She gave a long, shuddering sigh and met his gaze with a sparkling look. ‘Wow. Swimming has never been so much fun before.’
Loukas gave a soft laugh and brushed a droplet of seawater away from her che
ek. ‘Likewise.’
She planted her hands on his chest, her lower body snug against his, her toffee-brown eyes luminous. ‘Do you know, that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you laugh?’
He had never felt like laughing before he met her. She was a fun person to be around with her sunny, optimistic disposition. When he was around her, he felt alive in a way he hadn’t in years. He looked forward to being with her. Wasn’t that why he’d sought her out in London? He’d wanted to feel that kick in his blood, that spring in his step, and that fire in his belly that he only got when she was near. He looked down at the soft bow of her mouth and gave a crooked smile. ‘Maybe there’s some hope for me after all.’
CHAPTER EIGHT
EMILY SPENT THE next few days with Loukas, looking at some of the sites on Corfu. At first he wasn’t keen on the idea of going to the most popular tourist places, in case they were spotted by members of the press or public, but Emily was keen to see more of the beautiful island he called home. They had lunch each day in quaint little restaurants or cafés and wandered around the ancient streets, archaeological museums, art galleries and churches, such as the spectacular Church of St Sypridion. There was a visit to the magnificent Mount Pantokrator, the highest mountain on the island.
After they came back from the mountain, Emily spied an antique shop in the Old Town. ‘Can I have a look in there?’
‘Sure.’
She walked in and smelt the passage of time. Lots of time. Whole centuries of it. She browsed through the shop, stopping to pick up pieces that snared her interest. While Loukas was occupied with a phone call, she caught sight of a faded blue velvet jewellery box sitting on a shelf next to a collection of early Greek coins. The box was probably more trash than treasure, but Emily couldn’t help thinking of the woman or women who had stored their jewellery in it. It had a lock but no key, and when she opened the lid she felt sure she could smell history. She closed the lid and put it back on the shelf. It wasn’t expensive at all but she didn’t have her purse with her and she couldn’t imagine Loukas buying something so unsophisticated.
‘So why did you choose to live on Corfu?’ Emily asked over coffee a little while later. ‘You’re not originally from here, are you?’
Loukas stirred his coffee even though she knew he didn’t take sugar. ‘No, but I liked it from the first time I came here as a kid on a holiday with my parents before they divorced.’
‘Were they ever happy together?’
His mouth turned down at the corners. ‘No. My father wasn’t ready for marriage—he still isn’t, to be frank. But it’s a long-held custom in Greece that gaining parental blessing of your marriage partner is essential to a happy union. My father’s parents knew my mother and stated their approval.’
‘So it was an arranged marriage?’
‘Strictly speaking, no. He let my mother think he was in love and then, once he had a wedding ring on her finger and got his parents off his back, he had affair after affair with other women.’
Emily frowned. ‘But she loved him?’
He gave her a grim look. ‘Not for long. But it took years for her to convince him to give her a divorce. He didn’t want his parents to think it was his fault, of course, so he cooked up a whole lot of lies and made her life a miserable hell.’
‘And yours too, by the sound of it,’ Emily said. ‘Do you see much of him these days?’
He pushed his coffee away. ‘No. I limit my contact to cards at Christmas and for his birthday.’
‘What about Father’s Day?’
He gave her a speaking look. ‘I never seem to be able to find one that has the most fitting message. “You’re a terrible father” isn’t usually available.’
Emily couldn’t help a giggle escaping. ‘And here I was thinking my mother was bad. She’s not, by the way. Annoying at times, but definitely not bad.’ She frowned and went on. ‘I hope she doesn’t embarrass you at the wedding. You don’t mind if she comes, do you? I know you said it’s a quiet ceremony, and to be perfectly honest there is nothing about my mother that’s quiet, but I’d like her to be there.’
His mouth slanted in one of his rare smiles. ‘Of course she must come.’
Emily played with her teaspoon for a moment. ‘Thing is...my mum is a bit of a detective when it comes to relationships. She reckons she can tell at twenty paces if a couple are well suited or not. Apparently, it’s all in their body language or something.’
His long, tanned fingers reached for hers, sending a warm tide of longing straight to her core when he stroked the fleshy part of her palm in slow, tantalising circles. ‘It kind of makes sense when you think about it.’
She looked at his hand and a frisson went through her at the thought of what magic those fingers could make her feel. ‘I told her we’re in love. I had to, otherwise she would’ve gone ballistic about throwing my life away on another dead-end relationship.’
His fingers stalled their movement for a brief second. ‘Are you worried about lying to her?’
‘Yes. No. Maybe.’
I’m more worried about lying to myself.