by Joanne Walsh
Chapter Twenty-One
“You smell extremely delicious.” Dimitri lifted up a hank of Sally’s loose hair and nuzzled her neck.
Leaning her head back and closing her eyes, her skin skittered as he spun her around and kissed his way around to the hollow at the base of her throat. Hannah’s hilarious talking-to had galvanized her, and she’d gone straight home to get ready for the evening, spraying her shoulders, wrists, the backs of her knees and her cleavage with Émotion de Paris before donning her best black dress. She’d wondered if she’d overdone the perfume, but maybe not. Dimitri had hastened to the oven and put their meal on hold when she’d told him to, and now they were on his super-king-sized bed, with his lips travelling down towards the valley between her breasts.
“You are extremely delicious.” He reached to run his thumb over her lips, making them part.
Pausing for a moment, she squeezed her lids shut. She needed to keep hold of the reins here. What would she have him do next? Or, her to him? Opening her eyes and darting out her tongue, she daringly circled it around his nipples.
“Hey, don’t do things like that to me,” he gritted, taking hold of her chin and cupping it, “or I may have to make love to you.”
“There’s no may about it,” she replied, secretly revelling in the way he reacted.
Staring at her, one brow quirked with surprise, he moved his hand to smooth back her hair from her cheek. “Are you saying what I think you are, Sally? That you want to—”
“Make love. I’m ready now.”
“My Sally, I should ask you if you’re really sure about this. It seems quick after what we talked about.” Caressing her jaw, he searched her face. “But when I look in your eyes, I see fire, and when I listen to your voice, I hear certainty. You’re ready.” He bent and brushed her lips with his.
Any lingering hesitation melted away like icicles in the sun as her longing for him, for his mouth and his body to meld with hers, took over. Shifting herself from under him, she pushed herself off the bed and got to her feet, surveying him for a second before reaching for the concealed zip on the side seam of her dress and pulling it with a determined little tug. “Let’s get on with it,” she announced curtly. Pushing the shoulders of her dress down and letting the garment drop to pool at her feet, she registered with deep satisfaction his expression of surprise, the look of sheer hunger, as his eyes landed on her naked body. Since she didn’t possess sexy lingerie, she’d opted for dispensing with underwear altogether.
“Christos, you are so beautiful,” he breathed, and heaved himself off the bed to claim her mouth roughly, while his fingers found and pulled at the tight points of her nipples, sending electric shocks sparking through her.
Forcing herself to step away from him again, she trailed her hand down her stomach until her fingers rested on the russet curls hugging her mound. His gaze followed the action, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. “I want you inside me,” she demanded huskily.
She didn’t have to ask twice. He hauled her back to him, his fingers diving down to her crevice and making contact with her swollen, begging sex. She gasped as fireworks ignited and exploded inside her and, within an instant, his arms were around her, supporting as her head flung back and she shuddered through her climax.
“To moro mou. My baby, oh, my darling baby.” He held her tight while her breath steadied. “That was the best yet.”
“I need more,” she ground out, before taking his head in her hands and kissing him passionately. “I said I want you inside me.”
He took one of her hands, breaking the embrace. “Alright, you’ll have me. Wait there—”
She wrestled her fingers back around his. “No, I can’t wait, Dimitri. I need you now.”
He stared for a couple of seconds before manoeuvring her from him and down onto the bed.
Elevating herself onto her elbows, she watched him, her pulse rate increasing as she saw his attention rivet itself to the rise and fall of her breasts. “Now!”
In seconds, he was removing his shirt and jeans, his gaze following her fingers as they crept back between her opened legs to touch her slick nub and circle and tease. “Christos,” he groaned again, “do you know what you’re doing to me?” He eased down his boxers, his proud manhood springing free, then after placing a knee on the bed, he moved over her. Putting her hand aside, he positioned himself and slid his thickness into her wetness with one powerful thrust.
“Oh, God!” She cried out with sheer pleasure as he filled her to her hilt and moved with a friction so delicious, she thought she might not be able to bear it. When he did a little rotating movement, she arched, writhed and came again, prompting his own release to flood into her in long, hot waves…
*
They lay sated, their limbs entwined, until Dimitri raised himself on his forearms and gazed at her. She was drowsy, her lids half closed. He stroked out a burnished tendril of her hair across the comforter. That had been something else, completely unexpected. She’d been so controlled and demanding and it’d been the biggest turn-on he’d ever known. She absolutely didn’t need him to show her how. He moved a fingertip to her creamy-pale, freckled shoulder. Gamo! He hadn’t got to using the protection he always had on hand, but instead, like a horny, uncontrolled teenage boy, he’d let rip. Perhaps she was on the pill or using a device but given her recent history he doubted that. She looked so peaceful and he hated the thought of waking her, but it was better that he was honest with her about the possibility he’d messed up.
“Sally,” he murmured into her ear.
Her eyelids fluttered. “Mm?”
“Agapi mou, we need to talk. What we did just now…I fear I made a big mistake.”
Her eyes opened wide. “Big mistake?” She sat up with a jerk. “Wha-what do you mean?”
