The Pirate's Treasure - Chapter Eight

Pacing around the empty kitchen floor Dmitri looked up at the old wooden clock on the wall and blowing over the top lip of his cup he sipped his black coffee slowly. He smiled to himself as he remembered how the taxi had drawn up beside him and the driver had repeatedly insisted that he get inside.

At first Dmitri had been suspicious that the driver had less than honourable intentions and he had politely, but firmly, refused the request until the man had then given him the message from the woman who had booked the vehicle for him. His English hadn’t been perfect but the sentiment had been clear and the heavy set driver had then insisted that it was Dmitri’s last chance. Either he got into the taxi or he would be left the mercy of the rain soaked night. Knowing the message had come from Ellie he had finally decided that it would be rude to refuse her kindness, either way she had paid for the trip and wouldn’t get her money back, so he had finally relented, climbed into the beaten up old car and had been brought back to his grandparents house. He had been glad of the decision when the rain hadn’t ceased for hours after it started and only seemed to get heavier and wetter as the night went on.

Now as he glanced outside there was no evidence of the previous night’s wild weather. The tiles of the patio were dry and their usual russet shade of red, the dirt surrounding the flowers in the terracotta planters that his grandmother was so fond of tending was a healthy dark mix but the top of it was starting to take on its greyer, dusty appearance and the sun was shining brightly warming the whole terrace. It was going to be another glorious day on Skopelos and that was what he had hoped for more than anything.

Ellie didn’t understand how happy her acceptance of his offer to spend the day with her had made him or how much he had longed to take her in his arms and kiss her properly when they had said goodnight. For whatever reason she hadn’t gone through with the wedding and that meant that she was still single and the fact she had spoken about clearing her mind and her ex fiancé hadn’t come to the island with her gave him hope that there was nothing left between them which made her free to be loved as she should be. He didn’t know her well, but he wanted to get to know her and even the briefest glimpse he had into her soul had told him that she was a kind of girl who deserved the best of everything. He hated the fact that she had been hurt but another part of him was glad that she hadn’t given her ex another chance because now he stood a chance of showing her what real love could be.

The clock hands seemed to move torturously slowly as they crept from one minute to the next and eventually Dmitri decided he couldn’t wait any longer and picking up the picnic basket, his swim bag and a small blanket he slipped out of the house and walking over to his small jeep he put the things in the boot and then climbed into the drivers seat and headed off through the empty morning streets towards the hotel.

“So he’s taking you out on a date?” Kimmie gasped excitedly, “Oh my God Ellie, I so told you that he was into you and now you can really act on it.” She almost jumped out of her bed and cast the white linen sheet aside as she rushed to her bag and pulled out one of her bikinis,

“Er, no!” Ellie laughed as she recognised the swimsuit as one of the more risqué versions that Kimmie had, “That’s basically two bits of cheese wire Kimmie, you can get away with that kind of thing I can’t and besides I don’t want to give him the wrong idea…”
“The wrong idea? He’s got the body of a Greek God you numpty!” Kimmie replied quickly, “He’s hot, he plays pirate which I know has got to be turning you on and from what we saw last night he’s a decent kind of guy so why shouldn’t you just relax and allow yourself a bit of fun? No one is saying you have to marry the guy, just use his body and the attention he gives you a bit to make yourself feel good and as long as you both know the rules what’s the harm? But you need to make sure he has some protection with him though and if not make him get some before you do the deed…” Ellie’s face flushed and Kimmie smiled gently at her, “El, seriously no one is making you have sex with him but I know if I was in your shoes I’d be going for it. You deserve some decent male attention and after what Gareth did you better not be talking yourself out of it because of some misplaced loyalty to him.”
“Trust me Kim I’m over Gareth.” Ellie assured her, “What he did to me killed any feelings I had for him stone dead. Not a thing on this Earth would make me go back to him now I know what he is.” Kim smiled and held up the bikini again,

“Then put this on and go get your man. I bet he’ll be worth it.”

            Ellie looked at the bikini that her friend was holding up and considered the idea for a moment. She couldn’t deny that she was still attracted to Dmitri physically and deep inside she knew from experience that he was the kind of lover most women dreamt of having in their bed. He had given her sensations that she could still feel when she thought of their night on the beach and though she could never admit it, she knew that part of the reason she had denied herself to Gareth was because she feared she wouldn’t have been as satisfied as Dmitri could make her feel. Kimmie giggled and waved the bikini around,

“Come on El, you know you want to…” she teased her friend, “What time is he picking you up?”

“Nine…oh HELL!” Ellie exclaimed as she noticed the time on the travel alarm clock between the beds, “I’m going to be so late.” She grabbed the bikini and one of her pale blue kaftans and beige cropped trousers with a pair of beach shoes and ran into the bathroom to get ready.

            Standing outside the hotel room door Dmitri smiled as the door opened and he saw Kimmie standing in front of him.

“Good morning Kimmie, Jonas sends his thanks for your company for a pleasant evening and he hopes he will be able to see you today.” He said as Kimmie showed him in to the room, then reaching into his pocket he produced a piece of paper and handed it to her, “He asked me to give you his number if you wanted to call him.” Kimmie nodded and smiled, putting the number on the bedside table.

“Thanks. I might just do that Dmitri. Look, Ellie will be out in a second, but while she isn’t here I want you to listen to me. She has been hurt by men before, especially Gareth, so if you dare follow the same path I promise I will change you from a rooster to a hen in one fell swoop and they’ll never find your missing appendage. Understand? That girl deserves better than what he did to her and if you even care a tiny bit for her then you make sure that you treat her like a princess while you’re with her and give her a day of fun and relaxation.” Dmitri looked at the blonde girl,

“I swear I have no desire to hurt her Kimmie, I promise you all I want is to make her smile. I do not have any intention of upsetting her and I do have some plans for us that I’m sure she will enjoy.”

“Well just make sure that you respect her and we won’t have a problem.” Kimmie replied.

            As the bathroom door opened Ellie looked at Dmitri standing there in his linen trousers and white polo shirt, which was left open at the top couple of buttons she smiled.

“Good morning Tri. Sorry I’ve kept you waiting.” She said looking at him a moment longer than she knew she should. Dmitri shook his head,

“I haven’t been here long and Kimmie has been keeping me company.” He told her, Ellie looked at her friend,

“Oh I really hope she has been nice.”

“I’m always nice.” Kimmie laughed, “Now you kids go on and enjoy yourselves, Ellie I won’t be waiting up for you so just have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t.”

“Kimmie!” Ellie said starting to blush slightly as she saw the cheeky wink in her friend’s eye. Dmitri seemed to be oblivious to the interaction and looked at his date with a gentle smile.

“Shall we go Ellie?” He asked and picking up her bag Ellie nodded,

“Yes, I think we should before Kimmie says anything else.” She replied and as they left the room Kimmie shot her best friend an encouraging smile before closing the door on them and Dmitri led Ellie to his jeep that waited in the hotel car park.

The Pirate's Treasure Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

            A short while later as they sat in Dmitri’s grandparents’ house Ellie couldn’t help but wonder what was happening to her. It all seemed so surreal. Kimmie and Jonas were chatting away as if they had known each other for years over the various homemade dishes before them and though Dmitri’s grandfather was attempting to make conversation and make the girls feel welcome in his home, she was sure that his wife was less pleased to have the two unexpected guests at her table.

What was she doing there? Logically she knew when he had explained he was taking her back to his family’s home she should have come up with some excuse, any reason to not allow herself to be drawn deeper into the web that she knew was really of her own making, but instead she had smiled and followed him to the whitewashed house and bent to the unseen force that seemed to be guiding everything around her lately.

She watched Dmitri slowly rising from his place at the table and taking his empty dishes to the sink of the cosy kitchen where they were eating and heard him whisper some words in his native tongue to his old grandmother before kissing her cheek and picking up another bottle of wine to open. His eyes caught hers once more as the cork popped out into his hand and he smiled and nodded slightly before resuming his seat. Why did she feel all her will drain whenever Dmitri was near her? Common sense and logic seemed to vanish when he would look at her with those deep oceanic eyes and like the foam on the ocean she was helpless to stop herself being washed along with this strange tide that seemed to envelope her so completely.

Aware she was starting to stare she finished her meal of stuffed mousakka and stuffed vine leaves then Ellie sipped from  her glass of rose wine and carefully moved her empty plate away from herself.

“That was a delicious meal Mrs Xanatos.” She said as she put the wine glass down knowing she needed to say something to her hostess and wanting a distraction from her thoughts, “I’ve never had better mousakka in my life.” Heracles translated the sentiment for his wife and then looked at Ellie.

“Megara doesn’t speak English.” He explained, “But I thank you on her behalf. My wife is definitely one of the best cooks in all Greece.” Dmitri nodded as he started to fill their glasses again

“My grandmother’s cooking is renowned in the islands. No one has ever left disappointed from her table. She makes the feasts we have on board the Sea Siren too.” Ellie smiled, it was nice to see a modern man with old fashioned pride in his family, just another quality to admire in him…

“Well it is truly lovely. I’m stuffed.” She repeated but as he moved to fill her glass again she quickly put her hand over the top of it and shook her head, “Thank you, but I’m fine with what I have. I don’t want to get drunk tonight.”

“Probably wise.” Dmitri commented as he filled Heracles’ glass instead, “You’ve had a bit of a shock tonight and wouldn’t want to do something you’d regret. I understand that.” His words seemed to strike her and blush filled her cheeks deeply which he seemed oblivious to as he took his seat once more.

“I’d love that!” Kimmie said excitedly, breaking the moment and turning to look at her friend, “Ellie, Jonas has just offered to take us to the hottest club on the island. You want to go? We were meant to be having a good old fashioned fun night.”

“Sorry but I don’t feel like it tonight Kimmie. I think I just want to go back to the hotel and get some sleep. This has been one helluva night and I didn’t sleep much yesterday either.” Ellie replied apologetically, Kimmie’s smile faded slightly,

“Oh..yeah, right…” she sighed regretfully, “I should come back with you and make sure you’re okay. Sorry Jonas, I guess we’ll have to take a rain check.”

