by Joanne Walsh
She could only moan her affirmative response, her eyelids fluttering shut, as his fingers searched to find her folds and part them. Exploring and stroking, he found her nub and circled its slickness, making her gasp.
“Let me take you from behind,” he gritted.
Her gaze meshed with his, wild, dark and needy, and in that second, she yearned only for him to fill her with his swollen length. Turning, she kneeled on the bed on her hands and knees, feeling him take hold of her hips and push himself slowly into her. Instantly, she surrendered to the feel of him, the primal rhythm of his thrusts, as wave after wave of hot pleasure consumed her, gasping her climax just as he came in one last explosive movement with a guttural cry. Her limbs buckling completely, they collapsed into a sweat-drenched, satisfied heap.
“I want to give you baby after baby,” he murmured into her ear.
“Oh? Why’s that?”
“Because being pregnant makes you so damned horny.”
She wriggled under his warm bulk. “Shall we see if you still feel that way when I’m eight and a half months gone and waddling?”
“I am looking forward to that. Seeing you swollen like a ripe peach with our child.”
Now, lying here bathed by the tentative rays of the sun, she ran her hand over her still-flat belly. Ripe peach. Spoken by a true farmer. She loved that.
Stirring, he turned. “Kalimera,” he mumbled sleepily.
“Good morning,” she whispered back.
Raising himself up on one elbow, he pushed a lock of hair away from her face. “It is,” he murmured, “following a very good night.”
She closed her eyes for the kiss she felt sure would come, but instead, felt his warmth pull away from her. Her eyelids springing open, she saw he was getting out of bed.
“Stay there,” he ordered, before first going to open the shutters, then making for his chest of drawers.
Sitting up and pulling the comforter around herself, she watched his taut naked back view as he rummaged in a top drawer. “What are you looking for?”
“When I find it, I have a very important question for you which needs an immediate answer. Aha.” Turning, he headed back towards her, something concealed in his fist. When he reached her side, he surprised her by sinking down on one knee and uncurling his hand to reveal a small heart-shaped box.
“Wha—?” Her heart pumping fast, the question died on her lips as she watched him flip open the little box’s lid then hold it out. The diamond and ruby ring she’d seen in Tasos’s window, displayed on a plump bed of blue velvet.
“Will you marry me, Sally Campbell?” Removing the ring, he reached for her left hand then eased it onto her third finger.
“Oh my,” she whispered, gazing in awe at the exquisitely cut stones that glittered in the bright, early sun.
“So, that is a yes?”
“Yes…Yes!”
Getting up, he came to sit beside her on the bed, his arm reaching around her and holding her tight. “Now we can be sure we are a proper family.” His expression sobered. “I want this to be right from the very beginning in the way it wasn’t for me. Before I was adopted.”
She gazed at him for a couple of seconds before nodding. His earliest years were a part of his life that she knew nothing about, but she would be sure to ask him about them some other time. “Absolutely,” she agreed. Then, because he still looked serious, she teased, “Do I have to call you Kyrios Bekatoros now like a good Greek wife?”
“Only if I can call you Kyria.” Raising her hand, he kissed her ring.
*
“More wine?” Catching Hannah’s eye, Sally held up the bottle.
“Yes, please. This Skalos red is the best. Congratulations, by the way, on your engagement. Sergei and I are over the moon about it.”
Smiling, Sally obliged by filling up Hannah’s glass, just stopping herself in time from telling her friend how much she missed drinking it because she was expecting. “So, your wedding dress and our matron of honour dresses are ready?”
“Yes, the dressmaker called yesterday. Now we must arrange fittings. Are you free Wednesday evening? Frankie says she can make it.”
“Sure,” she accepted, suddenly realizing that, in a few weeks, she was going to have a problem when her waistline expanded. Maybe she’d have to confide in Hannah and Frankie about her condition earlier than planned. Which meant Dimitri would want to tell his brothers too. She made a mental note to talk to him about it.
“Okay, I’ll fix it up. You and Dimitri haven’t set a date yet?”
