Neighbors and More (High Rise Series) (25 page)

Annoyed, she ignored the card. Her arms still wrapped around
her chest, she spun her head toward the street and saw the two men, in shorts
and t-shirts, sitting at a table, one of them smoking a cigarette. They
acknowledged her with a nod.

The gall of these locals. Couldn’t she be left in peace for
a single minute in this country?

“
Kyria
, please. The card,” the waiter insisted,
probably worried about losing his tip.

With a sigh, she took the card and frowned while reading the
name. Her heart double-flipped. Theodore Pastroudis. The lawyer of that Greek
SOB, Dimitri Kostapoulos, who was responsible for her dear grandpa’s heart
attack. The same devil’s spawn who wanted to destroy her grandfather’s villa.
She’d studied the case as soon as she got wind of their sneaky deal. They could
both go to hell as far as she was concerned. She wouldn’t meet with the enemy’s
lawyer.

“
Kyria
,
look at back
, please,” the waiter
begged.

What now? Her brow arched and she flipped the card
impatiently. She gasped, hardly believing her eyes as she uttered between
gritted teeth the words scribbled. “Miss Sheppard, it would be in our best
interests to get acquainted today in a friendly environment before meeting in
court.”

“How on earth did he find out my name? Has he been following
me?”

Taken aback by her glare, the waiter lowered his head with
uncertainty. “
Scuse-me, kyria?
Me no understand
.” She shouldn’t
blame him for the message he’d delivered. She took a deep breath to calm her
jumbled nerves.

“There will be no answer.” She reached into her bag for her
wallet and dropped a coin in his hand. “You may go now,” she added in a tone of
voice that brooked no discussion.

“
Efkharisto,
kyria
. Thank you, Miss.” He
turned his back and rushed away.

Her sunbathing spoiled by the unpleasant episode, Ashley
decided not to linger around the beach half naked. The nasty lawyer might not
take no for an answer. The last thing she needed now was for him to show up in
front of her while she used her arms in lieu of a bra. Bending forward, she
fumbled in her bag for the top of her bikini.

“Miss Sheppard. A moment, please.”

An American voice? Damn, damn. And he knew her name. Her
fingers buried in the bag, she frantically searched for the tiny piece of
material, while her other arm covered her breasts. “Go away. Please, go away.”
Where was the damn towel? Already spread on the sand but too far out of reach.

“I need to speak to you.” Too close for comfort, the deep
masculine voice scattered goose bumps along her arms and froze her hand inside
the bag.

“Not now,” she said with the forceful tone she used in
court. No way she’d carry a conversation in the buff. Or semi-buff. Especially
with a compatriot. “I’m very busy.”

“Really?” Heavy sarcasm underlined his question.

From the corner of her eye, she saw the man approaching her
chair. In a second, he’d be staring at...

Without hesitation, she plunged forward and landed half on
the towel and half on the sand. At least now, she didn’t feel exposed. Still
she flattened herself on her stomach and stiffened, both arms bent against her
sides for a partial shield of her vulnerability.

“Miss Sheppard, I just need a minute of your time.” The jerk
now stood in front of her, his ankles at the level of her eyes. “I’m Ted
Pastroudis.”

The opposition lawyer. Lifting her head a tiny bit, she
scowled at his hairy legs. “Mr. Pastroudis, don’t you think you’re going too
far?”

The man crouched in front of her, holding her gaze. “What
are you doing here? Why did you come, Miss Sheppard?”

Pressing her arms closer to the curves of her breasts, she
twisted her head to his side. “Mr. Pastroudis,” she spat, her anger escalating
with her desperation at hiding the topless part of her body. “As a lawyer, you
should realize this is harassment.”

Damn his stubbornness. She glared at him, and then frowned.
She’d never seen Pastroudis before and yet she could swear he looked familiar.
Dark hair, hazel eyes, aquiline nose, and the general appearance of a thin,
nervous man always on the go.

His brows shot up as he surveyed her. Surprise replaced his
professional aggressiveness.

“Ashley? From Harvard Law School?”

“Yes. And you are...Teddy,” she said, after a brief
hesitation to scan her memory.

“We worked together on a student paper in second year,
remember?”

She nodded, and lowered her head. Of all the awkward
situations. Damn it, she couldn’t continue to converse in this position. With a
former comrade from school. “I never knew your last name.”

