“I’m part owner of the hotel, remember?” He sat down on a side chair.
“Nobody knows that.”
“Magda let me in.”
“Of course she did once you used your charm on her. She should be fired!”
“On the contrary, she passed the most important test for me by functioning in a crisis.”
“What crisis?”
“I couldn’t find you anywhere. After the talk with my mother, I feared you might be in here too ill to respond. In my opinion we should make Magda general manager if Giorgos ever leaves.”
Lys lowered her head. “Then your mother told you everything.”
Takis loved this woman with every atom of his body. “Yes.”
She got to her feet. “The headline in the paper has probably ruined everything you’ve tried to do where your father is concerned. For all I know it already has.”
“You couldn’t be more wrong.”
Lys paced the floor, then turned to him. “Why didn’t you answer your phone this morning?”
“I was out shopping for our bedroom furniture with my father and turned it off.”
Lys blinked. “You went with your father to do that?”
“Yes. It’s tradition for the parents. He insisted and we had a lot of fun.”
“Then it means he didn’t see the paper this morning.”
“True, but I did, and I told my parents about it at breakfast.”
He heard her take a quick breath. “Did your mother tell you I’ve broken our engagement?”
“Yes.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out the ring. “Here’s the proof. It would have been nice if you’d told me first.”
“I did try, but you weren’t anywhere around.”
“We’ve got all the time in the world now.”
“You don’t need an explanation. We both know we can’t go on with this lie any longer. It’s not fair to your parents who love you.”
“What lie is that?”
“The only reason two people should get married is because they love each other. Your parents have to know the real reason we got engaged. But since you don’t want them to know about the will, I can’t go on with this deception.”
“You don’t have to. They know about it.”
He could see her swallowing hard. “When did they find out?”
“I told them this afternoon.”
She sank down on the end of the bed. “I don’t understand.”
Takis got to his feet. “I finally had the talk with them you urged me to have. You were right about everything and I was wrong. When I explained about the will, they told me they were thrilled Nassos thought enough of me to give me such a gift.”
“Oh, Takis—” she cried, sounding overjoyed. “Then there are no more shadows? You’re happy at last?”
“No. I’m still waiting for you to tell me if you love me. The other night you wanted me to stay with you. An admission of love would have brought me running to you.”
She looked away from him. “You’re being very unkind, Takis. After talking to your mother, you know I do.”
“You do what?”
“Love you.”
“When did you know?”
“In your office in Italy. But none of it matters because a love like mine needs to be reciprocated, which it isn’t, so I wish you’d leave now.”
“I can’t do that because I love you more than life.”
A gasp escaped her lips. She turned to him. “I don’t believe you,” she whispered.
“Do you honestly think I would have asked you to marry me if you hadn’t turned my world inside out? I knew at the funeral you were the woman for me. The moment was surreal to watch my destiny walk past me. The feeling I had for you transcended the physical. How can you doubt it?”
“Because I’m afraid to believe it.”
He reached for her left hand and slid the ring back on her finger. Then he cupped her beautiful face in his hands. “I can understand that fear. You lost your parents and Nassos. But you’re never going to lose me. We’re going to get married and raise a family.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck. The love-light in her eyes blinded him. “I love you so much I don’t think I can contain it.”
“I don’t want you to try.” Driven by desire, he picked up his bride-to-be and carried her over to the bed, following her down on the mattress. “If you had any idea how long I’ve been waiting to love you like this. Give me your mouth, my love.”
Her passionate response was a revelation to Takis, but they’d no sooner started kissing each other than her cell rang, followed by a loud knock on the hotel room door.
He was slow to relinquish her luscious mouth. “I’ll get the door while you answer the phone.”
When he hurried down the hall and opened it, he discovered Danae standing in the hallway, the phone in her hand.
A smile broke out on her face. “I’m relieved you’re the reason Lys hasn’t answered her phone.”
He reciprocated with a smile of his own. “I’m relieved it’s you instead of the manager. Come in. She’ll be thrilled to see you.”
Danae kissed him on the cheek. “Liar,” she whispered.
Lys came hurrying into the living room and gave Danae a hug. “I’m sorry I didn’t answer the phone earlier.”
“That’s all right. I’m thinking you two need to move up the wedding date. How about three weeks from now? Check with your parents. We’ll have the reception on Kasos.”
Takis had never known this kind of happiness. “You’re a woman after my own heart, Danae. Since you’re here, I’m going to leave.”
Lys darted him a beseeching glance. “Do you have to go?”
This was like déjà vu. Luckily Danae had interrupted them, preventing him from breaking his vow not to make love to her before the wedding.
“Yes.” She knew the reason why. “I’ll be back later to take you and Danae to our engagement party.” He gave her a brief kiss on the mouth before letting himself out.
CHAPTER TEN
Three weeks later
THE DAY BEFORE the wedding, Takis’s close friends flew in from Milan. While the men met together, Gemma, Vincenzo’s wife, and Filippa, Dimi’s fiancée, came to Lys’s hotel room to talk. Lys was delighted to get acquainted with the two women, who were best friends and so important in Takis’s life.
