Page 68 of The Kiss that Captured a Billionaire
“Then I assume you also know I’m not in the mood for excuses.”
“She was wrong,” Allegra said quickly. “Both of us are mortified. Gina has always… had issues with rejection. I’m not asking you to forget it, Theo, but I am asking for understanding. She needs help, and?—"
“What she needs is to stay away from me and Rose,” he said sharply. “And if she does that, I won’t discuss this with your parents.”
There was a brief silence before Allegra’s voice softened. “Are things serious between you and… this Rose?”
“Yes,” he said simply. “Very serious.”
Another pause, then Allegra exhaled. “Then I wish you happiness. I’ll speak to Gina.”
“Thank you.” He ended the call before she could say more.
He sat back, muttering under his breath about manipulative, spoiled individuals, and silently prayed Vito wasn’t next on the list.
A knock at the door interrupted the thought.
His PA stepped in, holding the door open. “Ms. Smythe to see you, sir.”
Theo rose to his feet, his eyes glued to Rose.
All thoughts of Gina, Allegra, and the day’s aggravations dissolved like mist under the sun. He pushed away from his desk and crossed the room in three long strides, opening his arms.
Her smile—the real one, not the polite mask she wore at social events—struck him square in the chest.
He drew her in, breathed her in, the feel of her petite frame against him resetting his world. “Ready for dinner?”
“Depends,” she said with a little curve of her mouth. “Where are we going?”
His lips tugged into a slow smile. “Someplace private. Romantic.”
An hour later, she stood on the polished teak deck of theKallistratos Challenge, the city lights of Athens glittering on the water behind her. The sea air teased her hair, and the yacht’s low thrum was the only sound besides the faint lap of waves.
Theo swore he’d never seen a more beautiful woman in the world as he gazed across at Rose. The candlelight flickered, caressing her face and making her eyes shine as they lingered over a dinner under the open sky. It didn’t matter how much time they spent together, there was always something to talk about.
He stood and held out his hand to her. Her smile softened, and she walked with him over to the railing where they stood looking out across the glittering metropolis of Athens. He pulled her close, loving how her body fit against his.
“You know, when I made those comments about you being a billionaire, I was only joking. I didn’t know it was true,” she said, relaxing into him with a sigh.
He chuckled. “I liked that you never cared about the ‘billionaire bullshit’.”
She laughed. “It has its perks.”
“It does, but so did living in your van,” he murmured, turning her around to face him. He framed her face in his hands. “This is where I want to be. With you. Always. I love you, Rose.”
Seventeen
Rose felt like she was floating on air as she stepped off the yacht beside Theo the next morning. The golden light of dawn reflected off the water in a shimmer that matched the glow in her chest. She bit her bottom lip, fighting the urge to grin like a loon, as she thought about the night before. Theo kept a firm grip on her hand as they walked together toward the waiting car.
Tomorrow, they’d travel to Syros, to his family’s villa. But tomorrow was tomorrow.
She kissed him at the curb, quick and playful. “You’re going to be late for work if you don’t leave.”
His eyes darkened, his mouth tilting into that wicked smile that always made her knees feel unsteady. “I’m the boss,agápi mou,” he growled. “Who’s going to fire me?”
Her breath caught at the expression in his eyes. She cupped his jaw, her thumb brushing the rough edge of his stubble. “I love you, Theo.”
He answered with a kiss that devoured the words.
