Just One Look: United Kingdom Of Love, #2

By Violet Rae

Cali
After a failed marriage, finding love again is the last thing on my to-do list. But when I take an unexpected trip to Greece in search of my long-lost mother, the handsome young Grecian God sent to greet me at the airport has me reconsidering my vow of celibacy.

Theo Galatis is ten kinds of sexy...and ten years too young for me. The spark between us is hotter than the scorching white sands, but I came to Greece to build a relationship with my mother, not fantasize about tossing Theo's Greek salad or eating his delicious Stifado. Besides, there's no way this gorgeous, dark-eyed Adonis is looking for happily-ever-after with a heart-shy older woman like me. Is there?

This is a short, sweet instalove story featuring a renewal of faith, some super-hot sexy times...oh, and a baby goat or two.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Violet Rae
• Release date: Mar 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798223149941

Book preview

Chapter 1

Cali

I stare blankly at my father’s attorney—the same one who finalized my divorce a little over a year ago—trying to absorb his words.

So, you’re telling me she’s alive?

Brendan Walsh nods his silver head, tapping the end of his pen nervously against the surface of his solid oak desk as he leans forward in his leather chair. It’s unusual for the perpetually composed attorney to be nervous, but I suppose the information he’s just imparted from my late father’s will would cause him some level of discomfort, knowing what my reaction will be.

You’re telling me that my mother, the woman who gave birth to me, the same woman my father told me was dead, is very much alive and well and living in some remote town in mainland Greece?

In a nutshell, yes.

I shake my head, trying to absorb this incredible information. I’ve spent the last thirty-four years believing that my mother died when I was a baby. I mean, I knew she was Greek—I certainly didn’t inherit my ebony locks, Mediterranean skin tone, and dark-brown eyes from my blond-haired, blue-eyed father. But the story he’d always told me about my mother being dead has just had a big, fat hole blown through the middle of it, courtesy of the man in front of me still tapping his pen annoyingly on the desk.

I reach out, placing my hand over his to stall the movement, and he gives me an apologetic smile. Sorry, it’s just…I knew this information would be difficult for you to hear, but your father was very explicit in his wishes⁠—

I hold up a hand, narrowing my eyes on Brendan. The reason for his nervous tapping suddenly becomes crystal clear. "You mean, you knew about this before my father died? You knew my mother was still alive?"

As I said, Cali, your father’s will was very specific⁠—

You’ve known me since I was a child, Brendan. You’ve taken care of every aspect of my father’s business from a legal standpoint, and you’ve been a good friend to both of us. And yet, it never occurred to you that I had every right to know my mother was alive?

Brendan’s expression holds genuine regret. My hands were tied, Cali. You know the rules. I’m not at liberty to discuss the contents of a client’s personal and financial affairs, no matter how much I might want to.

I sigh, rubbing a weary hand across my face. I know. It’s not fair of me to blame you. It’s just such a shock. My father always told me the story of how he met my mother when she came to England to study. They had an affair. She fell pregnant. Nine months later, I was born, but my mother returned to Greece to take care of her sick parents. She never returned because she was killed in a car accident.

Brendan nods. All true, except the last part.

No shit, Sherlock! So, why didn’t she come back?

I guess that’s something you’ll have to ask her.

I frown. What do you mean?

You’re a wealthy woman now, Cali. You’re the CEO and largest shareholder in the company. Go to Greece. Find your mother. Listen to her side of the story. I know you and your father weren’t particularly close, but he did love you in his own way, and I’m sure he had his reasons for what he did. It may be none of my business, but in my opinion, he prioritised his business interests over you.

I shrug. He was a good father. I never wanted for anything other than his time and attention.

Which is probably why I married the first man who gave me both—until his penis fell into a younger, wealthier woman. I gave Jeremy almost ten years of my life, and in return, he fed me lies and empty promises. I don’t miss him. Not one bit. And I sure as hell don’t miss the whip it in, whip it out, and wipe it sex we used to have. The only orgasm that man gave me was the day he signed the divorce papers.

I’m sorry for your loss, Cali, but you now have an opportunity to get to know your mother, should you wish, Brendan says, breaking across my thoughts as he holds out a file towards me. Everything you need to know is in this file. What you choose to do with the information is up to you.

An hour later, I’m back at my apartment, the file open in my lap as I drink my coffee. Brendan was right—everything I need to know about my mother is in this file. I stare at the front sheet.

Name: Eleni Calimeris

Age: 54

Location: Kalyvia, Greece

Occupation: Goat Farmer

Goat Farmer? What does that even mean? An image of an elderly lady with sun-weathered skin surrounded by goats filters through my mind. Is this why she never came back? Maybe she didn’t have the finances to return. But, surely, my father would’ve taken care of that? It’s not like he didn’t have the money.

I have so many questions I need answers to. Again, Brendan was right—there’s only one way to discover the answers to those questions.

I check the time on my phone. 4 PM. It will be 6 PM in Greece. Making the decision, I punch the number at the bottom of the sheet into my phone, ignoring the faint tremor of my hands.

The strange ringtone tells me I’m calling outside of the country. It rings and rings, and I’m just about to hang up when a female voice answers.

"Kalispéra."

I grip the phone tightly in my hand. "Hello. Could