Alina’s eyes shifted from Gustav’s accusing eyes to her husband’s.  She tried to read the expression on Tomas’ face but he was giving nothing away.  The only telltale sign of any emotion was that rapid pulse beating on his cheek.  Again Alina’s eyes shifted back to Gustav.  There was a glint in his eyes as if he’s scored a significant point against an adversary.  There were a thousand questions running through Alina’s mind, she tried to follow the tense exchange between Tomas and Gustav, only she could not understand, for Gustav conveniently switched to Greek.

‘So you didn’t tell your wife how you broke my heart, typical of you,’ Gustav accused in Greek.

Alina’s eyes were fixed on Tomas.  Whatever Gustav had spoken, she could tell from the tension emanating from Tomas’ body that he was being challenged about something. 

‘Somebody should have taught you Gustav,’ Tomas responded in kind in Greek, ‘you should let a girl know, if you have an interest in her.’

‘But you knew!’ Gustav accused, interrupting Tomas.

‘I knew you liked every girl in a revealing skirt---.’

‘Could you speak in English?’ Alina’s voice rose above the two men, who only suddenly seemed to become aware of her presence in the room.  Tomas looked at his wife.  That pulse throbbed again at his cheek.

‘Tomas?’ Alina questioned her husband.  ‘You stole Gustav’s fiancée?’

From the corner of Alina’s eyes, she could see a smirk plastered across Gustav’s face.  It disappeared from his face when Alina’s eyes returned to Gustav, whilst she waited for her husband to respond.  She turned again to her husband, her eyes searching, hoping he would put her out of her misery.

‘I am guilty of no such thing cara, and neither did the girl in question for that matter know that Gustav had any interest in her.’

‘But I told you, I am going to propose to my girl.  I invited you to bring a date and who do you bring?’  Gustav answered, when Tomas remained silent.  ‘The very girl I wanted to propose to and, ‘Gustav’s eyes locked with Alina’s.  ‘She only had eyes for him,’ he pointed an accusing finger at Tomas.  ‘She did not even look at me once the entire night.  He stole my girl!’

‘Who is this girl?’ Alina demanded.  Tomas did not bother to respond to his wife.

‘Katy Tsidiki,’ Gustav mumbled.  ‘She works in his finance division,’ Gustav again pointed angrily at Tomas.

Alina looked at her husband.  Did he steal his uncle’s girl?  It was not making sense to her.  ‘Tomas?’ She questioned her husband.

‘A little more than a year ago, I was here in the local branch of my company for a week. Gustav,’ he looked at his uncle, ‘came to see me in the office on the first evening. I was working late, inspecting the balance sheet with Katy.  We had a few drinks and we all left separately.  I was tired and went home.’

Alina nodded.  She believed Tomas.  He would not lie, she knew that for certainty.

‘I was in meetings the entire week outside the office,’ Tomas continued.  ‘I did not know Gustav was returning to my office everyday keeping Katy from her job,’ Tomas glared at his uncle.  Gustav looked away guiltily. 

‘On the last night, I was to leave, Gustav invited me to dinner and asked me to bring a date.  Katy was in my office, when I took the call.  I invited her to the dinner.  When I got to the restaurant, with Katy, I could tell Gustav was fuming.  When I asked him what was wrong, he said, “Off all the girls in Greece, could I not have chosen any other girl, except this one, according to Gustav, she could not keep her eyes of me, but I did not get that impression,’ Tomas stated.

You really are blind to things happening around you Tomas.  One wonders how you’re such an astute businessman!

‘Well after you left, she stopped taking my calls, kept telling me she was busy everytime I went to visit her in her office,’ Gustav sulked.

‘And she would be busy,’ Tomas defended Katy.  ‘That is what she gets paid for.’

‘She liked me before you cast your spell and charmed her like you do all the women I set my eyes on,’ Gustav ranted. 

Alina did not understand what Tomas had muttered in Greek, she suspected it was not polite and did not bother asking for a translation.

‘I am ten years older than him,’ Gustav stabbed a finger towards Tomas.  ‘I was born when my parents were much old.  I was an accident,’ he grinned boyishly.’

Alina smiled.  He looked young, almost as if he and Tomas were the same age, but Gustav had nothing on her attractive, gorgeous, well built husband.

‘Ever since he was a teenager,’ Gustav looked in Tomas’ direction, ‘we were always together, wherever we went, he always got all the girls,’ Gustav sulked.  ‘They always fall at his feet.'

Tell me about it!

‘I was hoping,’ Gustav’s voice faded, ‘that just once, with this girl, that he will keep his evil spell away from my Katy,’ Gustav finished.

‘You can hardly blame Tomas,’ Alina’s gentle voice shocked Tomas.  His head shot up.  He had never expected his wife to come to his defence.  He thought she would side with Gustav.

‘Tomas just invited her to accompany him for that evening.  Besides had Tomas known your intention, he would not have taken her, as his date. 
At least I hope so!

