Paying Her Debt

Evernight Publishing www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2011 Emma Shortt

ISBN: 978-1-926950-65-5

Cover Artist: LF Designs Editor: Dana Horbach

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATIO' For Anne, she of the love beads, Dr. Martens, and flares. This one’s for you, babe.

PAYI'G HER DEBT Emma Shortt Copyright © 2011

Chapter One

Andy placed her hand against the small of her back and slowly, so it was almost unnoticeable, stretched it out. She swore she could feel the muscles pop like the hips of a cheap stripper, probably protesting that they were long since overdue for a break. She rotated her spine, before bending over to pick up another box. Damn, they were heavy. The weighty jars of expensive caviar strained her arms, the edges of the box cutting into the delicate skin below the crook of her bicep. She shifted and pulled the top of the box open. The cardboard sprung up, almost smacking her in the face. She bent it down, cursed under her breath, and started to remove them, the ache in her arm becoming more pronounced by the second. Sure, she could keep the box on the floor and unpack the caviar that way, but her back wasn’t up to another hour of constant up and down. This, though painful, was the quickest way to get the job done. She sighed, her mind skipping to her lumpy bed at home. It was as uncomfortable as hell but she’d give just about anything to be able to crawl into it right now. Darn, she’d take a ratty old chair at this point and be grateful for it. Anything to ease the ache in her muscles. Keep dreaming, Andy baby. Her gaze strayed to the clock above the store entrance, and she was slightly shocked to see the hour. Just after three, another two hours of her shift to go—she’d kind of hoped it would be at least four by now. Andy grabbed another jar of caviar and frowned. This would make what? Another fifteen hour day? Yes, she’d started work at the hotel before two this morning, finished at eight, and made her way to the store for nine. She needed that

hour in-between the two jobs, time to change from her hideously unflattering maid’s getup into the immaculate uniform Finest Foods expected of all their staff, which, though slightly more tailored, was about as comfortable as a first date. Andy wondered if the senior management ever tried shelf stacking in a starched white shirt and a perfectly pressed knee length black skirt. She doubted it. Likely there would be a swift change of uniform if they did. She swallowed down a yawn and looked around guiltily, hoping no one had noticed. She was just so fucking tired, not sure how many more fifteen hour days she could take. Still, she was grateful to have both of her jobs—especially in the current economic climate—and shouldn’t complain. Not vocally at least. The store in particular paid some of the highest wages around, and the money was going someway towards clearing her debts. Those never ending, stomach churning debts…. A customer approached. Her gaze on a spot just past Andy’s nose. Andy quickly lowered her eyes and plastered a false smile on her face. “Can I help you?” “One jar,” the woman said. Yeah, don’t bother adding a please. Andy handed the customer the caviar, not expecting and certainly not getting a thank you. The customers of Finest Foods were some of the wealthiest and snootiest people in the area and expected deference from the staff who served them. Even the men expected her to reach the goods on the top shelves, even though Andy barely made it past five three. It went against the grain for Andy to act subservient but that was the gig, and her paycheck was enough to quiet any qualms. Well, almost enough. “How are you getting on there?” Andy turned to see Rick, the assistant manager, appraising her aisle and her, for that matter. He’d been trying to get in her panties from the moment they’d met but even in her lowest points Andy hadn’t considered it. Nice as he was, Rick, with his spiky hair and strangely sallow skin, did nothing to inspire her lust. Not that any man had since Pete. “Fine thanks,” she replied, though her aching arms screamed like a lobster in the pot. “Nearly done with the caviar. I’ll start on the olives next.” A familiar pang hit right dead centre

as she said those words, and Andy had to bite down hard on her lip to contain the feeling. Who’d have thought that she, Andy Jones, straight A student, would end up stacking shelves? Just over a year ago she’d had her own business, a flourishing little concern. Of course, that was before everything had gone down shit creek, leaving her with a broken paddle. No, not a broken one, a fucking fractured barely held together one. I’d planned to open a second shop by now. She shivered and ignored the thought. She, more than anyone, knew how quickly plans could unravel. One drunk driver, one slippery road, one cheating bastard of a fiancé…. It was painful to consider, to remember, so she brushed the thought aside, wondering instead how to arrange the olives today. Black or green to the front? Wow, it’s certainly an intellectual challenge, something to keep those neurons of yours ticking over. Rick shifted slightly, his highly polished boots glinting in the light, and pointed towards the back of the store—unaware of Andy’s internal monologue. “When you’re done with the caviar, why don’t sort out the cardboard for recycling in the storeroom? Leave the olives for the moment.” Andy frowned and followed his hand. “But that’s not my spot. I’ve never sorted through the boxes.” It sounded stupid but Finest Foods were very strict in terms of who did what. They expected each part of the store to be manned by someone who was knowledgeable about the produce. Luckily for Andy, she’d known enough to get through the interview—it helped that Rick had clearly fancied her—and had studied up on capers and subbrushed tomatoes and olives and such once she’d been offered the job. Her canned goods, sorry, jars of finest produce, aisle was one of the most popular, of course that meant she didn’t get to rest on her laurels. If only. Her day was spent stacking shelves, picking out best-sellers, and advising people who spent more money in an hour more than she earned in a week. And isn’t that just the life you always dreamed of, serving others with a Finest Foods bloody simper plastered to your face. Rick moved a little closer, waiting to speak until a customer passed by. “I know that Andy, but look, can I be honest?” He paused for a moment, as if screwing up his courage. Rick wasn’t best known for his firmness. His managerial style was

friendliness and support, which suited Andy just fine. Plus he was always unfailingly nice to her. Probably still hoping for some action. “You don’t look too good. I can see you’re tired, probably worn out from your shift at the hotel.” He held his hands up as Andy began to speak. “No, don’t worry. No one else knows about that. I’ve kept it quiet just like I said I would. My point is I can’t have a tired looking member of staff on one of the most prominent aisles, not for the next couple of hours at least. You know the Finest Foods motto, ‘Happy to help, pleased to be here.’” Andy was too exhausted to give the eyeroll she so desperately wanted to. “I’m fine Rick,” she insisted, but he shook his head. “Look, I’ve only just heard myself, dropped on me out of the blue, but we’ve got Mr. Iannou coming today.” He shuddered slightly, the tightness of his face showed just how much that thought worried him. “And you know what that means. Everything has to be as perfect as it can possibly be. It will be his first visit since we opened, and you know what they say about him.” Andy certainly did. They all knew of Alexander Iannou’s reputation. He was the guiding force behind the Finest Foods brand. One store turned into twenty, then fifty—and now there were shops all over the globe. And stores weren’t the only thing in his portfolio. He owned an airline, a shipping line, and a number of commercial properties, a multi-millionaire already and not even thirty-five. Andy frowned. Iannou was said to be fierce beyond belief, a perfectionist in every single thing he did, and—she’d heard—a real bastard. He expected the store to operate to peak performance, and woe betide them if it didn’t. “Why weren’t we given any warning?” Andy asked. “A visit from the boss man? Surely senior management should have told us?” She eyed her aisle, suddenly worried. As much as Andy hated working at Finest Foods, she needed her job, really needed it, like crack addict needs a fix stylee. Her paycheck was the only thing standing between her and destitution. The meager amount she earned from the hotel wouldn’t be anywhere near enough to live off, that small amount, and some money from the store, went towards paying the debts.

Rick shrugged, trying and failing epically, Andy suspected, to look nonchalant. “He likes to surprise his staff apparently. He doesn’t visit all of his stores. How the heck could he? There’s hundreds. But I heard, and this might just be a rumor, that he’s planning to settle here. Start some new business project, so of course he’d want his local store to be as perfect as possible.” “I see. So you want me in the back where I can’t embarrass anyone with the bags under my eyes?” Rick stuttered and held his hands out. “Andy, of course not, you look fantastic, you always do! I just thought, well, you’re probably pretty done in. It’ll give you a break to be out back. The pace is much slower.” Sighing, Andy placed her now empty box on the floor. Her back screamed as she straightened and for one awful moment dizziness hit her. Shit, shit, shit. She took a deep breath and felt Rick’s words hit home. Maybe it would be better to hide out back? After all, she didn’t want to draw any attention from Iannou and his entourage. She was beyond the point of exhaustion, and it would be just her luck to swoon or something in front of him. The thought, were she less tired, would have produced a giggle. Andy was not the sort to swoon delicately, more likely she’d fall like a log and injure him, and herself, in the process. For one moment the image of just that tickled her mind. She had nothing against Alexander Iannou. She’d never even met him, but the whole concept of his store offended her. He catered to the sort of people who thought nothing of dropping hundreds of pounds on bloody fish eggs! Sneering at the help, aka her, as they did so. Still, it made more sense to sort through the recycling boxes and take the opportunity to rest a little. “Okay, Rick, if that’s what you need.” He smiled and Andy could see he was relieved. “Good stuff Andy. Now I better get going, I’ve got so much to do! If only we’d had a little more warning.” He bustled off, and Andy collected up her boxes before wandering off to the back. She glanced around, startled by the sudden increase if activity around her. Workers hurried across the store, shirts patted down, and smiles fixed into place. Clearly

everyone knew of Iannou’s reputation and wanted to impress. She was suddenly glad to be hiding out in the storeroom. There’d be no need for her to impress anyone back there.

Chapter Two

Alexander Iannou shut his phone and let out a sigh. It had been one call after another ever since he’d landed, and he was at his limit. Why did his staff feel he needed to know every little detail of every little thing? Surely they’d heard him when he’d told them to deal with things themselves for the day? The phone vibrated again. Clearly bloody not. He flipped it back open and barked down at the person on the other end. In a matter of moments they hung up, persuaded by the wisdom of coping alone. Alexander growled, his fist clenching tightly around the phone. Wasn’t delegation supposed to be about easing some of the pressure from him? Wasn’t that what he paid these people for? Clearly he’d need to have firmer words, either that or hire different staff. He relaxed his grip on the phone, and looked out of the tinted windows, frowning at the view in front of him. A classic little town, complete with maple trees and laughing children. It was the perfect place for a man wanting to settle down, to put down roots as his Yiayia had suggested, and he should be happy to have arrived. Only he wasn’t—happy or looking to settle. He was restless and angry all at once. More than anything he wanted to get back on the plane and home to his apartment in the city. “We’re nearly there, Alex.” He nodded to George and buttoned his suit jacket. It would never do for Alex’s staff to see him looking less than pristine. George did not count, the two had been together since he was old, and rich enough, to need an assistant, and were friends more than anything else. He counted on George to advise him and, when necessary, talk some sense into him. George was Alex’s right hand man and owned almost twenty percent of the company, and was the person he trusted above all others. The people at his newest Finest Foods store were another matter entirely. George pulled up next to the local barber shop without Alex needing to say anything. This was their drill, catch them unawares, see what they were about when not being inspected. It might seem a little harsh to some but the Finest Foods stores were

one of his most successful business projects, and Alex was set on getting them all up to the same high standard. It was, after all, the guiding principle of the whole operation. Top notch products aimed at the more affluent members of society, somewhere people could pick up a bottle of champers and a packet of cigars without feeling guilty. Finest Foods had revolutionized that section of the retail market and his competitors were snapping at his heels trying to catch up. Alex had no intention of letting them. “What’s the drill today?” George asked as they left the car. “Same as always?” Alex shook his head and pushed his wallet further into his front pocket—damn thing was too big and wouldn’t stay put—and pointed to the front of the store. “They expect us to go in from there. Time to shake things up a little. We’ll go round the back and through the storeroom. See things from that angle for once.” George nodded agreement and the two set off across the parking lot. Checking his watch, Alex was slightly surprised to see half past four. He’d planned to arrive at least and hour and a half earlier. But planes could never be counted on, even when you owned the airline. “I’ve heard good things about this one,” George said, gesturing to the huge building they were now approaching. “Profits should pay for the set up within the year, no?” Alex nodded. “Let’s hope so. It certainly helps that this area’s swimming in cash. Well, this part of it at least.” George shrugged. “Every area has its rough parts, Alex, can’t be helped.” “True. Thankfully we’re smack in the middle of the good part.” “You’re happy with the team in place?” George asked. “So far it looks like they’re up to the job.” “Then why the need to inspect it?” Without conscious decision, Alex’s hand went to the wallet crammed in his front pocket. There, nestled in tissue paper, was the reason for returning to this small town, and the reason he’d taken to carrying the damn wallet around with him. He doubted anyone, least of all his employees, knew that his Yiayia hailed from here. She’d spent most of her childhood in a ramshackle farmhouse outside the town’s border, and had

spoken of her time in the small town as one of the happiest of her life. When her parents moved the family back to Greece she’d been heartbroken. Alex gritted his teeth as he recalled his promise to her, the last words between them. Even George, his best friend, was not privy to their conversation. Part of Alex was still too angry to discuss the promise he’d made, and part of him was just plain reluctant. He’d do what he promised the old woman. He owed her that much and his honor demanded it, but once the year was out he’d return back to his own life—the one he’d built from scratch. He rubbed the wallet once more and turned to George. “I’m planning to spend some time here in the old house. I need to ensure everything is up to scratch. It would be ridiculous to have my local store below par.” George laughed. “Planning on doing a bit of shopping here yourself, Alex?” “Maybe, Vre, maybe.” The back entrance to the store was strangely quiet. The staff no doubt all deployed out front for his benefit. Only one oldtimer—looking every one of his eighty plus years—sat in a deckchair, greeted them. He showed little surprise at his visitors, more interested in the newspaper laid out on his knees. No, he might not be surprised but Alex was. He thought he’d have been spotted by now. Though, in all likelihood, the management team was poised and ready next to the huge front doors awaiting his arrival—never suspecting that he’d go round the back. Which was the whole damn point. George cast an eye over the neat lines of produce waiting to be stacked out front. “Everything looks in order,” Alex wandered around the outside wall, taking everything in. George was right, despite the lack of back room staff, everything looked how it should, like a well run machine. Clearly, his people were doing a good job. He continued his tour alongside the interior wall, moving boxes, checking the stock levels. Did the store have enough reserve? Was that cherry-picker aligned properly? “George—” A murmur caught his attention, and Alex halted his words. What the hell was that? He rounded the corner of a hefty loading tray, piled high with cardboard boxes, and paused trying to

identify the sound. There it was again, a sort of low sigh. Alex frowned and moved a large box aside. The sight that greeted him was so odd that for a moment he wondered if he was seeing things. He ran a hand over his eyes and shook his head. No, it was exactly what it was—and disbelief filled him. “Dios… what the hell?” George had joined him, and he too looked down, shock evident, before laughing softly to himself. “Well we’ve never seen that before. Is she..?” Alex’s nodded. His voice deadly. “Looks like.” “What do you think we should do? Get the manager…or….” Alex shook his head. He knew what course of action to take. “I’ll take care of it.” And he bent down, laid one tanned hand on the crisp white shirt of the woman in question, and gave her a gentle shake. The first employee he’d ever had to fire for sleeping on the job opened her eyes wide and gasped.

