‘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, Sofiamou. 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, Sofiamou. 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.
What was she thinking? She’d got swept up in a fantasy. She’d led him on and got him to believe his dream of being with her on the island was achievable.
