For Your Love Only

by Diana Von Lutzenrath

  Chapter 16

  Stretching against thick linen sheets, Tallia groaned as countless aches and pains made themselves known all over her body. Her discomfort did not, however, wipe away the drowsy smile that played across her lips. Nothing can dampen my good mood, she thought as she sat up, yawning hugely while she surveyed the room where she had slept.

  Costa's room, she mused with lazy curiosity, and Costa's bed. Sliding to the edge of the mattress, she let her feet swing down to the floor and left the bed with a great deal of reluctance. She had spent the most amazing night in that oversize bed, her body was sore all over from all the pleasure she discovered in Costa's big, wonderful bed. Trailing a finger along the mattress, she curled her hand around one of the bedposts and sighed blissfully.

  Tallia felt like a whole new woman today. It was late, but she was in no rush to join the rest of the world. She could vaguely recall Costa leaning over her earlier that morning, kissing her shoulder and telling her to sleep in before he left her. She missed him and missed his warmth while she slept. Content to savor a few minutes alone with herself before she went to find him, she took stock of the changes she felt inside herself.

  Oh God, I love him, Tallia thought and laughed foolishly.

  It was probably a mistake to fall for Costa, but there was no going back. He wasn't the sort of man she would ever have pictured herself with. Costa was altogether too big, bold, bossy, and beautiful. But she was crazy for him and so grateful they had been thrown together that she wanted to weep with joy. Most incredible of all, he seemed to share some of her feelings. He liked her and desired her. Hopefully, they could build on that if he was willing to try and have a relationship.

  Padding around the room, she looked over Costa's dresser and wardrobe without much interest. Like most of the house, his room was very simple, spartanly furnished with very few personal touches. Tallia wished it were otherwise as she knew so very little about the man she was in love with.

  She supposed she knew the essentials. She had a grasp of his personality, his traditional outlook, his ruthless devotion to family, his excellent manners, and his sharp sense of humor. Still, she knew next to none of the details of his life. What exactly did he do for a living? Who are his friends? What are his likes and dislikes? She didn’t have a clue what Costa’s favorite color was… or if he preferred summer to fall… or if he liked children.

  Glancing out the window, she was glad to see that it wasn't raining anymore. The sky was gray and overcast, but it looked as if the sun might appear at any moment. It was close to noon when she realized she should probably get dressed and go down stairs to find her man. She dallied though, toying with the idea that it might be more fun to get back in bed and wait until he came looking for her.

  Tallia gasped in disbelief, her sexy plans forgotten as she looked out the window. She noticed in the corner of her eye Costa's big, black helicopter squatting like some horrid bug on one of the squares of manicured lawn that Calamini's husband Gustav was constantly fussing over. All her good cheer vanished as she wondered if Costa were about to leave for Athens.

  Furious at the thought of being abandoned, again, Tallia scrambled into last night’s clothes. She marveled that she had managed to sleep through the deafening racket the helicopter must have made when it landed this morning. Running to her room, she washed and changed in a frenzied rush, girding herself for battle if Costa even suggested going somewhere without her.

  She was still fastening the hooks on the skirt she jumped into after her shower, as she bounded down the stairs, intent on hunting Costa down. Her emotions were seesawing wildly. She speculated why he might be leaving and whether it was business or he had decided to go because he had had his fill of her last night?

  Like a graceless child, she skidded to a halt in the long front hall that ran the length of the house. A strange mountain of a man wearing a black suit and wrap around sunglasses, was standing stiffly by a closed door. He had to be a bodyguard, given his size, staid clothes, and unsmiling expression. But she had no idea why he was suddenly in Costa’s house.

  There was a table next to him, a narrow catchall. Tallia almost smiled when she noticed that someone, probably soft-hearted Calamini, had placed a mug of coffee and a plate of cookies there for the man. The stone-faced bodyguard, however, disdained to touch either.

  Continuing at a much more dignified pace, despite her bare feet, Tallia stepped into the breakfast room to be greeted by Calamini, who was beaming. The housekeeper was putting dishes away in the sideboard. When she saw Tallia, Calamini set them down carelessly and rushed forward. She took Tallia’s hands, squeezing them as she said something in Greek, which Tallia could not hope to understand.

  Laughing and clucking happily, the housekeeper dragged her back through the front hall and over to the bodyguard. Throwing the door the impassive giant was guarding open without knocking, Calamini shoved her inside and shut the door behind her.

