Page 53 of Love on the Rocks
Another hand went up. “Taylor Swift? Beyoncé?”
“Uh, like I said, you can make suggestions in the notebook on the table.”
One of Dimitris’s little friends held up his hand and the priest glared at him as he asked his question. “He wants to know will the women bathe topless?”
“No, there are no plans for a nudist beach.” Nikos was practically shaking with laughter now, eyes crinkled and his hand over his mouth. I was desperate to put an end to this disastrous Q&A session as I pointed to an older man. “Last question.”
“He wants to know when will the party start?” Dimitris translated.
“Excellent suggestion! How about now?”
We’d set the courtyard up earlier with lights and a small stage where Panos and his group would play. Thankfully, you didn’t have to wait for people to get tipsy here before they started dancing like you did in France. Here, as soon as the music started, people were dancing and laughing.
I went to the folding table and poured myself a drink as people lined up around the book of suggestions. My gaze naturally sought out Nikos. He had moved from his chair and was speaking with Giorgos. When our eyes met, he made his way over to me with a kind of grim determination that had me clenching my thighs.
Before I could move away, he was in front of me, so close I could feel the heat radiating from him. He reached behind me, and plucked a bottle of wine from the table.
He studied it. “French?”
“Yes, my best friend’s husband owns a vineyard. I also have some local wines. I convinced Stamatis to sell me some.” I nodded toward the decanters of the coveted wine at the other end of the counter. I’d been annoyed when Yiannis told me the vintner had been reluctant to sell to me because he was afraid Nikos would be angry.
“Good job. You’ve managed to win over everyone on the island.” He poured himself a glass.
I sipped at my own wine, drawing his eyes to my lips. I shivered and my nipples hardened. “I was surprised that you didn’t have any comments.”
“There’s nothing you can say on the subject that would satisfy me. We both know you were making all that up. Your resort would be bankrupt before it even opened if you were to implement all your plans.” He took a taste of the wine. His eyebrows raised in approval. “Anyway, I’m not as gullible as the other locals.”
“Yes, you’re a man of the world. How could I forget?”
Dimitris and his buddies ran past in a rambunctious circle. He nodded at the boys. “I hear you’re bribing children now.”
“At least I’m paying him to do something useful. Unlike you, teaching them to be Peeping Toms.”
“Useful?” He laughed and then leaned into me, his breath warm on my neck. “Don’t you want to know what your translator said?”
I couldn’t breathe or think with him this close to me. I was too aware of the pulsing of the blood in my veins and between my legs. “He said that you were once a Playboy centerfold, and that you’re best friends with A-list movie stars, pop stars, and professional athletes. He also promised full use of the resort’s swimming pool and spa. And free dinners on Friday nights.”
“That little—” I gestured at Dimitris to come over, which he did, eyes darting nervously between Nikos and me, a cigarette dangling out of his mouth. I pinched his ear. “Get that disgusting cigarette out of your mouth! If I catch you smoking again, I’ll tie you to the tree on the cliff. And if you think I’m going to pay you for what you did in there, you’re going to be very disappointed.”
“No, please!” he begged. “Your presentation was a little boring. The people were sleeping. I saved you.”
Nikos laughed. “He’s right about that.”
I handed him forty euros anyway. “I’ll give you the rest if you teach me how to insult someone in Greek.”
“Ah, you want to tell the doctor to fuck himself?” I gave him the evil eye. “What? Everyone knows you hate him. Why are you cursing me? He is the one who wronged you!”
After he darted away, I refilled my glass. I needed something to numb me after all that nonsense. “Any news about your artifact?”
“Not yet, but soon,” Nikos replied. “Actually, if you’re interested in seeing more objects from the island, I’ve got more at my place . . .”
“Is this an invitation to see your family jewels?”
He chuckled and his hand glided over the small of my back. “You’re welcome to take a look whenever you’d like.”
And fuck me if I wasn’t tempted. Luckily, I was saved from my weakening resolve to stay away from him by the appearance of Yiannis’s girlfriend Teresa. She’d helped me set up this afternoon and I’d felt an immediate connection to her. With her dark hair and eyes, she was striking and had a personality to match. She’d spent most of the afternoon complaining about Nikos, so I knew there was little love lost between them.
“What are you up to, Niko? Maybe you should relax a little and go play with Panos.” She slid her arm through mine and angled me toward the dance floor. “Come on, some of the girls have questions for you.”
