Chapter 4

She had fallen asleep, her head resting on his shoulder. He had been about to suggest that she take advantage of the bedroom to nap, but he had been on the phone dealing with a crisis, and she was asleep by the time he finished.

“Mr. Hadley,” The flight attendant whispered, careful not to wake the woman with her head on his shoulder. “Would you like something to drink?”

“No.” he shook his head. “An extra blanket for my wife.”

“Of course.” The woman glided off to get the blanket, and it suddenly hit him that he had called her his wife. And she was. No matter the farce, she was now Nikki Hadley. Taking the blanket, he placed it over her, tucking it around her to ward off the brisk cold air coming from the vents.

They had been whisked from the reception to the hangar, where the plane awaited them. It would be a little less than twelve hours to land, and they were already three hours in.

Which means that she would be more comfortable in a horizontal position. Releasing the clasp of his seatbelt, he eased away slowly and turned to scoop her up into his arms.

A smile touched his lips when she simply burrowed her head into his chest, her arms going around his neck. She was still fast asleep. Striding swiftly into the stateroom, he discovered that the bed was already turned down.

Putting her down, he gently pulled her hands away from his neck and settled her against the pillows. Drawing the quilt over her, he stood staring at her, noticing the long lashes against her caramel skin.

Her hair was loose, and she had changed from her wedding finery into a soft cashmere orange blouse and had teamed it with a pair of cream dress pants.

He was turning to leave when he turned back. He could have also had some sleep, as he had not slept well last night. Too many things on his mind. Toeing off his shoes, he went to the other side and climbed next to her.

At first, he had trouble falling asleep. Her exotic and subtle perfume suited her very well, and the scent of her tingling his nostrils. Turning on his side, he tried to keep his distance, holding his body rigidly away from her. With a deep sigh, he gave up the battle and edged closer to her, one arm thrown around her waist.

*****

Nikki woke up an hour later to feel the unfamiliarity of a body against hers and a masculine arm around her waist. It took a few seconds for the memory to come rushing back.

She was on her way to her honeymoon destination, and her new husband had carried her to bed, and he was holding her against him. She had changed position during the nap, and her head rested on his shoulder.

Lifting her head slightly, she was treated to an unrestricted view of his incredibly handsome face. His lashes were long, like a girl’s, she thought whimsically. His brows were thick, his nose patrician straight, and a cleft in the middle of his stubborn chin. A lock of thick hair was curling on his forehead, giving him an endearingly boyish look.

His mouth- she felt her body quickening as she stared at the pair of sensuous lips that she had tasted at the function. They had participated in the kiss after being declared husband and wife, and somehow, he had managed to avoid repeating it during the reception.

When the glasses had clinked, indicating they should kiss, he had merely brushed his lips against hers. She was trying hard not to show how affected she was by him and wondered if he would consummate the marriage.

She was going to try her best to make that happen.

“Have you Found what you are looking for?” His eyes were still closed, but a lazy smile curled his lips.

“Still looking,” she said lightly.

His eyes flickered open, and she could hear her heart thumping unevenly inside her chest.

“If you tell me what you are looking for, I can help.”

“I prefer to do my search. How long have you been awake?”

“I felt your eyes on my face. It woke me up.”

“That’s not a thing.”

“Isn’t it?”

At least he was not trying to get away from her, she thought in relief. “You carried me here.”

“I figured you would be more comfortable in an actual bed.”

“I was - I am.”

His eyebrows lifted at her confusing statement, but he did not comment. “Hungry?”

“Yes. No.” She shook her head. “I could eat.”

“I will ring for something from the galley. Anything in particular you would like?”

I want you to make love to me. She said silently, willing him to enjoy the same thing.

“Whatever they have.”

Keeping his arm around her, he picked up the phone and placed the order.

“Lobster sounds appealing.”

“It does.” Her hands curled into his shirt as she angled her head to look at him. “How often have you been to Greece?”

