by Ann Lory
He pulled away, wondering where he found the strength to do so. He heard her moan of disappointment and suppressed one of his own with difficulty. “Come, it is late.” He helped her rise and held her hand as they made their way back along the beach and climbed the stairs up to his home. They retrieved her things, then he walked her to her car.
“Will you have dinner with me tomorrow evening, Cassandra?”
Her face glowed. “Yes, I’d love to.”
“I will pick you up tomorrow at eight, then.”
“Sounds great!” She stood on her tiptoe and gently pressed her lips to his, then pulled away, gazing up into his eyes for a moment. Finally, she squeezed his hand, entered her car and left, leaving him staring after her.
He returned to the house, locked up and found Rowlin waiting, watching him with a guarded expression. Dimitri didn’t need to read his thoughts to know what he was thinking.
What the hell was he doing? He hoped he hadn’t just made the biggest mistake of Cassandra’s life.
Chapter Four
The next day was Saturday and Cassie had been unable to help the silly smile pasted on her face all morning. She’d called her dearest friend, Kelly, and asked for her help to get ready for her date with Dimitri. Kelly had eagerly agreed and they’d arranged for her to drop by about five o’clock, which would give them plenty of time to prepare.
Cassie took care of chores until she saw her friend pull into the parking lot, step out of her car and wave at her. Kelly was stunning as always, of course. Her long golden hair, bright blue eyes and lithe ballerina’s body always ensured that everyone noticed her wherever she was.
Cassie ran to help Kelly carry clothes and cosmetics into her home. “Thanks for coming on such short notice.”
“No problem. So who is this guy anyway? I can’t believe you didn’t tell me anything.”
“Well, it just kind of happened. I’ve been so preoccupied with work over the past few weeks and you’ve been working so hard to audition for the lead in the new show that I didn’t want to bother you.”
Kelly growled at her and tossed her armful of clothes on the bed. “When have you ever been a bother? I’m completely miffed that you’ve kept me in the dark.” She placed her hands on her hips and Cassie squirmed under her glare. Finally, her friend grinned and flopped down on the bed, carefully avoiding the mass of material piled to one side. She crossed her legs and clasped her hands together in mock patience. “You’re forgiven. Now, tell me about this guy.”
Cassie laughed. Kelly had always been the bolder of the two of them and Cassie had tried not to let her friend’s popularity bother her. She’d struggled with her weight growing up and sometimes she still felt like the little chubby girl she’d been. She’d worked hard to get the toned body she had now, but back then whenever she’d had a boyfriend, they’d always fallen for Kelly. However, since Cassie had never been serious about any of them, she’d never held it against the other woman. Besides, Kelly was a wonderful friend and never intended to steal Cassie’s men.
She suddenly grinned, reminded of the time Kelly had decked Bobby Meeks for calling it off with Cassie, and then making lewd comments about Kelly probably being extra limber in bed because she was a dancer. He had had a terrible, multicolored eye for over a week.
Placing make-up bags on her bed, Cassie cupped Kelly’s face and kissed her cheek. “I swear I’ll tell you everything; just let me hop in the shower first.”
“Fine, but hurry up!”
Cassie went to the bathroom, shed her clothes and jumped under the steaming water. “Help yourself to whatever’s in the kitchen!” she yelled over the noisy stream. She was soon done and towel-dried herself, then slipped into the robe hanging from the back of the bathroom door and rejoined her friend.
Kelly was still on the bed, arranging various outfits in different combinations. “Where is he taking you?”
“I don’t know, but I’m sure it will be someplace nice.”
“What’s his name?”
“Dimitrius Nicolo Alexios.” His name alone sounded quite powerful, and Cassie couldn’t help but let each syllable roll slowly off her tongue, smiling mischievously. She’d seen his full name among the reams of paperwork that were always necessary for private art collection loans to museums.
“Oh, my!” Kelly looked intrigued. “What is he?”
“Greek.”
“Greek?” Her friend tapped her fingers against her forehead, as if she were in deep thought. However, the twitching corners of her mouth were a dead giveaway for her next words. “He’s not part of the Greek mafia, is he?”
Cassie laughed. “Yeah, I knew there was something about him ...”
Kelly grinned, then her eyes widened. “Maybe one day he’ll take you to his native land and give you a tour of Europe.”
Cassie held her hands up. “Whoa, it’s just dinner.” She found it ironic that she was cautioning her friend rather than the other way around.
“Well, anything can happen.” Kelly flipped open her cosmetic case and pulled out tubes of lipstick.
Cassie leaned against the wall next to the bed and gave a dreamy sigh. “That would be so romantic, though.”
“Well, if you ever go, just be wary of France. You know what a bad experience it was the one time I went.” She dropped eye-liner pencils on the sheets. “What does this Alexios look like?”
“Well, he’s gorgeous and has black hair to his shoulders. He’s tall and lean, and he has eyes that are really dark.” Cassie fell back on the bed onto a clear space among the clothing and cosmetics and her friend. She stretched her legs out, curling her toes.
“Is he rich?”
“Kelly!”
“Well, is he? It’s a simple question, Cass. Is he one of your clients?” She snapped her fingers. “Hey, maybe I can hit him up to be a sponsor for the Vincinni Company.”