“And I didn’t make the connection. I’ll be damned,” he said
with a congenial smile.

“Teddy.” Her hiss should warn him she wasn’t in a mood to
exchange niceties right now. “Please, go away.”

“Pastroudis, stop.” A strong male voice called from behind
them, and continued in Greek with an authoritative edge.

Ted straightened up. His legs finally ambled out of her
field of vision.

“Miss,” the newcomer said with a softer tone. “I’m so sorry
we’ve intruded on your privacy.” He spoke perfect English with a hint of Greek
accent. “Here are your things. Ted will be waiting at the boardwalk to
apologize.”

A sigh of relief escaped her when her bag and see-through wrap
landed in a heap next to her hands. “Thank you.” She twisted her neck and
caught a glimpse of a pair of bronzed legs elongated into muscled thighs that
could make a woman drool. “I really appreciate it,” she called after
Strong-Legs as he strutted away from her umbrella.

Without bothering to wipe off the sand sticking to her skin,
she pulled her bra from the bag, slipped it on and fastened the clasp as fast
as possible. While still lying on her stomach, she threw the wrap over her
back, and enveloped herself in the soft material. Finally decent again. The
stiffness in her shoulders relaxed as she scrambled up to tie the edges between
her breasts.

Gathering her bag and flip-flops, she folded her towel and turned
around. Teddy stood by himself fifty feet away. Where had Strong-Legs gone?

Sunshine burned her naked back and sensitive neck as she
trudged through the blazing sand to reach the boardwalk.

Teddy waved to her but remained in place until she reached
him. “Is everything okay?”

“You could say that.” At least, now, she was ready to talk
with her usual calm.

“Ashley, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you or embarrass
you.” The meekness in his voice surprised her. Was it due to the tongue-lashing
he’d received a moment ago?

“It’s okay. What was so important to discuss?”

“My client saw you coming out of the Pink Villa. Are you
representing Mr. George Zanis or is your presence here a coincidence?”

She tilted her head, arching a brow. “Teddy, we learned in
Law School that most coincidences have logical causes.”

“I see. So you are here to work on the Pink Villa case.”

“Yes, with a Greek attorney. Tomorrow, we’ll meet in court.”

“And we’ll tear each other apart.”

“Probably.” Since she’d graduated from Harvard, Ashley had
joined a well-known firm and built a solid reputation, fighting tooth and nail
in court to defend her clients. In this case, her client was her own darling
grandfather who had entrusted her with the villa so dear to his heart.

“Ashley, I’ve never lost a case. It may be ugly tomorrow.”

She shrugged. “It’s always ugly.”

“Yeah, but you’re my former classmate, and it’s your first
day in Mykonos.”

“Having premature remorse?” she asked without smiling. “Tell
your client to drop his request to level the house. It’s not his to destroy.”

“It belongs to his grandmother as well as to Mr. Zanis. My
client is ready to generously compensate Mr. Zanis for his part.”

“For sentimental reasons you’ll never understand, Mr. Zanis
refuses to see the Pink Villa demolished. And that is not negotiable.”

“Damn it, Ashley, we’ll have a war tomorrow.”

“So be it. See you later.”

Ted fiddled with his sunglasses and threw a glance toward
the café. Was he waiting for reinforcement? As she turned to leave, he touched
her arm. “At least, can I invite you for a cup of coffee? For old-time’s sake?”

Not knowing what to make of his invitation, she narrowed her
eyes at him. “We’re lawyers, Teddy. I don’t need to remind you, it’s unethical
to discuss a case, even though we’re not in the U.S.”

He burst out laughing. “Deal. We won’t talk about the case.
This way, please. I have a friend waiting for me at the café.”

“A friend?”

“Yes, he handed you your things a moment ago. Please, join
us.”

The man with strong legs and broad shoulders. The one who
talked with enough authority to intimidate a lawyer of Pastroudis’ caliber.
She’d like to meet this Greek. Hanging the straps of her bag on her shoulder,
she nodded. “Only for a short while. I have work to do.”

He led her to a sidewalk café where a sign greeted the
tourists in Greek and English:
Welcome to Kaffe Paradizio. Proper attire
required. NO bikinis or half bikinis on premises
.

