Casey cursed herself for speaking without thinking. Great, Case, your second stupid move of the day. How was I to know he was dead?

By the time Casey got to the stable, Tessa was already gone.

Once she made it back to the house, Tessa was nowhere to be found.

"Olympia, did Tessa come through here?"

*"Yes, miss. I saw her go around to the guesthouse a few moments ago."

Casey found herself at Tessa's door, knocking like she was a stranger. She knew Tessa was there because she could hear the strains of Puccini's La Boheme playing loudly. She knocked and called Tessa's name, but Tessa wouldn't answer.

"Fine!" Casey stalked off with a small limp from her sore back that wasn't getting any better as time went by.

Tessa couldn't answer the door, not with the state she was in. It was like a dam breaking and she barely made it back to the guesthouse in time. One thought of her father while looking into Casey's gentle eyes had been enough to open a flood of emotions that Tessa had managed to keep under her tight control for so long. She sat on the floor next to the couch, her arms wrapped around her legs that were bent tight against her chest. She sobbed as if her heart were breaking. She couldn't seem to stop, so she turned the music up louder to cover her cries.

She wanted so much to open the door and let Casey in. She wanted to feel her arms around her, soothing her with a gentle touch and loving words. But she couldn't let Casey see her like this. In her condition, Tessa knew she would say too much. She would tell Casey everything, and when she did, Casey's ability to love her would grow cold.

Chapter 11.

"Just set up the table anywhere," Casey directed, a slight grimace of pain flashing across her face.

The ma.s.seuse was a woman in her twenties, pretty and athletic looking. Casey would usually notice something like that, but between the ache in her back and her worries and anger where Tessa was concerned, she was oblivious. Casey came back out of the bathroom with a sheet wrapped around her. This time, she did notice the way the woman took in her figure. The surrept.i.tious gaze didn't go completely unrecognized by Casey.

A knock at the door drew her attention away just in time.

"Come in."

The door swung open and Tessa's dark figure stood framed in its outline, taking in Casey's attire and the ma.s.seuse with a raised eyebrow. Casey had the sudden need to explain, especially when Tessa's eyebrow continued to arch high up under her ebony bangs.

"I'm getting a ma.s.sage...for my back." Casey couldn't understand why her response was so weak.

Tessa pulled out her billfold and placed a generous amount of money in the woman's hand.

"Pack up your things and go," Tessa ordered.

The ma.s.seuse didn't hesitate. She picked up her belongings to leave.

"Wait a minute. This is my room. Stay." Casey pointed to the woman, who set the table down again, glancing between the two.

*"Take off," Tessa hissed.

"Stay," Casey repeated.

The woman was in a near state by this time, watching Tessa and Casey stare each other down. "Please, miss," the woman begged of Casey.

"I hope you're happy. You've scared the h.e.l.l out of the poor girl." Casey seethed.

"Goodbye." Tessa growled in a low ominous voice.

The ma.s.seuse knew who was in charge now. She scooped up the rest of her things and rushed through the open door, which Tessa closed and locked behind her.

Casey was fuming at Tessa's intrusion, mostly for treating her like a child again in front of someone else. She turned her back on Tessa and stood there feeling the blood flowing through her veins grow hot. It didn't take long before she felt Tessa's presence close behind her. Tessa placed her hands on Casey's arms to pull her closer.

"Don't touch me." Casey tried to make it sound like she meant it, but the truth was she was desperate to feel Tessa's arms around her.

Tessa deepened her embrace, enclosing Casey within her arms.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings," Tessa said so softly it was nearly a whisper.

Casey sighed and turned in the embrace. Looking up into the repentant woman's face, Casey noticed how red and swollen Tessa's eyes were and realized she'd been crying. Oh, G.o.d, that's why she didn't answer the door.

"Am I responsible for this?" Casey's fingers stroked a tanned cheek, her anger melting away.

Tessa took the fingers in her hand and brought them to her lips. "It wasn't you, only some sad memories. I just...I couldn't be around anyone."

"Even me?" Casey asked.

Especially you, little one. Tessa kissed the top of Casey's head and rested her chin there, enjoying the warm softness of the woman pressed against her chest.

