by Donna Fasano
With regret, he glanced at her exquisite face one last time and rushed out of the room. Climbing the stairs two steps at a time, he reached the pilot house.
“Rev the engines,” he ordered Mikhali. A moment later, they sped toward the marina where Stefano usually moored his yacht.
Forget about delaying her. He would get her back in time for her court appearance.
While the boat raced through the calm waters, he went to the bar and poured himself a glass of ouzo on the rocks, and walked to the bow deck.
As they passed by the Pink Villa, he cast a look of hatred at the decrepit building that had caused his Yaya so much suffering and would now cost him the only woman he could have loved. He cursed and swallowed the fiery liquid. “To hell with the Pink Villa.”
Soon the dawn scattered purplish rays at the horizon and the sun started its slow ascent from the sea.
“Stefano, good morning.”
He stiffened at her soft sleepy voice and scowled. In a few minutes, he’d identify himself and she would hate him forever. He turned toward her. “Good morning.” She was such a lovely sight, wrapped in the satin sheets with her hair mussed over her shoulders, he couldn’t help smiling. “Did you sleep well?”
“Very well, thank you. But you don’t look like you did.”
“I did for a short while. But I had to make sure we’d sail fast enough to get you on time for your work as I promised.”
“Thank you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips. The sheet bunched between them and slipped to the floor.
How could a man resist such a sweet temptation? Stefano stifled a curse and claimed her mouth for a searing kiss.
She pulled out to breathe and gathered the sheet around her. “When will we dock?”
“Soon enough. Around seven.”
“It’s only six-thirty. Why don’t you come downstairs and rest with me for a while?”
He chuckled and then frowned. “Maybe we should have a cup of coffee and talk?”
“We’ll have coffee later. Come. You need your rest too.” She grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the stairwell. He sighed but didn’t protest.
In the cabin, she lay on the bed and patted the space next to her. “Make yourself at home,” she said with laughter in her voice.
“I want to explain something.” How was he to phrase the truth without hurting her? “When we dock, you will be leaving to do your… Whatever... I hope I’ll see you later, even if things aren’t—”
“Of course, you’ll see me. Let me be honest. I have to appear in court to fight a scumbag. Forgive my language, but this is the nicest word I can find to describe the lousy boor. It’s going to be nasty today. I hope I’ll win and then I’ll be free of that responsibility.”
“Do you really need to go through that? These hearings aren’t easy.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m a lawyer and I’ve seen my share of dirty situations. In this case, it’s a bit more personal because it involves a place dear to my grandfather. He told me so many stories about the Pink Villa and the woman he loved.”
Stefano gritted his teeth to keep from voicing his contempt for the man he abhorred. Ashley would jump overboard and swim for shore if she heard his opinion about her dear grandfather.
“Kiss me, Stefano. Before I appear in court, I need some positive stimulus to fight my enemy.”
“Sure.” He smiled at the irony of the situation, but didn’t mind giving her the stimulus she wanted to fight...him. Lying beside her, he gathered her in his arms. “We have time for a quickie only.”
“Quickie it is.” She chuckled and yanked the sheet away.
He slid off his shorts, protected himself, and rolled her on top of him. “Come, my impatient darling.” He cupped her hips and raised her to straddle him. She spread her legs to accommodate his jutting manhood and gasped when he caught a nipple between his lips and sucked on it. With a moan, she sheathed him with her thrust and collapsed upon him. He let go of her breast and fastened his mouth to hers as he pumped into her and shuddered in a climax.
It’d been too quick, like a raging volcano erupting out of control. Around her, he would never be able to slow down. He’d tried twice before, with no success. She inflamed him with her kisses and he combusted right away.
“Ashley, I’ll never let you go,” he swore savagely against her hair. “Never. Say that you are mine,” he ordered in a heavy breath.
“Yes, Stefano, I’m yours.”
“I promise I won’t let you go. Ever. Can you promise the same to me?” He didn’t care if his request was unfair. He wanted to bind her to him, to make sure he won’t lose her when the truth came out.
