Temper sparked in her eyes, but she did not snap back. “And how should I behave?”
He moved in even closer, even as she pressed her back against her apartment door. He lowered his mouth to be close to her ear, so he could whisper the rest in case someonewaswatching.
And because he liked watching the way her breathing went unsteady.
“As though you are romantically interested, naturally. Now, I am going to kiss you goodnight, and I must warn you, you cannot get any…ideas.”
“Ideas?” She was trying to sound tough, but her voice had gone husky.
He bit back a smile. “Yes, the women I kiss tend to get ideas. Love, marriage, a future. These are not things I plan on offering anyone.”
She huffed out a derisive sound. “Perhaps you are not nearly as charming as you give yourself credit for.”
He lifted a negligent shoulder. “Perhaps,” he agreed verbally…but did not agree internally, because he could see the effect he had on her.
Perhaps there was a glimmer of concern about the effect she had on him, but he could control things such as that.
He skimmed the back of his fingers along her jawline. She stood very still, though her jaw clenched. She did not betray any reaction, but he could see how hard she was working at betraying nothing.
It made him smile. And lean in.
“Why be worried,glikí mou?” he said, close enough he could feel her fluttered exhale against his mouth. “It is only pretend.”
Perhaps a reminder to himself as much as her.
He skimmed his lips against hers, featherlight. He could feel the ripple of shock go through her—it wasn’t what she’d expected. Which left her just enough off-kilter that she met the gentle easing closer with acquiescence.
Mouth still on hers, eyes open as he watched hers flutter closed, he covered one of her fisted hands with his own. He unfurled her fingers as he deepened the kiss, until her lips opened of their own accord, and he could sweep his tongue in to get a taste.
She tasted exotic. Like something rich and foreign and beyond his reach. Which poked at a strange anger deep inside him. Nothing was beyond his reach these days. He did not allow it.
So, he would just have to have her. No anger necessary. No feeling of being thwarted allowed.
He would simply use his excellent patience. Because the groundwork had to be laid first.
So he stepped back, releasing her completely, and then watching everything play out on her face with a fascination he did not quite understand or have a handle on just yet.
Her eyes fluttered open, color high in her cheeks, eyes dark and stormy. Her breathing was uneven as she stood there, still and possibly a little angry. But he wasn’t sure if it was him or herself she was angry at.
He could not catalogue anything that made her special or different. He had kissed beauties, innocents and experts alike. He had experienced everything he’d cared to in this life, and yet… She was different and singular, and he could not figure outwhy.
She said nothing, but a wariness crept into her expression to mix with a very clear want. Perhaps he was used to getting what he desired, and she was not. Perhaps that explained this strange dynamic.
“We leave for Mykonos the day after tomorrow,” he told her, somewhat brusquely. “I trust you will both be ready.”
She did not say anything. He assumed there was some internal fight going on, but she hid it well. Except for the fact she said nothing in response and did not move to go inside. It was the only hint she was fighting off some reaction.
This eased some of the tight, irritating bands around his lungs. Enough he managed a sharp smile.
“Sleep well,glikí mou.”
And he left her there, adjusting his own plans as he went.
Knowing he would not sleep well at all.
Ari could not deny that nerves assaulted her.
Mother sat on the couch, big sunglasses covering her face, her small bag clutched in her lap. She had agreed to go to the facility, though she’d been a little drunk at the time. But here in the cold light of morning, she had not lodged a complaint. She had done as she was told.
