Sixty

An hour later, Henry was entering the restaurant with a gorgeous woman beside him. It wasn’t a formal occasion, but Melina had put an extra effort into doing what she told him. Her off the shoulder black and white dress left him howling inside. It had a bit of a loose fit on top, but the bottom hugged her curves like a blessing. She’d matched the dress with white high heels and the only image going through his mind was to go home, get Melina naked with only those sinful heels adorning her luscious legs, and have his way with her. She took his breath away, and she did that every day since the first word they’ve exchanged.

Melina always loved the homey atmosphere of the little restaurant. All the furniture was in dark wood, a fireplace opposite the main entrance, cozying up the room. Colorful paintings of the shore, boats and fishermen broke the white of the walls, giving life to the place. A table for six was set in the center of the dining hall, waiting for its guests. They’d gone a few minutes earlier since Melina wanted to be there already when her friends got there.

“Have I told you how beautiful you are tonight?” Henry circled her waist, bringing her to him. She giggled and put her hands on his chest.

“Yes, but not enough times to make me believe it.” She glanced at him through her lashes, full of mischief.

“You look gorgeous.” He smiled, and bringing his mouth to her ear, he whispered, “I can’t wait to get home and fuck you in those sinful high heels.”

Hearing her swift intake of breath, his cock twitched to life, and when her skin flushed crimson, he slanted his mouth on hers as if she was his last meal. Melina abandoned herself, molding her body to him and moaning on his lips while he ravished her soft ones. They were so enthralled by each other they didn’t hear people coming in, only when a man loudly cleared his throat. Henry cursed the phony Greek god, and Melina stepped away from him.

“Xan… You came!” She walked away from Henry, embracing him.

“I don’t know if it was the right decision. Maybe you two need more privacy, a room, I guess?” Xanthos scolded her loud enough to reach Henry’s ear, but his attitude granted him an elbow in the ribs from Catalina and a slap in the back of his head from Melina. He was in hot waters with both of them. He exchanged an ‘I’m gonna kill you’ look with Henry above Melina’s shoulder.

“Behave, Xan! I want the two of you to give each other a chance.” She scowled at him.

“I know you’ve been friends for ages, but I need to apologize for Xanthos’ childish behavior.” She extended her hand to Melina, who took it with a smile on her lips. “Do you remember me from the mortifying scene in the café, right?”

“Of course! Please, don’t bother apologizing for these kids. I believe we’ll be the only adults at this dinner.” Both women laughed at the outraged faces glaring at them. “As you can see, this child goes by the name Henry.” Melina winked at Catalina, who gave him a funny look.

“Nice to meet you, Han… er, Henry.” The beauty extended her hand, but keeping her distance, and glued to Xanthos side.

“Pleased to meet you, Catalina.” He drawled her name, and his grip on her hand was a bit too strong. If Melina didn’t know him better, she could say there was laughter in his eyes.

“Gabs will be here any minute. Let’s have a seat.” She said, looking from one another and pulling Henry with her by the hand.

Catalina was one of those magazine beauties, tall with endless legs, long dark golden brown hair, and since their last meeting, she got tanned, making her denim-blue eyes pop on her face. The black pencil dress hugged her slim body with perfection, the sleeves ruffled to her elbows and the skirt covering her knees, making her taller. The dress didn’t have too much cleavage, but with the bright yellow clutch and high heels, it was sexy as hell. If her heart was as beautiful as she was on the outside, Catalina would make Xanthos the luckiest man in Greece. He was such a good guy he deserved someone to love and spend his life with.

As soon as they took their seats, Gabs came in with a handsome man by her side. The blond held her with possessiveness, and it told Melina it wasn’t just a date as she let her think. His bright green eyes would fly over Gabs as if she was a golden trophy, and he was the winner. He had a wild beauty, with hair as long as Gabriella’s, tied by a piece of leather at the nape of his neck. A bit taller than Gabs and well built, he’d be a hit at the clinic. The new Hunk of Happy Paws!

Melina rushed to her and squeezed Gabs in her arms until her friend lost her breath. “I’m so happy you came! I missed you!” She moved to her ear and whispered, “It’s not only a fling like you made me believe, you witch!”

“Well, it’s complicated, sorry.” Gabs chuckled and turned to the others. “Hey guys, this is Jason. He’s from Athens and our new vet at the clinic. Jason is filling up for Mel while she’s jailed.” She raised one eyebrow to the hairline and turned to Henry, daring him to say otherwise, and walked to the far end of the table, far from him. He still gave her the creeps, and she hoped Melina would do a good job to erase the terrible impression Henry imprinted on her. Melina was already by his side, and with a smug smirk, he tightened his hold of her.

