Chapter 3 #3
Stop it, Laya.
I chastised myself and averted my gaze from a sight I shouldn’t behold. Instead, my attention shifted to Niko as he stared at the grand oak tree that stood out from the open door, like a majestic figure rooted deep in the heart of the garden.
Dense and majestic, its rounded canopy spread like a protective dome over the landscape, while its trunk stood rugged and gnarled from years of enduring nature’s whims. This tree seemed carved by time, its roots anchoring it so firmly that not even the fiercest storm could hope to dislodge it.
“Meet Dryad,” he said, his hand sweeping toward the tree.
“Dryad?” I repeated, arching an inquisitive brow as I admired the tree’s ancient beauty.
“This tree has a story. My parents planted it together during their first year of marriage. I grew up with it as my silent companion, spending countless hours climbing its various branches and even falling out of it a few times.”
His sheepish grin added charm to his recollection, and I envisioned him, agile and daring, climbing its limbs like a nimble cat.
“Why is it called Dryad?” I asked, wanting to know the story.
“My mother named it,” he explained. “She believed that every tree harbors a spirit, a soul, much like the sacred oak before us. In Greek mythology, the spirit or nymph of an oak tree is called a Dryad.”
“That’s beautiful, Niko,” I murmured, my heart warming as I listened to the tale. “Thank you for sharing it with me.”
“Absolutely,” he said with a relaxed shrug.
This sensitive side of Niko surprised me.
How was a girl supposed to protect herself if the sexy-as-sin man she intended to marry possessed the qualities she truly desired in a husband?
“My father wanted to name it Zeus.” He chuckled, pushing his long black hair back and revealing his chiseled cheekbones as he gazed affectionately at the tree, his thoughts miles away.
“Why Zeus?” I inquired.
“Zeus believed that the rustling leaves of the sacred oak carried messages from God. Folklore tells us he had priests to interpret these signs.” He paused, a faint grin appearing as he turned his gaze back to me, his eyes inviting and kind.
“But in the end, my mother prevailed. She always did with him.”
I nodded, feeling moved by his candidness.
“You speak so fondly of your parents.”
He nodded, his dark eyes deepening. “I loved them dearly.”
“I understand,” I replied. “I cherished my parents too.” He offered a quiet nod. “They were everything a child could wish for in a mother and father.”
The photographs of Papa in his living room flashed through my mind. I considered bringing them up, but as if he sensed my thoughts, he quickly changed the subject.
“I also love this estate.” He turned away and gestured toward the vineyards and groves. “I grew up here. It’s all sacred to me, not just this majestic oak.”
“I would feel the same way if I grew up here,” I said.
My heart sank at the thought of what had happened to my childhood home.
I could almost feel the emptiness where the laughter and love had thrived.
Ozias had stripped it of its light, leaving only shadows behind.
The pain of knowing it would never return to the beauty I once relished struck me harder than I wanted to admit.
Before that fateful night, the Vitalis estate had been a sanctuary of joy, where moments felt timeless. I clung tightly to those memories, as if they were all I had left.
Niko shifted, his gaze steady. "Shall we address the elephant in the room, Laya?”
I met his eyes with a smile, sensing the tension in the air. “Absolutely. You’re referring to our agreement to marry.”
His expression grew serious. “Yes. Now that I’ve accepted your offer, I assume you’ll live here on this property with me.”
I nodded, feeling a warmth wash over me. “I’ve assumed that as well, Niko. I’d be honored. It’s an enchanting place.”
A shadow of concern flickered across his face. “I’m very glad you feel that way. How will you feel about giving up your current lifestyle?”
“Exactly what lifestyle are you referring to?”
His brows furrowed slightly. “You’ve lived in the city for most of your life, haven’t you?”
“Yes, that’s true,” I acknowledged, recalling the bustling streets.
“I considered that. Ultimately, though, I craved peace and quiet. Prague pulsated with vibrancy, but at times, it felt suffocating. Patras buzzed too. Busy cities drained me. If I ever wanted to relive that energy, I could easily take a short trip.”
“I can relate. Life in the city isn’t for everyone,” he said with a brighter expression. “You’ll thrive here.”
A thought struck me, and I leaned in, fixing him with my gaze. “I have one condition, Niko. It’s essential.”
He locked onto me, his eyes searching, deep and penetrating. They seemed to peel back layers, seeking any hint of hesitation within me.
“Name it,” he urged, his voice low but unwavering. “And I’ll ensure you get it.”
“No one restricts my training.”
He raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “Your training? You mean your martial arts? I thought that was just a rumor.”
I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze with conviction. “It is a fact, not a rumor. I won’t give it up.”
My passion for the sport blazed within me, fierce and unyielding. I wouldn’t let anyone extinguish it.
“You’ll have no issues from my side, I assure you,” he began, looking at me as if he could see into my soul.
“I was impressed by your skills during our first encounter.
I'd heard that Vik ensured you three could fend for yourselves, but seeing you in action…” He paused, shaking his head.
“Wow. You and Avra moved like a coordinated team of assassins.”
I laughed and shook my head. “No, we simply trained incredibly hard. Vik wouldn’t have allowed us to be any other way.”
I briefly thought of Cali, aware she had fought tooth and nail with those same skills. But the odds were against her from the moment of her kidnapping—one small woman facing a group of men.
“It was truly incredible. I wanted to share that with you,” he responded.
