AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s all right,” she called up. “I was getting a little hot in the sun, and the ice cubes cooled me down.” She put her hands together. “But the margarita is sticky.”
“Don’t move,” he said, waving a hand. “I’ll be right down.”
After what seemed like forever, he stepped through her bright blue gate carrying a tray, a steaming cloth folded on it like something old-time barbers used on men’s whiskers. There was also a glass along with a plate filled with something emitting delicious odors.
Close-up, his eyes were almost turquoise, his hair short and pleasantly rumpled, his face made up of strong lines and a chiseled jaw. He was clean-shaven, none of the scruff that, in her opinion, looked messy.
“Again, I’m so sorry.” His accent was a flat American that didn’t give away what part of the country he was from. “I brought you a drink.” He pointed at the blended margarita, salt around the rim, then he laughed. “I know we should drink something very Greek like ouzo or retsina, but this bunch—” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “—they love their margaritas.” Then he nudged the plate. “And I brought a few appetizers too.”
Setting the tray on the table beside her, he lifted the cloth. “And a steamed towel to wipe away the stickiness.”
She stood, leaning over the lounger, finding the cloth still hot to the touch. Looking at him, she wiped down her shoulders and arms, her chest and stomach, the swipes of the cloth sexy in a way she hadn’t felt in a long while. Obviously, work was taking up too much of her time.
Patting her face, she said, “Thank you. It really wasn’t necessary.”
“I assure you it was. I’m afraid Tamryn was a little drunk.” Then he laughed. “Actually, I think most of my friends are drunk.”
She tossed the cloth on the tray. “They start early.”
He laughed again. “We’re doing a cruise this afternoon, and I thought we’d have something to eat and drink before we go down to the dock.” He rolled his eyes and raised his hands. “That was a mistake.” Just as quickly, he smiled, completely sober. “Why don’t you come with us?”
It was on the tip of her tongue to say yes. He was handsome and polite, and she hadn’t been on a party boat since college. But there was her mother. “Thank you for the offer, but my mom’s doing the shopping. It’s our first full day here, and I can’t leave her alone.”
He spread his hands expansively. “She’s more than welcome too.”
“That’s really nice of you.” Did she want her mother along?
She realized immediately what a horrible question it was. Her mother had paid for the entire trip, and this morning Sienna had refused to climb the Karavolades Stairs or go shopping.
She decided for both of them. If her mother didn’t want to go, then that was on her. “That’s really generous. I’m sure my mom would love it.” She waved a hand toward his terrace. “If your guests don’t mind having someone older with them.”
“My guests are so tipsy they won’t even notice a couple of extras. Let alone that one of them is your mother. The bus is picking us up at one o’clock.” He smiled again, deliciously sweet and hot too. “I’ll lean over the balcony and call down to you.”
“Thank you.” It could be the best way to spend their first day here, a party boat. As long as her mother brought a lot of sunblock.
Before he left, the man stuck out his hand. “Carter Ellis.” His grip was firm.
“Sienna Walker. Nice to meet you.”
He smiled, deep enough that dimples peeped out at the edges of his mouth. “Even though we doused you with ice cubes?”
“You’re making up for it with a margarita and food.”
He pointed at the plate. “There’s spanakopita. And that’s tzatziki, a creamy yogurt-and-cucumber sauce for the veggies.” He’d added carrot, cucumber, and red pepper sticks. “And these are tomatokeftedes.”
“What exactly is that?”
“A Santorini specialty, tomato fritters. Hopefully they’re still warm. There’s nothing like them. Dip them in the tzatziki.” He backed toward the gate. “I better get back up there to make sure nobody else dumps a drink on you.”
She called after him, “Make sure you don’t step on the church roof either.”
His laughter floated to her even when he was out of sight. “I would never step on a church roof.”
She collapsed on the lounger. More sunblock, Greek appetizers, or a margarita?
The choice was easy. She went for the fritters.
Held together by bread crumbs, or maybe flour, then fried, they melted on her tongue with the sweetness of tomato complemented by feta cheese and spearmint. So good. The spanakopita dipped in the creamy yogurt sauce brought out all its flavors. Licking her fingers, she sipped the margarita. It was just to her taste, not overly sugary, a little tart, the blended concoction giving her a momentary brain freeze.
