“Yes. If I learned anything from the disgraceful event, it was to be cautious,” he said, remembering how many times he’d seen Eleni’s face in other women’s.
“I understand.” She stroked his cheek, the type of gentle caress he hadn’t received since his childhood. He’d dated, yes, a lot. But the women he bedded never got to see his vulnerable side—because he knew his future was sealed. “Thanks for sharing the story with me.”
“Besides my lawyer, you’re the only one I’ve ever told.” He caught her hand and kissed her knuckles. He’d been too ashamed to tell his family what had happened. His father would have been worried about the future of the company—after all, he was groomed to be the president of Rhodes Enterprises, and what kind of president already has scandals before he even takes his position?
An invisible weight lifted from his shoulders. Damn. It felt good to tell someone who wouldn’t judge him. Kindness gleamed in her eyes, and she leaned onto him, covering him with her body. A bubble of warmth closed around them. His blood rushed down to the part of him which had been the very subject of their conversation.
“I’m glad I know. Explains why you’re so careful. Trust me, Theo.”
“I don’t want you to say it’s okay just because you think that’s your obligation.” And hell, he knew all about obligations. His entire life had turned into a long drawn-out task list.
She shook her head. “I’m not. I like having sex with you…like isn’t the word. I love everything you do to me, how it feels when you’re inside me.”
“Amaya.”
She kissed his cheek. “I want everything you can give me.”
He pulled her face up so she could see the message in his eyes. “There’s a lot I can’t give you,” he said firmly, even if a trace of sadness laced his voice at the end. Whether the statement killed the mood or not, he needed to tell her. Hell, he needed to hear it to make sure his dick and his brain were on the same page.
She sucked in a breath, and if his pragmatism disappointed her, she didn’t show. She stared at him in silence for a moment. Then the corner of her lips curled into a mischievous smile. “Then I’ll take whatever you can give.”
…
Amaya put the sleek cordless phone back on the base. She’d called Samantha to check on things, like she had every day for the past week. Thankfully, everything was good back home and she could go about her day without much worry.
She glanced at the clock. Four p.m.
Her internal alarm clock beeped, reminding her in a couple hours Theo would be home. She sighed. The days seemed endless, even if spent at a glorious mansion. To be productive, she shadowed the housekeeper in the kitchen, learning different ways to season food and other culinary tricks from Greece.
Maybe Theo wouldn’t mind if she prepared dinner for them on the weekends. A real Mexican dish, like the ones she’d like to serve in the restaurant she’d open once the dust settled.
The doorbell rang.
The housekeeper had gone to buy groceries, so she rushed to the door to open it.
When she opened it, a younger version of Theo, but no less handsome, stared at her.
A thrill of apprehension moved through her, and she stepped back. Shit. Who was this guy? “May I help you?” she asked.
“Yeah. Is my brother home?”
Brother. Of course. With his skin one shade darker than Theo’s and a smile just as devastating, the man was certainly a younger brother. Kostas. She’d heard about him in passing. “No, he hasn’t returned from work yet.”
He gave her a once-over, then shrugged. “May I come in?” he said with a trace of surprise in his voice, as if asking for permission wasn’t something he did every day.
“Oh.” Amaya cleared her throat. Shit. “Of course. Please,” she said, opening the door wide and gesturing for him to enter.
He closed the door behind him and stretched out his hand. “I’m Kostas. You are?”
“Amaya,” she said, shaking his hand. “Amaya Lopez.” She added her surname like it made a difference to him.
“Nice to meet you.” He disengaged from her and glanced around. “I’m assuming you haven’t taken over the housekeeper’s position.”
She waved him off. “No, I haven’t. Gosh, I’d probably do a sucky job taking care of this huge house by myself.”
A trace of amusement touched his dark eyes. “Interesting. So, if you’re not the help, what are you doing in Theo’s home when he’s not around, Ms. Amaya Lopez from America?”
She opened her mouth, but hesitated. Tension squeezed her chest, bile rising up her throat. Shit. What am I supposed to say? She didn’t want to flat-out lie, at least without knowing which lie to say.
