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

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.

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

Dea wrapped the plaid around her and leaned back in her chair and looked outside the window of her apartment. She had always enjoyed New York City in the autumn but lately, she had struggled to see the beauty. There was a crisp bite to the late October weather and the leaves were turning crimson and gold, but all she wanted to do was stay in her apartment, behind those walls, and just sleep... Once she got back to the States, the first days were excruciating. Dea experienced a level of physical and emotional pain she’s never experienced before. All she could think was Theo’s last words to her… ‘Get the fuck out of my life!’ She kept hearing those harsh words, awake or in her dreams, like a bad kind of mantra or something. Dea kept crying day and night, went from deep anger to desperate sadness… to total numbness… And being numb, Dea knew, was sometimes worse than being sad.“Theo…” she whispered his name and wrapped the plaid around her worn-ou

The party had drifted into the music room. Theo searched the crowd that had already broken into the usual groups and cliques. The older generation was on one side of the room while the younger relatives were sitting together and checking their phones. Servants in black jackets and white gloves were serving champagne and dessert on silver platters. He noticed Galàtheia was at the grand piano playing traditional Christmas carols. But where was she? Dea was nowhere to be found. Theo tapped Dillon on the shoulder.“Have you seen Dea?”“Hmm? Aundrea? No…” Dillon lifted his head and looked around the room as if he was just now noticing his daughter’s absence.“But maybe she’s somewhere around here. Probably resting in another room…” Dillon said, preoccupied, as he motioned for one of the waiters.“No, she’s not.” He had already checked the other room.“I saw her step outside but she hasn’t come back.”“Oh, she’s fine,” Dillon studied the desse