Page 9 of The Billionaire’s Siren (S.E. Smith Signature Romance: Heart & Soul #1)

Five

Dani released the final nut with a satisfying click. Her triumph was short-lived, though. Her heart was thundering against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat threatening to burst free, making it difficult to breathe.

She hadn't expected to see him again; the surprise sent a jolt through her, a mix of excitement and trepidation. Not so soon. Definitely not at her place of work.

She had hoped her tool bag would magically reappear, sure—but the fantasy hadn’t included Alexandros Kallistratos in designer slacks and a linen shirt, looking like a damn Greek god who’d decided to slum it for the day.

Dani tucked her chin and closed her eyes.

Count to ten. Breathe.

She could feel his gaze—steady, curious, and far too penetrating. His silence was louder than the hum of the music she had playing in the background. She wasn’t ready to deal with him, with whatever this was crackling in the air between them like static clinging to her skin.

But avoiding him wasn’t going to work—not with him standing there like temptation in human form .

Bracing a hand on the engine, she shifted to the side and swung her legs around, sliding onto the edge of the compartment. Her boots hit the floor with a muted thud, and she looked up, squinting at him in the filtered light streaming in through the open bay doors.

His expression was unreadable. Relaxed, maybe. Too relaxed.

“Thanks for the tool bag,” she said, her voice dry. “But don’t you have some billionaire things to do? Meetings to crash? Oceans to conquer? Wars to start?”

He smiled, slow and unapologetically. “Only the one I’m probably going to have with you. I want to see you again.”

She blew out a breath, sending a wild curl bouncing against her cheek. “You came, you saw—” She mumbled.

“Ah, but I did not conquer—yet,” he finished.

She snorted out a laugh and rolled her eyes at him. “Go away. I need to finish rebuilding the heads and carburetors on both engines. You know… normal Tuesday stuff. I don’t have time to argue with you.”

“Do you need a hand?”

Dani tilted her head, giving him a long, pointed look. “Your shirt probably costs more than this entire job. So, unless I’m mistaken and you bought it down at the neighborhood department store, I think you’d better stick to yachts and boardrooms.”

His grin deepened at her sarcastic comment. She huffed out a breath when he folded his arms and leaned back against the side. She really hoped there wasn’t anything disgusting on the aged wood that would leave an embarrassing reminder of his visit on the seat of his pants.

“I had Vito escorted off the yacht last night,” he commented, breaking through her musing.

“Smart move. That alone should save you a mint in liability insurance.”

Alexandros chuckled. Dani inhaled when a gentle ocean breeze flowed through the open doors. The scent of his cologne drifted toward her—subtle, clean, expensive. It curled around her senses, too inviting for her peace of mind .

“May I ask what brought you to Greece?”

Dani shrugged, her gaze falling to her tool bag. “Same as most people my age. Traveling. I liked it, so I’ve stayed on for a bit. I’m thinking it may be time to move on, though.”

She kept her voice casual, carefully disinterested. The truth was too raw to hand over to a man like him—wrapped in wealth, charm, and good looks.

“And engine repair?” he asked. “That’s not exactly something you pick up while backpacking through Europe.”

Dani blinked, and—out of nowhere—laughter bubbled out of her. She shook her head, the absurdity of the moment finally sinking in.

Alexandros raised an eyebrow. “Did I say something funny?”

She looked up at him, amusement twinkling in her eyes. “I’m elbow-deep in a diesel engine. You’re in slacks that cost more than my dock rent. And somehow, I’m pretty sure this is you flirting.”

He made an indistinct sound in his throat, like a half-grunt, half-laugh. “I’ll admit it—I’ve never had to work this hard to ask a woman out.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “Is that what you’re doing?”

“Yes,” he said simply. “I am.”

The honesty caught her off guard. It was quiet, confident—but not smug.

She stared at the battered pouch, its wrenches and screwdrivers jutting out like stubby sea creatures—ugly, familiar, hers.

The collection of tools had gotten her through more countries than her passport.

She reached out and brushed the scuffed leather.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she met his eyes.

“There’s a place called Taverna Thea,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “Eight o’clock.”

He hesitated before a frown creased his brow. “Wouldn’t it be easier if I picked you up? Or we could have dinner on the yacht.”

She gave him a look. “What, and risk another swim? I’d have to remember to wear a swimsuit and life vest this time.”