“Or I could walk you back and then Kimmie doesn’t have to disappoint Jonas.” Dmitri chipped in. “It’s been a long time since a girl has agreed to go anywhere with him and its clear that your friend doesn’t want an early night.”

“You’d do that? Dmitri that would be great. Thanks.” Kimmie nodded enthusiastically, “I know she’d be in safe hands with you.” Ellie looked at Dmitri,

“I wouldn’t want to spoil any plans you might have had… I mean you could always go clubbing with them too. Or if you have work to do I wouldn’t want to be an imposition.” She insisted. Dmitri shook his head.

“Ellie, when will you accept that you are not imposing on anything?” He said and looked at her with a look she was starting to know well, “I want to make sure that you are looked after while you are in my homeland. Besides, I said earlier I would walk you back to your hotel. Whenever you want to go, just tell me and I will take you there.” Kimmie grinned

“So its settled. Shall we go now Jonas?” The younger man nodded and spoke a few words in Greek to his grandparents and then added something to Dmitri that made his older brother’s eyes narrow and gain a quick, sharp reply again in Greek before the younger brother walked to the doorway and pulled on his jacket before holding his hand out to Kimmie.

“Kimmie.” Ellie said as her friend started to leave, “be careful okay? Don’t do anything you’d regret in the morning. Promise?”

“Yes Mum I promise.” Kimmie teased her, “Though I doubt I’d regret anything I get up or down to tonight.” She added cheekily then winked as she went outside.

            Once Kimmie and Jonas had left Ellie gave a quiet sigh and Dmitri leaned over to her slightly,

“It’s okay, you don’t need to worry about her. Jonas will take good care of her and he is my brother…if he doesn’t respect her I’ll deal with him for you.”

“Sorry, I don’t mean to disrespect your family, I just know what she’s like. She seems like a woman of the world, but really she’s just a pussycat and I don’t want her hurt.” Dmitri could see the shadows of her own ghosts being raised in Ellie’s eyes and he smiled understandingly.

“I think you’re tired. Perhaps we should start to walk you back too?” He offered, “Sleep might make you feel better tomorrow.” Ellie nodded and turned back to Heracles

“It was so nice to meet you and your wife. Thank you for the meal and for your hospitality Mr Xanatos,”

“Heracles, please.” The older man insisted, “Any friend of my grandson’s is welcome in our home and I hope that we will meet again soon. Goodnight.” Ellie shook the older man’s hand and smiled politely at the older woman as Dmitri found his jacket and slipped it on.

“I’ll be back once Ellie is at her hotel.” He told his grandfather who nodded in acknowledgement and watched the younger couple leaving with a smile on his wrinkled face, perhaps Dmitri would get his answers after all.

            The night had turned darker and a cold wind was blowing in from the sea which made Ellie feel chilly as she walked along the path. Seeing her start to tremble in the breeze Dmitri removed his jacket and set it around her shoulders making her jump slightly as she felt the sudden weight there.

“You look cold.” He explained quickly, “I am used to the weather here, you should have brought a jacket out with you.”

“I was planning to have had quite a bit of alcohol by now that would have numbed me to the weather.” Ellie retorted, “If that man hadn’t stolen Kimmie’s bag we would have been partying.”
“And I wouldn’t have known you were back.” Dmitri added, “I must admit that I am a little surprised to see you here. I was sure when you left that I wouldn’t meet you again.”

“Please don’t ask me what happened Tri.” Ellie said, stopping walking and turning to look at him, “It’s not that I won’t tell you, but I’m just not in the mood to think of it tonight.”

“I wasn’t going to.” He replied as he stopped walking too and shook his head, “Ellie, I don’t want to make your life awkward in any way, I never have wanted that. All I need you to know is that I am your friend. If you need to talk you know where you can find me or leave a message for me. The Sea Siren isn’t exactly a hard thing to spot from anywhere on the harbour.” His face broke into a gentle smile as they stood there and he saw her glance to where the galleon was docked safely and proudly.

“Thanks.” Ellie said and turning back she looked at him again, “Tri I’m just so tired and I need to sort my head out that’s why I’m here.”

“Because you felt you could do that by coming back?” He asked she shook her head and laughed

“Oh no, this wasn’t planned at all. I needed to get away to clear my mind but I didn’t specifically set out to come back to skopelos. I just told Kimmie we’d get the first available flight to wherever it would take us and this, well Skiathos really, was that flight.”

“Then why didn’t you just stay there?” He asked intrigued by the things she was telling him, “I mean Skiathos is a beautiful island too and much more geared for tourists that we are.”

“It just seemed a natural thing to do.” Ellie confessed, “We didn’t even realise what we were doing until the ferry was underway, then we decided to go back to the hotel we’d stayed in before and they had a room. It was good luck.”

“Or maybe it was something more.” Dmitri said more to himself than to her, “How long will you be staying?” he asked more directly, Ellie shrugged almost losing the jacket and feeling him quickly reach over to replace it his hands so close they practically brushed her cheeks and making electricity surge through the core of her bringing up the remembrance of how his hands could make her feel.

“I…we hadn’t decided probably a few days. Kimmie has work to go back to soon.” She managed to stammer as he withdrew his hands once the jacket was secured around her again. Dmitri nodded, oblivious to the effect he was having and the panic it was raising inside her mind that she was about to repeat a mistake of the past.

“Then if you and Kimmie want to join us on a cruise some night then just come to the harbour, I’m sure that Jonas wouldn’t object and we could easily cope with two stowaways.”

“Thanks Tri, we might just do that.” Ellie said and then coughing to clear her throat she started to feel a few drops of rain on her skin, “Oh no it’s starting to rain.”
“Then we’d better hurry to get you back to your hotel.” He replied and putting his arm around her waist he started to usher her on through the busy streets and along the road to her hotel.

            The rain was falling harder as they eventually reached the white marble effect tiles within the doorway of the Aeleos hotel where the girls had their room. Ellie felt guilty as she saw how wet Dmitri had gotten whereas his jacket and the mere size of his body had shielded her well from the downpour, only her hair showed she had been caught in the shower.

“You’re soaked, do you want to come and dry off a bit before you head back?” Ellie said as she removed his jacket from her shoulders Dmitri shook his head,

“I’m fine. What kind of pirate would I be if a little water bothered me?” He replied making her smile, “It has been nice to see you again Ellie.”

“You too Tri.” She said as she handed his jacket back to him, “Thanks for all your help tonight and for bringing me back even though you got wet. I wish there was some way I could repay you.”

“Do you mean that?” Dmitri asked, Ellie nodded,

“Of course, I don’t say things that I don’t mean.” she replied and he nodded,

“Then I hope you’ll accept my request to let me take you out tomorrow.” Ellie was stunned as she heard what he said,

“You’re asking me out?” she repeated, “Like a date or what?”
“Like two friends spending time together.” He clarified, moving as other people came into the hotel foyer not caring where the sprinkled water from wet coats or umbrellas. “Ellie, I’m willing to guess last time you were here you didn’t get to really explore the island and see what true beauty we have to see. I would like you to allow me to take you to see some of it and then end our day with a meal in a quaint little taverna that I know in Glossa. I’ll bring you back tomorrow night and I assure you that if you are looking for distraction from sad thoughts, you’ll find it exploring with me. Say yes?”

“What about Kimmie? I can’t just ditch her when she’s ruined her own plans to come all this with me to make me feel better…” Ellie replied, “As lovely as your plans sound I’m not sure its right of me to go off with you when she’s left alone here…”

“What if I give Jonas the day off too and suggest that he make plans with her?” He reasoned, “They seem to be getting on well themselves and then neither of you need worry about the other? Ellie, when was the last time you did something that you really wanted to do?”

            Thinking for a moment Ellie tried to weigh up his offer, being with Dmitri was something that she knew she would be glad to do. He had been right, too long she had been doing things other people wanted and here was an undeniably handsome, respectable man who seemed to understand what she needed offering her what she wanted most, an escape from her problems, at least for a short while and yet because he already knew her mistakes and her emotions, she knew she would be able to talk to him about anything she needed to say without having to explain about her secret to Kimmie. She could imagine what Kimmie would say when she told her the offer and how her friend would go ballistic if she’d given up the chance just because she wanted to repay her friend’s loyalty. Besides, Dmitri wasn’t the only one who’d seen the spark that filled Jonas’ eyes when the girls had walked into the house. Perhaps kimmie had an admirer of her own and what was wrong with a holiday fling as long as they both knew where the boundaries were…

            “Alright. Yes.” Ellie nodded eventually, “I’ll come with you tomorrow Tri”

“Great! I look forward to it.” Dmitri smiled, “I’ll pick you up from here at nine in the morning.” He took her hand and kissed it gently, “Goodnight Ellie, sleep well.”

“Goodnight Tri. Sweet dreams to you too.” She replied blushing as she noticed the reception clerk watching them say goodbye. Still smiling he released her hand and then putting on his jacket he turned up his collar and headed back out into the rainy night.

            For a moment Ellie was rooted to the spot as she felt the butterflies that had started when his lips touched her hand subside slightly, then she took a few steps back through the doorway and watched Dmitri breaking from quick strides into a run down the hotel driveway and out onto the main road back to the town. He would be drenched before he would reach home, catch cold and it would be all her fault. Quickly she went over to the reception desk and arranging a taxi to pick up Dmitri she paid for the journey with her credit card over the phone and left a message for him with the driver before finally retreating to her bedroom and walking out onto the balcony.

            She watched the car arrive at the edge of a marquee like canopy that covered some tables of a nearby taverna’s waterside tables and could see Dmitri lean in to hear what the driver was saying. There was a moments hesitation then as he looked back in her direction she saw him climb inside and the car head off into the rainy darkness and away from her view. Her message had been simple and obviously delivered.

“You kept me dry on my way home, now I’m returning the favour. Just get in and I’ll see you tomorrow.” Closing the French windows of the room she closed the heavy drape at the window and as she undressed for the night and eventually climbed into bed Ellie smiled to herself for the first time in ages she was starting to feel like a weight had been lifted from her and maybe coming back had been what she needed.

My first scribble... The Pirate's Treasure

Here we go with my first attempt and the story that i'm using for my nanowrimo entry... a little romance, I appologise for any spelling mistakes etc but we can't edit, just write it the rules say...

