Her Greek Romance aka Greek Encounter Page 7

  Tears burned her eyes. She blinked several times and suppressed them.

  “You’re an idiot,” she scolded herself. Sleeping with a stranger she knew nothing about on a first date. How could she have done such a stupid thing? She, the experienced lawyer who always collected her data and never let first impressions interfere with her objectivity.

  She reviewed their meeting at the café and snorted at her immediate attraction to his good looks. To think she hadn’t hesitated to accept his offer of a cruise around the island. Later, it had been worse. She’d melted in his arms when he kissed her, even urged him to…

  Unable to forgive herself, she dropped her head between her hands.

  A moment later, she stood to go back to the courthouse. Staring at the sea and the myriad boats floating on the water, she recognized Stefano’s yacht in the harbor. Tears welled at the sight of her dream-boat. As much as she hated him now, she would never be able to forget the beautiful hours she had spent on his yacht. With a sigh, she pulled out her make-up kit, dabbed her eyes, and powdered her face. Satisfied with her appearance, she walked back to the courthouse, eager to get the hearing over with.

  Anton waited for her at the front door of the courthouse. “The judge asked for you.”

  She glanced at her watch and shrugged. “I don’t think I’m late.”

  “No, but they reached a decision. A settlement.”

  “What? Grandpa will never agree.”

  Anton climbed the stairs and threw over his shoulder, “The judge will explain to you.”

  At the door of the room, a spasm knotted her stomach at the sight of Stefano shaking hands with the judge. “The snake, for sure he took advantage of me leaving the room.”

  “Come, Ms. Sheppard, we have good news,” the judge announced. “You were absolutely right. Your grandfather, Mr. Zanis, is exactly the wonderful man you described. We misjudged him all these years.”

  “Ah.” Why did these words worry her?

  “Mr. Zanis called Anton. We spoke again, and we reached a settlement between Mr. Kostapoulos and Mr. Zanis.”

  The angst twisting her heart brought her closer to the judge. “What are the terms?”

  “Mr. Zanis was very pleased with Mr. Kostapoulos’ offer to convert the Pink Villa into a little museum and he is selling some of his shares to Kostapoulos. In exchange, Kostapoulos agreed to let you, Ms. Sheppard, approve the new resort’s plans, all of them including the decoration.”

  Perfectly aware of Stefano’s inquisitive eyes fixed on her, she shrugged. “I’m glad that everything is settled.” At this point she couldn’t care less about the Pink Villa or the new resort. All she wanted was to go home to the U.S. “You’ll fax me the plans when they are ready.”

  “No, Ms. Sheppard. Part of your grandfather’s agreement requires that you stay here for a month and work on the plans with Mr. Kostapoulos,” the judge said as he collected his papers.

  “What?” The blood drained from her face, and she clenched the side of the table for support.

  CHAPTER SIX

  “I’m not staying here another day.” Ashley turned to escape the suffocating room where she had trouble breathing.

  “Counselor.”

  “Ashley.”

  “Kyria Sheppard.” The judge’s call echoed the voices of Anton and Ted Pastroudis. “Your grandfather went to a lot of trouble to ensure the old feud ended in peace for the good of everyone. You have to sign the settlement.” The judge held a document out to her.

  “Please, Counselor Sheppard,” Anton begged. “You can’t leave now. You must sign the documents. Otherwise I will have the whole town after me.”

  She cast him a disgusted look, then shifted her gaze to the three other men. Although his scowl had relaxed, Stefano considered her with a blank expression and Ted watched her curiously. She took the document, quickly perused it, and gasped.

  “Sell his shares? No way. Grandpa wouldn’t want to sell his precious villa. You must have coerced him into accepting this humiliating agreement.” Unless she heard the stunning news from her grandfather, she wouldn’t sign any paper. Without wasting another minute, she fumbled in her purse for her cell phone.

  The judge thumped his table with his fist. “You are wasting my time, kyria. I have other hearings today. Maybe Counselor Anton can sign it on behalf of Mr. Zanis.”

