The Butterfly Storm by Kate Frost
Four years ago life for Sophie Keech was perfect. A new start in Greece with Alekos, her boyfriend of just six weeks, removes Sophie from a mundane 9-5 job, takes her away from the difficult relationship she has with her mum, and gives her the opportunity and belief that she is finally doing something positive and exciting with her life.
But a lot can change in four years. An engagement, a domineering mother-in-law to be and the reality of life in Greece not being quite what Sophie imagined puts a strain on her relationship with Alekos.
When an accident forces Sophie back to the UK to look after her estranged mum, she has time to re-evaluate her life, her idea of family, where she wants to be and, most importantly, who she loves.
Description
Find more from this author on:
About the author:
Kate lives in the UK with her husband, her son and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
What inspired you to write your book?
Time spent in Greece and on the beautiful and wild north Norfolk coast in England were the places that inspired the idea behind The Butterfly Storm.
Here is a short sample from the book:
The deep blue of the sea through the plane window made my stomach somersault. My legs tensed when the plane dipped into a descent and I saw the coastline spread out, glistening in the sun’s glare. I was dressed for a Greek summer in a new cream and blue short skirt, thin canvas shoes, a pale blue vest top and no make-up, only a brush of mascara on my eyelashes. I used my sunglasses, wedged on top of my head, to keep my hair out of my eyes.
My Greek phrase book was open in my lap; the words for hello, yes, no, how are you and I don’t understand, tumbled around my head, becoming increasingly muddled the closer we got to land. I pulled my seatbelt tight and tucked my book and magazine away. Resting my head back against the seat I watched Thessaloniki fill the oval window. Hazy mountains were the backdrop, their muted colours blending with the city in the early morning sunshine. We dipped lower, tarmac and parched grass, bright buildings and signs accelerating into view until we screeched onto the runway with a jolt.
Emerging from the plane the heat hit me, like the blast of hot air you get in winter when walking into a shop. Heat steamed off the tarmac. I was grateful to leave the sunshine behind and enter the cool building. Luggage endlessly circled in front of me. I didn’t want to move; I gripped the handle of my trolley tight.
Somewhere in here Alekos was waiting. I had one photo of him tucked inside my purse. His lips weren’t smiling but his eyes were, shaded from the sun by his hand. His hair was damp and short, his chest tanned and beaded with seawater. In his other hand he held an octopus that we had later cooked over coals, before burning our fingers and tongues eating it.
Sandwiched between a striking woman and beaming bronzed man at the arrivals gate was Alekos, exactly as I remembered him. Butterfly wings fluttered against my ribcage. He grinned and dimples punctured his rough cheeks. His hand shot up in a wave and the three of them stepped forward to greet me.
I was in Alekos’ arms, head buried in his neck, my lips tasting the salt on his skin, his lips kissing my forehead, my cheeks. If I was aware of his parents watching, I didn’t care.
Alekos pulled away from me. ‘Sophie, this is my mother, Despina and my father, Takis.’
Takis was a well-worn version of Alekos, as tall as him and lean. Despina was something else, vivid and memorable, her red top as loud as her. She grasped my hands and kissed me on both cheeks.
‘Welcome!’
Takis stepped towards me and planted another two kisses on my cheeks. ‘Ti kanis?’ he asked loudly. ‘Kala?’
I replied with a nod, hoping a nod was the right thing to do.
There was no respite from the heat outside. It was mid July and the air smouldered. Alekos put his arm around my waist and I held onto him all the way to the car. I couldn’t stop looking at him or smiling. His skin was darker in the sunshine and mine was like white chocolate against him. Despina led the way with Takis manoeuvring a trolley with my bags on it through the car park. He turned round and smiled at us at least five times between arrivals and the car, while Despina talked constantly at us. I didn’t understand a word.
I stood with Despina as Takis and Alekos argued good-naturedly over how best to put my luggage in the boot. Despina kept clicking her tongue disapprovingly and commenting. She looked at me and flashed a red lip-sticked smile. She reached forward and touched my hair and nodded. ‘Parre poli oreo,’ she said.
I continued to smile.