“You don’t have an idea how much my prisoner enjoys my sections of torture.” Henry gave a soft bite at Melina’s jaw, under a chorus of ‘ewwww.’ Melina flushed hard, her cheeks turning into a bloody shade. But instead of rebuking him, she made herself more comfortable against Henry, to everyone’s dismay.

“What? He’s an awesome tormentor!” She glanced at him with a grin, dancing on her face, but her heart was so full of emotions she couldn’t put into words. Her hand flung to his cheek, caressing, and Melina planted a tender kiss on his lips.

“Look, it won’t take much longer. My crew already knows who’s behind this shit, and we’re about to make our move. I need ten days, two weeks tops.” Then he fixed his impish gaze at Xanthos and Catalina. “So phony god, I see you found a beauty to sweep you out of your feet. Thank you, Cat, for making him stop hovering over what’s mine. Can I call you Cat?”

Xanthos was about to stand up and advance on Henry when Catalina put a hand restraining him. “I’ll answer that, honey. No, I’m Miss Catalina to you. And the way you put it, sounds that she is a piece of bone, and you a pissing territorial mutt.” Her face meant business, and he glared at her.

“Henry!” Melina held all the outrage she could in her voice. “You promised me. You promised you’d make an effort with my friends!” Everyone flashed fire at him but Jason. Who stared at them as if they were a bunch of lunatics.

Jackass was the word. He was a jackass. The hurt in her voice wrapped around his heart in a viselike squeeze. He never felt so out of sorts around people like he did with them. There was judgement in their eyes and he hated it, but he wasn’t about to admit it. Besides, she was right. He had promised her, and he never backed out on his word. Melina was about to stand up when he grabbed her hand, pulling her to him.

“I’m sorry. Give me another chance.” It was a whisper only to her ears.

“How about we start dinner, then?” Her heart calmed when he nodded and turned his face away. “Please, let’s grab some food, drinks and try to get along. We don’t want Jason to have a wrong impression on us, do we?”

“Don’t worry about me. Gabriella kinda filled me in before we came.” He winked to Melina, who smiled back at ease.

The tension in the room dissipated while they discussed the wine and food menu. Melina gestured to the waiter, who approached them. “You’re new here. Where’s Thales?” Melina asked, frowning at him. She knew Thales for ages from taking his cat to the clinic. He was the one telling her about this delicious restaurant, and his day off was on Tuesdays. He rarely missed a day of work since she became a regular at Ariadne’s restaurant.

“He’s fine, just a harmless cold. He’ll be back next week. My name is Jax and I’ll be happy to serve you tonight.”

“Ok, nice to meet you Jax. We’d love some of the sourdough bread, two portions of Tzatziki and feta with oregano and olive oil for appetizers and the main course grilled salmon. Sauvignon Blanc is our choice of drink.” Melina closed the menu and smiled at him.

“Anything else?”

“No, we’re done for now. Thank you.” Jax got the menus and left to the kitchen to fill the order.

Melina couldn’t say between the appetizers and the main course, Henry behaved like a well-educated boy. She could see he was doing his best, but something in him just couldn’t let go on the day Xanthos put his eyes on her, and once in a while a snarky comment left his mouth, granting him a few nasty pinches in the ribs from Melina. But he hit it off right away with Jason.

The man lived in the USA for years pursuing his master and doctorate degrees, and as it seemed, both had a passion for basketball, giving a break to Xanthos and Catalina from him picking on them. Melina didn’t know if Xanthos would come out of dinner with a better impression of him, but Gabs would, since Jason and Henry were getting along just fine. At least something.

Henry left for the bathroom before they asked for desserts, and once he came out, he stumbled on Catalina, arms crossed, glaring daggers, waiting for him in the little hall between the restrooms and the kitchen door. “What do you want to do, Hank? Do you want to blow my cover? You’re an asshole!” She whispered to him, they couldn’t call the attention to them.

“It wouldn’t be a bad idea to see that phony crumble.” Henry hissed at her, and a loud noise came from the kitchen, and a subtle but weird smell made its way to them, but their banter was more interesting than any kitchen problem.

“Back off! He’s a great guy and doesn’t deserve any of this! I’m out, Hank. You don’t even need to pay me. Our deal is off.” It was Catalina’s turn to spare a look at the kitchen’s door.

“I can’t believe you fell for him, Cat!” The way she looked at him, there was no question. “Lord, you did! It’s in your face.”

“You found your happily ever after, and I’m warning you, Hank, if you mess with mine I’ll never forgive you.”

“I won’t need to do anything, Cat!” Hank sighed in sadness and gave a nod, signaling someone was behind her, but the only thing she could see was the disappointment in those bright blue eyes when pandemonium started. An enormous explosion took the entire kitchen. Henry had only the time to grab Catalina and pushed them both in the restroom. The door bursted out of the hinges, hitting Xanthos hard and throwing him to the floor.