Stay

by Emily Evans

  “Even the score?” His eyes glinted and he took a step forward. “Don’t even say that.”

  “It was a dance, a kiss. It was nothing.”

  “A kiss is something. You’ve never kissed me.”

  Mia clenched her fists. “I’m the girl, you spoiled pretty boy. You’re the one who is supposed to do the kissing. And I hear you’ve had plenty of experience.” She advanced on him. “Do you know what it does to me to think of you out with all those girls? I wish they were just a dance or even a kiss.” She stopped. “I thought we…I thought you were like me…that we were…”

  “We are.” He grabbed her arms and looked directly into her eyes.

  Shaking her head, she pulled away. How could he not understand? We’re fighting because I like him, and he doesn’t like me back. “It’s probably better this way. We should’ve just been friends from the beginning. I shouldn’t have messed with it.” She went to her door and held it open, inviting him to leave.

  He walked over to her and threaded both hands into her wet hair, gazing into her eyes. “We’re more.”

  She let go of the door.

  “Tell me you know that. Tell me, Mia.”

  He was messing with her head. Mia sighed. “Alexi, don’t. I like you, and you don’t like me the same way. Simple. We need to back off.”

  “I do like you. I adore you. I just don’t want to. And, yes. we should back off.”

  Chapter 24

  Adore? Mia’s heart raced. She had no clue what to make of that. Back off? He pulled her against him. She put her arms around his waist and rested her forehead against his shoulder. She held on tight with mad confusion.

  Alexi wrapped one arm behind her back and bent to put one beneath her knees. Lifting her, he carried her out into the game room and over to their usual spot on the couch. Mia lay across his chest with one arm wrapped around his neck and the other hand resting against his heartbeat.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered into her ear against her hair. “Sorry I didn’t know you were out there. Didn’t know to wait.”

  It was the sweetest thing ever. She squeezed him tightly, but didn’t say anything; she didn’t know what to say. They lay entwined around each other for a long time, not speaking. She didn’t want to move and had to think of the right thing to say. He was warm and comfortable. Eventually Mia’s arms loosened, and she fell asleep.

  Alexi didn’t let her go.

  Mia awakened on top of Alexi’s chest. She swallowed against her dry throat and looked down at Alexi. He is even beautiful when he sleeps. No drool, no snoring, so unfair. She rubbed a hand across the side of his face. It was rough. He needed to shave. In sleep, he turned his face toward her palm. She eased up without waking him and went to her bathroom. One look in the mirror reminded her she should never go to bed without drying her hair. It was a rumpled, crimped mass. She hopped back in the shower and then brushed her teeth, performing all her nighttime rituals one more time.

  After drying her hair, she checked the clock. It was still early, so she got dressed in her favorite blue sleep shorts with a tank top and went back out to the game room. No Alexi. She grabbed chilled water from the minifridge. It helped. She knocked against his door and peeked in. Alexi sat against the headboard staring across the room. He wore shorts and a T-shirt and looked as tired as she felt.

  She didn’t move. “May I come in?”

  “Yes.”

  Mia closed the door behind her, but she didn’t know what to say, so she hovered just inside. Alexi patted the sheet. Mia closed her eyes a second and stepped forward. After placing the water on his nightstand, she climbed onto the bed. The mattress dipped at her weight, and the clean sheets smelled like a rainy day. She sat cross-legged facing him, meeting his eyes.

  “Tell me you know I’m not letting you go,” Alexi said.

  Mia looked down at her hands. Wow.

  “What I said about backing off was crap. I won’t watch you date other guys.” He reached out and took her hand. She curled hers into his.

  Alexi tightened his grip. “You said you don’t want to look at me across a family table if we break up.”

  Mia nodded.

  With his free hand, he brushed her hair back from her face and tilted her chin up. “I don’t want to look over at you at that same table and think we didn’t even try.”

  Her heart leapt and she bit her lip to contain herself. She looked at his sincere blue-gray eyes, and his beautiful face. She couldn’t resist him, always wanted him. Could they really try this? A flash of Hope’s worried face from last night crossed her mind. “Hope and Niko can’t know.”

  Alexi frowned and shook his head.

