Chapter 22

Jenna

Ifelt a light breeze tickling my skin and sighed, stretching out my arms even as sleep wanted to consume me all over again. Yawning, I opened my eyes, squinting at the amount of light coming in through the open blinds.

Rolling over, I slowly eased my arm across the bed, hopeful to find the big hunk of a Greek god was still lying beside me. When I felt nothing but cool sheets, I closed my eyes all over again. A few seconds later, my brain registered some strange substance on the bed. Even though my brain was foggy, I jerked my head up, instantly regretting it. The ache behind my eyes made moving painful.

Why?

Oh, how could I forget? Too much wine.

And sex.

Lots of wild, rough, and amazing sex.

Unable to focus just yet, I returned my head to the goose-down pillow, staring up at the ceiling as I spread my arms. What were my fingers rubbing against? I lifted my head more carefully this time, instantly pressing my hand over my mouth. Rose petals covered the bed in various vivid colors.

What had the man done?

I laughed, struck by how strange it seemed for the man to do something so out of character. He wasn’t a romantic by his own admittance. So what was this all about?

I managed to sit up, holding the sheet over my naked breasts as I ran my fingers through the beautiful sea of colors. The light breeze flowing in through the open window allowed a few petals to float from one spot to another. The romantic scene was incredible, the most special thing anyone had ever done for me.

Which was why I hated that in the back of my mind, I questioned why.

The night had been amazing, the connection we’d felt growing stronger. I wasn’t certain if I was feeling regret for letting go and enjoying myself or not. Still, I was tingling all over, suddenly feeling like a princess in a beautiful castle made of gold.

While the scent was already incredible, I scooped up a handful of petals, bringing my fingers just under my nose. The fragrance was amazing. I found myself laughing, happy and joyful. I felt guilty for feeling that way when everything remained completely up in the air.

After enjoying the beautiful moment for a little while longer, I finally turned my head toward the clock. My God, it was almost ten-thirty. Yes, we’d been up very late, but I never slept past eight. That had been a luxury I hadn’t been able to afford.

Now everything seemed luxurious, which added to the heavy guilt. I noticed a note positioned away from the breeze on the dresser, the piece of paper or cardboard folded, a red marker having been used.

Get dressed, agapiméni mou. We are going out.

Inoticed something else propped against the massive wooden box holding all his sexy watches. It was also addressed to me. After tossing back the covers, I noticed the man who’d ensured every inch of my body was sore, including my aching bottom, had carefully placed one of the three sexy new silk robes purchased for me.

I slipped into it quickly, padding toward the dresser. The set of folded papers wasn’t in an envelope. Why did I have a very strange feeling pooling in my stomach as I opened it? I was confused at first, reading it over three times before I realized what I was looking at.

“There are a few complications as with any real estate transaction.”

Stavros’ deep voice brought a quicksilver group of tingling sensations shifting all the way to my toes. “I don’t understand.”

He had a rather boyish grin on his face as he stood with his ankles crossed, leaning against the open door. I hadn’t heard him unlocking it, which meant he’d trusted me. I wasn’t certain whether I should be insulted that it had taken a night of wicked sex, but it was easy to smile from just seeing his face.

“I think you do, my smart girl.”

“It appears you’ve purchased the building in New York where my clinic is housed.”

“You would be correct, although your landlord is being a pain in my ass. There are inspections to go through, and it is an aging building. Of course, the market there is tight, which means closing won’t be for a couple of months unless I can pull some strings. Then there will be the contracts needed to regift it to the intended owner.” He waited until I’d absorbed what he’d said.

“Who are you gifting the building to?” Did this mean he was letting me go? That he wanted me to go? Just yesterday, I would have been elated. Why did it cause me a few little hiccups?

He swaggered closer, acting all suave, which made me smile. As he took the papers from my hands, he lowered his gaze to my partially covered breasts. The man was incorrigible. Ding. Ding. Another surprise.

“Well,” he said as he pulled the soft material aside, immediately cupping my breasts. “I’m thinking about gifting it to a very good girl.”

As soon as he pinched my nipples, I was forced to grip the edge of the dresser since my knees were already knocking. It wasn’t as much from the pain as it was from the way my core zoomed to a thousand degrees. He had that crazy kind of effect on me, which was just another set of sensations and emotions I couldn’t deny.

Like the fact I found myself feeling more and more like a princess.

I arched my back, taking several deep breaths as a blissful wash of pain rolled through me. Every time he touched me, I lost track of what I was thinking or even feeling. It was ridiculous, but he had that way about him, the ability to stop everything in its tracks. I was eager to see how people reacted when he walked into a crowded room.

He lowered his head, blowing across one hardened bud then the other before taking the first one into his mouth. Where he’d caused anguish before, he was soothing my aches and pains now as only he could do. The passion he exuded tossing me into a thick fog, more so than the fiery haze I’d experienced from the night before.