“Yes, yes. I promise, my love.”
He claimed her mouth, branding her with a passionate kiss. And then he let her go and captured her gaze. “Ashley, I am…I am not... You’re so dear to me.”
The words of truth wouldn’t pass his clogged throat.
“You too, my Stefano.”
Let her enjoy their last minutes together. Let his yacht be a happy memory for her.
“I think we have to get ready to leave.” She sighed and eased off him. He let her go. She gathered her clothes and entered the bathroom.
He punched the bed, frustration boiling in his heart.
“Yaya, I’m cursed, like you.”
~*~
Satiated and refreshed, Ashley emerged from the shower. She hummed softly while she dried her hair and got dressed. To think of it, she should be grateful to her grandfather’s enemy. If it wasn’t for his refusal to respect Grandpa’s wishes she wouldn’t have come to Greece, she wouldn’t have met Stefano.
An inner peace filled her heart as she surveyed the bed, rumpled with lovely memories, and smiled. “Wicked. I think I’m in love.” Nina would probably change the sheets, but Ashley plumped the pillows and quickly rearranged the bedspread to make the room look neat. After she stuffed her clothes in her bag, she crossed the empty living room and climbed up the stairs to the pilot house. Stefano stood at the helm, a ferocious look on his face.
“What’s wrong?”
His scowl instantly faded. “We docked. I’ll help Mikhali tie up the boat to the pilings. Meanwhile, you can have a cup of coffee.” He left her and strode to the lower deck.
What had upset him? She sighed, walked out to the area where they had dinner the previous evening. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeted her. She poured herself a cup. On the lower deck, Stefano bunched his muscles and threw the thick rope to Mikhali who’d jumped on the dock and now wrapped it around the piling. The surrounding docks harbored luxurious yachts similar to Stefano’s. A couple of men busied themselves washing and waxing their boats, but the place was otherwise deserted at that early hour.
When Stefano turned around and walked to the stairs, she waved. “The coffee is delicious.”
He climbed up and sat next to her. She glanced at him and poured him a cup of coffee. “How do you take it?”
“With heavy cream and two spoons of sugar.”
Amazing, she knew his body intimately, had caressed his muscled chest and corded neck, and tasted his delicious mouth, and yet she didn’t know anything about the man who now meant the world to her. She handed him his cup. He took it quietly and kept staring at the island.
“Stefano?”
His lips curled at the side as if he wasn’t sure if he wanted to smile. “I am a lousy host this morning. We have croissants here.” He presented her the basket.
“Delicious.” She ate one and reached for a second. “You’re not eating?”
“I’ll eat later. I’m not very hungry now.”
Something was definitely on his mind. I hope it’s not about me or our night together.
His cell phone chimed. “Yassou,” he said with a curt tone. “Occhi. No. Don’t come. No, I said, no,” he repeated several times and strode the width of the deck.
He shut his phone and stood next to her, considering her with his
impenetrable gaze.
She covered his hand and squeezed it. “Do you have regrets?”
He brought her hard against him and wrapped her in his arms. “No, Ashley. My only regret is that we came back here, and I have to let you go for now.”
Her heart filled with joy. He wasn’t afraid to acknowledge their attraction although they had just met the day before. “I’ll be back. Right after the hearing.”
He nodded and kissed the tip of her nose.
“That reminds me. Can you give me your mobile number? I’ll call you when I’m done.”
He turned his head toward the dock. “You won’t have to call me. I’ll be waiting for you at the door of the courthouse.”
“You sure? I don’t want to waste your time.”
“Positive. You’re too dear to me, Cardia mou.” He glanced at his gold wrist watch and grabbed her hand. “It’s seven thirty. We can’t procrastinate any longer.”
He walked her out of the yacht and called a taxi. “Where are you staying?”
“Poseidon Hotel.”
He slid into the back seat behind her and gave the cabby his orders. Without saying another word, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and held her tight against him, not uttering a single sound during the short drive.
