Chapter Nine

Frankie got out of the taxi in Trapazakia. She was to meet Nik at his bar. His deadline of two days to give him her decision was imminent.

She walked along the cobbled harbor side. The picturesque fishing village was set at the head of an inlet, and less touristy than Agia Kalamaros; there were just a few tavernas and Artemis TZ. Even today—a Saturday—it was relatively quiet. She sat down at an empty table shaded from the midday sun by an umbrella outside the bar and waited, just as Nik had instructed. A waiter came and took her order for a small bottle of sparkling mineral water, with ice and lemon. She needed her wits about her.

She took in the stunning view: the fishing and pleasure boats moored along the harbor wall that was constructed out of rocks and the misty-grey outline of Lekopolos in the distance across the azure-blue sea. Though she’d turned herself inside out over the past day and two nights wondering what she should do, she felt calmer and stronger now. She wanted to stay on Kathos, come what may. In the couple of months she’d been here, she’d felt at home, and she was excited for the first time in ages; the idea of embarking on this new property venture was really starting to ignite for her. Apart from anything else, Ali was right—whatever it took, she had to stop mourning her failed marriage, let it go once and for all, and start living. There was no going back, only forward. Having something to work on would be an ideal way of dwelling less on her heartache and starting over.

She sighed to herself. Until her divorce settlement came through, Nik’s offer to invest was her only option. But he expected so much in return… Nik. Infuriating, arrogant, demanding… How many times had she thought of those words since he’d blazed a trail into her life? Struggled to understand or deny the tingling in her breasts and the liquid heat that pooled low down in her pelvis every time she saw him? If she did dare to throw her lot in with him, agreed to the ‘arrangement’ and got involved with him for a few months, let him make love to her the way her body demanded, would that be so wrong? She needed to take back some control. If she made sure she stayed detached, was careful not to let him in—and demanded some terms and conditions of her own—she could avoid getting hurt again.

Avoid getting hurt. She closed her eyes for a few seconds as she reflected sadly it was not the kind of relationship she’d envisaged she’d move onto in time, when her heart had healed. A committed, long-lasting relationship that might result in a much-longed-for child—

“Kalispera.” His rich tones had her looking up.

“Hi,” she said, her breath taken away by how gorgeous he looked in a dark blue polo shirt and tight denims. Though they were only just into the afternoon, a five o’clock shadow darkened his chin, and his hair had that spiky look that always made her want to brush her palm across it.

At that moment, her water arrived, along with another glass for Nik. He sat down opposite her and laid a wallet file with a document inside it on the table. He took his water and raised it. “Am I toasting our partnership?” he asked, his eyes locking purposefully with hers. “Or am I commiserating with myself?”

She didn’t flinch from the directness of his gaze. “Yes,” she replied, her newfound determination making her sound purposeful. “We have a partnership.” She clinked her water against his, then took it back and sipped.

His mouth quirked up at one corner in that way he had, and she was reminded again of how good those lips had felt on hers, making her tummy do a little flip. Although, she would never let him know how much he affected her; as far as she was concerned, this was going to be a heart-protecting business arrangement.

He ran a finger around the rim of his glass reflectively while keeping his gaze fixed on her. “Though I am not surprised that you have said yes, I am intrigued to know what has changed your mind. I thought you regarded dealing with me as like bargaining with the devil himself?”

“Better the devil you know,” she replied, glancing at him from under her lashes.

“But seriously, what did make you change your mind about me?”

She looked away out over the harbor. “I haven’t changed it entirely. There are still aspects to you that do not appeal to me.” She turned back to him and saw he was regarding her with a frown. She had to ensure he was getting her message that she wouldn’t be a pushover.

“The gossip about me—it is still a problem?”

“Is it really only gossip?”

“Mostly.”

“Well, be aware that if I get the merest whiff of any hanky-panky behind my back, the sex between us stops immediately.”

His brows knitted further together. “What is this hanky-panky?”

“Goings-on; funny stuff; misbehavior with other women.”

“Ah, I understand. I can assure you that I will not have any reason to commit hanky-panky, as you call it, while I am enjoying your body.”

His frank words conjured up images that made her skin prickle with need, but she quickly pushed them away and faced him with a level stare. “Just letting you know. I also expect you to use condoms on every occasion.”

“Of course, agapimeni mou, that goes without saying. And it has to cut both ways. There are to be no other men while you are with me.”

She rolled her eyes. “We know that wouldn’t happen. I’m only just getting divorced after seven years of marriage.”

“You did not cheat on your husband ever?”

“No. I had one boyfriend before I met Andrew, and then I was completely faithful to him. Some of us believe in long-term relationships.”

He leaned back in his chair. “Yet you are prepared to sleep with me on a short-term basis now.” He paused. “You said there are aspects about me that do not appeal to you. What are other things about me that you do not care for?”

“It certainly hasn’t been a case of love at first sight, or even second,” she batted back, smarting at his observation.

“Who is talking about love, pet hi mou? Is that what you were hoping for, a long-term relationship? Why you pushed me away?”

A gentle breeze from the sea blew some strands of hair into her eyes, and she flicked them away. “Not me. As I told you, I’m in the midst of a divorce. I have no intention of falling in love with anyone, least of all you, for a long time to come. And ours is not an arrangement that could in any way be described as loving.”

“But despite this and your views on relationships, you have agreed to it all the same.”

She bit her lip. “It suits me to,” she replied as coolly as she could manage, glad at last to be able to fire a shot back. “I view it as a means to an end; I really want to get started on the property project.”

He surveyed her for a few seconds, an eyebrow raised, then he smiled broadly and reached for the wallet, drawing out a contract. “Then we are in accord. As promised, here is an agreement, in English, laying out the terms of our financial arrangement. Since we last talked, I have decided to buy the property and waive repayment for it from you. Also, you may take the profit when we sell.”

She couldn’t help her jaw dropping slightly. “You are saying you would finance the whole thing and not expect me to pay you back, and let me take the proceeds of the resale?”

He waved a dismissive hand. “You will need the money to invest in your future projects, get a business going.”

She thought quickly. “That’s very kind of you, but I can’t agree to not repaying you. It may take time, but once I have my divorce settlement, I will refund you the full price of the property you buy.”

“There is a provision in our contract that it will be your name on the title deed of the villa; legally, you will be the owner. As for the money, I do not need it.” He surveyed her, his eyes glittering. “All I want in return is you.”

She didn’t respond. Instead, she held out her hand, willing it not to tremble and give away her nervousness. “Can I have the contract to read through before I sign it?”

He passed it over. “As long as you sign it before you leave tonight.”

She opened her mouth to object, but his expression silenced the words, and she knew he wasn’t giving her any leeway. “Then I must check it now.” She settled back and started to read through the document. It was short, straightforward, and stated all of what he pledged. She hesitated, then reached for her bag, fished out a pen, and signed it. There. For better, or for worse, it was done. But, she vowed silently to herself, she would repay him for the property once she was in funds; she would not let him buy her, whatever he might think.

When she looked up, he was regarding her intently. “So I will handle the legal and financial arrangements and help you line up any services you need, and you will supervise the refurbishment and the sale of the property. Agreed?”

“Agreed.”

“And you verbally agree that we will not only be business partners…” His gaze bored into her. “But partners in bed too?”

“I think the term is bedmates,” she murmured, sensing her defenses slipping.

He raised his glass once more. “Se amás. To us. And our agreement…and to being bedmates.”

She clinked her water to his. “Se amás.” And to buying…but never being bought.