Page 20 of A Grecian Getaway

They were walking through some crowded areas where people lined up to get inside a club. Trying to maneuver their way through the crowd, Demetri pulled Noelle’s hand to keep her close in the throng of people. He turned to look at Noelle and someone ran into her, pushing her into his arms. Her eyes snapped to his, the hunger in them stealing his breath. Their mouths met as if a magnet pulled them together.

Her lips are like heaven on Earth.His hands slid down her arms, around to her back, caressing her body as their mouths intertwined.She was so soft and silky to the touch; he didn’t want to let go. With each second that passed, their kiss became more heated and urgent. Someone bumped into him and knocked him out of his heady trance.I have to stop.He pulled away.I have to return her to her hotel. This can’t go on.

“I will walk you back.”

Disappointment was evident from the forlorn look on her face.I need to tell her this cannot happen. I need to remind her of who I am and what I am and am not capable of. She is only here for a short time. I will not be so selfish.

They trudged towards the hotel. As they came upon her door, he stopped and turned to face her. His heart hurt. “I am sorry, Noelle. It would be best if you stay away from me. I cannot give you what you want because I do not fall in love. I do not have relationships, and I do not want to hurt you. If we keep seeing each other, that is what will happen. I should never have kissed you.”

“I… I don’t understand.”

“Because we are two different people. And I cannot change who I am any more than you can.” With that, he kissed each of her cheeks and walked away. No promise of another date. No phone numbers exchanged. Only goodbye.

***

The following night, lounging on Demetri’s houseboat, Yannis looked at Demetri and rolled his eyes. “Snap out of it. If you like this woman, go be with her. Why do you stay away?” Yannis set his empty cup on the coffee table.

“I told you, she is not like other women. I don’t want to hurt her.” But nothing Demetri said made any difference. Yannis wouldn’t back down.

“Don’t be silly. Stop with this ridiculousness. The girls will only be on the island for a little while longer. Go find her. Do not be afraid.”

“I am not afraid. She is not the kind of woman I date. She doesn’t want to just have fun. Noelle is looking for more.”

Yannis stood. “Bullshit. That is not what stops you. You are afraid because you like her. You are afraid you will fall in love with her, but if you want to deny it, then fine. I will not argue with you. But Demetri, if you want to be with thiswoman for fun, as you say, why can’t you? Noelle is a grown woman and she should be able to make up her own mind. You are not even giving her a chance to decide for herself.” He walked towards the door. “Let her decide, Demetri.”

I am afraid. I do not want to risk falling in love with her and then losing her. I already feel more for her than any woman I have known before. And if I sleep with her, she will get hurt because I will not allow us to be in a relationship. I will not take that chance.

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. When Yannis opened it, Athena sashayed inside with a glint in her eyes Demetri didn’t like.

“I will catch up with you later, Demetri. I have some calls to make.” Yannis nodded and left.

“Why are you here uninvited, Athena?” Demetri squeezed his glass.

“You never seemed to mind before, darling,” Athena cooed. She slunk over to him and draped herself on his body. “Please Demetri, why are you making me beg? You love this as much as I do. Let’s go into the bedroom and satisfy both of our needs.”

He sat silent for a few moments. He missed Noelle, and he needed to get her out of his head. Maybe a distraction was what he needed? Athena pulled him up from the sofa and kissed him. But all he could think about was Noelle, and he pulled away and sat back down. As she went to unbutton her top, he stopped her with a hand on her arm. “I do not want this. You are a beautiful woman, but this will not happen. We had a good time while it lasted, but we ended it a while ago, and we will not start again. Neither one of us was in it for anything more than sex. That time ended. You should go, Athena.”

Athena didn’t heed his warning. She ran her hands up his thighs. Demetri grabbed her hands and held them away from his body. “You need to leave.”

Athena’s eyes blazed and her hands clenched. “How dare you? Why? What reason do you have for turning me away? You know how much we satisfy one another. It has been weeks since we have been together. Is it because of that little tramp from your club?” She buttoned her blouse back up.

“Do not speak of her in that way. LEAVE, right now, before I make you leave,” Demetri growled.

Athena grabbed her purse and stomped towards the door. “You will come back to me, darling. You cannot live without me. No one else can satisfy you like I do.” With those parting words, she left.

Once she was gone, he sat on the sofa and exhaled in relief.That woman. I should have never gotten involved with her.

But Noelle. Maybe I can see her again. I will control my feelings and call her tomorrow. Why am I treating her differently from any other woman? I should let her decide for herself what she wants.He finished his drink and went to bed.

Chapter 16

PUZZLING PREDICAMENT ~Noelle~

“Come on, Noelle. Don’t let him get to you. We have snorkeling planned for today and a cruise tonight. It’ll be fun!” Claire said, trying to encourage Noelle.

Claire and Caroline both did their best to cheer up Noelle and get her to enjoy their vacation.Snorkeling, beach time, and a sunset cruise in Greece. Any other day I would be thrilled, but instead, I’m letting a man ruin my day. Snap out of it!She couldn’t get herself excited about much of anything. Demetri had burrowed his way into her heart quickly, and nothing changed that. She knew it was ridiculous, and probably naïve of her, but she couldn’t help how she felt. The girls gathered their things together and prepared to leave for the day.

The room phone rang, and the girls all looked at each other, confused.Who could be calling us in Greece? We’re all here.Noelle answered in case there was an issue with the hotel.

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