Chapter 5
Washington, D.C….
Gemma was in so much trouble! Alexi was back—and so were the same feelings and attraction that had led her to his bed within an hour of meeting him. God, why did he have to come back now? I already have enough on my plate, with Tyler and his school bills, and Damien…Damien! Oh, God! Alexi doesn’t know about Damien…
She looked into his dark eyes, hoping to find the Alexi that had treated her so sweetly and with so much respect. They’d had one night of intense passion. When she’d met him again, he was much more laid back, insisting they take things slowly. Three weeks. Three weeks of dates, kisses, soft caresses. Finally, he’d taken her to bed, but it had been nothing like the first time. Alexi had taken her gently, a soft and gentle loving that had charmed her—and yet, a part of her had longed for the dominating, aggressive man who’d first caught her attention.
She’d not worried about it much, sure that the ups and downs of sex with Alexi were just part of any normal relationship. Now he was back but the gentle lover who’d abandoned her two years earlier was nowhere to be found. Alexi was like a hunter and she his prey…and the things he made her feel were very dangerous.
She pushed against his hold, creating a small space between their bodies. “This isn’t going to work.”
He smiled into her eyes. “What isn’t going to work?”
“Using sex to make me forget that you disappeared.”
He tried to pull her closer once again, but she resisted. He made a face. “I was a fool for not coming back. I realize that. I can’t explain everything that happened, but believe me when I tell you I didn’t want to stay away.”
He looked so sincere that Gemma felt her resolve softening. “I don’t know…”
“Don’t think with your head, but with your heart and your body.” He pulled her closer, kissing her softly at first. When she started to respond, he deepened the kiss. It felt so good to be in his arms once again, Gemma couldn’t make herself push him away.
As he kissed her there in the parking garage, she felt her anger slip away. She’d cried so many tears over him… But now he’s back.
“Come to Greece with me.” He placed soft kisses across her jawline and down her neck.
What? Gemma jerked back, pushing forcefully against him when he didn’t immediately let her go. “Did you ask me to come to Greece with you?”
He nodded. “Yes, gatáki. Greece. My homeland.”
Gemma laughed, the absurdity of what he was asking of her too much for her to handle. “I can’t just take off for Greece! And since when is Greece your homeland? I asked you repeatedly where you were from. You never gave me a straight answer.”
He inclined his head. “And for that, I apologize again. Yes, gatáki. I am from Greece and I would very much like to show you my country.”
Gemma shook her head. “I have a job here.”
“And you could have one there as well. Do you remember the auction where we met?”
Gemma nodded her head. “Of course.”
“And the large Monet that was so badly damaged you weren’t sure it could ever be repaired?”
“Yes, but the curator said it had been pulled from the auction.” Gemma was confused. “I restored the painting you bought…”
“You did a remarkable job and my mi téra, my mother, was pleased with her birthday gift. It hangs in her private sitting room where she can look at it daily.”
“I’m glad she liked it, but what does this have to do with the large Monet?”
“I purchased it the morning after. I was keeping it as a surprise for you. Obviously, it has been waiting for two years to be revealed. It is in Greece and in desperate need of your services.”
The challenge of restoring the large watercolor tempted her. But in Greece? “I can’t leave here. You could have it shipped—”
He shook his head. “And risk damaging it further? You must come to Greece with me and work there.”
Gemma looked at him and her heart sank. She couldn’t go to Greece for a variety of reasons, first and foremost, the little boy who was at that very moment waiting for her to walk through the front door. Alexi didn’t know about Damien, and since she didn’t know or trust him, she wasn’t willing to risk that part of her life. Not even for a chance at the Monet.
“I’m sorry, I can’t leave Washington, D.C. right now. Again, you can have the painting shipped over here. It could take well over a year to fully restore the painting. If that is not acceptable to you then I would be happy to look up some art restoration experts in that part of the world and send you their names.”
*****
Leo held onto his temper. He wanted to demand she pack her bags and meet him at the airport, but Gemma wasn’t an easy woman to push around. He’d tried appealing to the sexual chemistry between them, but she’d been able to keep from falling under his spell. Even the lure of the painting wasn’t enough to entice her.
Leo wasn’t a man to give up on something once he’d set his eyes on it. Right now, he not only wanted the stock certificates signed over but he also wanted…no, he needed Gemma back in his bed.
She walked around him, heading for the driver’s side of her vehicle, and he quickly followed. He pressed her up against the car, using his body to hold her in place and his hands to stoke the banked desire back to a roaring fire.
“Gemma, don’t walk away from me. From this. Se thelo!” Seeing the question in her eyes, he cupped her jaw and tipped her head up to meet his own, whispering against her lips. “I want you. Very much.”
He could see the desire building in her eyes and used every trick he knew of to ensnare her with feelings, lowering his voice seductively. “Come have dinner with me.”
She swung her head in denial, still fighting the chemistry between them. “I can’t…”
“You can. Just one dinner. For old times’ sake.” He brushed his thumb across her collarbone, watching as her eyes darkened and her breath came in short pants. “Just dinner. I have a limo waiting out front and will bring you back here whenever you’re ready to leave.”
Leo was turned on by the fact that Gemma didn’t immediately comply with his demands. He was used to women falling all over themselves to get his attention. Gemma made him work for the pleasure of her company.
He smiled inwardly, knowing that in the end, he would get his way. He always got his way. Any other outcome was simply—aparádektos. Unacceptable!