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up through the hills to the villa perched above.
    "What are you going to do with the boat?"
    "Return it to your father. I'm not a thief."
    She stopped mid-stride. "How? He'll arrest you--"
    "He's not the police," Theo cut her off. He was starting to get annoyed by how much she doubted him. All right, perhaps he could have been a bit more forthcoming, but did she actually think he was an idiot? "I'll do it during the night."
    "Don't you think he'll be on the--"
    "Ariana, stop. I can't have you second-guessing my every move."
    "Then maybe you should give me more information--"
    "I just did, and you still doubt me."
    She pressed her lips together, the wind blowing her hair into tangles around her face. "You don't know my father."
    "And I already told you, I did."
    "How?"
    "What?" He stared at her, nonplussed.
    "How do you know him? Why do you speak of him with such understanding, such experience?"
    "That's a conversation for another time. Now let's get inside."
    Silently they walked up the steep cliff path to the white stucco and terra-cotta tile villa. It wasn't huge, but it was built into the stone and filled with sunlight. Theo used it as his private retreat when he wasn't on business, but he'd never brought anyone here before.
    He disarmed the security system and ushered Ariana inside. She glanced around, taking in the soaring foyer with a skylight high above, the open plan living/dining area scattered with leather sofas and a large teak dining table. She smiled faintly.
    "I like it."
    He was ridiculously pleased. "Good," he said gruffly, and headed upstairs. "Let me show you your room. You probably want a shower."
    "I didn't bring any clothes."
    "I ordered some to be delivered."
    "So quickly?" she asked, and when he nodded  she bit her lip. "Can the sale be traced? My father--"
    "Enough about your father. An assistant whom I'd trust with my life selected them in Naxos and left them upstairs. Stop worrying." He turned away, back up the stairs.
    "I can't stop." She stopped on the staircase, and when Theo turned to look at her he saw, to his chagrin, that her eyes were filled with tears. "I'm still terrified," she whispered.
    "Oh, Ariana." Without even thinking about what he was doing Theo walked down the stairs to her and took her in his arms. She rested her head against his shoulder, her cheek pressed against his chest. He felt her tremble and knew she meant what she said. She was scared to death. "I will protect you, you know. With my life."
    She laughed softly, the sound a little too close to a hiccup or even a sob. "You barely know me."
    "It's a matter of honor."
    She lifted her head, tilting it back to gaze up at him with rain-washed eyes. "Are you a man of honor, Theo Atrikes?" she asked huskily.
    Theo didn't answer, didn't think. He lowered his head and brushed his lips against hers once, felt her still beneath him, like a trapped bird, a fragile butterfly. He brushed his lips against hers again, a question, his hands curling around her shoulders, drawing her more firmly against him.
    Still she didn't move, didn't respond, and his very life seemed to hang in the balance until she let out a tiny sigh and her lips parted beneath his. Theo deepened the kiss, his tongue sweeping into the sweet lushness of her mouth, his hands slipping from her shoulders to her waist to her hips, and then back up to cup the intoxicating fullness of her breasts. He heard her shudder, felt her melt in his arms, and then she went rigid and jerked back, staring at him with wide, startled eyes.
    "Don't slap me again," he warned, smiling even though his heart thudded hard. For a woman with very little sexual experience, she had an incredible effect on him.
    "Why did you do that?" she whispered.
    "You're a beautiful woman, Ariana, as well as strong and courageous. I couldn't help myself."
    She shook her head. "You said this would be a marriage in name only."
    "I said it would be if that's what you wanted."
    "It is." She sounded annoyingly