“Yes, he’s wealthy, yes, he’s a client, but don’t you dare attack him for money when he gets here.” Cassie tried to convey her feelings for Dimitri to Kelly. “You know I don’t care about any of that. It’s him. He’s the one.”
“Wow, serious,” Kelly joked.
“I am serious.” She took a deep breath and changed the subject. “What’s this?”
Kelly rose from the bed, picking up the strapless black dress Cassie had indicated. “Something I thought you would look great in. Come on. Let’s do your hair and face first.”
They moved to the kitchen where Kelly worked her magic on Cassie’s hair with a blow dryer, then applied the face paint with a deft hand. She had always been good at enhancing her looks, whereas Cassie preferred a little simple make-up. But tonight was different. Tonight, she wanted to be beautiful for Dimitri.
Cassie got nervous as seven-thirty rolled around. “He’s going to be here soon. Are you about done?”
“There. Let’s try that dress.” They went back to her room and Kelly grabbed the gown, helping Cassie step into it before she pulled out a pair of sleek high-heeled stilettos from somewhere.
Cassie slipped the shoes on, then gingerly walked over to her dresser and put on a simple silver chain that held a small Celtic cross with a rose weaving around its center. After she sprayed on some of her favorite perfume, she turned back to Kelly for her approval.
“Well, what do you think?”
“You look marvelous.” They both laughed, then stopped when there was a knock on the door.
“It’s him!” they chorused, then both ran into the front room, Cassie somewhat more slowly on her high heels. Kelly peeked out the window. “My God! What kind of car does he drive?” Cassie gave her a warning glare. Kelly wriggled her nose at her. “I’m teasing you!”
Taking a deep breath, Cassie opened the door. Her heart lurched and her knees went weak at the sight of him.
Dimitri was dressed all in black: black silk shirt and snug black slacks. His hair hung loose to his shoulders and she couldn’t imagine it any other way.
“You look lovely, Cassan
dra.” He held out red roses. She blushed and took the bouquet from him, smelling the fragrant petals.
“They’re beautiful, thank you.” She moved back. “Please come in while I put these in water.” As his gaze skimmed over her, she thought he hesitated at her door before he stepped in. Letting the door swing shut behind him, she motioned toward her friend. “Dimitri, I would like you to meet my friend, Kelly Matthews. Kelly, this is Dimitri Alexios.”
Kelly purred. “Hello, Dimitri.”
Cassie gave her an annoyed look, mouthing at her to behave, then lifted the roses. “Well, I’ll take care of these.” She rushed to the kitchen, grabbed a vase from under the sink, filled it with water and shoved in the flowers before hurrying back.
Dimitri was laughing at something Kelly had said, and Cassie had the sudden urge to push her friend away from him. She stopped. What was she thinking? Kelly had never done anything dishonest or underhanded and never would. Where was this sudden jealously stemming from? Clearing her throat she put a smile on her face and walked around the corner.
“What’s so funny?”
“Kelly was telling me about the benefits of being a contributor to the Vincinni company.” Dimitri took a folded piece of paper Kelly gave him.
“Kelly,” Cassie scolded. Her friend shrugged and grinned.
“I’ll let you know, Kelly. Thanks for the information.”
“Wonderful,” Kelly exclaimed, smiling smugly at Cassie.
Shaking her head, Cassie touched Dimitri’s hand, pleased when his immediately closed around hers. “I’m ready.”
“Then let us be on our way.” He motioned toward the other woman. “It was nice to meet you, Kelly. I hope you have a good evening.”
“Thanks for coming over,” Cassie said.
Kelly waved her hand. “It was no problem. I’ll lock up and call you later.”
Cassie and Dimitri walked out and her eyes widened at the sight of his black Porsche.
“If you hadn’t guessed, my weakness is fast cars.”
Cassie laughed.
He helped her settle in, then went around to his side, and soon they were off. Without saying anything, he took her hand and brought it to his lips, inhaling the soft scent of flowers and the sweet aroma that was uniquely hers.
Tonight, her chestnut tresses were pulled back from her face with a silver painted clip at the base of her neck. She wore a black dress, simple yet elegant, with little spaghetti straps that ran over creamy shoulders. He winced at the silver Celtic cross dangling over her chest. Contrary to popular lore, it was silver, rather than religious objects and locations, that burned and harmed his kind. He didn’t want to risk making contact with the metal and made a mental note to take care of it.
He rapidly inspected the rest of her. The material of her outfit was clingy and left nothing to the imagination, revealing her soft curves and coming to just above her knees. He glanced appreciatively at her slender legs. Black stilettos adorned her feet, closed at the toes with a little strap around each ankle.
Dimitri could feel his desire for her rising swiftly. “You are beautiful, Cassandra.”
“Thank you. Kelly helped me to get ready.” She cleared her throat. “Where are we going?”
“Do you like Greek cuisine?”
She laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever had it.”
“Then allow me the pleasure of taking you for your first Greek dining experience.” With a sidelong look, he focused on her glinting chain.
