Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
V alencia
“You can’t keep me as your prisoner.” I wasn’t certain why I was even uttering the words. I doubted he was listening to me. He’d been on his phone since waltzing me into his villa. How entirely different it felt than the night before. The fairytale had just exploded into a nightmare and I had no clue who the villain was.
All I knew was that I had to get away from Christos before I found it impossible to do so.
I was standing outside, realizing that the incredible garden space with the amazing view of Milan felt like a prison as did the rest of the house. There were small trees in massive pots and flowers hanging everywhere that I hadn’t seen the night before, yet the solid stone wall with no access anywhere but inside the house was suffocating.
There was a distinct chill in the air, the light breeze floating strains of music from an unknown source. I was shivering, but I’d already admitted to myself it was from fear, not the cold.
I’d seen his reaction when Elias had said something to him on the dance floor. I’d felt the pressure and the anxiety that had rushed into him. I’d also sensed his protectiveness in the way he’d grabbed my arm. For some reason, I rubbed the spot as if he’d bruised me. He hadn’t.
I was standing barefoot, still in the glorious dress that fit me like a glove. He’d known my size and that had amazed me. I don’t know why. He seemed to know far too many things about me.
Christos had ripped off his jacket as soon as we’d arrived, yanking his tie with so much force that I thought he was going to go into a rage. Yet I’d stood where I was, watching as he’d removed his diamond cufflinks, rolling up his sleeves and exposing the ink I’d never asked him about. Now I really wanted to, which was ridiculous. I had no idea what was going on or if I’d be allowed to return to my hotel or to my life and I was curious about his goddamn tattoos.
When I felt his presence, I tried my best to bristle as the only reaction to him.
But I failed. Miserably. Instantly, my panties were damp, the rush of vibrations exactly as it had been before. Perhaps even more so. God. Why did I find him so attractive?
“You’re not my prisoner,” he said as he crowded my space behind me.
I was starting to hate my body’s reaction to him, the feel of thousands of tiny prickles of heat tickling every inch of my skin. “That means I’m free to go?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“There’s no middle ground here, Christos. I’m either your prisoner or I can leave. Which is it?”
I dared not turn around for fear I’d get lost in his eyes all over again. He eased his arm around me, holding out a glass of wine in his hand.
“Drink this.”
“I prefer something stronger.”
The wineglass was instantly replaced with a glass of amber liquid. I accepted it, managing to keep our fingers from touching.
“To answer your question, until I determine if there is a safety issue, I won’t take you to the hotel. It’s possible my enemies have bought that I’m still staying at the hotel.”
I couldn’t help myself, turning around so I could look him directly in the eyes. “Your enemies. How many do you have?”
“A number of them.” He acted comfortable, sitting down in one of the chairs. His massive body sank into the cushions and he crossed his legs as if nothing was wrong.
“What happened tonight to make you leave your own party?”
“The Italian president was shot on the way to the club.”
His frankness surprised me, but not as much as the information. “Elias believed you could be next on the list.”
He took a drink of the wine he’d offered. “Yes.”
“Does that happen often?” I had no clue what to ask at this point.
“It can. But not often.”
“Yet you’re fearful of letting me go stay in my own hotel room.”
Christos took his time studying me before uncrossing his legs and leaning his elbows on his knees. “You’ve been seen with me. Perhaps even last night. You’re certainly known as my savior in New York. Given that I brought you to the club, that would indicate we’re in a relationship. Generally, I don’t give a shit about the photographs that are taken or what’s spouted off about how I spend my time, but I refuse to risk your life based on the world I was born into.”
“In other words, since there will be people who think you actually give a damn about me, I’ve become a liability, a weakness to be exploited.” Now I needed a gulp of the drink. The liquid burned the back of my throat.
“Unfortunately, yes. That’s the way of my world and why I’m extremely cautious.”
“I don’t think I like your world very much. You were ambushed in New York. Right?”
“Let’s just say I had a disagreement with someone from the Laborers’ Union. He didn’t like my method of doing business and I didn’t enjoy his arrogant attitude. It’s possible the article written in the Times was meant to antagonize me.”
“Or it might have been a subscription grabbing story.”
“True.”
I nodded several times as I tried to take everything in. “Who is after you in Italy? Are they going to follow you to Greece?”
“I honestly don’t know. Come here, Valencia.”
