“Come to me,” he said, holding his hand out to her.
Ava was the only woman in the world who evoked such deep feelings in him. Feelings that made him volatile. And he hated that.
“I don’t see what that will prove,” she said, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
He just kept his hand extended toward her and waited. It was time to set the boundaries of the relationship and to let her know in no uncertain terms exactly who was in charge.
Finally she pushed to her feet and took a few steps toward him. He loved the way she moved. There was something distinctly feminine in the way her hips swayed with each step she took.
“I’m here, now what?”
He shook his head and waited for her to close the gap between them. She placed her hand in his and he drew her closer until their chests brushed.
“Now tip your head back,” he said.
He wished he could say that he was in complete control but he wasn’t. He wanted this woman with the kind of passion that shouldn’t have been possible because he didn’t trust her. Yet a part of him did. He trusted this reaction from her.
Her head fell back and their eyes met. He forgot about games and proving anything when he saw that look in her eyes. He lowered his head to hers, intending to stake a claim with his kiss, but when her lips parted under his, he forgot about plans and games.
“Excuse me, sir.”
Christos didn’t take his eyes off Ava. “Not now, Antonio.”
“Mr. Sabina is on the phone and he said it was urgent.”
Damn. He dropped his arms and stepped away from Ava. “I’ll take the call in my study.”
Antonio nodded and left the room. Ava had one arm wrapped around her waist. The fingers of her other hand moved slowly over her lips. “May I come with you?”
He started to say no but then just shrugged. “It’s business so it might be boring.”
“That’s okay. I want to know what you do, try to understand it.”
He couldn’t imagine why that would be something she’d be interested in. He was very aware of her presence behind him as they walked down the hall to his study. She sat in one of the large brown leather guest chairs as he went behind the desk. He picked up the phone.
“What’s up, Tristan?”
“Vincent Perez has been embezzling. I realize that it’s late at night where you are, but we’re going to need to deal with this in the morning.”
“Do you need me back in London?” he asked. The corporate offices for Seconds nightclubs were located there. And maybe some distance and time away from Ava would help him get his head back in the game and away from how tempting she was.
“No. Gui is taking care of pressing charges. He was the closest. But we’re going to have to look at the rest of the finance staff and find a suitable replacement for Vincent. Are you available at nine your time tomorrow?”
Christos palmed his BlackBerry from his pocket and checked his calendar. “Yes.”
“How are things going with the woman?” Tristan asked.
“Good.”
“Good?”
“We’re almost ready to return to Greece, and then I think all the details will straighten out.”
“Ah, is she there with you?”
“Yes.”
“Did I interrupt anything?”
