Free My Greek SEAL by Sabrina Devonshire Page B

tray and leaves, bringing me a beer a minute later.
    I’ve finished half of it by the time Eros strides toward me. By now, I’m beyond buzzed.
    “I am glad you’re having another beer. Now that I’m finished working, I would like to join you if you don’t mind having some company.”
    I wave a little wildly toward an empty chair beside me. “Have a seat.”
    “I will do that. But let me walk over to the bar and order a beer first.”
    I raise my glass. “Can you get me another?”
    “Sure.” He steps away, returning a minute later with two glasses of beer.
    By now, I’ve emptied my third glass. “You were great with all that stroke analysis.”
    “I always enjoy a challenge. Swimming is a very difficult skill to master and it’s wonderful to see improvements in the technique. I know that when they are swimming more efficiently, they will enjoy the sport even more. Maya, I must ask you. How did you learn to swim so well?”
    I shrug and the beer sloshes around in the glass, nearly spilling. “I’ve swam for teams all my life. So many coaches have helped me get rid of all the glitches, I guess.”
    “They did a very good job. Are you still racing?”
    “No, not anymore. It was fun for a while, but I like the experience of swimming more than doing crazy hard workouts two times a day until I’m ready to collapse.” I take another swig of beer. “I feel really good today. I haven’t felt like this for a long time. I feel in the mood to do something completely crazy.”
    “Something crazy.” Eros leans toward me. His face is just inches away from mine.
    I wonder what he would do if I grabbed him and kissed him. That would be crazy. I close my eyes and press my lips toward his. But my mouth doesn’t make a connection. I open my eyes. He’s standing up and looking at me. His gaze looks more serious than aroused.
    I sit up straighter, feeling suddenly awkward.
    He reaches for my hand. “Let’s take a walk. We can stop at the little store to get some grapes and cheese and walk to Desimi. It will be quiet there and the walk will clear your head.”
    I take his hand and allow him to pull me to my feet. I sway and nearly stumble. “Oops.”
    His strong hands close around me, stabilizing me before I can fall. I look up at him. He’s still holding me in his arms. Being drunk and so close to him like this makes time seem to stand still. I don’t want to move, I want to feel his strength surrounding me forever.
    He kisses me gently on the forehead. Even that soft kiss is so sensual. Hot spots linger on my skin where his mouth was. “Please come with me, Maya.” His arm around me, he walks me toward the bar. He pauses, reaches into his pocket and tosses some bills up on the counter. The waiter and him converse in Greek and then he leads me back across the patio.
    It takes almost an hour to walk to Desimi. At the small store along the way, Eros bought a bottle of wine as well as some cheese, bread and fruit. Now we’re sitting in the sand, watching the sunset. The once crowded beach is now empty. No one’s around. While we nibble on snacks and sip wine, he tells me about his family. His brother Alexander is a construction worker in Athens. His sister, Elektra, is a massage therapist at a Crete resort. His parents are retired government workers and still live in Athens. His mom prepares all of the most delicious Greek dishes. His descriptions of each one of his family members is so colorful, I can almost see them in my mind. I imagine his brother, a little stockier, but with the same dark curly hair and expressive eyes, and his mom with her long, thick hair pulled back in a tight bun wearing a food-stained apron. Eros mentioned his father had a stern demeanor and was often quiet. Do the creases on his forehead disappear and his lips loosen after some wine is poured? Or is Eros’ father immune to the effects of alcohol.
    I know I’m not. Swallowing this wine has washed all my inhibitions away. I’m not