Being any closer to him would only cloud my judgment, so I remained where I was. “How could you not know who is attempting to gun you down?”
“This isn’t like the movies. Generally, no one is shooting another in the middle of the street.”
“Except in New York.” I noticed a slight flash of annoyance on his face.
He chuckled in the dark sound I was getting used to and brought the glass to his lips again. Since I’d refused to come to him, he rose to his feet, walking toward me with deliberate steps. At that moment, he reminded me of a stalker instead of a man I’d shared intense passion with.
Yet I stood my ground, the heat I’d wanted so desperately to ignore swimming to the surface.
“Perhaps only in New York. I’d say I can’t stand the place except I met a beautiful woman who captured my heart in her hands.” His smirk was entirely different than with other men. There was no condescension, no sense of irony. He was filled with filthy thoughts, which reflected in the way he was looking at me.
As a predator would his prey.
I wanted to hate both myself and the man for the way I felt, the tingling waves of heat that refused to let me alone. Or the shortness of my breath with every inch he walked closer. I longed to find the courage to ignore the way his lips appeared in the moonlight, or the sway of his muscular body as he walked.
Mostly, I was furious with my body for betraying me, for the desire that I couldn’t shove aside much like I hadn’t the first night I’d met him.
“You met a woman, huh? Is she pretty?” Why was I doing this to myself? Why was I daring to play the game? Because it was so natural between us as everything else had been. The banter. The laughter. The push and pull. The passion.
“I’d say on a scale of one to ten she was a fifteen. Maybe a twenty.”
“Then I’m surprised you’re not with her. You’ve already told me you prefer beautiful things.”
He took another few steps closer. “Yes, you are correct. She’s very stubborn. I’ve having an issue convincing her that although I had certain angry traits that follow me in business, I’m more of a cream puff inside when it comes to being around her.”
“There’s your problem,” I breathed. He was close, so close I could easily become intoxicated from his aftershave. I licked my dry lips.
“I have a problem?” He pressed his index finger against his chest.
“Oh, I think you have more than one, but more to the point, you’re not a cream puff. I’d call you more of a cross between a marshmallow and a rich hint of white chocolate.”
“Sounds delicious.” He purposely touched my fingers as he wrapped his hand around my glass. But he held it in place, his features becoming darker. “What do you suggest I do to win the heart of this incredible woman?”
“What if her heart’s too fragile?”
His features softened briefly. “Then I guess I’ll need to find a more suitable way of convincing her I’m not a bad guy and that she can trust me.” He lifted the glass of bourbon, taking a huge gulp.
“What if it’s not about trusting the man, but the lack of trust in what he does?”
He cocked his head, pulling the glass from my fingers. “Then perhaps she needs to learn more about him and his family so she can be convinced she has nothing to worry about.”
I took a deep breath as he placed the glasses on the outside table. “And does he plan on doing that?”
There were ways he looked at me that seemed as if he was looking straight into my soul. “What if she was invited to a family event, a celebration where all the family and even friends would be there? She’d have access to my world and lifestyle, able to chat freely with guests and my family. Do you think that might provide a sense of comfort?”
“What kind of celebration?”
“A wedding of my brother and another lovely American woman who stole his heart.” He cupped the side of my face with such gentleness my heart was skipping beats. “A small rehearsal dinner on Friday followed by the wedding and reception on Saturday. And Sunday brunch could become very… interesting.”
“It sounds lovely. When is the wedding?” His dark chuckle pulled me right to the edge. I’d never believed that a woman could be lost in a man, but I felt closer to doing so with every breath he took.
“This weekend.”
Was he actually inviting me to share in a private family affair? I was touched, but reminded myself no good could come out of this. But there was more than a trickle of excitement rushing through me. “A formal event?”
“It’s on a tropical island in Greece, a place so beautiful I’m certain it will take her breath away.” His touch was light, his fingertips barely brushing across my skin.
Yet every touch from the man created a fire that refused to be snuffed. No matter the danger or concern, he had a way of disarming my fears. I found myself crowding even closer, leaning into him to the point I was forced to place my hand on his chest. I felt light, as if I could fall at any moment.
Somehow, I knew he’d keep me from doing so. I also knew he’d do everything in his power to keep me safe. “But I think he’s aware the lady he seems taken by has a job in a different country and is leaving on Friday morning.”
“What if he’d offer a ride home in his private jet so she could return on Monday safe and sound? Would that be something she might consider?”