“Thank you.” I felt my cheeks flush once more. “I could say the same about you.”
He looked at me, allowing silence to surround us. The powerful connection crackled between us, expressing everything we felt without saying anything.
“Since we’re being so open, Laya, I’d like to take this opportunity to clarify something important with you. I hope you don’t mind my being frank?”
“Of course not. Please do,” I responded, waiting breathlessly.
His eyes transfixed me, as if he had me in a firm hold. He made me feel like I was on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating his next word, his next graceful gesture, and the subsequent spark of desire in his gaze. I could still feel his knee pressed against mine under the table.
“I understand that you proposed this marriage as a business arrangement.” The dark look in his eyes, sharp and piercing, reflected a tempest of emotions beneath the surface.
“To unite the strength of our family names,” he went on, his gaze unwavering and almost intimidating.
“I need you to understand that I fully intend to honor this marriage. I never do anything halfway. You will discover this about me soon. When I commit, I follow through. This will be a genuine marriage for me. I will be entirely devoted to you and expect the same from you. In every way.”
He glanced behind me, and I knew he was looking at his bed, envisioning the same thoughts I had earlier.
“Does that include love?” I asked, barely above a whisper.
His eyes widened, flashing across his features. Instantly, I regretted the question and wished to heaven I could take it back.
“That remains to be seen.”
I nodded. Deep down, his response sliced through me like a knife, making me realize I wanted what Avra and Eli had. But it wasn’t something I could expect or hope for.
“However,” he continued, “we will share a bed. I want you to be prepared for that. Otherwise, this won’t work.”
I peered up at him, my heart pounding out of control. I understood what he was saying, what he expected.
And I was anything but prepared for this, not in any genuine way.
I could project a powerful, fearsome demeanor, stand tall, and elevate my chin, speaking words tinged with insincere confidence. However, that was a well-practiced act, a fragile guise concealing the turmoil inside.
No amount of time spent on online research could prepare me for the overwhelming and immediate assault on my senses that I was feeling at this moment.
My mind whirled in confusion while my body burned with a jumbled mix of desire and apprehension.
I had no idea what to do next. This was all new to me.
He expected me to be prepared? Prepared, like how?
Panic rose. Maybe this was when I should confess I’d never even kissed a man.
My emotions roiled like a storm at sea, and my body wrestled with the desire and arousal that Niko seemed to ignite, alongside the anxiety of my ignorance churning in my belly.
No, I was stronger than my doubts and insecurities. I wouldn’t waver in my commitment to my family because of them.
We had come too far for me to let this moment crumble into weakness. I suppressed the torrent of my inner turmoil, allowing a small, defiant voice of confidence to rise above the clamor, shouting over my anxiety until it silenced every lingering doubt.
I wasn’t going to let my carefully crafted mask fall.
Fuck that.
I squared my shoulders, lifted my chin, and nodded, masking my trembling nerves. “I guarantee you, I’m fully ready for this entire experience, Niko,” I stated with a surety I didn’t truly possess.
Whether he believed me or not, I wasn’t sure. He gave no indication either way.
Though it seemed that the false bravado blared at us like a neon sign etched on my forehead.
“Excellent,” he replied with a firm nod. “As long as we’re clear.”
His piercing gaze shifted from my eyes to my lips, making them tingle from sheer anticipation.
“We’re clear,” I said, desire a throbbing ache growing deep in my belly.
“I’ll be honored to have a wife like you,” he murmured.
How was I expected to respond to that?
Was he always this open, this admiring, this direct? Would I ever get used to it?
“Thank you,” I mumbled, unable to tear my gaze away from his burning dark eyes.
“May I kiss you, Laya? I’ve been staring at your beautiful lips since you arrived.”
My God, the sheer directness of his request startled and thrilled me. There was no beating around the bush with him.
It both unsettled and intoxicated me in a way that sent shivers racing through my veins.
“Yes, I’d like that,” I managed to say barely through a whisper.
His eyes darkened with fierce intensity, as if I’d awakened a feral creature, he said, “I was hoping you’d say that.”
As he leaned toward me, his movements deliberately slow and measured, I felt a surge of anticipation so powerful that it threatened to overwhelm me.
The heat radiating from his body mingled with the growing storm in his eyes, deepening with each inch that closed the gap between us. When his lips finally brushed against mine, the tender caress took my breath away.
I braced myself for a strong, assertive kiss, but instead, I encountered a sweetness that was so patient and tender it felt unreal.
My stomach flipped with excitement, and I found myself breathless, caught in a swirl of surprise and desire.
That light, airy sensation made me crave more, my lips silently begging for another taste.
A brief pause hung in the air. He withdrew, eyes glimmering with triumph that contrasted with the deep, unrelenting craving spiraling within me. I barely opened my mouth, yearning in silence for his touch once more.
He traced my lower lip with his thumb, a sultry grin creeping across his features. “There will be more when you’re truly mine, Laya,” he said, his voice laced with an enticing promise.
His thumb lingered a moment longer before it disappeared too quickly, leaving me to stifle a whimper, the emptiness amplifying my desire.
Before I could fully recover, he took my hand and pulled me along, guiding me across the terrace as if nothing had disturbed the serenity of our evening.
As he led me through the property, it felt as though he was casually threading our fate together.
All the while, my mind wandered in a blissful fog of burning desire and sweet trepidation.