“It’ll be okay.” Putting a gently restraining hand on her shoulder, he searched for the right words, although just when he needed English, his muddled brain appeared to be thinking in Greek. “What I’m trying to say is, it was I who made a mistake. If I’d practised self-control, I wouldn’t be speaking to you of my regret now.”
“Regret? Wow, that bad?” She wriggled herself free of his grasp.
He swore silently to himself at his clumsiness. “Ochi,” he replied reverting to Greek, “no, not bad, that’s not what I meant.” He sighed exasperatedly with himself. “I’m trying to tell you that I messed up. When we made love, I didn’t use a condom.”
She gazed at him.
“Please forgive my carelessness. Are you using any kind of contraception?”
“No,” she replied quietly, then added, “it never crossed my mind to think about it. It’s been a while—”
“Okay, with neither of us having taken precautions, there are things to consider—”
“Things?”
“I get myself checked out regularly. You needn’t worry about that. But I guess there’s the possibility you could be pregnant.”
She looked away. “I’ll need to check if it’s the right time in my cycle.”
“When is there ever a right time—?” As the words came out of his mouth, a ripple of something crossed her profile and he silently cursed himself again. Had the devil got hold of his tongue tonight? He’d very nearly blurted out his true feelings when she didn’t need that kind of pressure. He took a deep breath, searching for the right words but they wouldn’t come.
“Never mind,” she said coolly, easing herself off the bed and making her way over to where her dress lay puddled on the floor. “I’ve remembered now where I’m at, and I really don’t think it will be a problem.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
It was just after midday. Dimitri’s workers had retreated to the shade of the orange grove to eat their lunches, and he was glad of the subterranean chilliness of the olive store and an opportunity to check his phone.
Leaning against a barrel, he saw there was a text from Sally, presumably in response to the voicemail he’d left her firs
t thing.
Sorry I missed your call. Caught the early bus to Paragolis to do some long-awaited shopping. Will phone when I’m back! xx
He smiled with relief. He’d been concerned the previous evening when her manner had cooled and then she’d called for a cab, saying she was tired. Although she’d said it wouldn’t be an issue, he’d wondered if, even so, she’d found the contraception mistake upsetting. However, her cheery message today said otherwise. He hoped she was enjoying a probably much-needed break from her busy days at the store and Ionian Villas, indulging in some retail therapy.
If only he could move on too. All morning, he’d been distracted by the possibility of a baby. Because he really hoped that, against the odds, it’d happened. Last night, he’d nearly outed himself; the time was always right if you really wanted to be a father as much as he did. He took a deep inhale. Having a child, giving it everything he hadn’t had at the start, maybe even righting some of the wrongs of the past… If there was a chance he could fulfil that long-cherished wish, it would be the perfect reason to propose to her—
He skidded that train of thought to a halt. She knew her body best, and if she thought it was unlikely, he should listen and not get his hopes up. After tapping out a quick reply to her, resignedly, he shoved his phone back into his jeans pocket and made his way back out into the glare of the noonday sun.
*
Sally was feeling guilty. As per her message to Dimitri, she was in Paragolis to do some much-needed clothes shopping. But there was another reason why she’d chosen to come here. A little shudder of pleasure coursed through her as she remembered how in control she’d felt last night, and how explosive it’d been when they’d finally made love. But then it’d been a quick, steep plunge back to reality when he confessed that he hadn’t used protection, and she realized that neither had she, and what the outcome might be. Contrary to what she’d told him, she was exactly two weeks into her cycle and her periods came as regular as clockwork; there was a possibility she had conceived.
Her hand trembling slightly, she gestured to catch the waiter’s attention. While she was waiting for the bill, she eyed the sign with the green cross over the pharmacy down the street.
The bus was back to Agia Kalamaros was rammed, hot and slow. Finally, it chugged into the village square and, after checking the pregnancy testing kit remained well hidden because, around here, tongues wagged, she gathered up her bags and headed towards where a couple of taxis idled to complete her journey back to Alison’s.
The front door was on the latch as usual and, thankfully, the house was silent. Alison and Ben were most likely in the shelter, while Pav would still be out on the smallholding with McTavish. After grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, she made for the sanctuary of her room. Dumping her belongings, she rummaged for the test. The female pharmacist had kindly walked her through the process, but she wanted to be sure of what she had to do and when, if her period didn’t arrive.
Sitting down on her bed, she took a swig of water before unfolding the instructions. It seemed pretty simple. The test could be done six days before her period was due, and the result would be seventy-nine per cent accurate. Or if taken on the first day of a no-show, ninety-nine per cent.
Ping! Her phone went off, making her jump. It was a brief text from Dimitri.
Home yet?
Her fingers hovered over the screen.
