Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8
C hristos
“You’re breaking into a house? Didn’t you allude to the fact you’re extremely wealthy? And don’t you have a room at the same hotel where I’m staying?”
Valencia’s question forced me to chuckle. “I told you. I have many talents.”
“As I said before. Your parents are obviously very proud. And the wine and glasses we had to stop and purchase?”
I stopped what I was doing and tipped my head over my shoulder. “We do need to celebrate our accomplishment.”
“I don’t think I’ll mention to my friend that our date ended with a possible breaking and entering charge. What about your men waiting for us?” She gestured over the railing to where the SUV was waiting.
“They’d make certain the police don’t arrest us.”
“You are a bad man.”
“I never said otherwise. Did I?”
She groaned and it was the cutest sound she’d made yet. “No, you did not.”
“See? I never tell a lie.” The lock clicked and I sighed from successfully being able to unlock it. “If it will make you feel any better, my family owns the villa.”
“Why break in?”
“Perhaps because I wanted to see your reaction.” She gave me a dirty look and I laughed. “I have yet to receive the keys.”
“Oh, well, then. A stunning location in the heart of downtown Milan. This area is obviously where the wealthy prefer living. I’d say this set your family back a pretty penny.”
I opened the door, shoved the pocketknife into my trousers, and swept my arm inside for her to enter. “We own one in Paris as well.”
“My. A world traveler. When are you purchasing a place in New York?’ As soon as she stepped inside, I followed her, flicking on the light in the entrance foyer.
“In truth, never.” As soon as I muttered the words, I was reminded of the saying I’d tossed out all over again. I certainly had a viable and much more pleasurable reason to spend more time in New York. I watched as she moved around the nearly empty front room, concentrating on the architecture.
“This is incredible.”
“We had some issues with the contractor. That’s why I haven’t received the keys yet. Tomorrow if all goes well.”
“Trouble in paradise?”
I closed the door behind her, taking the wine and glasses from her hands. “Yes, well, even rich people have issues. Look around.”
As I walked into the kitchen, I was taken by the fact I’d never invited anyone to my house in Athens. I’d also only spent one night with a woman in a hotel and that had been after becoming inebriated. Yet I’d wanted to bring Valencia here. A christening of the house.
The kitchen was perfectly clean, yet the majority of items purchased had yet to be brought and put in their appropriate places. Even most of the new furniture wouldn’t be delivered until the next day. However, I preferred to take her here versus my hotel suite. This felt more personal.
And I certainly wanted to get very personal with her.
After turning on the recessed lighting, I opened the drawers only to realize the cutlery and other essentials had yet to arrive as well.
“The arched fireplace is incredible. And I love what you’ve done with the place. The minimalistic approach,” she giggled as she walked in, the teasing sound of her voice far removed from the authoritative one I’d been treated to at the hospital. And even at the start of this date. When did I date? I conquered.
Everything about being with her was entirely different.
“Who needs furniture?” I asked. “Is there at least one bed in the house?”
“There is one bed and it’s even made up. Lucky you.”
“Yes,” I breathed. “Lucky me. But I do need a wine opener.”
“You have a pocketknife. Right?”
“Yes, but how is that going to help?”
“You can break into a locked house, but you can’t use a pocketknife to open a bottle of wine? Let me show you how it’s done.” She walked closer and only then did I realize somewhere in her view of the villa she’d lost her shoes.
The fact she was barefoot brought a huge smile to my face.
“Step aside and hand me the blade. I do know how to use one in case you’re curious.” My God, the look on her face could light a fire.
I took a step away while grabbing the knife, leaning against the counter and watching as she expertly managed to open the wine without breaking the cork. The slight pop was followed by her sigh.
“You’re staring at me,” she said.
“I can’t help myself. You do have many talents.”
“Well,” she said as she pulled the two cheap glasses closer, “when you’re in medical school, you learn to work with what you have. Many a time my roommate and I were forced to find creative methods of opening a bottle of wine. My father finally purchased a pocketknife similar to this one. But it had a corkscrew.”
“I guess I need to purchase a new one.”
“Maybe you do. For all the times you’re going to break into a house.” She laughed, her nose wrinkling.
Yet all I could concentrate on was the way her plump lips twisted just seconds before she took a sip of her wine.
“What am I going to do with you?” I asked absently, not really expecting an answer.
“Cheap red wine. I love it. And what are you going to do with me?”
I swirled the glass with the drugstore bottle of wine just like I had with the vintage bottle before taking a gulp. Now how should I answer that? I set my glass down, pulling the stem from her fingers and placing it beside mine.
She suddenly seemed nervous, her long eyelashes skimming across her cheeks as her breathing became more labored.