THE PIRATE'S TREASURE

The Pirate’s Treasure

By Michelle Handyside

Chapter One

Sitting on the large rocks that formed a natural breaker against the relentless waves of the Aegean, the solitary female figure looked out over the empty vast expanse before her and sighed heavily. Shards of silvery early summer moonlight danced on the water reflecting the light from the full moon above and it was so easy, in that one moment to believe that she was the only person alive on the whole planet.

            The soft cool breeze seemed to wrap itself around Ellie Richards, tussling her usually immaculately styled hair. The waves lapped clumsily against her feet, the initial chill long banished and transformed into subtle warmth. She wasn’t sure how long she had been sitting there, minutes or hours she couldn’t say but she had seen the lights of Skopelos town change from a bright welcoming sight to a smattering of lights which could so easily be taken for a handful of fireflies scattered in some indelible web. In other circumstances she could believe it was one of the most romantic places on Earth but then what did she know about romance anymore?

           

            A few days ago she’d felt like she’d written the book on the subject. Her heart was full to bursting with the love she had for her perfect fiancé, Gareth Jardine. She’d kissed him goodbye at the airport as she and a group of her closest friends had flown out for her ‘hen week’ intending to escape the last minute stresses of wedding planning and to relax before they’d return for the huge wedding that awaited her. The other girls considered it to be her last blowout as a single woman, a last chance to be wild and free before she would be subject to the expectation of respectability that came with the title “Mrs”.

            She’d arrived in Skopelos excited and carefree but as she now sat alone all those feelings were gone and replaced with darker emotions that swelled like a torrent inside her mind and heart.

            Again the cause came to the forefront of her thoughts and she swallowed back the taste of bile that filled her throat. He’d had her…her! The words had come out of her so called friend’s mouth so easily and had changed everything in that one instant. Laura had been her friend since her first day at work and they’d shared so much together, gone through her endless break ups and new loves but never in her wildest imaginings had she considered it would include the same man. The only man Ellie had ever loved or dreamt of a future with.

            She couldn’t even recall what had started the conversation as they’d returned from the night on the town where the girls had laughed, danced and drank champagne cocktails, probably some silly throwaway remark at Gareth’s expense as usual, but this time as they’d fallen into bed in their drunken stupor instead of laughter there’d been an unguarded confession and when she had pressed Laura praying for some tiny indication that the other girl was just teasing her, the answers had borne out the truth in the most devastating way. Her friend and her fiancé had slept together only weeks ago. The continuing flow of Laura’s admission drove daggers deep into her heart. There was no excuse that could be given, no reason to justify how she had been so callously betrayed and as sleep had overtaken the other girl all Ellie wanted to do was run.

            Her mind had been flooded with images of them together, having sex in his flat with their clothes scattered around the bedroom floor and it made her feel physically sick to know that when she had returned to his place later the next afternoon, she had happily gone straight to his bed, believing his claims of how much he had missed her and ignorantly succumbing to his passions for her. She felt like such a fool and the feeling was compounded as she recalled his last words to her before she had kissed him goodbye at the airport, don’t do anything I wouldn’t.

“If only I had the chance…” Ellie whispered to herself as she kicked at the waves around her feet and forbidding any tears from escaping from her eyes. He wasn’t worth it but as she rubbed her tired eyes and glanced up to seek some answer to her turmoil she couldn’t believe what she saw.

           

A small smile of amusement raised the corner of her lips and for a moment she was sure that the copious amount of alcohol she had consumed throughout the evening was starting to play tricks with her weary heavy mind but rubbing her eyes again the image didn’t disappear, there really was a tall stranger dressed as a pirate walking towards her. Illuminated beneath the crisp white moonlight she saw the leather scabbard of a sword dangling from his belt, the old fashioned open fronted shirt of the style that were almost trademarks of old sketches of pirates and a black bandana type mask with only two small holes for his eyes covered most of his face. As the distance between them grew shorter she could see he had an impressive physique under his strange costume and suddenly her mind started to fill with an insane idea, her darkest feelings almost daring her onward.

All her teenage and adult life she had fantasised about a dashing pirate sweeping her off her feet, seducing her, ravaging her but she had known it could never be real. Pirates like the ones she had dreamt of were only fallacies made up in romantic fiction and yet, here in the moment where she had felt herself becoming lost on the tide of sadness that encompassed her, her deepest fantasy was there…and before she knew it she was already on her feet as he reached her. In a split second she had lost all semblance of rational thought he was here, real or not and he was just what she needed to get the vengeance that she wanted on Gareth.

The pirate was stunned as he almost literally bumped into the strange woman on the rocks and he muttered a quick word of apology in Greek as he tried to work out who she could be. It was very early in the morning and anyone with any sense was tucked up in bed, he would have been too if it wasn’t for the fact that he didn’t trust his younger brother to have cleaned up the ship after the previous night’s cruise. He’d walked the sand at all hours of the night on his way to and from the jetty but this was the first time he’d seen a girl out on the rocks alone and wearing only flimsy short pyjamas.

There was no denying that she was beautiful, her long brown hair had been tied back in a ponytail and even though it was still fairly dark he could tell that she didn’t need makeup to look attractive. About to speak, his lips parted slightly but before any words could come the girl had broached the space between them and was kissing him was a ferocity that he was unaccustomed to from any woman. He drew back from her quickly, breaking the kiss and there was confusion clear in his deep oceanic blue eyes. As striking and alluring as this woman was he feared that her actions could be leading into a danger he didn’t want to face and yet he had to admit that the kiss had ignited something within him. Everything within his mind told him to keep his distance, but she wasn’t about to let him go so easily.

Moving her hand up his chest slowly she could feel the hardness of his muscles below her palm and as she slipped her fingers into the open front of the shirt she felt him tense beneath her fingertips as they splayed over his bare skin,

“It’s okay…” Ellie whispered as she kissed his soft lips again, “I want this…I want you to take me…” Her voice had taken on a seductive whisper that she couldn’t remember ever learning to use before and she moved her hand up his broad shoulder and round to the nape of his neck. His hesitance remained and somewhere deep inside Ellie felt a strange degree of reassurance that she had chosen a safe man who wouldn’t hurt her, but then her rage and thirst for vengeance swelled again and she knew that if she was going to hurt Gareth as he had hurt her then there was no room for nice, no room for subtlety, she had to make him give her what she needed from him.

Linking her hands behind his neck brought her body closer to his and starting to move herself against him she could feel the unmistakable sign that he was becoming aroused too.

“Kiss me, touch me…” she softly pleaded in his ear, “I’m yours for tonight, treat me as your lover.”

Trembling and feeling her nervousness rising in the back of her throat she moved her hands back down his body and reaching the waistband of his trousers she unfastened the buttons and pushed his shirt upwards before she started to kiss his skin. It was smooth, warm and there was a musky scent of his aftershave that filled her nostrils and seeped through into her like a drug. His physique was like that of a professional athlete hard and toned so the muscles were defined and yet not grotesquely so. She heard him whisper something in Greek and as his hands reached for her she knew that they were both clear on what was going to happen.

            Pulling off his shirt it was cast down onto the rocks before he went to remove his mask but in one quick gesture Ellie shook her head and stopped him,

“No, leave it.” The truth was she didn’t want to know anything about who he was. It was easier to give herself to a fantasy than to any man who had happened by and as she tipped her head back he lowered his lips to hers once more. The kiss was deepening in a way she had never been kissed before and stole her senses, leaving only the primal responses that soon claimed total control over her. His mouth was hungry on hers and she could feel him using his hands to start his own exploration of her body. Her skin tingled with anticipation at every touch he used and her pulse was pounding so hard she was sure he would be able to hear it too. He drew her back to him and this time there was no denying that she could feel his erection against her. He wanted her and she felt a strange sense of victory that she had caused it to happen. It was the testament that she had wanted which told her that she was a desirable woman who had the innate power to make men weak and as that power surged through her all hesitance and doubt she might have had left her totally.

            His hands were all over her but she put up no resistance as he slipped the spaghetti straps of her pyjama top down her arms to reveal her bare breasts to him and started to tease her nipples, gently rubbing them between his finger and thumb and coaxing them into swelling buds which his hot wet mouth soon tasted. Beneath his breath he whispered something in his native tongue again but then looked up,

“Beautiful…so beautiful…” he translated for her and in his deep eyes Ellie could see the lust that was starting to engulf him totally. She felt his hands on her thighs, slowly moving upward and when they came down again the shorts and flimsy underwear she’d worn was in their grasp. Carefully she stepped out of them and the clothing was dropped onto the rocks by his own shirt before he then took her hands and used his own to guide her in removing his trousers and freeing him too. Before she could even see what a real naked man looked like he drew her back to him and their curls of hair and the warm flesh of their most intimate areas seemed to melt into one. She could feel him rubbing against her and gasped at the pleasure it sent coursing through her veins and into her deepest core. The pirate returned his kisses to her breasts as he teased her with gentle movements of his pelvis that enabled him to slip between her folds.

            Without realising how it had happened they were on the sand. Her fantasy lover lay beneath her and used his strong hands to help her position herself before he brought her down onto him and she cried out as she felt him enter her but the thrill of the moment, the new sensations she was feeling and the pure eroticism of living a fantasy dulled any real pain caused by the size of him and the carnal instincts of just wanting more of the bliss she felt as he moved beneath her drove her onward. Her breasts, her back, his were there stroking and caressing her as they settled into their fast paced rhythm of desire. He kissed her, spoke words in Greek that she couldn’t understand and as she looked down into his face she could see that she was giving him pleasure too. His head fell back and she leant forward and kissed his neck and then across the top of his chest before she felt her breathing becoming even more ragged, he driving even deeper into her and her whole body was shaking with the gratification she felt. Sweat coated her skin and started to roll down her body until it mixed with his and then swept down to the sand in some potent, heady mix. Breathing turned to panting, gasping for air combined with guttural moans of delight at the ecstasy he was making her feel and when she finally reached its zenith and felt her previously unknown muscles contracting and shuddering around him she felt him give in to his own climax and they rode out the waves of their orgasm together.