  “It’s not a secret. Everyone else can know, but if we mess this up, it’s not Hope’s problem to worry about, okay?”

  He looked at her in a considering manner and slid a hand from the top of her shoulder down her arm to her hand. He ran his thumb across her palm.

  Mia lifted his hand within hers to her lips and kissed it. Alexi nodded. She leaned toward him and said, “Yes,” against his lips.

  Alexi kissed her.

  Chapter 25

  The kiss. Electricity shimmered from her mouth to her toes.

  Alexi’s mouth was slightly parted, and he tasted amazing, like anticipation and a hint of wicked, fun things. His fingers slid into her hair as his mouth rubbed against hers. Bliss.

  Alexi eased the pressure, kissing her top lip then her bottom lip in small, teasing kisses. The mix made her antsy. His teasing made her want to be closer.

  He pulled back. She followed. He brushed his thumb against her bottom lip and rubbed it lightly across her bottom teeth.

  Biting down against the edge, she touched the tip of her tongue to him. His eyes brightened. He pressed his mouth against her lips gently, opening her mouth wider, tasting her. And then withdrawing.

  More. Reaching up, she put her arms around his neck. His arms wrapped around her.

  The tingles spread across her skin. Too much. Not enough. More. She breathed in against his mouth, grasped his shoulders tightly, pressed closer and more insistently against his lips. Ahhh. She ran her fingers through his hair, lightly skimming his scalp with her nails. He turned his face into her neck and pressed his lips into her skin. Warm, soft.

  Oh, wow.

  Then his teeth, then his tongue—stinging, then soothing.

  She gasped and slid her hands under the waistband of his shirt, and up over the smooth muscles of his back. Amazing. She clung to him.

  His blue-gray eyes, familiar and foreign, gleamed. Reaching for her, he kissed her again.

  Alexi moaned and ran his teeth lightly against her neck, the smallest pressure, then a lick, and then a slight suction. Mia stiffened at the new sensation. It was like…she didn’t know. She pulled him closer. Her grip bit into his shoulder.

  His mouth lifted, and he took an audible indrawn breath. Her nails pressed into his skin. He groaned and kissed her again, forcefully, passionately. His mouth was hard against hers, insistent, taking.

  He stilled and lifted his head.

  Mia followed, reaching for his mouth, not allowing him to leave her. Alexi.

  Alexi smiled, indulged her, then leaned against her to continue.

  Alexi grabbed her hands, entwining his fingers through hers. “Mia.” His voice was hushed and thick. “Do you hear…”

  A sound. She heard it then. Noises came from the hallway. Or was that the hallway intercom?

  Alexi groaned. He released her fingers to lift off. He fell back on the bed, slightly shaking.

  Her hands dropped to her sides at his retreat, and she grasped the sheet. “Grrr.”

  Mia reached out to touch his arm and felt him tremble. How amazing, to make someone so strong shake. She slid a hand down his arm, feeling the tremor against her hand. She leaned toward him and kissed the inside of his elbow. Feeling the shake against her mouth, she wanted to—

  The noises from the hallway became voices.

  Mi
a straightened and pushed at her hair, her head a little fuzzy with the power of her reaction. Her efforts straightened her hair a bit, but she felt flushed, and her lips felt swollen. She…nothing…this…

  Alexi rose on his hands and leaned toward her, his gaze on her mouth. He reached for her.

  The voices sounded clearer. A door closed.

  Alexi paused mid-motion and grabbed his jeans instead. He stared at her while he pulled them on over his shorts. His gaze didn’t leave hers, his look focused.

  It was the hottest thing she’d ever seen.

  He carried one of his shirts over to her and slid her arms into it, covering her pajama top. She trembled when his hands touched her skin again, after his brief time away. “Alexi,” she whispered. Her gaze tracked him. He was beautiful, mussed hair, intense eyes and busy hands straightening the shirt. She rose to her knees. If he can make dressing me that hot… wow. Mia shivered, lifted her hands against his waist, and rubbed her thumbs against him. Fabric. She frowned. She wanted to slide them under it. Gliding her thumbs down to the shirt’s hem, she paused.

  “Mia.” Alexi took her hands and pushed them under his shirt.

  Warmth, smooth skin, hard muscle.