‘Kokkino,’ she said, pointing to my hair, and then after realising I still didn’t understand, pointed towards her lips.
‘Red!’ I said, nodding.
‘Bravo, Sophie!’
The boot slammed shut and Alekos turned to us. ‘Let’s go.’
Expensive clothes shops lined Thessaloniki’s pavements and amongst them I glimpsed the familiar names of Accessorize, Virgin and to my disbelief good old Marks and Spencers as we beeped and swerved through packed streets. Sweat pooled into the small of my back and I felt a trickle slide down the side of my face. The car’s air conditioning was working flat out but that did nothing to combat the summer sun penetrating the back windscreen. Alekos held my hand. His thumb rhythmically rubbed up and down mine. The streets were a patchwork of shade with strips of sunlight fighting their way between the tall apartment blocks that made up the heart of the city.
Alekos leaned towards me as I gazed out of the window. He pointed to cream buildings overlooking a square filled with people with a glimpse of sea beyond. ‘The docks are over there,’ he gestured somewhere in front of us. He wrinkled his nose. ‘We’re not going that way.’ He squeezed my hand. ‘You okay?’
My other hand clutched the back of Takis’ seat. Every time we turned a corner, Alekos and I, belt-less in the back, fell against each other. I nodded.
‘You can shower at home, sleep if you want,’ he said. ‘Before everyone comes over.’
‘Everyone?’
‘To eat. You’ll love it, we have a feast prepared.’
The apartments thinned out the further we got away from the centre. The traffic didn’t though and I gripped Takis’ seat tighter as cars, including ours veered erratically between lanes on the dual carriageway.
‘Thes nero, Sophie?’ Despina turned to me and asked. ‘Want water?’
‘Do you want a drink?’ Alekos said. ‘We can stop here.’
I shrugged. ‘I don’t mind.’
We screeched to a halt at the side of the road, double-parking alongside another car. Takis switched off the engine and the air conditioning stilled. The car rapidly became as effective as a night storage heater.
‘Psomi, kapoozi, nero ke Coca Cola!’ Despina shouted after Takis. He disappeared inside what looked like a grocers and reappeared seconds later beckoning to Alekos. I took my phrase book from my bag as Alekos got out and used it to fan myself.
‘Ehi zeste,’ Despina said, imitating me flapping the pages of my book with her hand.
I felt sweat snaking down the centre of my back. I sat upright away from the seat and stayed very still. Takis appeared from the shadows of the shop with a blue carrier bag, while Alekos carried a watermelon in both arms.
‘Like kapoozi?’ Despina asked.
I took kapoozi to mean watermelon and nodded. ‘Yes. Ne,’ I answered, correcting myself.
She beamed at me as Takis started the engine and Alekos struggled onto the back seat.
For the rest of the journey I sat with my head resting on Alekos’ shoulder, my hand on top of the kapoozi between us and let their rapid words wash over me. Maybe I would soak up the language like a sponge. I wanted to do more than just nod and smile but I was content for the time being to simply head to my new home.
Alekos nudged me awake from where I dozed, rocking against his shoulder, my arm still encircling the cool, green skin of the kapoozi.
‘Home,’ he whispered.
‘I didn’t mean to fall asleep,’ I said, rubbing my eyes. The glare from the sun distorted my view. All I could see of my new home was a silhouette. The car slowed between open gates and we crunched through gravel. Takis parked neatly in the shadow of the restaurant next to two other cars.
‘What you think?’ Alekos asked. I scrambled out of the car after him. I shaded my eyes with my hand and savoured the elegance of the building with its arched windows, red-tiled roof and pale, caramel-stained walls.
‘I had no idea it was this beautiful,’ I said.
Alekos grinned and hooked his arm around my waist, pulling me towards him until I was pressed against his chest. ‘Are you happy?’
‘Happy doesn’t even come close,’ I said. His eyebrows scrunched in confusion. I kissed him. ‘I’m so happy I met you.’
He’d changed me. He’d made me question what I wanted, what life meant. He had dragged me out of the 9-5 rut. There was no normality about this place. Estiatorio o Kipos the sign above the restaurant entrance read. Alekos said it meant The Garden Restaurant. To me it meant a new life.
