I turn to face him then, and he takes my face in his hands, and kisses me on the lips.
‘You look wonderful tonight,’ he whispers. ‘I almost feel like staying here. Maybe we could go somewhere local later.’
I feel light-headed but somehow manage to keep my composure. When he kisses me again, I almost think that perhaps we ought to just stay here after all.
Just then, my stomach does the loudest rumble.
‘Although, maybe you are so hungry, we really ought to go and eat.’ He laughs, the moment between us passed.
‘I think that is probably best.’ I smile, thinking perhaps it is sensible to head out for dinner. I’m pretty sure of which way things will go if we stay here, as having drunk the wine on an empty stomach, it has gone to my head a little.
‘And perhaps I am being a little selfish. The restaurant we are going to really is quite something. Are you ready then?’ he asks as he picks his car keys up from the coffee table.
‘Ready,’ I say, following him outside.
There is a comfortable silence between us as Christos drives as the car radio plays some gentle ballads, fitting for a romantic evening out. Around fifteen minutes later, we pull up outside a restaurant, and as we step out of the car the setting takes my breath away.
As we walk along a crazy-paved path illuminated by large candles in storm vases, I take in the white-painted floorboards of the terrace that is dotted with palm trees in huge stone pots. The sea is so close you can almost touch it.
‘Wow, this place is something else,’ I remark as a waiter leads us to our table, where the sound of the waves can be heard crashing against the shore.
I notice most of the tables are occupied by smartly dressed couples sipping wine and chatting, the whole place giving off an intimate, romantic vibe.
A red-leather menu is handed to us, and as I glance over it, I can see that the food looks eye-wateringly expensive. Christos doesn’t flinch as he orders some bottled water and a glass each of champagne.
‘I don’t want you to think I am trying to get you drunk.’ He smiles. ‘Although I can get the whole bottle if you like?’ he offers.
‘A glass is fine,’ I tell him. ‘Champagne though, what is the occasion?’
‘Do we need one?’ He shrugs as he sips his water.
‘Perhaps not.’
‘Besides, what is the point of having a lot of money, and not enjoying it?’ he reasons. ‘I work hard, and enjoy my downtime.’
With how many women? I find myself thinking.
The waiter arrives with our ice-cold champagne then, and we place our food orders.
‘So here is to enjoying life, and making memories.’ He clinks his glass against mine, and locks eyes with me.
‘I’ll drink to that,’ I say, glancing around and thinking how lucky I am to be sitting with a handsome man in a place like this. The sky is already beginning to form a purple hue, the white sun tinged with streaks of red and orange as it begins its descent.
A starter arrives in no time, and is arranged like a piece of art on a plate.
‘So was your father from a business family?’ I ask Christos as I spear some food onto my fork, interested to know if he was born into a wealthy family or self-made.
‘He had quite a good start,’ he tells me. ‘My grandfather owned a fish restaurant, and his father before was a fisherman.’
He slices into a scallop and takes an approving bite.
‘My father had a lot of ambition and expanded the restaurant,’ he tells me. ‘Soon he had a string of restaurants on the island, as well as a few shops.’
‘And the nightclub?’
‘Yes, of course, although I did a lot of the work developing that,’ he says proudly. ‘It was nothing more than a quiet bar to begin with.’
‘You were given an opportunity though, not like a lot of people,’ I can’t help saying, and his face changes.
