Looking as panicked as his wife, Nic raced to the door. I heard him greet Dalia. My stomach clenching at their easy rapport as he tickled her, making her giggle.
“What are you doing home so early?” Andra asked, standing to greet Dalia. She hugged her daughter, closing her eyes when Dalia squeezed her neck.
“The power went out, so they had to close the school.” Dalia’s eyes finally landed on me, making my heart skip a beat.
“Hi,” I said, smiling. “Guess you’re feeling pretty good about getting the rest of the day off, huh?”
She frowned, looking from her mother to me and back again. “Do I know you?”
She seemed mature for her age, a perfectly poised little lady. “We’ve seen each other once before, at the café in Saronida.”
“But what are you doing here?”
Nic set my daughter down while he and his wife shared a pained look, obviously scrambling to find answers Dalia would accept.
“Your mother and I grew up in the village,” I explained, filling the void. “We’re old friends.” That may have been a stretch, but it was the best I could come up with. “I was in town on business and thought I’d stop by and say hi.” I gestured to Nic, forcing a smile. “I’d never had the pleasure of meeting your…” I cleared my throat and forced the word past my dry lips. “Daddy, or you, for that matter.”
“Why’d you want to meet me?”
There were a million reasons, but none I could give her. “Your mother told me so much about you that I guess I wondered if you could really be as great as she said you were.”
She grinned, revealing a missing tooth that made me smile in return. “I am.”
We all laughed for the first time since I’d walked in the door. The sound was so unexpected that we all looked at each other in wonder, amazed that this little girl had managed to break the thick tension in the room with just a few words.
I stood, wishing I could find a reason to prolong my visit so I could spend more time with Dalia. We hadn’t really resolved anything, but now that our daughter was home, the opportunity was lost. “Well, I guess I should be on my way.”
Andra kissed me on both cheeks, obviously trying to back up my claim that we were old friends. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
I offered Nic my hand, knowing he had no choice but to shake it. “Nice meeting you.”
“Likewise.”
Dalia grabbed his hand. “Daddy, can we go outside? I wanna practice my cartwheels.”
I’d never get used to hearing this little angel call another man daddy. All I wanted was to drop to my knees and tell her I was her daddy. “It was really nice to meet you, Dalia. I hope to see you again soon.” The sooner, the better.
“Nice to meet you too.” She offered her tiny hand, making my heart melt.
“How ‘bout a hug instead?” I asked, winking.
She looked to her mother for approval before opening her arms. I knelt and closed my arms around her as I inhaled the sweet scent clinging to her dark curls. I never wanted to let go, but I had to if I didn’t want her to ask questions I couldn’t answer.
“Bye, Dalia,” I said, standing as I ruffled her hair. “Good luck with those cartwheels. Don’t hurt yourself.” I hadn’t known I had such strong protective instincts, but I couldn’t stand the thought of harm coming to this tiny person who’d captured my heart like no one else I’d ever known.
“Thanks,” she said, tugging on Nic’s hand and leading him out of the room.
“I’ll be in touch,” I said to Andra when she opened the screen door for me.
She waited until she’d heard the back door close before she said, “Thanks for not getting into our history with my husband.”
“Why didn’t you tell him the truth?”
She shrugged. “I guess I was afraid he’d think less of me for not wanting to tell you I was pregnant. It just seemed easier if he thought you didn’t want Dalia.”
“I hate this,” I said, gripping the door handle. “I want to be a part of her life, and I hate that you and Nic are so determined to keep me out. I would never hurt her. I swear to you I’d die before I let that happen. Why can’t you believe me?” I was desperate to make Andra believe I was a man of my word.
“I can’t take that risk.” She bit her bottom lip before her eyes landed on mine. “I’m so sorry.”
“We’re all going to have plenty of reasons to be sorry before this is over, Andra.”
Chapter Six
Eleni
It had been six long days since I’d seen Damon. I was sharing a romantic dinner with Miles, trying to forget the selfish jerk who kept invading my thoughts.
