Page 47

Each ping sent a jolt through my chest, igniting a coil of hunger in my gut. I sat through meetings with my mind hazy, tasting the echo of her perfume on my collar, imagining her low, throaty moans in my ear.
The tension between us was sensual and sexual and tantalizing beyond belief.
It was like every word we spoke to each other was laced with a lustful undertone, which left me in a state of heightened desire every waking moment. How the fuck I was going to make it through this dinner with her family with her being close enough that I could smell her perfume, I had no idea.
It would take every ounce of strength I had.
She was testing me at every turn, unknowingly.
Eventually, after we had moved past these challenges and were comfortably living together, I realized I would share all my struggles with her, and we would find humor in them.
The thought of building a life with Cali was exhilarating to me.
Developing a deep, intimate knowledge of each other, sharing private jokes, maybe creating a family with each other—I was looking forward to all of it.
As I parked the car and slid from behind the wheel, my heart raced with anticipation. I climbed the steps, and the door flew open before I could knock, my beautiful fiancée’s beaming face greeting me.
Her face softened when she saw the wrapped baby gift in my hand.
“You’re so kind,” she remarked, accepting the gift from my hands and setting it down on the floor. Instantly, she embraced me before I had a chance to greet her, and I couldn’t help but wrap my arms around her.
“I missed you!” she murmured in my ear, pulling me inside and closing the door. We stood alone in the formidable foyer, and I bent my head, brushing a kiss across her lips.
“I missed you too, even though it’s only been hours.” Iinhaled the fragrance of her lilac perfume, delighting in the pleasure coursing through my veins because I was close to her again.
It was impossible to keep my hands to myself, so I took this stolen moment alone to let them fall down to her hips, running across the curve of her ass as I kissed her again.
Her body leaned into me sensually as she moaned into my mouth. I grabbed a handful of her hair, letting my tongue delve into her mouth.
The sound of footsteps approaching made us jump apart like a gun had gone off.
She furrowed her brow and squinted, shaking her head as she muttered, “Fucking cock-blocking pains in my ass!”
I chuckled, glad to hear I wasn’t the only one suffering.
Laya and Nikolas came out to greet me, and I picked up the gift and handed it to them.
“How thoughtful of you, Leon.” Laya flashed me an approving smile.
“I appreciate the invitation,” I said.
“Do you have a bag? I can have one of the staff bring it to your room,” Nikolas said. “We’ve prepared the guest wing on the south side of the house for you.”
“Thank you,” I said. “My bag is in the back of my car.”
“Say no more. I’ll take care of it,” he replied.
“Dinner is ready, if you’re hungry.” Cali smiled up at me. Her lips were still wet from our kisses, and the urge to lick her bottom lip overwhelmed me. I was certainly hungry, but I was hungry for Cali.
For now, though, food would have to do.
A few moments later, we were gathered around the dining table together, digging into a traditional Mediterranean feast of lamb and rice and everything that went with it.
“You still haven’t made moussaka for me,” Cali reminded me.
“I know,” I said. “I will, someday, don’t worry.”
What I neglected to mention was that it took effort to make, and whenever Cali came over, we spent all our time in bed. I hardly had the opportunity to drink water or wine, much less to prepare a full meal for her.