That was my first warning all wasn’t well.”
“I’m sorry for them—and you.” The limo pulled up near the doors of the E.R. “Let’s find Leandros.”
To Fran it was déjà vu as they entered the emergency ro
om. Nik must have been having similar thoughts because his hand tightened on her arm. “Hard to believe it was only a few days ago I was rushing into the hospital to find out if the baby you’d rescued was our little Demi.”
“Thank heaven it was!”
An ashen-faced Leandros came forward and put an arm around her. “Thanks for coming.”
“As if I wouldn’t. Do you know why she fainted?”
“The doctor couldn’t find anything wrong, but he’s still waiting for the blood-test results. Kellie doesn’t want me in there and is asking to see you. Maybe if you talk to her, she’ll settle down.”
She’d never seen Leandros this frantic. “I’ll go to her now. Where is she?”
“In the last cubicle.”
“Try not to worry.” She turned to Nik. “I’ll be back out in a few minutes.”
His compassion-filled eyes played over her features. “Take as long as she needs. I’ll keep Leandros company.”
“Thank you.” She had an urge to kiss his cheek for being so understanding, but she held back. Without a minute to lose, she hurried through the E.R. and pulled the blue curtain aside.
“Fran—I thought you’d never get here.”
“I’m so sorry, Kellie.” She pulled up a chair. “How are you feeling right now?”
“Foolish. The doctor just came in and said nothing showed up on the tests. He says I fainted because I hadn’t eaten all day. They gave me something to eat so I’m fine now. I’d like to get out of here and check into a hotel. The last thing I want is to go home with Leandros.”
“He won’t allow you to go anywhere without him. At least not tonight. Kellie? What else aren’t you telling me? This is truth time. I can’t do anything to help you if I don’t know what’s going on.”
She sat up. “Not ten minutes after we arrived back, Karmela let herself in the apartment carrying a stack of work for Leandros to look over. She looked positively shocked to find me there.”
Baby out of the Blue Page 9