Chapter 4
four
NICOLE
W aking up to calls and texts from Jakob Petridis was once my fantasy. Okay, it still kind of is, but I’m going to force myself to be annoyed and not excited that he’s waiting for me to show up. Who am I kidding? He’s probably going to run off, per his usual routine, before I arrive. The arrogant jerk probably thinks I’m going to stay, too. No way. I’m going to make peace with Dafni because I don’t want her to be hurt by all this. She deserves a proper goodbye and assurance that we’ll get to hang out again, just not as me being her nanny.
I close my eyes, but sleep refuses to take me. I’m too wired. You know what? I should show up now. I won’t give Jakob the chance to ditch me. After all, he’s the one who called and woke me up, so now he can deal with me. This could go very badly, but what more do I have to lose? A job? I already quit. A family friend? He can’t stand me anyway.
It could be my lack of sleep, but I feel deliriously happy. However, my bravery is sapped and I’m wide awake with nerves when I’m standing in the foyer of Mr. Petridis’s mansion. I was expecting to catch him off guard, but I should’ve known better. It’s not like I could barge in on him. There are surveillance cameras everywhere, staff everywhere, and he wasn’t in the kitchen like I was hoping, so he must still be in his lair.
Miles, the butler and the nicest guy ever, comes to stand in front of me. “Mr. Petridis said for you to go on up.”
“On up?”
“Yes. On up to his wing. He said he’s been expecting you.”
Well, that confirms my suspicion that he already knows I’m here.
“On up to his… wing?”
The man looks at me with pity and confusion. “His wing of the house, ma’am. He’s in his room getting ready, and that’s where he’d like for you to go.”
I’ve never been to his room. He’s toying with me. This is a challenge, and joke’s on him because I accept .
“Thank you,” I tell Miles and then force my feet to move.
Of course he’s going to stand there and watch me. Then again, he’s probably worried I’ll get lost going up the stairs with the way I kept repeating everything he said. No worries. I’ve got this.
I conquer the first step and turn back to smile at Miles. His hands are behind his back as he continues to watch me with an amused expression. I go up five more steps. The house is eerily quiet this early. Is it always this quiet? Another five more steps, and I try to be subtle and see if Miles is still watching.
He is. And worse, he gives me a little wave.
I smile and return his wave. This is awkward. Painfully awkward. I clear my throat and tell him, “I know where to go now.”
“Good.”
“You don’t have to keep an eye on me.”
“I’m afraid I do. Mr. Petridis gave me instructions to see to it that you report to him upon arrival.”
That jerk. He probably thought I’d go to Dafni and then peace out. Why didn’t I think of that? Probably because a part of me wants to be tortured. I could hurry up these steps and make Miles’s life easier, but knowing Jakob is waiting plays on my petty side. I take my time climbing each step. It doesn’t lessen the ache in my calves, because sheesh, there are a lot of steps. It’s a toss-up if I’m out of breath because of my nerves or hiking up all these stairs.
Trying to control my breathing is useless when I find Jakob Petridis standing on the landing, shirtless, barefoot, and in slacks. This is so unfair. He clears his throat, but I can’t make eye contact. Seriously. He looks gorgeous right now, and I can’t meet his eyes because I’m ninety percent certain they’ll pop out of my head or he’ll see my tears of lust. Never mind the drool hanging from my chin.
“You’ll have to talk while I finish getting ready.”
I admire the staircase banister as I tell him, “You can finish getting ready while I wait downstairs.”
“Nonsense. I’m a multitasker, and this will save time.” After a pause, he says, “Don’t make this weird. We’ve practically grown up together.”
I was feeling confident about this until he showed up with no shirt on. I didn’t plan for that. I’m not prepared to face him head-on now. My eyes have never been exposed to such masculine beauty.
“To be fair, when we’d go swimming together, you didn’t… You were younger. We were younger.”
His chuckle is pure sin. “Are you trying to tell me you’re not mature enough to see me shirtless?”
“No,” I snap. I stomp up the rest of the way and stand toe-to-toe with him. I force myself to stare into his glacier eyes. “But it’s polite to put a shirt on when you have a guest. ”
“Are you a guest?”
“Do you prance around Miss Owens shirtless?”
“No.”
“Afraid she can’t keep her hands to herself?”
His lip twitches—the closest I’ve seen him come to a smile without Dafni being around. “What do you care if Miss Owens sees me partially undressed?”
“My point is, if you wouldn’t do it around her, why me?”
“Maybe I’m hoping you can’t keep your hands to yourself.”
I take a step back. Did I hear him correctly?
Before I can respond, he steps past me and calls out, “Or I’m hoping you’re mature and professional enough to behave like an adult. I’m shirtless, not nude. Follow me, please.”