“So if all goes well, I think we should be ready to break ground on the new club early next year. Some heavy hitters stepped up to the plate out of nowhere offering to invest. Can you believe that?”
“I’m not surprised.” I smiled indulgently, trying to give him my full attention. “Exodus is one of the hottest clubs in the city. If you can thrive in this demanding market, you should do well almost anywhere.”
“That’s what I love about you,” he said, reaching across the table to grasp my hand. “You know exactly what to say to put my mind at ease.”
There was the L-word again. He’d been throwing it around so often lately I was starting to believe it was intentional. I hoped not. I liked Miles, and I didn’t want to stop seeing him because the lines were getting blurred. I didn’t do relationships. I dated. I did casual sex and friends with benefits, but exclusivity wasn’t even on my radar, which I’d told Miles numerous times—when he’d asked me to spend the night, meet his parents, and attend a family event as his date.
“I’m just telling you what you already know,” I said, smiling at the waiter refilling my water glass. “Thank you.”
“So I guess the big rehearsal dinner is tomorrow night, huh?”
I knew Miles was angling for an invitation, but knowing Damon would be there put me in an awkward position. I didn’t owe Damon anything though. He’d left my apartment so fast I’d have thought the building was on fire… while I’d been practically salivating over the prospect of getting him naked. It would serve him right if I showed up with a date just to prove to him that I hadn’t been waiting around for him to call. Though I sort of had been. Not that my pride would have ever allowed me to admit it. “It is.”
“So do you, uh, have a date?”
I could tell from his pinched expression that Miles wasn’t used to begging, so I decided to put him out of his misery. For all I knew, Damon would show up with some hot blonde just to drive home his point that he wasn’t interested in me. “No. If you’re not busy—”
“I’d love to.” His face lit up with enthusiasm. “This’ll be fun.”
Said like a man who wasn’t meeting the illustrious Demetrius Starkis for the first time. Not many people intimidated me, but the idea of breaking bread with Damon’s overbearing father had me on edge. I had no idea what to expect. According to Mia, the reports of him being a tyrant were grossly exaggerated, but I was certain that was because he’d come to love and accept her. I had no idea what he’d think of me. I didn’t usually care what anyone thought, but t a part of me wanted to impress the notorious billionaire.
“I’m sure it will be.” I discreetly slipped my cell phone out of my purse when it buzzed, indicating I had a text message.
It was from Damon. Back in town. You free?
My heart was hammering as I excused myself and typed in a reply. Meet me at my place in 20.
I’m there.
I didn’t know if that meant he was already there and waiting for me or was on his way, either way, I didn’t have time to spare. “I’m sorry, Miles. I’m going to have skip coffee tonight. A friend has been out of town and needs to see me.” I was careful not to reveal the gender of the friend and hoped he wouldn’t ask.
“Oh,” he said, looking disappointed. “I was kind of hoping we could head back to my place. It’s been a while.”
/>
I hadn’t been intimate with Miles for more than a month, ever since I’d realized no one else could scratch the itch Damon caused. “I know. I’m sorry. Rain check, okay?” Except I knew that day may never come. I liked Miles, but our arrangement was nearing its end. These things had a life cycle, and we were closing in on our expiration date.
“At least let me drive you home,” he said, reaching for my hand when I stood and leaned over to kiss his cheek.
“That’s okay. You probably want to check on things at the club before you head home, and it’s only a few blocks from here to my place. I can grab a cab.”
“You’re sure?”
“Of course.”
I was already halfway out the door when he said, “Let me know what time to pick you up tomorrow night.”
I flashed him a quick smile, already regretting my decision to invite him. Damon was back and wanted to see me. I didn’t know what that meant, but I liked the idea of leaving my options open in case he wanted to pick up where we’d left off. Pathetic. I’d never been that girl, the one who sat by the phone and waited for the call that never came or complained to my girlfriends because my guy was being a jerk. Damon was turning me into someone I’d vowed I’d never be, and I didn’t like it one bit.
