It might have made me sound like a cheap whore, but in that moment I didn’t care. All I cared about was this man was able to bring back feelings I had buried long ago.
And I liked it.
I liked it a lot.
THE WAY KILYN was breathing had my dick throbbing. I fought the urge to push her into her car and fuck her right here in the parking lot.
Jesus, Thano. Get a grip.
It didn’t help matters any when she practically gave me the invitation to do just that.
Kissing along her jaw, I forced myself to pull back.
“I’ll pick you up at ten?”
She nodded, her eyes closed and her lips parted slightly. “O—okay. Ten. Yep. Work. Right.”
When I stepped back, her body was swaying and I couldn’t help but smile. I loved how she reacted to me. No woman had ever responded to me like Kilyn did. Not even Savannah, but that had to be because we were so young when we started dating.
I stopped and looked at her. She still had her eyes closed.
“Kilyn?”
Snapping them open, she jumped. “Right. I’ll be ready and have my measuring tape and notepad to assess everything.”
When her eyes widened in horror, I laughed.
Lifting her hands, she started babbling and damn it if it didn’t make me that much more attracted to her.
“No, wait. I don’t mean I’m going to be assessing your size or how well you do. Not that I think we’re going to do anything because I totally don’t think that, but I have to admit I’m pretty well turned on right now, you know.” She motioned with her hands up and down. “Look at you. You’re hot and sweaty, and I can see through your shirt, and you kissed my neck and whispered something to me in Greek and . . . and,” she looked around, “man, did a warm front come through or something? It’s so hot.”
I forced the laugh back down as I reached for her hand and gently kissed the back of it. “See you at ten, ladybug.”
Her smile made my heart skip a beat. “See ya at ten,” she softly replied.
Turning on my heels, I walked over to my car, trying like hell to figure out what in the hell I was doing. I wasn’t ready for a relationship, but I was so drawn to Kilyn, I had to have her.
All of her.
“What do you mean you’re not coming over for dinner tonight?”
Slipping the T-shirt over my head, I put the phone back up to my ear. “Thad and Nicholaus will be there, Mama. You won’t even know I’m gone.”
“Why do you assume such things? I will know. Your cousins are in town. I’m making a huge dinner.”
Running my hand through my hair, I attempted to get it to dry faster. “I’ve got plans I can’t cancel.”
The silence on the other end of the phone told me her head was spinning. “A girl?”
“No,” I lied.
“You’re lying to me, Athanasios.”
Rolling my eyes, I grabbed the cologne and did a quick spray. Kilyn mentioned how good I smelled in the cooking class Gus and I went to. That night I went and bought another bottle of Creed. The shit isn’t cheap, but the way it made her eyes flare was enough for me to drop a few hundred dollars for an extra bottle.
“Mama, why do you think I’m lying?”
She huffed into the phone. “I don’t think, Athanasios Adrax Drivas, I know you’re lying. What is her name?”
“It is not a girl. It’s business.”
“Why don’t you want to tell me? She isn’t Greek, is she? Please tell me it isn’t serious.”
I could imagine my mother now. Leaning against the counter, pinching the bridge of her nose as she cursed in Greek. She thought it was okay to curse in Greek, even though all of her children spoke it and knew exactly what she was saying.
“I don’t understand why you boys can’t settle down with a good Greek girl. I’m not getting any younger. I need grandchildren.”
I nearly choked on my own spit. “Grandchildren?”
She started rattling off in Greek how her sister’s kids were all married and why her three boys were so selfish.
“You should talk to Thaddeus, Mama. He’s been dating a girl for almost three months now.”
My mother gasped.
I shook my head and sighed. I threw my older brother under the bus, and for what? So I’d get my mother off my own back. I should have felt guilty about it, yet I didn’t. I was somewhat amused knowing Thaddeus would have the wrath of our mother on him tonight.
“Why has he not told me?”
“You’ll have to ask him, Mama. I really need to get going. I have a business meeting at ten.”
It wasn’t really a lie. Okay, it was, but whatever. I’d make it up to her and go and spend the entire day with her tomorrow.
“You call me tonight so I can hear your voice, Athanasios. I worry about you. It’s been too long. It’s time to move on.”
My heart ached in my chest. I’d never be able to move on from the loss of Savannah. She was the only love I’d ever known.
“Love you, Mama. I’ll try and call tonight. Bye.”
“Bye, darling. Love you back.”
The phone went dead and I couldn’t help but start laughing. If I knew my mother, she was dialing up Thaddeus right now.
My hand shook slightly as I reached up to ring Kilyn’s doorbell. What in the hell is wrong with me?
Before I even hit it, the door flew up, causing me to jump.
“Hey! You’re right on time. The doorman let me know you were on your way up!”
I took in the sight before me and smiled. Kilyn was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt that said I Love This Life—LOCASH.
Man, it really was her favorite song. The pink Converse shoes tied it all together. Of course, the ponytail finished off the look. She looked so fucking adorable, I wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss the living shit out of her.
Pulling her lip between her teeth, she grinned while she watched me ogle her. I don’t think I’d ever seen someone as breathtaking. Her smile had my heart racing and my stomach jumping.