Takis dragged my luggage from the boot. Despina had disappeared inside and I heard her calling to someone. Alekos smiled and beckoned me towards the garden and sunshine.
Beyond the terrace there was a bar with the same red roof and warm-coloured walls as the restaurant. Olive trees lined the far edge of the garden, their intricately woven branches shading the seating below. I imagined couples getting cosy beneath the trees once darkness descended. The garden’s centrepiece was a fountain encircled by a wooden bench. The place was so quiet I could hear the trickle of water.
I’d swapped housemates for Alekos and his family, a flat above a Bristol off-licence for a bedroom above a first-class restaurant, a kitchen windowsill of ailing spider plants for a garden the size of a football pitch, and noise and traffic for fields that merged with the sky.
‘Aleko, pes tin Sophie gia tin dulia,’ Despina called from the restaurant steps.
‘Ochi tora, Mama.’
I looked at him. ‘What is it?’
‘Tipota. Nothing.’
‘Go on, tell me.’
He shrugged and pointed. ‘See the bar?’
I nodded.
‘That’s where you going to work.’
‘I’m going to what?’
‘It’s decided. You will not have to find a job. Mama thought it be easy for you.’
‘I don’t know enough Greek – any Greek yet.’ My heart thudded loudly in my ears.
‘Don’t worry, you won’t be alone.’
He caught my hand in his. I stared across the garden, trying to imagine myself behind the wooden bar, taking orders, pouring drinks, talking Greek and looking out on a patio of strange faces.
‘Here is very different to England. We have waiter service, there won’t be no one at the bar,’ he said softly. He turned my face towards his. ‘I said too much. I don’t want to worry you.’
‘I’m not. It’s a lot to take in.’ I pulled away from him. I could feel the nerves I’d been battling against building in my stomach. I took a deep breath. ‘I was going to sort myself out.’
‘I know. I told Mama…’
‘Sophie!’ Despina’s voice pierced the air.
A shorter, darker and younger version of Despina appeared next to her on the steps with a baby clamped to her hip. She clattered towards us, her free hand held open. She planted kisses on my cheeks.
‘I’m Lena, Alekos’s sister,’ she said. ‘This is Yannis, my…’ She turned to Alekos. ‘Pos lene yios?’
‘Son.’
‘My son.’
‘He’s gorgeous,’ I said.
‘Christo? Eleni?’ Despina shouted into the shadowy restaurant. ‘Ela edho!’
I held Alekos tighter. ‘My aunt and uncle,’ he said. ‘They came early to finish making food. Everyone wants to meet you.’
Takis’ rough hand squeezed my shoulder. ‘Endaksi, Sophia?’ he asked.
I nodded and realised I understood something. I was okay.
I lost count of how many times I was kissed before we got inside, and even then I was bombarded with questions, which were interpreted by Alekos, and made to try all sorts of food before Despina ushered me upstairs for a well-needed shower and a moments quiet to adjust.
I washed away the grime of travel. Wrapped in a towel, I stuck my head out of the bathroom door before nipping across the empty hallway. The air-conditioning was on in our bedroom. Our bedroom. It sounded so strange, yet the thought made me smile. I bounced across the room, my smile breaking into laughter I couldn’t contain. My wet hair slapped against my shoulders and water trickled down my back. I dropped the towel on the floor where I stood and let the cool air caress my bare skin. The balcony windows were wide, the curtains open, but I didn’t care. The sky was hazy and the bright white paintwork of the balcony shimmered. The bedroom door scraped open and then closed with a click. Alekos whistled under his breath. His warm hands on my skin replaced cool air, one hand on my stomach, the other sliding between my breasts. He nuzzled my neck, his stubble rubbing, scratching, his lips tickling, kissing.
‘I like you living here very much,’ he said. His hands smoothed across my skin. He pressed into me. His belt buckle dug into the small of my back.
‘There are no neighbours,’ I said.
‘No. But they fruit pick. They see you.’
