Secrets Under the Sun, page 15
“You’re so fabulous. Thank you.”
The expression that crossed his face was strange and unreadable.
As he turned to go, she caught his hand. “Next Thursday is Thanksgiving. Do you have plans? With your brother? Anyone else?”
“My brother’s in Europe currently.”
“I’d love it if you had Thanksgiving with us. Thea and Xander would be thrilled if you joined us. My mother’s already talking about making you some baklava. It was her grandmother’s recipe.”
His smile lit up the dark room. “How can I turn down homemade baklava?”
Eleni crossed her arms over her chest. “I was hoping there might be another reason you’d want to stop in.”
He stroked his fingers down her cheeks and touched his forehead to hers. “The number one reason I visit is right here.” His kiss was light but powerful. He claimed her lips, and she happily surrendered.
Too soon, he backed away and paused at her bedroom door. “I’d be happy to join you for Thanksgiving. Seems, because of you, I have so much more to be thankful for.”
Chapter Sixteen
Dean tapped away at his computer, his eyes darting to the clock every few minutes. He was due at Eleni’s for Thanksgiving dinner soon, but he’d wanted to get some ideas jotted down before he forgot.
Hugh might not have wanted anything to do with Eleni’s ideas about family packages for the resort, but Dean had a feeling they’d be changing all that soon enough. He couldn’t completely blame Hugh for the lack of children’s programming. Reva was in charge of activities, and marketing had never set up a family package. More so, he and Trey had never expressed much interest in the younger set.
Now, he couldn’t understand why he’d never seen how much fun children could be. Well, sure he could. It was because he wasn’t able to have any. In his limited mind, he’d never thought beyond having biological children of his own, yet there were so many children everywhere who needed parents and didn’t have them. Could he offer something at the resort for that demographic, also?
He finished typing the plans for a children’s club that could take place during school vacations. Maybe he could get teachers involved to run it. But would they want to give up their vacation time to be with kids? Perhaps, if there was some incentive. Like a free vacation week at any of their resorts worldwide at a later date?
He’d have to give this some thought. It wasn’t anything he wanted leaked to the competition, and they hadn’t found the culprit yet. Hugh had stuck him on a few more overnight shifts, but Dean simply took it in stride and used each opportunity to do some snooping. Unfortunately, aside from some suspicious expenditures, he hadn’t stumbled across any solid information.
Scooping up the flowers he’d bought for the table, along with an extra bag of rolls, he trotted down his stairs and strolled along the street and around the corner to Eleni’s house. He smirked when he thought of another project he’d had on his mind lately.
“Mr. Dean’s here!” Xander yelled loud enough for them to hear on the mainland. Eleni cringed and rushed over to take the flowers from him.
“Sorry. He hasn’t seen you in a few days, and he’s excited. You’ve been busy lately.”
After retrieving a vase from an upper cabinet, she filled it with water and arranged the flowers inside. As she placed the vase in the middle of the dining table, he sidled up behind her.
“I’ve been working extra hours, so I’d have today off. Thursday is typically my day to work.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t even think. It’s one of the conditions I needed met when I took the job. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter off, so I can be with my kids.”
He leaned in for a quick kiss, then stepped back. “Smart woman. I should have you negotiate my next job.”
Her head tilted, her eyebrows bunching together. “Are you looking for another job?”
“Not at the moment. There are lots of perks where I currently work.”
Eleni glanced around. Her mother and the kids were in the other room. “What kind of perks? Are they anything I should be negotiating for?”
“I get to work with this incredibly sexy woman who drives me out of my mind. I don’t think she even knows what she does to me.”
Her eyes gleamed. “Really? Perhaps you should tell her.”
The sound of the children running through the house jolted him back to reality. “I’m hoping to real soon.”
“I have a feeling she’ll appreciate it.”
Thea shuffled in with Cuddles in her arms. “Hi, Mr. Dean. Do you like turkey? Because that’s what we’re having today.”
“What? Here I’d gotten my hopes up for hamburgers and hot dogs.”
“We could have those tomorrow. You can come over tomorrow, right?” Thea peeked at her mom and nodded.
Eleni grinned. “Mr. Dean is always welcome here, Thea. However, there might be times he’d like a little peace and quiet. This is a very busy household.”
The little girl’s eyes widened, and the corners of her mouth turned down. “We can be quiet here, too.”
Taking pity on the child, he tugged on her ponytail. “I’m happy to come around anytime someone wants me here.”
Xander zoomed through the room and skidded to a halt in front of him. “I always want you here. We men need to stick together.”
“I want him here, too,” Thea whined like she’d been outdone.
“I think it’s unanimous. We all want you here,” Eleni joined in. “Now, it’s time to set the table. The turkey is just about ready to come out of the oven.”
“Let me help you with that.” He meandered through the kitchen and gave Georgie a kiss on the cheek as she mashed potatoes.
“Eleni said you liked baklava. I hope so because I made a ton.”
He faced her and signed, “Thank you. You’re the best.”
Eleni and Georgie bustled about putting bowls and platters on the table the twins were now setting. Dean grabbed the oven mitts, carefully removed the turkey from the oven, and placed it on the stove.