Chapter Three

For a moment, a moment she wished was real, Andy thought she was dreaming. She opened her eyes to their widest point and gasped. No, it wasn’t a dream. There really was a man looming over her—and he had the harshest expression on his face she’d ever seen. It didn’t take more than a second for her to realize what happened. There in the meager comfort of a hundred cardboard boxes she closed her eyes for the smallest of minutes and fallen asleep. On the job. Panic flooded her, the nasty kind. The kind that kept her awake at night worrying how to pay the bills, only magnified like a gazillion times over. Horribly flustered and embarrassed Andy made a move to stand up, but the man—whoever he was—kept his grip on her shoulder preventing her from rising. “Miss….” He glanced down at her name tag. “Jones. Would you like to tell my why you’re asleep on my time?” She stared up into his eyes, saw the disapproval in them, and looked quickly away. Gaze landing on his hard body she took in the pristine suit, white shirt and navy tie. The very air around him pulsed with authority and awareness came to her in an instant. Andy’s stomach sunk to her knees. Please do not let it be him. “I—” “Yes?” What the hell could she say? Especially to him? The boss man. The situation was just as bad as it could possibly be, and Andy wished the ground would open up in front of her and scoff her up like a fat man at the all-you-can-eat buffet. “I’m assuming you were asleep,” he said, “and not a victim of some sort of concussion or something equally as awful?” Could she lie her way out of this? Have I got the balls? “I’m assuming that because of the contented little sighs you gave when I found you,” he added. “In my experience, people suffering from a blow to the head, or a dead faint, do not sigh happily from it.”

His heavy Greek accent only added to the sarcasm dripping from his tone and Andy knew with a deep certainty that there was no chance of getting anything past him. She’d fallen asleep, the months of constant exhaustion and pain finally took their toll, and now she’d have to suffer the consequences. Perhaps she could plead her case? Sure she’d cringe from the embarrassment of admitting the truth, but it had to be better than losing her job. “Mr. Iannou?” He nodded sharply. Damn, just as she thought. “I’m so very sorry, I—” A hand halted her words, the other finally removing itself from her shoulder. “Perhaps you should stand up, Miss Jones. Your skirt seems to have hitched itself up. Either that or this store is flaunting my uniform code.” Andy gasped, looked down and felt the color flood her cheeks. Her skirt had indeed risen up, a good several inches in fact. Both of her thighs were completely exposed, the skirt only just hiding her panties. “Oh my God….” The man standing next to Iannou coughed, a hand covering his mouth, though Andy could see the merriment in his eyes. So he thought this was funny, did he? She’d never been more mortified in her entire life. “I’m so sorry, of course.” Clutching the side of the loading tray Andy hauled herself up, batting her skirt down as she did so. Her shirt had also un-tucked itself, and Andy quickly straightened it up. “Your hair.” Those were his only words but they were enough for Andy to realize her fiery locks escaped the neat braid she tied them into every morning. She smoothed her hands over her head, and all the while played out various little speeches in her mind. I’m so sorry but I’m exhausted. I work two jobs to pay debts that aren’t even mine. I sleep for five hours each night if I’m lucky. I’ve reached the end of my tether. She frowned. No, that was not true. She wasn’t at the end yet damn it! At twenty-seven, she was young enough to work this pace for at least another five years. By then, the worst of the debts would be paid, and she could ease off the gas, maybe begin to think about building the business back up again.

“Mr. Iannou,” she began, but he held a hand up to halt her words. Again. “You were sleeping on the job, Miss Jones. The first employee I’ve ever found to do so. I have to say I am very shocked.” A new wave of embarrassment washed through her. “Yes sir, I’m so sorry it was an accident, I would never—” “But you did.” “Yes, but—” “But what?” Andy clenched her fists. Would she ever be permitted to finish a sentence? Damn, he was high-handed, as difficult as his reputation suggested. Would he even let her explain? “I know it looks bad sir but I—” Again he held up a hand, and Andy wanted to scream. Panic jittered its way around her stomach, combined with the embarrassment and the anger it was not a good mix. She felt like she might throw up, or God forbid, faint. Neither option was likely to help her right now. “It doesn’t look bad, Miss Jones. It is bad. I do not allow my employees to sleep on the job. I pay you for your time, do I not? Sleeping during that time is highly disrespectful. Not just to me but to your colleagues.” Shame burned her “Of course it is,” she agreed. “It’s just that—” “Just what?” His voice was deadly, and the words Andy wanted to say died in her throat. She opened and closed her mouth, fumbling around for some idea what to do. Could she really stand here and tell this man the truth? Adrenaline flooded her, and she bit down hard on the inside of her cheek. Surely a little shame is worth it, Andy, to keep your job? To pay those fucking debts. “You were going to explain yourself?” Iannou prompted. “I’m eager to hear it. Give me some reason to excuse your behavior.” Andy shook her head. All the little speeches died a quick death. Iannou stood over her by several inches and with his arms crossed over his chest he was the most forbidding man Andy had

ever seen. How could she possibly explain the fuck up that was her life to him? There’s only so much shame one woman can take. He waited, glaring at her, whilst the other man watched silently. “I’m sorry.” She said. It was inadequate, stupid—but nothing else came to mind. More than anything Andy wanted to curl away in a corner and cry. The tears she’s held at bay for the last year were threatening with an intensity the likes of which she’d never felt before. ,ot in front of him, her mind screamed. You promised yourself you’d never cry in front of a man again. “Where is the employee lounge?” Blinking away the treacherous moisture, Andy pointed in the direction of the staff area. Iannou made to take her wrist, clearly to steer her in its direction, but the moment his skin touched hers Andy jumped and pulled away. What the hell was that? “I know the way,” she protested, confounded by the odd spark jumping along her skin. Ignoring her words he grasped her upper arm, where the thin fabric of her shirt was enough to prevent their skin touching, and dragged her along with him. He opened the door to the employee lounge with an audible thud. “Which is your locker?” Andy’s heart dropped to her feet and despite herself she could feel the tears pooling. She wrenched herself out of his grasp and moved towards her locker. “It’s that one.” His intention was obvious and Andy had more pride than to allow him to humiliate her any further. But the debts. She cut that thought off with the same ruthlessness she used with other depressing ones. She wouldn’t think about that now, she’d think about it later, once the whole awfulness of this situation faded ever so slightly. “I’ll just get my things.” Andy opened her locker door and grabbed the handle of her bag. It was huge—had to be to contain all multiple uniforms—and as always, got itself stuck in the narrow locker. She gave it a good tug, and it hit the floor, its contents spilling everywhere. Andy felt the color flood her face again and bent down immediately to pick everything up. Oh my God, is that a tampon? Yes, of course it was, and it rolled directly in front of his feet. He also bent down, picking up the thin packet, and depositing it in her open bag. Andy’s eyes caught his, and for one moment, they

locked. An odd feeling fizzed through her body, her cheeks burned, and the weird adrenaline spiked. Looking quickly away Andy did not think she could be any more embarrassed, because despite the awfulness of the situation, it suddenly occurred to her what the fizzle was. Alexander Iannou was devastatingly good-looking. Her over-frazzled brain hadn’t had time to take it in earlier, but it took it in now, and she shivered slightly. His hair was inky black, his skin tanned and smooth, and those eyes… she gulped. They were the darkest brown she had ever seen. Her nipples hardened, and her pussy clenched, and Andy almost jumped in shock. Such reactions were not normal for her, shockingly handsome or not. He straightened up, his arms crossed over his wide chest, an odd look on his face, almost like he was surprised. But how could he be. Andy suspected every woman he met fell at his feet. Andy took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and looked down at her bag. Her maid’s uniform spilled out the side, the name tag obvious. “Moonlighting, too?” Iannou asked. Gritting her teeth, Andy stuffed the uniform back in the bag, on top of everything else. Iannou would never understand the necessity of having two jobs. How could he? The man was richer than fucking Croseus. “I’ll just get the rest of my stuff….” Andy scrambled around on the floor, her whole body burned with shame, as she gathered up notebooks and keys. She had a nasty suspicion that her skirt was riding up her thighs again, so she batted it down. She hoped neither he, nor the other man who’d now joined them, noticed. Bag packed, Andy stood up and eyed both men warily. Her heart thumped like a metronome, and she felt ever so slightly sick. This was her last chance to plead her case—she wished she didn’t have to, not least because of how jittery he made her feel. You’ve been more shamed in the past, Andy, more humiliated than this. And wasn’t that the truth but now, more than ever, it occurred to her she was at about her limit. “You have nothing to say?” he asked, as if reading her mind. “Any way to explain yourself? Or are you just going to take your things and run off?”

Andy would have liked nothing better than to have an explanation but nothing came to her overwrought mind. She clamped her lips shut, desperate to hold in the panic that was threatening. Jesus Christ, say something Andy! “It would never happen again,” she whispered. “But why did it in the first place?” he prompted. Tell him about the debts. Tell him. But she couldn’t. For a year, Andy had spoken to no one about that awful time. How could she break that vow with him? The most forbidding, and damn it, attractive man she’d ever met. She just couldn’t. “I was a stupid mistake.” The words came out as nothing more than a faint whisper, and Andy knew she’d lost whatever chance she might have had. His mouth hardened, the angry glint in his eye becoming even more pronounced. “You sleep on your own time, Miss Jones, not mine.” Clamping her lips together again, Andy handed across the employee card, the one that gave access to the staff area. She asked one final question even though it humiliated her to do so. “I know I’m fired, Mr. Iannou. I know I deserve it, but will I still be paid for the last month?” The store paid on the basis of a month in arrears. You worked a month in hand and were paid at the beginning of the next month. Andy could not afford to lose that money—due next week. She wouldn’t be able to eat without it. He eyed her carefully, and Andy felt like he was evaluating her from inside to out. “Your contract states that if you are fired you lose that month’s wages. I know this, Miss Jones, because I wrote that contract up myself.” “But—” “You signed the contract, did you not?” Andy nodded tightly. It would be pointless to speak. He’d interrupt her again no doubt. Tears once again pricked her eyes, and she tried desperately to keep them inside. The debts, the debts...don’t think about that now! She couldn’t. Only the control she’d built over the last years was keeping her from crying like a baby. Thinking about a month without any money would be enough to break that control.

“Excuse me then.” She slung her heavy bag over her shoulder, narrowly avoiding hitting him with it—though God knows she’d have liked to—and strode towards the door. “Miss Jones, if you’ll just wait a moment—” But for once, Andy had the pleasure of interrupting him. She already knew what he was going to say. “I know my way out, Mr. Iannou, don’t worry.” Anger, embarrassment, and humiliation flooded her, burning her face. The dizziness she’d felt in the store a few hours earlier was threatening a return, and Andy knew the only way to get ahold of herself was to take refuge in defiance. Chin up girl and take some pride with you. “I’d like to say it’s been nice working for you,” she began. The words dripped with the last little bit of defiance she had left. “Only it hasn’t. The uniforms are ridiculous, the staffing arrangements stupid, and the whole premise of your store insulting.” His mouth fell open, and Andy heard the other man gasp. She pulled the door open blinking the tears away. It would hurt later, no doubt about it—once the worry set in, but for now, she felt like she’d kept a tiny bit of her pride. Yes, she’d burnt her bridges, well and bloody truly, but she could see one tiny lining on the silver cloud. Six hours sleep. She’d worry when she woke.

Chapter Four

Alex dropped down onto the sofa in his hotel room. It squeaked slightly as if resenting his presence, and he shot it a dark look. It’s not my fault she fell asleep! The day had gone from bad to worse, ever since he’d found that little waif snoozing away in his loading bay. Of course he’d had no choice but to fire her—she’d pretty much fired herself—and George agreed with him to let her go. An employee sleeping on the job? It was far below the standard of behavior he expected from his staff. He’d informed the management of course and to his surprise the assistant manager, an unassuming guy named Rick, pleaded the girl’s case. She was a valued employee, had done nothing to suggest such behavior was normal, going through a difficult time, etc. Alex ignored the man’s pleading. It was only now, that he was alone, he’d begun to wonder if perhaps he’d been a little too harsh. Maybe she was going through a hard time? Certainly she hadn’t looked very well. He replayed the moment he’d seen her, and from the perspective of a few hours distance, he could admit that she’d looked, frankly, done in. Her fiery locks were pulled into a lank braid, her hair looking dull and lifeless. Her emerald eyes were barely noticeable thanks to the two smudges of black beneath them. Proof perhaps, of her tiredness? And she was thin. He frowned. Too thin? It was so hard to tell these days whether a woman was thin because she thought it looked good—which for the record it didn’t—or because she was getting enough nourishment. Why was he suddenly getting a nasty suspicion that it was the later? Regret, something he was not used to feeling, simmered though him, and he found himself second guessing his decision. It seemed so simple at the time. Employee not following his rules equals employee no more, but maybe in this case it wasn’t so clear cut? Even as he’d steered her towards the employee lounge something stirred, a slight suggestion perhaps that he should slow down and think for a moment. But he’d been so angry, so disbelieving that on his first visit to his new store he’d found a

sleeping employee. And then she’d been so embarrassed, so redfaced he’d found himself floundering, unsure what to do. Every time he’d tried to say something, she’d jumped in with her own assumptions and before he’d known what was happening she was out the door—insulting his store on the way. He grabbed a glass from the side table and poured himself a drink, swallowing the fiery liquid down in one go. It burned the back of his throat, and he coughed slightly. He rarely drunk, but today seemed to be a first for many things. He couldn’t give her the job back of course, that wouldn’t be possible. It would condone her behavior and might make other employees take liberties. But the least he could do was to ensure she received her month’s pay. Not that she deserved it! The girl had a tongue like an adder, but if she was in a bad situation, he didn’t want to compound that. Alex was not a monster, and he hadn’t built one of the fastest growing companies in the world by not thinking things through. Besides he wanted to know exactly what she’d meant by her insults. To suggest something was wrong with his perfect business? He shook his head. The girl didn’t know what she was talking about, and he would enjoy setting her right. He dropped the glass back down on the table and stretched his legs. What is it about the girl that’s bothering you? Alex didn’t understand it. He made a decision, and he followed it through. That was his way and it had served him well. He had everything he ever wanted. Flourishing businesses, several homes—nothing was out of his reach. And yet he couldn’t get the little waif out of his mind. The guilt at his actions so palpable it was ridiculous. Getting soft, Andros, getting soft. It wasn’t as if she was even beautiful. Had he desired her, Alex could understand his feelings. Beautiful women had a way of making a man forget what was right, of wrapping him up and making him behave like an idiot. But she was far from that. Too thin, too pale. No, he didn’t want her in that way. So what’s making you feel like this? Alex stuffed his hands in his pockets, brooding on the situation. A jolt of panic hit him and suddenly he realized what else it was that had been preying on his consciousness for the last several hours—besides Miss Jones.