I’m following a shirtless Jakob Petridis to his bedroom, and he begged me to do so. Practically demanded it. This is my fantasy. I realize I’m slightly delusional and twisting things.
Not being able to help myself, I tease, “Well, since you said please. I don’t want you to beg for me to come to your bedroom.”
Did he scoff? I think he just scoffed at me, but it was so faint, I’m not sure. He opens a set of giant double wooden doors. All the lights are off and there are blackout shades, so I can’t make out much except the light coming from the open bathroom door. When I enter the bathroom, I come to a halt from being in complete awe. It’s a wing all on his own. I wander through in fascination.
“This is bigger than most public restrooms. Bigger than the dorm communal shower room. How many people use all this?”
“Just me.”
There’s a massive shower, a luxurious bathtub that could easily fit three people, two giant sinks, a vanity, cabinets, and I still haven’t located the toilet. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a flat-screen television mounted on the wall to keep him entertained while he does his business. I wonder if he watches porn on it.
“Back to the business at hand, Nicole.”
My cheeks heat as, for a moment, I fear I said that out loud, or somehow he knows where my thoughts have gone. I don’t know why I thought that.
“Oh, so I’m Nicole now? I’m only Miss Wilson when your staff is around?”
“Ah, yes. Miss Owens. She must’ve gotten under your skin. This is the second time you’ve brought her up.”
“I just couldn’t help but notice what a major asshole you are when she’s around. You act as though we haven’t known each other for well over a decade.”
“I’m trying to maintain a professional relationship and keep our personal relationship separate.”
“Is that why I’m standing in your private quarters while you’re half-dressed? Or do you usually conduct business this way?”
“Worried about Miss Owens again?” He takes a step toward me, and I find myself getting cornered between him and the massive marble sink.
I refuse to cower. He smells incredible—woodsy, minty, and clean. His eyes are sparkling with mischief, making him appear younger than his thirty-four years. Dear God, he almost looks playful. Is he teasing me? I know he can’t be flirting.
I place a hand out to halt him, and unintentionally, it lands on his solid chest. There’s a light dusting of hair. He’s solid and incredibly warm. I’m dying to press my face into his neck and wrap myself in his scent and warmth, but I muster up every ounce of self-control I have and stop myself.
“I’m confused. I’m trying to understand what’s happening. You went from ignoring me and sending me to exile as soon as you came home to completely dismissing me, and now I’m cornered in what feels like a very intimate moment. Care to cut to the chase and tell me what’s going on?”
Abruptly, he takes a step back. “You’re right.” He steps to the side and begins wetting his hands in the sink. He’s still too close, but I don’t move. I watch in fascination as his strong hands make work of prepping himself for a shave .
“You’re going to use a straight razor? Like from Sweeney Todd ?”
He chuckles. “It gets the closest shave.”
“I figured you were an electric razor type of guy.”
His eyebrows pinch, but he goes on about his business. He lathers the cream onto his chiseled jaw and begins speaking. “Dafni needs you. We both know she adores you. I’m the one who fucked things up.”
“Why?” Before he can answer my question, I interpret him when I see the sharp blade shine in the light. “That thing looks deadly.”
Jakob quirks a brow. “Would you like to do the honor?”
“By killing you or shaving you?”
“I’ll leave the decision to you.”
I hop onto the marble surface so I’ll have a better reach. I’ve only ever done this with my grandfather. “Color me shocked, but are you giving me control, Mr. Petridis? Your life is in my hands. Your safety.”
“I trust you with Dafni, and her life means more to me than mine.”
Well, that just turned my insides to goop. But also, I needed to hear him say he did— does —trust me with her. It hurt when I thought he didn’t think I was responsible enough.
Needing to lighten the mood, I quip, “You do know I like her more than you, right? She’s safe. The verdict is still out on you. ”
“If you draw blood, I wouldn’t blame you. How about if you do decide to, keep it to minor damages? Nothing serious enough to require a visit to the emergency room.”
“No promises.”
“Perhaps I could persuade you with an offer.”
I slowly bring the blade to an angle and gently shave a small section. The sound against his stubble is oddly satisfying. The smell of the shaving cream and the feel of the warmth of his body between my legs is intoxicating. I wipe the blade clean, and before I go back to work, I ask, “And what’s your offer? Don’t forget, I was only meant to be here temporarily anyway. The company I want to work for could call me any day to start earlier than this fall.”
“I’m aware,” he says. He’s completely calm as I drag the blade under his chin. “I want you to escort Dafni and me to Greece.”
I quickly pull back and stare at him. After a pregnant pause, I wheeze, “Like the country?”
“Yes. You know that’s where my family is from.”
“Greece. Paradise. Full of ancient history. Gorgeous crystal-blue waters. Amazing Mediterranean cuisine. That Greece?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” I hold the blade up and narrow my eyes. “And you never answered my earlier question as to why you treated me the way you did. I don’t understand you, Jakob.”
