“You can’t do that!” Dea exclaimed and looked around. The scent of the briny ocean and the promise of rain were suddenly overwhelming. Her head began to spin as she took deep gulps of air.“I didn’t agree to this. My father is expecting me at this wedding. It will embarrass him if I unexpectedly don’t show up.”“You have no choice in the matter. I suggest you get inside before the storm hits.” She waved her hands in the air as she spluttered with outrage.“Do you honestly believe that I will just follow you? Only because you say so?” Dea reached inside her purse and grabbed her phone.“You forget that I’m not a Kralidis...”“Put that away,” Theo replied. “There is no internet or phone connection on this island.” She refused to believe him. A man as important and powerful as Theo Kralidis would have all of the latest technology. But as she held up her phone, Dea saw he was telling the truth.“People are going to worry if we don’t show up.”
Later, Dea wrenched open her bedroom door and entered the main room of the house. She could have stayed in the hot shower all night but the last thing she would do was hide in her room, like the coward she wasn’t. As much as she wanted to avoid Theo, she wasn’t going to make herself invisible. She tightened the belt around her robe, wishing she had something heavier than the ivory silk one that didn’t reach her knees. With any luck, Theo would be in his room. Dea took a moment to look around. It wasn’t a surprise that Theo’s island getaway was light, airy, and luxurious. He loved huge spaces and he had always surrounded himself with exquisite beauty. There were large windows that offered a panoramic view of the ocean. The cathedral ceil
The next morning, Theo stood by the windows as he gripped the satellite phone in his hand. He watched the storm with a sense of resignation as he considered his options. And the truth was… there were no options... He had been caught in his own net. He was being punished for what he had done. Pain throbbed in his head and his eyes felt gritty. It had been so long since he had a hangover and it had been reckless to dull his senses around her. ‘Nice one, Theo Kralidis,’ he scolded himself. ‘Getting drunk and kissing her… Well played…’ Theo tensed when he heard the wheels of Dea’s suitcase drag along the stone floor. He was ready to deal wit
She remembered what Theo had said about that night. ‘That wasn’t the only reason I stopped Alexis.’ Dea’s heart began to race as she made the connection.“That night… You weren’t protecting Alexis or the merger. You were protecting YOUR property.” Theo remained silent as a ruddy color stained his high cheekbones. She saw the possessive gleam in his eyes and something wicked and primal flared deep inside her.“I did not belong to you, Theo Kralidis!” she insisted. “I belong to no man!”“Of course, you did… You belonged to hundreds of men.” She flinched from his cold
He gave her a startled look. Dea understood him too well. His silence had been his way of protecting his family from a disgusting truth.“The less they know, the better.” She stroked his clenched hand.“What happened that made you hate the dark?”“I know the dangers that the night holds.” Theo had overcome every one of them.“But it’s nothing to what the darkness had revealed inside me.”“I… I don’t understand…” The truth pressed against him, ready to break free, but Theo had learned to keep it to himself.“Everything I knew and believed in changed in one night.”&nb
It was a hard, punishing kiss. Dea’s body shuddered as Theo possessed her mouth with all the fierce determination of a warrior claiming his woman. His tongue swept through the damp, silken interior, tasting her, seducing her, as each deep, hot stroke told her again and again that she belonged to him. That no other man can have her… Dea tried to push him away, but she was feeling too weak or maybe, she really didn’t want to deny herself this unique moment… Theo’s hand spanned against her breast while mercilessly kept invading her mouth, claiming it as his… She gasped in his mouth, as her body connected with his and she felt the arousal burning between her thighs. His possessive touch nearly made her faint. Her nipple tightened as Dea imagined his rough hand and his inquisitive tongue roaming against her bare skin.“Oh, Theo… No…” she whispered, but her tone was saying quite the opposite.“Yes, glikia mou… Yes…” he breathed against her mouth.
Holding her to him, Theo turned his fingers into her hair, pulled her head back, and took the taste of her hunger with his lips again. She tasted like a woman who had never been kissed by a man intent on drowning out her deepest hunger. While kissing her, Theo considered for less than a second to seduce her like he had actually imagined doing each night since that one time. He decided against it. He wasn’t her lover, and easy had never been a part of him. Dominance rose inside him. The overwhelming hunger for her sexual submission rushed through him like a tidal wave of epic proportions. He felt his control disintegrated. Only instinct remained. The instinct of a primal animal, determined to fully possess her.“Come here,” he growled and she submitted. Naked and gorgeous, Dea stood in front of him. Her nails pricked at his flesh as Theo arched her closer to him. Damn her! She nearly had his knees trembling
With a heavy heart, Dea stood by the bay of windows and looked out onto the beach. She was waiting for the helicopter to come and take her. It was a cloudy and gray morning. It was cloudy and gray inside her too. But she had to escape this island… she had to escape what happened between her and Theo… She saw her reflection in the window and felt like crying. She was again Aundrea Etheridge, the proper heiress. Her hot-pink dress was prim with its rounded collar and short sleeves. Her white handbag hung from her forearm as she clasped her hands in front of her. Her dark hair was pulled into a tight, high ponytail and she used a slight touch of make-up to cover the dark circles around her eyes. There was nothing left of the passionate, wild, carnal woman from last night. Dea felt her skin go hot as the memories overwhelmed her. During that night, she had reached for Theo, and gave herself to him unconditionally, sho