by Mary Winter
Ari squared her shoulders. She caught Catherine looking at her through the window, her employee’s attention quickly pulled away by the jingle of the bell over the door. A young woman, her stomach rounded in pregnancy entered. She paused by the arrangement cabinet and grinned. “That one,” she said before turning to the counter
“Welcome to Floral Fantasy,” Catherine said. “Looks like you found something you like.”
“Yes.” She pointed back toward the cabinet. “The purple arrangement. It will be perfect for my mother.”
Catherine smiled. “Great choice.” She walked over to the cooler and quickly brought the bouquet back to the counter. In moments, she’d totaled the purchase and packaged the flowers for a safe ride to their destination. Eric returned, then quickly left with the van loaded full of bouquets to be delivered.
Ari tidied the workroom and checked her office. A sudden need to be home with the memory of her dream lover filled her. Work could wait. After all, she owned Floral Fantasy and this was her first day back from vacation. “Do you mind if I head home?” she asked Catherine. “I think I’ve done enough for today.” She slipped her purse over her shoulder. She’d promised herself she’d take it easy after her vacation.
“I can finish things here. Thanks for doing those bouquets. Why don’t you go put your feet up and enjoy a drink?” Catherine waved her hand toward the door as she checked the day’s receipts.
“Thanks. I think I will.” She sketched a wave in the air and went out to her compact hatchback. It looked like an egg on wheels, but it made getting around in town so easy. Moments later she merged into traffic, determined to have a good evening. She had a book on her nightstand she’d started on the plane from Greece. Maybe she’d start reading, or perhaps head out to the nearby botanical garden. Either way, she knew she’d enjoy herself knowing her shop had survived her vacation and Catherine had everything under control.
Ari pulled into her driveway. A few moments later, Bea, her neighbor rushed out. “Ari, dear. I have a delivery for you. It was left at my house.”
Ari opened the door and stepped out. “Oh, thank you. I’ll come over and get it.” She grabbed her purse and crossed her small front lawn to Bea’s little white bungalow. Bea stepped inside and emerged carrying a huge bouquet of flowers.
Ari’s breath caught in her throat. The long-stemmed roses, the greenery. Even the elegant vase. She recognized the arrangement as the one she’d completed earlier today. She hadn’t seen the address. Eric handled all the receipts when he made deliveries. “Oh my goodness,” she said as she took the flowers from Bea. “I wasn’t expecting these.”
Bea smiled. “You work too hard. Some young man should send you flowers more often. So tell me about him. Who is he?”
Ari shook her head. “I’m afraid I don’t know. I haven’t ‑‑” She swallowed hard and tried to calm her racing heart. “I haven’t met anyone. I don’t know who would send me flowers.”
“Well, take them inside and enjoy them, dear. And find out who sent them. He might be a keeper.” With a wink, Bea returned to her house.
“Thanks.” Ari tried to wipe the bemused grin off of her face as she stared at the flowers and carried them inside.
* * * * *
When it came to finding people, Thanos knew he had a bit more luck in that department than most. His contacts with the plastic surgery department in the local hospital helped, as did a knack for ferreting out hidden information. He’d seen her in the hospital off and on, though less frequently now that he no longer consulted on her case. She brought light with her wherever she went, and when her doctor told him about her dream of visiting his native country, he knew he must see her. He suspected that although her physical body might be nearly as good as new, the emotional still needed work. And although he practiced plastic surgery, he liked to think that he had a bit of skill with the emotions.
Slowing his Mercedes, Dr. Thanos Soterios stared at the address he’d scrawled on a prescription pad, then looked at the house, a small brick bungalow on a quiet cul-de-sac. Flowerbeds planted with hardy petunias and marigolds flanked the cement stairs leading to the front of the house. An older compact car sat in the driveway. Thanos parked along the street.
As he opened the car door, he wondered why nervous flutters filled his stomach. He’d met women before, hundreds of them. With his looks and charm, meeting a member of the opposite sex came as easily as breathing. But Ari was different. He knew it when he’d consulted on her case, and when she’d visited his temple. Though she was scarred, he found her beautiful. He’d seen the final work and the surgeon who’d completed it was one of the best in his field.