It was clear to her they were all going to become close, especially when Gemma announced that she was pregnant.
“Does Vincenzo know?”
She smiled at Lys. “Oh, yes, and now he’s so excited and worried over my morning sickness, he never leaves me alone. The doctor gave me an antiemetic and now it’s under control, but Vincenzo has been driving me crazy. If he behaves like this until the baby is born, I might lose my mind.”
“No, you won’t,” Filippa quipped. “He won’t allow it.”
Lys couldn’t stop laughing. “Do you think your doctor will let you go on in your position as executive pastry chef?”
“I’ve already talked to my ob about that. He’s monitoring me carefully and will tell me when it’s time to quit. Vincenzo and I have already talked to Cesare, who is in the process of looking for a replacement.”
“I don’t know,” Lys murmured. “Takis says you walk on water.”
“She does,” Dimi’s fiancée concurred.
Gemma grinned. “Stop it, you two. There are plenty of great cooks out there and there’s still plenty of time.” She eyed Lys. “I’m so excited for you and Takis. He’s the most gorgeous, wonderful man. He’ll move mountains for you because it’s the way he’s made.”
“I knew that about him before we even met and was halfway in love with him sight unseen.”
“Y
ou really never met him when he was working in New York?” Filippa couldn’t believe it.
“No. I was a sixteen-year-old high school student when he first started working for my father and I was hardly ever at the hotel. A year later my father died and Nassos brought me to Crete.”
“Takis’s story is an incredible one. So is yours,” Gemma murmured. “I’m so glad you’ll be spending some time at the castello after your honeymoon. Takis loves it there.”
Gemma nodded. “We can’t wait to all be together. The men have missed him more than you can imagine, Lys. You have to promise you’ll fly to Milan often or life won’t be the same around the place.”
“It’s true,” Filippa said with a smile. “Dimi looks upon him as a brother. They’re all so close.”
“I think it’s very touching,” Lys murmured.
“In case you didn’t know, that man can’t wait to marry you. Dimi says if he has to wait one more day, he’s not going to make it.”
“I feel the same way.”
“We can tell.” Gemma chuckled. “Since we’ve been given our specific instructions, we’d better hurry out to the limo to meet the men.”
“They’re taking us to lunch,” Filippa informed Lys. “We don’t dare be late or Vincenzo will come charging in here to find out what’s wrong with Gemma.”
Laughter broke out as they made their way down to the lobby. Lys hadn’t known what it was like to have a sibling. Now she felt she’d acquired several for life.
* * *
The next day Lys stood before the black-robed priest dressed in floor-length white silk and lace. She carried a sheaf of purple roses that matched the genuine purple sapphire earrings Takis had given her as a prewedding gift.
During their midmorning wedding ceremony at the flower-decked church in Heraklion, surrounded by their families and a few close friends, Lys was in a complete daze.
The sight of Takis, her tall Cretan prince in his dark blue suit and wedding crown, pushed everything else out of her mind. That picture of him would be engraved in her thudding heart forever. He was now her husband, the most wonderful, gorgeous man in the entire world!
As they were led in the walk around the table three times where they drank from the cup, signifying their journey through life together, she prayed you couldn’t die of happiness. By keeping his vow to her, he’d made this sacred moment meaningful in a way nothing else could have done. But now that she was his wife, she couldn’t wait to show him what he meant to her.
They would be spending time on the yacht Danae had offered them, but where they were headed was a secret. Every time she thought about their wedding night and being alone with him, waves of desire swept through her. Once they left the church, she was scarcely cognizant of their helicopter flight to Kasos for the reception.
Danae had outdone herself to make Takis’s family and friends comfortable. She’d arranged for every one of them to stay overnight where they could swim and eat and enjoy this wedding holiday.
What delighted Lys most were the three children who adored their uncle Takis and hung around the two of them. The girls touched her dress and veil and asked dozens of questions.
Deep inside Lys hoped she’d get pregnant soon. When she saw how happy he was teasing them, playing with them, that day couldn’t come soon enough. The second bedroom upstairs would make the perfect nursery when the time came and she knew the color she wanted.
In the midst of the excitement, Takis’s father stood to make a toast. “I’m the proudest of men to see my last remarkable child married to a lovely woman who I hope will do her Cretan duty and provide us with more grandchildren.” He’d read Lys’s mind.
Takis gripped her hand and clung to it.
After Nikanor’s toast, Dimi stood up. “I couldn’t love Takis more if he were my own brother. I’m thrilled he married a woman I already love. Lys has accomplished something no one else could ever do by putting the light in his eyes that was missing.”
“It’s true,” Takis whispered against her ear.
Lukios followed with a toast. “Guess what, Dimi? I am blood and couldn’t be prouder of my remarkable brother, whose greatest achievement is sitting next to him. Welcome to the family, Lys.”