He cursed and bolted upright. Where the hell was his wallet? He patted down his suit jacket and pulled the pockets from his trousers. Dios, ,othing. Panic skittered along his spine, and he wracked his mind trying to remember the last time he’d seen it. Just before entering the store, before you found the waif…. It came to him. The obviousness of what had happened— like a remembered dream. He couldn’t explain why he knew it to be true, but he did. Certainty filled him and he cursed again. The girl…. Aghast, he ran his fingers through his hair, playing the scene out in his mind. He’d bent down to pick up her tampon, trying in some way to ease the embarrassment he saw quite clearly on her face. His wallet must have fallen out—that was the only explanation, right into her open bag! The girl he’d just fired had his wallet. But she had more than that. She had his Yiayia’s ring. The one he was supposed to give to the woman she insisted he would find in this small town. The one he’d promised his beloved grandmother he would look for. The woman he meant to take as his wife.

Chapter Five

When her alarm sounded at half past one, Andy wanted to pretend it wasn’t there. She pulled the thin blanket a little tighter around her equally thin frame and snuggled into the bed. But the constant buzz would not be ignored. It wanted her up, and she had no choice. She yawned and stretched. Her back, as always, ached intolerably. Carefully, still lying down, Andy took herself through the exercises she’d been shown at the hospital, stretch and pop, flex and move. The dull pain did not desist, and Andy gritted her teeth against the pain. Worse her head was still muggy, tiredness settling over her like a cloud. Andy couldn’t work how she could be even more tired than when she’d fallen asleep, and why nothing ever eased the ache. The thought of never feeling healed again gnawed at her but like everything unpleasant she pushed it to the back of her mind. Think about it later. She groaned, pulled herself up, and reached out for the bottle of water, taking a deep swig. Her mouth felt like the inside of a jock strap, her head fuzzy—she shook herself and checked the clock. One in the morning, she had an hour to get ready and make her way to the hotel. The thought of scrubbing the bathroom floors made her shiver, but what other option was there? You’re one job down, Andy. ,o way can you afford to lose this one too. If anything, she needed more hours. She’d have to ask the manager if she had any going. She stood up and stumbled her way to the bathroom, only just avoiding tripping over her bag in the process. Shivering, because damn it was cold, Andy splashed her face with water before checking her reflection in the small mirror over the sink. Her heart dropped when she saw her sleep scrunched face. I looked so different a year ago…. And wasn’t that the truth. A year ago Andy was filled with confidence, and it showed. Her fiery locks were wavy and luscious, her emerald eyes full of spark, her skin clear and bright. Today’s picture was drastically different. Her hair was lank, her

eyes dimmed and her skin looking far too pale for her own good. It had to be the lack of sleep, not to mention a lack of food. Andy hoarded every single penny she earned. She had to. The debts were monstrous, and she had promised herself to get them paid off as soon as possible. The very idea of spending the next decade weighed down by them made her feel sick. So Andy worked every spare hour and put every spare penny towards them. Of course that meant going without things she’d once taken for granted. She turned around, casting her eyes about the small apartment. It was in one of the worst neighborhoods, rife with crime and anti-social behavior, but it was cheap—and that was the main thing. The rent barely put a dent in her paycheck from Finest Foods, the utilities were as low as possible, and Andy no longer had a car. Just the thought of getting in one again made her shiver. She missed eating well. That she could admit. It had been so difficult walking past the stock in Finest Foods day after day and knowing all she had to go home to was a pot of noodles or some toast. But then even in her heyday, she wouldn’t have been able to afford Finest Foods groceries. The prices were outrageous, and even now, weighed down with anxiety, Andy was glad she’s given Iannou a piece of her mind. How could it be right that the people working in the damn store couldn’t afford anything from it? You can’t afford anything now…. Andy shuddered and pulled her bag onto the bed. The enormity of losing her job hadn’t quite sunk in yet, nor had the fact that the change in her pocket was all she had left for the rest for this month and, according to Iannou, the next. She wouldn’t even be able to afford the bus to the hotel, meaning an early hours walk through some of the nastiest streets in the area. And breakfast, not to mention lunch or dinner? Andy pulled her dirty uniform from the bag and threw it on the bed. She’d be asking for a smaller size before the month was out. Not that she could afford to lose any more weight, but it looked like two meals a day was about to shrink to one. If you’re lucky. Out of the blue, she found herself wondering what Iannou thought of her appearance. Had he even noticed her in that way? She blushed and rubbed her tired eyes. His face once again filled

her mind. How on earth had it taken her so long to realize just how hot he was? His pictures showed him in an entirely different light, more forbidding than anything else. So it was no wonder it had taken a moment for the truth to hit. Though even now, replaying the moment she’d awoken with him bending over her she could see how good looking he was. It was impossible to go back to the pictures she’d held in her mind the last year. She shivered slightly, surprised by the jolt of desire fizzing through her. It had been over a year since she’d so much as noticed a man. Why him? Why now? The man fired her for crikes’ sake. She should be cursing him to hell not lusting after him! But Andy was too fair not to understand why. Has she been in his position, she might well have acted in the same way. She had been asleep on the job. She understood now, after the distance of a few hours, that the anger she’d felt had been for herself, not him. Lust all you want, you won’t be seeing him again. Andy looked into the bag and frowned at her wash kit. Might as well remove it, too. After all, it wasn’t like she’d be going to Finest Foods afterwards. What the hell is that? Something brown and leathery looking was peeking through her apron. She pulled the object out and felt her jaw drop. It was a wallet, a man’s wallet. Curious and bewildered, Andy opened it up. A huge wad of cash was stuffed in the back, and she fingered it lightly; her heart raced. There had to be a few thousand pounds, equal to three months wages. Or one of your debts. Turning the wallet around, she noticed a number of cards in the thin slots. Debit and credit cards… and she gasped, they belonged to Iannou. Fucking hell. How the heck had Iannou’s wallet gotten into her bag? Andy sat down on the edge of the bed, heart pounding. Worry wormed its way through her entire body. It must have fallen in at some point. Maybe when she was picking all her bits and bobs up? Her face one again flamed with shame as she recalled her scramble around on the floor for tampons and keys. I have Iannou’s wallet…a wallet filled with cash…. A lump in one of the pockets caught her attention, and Andy unzipped it, removing whatever it was inside. Wrapped in

tissue paper, it unraveled in her fingers before falling into the palm of her hand. A ring, delicate in its beauty, perfect it its loveliness, the stones shimmered in front of her. Andy held it up to the light, watching as the diamonds, the many diamonds, sparkled. The square emerald sat in the middle of the diamond halo was almost the exact color of her eyes, and Andy smiled as it flashed in front of her. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. The sort of ring a man presented when down on one knee and with that thought Andy knew immediately what it was for. Why else would Iannou be carrying it around? It was the ring meant for the woman he loved, and that meant only one thing. As much as the thought panicked her, as much as she’d have loved to keep the cash, Andy knew she never would. Neither the money, nor the ring were hers, morally she had no choice. Over the last year, she’d seen firsthand the pain dishonesty could cause, and would never do that to anyone else. Rich or no. Which left one course of action. She had to return the wallet, which meant she’d have to see Iannou again. Why did that thought cause her heart to race?

Chapter Six

“Are you serious?” Alex nodded. His hand clenched tightly around his coffee mug. “I’m certain of it.” George helped himself to a large slice of ham and another egg, before attacking them with gusto. “Don’t you think you would have noticed it fall?” “I was a little preoccupied with Miss Jones and her tampon,” Alex replied, taking another sip of his coffee. How George ate so much first thing Alex couldn’t understand. But they always took breakfast together so he was used to seeing his friend clear the table. Unwanted Alex’s mind skipped back to Miss Jones. He’d dreamt of her last night. The most erotic dream he’d ever had in his life. He’d woken up feeling hot and hard, the head of his cock slick with pre-cum. It was ridiculous, hadn’t he decided he didn’t want her in that way? He shifted uncomfortably in his chair as the dream replayed itself in his mind. She’d been naked. Her slender body wrapped around his, her fiery hair flowing over the white pillow. He’d pounded into her tight, wet pussy, desperate to lose himself in it. Then, just as his cock was ready to explode he’d woken up, panting and hard—aghast with his errant mind. Alex couldn’t understand it. He had no way to explain why his subconscious had put Miss Jones in that role, or even what it meant. Alex was not a man who liked mysteries. Even worse, the dream had left him feeling even more damn guilty than yesterday, and her appearance began to niggle at him again. He was certain now; convinced in fact, that Miss Jones had fallen on hard times. He eyed the food piled high on the table and wondered what exactly was on her plate for breakfast. The thought did not sit well with him. “You’ve checked everywhere else?” “Yes.” George paused, fork in mid-air. “Well there’s no harm in asking her I suppose. Though you realize if she has got it she might not admit to it. After all you did fire her, Vre.”

Alex poured more coffee before answering. “For a start, she all but fired herself. She handed me her card before I even asked for it.” “You’d have fired her anyway.” “I know that damn it. I’ve thought of little else since last night.” “Did you have much cash in there?” George asked, bringing the subject back to the wallet. Alex shrugged. “A couple of grand.” “That might be too much temptation for sleeping beauty,” George said. “She’s clearly got money issues. I can’t see her willingly handing it back.” “Sleeping beauty?” George grinned. “Well you can’t deny, Alex, that she’s a pretty stunning woman.” Frowning, Alex played yesterday’s scene, then the dream, back through his mind. Stunning? Pretty? He shook his head and shot George and incredulous glance. “She looked like a little waif. All thin and pathetic, not to mention rude.” Why do I need to keep telling myself that? George shook his head, his eyes dancing with laughter. “True, she needs feeding up. I won’t deny that, but just think what she’d look like with a bit of flesh on her bones, Vre.” “You’re out of your mind George,” Alex replied. “And besides why do you assume everyone is inherently dishonest? For all we know she might bring it back, money and all.” George picked up another slice of ham. “Most people are dishonest, Alex. The years have taught me that much, but maybe sleeping beauty will surprise us, no?” “And why are you assuming she has money issues?” Sure, the thought had occurred to him, but as always, Alex was interested in George’s take on the situation. He’d watched the whole tableau unfold without being involved in it. That gave a man a different perspective. “Two jobs?” George began. “The store and a maid somewhere? Not to mention her shoes.” “Shoes?”

“They were mended, more than once. Did you see the bottoms? Holes right through one, and it looked like she’d stuck cardboard in them.” Alex stood up, suddenly and unaccountably uncomfortable, and began to pace the floor. “Why didn’t you mention this yesterday?” George shrugged. “Why would I?” “If she’d fallen on hard times to the point that she’s mending her shoes….” “She was sleeping on the job, Alex. You were right to let her go, whether she instigated it or not herself. You can’t be responsible for her finances. Besides, she’s probably got a boyfriend somewhere she can turn to. Thin or no she is beautiful, and we both know beautiful women are always taken.” He paused and placed his fork on the table. “A shame now I think about it, because I was giving serious thought to finding her myself and taking her out. Did you see those creamy thighs when her skirt was riding up? I wouldn’t mind wrapping my hands around them….” “You’ll do no such thing!” Alex was shocked by the anger George’s words caused. He clenched his fists and tried to clam down, unable to understand why he should be so offended by his friend’s words. Or why he was worrying about what Miss Jones’s response to them would be. George was heartless where women were concerned. He fucked and chucked them one after the other, but there was always a willing queue just waiting to be next. “Oh, it’s that way is it?” George said, a knowing look in his eyes. “What the hell does that mean?” Alex demanded. “You’re feeling guilty because she’s cute. Admit it Alex, there’s no shame in it. Hell, I was planning to get in her pants myself.” A growl threatened and Alex had to grasp at his self control to keep it inside. “That’s not it all damn it,” he said. “It’s just something about this whole situation isn’t sitting right with me. I don’t know what the hell it is. Why I feel bad about it, it’s not like me—you know that.” “You are feeling guilty then?” George asked.

“Maybe, I don’t now.” Alex paced again, unable to explain to George the thoughts tumbling through his mind. The girl was getting under his skin, something, and he didn’t know what, pulling his thoughts back to her over and over again. If only I hadn’t dreamt of her! “Guilty perhaps for the hastiness of my actions,” Alex said slowly. “For not giving her more chance to explain. And there’s something…something I can’t put my finger on with her.” “You say you don’t want her though. So what the hell is it?” George prompted. Alex walked over to the window and looked across the street. He could see, even from this distance, the peak of his store several blocks away. He waited for the familiar jolt of pride, but none came. He appraised the whole area, grimacing slightly when he found St. Paul’s. He’d built in Bristol because the area was swimming in money, old and new. But like all places there was a seedier side, the rich and the poor, separated by a mere handful of buildings. Alex found himself hoping Miss Jones did not live in St. Paul’s. He did not like the idea of her being prey to the criminals who skulked there. “I don’t know George,” he said eventually. “But there’s something, and I can’t ignore it. The wallet situation is the perfect reason for me to find out what the hell is going on.” “You’re going to go find her?” “That I am, and once I do, I’ll get to the bottom of this little mystery.” “The mystery that is sleeping beauty?” “The mystery that is Miss Jones.”

