‘We talk instead of fighting.’
She gave another nod.
‘When people say things you do not like you tell me about it and I listen.’
She agreed with another nod.
He shifted his stance. ‘Don’t go too meek on me, agape mou,’ he drawled lazily. ‘It makes me nervous.’
‘I’m not being meek,’ she informed him softly. ‘I’m just enjoying the feel of your voice vibrating against my cheek.’
With a growl, she was lifted up and kissed as punishment. The kiss led to other things, another room and a familiar bed. They slept in each other’s arms and awoke still together, showered together and only separated when Isobel had to go back to the other bedroom to find something to wear.
They met up again on the terrace. The first cloud that blocked out her sunlight came when she saw Leandros was dressed for the office in a dark suit, blue shirt and dark tie. Handsome and dynamic he may look, but she needed him to stay here with her.
‘For a few hours only,’ he promised when he saw her expression, getting up to hold out a chair for her.
‘It is reality, I suppose.’ She smiled.
‘And some unfortunate timing,’ he added. ‘I have been back in Athens for only a few weeks after a long stay abroad. Nikos’s marriage is like a large juggernaught racing down a steep hill and taking everyone else along with it for the ride.’
Was he talking about his time in Spain as his long stay abroad? Isobel wondered. But didn’t want to think about that right now when she was trying hard not to think of anything even vaguely contentious.
‘So, when is the wedding?’ she asked bri
ghtly.
‘Next week.’ He grimaced as he sat down again. ‘In my father’s stead I have been slotted into the role of host for the many pre-wedding dinners my mother has arranged, and also as to escort her to those that the Santorini family are having. Hence my having to leave you last night.’ He paused to pour her a cup of coffee. ‘Tonight I must do the same—unless I can talk you into coming with me?’
Body language was one hell of a way to communicate, Leandros mused as he watched her smile disappear and her eyes hide from him while she hunted for an acceptable excuse to refuse.
It came in the shape of Silvia Cunningham, who appeared on the terrace then. She was walking with the aid of a metal frame, and even to him it was a worthy diversion.
He stood up and smiled. ‘What a delightful sight!’ he exclaimed warmly. ‘Ee pateria, those beautiful legs look so much better when viewed upright.’
‘Get away with you,’ Silvia scolded, but her cheeks warmed with pleasure at the compliment. ‘You know, I can’t make up my mind if it is the fierce heat or the relentless sunshine, but I feel so much stronger today.’
Isobel got up to greet her mother with a kiss then pulled out a chair for her and waited patiently while Silvia eased herself into it. As he watched, Leandros saw the tender, loving care and attention Silvia’s daughter paid to her comfort without making any kind of fuss.
He also noticed the look of relief on her face because their conversation had been interrupted. Stepping across the terrace to where the internal phone that gave a direct line to the kitchen sat, he ordered a pot of tea for Silvia then came to sit down again. He listened as mother and daughter discussed what kind of night Silvia had had while thoughts of his own began to form inside his head.
Allise arrived with the pot of tea. There was a small commotion as room was made on the table and an order for toast and orange juice was placed. Biding his time, he sipped at his coffee, watching narrowly as Isobel used every excuse she could so as not to look at him.
She was wearing the green trousers teamed with a white T-shirt today. The hair wasn’t up in a pony-tail, which had to mean that she was not about to run. But, beautiful though she undoubtedly was, fierce and prickly and always ready for a fight, she was also a terrible coward. It had taken him a long time to realise that, he acknowledged, as he watched her bright hair gleam in the sunlight, her green eyes sparkle as they smiled at Silvia and her very kissable mouth curve around her coffee-cup.
He waited until both ladies had put their cups safely down on their saucers before he went for broke. ‘Silvia,’ he aimed his loaded bet directly at Isobel’s weakest point, ‘Isobel and I must attend a party tonight. We would be very honoured if you would accompany us.’
He had chosen his bet well, for he could remember Silvia before her accident. She might have spent her working hours stuck behind the window as a teller in a high-street bank but her social life had used to be full and fun.
‘A party, you say?’ Eyes so like her daughter’s began to sparkle. ‘Oh, what fun! And you really don’t mind if I come along with you?’
From across the table, barbs began to impale him. He made eye contact with a brow-arching counter-challenge that gave no indication whatsoever to what was beginning to sizzle in his blood. This woman could excite him without trying to. She brought him alive.
‘We didn’t come to Athens equipped to attend parties,’ Isobel reminded both of them.
Silvia’s face dropped in disappointment. Isobel saw it happen and looked as if she had just whipped a sick cat.
‘No problem,’ he murmured smoothly. ‘It is an oversight that can be remedied within the hour.’