“Am I underdressed? I thought we were just heading up to your cabin. I figured you wouldn’t mind if I got comfy.”
Why does that sound hot as hell?
“No. I think you look adorable.”
She frowned and then smiled bigger. “You’re easy to please, Mr. Drivas.”
Focusing in on those soft lips, I imagined them moving across my body. “Oh, I think you’ll find I’m not that easy to please, Ms. O’Kelly. I tend to like things . . . my way.”
Her smile grew bigger and more crooked as those green eyes lit up. “Really? Is that a challenge?”
“It could be.”
I had to admit I liked the flirting thing we had going on. Kilyn’s personality was contagious. She was so damn chipper all the time.
Reaching for a bag, she threw it over her shoulder and walked out of her apartment. “Well then, I hope you’re up for the challenge. It will make it all the more sweeter when I get my way.”
Jesus, are we talking about sex? I fucking hope so.
The drive up to the cabin proved to be the best hour and a half I’d had in a long time. Kilyn’s sense of humor was amazing and she could say the craziest shit with a deadpan expression.
“Have you always used humor to ease tension?”
She stared at me with a serious look. “Is that what I’m doing? Easing tension between us?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t feel tense, actually the opposite. I haven’t felt this relaxed in a long time. You bring out something in me, Kilyn.”
Her face blushed the most beautiful rose color. The way it caused her eyes to stand out had me wishing I knew what to say or do to make her blush like that all the time.
“Well, I could say the same thing about you, Thano.”
I slowed down and put my signal on before pulling into the long driveway that led to my private paradise. A part of me felt guilty Savannah wasn’t here for me to show her first, but having
Kilyn here felt . . . right. That was the only way I could explain it.
“This driveway is amazing.” Her hands came up to her mouth as she gasped when the cabin came into sight. “It’s beautiful, Thano! I cannot wait to see the inside!”
With a chuckle, I pulled up and parked. I could hear the excitement in her voice and it made me happy. She was out of the car before I even had my door open. With her bag thrown over her shoulder, she quickly ran up the stairs and walked around the wraparound porch.
“This is amazing! The view is the most beautiful view I’ve ever seen.”
My chest swelled with pride. I had known the moment I pulled up and saw this spot that it was the one.
Spinning back to me, she smiled. “I already have an idea.”
Lifting my brows, I asked, “You do?”
“Yes!” she squealed as she grabbed my hand and pulled me to the back of the house.
“Imagine a flagstone patio down there. With a pit, table and chairs, and some amazing, yet low maintenance flowers because you won’t always be here to take care of them. Oh my gosh, it will be your heaven on earth!”
I chuckled at how practical Kilyn was even in her excitement.
Walking all the way around the wraparound porch, she turned and said, “Let’s see the inside. My head is swimming with ideas.”
The wind picked up out of nowhere and we both turned and looked west.
“Did you check the weather before we came up here?” she asked.
My heart dropped. Fuck. I was so excited about spending the day with Kilyn I forgot to check the weather.
When I didn’t answer right away, her face dropped. “You didn’t, did you?”
THANO STOOD THERE staring at me with a blank expression. “How could you forget to the check the weather?” I asked.
He frowned. “Did you check it?”
I narrowed my left eye and shot him a look. “Why would I check it?”
“Oh, I don’t know, Kilyn. Maybe because you were headed up to the mountains?”
Folding my arms over my chest, I slowly tilted my head and glared at him. “Call me old-fashioned, Thano, but I was kind of leaving that up to you since you invited me up here and even mentioned a storm coming in.”
He threw his hands up. “It doesn’t matter who checked the weather.”
“You mean who didn’t check the weather.”
If looks could kill, I was pretty sure I’d be on the ground. “Fine. I fucked up and didn’t check the weather. Let’s get in; the temperature is already starting to drop.”
It was then I noticed he was right. And the wind had picked up even more.
“Wait. I thought it wasn’t supposed to move in until later tonight?”
Thano unlocked his door and walked inside. I followed him in and smiled wide when he turned on the lights. It was an open canvas and I couldn’t keep the flood of ideas at bay.
Designing wasn’t always what I wanted to do. At one point in my life, I wanted to follow my dreams of singing. Of course, that all changed after Peter. Everything changed after him.
“Let me turn on the weather radio. Can you pull up the weather on your phone?” Thano asked while he walked toward the massive kitchen. For a few moments, I was lost in the beauty of the dark granite countertops, natural stone backsplash and the most beautiful copper oven vent I’d ever seen.
“If you can’t get a signal, I have Wi-Fi. The password is mountain.”
Thano’s voice snapped me out of it. I was pretty sure I had drool dripping from the corner of my mouth. I quickly reached up and wiped for good measure.
“I have a signal,” I said, pulling up the weather. It sat there and spun. Thano searched everywhere for the weather radio.
Itching to get some ideas drawn out, I put my phone down and pulled out my pad and drawing pencil. “I’m sure it’s fine, Thano. The storm wasn’t supposed to move in until later. It’s probably just the winds before it.”
Thano was saying something from upstairs, but I totally tuned him out while I walked into the massive living room. The stone fireplace was breathtaking and would be the focal point of the room.