Chapter Seven

Andy couldn’t understand why she was so bloody exhausted. She’d only worked for six hours yet it felt like sixty. Her whole body shook with it, her eyes gritty and her head spinning. She’d worked nearly a year at this pace so why the hell was she feeling like this? Maybe it’s all catching up? Andy grimaced. Well, she wouldn’t fucking let it get to her. She had no time for nonsense such as tiredness. She needed another job. The manager at the hotel had no extra hours going spare. Without the Finest Foods paycheck, Andy calculated she’d only just make her rent and utilities, with a tiny amount leftover for food. There’d be nothing to put towards the debts, but she had to pay them! People were counting on her to do so. She crossed the empty street and considered her options. It was time to hit the job market again, and Andy had no choice but to do it with a vengeance. She’d go home, get cleaned up, and start looking. There had to be something! Andy wasn’t proud, not anymore. She’d take whatever she could get. Cleaning, waitressing, stacking shelves, whatever was on offer she’d grab it and be grateful—hell, she’d strip if she have to. Smiling a little, she thought of her tiny breasts and flat ass. They probably wouldn’t even take her on. If only I hadn’t fallen asleep…. The words repeated, as they had throughout the night. Every time Andy scrubbed a toilet or Hoovered a carpet, the enormity of the situation hit her. She wished over and over again that Iannou hadn’t come visiting. On any other day she’d have been in her aisle, sleep kept at bay by the non-stop customers asking for help or needing to be waited on. Damn it. Thinking of Iannou brought her mind around to the other issue. The wallet sat snuggly in her bag. She had to return it, and soon, before her nerves, or the strange jitters, failed her. Rick would know where he was staying. It would be a simple matter of going to the hotel and asking to see him. She could just drop it in his hands and leave without too much fuss. She crossed another street and once again his face filled her mind and once again Andy was shocked by the fission of lust

that shot through her, the hardening of her nipples and the twinge of her pussy. It was ridiculous, stupid—she couldn’t understand it. Ever since Pete she’d sworn never to allow a man to touch her again. After all it was due to him and her foolish heart that she found herself in such a shitty situation. Men were bastards. It was as simple as that. Andy would never allow one to have her in his power. ,ever again. Besides, if truth be told, as much as Andy loved Pete she’d never been overly impressed with their sex life. She’d always felt something was missing, like she couldn’t really be the woman she wanted to be with him. Andy shuddered as she remembered her suggestions to Pete. He’d been shocked, almost outraged. Okay, maybe some of it was a little odd. Like the fact that she’d wanted him to fuck her mouth, to bend her over, and pound her into submission…. But others were things Andy knew other people did all the time. Such as riding him, and having him lick her clit. She sighed, her body heating up at the thoughts… only it wasn’t Pete doing them to her. It was Iannou…. A car shot past, pulling her from her filthy thoughts, and Andy swallowed down the lump in her throat. Silly really, but cars still made her nervous, even now. But then being trapped in one for over twenty-four hours would do that to a person. She shivered as the memories of that night intruded. Maybe because she was so tired, or maybe because she couldn’t stop them, Andy let the memories wash over her. Replaying them like a horror movie you don’t want to watch but end up doing so anyway, then regretting after the fact. It had started like any other. She’d left work late, set off to their home in the hills—the nicer part of town—and thought about what to cook for dinner. Everything seemed so normal. Andy had no idea how quickly her life was about to change. But then she hadn’t counted on a drunk driver plowing into the side of her little hatchback and sending her over the side of the hill. Straight to the bottom, where she’d waited, trapped, for over a day. Her back ached, almost in remembrance of those hours. Andy had been lucky, any longer, and she might have ended up with irreparable spinal damage. She’d spent a month in the hospital recovering, believing it to be the worst month of her life. If only she’d known the worst was yet to come.

Crossing through one of the side alleys, Andy made her way into the shitty part of town. The part the locals—the rich locals—liked to pretend didn’t exist. Andy hadn’t really known about it either until circumstances dropped her into it. After living in one of the apartments deep in the heart of the southern district Andy was well used to it. Whores, drug addicts, pimps—she’d seen it all, and only her determination to get away one day made it bearable. Home, Iannou, job hunting. She called the little list to mind as she ducked around a side street. Maybe I’ll find something today. Then it won’t matter that I’ve been fired. I’ll still be able to eat…. Andy became aware of a sound behind her, and the skin along her arms prickled. If only she’d had enough money for the bus! It stopped directly outside her apartment, saving her the trouble of dodging through the crazy maze of little streets necessary to make her way home as quickly as possible. But the meager change left in her pocket had to be hoarded. Who knew when she’d next earn more? Another sound, like the thud of a footstep, and Andy’s heart raced. It was still early in the morning. The streets still quiet. Too early surely for the sort of scum who wouldn’t think twice about harassing her at night time? Hurrying onwards, Andy shot out of the alley onto one of the main streets. Though deserted, Andy knew it was better than walking through the alleys—despite the fact they’d get her home sooner. Parents would start taking kids to school soon. People that bothered worked would start setting off. She’d be fine. Another sound and Andy knew what it was. Footsteps… speeding up. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Adrenaline flooded her, and she turned swiftly, but it wasn’t swift enough. The blow hit her on the side of her face before she knew what was happening, and pain exploded. She dropped to the concrete floor, unable to do anything else. Her back screamed at her from the jarring motion. Her vision blurred. Awareness filled her mind, and Andy knew she needed to get away. She tried to stand up, ready to flee but another blow, this one to her ribs, knocked the breath out of her, and Andy hunched in on herself as pain tore through her body. Her assailant

kicked her, the bastard, whoever he was, and she felt herself retching against it, trying to draw breath. Hands were over her, along her body, and Andy sucked in air before striking out, desperate to get those hands off her. Another blow, this one to her stomach, and Andy’s whole body clenched in pain, a sob erupting. “Stay still, bitch.” The words were said with a snarl, and her vision began to return, making out the shape of a man bent over her. Andy screamed, as loud as she could, and he smacked her around the face, cutting the scream off and leaving her head ringing. His hands grabbed the bag, pulling it from her and Andy tried desperately to hold on. ,ot the bag! Please not the bag. But she didn’t have the strength to hold it, and her attacker ripped it from her numb grip, before kicking her once more—in the exact same spot. She vomited. The scanty contents of her stomach falling onto the floor next to her. Pain lashed through her. Dizziness descended. It was only when she felt the blood dripping into her mouth, and the blackness claimed her that Andy remembered. Iannou’s wallet was in that bag.

Chapter Eight

“There’s someone here to see you, Alex.” Alex looked up from his pile of papers. “I’ve got to get through this lot, George. Can’t you deal with them?” “Not sure to be honest, Vre. He asked directly for you.” Alex cast his friend a dark look. “You know what my plans are once I’ve gone over these accounts.” George nodded. “Off to hunt out sleeping beauty, no?” “The longer it takes me to go through them….” George shrugged. “Sure, but is occurs to me that the man waiting downstairs is one you’ll want to see. It’s that manager from the store. Rick was it? He seemed to know plenty about Miss Jones. He was concerned about her if I remember correctly. I did wonder if they were involved but he wasn’t vehement enough for that. Likely he’s been sniffing around her though. He had that sort of vibe to him.” “You think I should pump him for information? Seems a little underhand, George. I’ll find out whatever I want to know from the waif herself.” And he would. As soon as he was finished with the accounts, Alex had every intention of finding Miss Jones. What he was planning to do once he found her he didn’t know. He’d think about that later. Don’t forget the wallet. Yes, the wallet, the main reason for tracking her down. Yep, you tell yourself that. “You need to know where she lives,” George said, interrupting Alex’s internal argument. “He’ll know.” Alex nodded, struck by the truth. “I’m a little disappointed,” he confessed. “That she hasn’t come by with the wallet.” “It’s only been a day. She’s probably working.” “I fired her George. Or she fired herself, damn. You know what I mean!” “I meant her maid job.” Running a hand through his hair, Alex tried to understand what the hell was going through his own mind. Every time a knock sounded on the door, or the phone rung, he’s thought it might be her—and to his shock his cock hardened in anticipation.

Worse, his heart raced and he was almost… excited to see her? Dream or not, protestations to George or not, it might be time to re-evaluate the effect a mere hour in Miss Jones’s company seemed to have had on him. The more he knew. The better prepared he’d be. “Send him up.” A few minutes later, Rick came into the suite. He pulled at his neck tie and seemed to be sweating slightly. Alex eyed him carefully, wondering just what part this man played in the waif’s life. “What is Miss Jones’s given name?” he asked before he even knew he was going to. Rick flushed and fidgeted, clearly nervous. “Andy, well Andrea, but we all call her Andy.” Shock slammed Alex like a blow to his body. The coincidence was beyond bizarre, and he clenched his fists, unsure what to make of it. “That’s a Greek name,” he said slowly. His Yiayia’s name, in fact. The woman who sent him to this town in the first place. “I want you to tell me everything you know about her,” Alex demanded. And almost winced as he saw George, from the corner of his vision, smiling broadly. “Well, sir,” Rick replied. “That’s why I’m here.” “You’ve come to plead for her job again, no? There’s no need man. I will take care of Miss. Jones.” His assistant manager shook his head. “No sir, it’s not that.” The man was so deferential it was painful, and Alex had no time for beating about the bush. He wanted answers, and he wanted them now. “Then why are you here?” “It is about Andy,” Rick replied, swallowing visibly. “She asked me not to tell you, begged in fact, but I’m not sure what else to do. She won’t take any help from me, and up until yesterday you were her employer, so….” He stiffened. “I figured the least you could do was help her out.” A strange sort of feeling slithered down Alex’s spine, and he knew. He just knew that he was not going to like whatever his assistant manager had to say. “Spit it out then, man.”

Rick sniffed, his moment of bravado fading, and he wiped away the beads of sweat on his forehead, before answering. “Andy was attacked on her way home from work this morning, from her job cleaning at the Haversham. The hospital phoned me because I’m down as her emergency contact. She doesn’t have anyone else, you see.” Alex’s heart thudded in his chest, and he rose from his chair. George stepped forward too. Shock stamped across his face. “Dios…Attacked?” Alex breathed. “Yes, sir,” Rick continued. “Andy lives in St. Pauls. I don’t know why the hell she was walking home. I’ve told her time and time again to make sure she gets the bus. They found her a mile or so from her apartment, so she must have been walking. I guess she was worrying about money again or something.” “What happened?” Alex demanded. “A mugger. Luckily a group of parents taking their kids to school found her. I dread to think what would have happened if they hadn’t.” “Is she okay?” George asked, before Alex could. “No, sir. She was beaten up pretty badly. The hospital wants to keep her in overnight at least. Though she was already trying to check herself out when I left.” “What the hell!” Alex exploded. Strange feelings fizzed through him, and he didn’t know what to make of them. Overriding it all though was the thought that he had to go and see the waif. No not the waif, Andy, Andrea. She was hurt, and as Rick said, she had no one to turn to. Who else but he could fix things? “Why would she try and check herself out?” he demanded. Rick shifted, clearly uncomfortable. “She can’t afford the time off work, sir,” George shot him a guilty look, one he shared. So she was hard up, couldn’t even afford the bus home. Remorse filled him, eating away at his anger, and he clenched his fists before grabbing his jacket. “I’ll take care of this, Rick. Leave it in my hands.” “That’s not all, sir,” Rick said, stopping Alex at the suite door. “What?”

“Whoever did this stole her bag. She tried to stop him, but he took it anyway.” “And?” He had no time for this. He’d replace whatever she lost, damn it. He had to make sure she was okay. Why that was so important he didn’t know and wasn’t planning to think about right now. Rick looked down at the floor, color flooding his face before he answered. “This is why she didn’t want me to tell you.” Impatience hit, and Alex snapped. “What is it, man? Get to the fucking point.” “It had your wallet in it, sir.”

Chapter 'ine

Andy closed the door of her apartment before making her way over to her bed. Every single cell in her body felt raw, like they’d been chewed by a pit-bull and spat back out again. She winced every time she took a deep breath, and her face ached in a million different ways. It was all she could do not to feel desperately sorry for herself. Gotta look on the bright side. Because, she reassured herself, despite appearances to the contrary, there was a bright side. None of her injuries were permanent. Nothing was broken. She’d been injured much worse in the past and came through it. Surely she could do the same again? Dropping her keys on the bedside table—thank God she’d had them in her pocket—Andy curled up on her bed. Gotta look on the bright side. She repeated the mantra in her head, over and over, trying somehow to convince herself. But it wasn’t working. Where was the fucking bright side? Somewhere else was where. Probably taken with Pete as he hightailed it out of the area. Curling in on herself, she winced as her ribs screamed against the action. Andy repressed thoughts of her errant fiancé. The bastard was gone wasn’t he, and she’d long since learnt to depend on no one but herself. Men are all useless. Pete left you. Iannou fired you… She groaned. She’d lost Iannou’s wallet, all his cash and that lovely ring. And if that wasn’t bad enough, she racked up more medical bills she couldn’t afford. She didn’t even have enough money to get the bus to work tonight, not if she wanted to eat. Yet, how could she walk in this state? It would take hours to get there. She’d need to save her energy for the actual work, the scrubbing of the toilets and making of the beds. Iannou flashed through her mind again, and she imagined exactly what he’d think when he found out about the wallet. She’d have to tell him of course, find some way to pay it back, and the thought settled in with all the other worrying ones like a dead weight. But coupled with the money worry was something else Andy could not understand. After waking up in hospital, her first thought had been of the brooding Greek and not in terms of his

wallet. She’d been overcome with an odd urge to see him. Like that was ever going to happen! The only thing Iannou was going to be interested in was the huge amount of money she now owed him. Where’s the fucking bright side? The tears started then. Hot scalding drops fell down her face. Sobs shuddered through her body, which did not help the pain throbbing through in side. She lay there, sunk in the lumpy bed, no money to her name, no one to turn to for help—not a single person, beyond an old work colleague, that cared—and in that moment all the bravado she’d lived on for the last year crumbled around her. Andy cried like she should have months ago. Cried until her face was red, and the misery in heart deepened to the point where it hurt more than the bruises on her body. She was lost in her sea of wretchedness, her well deserved pity party, for what might have been minutes or hours. The banging on the door was the only thing that pulled her from it. Startled, Andy shot up before she even knew what she was doing. Pain exploded along her ribs, and she cried out. The cry was followed by another as without warning the door shot open. The single lock—all she could afford—gave away to whoever was forcing it. Panic filled her, and she scrambled back against the wall. Eyes frantically looked for something, anything to defend herself. The door opened with a resounding thud. The wall it hit shaking ever so slightly. “So there you are.” “No.” The word fell from her as she recognized the man stood in her doorway, even as an inexplicable sort of relief flooded her. “Yes,” he said. “You’re a hard woman to find, Miss Jones.” And Andy’s heart, her poor, bruised, battered heart, both sank, and unaccountably soared. **** It was all Alex could do not to shake her. How could she be so stupid as to leave the hospital? Didn’t she realize she was injured. Had she no comprehension of just how awful she looked?

