The Summer Deal

by Aleka Nakis

  Sammy hung up the phone and went into her room, closing the door as Demo entered the bungalow. She was not in any state to talk with him.

  She heard footsteps coming towards her door, and then his deep voice filled her ears and weakened her resistance. “Sammy, are you in bed?”

  “Almost sleeping,” she said, adding a yawn for effect. “Good night.”

  “Kalinihta, koukla mou.”

  She then heard him arm the security system and walk to his room.

  Undressing in the dark, she washed up for bed quietly and didn’t bother looking for nightclothes. She pulled back the crisp covers and sank into the softness of the bed. She stared at the crescent moon outside her window, and her eyes closed.

  *****

  Demo grabbed a towel and tried to rub warmth into his skin. He’d stayed under the shower’s frigid water until his thoughts calmed. After he’d dried off, he lay down to sleep.

  Staring at the moon outside his window, he wondered how the bed he slept on diagonally so that his feet wouldn’t hang, felt so big and empty. He wanted Sammy sleeping beside him. He wanted to feel her breath tickle his chest and the silkiness of her hair on his arm.

  There was something about the woman that had captivated him from the first moment he’d met her. He’d battled his feelings for her and kept them hidden long enough. What had surprised him the most was the degree of difficulty that came with those acts of suppression. Never before had he worked so hard on something.

  But he wasn’t a fool to believe in love at first sight. And in all honesty, there couldn’t be much of a future between them. So why did he bring her to Greece?

  Because he had no choice. It was a necessity. She needed to be away from New York and out of Daniel’s reach.

  Good rationalizing, Demo. You just want her near. At least be honest with yourself.

  He would. He wasn’t going to deny his feelings any longer. Even though Sammy wasn’t the wife he’d pictured for himself since they were from different backgrounds, religions, and nationalities, he had to have her. His feelings weren’t rational, and that was a new experience for him. However, he would be sure to give her the proper way to leave him when the time came for them to go their separate way. She needed to walk away and not be hurt.

  Why had he chosen Christmas—correction, after Christmas—as the time to end their relationship? Was it because she’d be leaving anyway and he wouldn’t have to see her every morning? He could get on with his life—back to the community functions and the church events.

  There must be something significant about Christmas.

  Sleep didn’t claim him until the sun rose.

  Chapter Twelve

  Restless and unable to remain in bed any longer, Sammy pulled back the covers and got up. She dressed in a pair of denim shorts and a cotton tank top and went to sit on the veranda with one of her textbooks.

  The morning air filled her lungs, and she enjoyed watching the seagulls swoop into the water for their breakfast. She even thought she saw dolphins feeding a hundred meters off shore. Would they bring her luck?

  Basking in the morning sun, the worries of last night took flight. Her mother’s warning was not lost, but she put it into a different perspective. She did not intend to abandon the dreams she had worked so hard to accomplish. Samantha Mallone, Esquire, would be a reality soon enough. If Sammy chose to spend time with Demo, it would have no affect on her professional goals.

  He’d never been anything but supportive. Her boss was not like her father, he was not like Brad, and he did not need to beat a woman down to make himself appear superior.

  She would let the situation unfold, and stop running from it. He had not promised her the moon. Demo had stated he wanted to enjoy her company. And what was wrong with that? She didn’t have to attach high emotional price tags to her every action.

  Being an adult woman with an adult man was legitimate. There was nothing wrong with indulging in each other. No need for pretense of a great love when they both knew the score. They were physically attracted to one another and a consensual summer relationship was not taboo.

  Her heart would be quiet and accept what he offered: a summer of fun—exactly what she had decided on herself.

  Taking a deep breath, she flipped open the textbook and immersed herself in tax law. Completing two sections, she proudly lifted her head and decided to reward herself with some much-needed coffee. The summer sun called for her to make it iced.

  Sammy walked into the kitchen, determined to master her first frappé. She had watched them make it many times at her café in Astoria, and she was confident she could duplicate the process. She pulled out the can of Nescafé and three sugar packets, then set to search for a blender.

