Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
‘Can’t the talking wait until we get back to the flat? We don’t want to spoil the mood.’
Sofia leant over, pulled him to her and kissed his face all over, until she got to his lips. The deep moan that escaped from Adonis’s mouth told her she’d bought herself a little time.
His hands were all over her, one moment pushing the fabric of her dress up her thighs, and the next delving down her bare back beyond the edge of the dress until he reached her skimpy briefs.
A sudden glance up told Sofia that the driver was watching their every move. She’d started this, but the man worked for the hotel, and she was sure that Adonis wouldn’t want it all round the staff room. She certainly wasn’t going to finish it on the back seat of a car.
She pulled her dress down to a more modest level and coughed loudly. Adonis came out of his trance and followed her gaze to the mirror.
They held hands until they reached the flat and then ran up the stairs together, barely shutting the door behind them before he had pushed her up against the wall. She wrapped her legs round him and moved against him just once, but it was more than enough.
Her expensive dress was thrown on the floor, followed by her underwear, as he ripped off his own trousers and shirt and they half-staggered half-fell together onto the rug. Weddings always turned her on.
It was over in moments, but Sofia knew there was plenty more to come. She leant over to lick the place on his neck that drove him crazy. But instead of responding like he usually did, he pushed her gently away and sat up.
‘I mean it, Sofia, we’re going to talk.’
Picking up his trousers from the floor, he slowly climbed into them and passed her a dressing gown from a hook on the door. Seeing him topless, muscles moving everywhere, was hardly calming her down, but she could see she wasn’t going to sidetrack him a second time.
‘Let’s talk up on the roof terrace. I’ll bring the wine and glasses.’
The tiled floor was cool under her feet.
The lights twinkling below them all the way to the port usually gave her a lift, but it was a feeling of dread that was uppermost in her mind as she made her way to the little table and chairs in the corner.
Keep it casual had always been her motto, and don’t let anyone mess with your head, or worse, your heart; it always ends in tears.
She’d managed to keep the L word at bay for so many years. Why break the habit of a lifetime?
Adonis poured out two glasses of white wine and passed one to her. The dry grapefruit flavour was soothing on her throat, but she kept on full alert.
‘Will you let me say what I need to say, and promise not to change the subject, or deliberately try to turn me on beyond endurance?’
There was a smile at the end of the sentence, but Adonis was deadly serious. She knew enough about him to know that.
Sofia nodded.
‘You can’t leave the island tomorrow.’
For one second, Sofia was tempted to ask if there was a sudden ferry strike or a storm forecast, but she kept quiet. Levity wasn’t required at this point.
Adonis leant over, took her hand and kissed it.
‘I am scared to tell you how much I love you, Sofia mou. My Sofia. I miss you so much when you go away, and I count every moment until you come back.’
Tears filled her eyes, but she turned away so he wouldn’t see her crying.
‘I want you to stay here with me, where you belong.’
His hand was still on top of hers.
‘I know how much your father let you down, but I would never do that. You can trust me; I hope you know that.’
His light touch on her cheek brought them face to face again.
‘Don’t cry, my darling. You are everything I want and need. I just hope I can make you believe me. Forgot your father and what he did to your mother. This is our story.’
The double mention of her father had her reaching for the wine glass.
‘I was hoping, now that your work has changed, you would consider staying?’
The love in his voice stopped her from lifting her head again to meet his eyes.
‘The whole thing is impossible.’
‘Sofia mou…’ His hand on her chin was soft. ‘Look at me a moment, please. What is so impossible?’
His eyes glittered in the dark.
‘Your mother hates me.’
Adonis slammed down his glass.
‘I don’t care what my mother thinks. I am a man, not a boy. She will get used to it in time.’
‘But she’s right that I can’t give you children, or her any more grandchildren.’
‘I am so sorry you had to hear that nonsense.’
Adonis reached forward to kiss her on the forehead.
‘Listen, my love. I have never wanted children. I knew as a young man that it wasn’t on my wish list. I love children; it’s just never been something I’ve desired for myself. I’m forty-eight, if I’d wanted children, in Greece I could easily be a grandfather by now. It’s seriously not for me.’
‘Me neither.’
Adonis stroked the inside of her wrist, which wasn’t helping with her concentration at all.
‘See, we are well suited. I’ve got my nephews and nieces for whenever I feel the need for the company of young people. Which isn’t that often. They’re exhausting.’