The taxi approached the hotel and slowed. Stefano cradled her face and gazed into her eyes. “Aghapie mou,” he said in a husky voice. “Last night was the most beautiful night of my life. Remember that. No matter what happens.” Before she could answer and reassure him that it was the most beautiful night of her life too, he crushed her mouth with a searing kiss.
“Stefano,” she whimpered in a breath.
“Go.” He opened the door for her. “Go, before I stop you.”
She climbed out and stood on the sidewalk, watching the taxi speed away. Hope, desire and love swirled in her mind and her heart, and a tender smile lingered on her lips.
As she entered the hotel lobby a man came toward her. “Ms. Sheppard, I am Anton Benatis, your lawyer. We spoke on the phone.”
“Hello Counselor Anton. Thank you for representing Mr. Zanis. My grandfather counts on you to win the case.”
“I will do my best, counselor.” He gave her a once over and scowled at her shorts and bare legs. “I was worried about you. The receptionist couldn’t find you in your room. I hope everything is fine,” he added with a curious look.
“Everything is fine,” she answered with a placid smile. “We’ll have a vicious fight in court, but I’m used to winning my cases. I hope we’ll be done quickly. I’ll meet you here in half an hour.”
She couldn’t wait to get the hearing over with and be in Stefano’s arms again.
Chapter 5
At nine o’clock, Ashley walked up the three steps leading to the courthouse of Mykonos, a white stone house with blue shutters, similar to the many others in the harbor. Inside the small lobby a dozen men milled about, talking loudly, gesticulating, and creating an unbelievable racket. Clouds of fumes assailed her with the strong smell of cigarettes. She wrinkled her nose in distaste.
“This way. Sorry, no elevators in the courthouse,” Anton said. And probably no air-conditioning, either. Good thing she bypassed her usual suits and wore a beige skirt with a matching brow and beige linen shirt. Anton led her to a stuffy corridor at the end of which they climbed to a second-floor hall with big windows, opened wide to admit a refreshing breeze. He approached a reception desk and talked to the court clerk.
“Our case will be the first one heard in the main chamber. They expect quite a crowd to attend. The whole town is excited about having a big, modern, luxurious resort that could accommodate a lot of tourists and bring good income to the local businesses.” His enthusiastic tone confused Ashley. Had he forgotten he was her grandfather’s lawyer, not the opposition’s or the town’s supporter?
“Mykonos didn’t strike me as a place where people were unemployed or poor.”
“Everyone can always use more money or a higher salary.”
Taken aback by this new aspect of the conflict that was supposed to be strictly between their opponent, Dimitri S. A. Kostapoulos, and her grandfather, she frowned. “The situation is not about building a resort for the town’s benefit, but first and foremost, it’s about preserving a cherished old house for its legal owner. And that is the way we will handle the debate.”
Had she hired the wrong attorney to represent them? Seriously worried by Anton’s personal preferences, she added with a firm tone. “Just remember that the Pink Villa is very dear to Mr. Zanis. He is paying you a lot to keep it.”
“Of course, counselor, I assure you I am dedicated to Mr. Zanis’ cause,” he said with an obsequious bow. “Let’s take our seats.”
The courtroom was similar to an American one. They sat at a small table and she opened the case folder to study her notes.
“By the way,” Anton added. “If you want to address the judge with a few words, you can do it. This is only a hearing, not the official judgment. I will translate for you.”
“Thank you.” Maybe Anton was trustworthy after all. She started reading the papers she’d organized in the folder. “Is the opponent coming or just sending his lawyer?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t talked to Mr. Theodore Pastroudis in the last two days.”
Without lifting her eyes from her file, Ashley nodded and didn’t bother telling Anton, she had seen Ted yesterday. A half-smile curled her lips at the reminder of their encounter and all that followed.
“What are they waiting for?” Anton huffed and checked his watch. “Everyone involved should be present by now. Ah, here is the opposition.”
