Adonis in Athens - Page 63

“There just wasn’t any way for me to see you again, to figure out if things could work between us and at that point I knew I couldn’t stay in the U.S. It didn’t make sense that you would come to Greece after spending three days together, and to be honest, I let it go because it was easier. Had things in the family not gone crazy, I might have looked you up, maybe made plans to spend more time together, but I didn’t have control of my life and you were just another casualty of me having to leave my life in the U.S. behind.”

“What does this have to do with what I overheard?” she asked softly.

He sighed. “It’s been three years but I still waffle between loving the States and loving Greece. When my father pissed me off with that deal, it was like everything fell into place. I’d get back at him and teach him a lesson. I’d get to come back to the U.S., something I’d wanted to do since before I left college. And I’d get you.”

“But you already—”

He put a finger over her lips. “You weren’t there yet. You were scared and apprehensive, and I get it. It seemed like the stars were aligning for me for once.”

“But?” She squinted slightly, looking into his troubled face.

“But I’m not a 22-year-old college student anymore. I’ll be 26 this fall and I love Lakkas, International. I’ve spent the last two years truly making it mine, in spite of my father’s meddling. I love Greece six months of the year and like it a lot the other six months. My family is big and crazy, but really close and loving and fun. My grandmother is getting older and I hate the thought of something happening to her while I’m living far away…”

“So you don’t really want to leave,” she said softly.

“Not completely.” He swallowed. “But if the choice is you or Greece, I pick you. I’d love for you to give Greece a chance, but it doesn’t matter. If it takes a year, or five years, or never, I still choose you.”

She felt emotion coursing through her veins, a wave of love mingled with pain that made her a little light-headed. She rested her head on his shoulder and tried to breathe, struggling to articulate the disparate thoughts racing through her mind. She wanted to go with him, but she was unsure. Staying married wasn’t optional, but how could she force him to choose? It was too much to process, making her a little nauseous. The indecision was overwhelming and she suddenly just squeezed her eyes shut as tightly as she could before whispering, “You don’t have to move here for me.”

“Oh, but I do.” He kissed the top of her head, noting she was shivering. “Just thinking about the situation is making you shake—hey, look at me.” He tilted her chin up so their eyes locked. “I was telling Mick about all these things going on in my head, the same ones you seem to be struggling with right now, and how I didn’t know what to do. He’s my closest friend and he was helping me talk it out, probably the way you and Raegan do, except in guy language. I didn’t actually lie to you, or even purposely mislead you—I was just trying to figure out how to have it all. But once you left, there wasn’t any doubt about what I had to do.”

“I don’t want you to give anything up for me.”

“Isn’t that what love is, though?” He frowned, fingers trailing her damp cheek. “Aw, baby, don’t cry.”

“It just seems like you’d have to give up so much more than I would,” she whispered. “I don’t know why it feels that way—because I love my family and my friends—but I want you to be okay with whatever we decide.”

“I’m here, aren’t I?” He brushed his lips across hers. “I love you. That’s all there is. We’ll figure out the details.”

“Really?” Her breath sped up a little, still surprised at the way a simple touch from him affected her.

“Really.” He was leaning in to kiss her just as their food arrived and he reluctantly pulled away. “But right now, the only detail on my mind is this burger—you mind sharing me for a few minutes?”

She grinned. “Just this once.”

He picked up the burger and took a big bite, moaning with satisfaction. “As soon as I’m done, I’m going to show you how grateful I am.”

16

An hour later she used the spare key she kept in the glove compartment of her car to let them in to her apartment. They felt like naughty teenagers who’d stayed out past curfew, trying not to giggle. They were exhausted but their need for each other far outweighed the need to sleep. Quietly, so as not to disturb Nora, they kissed hungrily as they made their way towards her bedroom.

“Nora’s asleep,” she reminded him, tugging his hand and pulling him into the bathroom. She locked the door behind them and smiled.

“Shower,” he murmured, leaning over to turn on the water as he yanked off his shirt. “Brilliant.”

Watching him get undressed made her heart start beating faster and she dropped her own clothes in anticipation of what was to come; just these few days apart left her yearning for him.

“Damn, I like watching you take your clothes off,” he said softly. “But I love your bare body even more.”

Strong but gentle fingers fondled her breasts, and she slowly backed against the wall because the pleasure made it hard to think, much less concentrate on standing still. He was cupping one of them now, rubbing the nipple with his thumb and watching as her eyes got heavy. “How does it feel to know you’re really mine?” he whispered.

“Wonderful,” she breathed. “Like it’s the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

“Does the idea of being mine forever arouse you?” He was toying with her, playing with her breasts, circling her nipples as they tightened with need.

“Y-yes.” She gasped as he pinched one nipple harder than before and then bent his head to soothe the burn with his tongue.

“My wife,” he growled under his breath. “You have no idea how much I’m going to enjoy making love to my wife.”