Free His Forbidden Bride by Sara Craven Page B

told you,
    Zoe mou .' He smiled at her. 'And I enjoy variety.'
    'I bet,' Zoe said under her breath.
    His smile widened into a grin, leaving her with the uncomfortable feeling that
    he knew exactly what she was thinking. 'And what of you, pedhi mou ? Do
    you plan to teach English for ever?'
    She shrugged a touch defensively. 'Probably.'
    He said softly, 'But what a waste. You are not tempted to marry—have
    children of your own?'
    She was assailed by a sudden memory of George doggedly proposing to
    her in the wine bar, and bit down a giggle.
    She met his gaze squarely. 'Not in the slightest. I have a very fulfil ing
    career.'
    His brows lifted. 'So, it also keeps you warm in bed at night?'
    She flushed again. 'I don't think that's any of your damned business. And I
    thought the point of this lunch was for me to find out about you .'
    'Ask what you want,' he said. 'I am ready to answer.'
    'Wel , your second name might be a start.' She tried to sound casual, not
    easy when her nerves seemed to be stretched on wires.
    Oh, what's the matter with me? she wondered savagely. Any other single girl
    on holiday would relish being chatted up by someone with half his attraction
    and sheer charisma. And any of my students would make a better fist of
    responding than I'm doing. Why can't I just—go with the flow?
    'My second name is Stephanos,' he said. 'Andreas Stephanos.' He paused.
    'What next, Zoe mou ? My age— weight—height?'
    She bit her lip. 'I hardly think that's necessary.'
    Besides, she thought, she already knew what there was to know in that
    area. Every quivering sense she possessed had made sure of that. He had
    to be in his early thirties, at least six foot, if not more, and she would bet
    good money that he wasn't carrying a surplus pound.
    'Then what else?' He leaned back in his chair, watching her with
    amusement. 'My star sign—my income?'
    She shrugged again. 'For the first, I'd say Scorpio. The second doesn't
    concern me.'
    He sent her an ironic look. 'Then you must be a very unusual woman.'
    'I think so.' She paused. 'Was I right about your birthday?'
    His mouth twisted wryly. 'As it happens—yes.' He poured some more wine
    into her glass. 'So, why don't you ask another question?'
    'Because I can't think of one,' she said baldly.
    'No? You don't want to know if I'm married?'
    She helped herself to more houmous while she considered how to reply. At
    last she said, 'I'm not sure I should get a truthful answer.'
    'What point would there be in lying?' Andreas asked flatly. 'On an island this
    size, someone would soon tel you if I had a wife.' He grimaced. 'Probably
    the wife herself— using her fingernails.' He was silent for a moment 'And
    what of yourself, Zoe mou . You wear no ring, but that means little in this present world. Is there a man longing for your return? Unable to sleep
    because you are not in his arms?'
    'Oh, there's a whole string of them,' she told him airily. 'I'm the original party girl. Never a dull moment with me around.'
    'Now that I can believe,' he said, drily. 'But not the rest.'
    She drew a pattern on the tablecloth with the tip of her finger. 'I haven't had
    much time for relationships lately. My mother became very ill, you see, and I
    went to live with her.'
    'I am sorry.' He hesitated. 'She's better now, I hope?'
    Zoe went on looking down at the tablecloth, tracing meaningless circles.
    She gave a silent and desolate shake of her head.
    'Ah pedhi mou ,' he said, and his voice was gentle. 'Then that is something we share—the loss of our mothers.'
    'Oh.' She glanced up quickly, meeting his gaze. 'I—I'm sorry. Did it happen
    recently?'
    'Ten years ago. And she had been in poor health for a very long time before
    that.' He paused. 'But when it happens, it is still no easy thing, ne ?'
    'Not easy at all.' She gave a small sigh. 'Do you stil have your father?'
    'Yes.' His mouth curved faintly. 'Very much so.' He gave her a searching
    look. 'But not you, I think.'
    'No,' she said in a