His growl was deep and low, the rumble setting my skin on fire. He even dared to slip his hand between my legs, flicking a single finger around my clit.

I gripped his forearm with one hand, struggling to keep standing.

“You’re so… terrible. A beast of a… man.” He left me breathless, my inability to put a coherent sentence together bringing another nervous laugh to the surface.

And what did the bastard do in return, but only after thrusting all four of his fingers deep into my already slickened pussy? He backed away suddenly, leaving me aching and electrified.

I lifted my head, taking another series of gasping breaths, digging my fingers into the dresser as my knees wobbled.

Seeing the mischievous look in his eyes was enough to make me reach for him like a kitty cat would, ready to claw out his eyes. Only this time, I didn’t really feel it.

To add insult to injury, he shoved his slickened fingers into his mouth, the sounds he emitted animalistic. So exaggerated. And so like him to torment me.

I yanked my robe closed, planting my hand on my hip. I didn’t know what to think about the insane gift he was planning to give me. The contract was for millions. Millions of fucking dollars. Was he kidding me? Was there a chance this was all about controlling my life? Somehow, I didn’t think so. It kept my stomach churning and my skin burning.

And the combination was as dangerous as the man.

“Get dressed, sunshine. We have an entire day planned.”

“You mean you do,” I cooed in response.

He took a deep breath and rubbed his fingers back and forth across the seam of his mouth on purpose. “Why, yes. And all because I’m your owner.”

Winking, he left the room, laughing as he walked out.

Why, oh, why didn’t his statement trouble me as much as it should?

“This is it? This is the very spot where the scene was filmed, the Philadelphia Museum of Art?” Thank God, I’d worn the very tennis shoes I’d arrived at his house in. They were not only my favorite pair of shoes in the entire world, notwithstanding the animal print stilettoes, they were the most comfortable.

It seemed I didn’t know anything about Stavros at all. Or maybe I’d challenged him to a point where he was dead set on proving me wrong about him. He was still a dangerous man as evidenced by the fact we not only had the usual gruesome twosome following us, but two other soldiers as well. I’d heard it was because Atlas needed some time to deal with a family issue in about an hour, Christos needing to handle business.

The powerful hunk of a man who’d lain awake next to me the night before, stroking my cheek as I’d drifted off to sleep had done it again. He’d shocked the hell out of me.

I peered up at the vast number of stairs, the music for one of my all-time favorite old movies spinning around in my head like a broken record. He stood to the side, his shit-eating grin one I’d already tried to wipe off more than once. Maybe because he’d even dressed like some crazy tourist in a festive and rather campy Hawaiian shirt with a pair of way too tight jeans. No man should ever be allowed to look that hot in denim.

“Here, my darling,” he teased. “And I dare you to run up those stairs and pretend you’re that famous Italian Stallion.”

I slowly turned my head, lifting my sunglasses on purpose. “You’re standing there in a very bizarre garish shirt and you dare challenge me?”

He picked at one of the buttons, shrugging as the sly grin remained on his face. “Hey, my brother gave me this sexy little number last Christmas. And yes, yes, I am.”

“Remind me to suggest he use a shopper for the next holiday. You shouldn’t dare a former long-distance runner.”

I noticed the four guys were hanging around like statues, watching our interactions far too closely. Today, I felt more self-conscious than I had before, mainly because there were four of them. Or maybe because I continued to look over my shoulder even though I’d seen no evidence of the man who I’d been certain had been following me a day before.

However, it had been a tough set of sensations to shake over the last three hours we’d been out.

“Uh-huh. I think you’re stalling,” Stavros told me. “What do you think, boys? Is the lady all fluff and no substance?”

I cocked my head, planting my hands on my hips, daring any of the four men to say a word. Fortunately for them they remained big, burly statues of granite and steel. I shifted my gaze toward the sexy Greek. “You asked for it, buddy. Clock me. If I make it in thirty seconds, not only are you taking me to lunch, but you’re going to purchase something special. Just. For. Me.”

“You’re on. But if I win, you’re going to surrender to anything and everything I want for two full days.”

I huffed and puffed at his demands, finally giving him a single nod. “Fine. But get ready to pull out that black credit card again, buddy.”

“Now, it’s buddy. I think I’ll need to remember that when I punish you later.” He lifted his arm, tapping his watch. “And… go.”

I took the stairs two at a time initially, realizing quickly that no wonder the trained boxer had a difficult time getting to the top at first. They were steep. However, I refused to allow the man to win. I pushed myself, making it to the top and the music in my head was louder than before. I threw my arms into the air, spinning around in a full circle, even humming the theme song.

When someone almost tackled me, I let out a yelp before realizing Stavros had made it to the top as well, lifting me into his strong arms and turning us both in circle after circle. His grin was more infectious than ever, the man exuding happiness.