She teared up while other toasts followed. Eventually Cesare raised his glass of champagne. “Here’s to the groom, a man who kept his head even while he lost his heart. I was there at the castello the day he lost it and witnessed the earthshaking event with my own eyes.”
Everyone roared, especially Takis, whose laughter told Lys it was a private joke between the two of them. She’d have to ask him about it later.
Then Vincenzo gave the final toast and lifted his glass. “Here’s to the newest Manolis couple on Crete. Like my beloved wife and me, may they remain lovers for all of life and the hereafter.”
“You can plan on it!” Takis declared without shame, causing everyone to laugh and clap. Then he pressed a kiss to her cheek. “It’s time for you to change. We’re taking a helicopter ride to the yacht. Hurry. I can’t wait to get you alone.”
Those words said in his deep voice charged her body and she left for her bedroom to put on the stylish new cream-colored suit she and Danae had picked for her. She pinned a purple rose corsage to the shoulder. It was heaven to be out of mourning at last. The sorrow of the past was gone. With Takis waiting for her, there was nothing but joy ahead.
Twenty minutes later everyone followed them outside to the helicopter. Twilight had crept over them. Lys hugged Danae, both of them shedding happy tears. “I have no doubt your parents and Nassos were looking on today.”
A sob caught in her throat. “I think so too. I love you. Thank you for everything and for making his family and friends so welcome. We’ll be back soon.”
“You’ve married a very exciting man, Lys. I envy you for what’s in store.”
Lys watched Takis hug his family before he helped her climb on board and told the pilot they were ready. Earlier in the day their luggage had already been flown out.
Lys was thankful they didn’t have to fly a long distance. She’d anticipated this moment too long to wait any longer. Before she knew it, they’d put down on the landing pad of the yacht. She practically leaped out of her seat, anxious to be alone with Takis who helped her out.
“Am I dreaming, darling?”
He stopped to kiss her thoroughly. “If you are, I’m in it with you. Forever.”
Their wedding night was about to begin. Now if her heart would stop running away with her, she might be able to breathe.
When they reached the outer doors of the master cabin, he swept her in his arms and carried her over the threshold. “At last,” came his fierce whisper.
“Takis—”
* * *
His friends had prepared the suite to his specifications. The flower-laden room was lighted solely with candles. Bless Danae for confiding in him about Lys’s fascination with the prince in the fresco. Not only had she told him there was a strong resemblance to Takis, but Lys had once said that in a fairy-tale world, she would love to be married to the prince.
Upon hearing that, Takis had made up his mind that on their wedding night, he’d treat her like a princess. He couldn’t re-create a Minoan palace, but he would convince her she was the most precious thing in his life. As he lowered her to the floor, adrenaline gushed through his veins in anticipation of what was to come.
Her heart kicked her ribs hard as she looked around, leaving him to freshen up in the bathroom. She’d been on this yacht many times before, but rarely came in this room and had never seen it looking like this. Takis had transformed it into a bridal chamber fit for a queen. The perfume from the flowers was intoxicating. She walked over to smell the ones next to the bed.
“Takis?”
“I’m right here.”
She turned to him and almost fainted. He looked so beautiful in the simple white terry cloth robe, she couldn’t think, let alone talk. His eyes gleamed like green gemstones in the soft light.
He handed her an identical robe. Her knees came close to buckling. With hands that were trembling, she went in the en suite bathroom. After removing her clothes, she put it on.
Lys had known he had a creative side to his nature, but to go to this kind of trouble to please her endeared him to her in a brand new way. With her heart beating out of control, she walked back into the bedroom.
He stood at the side of the massive bed. “Come closer so I can look at the most beautiful bride in all Crete.”
“Takis—”
“You’re not frightened of this surely? Not after all we’ve been through.”
“I—I don’t know what I am,” her voice faltered.
“You’re my desirable wife, the compassionate-hearted woman I’ve wanted from the moment I first laid eyes on you. I don’t deserve you, but I swear an oath that I’ll love you forever. Come here to me, agape mou.”
She flew into his arms. He swung her around before lowering her to the bed. Their mouths met in frantic need and they began to feast on each other. One robe, then the other landed on the floor.
Their bodies came together in an explosion of love and desire. Lys hadn’t known it could be like this. All night long they gave and received unimaginable rapture. “I love you so much, Takis. You just don’t know...”
“Then you have some concept of how I feel. You’re the light of my life, Lys. Love me, darling, and never stop.”
They didn’t stop. It wasn’t till midmorning there was a loud knock on the cabin door.
Lys groaned and held him tighter. “Tell whoever it is to go away.”
“If it wasn’t for the fact that Cesare prepared our breakfast before leaving, I would. But he’s sure to have given explicit instructions to make sure that we ate a perfect Cretan breakfast.”
A chuckle escaped her lips. “And he knows how hungry you are for every meal. I love him for that since I forgot all about feeding you.”
Bound to Her Greek Billionaire Page 14
