Vasso darted her a piercing glance. His heart failed him to think she had an agenda. Was that the reason he’d made it over her doorstep tonight, and not because she couldn’t bear to say good-night to him?
“What is it?”
CHAPTER SEVEN
“I DIDN’T FINISH telling you about one of the patients named Nestor. The poor thing doesn’t think he’s going to get better. He’s depressed, but it isn’t just because he’s undergoing chemo. He lives with the fear that because he was homeless when he was brought in, he has no work to go back to even if he does recover.
“I’ve discovered that several of the older patients are afraid they won’t get their jobs back if their disease goes into remission. So I was thinking maybe in my off hours I could set up a service to help those patients find a job.”
“A service?” One dark brow lifted. “Have you discussed this with Yiannis?”
“Oh no. This would be something I’d do on my own. But I wanted to see what you thought about it.”
He put the moussaka in the oven. “It’s a very worthy project. Maybe even a tough one, but you’re free to do whatever you want in your spare time. Surely you know that.”
“So you wouldn’t disapprove?”
Vasso frowned. “Why would you even ask that question?”
She carefully peeled the skins off the roasted peppers. “Because the people I approach will ask what I do for a living and your foundation will come up. You’re a modest man. I don’t want to do anything you wouldn’t like.”
He lounged against the counter while she prepared the peppers to cook with olive oil, feta cheese and garlic. “You couldn’t do anything I wouldn’t like.”
Her gaze shot to his. His compelling mouth was only inches away. She could hardly breathe with him this close to her in the tiny kitchen. “You shouldn’t have said that. I’m full of flaws.”
His lazy smile gave her heart a workout. “Shall we compare?”
“You don’t have any!”
“Then I’ll have to break down and reveal a big one.”
“Which is?”
“This!” He brushed her mouth with his lips. “When a beautiful woman is standing this close to me, I can’t resist getting closer.” He kissed her again, more warmly this time.
“Vasso—” She blushed.
“I told you I had a flaw.”
She turned from him to put the peppers in the oven. When she stood up, he was right there so she couldn’t move unless he stepped away. “I’d like to spend the day with you tomorrow. We’ll tour the island and go swimming on a beach with fascinating seashells. What do you say?”
He could probably hear her heart pounding. She’d promised herself that after today, she wouldn’t see him again unless it was for professional reasons. Thank heaven she had a legitimate excuse to turn him down.
“Thank you, Vasso. That’s very sweet of you, but I can’t. I’m going to Corfu in the morning with Olympia.”
Those black eyes traveled over her features as if gauging her veracity. “I might have known you’d strike up a friendship with her. She worked in the food services industry before coming to us.”
Zoe nodded. “We have that and more in common.”
He took a deep breath and moved away. “I’m sad for me, but glad for you to be making friends so fast.”
“I found out she bikes with her husband. So they’re going to lend me one of their bikes and we’ll take rides around the island after work and on our free weekends.” She’d added that to let him know her calendar was full.
Another long silence followed, forcing her to keep talking. “Everyone here has been so friendly. I already feel at home here. After moving heaven and earth for me, your job is done. You don’t have to worry about me anymore.”
Still no response. Needing to do something physical, she set the little breakfast table. After making coffee, she invited him to sit down while she served him dinner. When he still didn’t say anything, she rushed to fill the void.
“I’ll never forget the gift you gave me today. Seeing the city of my ancestors meant more to me than you will ever know.”
“It was a memorable day for me, too,” he murmured. “I want to spend more days like this with you, Zoe. I’d love to go biking with you.”
“Between our busy schedules, that could prove difficult.” She put the moussaka on the table and stood at his side to serve him a plate of peppers. “Tell me what you think about Florina’s most famous vegetable.”
He took one bite then another and another and just kept nodding.
That was the moment Zoe knew she was in love with him. The kind you never recovered from. To her despair, the thing she hadn’t wanted to happen had happened. She adored him, pure and simple. His kisses made her hunger for so much more. His touch turned her inside out with longings she wanted and needed to satisfy. Oh, Vasso... What am I going to do about you?
Before Zoe blurted that she loved him, she sat down and ate with him. “Um... These really are good.”
“You’re a fabulous cook, and I’ve never tasted better moussaka.”
“You put it together, so you get the credit.”
After Vasso drank his coffee, he flashed her a glance. “The next time we’re together, I’ll cook dinner for you at my house and I won’t take no for an answer.”
Zoe let the comment slide. The way he made her feel was toppling her resistance. As she got up to clear the table her cell rang. She reached for her phone lying on the counter.
“Go ahead and answer it,” he urged her when she didn’t click on.
She shook her head. “It’s Kyria Themis. I’ll call her back after you leave.”
“Maybe it’s important, so I’ll go.”
Much as she was dying for him to stay, she knew this was for the best. Their friendship needed to remain a friendship, nothing more. The kiss he’d given her today had rocked her world. That’s why the less they saw of each other, the better.