            Collapsing spent at his side in the sand Ellie lay there for a few moments allowing her body to regain its strength and air to fill her lungs again. It was over and so was the drunken haze in her mind. Sober reality started to reclaim its hold over her and reaching for her pyjamas she hurriedly pulled them back on before she grabbed the pirate’s clothing and handed them behind her without even a backward glance. Vengeance was hers. She had done exactly what she had planned and yet there was no victory to be claimed just the silent awkwardness that she hadn’t prepared herself for.

            The pirate dressed himself in the same silence and his confusion returned. She had begged for him to do this, she had instigated it and yet now she sat facing away from him as if she had made a horrible mistake. His ego had gone from soaring with the gods that a woman as beautiful as this one had wanted him, to sinking to the deepest fathoms with her silence. Hadn’t she felt the sex had been as great as he did? Had he disappointed her in some way? He was sure from her cries at their climax that he had satisfied her so what had gone so wrong?

“I…I have to get back.” Ellie said as she got to her feet while he was thinking and with those words she walked away, not looking back for a second. He turned away as he saw her disappear over the rocks and as he finished dressing he saw the sun was starting to rise and picked up his scabbard. All he could do was put what had happened down to just a very intense erotic dream he’d had and hopefully forget it as he went about his work during the day ahead. Emerging over the rocks himself he looked around but she was gone and shaking his head he set off towards the dock again.

Chapter Two

            Returning to her hotel room Ellie slipped inside as quietly as she could. The last thing she needed was a lecture from her best friend Kimmie Mc Dermott about how stupid it was to stay out all night alone in a foreign country and how anything could have happened to her or anyone could have taken advantage of her. She glanced over to the bed by the window and saw Kimmie still in a deep sleep and in the third bed she looked at Laura and still felt the sting of her betrayal, she could hardly bear to be in the same room and quietly slipped into the bathroom and started the shower.           Removing her clothes she could see her skin still bore the red marks where her pirate had kissed her and held her tightly under his strong masculine hands and as she stepped under the cool water she tried not to think of him anymore. If she thought about him she would wonder if he knew that it had all been about another man and that she had just used him in a way that men had used women for years, for sex without any emotional attachment and yet in her mind the notion she was concerned with what the stranger would feel seemed to create that very attachment. She turned up the force of the water needing it to blast away her thoughts and to just put what she had done into its place in her mind to wait until the perfect moment when it could be used as the weapon she had created it to be. She cleaned herself, washing sand and the traces of the pirate that had been left behind all down the plughole and once she felt clean and calm again she wrapped a towel around herself and went back into the bedroom to choose clothes for the day ahead.

           

            Once all the girls had risen from their beds and taken their aspirin and moaned about the hangovers they had, they met in the breakfast room of the hotel and gathered around their usual table. Ellie picked at her food and as Kimmie brought her a bowl of Greek yoghurt and some fresh peach slices she faked a smile and thanked the slender blonde. Kimmie sat down at the table and smiled as she looked at Ellie.

“You do realise that tonight is your official hen night, because it’s our last night here.”

“Kimmie, I’ve been thinking, I’m not sure I want a hen night…” Ellie replied, “I mean we’ve done all the drinking and stuff to death over the past few days.”

“We have, which is why tonight we have something extra special planned.” Kimmie said, “I’m not telling you what it is, but suffice to say that it’ll be a night you’ll never forget.” The other girls started to giggle amongst themselves, obviously in on what was planned and Ellie looked at Kimmie suspiciously,

“Maybe I should get an early flight home.” She teased. Laura looked up
“Aww how sweet, you missing Gareth that much? It must be love. I wish I had a guy like him.”

“You did.” Ellie said without thinking and then catching the bewildered gaze of the redhead she faked another smile and knew she had to keep her tongue in check, “I meant Ryan. He was a nice guy right?”

“Yeah, I suppose, but who wants a nice guy? They’re so boring! I’ll take the bad boy everytime, they just totally hit my spot.” Laura said and then changed the subject as she saw one of the waiters she fancied restocking the pool bar.

Ellie felt the inside of her lip bleed from where she had been biting it so hard. Part of her wanted to scream at how Laura was oblivious to what she had confessed to the night before. She wanted to berate her so called friend and humiliate her as she felt had been done to her but she knew that anything she did to Laura would only cause more problems that she didn’t need and besides, Gareth had kept the truth from her too. She couldn’t just let him get away with it. Swallowing some of yoghurt and looking out of the window she knew that now in the cold light of day she had to make some tough decisions and she was pleased when Kimmie decreed that they were going to spend the day by the pool rather than go out anywhere, so they had plenty of energy for the night ahead.

In the hours that followed her friends had found plenty of ways to occupy her time and as evening fell and they were all dressed for their night out, Ellie was surprised when they fastened a blindfold around her eyes. They hadn’t given anything away about where they were taking her but as this was her official hen night she guessed it would have something to do with male strippers or drinking, or both. She trusted Kimmie totally and willingly allowed herself to be led out of the hotel, helped into an awaiting car and be driven away from the hotel. In the blackness of the blindfold Ellie had no idea where they were headed and they seemed to drive for a while before the car stopped and Kimmie helped her out and led her across some paved ground. Suddenly the breeze brought the scent of the ocean to her nostrils and as her friends finally removed the blindfold she gasped to see a huge pirate galleon in front of her.

“We remembered you had a thing for that pirate guy in the Princess Bride and couldn’t resist as soon as we saw the ad.” Kimmie giggled as she saw the look of absolute shock on Ellie’s face, “Your ultimate fantasy for your last night as a single woman.” The other girls were equally as proud of themselves as they watched to see her reaction and knowing she couldn’t disappoint them when they had obviously gone to a lot of trouble for her, she plastered a huge smile on her face and gave a whoop of enthusiasm before she hugged them all.

“I don’t know what to say…” She said, genuinely stunned to see the galleon before her, “I guess you lot know me better than I thought.”

“Hey it’s not only about you.” Kimmie laughed, “There are meant to be some really hot guys on this thing and who knows what might happen for all of us?” She turned to look up the gangplank and spotted two young men at the top beckoning them aboard, “Oooh come on girls, let’s go get them!”

            The other girls all quickly made their way up to board the vessel and finally it was Ellie’s turn to reach the top of the wooden gangplank but as she did so her heel caught on one of the rungs and she squealed as she thought she was about to fall. In the space of a heartbeat she felt herself caught in a pair of strong arms before she could hit the deck and as she was held there for a moment she looked up and saw a handsome young man holding her safely by her elbows.

“Efaristo…” she said quietly, nodding appreciatively to him but as their eyes met she thought she saw something flash through them that she couldn’t quite understand. Carefully he set her back on her feet and then bowed to her,

“I am Dmitri. Welcome aboard the Sea Siren M’lady.” He said before kissing her hand and then releasing it, sending shivers through her skin, “Please help yourself to rum or any of the other delights we have aboard as we get underway on our voyage tonight…”

Kimmie was practically chewing her bottom lip off as she watched the interaction between the two and then linked her best friend’s arm,

“Come on Ellie, we have a party to get started. You…sailor, set the mainsail or whatever it is you say to get this thing moving.” She added in an afterthought to Dmitri who again bowed and then yelled to the other members of the crew in Greek which made them set about raising the anchor and start to guide the huge old ship out of the harbour while he carefully watched the girls taking their place at a part of the bow which had been set up especially for them.

            Ellie followed Kimmie to where the others were already pouring themselves drinks in the silver goblets that were laid out next to flagons of wine and rum and as they sat down on the big soft cushions, Kimmie nudged Ellie

“See I told you there were hotties and he seemed to like the look of you too.” She whispered.

“Kimmie don’t!” Ellie warned her quietly, “You know he probably gives that spiel to everyone aboard, it’s just a good way to make tips. And I don’t want you stirring anything for me tonight either okay? I’m here to have a good night with you lot not to score a one night stand with some strange Greek.”

“But a little flirting won’t hurt.” Kimmie countered, “Its not like you’re going to see him ever again after tonight anyway, and you know we wouldn’t tell Gareth anything either. Sisters before misters right? Law of the hen is just as valid as law of the stag.”

“There isn’t anything to tell Gareth!” Ellie said defensively and the fun loving blonde looked at her concernedly.

 Kimmie knew the other girl well enough to know when something was bothering her and she could feel that this was something big, but knowing Ellie would only discuss it when she was ready, she surmised the best thing she could do was just get her to enjoy the party and handed her friend a goblet of wine,

“Here, this is just what you need.” The nervous brunette bride to be took the wine and as she started to sip the fruity full bodied vintage they both reclined against the huge pillows and Kimmie glanced over her designer sunglasses to where the crew of handsome men dressed in their ‘uniform’ of blue and white striped t-shirts, cream trousers and black boots were working to keep the boat on course as they moved into the empty channel away from the island. “Just chill El and enjoy the view. Besides what can possibly happen to you on a pirate ship?” Ellie was glad the roll of her eyes was hidden by the ornate chalice which had been given to her as the most important woman of the group and swallowing the wine she didn’t want to know what the answer to that question could be.

            Once the sails were unfurled and the ship was drifting along its course around Skopelos safely the members of the crew started to serve the guests that were aboard with a variety of seafood canapés and one of them, a young man Ellie guessed was barely out of his teens from his slightly blemished complexion and faintly smaller build than the others, smiled broadly as he climbed onto a fixed wooden crate and looked around the various groups of people who were enjoying the sunset cruise.

“Kalispera and welcome aboard the Sea Siren. I am Jonas one of your hosts tonight.” He said jovially in better English than anyone expected, “Our journey this evening will take us all around the island and we are pleased to especially welcome some guests who are celebrating special occasions.” The young man proceeded to read some names from a piece of parchment he produced from his pocket detailing a couple of people’s birthdays, who were sitting in other groups around the deck and then his eye came to rest on the group of girls, “And finally we wish fair winds and safe waters to Ellie who is here tonight with her friends to celebrate her last night as a single woman...” The girls whooped and cheered and all pointed to Ellie to ensure everyone knew who the bride to be was, but Ellie herself was sure that their efforts were unnecessary as her cheeks were burning and she could imagine the crimson glow that they were giving off. She hated being the centre of attention like this, but Kimmie and the others had obviously decided to ignore that fact. Jonas held up a tankard of rum and toasted her, “Good luck and much happiness for your future.”

