“I’ve watched you become Mia’s best friend over the past months.” My eyes captured hers when emotion made her voice raspy. “You’re the person she turns to when she’s had a bad day and needs to vent or something special happens that she wants to share. At first, I was a little jealous, but I realize that’s the way it’s supposed to be. You’re supposed to be her best friend, her lover, her confidante, her everything—just as I know she’s all of those things for you.”
Her words clearly reached the happy couple. They leaned in for a brief kiss.
“I know you two have a lifetime of happy moments ahead of you, and I hope to be there to witness the big ones because I’ve been envisioning Mia’s happy ending almost as long as she has.” The friends shared a teary smile. “You are her happy ending, Deacon, and I couldn’t be happier for the two of you.” Eleni raised her glass and glanced at the crowd. “Please raise your glasses to the first day of the rest of Mia and Deacon’s life together.” Eleni hugged my brother and Mia before claiming the seat beside me.
I kissed her cheek. “You were amazing. To listen to you, you’d almost think there was a hopeless romantic in there somewhere,” I teased, drawing my finger under her chin.
“I guess days like this soften even the most pessimistic of us, huh?”
“Maybe days like this are meant to make us see what’s possible.”
I wanted to believe that something had shifted, that witnessing her friend get her happy ending had made Eleni believe it could be possible for her too. Of course, I wasn’t naïve enough to believe we had an easy road ahead of us. Even if she decided to give us a chance, we still had the issue of the daughter she knew nothing about.
“Come home with me tonight,” I said, drawing her into my side as the band played. Instead of boring the crowd with speeches all night, the bride and groom had decided to space them out throughout the evening, which gave me a chance to talk to Eleni while the rest of the wedding party hit the dance floor.
She closed her eyes before she leaned on my shoulder and watched the happy couples sway to a romantic ballad. “I’m not going to lie, I don’t feel like being alone tonight.”
It was a big deal for Eleni to admit she needed comfort, so I tightened my grip and kissed the top of her head. “You don’t ever have to be alone unless you choose to, sweetheart.” I wanted her to know that I would never stifle her need for independence, but I would always be there when she needed a safe place to land.
The flash of a photographer’s camera lit up the dance floor, and I was grateful Deacon had ensured the press wouldn’t be able to make it past the gatekeepers tonight. I wasn’t ashamed of my relationship with Eleni—I was proud of it—but until Andra and I found neutral ground, I didn’t want to give her any more reason to question my lifestyle.
“I’m just going to the restroom,” she said, reaching for her handbag on the table.
I took her hand. “You didn’t answer my question. Will you come home with me tonight?”
Her hand grazed my face as a soft smile touched her lips. “I’d like that.”
I watched her walk across the hall under the watchful eye of my father, who soon made his way toward me. I’d expected Demi’s inquisition, but I’d been so wrapped up in Eleni that I hadn’t considered how I would handle it.
“It looks like you’re making progress with the lady,” Demi said, claiming the seat next to mine. “I’m glad to see that.”
I wasn’t surprised he approved of Eleni. Though she hadn’t been born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she understood our culture, which she’d proved during the traditional ceremony and reception rituals. “We’re getting there.”
I’d never discussed women with my father, mainly because I knew he wouldn’t approve of the girls I’d dated. They weren’t the type I’d have considered bringing home—opportunists and gold diggers, as Demi liked to call them. Unfortunately, I couldn’t argue with him. For the most part, that was an accurate assessment. I’d never been with a woman who wanted me for me. Sure, a few had claimed to love me, but they’d just wanted the perks the Starkis name and bank account could afford them. That was what made Eleni so special. She didn’t care about any of that. She just cared about me.
“Don’t waste too much time,” Demi warned. “Women like that won’t wait around for a man to make up his mind.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I asked, frowning. There was no doubt in my mind how I felt about Eleni, and I didn’t appreciate my father, who knew nothing about our relationship, calling my feelings into question.
“You know what I’m talking about.” Demi smirked. “For God’s sake, son, she’s a lingerie model.”
“So?” I crossed my arms, torn between listening to him and distancing myself, knowing anything he said was sure to aggravate me.
“Women like that typically marry professional athletes and musicians. You know how much those guys like their arm candy.”
I didn’t appreciate him referring to Eleni as arm candy. She had more depth than any other woman I’d ever met. “Eleni isn’t interested in getting married.” I let him chew on that fact, enjoying the annoyance that flashed across his face when he realized that put a wrench in his plans.
“What are you talking about?” he scoffed. “Any woman in her right mind would kill to marry you.”
I didn’t fool myself into believing he meant that as a compliment. He was simply referring to the family coffers since he believed they were the only thing of value I had to offer a potential wife. “Not Eleni. She doesn’t want to marry me or anyone else.” There had been a time, when we’d first met, when I’d thought that made her the ideal woman. Now that more time had passed and my feelings for her had grown, I realized how difficult it would be to overcome that obstacle.
“You’ll just have to make it impossible for her to resist you.” Demi chuckled. “That shouldn’t be so hard. You’ve made a career of getting women into bed.”
