Chapter 7
The next morning, I woke up to Thea informing me that Elias would be arriving in an hour and a half to take me to lunch.
Jet-lagged and purely haggard, I brought my coffee back into my room and started getting ready to meet Elias. Dressed in a simple, pink cotton dress, light make-up and wedge sandals, I was good to go.
After last night’s dinner, I wasn’t sure what I could expect from his grandfather today. Alone here, without friends, I felt so out of place and so out of my depth. Thank goodness I only had six more days to go through because I don’t think I’d last otherwise.
At precisely half past twelve, Elias arrived, dressed in all white and with a bright smile. “How was your sleep, pethi mou?” he greeted me upon entering Dimitris’s home.
“It was sufficient,” I murmured. He gave me a smile before he guided me by my elbow towards the outside settee. When we were both seated, I started the conversation. “About last night, I want to—”
Elias held out his hand, halting me halfway. “I should apologize for my rude behavior.” He looked at me full on, unchallenging and heartfelt. “I hadn’t minded your tales, child, I assure you. What prompted my interruption was the face of my grandson. I didn’t like the hurt I found in his eyes. For that, I am sorry for ruining your first night here.”
Dimitris looked hurt? How? Wasn’t he busy feeding f*cking lamb into Claudine’s mouth? “I wasn’t aware…” I said nervously, hoping Elias had misread whatever was in Dimitris’s eyes last night. “His parents, are they furious?”
“It is expected, but furious is a strong word. Maybe upset or disappointed would do. The rest of my family already found out. Tomorrow, you will meet them all for dinner in my home.” Elias studied me, watching my reaction to his unexpected news. “They won’t bite. They are curious to know who Dimitris had chosen for his wife. Leonidas is my eldest, my daughter, Stephania, follows then my youngest son, Yanni. When the time comes, Leonidas steps down from the family business, Dimitris will take his place. He’ll be the head of the family, the one to handle all the business and personal affairs. If one of his cousins needs help, Dimitris will have to find a way to solve the problem. We’re Greek, we protect our family through the bad, tough and worst times.”
Holy shit, how many people did I have to meet tomorrow night? I thought nervously, pushing the thought away of retching my guts out in the nearest corner. “But I’m divorcing him. I don’t see why that’s relevant.”
He nodded, as if understanding. “You are a Kosta, thus making you part of the family, even if you won’t be for long. You never know, maybe in the next six days you will change your mind. Dimitris is a handsome man, passionate and looks at you with love in his eyes. What could be better than that?”
“We’re not—we made a mistake. It’s that easy.”
“You’re a very stubborn woman, aren’t you?” He laughed, deep and roaring.
I smiled, entertained by his easy laugh. “Everyone that knows me can attest to that.”
“I’m sure they can, pethi mou.” Elias got up, holding out his hand to me. “Let’s get you nourished. I’ll take you to a favorite place of mine. You like seafood?”
“Very much.” Taking his hand, we chatted on light subjects while he guided me outside to his chauffeured car.
~L~
I spent pretty much the whole afternoon in Elias’s company. Apart from him dropping hints of his grandson and me reconciling, he was an enchanting storyteller.
I got home at four, exhausted from jetlag and the nagging thoughts of Dimitris in Paris with Claudine. I decided to take a nap and was awakened some time later by a small rap at the door before a young lady entered my room with a tray full of fresh lemonade and some pastries.
“Dinner will be served in one hour on the patio, Kyria.”
“Thank you,” I responded, sleepy still. What time was it? Kyria… was that Miss in Greek? They seem to call me that here, I thought as I slid off the bed and went into the bathroom to shower.
Three hours later, I was enjoying the view of Athens before me; bright lights, awe-inspiring and very much thriving with life. Tonight, I dined alone. Thea informed me that Dimitris would be delayed and might not come back until later tonight or tomorrow morning.
I snorted at the word “delayed.” I’m sure he was getting his satisfaction in Claudine’s body. “F*cker,” I murmured into the night.
Pouring myself a glass of wine, my first in the fresh, second bottle I opened, I took hold of my phone and called Brody. I’m sure he’d appreciate my wake up call.
Brody picked up, grunting out his hello.
“Good morning!” I used my best cheery tone, but got another grunt from him again. “Do you have a hangover or something? If I get another grunt, I’m hanging up,” I threatened, knowing that he’d snap out of it. I was a bad girl, but I couldn’t help it, Brody was very readable to me now—well, now that I knew him well.
“Your voice is so sexy, you’re getting me hard,” he rasped out, his voice giving me a zing. I heard him give a growl of satisfaction, making me pause with my mouth ajar.
“Are you touching yourself?” I hissed out, feigning shock when, deep down, I was very much turned on by the thought of him that way.
“Talk to me like you do when I’m inside you, pookie,” Brody continued. I was getting more aroused, noting how deep and sexy his voice got.
“Brody! Will you stop being such a naughty bastard?” I mused, smiling, but that smile was short-lived because my cellphone was snatched from my hand.
Shit.