"I'm not...I'm not really used to this, you know?" Tessa *faltered. She was a woman of action, not of words. She hoped the woman in her arms could feel what she meant rather than what she said. "I don't like...feeling weak."

"Is that what you think it is to show your emotions in front of someone who cares about you? Oh, honey, I'm not one of those nut cases you do business with. You don't have to worry that I'll use your vulnerabilities against you. Come here."

Casey took Tessa by the hand and led her to the sofa across from the French doors. The view was a peaceful one, the sun sinking in the horizon.

"Just a second." Casey ran into the bathroom. She came out wearing a white terrycloth robe.

"I think I liked you in the sheet better."

"I'll just bet you did."

They sat on the couch, and when Tessa moved to pull Casey into her embrace, Casey shook her head. Throwing a pillow behind her back for comfort, she settled herself into the corner of the couch and beckoned Tessa into her arms. The look of indecision on Tessa's face nearly bordered on fear as she thought about what the action implied.

"You're thinking about it too much. Try to give up just a tiny bit of that control. You don't have to be on your guard in front of me." Oh, but I do, little one. She hesitated, but something deep inside her told her that she did want to be held by this woman. Just once, it would be nice to have someone worry about her.

Casey was patient; she could see Tessa at war with herself.

Eventually, she was rewarded with a miniature smile and a pair of sparkling blue eyes. Tessa allowed herself to be enfolded in the deceptively strong embrace.

"Your heart beats so fast," Tessa said sleepily.

"Only when I'm around you, my love," Casey said.

Little by little, Casey could feel Tessa's body relax. They looked out onto the sparkling blue of Tourlos Bay and watched the pelicans flying over the water, following the last of the fishing boats as they dropped anchor for the evening. Tessa couldn't remember a time when she felt more at peace with herself and the *world around her. Casey's delicate touch never stopped moving over the naturally dark hue of Tessa's skin. The small hands ran gentle fingers through the long ebony locks until, at last, Casey could feel Tessa's deep, even breathing. She looked down and was struck at Tessa's intense beauty. In sleep, gone was the persistent scowl, her face unlined from the worries and the past that plagued her during her waking moments. The smooth brow and the lips, slightly curled upward in a relaxed smile, caused Casey to think she had seen this face before. Not the woman with the hard edge to her, but tranquil just as she was now. Sort of like a little girl.

"I don't care what you say, Nikki," Casey whispered, looking into the beautiful tanned features of the woman in her arms. "I have seen you in my dreams. I can feel it."

She placed a gentle kiss on Tessa's forehead, then Tessa murmured something unintelligible in her sleep, snuggling deeper into Casey's embrace. Casey leaned her head back and watched as the sun dipped farther in the horizon, filling up the room with its golden brilliance.

Tessa jerked herself awake, and a moment of panic flooded through her at her unfamiliar surroundings.

"It's okay, you've only been asleep for an hour," Casey rea.s.sured her.

Tessa sat up with a sheepish grin and ran her hand through her hair. She could see that the last sliver of the sun hung just above the water.

"I've never done that before. .just fal asleep like that, I'm sorry."

"I feel flattered then that you felt comfortable enough. Besides, I think it's exactly what you needed." Casey stood to stretch the muscles in her back.

"Hey, are you still hurting?" Tessa regretted throwing the ma.s.seuse out of the room, but her jealousy got the better of her.

"It doesn't hurt, just stiff I think. Maybe I can work it out tomorrow."

Tessa moved her hands to Casey's hips and gently drew her forward. "I could work it out for you tonight. I have a whirlpool in my nice big bath."

*"Mmm, but I have a whirlpool here, too," Casey said, her hands running through the long dark mane.

"Yes, but yours doesn't have a nice warm cushion to lie against, namely my body. Plus, I owe you a ma.s.sage. I could make it one you won't soon forget."

"Sold," Casey said without further thought.

Tessa stood and kissed Casey. "Come down to the guesthouse after dinner. Make sure no one sees you, okay? I'll leave the back door open."

They kissed once more, then Tessa was gone. Casey smiled as she dressed for dinner. She was starving. .in more ways than one.

"What will you do tonight, Mahtia Mou?" Andreas Meridio asked Casey as they shared a cordial of sournada.

