The Tycoon's Son. Cindy Kirk

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СКАЧАТЬ had to develop nerves of steel. But this wasn’t just another industry executive she was dealing with, this was a man whose decision could cause her to lose a significant percentage of her current business.

      Apparently determined to make her wait, the man stopped at several tables, taking time to laugh and talk with other patrons. Customers called out in Greek to him or raised a hand in greeting. Trish decided the fact that most of the people here knew him probably wasn’t all that surprising considering the size of Corfu Town.

      Finally he stood tableside. Trish rose to her feet and extended her hand. “Theo Catomeris?”

      “Mrs. Melrose.” A slight smile touched his lips and he gave her hand a brief shake. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

      His English was perfect with only the barest hint of an accent.

      “Please,” she said, taking his hand. “Call me Trish.”

      A tingle raced up her arm when her palm met his large callused one in a firm grip. Up close his brown hair reminded her of strong coffee, so dark it could almost be black. But the hint of gray at his temples told her he wasn’t as young as she’d first thought. In fact, he was probably a little older than her own thirty-seven years.

      Still, he was a magnificent forty. A man in his prime. She could practically feel the waves of testosterone rolling off him.

      “You may call me Theo,” he said politely, pushing in her chair as she took her seat.

      Out of the corner of her eye, Trish saw a few people staring and realized she and Theo had become the main attraction in the small café.

      “Have you had lunch?” she asked when he took the seat opposite her.

      Mentioning food or the weather was always a good conversation starter. But Theo didn’t have a chance to respond because the proprietress chose that moment to deliver a bottle of ouzo to the table along with ice and water. The older woman’s cheeks might have been a road map of wrinkles, but her dark eyes still had a youthful flare and a healthy dose of curiosity.

      “This woman is a friend, Theo?” the woman asked, her hands fluttering in the air like tiny wrens.

      “Mrs. Melrose and I have done business together in the past,” Theo said smoothly. “She and I have some work-related concerns to discuss.”

      Theo went on to introduce the proprietress as his grandmother, Menka Catomeris. He also casually mentioned that his grandfather, Tommy, was in the kitchen cooking.

      After a few seconds of polite conversation, the woman bustled off to take care of other diners. But not before giving Theo another hug and making him promise to stop in back and see his grandfather before he left.

      Trish felt a pang of envy. It was obvious the threesome had a warm, loving relationship.

      “You’re lucky to be so close to your grandparents,” Trish said, her tone sounding wistful even to her ears. It had been her dream to have her daughter, Cassidy, grow up surrounded by family. But her ex-husband’s parents were too busy with their own lives to spend much time with the child and Trish’s parents lived in Nebraska.

      Theo poured ouzo into the glass and added water. “They’re more like parents than grandparents. I’ve been with them since I was a baby.”

      She’d expected him to continue but his lips clamped down as if he’d said more than he’d intended.

      “I’m sorry.” A wave of compassion washed over Trish. “Did your parents die?”

      “No.” Theo raised the glass to his lips. “My mother lives in Athens. My father isn’t…involved.”

      Trish almost asked what had happened, but at the last minute regained her common sense. This was a work-related luncheon, and until their business was concluded, it wouldn’t do to let the conversation get too personal. Still, the more she knew about Theo, the better she’d be able to solidify a deal that met both their needs.

      “How did you get started doing tours?” she asked.

      “I went to college in Athens,” he said in an offhand tone, taking a sip of ouzo. “Then to Stanford for my MBA.”

      Trish smiled. No wonder he spoke such perfect English.

      “And then?” she prompted when he didn’t immediately continue.

      “When I returned to Greece, I worked in Athens for a brokerage firm for several years.” His eyes grew distant with remembrance. “But my heart wasn’t in it. I bought my first boat, returned to Corfu and started my business.”

      Trish picked up a piece of feta. “How many boats do you have now?”

      “Six,” he said, a note of pride in his voice. “We now go to most of the Ionian Islands. In the beginning it was just Kefalonia.”

      Trish took another bite of the delicious cheese, and tried to get a hold on the excitement strumming through her body. The excursion to Kefalonia was the reason for this meeting, and Theo had just opened the door to that discussion.

      “From what I understand, Kefalonia is a must-see for visitors to this area,” Trish said, doing her best to keep her tone casual.

      “You’ve never been there?” Menka asked, suddenly reappearing to place a plate of savory phyllo pastries on the table. Apparently the older woman had decided if they were there, they were going to eat.

      Trish shook her head. “This is my first visit to the area.”

      “You must go,” Menka said. “You must make a tour.”

      Trish hesitated. She and her friend had booked a spot on an excursion to Kefalonia later in the afternoon. But she hated to mention the plan for fear Theo would use it as a reason to cut their meeting short.

      “It sounds like Kefalonia is a place everyone should have a chance to see,” Trish answered instead, casting a pointed glance toward Theo.

      Theo nodded. “It’s very beautiful.”

      “Theo. Maybe you could—” Menka stopped mid-sentence, her gaze focused on Theo. Instead of continuing with the thought she merely patted Theo on the shoulder and scurried off.

      Theo glanced down at the phyllo pastries his grandmother had placed on the table. “Yiayia likes to bring me all my favorite dishes when I come here. I can ask her for a menu if you’d like to order something else.”

      “Thank you, but these will be fine. They look wonderful.” The delicious smells in the café had set her stomach to rumbling and she’d always found eating to be conducive to doing business. “While we’re eating, why don’t you tell me a little bit about Corfu?”

      Theo obligingly started talking and continued to talk while Menka brought them salads and then grilled fish. It didn’t take Trish long to realize why Theo was so effective as a tour operator. The man possessed a wealth of knowledge about his home country…and a passion.

      Yet by the time the galactoboureko—a milk custard pie with phyllo pastry and a touch of honey—had arrived, Trish had lost interest in geography and history.

СКАЧАТЬ