“Want a fire? It’s a bit chilly in here.”
I nodded. “A fire would be amazing.” Looking up, I took in the tall ceilings and exposed wood beams. “This room is amazing.”
“Thanks,” Thano replied with a smile.
I walked around in a circle. “What kind of feel are you looking for in this room?”
With a shrug, he stared at me with a blank express. “Warm and inviting?”
“Is that a question or a statement?”
The way he was looking at me had my heart melting into a puddle on the beautiful hardwood floors. “Um, well, I heard it on a show my mother was watching on HGTV.”
Trying like hell to hold it back, I busted out laughing. “Thano! Seriously, how do you see this room?”
His smile widened as he tossed one more log into the fireplace. He put two fire starters in and lit them both before shutting the screen and making his way over to me. When his hands landed on my hips, I swallowed hard and tried like hell to keep from panting like a dog in heat.
“Why do you think you’re here, ladybug? I have no fucking clue how I want this place to look. Like a cabin in the mountains and not a bachelor pad like my apartment. Nothing girly, but something that will make your heart stop when you walk in here and look at it.”
It felt as if a hundred-pound weight was on my chest. Did he mean to say when I walked in here or when any girl walked in? Jesus, it’s getting hot in here.
“May I ask you something?”
He winked and replied, “As long as it has nothing to do with what my vision is for this room.”
I let out a nervous chuckle. “No. It doesn’t.”
“Then go for it.”
Pulling the corner of my lip in with my teeth, I chewed on it for a few seconds before releasing it and asking, “Why do you call me ladybug?”
He dropped his hands from my hips and took a step back. I instantly missed his warmth.
“What?”
He almost seemed surprised by my question, as if he hadn’t even realized he was doing it.
“Don’t get me wrong, I really like it. I’ve never had anyone call me anything other than my name, but why ladybug?”
Thano’s face turned white as a ghost. “I didn’t even realize I was calling you that.”
Pinching my brows, I pulled my head back. “Really? You’ve called me that a number of times.”
He ran his hand through that dark hair of his. The way it left it a hot mess had my lower stomach pulling with desire. What I wouldn’t give to run my own fingers through it.
“I was curious why ladybug that’s all. I swear, I don’t mind.”
Thano turned and walked to the back door. He opened it and stepped outside. Clearly, me asking him upset him. I decided to give him a few minutes alone and headed upstairs. Since it would be a guestroom, I would keep the décor simple, yet rustic chic. If Thano’s parents ever came to stay, I’m sure his mother wouldn’t want dead animals hanging off the wall in her bedroom.
Chewing on the end of my pencil, I wondered if Thano hunted. I’d need to ask. I could totally see an elk mounted on that fireplace downstairs.
As I moved about upstairs, measuring and making some rough drawings, I couldn’t shake the way Thano reacted when I asked him about the pet name. I was wishing I had kept my mouth shut seeing as it sent him outside.
When it seemed like he was going to stay out there longer, I headed back downstairs and found the master bedroom. When I stepped in I sucked in a breath of air. The large king-size bed was smack in the middle of the room.
“He said he had a mattress here. This is a work of art!” I mumbled as I walked up to the large four-post oak bed. It had more of a rustic feel to it and that told me a ton about Thano’s style. It was bold and beautiful, yet had a bit of a romantic feel to it. Turning to my left, I saw the one chair he said he
had. With a smile, I ran my hand along the arm. Thano had a thing for old school charm. The chair and bed had a very French chic flare to them.
I scanned the room and smiled when the perfect color of paint popped into my head. There were three doors in the room. Any one of them led to the master bathroom. It was almost like a game, what was behind the door!
The first door I walked up to was the winner. I figured with its placement it had to be the bathroom. What I hadn’t figured was what I was going to find in said bathroom.
“Holy. Shit.”
My hand came up over my mouth. Straight in front of me was the biggest window I’d ever seen. A giant oval tub sat in front of it. Closing my eyes, I pictured soaking in the tub, looking out over the mountain range. Of course, the only thing that would make it better was if Thano was soaking in there with me.
“Oh, for Christ’s sake. Stop it, Kilyn. Seriously, I need to get laid.”
Once I was able to pull my eyes from the view, I noticed the two beautiful vanities with their copper sinks. “Beautiful,” I whispered as I ran my fingers along the stone countertops.
“Yes, you are.”
Jumping, I slammed my hand over my chest.
“Shit! You scared me, Thano.”
He smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. It was the first forced smile I’d ever seen from him.
“Um, this window! Wow.”
It was a poor attempt at a conversation, but I was at a loss as to why his eyes were filled with such sadness.
“Yeah, that was my idea. I’m kind of a bath guy and I love the view so I asked for a big window.”
Every nerve ending in my body tingled when he mentioned he liked baths. “Well, from one bath lover to another, good call.”
I stepped into the massive shower that could easily fit four people in it. Two rain head faucets hung down, and a handheld faucet hung on the wall.
“You could seriously have some fun in this shower,” I said with a chuckle before realizing that I said it out loud.
Shit.
Thano leaned against the counter and nodded. Okay, this was getting awkward.
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