“A few times.” His arms were around her slender body, and it felt natural. “Why?”

“I have never been.”

“Then you are in for a treat. How familiar are you with Greek mythology?”

“As much as anyone interested in that sort of thing, I suppose.”

There was a discreet knock on the door before it was pushed open, and the flight attendant came in bearing a tray.

“Please set it on the table, Gloria; thanks.”

He waited until the woman had left and closed the door behind her before nudging her way so that he could retrieve the tray and place it over their laps. Lifting the silver cover, he released the scent of creamy lobster and baby potatoes covered in herbs.

“The myth was that Jason and the Argonauts left Crete to return home and spent the night on an island called Anaphe.” He handed her a glass of white wine before resuming the story.

“One of the Argonauts, Euphemus, dreamed that he was making love to one of Triton’s daughters’ and impregnated her. Long story short, the nymph gave him a clod and told him to throw it into the sea, and he did, hence the birth of Santorini.”

She gave him a skeptical look as she nibbled on the soft lobster flesh covered in butter.

“You don’t believe that, do you?”

He shrugged, a smile playing around his lips. “I am certain you believe in Santa Claus, his elves, and the tooth fairy.”

“Not since I woke up when I was seven years old to see my dad placing a dollar under my pillow in exchange for the tooth I had placed there,” she said with a snort that had him chuckling. The transformation transfixed her. His amber eyes lit up, and his white teeth gleamed against his lips.

Unaware of his effect on her, he asked warmly, “What did you do?”

“I let him think that he had not ruined everything for me. When he asked me the next morning if the tooth fairy had visited me at night, I smiled, lied, and said yes.”

“You never told him the truth?”

“Nope. I figured he enjoyed the charade, and I let the farce continue. Then, I started thinking logically. The old Jolly fellow had a big belly and was quite chubby- the laws of physics naturally would work against him climbing up and down a chimney with a bag full of toys.

Then I started reflecting on this chubby guy staring through my window at night and trying to see what I was up to.” She made a face that had him chuckling deeply. “So, all of my childhood illusions were blown to hell.”

Marcel could not believe he was in bed with a woman, and they were just talking. He was enjoying her company so much and seeing another side of her. At the firm, he barely had contact with her, except when they were working on the same case, which was not frequent. “Were you disappointed?”

“A little,’ She admitted, scooping up some potatoes and shoveling them into her mouth. “But it freed me. As soon as I realized that nothing like that existed, I started asking for outrageous things, like a big red bike I had seen in the department store when I went shopping with my mom and a silver necklace in the jewelry store.”

“Did you get them?”

She shook her head, eyes dancing. “I was caught in my trap. I never told them I knew Santa and that the tooth fairy was not real, so they used the old ‘Oh, I don’t think Santa can afford that, honey. Think of all the little boys and girls he has to take care of in that one night.’”

“Why didn’t you tell them they were busted?”

She rolled her eyes at the term and looked so enchanting that he wanted to shove the tray away and pull her into his arms.

“I wanted to see how much longer they were going to play that card, and I was a sucker for my dad. He was so into the whole Santa and tooth fairy deal that I could not bear to burst his bubble. But I wanted the bike.”

“What did you do?”

“I waited until he approached my room, and then I started praying loudly and asking the Lord to touch Santa’s heart so he could give me the bike. I upped my prayer by saying that I knew there were little boys and girls out there who had specific needs, and I was praying for them, too.

I reminded God I had been a very good girl throughout the year, doing my chores and listening to my parents. I also reminded him that I was a straight-A student and had made my parents proud.” She sent him an impish smile. “Guess who got her bike that Christmas?”

Shaking his head, he sent her a wry look. “I cannot believe you managed to manipulate him like that.”

“I did.”

“For how long?”

“Until I was ten.”

“And he fell for it.”

She nodded.

“It seems you are very good at getting what you want.”