‘You don’t deserve such a beautiful and sweet wife,’ Gustav complained.  ‘She is too good for you.’

Alina laughed softly. 

Tomas lowered his head.  If only his uncle knew the scheming plan he’d concocted to make Alina become his wife!

‘That is why he did not invite me to his wedding,’ Gustav declared.  ‘He knew I’d steal you from him.’

I don’t think so! 
Alina reached out her hand and linked it to Tomas’.  He looked up into her face and hesitatingly, smiled.  She smiled back.

‘Ha!  I should I have guessed, the devil has cast a spell on you too,’ Gustav pronounced.

A nurse entered the room discreetly, wanting Gustav to rest and for the visitors to leave, so she could attend to the patient.

‘We shall visit you again tonight,’ Tomas stated, draping one arm around Alina’s waist.

‘Go, I am tired,’ Gustav replied dismissively focussing his attention on the pretty nurse.

‘Shame on you stealing your uncle’s girlfriend,’ Alina teased softly as Tomas led her out.

‘Not you too cara,’ he sighed.  ‘I am not a poaching man and I have not had a need to steal in my life,’ his eyes met hers evenly.

Alina inhaled deeply, digesting that information.  Whilst Tomas was referring to his integrity, unjustly wounded by his uncle’s assassination on his character, Alina knew her powerful, charismatic and extremely good looking husband would have no need to steal any woman.  Infact she would hazard a guess that a bevy of her species would stand in line to throw themselves at his feet.

‘So can’t you remedy things between Gustav and Katy Tsidiki?’

“‘Remedy?” I cannot compel Katy to be with Gustav.”  Tomas stopped just outside his uncle’s private ward, detaining Alina with a restraining hand.  ‘How can I force her into a relationship with Gustav?’

‘Ah yes of course, how could I be so presumptuous?’ Alina responded sarcastically.  ‘You could not do anything so underhanded.’  She meant to brush past, but when her words hit home with Tomas, he subtly pinned her against the wall.  Even as the cold wall behind her chilled her body, his warm breath so close to her cheek sent her body temperature soaring.  From the corner of her eye, she had a view of Keres and Gabriella staring in their direction, but Tomas’ close proximity was unnerving.  Her eyes rose magnetically to meet his.

‘You cannot compare us to Gustav and Katy,’ his voice was almost a whisper.  ‘You deny the attraction between us tesoro?’ he challenged, his thumb caressed her slender throat.  Alina swallowed uncomfortably, her throat was dry. Tomas was dangerously too close to her.  From her position of vantage, Alina could see Gabriella glaring, with her mouth opened.  When she would not respond, Tomas continued.  ‘You know Katy does not reciprocate whatever Gustav thinks he feels for her.’

‘Why?’ Alina hissed, ‘because you know “whatever she feels,” it is channeled in your direction?’

Tomas’ hand fell to his side.  His eyes shifted away from her face.  ‘I cannot speak for Katy,’ he denied huskily.  ‘I have not encouraged any attention towards me, if any.’

That was the problem with Tomas Casiraghi.  Like a magnet, he drew the attention of females without any effort.  They gravitated towards him like enchanted moths to an alluring flame.

‘Let’s go,’ Alina murmured.  ‘We’re attracting attention.’

Keres and Gabriella were not the only ones whose eyes were glued to Tomas and Alina.  Passersby and some of the hospital staff were casting curious glances in their direction.

‘You’re my wife.  I don’t care,’ he drew even closer, his head dipped.

‘Tomas,’ she sighed softly, gently pushing at his chest.  Much as she enjoyed his kisses, too much in fact, she did not want to lose control here and she would, the second her hands curled around his neck, as she knew they were wont to do so.  She heard his soft chuckle as he reluctantly shifted away.  Alina followed just behind Tomas, as they rejoined the eagerly awaiting party

‘Gustav looks bad,’ Gabriella sunk her claws into Tomas’ arm.  She looked up into his face with one of her pathetic looking, pouty expressions.

‘Oh he will survive,’ Tomas answered without a smile.

‘How can you be so dismissive Tomasa?  Gustav has had surgery.  He needs a lot of care and attention.’

‘He refuses to come to London mama.  We cannot stay here indefinitely.  Alina needs to return to London.’

Keres and Gabriella glared in Alina’s direction.  She looked away, feeling uncomfortable at the accusing looks from her female companions.

‘I am prepared to stay here with you and help nurse Gustav,’ Gabriella offered, fluttering her eyelids at Tomas, ‘even if Alina must return to London.’

No Tomas! 

Alina’s eyes flew towards her husband who stood between her on his left and the other two women on Tomas’ right.  Her eyes widened like saucers when she saw Tomas was actually contemplating Gabriella’s proposal.  She moved closer to Tomas, linking her fingers with his.  ‘You are not staying,’ she murmured for his ears only.