  “Your honor,” Stefano said. “This isn’t fair to Counselor Sheppard who was out on a break, and didn’t participate in the conference call with Mr. Zanis. We should give her time to call her grandfather and reassure herself that no one is trying to deceive her.”

  It was exactly what she intended to do, yet coming from her worst enemy, the request made her fume. Did he think his generosity would excuse his despicable behavior?

  “Grandpa,” she said as soon as she punched her preprogrammed number. “What’s going on?”

  “Congratulations, Ashley. You did a terrific presentation according to the judge and won the case.”

  “Won the case?”

  “Kostapoulos gave up on the demolition plan and is going to restore the Pink Villa as a little museum. I’m sure Elena is very happy up there. And I’m happy. I’ll sell him half of my shares of the property, and in exchange I want you to validate the plans and supervise the preliminary work.”

  “I’m leaving tomorrow.”

  “No. You still have work to do. I don’t trust him completely. I’m counting on you to make sure he sticks to our agreement. Besides, I insisted that the rest of my shares be transferred to your name.”

  “Why my name?”

  “You’re my heir, sweetheart. You may as well get those shares now and have a part in the new resort’s revenues.”

  “That’s very kind of you, Grandpa, but I don’t plan to stay here.” And she didn’t want any ties to Stefano’s resort. “I have work waiting for me in Boston, clients and lawsuits—”

  “Kostapoulos has agreed to use your law firm. We are giving Stein, Vynis, and Co. exclusivity to handle the legal matters concerning the new resort that will be called the Pink Villas. Your boss was so delighted with his first international contract, he promised me you’ll make partner if you pull it right. Aren’t you happy?”

  “Happy? No, I’m dizzy.” Making partner at thirty had been her dream and goal. But to owe it to that damn Kostapoulos. “You’ve let them manipulate you.”

  “My little girl, since when does anyone manipulate your old grandpa? I’ve allowed them to build the new resort and I preserve the villa. They were so pleased they’ve invited me to be the guest of honor at the inauguration. If God grants me health, I’ll finally return to Greece after sixty years, pray at Elena’s grave, and see the house I gave her restored. After being the black sheep for so long, it’ll be a dream come true to be received as a hero in my hometown. Please, sweetheart, try to understand my feelings and help me.”

  Indeed, it was a dream for Grandpa, for Stefano and for the residents of Mykonos—and a nightmare for her. She’d rather see that shark called Stefano eaten by a real shark than help him realize his project.

  But Grandpa had been the only one who cared for her when her father took off without asking for visitation rights and Mom married a younger lover who treated her daughter like a cumbersome baggage. Grandpa had always been there for her and even spoiled her rotten. He’d supported her when she joined Harvard Law School, and had always encouraged her to trust herself. Now he was old and sick and weak.

  Hmm, not that weak, at least mentally.

  Defeated, she mumbled, “Okay, I’ll stay. Just for you, Grandpa.” Shutting her cell phone, she raised her head in time to catch the smug smile on Stefano’s face.

  Swallowing back her frustration, she looked him straight in the eyes. “You have probably all listened to my side of the conversation. My grandfather is pleased with the settlement. He hopes to come here and inaugurate the new resort.” She paused, wanting to hear them confirm what her grandfather said, to make sure the bunch of devils had
n’t tricked him with polite words and good manners the way they’d screwed her over.

  “I have personally invited Mr. Zanis to inaugurate the new resort and the Yorgho & Elena museum.” Trapping her gaze, Stefano uttered every word loud and clear, in front of lawyers and judge. With so many witnesses, he couldn’t refute his words later and break her grandpa’s heart.

  Without bothering to thank him, she turned her back and sidled through the chairs to the door.

  “Counselor Sheppard,” the judge called and banged a couple times with his gavel.

  “What now?” She spun and didn’t try to suppress her exasperation. “I thought you wanted us out of the courtroom because you have another case. Is there anything else you wish to tell me, your honor?”

  A chuckle and a clearing of throat echoed from behind him.