Nikki felt her heart sink as she lifted her head to look at him. His tone and demeanor had changed, and she realized their magical mood had dissipated.

“Marcel-”

“Finish eating,” he said curtly, placing the tray over her lap and shoving off the bed. “I am returning to the cabin to catch up on some work.”

She was about to remind him that it was supposed to be her honeymoon; he was already striding out and closing the door behind him. Slumping back against the pillows, she closed her eyes wearily.

It felt so amazing just sitting here and talking to him, to see him laugh at her jokes and feel the warmth between them. She had even harbored the hope that after they ate, he would take the tray away and make love to her. She had seen the hardened look on his face and realized that something she said had reminded him of what she had agreed to.

Taking up the tray, she put it away, her appetite disappearing. Shoving off the bed, she decided to shower and change into something less wrinkled for their arrival.

*****

Determined not to allow him to spoil her excitement, Nikki picked up the booklet left on the back seat of the town car they were traveling in and poured over the history and breathtaking images of the place.

In between that, she would stare out of the window, and with the glass wound down, she snapped pictures of the quaint buildings, thrilled at the winding roads and the view of the deep blue sea that seemed too lovely to be real.

She was a city girl at heart, but the place was so captivating that she could not help but fall in love. The white villa where they would be staying was perched on the edge of rocks with the sea directly below them.

The driver brought their cases and left them in the cool, inviting foyer. It was half past six in Greece, but Nikki did not feel tired. She had slept most of the time on the plane and was raring to dive into that beautiful water.

A plump woman with glossy black hair secured tightly at the nape of her neck came forward with a beaming look on her dark face.

Nikki heard her husband greet the woman in fluent Greek and gesture toward her.

“This is Daphne Stavros; she takes care of the place and prepares it. She speaks a little English, but not much.”

“Very nice.” Daphne held out a hand. “Kyria Hadley. Much pleasure.”

Nikki smiled at her warmly. “It’s nice to meet you too. I am in love with your town.”

The woman looked at Marcel in confusion, and he effortlessly interpreted what Nikki had said. The woman beamed at her, moving past them, picked up their cases, and said something in Greek to Marcel.

“She wants to know if you would like something to eat. She prepared some fruits and yogurts.”

Nikki shook her head. “I want to change and go to the beach. Will you be joining me?”

“I need to lie down for a bit, but you go right ahead,” he said courteously. The warmth and camaraderie they had shared were now gone, and she had no idea how to get it back.

Mentally shrugging, she followed him and the housekeeper into the bedroom. The room was large, with a queen-size bed in the center of the board floor. A glass partition led to an expansive patio, showing an unrestricted view of the beautiful dark blue waves crashing against rocks.

Daphne had put their bags by the closet and discreetly left the room, closing the door behind her.

Without a word, her moody husband toed off his shoes and went straight to the bed, where he stretched out full-length, his hands stacked behind his head.

“Sure, you don’t want to come?” She asked as she went to pick up her case.

“Maybe later.” He said in a noncommittal voice.

With a shrug, she opened her case and rummaged through until she found a pair of skimpy red swimsuits. She contemplated stripping in front of him but decided she had already taken more than enough rejection for one day.

Walking into the quaint bathroom with the claw-footed bath, she hurriedly took off her clothes and donned her swimsuit. Bunching her hair curls to one side, she twisted the strands into one big plait to hang past her left breast.

Returning to the bedroom, she searched for a pair of soft shoes to wear on the sand and noticed him staring at her. His eyes wandered over the swell of flesh over the skimpy top before going to her flat stomach.

“Be careful. The waves can be powerful,” he warned, his voice a little hoarse.

Grabbing a towel, she gave him a jaunty wave before leaving the room.

He stayed where he was until she had reached part of the way. He found himself wondering if she could swim. Sitting up against the pillows, he stared after her disappearing form with a frown. She was not stupid, but he realized he barely knew anything about the woman he had married.