It was time to set him straight. Either we’d set some ground rules about how this was going to play out or we’d agree to let our mutual attraction fizzle and die instead of stoking it every chance we got.
Apparently, he’d meant I’m there in the literal sense because when my taxi pulled up to the curb in front of my building, his Ferrari was parked out front.
“Thanks,” I muttered to the driver, passing him a bill large enough to cover the fare and tip.
“Thanks. Have a good night, lady,” he muttered.
Whether I would or not depended on Damon.
“Hey,” Damon said, his handsome face splitting into an infectious smile as he jumped out of the car. “I’ve missed you.”
Oh. Those three little words hit me harder than I’d expected. I’d missed him too, though I wasn’t ready to admit it. I wanted to play my hand close to the vest and see what he had in mind before I revealed what I’d been thinking and feeling since his abrupt departure.
“This is a surprise,” I said, trying to resist the urge to lick him like an excited puppy when I caught a whiff of his cologne as he pulled me into a tight embrace.
“A pleasant one, I hope?” he asked, drawing back. He frowned as he gave me a quick once-over, taking in my short blue dress and high heels. “Did I catch you at a bad time? Looks like you’re dressed for a night out.”
“I had a date.” Ha! At least that sent the message I wasn’t sitting around waiting for him, a container of ice cream on my lap and a tissue box at the ready.
“Hmmm.” It was more of a grunt than an acknowledgment. “Miles?”
“As a matter of fact, yes.” I reminded myself that I was supposed to be the one asking the questions. He was the one who’d left town without a word after leaving me wet and wanting.
“Sounds like it’s getting serious.”
I knew he was testing the waters, hoping I would volunteer more information about my relationship with Miles, but I refused to make it that easy for him. “Enough about me. I want to hear about you. Where’ve you been?”
Instead of responding, he opened the passenger door. “Why don’t we take a little drive, and I’ll tell you about it?”
I couldn’t claim I wasn’t frustrated that he would rather drive than get horizontal, but whatever. I’d let him call the shots. For now. “Sure. Why not?” I settled into the low-slung sports car before fastening my seat belt. I waited for him to round the driver’s side and get comfortable behind the wheel before I said, “So where’d you run off to in such a hurry?”
“I had some business to attend to,” he said, easing into the late-night traffic. “Then I spent a few days on my boat. I just needed to clear my head, gain some perspective.”
“Sounds ominous,” I said, trying to hide my curiosity. It wasn’t as if he owed me an explanation. I wasn’t his girlfriend. We weren’t even sleeping together, yet I had a maddening urge to know everything about him.
“Not really.” He sighed. “I guess I’m just not used to having to live up to other people’s expectations.” He flashed me a quick grin when we pulled up to a red light. “I’m kind of used to being the screw-up. That way no one expects too much of you.”
I laughed. “You graduated top of your class at an Ivy League school and were scouted by several Fortune 500 companies after graduation. I don’t think most people would define that as being a screw-up.”
“Ah, but most people didn’t grow up with my old man.”
He curled his hand around the steering wheel, and I noted his knuckles were turning white. Damon didn’t talk about his father often, but when he did, it was obvious they had a complicated relationship. I could certainly relate.
“Looks like you’re kind of stressed,” I said, setting my hand on his thigh. “You want to talk about it?” I’d intended to let him have it for leaving town without so much as a text, but I could tell he needed a friend. I was flattered he’d reached out to me, and I didn’t want to make him regret it.
“Have you ever done something you wished you could take back?”
I laughed. “Of course. Who hasn’t?”
“I don’t regret much,” he admitted. “That’s not to say I haven’t made a lot of mistakes. I have. But I don’t have many regrets. Whatever happened, I just chalked it up to growing up. But sometimes you make a mistake there’s no way to justify, no excuse to defend that level of stupidity.”