Why did the man confuse me so much? Why did I feel so close to him after the days of terror for the man and the bastards who’d almost killed me, the situation and of the future? I couldn’t answer either one. All I knew is that I felt free and excited.

As he finally eased me down to my feet, I pressed both palms against his chest. “That was… exhilarating.”

“That was exhausting, sweetheart. Who are you kidding?” He captured my mouth but only briefly, barely darting his tongue inside before pulling away. “You won fair and square, but I’m going to choose the treat. Then we’re heading back to the house and stopping by the most awesome place in the world for lunch. Deal?”

“Deal.” As he took me by the hand, pulling me down the stairs, he asked about the years I’d been a runner. I found myself jabbering at the mouth as I’d done the first night I’d met him, only for an entirely different reason. I no longer feared the man, other than the fact my feelings were no longer icy, gravitating toward liking him.

We were quite a ways from the small parking lot where the two vehicles were parked, but it was a gorgeous day and walking down the busy sidewalks in a beautiful section of town had brightened my mood even more.

Who surrendered in that way to the person who took them as a hostage? When we finally took the last step, he refused to let go of my hand, casually walking across the street to where a bank of quaint stores was located. And I was still going on about my brief but award-winning stint at cross-country racing when he stopped in front of a beautiful shop.

He kept me standing in front until I calmed my butt down, finally noticing the insanely gorgeous jewelry positioned on red velvet. From diamonds to pearls, sapphires to rubies, they were artistic one-of-a-kind pieces and absolutely exquisite.

“Lovely. And completely out my price range.”

“Did you forget, enchanted one, that you commanded I purchase you a treat?” He had a slightly haughty sound in his voice, even though I sensed he was playing.

“Uh-huh. My guess for a price. Right?”

“Hmm… You’re starting to learn, my princess, that I am in command of you and your body.”

I jabbed him in the gut with my elbow, the glint of sun flashing across a piece that caught my eye. I broke free of his hold, moving to the second window, even daring to be bold, pressing my fingers against the sparkling glass as I peered at the beautiful pieces.

They were all pet related. Necklaces and rings, even charm bracelets.

When I felt his presence behind me again, I lifted my head to glance at his reflection. “You knew they had these pieces.”

“Guilty as charged. Elena has a puppy and she mentioned it to me. I also happened to purchase a little trinket from here for her last birthday.”

Exhaling, I felt a hint of sadness. “You continue to surprise me, Stavros. And that scares me.”

“Why? Because I’m not just a killer?”

“Yes. These are beautiful. One day I want a passel of pups.”

“What kind?”

“I don’t care. I’d adopt every fur baby with a tragic story I could, just to make certain their days were filled with love and warmth, good food and toys. Lots and lots of toys.”

“You have my mother’s heart. Huge.”

I laughed. “Thank you for showing me these.”

“Oh, I’m not just showing you. Come on.”

He tugged my arm, refusing to allow me to get away from him. When he walked inside, the older woman behind the counter obviously recognized him immediately. As she came forward, speaking to him in Greek, I found it impossible not to smile. It seemed I was perhaps the only one who saw him as a monster.

But that was before.

“écho énan poly idiaítero peláti pou agapá ta zóa,” he told her.

Her eyes lit up and she squeezed my arms. “I have the perfect thing for you.”

As she moved toward the front window, I lifted my head, peering into his eyes. “What did you say to her?”

“That I have a very special customer who loves animals.” I hadn’t paid but so much attention to his dimples. They were more pronounced today than I’d seen before.

I wasn’t certain what to say to him. All I continued to think about was how unexpected the moment was, and how I hated the knot continuing to grow in my stomach.

As she moved behind the counter, pulling a tiny spotlight over the glass case, she placed the sterling silver charm bracelet on a gorgeous piece of black velvet. She beckoned me over, saying something else in Greek.

“She said a beautiful piece of jewelry to match the perfect girl for me.”

“I don’t know about that. The jewelry, yes, but I’m not perfect for anything or anyone.” I wasn’t certain why I’d made the statement.

The woman smiled. “The beautiful babies have eyes made of sapphires and emeralds.”

There were at least a dozen different breeds of dogs, their eyes glistening in the gorgeous and very real jewels. She took a polishing cloth, taking a few seconds to shine the sterling to almost a mirrored level.

“Just beautiful.”

“Please, try it on.” She held out the bracelet and even more than shopping with Elena, I felt as if I was completely out of my league. I wasn’t this girl, the one who wore designer clothes and expensive jewelry, but I could sense he was trying to do everything in his power to make me happy.

And he’d succeeded, not by buying me a dazzling trinket but by being something other than what I thought him to be. As soon as she fastened it, I issued a slight whimper. “I’ve never seen anything like this. Just exquisite.”

“Like the woman wearing it. This was destined to belong to you. We’ll take it.”