“I wouldn’t be so hasty with that sentiment...” another deeper masculine voice declared from somewhere above them and as the guests all looked up Ellie’s blush instantly drained from her face until she was deathly white and she sank back into the cushions.

            Midway up the rigging a pirate, her pirate, was hanging from the ropes with his sword drawn and pointed at Jonas. The deck was abuzz with people excitedly watching the scene unfold and the girls about her were all even more giggly than ever as they saw the brigand acrobatically make his way from where he had been to the deck, his destination more than clear as he pretended to hold Jonas and the other crew at bay with the sword in his hand. They hadn’t noticed the horror that widened Ellie’s brown eyes, the panic that was causing the blood to rush around her whole body. This was a nightmare, it had to be, yet there was no mistaking the way that the white silk shirt moved in the whisper of the sea breeze dashing itself against the hard body that she knew it hid. The black leggings showed the definition of his muscular thighs that had supported his weight as he had driven her over the brink of sanity only hours before and once more the black bandana-mask that covered his face made his intense blue/green eyes stand out.

            Time seemed to have slowed as she regarded him in the burning embers of the sunset, a few stars beginning to emerge as witnesses of the moment and she swallowed hard as he slowly advanced towards her. His height almost blocked the setting sun from her view, his broad shoulders were dwarfing Jonas even more and his red sash drew the eye to his slender waist. Unlike the last time they had met, she had no confidence or bravado to rely on to give her strength, this time she was rendered helpless by the knowledge that he was the only other person who could give away what they had done and as he approached her she gave a quiet gasp as her friends moved aside to allow him to reach her.

            Within a moment his burly arms had drawn her up onto her feet and held her close against his chest wall,

“Tell me fair maid, where is your intended?” He challenged her as he looked around the deck, “Only a fool would let you come on a voyage in pirate waters with your virtue unguarded save for a few cabin boys. Anything could happen to you...some dastardly sea dog could board this vessel and claim you for his own. Perhaps I should take you with me for safety?”  Ellie looked at Kimmie and the others desperately, wishing they would intervene, or Jonas and the other members of the crew would jump on this man and save her from the torment she was enduring, but her rational mind knew that they wouldn’t do a thing, why should they? This was obviously a show to them and they couldn’t know why she was so anxious.

The pirate could feel her starting to tremble slightly against his solid frame and he could see her breathing was becoming faster making her chest rise and fall more clearly under the sequinned bodice of the dress she was wearing, his gaze captured in the memory of how perfect her breasts were and he saw the two slight buds that were beginning to become apparent under the material that sheathed her from his hungry eyes. Then he moved his glance upward to look into her eyes and the vulnerability there surprised him. He was sure that this was the right girl, he would have bet his whole life on it and yet the shadows of trepidation that shone beneath the chocolate brown irises suddenly changed his intentions and appealed to another side of him that he rarely shared with anyone.

“What do you think you’re going to do with her?” Jonas’ voice spoke, breaking the moment as an intended prompt for the act to reach its conclusion and as he glanced back to the speaker the pirate could see the confusion from the younger man at what was taking so long. He gave a gruff, suggestive laugh returning his focus, for the moment at least, to what he should be doing and then the air filled with a squeak of shock as he threw Ellie up onto his strapping shoulder and started to carry her away from her friends, striding purposefully over the old wooden boards.

“If you have to ask then you’re too young to know.” He retorted cheekily to the whoops and cheers from the shipboard audience and then disappeared beneath deck with Ellie still held firmly in his clutches.

            As they walked along the empty passage that led to the cabins Ellie was starting to feel more panicked. Above her she could hear music starting, and part of her knew that if she needed to call out then she would probably be unable to be heard. The pirate’s comment had shaken her and the fact that he held her so tightly worried her too. If it was all a show for the crowd then she had expected to be set down, to make some little comment of thanks for the attention and then allowed to go back to her friends but none of that was happening and a horrible thought had overtaken her. The last time they had been alone she had practically ripped his clothes off him and had given herself to him without any hesitation, what if he believed that he was going to get more of the same? She started to struggle against his grasp and as they entered a small cabin and she saw the bed that dominated the limited space she slipped out of his hold and landed on the floor with a heavy thump.

“Don’t touch me!” She said, as his arm reached down to her, “If you do I’ll scream.”

“That wasn’t what you said last night.” The mysterious man answered sardonically as he closed the cabin door and rested back against the dark stained wood of the door frame. “In fact I think it’s the direct opposite...”
“Last night was a mistake. It wasn’t me...it shouldn’t have ever happened.” Ellie said quickly shaking her head and trying to scramble back to her feet as she realised how undignified she must look sprawled on the floor, “Look, I don’t know what you’ve brought me here for, just let me out of here.”

“I will. When you’ve given me what I want.” The pirate nodded,

“And what...what’s that?” Ellie questioned almost choking on the words as she uttered them and feeling her pulse starting to race once more as her mind whirled through the various options of what would sate him and each option worrying her more than the last. With the hint of a wry grin he moved over to her again and traced his finger down her soft cheek...

                                                               
Chapter Three

          “What do I want?” The pirate repeated slowly and Ellie shifted uncomfortably as she felt the olive skinned flesh drawing its way down her cheek, “All I want is some answers.” He replied, removing his touch from her soft skin and backing away from her slightly before he started to unfasten the mask he was wearing. Ellie breathed a small sigh of relief and then blinked as she saw the face of her ‘captor’ and realised the eyes that had only moments ago filled her with fear were the same eyes that belonged to the man who had held her so safely when she had tripped.

            “Last night, it was you?” She asked as she watched him removing his sash and setting it down with the mask and sword, the man nodded

“You weren’t one for introductions then, perhaps we can rectify that now?” He suggested, “My name is Dmitri Xanatos. My friends call me Tri.”

“I’m Ellie, Ellie Richards.” She replied as she tried to come to terms with how fate had played its hand for them. “You work here?”

“My family own this ship. I suppose you could say I’m the captain of this crew.” He nodded as he took off the silk shirt and quickly pulled his blue and white t shirt back over his muscular pecs and abs before he looked at her again, “Sit down if you like. Do you want something to drink?”

“Why are you being so nice to me?” Ellie asked, “I mean this isn’t what I expected when you brought me down here.” Dmitri laughed and poured two glasses of wine.

“I may play at being a pirate but I would never ravish a woman who wasn’t willing and I could tell that you weren’t as willing as you were last night.” He said as he handed her one of the glasses, “You’re perfectly safe here.” Thanking him for the drink she sat on the soft mattress and smiled slightly,

“Are you sure you are?” she said, trying to make light of the situation they were in. Dmitri smiled and sat down beside her,

“I suppose that remains to be seen.”

            As Ellie smiled at his reply Dmitri saw the light filling her face and highlighting the warmth in her now calmed eyes. As he had assumed she had a true natural beauty that transcended every other woman he had seen, her lips were a subtle rose pink with only a trace of lip gloss to heighten their allure and as she started to become more comfortable in his company he could see her muscles that he had felt so tensed visibly relaxing and showing the poise that a Princess would be envious of. She was indeed an ethereal goddess, or some mythical mermaid with legs that had the ability to seduce any mortal man with the merest smile or turn of her head and the waves of her chestnut brown hair that cascaded down her shoulders made his fingers yearn to be buried within it again.

            “Dmitri you’re right, you do deserve answers...” Ellie conceded after a few moments of silence between them had passed, “I just don’t know where to start.”

“Perhaps at the beginning?” Dmitri suggested, “Jonas said you were about to be married, why would you risk that on a night with a stranger on a foreign beach?” The ruby engagement ring suddenly weighed heavy on the wedding finger of her left hand and Ellie looked down at it glinting in the mock oil light of the cabin and somewhere within her heart she felt the reigns holding her emotion in check snapping and the well of feelings starting to overflow.

“I was, I am, engaged. I get married in two weeks.” She said looking back at Dmitri and sighing regretfully, “Everything is arranged, the church is booked the guests have all been invited and confirmed, the flowers, the car and cake, everything’s set...It was going to be so beautiful. My perfect dream wedding and Gareth was meant to be my dream groom...”

“It can still be that way for you.” Dmitri said quietly, as he started to recognise a hint of pain and regret behind her eyes. Ellie shook her head,

“No it can’t.” She swallowed, “Things can never be the same. You see last night everything changed.”

“I don’t understand,” he said as he watched her take a large drink from her glass, “Ellie, I take my share of responsibility about what happened...You’re right, it shouldn’t have happened, if I’d let my head rule and not my body then everything would be okay.”
“No. Dmitri it wasn’t your fault. None of it was, it was theirs!” Her eyes looked into his despairingly, “They caused this and I don’t know what I’m meant to do Last night I thought I knew but now I’m not so sure.”

            Once again her vulnerability broke through to Dmitri’s soul and as her shoulders started to sag and head dropped low, gently he put his hand over hers,

“Ellie, I’m here, I can listen to whatever you have to say and I can hardly condemn you for whatever is going on when I’m part of it.” He said softly, trying to give her whatever reassurance he could though he wasn’t sure why he was letting himself get so involved with her. They were merely strangers. Feeling the warmth of his skin against hers Ellie looked at the hand that shielded hers and with that one simple gesture and his words the last barrier within her shattered.

            A solitary tear slowly rolled down her cheek as she started to speak,

“I thought that I knew him, that we had no secrets from each other. I thought that we were really in love and we were even planning to have a family together so how could he sleep with my friend? A stranger would have been bad enough, but to sleep with a woman who I work with, a person who knew he was my fiancé and who knew what he meant to me? How could he?”

“Your fiancé slept with your friend?” Dmitri said, “Oh Ellie...I’m sorry.”

“When I told her to keep an eye on him, I didn’t mean in his bed!” She continued as more tears came, “I trusted them both. I didn’t even want to go to that stupid marketing seminar last month but he told me to go as it would be good for my career. Good to get me out of the way so they could get together more like. How could I have been so stupid?” She shook her head,

“And you found this out last night? From your friend? Maybe she felt guilty...”
“Guilty? She was ratted.” Ellie retorted sharply, “If she hadn’t been drunk I would never have known and all day she’s been acting as if nothing ever happened. She’s up there right now, drinking and having a good time enjoying my hen night all the while knowing that she has slept with the man I’m meant to spend the rest of my life with.”

