Chapter 4
CHRISTOPHER
We’re halfway through the congress, and I’m a bag of mixed feelings. I’m exhausted, utterly done with the niceties and the panels that tell me nothing new. I want to pull out my phone and work, just so I can do something useful, but that would be rude.
On the other hand, every day that passes is one day closer to when I’ll have to leave. To the last day I’ll see Athena.
She’s been on my mind constantly now. It’s hard to think of anything else.
Her beauty, how fierce she is beneath that layer of shyness, the dreams she has for herself.
Athena has become an addiction, and I’m unable to keep my distance.
And when I’m like this, locked in my room after all the panels are done and the night is old, it gets even worse.
There’s nothing to distract me from the thought of her.
I pick my phone up and type in her name.
The good part of her being Vera Menken’s daughter is that she’s easy to find.
I stalk the available pictures of her again.
Her graduation, rewards, and volunteer work.
The latter she does by herself, but her lineage is always mentioned.
I hate to read those texts. How they highlight her mother’s career instead of Athena’s work.
It must have been a nightmare living like this.
A knock makes me jerk back to reality. I’ve been staring at a picture of her, smiling at the camera, a long-sleeved white dress clinging to her full curves.
I refuse to admit I had been imagining her in a wedding dress, walking down the aisle toward me.
To admit that would be ridiculous. I’m a much older man, with no relationship with her. Why would I be daydreaming about that?
Getting to my feet, I leave the phone over the bed and make my way to the door. “One second,” I call out, then pull a shirt on.
When I open the door, I have to do a double take. Athena stands there as if she had just walked out of my daydreaming. A white shirt, long sleeves tucked over her fingers, and flannel pants that look like PJs. Her soft hair falls over her shoulders, those expressive eyes wide with doubt.
“Athena?” What is she doing here? Did something happen? A jolt of warning shoots through me, and rage bubbles in my stomach. My jaw clenches hard. “Did someone hurt you?”
She cocks her head, those sweet eyes blinking in confusion. “What? No, nothing happened. I just came to give your jacket back.” And she extends the piece of clothing in my direction.
Relief is a physical thing as it unwinds inside me. My shoulders drop. Fuck, I’m such an idiot. Why am I reacting like this? Why am I so worried about a girl who’s not even mine?
I run a hand over my head, feeling stupid. “Of course. You didn’t have to, though. We’re still staying for a few days.” And I take the jacket from her. A part of me, the part I don’t want to admit to having, hopes her smell has clung to the fabric of my suit jacket.
Athena drops her hands in front of her, fingers intertwining. “I know, but I... I kind of wanted to see you.” Her cheeks color pink, and she widens her eyes just as hope flashes in my chest. “I mean, to thank you. Because you’ve been so kind to me.”
I study her eyes, and there’s a brightness to them that threatens to devour me. “Shit,” I hiss, my body tensing as I force myself to stay away from her.
“What’s wrong?”
“You shouldn’t say these things.”
“What? Why?” She tucks a strand of hair behind an ear, and that simple gesture undoes me.
“Fuck,” I roar, heat pouring into my chest. “Because I want you, woman. More than anything.” And I bury a hand into her thick hair, tilting her head back as our lips collide.
Athena gasps in surprise, hands coming up to my chest. She doesn’t stop me, doesn’t push me away. Instead, her fingers curl on my shirt and she pulls me closer. Her eyelids flutter shut, so I close my eyes, too, and soak in the feeling of her body against mine.
Her smell fills my nostrils, and I lick along the seams of her pink lips.
She opens her mouth for me, and I dip into it with the tip of my tongue.
Athena makes another choked sound, but when I make to let her go, she tightens her hold on me.
She’s confused, but she wants to give in.
She feels the same connection, the same buzzing energy arching between us.
Folding my other arm around her waist, I lift her to the tips of her toes and devour her lips.
She tastes amazing, like French vanilla and blueberries, like candy, like a delicacy.
She’s the most precious thing I’ve ever held, and all the places our skins touch flare with nerves.
I had no idea a kiss could feel like this.
Like my heart is about to explode, like my entire body is just a big hurricane of nerves, ends buzzing with electricity.
Athena’s tongue touches mine. Gently, I coax her into kissing me back, into exploring my mouth back.
She releases a sigh, something almost like a moan.
The sound shoots heat south, and my pants tighten.
Athena wraps her arms around my neck, breasts pressing into my chest, and her body grows warm and pliable.
The kiss becomes even better as she gains confidence, swiping her tongue over mine.
As we learn how to make each other feel good.
Oh, the things I want to do to her... I want to explore her body and make her feel good, but I also want to see her grow and become the person she’s meant to be. We have known each other for such a short time, and yet I want to stay. I want to give her all the love life has refused her.
Athena breaks the kiss, and I gape at her swollen lips. Pride fills my chest, and a smile spills onto my lips as I put her down. She keeps her hands on my chest.
“That was...” Her voice comes out raspy, so she clears her throat. “That was amazing.”
“I’ve been wanting to do that for a few days,” I confess, brushing her hair over her shoulder. Shit, she’s so pretty. “Ever since we met.”
She tilts her head, that beautiful smile making her face glow. “Really?”
I want to call it love at first sight, but that would freak her out. “Mhm,” I reply, brushing our lips together. “Let me prove how much I like kissing you.” And I make to kiss her again.
This time, she slaps my chest, a chuckle bubbling out of her mouth. “We’re in public, you know?”
“Technically, we’re inside my room,” I say, though she’s right. The door’s still ajar, and we’re almost in the hallway. Anyone would see us if they opened their doors. I want to invite her in and close the door behind her, but this is too soon, and I don’t want her running the other way.
Athena giggles, her cheeks a soft shade of pink. I wish I could take a picture of her like this. Keep it forever with me. “Right, because that would keep people from talking.”
I study her face again. Right. She’s spent her life being judged. If they saw her with me, they’d think she’s only doing so to get ahead. I can hate it as much as my heart desires, but it won’t change the fact people are already prejudiced against her.
Full of regret, I let her go. “You’re right. Sorry.” I bend and peck her on the lips. “I promise I’ll keep my hands off you in public.”
“Only in public,” she says, with her cheeks going even redder. “You can touch me when we’re alone.” Shit, how am I going to keep my hands off her when she acts like this?
“Your mother would go crazy if she saw you talking like this, Athena,” I breathe against her lips, stretching my neck to kiss her again.
She steps back. Her eyes go round as she glares at me. “You had to bring my mother up, didn’t you?” she says, the blush spreading down her neck. She shakes her head. “This was a mistake. I shouldn’t have come.” And she whirls around to leave.
“Wait, Athena!” I shoot an arm out to grab her fingers.
She stops, throwing me a glassy look. “Let me go, Christopher. Please.”
And I do, if only for the pain I see across her face. She runs down the corridor and into the elevator, hair swaying behind her. Inside me, a gaping hole called regret. I had her. For a moment, I had her. And then I fucked it all up.