I know I said before that you should just stay through today. But after last night, I feel it’s my professional duty to watch over you. Make sure you recover. Why not vacation here on the island? We have everything the mainland has… kind of. And if there’s something you want to see on the mainland, I can take you.”
She put a fingertip to her lips and tapped twice. “Vacation here? So you can keep an eye on me? Is that some sort of prescription or something?”
“Absolutely,” I said, taking the opening and grabbing it with both hands. “Consider it an official recommendation. Doctor’s orders, even.”
“Doctor’s orders,” she repeated. “My gosh, that sounds serious.”
I leaned toward her, suppressing the cheeky smile that I could feel growing on my lips. “Deadly serious.”
But then I leaned back and gave her a legitimately serious look. “I just want to know that you’re okay before I send you out there on your own. I would never forgive myself if there was something that I could have done, and I didn’t.”
Chapter 8
Trish
“A real doctor’s order,” I said, only half joking now, after that last statement from Nikos. I tipped my head back and forth as if I was actually thinking about it—actually considering saying no—and allowed one dimple to peek through again.
Yes, I know, it’s cliché. But I worked for so much of my childhood on mastering that skill that it would be a complete waste if I didn’t use it every once in a while. Besides, it really did work—on the rare occasions when I pulled it out.
I saw his eyes darken with something that looked like it might be excitement, and I reached out and put a single finger on his hand.
“I will stay,” I said, all joking aside now. “Because I trust you to tell me the truth. You did yesterday, and again last night, and if you’re not sure that I’m ready to go out there on my own yet, then I believe you. But in exchange for agreeing to stay, I insist on a tour of the island.” I crossed my arms and gave him the poutiest look I could muster. “That’s my price, and I won’t take any less.”
I saw the moment it occurred to him that I was actually going to stay. And then I saw how very much it meant to him that I’d said yes.
I wasn’t sure why it was so important to him—whether it was just the pleasure of having some company or if he really was worried about my health—but the relief that washed across his face was all the payment I needed. The moment his face relaxed, the moment a true smile came to his lips, I felt a warmth washing through me that I hadn’t been expecting.
It felt like satisfying him actually gave me an adrenaline rush. I couldn’t think why on earth that would be, though, when I’d only known the guy for three-quarters of a day. I mean yeah, we’d already had dinner and a couple of bottles of wine together and he’d most definitely seen at my worse—I cringed at the thought—but it wasn’t like we actually knew anything about each other. It wasn’t like either of us actually meant anything to the other person.
Sure, we’d already gone through the equivalent of one very good date. That didn’t mean anything.
So why were we both sitting here blushing like teenagers with pleasure at the thought of spending a few more days together?
Personally, I was only staying because a doctor who I’d grown to trust had told me it was a good idea. It was just a health decision—which happened to put me on a freaking gorgeous island with the ideal local tour guide.
Seriously.
And before I could follow that thought any further—or, more likely, refuse to follow it any further—Nikos grinned at me, all charm and sparkling turquoise eyes and rugged good looks, and said, “A tour, you say? Why, my dear, that would be my pleasure. And such a small price to pay for the joy of your company.”
I giggled at the ridiculously formal way he put it, then shooed him out of the room so I could get out of bed, eat some of the delicious breakfast he’d prepared, and get dressed so we could go on our tour of the island.
An hour later I headed out to the patio of the house, where I found Nikos sipping iced tea and looking out over the view.
Turning, I took it