Squaring his shoulders beneath the Armani suit he wore, Thanos crossed the street and walked up the driveway. He wanted to see her reaction to his flowers. He’d stopped into the shop yesterday, certain she’d still be on her vacation, and requested the arrangement. He hoped she’d put the bouquet together herself; nothing like giving a woman what she wants. He smiled and ascended the stairs to her cozy home, then rang the doorbell.
The multi-toned chime echoed through the house. Inside he heard the patter of her feet and a soft, “just a moment.” The sound of her voice filled him with hope. The musical notes washed over him, made him think of flowers in summertime or the lap of waves against the shore. He wanted to see if the bouquet matched the beauty of the woman inside.
The door opened just a crack, stopped by the safety chain. “Hello?” She peered around the door and looked. Interest flared in her gaze, quickly banked as she looked him over and shook her head. He noticed she kept the door angled so he saw only the unscarred side of her face. It looked second nature. “Hello?”
“Are you Ari Levington? I’m Dr. Thanos Soterios.”
“I am,” she said as she removed the chain. “Is everything all right, Dr. Soterios?” She thought for a moment. “You look familiar, but I’m afraid I don’t recognize your name.”
* * * * *
Ari caught her breath at the sight of the handsome man standing on her front stoop. Thick black hair, just wavy enough to tempt a woman’s fingers to run through it framed a handsome face dominated by rich, coffee-brown eyes. A straight, patrician nose bisected his face and led to a pair of full, kissable lips. His strong jaw enhanced the entire package.
And his suit. Ari sucked in her breath at the broad shoulders delineated by the cut of the tailored charcoal gray suit jacket. His broad chest, covered by a white casual shirt, tapered to narrow hips and long legs. Expensive leather loafers covered his feet. If she didn’t know any better, she’d think he was the man from her dream.
“I consulted on your case. We met very briefly,” he said. His rich voice washed over her like warm honey, all gooey and sticky, making her want to roll it around on her tongue for a while.
A plastic surgeon. She should to have known. Such wealth didn’t come from just anywhere, and from the cut of his suit to the Mercedes parked in the cul-de-sac, he clearly came from money. She forced a smile on her face. After her accident, she’d seen enough of doctors. Ari kept one hand on the door as she removed the chain, still wondering why this particular doctor had shown up on her doorstep.
“I don’t usually do this.” His gaze swept over her from head to toe, bringing with it the heat of an intimate caress. She had no doubt he knew exactly what lay beneath her clothes, every scar and every line. For once, she didn’t care. “But I’ve been following your case and have nothing but admiration for you. I was hoping we could get to better know each other.” He flashed a megawatt smile that curled Ari’s toes. A single glance, a brilliant smile, and he had the ability to send heat flushing to parts of her that had been re-awakened by the encounter in the Greek temple.
Ari opened the door wider, suddenly realizing that she was about to invite this man into her house. The long sleeves of her blazer brushed comfortingly against her arms, her slacks loose enough to disguise any disfigurement. His slight accent reminded her of the Grecians she’d enc
ountered during her visit. “Dr. Soterios,” she said, testing his name on her lips. “That’s a Greek name, isn’t it? I recently visited Greece. It’s a beautiful country.”
“Thanos, please. And yes, she’s very rugged in places, but certainly beautiful.”
A flush swept across Ari’s cheeks, the heat warning her she was out of her league with the handsome doctor. “Yes, it is.” She stepped aside. “Would you like to come inside?”
“That would be lovely, thank you.”
She closed the door behind him, noticing the scent of his cologne. The bright, airy scent made her think of warm, sunny days spent on the beach and rolling in silk-soft sand. Without realizing it, she leaned closer to pull more of the tantalizing aroma into her nostrils. She stepped away and turned toward her dining room. “Would you like some iced tea? I was just pouring myself a glass when you arrived.”
