He had no idea how he should feel. Shellshocked comes to mind. Numb with disbelief that after being so cautious all of his life when it comes to sex and relationships, he was now fully engrossed in one.
The woman in his arms, her long, limber legs tangled with his had taken him completely by surprise. It had been by chance that he boarded the Kostas Princess that faithful summer afternoon. It had been the maiden voyage, and he had offered to do the cruise and see to it that things were running smoothly.
Leanne had been engaged in a lively discussion with some veterans and playing a game of cards with them. He had stopped at the doorway of the elegant entertainment room with its glittering lights and shimmering gold and white design.
Instead of noticing all of the elegance that was synonymous with one of their cruise ships, he had noticed the slender woman seated on a table and surrounded by doddering old men who were hanging on to her every word. She had done some tricks that had the laughter bubbling from his chest. He had managed to suppress his mirth, not wanting to draw attention and interrupt their pleasure.
The purser had beckoned him urgently, causing him to leave albeit reluctantly. But he had found her later that night. She had looked so different and had taken his breath.
Wearing a dazzling silver gown that clung to her skin, she had announced the single's dance. He had stood there watching her navigate the floor, the natural way she went about doing her thing, the dazzling smile, the sinuous grace of a very sexy body and the way her thick hair swirl around when she moved.
He had stepped up and asked him for a dance. Cutting off the memories, he closed his eyes.
Chapter 3
He left her a note. When he eased out of bed carefully, she was still out for the count.
Rummaging through her side table, he found a notepad and pen. And spent a minute reading her precise notes, changes she wanted to the activities, ideas she was going to implement. Some very good ideas.
Looking over at her, he had the urge to just slide into bed and spend the day with her. He wanted to take care of her, force her hand, tie her down to a definite decision.
Finding a clean page, he started writing.
"Sorry have to leave. Meetings with associates and then breakfast at the family home. Cannot miss it, mother would hunt me down. Please don't do anything without discussing it with me first."
He paused and lifted his head to look at her. She was curled onto her side, hands clasped as if in prayer under her cheek.
"I'm all in, Leanne. I really mean that. I know it's going to be rough, but I promise to be here at all times. I will check in later and please save your breath. I'm coming back. Eat something. Please."
Tearing out the sheet, he placed it on the table within plain sight. Sitting there for a minute longer, he reluctantly rose and left the bedroom.
*****
"Uncle Chris!" The angelic-looking eight-year-old flew towards him, blonde pigtails flying. Crouching down, he caught her in mid-flight. Swinging her into the air, he laughed at her squeals of delight.
Her brother, the sober-looking ten-year-old Dimitri who had inherited the dark hair from his father's side, came forward more slowly.
"Hey buddy. How's it going?" Tucking Evangeline on his left hip, he ruffled his nephew's hair. Both children belonged to Andreas and his petite blonde wife.
"Everyone's waiting for you in the great dining room."
"I can hear the chatter from all the way outside. How's school?"
"Fine." He unbent enough to give a sheepish smile. "I aced my science project."
"That's my boy. Okay, let's go and invade the territory."
The great dining room was so named for its wide space and was only used whenever there was a party or a family gathering. A huge fireplace dominated one section of the wall and counters surrounded the room. There was a twenty-seat massive dining table but was rarely used.
Piles of food were on the counters, with the scent of rich coffee permeating the area. The rest of his nieces and nephewswere either running around and squealing and the adults were having lively discussions. The clamor and noise level inside the room was as natural to him as breathing. He adored the pandemonium and the informality of family gatherings.
His second brother, Alexander, had his head bent listening to something his lovely wife, Grace, was saying.
In one corner of the room, with a cup of coffee in his hand, Georgios, the brother he followed, was gesticulating a point with their father.
His mother spotted him as soon as he came into the room and bustled over. Plucking Evangeline from his arm, she shooed the child away. "Go. Eat."
Tucking her arm through his, she guided him over to the counter. "You did not call and did not pick up." Letting go of him, she efficiently fixed him a plate.
