by Marian Tee
Whoa. Was he going to touch her? “No!” She was going to die if he did! She leaned away from his reach, forgetting she was on a stool, and found herself starting to fall instead.
“Careful,” Stavros said sharply. Clasping her by the waist, he managed to get Willow back on her stool.
Their eyes met, Willow breathless, Stavros breathing harshly.
His fingers on her waist tightened.
She wetted her lips.
His nostrils flared.
And that was it.
“Fuck.” He reached for her with a growl, Willow already whimpering as she surrendered to him without any thoughts of resisting.
In one powerful sweep, he sent all plates and glasses crashing on the floor before placing Willow on the counter. The moment she was seated, Willow’s legs automatically parted, Stavros between them. She leaned towards him the same time he reached for her. Even with Stavros still on the stool, he was so tall they were still at eye level with each other, and her breath caught at the look on his eyes.
“Kiss me.”
Shuddering at the rough and seductive note of command in Stavros’ voice, Willow hurried to comply, her hands gripping his shoulders as she covered her mouth with his. Passion exploded between them, and with a growl, Stavros took over, sinking his hands into her hair as he took control of the kiss.
Her arms wrapped around his neck as she melted against Stavros, her lips parting and her tongue dancing with his. She reveled in his kiss, her senses swimming, and still she wanted more. She wanted everything and she never wanted it to stop. Her hands roamed desperately on his back, finding the hem of his shirt, and she sighed into his mouth as she found herself finally able to touch his skin.
Fire consumed Stavros as he felt Willow writhing against him, every sexy little move of hers screaming of Willow’s need. “Willow.” His eyes closed for a moment as he savored the fact that he could say her name and that she was in his arms when he did.
“Stavros.” Willow’s body arched against him as she whimpered his name, and his control broke. Dragging his mouth away from her, he kissed his way down, sucking on her neck hungrily before pulling her dress down. The thin straps gave out and her dress gaped open, revealing her braless breasts.
“Fuck, Willow. You’re so fucking sexy.”
She moaned at his words, but it soon turned into screams as Stavros cupped her breasts, kneading them hard before plumping one to take a proudly erect nipple into his mouth. She screamed and screamed as he sucked on her nipple, one at a time, his fingers all the while playing with her breasts, endlessly kneading them like they would die without his attention.
She started to tense when she felt him move again, his mouth leaving a wet hot trail on her skin. For a moment, shyness struck her and she tried to resist, her legs closing, but then Stavros growled, “No!” and her legs fell back.
Willow’s fingers curled into fists, her body stiff with excited anticipation as she felt his fingers touch the side of her panties---
“Ah!” He had ripped her panties away, and her stunned gaze followed the movement of his hand as he threw them to the floor. Her head whirled, even now a part of her shocked and aroused that someone as proper as Stavros Manolis could be so primitive when it came to sex.
“Why did you have to---” But she wasn’t able to complete her question, Stavros’ mouth on her pussy making her forget to do anything and everything but moan.
She collapsed against the counter, her head falling back, long dark hair dangling. She moaned and whimpered as Stavros began to eat her pussy, every hot, hard stroke of his tongue pushing her closer and closer to orgasm.
“Stavros, Stavros, Stavros.” She started chanting his name in desperation, torn between wanting him to stop and not to stop, the intensity of the pleasure of his mouth on her driving Willow insane.
Hearing her say his name over and over with such abandon made Stavros shudder, spurring him to pleasure her more. Lifting his mouth away, he parted her folds open, wider and wider until she was completely exposed. When Willow started to gasp at the feeling of being stretched so widely, that was his cue, and he slowly pushed two fingers in.
Willow screamed.
Stavros pulled his fingers out. When they returned to her heated warmth, there were three fingers this time, and his mouth claimed her tiny, quivering nub of flesh at the same time.
This time, Willow didn’t stop screaming, the climax shattering her. He sucked on her clit as he relentlessly fucked her with his fingers.