Dmitri gave a low breath as he started to realise the depth of the mess that she was mired in and getting up he refilled her glass with more wine and handed it to her.

“So last night when she told you, that was what brought you to the beach?” Ellie nodded and looked at him guiltily,

“I just wanted to make sense of things then I saw you and I wanted to make him hurt too. I’m sorry Dmitri. I was drunk too, though that was no excuse. I used you.”

“You’re not the first woman to do that.” He admitted as he handed her the glass, “But you at least have the decency to admit it and that I can respect you for.” He used his thumb to wipe away a tear and gave a half smile, “I will survive and so will you.”
            Ellie’s mind started to feel as if she was half drunk again as she heard what he said. It was so strange to think that he could be so understanding and willing to even try and ease her conscience when she had just told him that he had just been a convenient piece of meat and hadn’t meant anything to her and yet there was something about him that could give her peace. If he had been Gareth she knew he would have been hurling abuse at her, or would be an arrogant buffoon claiming that he had used her too and trying to belittle her to soothe his male ego but instead he was listening to her and that was what she needed most.

            “Well it seems you have a choice to make.” Dmitri replied as he resumed his seat on the bunk beside her, “Knowing the truth you can either marry him or not.” Ellie stood up and sighing she wrapped her arms around herself,

“If it was that easy I would have already made the choice. I mean, we’ve been together for three years, he has been good to me and I know that I did mean something to him for him to propose to me... and this isn’t just about us either. I mean our families aren’t rich but they’ve given us money to have the perfect wedding day. So many people have made plans to come.”

“And plans can be changed.” Dmitri reasoned. “No one would want you to do something that wasn’t going to make you happy.” He shook his head, “I can’t presume to know anything about your relationship Ellie but it’s clear to me that his betrayal has hurt you deeply. You need time to deal with that.”

“Time is something I don’t have!” Ellie retorted, “I’m getting married in a fortnight.  God, I wish I could just rewind time and not have to deal with this.”

“So you’d rather live a lie? Condemn yourself to a doomed marriage instead? Because that’s what you would have had. Yes, you could have had a perfect wedding, but when the truth came out, and it always does, then how would you have felt? You’d want to change time then so you knew and would be right back here.” Dmitri shook his head and whispered something to vent his frustration in Greek. He saw Ellie pause as she waited for a translation and he rubbed his face, unsure of why this matter was getting to him so much. Slowly standing again he walked over and rested his hands on her upper arms looking at her with his eyes full of sincerity, “Ellie you say last night was a mistake? Then please don’t make another one. Don’t act rashly. At least think of what you really want this time.”

            The look in Dmitri’s eyes, the tone of his voice and the way that he was holding her surprised Ellie. He was genuinely concerned for her and she was starting to feel even guiltier at how she had used him. On the beach all she had thought of was his body, but with every minute she was spending with him she was learning that there was a mind, heart and soul that she had discounted. Decent men were rare in her world but she could tell she was in the presence of one in him.

            A sudden knock at the cabin door made her jump and she heard someone speaking in Greek before Dmitri released her from his hands and went to the door replying quickly. As she heard the footsteps of the man outside fading as he left them Ellie looked at Dmitri.

“I shouldn’t have kept you so long...” She said, slightly glad of the timely interruption, “But thank you for listening to me. I can’t tell Kimmie or the others about this, they’d overreact.” Dmitri took a step back and bowed with a flourish, resuming the act of the pirate captain.

“It was my pleasure M’lady and I hope you make the right choice Ellie.” He opened the door and smiled, “They’re about to serve dinner. You should rejoin your friends before they think I truly have stolen you away.” Ellie laughed

“Kimmie will be disappointed you haven’t.” She said and as she walked back along the corridor to get back on deck she could only imagine what wild fantasises the girls would have thought she had indulged and felt pleased they would never know that she had lived one for real.

            The next morning as the domineering transporter ferry left the dock Ellie looked over the cold metal railing as Skopelos started to slip into the distance and could see the galleon safely docked in the port. A part of her felt she was being weak in going through with the wedding and yet she knew that she really had no choice at all. The time for fantasy was over and she had to go back.

Chapter Four

            “Ooh Ellie I’m so excited for you.” Kimmie said as she sat in the flat they shared watching the last second preparations being made for the impending wedding ceremony. “You’ll look like a Princess. Gareth will just die when he sees you.” As the makeup artist asked her to close her eyes so she could do her eye shadow part of Ellie considered Kimmie’s suggestion and wondered if it wouldn’t be a more preferable outcome to the day. She could feel the soft foam applicator rubbing the colour into her eyelids and for a second the doubts crept back into her mind.

           

In the days since the girls had returned to London she had watched Gareth and listened carefully to everything he said to her. Laura’s confession had carved itself like stone into her heart and initially she had believed that he would tell her the truth. That somehow his conscience would get the better of him and he would confess to the indiscretion too, but nothing came...As the hours went by she’d started to try and broach the subject in a roundabout way. Maybe the Jeremy Kyle show did have a use after all, she’d thought as she sat down to breakfast with Gareth one morning and the guests appearing were there for a lie detector result to see if one partner had cheated. She’d watched the man she loved, almost praying for some tiny indication that he was uncomfortable with the subject matter, hoping for the smallest twitch of his eye or anything that she could pick up on and might lead him to make his confession. If only he could do that they could stand a chance, but all he had done was just sit there with his cornflakes and comment on the trainers that the male partner was wearing and then ask her if she had decided where they were going to have lunch that afternoon.

            The only thing that she had been able to do which made her feel slightly better was to halt all sexual activity between the pair of them. “I’m tired from the flight.” had been her first excuse when he’d practically dragged her to his bedroom after they’d returned from the airport. Next, she had lied that she must have picked up a bug while she was away and then finally she had suggested that it would be the height of romance to wait the last few days until he could have her for the first time as his wife.

“I’ll be just like a virgin again.” She’d cooed seductively, finally getting his agreement on the issue, only she knew that she was far from the virgin that he remembered.

            Naturally as family and friends had started to arrive for the wedding, all voicing their excitement and happiness at the event and bestowing their good wishes on the couple the notions that she had of just calling everything off started to fade. To them he was the ideal fiancé, publically displaying his affection as always, complimenting her on how he knew she would look in her wedding dress and still talking about their future plans, the children they’d have together and how, when his own career took off he would support her and care for her so she wouldn’t need to work anymore. The whole act made her feel nauseated but despite her mind screaming at her to just end the whole facade, seeing how proud and happy her parents were that she was going to be ‘taken care of’ stilled her tongue and if she was ever caught by anyone seeming less than the enthusiastic, exalted, bride to be she would merely give a small smile and blame ‘wedding jitters’ as that instantly appeased everyone. Even Kimmie. Though she hated lying to them all, it was hardest to know that she was keeping secrets from the girl who had been like a sister to her all her life.

            “And I know what’ll make you smile...” Kimmie was saying as her mind drifted back to the moment, “the photos are back from our trip. There’s even one I didn’t know Jayne had taken of that pirate guy who abducted you for so long.”

“What?” Ellie said. She’d barely given Dmitri a thought in all the time since they’d returned as she’d been so focussed on Gareth and the wedding, but the mention of him sent strange butterflies through her. Kimmie smiled and getting off the dining chair she went to her bag and produced the small photo album she had put together.

“I was going to give this to you later, but I think now is good a time as any.” The blonde smiled as she handed it to Ellie once her makeup and hair were completed.

Flicking through the pages Ellie couldn’t help but smile to herself.

            Before they went to Skopelos she’d never heard of the place, except that it had been the location for the Mamma Mia movie which she and the girls had gone to see when it was released. Now she knew it would always hold a place in her heart and as she reached the photo of Dmitri on the rigging the corners of her mouth raised slightly,

“Watch out Johnny Depp and whatshisface...Errol Flynn.” Kimmie laughed as she took her own turn to have her hair done and caught sight of the photo Ellie was looking at. “You know El, you’ve never told me what actually did happen below deck that night...”

“And I never will so your perverse little mind can think whatever it likes.” Ellie replied laughingly, but her eyes couldn’t steal away from the image before her and the memories that it was regurgitating for her.

“I think it’s a damn shame that we didn’t get one of the two of you together. That would have been something to tell your kids about. The day Mummy was abducted by a pirate.”

“Kimmie, this is my wedding day remember?” Ellie said closing the album and setting it down on the side table, “You’re not meant to be wishing I was with other guys, you’re meant to be helping me get ready for a life with Gareth.”

“Ellie, if you’re not ready for that now, you never will be.” Kimmie replied sagely, “There isn’t a thing about him that you can’t know by now and that should have prepared you for anything. In a couple of hours you’ll be Mrs Gareth Jardine with all the rights, responsibilities and the rest that goes with it for the remainder of your natural life.” She glanced over at Ellie and smiled, “It could be worse, you could have run off with the pirate and then where would you be?” Kimmie turned back to the makeup girl and as she began to have her foundation applied Ellie felt the flutter within her strike again and somewhere in the deepest recesses of her mind the question echoed. Where would she be?

            Just before noon the vintage Rolls Royce pulled to a stop outside the small parish church and as the uniformed driver climbed out and held the door open Ellie stepped out of the car and saw a sea of beaming faces around her.

“Oh you look beautiful...” One of her female relatives said as the group snapped quick photos of her bridesmaids adjusting her ivory silk gown and veil before the professional photographer started to pose her for his own pictures that would be submitted for approval as part of her wedding album. Ellie stood as she was asked to, with her father, with her bridesmaids and with Kimmie, who was her maid of honour. The number of onlookers quickly dwindled as everyone wanted to be in their place to see Ellie walk down the aisle and as they made their own way into the church, she felt her father touch her arm and saw him smile gently.

“Fathers are always meant to give their daughters some gem of wisdom on this occasion but I don’t know what I can say to you Ellie that you don’t already know.” He said, “Your mother and I are so proud of you and all you’ve done in your life so far. You’re a daughter in a million and you’ve always proved the old adage about always following your heart to be true. I know today you’re going to begin a wonderful life and we love you Ellie.” He kissed her cheek tenderly

“I love you too Dad.” Ellie replied, squeezing his arm in return and as the vicar appeared to lead the bridal procession down the aisle. Kimmie nudged Ellie and leant in to her,

“You make a stunning bride. Gareth doesn’t deserve you.” She whispered, smiling and then as the wedding march began to play the vicar smiled turned and started to walk the group down the aisle.

