His sisters were dining in Athens—Alexandra had texted him—which meant it was Antonio and Claire only at the dinner table. Antonio took one look at the formal table and asked for dinner to be served on the terrace. The evening was perfect—warm with only a faint breeze.

In a few moments, Gaia had the staff light candles, set china in place, pour the wine and lay out the silverware. Antonio pulled out a chair for Claire. She perched on the edge, but Gaia’s lamb souvlaki wrapped in warm pita bread, with tomato, onion and tzatziki was enough to soften anyone’s mood. Gaia served up pasta with Kalamata olives and feta cheese, and they finished the meal with baklava dripping in honey and ouzo.

Antonio watched Claire the whole time. He couldn’t get enough of her even features and her sparkling eyes. He kept remembering how her breasts had always fit perfectly in his hands. He was certain they would still—and from the way she had kissed him earlier, he knew he might seduce her into a marriage. They would enjoy each other for a month, and then they could part as friends. He was certain of that. And how much better that would be to have fond memories of each other.

And part they would. She had her own life, her own career. She had made that clear to him. But he still needed a wife.

After dinner, he suggested they watch a movie. His father had built a theater in the east wing of the house. He let Claire pick the movie and not surprised in the least when she chose a romantic comedy. She curled up in the luxurious theater seat. And he asked Gaia to have someone bring them popcorn later.

He knew Claire had been nervous—he had felt the tension in her beside the pool and later when he had mixed her a drink. His own body was tight with need for her, but he would not rush her.

Twenty minutes into the movie, he looked over at her. She had fallen asleep, one hand tucked beneath her cheek. Standing, he strode to her side and scooped her into his arms. She snuggled into his chest.

He carried her up the stairs, pushing her bedroom door open with his shoulder. He settled her onto the bed, straightened and stared down at her.

She looked adorable curled up, her legs bare and a touch of sun warming her skin. He remembered how she had always preferred bare feet to wearing shoes. He grabbed a light throw from the end of the bed and tossed it over her.

He stood beside her bed, watching her for several long minutes, wondering how much of what had happened between them could be blamed on his father, and how much of it was of their own doing. Not that it mattered. The past was gone and could not be relived. He needed to look to the future.

His sisters’ trusts should remain sound, but Antonio knew he would feel better once he had control over the Rosso estate and the banking empire his father and grandfather had built. Hell, Greece needed that empire sound and functional just now. His father had been wise and had diversified and expanded his interests, which put the Rosso family in a good position to now help others.

But in order to do anything, he needed a wife first. And he found it difficult to think of marrying anyone other than Claire—she would certainly keep to any agreement he made with her.

Leaning over, he placed a kiss upon her forehead, and then headed to his downstairs office.

He placed a call to his secretary, promising her a bonus if she came through for him. He wanted a list of every recording studio in or around Athens that sold state of the art equipment—Aegis Studios must own or work with one or two of them. He would give Claire access to anything she needed to keep her career going for the next month—after all, she was supposed to spend the next month narrating a documentary. He would make certain she could do that here in Greece.

He also placed a call to his friend, Dareios Anaganos.

“Tonio? What’s up?” Dareios said.

He sounded a little drunk, so Antonio said, “Please tell me you aren’t at a party?” The only thing Dareios liked more than fun was fun with girls. Antonio heard a giggle in the background.

“Okay, I won’t tell you. What’s up? I heard you were at the studio today.”

“Word gets around fast.”

“Hey, you were crazy enough to make me CEO—I have to earn my salary doing something. Have you given any more thought to the idea of branching into the music industry? I’ve got a proposal almost put together.”

“Meaning you’ve been thinking and haven’t put anything on paper.”

Another giggle sounded in the background, and Dareios said, “That’s what secretaries are for.”

“Dareios, are you sleeping with the staff?” Antonio had roomed with Dareios when they’d been at Cambridge together. He knew all too well just how much Dareios liked the opposite sex.

“I wouldn’t tell you if I was. But let me ask you something—are you sleeping with Claire Bennett now that she’s back?”

Antonio let out a sharp breath. “You have heard all the gossip.”

“And then some. But why? I thought she was the last person on earth you ever wanted to see.”

“Remember how I told you how I had a plan to meet the conditions of my father’s will?”

“What—you’re going to marry. Claire? Who’s the crazy one—you or her?”

“I don’t want to ask anyone else.”

Dareios gave a laugh. “So when do I stand up as best man?”

“I have to convince Claire first.”

“Have to—? Tonio, where is that legendary Rosso charm? And what is Claire like now she is all grown? Is she blonde and beautiful?”

“She’s ugly with a wart on her nose and weights five hundred pounds.”

Dareios laughed again. “You, my friend, are in too deep if you’re trying to warn me off your turf. Take my advice and keep everything all business. Your father might have meddled, but I’d hate to see you get hurt needlessly.”

“Thanks for the advice.”

“But no thanks? What else do you need?”

“Claire mentioned something about a project she has coming up—a sequel to a movie she did last year or so. She should be free for a month, but I want to be certain. I need you to make some calls. Find out the schedule. And if you need to, delay the director—tempt him away with another project for Aegis Studios. Just buy me a month with Claire. I also need you to set up a recording studio here at the house. I have Sylvia looking for equipment—buy whatever you need.”

“Oh, that should be easy—delay a major animated film that is if it’s supposed to start soon and build a recording studio as if by magic. Anything else? Do out the Augean stable maybe?”

“Stop bitching, Hercules.”

“Okay, fine. I’ll call in some favors—lots of them. And then when I ask a favor of you I expect you to listen.”

Antonio hung up. He sat at his desk, rubbing his lower lip. He would marry Claire. He would see to it she spent a month surrounded by luxury and anything she could even think of wanting. Then they would file for divorce and resume their own lives. It all seemed perfectly reasonable—so why wasn’t he happier about his plan?