He looked her over, comparing her appearance to the snoozing waif of yesterday, and pulled in a shocked breath. Her pale little face was marred by bruises. One running the length of her cheekbone, the other flowered out from her mouth, where her split lip was clearly obvious. Alex’s hands clenched by his sides and murderous anger filled him. I’ll find whoever did this. I won’t rest until I do. He made that promise to himself there and then and was resolved in keeping it. He was Greek, and Greek men protected their women, kept them safe. Your woman? Both panic and disbelief hit at that thought, and he took a step forward, though surely it should have been a step back? “What are you doing here, breaking into my apartment?” she asked. Alex’s heart gave a strange little thud, and he shook himself inwardly. “I was worried.” She gaped at him. Doubt stamped across her features. “Worried?” “Yes.” To injure someone as delicate as her? It defied belief. Because she was delicate. Alex could see that now. As delicate as the phantom who came to him in his dream and teased him into the sort of desire he hadn’t felt in years. “But—” It made no sense to her. He could see that, but then it made no fucking sense to him either. “Why did you check out of the hospital?” he asked, and then realized it had come out as a demand. Moderate your fucking voice, Alex. You’re scaring her. She shivered on the pitiful excuse for a bed, her hands holding her side. She looked as though she was in pain and the very thought angered him. “I’m fine. I don’t need to be in the hospital,” she replied. “You can’t afford the time off work you mean,” he stated. She flushed and lowered her gaze. “That’s none of your concern.” “You’re my employee.” She glared back up at him. “You fired me.” Shit. “Yes, I suppose you could say that.” “I don’t need your help, Mr. Iannou. Besides I know why you’re really here. Rick told you, didn’t he?”

She gave a funny little gasp with those words, and Alex could see her face tighten. What had that bastard done to her? How much pain was she in? Keep calm. “To what are you referring, Miss Jones?” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “He stole your wallet.” “Yes, I know.” Surely, she didn’t think he was concerned about that? Yes, it was true he was enraged with the loss of his Yiayia’s ring, but it was hardly her fault. She could not be held responsible for his own carelessness or the actions of a thief. “I’m so very sorry,” she whispered. “I tried to stop him but he was too strong.” Rage filled Alex again, and it was clear to him then that Andy had no idea how to look after herself. No sensible woman would work herself to death, walk such dangerous streets, or try to fight off a mugger. “This is not something we need to discuss,” he said. “I’ll pay you back the money,” she said. “It might take a while but—” He cut her words off. Insulted beyond measure. “The only thing you’re going to do, Miss Jones, is go back to the hospital. I am, in fact, going to take you there myself.” He was, he realized, beginning to feel responsible for the little waif, and he didn’t understand why that feeling gave him a strange sort of thrill. It was ridiculous, stupid, and utterly absurd. He didn’t even know her. They’d spent the sum total of maybe an hour in each others company and yet… there she was. Looking like the epitome of a damsel in distress. Who else but Alex could be her knight? George would do it. He growled at the thought, anger flooding him. He’d take care of her. She was his employee after all, his responsibility. You all but fired her. He batted the thought away. “I’m not going back to the hospital,” she said. “I won’t go, and you can’t make me.” So she had a stubborn streak? Alex smiled slowly, cheered by this show of spirit. “Then you will come to my hotel. I will keep an eye on you there.” As soon as he said the words, they made a peculiar kind of sense.

She gaped at him, this suggestion clearly not finding favor. “What? Why would you suggest that? This is ridiculous. You’re not responsible for me. You fired me!” He shrugged. “I never actually did, Miss Jones. You gave me your card and walked out.” She shook her head. “You were going to.” Yes, he was but that was beside the point. Waving away her words he gestured to her face. “Regardless, it does not change the fact that you are injured and need someone to look after you. There is no one else I understand.” She glowered. “I can take care of myself.” “You have no family, no friends. No one but Rick. Would you rather he were here? I got the impression he would be eager to help.” “I don’t need anyone.” Like a willful child, she clearly needed a firm hand. Alex saw no choice but to give her one. It was for her own good after all. If she wouldn’t go back to the hospital, he’d have to install her in his suite. What other choice was there? “You will come with me, Miss Jones. Neither you, nor I, have a choice in that matter.” “This is ridiculous,” she protested. “You can’t make me.” He smiled, a slow smile. She bit down on her lip and curled farther into the wall, as if trying to disappear. She’d shown the chink in her armor already, and Alex was not a man afraid of using such weapons to get his own way. The only other option was to leave her all alone in her dreadful apartment, in pain, without anyone to care for her. Alex did not understand why that thought was anathema to him, or why he felt an overwhelming need to ensure her safety. Until he did understand it, she would stay where he could watch over her. “You owe me tens of thousands of pounds, Miss Jones.” She blanched. “The wallet….” He nodded, dampening down any guilt over his actions. It’s for her own good. “If I remember correctly, there was a few thousand in cash and my Grandmother’s ring.” “The ring,” she whispered. “Yes, it’s worth a great deal. The emerald alone could buy a small house.”

“I can’t pay that back,” she said, shoulders slumping. “It would take me years.” The chink. “I know, and that is why you will come with me without any protest. You owe me a great deal, Miss Jones. For the time being, you will do as I say, and right now I say you’re coming to my hotel with me.” “What do you want from me?” she whispered. And Alex had no idea what to say because he didn’t know what he wanted. Ever since he’d found her snoozing in his loading bay it seemed that his equilibrium had been shot to hell. The guilt, the dream, the desire. He paused and took a deep breath, yes, desire, he accepted it now—clear and resounding. His mind finally recognized what his body had a day ago. He wanted his sleeping beauty, wanted her with a fierceness which shocked him. And if he had to use her guilt to get her…then so be it.

Chapter Ten

It had been so long since Andy had slept in a comfortable bed that despite the total what-the-fuckness of the situation she couldn’t help but sink into it. Pillows were piled high around her head, and a huge quilt covered her. The sore parts of her body were grateful for the comfort, and inexplicably Andy both relaxed and fizzed with a completely unwarranted excitement. It was odd beyond belief, and she couldn’t quite work it out, but from the moment Iannou had stepped into her apartment, a strange sort of relief filled had her. Yes, he was angry about the wallet, clearly she could see that. And yes, he’d ordered her to his suite, leaving her no choice but to comply. But she didn’t feel coerced. If anything she felt a strange sort of understanding of his demand. She owed him for the contents of his wallet—it was as simple as that—and had no choice for the moment but to go along with whatever plan he had in mind. She wondered if perhaps he’d offer her a job, or expect some help in catching the thief. Or if he just wanted to keep an eye on her before demanding his money back. More than that and Andy would admit it to no one but herself, excitement was sparking through her. She’d get to spend some time around him, fall a little deeper into those brown eyes, and come up with all sorts of fantasies. Stuff like this did not happen to her very often, and surely she could take the good from the bad? Iannou would never know that she was lusting after him. So what harm would it do? Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, Andy pulled the quilt a little higher. Iannou had moved her to his suite with an efficiency which left her shocked. Somehow, though Andy didn’t know how, a maid appeared within moments of her arrival to tuck her in and place her few things in the walk in closet. She sighed. How could it be little more than an hour since he’d kicked her door open? Didn’t life altering events take longer to unfold? Because Andy knew with a deep certainty that whatever was happening was going to mean something to her life, good or bad she didn’t know, but there is was all the same.

For maybe the tenth time, Andy replayed the moment they’d left her apartment building, him hovering over her like some sort of avenging Greek God. She hadn’t even through about how he’d planned to get her to his hotel until he’d tried to bundle her into his car. “Careful now, we’ll take this slowly.” She’d stopped, shocked, when he’d opened his car door, gesturing for her to get inside. “I can’t ride in your car,” she whispered. Panic slithered her along her spine. The very idea of being closed into it was enough to have her running for the hills— despite the fact she doubted she’d physically be able to even run. He growled. “You wince every time you take a step. You need my help whether you like it or not. Enough nonsense, get in.” Andy had backed away. “I can’t get in a car, I’m sorry.” “What on earth do you mean?” Shame at her weakness burned through her, but Andy knew she couldn’t get into it. She’d tried, over and over again, ever since she’d left the hospital. Panic attacks, they called it, like those words were enough to explain the debilitating terror she felt as soon as the doors shut. She had no choice but to explain. “I don’t drive in cars since my accident. I can’t, there’s just no way.” “Accident?” he’d prompted. “I was in a car wreck a year ago.” “How on earth do you get around then?” he’d asked, gesturing in what looked like annoyance. “How do you expect us to get to my hotel?” Mutely Andy had pointed to the bus stop, and almost comically his face had fallen in disbelief. “You want us to get the bus?” “It’s that or walk.” They’d waited five minutes for the bus, and Andy hadn’t been able to disguise her own disbelief at his agreement. He paid their fares and settled her in one of the front seats, her bag on his lap. Andy was caught in a whirlwind of confusion and shock— unable to understand what was going through Iannou’s mind. “What do you want from me?” she asked again.

He’d pinned her with those wonderfully deep brown eyes and smiled. “You need to get better. That comes before anything else.” “And then?” “And then we will see.” “The money I can’t pay it back all at once….” He shook his head. “Is nothing you need to think about right now, Gataki.” The rest of the journey had been undertaken in silence, though for some reason Andy had been unable to stop herself sneaking little glances in his direction. Despite what must be an odd experience for him—because how often would Iannou use public transport—he hadn’t looked in the least uncomfortable. Once again, her over-frazzled brain had shaken at the sheer attractiveness of him. The man was beautiful. No other word could describe him properly, and bruises or no, Andy’s body reacted to that beauty in a way she did quite understand. She’d wondered if perhaps it was simply down to an extreme lack of sex. It had been what? Well over a year since she’d felt a man inside of her. Even before Pete had done a bunk their relationship had cooled beyond even the prosaic sex they’d always had. She hadn’t understood why back then. Obviously she did now. Maybe she just needed to get laid? She sighed. She didn’t doubt Iannou would be amazing in bed. He had that vibe to him, maybe because of the whole Greek thing. Andy couldn’t imagine him refusing to try anything and despite the complete weirdness of the situation, she felt her nipples harden. Of course he didn’t want her like that. He’d fired her for crike’s sake, had ordered her to his hotel because she owed him. Sure, she was in Iannou’s suite, sinking deeper and deeper into the plush comfort of the bed like some sort of damsel in fucking distress, trying to work out exactly what he wanted— but the only thing she was certain of was that it wasn’t to bend her over and fuck her senseless. Even though you know you want him to…. But what could it be and why did Andy get the feeling she was in for a surprise?

Chapter Eleven

“You have sleeping beauty in the bedroom?” Were the situation any different Alex might have laughed. The shocked expression on George’s face was priceless, and Alex smiled slightly at his friend. “It seemed the most sensible thing to do, and please, stop calling her that.” “How do you work that out that this is the most rational course to take, Alex?” George asked. The disbelief was evident in his voice. “I’m all ears.” Shrugging, Alex removed his suit jacket and loosened his tie. “She wouldn’t go back to the hospital. Refused point blank and I couldn’t leave her there. Honestly, Vre, you should have seen the awfulness of her apartment. Well, it was just the one room so far as I could tell, and a bathroom.” “Yes, but….” “And who was there to take care of her? She’s all beaten up and fragile. I doubt she could have looked after herself. Probably would have gone off to work again were I not there to stop her.” Alex wasn’t quite sure why he felt the need to explain himself to his friend, but the words tumbled from his lips, and he felt like he had to defend his decision. “Alex,” George began, drawing in a deep breath. “You know I don’t say this very often. In fact I may never have said it before, but what the hell is going through your mind?” Alex shifted uncomfortably. “What do you mean?” George grabbed an apple from the bowl on the table and tossed it hand to hand, as if steeling himself. “You met this girl yesterday. During which I might add you fired her, and now a day later you’re scooping her up from her shitty apartment and bringing her here? You don’t even know her. You said you don’t want her so what gives?” Alex frowned, unsure how to explain to his friend something he didn’t even understand himself. “It’s difficult to explain.” “Why not just give her her job back if you’re feeling so guilty about it?” George asked. “Hire someone to look after her in

her apartment, a nurse or something? Pay her medical bills? Any of that I can understand, but to bring her here… Dios Mio, Alex” Alex understood what his friend was getting at. Though far from a saint over the years, Alex had never installed a woman in his home. And the hotel suite, for all intents and purposes, was his home for the next few weeks until the old house was put to rights. Sure, he’d had numerous affairs, countless lovers, but he’d yet to meet the one woman he’d settle down with. Something his Yiayia had grumbled about with her dying breath. Thoughts of his grandmother reminded him of the lost wallet, and he clenched his fists, the anger surging through him again. “I don’t know what’s going on, George, honestly I don’t, but the only thing I can do is run with it. I need her here where I can keep an eye on her. That’s all I’m sure of right now. I couldn’t leave her in that apartment. I just couldn’t.” George dropped the apple on the table and smiled. “Well—” “After all, it’s my fault she was attacked.” “How do you work that out?” Alex scowled. The thoughts that had plagued him on the bloody bus forming now. “I think she walked home because she was worried about money, worried about having enough to pay her bus fare, now that she’d lost her job with us. You were right to think she had money issues. That apartment was beyond awful. A nasty tenement block, with the sort of stairwells I wouldn’t let my worst enemy venture into at night. God knows how she’s managed to keep herself safe for this long.” “She’s not your responsibility, Alexander,” George stated. “Who else is there?” “This isn’t like you. Picking up waifs and strays and though you’ll hate me for saying it I have a nasty suspicion sleeping beauty might be playing you.” “Don’t be ridiculous.” “Look, just bear with me here,” George said, hands up. “Someone has to say it. Alex, you employ me to look out for your best interests, and I’ve always done that have I not?” Alex nodded tightly. “Please do not forget who you are,” George continued. “A multi-millionaire and one of the most eligible bachelors in the

country. I’m sure Miss Jones was beyond eager to accompany you here. Probably in that room now calculating exactly what she can get from this little jaunt. She’s already lost your wallet—or so she says, you’re already several grand down since you met her.” “You’re suggesting she’s lying about the theft?” George shrugged. “She’s beaten black and blue damn it,” Alex argued. “There’s no way someone would let that happen to them to steal a few grand.” “And the ring,” George said. “That’s worth tens of thousands. People have done much worse for much less.” “I don’t believe it,” Alex stated. “She was damn near falling apart when I found her.” “But she came eagerly enough, Vre,” George said. “I had to threaten her to get her here.” The moment the words left Alex’s lips he realized just how bad they sounded. George was right. Alex could have pretty much any woman he wanted, and yet to get the waif under his roof he’d had to resort to threats and bullying. “What?” “She didn’t want to come.” “What the hell did you say to her?” “I…” Alex paused, an unfamiliar flush staining his tanned skin. “I told her she owed me for the lost wallet. That she’d come with me or else.” “Are you fucking serious, Vre?” “I know it sounds bad.” “Friend, it doesn’t sound bad. It is bad. What is it about this girl that’s got you resorting to threats?” “I—” “Jesus Christ,” George whispered, a look of comprehension in his eyes. “You don’t even realize do you?” “What is that supposed to mean?” “Uncle Christos and Aunt Anna?” Alex stiffened at the sound of his parents’ names, knowing exactly what George was hinting at. “Don’t be ridiculous.” “Your father saw your mother once, in the market. A week later they were married. They hadn’t even spoken.”

