She had seldom discussed her family life that first summer, only admitting that she had two parents and a younger sister. While she shared her educational objectives, she had never discussed what she intended to do after college. She had offered him no insights into her childhood, her travels, or other life experiences of note. Devon had been an open book to her by the end of the summer, and Athena had partaken freely of what she saw there. He had been judging her book almost entirely by the "cover" that she showed him. There had been no substance visible to him beyond that.The contrast between sisters that he had examined briefly last night came back into his mind. When he compared the more than two months that he had known Athena that first summer with the hour and a half that he had spent with Aphrodite last night, Devon began to recognize things that his love must have blinded him to. Athena likely had some emotional issues that might have stunted her ability to develop and maint
Cara stared at Xavier after asking the question and he just stared back.“What do you mean, what? I am just asking you to come with me. IS that something so difficult? I mean, you want to go and travel all the places and I know how you can travel in the best manner possible…”“Hold on a second,” said Cara as she wiped the corners of her face with a paper napkin and said,” If this is what I think you are saying then let me finish eating first. Till then can you hold that thought? I think that my brain is not working properly because it doesn’t have enough food in it.”Xavier knew that she was thinking correctly and she was also not taking this the way that he had hoped. Obviously he had thought that she would be overjoyed at the fact that he was giving her an opportunity to move around with him and be with him all the time but she did not look overjoyed. In fact she looked quite annoyed and irritated.Come with me to Madrid. Xavier repeated again.This time Cara did not say anything an
“Oh my goodness….lord this is…” Cara stepped off the bottom tread of the long staircase that had brought them deep underground and looked around her. This is amazing.She glanced up at Xavier and his easy smile combined with the warm Press of his palm against the small upper back and had a dangerous effect on her equilibrium.He turned towards her and gave an approaching maitre d a knowing smile. “400 years ago this was a network of winery sellers run by monks he said. Now its one of Madrid's finest restaurants.”The window list space might have felt stuffy and oppressive but it had been so beautifully restored that instead it felt well coming and intimate. Following the matrix d she walked beneath centuries old arches of brick and stone through an in chanting labyrinth of narrow passageways that linked a series of dining alcoves and galleries of varying ships and sizes.Isolated from the noisy bustling city above and with soft music piped through invisible speakers and subtle atmosph
“I haven't made up my mind but I suspect that's what I will end up doing full even if I stay in Melbourne the house is too big for me. It was too big for dad and Matilda really but it's right by the ocean and Matilda adore the sea,” she caught herself. “Sorry,” she muttered dropping her keys to her wine glass. “I know that you are not interested in…”“Don’t.” Xavier reached across the table and covered her hand with his. His mouth formed but his voice was soft. “If anyone should apologise then it is me.”Cara’s skin tingled under the warm pressure of his fingers. Her heart beating a little faster she looked up. “What's the apology for?”His thumbs stroked over her knuckles. “For what I said in the car on Sunday. It was disrespectfully it is not my place to judge Matilda or to make assumptions about the situation she found herself in. The fact is she made the choice 35 years ago and that was ultimately for my benefit report that I am grateful to her.Cara’s throat stuck and for a momen
Xavier did not know her at all. If he did know then he would know that she would settle for the promise of something far simpler and less expensive like a whole uninterrupted day with him. A whole 24 hours with no work no phone calls no emails nothing but him and her talking teasing getting to know one another and making loveShe looked down twirling her glass between her hands. Maybe the high life was what wealthy men expected they are mistresses to demand.Mistress.What was this thing? Was that what displaying or a fair whatever you called it made her? A rich man's mistress?Ughhh.“I am not sure,” she said lifting her gaze and accidentally catching the eye of the man she had noticed earlier. She quickly looked away and focused on Xavier. “Let me think about it.”His eyes held her again and then suddenly the air shimmered with the potent mix of heat and sensuality.“Do I need to remind you how persuasive I can be amante?”Desire tugged inside her belly so intense it almost took her
Xavier stood up so quickly his cheers scraped on the stone floor and the physical dissimilarity between the 2 men was immediately apparent. Diego de la Vega was good looking but he didn't have Xavier’s height or the same powerful build and he didn't possess one iota of the raw masculinity and charisma that Xavier exuded.He looked at her full let's go he said evenly and she didn't need any further promptingWhoever he was Diego de la Vega made her uneasy and uncomfortable and she was more than happy to leave.Fortunately Xavier had already paid the bill and he made occurred Buenos noches to his relative and then made a quick exit do not before Cara had fielded a look from Diego that not only glinted with I'll concealed curiosity but also she thought had a hint of malevolence.Suppressing a short shudder she emerged onto the street and turned to Xavier. His jaw was still tight and his mouth was compressed. “Who was that?”“My cousin.”Hand on her elbow he guided her into the back of th
Surely Victor de la Velga did not stand by idly while his son, his first and elder son was being vilified by the other members of his family.He stood down as chairman last year after a health scare. Problems with his heart. He remains on the board but he has taken a step back from the politicking. I prefer it that way. I don't want him stressed he has given his pound of flesh to the business over the years and he trusts that I can handle whatever hector and Diego throws at me.Cara heard both concern and respect in Xavier’s voice. You care for him very much? of course. He spoke without hesitation. For both of my parents. They are good people. The attitude of 13 family members towards me has been difficult for them. Upsetting.And for you? She queries gently. He shrugged. It has simply made me work harder to prove that I can be better than the likes of Diego and hector.Cara felt her heart squeeze. Looking at him now armed with this new knowledge she saw so much more than a proud dr
The winter sun filtered through the blinds when I woke. I was naked in the middle of the bed with a pair of quilts covering me. My legs felt sore in the best way.Warm air enveloped me when I finally stretched out of the blankets. There was a small pile of clothes on the corner of the bed, but I only needed the shirt. It must have fit Xavier's long torso, but it was large enough on me to fall at my upper thigh. It was probably old too, judging by the softness of the cotton. Much better than last night's clothes, still crumpled on the floor.Out in the main room, the smell of coffee and the sizzle of eggs instantly roused my appetite. Just a few steps into the room and he was in my sights. Xavier stood tall and lean with his huge frame, flipping a few slices of bread-turned-toast. He was already dressed in jeans and a t-shirt.I felt myself brighten when I saw him. "Good morning, Xavier."Xavier turned, smirked a shy half-smile at seeing his shirt draped on my curves. "Good morning, be