I suspected he wasn’t ready to spell out why he was so upset, so I said, “Sometimes we’re our own worst critics.” I wondered if his trip had anything to do with another woman. Maybe he’d slept with an old girlfriend, someone who was now pressuring him. That would certainly have explained his silence for the past six days. Withdrawing my hand, I asked, “What you did, was it really so terrible?”
“I guess it depends on your definition of terrible.” He breathed deeply. “It wasn’t illegal, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
“I wasn’t, but that’s good to know.” I knew Damon was a lot of things, but I’d never pegged him for a criminal. Too carefree? Maybe. A womanizer? Definitely. Dangerous? Only to my peace of mind. He turned into the underground parking garage of one of the most exclusive buildings in the downtown core, and I didn’t have to ask where we were going. “Why are you taking me to your place?”
“You’d rather go somewhere else?” When I shrugged, he sighed. “Look, I know I owe you an explanation for the way I left things the other day, but—”
“It’s okay.” I’d never seen Damon so sullen, which told me this wasn’t the time to pressure him. “We can talk about that some other time.” I’d never thought of myself as particularly understanding or forgiving, except when it came to Mia, but Damon’s unexpected vulnerability had brought out my protective instincts. I wanted to find out what was bothering him and offer to help, if I could.
“I just needed to see you tonight,” he said. “The entire flight home, I just kept thinking that I couldn’t rest, couldn’t breathe, until I held you again.”
Um… what was I supposed to say to that?
“I know you well enough to know you don’t do heavy, Eleni.”
An understatement if I’d ever heard one. “No, I don’t. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be a good friend.” With bennies, if you play your cards right, Starkis. “I get the feeling you could use one tonight.”
“How do you do that?” he asked, easing the car into a numbered spot next to the black Range Rover he drove in the winter. Killing the powerful engine, he shifted to face me. “How do you read me so easily? So few people know the real me, yet I feel like you do.”
“It’s not as though we just met,” I said, trying to ignore the intensity in his gaze. “I’ve known you for a while
now. I’ve seen you with your brother and sister, heard you talk about your family, met some of your friends, and learned a lot about your childhood, both from you and Deacon. That’s given me some insight into who you are.”
Truthfully, I knew more about Damon than any of the men I’d dated and slept with for months. For the first time, I was considering a sexual relationship built on a solid foundation of friendship and mutual respect, and that scared me. It was easier to sleep with a stranger. There was no expectation of pillow talk, no awkward mornings afterward. But would it be that easy to walk away from Damon? Probably not.
“You know because you cared enough to listen.” He held my hand and slowly traced his thumb over the large silver ring adorning my finger. He smirked. “I watched a show once, some stupid reality TV show, where the couple had to pass a test.”
“What kind of test?” I asked, hypnotized by his raspy voice and musky scent wrapping around me in the close confines of the car. I was turned on and had been ever since he’d left me days before. I would be hard-pressed to resist him tonight. No matter what tomorrow night brought, I wanted one night with him.
He looked up, reminding me of the story he’d been telling and the question I’d asked. “They had to answer rapid-fire questions, you know, to prove how well they knew one another.”
“Hmm, sounds dumb.” I didn’t know where he was going with that, but I was pretty sure he was venturing into territory I considered off-limits.
“Does it?” His eyes imprisoned mine, refusing to allow me to look away. “All I could think was that I want someone to know me inside and out. I want her to know how old I was the first time I had sex or kissed a girl, my favorite book and movie, why I chose Yale, and why I hate ice cream.”
I couldn’t breathe. I knew all those things about him. Fifteen. Thirteen. The Old Man and the Sea. The Godfather. He didn’t want to follow in his older brother’s footsteps. Brain freeze. I really knew him. Oh God, how had that happened, and what did it mean?
“Don’t look so scared,” he whispered.
Damon (Starkis Family #2) Page 6