Alex waved away the words. His whole body thrummed with tension. “Those were the old ways. If you’re even trying to suggest that I’m thinking that way about the waif….” He stopped, unable to find the words to continue. George’s suggestion was ludicrous, not even worth answering. He might not know exactly what was going on but it certainly wasn’t anything like that. It’s the fucking dream driving you, the dream and the guilt, nothing more than that…. “You want her,” George said, and it was not a question. There was no point denying it any longer. Alex did want her. The short ride on the bus had only confirmed that to him what he’d realized in her awful apartment. But it was more than just lust. Alex felt a strange sort of protectiveness towards her. It didn’t make any fucking sense. He hardly knew her! “Yes,” he replied. “And I’m going to have her.” George grinned. “Well, at least you’ve admitted that much. I guess I should be getting that wallet back for you. You’re gonna need it.” “Now hold on a minute,” Alex growled. But George’s grin widened, and he ambled off to the door. “Go, see your sleeping beauty, Vre. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Chapter Twelve

Andy awoke the next morning. For once feeling as though she was fully rested. She stretched beneath the wonderful quilt and almost jumped in shock. Her back felt fine. The ache almost unnoticeable. Bloody hell. Lifting herself up, she winced only slightly from her injuries. She glanced around the lovely room and smiled. It was wonderful to wake up in such surrounding, to take those first moments of the morning without any worry. But, as always in life, the worries didn’t stay at bay for long, and Andy knew she needed answers. Where was Iannou? Where was the maid? For once, Andy’s mind felt clear. The terrible weight of exhaustion gone and she was eager to get up, get dressed, and get things sorted. She headed into the bathroom, relived herself, and opened up one of the toothbrushes. A splash of water on her face later, and she felt almost normal. The bruises looked awful. There was no getting around that, but it was amazing how better everything seemed after a good nights sleep. She could pay Iannou back, surely she could? She needed to find another job. It would mean paying the debts back a little slower but it wasn’t impossible. ,othings impossible, Andy, not after what you’ve been through. It never even occurred to Andy not to pay back the money. To protest that she was attacked and had lost it through no fault of her own. By her thinking it was her fault, she’d lost the wallet. She should have taken more care to protect it. Just like those damn debts were down to her. Andy did not shirk her responsibilities and wasn’t going to start now. I’ll speak to him, he’ll understand. A curious excitement flooded her at the thought of seeing him, and she damped it down. He might well send her home once assured the money would be forthcoming. The thought did not cheer her like it should have done. But then who would willingly swap such surroundings for the awfulness that was her own apartment? She made her way back to the bedroom and opened the closet where the maid stashed her clothes. Once dressed in

joggers and a vest—she had nothing better—Andy picked up her hairbrush, ready to tame the fiery locks. As if he’d been waiting for movement the door opened slowly, almost threateningly, and stood within the frame was Iannou. Andy, lowered the brush, cast her eyes over him and felt her stomach clench. He was so attractive. There was just no getting around that fact. It would all be so much easier if he wasn’t! She desired him, wanted him in a way she had wanted a man since Pete, and that made losing his wallet, and falling asleep on the job all the more all the embarrassing. She didn’t want him to think badly of her. “You look rested,” he said, gesturing her forward. “Come and eat and you’ll feel even better.” “I wanted to talk to you,” Andy said, biting her lip against the effects of that voice. It was deep and honeyed and to her horror she could feel her nipples hardening. Crossing her arms over her chest, Andy looked down at the floor. “To explain about the wallet, to discuss paying it back.” “We can talk while you eat,” he said. “Aren’t you hungry?” “Always,” she said, then snapped her mouth shut. She’d answered without thinking and, damn it, she sounded like a freaking urchin. “Then come.” Andy was starving, and the thought of filling her belly was enough to override the nerves. She pictured herself like a camel, chugging down enough food to keep her going for the next few days once she returned to her apartment. Following him out of the bedroom, down the hall and into a large dining room her eyes widened at the sight. Breakfast, lots of it, was laid out on the table, and her stomach rumbled audibly. She blushed and sat down. “Help yourself.” Andy hadn’t seen so much food in ages. Piles of bacon and eggs and toast. She placed some on her plate, careful not to take too much and look like a pig. “More,” he said. Andy looked up and blushed again. “Excuse me?”

“You need more than that. Your body is healing it needs fuel to do so. I want you to pile up your plate, and you will not leave the table until you’ve cleared it.” Dear God, he’s so high-handed! Despite wanting to do exactly what he said Andy shot him a glare. “Stop ordering me around, Mr. Iannou. I’m not a child.” He smiled, a wicked curve of his lips. “It’s Alexander, and clearly someone needs to order you around. You don’t seem capable of looking after yourself.” “How dare you—” “Though of course, I’d have to be blind to not realize that you are indeed all woman,” he added. A blush shot through her body, and Andy looked down at her plate, her heart racing a little bit too fast. “Andrea, it would please me to see you eat your fill. We can talk after.” Her stomach rumbled again, and Andy stabbed a rasher of bacon forcefully, before popping it in her mouth. She almost moaned from the taste and before long was doing exactly as he wanted, not even sure why pleasing him sounded good to her. On any other day Andy would have felt embarrassed scoffing her way through so much in front of someone she barely knew, but the hunger she’d lived with for so long overriding any nerves she felt. Camel it up. Once her plate was clear and her stomach groaning from the amount of food she’d stuffed in it, Andy sat back on her chair and asked the question plaguing her mind. “Why did you bring me here?” Alex picked up his coffee mug and took a look swallow before answering her. “You are injured. You need to rest.” “I know that but I’m not your responsibility.” Just spit it out, Andy. The sooner you get this cleared up…. “You can be truthful with me. I see what’s going on.” Raising his eyebrows, Alex leaned forward. “You do?” Andy nodded. “The money and the ring. I know you were upset about them, and again, I’m so sorry. I want to assure you that you don’t need to keep me here. I’ll pay you back every single penny. It’ll take a little bit of time, but maybe I could work

out a payment plan with you of some kind?” Maybe he’d even give her a job, if she promised him to never fall asleep again? “You think I want you to pay me back for the contents of a wallet that someone else stole?” he asked. “You said I owed you,” Andy replied, not understanding the anger in his voice. “That I had to come because I owed you for the money and the ring.” A tanned hand slashed the air in front of them, and he growled. “It was the only way to make you come. To look after you. Of course I do not hold you responsible for the actions of a thief.” Andy didn’t understand. He doesn’t want the money back? A weight felt like it had been lifted and yet at the same time confusion flooded her. “But why do you care if I’m injured? You don’t even know me. And why did you make me come here if you don’t want me to return the money?” He stood up and walked around the table before bending down on his heels in front of her. Without warning he reached out and took one of her hands in his. Andy gaped, shock at his actions filling her. That strange spark once again playing across her skin. What the hell is he doing? Alex looked up, his eyes finding her bewildered ones. “I’m no good at being subtle, Gatika. It’s always best I find to be straight with someone.” Andy nodded mutely, unsure what to say, excitement racing across every single part of her body. “So I’ll be honest with you and let the chips fall where they may.” He paused for a moment and squeezed her trapped hand. “I want you, Andrea, and it is my intention to have you.”

Chapter Thirteen

Alex wasn’t sure if the shock on Andy’s face was a good thing or not. Perhaps he should have been less blunt? But that was never his way, and he doubted he’d know how to be even if he tried. “I—” She opened her mouth and then closed it again. “You want me? He cast his eyes over her flushed features and felt his gut clench. She was, as George had said, stunning. So stunning he hadn’t been able to stop himself making his way around the table to her. Sure, he’d thought about waiting a couple of days, but Alex was the sort of man to go after what he wanted when he wanted it, and he wanted Andy—as soon as possible. Alex pulled her other hand forth, until both were clamped between his. Her hands, he noted with satisfaction, were tiny, completely enveloped within his own. She was so delicate and small, he wanted to scoop her up and wrap her in his arms. Though, maybe, it was too soon for that, she still looked a little shocked. “I want you in my bed, Andrea,” he said slowly. Making sure she understood every single word. Color flooded her face and that satisfied Alex. He was a primitive sort of man where his women were concerned and he made no apologies for that. He liked to do the chasing, and he liked the women he chased to be bashful about it. Nothing turned him off more than an over-eager woman, not till he had her in his bed at least. “I don’t know what to say,” she whispered, looking down at their hands. Alex gave them a little squeeze and smiled. “I would like to spend the next few days with you, Andrea, making you well again. Feeding you up, spoiling you.” She lifted her gaze and met his. Shock stabbed him again. The same sort of feeling he’d felt when he found out her name. Now that she was rested, and despite the bruises marring her features, Alex could finally see the brilliance of her eyes, and an odd feeling fizzled through him.

They were green, emerald green…just like grandmother’s ring. “You want me to stay here with you? Andy asked. “In your hotel until I’m well again, and then...” He nodded, dampening down the strange feeling. “And then I would like us to be intimate.” She shivered. He could see it, and bit down on her lip—the side that was not split. “Alexander,” she began, “I’m flattered, of course I am. But I’m not sure how it works in rich people’s worlds. Maybe like you’ve just said, but in my world, normal people’s world it’s not like that.” What does she mean? “I don’t understand.” “People don’t just tell one another that they want to be intimate!” she said. “They go on dates. They get to know one another. Then when they’re comfortable together, once they feel like they’re ready they get…erm…intimate. You now, start a relationship.” “I see.” She expected to be courted? That thought caused a spike of panic to surge through Alex’s body. He hadn’t courted a woman in years and had no intention of doing so now. He wanted sleeping beauty, but in his bed, not with a ring on her finger— despite George’s nonsense ideas. Courting was for the woman he’d eventually have to marry, not the woman who he wanted to bed, the woman he wanted to make, what? What exactly did he want her to be? “I don’t think I’ve been clear in my intentions, Gatika,” he said, his thoughts crystallizing, satisfaction filling him. It was so obvious now. Almost like he’d known it the moment he’d seen her sleeping. And it made sense, explaining his odd reaction to her, the dream, the desire—he should have realized. She shook her head. “You keep saying that, but I don’t know what that means.” “It means kitten.” A small smile curved her perfect little lips, and Alex’s heart gave a thud, followed swiftly by his cock hardening. He shifted uncomfortably, aware that it would be some days before she would be ready for him. He cursed the unknown assailant again. Alex wanted to bury himself in her, knew, without even knowing why, that she’d be so tight. He’d have to be gentle with

her, coax her and encourage her. But the reward! It would be more than worth it, to feel the tight walls of her pussy welcoming him, milking him…he shuddered inwardly, such thoughts were not helping. “I want to be perfectly honest with you,” he said. “So that you understand what role I see for you.” She looked up at him, that small smile still in evidence, a becoming flush staining her cheeks. “Okay.” “I understand that we have not known each other for long,” he began. “That this seems very fast, but I won’t lie to you, Andrea. I desire you most intensely. Such desire, such swift desire is very rare for me.” And it was. Alex could count maybe a handful of women who he’d felt so intrigued by. Though he’d never virtually kidnapped one before. “Perhaps that is why I am acting on it in such a rapid manner?” he mused. “I’ve thought about you constantly since we met. Not an auspicious beginning I know, but I can make up for that. I want to make up for it, because it is clear to me what I want, what I need.” “I don’t understand,” she whispered. And smiling, anticipating her reaction, Alex explained. “I want you to become my mistress.”

Chapter Fourteen

Mistress. The word burned Andy’s brain, and she felt her jaw drop. Was he even serious? Did men still ask women to be their freaking mistresses? Jesus Christ, what world did Alex live in? “Before you say anything,” Alex added. “Let me explain the benefits of this arrangement to you. So you understand what it will mean.” Benefits? Arrangement? Andy gaped. He talked about it like a business agreement. Like he was trying to negotiate his way into her bed. Disbelief filled her at his words, but at the same time excitement clawed its way up her spine. Alex wanted her, just like she wanted him. It was unbelievable. “Are you even serious?” she whispered. She wasn’t sure if she was asking whether he was sure he wanted her or if the whole mistress thing was for real. “Completely.” The excitement increased and tingly sensation began to spread out from her pussy, but again it was coupled with a growing unease. She got the whole mistress thing. She wasn’t stupid. She understood what it meant. He wanted to fuck her— clearly more than once. But mistress also meant something else. It meant an ongoing sexual liaison, nada anything else. Theirs would not be a relationship with any kind of emotional attachment. Why did that thought bother her? It wasn’t as if she’d expected him to declare undying freaking love. They hardly knew one another. Perhaps because it was so far from her comfort zone? In her world men did not go around asking women to be their mistresses. They had relationships, or one night stands. By asking this of her, Alex was suggesting something she had no experience of, and that thought scared her. “Andrea, I will look after you,” he said, squeezing her cold hands. “For as long as our arrangement lasts I will keep you safe. There will be no need to return to that awful apartment. You will stay here with me. I will spoil you like you should be spoiled, treat you like a princess. No one will ever hurt you again. I will not let them.”

For as long as our arrangement lasts…. Andy felt suddenly, and wearyingly sorry for herself. She understood that men were able to separate their emotions from sex, but part of her wondered what exactly about her screamed mistress material not girlfriend. Was she destined to spend the rest of her life dealing with men who didn’t want the one thing she would so happily give? “I’ll pleasure you, Andrea,” he added. “In ways you’ve never been pleasured before.” She fidgeted on her chair. The pity party replaced by a jolt of desire. What good had being a girlfriend ever done for her? Maybe she was looking at this all wrong? Heat raced from the spot their hands touched right down to her pussy. Alex, for some reason Andy couldn’t even fathom, wanted her, and God knows she wanted him back. This was so unexpected and what more could she realistically expect? “Night after night.” Mere inches separated them and, despite her internal battle, Andy was overcome with a desire to lean forward and take his lips in hers. Jesus Christ. She shivered again at his words, thrilling in them. Alex wants you… Dear God…. But to jump into the sort of relationship Alex was suggesting? Andy wasn’t sure if she was strong enough for it, not emotionally at least. She’d only just recovered from Pete’s damage, to open herself up to someone like Alex? It would be dangerous in the extreme, and Andy did not want any more stress in her life. She was already past her limit. And Alex? She knew. Had perhaps known from the moment their eyes had locked across her bag, that he was not the sort of man any woman could take lightly. He was too beautiful, too forceful. Andy knew she wouldn’t be able to keep her emotions out of the equation. Mistresses weren’t supposed to have emotional ties were they? To be intimate with a man and not feel anything for him? That was something Andy couldn’t imagine. You’ll end up hurt…. But then what other options were open to her? Another five years of the sort of nasty pace she put herself through? Or working non-stop and finding no joy in anything? Maybe the hurt would be worth it? To feel alive and excited for just a little while….

