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CHAPTER ONE SARA ANDROPOLOUS leaned over to view the pastry from all angles. It looked perfect. Satisfied, she slid it onto one of the delicate china plates and drizzled a bit of honey on top. Two mint leaves completed the presentation and she smiled. One down, five more to do in less than five minutes. Working swiftly, she finished the last in less than the allotted time. Perfection. She’d been on her feet for five hours, yet she felt as fresh as if she’d just started. She loved creating works of art for consumption. Time flew, and she was absorbed in her work to the exclusion of all else. “See how this pleases your guests,” she murmured in a one-sided imaginary conversation with Nikos Konstantinos. When Sara had first arrived in Greece four months ago, her temporary assignment at the , Windsong Hotel, several miles from Thessalonika had seemed like an answer to prayer. She’d been trying to find a way to get a toehold in Greece for so long, it was amazing to her how swiftly things had
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO NIKOS left the galley to return to the suite that served as both office and bedroom when on board. His chef had been a surprise. Her dark wavy hair had been tied back, with tendrils escaping to frame her face. Her large brown eyes had revealed a wariness that had surprised him. He was used to the awe in which some held him. This was somehow different. Yet her manner had been professional. He’d detected a note of annoyance with the comment about her age. Nikos almost smiled. Touchy—weren’t all great chefs? Though the only ones he’d ever met before had been male. A female chef was a novelty. At least she had not instantly tried to flirt and garner more interest. He had grown weary of the flirtatious ways of the women he met. If he thought a single one would be interested in him if he had not a dime to spare, he might feel differently. But he’d learned early on that most women wanted one thing—to live a life of luxury—preferably off the proceeds of a susceptible male. His own
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE ONCE the yacht stopped for its nightly anchorage, Sara felt an unexpected rise in anticipation. She and several of the other crew members were lounging on the aft deck, enjoying the evening. It was much cooler tonight. She’d brought a sweatshirt. The breeze that blew constantly was refreshing but chilly. She listened to the conversation more than contributed. Now that the ship had dropped anchor, she wondered if Nikos would come again to thank her for the meal. She’d taken extra pains with tonight’s dish, broiling the succulent fish to perfection. Probably not. He’d merely been kind to a new employee last night. He expected good work; she delivered. And he’d also been hospitable when he’d offered to show her around the upper deck of the yacht. She didn’t think he was the type to mingle with his employees on a routine basis. With the rest of the crew lingering on the aft deck, even if he wanted to speak to her again, she doubted he’d do so in such a public place. And why w
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR SARA kissed him back. Her tongue met his. His slow kicking kept them upright while the kiss went on and on. She hugged him, her hand brushing against the top of his tanks, the breathing hose and straps separating her from his skin. She wanted to be closer, impatient to drop the tanks and have nothing between them. Then reason returned. Slowly she pulled back, her eyes wide as she gazed at him. He looked at her lips again, then into her eyes. “This is so not a good idea,” she said. For a gazillion reasons. Yet she couldn’t move. “Why is that?” he asked. “Relationships between boss and employee always end badly—usually for the employee.” It was not her first reason, but one that would suffice. He released her and swam back a foot or so. “This was merely a kiss. You are correct, relationships between working people don’t end well.” Sara sank to her chin, turning to swim toward the runabout. He’d shown pity on a lonesome crew member and with his free afternoon offered to show
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE SARA sat in the shade of the aft deck writing to her friend Stacy when Nikos appeared. She had not left the ship, not knowing when it might sail and not wanting to miss her only chance. “I brought your mail,” Nikos said, handing her a slim stack of envelopes. “Thank you.” She glanced at them—all from friends at home. She smiled, looking forward to catching up on all the news. She had pretty much brought Stacy up to date in her letter and asked her to tell all their friends the situation. He sat on the side of the chaise next to hers. “The captain spoke to you?” “About staying aboard? He said we would be going to your family’s island. I’ve never known anyone to own an island.” “It’s small, been in my grandfather’s family for generations.” “Descendant from the Roman times?” she asked, thinking of their trip to the ruins. “Hardly. It’s not strategic at all. In fact, the only way in and out is by sea or helicopter. No roads. And only one stretch of really usable beach. The res
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX HIS lips were warm as they pressed against hers. Slowly he swept his tongue against her lips, seeking entrance to her mouth. Sara complied, stepping closer, longing for him to wrap her in his arms and keep the kiss going forever. He must have read her mind as his hands moved to lift her hair, then slide down her back and pull her into closer contact. The kiss deepened, and Sara felt like she was floating. Desire flared. She actively kissed him back, her tongue dancing with his, her arms holding him as tightly as he held her. Only the lack of breath caused her to pull back eventually, gasping. He continued to kiss her—first her cheek, then along her jaw, then a long slow slide down her throat to the rapid pulse point at the base. Then back up the other side. She stood still as if afraid the slightest movement would end the magic. When he covered her lips again she responded. It was glorious. She could fall for this man. If he kissed her once a day, she’d probably be content