Ashley snorted inwardly. At least here, she wouldn’t feel
out of place.

To hell with local customs. For once she’d given in to
well-intended advice about blending with the crowd, and ended up with a wasted
day and a severe headache. She should have remained locked in her grandfather’s
house to work on her case—the Pink Villa her grandpa had bought for the woman
he loved half a century ago. How romantic… and frustrating. Envy and puzzlement
filled Ashley’s heart, and she glanced in the direction of the Pink Villa.

How had that Greek woman, Elena, managed to inflame Grandpa
George with a love that endured a fifty-year separation?

Irritation pinched Ashley’s insides. Her own romances had
never lasted more than a year, earning Grandpa’s reproachful looks and his
never-wavering advice.
Look for a Greek man who can love you
unconditionally.

Did Greek men belong to a special brand of lovers whose
passion could survive the test of time and distance?

Well, the few locals who had stared—leered at her was more
correct—didn’t strike her as the kind of heroes who’d love forever, or even
long enough to walk to the altar. But maybe all Greeks were not that bad. A
moment ago, Strong-Legs had acted like a gentleman.

Ted navigated his way through the crowded area and waved his
hand. “Here’s my friend.”

A hunk sprang to his feet and waved back. Tall, lean, solid,
his body matched the legs she’d admired a moment ago. Bulging muscles stretched
the beige t-shirt that contrasted with the bronze of his skin. And she thought
gods belonged only to mythology.

“Ashley, this is Stefano, my lifelong friend and former
roommate. He also spent eight years in Boston, but he studied Architecture and
then went on for a Master in Business Administration. Stefano, Ashley Sheppard
is another Harvard graduate.”

Ted had forgotten to mention Stefano’s last name. By mistake
or on purpose? She flicked a guarded glance from the lawyer to his friend.

“Stefano Alexios,” the hunk specified.

She nodded and extended her hand. He enfolded it in his warm
palm and held it a moment too long. “Nice to meet you, Ashley.” His voice
drifted velvet-smooth, tinged with a hint of accent. A faint scent of lemon and
spice tickled her senses while his heart-stopping smile numbed her mind. He
pulled a chair for her into the shade of the white and blue canopy. “You’ll be
more comfortable here.” He sat next to her at the small table.

Heavy and dark curls ruffled in the breeze and fluttered
over his gold-rimmed, polarized sunglasses. She’d bet her bikini bra he’d have
dark chocolate eyes to match that tanned skin. As if reading her thoughts, he
took off his glasses.

Lo and behold, his eyes were turquoise blue, similar in
color to the sea surrounding his island. She’d eat her tongue before making
another bet in her life. The noon temperature suddenly seemed unbearable. A
rush of blood coursed to her face, creating a tiny sheen of perspiration. She
wiped her forehead and removed her sunglasses to rub at her temples. And
stilled as Stefano peered at her face. What was wrong now?

“Forgive me for staring.” His eyebrows quirked. Yet he
didn’t avert his gaze, his admiration almost palpable. “Green eyes and reddish
blond hair. An unusual combination we’re not used to seeing around here.”

“Oh.” Her cheeks aflame, she fiddled with her sunglasses, debating
whether to put them back on and hide her embarrassment.

“Coffee?” Ted asked, as he settled across from them.

Grateful for his interruption, she glanced at him. Today,
Ted would be as courteous as they come—for old-time’s sake as he said—before verbally
shredding her in court tomorrow, on behalf of his client.

“I’d rather have a cold Coke.” Her throat felt as dry as
parchment.

“And a
baklava
, of course,” Stefano suggested with a
bone-melting smile that turned her insides to jelly.

So much sex-appeal in one body should be forbidden. He
looked at her, waiting. She inwardly groaned. What had he said? Oh, the
baklava
.
With a nod, she mentally slapped herself back into consciousness and smiled.
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss the chance to taste the local pastry.”

“Ted told me you’re here on a business trip,” Stefano said
as he reclined against the back of his chair. “For how long, if I may ask?”

“As long as needed.”

Ted laughed. “I promised Ashley we wouldn’t talk about
work.”

“Who’s talking about work in this dream place?” Stefano
emphatically gestured toward the sea. “Actually, I was going to suggest a boat
ride around the island.”