“You’re offering your jet?”
“I am. And all the trimmings.” He grinned and lowered his head by a couple of inches.
I was definitely intoxicated, my lungs burning from the intensity of the light musk and citrus filling my senses. As soon as he rubbed his thumb across my lips, I pulled it into my mouth, sucking on the thick digit while his eyes narrowed. His breathing was as ragged as mine, his entire body tense.
Just like mine.
“Maybe she’ll consider the offer.” He pumped his thumb inside for a few seconds before pulling it out, sucking on the tip as if savoring the flavor of my mouth.
For such a dangerous man, he could be extremely seductive.
“Hopefully, she’d consider the fact I’m not the kind of guy to take no for an answer,” he breathed as he lowered his head by another two inches. Now with our lips almost touching, I leaned even further against him.
“No?”
“Oh, no.” He’d had enough of our strange but intimate foreplay, crushing his mouth over mine as if eating a nectarine.
I instantly moaned, the sound filtering into the air around us. Just being able to touch him kept the fire roaring, my core red-hot. I clamped my fingers around his shirt, rising onto my tiptoes. I’d felt like a princess in the dress and I’d be lying to myself if I tried to claim I hadn’t enjoyed being the center of attention.
With him, it felt natural. As if we were a couple and had been for a long time. We fit together in every aspect and that was perhaps the most dangerous thing about my hunger, or the fact I wanted to attend the wedding.
He fisted my hair, holding me in place as he swept his tongue inside. He had an evocative way of exploring my mouth, taking his time when doing so. But with the heat of his body, I was even more lightheaded.
How could a man be so tender but so rough at the same time? He pulled me closer, sliding one arm around my waist. As he slowly lowered his hand, gripping my buttocks, I closed my eyes. He pulled me into his arms, his hold so possessive I should feel trapped. Instead, I was free as I’d been before, the passion exploding between us.
Every sound he made was a growl, his grip firmer than before. I wrapped my legs around him, pressing my knees against his hips. The passionate intimacy continued, his needs building. He was rougher than before, taking every drop of my essence as his own.
I sensed movement and the moment he broke the kiss, he turned us around in a full circle. His eyes pierced mine as he slowly walked toward the outside couch, lowering me down onto my feet and instantly pressing the tip of his finger under my chin.
“You were the most beautiful woman at the event tonight. Thank you for being by my side.”
His voice was deep and penetrating, and it suddenly felt as if soft velvet was being brushed across my naked skin.
“You’re very handsome in a tux, but if I can be honest, I prefer you in other ways.”
“I guess the lady will need to show me what she’s talking about.”
Using the tip of a single finger, I traced the ink shown under the sleeve of his shirt, taking my time as the heat continued to build. “What do these symbolize?”
“Family. Our crest.”
“But you have more.” I slowly began to unbutton his shirt, every few seconds darting my eyes to his.
“Yes. An eagle. A representation of freedom.”
“Do you feel free?” I tugged on the shirt until the material was released from his tuxedo pants. The urge to run my fingers across his six-pack abdomen was strong.
Christos shrugged. “You’re only truly free when you can enjoy every aspect of your life. Tell me, sweet angel. Are you free to accept the things you want, asking for more? Are you happy in both your personal and professional life, or do you always hunger?”
His tone reverberated in my ears while his words clung to my mind. With the last button unfastened, I pulled the shirt apart, slowly lifting my gaze as I crawled my fingers up his arms, rolling the material from his shoulders. With a slight jerk, the shirt fell to the floor. I licked my lips in appreciation and he noticed, his chest rising and falling. “No.”
“A simple, straightforward answer. You deserve to have everything that your heart desires, no matter what risks you must take to achieve them.”
I brushed and danced my fingers across his chest as I thought about his advice. “You’re right. I’ve held back.”
“From fear or uncertainty?” He touched my face, his fingers flexed open. The intimate hint of the building heat was rocket fuel injected into my bloodstream.
“Both.” Being honest with him felt natural. I’d never been this honest with myself. I touched his face, exploring every contour and every carved feature, luxuriating in the feel of the light stubble already growing on his chiseled face.
He pulled his hand away, taking a deep breath. “Risks offer the sweetest rewards.”
“Yes. They do. They also offer danger.”
“Not always. Turn around, my angel.”
“Why?”
“Because I told you to. Because you want to. And because you know you belong to me.”