A Wedding For The Greek Tycoon (Greek Billionaires Book 2) (9 page)

For a moment their eyes met. He saw concern in hers. Before the night was out, they were going to talk.

It appeared Nestor couldn’t take his eyes off her. When he could see that Vasso wasn’t about to leave, the younger man glared at him beneath veiled eyes. The fact that he was recovering after chemo didn’t stop the way he studied her face and figure. Was Zoe interested in him?

Vasso couldn’t prevent another stab of jealousy, but when he thought about it that was absurd. If there was a bond between them, it had to do with the fact that both Nestor and Zoe had their illness in common. They had an understanding that drew them together. If she suspected the younger man’s infatuation, she didn’t let it show.

Soon a couple of the nurses came out to take the patients back to their rooms. But Nestor declined help and wheeled his chair out of the room.

“Don’t forget movie night tonight!” she called to them. “I’m bringing a treat!”

“We won’t forget!” said one of the older men.

Vasso watched her clear up the cards. She was nervous of him. Did he dare believe that she was equally thrilled to see him, and that’s why she’d been caught off guard? He desperately wanted to believe she was in love with him, too.

“What’s this about movie night?”

She nodded. “During my chemo, there were nights when I couldn’t sleep and wished there were something to do. I asked Yianni about it and he told me to organize it. Anything that could increase everyone’s comfort was worth it.”

Zoe never ceased to amaze him. “You’re already revolutionizing this place. What time is your movie night?”

“After nine-thirty. That’s when the demons come.”

He didn’t want to think about the demons she’d lived through. “In that case I’d like you to have an early dinner with me first. Please don’t turn me down. My brother and his wife want to meet the new assistant manager. They’ve invited us over. Maybe you can get Raina to unload about Akis’s imperfections. Maybe he pecks at her, too.”

She laughed, causing her nervousness to disappear for the moment. “As if I’d ask her a question like that!” There was green fire in her eyes. “I’ll have to let Yianni know I’m leaving for a while.”

“I’ve already asked if it’s all right, but if you’d rather not leave the center, just tell me. We can arrange dinner with them for another time.”

“No.” She shook her head. “That sounds lovely. I’ve wanted the opportunity to thank Akis. How soon do you want to leave?”

“As soon as you’re ready. We’ll leave from the hospital roof.”

“Let me just freshen up and then I’ll meet you at the private elevator in ten minutes.”

“Before you go, these are for you.” He handed her the flowers.

“Umm. Pink roses. They smell divine.”

“They smell like you. I noticed the scent the first time you climbed in the limo.”

Color filled her cheeks. “Thank you, Vasso. They’re beautiful.”

“Almost as beautiful as you.”

She averted her eyes. “You shouldn’t say things like that to me.”

“Not even if I want to?”

“I’ll just run to my desk and put them on the counter, then I’ll join you.”

* * *

He could have no idea how much the flowers meant to her. She loved him... Too many more moments like this and all her efforts to keep distance between them would go up in smoke.

After receiving his newsy emails all week, to be given these flowers had her heart brimming over with love for him. It was clear he wasn’t about to go away, and now he was whisking her off to his brother’s villa.

She was filled with wonder as the helicopter flew over the tiny island next to Paxos. Vasso pointed out the vineyards on Anti Paxos. “If you notice the surrounding water, it’s Caribbean green. Your eyes are that color, Zoe.”

Every comment from him was so personal it made it harder for her to keep pushing him away.
That’s because you don’t want to, Zoe. You’re in love and you know it.

As they descended to a landing pad, she could see that the water
was
green, not blue, putting her in mind of emerald isles she’d never seen except in film. Vasso helped her down and kept a hand on the back of her waist as they made their way toward the small stone villa.

“Look at these flowers!” Zoe exclaimed. “It’s breathtaking.” They lined the mosaic stone pathway.

“Vasso?” she heard a female voice call out.

“Nobody else!” he called back.

In the next instant Zoe caught sight of the lovely American woman who’d married the other Giannopoulos son. She was a blonde, too. Zoe’s first impression was that she glowed with health. Vasso had told her they were expecting a baby.

“Zoe? This is my favorite sister-in-law Raina.”