“What am I going to do? I’m going to kiss you first. After that, I’m going to carry you into the bedroom where I’d going to unwrap the beautiful package given to me. After that, I’m going to ravage every inch of your luscious body. Then… Well, then we’ll see.”
Valencia
Some men knew how to drive a woman crazy and Christos was one of those men. However, few men knew how to kiss, to really kiss a woman until she was left unable to think or breathe. Christos also fell into that category.
As he swept me into his arms, immediately pulling me onto my toes, I almost attempted to push him away. We’d been pushing and pulling all night, but only because we were comfortable teasing each other. But being in his arms, the way he held me so possessively brought the fantasy I’d enjoyed all night to life.
I was terrified but fully aroused, my heart racing from the feeling of being in his arms. The moment he thrust his tongue inside, I wrapped my fingers around his shirt, pulling him even closer. I was on my toes, the man towering over me like the Greek god I’d pegged him for the first night we’d met.
When I moaned into the kiss, he captured it, holding me so tightly against him that the hard press of his cock created a lightheaded feeling.
I knew I shouldn’t be here. The truth was I shouldn’t want to be here. But I was and I did. He had a way about him that made me feel so comfortable, easily able to relax and even laugh. With his quick wit and appreciation of my dark humor, he’d allowed me to enjoy an evening for the first time in ages.
Especially with a man.
Christos dominated my tongue as he brushed his fingers down my back. I tingled all over from his touch, light yet as hungry as I’d seen in his eyes all night. I craved seeing every inch of his body just as it was apparent he did with me. Was this very wrong? Absolutely. Not only was he a previous patient, but also possibly a cold-blooded killer.
Why did neither matter to me?
He broke the kiss seconds later, but slid his hand to hold my head in place. His breathing was as heavy as mine. When he nipped on my lower lip, I closed my eyes. This man was a vision, a creation so powerfully incredible I was lightheaded. I could only imagine what he’d be like keeping the promise of ravaging every inch of me.
Very slowly he tilted my head, dragging the tip of his tongue up along my cheek, even nipping my ear. I laughed nervously and it made him growl. The deep, throaty sound was very much like that of a predator. I was already floating on air, the sweep of heat coursing through me starting with my very core.
We were both on fire, an explosion set to go off at any moment.
His tongue was hot and wet, my heart thudding and my pulse racing. This wasn’t supposed to happen. As he rolled both hands down my back, another series of shivers danced all the way to my bare feet. His whisper was husky, the tone alone sending vibrations down my back.
“I want you and I will have you.”
There would be no denying the man even if I wanted to.
Which I didn’t.
He squeezed both my ass cheeks as he brushed the roughest part of his tongue down the side of my neck. His scalding breath sent a rush of adrenaline into every cell and muscle. I found myself ripping at his jacket, struggling to pull the dense material over his shoulders.
Christos finally did it for me, yanking off his jacket, taking a single step away from me to rip at his tie. His eyes were glassy, almost dilated, yet I could tell by the look of them I wasn’t getting away.
With him, I felt playful and alive and the moment I skittered backward, he stopped everything he was doing, beckoning me with a single finger.
I shook my head defiantly, bolting from the room in search of a hiding place. I’d never acted this way around anyone, friends included. I felt free and uninhibited, as if the woman standing in front of the chiseled man was someone else and I was just watching the show unfold.
As I raced from room to room, I could hear his voice, the deep rumble coming from his chest. “I will find you.” The words echoed all throughout the gorgeous space, fueling the insanity of my escape.
I had to press my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing, finally rushing into a room where a desk and chair were placed. As silently as possible, I crouched down behind the massive and artistic piece of wood, holding my breath when I heard him coming.
He was stomping through the house as if a monster eager to catch his prey. A single giggle slipped past my lips before I was able to clamp my mouth shut. I heard the single creak of a door close by as he continued his search.
The rugged man was taking his time, creating a wave of anticipation and excitement. I felt like a kid again playing hide and seek. And I couldn’t stop smiling. What would he do when he found me?
“Come out, my angel. Do you know what happens to bad girls who disobey me?” How could his voice rumble as if shouted from a microphone?
I didn’t budge, too terrified to breathe because he was close, so close.
His footsteps indicated he’d stopped in the doorway of the room I was hiding in, his breathing labored. He was growling like the beast I’d pegged him to be. I was frozen on the spot, one leg starting to cramp.
But I’ll be damned if I was going to lose this battle.
“You are one bad girl.” When Christos moved away, I breathed out, a hiccup catching me seconds later.
Oh, shit.
I knew he’d caught the sound, stopping in his tracks. It was now or never to find another hiding place. I crept to the doorway, sticking my head out. He’d disappeared. Blood was rushing to my head. This was a game of cat and mouse on steroids. A laugh bubbled to the surface, but I managed to suppress it, bolting from the room and heading in the other direction.