  Tallia looked around nervously, not knowing what to expect as she found herself in what had to be Costa’s study. To her surprise, unlike the rest of the house, this room was delightfully busy. The walls were lined with bookcases, the shelves of which were chockfull of books and a confusing jumble of bric-a-brac. Framed pictures hung on every available inch of wall space. Most were personal pictures of Fidelio at every imaginable age, sometimes with Costa too, as well as numerous strangers who were probably family members. A huge white wool rug covered the study floor and two buff leather couches had been positioned on either side of a long coffee table in front of a massive wooden desk. If she could have, Tallia would have loved to look at all the pictures, but Costa was not alone.

  Costa was leaning against the front of his desk speaking to a stout man in an immaculate black, pinstriped suit, who perched on the edge of one of the couches. The two of them looked at her with almost guilty expressions on their faces when she appeared, and Tallia wondered if she were not welcome. Costa broke into a broad grin though, and immediately came forward to meet her. Tallia noticed the stranger quickly folded several sheets of paper they had been going over and tucked them into his breast pocket, before he stood up politely.

  "Agapate," Costa murmured for her ears only. He slid an arm around her shoulders and kissed her lightly on the mouth before turning to introduce her to their visitor. "Tallia, this is Mr. Adrossi, an old friend. Piet, my fiancée, Miss Tallia Maitland."

  Blushing hotly as he introduced her as his fiancée, Tallia shook the hand Mr. Androssi held out to her. She thanked him softly when he surprised her by offering his congratulations on their engagement. Suddenly she knew precisely what Calamini had been trying to communicate in the breakfast room, and she laughed nervously, feeling completely out of her depth. She couldn’t believe Costa was serious about getting married!

  "Piet was kind enough to fly out here this morning as a favor," Costa explained to her. Mr. Androssi grinned at her with delight, nodding energetically.

  Tallia had no idea what to make of that statement and wondered if Mr. Androssi was Costa's lawyer. She thought he certainly dressed the part. His suit looked like it cost a million pounds, though he seemed altogether too friendly and too… well, too excited to be a lawyer.

  Mr. Androssi, with his short, curly black hair and thick, neat mustache, reminded her a little of a well-groomed black poodle. He wore a ring with a stone on each of his pinky fingers, and the gems winked at her as he began to frisk about eagerly. As soon as the introductions were made, the man went rushing around the couch, waving her towards Costa's imposing desk.

  Costa's hand on the small of her back was suddenly propelling her forward. Tallia suffered a healthy dose of dread as she walked towards his desk. She imagined she was about to be presented with a twelve-inch think prenuptial that would require she sign away her life, just so she could marry the man she loved.

  All of her trepidation vanished though when she saw the trays of black velvet laid out on the surface of the desk. There had to be a king’s ranso
m in gems on display, a hundred or more rings glittered magically in the weak sunlight, one more striking than the next. Tallia could not help the 'ooooh' of pleasure that slipped from her lips. Costa and Mr. Androssi laughed at the sound.

  "Now, this is just a small selection of what Piet carries. If you don't see anything you like we can visit his store in Athens. Or if you have something specific in mind, Piet can make a ring to any specification. He designed most of these himself," Costa explained. She stared in wonder at all the gorgeous sparklers on display and wondered if she was still dreaming.

  Tallia never considered herself the sort of girl who went to mush at the sight of a diamond. But she discovered in that moment that she was exactly that sort. She looked at the rings and felt tears burn the backs of her eyes. It was all so extravagant, and romantic. Costa had flown the jeweler out first thing to bring her all these gorgeous rings to choose from. He was clearly very serious about getting married.

  With that thought in mind, she knew she could not be flippant. It was overwhelming though, the gesture, the rings, and his attentiveness. Yet it was for her. To show him how much she appreciated him, she nodded her head gravely and gave the rings her full attention. Halfway through the lot, one stone caught her eye. It was the height of frivolity, but so beautiful it stopped her breath. Costa plucked it up with a low chuckle and presented it to her. It was a pale blush, almost colorless, square cut stone that sat alone in a simple silver setting.

  "This is one of my favorites too," Costa whispered.

  "It's quite extravagant," Tallia replied just as softly, excited at the prospect of wearing such a stunning ring, but equally unnerved because she sensed it was more expensive than she even wanted to know. She owned almost no jewelry, and no man had ever given her any. To have this be her first piece seemed more than she could ever expect or deserve.

  "Costa-" she began with an anxious glance at the ring.