Cassie cried out as the clasp of the necklace broke and the shiny links fell in a pool into her lap. “Oh, no, my necklace broke.” She held the shimmering silver up and inspected it. He jerked away.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry, I am very allergic to silver.”
Her eyes widened with surprise. “I didn’t know.” She quickly slipped her pendant into her purse. “It was a gift from my mother when I graduated from junior high school. I won’t wear it when I’m with you.”
He took her hand in his and kissed the tips of her fingers. “It is quite all right, Cassandra. How could you have known?”
When they reached the restaurant, the lobby was filled with people waiting for a table. “Looks like it is going to be a long wait,” Cassie commented. “I suppose since it’s Saturday, everybody is out on the town tonight.”
“Wait here.” He strode away from her toward the host.
She watched as he spoke. First the host shook his head, then a smile suddenly broke out on his face. She heard him say, “Yes, of course, Mr. Alexios, we have your table ready. Please follow me.”
Dimitri turned to her, extending his hand. She came forward and he gently touched her lower back, guiding her behind the host. It was a simple action, but one that made her skin burn. She could feel her whole body flush and scolded herself for her body’s instant responses to him. She took a deep breath and concentrated on the back of the host’s head.
Their table was perfect, tucked away in a corner of the restaurant. Dimitri held her chair out for her as she smiled her thanks and sat down. He took his seat across from her, and the host handed them the menus, reciting the specials for the evening.
Dimitri thanked him, then turned to her. “Order anything you like.”
Cassie flipped open the menu and looked through everything. “It all looks good.” She lowered her menu and looked at Dimitri. He had been watching her, and there was amusement in his eyes. “Would you order for me? I trust you.”
His face suddenly became serious, and one of his hands covered hers. “Do you mean that?”
She was surprised, “Mean what?”
“Do you trust me?”
“Yes, I trust you, Dimitri.” She paused. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine.”
The waiter came and took their orders. Dimitri had explained to Cassandra that he had special dietary needs and was only able to eat very light meals. She’d been concerned but he’d been able to put her at ease with his smiles and a change of topic.
However, the overpowering smell of food, perfume and cologne surrounding him made him increasingly nauseous. In addition, the crush of so many people induced a feeling of claustrophobia. The scent of their blood and the sound of so many heartbeats were the most powerful distraction of all, filling his head respectively with their delicious bouquet and steady rhythm. Despite the noise, he could also hear conversations across the room and, if he desired, across the city.
Cassandra was talking and he pushed everything to the back of his mind, bringing his keen senses in to focus on her, the beautiful woman that was his tonight.
“How long have you and Kelly been friends? You seem very close to her.”
Cassie nodded. “We’ve been friends for ages, pretty much ever since we were in preschool together in Missouri. Her parents both died in a car accident our freshman year of high school. There was no other family for her to go to so my parents took her in. It was very hard for her, but when we moved here to San Francisco, I think it helped her to get away and start anew.”
“It was very nice of your family to help her.”
“That’s my family. Kelly and I were always either at our house, or I at hers. She was already apart of us.” She paused, eyeing him. “Well, Dimitri, you know just about everything about me, but I know little about you.”
There it was, the question he had been dreading. “What would you like to know?”
She sat up straight and smiled brightly. “Everything, of course. Your family, your hobbies.”
Taking a drink of the dark red wine the waiter had brought, he looked at the contents swirling around in the glass. “Let’s see, hobbies? I paint.”
“That’s wonderful, Dimitri. What do you paint?”
“I could paint you, Cassandra.”
She blushed. “I would like that. What an absolutely amazing talent. I couldn’t paint anything to save my life.” She laughed, her purple eyes sparkling. “I do love art, of course, and am pleas
ed that I’ve had the opportunity to work with such lovely pieces in your home. Would you show me your work sometime?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
“Tell me about your family.”
Dread settled in his heart. “I was born in Athens. Both my mother and father have both passed on.”
“Oh, Dimitri, I am so sorry.” She covered his hand, her thumb absently rubbing against his skin. It caused his manhood to jerk.
He shifted in his chair, trying to ignore the sudden bombardment of images of her hands caressing all over him, of his mouth feasting on hers. He forced himself to concentrate. “Do not apologize. It happened long ago.” He told her of what he could of his happy childhood, how his parents had loved him, their only child. He did not tell her his parents were a lord and lady, that he’d been alive when the Turks still ruled Greece, or that he’d been present for countless historical events.
“When did you come to America?”
About one and a half centuries ago. “Ten years ago.”
“Why did you decide to immigrate?”
Dinner arrived, giving him the room to breathe he wanted from all of her questions. “You must try this. I want to know what you think.”
She looked down at her plate filled with spiced meat, green and red peppers, onion and fried bread. Obediently, she picked up her fork and took a bite.
“How do you like it?”
She smiled at him. “Delicious.”
He watched her as she ate, toying with his own small plate of food.
“How was your dinner?” she asked, pointing to his nearly empty dish.
“As you said, delicious.” She blushed at the sensuous way he drew out the last word.
They discussed his art collection for a while. When they finally looked up, most of the people in the restaurant were gone.
“Well, I think it’s safe to say we should go.” Cassie set her napkin on the table.
