Page 65 of Love on the Rocks
“How did you know I was in London?” I sat back and crossed my arms. I hadn’t ever told him about my previous position. “Let me guess, research?”
“I would have been remiss if I hadn’t investigated my opponent.”
“And what did you find?” According to Gaz, I was no one. I didn’t have a real online presence and only posted irregularly to my Instagram.
“You’re on your company website.”
“Well, in the interest of honesty. I also looked you up but found nothing besides your professional licenses. It was very disappointing.”
“What would I share online? I’m boring.” He turned his glass around on the table, throwing prisms of light on the pale tablecloth.
“False modesty will not win me over,” I warned. “And to answer your question, I didn’t much care for the project at the beginning. I did want to be in a bigger city, but now that I’m here this place has grown on me. It’s very special, magical even.”
“Magical, huh?”
“I do have the best interests of this place at heart. And the resort is going to happen,” I said softly and pretended not to notice when his eyes traveled to the bookshelf where hisgrandfather’s cup was once again displayed next to old family photographs. “Don’t you prefer that someone who actually cares about this place is overseeing it?”
“You might care, but your employer doesn’t.”
“Look, I’ve had to work twice as hard as my male colleagues to get where I am. I know that with enough determination, anything is possible.”
The look he gave me in return was one of real sadness. “I hope for all our sakes that you’re right.”
Chapter 26
“You are only interested in me for one thing!” Mia drew her shirt over her naked breasts. They made love constantly now and though she enjoyed it, she couldn’t help but feel used. Yes, this had been the agreement, but she wanted him to see her as more than just her body.
“Not true,asteri mou, you fascinate me. Not just your body, but your mind too.” Angelos argued.
“Oh, then prove it! Spend the day with me, but I get to choose the activity.”
- One Week with the Greek
NIKOS
Ididn’t have the heart to break it to her, but I knew for a fact that Greystone was already negotiating to buy up more land, rumor had it to build an exclusive nightclub. Now that I no longer had the promise of an archaeological dig to block them, I was running out of stalling tactics. My disappointment at learning about my grandfather’s cup was short-lived, probably because I’d never really allowed myself to believe it was true. Ifanything, I’d wanted it to be true for him. Irrationally, I was even glad that it meant Callie would be staying.
It surprised me that someone as clever as Callie could fall for her employer’s lies. And that they would send her to do their dirty work. Part of me hoped I was wrong and that she would be able to convince Greystone to adopt her ideas for the resort. She was determined, that’s for sure, but she also had a great deal of empathy. She saw the best in people; well, except where I was concerned. But I was working on that.
“Everything will work out. I’m sure of it.” Callie yawned. “Man, that beer really knocked me out. I’ll help you clean up and then it’s siesta time for me.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ve got it.” I stood to scoop up the dishes. True to form, she refused to listen and followed me to the kitchen where she immediately started scrubbing the pots. “What did I tell you?”
“Listen, I do this all the time. I’m very quick.” I had to peel my eyes away from the vision she offered standing in a pool of light, still in her bathing suit and lacy cover-up, her hair in a loose bun atop her head. She had some new freckles on her nose and her cheeks were pink from the sun. The urge to slip my arm around her waist and kiss each new freckle hit me with such intensity, it made me weak. So I didn’t argue with her and sank onto a barstool to watch her, happy to have a few extra seconds in her company.
When she was done, she wiped her hands on an old rag hanging from the oven. “Well, that was a surprisingly pleasant afternoon. Who knew you had it in you?” She leaned against the sink. “You still haven’t told me why you did it.”
“Well, if you’re going to be serving Aegean food in your fancy restaurant, then you should have the full panoply of products in your arsenal.”
“Hmm, or maybe that seaweed is toxic, and I’ll be begging the local doctor to make a house call this evening?”
“I’m always here if you need me.” I held up my hands, and she stared at them a little too long, like she was imagining them all over her body, exactly where they wanted to be. I stepped closer and she took a ragged breath.
“No, I have to go, but thank you—for the snorkeling. And for finally being honest with me.”
I flinched because I hadn’t been entirely honest with her. I’d failed to mention that the New York party where I had my first panic attack was organized by my wife’s wealthy friends. If she knew I was technically still married, she’d slit my throat with a carving knife.
“I’ll take you out again, if you want. The sea urchin is best at dusk.”