He laughed. “Swimwear is optional, I promise. I’ll keep you from sinking, and the only water involved would be in the pool, I promise. It would also give us privacy. I’m afraid unless we went to a more exclusive restaurant, it would be a feast for the paparazzi.”

“I imagine it would be difficult for you to blend in. Alright… but, dinner only. Don’t go thinking that there is going to be anything else going on,” she warned, pointing a finger at him.

Alexandros grinned like he’d just won the lottery. “I will be a perfect gentleman… unless you beg me not to be. Eight o’clock. Pier Five. I’ll be waiting.”

Dani couldn’t believe she was agreeing. Maybe it was the honesty in his voice. Or maybe it was the way he hadn’t pushed, just… waited. Whatever it was, it slipped past her defenses before she could stop it.

She bit her lip, following his movements as he swung his legs over the side and onto the ladder. She watched his retreating form, her heart fluttering somewhere between excitement and dread. No man had ever made her feel so exposed—not even Zayan. And that scared her more than anything.

It wasn’t until he reached the edge of the building that realization struck her.

Pier Five.

He hadn’t asked. He hadn’t guessed. He’d known. Just like that, the ground beneath her no longer felt so solid anymore.

Dani’s throat tightened.

The sense of déjà vu struck her unexpectedly. Like before… someone knowing too much, slipping past her walls, making her question if she’d ever really be safe again.

She forced the thought away, but it clung like an oil smear beneath her skin. She wasn’t a naive kid anymore. Alexandros Kallistratos differed from most of the guys she met—from Zayan.

Maybe realizing that was what scared her the most.

From the shadowed side of a white cargo van, a man stood silent, motionless but for the slow rise and fall of his chest.

The midmorning sun glinted off the gleaming silver curves of the Bentley Continental GT as it rolled out of the boatyard, kicking up a swirl of dust in its wake. The man’s eyes—dark and sharp as a hawk’s—tracked the luxury vehicle until it turned the corner and disappeared.

A half-million euro car, he mused with a smirk.

It fit the arrogant bastard behind the wheel.

His gaze slid back to the cavernous boat bay across the lot. The clang of metal and muffled curses drifted from the shadows—sounds as familiar to him as blood and salt. It was a world he understood—oil, sweat, effort. The life that wore down a man’s hands, spine, and dreams.

And there she was.

Dani Collins.

The name curled in his mind, not with affection—but with the bitter taste of unfinished business. His dark eyes narrowed as he studied her. The sneer pulled at the scar on his upper lip.

She took everything that mattered to me. Now, I’ll take everything back—and with interest.

Dani hadn’t seen him—probably wouldn’t recognize him if she did. He had changed a lot since they had last seen each other.

No, she hadn’t seen him—not yet, but she would. He’d first caught sight of her three weeks ago, bent over the hull of a fishing boat near the docks, her auburn curls tumbling from beneath a bandana, grease on her cheek, laughing at something a dockhand was saying.

The sound of her laughter had nearly stopped his heart.

It had taken him years.

Years of crawling his way across continents. Years of backbreaking labor on cargo ships, hauling nets on trawlers, pretending to be invisible while the salt and sun stole the softness from his skin and the last remnants of his youth.

But he’d found her—and she was more beautiful today than she had been four years ago.

His discovery had been by chance, yes—but the gods had smiled on him. At last.

And now… now she would pay .

The plan formed with quiet precision in his mind. He’d already started the groundwork. New identification. A false name in the port registry. Connections with men who wouldn’t ask questions when he needed to disappear. All he needed was time—and patience.

And he had both in abundance.

His gaze swept over the bay again. Dani’s silhouette moved within the shadows, her voice carrying as she spoke to someone—laughing again.

That laughter would stop soon enough.

She didn’t even know it yet, but she had just become the most valuable pawn in a game that would end in wealth, vengeance… and blood.

Because Alexandros Kallistratos had just made her even more important.

His smile widened, but it held no warmth—only yellowed teeth and cruelty.

He would take her… while bleeding the billionaire for a few of his millions of euros. And when it was done, when the ransom was in hand and the trail cold…

He would have his revenge. Not just for the scandal. Not just for the whispers and the exile and the humiliation. But for what she cost him.

“The gods always repay betrayal,” he whispered to no one, the phrase bitter on his tongue.

And he? He had waited long enough to collect.