  “You, and Mr. Kostapoulos, and your lawyers.” The judge narrowed his eyes and pointed to her and to the group of men. “You should meet in the consultation room next door right away and decide on a time frame for the project. Also, Ms. Sheppard, you and your counterpart need to read and sign these papers and bring them back to me within the week.” He flapped a few stapled sheets at her. She stalked to the podium, snatched the papers, and stuffed them in her oversized purse.

  Bracing for further confrontation with the enemy, she left the courtroom, walked to the next door conference room and sat at the head of the table. Stefano may have signed a truce with her grandfather after his big show of generosity, but for her, from now on, it would be strictly business—nothing more than the essential exchange of words to get the job done.

  ****

  Determined to speak to Ashley and clear the air, Stefano asked for a private moment in the conference room. With raised eyebrows and knowing grins, Anton and Ted agreed.

  “Ashley, please. We need to talk.” He used his softest voice as he approached her.

  A scowl gathered on her forehead. “I have nothing more to say to you. Anton, Ted, I know you’re out there. Come on in and let’s get this show on the road,” she called out.

  Stefano sighed with regret for the beautiful woman with the stiff back and clenched jaws. A woman he wanted to keep in his arms for as long as he could.

  In the courtroom, stunned disbelief and dark outrage had shadowed her eyes, until she had donned her rigid mask of cool professionalism. So many times, he’d almost leapt forward to gather her in his arms and shield her from the pain he’d inflicted on her.

  Had he lost her like his Yaya had lost her Yorgho? Zanis had thrown him a lifesaver by insisting Ashley should stay in Mykonos and work with him. By Zeus, he planned to put the time to good use and convince her he had her best interest at heart. The sooner she forgot the agonizing morning in court the better for both of them.

  “Ted, the consultation room suggested by the judge isn’t comfortable. Call a meeting in my office right away. Bring Ashley and her lawyer with you in the limousine. Don’t let her leave on her own.”

  “Sure.” Ted took off to talk to Ashley while Stefano meandered to the staircase and inconspicuously left the building to search for his car that should be parked near the dock, knowing his skipper’s love for the sea. As expected, Mikhali sipped a Greek coffee and played backgammon at a nearby café while watching half a dozen boys ogling the black limousine.

  “Yassou, Mikhali. We need to go.” The young man left a tip on the table and followed his employer. “Bring the car to the courthouse,” Stefano ordered after he slid into the front seat next to his faithful skipper who doubled as a driver or a steward when needed. “We’ll wait for the others and then you take us to my office.”

  A moment later, the limousine stopped in front of the courthouse. Stefano remained in his seat, protected from passersby’s curious gazes by the tinted windows, and isolated from the backseat occupants by the opaque sliding window. He’d rather avoid adding to Ashley’s distress by sitting in the back. In her present state, she’d probably refuse to ride with him.

  Ted and Anton came out of the courthouse escorting Ashley and approached the limousine. Ted opened the rear door and held it for the young woman who paused, peered inside, and then slipped into the car. The men followed her.

  The separation window slid open for just a crack. “Mikhali, you can go,” Ted said, without sliding back the window. “I’m glad we were able to reach an agreement,” Ted continued. Stefano stiffened, anxiously waiting for Ashley’s response, and hoping her anger had subsided—if only a little.

  No answer came from the back.

  “I am very satisfied with the outcome,” Anton said after a minute. Stefano stifled an aggravated humph. Who cared about Anton’s opinion?

  “How about you, Ashley? Aren’t you pleased that the Pink Villa will be renovated? Your grandfather seems so happy now,” Ted insisted.

  Stefano tented his ear toward the rear. An ominous silence hovered.

  “Ashley?”

  “Huh? I have a headache and haven’t paid attention to what you said.”

  “I said—”

  “I’d rather you don’t say anything, at least to me. I’m trying to get rid of my headache.”

  “I’m sorry about your headache. Can I get you—”

  “All I ask is a few minutes of quiet. Thank you.” Her crisp tone spoke volumes about her mood.

  Ted must have nodded since a deep silence followed her icy order. Stefano stifled a groan of frustration and sank into his seat. Convincing her to see things his way was going to prove more difficult than he first thought. Counselor Sheppard was one aggressive lawyer— and a very strong woman.