Ashley raised her head. Ted entered the room, and behind him…Stefano, her gorgeous Greek sailor, in navy pants and light blue shirt.
Her pulse raced with joy. She couldn’t hold back an ecstatic smile. Her heart filled with reassurance. He’d told her he’d wait for her after the hearing, but he never mentioned he’d attend the session to support her. The hearing promised to be much easier than anticipated. At least Stefano’s presence would help her through the annoying motions with more confidence than usual.
Ted settled at the opposition table. Stefano sat beside him. He met her gaze with a stern look and didn’t return her smile. What was going on?
Her smile disappeared. Her pulse accelerated.
“Argh, he came after all,” Anton grumbled.
“Who?” Still holding Stefano’s gaze, she mumbled the single word in a weak voice.
“Mr. Kostapoulos. He’s sitting next to his lawyer.”
“Mr… No.” Her breath stalled in her throat and her heart squeezed in denial and pain. “No,” she repeated while urging Stefano to refute the horrible possibility. He kept looking at her, a deep scowl between his eyebrows. “No, no.” He couldn’t be such a contemptible sleazebag. There must be an explanation.
The bailiff called, “All rise.” Ashley rose.
Her eyes still fixed on Stefano, she hardly paid attention to the judge’s entry and nudged Anton with her elbow. “What’s the name of the man next to Theodore Pastroudis?” she asked under her breath, hoping against hope, that she misunderstood his identity.
“I told you. He is Dimitri Stefano Alexios Kostapoulos.”
Oh God, he’d deceived her, tricked her, lied to her.
Oh God, last night was a sham.
A sob gurgled from deep in her throat. She hiccupped and inhaled to suppress it.
“Snake. Monster. Imposter,” she mouthed for him to read her lips. “Traitor, bastard, despicable SOB,” she uttered louder when he trapped her gaze.
Beside her, Anton shifted uncomfortably. “Hmm, you may be right. Kostapoulos would do anything to get what he wants.”
So that explained why he’d invited her onto his yacht, why he seduced her and…and…
Scenes from last night played in her memory. Three hours ago, she was still reeling from his kisses, asking him for a repeat, and he offered a quickie.
“Shh, counselor. Please watch your words. We are in court. The judge may hold it against you.” Anton squeezed her hand, but the gesture didn’t appease her. Nothing could appease her while she kept staring at those beautiful lying eyes.
The judge glared at her and banged on his desk with his gavel. With effort, she averted her gaze, looked at the file on the table, and tried to calm her fuming rage.
“The judge is calling the plaintive,” Anton translated. “Mr. Pastroudis will present the case, then I will counter.”
Ted said something to the judge, then turned toward her. “I will talk in Greek and then translate every sentence in English for Ms. Sheppard’s benefit.”
“Thank you,” she automatically said, then bit her tongue. These snakes deserved poison not thanks.
“My client, Dimitri Stefano Alexios Kostapoulos, is requesting a permit for the demolition of the building known as the Pink Villa, located at 100 Thalatastriou Dhormo, and another permit for the construction of a beach resort. Said resort will encompass a hotel of five-hundred rooms, three swimming pools, a children’s playground, several restaurants, cafés, bars, boutiques.” He went on and on describing the new buildings.
In spite of herself, she cast a few glances toward Stefano. Instead of paying attention to his lawyer, he focused on her with the same grave expression. His eyebrows arched when he caught her looking at him. Once his lips parted on a please, but she averted her gaze and clasped her hands in her lap to hide their trembling.
Her breathing labored, she listened to Ted’s presentation and weighed his arguments.
“We already have the plans for the new facilities that will bring immense revenues to our town.” Ted approached the judge to hand him rolls of blueprints while the audience clapped hands. His lengthy speech had given her the time to recover some self-control.
“It doesn’t bode well,” Anton mumbled. “The residents are delighted with the resort idea.”
“The Pink Villa is falling apart and represents a constant threat to our residents and tourists. We can’t expose our children to danger when they play in that area.”
