“Trust me, you haven’t seen nothing yet.” She winked at him. When she’d bought the pirate get-ups, she’d gone to a store in a cool street, and next to it she found a sex shop. She’d never been to one and felt strange at first but then decided to explore.
Thirty minutes later, they entered the exotic bash already in full swing. The mansion had been thoroughly decorated to live up to the theme, with even the waitstaff dressed as pirates, captains, wenches, and more. Curtains colored in red, black, and white stripes fell from the tall ceilings. Dozens of guests crowded the immense living area, and Amaya noticed a bunch of entertainers wowing the crowd through the clear doors leading to the terrace.
She clenched his arm, excited. “Let’s go.”
Soon they joined the group watching the round of women and men spitting fire into a ring, competing to see who spat the farthest.
A bar stand that looked like a ship had a line of eager guests waiting as the cocktail waitresses did flicks and tricks while preparing drinks. Everything about the party had an air of fun.
“Wow. Where did you meet these people?”
“Mutual friends. They’re good people. I’ll show you Seth and Mary when I see them.”
“Oh. I thought you wanted to keep things on the down low?” She tugged at his beard to make her point.
“Seth and Mary are different.”
Good different, she hoped. She’d seen pictures of his family at his home and on the internet. His mother and father looked great, almost regal, and certainly traditional. A cool breeze caressed her, and she rubbed her arm.
“Come here,” he said, bringing her close.
“I didn’t think you’d actually bring your sword,” she said.
“That’s not my sword.” He leaned closer, his breath fanning her ear.
A wave of heat spread across her neck and cheeks. “I can’t take you anywhere, can I?”
Someone tapped him on his shoulder, and he turned around. “Theo? Is that you?” the man with dark long dreads a la Jack Sparrow asked.
Theo stretched to his full height, locking his spine into place. “Andrew. Hello.”
“Hi, man. It’s been a while. Your father invited me to lunch, but I haven’t been able to make it.”
“Neither have I,” Theo said, and both men chuckled. “This is Amaya Lopez. Amaya, meet Andrew Stone. His father and mine golfed together for years.”
Amaya squared her shoulders at the mention of Theo’s father. This meant she should act like an acquaintance at best, not his date. What if this Andrew fellow told his family Theo was living it up so close to his wedding?
“Nice to meet you,” she said in a clipped voice, stretching out her hand.
“Pleasure.” He held her hand for a second longer than appropriate. Theo cleared his throat and pulled her to his side, prompting the contact to end.
She parted her lips but hesitated. Didn’t Theo see she was helping him? Why did he drag his hand over her like an animal claiming its territory?
“Your first time in Greece?” Andrew asked, obviously ignoring what Theo had done.
“Yes.”
A slow smile formed on Andrew’s lips, and his gaze slid over her figure. “What brought you here?”
Theo stepped forward, partially blocking her from him, and looked down at Andrew. “I brought her.”
Her heart raced, and a shot of adrenaline bolted through her, stirring her up inside. What the hell? She glanced at Andrew, whose face paled, his shoulders dropping.
“Oh, I get it. I apologize, I didn’t mean disrespect. I thought you were friends,” Andrew said.
Her gaze darted between Andrew and Theo, and frustration welled inside. Did he act that way because he’d thought Andrew would have a shot with her? Theo couldn’t be jealous, obviously. Did he think so low of her, that she’d just go with the first guy who asked—maybe after her time with Theo ended? No. Her pulse skittered. Couldn’t be.
Amaya touched Theo’s elbow, to remind him of her presence. “Can we have a word?”