We made love on our bed, in our room. It was like the first time again, discovering each other; the weight of his body on top, the tautness of his muscles and the warmth of him inside me as we moved slowly and silently together. He was my second skin and I wanted to know every part of him. He left me sleeping and I woke up alone. I heard him downstairs, confidently talking in Greek, an Alekos I would grow to know. I wasn’t sure how long I’d slept for, but I felt refreshed, lying naked on top of the sheets. The sun had moved across the sky, stretching a block of sunshine further across the wall of the room. Slowly, I pulled myself onto my elbows. The early haziness had dispersed and for the first time I saw Mount Olympus, clear and magnificent.
Related products
-
Seasons of Love by Annette Evans
Delve into this collection of six romantic short stories that are perfect for any season.
Second Chance: After a tragic childhood, Miranda Larsen cuts herself off emotionally, but can Tom Wilson break through the wall that Miranda has built around herself?
The Good Guy: Josie spent her childhood summers with best friends Trey Wheeler and Adam O’Brien until the death of her grandparents. When she moves back to town all grown up, who will she choose — Trey or Adam?
The Rancher & the Lass: Holden Campbell promised Bridget Monaghan’s father that he would take care of her if anything ever happened to him. But how can a man tame a fiery Irish redhead especially in the wild west of 1885?
The Road Home: Sara Damalio returns home after eight long years and encounters a modern day hero in Dean Merritt. But how will Sara react when she finds out who Dean really is?
Never Too Late: Denise Emerson has spent the last twenty years married to George, but yearning for Mark Patterson. Will a chance encounter with Mark end Denise’s marriage or strengthen it?
Love & Football: Sofia Grimaldi is still mourning her dead fiancé when she meets the handsome Erik Collins. Can a winning season carry the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl victory and bring Sofia and Erik together?
Thrones of Desire: Erotic Tales of Swords, Mist and Fire by Mitzi Szereto
Thrones of Desire is a place where lust and legend abound, and adventure, passion and danger entwine. Think mystical lands and creatures, kings and queens, knights and renegades, heroes and villains, warlords, maidens and princesses. Think battles and danger, honor and dishonor, good and evil. Most of all, think hearts filled with passion and secret desire. This is a place where romantic chivalry is alive and well, but so too is romantic wickedness. This is a place where the good do not always win, and the bad are often more captivating and desirable than their altruistic counterparts. In these lush and timeless landscapes, the battle for flesh can be as important as the battle for power. Intrigue, sorcery, revenge, lawlessness, dark secrets and mysterious elixirs; entanglements with supernatural beings — everything is possible in these magical mythical landscapes. Inspired by Game of Thrones these imaginative steamy tales transport the reader to fantastical realms. Featuring a special foreword from legendary fantasy author Piers Anthony.
Christmas Blend by Evie Lester @evielester2
A cup of smooth, rich coffee and the joy Christmas—what could be better?
Beth Ross finally pulled her life together, opening a coffee shop in the small Minnesota town where her special Christmas blends have become a local sensation. For Beth, the holidays promise to be a season of fulfillment.
But when handsome, mysterious Chad Parker walks into her shop to place an order on the day after Thanksgiving her carefully constructed world begins to unravel.
The chemistry between them is impossible to deny. But they each have more baggage than Santa’s sleigh and an out-of-control business rivalry that could stop any budding romance in its tracks.
I am a reader of romances and chick lit who decided to try my hand at it. This is my first effort.
With the holidays coming and all the seasonal beverages appearing in the local coffee shops at this time of year, I always begin to get in the holiday mood. I love coffee. And I love a pumpkin spice latte. And, of course, I love Christmas. So I decided to write a short, sweet romance inspired by this special feeling at this special time of year.
Sex With Strangers (8 super short erotic tales) by Natalie Foxe
A collection of 8 filthy erotic tales. Sex With Strangers indulges into this mysterious ‘no strings’ world where two sexy strangers come together for pure adulterous pleasure! No relationships, no emotions…just raw sex! Each tale is guaranteed to steam up your screen and make you squirm in your seat. This collection is designed to be quick bites of lust to be read individually or collectively. Ideal for bedtime quickies. Come inside and explore a world many have only ever dreamed of…
Tall, Dark & Alpha Boxed by Eve Langlais, Afton Locke, Paige Tyler, Sam Cheever, Randi Alexander, Koko Brown, Eve Vaughn, Farrah Rochon, Delaney Diamond, Dawn Montgomery
“~ Top 100 Amazon Bestseller~
~ USA Today Recommended Read in Romance~
These HOT alphas are ready to take charge.