“I can’t accept this. It’s too much.”

“You’re the one who surprises me every day, which in turn makes me question everything about myself. You’re real. In a world where it seems everyone is trying to be something they’re not, you’re a completely genuine soul with a heart of gold. You put me to shame. You make me want to be a better man.”

His words were heartfelt, so genuine they caught me off guard. I rubbed a finger across the stunning piece before squealing and wrapping my arms around his neck. “Thank you.”

This time, I kissed him. It felt natural and right, as if we’d been dating for a long time. I even swept my tongue inside, enjoying the taste of the licorice he’d purchased right after I’d said how much I adored red twists. Maybe the man was trying too hard to allow me to like and trust him.

I found myself swooning as I’d done before, but this time felt entirely different. Maybe there really was something between us more than just a physical attraction. I wasn’t certain nor did I want to analyze it. At least not now.

When I backed away, he winked all over again before pulling out his wallet and the very credit card his sister and I had used and abused.

I turned in a full circle, still fingering the lovely piece, noticing three of the four men were chatting, Atlas standing by himself looking grim. We all had our issues to deal with.

“Come on. You must be starving,” Stavros told me.

“Yep. All that exercise showing you up.”

He laughed as we walked out, saying something to Christos in Greek before walking back the same way we’d come.

As we chatted, I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off the bracelet, wondering how much he’d spent on something so priceless.

“What else do you like other than pizza?” he asked after we’d gone several blocks.

“Ice cream.”

“Um, not for lunch, sweetheart.”

He had me laughing with ease. “Salads. Grilled fish. Tuna. Mahi-mahi. Pasta of any kind. And burgers. I adore a big sloppy, juicy burger.”

“Then you are in luck because I’m taking you to the best burger joint in town.”

We continued chatting until we were across the street from the parking lot. We stood at the crosswalk, the man holding my hand tightly. He was scanning the streets like the other men were. I could see the outline of their weapons, while I hadn’t noticed one on Stavros earlier. But when I pressed my hand against his back, I realized one reason he’d chosen to wear a shapeless shirt.

It hid the weapon positioned in the waistband of his jeans. I immediately pulled my hand away as the newer two soldiers headed across the street in formation. When I backed away, Stavros turned to me.

“Don’t panic, Jenna. It’s just another formality.”

“I don’t know how you can stand it. Always on guard. Always needing to protect yourself no matter where you go or what you’re doing. Look at this day, Stavros. We’re in the middle of a gorgeous late spring day. There are literally thousands of people around. And you’re still worried that someone is going to come out of the shadows and try and kill you.”

“Yes. It’s happened one too many times. One year for my birthday when my entire family was out celebrating at my favorite restaurant, my father had let his guard down, insisting his soldiers sit down and eat with the family. They didn’t see the vehicle approaching the window where we were sitting nor were they able to stop the bastards from firing. My sister Alexandra was shot, ending up in the hospital, one of my father’s men killed on the spot. If it hadn’t been for my father and Phoenix’s quick actions, pulling the rest of us to the floor, there would have been more casualties. As it was, two innocent people were also injured.”

“That’s terrible.” I whisked hair from my eyes, watching as Christos headed across the street.

“I’m headed out, boss. I have a ride,” Atlas said from beside us.

“Understood. Take care of your mother.” Stavros nodded to his man and finally walked us across the street. By then, the other men were already near the vehicles.

We walked quickly, the light changing a couple of yards before we made it to the other side.

“It was a difficult period of time in my family but that’s when my father installed additional security, teaching his children methods of self-defense. It’s something I’ll never forget, which is why I don’t enjoy my birthday any longer.”

I stopped him briefly again, pressing my hand to his stubbled cheek. “Maybe we can change that in the future.”

He slowly allowed another grin to slide across his face. “Well, if anyone can, you can.” He pushed me forward, still laughing.

I would never be able to explain why but something snagged my attention and I jerked my head up, yanking on Stavros’ sleeve.

“What is it?” He was instantly on alert.

“I don’t know but I feel something.”

Everything slowed down, my captor turning his head and calling out to Christos and the others.

But by then it was too late.

The flash of taillights on the SUV we’d ridden in meant a key fob had been pressed.

And then… A horrific explosion, the force pummeling us both through the air. The slow motion remained as we were flying, smoke billowing everywhere. Even though my ears echoed, I would never forget the horrific crackling and whooshing sound as intense fire erupted or the ragged screams from at least one of the men.

As we were tossed on the pavement brutally, my head hit the asphalt. The fire was so hot. I could see pretty little flames dancing across my jeans.

“No!” Stavros bellowed, immediately wrapping his body across mine. “Baby. Oh, God, baby.”

“Stav-ros…” I managed.

I could tell I was fading into unconsciousness. But not before I noticed the steel hood crashing down like shattered glass.