He gestures for me to go back to shaving as he speaks. “I had some personal issues, but I’ve worked those out. I shouldn’t have taken any of it out on you. I sincerely apologize. As for Greece…”
He stops speaking as I move around his mouth. I dab some of the shaving cream from his lips with the towel. When I finish, he speaks again.
“Vivian wants to baptize her daughter on the island of Santorini. She has to be baptized there this summer. They want to leave next week.”
“May I ask why?” I adore Vivian. His sister is nothing like him. She’s sweet and extremely friendly.
“Her baby needs to be baptized before she can be named. Vivian struggled with infertility. She prayed and lit several candles in this little church on the island of Santorini last time she was there. When she returned back to America, she learned she’d brought a little souvenir with her. So, the baby has to be baptized in that particular church in Santorini because she believes her prayers were answered there.”
I smile at the sweet story. Jakob must notice, because he asks, “Does that smile mean a yes?”
“The smile was happiness for your sister.”
“All your expenses paid, of course. I’ll pay you double what I am now. I’m nervous about flying so far with Dafni, just the two of us. My parents usually join us, but they’ve already left to assist Vivian and make preparations for the baptism. You’re the perfect person. You know Dafni, you know my family, and it wouldn’t be awkward.”
I have my doubts about that. I’m trying to not focus on how awkward me being in his bathroom is. Surprisingly, I have kind of gotten comfortable while shaving him. Did he ask me to do this to distract me?
“For how long?”
“It can only be for the weekend. I have to get back to my patients. They waited until the last minute to decide on a date, and I already have surgeries scheduled for the following week.”
“How would we get there?”
“Plane. Of course.”
“Well, I didn’t think it was by boat. But are we flying commercial or in one of your fancy jets?”
“Commercial. It’s silly but I want Dafni to experience going to Greece the same way I did. It was fun going through the airport and everyone sitting in a row together. I don’t know. I don’t want her to grow up too far out of reality.”
“That’s nice.” I admire that he tries to give some of his childhood experiences to her. “Are we sitting economy as well?”
“First class.” He gives the tiniest of crooked smiles and says, “Eh, you want to give your kids better. But it’s still commercial. ”
“Wow,” I tease. “That’s still a luxury, ya know? Going to Greece on its own is—even if it’s economy.” He shrugs and I say, “Well, my ticket can be economy.”
“So that’s a yes?”
“Yes. I’ll gladly accept you getting my ticket, and I appreciate it more than you know, but you and Dafni can be first class. I’ve never flown before, so I’m already excited.”
“How about we meet in the middle with comfort plus? Not basic economy.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
We stare at each other for a moment. Something passes in his eyes, but I can’t make out the expression. My chest rises and falls with anticipation of what’s to happen next.
Jakob’s voice comes out hoarse. “For the record, I’ve never ignored you, even if it seemed like it. I’ve tried, but it’s always been futile.”
“Okay.” I don’t know what else to say. There’s so much to unpack with him saying he tried to ignore me but couldn’t. Why did he want to? Why couldn’t he? I’m not entirely sure I’m ready for those answers, especially now that I’m back to being Dafni’s nanny and we’re about to embark on an overseas adventure. “I should go check on Dafni. She’s probably about to wake up.”
“Thank you for coming back. ”
I cast my eyes down and try to lighten the mood with adding some sass to my tone. “I did it for Dafni. Plus, a weekend in Greece is a nice bonus.”
He gives me something between a scoff and a chuckle. I try waiting for him to move, but he doesn’t. I nudge my body closer to the edge, thinking he’ll take the hint. The heat of him is pressed firmly against my center. This was a mistake. I start to scoot back, but his firm hands latch on to me.
“Let me help you.” His voice sends shivers down my spine as he slides my body off the counter and down his length. I feel all of his erection through his slacks as my feet touch the floor.
“Whatever the reason, thank you for coming back.”
Jakob should know I would’ve returned anyway. One, I don’t want to feel like I’m abandoning Dafni. I adore her. And second, it’s hard to deny Jakob Petridis anything. Before I do something ridiculous, like drop to the floor in a puddle of goo or state the obvious like, “I felt your penis , ” I rush out of the room.
He doesn’t follow me or call after me, and I don’t stop until I reach Dafni’s door. I raise my hand to gently knock but pause when my phone dings. A part of me is hoping it’s Jakob asking me to return to his room, but instead, it’s the company I’ve been waiting to hear from. I haven’t even had a chance to catch my breath, and now whatever air was left in me has been knocked out. They’re asking me to start work… immediately.
This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. My dream job. But where does that leave me with Dafni… and Jakob? What of our plans for one weekend in Greece?