Free Tall Dark Handsome Lycan by Anastasia Maltezos

“I’m hardly dieting, Mrs. Stefanos, but I do admit I haven’t been eating all that regularly the past few weeks.”
    “Oh?  W hy is that?”
    “I have two jobs. Well, one isn’t really a job. It’s volunteer work. I work at an orphanage back home three nights a week, and I run my shop seven days a week.”
    Christina’s imperious air cracked a bit. “Did you say you volunteer at an orphanage?” She tossed her son a silent, questioning look.
    A smile sprang on Sam’s mouth . “Yes. I love the children. They’re like my extended family. I don’t even think I would accept a salary if it was offered to me.”
    Leo’s mother remained silent for a few moments and Sam could tell the older w oman was collecting her thoughts. “I must say that is very commendable of you.  Few people in this day and age understand the value of family.”  Christina took another sip of her wine.  “I know my Toni will not be here for me since she will be remaining in America.” Christina gave Leo a pointed look. “The responsibility now rests with my son.  He must marry, however within our kind .”
    Sam glanced at Leo. He was silent as he reached for his wine, but as he brought the glass to his mouth, his gaze met hers. Sam offered him a small smile. His brooding expression transformed as his eyes softened. Slowly, he returned her smile and Sam felt a thread of warmth between them.  She looked away, overcome with shyness.
    Leo struck her as the kind of man who would take care of his elderly parents. Regardless of the wrong foot their relationship had started on, the more she got to know him, the more she realized he was a proud man whose family came first. She couldn’t fault him for that. Wasn’t she as dedicated to her own family?
    “It is important Leo marry well,” Christina continued. “He must marry a woman I can look to as a daughter.  Not like that horrible witch, Catherine.”
    Sam found it interesting how first Maria had referred to Catherine as a witch.  It appeared Leo’s ex had a bad reputation with the Stefanos clan.
    “He must marry a woman from our roots,” Christina added, fixing a hard look on her son.  “I’ve invited Katina and her family for dinner tomorrow night. Make arrangements with Maria to put out the good china and to prepare a special dinner.”
    “Mother,” Leo began in a dry tone, “I won’t add to Maria’s duties. She has enough to do on a daily basis without me having to add to it with your dinner parties.”
    Maria chose that moment to enter , pushing a cart laden with the dinner plates. Sam held her breath. The last thing she needed was Leo’s mother to criticize her cooking skills.
    “ Something smells delicious, Maria,” Harry said.
    The older woman smiled at everyone. “Yes, it does, but I did not cook it. Sam was very kind to help me. I was at the hospital with Nitsa all afternoon and Sam offered to cook the dinner.”
    A silence fell through the room as everyone looked at Sam in surprise.
    Leo was the first person to break the silence. “Sam, that was not necessary.”
    Her gaze wavered under his thoughtful, dark look. “It was no trouble, besides I love to cook.” She glanced around the table, embarrassed. “Really, it was no trouble at all. I hope you all like it. It’s roast beef, scalloped potatoes, and string beans.”
    Maria placed the plates in front of everyone and Christina looked at her dinner approvingly. “I must say, Miss Hope, you are a surprising woman.”
    “Yes, it seems she is, mother,” Leo added, his voice deeper than usual.
    Sam shot him a quick glance and for the first time, she detected a hint of pride on his face. The warm connection between them grew. She could tell he was happy and her spirits lifted as she realized he was pleased she was making a nice impression on his parents.
    Christina looked curiously from her son back to Sam’s flushed face. “Miss Hope, you chose to cook us dinner rather than spend the day shopping or