Page 4 of The Nicolaides Baby

“I see.” Leo let his gaze roam over his brother’s earnest expression as he reclaimed his seat after his outburst. It seemed Andreas was sincere. So, while Leo may not have understood it, he had to believe his brother was truly in love with Sierra. So whatever misgivings he or Rowan had, it looked like they had a wedding to attend. “You are in such deep trouble when the family gets home,” Leo told him with the first smile he’d been able to give his brother since hearing the news.

Andreas laughed and shook his head. “Don’t I know it.”

Just over two hours later, and after a short flight to Santorini in Leo’s Piper M350 six-passenger single, Leo stood beside Andreas as he and Sierra shared their vows. He had to admit for a quick wedding, it had been well put together, with flowers surrounding them and a large bouquet for the bride and a matching smaller one for Rowan—along with boutonnières for him and the groom. They’d even scrounged up a photographer. Sierra was beaming in a cream-colored gauze dress while his brother wore one of his best suits and the cheesiest grin he’d ever seen on him.

Then there was Rowan.

He’d not been able to speak with her before the American-style ceremony taking place in the small chapel, but from all appearances she was being supportive of her sister—even if he had spied a few tears gathering in her eyes—ones she’d quickly dashed away. Either from happiness or sadness, he couldn’t tell.

But, God, Rowan looked beautiful. He cast another of several glances at her, taking her in from head to toe but lingering for a moment on her hair. For today’s occasion, she had her long red tresses up in some sort of intricate style that looked like it was about to fall apart, with a few wisps of it framing her lovely face. It gave him the impression of how she might look after a stolen cuddle in an out-of-the-way corner—put together but just unkempt enough to let others know she’d been thoroughly kissed.

His finger itched to loosen whatever was holding her hair together and see it falling around her preferably bare shoulders—just as they itched to glide over her radiant face. She’d complained several times about how she was afraid of burning in the Santorini sun, but she’d managed to keep her creamy complexion, even though her freckleshadgrown more pronounced over the past couple of weeks.

And while he was certain her intent wasn’t to outshine the bride, in his eyes, she’d done just that in a deep, vibrant turquoise lace over matching satin dress with the hem just touching her knees and the cut hugging the slight curves of her figure. He’d seen her body displayed in much less a number of times—bathing suits and shorts and tank tops—but seeing her like this added fuel to the slow fire he’d had simmering since the day he’d first looked into her stunning green eyes. His face heated, along with his urge to slip off the demure dress and see if her freckles coveredallof her body—not just the places he’d already seen. He didn’t know why, but he’d had the growing, inexplicable need to find and kiss each and every one.

Of course, she took just that moment—when all he could think about was acting on his desires—to glance over at him. She tilted her head and crinkled her brow before widening her gaze and parting her mouth on a slight gasp the longer she held his stare. And then a slow flush crept up her neck and into her cheeks. Making matters worse, she took in a quick breath and sucked her bottom lip between her teeth.

God in heaven, she knows I want her.

And having her know ratcheted up his need for her even more. But what could he do about it? She was leaving in the morning. He adjusted his stance to get some needed relief from the growing restriction in his dress pants. If it were anyone else, he would be laughing right now, but all he could think was it was the damnedest time and place for him to become aroused—in a church with his brother marrying a virtual stranger.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. What God has joined together, let no man tear asunder. You may kiss your bride.”

The words from the American priest the couple had managed to find broke the spell between them. Rowan visibly pulled herself together and began clapping, so he did too while the bride and groom shared a rather passionate kiss. Rowan’s eyes cut to his another couple of times before she finally turned away from him altogether and took her sister in her arms to give her a hug—their whispered words not reaching him.

“Well?” Andreas said, turning to him.

Leo gave Rowan’s profile one last fleeting look before plastering a smile on his face and gathering his brother up in a bear hug. “Congratulations.” He pulled back and held Andreas by his shoulders, looking him straight in the eye so his words would hold more weight. “I wish you years of happiness and many children.”

“That means a lot to me.” Andreas glanced over at his new wife who was laughing and talking to Rowan. “To both of us.”

Leo nodded and then turned to the rest of the small wedding party. “All right, everyone,” he said, loudly enough to get the bride and maid of honor’s attention. “Dinner’s on me.”

Andreas had booked a suite at the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens for their honeymoon—laughingly saying he’d decided staying someplaceotherthan their own hotel was the best waynotto have their parents and younger sister tipped off he’d gotten married. So, Leo drove them out to the private airfield behind their family’s villa where he’d landed earlier and everyone loaded in before taking off across the sea at sunset.

Leo had arranged for them to have dinner at Orizontes on the hill of Lycabettus and insisted on their best table—even though it was a last-minute reservation at one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city. Sometimes it was good to be a Nicolaides. They spent the evening under the stars and enjoyed the scenery while drinking copious amounts of champagne and eating delicious Mediterranean food.

“Oh, my God,” Rowan said, sitting back in her chair and holding her stomach. “I think this is the best meal we’ve had the whole trip.”

Leo nodded his agreement and took another sip of champagne. Ithadbeen an enjoyable meal, but not only because of the food. He’d never paid much attention to how Rowan had eaten during their other meals together—mainly because she’d been more intent on coming between Sierra and Andreas than worrying about eating.

But tonight?

Tonight, watching Rowan eat was something he’d liken to a spiritual experience. She’d savored every taste, rolled her eyes in pleasure when she’d tried something new, hummed low in her throat as she’d chewed, and licked her lips more times than he could count.

It had been like a long bout of one-sided foreplay where he was on thelosingside, leaving him aching in all the wrong places.

Leo cleared his throat—twice. “Yes, the food here is the best in the city.” He glanced at his newly married brother and his wife. They too looked satisfied with their meals but also ready to leave. “So, are we set?”

Andreas kissed Sierra’s hand, nodding, but didn’t bother to look at him.

“Do you think perhaps we’re not needed here?” Rowan said in a conspiratorial whisper, leaning toward him. She smiled, unlike any she’d given him the past two weeks—one full of warmth and maybe something more.

“I think you’re right,” he said, gazing into her eyes and leaning just that much closer to her until they were almost breathing the same air. He glanced down at her parted lips and wished more than anything he could taste them.

She took in a great gulp of air and sat away from him, fanning herself even through the air had a slight chill to it. “Okay.” She touched Sierra’s shoulder, pulling her sister’s attention away from her new husband. “I think I’d better get going. I’ve arranged for a late check-in at the airport hotel, but it’s going on ten o’clock.” She stifled a yawn and stretched. “I’ve got to be up at five in the morning to get ready for my flight. And you know me,” she said with a wink at her sister, “I don’t want to oversleep and be late.”

“Oh.” Sierra blinked several times and then sniffled. “I’m going to miss you so much.” The two sisters stood and embraced while Leo and Andreas shared a smile. “Promise me you’ll be back during Christmas break,” he heard Sierra say low. “Okay?”

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