            Everyone was standing in the old chapel as she stepped through the metal gates and into the stone building via the old heavy oak door. Her father beamed with pride as they took their measured steps towards the altar as they’d practiced the night before at the wedding rehearsal. She could hear the whispered comments of approval at the choice of colour and style of the bridesmaids’ dresses, the darker shade that she had selected for Kimmie and then her own bridal gown with its train trailing just behind her. The slightly ivory tinged veil that covered her eyes gave a strange haze to the scene but then her eyes came to rest on the man who had just turned and was smiling at her.

            Gareth and his best man shared a word or two as she approached and though she couldn’t fault the way her fiancé looked in his three piece black morning suit with the matching ivory shirt and mahogany red cravat that matched Kimmie’s dress and the roses that she carried in her bouquet and formed his boutonniere there was something missing. Something didn’t seem right and as she reached his side and the bridal party all assumed their allotted positions she slowly started to realise what it was. He was actually planning to go through with the wedding.

            The church was full, the last strains of the music were ending and any moment the service would begin. She looked down at herself for a moment and then closed her eyes. This was a farce and no one was going to do anything to stop it. She glanced over to where Laura stood smiling amongst the bridesmaids and then at Gareth who grinned as her father placed her hand into his.

“This is it babe, moment of truth...” he whispered to her and as the word reached her ears she suddenly drew her hand back and looked at him incredulously.

“Truth? You dare to use that word? You don’t even know what it means.” She retorted as she looked him up and down from his blonde spiked hair to his black shoes that were obviously new. “I can’t do this.” She said shaking her head and starting to back away from him.

“Ellie, babe what’s wrong?” Gareth asked his brow knitted in confusion at what she was doing as she was moving back up the aisle. “We’re getting married...”

“No. No we’re not!” Ellie replied shaking her head again and then swallowing as she saw everyone’s eyes on her and heard the muffled whispers among the congregation.

“I won’t ever marry a lying, cheating snake like you.”

“Gareth? What’s she talking about?” Her father asked solemnly as he heard what his daughter said but before the younger man could say anything Ellie had removed her veil and looked at her bridesmaids, or more specifically Laura.

“If you want him you can have him....oh sorry you already have!” she spat venomously and then feeling her eyes filling with tears of humiliation she turned and ran out of the church.

            Suddenly the tiny church filled with people speculating over what had happened, the girls demanded to know what was going on and Laura and Gareth exchanged a guilty glance, both wondering just how she could have known what happened and why she hadn’t said anything earlier. Voices were starting to become raised as Mr Richards demanded to know how Gareth could hurt his daughter and the Jardine family struggled to work out how to explain everything to the rest of the guests who hadn’t heard Ellie’s declaration. Amongst them all and the cacophony of noise that was building no one noticed Kimmie slip outside and as she saw Ellie climbing back into the wedding car, the blonde rushed over and jumped inside before the door closed.

            “Oh no you don’t.” Kimmie said as she looked at Ellie, “You aren’t going anywhere without me.” She added firmly, knowing her friend’s intention was to put as much distance between herself and the church as possible.

“I just have to get away Kimmie.” Ellie said, “I can’t deal with this, with them, now.”

Kimmie put a supportive arm around her friend’s shoulders and then told the driver to take them back to their flat.

   

Chapter Five

            As the waning sun started to slip below the hills surrounding the bay Dmitri finished tying off a replacement oil lantern on one of the high jibs and once assured it was secure he grabbed the rope that had been holding him on his precarious perch and flicking it with his wrist he gracefully slid back down to the deck.

            The Sea Siren was eerily silent for the evening and a far cry from the raucous noise of the party of schoolchildren and their families who had spent the afternoon aboard learning all about pirates and life on the sea. He’d enjoyed the distraction of teaching them how to tie various maritime knots, demonstrating exhilarating sword fights with Jonas and the other members of the crew and telling the tales that had been passed down through the generations of his family of wild pirates, daring adventures and even the odd embellishment about mermaids and sea monsters. Each excited little face beamed at him as he’d spoken, their eyes shining and their enthusiasm had been all he’d needed but now, with the gentle lapping of the waves against the bow of the ship and the white noise from the port the only sounds to be heard he knew he had to try harder to keep the fragile inner peace he’d achieved.

            Coiling the heavy rope around the heel of his palm and elbow he looked over the deck, there were areas he knew could be tidier but resigned the job to the omnipresent ‘to do’ list for tomorrow. A yawn escaped from his throat and hanging the rope in its place on the mast Dmitri turned to go below deck. He needed sleep.

“There you are.” A voice behind him said causing him to look back and as he saw the friendly smile of the much older man with his salt and pepper coloured hair and weatherworn face Dmitri returned the gesture.

“Pappou what are you doing here?”

“Your grandmother sent me. Jonas told her that you’d decided to skip dinner and you know how that makes her.” Heracles Xanatos said approaching his grandson.  “She’s worried about you so sent me to make sure that you’re not coming down with something.”

“I’m fine, honestly.” Dmitri replied continuing down the steps to his cabin, the older man following behind more than acquainted with the way.

“Jonas says you had a good day with the children, I’m pleased your idea worked.” The older man continued as they reached the small office aboard.

“I talked to one of the teachers afterwards and they said they were going to base a whole project around pirates now so want to visit more.” Dmitri said as he turned his attention to putting away a file of papers he had been looking at earlier and reaching for a bottle of Ouzo that he kept in a small drawer with two glasses, “I agreed we’d negotiate a fair price for our help.”

“Excellent. That will help swell the coffers for the repairs and maintenance of the ship. You definitely have a flair for the family business Tri,” Heracles nodded approvingly and as he took his drink and sat down in one of the chairs near the desk his arm accidentally knocked another file onto the floor, “Signomi.”

“Let me get it.” Dmitri said as he saw his grandfather trying to reach down for the papers and setting his glass down he bent to pick up the papers but his eyes were drawn to something else that had landed on the wooden boards too. Within seconds the papers were stacked back on the desk but in his hand the photograph he had found refused to be set aside so easily.

            There she was...just another girl amongst the group of her friends, a bright smile on her beautiful face portraying happiness but his gaze could only register the slightest trace of her true emotions of the night that haunted her eyes. The image was burning itself into his soul as much as the sensations of what they had shared on the beach had etched into the core of him. Even now, with an innocent glance at her lips his loins stirred as they recalled the hot, sweet taste of her kisses. He could almost feel the velvet innards of her mouth where his tongue had claimed, explored and savoured her desire for him...

            “Tri...” Heracles repeated for the third time before the word registered in his grandson’s conscious and taking a steadying breath to try and cleanse the memories from his mind Dmitri set the photograph on the pile and stood up the effect of her memory on him uncomfortably straining against his shorts, but thankfully masked from his grandfather’s view.

“Signomi Pappou.” He murmured as he returned to his own chair and took a long swig of the aniseed nectar. The change in Dmitri’s demeanour hadn’t gone unnoticed and picking up the photograph Heracles appraised what could have had such a clear effect on his usually ice cool descendant.

“So these are the photos that you have done when guests come on the cruise?” He commented casually, “They’re good...and perfect publicity shots too. I mean these girls in this one seem to have enjoyed themselves.”

“They did, but no.” Dmitri replied too quickly.

“Why? They are pretty girls, it will draw the eye and it’s clear that they are having fun which is what we want to promote, yes?”

“Of course, but not with this picture.” Dmitri insisted, unable to bear the idea that seemed to be growing in Heracles’ mind. It would be too much torture to see her bewitching smile everywhere. “There are others of mixed sex groups, mixed ages they’d give a more inclusive representation.”

            Heracles set the photo back where it had been and looked over at Dmitri,

“So which is she?” he asked candidly. If there was one thing that Heracles was known for it was his directness.

“Who?”

“I was young once too though it was many years ago, I know the look in your eyes Dmitri.” Heracles smiled sympathetically, “One of these girls is a siren who has cast her spell over you. Things are starting to make sense now. Jonas said you weren’t sleeping well,”

“Jonas says too much.” Dmitri muttered under his breath, cursing his younger brother for being around him so often.

“You’re spending more time than ever here and now you’re not eating. It only adds up to one thing.” Dmitri wanted to protest, to laugh off the idea his grandfather was proposing but he couldn’t. He had come to same conclusion himself days earlier but had been fighting to kill the emotion before it could do the same to him.

“The brunette second from the right.” His lips directed defying his head’s strict order to not start this conversation and his memory started to raise the spectre of her kiss in his mouth once more which he futilely tried to drown under another glass of ouzo as he could see his grandfather silently appraising the frozen image.

            Objectively Heracles could understand Dmitri’s attraction to the woman in the photograph, even the image itself seemed to have a palpable vitality, her smile was full of warmth and welcome and her arms were loosely draped around the shoulders of her friends in an open display of her feelings about the girls she was with. She was a beauty obviously but the older man knew that Dmitri had encountered many attractive women in his near thirty years who barely registered a glance from him, there had to be something more about this one. His grandson had never acted this way before and even now as he was drinking it was clear that his thoughts were on this girl. His brow was furrowed in deep thought.

“Tri? What is it?” Heracles asked after a few moments, “If you are in love that is something to celebrate, you should bring her to meet your Grandmother and the rest of the family…”

“I can’t.” Dmitri replied, “She’s gone back to England…and she’ll be married by now.” He took the photograph and looked at Ellie once more, “I should have called to her on the ferry, maybe if she’d seen me, if I had held her in my arms once more…” His voice trailed off and he looked at his grandfather, “You always told me that people come into our lives for a reason. What reason was behind this? I didn’t need another broken heart to prove it was still there.”

“Ah Dmitri, she really has cast quite a spell over you. Come home, eat and sleep with the family and maybe tomorrow your answers will come?” Heracles said standing up and nodding at his grandson. Dmitri sighed and draining his glass for the last time, he set it down beside the photograph wondering as he left the Sea Siren, if he would have been better off never meeting Ellie at all. 

