Page 41 of Breaking the Annulment

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Trust goes both ways. You can’t just?—”

He silenced her with another kiss, his hands cupping her face as his mouth crashed against hers. The kiss was hard, desperate, a collision of anger and need that left her breathless. His hands slid to her waist, pulling her flush against him as the world outside the barn faded to nothing.

She clung to him, her anger dissolving into a haze of heat and longing, burning away her words, her protests dissolving as she gripped his arms. She clung to him, her body responding to the heat of his touch despite the storm still raging in her mind.

He began edging her back, deeper into the barn, when she abruptly pulled away. “Oh my god. What is that smell?” She dry retched.

He chuckled, the tension easing from his shoulders. His eyes softened.“We’re in a barn, Agápe mou.”

She dry retched again. “We––” she gasped for air. “Are not having sex in a stinky barn, Michalis.”

His mouth twitched. “Apparently not today, anyway.”

“Not…ever.” She retched again. “Bed, Michalis. Now.”

He swept her up into his arms and carried her out of the barn, laughing. “I am yours to command.”

18

Soft sunlight poured into the bedroom through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the room in a warm golden glow. The gentle rustle of leaves outside and the distant chirping of birds created an atmosphere of calm. Aurelia lay nestled against Michalis’s chest, her silk nightie cool against his skin, her hand resting lightly over his heart. His steady breathing soothed her, and for a moment, she a strange sense of peace settled over her.

Michalis's fingers combed lazily through her hair, his other arm wrapped loosely around her waist. “You’re quiet this morning,” he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.

“Just thinking,” she replied softly, tilting her head to look up at him.

“About what?” he asked, his blue eyes scanning her face.

She hesitated. “About…everything, I suppose.” She gave him a small smile, trying to deflect. “What do you have planned for today?”

He chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound in his chest. “Meetings I’d rather skip. But unfortunately, not everything runs itself.”

“And here I thought you ruled the world,” she teased, her tone light.

“Only most of it,” he replied, his lips curving into a faint smirk. “What about you? What’s on your agenda, Mrs. Giannopoulos?”

She flushed slightly at the way he said her name, the possessiveness in his tone. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I might wander around again. Check on the car, maybe.”

“You’ve become quite the sensation among the men,” he said, his fingers brushing against her temple. “They’re still talking about how the boss’s wife fixed their carburetor.”

Aurelia laughed softly, her cheeks warming. “It wasn’t a big deal. Just a little adjustment.”

“To them, it was,” Michalis said, his tone carrying a trace of pride. He paused for a moment, his hand stilling in her hair. “They bought the car with their own money. I’m just supplying the shop.” He chuckled, “And perhaps an expert mechanic, if you want the job?”

“Really?” she gasped. “I mean, you know, if they want me, sure.”

“Do you think you could be happy here?”

The question made her freeze. She shifted slightly, resting her chin on his chest as she looked up at him. “Why do you ask?”

“Because I need to know how to make you happy; what will make you want to stay,” he said simply, his gaze steady.

Aurelia hesitated, then slowly sat up, avoiding his eyes. “I’m not sure how to answer that,” she admitted. “I don’t want to argue about it again. You know how I feel about the world you want me to live in.”

Michalis frowned, sitting up slightly. “I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about us.”

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I don’t know. I’m…conflicted.” Her voice softened. “I don’t think I should be happy—not when you do the things you do.”

Michalis studied her, his expression unreadable. “Are you talking about the things I do with you,” he asked slowly, “or the things I do to keep you safe?”

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