Are you ready for the decadence and allure of an alpha’s dark charm? The bad boys in these 10 sizzling stories will make your heart pound. Against these dominant seducers, the heroines don’t stand a chance. Prepare to fall in lust–and love.
Delve into the sensual worlds of award-winning authors: Randi Alexander, Koko Brown, Sam Cheever, Delaney Diamond, Eve Langlais, Afton Locke, Dawn Montgomery, Farrah Rochon, Paige Tyler, and Eve Vaughn. Immerse yourself in the alpha male experience.
***
*New, Boxed Set Exclusive* Rock My Boat by Afton Locke: Rhonda Simms embarks on a cruise to create an ad campaign. Instead, she lands a shape shifter who will do anything to be human again. Will she let him rock her boat?
*New, Boxed Set Exclusive* Silver Tongued Devils by Dawn Montgomery: Captain Na’varr and his executive officer, Brom, know they have a good thing when they capture stowaway hacker, Raesa, with her hot temper and dangerous curves. They want her, body and soul just as she wants them. But such trust endangers them in ways none of them can anticipate. Dare they risk it all?
Fight for Love by Delaney Diamond: Rafael Lopez, former professional wrestler and “”Sexiest Athlete Alive,”” is back and determined to hold onto the woman he lost, but still loves, and the son he never knew existed.
Crazy (Vampire Love) by Eve Langlais: Ella hears voices and they don’t like anyone. But not even poltergeists can stand in the way of a vampire in love.
*New, Boxed Set Exclusive* Sex with an Ex by Eve Vaughn: When these two divorcees reunite in the bedroom, the sex is hotter than ever. But can their hearts survive the second time around?
In Her Wildest Dreams by Farrah Rochon : When Erica Cole, owner of “”Your Wildest Dreams”” event planning, requests his help in creating a Valentine’s Day fantasy date for her clients, chocolatier Gavin Foster sees it as the perfect opportunity to show her just how sweet their reality could be.
*New, Boxed Set Exclusive* Player’s Challenge by Koko Brown: Sports agent Gemma Clarke must face the biggest challenge of her young career: represent her former lover and bad boy footballer, Devin Spencer. Their passionate love affair ended badly. Now he’s back to prove to Gemma he’s changed and convince her to give them one more chance.
Two Cops, a Girl, and a Pair of Handcuffs by Paige Tyler: Cilla Garner has it bad for hot cops Hayes Prescott and Reed Lockwood. If they both end up asking her out, she doesn’t know how she’ll choose. Having a threesome doesn’t even enter her mind until they hint at it, and then it’s all she can think about.
Chase and Seduction by Randi Alexander: Country music superstar/actor Chase Tanner has never wanted anything or anyone more than gorgeous screenplay writer Reno Linden. To Reno, Chase is larger than life, sinfully sexy and hell-bent on getting her into bed. Reno risks the plunge into Chase’s arms, but will their attraction survive the glitz and stress of fame?
Tall, Dark and Apocalyptic by Sam Cheever: He’s a hunter in a world turned upside down. She’s his prey, a creature of dark magic. But the passion burning within them may be their undoing.”
New Adult Romance Boxed Set (5 Book Bundle) by Emme Rollins, Julia Kent, Anna Antonia, Aubrey Rose, Helena Newbury
Bad-boy CEOs. Naked lead singers. Soulful intellectuals. Dancers. Rock stars. Summer is hot, and so are these men…. The New Adult Romance Boxed Set has FIVE COMPLETE NOVELS for just $.99 — a special sale price (regular price $9.99).
All novels from top 100 New Adult Amazon authors, this collection includes USA Today Bestseller Julia Kent, Top 100 Amazon Bestseller Emme Rollins, top 10 UK Amazon bestseller Helena Newbury, and more…
Dear Rockstar by Emme Rollins — She’s obsessed with a rock star. He’s crazy enough to want to be one. Sometimes the best things in life are crazy. Amazon Top 100 Bestseller.