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN SARA didn’t see Nikos the rest of Tuesday. She took one of her books to the aft deck, pulled over one of the chaises and dried it off to sit in the fresh air and read. When the wind shifted, she felt the drizzle and gave up and went below. She could have joined the men in the salon, free for their use while on the island. But she didn’t relish the card game they were playing and couldn’t concentrate on her book with the noise of their conversation. Not that she was exactly engrossed in the story. She kept wondering when Nikos was coming back. Sara fell asleep in her cabin with the book across her chest. Sometime later she woke when there was a knock on her door. She jumped up and tried to become fully awake. Opening the door, she saw Stefano. “We’re going up to the house for dinner now. Want to walk up with us?” “Yes. Just let me run a brush through my hair.” “We’ll wait at the gangway,” he said, turning away. The rain had stopped, but every shrub and tree between the doc
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT SARA loved Patricia. From the first moment she stepped from the dock area onto the old cobblestone streets she was enchanted. White buildings almost touching, red tiled roofs peaked, flowers everywhere, it was a dazzling town. The sidewalks were narrow, scarcely giving room for them to walk side by side. Twice when they met others, Nikos pulled her close with an arm around her shoulders, to allow the others to pass. “I want to see everything,” she exclaimed. “Fortunately, that won’t take long. It’s a small town,” Nikos replied. He steered her to the town square where the old church dominated one side. The other sides were crowded with shops and small cafés. Sara was tempted to stop at one of the tavernas for a drink but didn’t want to spend the time sitting when there was more to see before it got dark. “Come, I think you’ll like this one,” he said as they rambled around the old square. Entering one of the specialty shops, Sara stood transfixed for a moment. It appeared t
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE SARA watched him approach. She could almost feel the waves of suspicion pouring off him. She rose and faced him. “I was asked to deliver a letter and I did.” “Eleani, what is it?” Nikos asked, sitting beside the woman and drawing her into his arms. He rubbed her back, glaring at Sara. “What was in the letter?” “I don’t know. It was sealed.” “Who is it from?” “My mother.” Nikos frowned, saying soothing words to Eleani. “I’m Sara Andropolous, Eleani’s grandchild.” The statement stopped Nikos cold. He stared for a long moment. Giving way to anger, he bit out an epithet. His gentle hands soothed his grandmother. “I didn’t know she had a child, much less a grandchild,” he said a minute later. “My mother ran off to get married when she was eighteen. Her parents cut her off because she chose to find her own husband. I find the entire situation sordid and inexcusable.” He swung back at that. “You find it inexcusable. What about lying and cheating to gain access to my grandparents’
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN OVER the next two days Sara spent more time with Eleani than alone. She saw Nikos only at dinner. Breakfasts were spent with her grandmother on her private balcony. Lunches were often shared with Spiros and Eleani. She answered endless questions and asked many herself about her mother as a young child and then as a teenager. It was a bittersweet time. The easy acceptance that Eleani showed should have been for her mother. And the awkwardness she felt now around Nikos tore at her heart. They’d meshed so well once upon a time. She knew she never should have had secret thoughts about them developing some kind of relationship, but she had. Stupidly, she’d fallen in love with the man. Now he ignored her. He used work as an excuse, but she knew he had time enough to spend hours with his grandfather. Doing right should bring a reward, not sever something special. Though she was fooling herself if she thought Nikos would ever consider her as more than an employee who liked learning
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN “NIKOS?” Spiros said behind him. Nikos slowly closed the front door he’d wrenched open after Sara had fled. Turning, he looked at his grandfather. “Is something wrong?” “No. Sara and I argued. She left for the boat. She’ll get soaked.” “She can dry off there. Eleani had hoped she’d stay the night. I’ll have to tell her Sara has already left. What I won’t tell her is that she left so precipitously.” Nikos headed back to the stairs. “Are you all right?” his grandfather asked. “I’m always all right.” But it was a lie. Nikos realized that when he stepped back into his bedroom. His lonely bedroom. When he’d been younger, he’d been so full of hopes and dreams. He would not have a marriage like his parents’. He would find a beautiful woman who would love him. Who would want to have all the closeness of family he saw with his grandparents and that his own parents had spurned. Ariana was that woman, he’d once believed. She had proved false and it had changed him. Now for the firs
CHAPTER ELEVEN
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