“Don’t,” I warned, leaning in so he couldn’t miss the threat. “Eleni isn’t like all the rest, and I won’t treat her as though she is.”
“Now that your brother is married and I’ve found someone suitable for Tiana, I need to focus on making sure you’re settled.” He surveyed the room, no doubt ensuring the waitstaff was tending to his guests to his satisfaction. “Since you’ll be taking over the family business, we need to make sure you have the right image. People need to know that you’ve left that lifestyle behind and you’re ready to get serious.”
I hadn’t told Demi that I was investigating other options, and this didn’t seem like the time or place to get into it. “I’ll decide when or if I get married.”
Demi glared at me, his arms crossed over his thick chest. “Why do you have to be so obstinate? I’ve been watching you with this woman all evening. It’s obvious you have feelings for her.”
“Unlike my sister, I won’t allow you to tell me whom I should marry or when.” I felt guilty for dragging Tiana into this, knowing it wasn’t as easy for her to stand up to our father. She’d been raised differently than we had. The old man expected Deacon and me to give him a hard time, but Tiana had always been the light of his life. “I’ll decide for myself when the time is right.”
“What is the matter with my children?” he asked, rubbing his forehead and shaking his head. “Why is the idea of marriage so abhorrent to all of you? I was beginning to think your brother would never marry. Even though I’ve found the perfect husband for Tiana, she’s still undecided. And you… I’m beginning to think you’ll never make me a grandfather.”
I knew if he’d known that he was already a grandfather, he’d have been camped out on Andra’s doorstep until she agreed to let him see Dalia. I couldn’t risk that. If he started throwing money around, insisting he had a right to a relationship with his granddaughter, it would ruin my chances of being a part of Dalia’s life.
Weighing my words carefully, I said, “When the time is right, you’ll know.” My family would fi
nd out about Dalia in the not-too-distant future, if I could convince Andra and her husband that I had become someone my little girl could rely on.
“The time is right now,” Demi said, gesturing at Eleni, who’d re-entered the ballroom and was chatting with another Alabaster’s model. “If you can’t see that, you had better have your eyes checked.”
I rolled my eyes, thinking it always came down to appearances with my father. Since Eleni was beautiful and Greek, she met his criteria. “I’ll take your opinion under advisement, Dad.”
***
We were lying on my couch, her back pressed against my chest as my hand sifted through Eleni’s long, dark hair. “I had fun today, didn’t you?”
“Yeah. I haven’t been to a traditional Greek wedding in a long time. I’d almost forgotten how much fun Greek dancing was.”
Tearing up the dance floor with Eleni had been the highlight of my evening. “We’re good together, you know.” It wasn’t just our shared culture; it was the inexplicable connection we had. I’d sensed it the first night we met, and it had only grown stronger every day since. “I understand you in a way no one else does.”
She inhaled deeply. “I know.”
“It’s because we’re so similar.” I let her process that before I said, “We’ve both spent most of our lives trying to avoid love and intimacy, for different reasons.”
“I was afraid of getting hurt,” she admitted. “Afraid to trust the wrong person, like my mother had.”
“And I was afraid of being taken advantage of because of my family.” I kissed her cheek when she leaned her head against my shoulder. “But I don’t worry about that with you. You’re the most authentic person I’ve ever met. You say what’s on your mind no matter what, and I can’t tell you how refreshing that is.”
She smiled, shaking her head. “Many people would say that’s one of my shortcomings.”
“They would be wrong.”
We were both lost in our thoughts when she whispered, “I think I want to try.”
My heart hammered so hard I was sure she could feel it drumming against her back. “You want to try…?”
“I want to try this relationship thing.” She linked her hand through mine. “I’d like it to be just us, you know, exclusively.”
I froze. I’d have loved nothing more, but suddenly the weight of the secret I was keeping felt unbearable. She deserved to know I had a daughter. But if I told her now, I could lose her.
“You’re not saying anything.” She shifted in my arms, turning to face me. “Why? I thought that’s what you wanted. Was I wrong?” She blushed, scooting back on the sofa until we were barely touching. “God, I didn’t mean to pressure you. I just thought after our talk the other night and what you said at the wedding—”
I grabbed the back of her head and kissed her fiercely to let her know how enthused I was at the prospect of having her all to myself. I wouldn’t have to worry about whether she was dating other men, kissing them good night, sleeping with them. I’d wanted for months to know that she was mine.
“Don’t ever question how much I want you.” I stroked her cheek with my fingertips as I searched her eyes for some hint that I’d put her fears to rest. “I have never felt about any other woman the way I do about you.” I wanted to tell her I loved her, but we’d already made great strides tonight. I didn’t want to risk going too far and making her question her decision to commit to me.
“I don’t know how this will work.” She straddled my waist, combing her hands through my hair. “I’ve never done this before.”
I’d loaned her a T-shirt so she could slip out of her formal dress, and as my hands caressed her soft skin, I was pleased to learn she’d left her undergarments behind. “I’m not an expert either.” I brushed my lips over her jaw when she tilted her head back. “So we’ll figure it out together.”
“Will we be…?” She pulled the T-shirt over her head and tossed it aside. “Going public? You know, letting the world know we’re a couple now?”