“Your only one,” she broke into English, rolling her violet eyes. “I’m so glad you could make it.” Raina shook her hand before hugging Vasso. “Akis just got back from Athens and will join us after he gets dressed. Please come in. We’ve been excited to meet you.”

Zoe followed her into the most amazing living room. A fireplace had been built in a wall carved out of rock. Between the vaulted ceiling and arches, the stone villa reminded her of pictures from the old family photos that had gone up in flames. The curtains and pillows added marvelous colors of blue and yellow to the décor. Zoe loved it.

“While Vasso goes to find Akis, come out on the terrace, Zoe, and have some lemonade with me.”

They walked past the open French doors where the terrace overlooked a kidney-shaped swimming pool. Glorious shades of red, purple and yellow flowers grew in a cluster at one end. Beyond it the sea shimmered. “You live in paradise, Raina.”

Her eyes sparkled with glints of blue and lavender. “Every day I wake up and can’t believe any place could be so beautiful.”

“I know. When Vasso took me on a helicopter ride, I thought I had to be dreaming.”

“May we never wake up.” Raina Giannopoulos had a charming manner Zoe found refreshing. “Come and sit. I’ve wanted to meet you ever since we heard you were coming to Greece to work.” She smiled. “Don’t get me wrong. I love it here, but I miss talking to another American once in a while. Do you know what I mean?”

Zoe liked her very much already. “I know exactly. It’s nice to speak English with you.”

“I’m working on my Greek, but it’s slow in coming.”

“I may be Greek in my DNA,” Zoe confided, “but I’m American in my heart.”

“I thought I was, too, before I married Akis. Now the Greek part has climbed in and sits next to it.”

Zoe laughed while Raina poured them both a glass of lemonade. “Before the guys come out, may I tell you how much I admire you for handling everything you’ve been through? My grandfather died of stomach cancer and my grandmother from heart failure. I watched them suffer and can only imagine your agony.”

“It’s over now.”

Raina nodded. “You don’t know it, but both brothers have been very touched by your story and are astounded by your desire to pay them back. Their father meant the world to them. Until you came along, I don’t think either of them realized what good they’ve really done.”

“I know,” Zoe whispered, moved by her admission about her grandparents. Raina had known a lot of pain too. “It’s hard for Vasso to accept a compliment. I’m afraid all I do is thank him. I’m sure he’s sick of hearing about my gratitude.”

“If that were the case, you wouldn’t be here now.”

“That’s the thing. He got me this job so fast he couldn’t know how important that is to me. One day my lymphoma will come back, so I want to do all I can for as long as I can.”

She saw a shadow pass over Raina’s face, but before anything else was said, two black-haired men with striking features came out on the terrace, dressed in casual trousers and sport shirts.

Zoe stared at Vasso’s brother, then turned to his wife. “I didn’t realize how closely they resemble each other,” she whispered. “I thought Vasso was the only Greek god flying around Greece in a helicopter.”

“Do you want to know a secret?” Raina whispered back. “When I first saw Akis on the street in Athens, he seemed to be the incarnation of the god Poseidon come to life from the sea.”

“I thought you met at a wedding reception.”

“That’s true, but we almost bumped into each other first on the street.”

Zoe smiled. “And you never recovered.”

“Never.”

“Would you believe my first thought was that Vasso was the sun god Apollo? The statue in the fountain at the center looks just like him. With a husband like yours, it makes you wonder if you’re going to give birth to a gorgeous god or a goddess, doesn’t it?” After that comment they both laughed long and hard, cementing their friendship.

The men came closer. “What’s so funny, darling?”

While Zoe sat there blushing, Raina smiled up at her husband. “We were discussing the baby’s gender.”

“What’s funny about that?” Vasso wanted to know. His intense gaze had settled on Zoe. She knew he wouldn’t let it go without an answer.

“Maybe Raina will give birth to a little Poseidon carrying a trident. That’s why we laughed.”

A knowing look entered Akis’s eyes before he kissed his wife on the cheek. “My choice would be an adorable Aphrodite like her mother.”

The two of them were madly in love. Zoe could feel it. She was terribly happy for them and about the baby on the way. Zoe would never know that kind of joy. To get married, let alone have a baby, when she knew her cancer could come back wasn’t to be considered.