As her cries of pleasure washed over him, the heat of her trembling body enveloping him, Stavros closed his lips one last time on her clit. He sucked, he tasted, and…he loved.
Chapter Seven
One day, I hope you’ll finally stop worrying about other people in my life. One day, I hope you’ll understand they only exist to make me realize how more important you are to me than everyone else.
Love, Your Greek Billionaire
Five days left, Willow thought as she stepped out of the shower and wrapped a fluffy white towel around her body. Facing the full-length mirror, she tried to consider herself with as much of an objective eye as possible.
She was tiny and curvy, two things that didn’t exactly shout supermodel material, which she heard was something gorgeous Greek billionaires like Stavros Manolis were extremely fond of.
But then, Willow argued to herself, Stavros’ first love wasn’t exactly model material either. Granted, Mairi was a lot more slender than Willow was but even so, the other woman could be better described as ‘cute’ than ‘stunning’.
Surely that meant something, right? Willow made a face as soon as the question formed in her mind. God, she was being pathetic. In her B.S. days, she had laughed at the way other female employees in Hamnet had constantly compared themselves to their predecessors when bemoaning a recent fight with their boyfriends.
He wasn’t like this with his ex. I think he still loves her.
I feel like he doesn’t think I’m pretty enough for him. Every time I see his ex, I kinda think so, too.
Everything feels so hopeless. It’s a matter of time before he realizes he still---
Someone knocked on the door, the sound jerking Willow out of her thoughts.
“Willow? Are you done?” It was William.
“Almost.” She dressed herself hurriedly, choosing a checkered dress tfrom the outfits Stavros’ image consultant had picked out for her.
When she came out, she caught sight of William pacing in her bedroom. He scowled. “You look nervous.” His tone was accusing.
She blinked in confusion. “Umm…” She was nervous. Shouldn’t she be? Although William had met Stavros several times, she hadn’t been dating the billionaire at that time. Of course, she wasn’t dating Stavros now either but…
Her father was still scowling.
“Stop scowling, Father,” Willow grumbled. “You’re honestly making me more nervous.”
“You shouldn’t be,” he snapped. “You deserve better than the likes of him.”
Willow choked. “Do you seriously mean that?” She was genuinely incredulous. The words were mind-boggling, considering they had come from the same man who had once said – albeit rightfully – that no sensible male would ever consider an unpredictable, unruly, and ungracious woman like her as an ideal wife.
“Of course.”
“Okay, where do I start here? How Blind Art Thou. Let Me Count The Ways. One, he’s gorgeous---”
“A superficial trait.”
“Two, he’s a billionaire---”
“Says nothing about his character---”
“He’s doubled his family’s fortune all on his own, he speaks several languages, he gives away millions of dollars to charities every year---do you really need more reasons?”
“I only need one to prove my point,” William said.
“And that’s?”
“A man who’s made you cry almost every night since you came back home doesn’t deserve you.”
/>
Oh.
“Father---”
Turning to the door, William said quietly, “You don’t have to worry I’ll disrespect him. After everything, he is still a guest under our roof.” He paused. “But I’m telling you now, Willow. If I ever see him treat you badly with my own eyes, I will do everything I can to keep him out of your life.”
* * *
“Good afternoon, Mr. Somerset.” Stavros Manolis swiftly came to his feet when Willow’s father joined him in the living room. Like the rest of the house, it was modest in size but elegantly furnished. Since Stavros had firsthand experience of Willow’s remarkable lack of talent in any feminine art, he supposed that the house’s beautiful interior was all thanks to a professional decorator.
The older man merely nodded. “Manolis.” Compared to the previous times they had seen each other, this was the chilliest reception Stavros had been subjected to, and he wasn’t surprised at all. Too many things had happened between him and Willow to make her father welcome him with open arms.
“Sit down please.”
Out of respect, Stavros did as asked while Willow’s father remained standing.