Those dark attractive eyebrows shot up again, like they always did, on the occasions whenever she surprised him with her rare instructions.  Alina raised her chin defiantly determined to do battle with Tomas.  She was not letting her husband stay in Greece with that ___man eater.  She was pleasantly surprised and thrown off course at the same time, when she saw the laughter dancing in Tomas’ eyes.

‘I’m not?’ he grinned.

‘No you’re not,’ she repeated, annoyed that something was amusing him.  ‘What is so funny?’

‘When you lift your chin in that battle stance cara, and your eyes become so dark like rings of precious emerald stones, I know there’s no negotiating with you,’ he smiled lazily. 

Alina did not know why she was blushing.   She knew her cheeks must look like two ripe tomatoes.  She felt her entire body break out in a sweat, as Tomas continued to gaze into her face.

‘Tomas?’ Gabriella tugged his arm to get his attention.  ‘Should I change my plans?’

‘No,’ Tomas dragged his eyes away from Alina.  ‘I will engage the services of a private nurse to attend to Gustav.’ 

Gabriella’s shoulders slumped disappointedly.

‘Thank you,’ Alina whispered into his ear, noting the other woman’s dejected stance.

She got an endearing smile, but he said nothing in reply.

Tomas was very quiet as they travelled back to their villa.  She wondered what he was thinking about.  His mother had been furious that Tomas had not accompanied them back to her place.  She was spitting mad when in her parting comments to Tomas, she declared:  “I hope you plan on making an appearance there at some stage during this visit.  There are some maintenance matters you need to look at.”  Keres glared at Alina angrily before she stormed off to their vehicle.

‘You and Gustav seem more like friends than uncle and nephew,’ Alina stated. 

It took Tomas more than a few seconds to register that Alina was talking to him.  He shook his head fleetingly, before he answered her.

‘Because of our close ages,’ Tomas smiled.  ‘We spent a lot of time together as I was growing up.  When I was sixteen, we forged a bond.  It was during my summer vacation, we back-packed all over Europe, discovering each country’s most popular tourist attractions,’ Tomas smiled at the fond memories.  ‘Gustav taught me many things,’ Tomas replied reflectively.  Especially his indoctrination to women, but Tomas would keep that to himself.

‘Is he really angry with you?’ Alina looked up into her husband’s attractive face, admiring his beautiful cheek bones.  It was like it was chiseled onto his face, and his lips…

‘So you looking forward to our trip to the beach?’ Tomas placed his arm around her neck.  Alina silently noted he had avoided answering her question.

‘Yes,’ she smiled.  It’s been ages since I’ve swam in the ocean.’

‘Good, I can’t wait to see you in your bikini,’ his charcoal eyes meshed with her moss green eyes.

Alina looked away.  What was it with this man?  Every time she just had to look into his eyes and all she wanted to do was drag him to bed.  She was becoming sex obsessed. Does every woman feel the same way about her lover?  Does the attraction ever fade or die off?  Will she and Tomas still feel this explosive passion between them fifty years from now?  He’d warned her more than once that there will be no divorce.  So she best figure out how to make sure the chemistry does not combust.  Alina tried unsuccessfully to suppress her giggle.

‘What’s amusing you?’ Tomas smiled.

How could she possibly reveal to him her train of thought? 

‘I think you should go fully clothed to the beach,’ she murmured.

Tomas threw his head back and laughed.  ‘With Emelia as your security cara, you have nothing to worry about.’  He winced, just thinking about how Emily had previously kicked him painfully in the shin without any due warning.

      The following morning, they were enjoying a rare and lazy sleep in.  Alina was snuggled in Tomas arms.  He was teasing her about how sexy she’d looked in her bikini the previous day and how he was the envy of every man at the beach.  Alina just smiled and kept her eyes lowered.  She didn’t admit to Tomas how jealous she’s been when a group of young giggling girls set up their picnic basket next to their spot and had continuously found every excuse to engage with Tomas about every conceivable topic under the sun.

Not knowing much about the country, Alina was about to quiz Tomas on Greece’s attractions, when his mobile buzzed.  She wished he would not answer it, but she did not give voice to her thoughts.  He excused himself and took the call in bed.  Alina listened but she could not make head or tail of the rapid Greek Tomas spoke. 
I have to learn this damn language! 
Alina settled her head on Tomas’ chest.  Her slender fingers carved imaginary roads through the fine hairs dusting his strapping chest.

He seemed tense as he cut the call.  Alina lifted her head to look into his face.  His eyes were lowered, his face masked.  It was like he’d undergone a complete metamorphosis since taking that bloody call.  He was physically there in bed with her, but not in spirit.

‘Tomas?’  She questioned in a whisper.

‘I have to go out,’ he flung the duvet off his body.

‘Where?’  Her palm held his wrist restraining him.  Tomas’ eyes dropped to her hand attempting to hold him back.  She released him so suddenly as if she was touching hot coals.  He got out of the bed and slipped on his trousers.

‘When will you be back?’ She asked softly.

‘I will be back by one pm cara.  I’m going to take you to lunch, so wear something sexy hmm?’

       -end chapter twenty four-