Page 61 of A Grecian Getaway

“Thank you. Painting is very relaxing. You know what else relaxes me? Being warm. Did I mention I’m feeling cold again? Are you going to warm me up?” She looked up into his eyes and batted her eyelashes. She set the soup on the end table.

“Your soup is not warming you up?” He picked her up from the couch and set her on his lap. Tipping her chin, he placed his lips on hers. He pressed his tongue against the seam of her lips until they parted, and their tongues collided as their hands explored one another. Noelle unbuttoned Demetri’s shirt in haste. She kissed down his neck and onto the upper part of his exposed chest. Noelle’s phone dinged with a text message alert.Darn. Who is that?

Demetri pulled back and handed her the phone. “It could be important. Maybe from the doctor? You should check.”

She took the phone, read the text, and sighed. “It’s just Caroline. They’re on their way up,” she said, frowning.

“You had better get off of my lap. You need to take it easy, anyhow.” Demetri kissed her nose and lifted her onto the couch. “Finish your soup.”

“What do you mean, I have to take it easy?”

“You know what I mean.”

Before Noelle got an answer from Demetri, someone knocked, and then Niko, Caroline, Claire, and Eli walked into the apartment. Caroline gave Noelle her prescription.

Niko handed Claire her mocha and then stepped over to Noelle and handed her a slice of lemon loaf. “I know you love lemon stuff.”

“Mmm, thank you! I do!”

Around 6:00, Noelle’s parents came by with food for everyone. Most sat around the table, and Demetri sat next to Noelle on the couch trying to get her to eat. “Really, Demetri, stop staring at me. I’ll eat, but I’m just not that hungry. I had soup not that long ago. And the lemon loaf.” Noelle shrugged her shoulders.

“You have to take care of yourself. You have lost weight. I can tell. We need to fatten you up.” Then he whispered, “but you still look delicious to me.”

“Demetri!” she whispered through clenched teeth. “My mom and dad are right there.”

“We are far enough away on the couch. They can’t hear me.”

“Probably not my dad, but my mom can hear like a hawk.” She nodded towards her mom.

“What was that, dear?” Noelle’s mom asked.

“Nothing!” Noelle’s eyes widened. “See, I told you!”

Demetri laughed.

“Sweetheart, have you taken your medicine? Is there anything I can get you before we leave? Maybe we should stay longer. I’m worried about you.” Noelle’s mom looked at her anxiously.

“I’ll be fine, mom. Everything is under control now. Really, you guys, let me live.”

“We just worry about you, Noelle. We love you. And your mother will drive me crazy if she isn’t absolutely sure you are well,” said her dad.

“Me? What about you? You worry too,” her mother argued with Noelle’s dad.

“Both of you need to try not to worry. I’ll be fine,” Noelle reassured them.

“I promise to take good care of her. The best care possible.” Then Demetri whispered again, “I will take care of all of your needs, eventually... but not today.”

“Seriously! You’re killing me.” Noelle looked over at her mom and her mom smiled.Oh, my gosh…She turned back to face Demetri and whispered,“Wait, what? Not today?”

Demetri ignored her and ate his dinner, urging her to do the same.

They finished their meals and sat around and visited, getting to know Demetri. As the night drew on, her parents needed to go back to the hotel and pack up so they’d be ready for their flight the next morning. They hugged and kissed Noelle goodbye and told her they would call before their flight took offin the morning. After lots of goodbyes and worried advice from her mom, they left.

Eli announced it was time for him to go shortly after her parents had gone. “Goodbye, Noelle. If you need anything, you know how to reach me.”

“Thank you, Eli.” Noelle smiled.

“Thanks man. It was nice to meet you.” Niko shook Eli’s hand. “I appreciate you hanging out with my sister these last few months.”

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