  Oh. Yes.

  Tap, tap, tap.

  Alexi strangled out a curse and stepped away.

  The knocking continued. Grrr. Mia rolled beneath the blanket and pulled the covers up over her head. Servants were nice, but really, couldn’t Joellen wait to deliver the towels? Had Hope paid her to chaperone? She must have. How long had it taken her to clue into that? She had to find out her price and make a counter-offer.

  Alexi crossed to the door and opened it.

  Niko said something in Greek she didn’t catch.

  Good. Now go away.

  They didn’t. It was hot under the blankets. “Have you seen Mia? Our—” Hope’s voice trailed off.

  Yep, a lump of blankets hadn’t fooled Hope. Mia sat up…in Alexi’s bed, wearing his shirt.

  Chapter 26

  Hope’s eyes grew big.

  Alexi blinked at her appearance, smiled, and took a step in her direction. Niko grabbed his arm, stopping him. He pointed at her; he pointed at the bed. He pointed at Alexi, and then he laid a lecture on his brother that his dad could probably hear back in Greece.

  Alexi took it with a defiant expression, pinched lips, head cocked, arms over his chest.

  Mia winced. This was not good. But really. Niko should calm down. It was just a kiss. A hot kiss. But still…just a kiss. And she was so happy. Light up from the inside happy.

  “I promised Hope I’d watch out for Mia, and now she’s here. In your bed. Did you think about pregnancy? Did you think about her future?”

  Alexi’s smile dropped abruptly.

  Wow. Niko was out of control. Hope sure had her hands full with him. Mia pursed her lips. She’d mess with Niko, but only a little. “Now, Niko, why would I want to get pregnant?” Mia asked in what she considered a reasonable tone.

  “Niko…” Alexi was interrupted by a sputtering of Greek from his brother. Really, she was going to start hating Greek if all Niko ever did was yell at her with it.

  “Sacha’s going home,” Niko said.

  “Niko,” Hope said. “This is a little, we haven’t…”

  Pregnant? Send Alexi home? What an over-reaction. Why send Alexi away when she was the one in the wrong room? Mia clenched the comforter. There was no way she was letting Alexi go because she was stupid enough to get caught on first base.

  Alexi’s face went expressionless, and his arms folded against his chest. Mia drew the attention back to herself. “No, Niko’s right. But I’m not trying to get pregnant. Alexi already got me pregnant.”

  Alexi made a choked sound.

  “Be a little nicer, or I won’t consider you for godfather.” Mia laced her hands together behind her head. Niko deserved the taunting after his overly dramatic display, and hopefully her exaggeration would make him see reason.

  Alexi’s eyes widened, and his lips made a slight smirk at this bit.

  Niko’s complexion reddened; Hope’s paled.

  “So therefore, Alexi is staying—unless you want to leave me without a baby daddy?” She used an exaggerated twang to sell the question.

  Alexi bit his lip.

  Mia gave Alexi a quick warning look. Dude, don’t laugh yet, I’m not done taking your brother down a peg. She got out of bed and straightened the covers. She wondered how much further she’d have to go before Niko realized she was yanking his chain. “Yep, Alexi and I are pregnant but we’re no longer naming the baby after you.”

  A gasp from the doorway interrupted her.

  Mom and Dad stood behind Niko and Hope. Dad wore khakis and a pale blue rumpled shirt, and Mom wore loose yoga pants with a flowing beige top over them. It was the weirdest sight. They were supposed to be on a cruise ship on the other side of the world. Mom and Dad. Here.

  Chapter 27

  How much had they heard of her nonsense? Mia shut her eyes and her mouth made an ‘o’ shape. How were they here and not off the coast of Singapore? They weren’t due to return for another month. They’re home. A rush of love and an ending of homesickness she hadn’t known she had been feeling came over her. Mia hurried toward them, arms out for a hug.

  She got the hug, but she also got frowns. “You’re pregnant?” Mom and Dad asked almost in unison.

  Okay, they heard enough. Mia quickly shook her head. “No, no, I’m not. Of course not. I was messing with Niko and Hope.” She hugged them again. “What are you doing here? Welcome home.” She patted Dad’s arm, a little weirded out that he wasn’t wearing one of his usual heavy starched shirts. “Missing Preseley’s Dry Cleaners, aren’t you?”

