Page 70 of Unsuitable

“I bet you miss them when they’re away.”

He lifts a shoulder in answer. “I’m used to them being away.”

“Whereabouts are your parents from in Greece?”

His eyes slice back to mine. For a moment, I think that he’s going to turn into Kas-hole and tell me to stop asking questions, but he surprises me by answering, “My mother’s English. She was born in London. It’s my father who is from Greece—Thessaloníki,” he says the name of the city with an accent to his voice.

The sound ripples down my spine in the most delicious way.

“I’ve never heard of Thessa—I’m sorry.” I laugh. “I have no clue how to pronounce it.”

Kas chuckles. “Thes-sa-lo-ní-ki,” he elongates the word for me.

“Thess-a-loníki,” I echo badly.

“Close.” He smiles kindly.

“Well, I’ve never heard of it before. I’m afraid my geographic knowledge of Greece is limited to Athens and Rhodes.”

He laughs softly. “Most people’s is. Thessaloníki is actually the second largest city in Greece, believe it or not. It’s a beautiful place.”

“Then, it’s a shame more people don’t know about it.”

He nods, agreeing.

“Have you spent much time there?”

“A lot when I was a kid. Not so much as I got older.”

“Why not?”

His response is a slight shrug.

“Well, if I were you, I’d be there all the time and away from rainy England.”

“The weather’s nice today,” he comments.

I glance up at the cloud-free sky. “True. Are you fluent in Greek?” I ask, looking back to him.

His eyes meet mine. “Yes.”

I’m tempted to ask him to say something in Greek to me. But I somehow think that Kas isn’t really the type to perform, so I hold my tongue.

We’ve reached the other side of the paddock now, close to the stables.

Danger picks up pace, heading for the stables, with Butterscotch trailing behind.

I hide the disappointment I feel from our ride being over. I was enjoying it. And I was actually enjoying talking with Kas. More than I ever thought I would.

We didn’t get around to trotting either, but I don’t comment on it.

Kas brings Danger to a stop in front of the stables and hops down from him.

I sit on Butterscotch, unsure of how to get down.

I watch as Kas takes off Danger’s saddle, opens the stable door, and then removes his bridle. Danger wanders into the stable. Kas shuts the lower door behind him and slides the bolt across.

He turns and looks up at me. “You staying up there all day?” There’s a definite smile on his mouth.