The Showdown #4
“Interesting. If I ever needed an ouzo, it’s right now.” She motioned her hand at him up and down. “I have to ask. Were you like this with Marina?”
“How do you mean?”
“I mean like this? You being nice—it’s weird… but it’s nice.”
“Uh, no. I usually got the moutra on the floor.”
“Her face on the floor? What?”
“Ah, a sour face. Never really happy…”
“I’m sensing a lot of sleeping on the couch…”
“More than you can imagine.”
“So that’s why!”
“What?”
“Why you slept with me! Aha! You were just…”
“NO! Please stop!”
She wanted to twist it, but she knew it wasn’t because he hadn’t had sex for some time. He had been so tender and… patient. “Did Eleni tell you I was a virgin?”
Simo swallowed hard and shook his head slowly, no.
“Did you suspect?”
“No.”
“I would have never told you, you know.”
“Uh… can I say I am grateful and honored you did? Or is that the wrong thing to say?”
“It’s… ok.”
“Is that why you always asked if I thought you were a… uh…”
“A whore?” She shrugged. “Yeah, I think so. Obviously, I wasn’t.” She let out a laugh. “I guess that was my way of trying to say something… hey, you don’t get to ask questions.”
Simo held his hands up, begging off. “My bad.”
“Oh my God, you sound like Xander now.”
“He’s a good influence?” He laughed.
She eyed him for a few seconds, then yawned and stretched.
“It’s late…” He moved to get up and she gestured for him to sit.
“I’m going to take a shower. You can take one after me.
We are NOT having sex. You will hold me all goddamn night like you should have on Christmas and every damned night after Athens. Am I clear?”
His eyes widened. “Crystal.” He saluted.
“About goddamn time. Have an ouzo, it's over there. You look like you really need it.”
Simo watched her wheel away the squeaking tank and wondered what the hell just happened.
He felt turned inside out, stretched thin, and turned back outside in.
She looked serious about holding her, and his heart warmed at that idea.
He had his ouzo and stood at the windows, watching the night and the lights of the city.
His heart felt hope and warmth… not the wrenching fear his guts had felt when he worried Jessie would corner him back in LA.
He suddenly wanted to kick himself. Eleni was right all along, as usual.
He looked at his reflection in the window and realized how selfish he’d been. If Jessie came storming back in and ordered him out, he’d deserve it. Maybe she would still, to drive home her final nail.
He thought about how ‘I love you’ almost slipped again. He looked at his reflection looking back at him. Should he?
“Hey. What’s so interesting out there?” came Jessie’s voice.
He turned and saw her in yoga shorts and a top. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and she was as beautiful as ever.
“I was just thinking about you.”
“About what?”
“About how much of an asshole I’ve been. And that…” He paused.
“That what?”
“That hopefully I would be able to hold you and not wish I was holding you someplace else.”
She raised her finger and playfully shook it at him. “Where’s your phone? You’ve been chatting with Xander, haven’t you?” It was the first smile he’d seen from her in weeks.
“Who, me? No…”
“Ok, Simo, get in the shower and don’t take all night. There’s shorts and stuff in the bathroom closet. Hurry, I’m tired.”
“Orders from headquarters!” He laughed as he passed her.
“STOP!”
Simo hit the brakes and turned around, trepidation building at potentially being told to get out.
“You, Captain Petras, have been known to not follow orders from headquarters!”
He let out a relieved laugh. “I only break them when it comes to you, Jessie… just when it comes to you.”
She nodded once, pointed toward the bathroom, and he double-timed it.
Jessie felt his arms pull her in tight. Her head tucked under his chin against his bare shoulder, her leg wrapped around his.
If it wasn’t for the stupid oxygen mask, it would be perfect.
She’d take it as is. She wasn’t sure she wanted to fully forgive him yet…
but she knew that was the old hurt talking. “What?” she suddenly asked, looking up.
“If I tell you those three words when I’m dreaming… it’s not just a dream.”
She snuggled back under his chin and took in a deep breath, feeling his skin against hers. “Play your cards right and just maybe you might hear it back someday... and not in some dream.”
“I will celebrate that day like New Year's Day. We will dance the Hasapiko, too,” he chuckled.
She almost laughed. He was being different… damn, he was being squishy and not complaining about it. Maybe she will have him watch her back on her operation after all. She smiled and snuggled in as close as possible. And maybe… just maybe, that no-sex comment was a bit premature…
You met Halo and Xander.
Now read the story that started it all!
The Complete Series Book by Book.
Standalone Dark Romance!Set in Simo, Halo, and Xander's universe.
Meet Serafini Ambrose.
She came to America chasing her dreams...
...and walked straight into a nightmare.
Nightmares always end… don’t they?