I wanted that more than anything, but it wasn’t an option yet. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather keep it under wraps for now.”
She braced her hands on my shoulders when I attempted to kiss her neck. “Why? You’re ashamed of me?”
I laughed, assuming she was joking. When her eyes darkened, I realized she wasn’t. “How can you even ask that? Of course I’m not ashamed of you. I’d love nothing more than to hire a goddamn skywriter to spread the word that you’re mine.”
“Then what’s the problem?” she asked, stilling my hands when they glided over her rib cage.
“My father was on me tonight about us.”
“He doesn’t like me?” She looked stunned. “I thought we were getting along great. Is it because I’m not rich? I don’t travel in the same social circles, or is it the modeling—”
I pressed my finger against her lips to silence her. “He thinks I should marry you—the sooner, the better.”
Her eyes rounded as she grasped my wrist and pulled my hand away from her mouth. “Oh my God, he actually said that?”
I nodded. Nothing had the power to scare her away faster than the M-word, but it was the only logical explanation I could come up with for keeping our relationship private. “He did. Now that Deacon’s married, he’ll put all of his energy into getting his other two children married off. He’s in a big hurry to be a grandfather.”
“I can’t…” She shook her head furiously. “Damon, you know how I feel about marriage.”
“I know how you felt about marriage,” I said gently. “But if we’re going to put our hearts on the line here, I need to know there’s a chance, maybe someday, that we could…” We had to have this conversation, but the last thing I wanted to do was scare her off.
She brushed her thumb over the stubble on my jaw. “All I can tell you is that if I was ever going to trust anyone enough to walk down the aisle, it would be you. But I refuse to give you false hope. I’ve spent my entire life believing I would never marry, never have the desire to. I won’t deny I’m having feelings for you that I’ve never had, but that doesn’t mean I can get past all of my hang-ups and—”
“Sssh.” I leaned in to kiss her. “We don’t need to figure everything out tonight, sweetheart. It’s enough to know that we’re together.”
She braced her hands on my shoulder as she sought my eyes. “Are you sure that’s enough for you? I never want to hurt you.”
I swallowed, thinking of the pain that lay ahead for us when she found out about Dalia. “I don’t want to hurt you either.” I grasped her hands and kissed them. “No matter what happens, I never want you to forget that, beautiful.”
Chapter Fourteen
Eleni
Making love to Damon felt as natural as breathing, which scared the hell out of me. Sex had always been just sex to me. I’d thought making love was a romanticized notion women used to heighten or, in some cases, justify the act, but I had been so wrong. What I experienced with Damon could only be described as making love. He told me with every stroke, every thrust, every kiss that he loved me. He’d never said the words, but he didn’t have to. I felt them. And I gave them back to him the only way I knew how—physically.
My hair fell on his chest, caressing him, as I cried out his name while finding my release. His arms encircled me, guiding me to completion as he whispered in my ear that he loved watching me let go. And that was exactly what I was doing—letting go of my inhibitions, slowly letting go of my fears.
His eyes captured mine while my breathing slowly returned to normal. His strong hand massaged my scalp before his lips claimed mine. His movements were slow and thorough, as though he had all the time in the world to get lost in me, to prove to me that I was special.
That was the way Damon had always made me feel—special. Even though I knew he’d dated dozens of beautiful women over the years, he always led me to believe they paled in comparison to me. A quick Internet search told me many had been stunning, but
the lack of sparkle in his eyes in those photos helped me believe his claim that he’d found something with me that had been lacking during his previous relationships.
“This is where you belong,” he whispered as his hands glided down my back to encircle my waist. Anchoring my body, he reminded me that he was in control, even though our position might have said otherwise. “Don’t ever doubt that.”
He knew me so well. Every time a doubt crept into my mind or I questioned what we had or whether I had the courage to see it through, he saw the fear and extinguished it before it evolved into full-blown panic, as it had with so many men before him.
“You make me feel safe,” I murmured, kissing his neck. I moaned when he pivoted his hips to enhance my pleasure. “You make me believe it’s okay to fall…” I couldn’t say the words, but he seemed to understand my meaning. His body stilled before he flipped me onto my back, the deep fusion stealing my ability to breathe.
“It’s okay.” He stroked my face before cradling it. His eyes were locked on mine, refusing to allow me to look away. “My job is to make you feel safe, and trust me when I tell you it’s the most important job I’ve ever had.”
His body was taking me to places I desperately wanted to go, but his heart was guiding me into uncharted territory. As hard as I tried to be brave, I was terrified. As though he felt my resistance and was determined to dissolve it, his lips grazed my neck before his tongue swirled in slow, methodical circles up and down the sensitive skin and over my pulse point until I was writhing and clawing his back as though my life depended on his next move.
“You never have to be alone again, Eleni,” he whispered, his tongue flicking my earlobe as I whimpered shamelessly, imploring him to continue. “Not unless you choose to be.”
Those simple words, the fact that he understood that I needed to know I was giving my heart on my terms, sealed the deal for me. “I love you, Damon.”
Damon (Starkis Family #2) Page 15