She walked him to the door. “Good night then, Vasso. This day was unforgettable.”
* * *
So are you, Zoe.
Vasso got out of there before he broke every rule and started to make love to her. In his gut he knew she wanted him, too. Desire wasn’t something you could hide. Whether in the limo or the car, the chemistry between them had electrified him.
Though he didn’t doubt she’d already made plans for tomorrow, he sensed she was deliberately trying to keep their relationship platonic. But it wasn’t working. Despite her determination not to go to his house, she’d invited him to the apartment tonight and had cooked dinner for him.
There were signs that she was having trouble being too close to him. He’d noticed the little nerve throbbing at the base of her throat before he’d moved out of her way in the kitchen.
While she’d stood next to him to serve dinner, he’d felt the warmth from her body. It had taken all his willpower not to reach around and pull her onto his lap. She was driving him crazy without trying.
On the drive to his house he made a decision to stay away for a few days and let her miss him. He had no doubts it would be harder on him, but work would help him put things in perspective.
Tomorrow he’d do a tour of the stores where he needed to meet with the new store managers to make certain they were following procedure. That would take him the good part of a week. In the meantime Akis would be free to meet with their food distributors in Athens for the critical monthly orders.
Once he was home he phoned his brother to tell him his plans. Before hanging up he said, “I met with the owner of a produce market in Florina today who wants to sell. The Realtor has named a figure that’s too high. I think I can get the asking price down, but wanted to know your feelings about us putting up a store there.”
“I alwa
ys trust your judgment, but why Florina? What were you doing there?”
He gripped the phone tighter. “I flew Zoe there for her birthday. Her great-grandparents emigrated from there to America in the mid-forties. Before her parents could take her there for a college graduation present, they died in the fire.”
His brother was quiet for a minute. “Vasso—”
“I know what you’re going to say.”
“Since you’ve already disregarded my warning to take it slow, I was only going to ask if there’s a boyfriend in the picture.”
“He bailed on her when he found out her disease would probably be terminal.”
“That, on top of all her pain,” his brother murmured in commiseration. “It would have taken a committed man.”
He exhaled sharply. No one knew that better than Vasso. If Chad had loved her enough, he wouldn’t have let her talk him into walking away. He could say the same for Sofia who hadn’t had the patience to wait until things got financially better for him. Today he rejoiced that he and Zoe were still single.
“How is she working out with Yiannis?”
“They’re trading off weekends and he lets her call him Yianni. That’s how well they’ve hit it off. Let me tell you about her latest idea.”
After he’d explained, Akis said, “I must admit a job referral service for the patients is a brilliant idea. When are Raina and I going to meet her?”
“I was hoping next Friday evening before she has to go on duty for the entire weekend.”
“Do you want to bring her to our house?”
“I fear that’s the only way it will work. She isn’t comfortable coming to mine yet.”
“Then you have heeded my warning to a certain extent.”
Akis couldn’t be more wrong. “Let’s just say that for now I’m letting her set the pace. But I don’t know how much longer I can hold out.”
“Before you do what?”
“Don’t ask that question yet because I can’t answer it. All I know is I like being with her.” That was the understatement of all time. “I’ll talk to you later in the week. Kalinihta.” He clicked off and got ready for bed.
Once he slid under the covers, Akis’s probing question wouldn’t leave him alone. Until Vasso knew what Zoe really wanted, he couldn’t plan on anything. She’d been hurt by Chad who hadn’t seen her through her life-changing ordeal. To have a relationship with Zoe meant earning her trust. He’d begin his pursuit of her and keep at it until she had to know what she meant to him.
After a restless night, he flew to his first destination in Edessa and emailed her to let her know what he’d been doing. He did the same thing every night. By the time Friday came, he couldn’t get back to Paxos soon enough. Before he drove to the center, he stopped by the number-one store to check in with the managers and buy some flowers.
“Vasso?” a female voice spoke behind him.
He turned around. “Sofia.”
Her brown eyes searched his before looking at the flowers. “I was hoping to see you in here one of these days. Can we go somewhere private to talk?”
After she’d turned down his marriage proposal, there’d been times in the past when he would have given anything to hear her say that she’d changed her mind and wanted to marry him. How odd that he could look at her now and feel absolutely nothing. Meeting Zoe had finally laid Sofia’s ghost to rest.
“Why not right here? I’m on my way to the center, but I can spare a few minutes. How are you?”
“Not good. I’ve left Drako.”
Somehow that wasn’t a surprise to him, yet it brought him no pleasure. Akis had told him he’d seen her in town a few months ago and she’d asked about Vasso. “I’m sorry for both of you.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “Our marriage never took and you know the reason why. It was because of you. I’ve never stopped loving you, Vasso.”
He shook his head. “I think if you look deep inside, you’ll realize you were young and ambitious. Drako was already doing an impressive fishing business.”
