My Big Fat Christmas Wedding by Samantha Tonge Read Free Book Online Page A

assets and bailouts, profits and losses. And how he’d changed – helping us with the turtles…petting Apollo…getting engaged to a
charity
worker, a job title the old Henrik would have sneered at.
    Okay… I needed to confront this head-on: was I perhaps…maybe…really afraid of feelings for him re-surfacing again? The answer “no” jumped into my head, only to be confirmed by two strong arms turning me around and lips pressing against mine. The words Perfect Fit came to mind. Discomfort at the previous unsettling thoughts dissolved like butter liquidising in a warm pan as my hands wrapped around Niko’s neck, and I breathed in that masculine, leathery smell. A heady sensation washed across me as my hands dropped and I moved them upwards again, underneath his checked shirt. My fingers ran over his skin and I longed to press my mouth against its smooth surface, as if it were the most tempting caramel latte.
    Okay, that’s probably a little too much information, but the physical attraction drew me towards him like a Greek hummingbird to nectar. And Niko was just the right height. If I’d wanted to slide my arms around Henrik’s torso, he’d need to lift me onto the kitchen unit. Or lie next to me in bed and in his very determined way wrap his limbs around mine…
    Urgh! What a shame my memory didn’t have a delete button. I cringed and focused instead on Niko and his strength born from a life of wrestling with Mother Nature. He could drag a net full of fish onto the sand as if it were a mere lilo. Unlike Henrik, who’d contact a professional handyman for any practical occasion, preferring not to get his own hands dirty.
    ‘Mmm. That kiss will keep me warm, Pippa, out on the waves today.’
    I shivered at the thought of sailing out onto the briny waters, that took on a heartless shade of grey during winter months. ‘Hurry home so that I can warm you up again.’ I rubbed my hand up and down his arm. Granted, we weren’t inches deep in snow, but the temperature of the December breeze plummeted, out at sea. ‘Next year hopefully, with Taxos in better economic shape, you won’t have to risk your health to keep the taverna afloat.’
    He stood back and took my hands. ‘Pippa, no worry about me. The sea is like a strict aunt I have known all my life, who keeps me alert and rewards me if I work hard.’ He winked and pulled down his blue cap. ‘Ay, ay, ay, all the women in my life who give me a difficult time. You in particular are so demanding, always wanting this, wanting that – cuddles, butterfly kisses, holding hands… I cannot keep up.’
    Playfully, I punched his arm. ‘I’m being serious. Stefan got ill yesterday, didn’t he?’
    ‘Yes. Strange, as the weather has been milder than normal lately. We take pills with us today, for sickness. Even the toughest fishermen suffer now and again, regardless of the waves’ size.’ Niko gave a wry smile. ‘He swears a cigarette cures everything but even that didn’t help.’
    You see, that was really interesting. I thought once a strong sailor always – but clearly not. And other things – lots – about his job, fascinated me, like the purpose of all the different lines, bait and hooks. I didn’t need to talk finance to get turned on. Definitely not. So what was the problem of going to London? My old life had no real, concrete allure for me.
    ‘I still don’t think you should go out every day, at this time of year. It’d be freezing if you fell in,’ I said. ‘If only you’d let me dip into my savings and—’
    ‘Please,’ he said, voice suddenly remote. ‘We’ve discussed this before. No one pays my way. You feel the same, no? Wanting to run your scone business… How would you feel if I gave you money weekly, to top up any losses? Where would that leave your motivation and pride?’
    ‘But my life isn’t in danger kneading dough.’
    ‘No, but it is dangerous to rely on savings. I prefer to work hard as if my life depends on