Random Acts of Crazy by Julia Kent — Darla isn’t the type to pick up hitchhikers — especially naked ones. But when she makes an exception for handsome Trevor, she finds herself caught between two delicious men in this fun-filled, steamy USA Today bestseller.
Mad for You by Anna Antonia – Loving Gabriel Gordon was like trying to love the sun…Emma Adams was destined to burn. Given their tumultuous natures and personal demons, there was only one way a relationship between them could survive: in madness.
Me, Cinderella? by Aubrey Rose — One kind deed can change your life forever…. Brynn Tomlin could never afford to follow her heart, but when she buys a cup of coffee for a stranger sitting in the cold, she sets into motion a course of events that can only lead to one kind of fairy-tale ending.
Dance For Me by Helena Newbury — When troubled ballet student Natasha agrees to be the muse of millionaire designer Darrell Carner, she doesn’t expect to fall for him…or to discover that his past is just as dark as hers. Can two broken souls heal each other…or will their secrets tear them apart?
FIVE New Adult novels filled with men with a passion for the women they can’t live without.
Box Set: Shades of Pleasure (Five book bundle) by Tawny taylor
Dominant billionaires. Secrets and blackmail. Fantasies come true. Shades of Pleasure brings you five books from New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Tawny Taylor. This decadent five book bundle of novellas contains: What He Wants, At His Mercy, Pleasing Him, Ties that Bind and Enslaved by Sin–a total of over 90,000 words. If purchased separately, these books would cost over $12.00.
What He Wants (My Alpha Billionaire, 1)
Billionaire Shane Trant is used to getting what he wants. What he can’t buy, he takes. When he sees Bristol Deatrich, he knows he wants her. But there’s a problem. Only complete possession of her mind and body will satisfy him…
At His Mercy
Sometimes freedom can only be gained through captivity…
Elena Caine has secrets. The kind that could devastate her life if they’re revealed. And now a selfish bastard is dragging the skeletons out of her closet. She’s being blackmailed. There’s no way out–but to turn to the man Elena trusts least, the quietly seductive Dom Kyler Pierce.
Pleasing Him
Britt Olsen is shocked when the man who bought her house, the gorgeous Andre Cruz-Romero, shows up at her front door a week after closing. Now Britt has her chance to get to know the enigmatic man who has inspired a fantasy or two, or more. But she is both shocked and thrilled to learn about Andre’s extreme erotic tastes…
Ties that Bind
Illusion. A word shaded with nuance, making the men who practice it–the masters–enigmas. Particularly when they magically materialize from the shadows of a woman’s past.
It’s been fifteen years. No longer the tormented young men Blair knew and loved so long ago, Damon and Trey still know how to touch her heart, how to draw out her secrets, and how to bring her to the edge of ecstasy. Blair has two weeks to unravel the ties that have bound the three of them together. Two weeks to solve the mysteries veiled by her seductive masters’ illusions. And two weeks to surrender to the smoldering desires burning in her body as she submits to their darkest demands.
Some ties can never be severed.
Enslaved by Sin
Over two hundred years ago, the Master of Sin welcomed guests to Castle Greh, inviting them to taste decadent carnal pleasures every night. Now, some claimed the castle was haunted by the dark prince and his many lovers. She was about to learn the truth…
Click: An Online Love Story by Lisa Becker
Click: An Online Love Story – Fast approaching her 30th birthday and finding herself not married, not dating, and without even a prospect or a house full of cats, Renee Greene, the heroine of Click: An Online Love Story, reluctantly joins her best guy pal on a journey to find love online in Los Angeles. The story unfolds through a series of emails between Renee and her best friends (anal-compulsive Mark, the overly-judgmental Ashley and the over-sexed Shelley) as well as the gentlemen suitors she meets online. From the guy who starts every story with “My buddies and I were out drinking one night,” to the egotistical “B”celebrity looking for someone to stroke his ego, Renee endures her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates. Fraught with BCC’s, FWD’s and inadvertent Reply to All’s, readers will root for Renee to “click” with the right man.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.