Casey had been daydreaming about a certain dark-haired woman and of the ways she might be able to work off the wonderful dinner Olympia had prepared. Olympia winked at Casey when she set down her plate with a large portion of Kleftiko in the middle. It was goat meat wrapped in parchment paper and cooked so that the juices and flavors were sealed in. It was one of Casey's favorites. By the time she got to the dessert of Ska sto fourno me Mavrodafni, or fresh figs baked in Mavrodaphne wine, she was done in.

"Oh, I think I'm going to soak in a hot tub for a couple of hours, then go straight to bed," Casey said truthfully. Hey, he didn't ask if I'd be alone.

"I think I'll call it an early evening, too." He rose and kissed Casey's forehead. "I'll be in the upstairs study for a while if you need me, then off to bed. Kalinchta, my dear, you were very impressive out there today."

"Good night to you, too, Pappa, and thank you."

Casey quietly made her way down to the koozena. She put a few fresh figs in a bowl and tucked a bottle of Gentilini under her arm. She slipped across the back lawn and slowly opened the rear door to the guesthouse.

"Nikki?" she said quietly, leaving the wine and the figs on the counter.

*"In here," Tessa called out.

Casey followed the sound of Tessa's voice and made her way into a large bathroom. The lights were dimmed and burning candles of varying scents and sizes were scattered throughout the room. When she peeked around the corner, she met with a sight that took her breath away.

Tessa was lying in the large marble tub, leaning against the side, one knee raised and her eyes slightly closed. A bottle of champagne and two gla.s.ses sat on the wide rim of the bath. Half- closed eyes opened lazily and a lopsided grin emerged.

"You are the best thing I've seen all day." Casey smiled, leaning down to capture a pair of willing lips.

"You are highly overdressed for the occasion," Tessa said, breathless from their kiss.

"Oh, I think I have a solution to that problem." Casey removed her clothes in the same torturous fashion Tessa had the night before.

Tessa didn't try to disguise her hunger as she watched the display before her. Her eyes became heavy-lidded as they broke away from the lush green gaze that held her, traveling down the lithe body. Tessa held out her hand and Casey took hold, stepping into the steaming water and seating herself in front of Tessa.

With Casey's back resting against her chest, Tessa gently turned Casey's face, and their moist lips met in a searing kiss, probing tongues taking their time to tease and arouse. Casey brought her hand up to a muscular bronze thigh, stroking the skin delicately, finally running her nails along its hardness.

The two women broke apart, breathless.

"Hey, you're supposed to be in here for the miraculous whirlpool properties," Tessa breathed into Casey's ear.

"Mmm, I feel better already." Casey squirmed.

"Here, this will be better on your back, sit forward," Tessa directed and flipped a switch on a console pad near the head of the tub. The water bubbled and swirled, and Tessa adjusted a nozzle directly at the small of Casey's back. As the water hit the spot, Tessa lightly ma.s.saged the area in small circular motions.

"G.o.d, that feels good," Casey said.

*Tessa rubbed Casey's back and let the warm water flow against her skin. Finally, she turned off the jets and flipped on the whirlpool, leaning back and pulling her lover against her once more. They shared some of the champagne before settling in again.

"Just relax for a while," Tessa purred.

The feel of her Tessa's body and the warmth of the moving water, coupled with the hum of the whirlpool, sent Casey's body into such a relaxed state that she promptly fell asleep.

"I can't believe you let me fall asleep," Casey chided.

"Hey, paybacks, little one," Tessa reminded her.

The two conversed briefly at the breakfast table on the patio before Meridio arrived.

"I picked you up, dried you off, and put you to bed. I did think about ravishing you in your sleep, considering how good you looked, but decided I'd be honorable." Tessa smirked.

"And I never woke up once during all of that?" Casey asked in amazement.

"Nope. You're the soundest sleeper I've ever come across. On the other hand, I think you needed the rest."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Tessa whispered. "I enjoyed being able to hold you in my arms all night."

The sky blue eyes softened when they met the deep green of Casey's and a quiet message was pa.s.sed. Tessa abruptly pulled her gaze away and looked down at her paper, taking a sip of her coffee as if Casey weren't there. Casey finally saw her father moving to the table long after Tessa heard his footsteps.

"Good morning, ladies," Andreas Meridio said as Casey poured his coffee.