  No luck in the bottom cupboards, so she used the kitchen chair to reach the top ones. She was on the tips of her toes, stretching over the refrigerator when he wrapped his arm around her and reached over her head for the hand-held frother she had located.

  “Kalimera, koukla mou.”

  His deep voice jump-started her heart, and she turned to admire his tousled morning look.

  Kissing her shoulder, he wrapped her in his arms and pulled her off the chair. Her body burned as he slowly lowered her, in full contact, against his bare chest, to bring her feet to the floor. Her hands rested on his broad shoulders, and she looked into his enthralling eyes.

  “Kalimera, Demo”.

  He didn’t release her. Rather he swayed side to side as if slow dancing to a silent song only they could hear. Sammy didn’t want to break the contact, and she skimmed her fingers over the dark softness covering his chest. Laying her palm over his heart, she felt it keeping rhythm with hers and smiled at the coincidence. Or was it more magical than that? Happenstance?

  “Did you sleep well?” His voice was husky and his gaze heavy.

  She weighed her response carefully. Nodding her head, she wondered if she should admit she could have slept better, if only she had been completely honest with herself and him.

  “I hope your dreams were sweet.” His eyes did not hide the double meaning, but his lips asked anyway. “Did you dream of me?”

  “I plead the fifth, on the basis that my answer might incriminate me.” This line of talk was new to her, but the truth was, she enjoyed flirting with him.

  Interlacing his fingers with hers, and holding them against the strong plains of his chest, he grinned. “Is there anything you would like to enter into evidence?”

  “Not before I’ve had my frappé.” She tried to keep a straight face and not smile. But when he waggled his eyebrows and kissed her nose, a small chuckle escaped the back of her throat.

  Dropping her hands, he picked up the frother with surgical precision and turned to where the coffee supplies sat on the counter. “I guess I should expedite your request then.”

  “Wow, a man with brains who can make my coffee too. A girl could get used to this.”

  “I’m betting on it,” he said, brushing his mouth over hers. She parted her lips to welcome him and his tongue caressed hers, shooting warmth through her body, her soul, and her core. His chocolate-colored eyes shone and he repeated, “Good morning, beautiful Sammy.”

  She managed a soft moan and floated toward the bar stool, enjoying the morning greeting more than she had imagined. Propping her elbows on the counter, she put her chin between her hands and watched the man who played the starring role in her dreams create the creamy sweet concoction for her.

  In an exaggerated and grandiose gesture, Demo placed the tall glass in front of her and dropped a bent straw into it. Then he lowered his head and met her at eye level. “This doesn’t get you out of breakfast with me.”

  “Oh no, Demo, not today. We can’t go out again.” She had regained control of her faculties and wanted to finish what she had been working on before the frappé expedition.

  “Why not?”

  “I need to finish the third taxation section. I did the first two while you were sleeping.”
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br />   “Okay, we’ll order room service.”

  “No need.” She stood and walked to the refrigerator taking out two yogurt containers, a peach and two apples. “Voila! Breakfast is served.”

  “Come on. You can’t be serious. I want a real breakfast. I’ll just order some eggs.” He picked up the phone to dial room service, but in a surprising move, she took it from him.

  “It won’t hurt you not to clog your arteries for one morning,” she said seriously.

  “I didn’t know you cared.” Spreading his legs as he sat on a stool and reached for her. Smiling, he settled her in front of him.

  “Perhaps I do, but—”

  “I know. You take the fifth.” Demo laughed and then brought his lips to hers. His hands cupped her bottom, and she felt herself falling against him.

  Surprising herself, she found the strength to end the kiss and remind him of the bar exam.

  “Fine,” he agreed. “We have the whole summer ahead of us. I can be patient for now. So, let’s hit those books and lunch will be my choice.”