  Dad nodded.

  Mom stepped back and looked her over, frowning, not distracted. She shook her head.

  “I’m not pregnant.” Did it really have to be said again?

  Hope looked at Mia in relief. Panic left her eyes and she patted her arm.

  Had Hope truly believed her nonsense? Mia gave her a look.

  “I knew it,” Niko said.

  He so didn’t.

  “Then why did she say it?” Dad appeared pale and tired, not rested from his trip, and again, the rumpled look, so weird.

  “Why are you over here so early?” Mom asked. “Why aren’t you at Hope’s? Why are you in your pajamas?” Mom’s yoga pants weren’t exactly formal. Mia wished she’d slept in her yoga pants. Mom examined Alexi with narrowed eyes. “Who are you exactly?” Mom was not letting this go.

  She had to save Alexi. “Hope’s living with Niko. That’s why we’re here.”

  Hope gasped.

  Mia mouthed, “Sorry.” She’d needed the distraction.

  Hope searched for an escape, but her parents blocked the doorway.

  “Hope?” Mom looked toward her.

  Hope looked away and bit her lip.

  “Hope,” Mom said. “Is this more of Mia’s being silly?”

  Dad turned an accusing glare at Niko. “We returned home early to spend Thanksgiving with our daughters, and they’re not home. We had to text to find them.”

  A blush rested high on Niko’s cheekbones. “Hope and I are already engaged.”

  Mom’s head jerked at that. “Excuse me?”

  “Engaged is not married.” Dad cut him off by raising Hope’s left hand in the air and looking at her empty ring finger. He arched his eyebrows. “Is he telling a story now?”

  Mom held up her palms. “We’re leaving. We’ll sort this out at home. Our home. Not whatever communal living facility you have going on here.”

  Communal. Mom loved that word. She wouldn’t use the communal restrooms at the mall or the communal robes at hotels…

  Dad dropped Hope’s hand and grabbed Mia’s arm to pull her toward the door. She wanted to protest that she was in her PJs, but bringing that up again would not be good.

  Alexi grabbed her other arm and stopped them.

  Mia s
tood between Dad and Alexi, arms out like the turkey loaf wishbone.

  Chapter 28

  Hope’s eyes widened. She quickly walked over and put her hand on top of Alexi’s. She squeezed it gently and nodded for him to let her have Mia’s arm.

  Alexi slowly released Mia and frowned when Dad guided her to the door.

  They were treating her like a baby, but Alexi needed to understand it all would blow over. Mom and Dad weren’t unreasonable, just surprised.

  Mom stomped over, grabbed Hope’s arm, and pulled her toward the door after them.

  “Wait,” Niko said when he realized they were taking Hope too. “Hope’s not a child.” He started after them.

  Hope shook her head frantically over her shoulder at Niko. She made a call me later gesture with her hand.

  Niko and Alexi followed them out. The morning air had a slightly crisp feel; the season’s first cold front had arrived. The cool air and the grayness of the sky couldn’t stifle her feelings as she watched Alexi. He lifted his hand to his neck and squeezed it as he looked at the sky.

  Mia texted Alexi when she got home. Hey, handsome, what a first kiss!

  Alexi typed a smiley face, and Yes. Come over now.

  Can’t.

  Yes.

  Can’t. It’s Thanksgiving. Family day. Parents are fuming…what a first impression. How’s Niko? Hope’s in with the parents fighting, totally taking the heat off me.

  Pick you up at seven, tomorrow?

  Her heart leapt. Yes. It crashed just as fast. No, sorry…Lauren’s party.

  Be my date?

  Her insides couldn’t take this roller coaster. She was back at the top soaring and wrapped in twinkle lights. Cool. When you pick me up, bring Niko. I’ll wear something he and my parents can yell about. It’ll help them bond.

  Like what?

  I’ll find something. My parents called the house and had the maid gather my stuff. I bet she packed the water bra. See you tomorrow.

  Chapter 29

  The joy at being home surprised her. All her stuff was here and laid out where she wanted it, the decorations and mementos familiar. It was home. Plus, she had a date with Alexi tonight. Life was exciting.