“Eleni, did you want me to carve this?” He closed the oven door and turned it off.
“Yes, please, if you don’t mind. The carving knife is in the drawer.” She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked around the kitchen. “What am I forgetting?”
The kids and Georgie were in the dining room, so he tugged her close. “To kiss me. Never forget that.”
They shared a quick kiss before the kids’ voices broke them apart. “Maybe we can finish that later?”
He nodded. “Count on it.”
Once the food was all on the table and everyone had taken their seats, Georgie held out her hands for Eleni and Xander to take. He and Thea joined in as Georgie blessed the food.
“Thank you, Lord, for all you’ve provided for us this day. For the scrumptious feast we have before us. For giving Eleni a job that feeds and clothes us. For this comfortable home we live in. For all our good friends, especially Dean, who is sharing this with us today. And for all the blessings you’ve bestowed on us. Amen.”
“Amen.”
As food was passed around, Dean reflected on Georgie’s prayer. Here was a family that barely made ends meet, that lived in a tiny cottage with worn furniture, who shopped at bargain stores and thrift shops, and who stretched every dollar they had. Yet they acted like they were the richest people in the world.
He slipped his hand under the table and tapped Eleni’s leg. When she glanced over, he whispered, “Thank you so much for making me feel like part of your family today. You have no idea how special this is for me.”
Her genuine smile warmed him deep inside. “I’m glad you’re here. We all are. You’ve become special to us, as well.”
Xander chattering away about the skateboard he wanted for Christmas broke the spell, but Dean couldn’t be happier to listen to what the kids were hoping Santa would bring. He wondered if he’d have caught the culprit by then. Hopefully…and yet, he almost didn’t want to because then he would have an excuse to stay here.
The meal was excellent, and Dean stuffed himself on Georgie’s baklava after. A walk was in order to try and work off all the calories they’d eaten.
The late afternoon was breezy, so they added sweaters and strolled the neighborhood. A few of the houses already had Christmas decorations up, and the kids made it a point to comment on them.
“When can we put our Christmas decorations up, Mom?” Thea asked hopefully.
Eleni laughed. “I’d like to wait at least a week. Maybe next Sunday, if I can find time to get into the attic.” The little girl nodded and skipped away to catch up to her grandmother.
Dean snagged her hand and stroked her skin. “I can help if you need it. How much stuff do you have? Do you light up the entire house?”
Her mouth tightened, and she shook her head. “No, I wish we could. The kids bug me every year to put a huge display up. The problem is, even if I had the money to buy all those lights, the electric bill would kill me. I hate letting them down, but I don’t want the kids to worry about money at their age.”
“They’ve both got quite a list for Santa. Do they still believe? I can’t remember how old I was when I learned the truth.”
“The truth of what? Is there something about Santa I should know?” Her eyes gleamed with mischief. He loved this silly side of her. It brought out the kid in him again.
He slung his arm around her shoulder and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. She gazed at him like he was a superstar. How had he ever deserved that?
“I’m not sure if they still believe, but they could be playing along, thinking they’ll get more if they do. Obviously, I can’t get them everything on their list, but I’ll try and get a few things.”
Dean wanted to run out and buy them all whatever they needed and wanted. It wasn’t like he had any use for most of what he earned. Especially not living on this island. But even if Eleni knew of his wealth, he doubted she’d want him spoiling the kids with material possessions. She valued family, hard work, love, and friends. All things he would have scoffed at three months ago as being soft and emotional. Now, he knew better. Eleni and her family had shown him that.
“Eleni, Dean,” Georgie called out. “The kids wanted to watch that movie tonight. It’s on in a bit. I’ll take them home. You and Dean should spend some time together without the wee ones. I’ll get them in bed once the movie is over. Don’t rush back.”
Thea and Xander skipped over and hugged him and their mother, then raced back to the house. Georgie trekked at a slower pace behind them.
“I think my mother wants us to spend some time together. Alone. What do you think?”
Dean grinned at her. “I think Santa needs to bring your mother a very large Christmas present.”
They strolled through the small downtown area, where some of the businesses had strung up lights and begun putting wreaths on the decorative lamp posts.
“This island has a special feel to it. Quaint and homey, yet it’s far from boring.”
Eleni sighed. “It’s grown a lot in the last ten years. As much as I need the tourists showing up so I have a job and can afford to live here, I sometimes wish it wouldn’t change that much.”
“I understand what you’re saying.” Tourism was vital for the resort to thrive, but would too much of it kill the reason people came here to begin with?
As they passed his apartment, Eleni clung to his side. “I really don’t want to go back yet. I’m enjoying my time alone with you too much. Does that make me an awful mother?”
He pressed a kiss to her hair. “No, it makes you human and a woman who has needs beyond that of her children.” His needs started howling inside to be let out. “Would you like to come up and see my place? I can make us hot chocolate or tea if you’d like some.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
As they climbed the stairs, he asked, “What sounds wonderful? The hot chocolate or the tea?”
“Coming up to see your place.”
