The Power of the Legendary Greek - By Catherine George Page 0,52

felt the same urge to celebrate, Luke.’ She eyed him uneasily. ‘Do you regret what happened between us?’

He raised the hand and pressed a kiss into her palm. ‘How could I regret something so sublime, kardia mou?’

‘But you were gone this morning.’

‘For a very good reason. I woke up wanting to make love to you again, but exerted much self-control and let you sleep. Also, I thought you might not like Eleni to find me in your bed.’

‘Very true,’ she said with feeling, and shot a troubled look at him. ‘Luke, will she think less of me for sleeping with you?’

‘No,’ he said emphatically. ‘I told her—also Spiro—that I shall keep you with me night and day until you leave, to keep you safe. They agreed with great fervour. Spiro cannot forget the horror they felt the night you were stolen.’ Luke smiled. ‘They believe that fate sent such a lovely young lady to me.’

‘Oh, dear,’ said Isobel, mopping her eyes with a napkin. ‘That’s made me cry again. You won’t believe this, but normally I hardly ever cry.’

‘There is no sin in showing emotion, Isobel.’ His eyes kindled. ‘As you did in my arms last night. So dry your eyes, agapi mou. We must go down to Dr Riga now and ask him to strap your ankle.’

Isobel pulled a face. ‘Is my hair a mess? I didn’t do much to it after I washed it.’

‘Those wild curls are very sexy. Leave them like that.’ He handed her the stick. ‘Be careful. I have worked hard—and braved much danger—to keep you safe.’

‘I did some of the heavy lifting myself by getting out of that hut on the island,’ she reminded him, laughing, then sobered suddenly. ‘All the time I was praying for a miracle, and it happened. You came, Luke.’

‘I did some praying myself on that boat trip,’ he said grimly, and snatched her back into his arms to give her a hard, fleeting kiss. ‘When I saw your hair as we came in to land I knew my prayers were answered.’

The trip to the clinic was made without incident and, after greetings with Dr Riga and the thorough check-up he insisted on, Isobel’s ankle was strapped up and she was able to walk normally as she left, feeling secure in yellow espadrilles.

‘I shall miss carrying you everywhere,’ he said as he lifted her into the Cherokee.

So would she, Isobel admitted secretly. ‘And I appreciated it,’ she assured him, ‘but it’s good to feel independent again.’

‘How you value your independence! But do not imagine you can go climbing down to any beaches,’ he warned.

She pulled a face. ‘No hardship there. I’ve rather lost my enthusiasm for beaches just now.’

‘Good. Keep to peaceful strolls in the garden. When we get back I must ring Andres, and you can drink the tea Eleni is certain to have waiting for you. Ah,’ he said, stopping the car. ‘Alyssa is waving us down.’

Alyssa ran to lean in at the open window. ‘Kalispera.’ She grinned at Luke. ‘Just can’t keep out of trouble, can you!’

‘I do not seek it,’ he assured her.

‘You never try to avoid it either.’ Alyssa smiled in apology at Isobel. ‘Sorry I couldn’t come up last night. Did you know what was going on?’

‘Yes, I did.’ Isobel exchanged a look with Luke. ‘It was a huge relief to hear it was all over.’

‘Come down to the taverna for a meal tonight and celebrate. My parents would love to see you both. Give Eleni the night off, Luke,’ she coaxed.

He glanced at Isobel. ‘Would you like that?’

With Alyssa waiting, there was only one answer Isobel felt she could make. ‘I would, yes.’

‘Are you sure about this?’ said Luke as they drove off. ‘I was hoping to have you all to myself this evening.’

‘We needn’t stay long,’ she consoled him, and smiled up at him as she stroked a finger along his muscular thigh. ‘We can go to bed early when we get home.’

As soon as the car stopped, both Eleni and Spiro hurried to hear the doctor’s verdict.

‘I hope you weren’t cooking anything special tonight, Eleni,’ said Isobel anxiously. ‘Alyssa is keen for us to dine at the taverna.’

Eleni shook her head, smiling, and led Isobel indoors to sit on a chair at the veranda table. ‘I not even shop yet. Spiro take me now.’

Isobel poured herself a cup of tea as Eleni hurried off, but she’d managed only a sip before Luke bent over her. ‘How fast can you drink that?’

‘Why?’

He