Andy took a deep breath and wrapped her arms around herself. Ninety percent wanted to say yes. The part that longed to be really taken by a man and to feel something beyond the everyday mundane, wanted to beg Alex to bend her over the table and pound her senseless. But the other ten percent, the part that remembered the hurt she’d felt with Pete and worried over the emotions, wanted to run as fast as possible. “And when the time comes for us to part, I’ll ensure you are left comfortable,” he continued. “They’ll be no need for you to stack shelves again.” And there’s your mistress role “benefits.” Pulling her hands from his, Andy made to stand up, wincing ever so slightly as she did so. Realization hit her and she was shocked by the stab of disappoint it brought. There it was. The reason she could never do what he asked. She had debts to pay, and a job to find to pay them. The “job” Alex was describing would not do that. Desire or no she could not say yes. People are waiting for their money, Andy. Once again you have no fucking choice. He straightened and moved aside for her, a concerned look on his face. “Andy?” “I don’t even know what to say,” she began. How could she explain the truth to him? “Tell me what you are thinking, Gatika,” he said. “I don’t even know what I’m thinking,” Andy whispered. How to fess up without dying of embarrassment or rallying against fate for the millionth time? “You probably wouldn’t want to hear it even if I did.” “Of course I would. Didn’t I tell you I think we should be honest? I have no time nor patience for games.” “I don’t think I can be your mistress, Alex. I’m sorry.” “Dios…what? Why?” He looked so shocked Andy almost wanted to laugh. She wondered if anyone had ever turned him down before and doubted it. “A mistress? It’s just not me,” she said softly, because she knew then and there that she couldn’t tell him the truth. He growled. Hands splayed wide. “Andrea, I’m talking about a relationship between two consenting adults. Explain exactly why that isn’t you?” She shook her head. “It’s just not."

“I’ll treat you like the delicate louloudi you are,” he promised. “I’m making you an offer here that we’ll both benefit from. It’ll solve all your problems. You won’t have to work two jobs, live in an awful area, worry about money, or paying me back anything. I thought that would make you happy. All debts between us will be settled.” Andy gasped. Blood rushed to her head as the meaning of his words hit her, slamming her like a freight train. “You don’t mean….” He reached out to stroke her arm. A smile curved his perfect lips. “Yes, you will live here with me, Andy. Anything you need I will give you. The wallet will no longer matter.” Dear God. The reason he’d brought her to his hotel. All debts will be settled. Only they wouldn’t, damn it, and he didn’t get that! She shuddered and told herself it couldn’t be true. Yet it so obviously was. “You expect me to sleep with you to pay off the debt?” Shock, swiftly followed by anger glinted in his eyes. “I did not mean that. I meant—” “You’re a piece of work, Alex,” she interrupted, her anger flaring. Of all the outrageous…. She had more than just his debt to pay! Before she could say, think anything else, or even protest, he pulled her into his arms. Andy winced as their bodies made contact, but even with the pain she felt a strange sort of hum go through her. His body was hard against hers and wrapped in his arms, she felt as delicate and fragile as the flower he’d called her. She could feel his heat enveloping her, the musky smell of his skin filling her, and despite her outrage Andy felt her nipples harden and moisture pool between her legs. Desire pulsed between them, and Andy sucked in a shocked breath. What the hell is wrong with me? One moment she was outraged, the next she felt herself almost melting against him. The opposing debts, opposing desires pulling and twisting at her. “No,” she whispered. To him, to herself, she wasn’t sure. “If you thinking that is what it takes to get you into my bed, Andrea,” he gritted. His voice laced with steel. “For you to submit, that’s what it will be.”

“Alex,” she gasped. “You can’t mean that.” Though part of her, maybe even the ninety percent, hoped otherwise. He didn’t answer. He simply lowered his lips to hers and with that, the first touch of his lips, ninety percent turned to a hundred.

Chapter Fifteen

Despite a small part of his brain urging him to take things slowly, Alex took her lips like a starving man. He coaxed her mouth open and plunged his tongue in, caressing the inner aspect of her lips. Desire shot through him, almost sending him dizzy, and he gripped her even closer. She gave a small moue and belatedly he remembered her bruised body and split lip. Pulling himself back he slowed, kissing her with an unhurried, sensual rhythm, his hands stroking carefully around her delicate waist. His cock was solid, straining at his pants, desperate for relief, and he pressed Andy’s body closer to his. He wanted her so badly. There could be no question of that, not any more. Watching her wolf down her food, it had taken everything in him not to pull her across the table, peel off those awful joggers, and bury himself in her tight pussy. So she didn’t want to be his mistress? Fine, he’d take her anyway. He’d seen the desire in her eyes, seen the way her nipples hardened in his presence. She was kidding no one but herself. If she needed to protest a little, sharpen her kitten claws on him? He’d let her, gladly. So he had to threaten her a little. What the hell was new? He’d felt like the lowest of the low ever since he’d seen her huddled up in her pitiful excuse of a bed. She couldn’t make him feel any worse, only better. He’d make them both feel better. He deepened the kiss, a primitive growl building in him. She’s injured. He knew it but he didn’t care. He lowered his hands from her waist to cup her tiny ass. The cheeks fit within each of his palms, and he squeezed them. One finger brushed the inside of her thigh. Andy shivered in his arms, and he thrust his tongue into her mouth. Desire raged, his cock pulsing, his balls about to explode. Leaving her lips, he kissed her bruised cheek before finding the sensitive hollow at the base of her throat. She arched in his arms to give him access and exultation hit him. She wanted him as he wanted her—just as he’d suspected. He would take her now, there was no choice. I’ll be gentle, I’ll go slow….

He scooped her into his arms and strode back in the direction of the bedroom. “Alexander? What are you doing?” she screeched. Hearing his name on her lips, gave him a strange thrill. “What I should have done the moment I found you in those cardboard boxes.” “You don’t understand,” she shrieked. “I can’t be your mistress!” He dropped her down on the bed where she squeaked before scrambling up to the headboard. “Fine. You won’t be my mistress.” “Then what the hell are you doing?” His gaze zeroed in on her stiffened nipples. “I’m going to fuck you. Fuck you senseless, Andrea, by the time I’ve finished you won’t know the word ‘no’ any more.” Her eyes widened at his words and she shivered. “Alex it is not that simple....” “Your response says otherwise, Gatika, I felt you shiver in my arms. Felt you press yourself against me. Why fight it?” “But—” “Say you don’t want me and I’ll leave the room,” he said. It was a gamble. One he didn’t want to make, but he had to give her the option—raging desire or no. “I—” He raised an eyebrow and stalked towards her. “What?” “I—” “You can’t say it because you want me to fuck you,” he said, satisfaction filling him. “You want me to take those nipples in my mouth, fill you with my cock.” She shook her head but did not deny him. He lowered himself on the bed, pulling her under him. Her eyes darted left to right, her tongue peeking out to moisten her lips. The sight of that was enough to undo any control Alex might have had left. In one swift motion, he lifted her bra and vest over her head and took a nipple in his mouth. The moment it touched his tongue, he groaned. It puckered against him and sucked it in, lavishing his tongue across her areola. “Alex….”

She said his name like a caress. Her hips bucking beneath him, and he reached out, taking the other hardened bud in his fingers. Giving it the same attention. His free hand moved down her body, pulling the waistband of her joggers over her pelvis. He looked up, finding her gaze, seeing the heat within their limpid pools. And slowly, so she could have no doubt of his intentions, he began to kiss down her belly. Smiling wickedly all the way. “You won’t…” she whispered. So of course he did. **** Oh. My. God. Andy watched in a sort of mute fascination as Alex made his way down her body, peppering her with little kisses on the way. What the hell am I doing? The thought came to her but she had absolutely no answer to give. She felt like she’d stepped into a dream, and like in a dream, she had no control over events—no choice but to just go with the flow. Alex trailed his tongue over her hip bone, and she shivered. “You won’t….” He smiled again and tugged her joggers down her legs, before throwing them in a heap on the floor. Andy lay in front of him in just her black panties. It didn’t take long before embarrassment flooded her. She made to cover up her skinny body but he pushed her hands away. “You are so pretty, Gatika. You must never hide that from me.” “We shouldn’t do this,” she groaned but he silenced her with another tug on one puckered nipple. “Alex....” He licked his way down her hip and across the top of her panties. “We desire one another, Andrea.” Yes, they did. How on earth could she deny that? She’s wanted him from the moment their eyes met across her bag. And though the knowledge of the debts weighed on her Andy wasn’t sure she could stop this. He tugged on the top of her panties, and moisture exploded between her legs, drenching her. Her entire pelvis ached to be touched, her pussy twitching to be filled. Would it really hurt to

have sex with him just this one time? It would be like scratching an itch wouldn’t it? Nothing more than that. Like a one night stand? She could leave straight after and go back to the long hard slog ahead of her. Alex need never know the truth. Sure he might think she was “paying her debt,” but she’d know differently. She could forget herself, forget everything for just a few hours in his arms, finally have the sort of sex she’d always imagined, always hoped for. Once the decision was made Andy arched her hips, the invitation clear. He smiled in response and pulled her panties off in one swift movement. Andy barely had time to register the action before he parted her legs, and without so much as a build up, took her aching clit into his mouth. “Ooo.” Shock at his actions filled her, and Andy gasped. Pete did not like oral sex, and despite the very odd occasion Andy had never gotten any. She’d dreamt about it often, and now Alex was actually giving it to her! No, Pete might not have liked it but Alex however, she looked down, yes, Alex seemed to love it. He hands held her in place, growls of pleasure coming from him as he lavished attention on her engorged clit. “Yes, Alex….” Lost in a haze of sensation, Andy fell back on the bed, hands above her head, clutching the edges of the pillow. She felt his fingers rubbing along her folds, searching for the wet opening to her quivering pussy. It didn’t take him long to find, and Andy felt one, then two fingers enter her. “So tight….” His fingers moved in time with the lashing of his tongue, and sensations the likes of which Andy had only fantasized about filled her. Whimpering, she pushed against his hand, desperate for the aching desire to be filled. “Please, Alex, please.” He lifted himself up. Fingers still buried inside her. “Please what, Andy, what do you want?” “Fuck me,” she said, using his words. He smiled and slowly pulled his fingers from her. Standing up, he undressed swiftly, pulling a small packet from his pocket as he did so, and Andy’s eyes widened as he stood in front of her… like some sort of Greek fucking God.

His body was as magnificent as she’d known it would be, all hard muscles covered in a dusting of curly black hair. And his cock, the ache intensified as her eyes found it. Long and thick it seems to pulse in front of her, hardening even farther. “Oh God….” “I’m going to fuck you all night long, Andrea. I’m going to make you scream until you’re hoarse.” And she nodded, the ache becoming unbearable, because she didn’t doubt that he would. **** Alex took his cock in his hand and pumped it in front of her. Her eyes widened even farther, her mouth falling open. He’d have liked nothing better to feel those lips around him, but mindful of her split lip Alex decided to leave that particular pleasure for another time. Besides he was desperate to get inside of her. He could taste her on his lips still, the delicate scent that was all Andy, and it was driving him crazy. “Spread your legs,” he demanded, continuing to rub his cock. She complied immediately, her legs shaking in front of him. Undoing the wrapper, he pulled a condom free and rolled it over his stiffened cock. Then, settling between her creamy thighs, Alex gripped the base of his shaft and guided it towards her pussy. She writhed beneath him, and even before he entered her he could feel her wetness dripping on his head. Gritting his teeth, he plunged his cock in and almost came right there and then from the sensation. God, she was tight. As tight as he’d suspected. He doubted she’d had even a handful of men in her time. She moaned as he withdrew and moaned again as he filled her. “Faster,” she whispered. “Please, Alex, faster.” Hands either side of her body, he increased the speed. Sliding in and out of her sopping pussy, again and again. His balls ached form the pressure, the need to come overwhelming him. ,ot before she does…. Leaning back on his haunches, Alex wrapped one of her legs around his shoulder, opening her up to him. She screamed as he fucked her as deep as he possibly could, his finger rubbing her clit in fast little motions. “Come for me, Andy, let that pussy milk me.” “I don’t… I can’t…” she moaned.

He slammed his cock in, their bodies slapping against one another, whilst his other hand found a nipple and squeezed. In tandem, he rubbed, squeezed, and plunged. All the while gritting his teeth to hold back the orgasm that was overwhelming him. “Alex!” she screamed. “I think I’m going to….” And then her whole body pulsed around him. He could feel her tight little pussy squeezing him, wetness dripping over his fingers and his cock, and in that moment he could hold back no more. He let out a guttural yell as his own orgasm exploded. His hot cum filling the condom, on and on. Spent he lay against her, breath ragged, pants filling the silence. “Oh my God,” she whispered. He couldn’t help but agree.

Chapter Sixteen

Andy found herself humming as she got dressed, an odd little tune she hadn’t remembered in ages. She felt wonderful. No more than that, she felt amazing. Who knew orgasms could feel like that? Smiling as she tied her shoes, Andy thought again about Alexander’s tongue on her clit. She’d never imagined such sensations, and his cock? She shivered. Whoever said size didn’t matter had lied. Alex’s was long and thick and filled her completely, giving her an orgasm the likes of which she’d never felt before. She recalled the strange flutterings she’d felt with Pete. They didn’t even compare and Andy found herself wondering if they’d even been orgasms. It didn’t matter now. She’d never see Pete again, whilst Alex…. Picking up the brush, Andy admitted that she was beginning to reconsider her “one time only” idea. Already, only a few hours since Alex had left her sated in the bed, Andy craved him again. His complete lack of embarrassment or apology helped. He’d dropped a kiss on her forehead, stroked down her arm, and smiled. Then he’d left to do whatever he’d been planning before she’d awoke. “Later, kitten,” he promised, and Andy clenched at the thought. Would it be so wrong to spend a little more time with him? To give into the ache she could already feel building? Yes, it was true that he’d sort of blackmailed her into bed but Andy knew that she’d never have gone along with it if she didn’t want him back. If anything Alex’s stupid statement about “paying her debts” had given her the freedom to do what she’d wanted to do since he’d picked up her tampon. She couldn’t be his mistress of course. She had a real job to do but maybe they could see each other now and then? Like fuck buddies? And yeah, the emotion issue was still a problem, but maybe it was time to toughen up? After all, where had being sappy gotten her in the past? Nowhere is where. Nowhere besides a pile of debts, an aching back, shit sex, and a battered heart.