“I’ve caught you, my pretty.” His chuckle was laced with devilish danger and I knew he was right behind me.
When he caught a lock of my hair with his fingers, I twisted my head, managing to break the connection. I zigged and zagged, managing to get away once again. But I knew it wouldn’t be for long.
One room had dozens of boxes. It was the last place to hide.
I hunkered down, controlling my breathing. There was silence.
Not a single sound.
No footsteps. No growls.
No heavy breathing.
Where had he gone?
Thirty seconds passed. A full minute. After another, I couldn’t take it any longer, creeping to the door like a thief in the night.
I peered out, still able to remain silent. He wasn’t there. There was no sign of him. Where had he gone? Would he just leave me here? A moment of panic jetted into my system and it propelled me forward.
“Yes, I’ve caught my sweet angel.” The handsome man grabbed me around the waist, sweeping me off the floor and around in a tight circle.
I struggled with everything I had, laughing the entire time. Somehow, I managed to get myself free, turning to face him. The look on his face was darker than before, his eyes so intense I was unable to move.
“Have you not learned? You can run. You can hide. But I will find you.” His arrogance was attractive, something I found hysterical. I was so drawn to him, his powerful and possessive attitude didn’t matter.
“You might be surprised.”
He laughed, the sound booming in the hallway. “No, I would not. You are the most intriguing woman I’ve ever met. That does not mean I won’t tame you. Conquer you. Own you.”
The words thrilled me, but I smiled as if that would be impossible.
His eyes narrowing, he pointed toward the floor. “Come here to your master. Crawl to me.”
My heated rush continued, every nerve ending electrified. He was so confident. So sure of himself. I never gave in to anyone, especially a man. But… Another devilish moment floated into my mind and I slowly eased one strap of my dress over my shoulder, taking my time to brush the tips of my fingers down each arm.
He was surprised at my reaction, his eyes now hooded from lust and need. There was something sensual about the way his chest was rising and falling.
With butterflies continuing to ravage my stomach, I tugged on the hem of the dress until it shifted past my naked breasts. Now his eyes grew wide, his hunger evident by the expression he wore, the tension in his body.
I allowed the material to fall to my feet, stepping out of it as if I was a stripper. The thought brought several filthy images to mind. Now only wearing my lacy thong, I tossed my hair, giving him a little show before slowly dropping to my knees.
With the sound of his breathing becoming even more ragged, I was certain the man wouldn’t be able to keep any control. But I was wrong. He merely pounded one fist against the wall, the thick cords in his neck fully exposed. His pulse was even higher than mine.
“Come to me,” he bellowed.
“No.” I rubbed my hands down the sides of my neck, fanning my fingers as I moved them to my breasts. I never took my eyes off him as I rubbed my palms across my already taut nipples. The scent of my desire raged on, my pussy throbbing. I could feel wetness against my inner thighs. I’d never wanted a man as much as I did Christos.
My Greek god.
I tossed my head again, my long hair piling in front of my face. After pinching my nipples, I heard his breath catch. Laughing, I raked my hands through my hair and threw my head back, now staring him directly in the eyes. I dared crawl slightly closer, stopping just out of his reach. When I rolled the flat of my hand down my stomach, I noticed his body was swaying slightly.
Just enough to indicate his control was slipping away.
Yet I continued pushing the envelope, easing one hand between my legs, sliding my fingers under the thin elastic. Moans slipped past my lips as I fingered my clit. I was on fire, so wet my panties were soaked.
He laughed and rubbed his jaw, his chest heaving enough I was almost worried for his health. “Come here. Now. If you do not, you will be punished.”
“Mmmm…” I was pushing every button, but it felt good. Right.
As if I was meant to be with him.
The crazy thought was gasoline on the fire. I drove two fingers inside, moaning as I purposely moved my body to the rhythm of my hand.
“Bad…” His single word was more of a primal growl. I could tell by his eyes he was finished with playing games.
When I dropped to my hands and knees, now crawling closer, he issued another possessive growl. The anticipation was growing, lust filling both of us. There was a distinct rush of air, heated and wild. Primal. When I reached his legs, he instantly placed his hand on my head, the smile on his face becoming close to a leer.
“Always,” I purred and ran my fingers along the insides of both his legs. Just being able to feel his strong muscles brought another wave of desire. I kept my eyes locked on his as I continued my exploration, crawling my fingers in such a way that he laughed.
“Do you enjoy playing with fire, sweet angel?”
“Is that what I’m doing?” I blew across his groin, the thick bulge pulsing.
“Oh, yes. Tempting the beast might not be in your best interest.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.” The moment I pressed a kiss against his cloth-covered cock, he inhaled deeply and pushed his arms under mine. Without a hitch, he threw me over his shoulder.
Time was up.
He was taking control.
And there was nothing I could do about it.