Free Shayla's Story (The Mathews/Clemmins Family Series) by Beverly Preston Page A

myself.
They made me a partner three months ago.”
    “Congratulations.”
She raised her brows and smiled sweetly. “I’m sure your dad would be proud of
you.”
    Tracy clasped her
bother by the shoulder. “Yes, Dad would be very proud.”
    Tracy was the
quietest of the three. She helped Shayla pick out the perfect wedding gift for
Tom and Tess, while JC picked out all the hot-blooded Greeks in the near
vicinity.
    Tommy and Tess met
them for dinner at a café along the water’s edge. The owner greeted her uncle
and his family with gracious, warm smiles, swiftly ushering them to a private
table along the terrace. The stark white stucco ignited with colors of cobalt
blue and magenta pink mixed with a splash of sunny yellow. A plush throw draped
over each chair and gas heaters warmed the chill of the evening air.
    Greece reeked of
love and desire, and the seduction of the atmosphere was arresting. Even the
local dishes on the menu were crammed with adjectives like lust, kisses,
breasts, smoldering and volcanic. Sitting across the table from John, Shayla threatened
to erupt with fiery passion at any unsuspecting moment as conversation carried
on around her. Each time he smiled through dinner, her spirits soared with
shameless delight.
    Lights from
catamarans and luxury yachts dotted the serene setting as the darkness overtook
the sinking sun. Shayla closed her eyes, her head slant to the side, listening
to the echoes of music and voices carrying over the cool moist evening air. She
pulled in a deep breath of salty air. Every inch of her mind melted into the moment
as it absorbed all that Greece had to offer.
    John rested his hand
on her forearm. “Are you going to fall asleep again?”
    Her eyes remained
shut, and she basked in the bliss of his hand sparking energy in her skin. “No.
I’m not tired at all. I’m just so relaxed.”
    Searching her
memory, she wondered if she’d ever felt this content. She opened her eyes,
peering out at the horizonless expanse of water. “I don’t remember the last
time I felt this calm.”
    “Me either.” Their
gazes briefly fixed on each other. John’s hand drifted down her arm, jiggling
her finger that adorned a diamond accessory before releasing her hand.
    “I suggest you enjoy
it while you can, Shay.”
    She startled at the
sound of her uncle’s voice.
    “You’ll be busy when
you get home.”
    Sheer insanity. Placing her hands in her lap, Shayla
grimaced at his firm warning of the hell coming over the next few months. The
paparazzi would call an all out war on Tommy and Tess’s wedding. The Wild West
antics would be frightening and precarious. On top of that, Mat would be
waiting for her and an answer.
    Leaving the café,
they strolled along the dimly lit cobbled streets. White buildings gave stark
contrast to the volcanic cliffside. November brought the off-season, giving her
uncle the ability to roam the streets freely without too much of a hassle. This
would never happen state side and Shayla enjoyed being in public without fans
or press breathing down their neck.
    Most of the
merchants closed up shop early, leaving only a few shops and a coffee shop to
peruse. Shayla veered off alone, finding her way to the end of a narrow
corridor. Small balconies hovered above tables set for two. Potted plants and
menus written in chalk showing off the day’s fresh catch and specials lined the
sidewalks.
    Reaching the end of
the passage, she leaned against the lava rock wall, gazing out at the moonbeam
igniting the entire cove with its attendance. Caught in a trance, Shayla’s
heart measured in painful beats. Mat represented everything she dreamed of as a
little girl, but her list of requirements for prince charming had changed over
the last few months. Even though Mat had all of the qualities to make a good
man, that didn’t make him the right man.
    Tears pooled in her
eyes. She buried her face in the palm of her hands, blotting the corner of her
damp eyes. With each minute that