“Not yet. Maybe next summer when we’ve got a few things out of the way.”
“Things?”
Oops. She’d nearly given the game away again. “I want to focus on reopening the store and getting steady trading established first. And Dimitri’s got more plans for expansion here at Skalos.”
“Sounds sensible. I never imagined organizing my wedding would be quite so crazy,” Hannah sighed. “Hey, is that Selene Koutsopoulos’s latest beau?” She gestured towards the glamorous woman, clad today in a sleeveless, clinging leopard-skin print wrap dress and lots of gold jewellery, standing next to a distinguished-looking grey-haired man, and talking with a group of other guests who’d been invited to the party. Hannah screwed up her eyes. “He’s quite a bit older than she is.”
“But Diakos is very rich,” Sally replied before she could stop herself, gratified when Hannah responded with a firm, knowing nod. The only fly in her ointment, since she’d settled in with Dimitri, continued to be his deputy. Somehow, Selene was always hovering, whether calling, messaging or skidding onto Skalos’s driveway in her Audi coupe. And smirking. Sally inhaled. The other woman’s frequent presence was just irksome, but she’d never say anything to Dimitri about his trusted business associate and friend. And, as she’d taken to reminding herself lately, without Selene’s help, she wouldn’t have turned her life around.
“Sergei said Selene’s first husband was a silver fox too.” Hannah took another sip of her wine.
“She was married before? I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah. Don’t know why it didn’t work out. Maybe the money didn’t compensate for the age gap.”
“Hannah!” Sally swatted her friend lightly on the arm, feigning disapproval, but secretly relishing the gossip. So, Selene was into wealthy, older guys.
“Just sayin’. How’s McTavish doing at Alison’s without you?”
Alison had kindly offered to let her pet stay with her and Pav and the cats, where all agreed he seemed extremely happy. “Oh, he’s doing great. I go up there a few times a week to take him for walks and he’s always pleased to see me. But there’s no doubt Pav’s his hero now. It’s fine. I’ve got such a lot on with work and the store reno—”
“And getting all cosy up here with your new fiancé. Glad you decided to trust him and take control?” Hannah gave her a big wink.
“Some of the best advice I’ve ever been given.”
“You’re welcome.” Hannah grinned like the Cheshire cat. “You’ve got a good ’un there, Sal. Handsome, warm, generous, loving… Does he actually have any flaws?”
“Apart from working on Sundays, I can’t find one.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
“What are your plans today?”
She took a moment to savour him before replying, her eyes greedily taking in his gently muscled, tanned torso then sliding down to where he’d slung a towel around his lean hips in preparation for taking a shower. “This morning, I’m taking McTavish for a walk, and then I’ll make my way down to the store to check in with Hector.” She stretched. “This afternoon, I’m going to follow up with the final few suppliers who are not yet in the bag. I have deals for pomegranates and goat’s cheese in the offing.”
“Another busy day.” Dimitri came to sit down on the bed next to her. “Can McTavish and Hector wait a while?” Reaching out a finger, he ran it over the gentle curve of her belly. “I was thinking I’d make you breakfast in bed after I’v
e showered.”
“Mm, that would be nice. Any special reason?”
“It’s your day off from Ionian Villas, and you should be taking things easy.” His gaze met hers. “Agapimenos, you know it’s not good for you or our child to be rushing about like you do. The last few nights you’ve fallen fast asleep on the couch after dinner.”
His concern touched her heart; he cared so much about her and this baby. She put her hand over his. “I’m doing fine. It’s true I do get a bit tired come the evenings but that’s perfectly normal at this stage. Anyway,” she shifted herself upright, “this isn’t really the time to be slacking, what with the store’s relaunch being only just over a month away, and Ionian Villas already taking bookings for next year’s vacation season.”
Pushing himself off the bed, he adjusted his towel. “Have you handed in your notice to Frankie yet?”
“Sorry, I meant to tell you I’ve agreed with her that I’ll finish a few days before Sally’s has its grand opening. And Hannah and Sergei’s wedding, of course.”