Sofia nodded her agreement.
‘But those nephews and nieces are also my mother’s beloved grandchildren, so she’s just being greedy. She has plenty already. Next point on your list of negatives?’
It was like they were at a formal meeting with an agenda. She was keen to get on to any other business as soon as possible. She could tell that he was smiling without looking at him, but she had to put it all out there.
‘I’m so much older than you. You will get bored with me.’
‘Sofia mou, one thing I can say, hand on heart, is that I will never get bored with you. And remember, men usually die first anyway.’
‘Please don’t talk about you dying, I couldn’t bear it.’
She hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
‘You’re so sweet. Is there anything else that’s worrying you?’
‘There is one more thing…’
‘Yes?’
‘At the hotel the other day, Aphrodite whispered to me that you would never be mine.’
Adonis hit his head with his hand.
‘Ah, that silly girl. How dare she say that to you? I will get rid of her.’
‘No! Don’t do that. Or not straightaway, anyway…’
Sofia raised a smile.
‘Why would she say something like that?’
‘This is embarrassing, but she has … pursued me.’
‘And you’ve given her no reason to think she might catch you?’
‘No!’
‘Nothing?’
His tiny hesitation rang alarm bells.
‘I want there never to be any secrets between us.’
Sofia debated for a microsecond telling him about Giannis the paddleboard king but dismissed it without a second thought. This was a fresh start. Her past conquests would stay firmly locked in the safe.
Adonis spoke again.
‘Aphrodite tried to kiss me once at a Christmas party for the staff. I did not respond, I swear. She is not my type.’
Sofia began to feel a tiny bit of sympathy for the woman.
‘Is that all?’
‘That is all, Sofia mou. So, have I answered all your points?’
He was making it all sound so reasonable that she found herself seriously considering this man’s wish for her to stay and make a home with him. Other men had tried, and she’d been tempted once or twice, but she’d always backed out at the last minute.
‘If – and it’s a very big if – I did stay, what on earth would I do all day? You work so hard.’
‘But you understand this, as you like to work hard too.’
It was true. And she hadn’t even begun to tackle the problem of what came next now she didn’t have her work to throw herself into on her return. She’d have to do something, or she’d go crazy.
She sneaked a look at Adonis, who had his eyes closed for a moment, thinking hard. He looked so cute she was tempted to reach out and stroke his face.
‘Could you start a business here? You have such a sense of style. You always know what to wear and how to advise others.’
‘Thank you. I didn’t realise you’d noticed.’
‘Don’t be modest, Sofia. It doesn’t suit you. I always notice what you are wearing. I prefer it when you wear nothing’—Sofia could see his white teeth through the gloom—‘but we mustn’t get distracted.’
‘Mustn’t we?’
‘Naughty.’ Adonis poured out a little more wine. ‘I actually have a business idea that I have been wanting to put to you for a while.’
‘I’m listening.’
‘Have you noticed that most of the top hotels have boutiques in them now? They offer specially curated collections of everything from clothes and bags to swimwear.’
‘Yes, not only have I noticed, but I’ve also bought things in them too.’
‘I have wanted to put one in our hotel for a while now. I think we are as you say in Britain “missing a trick”. We have a captive audience, but it would have to be very high end and exclusive, and not many people have the skills I need to get it right.’
‘So, it’s just my work skills you want?’
‘Stop pouting. I want everything, Sofia mou. You would not be serving these women, and men as well hopefully. You would be doing the choosing because you have impeccable taste. You would have a sales team under you to direct as you wish.’
Her mind was ablaze with what she could do, given the right space and the freedom to choose her stock. She could travel to other islands, track down small suppliers, offer hand-made couture, and even provide a mending and altering service, something she always felt was lacking, even in top hotels.
‘Well?’
‘It’s certainly a lot to think about. It’s all a bit overwhelming at the moment, but I promise I’ll give it plenty of thought.’
She trailed her fingers through his hair and across his chest.
‘Can we stop talking for a while now?’
‘Of course, my love. It is a big decision. Take your time.’
Adonis took her by the hand and led her back down to the bedroom with its huge, white-painted bed and crocheted blue cover.
Their lovemaking was gentle and filled with tender emotion, the sweetest she’d ever known between them.
Sofia woke in the early hours with a pounding head and a racing heart. She stared at the man next to her, gorgeous even in sleep.