“My daughter will be down any minute.”
“I don’t mind waiting.” It was the truth. While he did mind being made to wait when it came to most women, he found himself more patient than usual when it came to his former secretary.
After a moment, William spoke again. “I’d like to take the chance to thank you for the information you have sent me.”
Ah. Stavros had wondered if the older man would bring that up. He said evenly, “It was for Willow’s sake.”
“I know.” William looked at him with a grim expression. “If I could turn back time and make it right for her, I would have. But I can’t. All I can do now is be the best father I can be to Willow---” His voice turned fierce. “And that means letting you know I do not approve of whatever relationship you have with my daughter.”
Even though a part of him had already expected that, Stavros still couldn’t stop himself from stiffening at the words. “I see.”
“Do you really, Mr. Manolis? Perhaps you think I don’t approve of it because you know all my faults and I would rather have someone who was blind to it.” William shook his head wearily. “But that’s not it at all. I do not approve of you simply because I see myself in you.”
Stavros stilled.
“For so long, I took my daughter for granted. And you, sir, are doing the same thing now.”
Stavros’ lips compressed. “Mr. Manolis---”
“Tell me I’m wrong,” the older man challenged him furiously. “Tell me you’re not making her prove she has the right to be in your life.”
Before Stavros could answer, both of them heard the door to Willow’s bedroom opening from the second floor, followed by her footsteps as she descended the steps. She paused at the foot of the stairs, her smile fading when she noticed the unmistakable tension in the atmosphere.
“Father? Sta---Mr. Manolis?”
Stavros’ chest tightened at the way Willow corrected herself so hastily, and he couldn’t even fault the older man for shooting him a look of pure contempt after noticing the same thing.
Fuck, fuck, fuck. Willow was the most stubbornly proud woman he knew and yet here she was, acting so damn uncertain about the role she played in his life.
For a moment, all he could do was stare at her. Willow. Her dark hair still looked half-wet, gathered on one side to fall over her left shoulder. Its tips curled against her skin, drawing his attention towards the delicious swell of Willow’s breasts above her dress’ scooped neckline.
Looking at her, he felt it again, the same near-drowning sensation that had stalked him ever since Stavros realized how much Willow could mean to him…if he ever let this woman fully enter his life.
“Is everything all right?”
The slight tremor in Willow’s voice had him swearing silently. Fuck. Crossing the room, he took her hand, uncaring of the way her father drew his breath sharply at the gesture. At that moment, Stavros didn’t give a damn if the whole world was looking at them, wondering what he was doing, holding the hand of his ex-secretary.
Right now, all he wanted was to make her feel better.
“Everything’s not all right, I’m afraid.” Anxiety darkened her blue-green eyes at his words. “You want to know why?”
“If it’s something bad,” she quipped tremulously, “could you just lie?”
Stavros’ lips twitched, but otherwise his expression remained solemn as he slowly shook his head. It did nothing to ease Willow’s nervousness, and she had to swallow before asking, “Why then?”
“My name.” His voice was quiet as his dark eyes captured hers and didn’t let go. “I want you to call me by my name.” He knew she understood when she swallowed again, the same time her body slowly lost its rigidity.
“I see.” She wasn’t smiling yet, but her eyes were so beautifully bright. “D-do you want me to call you Stavros? Or by the other name I call you?”
Stavros raised a brow. I have no idea what other name that is.
This time, she smiled as she said, “Motherfu---”
“Willow.” His growl cut her off, but it was too late, and a second later he heard Willow’s father choking back a laugh.
The menacing look on the billionaire’s face had her gulping, and Willow cringed when she heard her father unsuccessfully trying not to laugh. Shiiiiiiit. She had forgotten they had company.
“I’m, umm, gonna check if everything’s ready in the dining room. See ya!” She beat a quick escape before her former boss could strangle her.
The little witch. Stavros’ teeth clenched. Clearly, the numerous days he had spent training Willow to be professionally tactful had been a waste.