Yup, I’m back. Gotta have a shower and then I’ll call you. xx
When would be the best time to confess to him that they’d had sex just when she might have been at her most fertile? She wasn’t sure he’d welcome that news. His manner had been so odd and stiff when explaining the contraception mishap, and then, when she’d told him she’d need to check where she was in her cycle, his reply had said to her, loud and clear, that having a baby just wasn’t on his radar. Scrunching up the leaflet, she let the ball fall from her palm, before reaching for the water bottle and pressing its soothing coldness to her temple. Sex was one thing, but maybe he didn’t want to have a child with her. Maybe he didn’t want one with anybody because, at heart, he hadn’t changed; he was still Dimitri the Serial Dater, whom she’d never heard talk about kids being part of his future…
Chewing her lip, she realized she felt more comfortable keeping quiet about the pregnancy test until she knew whether she had to take it. Then was the time when she’d need to pull on those big-girl pants once again and talk to him. She bit down hard, the sharp jab of pain inside causing her eyes to fill with moisture. Whether she was expecting or not, she was going to have to ask him to make a choice; stay with her or go. Because last night had shown her what she really wanted next—a baby.
Chapter Twenty-Three
It was no good. Standing in the middle of the cavern that was the stripped-out store, Sally gave up on trying to focus on what Hector and his crew had done so far and made for the doorway where it would be cooler. Leaning against the doorframe, she inhaled the balmy early evening air filled with the scent of pelargoniums, before allowing her mind to wander to the pregnancy test which lay stowed away in her bedroom dresser. The day after tomorrow, her period was due—
The deep rumble of Dimitri’s Mercedes broke into her thoughts as it rounded the corner into the square. She watched as he steered deftly into a narrow parking space outside Tasos Konstantinos’s jewellery store and got out. He’d come to inspect the builders’ progress. As he walked up to her, a broad smile creasing his handsome features, the air rushed from her lungs because, in that moment, she realized for sure she was in love with him. That she’d always loved him, even during their darkest times, and still would, even if she had to give him up.
“Kalispera!”
“Good evening.” Gazing up at him, she wanted to drown in those deep brown eyes, and when he captured her mouth, she groaned into him, willing time to stand still and their passionate kiss to go on and on.
“How do you manage to look even more beautiful each time I see you?” he whispered, pulling back and brushing another smudge of dirt from her face.
“Even though I’m filthy and covered with dust and cobwebs?” Jerking her head, she indicated the gutted premises behind her.
“Especially when you’re filthy,” he replied, wiggling his eyebrows. “I like filthy the best.”
“Stop it!” she giggled, swatting his chest.
“Come, show me what’s been happening here.” Grabbing her hand, he tugged her inside with him. “What has Hector done this week?”
“A lot. As you can see, he and his crew cleared away the rubble and stripped out the fittings. They also fixed the roof, and they’ll start work on the pipework and electrics next week. Oh, and the various panels, including the solar, should arrive very soon.”
“Exochos. So, I’m still standing back, letting you do it how you want as we agreed. But if you ever need backup, you know who to call.” Dimitri’s deep voice echoed through the empty space.
“Yes, that’s working for me. I’ll give you regular progress reports.”
“Good. Has Hector given you a completion date yet?”
“He’s saying the first week of October, which kind of surprised me as we’ve gone right back to the shell. I thought it would take longer.”
“If they are working daily on only this site, two more months sounds about right.”
“Anyway, it won’t be too long before we’re open. I need to get a move on with lining up more suppliers, especially people who can deliver stuff through the winter.”
Stepping back, Dimitri surveyed the area for a few moments before swinging around. “Hey, what do you say to having a grand opening of Sally’s?”
“A grand opening?” She pondered the idea for a few moments. “Goodness me, that would be fun, but when? Let me see. Once the renovations are done, I’ll have to get everything cleaned up and also put the stock in—”
“Okay, here is an idea. What about the twenty-eighth of October? Ochi Day.”
“National Independence Da
y? It’s a holiday.” Her smile faltered as she was reminded that he and she might not be together by then.
“People will not be at work, for sure,” he shrugged, “but many will come into the village to join the celebrations in the square. You could open up especially.”
Squashing down her insecurity, because the store would still open whatever became of them, she mustered a smile. “I guess I could organize free drinks and little snacks of local cheeses and meats and olives and things to entice people in. Although it’s very close to Sergei and Hannah’s wedding. I’ve been told to expect a last dress fitting and a rehearsal right before the big day.”
“That should not be a problem. I am sure we can arrange help with the food and then cover in the shop if you get caught up in making the final preparations to be one of the witches of honour.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“Hey, Mr Always-the-Best-Man, you want to be careful, calling me a witch. I might put a spell on you,” she retorted.
“You already have.” Drawing her up against him, he kissed her once more. “Mm. What shall we do next? Go to Spiros’s for a bite to eat like we planned, or head back to Skalos?”
“I think I need to shower and change before I do either. Can we go back to Alison’s first and then decide?”
“Sure.” Bending, he began nibbling her earlobe.
Arching her neck into him, she felt herself quiver as his beard scuffed over her skin, her heart pounding with arousal—and apprehension. This was it for her; the real deal, the kind of love she’d never felt for Manos. She wished so much she was expecting Dimitri’s child; it would be the best thing in the world. But the worst if he didn’t want any complications.
