Apollo was wearing a dark suit and white shirt, open at the neck. He led her down to the smaller square where the church was located and the couple was just emerging from the entrance to loud cheers and clapping. Musicians played traditional Greek music.
Apollo and Sophy stood on the end of what looked like a receiving line of guests to either side of the couple, who passed down, accepting congratulations and good wishes. The bride was beautiful, with dark laughing eyes and long hair. Her husband was tall and handsome. They looked incandescently happy.
When they’d passed down the line, they walked through the town towards the bigger square. Apollo and Sophy followed them. The place had been transformed since earlier that day. Flowers festooned every available surface and fairy lights were strung across the square. Candles flickered on tables.
It was simple, rustic, humble and beautiful. Sophy knew Sasha would have hated it. She loved it.
Apollo was greeted and feted like a VIP. They were seated at a table for dinner near the bride and groom’s table. A steady stream of people came up to converse with Apollo. Sophy was happy to let the occasion wash over her, enjoying the people-watching and lively Greek bonhomie and music.
When dinner had been cleared away, the music stopped suddenly and a line of men got up to dance, including the groom. Everyone turned to look at them. At the last minute they gestured to Apollo to get up and join them. He signalled no, but one of the men came over and pulled him up, amidst cheers and applause.
The music started slow and mesmeric, a familiar Greek song, a traditional dance. Apollo was near the middle, near the groom. The men started dancing, slowly, in time to the music, arms around each other’s shoulders.
Apollo did the slow deliberate steps with perfect precision, a smile on his face. He looked younger all of a sudden. Less intense. It made Sophy’s heart swell, thinking of what he’d told her about his parents dancing. Maybe his father had taught him and his brother this dance?
The music got faster and the steps more intricate, Apollo’s torso and hips twisting. He was so dynamic and handsome that Sophy didn’t have to look around her to know that every gaze was trained on him. Probably even the bride’s.
By the time the music built to a crescendo everyone was on th
eir feet clapping and cheering. The men bowed. Then it was the women’s turn, led out to dance by the bride.
One of the women grabbed Sophy’s hand and pulled her up. She was shaking her head, laughing, but they ignored her. She caught Apollo’s eye and shrugged helplessly.
Apollo watched Sophy being pulled away to dance. Her face was shining and she was laughing, trying to do her best to keep up with the steps of the dance. She stood out with her red-gold hair and blue eyes. Pale skin. She’d kicked off the high-heeled sandals and was in her bare feet.
Physical desire was like a tight knot inside Apollo, winding tighter and tighter. But along with the physical desire was something else, something far more disturbing. A sense of yearning...a need to replace the hollow ache in his chest. An ache he’d ignored for a long time. An ache he couldn’t keep ignoring around her.
With her questions that struck at the heart of him: Why did you buy an island?
A sense of desperation gripped him now. This was just about sex. Nothing more. By the time Sophy had picked up her shoes and come off the dance floor Apollo was standing up to meet her.
He took her hand. ‘Ready to go?’
She must have seen something of the urgency he was feeling because her eyes darkened and she nodded wordlessly.
Apollo paid his respects to the bride and groom and drove them back to his villa. All was quiet and hushed on this side of the island, only the faintest sounds of the revelry carrying on the light breeze. Sophy’s feet were still bare.
They got out of the car and Apollo held out his hand for her. Sophy didn’t hesitate. She took Apollo’s hand and let him lead her into the villa, dropping her shoes on the way. The need to replace feelings he didn’t welcome with the physical reminder of what was between them was overwhelming.
Sophy let Apollo lead her to his room. It was illuminated by moonlight. Standing in front of him, the lingering tipsiness from the wine made her bold. She moved forward and pushed Apollo’s jacket off. It fell to the floor.
Then he undid his buttons and opened his shirt, pushing it off his broad shoulders. His chest was wide and powerful. She couldn’t resist touching him, running her hands over his skin. His muscles tensed under her fingers and she felt powerful.
He reached for her hair and undid her bun, letting her hair fall down around her bare shoulders. She shivered at the sensation.
He caught her face in his hands and tilted it up to him. His features were stark with need and her insides clenched in reaction. There was something else there, some indefinable emotion. Instinctively Sophy touched his jaw with her hand. ‘Apollo? Are you okay?’
Something expressive crossed his face for a second and then it was gone. Replaced by pure unadulterated need. ‘I’m fine. I just want you. Now.’
She hesitated for a moment, because she sensed that there was some sort of internal battle being fought, but the clamour of her own blood drowned out the need to know. She turned around and pulled her hair over one shoulder, offering him her back. His hands came to the zip at the top of the dress and pulled it down, knuckles grazing the bare skin of her back.
The dress loosened from around her breasts and then fell to her waist. She pushed it off over her hips and it fell at her feet. Now she wore only her underwear.
Apollo came close behind her and she sucked in a breath when she realised that he was totally naked. His arms came around her, hands finding and closing over her breasts. Massaging them, teasing her tight nipples.
Instinctively she moved against him, and she heard an almost feral-sounding growl. Apollo turned her to face him and the electricity crackled between them. Urgency spiked.
He led her over to the bed and she lay down. He reached for her underwear, pulling them down and off. He came over her, all rippling muscles and sleek olive-toned skin. She opened her legs to him, and he settled between them as if they’d done this dance down through lifetimes and not just in this one.