“That would be wonderful, thank you.” He followed her through the small foyer and living room to the kitchen and dining area with its curtains wide open to catch the late-afternoon sunshine.
Ari grabbed a glass from the drying rack and filled it with iced tea. She topped off her own glass before placing the pitcher in the refrigerator. Turning to him, she saw his gaze captured by the huge bouquet she’d set in the middle of the table.
“Those are gorgeous flowers,” he said as he accepted the glass from her. Their fingers brushed for an instant. Heat sizzled through her veins. She found her gaze drawn to his eyes and thought about losing herself in their dark brown depths. Just like the eyes of her dream lover in Greece. She pulled her hand away, certain she could still feel him touching her.
“Thank you. I wish I knew who sent them.” She pulled out a chair and motioned for him to sit.
He did and brought the glass to his lips. He drank, his Adam’s apple bobbing with each swallow. Ari watched the movement, wondering what it would be like to draw her tongue down the smooth flesh to kiss the tanned base of his throat. She pulled her thoughts away from exploring Thanos’s body with her tongue. It’d been too long, and her dream-awakened feelings she thought better left dead. The hunky doctor probably had no designs on her body, especially once he saw the designs left behind by healed wounds.
“A secret admirer? I’m sure you have many,” he said.
Heat crept over her cheeks and down her throat. Ari shook her head, studying the pattern of condensation dripping down the sides of the glass. “No. Not that I know of.” She reached for her glass.
Thanos twined his fingers with hers. He brushed her palm with his thumb, each sweep sending sparks shooting through her body. The soft, seductive caress hardened her nipples against her bra. Lips parted, she looked at him.
Blatant desire filled his gaze. “Why do you sound so uncertain? You’re a beautiful woman.”
“No, I’m not. My scars.” Embarrassed, she stared at their clasped hands.
He reached out and trailed his fingers along the scar along the right side of her face. Ari turned her head, intending to hide the mark, but her actions only pressed her scar more solidly against his fingers. His light strokes fanned flames already burning. His thumb slid over her full, lower lip, and she parted her lips. Her eyes fluttered closed.
“With beauty such as yours, scars are of no consequence. Perhaps they show that you’re a real woman, and not some goddess fantasy brought to life.” His soft, husky words washed over her.
“I ‑‑” Words failed her.
Ari opened her eyes to find Thanos staring intently at her. Hunger filled his gaze. She moistened her lips with her tongue.
Thanos followed the movement and swallowed.
Ari stared into his warm, dark brown eyes. Drowning in his gaze, she leaned forward, offering her lips to him.
Thanos closed the distance between them. His lips settled on hers, warm and sweet. With gentle care, he kissed her, drank from her. Beneath the sensual onslaught, Ari opened her mouth. She swooned against him, her hand flat against his chest. His heart hammered beneath her touch.
Thanos deepened the kiss. His tongue slid into her mouth. The thick invasion filled her. Ari’s pussy wept with need. Slowly, she slid her fingers around the back of his neck, twining them into his hair. She needed him closer. His scent, spicy and male, surrounded her.
A moan rumbled from Thanos’s chest. His tongue plunged into her mouth, making it quite clear what he wished to do with her body. His nimble fingers skimmed her sides, up and down, and wherever he touched, tiny electric sparks danced through her. She wished to close her eyes and never wake up from this wonderful dream.
Fire and heat danced through him. She tasted like summer, heat and light with just a hint of tart sweetness. He fucked her with his mouth. He needed to move between her legs and into her warm, tight pussy. Her hand fisted in his shirt and drew him closer to her. Tasting her only made him want more.
His cock hardened, balls tightening. He brushed his fingers across her breasts. Through the layers of shirt and bra, her nipples tightened and pressed into waiting fingers. Thanos palmed her breast. She moaned into his mouth, and he greedily swallowed it.
For so long he’d waited for her. He’d helped on her case, bided his time until she became an adventurous woman who fell asleep in his temple where in her dreams, under his tutelage, she became the wanton temptress. He feathered light caresses across the scar along the side of her cheek, the transition between scar and flesh drawing his fingers. He wished for powers to remove it with only a touch.
