“Yes?” she calls, her voice steady despite the flush in her cheeks.
“Ms. Stavros, the event planning team needs your sign-off for the event tonight.” Maria’s voice comes through the door.
Athena sighs, shooting me an apologetic smile. “I’m busy at the moment, Maria. Ask Mark to sign it off, will you? Tell him I’m handing over control tonight.”
“Of course, Ms. Stavros.”
“Athena Stavros is handing over control?” I arch a brow. “I’ll be damned.”
Athena laughs as she retrieves her hat from the floor. “Trust me, it’s a work in progress. My therapist calls itgrowth, but my staff calls it a miracle. It took me three years and one cracked molar from grinding my teeth before I could let someone else make a decision around here.” She smooths her hair and puts her hat back on. “Perhaps we should start that tour. The knocking rarely stops when I’m here. If it’s not Maria, it’s someone else.”
Heat still pulses between my thighs, my body buzzing with a desire that’s become wonderfully familiar these past weeks. I’ve developed a Pavlovian response to her—one touch and I’m ready to abandon all my self-restraint. But the anticipation is its own kind of pleasure, the slow simmer that will make tonight’s release all the sweeter.
“Show me your empire,” I say, sliding off the desk. “I want to see everything.”
“Let’s start with the food court,” Athena says, pulling me back into the elevator. “I’m guessing neither of us has eaten since lunch.”
I laugh, squeezing her hand. “Am I that predictable?”
“I recognize the signs of a workaholic,” she says. “Unless you prefer to sit down?”
“No, I want more of that street food we had last week. I’ve actually been thinking about it.”
The elevator descends smoothly, its glass walls revealing floor after floor of the Olympus’s grandeur. Hotel rooms, the spa floor, an indoor garden terrace. We glide past it all, suspended in our crystalline bubble. I press my hand against the glass, suddenly aware of how exposed we are. Guests look up, their faces tilting toward us, eyes following our journey.
“This is…intense,” I murmur. “Everyone can see us.”
“Really?” Athena steps closer and puts a hand on my back. “I thought you liked being watched.”
We step out into the atrium where two imposingsecurity guards flank the private elevator entrance, subtle nods acknowledging Athena as we pass.
She leads me through the casino, and I notice her glancing around frequently, an almost imperceptible tension in her shoulders.
I take her hand as we walk, and she stiffens momentarily. Her eyes dart around, scanning the faces of staff members and patrons alike.
“Sorry,” I say, letting go of her hand. “Are you uncomfortable with this?”
Athena stops and turns to face me. “No, of course not,” she says, but her voice catches slightly. She takes my hand again. “I’m just…I’m not used to this.” She hesitates. “My staff has never seen me with a love interest. They don’t even know I’m gay.” She laughs and shakes her head. “It’s stupid, I know.”
“Hey, it’s not stupid. We don’t have to?—”
She cuts me off, cupping my face in her hands. “No. I want this. I want you. I’m done hiding.”
Over her shoulder, I spot a man approaching with an iPad, his stride purposeful, eyes focused on Athena’s back. He’s dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, with the air of someone who carries significant authority.
He clears his throat as he draws near, and Athena turns.
“Hey, Mark,” she says. “Did Maria not tell you I’m signing off for the day?” She continues before he has a chance to reply. “Don’t worry about doing the rounds tonight. I’m showing Ruby around, so I’ve got this.”
“I ehm… she called me but I was in a meeting, so I haven’t spoken to her yet.” Mark’s eyes shift between us, lingering on our intertwined fingers. A flicker of surprise crosses his face before he masks it with professional neutrality.
Athena clears her throat, and I feel her hand going clammy in mine. “I’m sorry. Where are my manners? Ruby, this is Mark, my operations director.” She pauses, a subtle tension in her jaw before it relaxes into resolution. “Mark, this is Ruby Walsh, my…” She pauses and lets out a nervous chuckle. “My partner.” She utters the word “partner” more like a question, like she’s testing the word out.
“Oh?” He recovers quickly, extending his hand to me. “Well, that explains why she’s been leaving early lately. A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Walsh. Enjoy your tour.” With a respectful nod to us both, he disappears into the crowd.
Athena blows out her cheeks. “Wow,” she murmurs. “Now he knows.”
“That was uncomfortable for you, wasn’t it?” I ask after Mark is out of earshot.