“Well, that’s something.” As he padded away towards the bathroom, she heard him give a frustrated grunt.
She smiled. Only another four weeks to go and she’d be having her twelve-week scan. Once she’d been given the okay, they’d both be able to breath sighs of relief. Until then, she just had to reassure him she was doing well…and gently challenge him when he slipped into overprotective daddy mode.
*
By late morning, the temperature stood at over eighty degrees, even though it was the middle of September. Wiping her forehead with her arm, Sally stood on the shop floor wishing that the air-con was already installed; she was wilting. She and Hector had just had their meeting and run through the tasks still to be done—the cooling and heating system, and then shelving, storage and counters. Then, it would be time for her to put in the stock.
“Wuff, wuff.” McTavish’s barking reminded her he was tied up in the shady spot outside. When she’d tried to take him back to Alison’s after their walk, he’d become uncooperative, whining and refusing to move, so she’d called for a cab and brought him down here. Perhaps he was missing her after all.
“Alright, boy, I’m coming.” When she reached him, he was standing, his little body rigid, growling at something. Shading her eyes with her hand, she scanned around. “Come on, McGrumpy, there’s nothing to see.” After untying him, she led him back into the store, closing the door behind them. Hector and his team wouldn’t be coming back until the day after tomorrow now, after the first batch of fittings had been delivered. The crew had taken their tools with them, so it was safe to let the little dog settle down and snuffle around for a couple of minutes on the plastic sheeting that’d been laid over the floor, while she called Alison to say they would be on their way very soon.
“Wuff!” Another gruff bark from McTavish had her jerking her head up.
The door was open and a young man stood just inside. She registered his sweat-stained T-shirt, grubby jeans and heavily tattooed arms with a curl of alarm. “Can I help you?”
Stepping forward, he demanded, “Gimme money!” in accented, broken English.
“There is no money here,” she replied loudly and firmly.
He glared at her through small, mean brown eyes that darted to her left hand. Moving swiftly forward to within a couple of paces of her, he extended a large hand, clamping it around her wrist. “Gimme ring!” he growled.
Fighting her urge to shrink back, she gasped, “Let go of me!” When she tried to pull away, his grip tightened, really hurting her.
“You give me ring!” His already rough voice had turned menacing and he held his face and body close to hers, repulsing her with his body odour and nicotine breath.
“No!” she yelled with all her might.
That was McTavish’s cue to go for the stranger’s leg, snarling and barking as he tried to defend her.
“Cazzo!” Swearing in Italian, the man let go of Sally and aimed a kick. Her beloved pet let out a sickening yelp as the thug’s sneaker made contact and sent him flying.
“You bastard!” Blind fury propelling her, Sally rushed at the attacker but lost her footing on the sheeting. Crashing to the ground, she lay dazed and winded, her hip throbbing, hearing McTavish’s whimpers…
“Sally! Oh, good God!” From the floor, she was dimly aware of female voices and then some kind of scuffle. Curling up into a ball, she took heaving breaths, trying to refill her air-starved lungs.
“Get away!”
Struggling to raise her head, she witnessed the incredible sight of Frankie and Hannah whacking the man with their purses. Stepping back as he shielded himself from their raining blows, he staggered and fell over too.
“Hey, arsehole!” Quickly bending down, Hannah slipped off her high-heeled sandal and brandished it over him. “Move another muscle and I’ll bash your brains out!”
“Okay, okay. Fermare!” The thug shielded his face with his inked-up arms. “Per favore, no hit!”
“Sal, are you okay?” Frankie was crouching at Sally’s side, pushing her hair out of her face. “Has he hurt you?”
“My baby,” Sally gasped, her hand going to her tummy, “I don’t want to lose my baby—”
“You’re pregnant? Oh, Sally, oh, sweetheart.” Frankie pulled out her mobile phone and banged out 112. “It’s okay, it’s okay! I’m calling the emergency services right now. We’ve got this.”
“We have!” Hannah called out, waving her shoe-weapon at the man still lying on the ground. “Mate, I told you to keep still!”
