LITMIR.BIZ

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mind was still full of him when the helicopter set down on the helipad atop his apartment building. She had to look away so she wouldn’t get dizzy. This form of transportation was as natural as breathing to businessmen like him and Leandros, but for Fran it would have to become an acquired taste.

      She turned to Kellie. Close to her ear she said, “I’ll see you later tonight.”

      “Be back before the clock strikes twelve,” her friend responded without mirth. Something dark was on Kellie’s mind, leaving Fran troubled.

      “I promise.”

      Nik grabbed Fran’s bags. As they started for the stairs, the helicopter lifted off, creating wind that molded her skirt to her shapely legs. She caught at it with her hands, but she was too late. When they entered the elevator, he could see the flush that had crept into her cheeks. How nice to be with a truly modest woman. It made her more enticing to him.

      “Here we are.” The doors opened on his glassed-in penthouse.

      She stepped into the entrance hall. For a full minute she appraised his fully modern apartment. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was in the control tower at the airport.”

      He burst into laughter. Fran Myers was a breath of fresh air. “I pretend Athens is the sea I miss when I’m working in the city.”

      “The view is spectacular.” She darted him a mischievous glance. “I’d say Atlas has it pretty good splitting his time between here and Mykonos.”

      “There’s no Atlas here today. Haven’t you noticed I’m not carrying the world on my shoulders?”

      She studied him rather intently. “How does it feel to have all that weight removed for a little while?”

      “I’ll let you know later. First I’m sure you’d like to freshen up and change. The guest bedroom is down this hall.” He set her bags inside the room. “Come into the living room when you’re ready.”

      After closing the door, he walked to his bedroom for a shower. The idea of mingling with the crowds like any foreigner visiting Athens appealed to him. In deference to the heat, he changed into a well-worn pair of jeans and a linen sport shirt. Once he’d slipped on his sandals, he was ready to go.

      The funeral had robbed him of an appetite, but the thought of being with Fran for the rest of the evening had brought it back. In fact, he was starving, and he wagered she was hungry, too.

      More pleasant surprises greeted him to discover she was waiting for him at the window overlooking Stygmata Square. She’d put on a pair of jeans and a short-sleeved cotton top in a raspberry color. Her skin absorbed some of its hue. With her luscious honey-blond hair worn up, she presented a prim, cool look, making him long to put his lips to the curve of her neck.

      He wandered over to her, once again aware of her wildflower fragrance. “We’ll be walking in that area beyond the square,” he pointed out. “I know a taverna that serves flaming sausages and grilled trout to die for. But if that doesn’t appeal, there are dozens of restaurants offering what you would consider traditional Greek cooking.”

      Purplish-blue sparks lit up her eyes. “I’m one tourist who doesn’t want traditional fare.”

      “Then be prepared for a gastronomical adventure. Let’s go.”

      They rode the elevator and set off for the Plaka, the oldest part of the city. The place swarmed with visitors buying everything from furniture to jewelry in the shops lining the streets.

      Hunger drove them to eat before they did anything else. She ate the trout and sausage right along with him. While they sat watching people and making up outrageous stories about who they were and where they’d come from, a girl selling flowers came up to their table.

      “Isn’t she sweet, Nik?”

      “I agree.” He bought a gardenia and put it in Fran’s hair. The flower gave him an excuse to touch her. He wanted to touch her and the desire was growing.

      Filled with good food and wine, he ushered her through the streets so they were constantly brushing against each other. While she marveled over all the souvenir shops, he marveled over her. She didn’t want to buy anything, just look.

      They ended up on top of the roof at the outdoor theater. With the Acropolis lit up in the background, they watched a local film with English subtitles. “The tragic story was ridiculous, but I loved it,” she confided after they left to explore another street. Nik had been so aware of her, he hadn’t been able to concentrate on the story line.

      “Around the next corner is a taverna famous for its ouzo. Would you like to try some?”

      “I experimented the last time I was in Athens and didn’t care for it, but please don’t let that stop you.”

      He smiled. “I don’t like it either.”

      His comment prompted laughter from her. “How unpatriotic! I promise I won’t tell anyone. Let’s go down this narrow little alley and see what goodies could be hiding there.”

      Nik guided her along, amused at the way she expressed herself.

      One of the shops sold every type of cheap figurine, both religious and mythological. He thought she’d just look and keep going. Suddenly she stopped and picked up a small metal figure of Atlas holding up the world. She asked the owner how much. He named a price and she paid for it with euros.

      “Shall I wrap it?”

      “No. I’d like to take it just as it is.”

      When they’d walked a little ways further, she turned to Nik. “It’s getting late and I have to go to Kellie’s. Before we leave, please accept this as my gift for showing me your world today. If you dare to keep it on your office desk, it will remind you about the necessity of taking a breather once in a while.”

      “The table by my bed will be an even better place for it,” he fired back. “Each night it will be the last thing I see before I fall asleep. What greater way to help me keep my priorities in order.”

      They eyed each other for a moment. “Thank you for tonight, Nik. I’ve never had a better time.”

      Neither had he. The realization had made a different man of him.

      He reached for the simple gift. It meant more to him than she could imagine. Instead of her begging him to buy her something the way one of his girlfriends would have done, she’d turned the tables. Her generosity of spirit ranged from saving a baby in the aftermath of a tornado, to presenting him a keepsake he’d always treasure.

      “On our way back to the apartment, there’s one more place you have to visit.”

      “Will I like it?”

      “I’ll let you be the judge.”

      Nik had been saving this stop until the end. He needed to get closer to her. The Psara taverna was housed in two old mansions with a roof garden. You could dance while you enjoyed a view of the Plaka. Getting her in his arms had been all he could think about.

      He asked her to keep the figurine in her purse until later. After they’d consumed an ice cream dessert, he led her out on the floor. The band played the kind of rock whose appeal was fairly universal. At last he was able to clasp her to him while they moved to the music.

      “You’re a terrific dancer,” he whispered against the side of her neck. “I could stay like this all night.”

      “I’m enjoying it, too.”

      “Have you dated much since your divorce?”

      “There’ve been a few men, but if you’re fishing for compliments, I can tell you now they don’t dance like you.”

      “It’s my Greek blood, but please continue. Flattery will get you everywhere, Kyria Myers.”

      Her body shook with silent laughter.

      He

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