She slipped on her beach robe and they made their way to the estate car parked where the private road ended. Her attraction to him had never been stronger, but she couldn’t forget he’d found love with Raisa and had married her. Maybe her memory was holding him back. Nor could she deny the fact that she’d caused pain to the two people she loved most. To expect feelings or attraction from Nico at this point wasn’t realistic.
It only took a minute to reach the villa. “Thank you so much for this fabulous party, Nico. Dimitra has been glowing. So has Kristos. Irena loves you for being so devoted to her and her family. Everything good has happened because of you.”
She got out of the car without his help and hurried to the patio. Nico followed. “Come on, Grandpa. I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted,” Alexa said.
“We appreciate all you’ve done, Nico,” her grandfather assured him, then looked at Dimitra and Kristos. “You two need some time alone. I’m ready.”
Dimitra got up. “Good night, Papoú, Mama. See you both in the morning. Thank you for everything.” She kissed both of them and turned to her father. “Oh, Baba, this party has been so perfect. Thank you with all my heart.”
Alexa watched father and daughter embrace and then pushed the wheelchair inside and through the house to her grandfather’s bedroom. She helped him undress and get into bed.
“Looks like you and Dimitra are on a normal footing again.”
She glanced at him. “We’re getting there, with Nico’s help.” Alexa wished she could say the same about herself and Nico. “He has turned my nightmare into something we can all live with. He’ll never know how grateful I am. Now I’m going to say good-night and see you in the morning. You’ve got your phone. If you need anything, call me and I’ll come running. Good night.”
* * *
Nico went to work the next week, but by the time the board of directors meeting ended on Friday, he realized he’d been worthless. He was no longer the same man who’d been running the Angelis empire. In the last four weeks his world had undergone an upheaval of biblical proportions.
After all these years he finally had answers to the questions that had tortured him. Alexa was alive and living in Salonica, not France. Dimitra was proving to be the most enchanting daughter any father could imagine having. To find out he’d had a child of his body with the woman he’d loved beyond all else had completely changed his vision of life.
By now the news had gone out through the media. Years ago the plane crash that had killed Nico’s wife and unborn child had been sensationalized. Now came even more sensational news surrounding him. The recently appointed CEO of the Angelis Corporation had an eighteen-year-old daughter, but his deceased wife hadn’t been the mother. Furthermore, the mother proved to be the granddaughter of the former Greek ambassador to Cyprus and Canada.
Kristos hadn’t been spared either. His plan to marry the daughter of Nico Angelis in the near future had been spread all over the media. Sadly the horror of the car crash that had killed his father, a vice president in the Papadakis Shipping Lines, had also been brought to the surface once more.
Nico had known it would all come out.
Much as he wished the news hadn’t hurt their families, he’d been too overjoyed with his daughter to let it affect him. But he worried for Alexa and the impact it had made on her. By the time the board meeting had ended late Friday afternoon, his concern drove him to phone her. He was glad for the excuse.
All week he’d resisted the temptation to call her. After Nico had driven them back to Salonica on Sunday and helped her grandfather inside, he’d been forced to face the truth. He hadn’t wanted to leave her. If it had been possible, he would have asked her to stay at the villa for a week or longer.
That moment in the water with Alexa had changed him. When the family had told him she’d gone down for a swim, he couldn’t join her fast enough, and there she was. He kept looking at her gorgeous face and hair. It was then he realized he wasn’t angry. Not anymore. He found himself wanting to be with her again in every sense of the word. He wanted her in his arms and his bed.
Being around Alexa for the weekend hadn’t been nearly long enough. To have to say goodbye Sunday afternoon had been difficult, yet she’d shown no regret that he was leaving. He couldn’t stand the separation any longer.
With determination he reached for his cell and made the call. She answered on the third ring.
“Nico?” She sounded surprised. Her reaction deflated him. What had he expected? That she would sound breathless the way she once did waiting to hear from him?
There was a lot he wanted to discuss with her, but not over the phone. “I’ll make this quick. Do you have plans for this evening?”
“Only to watch a soccer match with my grandfather. We’re eating dinner right now.”
That ruled out his first suggestion. “Would you mind if I came by to pick you up? We could go for a ride. It won’t take long. I need your advice about Dimitra.”
“Is everything all right?” Alarm had tinged her voice. “I know you’ve been with her several times this week.”
“We’re fine, but I’m a new father and would like your input.”
“I’m not sure how much help I can be. How soon do you want to come?”
“Shall we say half an hour, or do you need more time?”
“No, no. I’ll be ready. See you soon.”
He hung up, relieved she hadn’t turned him down. Once he’d showered and changed out of his suit, he took off for the Filo home. She met him at the door bringing a faint floral fragrance with her that was new. In those pleated white pants and fitted khaki-colored top, Nico had a hard time not staring at the feminine mold of her body.
After he helped her in the car, he drove them down to the beach and parked near the water.