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‘It’s still not up for discussion,’ she responded hurriedly, feeling blindsided.
‘You’re not the only one who doesn’t like surprises. But I didn’t go digging, if that’s what you’re worried about. I find gossip distasteful. I would much prefer to hear about the whole thing from you.’
A small part of her yearned to discover what he knew and how he’d found out, while the rest shied away from knowing. ‘It’s nothing that affects our working relationship.’
‘What about our private one? And before you say we don’t have one, think again.’
She looked out of the window to buy herself some time. The last thing she wanted was to admit to the degrading humiliation of her one failed relationship. To the utterly blind error of judgement she’d made that had nearly cost her everything. Would he trust her judgement if he knew the true details? ‘Can we just chalk it up to a relationship that didn’t work out?’ she eventually managed.
‘That depends.’
‘On what?’
‘On whether it colours all your decisions.’
She snatched in a breath. ‘Do all your relationships colour yours?’
‘Very much so.’
Not the answer she expected, she reflected as she searched his face. Found it, much like many times before, an enigmatic book. But this time, within those grey depths she spotted something. Barely a glimmer but she saw it. Pain. Bitterness.
Right before he blinked and neutralised his expression. She bit her lip, torn between curiosity and reservation.
After several moments, the corners of his lips lifted. ‘Not going to give in to your curiosity?’
She shrugged. ‘Your past private life is your own. Much like mine is my business.’
Before he could respond, the vehicle slowed to a stop.
Alexis stepped out with relief, pulling in a long breath of fresh air in the hope of restoring the few layers of sanity she’d lost since their embrace on the plane.
The villa was set on the highest point of the island to take full advantage of the breathtaking views. Past cypress trees, perfectly pruned hibiscus bushes, bougainvillea hedges and impeccably manicured lawns, the sea glinted like a blanket of gemstones, an endless invitation for a cool reprieve out of the June heat.
From past visits, she knew the beach was less than five minutes away, that the Drakakis yacht and speedboat were moored out of sight around the cove. She’d declined an invitation to waterski with Christos on their last trip but had the stomach-fluttering experience of watching him ski with breathtaking style.
Her belly heating on that recollection, she turned towards him and saw his gaze on the far distant view. Towards the other side of the island, where the terrain was craggier. Shadows flitted through his eyes, his jaw clenching then releasing before he sucked in a long deep breath. A light breeze tossed a lock of hair across his forehead, but Alexis was certain it didn’t register. He was caught in whatever memories made Drakonisos a place he wanted to possess. A place that had prompted a man with cynical views on relationships to enter a marriage of convenience with an employee. As she continued to watch him his features softened and he gave a slow exhale, the kind that came with inner contentment. Perhaps even...peace.
Sensing her regard, he turned to her. ‘Shall we get out of the sun before Costas grumbles at us again?’ he said evenly, but that faraway look in his eyes took another moment to dissipate.
She nodded, a
lthough her senses remained a little askew as she turned towards the villa.
Costas’s home was a sprawling, multi-level whitewashed traditional Greek villa but with every modern amenity conceivable. Despite her previous visits, Alexis’s breath still caught when she stepped onto the smooth terracotta tiles of the wide hallway and looked up at the large rectangular stained-glass windows that let in endless sunlight. That light glinted over light stone-coloured walls, complemented by gold-accented local Cycladic art and white furniture. Several masterpieces were dotted along the vast hallway that led to a large living room, beyond which the terracotta tiles were replicated on a sun-soaked terrace.
That was where Costas had headed and where she and Christos followed to find a long table of refreshments awaiting them. The knots that had barely loosened when she’d stepped out of the plane began to tighten again as Christos’s hand landed in the small of her back.
He led her to the table and drew back a chair for her.
No reprieve, then...
‘We’ll have refreshments while our luggage is unpacked.’
With no option but to accept the invitation, she took a seat and smiled at the older man.
Paxos, one half of the middle-aged married couple in charge of keeping the villa and grounds in pristine condition, stepped forward and poured an ouzo-infused punch Alexis knew could be lethal if not consumed with caution. Then he served delicate pastries and sandwiches, which she helped herself to as Costas conversed in Greek with his grandson.
When a small silence fell at the table, she glanced up.