  Laughing, he put a finger to her lips and shook his head, “This is the one you want?"

  Tallia nodded her head after a slight hesitation.

  He grinned, "Then this is the ring."

  "An excellent choice," Mr. Androssi crowed, looking as if he were in ecstasy. "A flawless, natural, princess cut, one carat rose diamond- extraordinarily rare, set in platinum," he added.

  Tallia paled as she tried to imagine what such a thing was worth. Costa, the devil, laughed harder. "Can we have a moment alone, Piet?"

  "Of course!" the jeweler exclaimed, practically dancing out the door. Tallia was certain the ring had to cost a fortune because the man was in such a state.

  “W-wait,” she squeaked, her conscience pricking her to speak. “I… I don’t mean to be rude Mr. Androssi, but… this isn’t a conflict, or a-a blood diamond, is it?”

  Mr. Androssi paused for a moment and then chuckled pleasantly. “Oh, do not be embarrassed Kiri Maitland! People nowadays are much more conscientious then we used to be, many of my customers want to know the very same thing. Do not trouble yourself for even a moment, the stone is from Australia, most pink diamonds do not come from Africa. Mine come only from India and Australia!”

  “Thank you,” Tallia told him, relieved.

  Bowing slightly the jeweler floated out the door.

  “I hope I didn’t offend-“ she began fretfully.

  "Not at all! Trust me, you've made his day," Costa told her, his tone of voice dry and his smile reassuring.

  Nodding, Tallia turned to him and blanched all over again when Costa went down on one knee and took her left hand in his.

  "Oh-oh God," she gasped.

  "Don't pass out on me," he teased, looking up at her with a wicked gleam in his eye. "Will you marry me?"

  "Yes! Oh yes, of course," she cried. Going down on her knees beside him, she kissed him ecstatically, missing his mouth entirely in her haste.

  Costa laughed and kissed her finger. Then he slid the ring onto it, and, of course, it fit just right. Tallia burst into tears. Scrubbing at her eyes and gulping in air to try and calm herself, she blurted out, "You really are insane! We've only known each other a week!"

  "I knew the minute I saw you,” Costa replied gravely, “it just took me a week to build up the courage."

  They toasted their engagement on the terrace with Calamini, Ari, Neni, Gustav and Piet. Neni had begun baking early that morning the moment Costa told her and Calamini that he was getting married, and she had outdone herself as usual. Neni and Calamini had teased him that it was past time he settled down, and Costa realized they were right. For as long as he could remember his sole focus had been to make money, but long after he reached his goal of pulling his family out of poverty and amassing a sizeable fortune, he was still working like a madman. For the first time in his life he was actually seeing the merits of slowing down, enjoying his life and starting a family!

  Seeing Tallia’s radiant joy as she accepted everyone’s congratulations, Costa knew he was making the right decision. Tallia was the only woman who had ever inspired thoughts of permanence or marriage in him. When it dawned on him that some day they would have children, the idea filled him with excitement and not horror.

  After drinking two glasses of champagne, Costa drew her away, leaving the others to enjoy the rest of the wedding cake along with several bottles of champagne. Leading Tallia back into the house, Costa could only wait until they were out of sight of the security guard Piet brought with him to protect his jewels. Halfway up the stairs, on the narrow landing, he kissed her.

  Costa was brimming over with satisfaction as he gazed down into Tallia's face. She was almost aglow with a newfound sexual satisfaction mixed with the euphoric bliss of a future bride, he mused. He had never been more pleased by anything than the happiness they brought each other. A pragmatist, Costa knew the future wouldn't always be this rosy. They were surely in the first blush of love and still had so much to learn about each other. But he had never felt more sure about anything in his life than he did about Tallia.

  He could see himself growing old with her. This was something he never even considered with any of the other women he had known. He really wanted to build a life with her. He wanted to be her husband, to be there for her, to love her, to have children, and to live long years together. He wanted all the mundane and the boring days that realistically, he knew made up married life.

  Once he had her in his room, he shut the door and locked it. Fresh sheets were on the bed and a bottle of champagne sat chilling in a bucket on the bedside table, just as he requested.

  Tallia, already tipsy, giggled and shook her pale head, "I'm not drinking another drop- it wouldn't be prudent."

  Peeling off her shirt, Costa laughed softly, wickedly. "That one’s not meant to be drunk," he took great pleasure in whispering in her ear. Tallia gave him a curious look, and he delighted in showing her what he meant for the rest of the afternoon.