Page 35 of Her Greek Protector

Chapter 10

The next evening…

Aimee paced her suite of rooms, struggling to get her emotions under control. After making love with Alexi in the pool house, they’d both fallen asleep. She’d awakened shortly before midnight, dressed, and crept up the stairs to her rooms. She’d dismissed the maid keeping watch over Damien, locked both the hallway and patio doors, and then taken a long hot shower.

It was now evening of the following day, but the passing time did nothing to ease her self-recriminations. “You were supposed to be exerting your independence and resisting that Greek devil, but no! You had to go and sleep with the most amazing, sexy, and stunning specimen of maleness you’ve ever met. You acted no better than a dog in heat last night.”

She sighed, looking out at the stars, which were beginning to appear.It doesn’t even matter that making love with Alexi was the best experience I’ve ever had. Now I have to deal with the aftermath.

The differences between Alexi’s wealthy lifestyle and her precarious existence were hard to miss. He was richer than she could imagine, lived a life she only read about in the tabloids, and liked being in control of his world. She could learn to deal with the first two, but never the third.

A knock on the hallway door heralded Kassi’s arrival. “They’re here! Leo and Gemma are back!”

Aimee pushed her morose thoughts aside, anxious to see Gemma but not wanting to intrude on a family reunion she had no right to be a part of. “I’ll come see her in a little bit. Does Tressa still have Damien?”

Kassi gave her a funny look. “Yes, but you should come down now. They held dinner when you and Alexi both declined to come downstairs and Tressa sent me up here to tell you we are eating now. Together.” When Aimee didn’t immediately respond, she added softly, “It will seem very rude if you stay up here.”

Aimee’s shoulders sagged. “Very well. I’ll come downstairs.” No matter how uncomfortable seeing Alexi after their illicit joining the night before would be, his parents didn’t deserve to be treated with disrespect. They’d done nothing but welcome her into their home and their lives.

Kassi linked her arm through Aimee’s elbow once they were in the hallway. “So, what’s up with you and Alexi? You two looked pretty cozy last night, and yet today you’ve stayed hidden in your rooms and he’s been acting like a bear with a thorn stuck in his paw.”

Aimee adopted an innocent expression. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. But speaking of last night, is everything okay?”

Kassi’s smile faltered, but only for a moment. “Just a slight disagreement with someone who thinks they know everything. I can’t stand guys like that, can you?”

Aimee shook her head. “Absolutely not.”

They reached the bottom of the staircase. Aimee could hear Gemma’s voice even before they entered the dining room. Gemma was seated next to Leo, Damien standing on her lap while he patted his father’s cheeks. Vasil sat at the head of the table, with Tressa seated on his left side. Alexi was seated next to his mother, and two additional places awaited Aimee and Kassi.

Gemma looked up and waved at her. “Hey, there you are! I’d give you a hug but as you can see, I’m a little busy right now.”

Aimee smiled at Damien. “He’s happy to have you both home.” She headed for the empty chair next to Gemma, but Kassi pushed past her, claiming it for herself. Aimee glared at her, but not wanting to cause a scene, she backtracked around the table and took the empty chair next to Alexi.

She edged as far away from him as possible, cursing her hormones when they immediately set up a chant for a repeat of last night’s performance. His unique smell wafted to her nostrils and she felt her insides melt as she remembered breathing him in last night.

Alexi leaned toward her. “Everything okay?” he whispered.

She glanced at him and quickly looked away, fighting a blush. “I’m fine.”

“Where have you been all day? I came to your rooms, but the doors were locked.”

“I had things to do.” It was harder than she thought to resist him. Her entire body strained to be closer to him. Aimee firmly directed her attention to Damien’s antics as he rejoiced in being the center of attention.

“Malakíes!” Alexi snapped.

His rising voice caught Kassi’s attention. “Cousin, you know no member of your mother’s kitchen would ever serve such a dish. Bullshit belongs in the fields.”

Aimee covered her mouth in silent laughter when she saw Alexi’s face turn red. His harsh, “Mind your own business!” brought forth another surge of giggles she found hard to contain.

“Your mother allows you to curse at her dining room table?” she asked softly.

Alexi glared at her, but was prevented from answering her when Leo grabbed his attention. “Alexi. We should talk.”

Tressa looked at both of her sons and then sighed. “Dinner will be served in twenty minutes. Can you talk fast?”

Leo and Alexi nodded dutifully, excusing themselves from the table.

Gemma kissed her son’s head. “I’ll be up to read you a story in just a little bit.”