Other than the fact that she was exquisite…smart… sexy as hell… and very witty. The stories of her childhood had captivated him, and he had felt himself being drawn in, fascinated with her ability to make him into a captive audience. He had forgotten why they were married for the few minutes spent on the bed.

Until she was reminded how manipulative she was. He watched as she dropped the towel on the shore and walked to the water”s edge. A smile tugged at his lips when she dipped a toe in as if testing the temperature.

Within a few seconds, admiration flooded his body as she dove cleanly in, her slender arms scissoring rapidly as she swam further and further out.

What the hell was she doing? He thought with a frown. Swinging his legs off the bed, he strode to the glass doors and stepped onto the patio. Where was she? Damn her! He was about to shed his clothes and go in to find her when he saw her head bobbing on the surface.

Relief had him weak before anger shook through his body. Hissing out a breath, he marched back in and went to find the housekeeper.

*****

Nikki lay back on the towel, allowing the rising sun”s heat to soak through her swimwear and touch her skin. The swim was invigorating, and she could feel the intense burning in her arms and legs.

She had hoped he would join her, but apparently, her husband was still mad at her. She had seen him watching her when she returned to the bedroom wearing the swimsuit. She had also noticed the banked fire in his eyes, evidence of his arousal.

She was so deep in thought that she did not hear him approaching until he hunkered down next to her in her line of vision with a basket in hand. He had also changed and was wearing a black T-shirt and cargo shorts.

“Daphne packed breakfast,” he said casually.

“I smell coffee.” sitting up, she pulled her knees up to her chin.

“There is a thermos.” Opening the basket, he took out bowls of fruits and yogurt. Taking out the thermos, he poured the steaming coffee into two cups and handed her one.

“The Greeks eat light - breakfast and lunch, with the largest meal served during dinner.”

“This is good.” She murmured, sipping the coffee.

“I never asked if you take anything in your coffee.”

“Usually, I would have a latte, but this is fine.”

“I also had no idea that you are a swimmer.”

“Were you worried?” She lifted her tapered brows as she stared at him. He had brought a towel, and it was spread alongside hers. He was sitting on it, his long legs with dense dark brown hair stretched before him, and he looked relaxed.

“A little.” He shot her a glance. “You are very good.”

“Thanks.”

“Where did you learn to swim like that?”

“I was a lifeguard in college.”

His brow lifted. “Really?”

“Yep. I did odd jobs to help pay for my board and food. I was on a partial scholarship, which meant expenses had to be met. I waited tables, worked as a bartender, did dog-walking, and cleaned offices once.”

“Quite an experience.”

“Yep.” Her eyes twinkled as she stared at him over the cup. “I even modeled one summer.”

“Why didn’t you continue?”

“You mean make it a full-time career?”

“No. I meant, go with it while you were going to college? Surely the money would have helped to pay for everything?”

“It was taking a lot of my time.” Picking up her bowl, she dipped the spoon into the creamy yogurt. “And the guy was getting a little too handsy for my comfort. I did not want to sway from my chartered course. I was determined to be a lawyer and decided nothing would stop me from being one.”

Turning his head away, he gazed into the water and did not comment for a few minutes. Nikki looked at his profile and wondered if she should say anything. He had come to her as she hoped, and she did not want to do anything to spoil it.

“I am not going to sleep with you.”

The comment had her starting, the coffee almost spilling.

“Okay. Why not?”

Turning his head, he stared at her, a slight smile touching his lips. “It’s going to complicate things, and I am not ready.”

“We are married.”

“Yes, we are. This is a marriage I did not agree to. I must sort things out before deciding on my next move.”

“Are you in love with her?” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself.

“That’s none of your business,” he told her mildly.

“I am your wife.”

“Thanks for the update.” He put his cup down and rose gracefully. Pulling off his shirt, he dropped it on the towel before running towards the water, where he dove cleanly.

“Well!” She huffed. “We will see about that, Mr. Hadley.”