She could see the hunger in Vasso’s eyes when he looked at his brother’s family. It was killing Zoe, too, because marriage and babies weren’t in the cards for her. They couldn’t be.

“Akis, let me introduce you officially to Zoe Zachos. Yiannis tells me he doesn’t know how they ever got along without her.”

“So I’ve heard.” Akis came around and shook her hand. “Apparently your round-robin card game was a huge hit today. We’ll have to lay in some chips to make things more interesting for your future poker games.”

“That would be fantastic! Thank you. Before another moment goes by, I have to thank you for allowing me to work at the center. I’ve been given a second chance at life and will always be indebted to you and Vasso.” Zoe fought to hide the tears quivering on the ends of her lashes.

She put up her hands. “I’ll only say one more thing. I know you’re God-fearing men because of your father’s example. Christ said that when you’ve done it unto the least of these, you’ve done it unto me. Well, I’m one of the least. It’s my joy to give back what I can.”

Vasso stared at her for the longest time before Raina told the men to sit while she put on an American dinner California-style in Zoe’s honor. Fried chicken, potato salad and deviled eggs along with Raina’s Parker House rolls recipe.

Zoe had never enjoyed an evening more. Vasso told them about their trip to Florina and discussed the wisdom of putting in a store there. The time passed so fast she protested inwardly when she looked at her watch and saw that she needed to get back to the center.

Raina walked her out to the helicopter. Zoe smelled a haunting fragrance coming from the flowers. “I’ve never seen Vasso this animated since I met him. He never used to laugh the way he does now. It must be your effect on him. We’ll do this again soon,” Raina promised.

No. There couldn’t be another time. Zoe wouldn’t be able to stand being around these wonderful people again when it hurt so much. “Thank you for making me feel welcome, Raina. I’ve loved it. Vasso told me how you two met. Apparently Akis was running from the maid of honor at the reception and asked you to dance.”

“Did he tell you I’d just sprained my ankle and was on crutches?”

“No.”

“I was glad I couldn’t dance with him because I didn’t want anyone to know I was there. The paparazzi were outside waiting. Chloe’s wedding was the event of the summer for the media.”

Zoe nodded. “They mobbed Vasso the day we went shopping at the department store in Athens. With them always being in the news, it doesn’t surprise me that women are after those two brothers. It’s really a funny story about you two. Akis is a lucky man. For your information, you could open up your own restaurant serving the food we ate tonight.”

The other woman hugged her. “After I heard from Vasso what a great cook you are, that’s a real compliment.”

Vasso came from behind and opened the door so she could climb in.

“Thanks again, you two. It was wonderful meeting you.”

He followed her in. Once they’d fastened their seat belts, the rotors whined and they climbed into the twilight sky.

Zoe could see Vasso’s profile in the semidark. He was a beautiful man who’d taken over her heart without trying. She was prepared to do anything for him. That meant weaning herself away from him. He deserved to meet a woman who had a lifetime ahead to give him love and bear his children.

Because of the foundation, she’d been granted five years, maybe a little more, to live life until her time ran out. But it would be a selfish thing to do if she reached out for love. It would be asking too much to deliberately marry a man and have his baby, knowing she would have to go through another period of illness before leaving them. Zoe refused to do that to any man.

“Zoe? We’re back at the hospital.” Vasso’s low voice brought her back to the present.

She thanked the pilot and got out of the helicopter. When Vasso started toward the elevator with her, she turned to him. “I had a marvelous evening and loved meeting your brother and his wife.”

“You and Raina really seemed to hit it off.”

“She’s terrific. Between you and me, your brother doesn’t have anything to worry about. She’s crazy about him. No talk of his pecking at her.”

Vasso grinned.

“It’s obvious they have a wonderful marriage. Now I need to go inside and set things up. You don’t need to come all the way to make sure I’m safe.”

His dark brows furrowed. “Why are you pushing me away, Zoe?”

After taking a deep breath, she folded her arms to her waist. “Let’s be honest about something. Our relationship has been unique from the beginning. The normal rules don’t apply. You’ve done everything humanly possible to help me relocate to a new life, but I’m acclimatized now. For you to do any more for me will make me more beholden to you than ever. I don’t want that.”