Calm and soothing, clear waves rocked and lulled her to sleep. Overhead, the dazzling sun shone from the cloudless sky and kept her warm. A chorus of seagulls provided constant chatter as they watched over her safe passage to the sandy beach. From a distance, a blonde head raised and glanced out curiously towards the water. He raised a curved hand to his forehead, shading his inquisitive green eyes from the sun's rays…searching…

Then he saw it.

A small boat appeared on the horizon. A frown of confusion etched across his smooth brow. Only a mad person would dare tempt the Aegean Sea in such a small vessel. Barefoot, he padded across the beach to stand at the water's edge. His emerald orbs continued watching…

The element ravaged capsule rocked against the shore. A feminine moan grumbled in disagreement. The man's feet sunk into the sand as he raced to the boat. He gasped in alarm at what his eyes beheld...

A lovely vision with skin the color of caramel lay unconscious in the boat.

He moved quickly. The corded muscles of his forearms became taut as he cradled her within his tender grasp.

Another moan passed from her full, sensual lips. Her warm, ragged breath whispered against his bare, hairless chest like a sweet sigh. He shuddered. Carefully, he carried her inland. Dropping to his knees, he placed her on the warm, white sand.

"No...no...no," she whispered. "Don't go."

Her plaintive cry touched his soul. He brushed thick, cottony soft black curls off her forehead.

"I shall not leave you," he vowed.

He murmured other words to her, coaxing her to a state of consciousness. Dark lashes fanned her cheeks before fluttering open. Large brown eyes stared back at him in wonder, giving him his first real look at the stranger. Her beauty amazed him. In an uncharacteristic moment, he stammered, "Wh-who are you?"

Her eyes darkened. She shook her head. "I'm not sure. Who are you? Where am I?"

"My name is Stefan. You're on my island. We're in Greece."

"Greece... I don't remember coming to Greece." She pressed her hand against his cheek. Her thumb traced the outline of his mouth. "Thank you for saving me."

He resisted the urge to kiss her soft fingertips. Instead, he moved behind her, pulling her so that she sat within the circle of his arms. She didn't move away and one thought consumed him.

Nothing had ever felt so right.

"When you are rested, we shall return to my villa. I will notify the authorities-"

"No!" She sat up straight. Her dark eyes glowed with stark fear. "Do not alert anyone. Please...extend your hospitality further and allow me to stay... I promise to not be any bother."

"You mustn't concern yourself with that. You could never be a bother."

Something in his tone of voice must have cued her to the heart of his declaration. She pressed her palm against over his heart.

"Then you wouldn't mind if I stayed here with you?" she queried. "Forever?"

"No."

A slow smile curved her mouth upwards. "I lied before. I know who I am..."

His heart pounded. The look in her dark eyes seduced him. He almost didn't care what her name was just that this gorgeous creature never leave him.

However, he knew what was expected of him. He held her close and asked, "Who are you?"

"Your destiny."