“I was a fool.”
“I’m sorry for both of you.”
“All this time and you’ve never married. I know it was because of me, and I was hop—”
“Sofia,” he cut her off. “I moved on a long time ago.”
“Are those flowers for someone you care about now?”
“They’re for the woman I love,” he answered honestly. Her face blanched. “You have children, and they need you more than ever. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get to the center. I wish you the best.”
He waved goodbye to the owners and hurried out to the car needing to see Zoe. By the time he reached the center he was close to breathless with anticipation. But first he went by Yiannis’s office to let him know he was there. The older man told him she was out on the patio with several of the patients.
“When you have the time, I’ll tell you about all the changes she’s made around here for the better. We’re lucky to have her, Vasso.”
“I agree. Will it be all right with you if I steal her away for an early dinner?”
“Of course.”
“Good.”
Without wasting another second he hurried down the hall to find a container for the flowers, then he headed for the doors leading to the patio. She’d arranged four round umbrella tables to be close together with two patients at each one in their recliner wheelchairs. One man and one woman to a table. All wore some kind of head covering and all were playing cards. Zoe was obviously running the show using a regular chair.
She hadn’t seen him yet. He stood watching in fascination for a few minutes.
All of them had to be in their late forties or were older, except for one man who looked to be in his twenties. He wore a red paisley scarf over his head like a pirate. As Vasso moved closer, he could tell the younger man was fixated on Zoe. Why wouldn’t he be? She was by far the most beautiful and entertaining female Vasso had ever seen. Today she was wearing a soft yellow blouse and skirt.
They were all into the game and the camaraderie between them was apparent. This was Zoe’s doing. He reached for a regular chair and took it over to put down next to her. “Can anyone join in?”
He heard her quiet intake of breath when she glanced up at him with those translucent green eyes. “Kyrie Giannopoulos—this is a surprise. Please. Sit down and I’ll introduce you.”
One by one he learned their names. They were profuse in their thanks for his generosity. “We’re having a round-robin that’s timed,” Zoe explained. “Nestor here is on a winning streak.” She smiled at the younger man.
“Then don’t let me interrupt,” he whispered, tamping down his jealousy. “I’ll just sit here and watch. Maybe later you’ll tell me why the emails you sent back to me were so brief.”
For a moment their eyes met. He saw concern in hers. Before the night was out, they were going to talk.
It appeared Nestor couldn’t take his eyes off her. When he could see that Vasso wasn’t about to leave, the younger man glared at him beneath veiled eyes. The fact that he was recovering after chemo didn’t stop the way he studied her face and figure. Was Zoe interested in him?
Vasso couldn’t prevent another stab of jealousy, but when he thought about it that was absurd. If there was a bond between them, it had to do with the fact that both Nestor and Zoe had their illness in common. They had an understanding that drew them together. If she suspected the younger man’s infatuation, she didn’t let it show.
Soon a couple of the nurses came out to take the patients back to their rooms. But Nestor declined help and wheeled his chair out of the room.
“Don’t forget movie night tonight!” she called to them. “I’m bringing a treat!”
“We won’t forget!” said one of the older men.
Vasso watched her clear up the cards. She was nervous of him. Did he dare believe that she was equally thrilled to see him, and that’s why she’d been caught off guard? He desperately wanted to believe she was in love with him, too.
“What’s this about movie night?”
She nodded. “During my chemo, there were nights when I couldn’t sleep and wished there were something to do. I asked Yianni about it and he told me to organize it. Anything that could increase everyone’s comfort was worth it.”
Zoe never ceased to amaze him. “You’re already revolutionizing this place. What time is your movie night?”
“After nine-thirty. That’s when the demons come.”
He didn’t want to think about the demons she’d lived through. “In that case I’d like you to have an early dinner with me first. Please don’t turn me down. My brother and his wife want to meet the new assistant manager. They’ve invited us over. Maybe you can get Raina to unload about Akis’s imperfections. Maybe he pecks at her, too.”
She laughed, causing her nervousness to disappear for the moment. “As if I’d ask her a question like that!” There was green fire in her eyes. “I’ll have to let Yianni know I’m leaving for a while.”
“I’ve already asked if it’s all right, but if you’d rather not leave the center, just tell me. We can arrange dinner with them for another time.”
“No.” She shook her head. “That sounds lovely. I’ve wanted the opportunity to thank Akis. How soon do you want to leave?”
“As soon as you’re ready. We’ll leave from the hospital roof.”
“Let me just freshen up and then I’ll meet you at the private elevator in ten minutes.”
“Before you go, these are for you.” He handed her the flowers.
“Umm. Pink roses. They smell divine.”
“They smell like you. I noticed the scent the first time you climbed in the limo.”
Color filled her cheeks. “Thank you, Vasso. They’re beautiful.”
A Wedding For The Greek Tycoon (Greek Billionaires Book 2) Page 9
