ADIRA

After I was done talking to my parents, I excused myself and went to look for the ladies’ room. It seemed Andronikos had left while I was speaking to them, and now, I couldn’t find him anywhere. After asking around, I finally found the bathroom.

When I was done with my business, I came out of the toilet stall to freshen up. My makeup was still surprisingly intact and I couldn’t help but admire once again the work Eric had done on me, including the necklace Andronikos gave me. I touched it, remembering the look on his face as I descended the stairs. I might be a virgin, but I know when a man wants something. And Andronikos wanted me.

I smirked at my reflection before I started washing my hands. As I was doing so, someone entered the bathroom. The person joined me at the sink and began washing her hands.

“Do you think he really cares about you?” the woman suddenly asked.

Is she talking to me? Ignoring her, I dried my hands under the automatic hand dryer and began to walk out.

She blocked my path and stood directly in front of me. “I’m talking to you, girl. Do you think he cares?”

Deciding to humor her, I crossed my arms in front of me and looked at the woman properly. She was stunning I had to admit, but her sour attitude was starting to piss me off. She had chin-length black hair that framed her face perfectly and stormy grey eyes that held hatred for me.

Hatred?

“Do I know you?” I asked her, irritation bubbling to the surface.

Suddenly, she started laughing like I had said something hilarious. I really don’t know what’s with me and meeting crazy people these days. This all started when I met that demon, I thought dryly. It’s his fault.

Waiting for her to finish her display of madness, she cleaned her eyes like she was wiping fake tears and looked at me. “So, he didn’t tell you about me? Aww, poor you,” she said with an irritating pout on her lips.

“I’m his wife, Nefeli Karas.” She extended her hand for a shake and I looked at it in shock and disgust.

Wife? The fuck.

“Wow. He truly didn’t tell you!” she exclaimed with a gasp. “Well, it’s to be expected. My Nikos likes to try out new toys whenever he’s bored and we have a little fall-out. But we’re back together now.”

I couldn’t respond. Truly, I didn’t know how. What the hell does she mean by wife? And that demon— we almost fucked for goodness sake and he didn’t feel the need to tell me!?

“Poor girl,” she said, putting a hand on my shoulder. “You fell for his charms didn’t you?”

I shrugged her hand off me, irritated by her failed attempt at concern.

“Excuse me.” I walked out of the bathroom, only to see Andronikos waiting for me outside the door.

“Oh, good. You’re here. Your wife is waiting for you in there?” I spat in his face before walking away.

I can’t do this anymore. Not with him and definitely not with that bitch in the bathroom.

“Take me the penthouse.” I said to the driver that brought Andronikos and me here. He looked at me, probably about to object.

“Now,” I added, leaving no room for argument.

Unlocking the door, he let me in and we sped away to the penthouse. On our way there, thoughts of my unfortunate encounter with that woman plagued my mind. I can’t believe the thought of him having a wife never crossed my mind. I guess I underestimated how callous he is.

When we arrived, I rushed inside and ignored the urge to tear everything apart like I did before. Now’s not the right time to throw a tantrum. Let him come.

He didn’t disappoint. Five minutes later—yes, I was counting—the bastard barged into the apartment, slamming the door behind me.

“You don’t get to walk out on me without letting me explain, Adira,” he said, angrily striding toward me in the kitchen.

“Oh, come the fuck off it.” I pointed a finger at his stupidly handsome face and began moving toward him.

“If anyone has the right to be angry, it’s me. ME.” I said, jabbing a finger at my chest. “You don’t get to come in here, swinging your dick and barking orders at me. A fucking wife? That detail, conveniently slipped your mind after—”

I couldn’t finish the sentence. My chest heaved, my anger barely contained as I felt my eye begin to twitch.

“After what, Flogítsa mou? After all we shared, hmm?” He looked into my eyes, amusement flickering in his, and smirked.

A resounding sound echoed through the room as my slap hit its intended mark—his cheek. Andronikos’ head turned slightly from the force, but when his eyes met mine again, there was surprisingly no anger—just pure, unadulterated lust.

Fuck!

“Flogítsa mou,” he murmured, low and gravely, “do you have any idea what you do to me?”

I tried to back up, my heart racing, but in an instant, he was right upon me. His big hands clamped around my arms—not painfully, but hard enough to keep me from escaping. His gaze burned into mine, his breath fanning against my cheek.

“No, you don’t. You don’t understand how much you consume my every waking and sleeping thought.”

“You’re unbelievable,” I spat, struggling against him. “You have a wife, and you’re—”

He silenced me with his mouth. The kiss was fierce, overwhelming, impossibly consuming. I pushed at his chest, my mind screaming at me to stop this madness, but my body betrayed me. Heat pooled low in my belly, and despite myself, my lips parted for him.

I can’t be doing this.

“No,” I gasped against his mouth, trying to twist away. “You don’t get to do this to me. You—”

He growled deep and guttural, slamming me against the kitchen counter. Somewhere along the way, my heels had fallen off, but that was the least of my worries right now.

Andronikos slid his hands up to cradle my face, his eyes forcing mine to meet his.

“Don’t ever call that wretched whore my wife,” he said in a hoarse voice, his lips brushing mine. “She’s not.”

“Don’t lie to me!” I snapped, but already, my resistance was weakening.

“I don’t lie, Adira,” he growled fiercely. “I’m a killer through and through but never a liar. And I’m not starting now.”

His mouth claimed mine again, and this time, I didn’t bother fighting it. My hands, which had been pressing against his chest to push him off, now clutched at his shirt, pulling him closer. The taste of him—dark, heady, intoxicating—was too much.

His hands roamed over my body, setting every nerve ending ablaze. And when he hoisted me onto the counter, I didn’t protest. His lips continued their path down my jaw, his mouth leaving a trail of fire along my neck as his hands gripped my thighs, spreading them apart.

“You drive me insane,” he muttered against the skin of my breast, giving them slow leisure licks as he spoke. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this.”

“Nikos,” I whimpered, my fingers tangling in his hair as his lips found that sensitive spot at the base of my throat. I felt out of breath, my chest heaving as he fingers trailed a sultry path up my thigh.

But when he sank to his knees before me, my breath caught. His hands slid under my now rumpled dress, pushing it up as his lips trailed kisses along the inside of my thigh.

Oh, my God!

“Nikos, what are you doing?” I asked, my voice shaking.

He looked up at me, his darkened eyes locking onto mine.

“Having dinner, of course.”

With that, his head dipped between my thighs, and I couldn’t stop the cry that escaped me as his lips latched onto my lips and sucked. Oh, fuck! My fingers clutched the edge of the counter as wave after wave of pleasure coursed through me.

His mouth was everywhere; the pleasure, too much and just when I thought I couldn’t take anymore, he pulled back an inch, his lips glistening with my arousal as he spoke the words that shattered every ounce of doubt.

“She’s not my wife, Adira,” he said, his voice low and rough with truth and desire. “She never was. And she never will be. The only woman I’ll ever want is you.”

Before I could respond, he was back at it with renewed fervor, leaving me utterly helpless to do anything but yield.