  Making good on his original promise, Demo helped her review the thick textbook, marking the pertinent sections and asking questions on the topics he had seen repeatedly on the exam. He was a good tutor, and she was grateful that he kept on task. In fact, he insisted the next section should be finished to complete her comprehension on the subject.

  Their heads bent over the table, they concentrated on the review questions as Demo’s cell phone chirped. He reached for it, but continued searching with a scanning finger for an example to support his explanation.

  “A swim sounds great,” he said into the phone, and followed it with something in Greek.

  Sammy’s heart sank as she guessed the translation. It was always the same: Sammy’s needs could wait. A better offer had come along. She was used to being put last, because it was a pattern with every man she was ever close to. Why had she expected Demo to be any different?

  Sighing, she pulled the textbook across the table and attempted to close the heavy book. Large tan fingers covered hers, squeezed, and held her hand still. She met his eyes, which narrowed in question.

  “We’ll be at Mano’s around two thirty, maybe three. If you can last, meet us there.” He absentmindedly stroked the back of her hand while he spoke. “Okay, have fun. Filia to Zoë.” He terminated the call and spoke to Sammy. “What’s the matter? Are you too tired to finish?”

  “No,” she replied, feeling obligated to explain when he kept looking at her quizzically. “I thought you would want to go out instead.”

  “We can’t. This time is set aside specifically for the exam preparation and you need to do it. You may know the stuff, but the test is difficult, and you really must study. It’s too important to chance it.”

  He cared. He really cared. He wanted her to succeed.

  She wanted to scream it out in victory. Elated with the simple knowledge of his concern, she let out a long breath and her lashes moistened with relief.

  “No, don’t cry, agape mou. I didn’t mean to sound harsh or to imply that you can’t do it. I merely wanted to say that we need to finish this section. Your studying is important and can’t be dismissed.”

  He sounded worried. Did he think he had upset her?

  “I know you didn’t.” A small smile curved on her lips and quiet laughter followed. “Thank you.”

  “Then why the tears?” Demo asked, his voice deep and intimate. His thumb caught a tear about to trail her cheek, and he bent to kiss where it had been.

  “I didn’t expect you to want to continue after the call. Men don’t usually consider my needs before their own.”

  She felt the soft caress of his dark gaze across her face and a stream of comfort ran through her, allowing uplifting tears to flow.

  “They were wrong.” He gently wiped at the moisture and then kissed where his thumbs stroked her face. He covered her mouth, smothering soothing words against her lips. “No more putting my Sammy second.”

  My Sammy.

  Oh, if only she could have that forever. She sank against him and breathed in his intoxicating scent. There was no question she would take anything he offered to her. She prayed she could let him go without losing herself.

  *****

  Finished with the day’s studying, they drove along the rugged coastline to lunch. The sun was burning hot, and the cool, rushing air brought much-welcomed relief to their heated skin.

  Demo promised the taverna was worth the time it took to get there. Mano’s had the freshest seafood, and the fishing boats would be getting in as they arrived.

  Sitting in the slight traffic congestion of a tourist town, its streets adorned with shops of leather bags, t-shirts, local merchandise and beach goods, Demo saw the blue SUV two cars behind them. The muscles in his forearm tightened beneath his sleeves as he gripped the steering wheel. He had noticed the vehicle immediately after pulling out of the resort. Was it tailing them?

  “Platania is a big tourist destination. The restaurants and shops cater to both foreign and Greek travelers during the evenings and the beaches are the main attractions in the daytime,” he said absentmindedly. He took a quick right, wanting to see if the SUV would follow.

  “Is this where Mano’s taverna is?” She asked, as her body jerked from the sudden correction of the sharp turn.

  Damn, the blue SUV turned too. A quick left and Demo gestured toward a small beach bar. “Bonanza is owned by friends from New York, the Kalitakis family. One of the sisters, Alexandra, went to school with Athena. We’ll come back for dessert and an afternoon swim. Yes?”

  Another right, a quick left, a maneuver around a tree in the middle of the road, and a bumpy circle through a quaint B&B’s lot onto a small dirt road. His arm flew across Sammy as she grasped the roll bar.

