Page 10 of One Weekend in Greece

“Okay.” I don’t know what else to say. There’s so much to unpack with him saying he tried to ignore me but couldn’t. Why did he want to? Why couldn’t he? I’m not entirely sure I’m ready for those answers, especially now that I’m back to being Dafni’s nanny and we’re about to embark on an overseas adventure. “I should go check on Dafni. She’s probably about to wake up.”

“Thank you for coming back.”

I cast my eyes down and try to lighten the mood with adding some sass to my tone. “I did it for Dafni. Plus, a weekend in Greece is a nice bonus.”

He gives me something between a scoff and a chuckle. I try waiting for him to move, but he doesn’t. I nudge my body closer to the edge, thinking he’ll take the hint. The heat of him is pressed firmly against my center. This was a mistake. I start to scoot back, but his firm hands latch on to me.

“Let me help you.” His voice sends shivers down my spine as he slides my body off the counter and down his length. I feel all of his erection through his slacks as my feet touch the floor.

“Whatever the reason, thank you for coming back.”

Jakob should know I would’ve returned anyway. One, I don’t want to feel like I’m abandoning Dafni. I adore her. And second, it’s hard to deny Jakob Petridis anything. Before I do something ridiculous, like drop to the floor in a puddle of goo or state the obvious like, “I felt your penis,” I rush out of the room.

He doesn’t follow me or call after me, and I don’t stop until I reach Dafni’s door. I raise my hand to gently knock but pause when my phone dings. A part of me is hoping it’s Jakob asking me to return to his room, but instead, it’s the company I’ve been waiting to hear from. I haven’t even had a chance to catch my breath, and now whatever air was left in me has been knocked out. They’re asking me to start work… immediately.

This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. My dream job. But where does that leave me with Dafni… and Jakob? What of our plans for one weekend in Greece?

five

JAKOB

Igot carried away. Dammit. I can’t allow myself to lose control with Nicole. What if I scared her away? I recognized the signs of desire in the way her eyes heated and her nipples hardened. She didn’t stay, though.

As I’m leaving for work, I see Nicole on her phone outside of Dafni’s door. Perhaps I went too far and she called Noah. I’m as good as dead if he finds out I so much as looked at his sister with lust. I feel terrible. He’s my best friend. My only friend. He trusted me to respect his sister as I would my own. What makes this worse is that she’s even younger than my sister. I’m a single father in my thirties. She’s fresh out of college, young, and carefree. We’re worlds apart. There’s no future for us, so a moment of pleasure would ruin everything.

I debate on going to apologize, but I’m needed at the clinic. If I’m going to take time off for the baptism, I have to shift the schedule and work doubles. I’ll face the consequences of my actions when it’s the appropriate time.

My footsteps echo against the marble as I walk through the dark house. I hate that I missed putting Dafni to bed. It’s the best part of my day.

“Mr. Petridis.”

And here comes the worst part of my day.

Miss Owens comes out of her room dressed in a sheer nightgown and a silk robe hanging open.

“Miss Owens. I trust everything went well today.” I refuse to acknowledge her attire and keep my eyes completely on hers.

“Yes.” I give a curt nod and begin walking toward the kitchen, but then she calls my name. “Jakob.” My feet halt immediately. I turn slowly and scowl. “I know you respect me as an employee, but I was hoping we could talk. As friends.”

“No. We are, and will only ever be, in a professional relationship.”

To her credit, she doesn’t even flinch. “Before, I was patient, since you had a newborn, then a toddler, but I see there’s no chance for me. I can accept defeat. I’m not one to throw myself at anyone.”

“I hope this doesn’t affect your position here.” Other than her attraction to me, she’s been an exceptional and valued employee.

“Why would it?” She closes her robe and smirks at me. “The pay is more than generous. Plus, you might not need me at your side romantically, but you still need me. I know my worth, Mr. Petridis, which is why I just realized I’m better off living in your house and getting your money without any complicated emotions involved.” She winks and spins around to walk back to her room. Before she closes the door, she says, “Oh, and by the way, I overheard Miss Wilson on the phone. After she put Miss Petridis to bed, she was going out for drinks. Some kind of celebratory thing for getting hired at her dream job. The K.O. Club. Thought you might want to know since she’s like a sister to you.” She looks over her shoulder with a knowing smirk. “I’ve worked and lived here for five years. I know you, Mr. Petridis.”

She leaves me standing there confused. Nicole left to go to The K.O. Club to celebrate her new job. It must be the position Noah told me about. I knew her time here was temporary, but this morning she agreed to be there for us. Am I really surprised that I’m faced with another person who was supposed to be there for Dafni but is now running? Worse, Dafni is attached to this one. So am I.

I hurry to Dafni’s room to check on her, and my little angel is sleeping soundly. Every step toward my quarters has me getting more aggravated. Was she going to speak to me about this, or just make a clean cut and disappear like Dafni’s mother? I expected more integrity from Nicole.

Even after my shower, I can’t stop stewing, and my mind is creating all kinds of scenarios that could be happening right now. My phone dings and I look down to read it.

MISS OWENS

Just go. I’ll keep an eye on Dafni.

Instead of responding, I get dressed in one of my designer suits and hurry back downstairs. No use in wasting time on silly scenarios. I’ll find out for myself.

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