Wedding The Greek Billionaire. Rebecca Winters

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      “My car is out in the short-term parking. Let’s go.” They walked out together. After he helped her in the car and got behind the wheel, he said, “Do you want to go to your apartment first?”

      “Oh, no. I don’t want to put you out. We can eat on the way in. You pick a place.”

      “What are you in the mood for?”

      “Anything. You can’t get a bad meal in Greece.”

      He started the car and drove away. “As opposed to Turkey?”

      “The food there was delicious, but you know what I mean. I’ve been here since January and have loved it all.”

      “That’s nice to hear.” He drove them to a restaurant where the specialty was moussaka with a béchamel sauce he liked. They could eat outside on the patio and enjoy some house wine.

      The waiter took their order. When he walked away, she smiled at Andreas. “How is Ari? Do you have any more pictures to show me?”

      “As a matter of fact, I do.” He pulled out his phone and they laughed over the photos for a few minutes until their meal came. They were both hungry. Then he changed the subject.

      “Will you let me drive you to Messolonghi? We could leave later today and enjoy an evening together there.”

      “You’re so generous to me, but this afternoon I have an appointment at the University of Patras with a professor who’s finally back from his vacation. He has some vital information for me.”

      “How were you planning to get there?”

      “Call for a taxi.”

      His dark eyes narrowed on her face. “Do you dare?”

      The question made her chuckle. “If you’re offering to drive me, I won’t say no. But I’ll be there for at least two hours.”

      “Then I’ll do some errands and come back for you. If you want to go back to the apartment, I’ll drive you and then we’ll leave for Messolonghi.”

      Zoe realized she couldn’t say no to him. He was determined to spend time with her, and heaven help her, she was so thrilled to be with him she could hardly stand it.

      They ate dessert before he took her to the university. She waved him off before hurrying inside. Zoe didn’t think the dean of the literature department had summoned her because his information was new, but she was curious.

      What really stunned her was that he’d been talking to others in the humanities department and was offering her a temporary post to teach there in their theater department for the fall semester. Byron had written a series of plays she could teach in a curriculum she’d developed.

      The earlier mention of her association with Magda Collier had no doubt excited them to the point they’d made this offer. But as tempting and alluring as it was because it would keep her in Andreas’s sphere, she turned it down. No way did she dare accept.

      When she’d met Nate, she’d fallen for him too fast and had rushed into a serious relationship with him with disastrous results. If she stayed in Greece and was given this position at the university, it would be throwing her into temptation’s way with Andreas. She had to keep reminding herself that she’d be leaving Greece soon and had no intention of coming back.

      After telling the dean she was honored and flattered to have been considered, but couldn’t accept the offer, she left his office and waited outside in front of the building enjoying the view until Andreas came for her.

      They drove into town. Once he’d dropped her off at the apartment long enough to pack fresh clothes, she got back in his car and they left for Messolonghi.

      She’d spent time there earlier in the year. It was the place where the Greek rebels fought in the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire. It was there that Byron came to join Greece in its fight for freedom.

      “Refresh my memory about that last day,” Andreas asked her.

      “From what I know, Byron rode his horse by the waters of the lagoon, then to the Chapel of the Virgin by the Palm Tree, and then for many more miles onto Aetolicon. On that fateful day he was caught in the downpour of a storm and returned completely soaked to the home in Messolonghi where he was staying. That’s when the sweating and fever started. He became seriously ill and died at the age of thirty-six.”

      He shot her glance. “What more do you expect to learn about that day by going there?”

      “I’m curious to compare some facts with the Turkish accounts I’ve just gathered.”

      Andreas shook his head. “Does that mind of yours ever turn off?”

      She flashed him a radiant smile. “I hope not.”

      After they reached Messolonghi, Zoe had booked a local hotel. After she’d checked in, Andreas walked her through the Garden of Heroes where Lord Byron was featured. According to his will, his heart was buried there beneath the statue and his body shipped back to England.

      As she’d walked with Andreas, she knew she’d come close to losing her own heart. But it had happened so quickly! How could she be feeling this way after her last painful experience? Zoe was at the point where she didn’t trust her own judgment and was feeling so vulnerable, she was frightened.

       Because you know that what you feel for Andreas is more than what you’ve ever felt for anyone before.

      They had a meal of superb grilled eel at a nearby café. He was definitely a fish man, but this would be their last dinner together.

      Zoe looked at her watch. “It’s getting late, Andreas. Don’t you think you’d better get back to Patras if you’re expecting to fly to Athens in the morning?”

      “It’s only an hour’s drive. Why do I get the feeling you’re trying to get rid of me?”

      She sucked in her breath. “That’s the first cruel thing you’ve ever said to me. I thought we were friends.”

      “I’m sorry if it came off sounding that way.”

      “I’m the one who’s sorry. I guess I worry that you’re a man with so many responsibilities. You’ve done everything for me since that accident.”

      “It’s obvious that you’re not used to letting anyone help you.”

      That was a plain fact. “You’re right. I need to learn to be more gracious. Thank you for this whole day and the dinner tonight.”

      “You’re welcome. If you’re ready, I’ll walk you to the hotel and say goodbye for another week.”

      Another seven days away from him. How would she be able to handle it?

      He accompanied her as far as the hotel foyer. “I plan to come for you when you’re through here. I’ll call you.”

      “I know you can’t wait for tomorrow to see Ari. It makes me happy just thinking about the two of you together.”

      “Good СКАЧАТЬ