He rubbed his tongue against her bottom lip, drawing the plump flesh into his mouth to suckle. A light nip, quickly laved with his tongue, made her shudder. In a few moments, he’d haul her onto his lap, her legs straddling him. His cock, hard and tight, would rub against her pussy, and he’d fuck her senseless.
Thanos pulled back and sucked air into his starved lungs. He couldn’t take her like a rutting animal. She deserved more, deserved better. With his thumb, he gave her lower lip a last, loving caress, and leaned back into the chair.
Ari forced herself to draw air into her lungs. She stared at Thanos, his pupils dilated with arousal. Need thrummed through her body, from her aching nipples to the warm desire in her pussy. Never before had she thrown herself at a man. Her dream had changed her, she realized. Swallowing hard, she forced her body to relax, not to give in to the urge to cross the space between them and drape herself across his lap.
“I don’t usually do things like that,” she said, when at last she could form coherent thought.
He nodded and smiled. “You are a beautiful woman, Ari. You should do things like that more often.” Thanos rose to his feet. “There is an outdoor concert tomorrow. I’d like it very much if you were to go with me. I can pick you up at six-thirty.”
In spite of what had just transpired between them, a flush crept over her cheeks. She felt it in the warmth flaming from her face and the back of her neck. “That would be nice, thank you.”
“Very good, then.” He turned, starting to walk out, when he looked back at the bouquet, and at her. “I’m so glad you liked the flowers.”
Ari sat dumbstruck at his words as she watched him walk away.
Chapter Two
A soft breeze teased errant strands of Ari’s hair. She’d pulled it up into a twist, leaving a few tendrils down to frame her face and to hide her scar. Dressed in a long-sleeved jacket over a camisole and loose trousers with sandals, Ari found it way too easy to close her eyes and pretend she was on a date with the man of her dreams.
Thanos intrigued her. The handsome doctor obviously could have his pick of the ladies. She’d thought about declining his offer, but it’d been far too long since she’d just let herself have fun with another person. Besides, it was outdoors and in a public place. A handsome man had asked her out. She’d be a fool not to enjoy the moment. Women cast covetous glances in his direction, though he seemed blissfully ignorant of the attention.
A heady saxophone filled the night air with a tune full of longing. The five
-piece band, with a smoky-voiced female singer, performed a mixture of their own jazz tunes and old favorites. Sitting on the soft blanket with Thanos, Ari couldn’t find a better way to spend a relaxing evening. She leaned against him, using his broad chest as a backrest and letting her head fall against his shoulder. His arm draped loosely around her middle. The comforting weight felt familiar, somehow, and her thoughts were pulled back to her dream in Greece.
Thanos brushed his lips against her temple. “You seem lost in thought,” he said during a break in sets.
Ari picked up her glass of chardonnay. She sipped from the vintage far more expensive than anything she purchased for herself and enjoyed the bouquet of flavors on her tongue. Tilting her head up, she looked at Thanos and smiled. “Just enjoying the evening.”
“I’m glad.” With his free arm, he opened up the picnic basket. “You know we haven’t had dessert yet.”
The husky timbre of his voice sent shivers down her spine that had nothing to do with food. Instead, she remembered the feel of his lips beneath hers, his hard body pressed against hers, and she wanted to feel it again. “Really?” Reaching up, Ari traced the strong line of his jaw with her index finger. Boldness she’d never felt before made her seek out his warm skin. His lips parted, and she brushed her finger against his sensual lower lip. Perhaps it was the gathering twilight that hid the scar along her face or the knowledge he wouldn’t be able to see her scarred body beneath her clothes; either way, a rush of feminine power filled her.
Behind her, Thanos shifted. “You’re a temptress, do you know that?” The band began their second set, effectively cutting off further conversation. No words were needed, however, as Thanos reached into the picnic basket next to him and pulled out two containers of tiramisu. He handed one to her along with a fork.
