There were no socialites, but, judging by the callused hands she shook again and again, people who worked hard. There were old folk in dark colours, their faces weathered, and younger ones who were happy to practise English. Children raced across the terrace, laughing, making Alice smile.
She’d been nervous coming here, worrying that she handed Adoni too much power, being in his territory for the discussion about the baby. But as the afternoon drew into evening Alice felt more relaxed than she had in months.
Home cooking scented the air as people arrived with platters and a spit roast was set up. Instruments appeared and music, unfamiliar yet enticing, began in competition with the babble of people having a good time.
‘How are you bearing up?’ That dark voice feathered her ear as long fingers gripped her elbow. Instantly her insides did that funny roll and flip as sensation shot from Adoni’s touch to the apex of her thighs.
Alice frowned at the fruit juice in her hand. She couldn’t even blame alcohol for that response.
Throughout the evening Adoni had kept checking on her. She’d look up to find his eyes on her. Inevitably her thoughts would tangle and she’d lose track of the conversation.
‘What’s wrong?’ Concern tinged his voice. ‘Are you feeling ill?’
Alice made herself meet his gaze. There it was again, that whump of sensation when she got too close to Adoni.
It was hard, staring up into that solicitous expression, remembering that he thought her afemme fatalewho preyed on men.
She swallowed a bubble of laughter. Anything further from the truth she couldn’t imagine.
‘I can rest later. I’m enjoying myself. Everyone is so friendly.’
He shrugged. ‘It’s a small community.’
But it wasn’t just that. Alice had already heard from several people how Adoni had helped out when a fishing boat had been destroyed in a winter storm. How he’d found work for someone else. How he’d ensured there was a better medical service for the area.
Adoni Petrakis, international tycoon and bane of her life, was respected and liked.
‘You’re popular,’ she murmured and was surprised at how easily she accepted it. Despite the atrocious way he’d behaved when she’d told him about the pregnancy, despite his take-control attitude, Alice grew convinced that Adoni Petrakis was a decent guy, most of the time.
Those wide shoulders lifted. ‘They know me. I’ve been coming here since I was born.’
‘The locals back home know Miles Dawlish but they don’t welcome him like this.’
As soon as the words slipped out Alice knew she’d said the wrong thing. Adoni’s forehead scrunched up in a furrow of displeasure. He dropped her arm as if stung. Alice was sure he’d got the outrageous story about her being David’s lover from Miles. The guy was poison and he judged by his own standards. Miles couldn’t believe she hadn’t been interested in David’s money, grabbing what she could for herself. Clearly, he believed any friendship between a man and a woman must be based on sex. He knew nothing of respect, caring or obligation.
The reminder was a sluice of icy water down Alice’s back.
‘You’re wanted.’ She nodded to a man approaching from a cleared space on the wide terrace. He said something in Greek, a grin splitting his face. Around them clapping started in time with the music.
Adoni turned, paused briefly, then with a nod left her. He joined the older man at the centre of the terrace. Another joined them, then another.
‘You like dancing?’ It was a woman she’d spoken with earlier.
‘I don’t know. I’ve never really tried.’ There hadn’t even been a dance at the wedding, since her groomsman partner had been too drunk. Before that she’d been too busy for dances.
‘Really? We’ll fix that, later. But first watch. You’ll enjoy.’
And she did. The music, slow at first, had a rhythm that caught the blood. It was the perfect vehicle for the men to show off. For that was what the dance seemed all about. They formed a line, moving slowly in time with the tune. At their head the leader, sometimes Adoni, sometimes another, would leap, drop and spin with a measured grace and a rampant athleticism that was all the more impressive for being carefully controlled.
Alice found her gaze following Adoni even when he wasn’t in the lead. Watching the rhythmic sway of his body, the proud, upright posture, the deliberate, steady movement of his feet. She recalled his talk of the tough, warlike people who’d carved a life for themselves out of this beautiful, harsh environment.
Swallowing hard, she followed the twist and dip of his broad, straight shoulders, the arrogant angle of his jaw, the strength and potent masculinity in those long legs with their muscled thighs.
As if sensing her regard, Adoni turned, eyes locking with hers.
Something passed between them, as quick and devastating as an earthquake. It rumbled up from the soles of her feet, through her belly where, amazingly, their baby lay cradled, to her chest. It interfered with the beat of her heart, making it quicken and jolt.
Still Adoni held her gaze. From this distance, in the failing light, his eyes looked like dark velvet. Her attention dropped to his mouth and the tremor intensified.