  “Fine, if I survive your driving that is.”

  The vehicle was gone, and he pulled back onto the main road, accelerating and driving faster than before. Long, tense fingers massaged her left thigh.

  “Just wanted to give you a taste of real Greek driving,” he managed to joke, not wanting to alarm her.

  The road was empty. For the most part, the locals had gone home to enjoy lunch with their families and escape the punishing sun. A strip of taverns gracing the shoreline came into view. Blue and white-topped tables nestled beneath the shade of tall trees invited hungry patrons to linger and enjoy their meals.

  Demo pulled the jeep off the main road and parked in full view of the table he chose for them.

  Mano came to greet them with a big smile and an enthusiastic handshake. “Kalosorisate, welcome. Pote eftases, Demo?”

  “I got in a few days ago. Mano, this is Sammy. Please practice your English. She doesn’t speak any Greek.”

  The tall, olive skinned man with black, unruly hair graying at the temples smiled when he caught her gaze. “We will work on that, pretty Sammy. Ne? Yes?” He waited for her to answer his question.

  “Ne, thank you. Nice to meet you, Mano.”

  “Bravo. I promise you a delicious meal.” Mano raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. Then tucking it through his arm, Mano led her toward the docks. “Come, and I will help you pick your fish. The boat come ten minutes ago.”

  Demo cleared his throat loudly. “What am I, chopped liver?”

  Mano’s dark eyebrows came together and defined lines formed around his eyes and mouth. “Chopped liver?”

  “Just forget it.” Demo was impatient, saying a few Greek words, before he placed his arm around Sammy's waist and attached her possessively to his side.

  “No problem. You take pretty Sammy to get her fish, and I will be ready to cook it delicious, eh?” Mano nodded, and gesturing his assurance for added emphasis, he roughly tapped his palm on his chest. “I will not take my eye from your jeep my friend. No one will get close.”

  Demo thanked the other man and guided Sammy along the small dock. He didn’t know why the SUV had been tailing them, but he wasn’t letting this wo
man move farther from him than arm’s length. He also needed to be sure there was no tampering with the jeep.

  Was Daniels in Greece? Was Sammy in danger? A chill traveled down his spine. Maybe he had underestimated the sleazebag. Demo recalled Teddy’s suggestion that he keep a team on watch. Why hadn’t he taken his cousin’s advice?

  “What are you thinking about?” Sammy asked.

  He didn’t want to alarm her, but he wanted to keep her safe. How could he do that if they remained in the part of the island overflowing with tourists? Sammy was smart. She would notice the extra security and realize he’d be restricting her. There would be no more nights out without him, nothing at all without him. Daniels needed to be in custody before he let her do anything alone and unguarded. Unless—

  “I was thinking about visiting some relatives in Grandfather’s village for a few days. I’d like to go before my parents get here. Maybe tomorrow. Do you think you’d like to spend a few days in the White Mountains?”

  “You’re asking me to visit your relatives with you?”

  Why did she sound so perturbed? Did she want to spend time partying or away from him? Well that was not an option.

  “Yes.” Taking a deep breath and repressing his annoyance, he stopped walking and pulled her to face him. “You will like the village. It may not be a party place, or have the lush accommodations of the resort, but the mountains are fun and the locals are great.”

  “Oh, I didn’t mean it that way. I would love to go. I just don’t want to intrude on your family time.”

  “It’s not an intrusion. If it were, I never would’ve invited you. It’s what I want.” More than anything, he wanted her safe. Then, he wanted to show her everything about him, he wanted to learn everything about her, and he wanted to know if she was the woman for him.

  Her green eyes sparkled, and she looked at him, nodding her head as if she could hear his thoughts and agreed with them. He needed no further encouragement, and gently tasted her full lips.

  It was a soft exploration of her sweet mouth that he wanted to extend. But he didn’t forget where they were, and why they were here, so he kept the kiss brief and practically innocent.