“Mr. Manolis?”
Stavros’ expression became shuttered as he turned to face Willow’s father. He didn’t think it was polite to let the man see how close he was to killing his child. “Mr. Somerset?”
“I owe you an apology,” the other man said gruffly. “I realize now there are probably a lot of things I do not understand about the connection between you and my daughter.”
Stavros frowned. “I neither need nor want an apology, but if you could appease my curiosity…” He raised a brow. “What made you change your mind?”
“She’s still alive,” William answered simply. At the questioning look the billionaire shot at him, an uncharacteristic smirk touched his lips. “My daughter almost called you a ‘motherfucker’, didn’t she?”
* * *
“Don’t kill me.” Willow blurted the words out the moment Stavros followed her inside his limousine and the chauffeur slammed the door shut after him. “That’s my other wish for today. You absolutely cannot kill me.”
But Stavros didn’t stop moving, didn’t stop reaching for her, making Willow gasp as she tried to scramble farther away from him---
It was too late, Stavros’ arm curling around her waist. The next thing she knew, he had her on his lap, his mouth slamming down on hers.
Oh. In an instant, she melted against him, everything in her surrendering to his kiss. The way his lips and tongue devoured her was possessive and domineering, and she loved the fact that it was so.
“You little witch,” Stavros gritted as he lifted his head to glare down at her. “You almost called me a ‘motherfucker’ in front of your own father!”
“I…” She couldn’t think straight, her senses still reeling from his kiss.
And then there wasn’t any point to thinking again, his lips back on hers while his hands started to move, touching her all over. She moaned against his mouth as his hands palmed her breasts. She moaned again when his fingers tightened around the swelling globes, and she couldn’t help shuddering when he dipped into her dress---
“Fuck,” Stavros groaned. “You’re not wearing any bra. Why the fuck aren’t you wearing a bra?” He couldn’t wait for an answer, his hands already busy pulling her dr
ess down. Her breasts spilled out, and his desire for her shot up a thousand fold.
Bending down, he held one breast up to his mouth. He laved the tip with his tongue before sucking. Willow moaned and writhed against him, making Stavros suck harder.
“Stavros.” She was chanting his name again, in the way Willow only could. Her voice had his cock throbbing, and it throbbed harder as he felt her nipple poking hard against his tongue as if demanding all of his attention.
He would have had her out of her clothes the next minute and screaming his name as she came if Stavros hadn’t felt the car slowing down.
Fuck.
They were here already.
Forcing himself to pull away, Stavros inhaled deeply and willed for his control to come back. “We’re here.”
Willow blinked at him, a dazed look on her lovely face. Her lips were kiss-swollen, and the sight of it made him want to kiss her again.
Fuck.
“One last kiss,” he said thickly before lowering his mouth to hers. She kissed him back without hesitation, and the way Willow pressed her body against him made him groan and kiss her harder.
Striving for control, Stavros managed to lift his head. “No more. We’re here already.” He didn’t wait to see if she understood. He couldn’t afford to. He might end up kissing her again.
He put her dress to rights and helped Willow fix her hair because, frankly, she sucked at it and always had.
Oh, Stavros. The words echoed in her mind as she kept herself still while Stavros tucked loose strands of her hair behind her ear. Stavros, Stavros, Stavros. How can you not see?
Only a man who loved would do something like this for a woman. Why couldn’t he see that? Why?
When Stavros appeared to be done, she mumbled, “You’re done fussing?” She knew she was being rude again, but she couldn’t help it. The way he was gazing at her right now was embarrassing. He made her feel beautiful, and she wasn’t used to it.
Stavros didn’t rise to the bait. “Yes,” he said mildly instead. At his nod, the chauffeur quickly stepped out to open the door for them. Upon taking Willow’s hand, Stavros paused, finding her cold to touch. “You’re worried.” The belated realization had him frowning.