[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Whatever you do, she muttered under her breath, don t fall.
He stopped dead in his tracks and looked up at her as she made her way down. She smiled
nervously at him, her stomach fluttering a mile a minute. He didn t smile back as he stared at her
intently. Sam felt like she was going to faint, and when she reached him, she saw his throat working
with emotion.
Did you know you talk to yourself? he murmured deeply.
I know. Bad habit.
He drew in a deep breath and his nostrils flared slightly as he raked a dark, smouldering gaze
over her face. You look beautiful, Sam, he finally said, his tone curiously husky.
Th& thank you, she whispered.
He wore a violet silk shirt that looked so soft she wanted to touch it. The colour brought out
his dark hair and dark eyes, and she almost blurted out how gorgeous he looked. A nervous giggle
escaped her, and she cleared her throat to cover up the sound. His slacks were a soft black and
seemed tailor-made to fit his muscular physique. Sam s nerves grew. This man was going to be the
death of her, with all the flutterings and tension she kept experiencing around him.
Relax, he said softly, and gave her his hand.
She took a steadying breath and smiled up at him. She took his hand and immediately felt
better. What was it about this man s touch that calmed her? The irony was his touch both calmed
and excited her. She followed him into the kitchen.
I thought we would eat here. It s much more personal than the huge dining room. Is that
fine with you?
Perfect, she said.
She saw he had set two place settings on the kitchen table. He walked over to the stove. The
steaks and asparagus are done. He prepared two plates and brought them to the table.
Can I help you with anything? she asked politely.
No, thank you. Everything is ready. He opened a bottle of red wine and poured it into two
crystal wine glasses. Slowly, he picked up the glasses and turned around to look at her where she
still stood near the entrance. His gaze held hers as he made his way slowly toward her.
To getting to know each other, he said quietly, handing her a glass.
70 Two in the Lion s Den
Sam smiled. Yes. To& to getting to know each other.
They chatted for a bit about day-to-day things the weather, how she enjoyed her trip so
far, good stores to visit in town and all the while, Sam knew Leo was trying to make her feel
comfortable and relaxed.
The steak was succulent. Sam finished every morsel and smiled her appreciation at him. She
complimented him on his cooking and he returned her smile with pride.
She was also surprised to learn that Leo had a couple of homes in addition to this summer
house. He had a home in Athens and another one in England. He had been thinking of buying a
home in New York or Boston, but told her he was still deciding where to place his Americans roots.
Our twelve hotels are scattered all over the Greek islands. I was thinking of expanding to
the States before I realized we had gotten too big. This villa is my place to get away from it all.
I come here almost every summer.
You travel a lot.
Yes, but I would like to put roots down one day and start a family.
Sam thought about Leo with a family and living in a beautiful home with his children playing
in the backyard while his wife made dinner and she felt a tightening around her heart. She gave
him a contemplative look.
I think you d make a fine father one day, she said, speaking her thoughts out loud as she
recalled his kind gesture when he bought Alek the paint set. As soon as Sam voiced the words,
she was embarrassed.
He smiled. I do want children, but I m afraid I haven t been around many the past few
years.
Their light, easygoing conversation turned to their childhoods and Leo shared some
interesting stories of him and Toni growing up. An hour later, Sam was giggling at a story Leo had
just told her about Toni and him attempting to roller skate for the first time when they were kids.
True story. He chuckled. I ended up underneath the parked car and Toni went sailing
into the gazebo. Our mother nearly had a heart attack. She thought we d broken every bone in our
bodies.
Sam wiped her moist eyes. Oh. I shouldn t be laughing. Your poor mother. I can imagine
how she must have felt when she saw you careening under the car. She tried to stop another giggle.
You just reminded me of some of the predicaments I used to get myself into.
Like what? he asked.
She grinned. I was always getting into trouble. I remember one time, I think I was about
nine, there was a rainbow and I wanted to catch the pot of gold, so I took off after it. I walked for
hours until a storm broke out and I had to wait under an elm until it stopped raining. My father
showed up on horseback and the whole ride back to the ranch I got lectured about the importance
of safety and common sense.
Were you scared when you were caught in the storm?
Anastasia Maltezos 71
No. I was more afraid of my mother s lecture when I got home. She smiled and took
another sip of her wine. Leo, I had a really nice time tonight. The dinner was fabulous and your
company was great. Thank you.
His face turned serious. You were nervous at the beginning.
A bit, but not anymore. She placed her glass down. She already had three glasses and was
starting to get tipsy. I think the wine helped. I m not much of a drinker.
The night is still young, he said holding her gaze.
Yes, it is.
I have an idea about what we could do now.
Sam felt her heart skip a beat at the deep look he gave her. Oh?
He smiled. You could give me my reading now. We could go into the library.
Relief flooded through her veins and she returned his smile. A part of her wondered if he
knew where her mind had gone. That s a great idea. They both rose.
I ll clear the plates later, he said.
I can help you do it now if you like?
He glanced over her attire and shook his head. I wouldn t want you to soil your pretty outfit.
He took her hand and led her out into the hall. He paused and glanced down at her. Don t
you need your cards?
Oh! You re right. She smiled sheepishly and regretfully let go of his hand. She liked his
touch. I ll only be a minute.
He smiled. I ll be waiting.
She returned in no time and found him in the library settled comfortably at a two-seater,
round table by the window. He caught her eye and smiled. Her heart tripped at the familiar look
he gave her. Anticipation made her stomach somersault. The start of this evening had felt like a
date because it was a date, she realized. Leo was wining and dining her. Was that why he had
postponed the dinner party his mother had planned? To be alone with her? The thought gave her
a warm, fuzzy feeling in the pit of her stomach. How far was she willing to go, she wondered?
She had no doubt where he wanted the evening to end up. Did she want the same thing? Was she
ready to lose all her inhibitions with this man and explore the passion that simmered beneath his
dark, smouldering gaze?
A touch of nerves attacked her and she took her seat across from him. Sex was the one thing
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]