“McTavish?” Sally whispered to Frankie when she’d finished her call. “He’s injured, isn’t he?”
“Sweetie, I’m not sure,” Frankie replied, “but I’m going to have Alison and Ben come down and take care of him.” She swiped her phone screen again and then put it to her ear.
Sally started to sob.
*
The icy gel the sonographer was rubbing on her belly made her wince.
“Sorry,” the woman smiled, “I have to do this to make good contact between the machine and you. Now, here’s the probe, which I will pass over your skin. It won’t hurt but I may apply slight pressure to your tummy to get the best views of the baby on the ultrasound screen.”
“Here we go,” Sally whispered to Frankie, who’d leaned across to take her hand. “Please let it be alright.”
The sonographer moved and pressed the probe around for what seemed like an age until suddenly exclaiming, “There we are! We have a heartbeat.” Briefly, she turned up the volume so they could hear, and then adjusted the monitor.
Sally peered at the grainy black-and-white image. “The baby’s okay?”
“Everything is very good. The foetus is sixteen millimetres, exactly the size it should be at eight weeks.”
“Doxa to theo!” Dimitri’s deep tones had her swivelling around on the exam couch. He stepped into the room, his gaze locking with hers. “Thank God, our child is safe, and so are you.”
“I’m going to leave you to it,” Frankie piped up. “Sal, when I get back to Agia Kalamaros, I’ll call with an update on McTavish’s progress.”
Tearing her gaze away from Dimitri, Sally tapped the other woman’s arm. “Thanks so much for everything. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
“That’s what friends are for,” Frankie grinned. “I’m just relieved everything is okay.”
“Thanks again,” Sally called after her as she exited. When she turned back to Dimitri, his eyes were fixed on the monitor, and she could see they were glistening with tears.
*
“So, how is McTavish doing?” Dimitri asked after Sally ended the call with Frankie. They were ensconced in a side room, where she’d been placed for twenty-four hours’ observation, and he was perched alongside her on the bed.
“He’s okay,” she replied on a sigh of relief. “Ben and Alison took him to the vet in the village. His ribs are badly bruised and his lame leg is troub
ling him. Ben was due to fly back to London next week to start his final year of school but has offered to delay his departure by a few more days so he can keep an eye on him.”
Dimitri moved his hand downwards to caress the swell of her belly. “By the grace of God, we’ll get through this and everybody will be okay,” he said thickly.
Raising her head, she gazed up at him. He’d been looking so troubled since he arrived. “Hey, it will be. Our baby has a strong heartbeat and is developing well, and McTavish and I will heal.” Summoning a smile, she put her hand over his. “Thank heaven Frankie and Hannah saw the guy hanging around outside the store. Hannah was so funny. She had him on the floor, brandishing her spike-heeled sandal, and he was practically begging for mercy.”
“But it is not funny that he came to the island looking for money and trouble, and he chose to pick on you. The police are interviewing him now.”
“Dimitri, I don’t want to have to go to court over this. Can they not just send him back to Italy?”
He gazed at her for a few seconds before nodding. “Okay, I’ll have a word with the police chief. Meanwhile, we must give thought to how we can keep you safer. I’ll start by calling Hector to see what we can do about increasing security in the store.”
“Thanks.” Smiling at him, she realized the whole thing would have left her feeling a whole lot more frightened if she didn’t have him watching over her. “You know, I worked there by myself for years and never once gave a thought to safety, but I guess some cameras or extra alarms, or whatever, would be really reassuring.”
“Unfortunately, even our sleepy village isn’t immune from the evils of the outside world now.” He planted a kiss on her head. “But leave me to deal with that. You need to concentrate on yourself and the baby. Hopefully, the obstetrician will confirm you are okay to return home tomorrow and then—” he placed a finger under her chin, “I’ll be insisting that you stay home and rest.”
“Okay,” she shrugged, “I won’t argue with that. Like McTavish, I’ve got a lot of bruises, and to be honest, I feel a bit shaken up. A few days off recovering will be welcome.”
