Chapter 21
How long must he wait before she asked him to touch her?
Angelos was sure Mia would have been begging to have him between her legs by now.
But she seemed content just touching him without allowing him the pleasure of discovering her body.
Though he longed to explore her, he would not touch her until she asked.
- One Week with the Greek
CALLIE
D id he have to stare at me like that?
It was so disconcerting. It was bad enough that I could still feel him on me. That I had to stop myself every night from saying fuck it all and inviting him over to replace my vibrator.
I needed to remember what an arrogant, cynical ass he was before I let myself think of other things—like how talented he was with his tongue and his hands.
But how could I not when he was slouched back against the wall, long legs spread wide, offering a tantalizing glimpse of that bulge in his pants—the one I’d got myself off on just a few days ago.
He stared at me under those heavy eyebrows, his full mouth quirked up like he was thinking about it too, and God help me, I couldn’t look away.
Finally, I shook my head and cleared my throat, plastering a big smile on my face.
“Thank you, everyone, for coming. For those of you whom I haven’t met yet, my name is Callie McGinn, I’ll be the head chef of the restaurant that will be opening in the new resort.
And I’ve been sent by The Greystone Group to oversee the initial construction of the hotel. ”
I paused for Dimitris to translate. He’d started running errands for me this week. Apparently, he’d decided he’d rather be friends with the foreign witch than risk drawing my ire. Either that or he just wanted to keep eating my failed desserts, which I’d been offering as payment for his services.
He cleared his throat dramatically—imitating me?—and then launched into a long monologue peppered with exuberant Greek hand gestures. When the public chuckled at something he said, I narrowed my eyes at him then glanced over at Nikos, who had an even more wicked grin on his face.
“You’d better be translating this correctly,” I whispered to Dimitris.
He smiled innocently and responded, “Don’t worry. I know what I do.”
Oh, why hadn’t I asked Yiannis to translate?
I continued with the PowerPoint presentation that I’d prepared over the past few nights.
All those hours of research I’d put in during my convalescence had paid off.
Though I was winging it when it came to questions of how we’d deal with practical matters like waste, harbor use, ecological impact of the resort, I felt confident I would find solutions.
I’d studied some comparable hotels on some of the other islands and had made a list of elements we could incorporate at this stage of planning.
As I presented each of these ideas as fact, I could see Nikos out of the corner of my eye, frowning so hard I thought his head might cave in.
I ended the presentation with a list of all the economic benefits that controlled tourism could bring to the island.
Apprenticeships at the restaurant and hotel, community-building activities.
To win over the young women in the audience, I’d included photos of some of our hottest chefs, barmen, and waiters, as well as photos with celebrities that I’d taken over the years.
“I would also love to hear your suggestions. You can note them here.” I pointed to the leather-bound journal I’d left on one of the fold-out tables. “Are there any questions?”
I held my breath waiting for Nikos to call my bluff. He didn’t though. Just like the first day when I got off the ferry and he just stared at me from beneath his dark brows like he could see right through me.
Finally, Giorgos raised his hand and started rattling off words that made the people around him nod and laugh.
“He wants to know what will happen to the olive grove. And he is afraid that so many people will eat all the goats,” Dimitris translated. “He also says you are very beautiful, and it will be a pleasure to give you more rides on his donkey.”
Images of the last time I’d ridden his donkey flashed through my mind, and I could feel my cheeks warm.
“To answer your question about the grove: I’d like to build around it.
Obviously, for the restaurant, having our own olive oil would be a boon to the business.
Perhaps we could even work something out so that half of the production still goes to the local community. ”
A young woman, who I recognized as one of the members of Nikos’s fanclub, raised her hand. “Will Harry Styles come?”
“Oh, um, we will definitely send him an invitation to the grand opening.”
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.”
“About Harry Styles?” Nikos scoffed. “I was just leaving anyway.”
He placed the glass behind me, grazing against my arm, and with a last hungry look turned and left.
“Thank goodness he’s gone. Come on, let’s dance.”