Those words gave him hope. He unlocked the door and let her go in first. “It’s not the Ritz, but it has a bed and a bathroom. I don’t need much more. I have this fabulous lady who’s been feeding me almost every night.”
Eleni examined the large living and kitchen area, then ambled to the couch. “It’s nice to be somewhere that I don’t have to worry about cleaning up or be reminded there’s another two loads of laundry to do.”
As he shrugged out of his coat, she took hers off and set it over the arm of the couch. He settled beside her and tugged until she rested against his chest.
“No cooking, cleaning, or laundry allowed here from you. Your job is to relax.”
She gazed up at him with desire in her eyes. This might be trouble. He’d been holding himself in check with her since the first time they kissed.
“There isn’t anything else I need to do while I’m here?” She cocked her head.
“What would you like to do?”
She kneeled up next to him and cupped his face. “This.” Her mouth touched and teased his, and he lost all control. Crushing her to him, he returned her kisses, stroking his hands down her arms, her back, over her hair. He couldn’t get enough.
Like teenagers sitting in the back of a darkened movie theater, they explored and enjoyed. Eleni’s responses were so passionate and filled with emotion, he caught on fire.
“I know your injury kept you from having kids—” her breathless voice turned him on so much, “—but does it keep you from enjoying a woman in every way?”
Was she asking what he thought she was? Her eyes were giving him the green light.
“Oh, I can enjoy that perfectly fine. Would you like a demonstration?”
At her nod, he scooped her in his arms and carried her toward the bedroom.
“I’d love a demonstration, but you might need to repeat it a few times since I’m a very slow learner.”
Chapter Seventeen
Eleni snuggled up against Dean as they wandered along the beach.
“Your mother deserves a special award for taking the kids shopping today.”
“She didn’t want to wait too late in December or it gets ridiculously crowded. As it is, I’m sure Summerville is busy today. But the kids have saved some money and wanted to do their own Christmas shopping this year. They can’t really buy me something if I’m with them.”
Dean’s arms tightened, and he stopped to kiss her. His lips on hers made her want more of him. Since a week ago at Thanksgiving, when they’d gone to his apartment, she’d tried to squeeze in more time with him. Alone time.
This morning, for instance, when she’d shown up at his place with a thermos of coffee and homemade cinnamon rolls. He’d greeted her at the door in only a pair of pajama pants. Her heart had needed a few minutes to recover.
Then, Dean had set the food on the counter and whisked her into his bedroom, the sheets still warm from him sleeping in them. They’d heated them up even more. The coffee had been cold by the time they got around to drinking it. Neither one of them had minded.
After lunch on Main Street, they’d biked up to the lighthouse and strolled along the sand. Very different when Thea and Xander weren’t yelling to take a look at what they’d found every two minutes.
Her gaze swung to The Hideaway as they wandered close, and she sighed.
“What’s wrong?” Dean stroked her cheek with his thumb. Oh, Lord, she loved when he touched her like that.
She shook her head and shrugged. “Oh, nothing. I heard the house sold.” There was already staging leaning against the porch and lumber stacked in the yard.
His eyebrows dipped down. “Hmm. At least now it’ll have someone living in it.”
“Maybe not. Lots of these cottages get sold to people who rent them out by the week, especially the waterfront ones. Occasionally, you might get someone who wants it for the whole summer season, but rarely does the owner live there. That house needs a family who will love it.”
Standing behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist. “What would you do to it if you owned it?
“If I could do anything I wanted? Like a fantasy or winning the lottery?”
“Or if I bought it for you.” His breath near her ear had her shivering and not from the cool breeze.
Laughing, she twisted her head to see his face. He was grinning. “Did you buy it for me?”
“Maybe.”
She tipped her chin up, so she could kiss him. “Thank you, kind sir.”
Facing back to focus her attention to the house, she envisioned it from when she’d seen it years ago. “If I’m dreaming and get carte blanche, then I’d definitely redo the kitchen. All updated appliances and a new floor. I’d have someone redo the cabinets in a light stain. The cabinets are gorgeous and had this beautiful stained glass in some of them. That’s where you put your nice dishes.”
“Do you have nice dishes?”
“Smart Alec. I do, but they aren’t what I use every day with the kids. You saw them on Thanksgiving.”
“So you’d spruce up the kitchen. What else?”
“I love the wraparound porch, but it needs fixing. The one above it in the main bedroom is sagging, as well. Then, new siding.”
“Vinyl siding?”
She flinched. “Oh, no. You have to have the wooden shingles to make it look like a cottage and to match the rest of the homes on the island.”
“What are the floors like in there?”
“Well, there’re a few carpets that would have to go. With the sand from the beach, the kids would drag in, I’d be vacuuming all day. The hardwood would need to be resanded, then I’d add hardwood or some nice laminate in the bedrooms. And the kitchen…”
“What about the kitchen?”
“I’d love to have some large ceramic tiles in there. And the bathrooms, too. In the summer when it gets super hot and humid here, standing on the tile floors barefoot would be heavenly.”
“So, that’s it? New floors and an updated kitchen.”
