AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Thasos carried their bags to the waiting car and with a jaunty wave turned back to the boat. As soon as he’d driven out of sight, Nic turned to Brooke.
“I don’t feel comfortable heading home to Sherdana and leaving you on your own.”
“Good Lord, Nic.” She shot him a dry look. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
“I agree. It’s just that with everything that has happened in the last few days—”
“Stop right there.” All trace of amusement vanished from her tone as she interrupted him. “After everything that’s happened...? I am not some delicate flower that has been crushed by disappointment.”
“Nevertheless. I’m not going to leave you stranded in Greece. You are coming home with me.”
* * *
After five years of teasing and cajoling, bullying and begging, Brooke thought she had Nic all figured out. He preferred working in solitude, hated drama and rarely veered from a goal once he’d set his mind to something. But this announcement left her floundering. Had she ever really known him at all?
“What do you mean you’re taking me home with you?” The notion thrilled and terrified her.
“Exactly what I said.” Nic’s jaw was set in uncompromising lines. “You will fly with me to Sherdana and from there I will make sure you get a flight back to California.”
The knot in Brooke’s stomach didn’t ease with his clarification. “I assure you I’m perfectly capable of getting a flight home from Greece.” With morning sickness plaguing her, she’d given up the idea of a summer holiday in Italy. She wanted to be surrounded by familiar things and her favorite people. Maybe she’d spend a week in LA visiting her parents.
“Don’t make this difficult on yourself.”
“Isn’t that what I should be saying to you?” Seeing he didn’t comprehend her meaning, Brooke clarified. “Have you considered what happens when we land? How fast can you get me on a plane to the States? In the meantime are you planning on leaving me waiting at the airport? Putting me up in a hotel? Or perhaps you think I’d be more comfortable at the palace?”
Expecting her sarcasm to be lost on him the way it usually was, Brooke was stunned by his matter-of-fact retort.
“My brother said he’ll make sure the staff sets an extra place for you at dinner next to my mother.” Lighthearted mischief lit his eyes as her mouth dropped open.
“I can’t have dinner with your family.” Her throat clenched around a lump of panic.
“Why not?”
“I have nothing to wear.”
“You look perfect to me.”
With lids half-closed, his gaze roamed over her body, setting off a chain reaction of longing and need. The July morning had gone from warm to hot as the sun had crested the horizon and Brooke had dressed accordingly in a loose-fitting blue-and-white cotton peasant dress with a thigh-baring hem and a plunging neckline. The look was fine for traveling from one Greek Island to another or catching a short flight to Rome, London or anywhere else she could snag a connection home to California. But to go to Sherdana and be introduced to Nic’s family?
“Why are you really bringing me along?”
“Because I’m not ready to let you go.” As light as a feather, he slid his forefinger along her jaw. It fell away when it reached her chin. “Not yet.”
But let her go he would. Her skin tingled where he’d touched her. Brooke saw the regret in his eyes and her heart jerked. Heat kindled in her midsection as she recalled what had taken place between them the night before, but desire tangled with anxiety and sadness. How was she supposed to just walk away?
She jammed her balled fists behind her to hide their shaking and estimated she had half an hour to talk him out of his madness. “Have you considered how unhappy your parents are going to be if you show up with some strange girl in tow?”
“You’re not a strange girl. You’re Glen’s sister.”
“And how are you going to explain what I was doing on the island with you?”
“I’ve already contacted Gabriel and briefed him.”
Briefed him with the truth or a diplomatic runaround? “You don’t think anyone is going to be suspicious about the nature of our relationship?
“Why would they be? I’ve spoken of you often to my family. They know you’re Glen’s annoying baby sister whom I’ve known for the last five years.”
Seeing his wicked smile, she relaxed a little. “Okay, maybe we can do this. After all, Glen knows us better than anyone and he has no idea anything changed between us.” If they could fool Glen, they could keep his family from guessing the true nature of their relationship.