           

Chapter Six

            “That rotten bastard!” Kimmie exclaimed as she sat on the balcony of the hotel room that she and Ellie were sharing, “And Laura what the Hell was she thinking? Everyone knows how you feel about Gareth…”

“Felt about Gareth, past tense.” Ellie corrected her as she tied her hair back into a ponytail as they talked, “At first I didn’t believe her, I thought she was just rambling some insane drunken fantasy and that was bad enough, but then she just had to mention the tattoo.”

“Tattoo? What tattoo?”

“Not long after we got together Gareth went out and had a tattoo of a flaming heart done at the base of his penis, he said it was a symbol of how passionately he loved me. No one knew it was there, he didn’t tell anyone and neither did I. It was meant to be special…Laura not only said where it was, but that my initials were in the centre. You can only see them if you’re eye on with them, get what I mean.” Kimmie shuddered, she’d always hated the idea of oral sex and the image was too vivid for her

“You mean she…oh Ellie, I’m gonna hurl.” Ellie handed her a glass of water.

“Join the club, at least I can spare you the rest of the gory details but I heard them all.”

“And you waited til the wedding to get maximum effect of busting them? That was skilful El, very skilful.” Kimmie smiled wickedly, “Revenge of the wronged bride…”

“No. Right up to the last minute I was sure he would have confessed, or even Laura would have said something and  they wouldn’t actually let me go into a marriage to him based on a lie. When I finally realised that they weren’t saying anything I knew I had to call it all off or I’d never trust him to be faithful again.” Ellie said

“Well I’m glad you had the sense to dump the bum, just promise me if he calls you’ll not take him back okay? Creeps like him don’t change their slime.” Kimmie commented, putting her hand over Ellie’s and smiling again, “And as for you, you’re young, you’re single and we know where to find a bunch of hot men. I think we should go back to Apollo’s and celebrate your new found freedom in style.”

“I can’t believe you.” Ellie laughed, “My last relationship broke up yesterday and you think I should be back on the prowl tonight? Kimmie, you’re crazy.”
“No I’m just seeing no reason why you can’t go out and have a wild night. Come on El, you loved the bars around here and if all else fails we’ll at least get a couple of drinks out of it. You’re single girl! Celebrate your lucky escape.”

            As they walked along the harbour of Skopelos Ellie had to admit that she did feel herself coming back to life. Gareth had been consigned to the past and though she still felt the twinge of pain when she thought of how she had been betrayed, the fact of what he had done had killed her love stone dead. There were no tears to shed for him, no fleeting thoughts of what he was doing, as Kimmie had said she was single once more and though the last thing she wanted was another relationship, she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of ruining her whole life and turning her away from men.

            The small town was bustling with life as they reached the tavernas by the waterside, various owners tried to attract the girls attention to come and eat in their restaurants and politely the girls just kept walking towards the taverna that had been their favourite during the hen week. As they took a table, one of the men who worked there lit a small tea light that was the centrepiece and handed them the menu before he went to get some bread and wine for them.

            “At least you’re smiling now.” Kimmie noted as she saw how Ellie was glancing out over the boats in the harbour, “Maybe this is just what you need.”

“I can’t believe that the first flight we could get was bringing us back here.” Ellie confessed, “Do you believe in Fate Kimmie?”

“Nah, people choose what happens in their lives, its not all written in the stars before you’re born.” Kimmie replied, “I mean why would Fate bring you back to a place where you have no friends, no family and no reason to be? Fate would have made the first plane be headed for Edinburgh so we could have visited your aunt or something.”

“I guess…” Ellie sighed. Her eyes trawled over the menu page and deciding on the mousakka she closed the leather bound folder and set it down in front of her.

“Look we’re just being fluid here right?” Kimmie said, “We’re taking a few days out to have some fun, top up our tans and recharge your batteries before we go back and you get back on with your life. There is no plan, no destiny here just you and me and whatever happens.” Ellie smiled and nodded,

“I can live with that.”

“Good. Then there’s one more thing you need to do.”

“Really? What’s that?”

“Get that shackle off your finger.” Kimmie said indicating to the ruby engagement ring that still shone on her hand, “Take it off, go over to those rocks and throw it as far out to sea as you can, you don’t need it and you don’t want it always around to remind you of all this shit do you?” Ellie looked at the ring, she knew Kimmie was right and she had no intention of ever wearing it again. She didn’t want it in her jewellery box as a constant reminder of how she had been played for a fool and there was no way was she going to return it either, that would mean having to contact Gareth and she never wanted to see him again. Pushing her chair back she stood up and Kimmie grinned in approval,

“Go for it girl!” The waiter looked at Ellie quizzically but she smiled at him and placed her order before she walked across the road and kicked off her wedge sandals before climbing up onto the rocks and pulling the ring off her hand and hurling it deep into the dark depths of the sea.

            Craning her neck to see what Ellie was doing Kimmie felt her chair jostled and as she looked to see who it was her bright smile suddenly became a mask of shock and anger as she saw a young man running out into the street with her bag under his arm.

“STOP! THIEF!” she yelled as she threw down her napkin and started outside after him, Ellie forgotten for the moment, “SOMEONE STOP HIM!” Kimmie cursed herself for wearing the stiletto heels that she made her totter as she tried to run and as she kept screaming like a banshee after the robber she tried to undo the buckle that kept them in place on her slender ankles. The man seemed unperturbed by her cries at him and though hundreds of eyes were watching the scene no one seemed to want to get involved. The robber smiled to himself as he turned to go up one of the side streets that were like a maze of houses and small boutique shops snaking up the mountainside but as he rounded the corner he was shocked to find his body being thrown down to the cobbled road and a man was pinning him and telling his older companion to call the police.

            Finally free of her shoes and with Ellie in hot pursuit of her, Kimmie breathlessly caught up with the robber and as she saw him pinned to the ground and her handbag contents spilt all over the road her eyes flashed with fury and she started to kick at him,

“You rotten shit, steal my bag will you?” She ranted then as the older man rejoined the scene and the man who had tackled the robber looked up her words caught in her throat and her eyes widened.

“Kimmie…what the Hell are you doing?” Ellie said as she eventually caught up to and dragged Kimmie back from where she was still kicking at the defenceless robber

“Ellie?”

The sound of her name as it was half whispered made her look down and as she saw Dmitri she was stunned to see him there before her, “You’re back?”

“Yes.” Ellie stammered unable to believe what was happening, “You…you stopped him. Thank you.” Dmitri got to his feet still holding tight to the robber and nodded

“No need for thanks.” He looked at Kimmie, “Are you okay?”

“I’m a damn sight better than he’ll be if Ellie lets me go!” Kimmie spat venomously glaring at the robber, “You so picked the wrong girl to try this on.”

“The police will deal with him.” Dmitri said, “They’re on their way.” His eyes returned to Ellie and she could see he was just as confused at the twist of Fate as she was, there was so much to ask but the questions wouldn’t come and she wasn’t sure that she wanted to discuss the situation with the audience they had around them.

“Thank you.” She repeated eventually and her grip on Kimmie loosened slightly.

“Where is your husband?” Dmitri asked suddenly, looking down the cobbled street in the direction the girls had come from, “Wasn’t he following you?”

“Her husband? Wait, I know you.” Kimmie said as recognition suddenly hit her, “The pirate ship, you work there don’t you?” Dmitri just nodded as he waited for Ellie to answer him. Feeling his eyes heavy on her as they stood there and his question hanging in the air the brunette bit her lip slightly as she always did when she was nervous and swallowing slightly she shook her head,

“No.”

“He left it to two women to chase a robber?” Dmitri commented in a mix of disgust and concern, “Anything could have happened to you, what if he’d had a gun or even just raised his hands to you?” He muttered in Greek and the older man stepped forward and put his hand on the angered young man’s shoulder,

“Nothing happened, the ladies are alright Tri.” Heracles said, sensing the need to calm his grandson’s temper. He turned to face the women and as things were starting to become more clear to him he smiled politely, “Ladies, the police will have this matter cleared up in no time and then I hope you’ll be able to enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Kimmie nodded distractedly, she could see that Dmitri was still watching the cobbled streets for a man to appear and there was a definite hint of crimson on Ellie’s cheeks that was barely hidden by her blusher.

“I think we’ll have lost our reservation now.” Ellie said trying to think of anything to break the uncomfortable silence between her and Dmitri. “Maybe we should just go back to our room Kimmie…”

“Your room?” Dmitri repeated slowly, allowing the words to sink in. Something strange was going on, he could sense it but his heart didn’t dare hope it was what he was starting to think it was. “Do the English always bring friends on their honeymoon? I thought newlyweds wanted to be alone…”

“This isn’t a honeymoon though.” Kimmie replied, then catching the horrified look in Ellie’s eyes she knew she had said too much. “Sorry El. Me and my big mouth.”

            Dmitri’s heart skipped a beat, she hadn’t gone through with the wedding after all, but another stolen glance at the beautiful brunette put the brakes on any idea his lips or body had. She looked almost ashamed and he didn’t want to make her feel so uncomfortable around him. Their secret night together and the following afternoon’s openness were still special to him. The seeds of a friendship had been sown and he was eager to see if they could blossom into more… But to find out he knew that he would have to take things very slowly and allow Ellie to learn that not all men were the same.

            “Are you hungry?” Dmitri said softly, “I mean, if you were planning on eating out I know somewhere that you could certainly find a good meal, that doesn’t get too crowded. I’ll take you there…”

“I wouldn’t want to put you to any trouble.” Ellie replied, “Helping Kimmie get her bag back was more than enough.” Dmitri shook his head,

“It’s no trouble and afterwards I will walk you back to your hotel myself to make sure no one else causes trouble for you.” He insisted. Kimmie smiled

“As long as the place has wine I’m in.” Dmitri nodded and looked at his grandfather,

“Oh trust me it has an excellent selection, right Pappou?” The older man nodded and smiled in agreement. Ellie looked at Kimmie who shrugged and then turned back to Dmitri,

“Okay, thanks Dmitri, we accept.” She gave a small smile and as a police officer approached Dmitri excused himself from the group and taking the robber with him, went to explain what had happened.

                                                              Chapter Seven to follow.....