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I pull on my hand, but Marco’s gaze comes back to me, and he shakes his head no, then looks over my shoulder. “I’m not talking business tonight. Tonight, I’m going to spend the evening with my fiancée. We have a date to walk along the shore and make sure sand gets between our toes and that’s what I’m going to go give her—give both of us. We can meet in the morning about the tunnels.”
My body locks, going rigid with shock for a minute.
“If that’s what you want,” Gio responds sounding none too happy.
I’m so surprised, I don’t think I just stretch up toward him and put my lips to his. He’s putting me first. If this is a dream, I hope I never wake up. He takes over the kiss and again I let him and I do it thinking being married to Marco Stratakis isn’t going to be as great as I used to dream about when I was sixteen.
It’s going to be better.
Marco
I know my brothers are pissed that I’m putting this meeting off. They’re working hard. To get our home secure. The smart thing might be to see this meeting through tonight, but I don’t give a damn. The shock and happiness that bubbles out onto Helena’s face is all the reward I need. Then, Helena makes it better by kissing me and that definitely makes it better.
I’ve been dying the last two weeks lying in bed with her, holding her, kissing her, but not going any further. My damn balls are permanently blue. Nothing gets past Elias. He knows I’m sexually frustrated. I confessed that I was letting Helena set the pace of our relationship. He rolled his damn eyes and asked me where to send the application for sainthood. Honestly, I’m going insane. I have to have her soon, but when I do finally claim her, I want her to be the one to tell me she’s ready. That needs to be her decision. She’ll tell me when she’s ready. I know she will but fucking hell, if it doesn’t happen soon, I’m going to have to take the decision out of her hands, take what I want, and just hope she enjoys the ride.
As she stands up, I do the same, keeping our hands joined. I ignore my brother’s stares. I’ve got a woman to take to the shoreline and let her enjoy the feel of sand between her toes.
Chapter 18
Helena
I grabbed a blanket before we went out and as the evening breeze blows, I’m starting to wonder if I should have grabbed two. We make our way carefully down the stone steps that lead off the overlook to the ocean below. Marco keeps a firm hand on me the entire time and I know he’s worried about me slipping. As we make it to the bottom his hands go to my hips and he lifts me in the air, hefting me over the last two steps.
I stare at him for a minute my heart drumming in my ears. Can he hear it too? He bends down and kisses my forehead. My eyes close from the sweetness of it.
“Put your hand on my shoulder, Ena.”
I’m not sure what he’s asking until he turns slightly and bends down. I hold onto him and he lifts my foot slightly sliding my sandal off. He does the same with the other foot and then secures them with one finger in each heel, then, he quickly kicks off his shoes that he slipped on before we left. They’re casual and they do not go with his slacks and black button up shirt. I like that he didn’t give a damn. He just wanted to make me happy. I also know that’s why we’re here. Marco is not a walking by the ocean kind of guy. I don’t think he ever looks at the ocean. It could be because he’s lived here all his life. All I know is, he’s taking time out of a busy schedule to give this to me and I’m going to enjoy it.
Once he’s done, he leaves his shoes there. I take the blanket and lay it down, securing the top end with his shoes. He grins and puts mine at the bottom, then holds his hand out to me. I take it and sigh at the contentment I feel.
“You like this, my princess?”
“More than I could tell you. I hate that you put off work because of me, but I am selfish enough to admit that I also love it.”
He laughs. “I wanted to. The last two weeks have been good, haven’t they? You’re happy?”
We’re walking along the edge of the water and the moon above us is almost full and something about his words confuse me.
“Of course, I am. Should I worry that you’re not?”