  Twenty minutes later, the limousine stopped. Stefano debated whether to wait in the car until his guests entered the building. Not a man to hide from problems, he climbed out, opened the rear door for Ashley, and extended his hand to help her. As expected, she looked right through him as she stepped out of the limo.

  “This way, please.” He waved toward the rotating glass door into the building. “My office is on the fourth floor.”

  “Is the building part of your company?” Her calm question stunned him more than thunder on a sunny day. Had she decided to stop giving him the cold shoulder?

  “Yes. The building houses the Kostapoulos Enterprises.”

  “I noticed it’s one of the tallest in Mykonos, at least in the part of the island I’ve seen.” Her voice remained as bored as if she was discussing the weather report. He couldn’t tell if he detected a trace of irony or admiration in her question.

  “In fact, it is the tallest building in Mykonos.”

  She shrugged and raised her chin. With an inward sigh, he led them to the elevator and then to his office. She scanned the spacious elegant room and faced him, a scowl darkening her forehead. “I don’t see any conference table.” So much for any comments of admiration about his prized office and antique desk.

  “Please have a seat.” He indicated the plush burgundy couch and matching chairs.

  “Is this your idea of a business meeting? To cozy on a comfortable sofa?”

  Her eyes shot daggers at him. By Zeus, they reminded him of a tempest on the Aegean Sea, dark green sparkled with blue. Swallowing his inappropriate compliment, he tried for a reasonable explanation. “We’re just going to take a break and—”

  “No thank you. I’m fine. I’d rather discuss the project. If you don’t have a conference room available, we should return to the courthouse.” Her chin tilted up in a snobbish way.

  The sun bathing the bay window lit fiery streaks through her reddish curls. The goddess of war, Athena, could learn a thing or two from the American lawyer about annihilating the adversary without using a weapon. If they were alone, he’d have pulled her into his arms and smashed her arrogance under blazing kisses.

  Patience was a virtue he’d learned when he started his own business. It didn’t pay to lose his temper when his opponent was determined to annoy him—especially one as lovely and confident as Ashley Sheppard. He counted to ten in his mind and
plastered a pleasant smile on his lips.

  “We will have a quick lunch and then reconvene in the conference room—one with a big conference table that I’m sure will meet with your approval.” His arms opened wide to indicate the dimension of the table.

  “We don’t need to eat lunch yet.”

  “Maybe you don’t, but Ted, Anton and I have larger appetites. We can’t starve because of a meeting.”

  The two men’s chuckles echoed his. A hint of a smile lightened Ashley’s face. Finally! But she quickly turned her head and exhaled a loud sigh.

  “Besides, we are going to have many more such meetings,” Ted added with a knowing smile.

  “I bet. At this rate, we’ll never be done.” Ashley sat in one of the armchairs and daintily crossed her perfectly shaped legs. The rising hem of her beige skirt tantalized Stefano with a generous expanse of sunburned thighs that his fingers longed to soothe with a cooling lotion.

  Distracted by the provoking view, Stefano breathed deeply to control his reaction and regulate his racing pulse. If only they could turn back the clock.

  “Well?” Ashley insisted.

  Ted nudged him in his side. Before Ashley had the time to throw more caustic comments, Mikhali entered with a tray decked with a bottle of ouzo, a bucket of ice and several glasses. Behind him, Maria, the young maid who cleaned the office, rolled in a cart with several plates.

  “Perfect timing, Maria. We are quite hungry.” Stefano smiled.

  Maria blushed, and set the plates and silver on the glass and chrome cocktail table. “I prepared the yogurt salad you like with cucumbers, garlic, and mint. Is there anything else you want?” The incandescent flame in her chocolate eyes indicated she meant she’d give herself to him if he asked.

  Ashley’s sarcastic humph slammed him harder than a whip.

  “Yes, please serve our guests.” His dry voice brought a quiver to the maid’s lips, but she stopped casting adoring glances on him, and busied herself with the lunch.

  After filling a plate with slivers of turkey, goat cheese, olives, minted yogurt, and a roll of bread, Maria handed it to Ashley together with an embroidered napkin. “For you, kyria.”