She would know it was him before the end.

He slid into the driver’s seat of the van and watched.

Soon, he promised himself.

Very soon.

The Axopar 37 Sun-Top purred beneath Alexandros as Demetrius eased it into the marina’s outer channel.

The sleek Scandinavian craft sliced cleanly through the early evening tide, its matte hull catching soft flickers of sunset gold.

The engine rumbled low, steady—controlled power beneath his feet.

Alexandros didn’t notice the breeze off the sea or the sting of salt in the air.

His focus was entirely on the woman standing barefoot at the edge of The Gentle Breeze .

She turned at the sound of their approach, sunlight kissing her face, and smiled.

It wasn’t a polite smile. It wasn’t measured or practiced or held back. It was delighted—utterly unguarded—and it hit him like a damn lightning strike.

She wore a loose peasant blouse the color of sea glass, the sleeves fluttering in the breeze.

Her skirt flowed around her legs like a living thing, patterned in tiny, embroidered wildflowers that looked like they’d been pressed by hand.

His gaze dropped to her bare feet. Dainty, with a series of beaded ankle bracelets wrapped around one.

He’d never picked up a date who was barefoot.

And certainly never one who made his mouth go dry as she grabbed a line, hitched up her skirt, and climbed onto the dock with effortless grace.

A sound hissed from between his teeth, unbidden.

Demetrius chuckled beside him, low and amused. “I’m telling you—she’s trouble.”

Alexandros didn’t look at him. His gaze was locked on Dani as she walked toward them, the sway of her hips unintentional, unstudied. She was all motion and contradiction—sunlight and steel, softness wrapped around something unbreakable.

She stopped at the edge of the speedboat and looked down at him with a teasing glint in her eyes.

“You pick your dates up by boat?” she asked, grinning. “And not a minute late. I’m impressed.”

Alexandros rose to meet her, every inch of him taut with awareness. “Only the extraordinary ones.”

He reached up, his hands sliding around her waist. The moment his fingers brushed her sides, fire shot through his veins.

Her breath caught—he felt it. Saw the flicker in her eyes.

The way they dilated. Her hands tightened slightly on his shoulders before trailing down his chest as he lowered her into the boat.

He nearly groaned at the contact.

Control. He needed control.

“You’re stronger than I expected,” she reflected, her breath warm and teasing against his ear.

His eyes flashed as the tendrils of desire flamed. He reluctantly released her before guiding her toward the cushioned rear bench. She swept a loose curl from her face and tilted her head at him. The light breeze tugged at her skirt and blouse.

“You okay with the wind?” he asked, wanting a reason—any reason—to pull her closer.

Her eyes sparkled. “Are you kidding? This is fabulous.”

She turned to Demetrius and offered a cheerful, “Hi. You’re Demetrius, right? I didn’t know you doubled as a captain when you aren’t following unsuspecting girls around. Sweet ride, by the way. What kind of motor does this thing have?”

Demetrius’s mouth curved into a smile as he responded, describing the twin Mercury Verado 350s and the boat’s performance specs.

She leaned forward, totally absorbed, tossing questions like she belonged in a marina more than any luxury villa.

Alexandros watched the way she asked about torque curves and fuel economy, utterly at ease—no performance, no pretense.

She didn’t care about appearances.

She cared about how things worked.

And that was more dangerous than beauty.

Because he’d met dozens—hundreds—of beautiful women. But none who made him want to know why they were the way they were. None who made him feel like one wrong move might scare them away… and leave him chasing the ghost of what could have been.

He dropped into the seat beside her, letting the roar of the water mask the chaos in his chest.

He knew he was in trouble last night, but tonight—tonight, he knew deep down that this woman was an extraordinary find, one that there was no way he was going to let slip through his fingers .

He vaguely wondered what it might feel like—to be seen, not as a Kallistratos, but as a man. Just a man. It was a novel feeling that Dani didn’t see him for his money, power, and status.

Unless she is one hell of an actress, he mused before dismissing the idea.

No, there was no pretense with Dani.

What unsettled him the most was that for once, he didn’t care about his meticulously laid plans for the future.

He had known he would marry one day, have the prerequisite one or two children that were expected, and if he was lucky, tolerate the prison he imagined marriage to be.

But with Dani, something told him every day would be an adventure that he would wake up and look forward to—and every night a thrill he’d never grow tired of exploring.