“Are you enjoying yourself?” he had asked more softly, Grace nodding gently, a half-smile reaching her love-heart lips.
“Yes…you have a beautiful home” she had managed gently, as Alexos had looked over at Samuel, the island’s vet.
“Thank you” his voice like liquid slid down her spine “You and Sam seem to be hitting it off” his voice more matter of fact than accusatory, as she had given him a wider grin, Alexos again fascinated to see how her smile could light up her features.
“I have a great interest in the marine life around here…and he seems a real authority”
Nodding he had acknowledged this, mentally making a note to browse the reference book of marine life that night. Frowning, Alexos had chastised himself. Was he trying to impress her? One more of the many women his father had brought to yet another of his ‘find a bride’ weekends, he only playing along so as not to upset the fragile man.
“That is unusual…I thought women were only interested in clothes and shopping” his voice full of humour as she had chuckled.
“Only airheads” her features dropping in shock as she had looked over at the other women, all glaring at her from afar, “I..I’m sorry…that was uncalled for” she had managed, her soft voice full of shame, her expressive eyes filled with embarrassment.
Pulling her harder into him, he had laughed once more.
“Not at all…I happen to agree”
As the dance had ended, she had given him another nervous smile before moving back to the table where her mother and Sam waited for her, her mother beaming with pride, Grace giving her a ‘do not say a word look’ as she had winked at her daughter.
The next morning the door had been tapped softly at six, Grace already awake, an early riser opening it to the small plump girl she recognised as one of his staff.
Whispering softly she had told her that “Mr Manetas says that he will meet you at the back terrace for some breakfast before you dive”, Grace nodding softly in acknowledgment as she had quickly moved to the shower. Groaning, she had half hoped that he would have forgotten his offer of the previous day, hoping that he would have been tired from the party which had continued to the early hours, Grace quietly excusing herself at midnight much to her mother’s annoyance, only pacified as she had reminded her of her early appointment with Alexos.
Pulling on a bikini, frowning as she had noticed that her one piece had disappeared, her mother the main suspect she thought with a scowl. Grabbing shorts and a t-shirt she had scraped her hair into another pony tail throwing lotion and a sun hat into a bag before heading down to meet him.
He had sat reading a paper, putting it down quickly as he had checked his watch.
“Wow…I might just have to marry you. A punctual woman - never met one before” his voice had been full of humour, but she had felt her throat drop to her stomach, giving what she hoped would pass as return laugh.
“Well if I had known that I would have taken my time…had a lie in” hearing the appreciative rumble of his laughter.
As she had sat opposite him he had poured a cup of tea, Grace only taking toast not prepared to eat too much. As they had eaten their small breakfast he had gently questioned her to ensure that she actually could dive, surprised at how proficiently she had answered his questions. He had also been impressed with the number of dives she had been on, finding himself enjoying the descriptions of the boat dives she seemed to prefer.
Grace had surprised herself as she had found herself opening up to the Greek, his real interest in the sport she loved making her forget her shyness as she had talked happily with him. As he had smiled and put down his coffee cup she had watched him under her lashes, once more feeling the strange sensations fill her as her stomach had flipped alarmingly.
“OK…better get on the road, the boat leaves at seven and we have fifteen minutes to get there.” She gave him a look full of fun she had thrown her arm dramatically over her forehead.
“Can it be done!”
Alexos laughing loudly as he had grabbed her hand pulling her with him to the door.
“Oh yes…it can”
Grace becoming more sombre at the way he had taken her hand, this action a little too familiar for her.
With an appreciative look she had slid into the passenger seat of the sports car which had been brought to the front of the house. Alexos gunned the engine to life as he had quickly moved out of the estate’s driveway, expertly manoeuvring the expensive vehicle through the small roads of the island. He had glanced over at her, smiling as she had grinned back, enjoying the wind whipping her pony tail over her head, Grace laughing happily, Alexos glad not to have a woman by his side demanding him to slow down.