Alex fired her, blackmailed her, and ridden rough shed over all her protests—if she remembered that she’d be able to keep a tight lid on any sappiness, wouldn’t she? She could enjoy his amazing bed skills and astonishing orgasms. Already after only one her entire outlook was more positive. The niggling ache in her back was gone, even her ribs stopped hurting, and her lip— she ran a finger along it—was healing nicely—would be as good as new before the week was out. More than that, Andy felt so relaxed. Sure the debts niggled at her. Didn’t they always? But for once, they’d faded to a sort of background hum rather than a prominent scream. Tying her hair into a swift braid, Andy imagined returning to the suite after she finished work. Alex would probably be in bed, waiting for her. Could she be bold enough to crawl into bed and ride him? God knows she’d always wanted to try it. Images filled her head, and Andy shuddered. She grabbed her bag and set off to the suite door, filthy thoughts filling her mind. Alex burying his head between her legs again. Alex pinching her nipples. Alex making her take his cock into her mouth, filling her throat with cum. Where such wanton ideas came from Andy didn’t know but she wanted to do all those things with him and more…. “Where do you think you’re going?” Andy turned to see Alex leaning against the sitting room doorframe. His trousers hung low on his hips. His shirt open to reveal his tanned chest. With his shirt sleeves rolled up and his inky hair in slight disarray, Andy sighed. He was so fucking handsome. She wanted to sink to her knees and beg him to fuck her mouth. He’s turning you into a total whore. Why did that thought excite her? Surely she should be outraged? “To work.” He growled. “Andy. Did you not understand the whole mistress thing?” Raising one eyebrow, Andy shot him a dark look. “I said I didn’t want to be your mistress.” “Your mouth did, kitten, but your body didn’t. Not when I was balls deep in it.” Andy blushed, heat travelling all over her body. “I’m not mistress material.”

He stalked forward, and Andy’s pussy drenched her pants. Fuck. “You will be. Another few days in my bed, and you’ll never want to leave it,” he said. “Be honest with me, kitten, are you saying you don’t want me to take you again?” Decision time. Andy clutched her bag and tried to think around the arousal clouding her mind. Once had not been enough. She could admit that. She wanted him again, wanted to feel his thick length pounding into her. And, though it embarrassed her to admit it, she wanted to try all the things with him she’d never got to with Pete. Alex would give her, do to her whatever she wanted—Andy simply knew that to be true. But mistress? No, she was as set on that as she had been earlier. Andy could not be a kept woman, absolutely not. But there was nothing at all stopping her from being his lover. Other women did it. Other woman took men for just one night. Why couldn’t she do it too? Playing the girlfriend had done nothing but make her unhappy. Maybe it was time to play the vamp? “I do want you to,” she said and blushed. Fucking hell, Andy, vamps don’t blush! Clearly it was going to take a bit of practice. “Then get back into the bedroom.” “I have work to do, Alex.” “Yes you do. On your back with your legs wide open.” Jesus Christ. Somewhere, underneath the thick arousal pumping through her body, Andy thought she should feel indignant. After all, Alex was talking to her like some sort of slut. But she didn’t feel that at all, she felt empowered and sexy and wanton. It was a heady combination. “Or maybe on top riding me?” he asked, and Andy’s nipples turned to rock under her top. He smiled, a wicked, predatory sort of smile and Andy clutched her bag even tighter. You have to go to work Andy, work, work. But maybe just for once, for the first time in a whole year, she could take the night off? She had been assaulted, was still a little tender. The money loss would be a problem but maybe for one night she could forget the debts, and the constant toil. She could just sink into Alex’s arms and have more explosive orgasms. Just this one time….

Quivering slightly, Andy dropped her bag. He stalked the final distance between them and took her into his arms, lifted her up, wrapping her legs around his waist. “I’m going to fuck you so hard you won’t be able to get out of bed again. In fact now that I think about, Andrea, that seems the most sensible thing to do.” “What? Leave me sated so I can’t move?” He nodded. “This is just for tonight, Alex,” she insisted. “Tomorrow I go back to my own place and back to work. I only have the one job now, you know. I can’t afford to lose that, too.” He laughed and squeezed her ass. “You need another job, I’ll give you one.” Nuzzling his neck, she smiled. “On my back? Didn’t I already turn that down?” In reply he took her into the sitting room and dropped her on the sofa, before stripping his shirt off. “Tell me what you want, Andy.” “I want….” Dear God was she brave enough to say it? To ask him to do what she’d always fantasized about? “Tell me,” he encouraged. “There is nothing between us that is off limits, okay? If it pleases you then it will please me.” Andy clenched her hands. “I thought a mistress was supposed to pleasure her man however he asks?” “But you’re not my mistress, Andy,” he reminded her. “You turned me down. Right now we’re lovers, and I need to keep you so satisfied you never want to try and sneak off to work again.” “Then I want to taste you.” He unzipped his pants and freed his cock. It sprung out, so thick, so hard, and Andy swallowed in anticipation. “Say it how you’ve thought it,” he said. Come on, Andy. This is what you want—tell him! Be the vamp you’ve always wanted to be. “I want you to fuck my mouth. Fuck it and fill me with your cum.” “Your lip?” “Is fine.” “And these?” He palmed his balls, a drop of pre-cum forming on his head. “I want to lick those, too.”

Eyes blazing with heat, Alex stepped out of his trousers, showing her everything she wanted. “Your wish, sleeping beauty, is my command.”

Chapter Seventeen

Alex gritted his teeth as Andy took him in her hand. She looked so shy, so hesitant, yet underneath all of that Alex could see a determination in her eyes, an excitement which said quite clearly that she wanted to do this. Wanted it and was planning to have it. The thought excited him like nothing else. She’d surprised him at all turns. Refusing his offer to become his mistress, allowing him to fuck her, and now, to do this? It was all Alex could do not to come there and then, before she’d even so much as sucked him. Slowly, her hand curled around his girth, fingers not even meeting. She pumped his cock up and down, just like he had in front of her, before reaching out and running her tongue over his tip. “You taste all salty,” she said. “You don’t like it?” She shook her head. “No, I like it a lot. I want to feel all of it, Alex. I want you to come down my throat.” If possible, Alex hardened even more at her words. His little kitten had a dirty streak, one he suspected she was just discovering. He felt so fucking lucky. “Take me into your mouth,” he told her. She did leaning forward before wrapping her pouty little lips around him. The feel of that mouth was amazing, and Alex clenched his fists, desperately trying for control. She bobbed her head up and down, not able to take more than an inch of him in. It was enough. He could feel her little tongue sweeping across his slit, whilst her mouth caressed his tip. He rocked his hips back and forth, pushing a little bit more in each time. She groaned around him and reached out to cup his heavy sacks. He found himself moaning and rocking a little faster. God, he wanted to fill her entire mouth with his cock, but it was impossible. She wasn’t big enough, and her lip was still sore.

Pulling out, he tilted her chin and almost came undone at the desire he could see in her eyes. “Turn around, bend over the couch, your pants around your knees.” Excitement fizzled between them, and she rushed to obey him. Bending over the couch, she turned to look at him, suddenly a little shy. Alex smiled and lifted her skirt, before pulling her pants down—just as he’d asked. She sucked in a shocked breath and pushed her little ass out. Alex didn’t even think before burying himself in her—to the hilt. “Oh God….” she breathed. He gripped her hips and pounded into her, balls slapping against her. He couldn’t pound enough. Her wet tightness gripped him, her juices flooding down his cock before drenching her balls. He was going to come, he knew it, but it was too soon. Where the hell had his much vaunted stamina gone? “Rub your clit,” he growled. “No… Alex… I can’t,” she whispered. “Rub it!” She whimpered and slipped a hand down her front. “Rub it fast, Andy, come around me.” She moaned, and he felt the rhythm of her hand. It was too much, and he gritted his teeth, desperate to keep just a little bit of control. She had to come soon. He couldn’t hold out. Keeping one hand on her hip, he took the other and rubbed a finger against her puckered hole. “Alex,” she shrieked. “Oh, God, no, don’t do that.” Ignoring her plea he circled the rim, all the while pounding into her wet pussy. Careful, mindful of her inexperience, he didn’t slip his finger in, just teased the outer edges. “Oh. My. God!” Her scream pierced the air. Her pussy clenched him with unbelievable force and it was all Alex needed. He let out a hoarse cry and pumped himself into her, letting loose the most incredible orgasm he’d ever felt, filling her up with his seed. She whimpered underneath him. Her head falling prone on the tip of the couch, her hand dropping. Minutes passed, and they both just paused, both panting with satisfaction and sated desire.

Eventually it was Andy who broke the silence. “Alex, what did you do?” she whispered. “It was just….” “Incredible?” Alex finished. She laughed, a slightly shy, little laugh but one all the same. “You…” she began. But Alex didn’t really hear her next words, because though sated beyond belief, reality was coming back, and it occurred to him then what he should have realized the moment it had or rather hadn’t happened. He’d forgotten to use a condom.

Chapter Eighteen

Andy curled up next to Alex, drifting in and out of a sated sort of haze. She’d expected him to pull up his pants and leave her to it after he’d come, but instead he’d scooped her into his arms, lain her down on the bed, and buried his face in her pussy. He’d licked her for so long Andy thought she might go mad from it, before pounding her again, over and over, both on her back and her hands and knees. Even now she could feel his cock, still semi-erect, moving against her ass, and knew it wouldn’t be long before he demanded her, again. The man was fucking insatiable. He gripped her hip and pulled her a little closer, and Andy sighed. It was a strange situation to lie next to a man again— waiting to be taken, more than that to be pulled against one unable to move. Andy wasn’t sure how she felt about it. Tiny aftershocks still fizzed through her body, and she was kind of flabbergasted by Alex’s sexual maneuvers. Never had she ever imagined doing that, and she couldn’t help but wonder what else he had up his sleeve, or how much further he planned to push her. More than the crazy thoughts doing a three sixty and back again in her brain Andy was uncomfortably aware of the heat of Alex’s body, the musky smell of his skin and the feel of his breath in her hair. She tried to recall if she’d ever felt that way with Pete but if she had she couldn’t remember it. The main thing on her mind when they’d fallen into bed had been sleep. “Andrea?” What was he thinking she wondered? Did he find it as odd lying next to her as she found it lying next to him? Or was he well used to this, a different woman in every city? He was Greek after all. They were reputed to be quite filthy. And weren’t you just as filthy yourself… “Yes?” “Tell me something about yourself.” Shock stabbed her, and Andrea froze. “What do you want to know?” she asked, slowly. She felt him shrug against her. “Whatever you want to tell me.”

“Erm….” What could she tell him? Nothing came to mind and Andy shifted slightly. “I’m not sure what to say.” “How many men have there been in your life?” Andy laughed, a little hysterically, and lifted up to turn and look at him. “Alex, are you seriously asking me to give you the whole history thing?” He growled and squeezed her hip. “Why not? I’m entitled to ask am I not?” This was getting a little too close to the whole more-thana-good-fuck-scenario Andy had worried about, and her overwhelming thought was to put some distance between them. Lying next to one another, about as intimate as they could possibly get, she knew it would be so easy to start romanticizing everything. Andy couldn’t help it. That was her personality. Vamp it out, Andy. Vamp it up! “Don’t be silly, Alex. You don’t want to know that really.” “Yes, I do.” Andy frowned. “What if I told you there’s been a hundred.” “I’d know you were lying. You’re far too tight for there to have been that many men.” Blushing, Andy looked away from him. Why did men always want there to have been few men in their woman’s life? Not that she was Alex’s woman of course. Still, it was like the default mechanism. Not for one moment did Andy think there was any more to it than that. And it wasn’t like she wanted to know Alex’s history. They’d probably be here all week. “It’s none of your business,” she said. “So I can fuck you silly but not ask a simple question?” Andy shifted again, a blush travelling over her body. This was not going the way she wanted. How could she explain to Alex that the only way for her to deal with this, their weird sexual desire, was to keep it as emotionally detached as possible. Asking those sort of “date questions” was not going to do that. “Erm….” Alex lifted himself up so that he loomed over her. “Here’s another one then,” he said, a strange undercurrent in his voice. “How about you tell me why you’re so hard up. Why you have to work two jobs and still live in such a shitty apartment. We pay

well. I made sure of that. Surely you could afford to live somewhere a little nicer?” Andy made to pull away but Alex kept a hold of her. “Andrea, answer me.” Unease crept up her spine, and Andy shook her head. “It’s none of your business.” “You are my business. It really is time you realized that.” Andy pulled herself out of bed, shot a glare in his direction, and stalked off towards the bathroom, bright red of course, because she was buck naked. She grabbed her robe off the door hook, before slamming the door behind her. How the hell had a one time sex session turned into a several time session and now the history conversation? Andy clenched her fists around the sink and looked in the mirror, staring into her own stormy eyes. She’d been right to think Alex was to hot to handle, to doubt her own abilities to play the vamp. Tomorrow she was going back home. Maybe a little distance would clarify her mind. At the very least it would give her some space. A knock at the door made her jump. “You can’t avoid me forever, Andrea!” Alex shouted through the closed wood. She sighed. State the fucking obvious.

Chapter 'ineteen

Andy made her escape the next morning when Alex shut himself away in the sitting room with the other Greek man whose name she didn’t know. She walked back to her apartment—it didn’t take too long—dropped her bag off, and then set off to the job centre. She wrote down several prospects, smiling when she noticed the lack of stripper jobs, and made several calls. She also took some time to go across to the hotel. Her manager was all sympathy and forgiveness when Andy told her about the mugging. She also gave Andy the good news of an extra fifteen hours a week in the hotel bar—starting immediately. It wasn’t Finest Foods wages, but it was better than nothing. Andy was feeling pretty pleased with herself when she changed into her black trousers and T-shirt, the required uniform for serving drinks. She was even feeling calmer about the whole Alex situation. She overreacted the night before. She couldn’t expect Alex to simply fuck and shut up. He was a man. A proud, arrogant kind of man—he’d want whatever details he could get about her. She also suspected he hadn’t given up on the whole mistress thing. Probably still expected to change her mind. Shrugging, Andy picked up her bag and made her way to the bus stop. The hour was still pretty early, mid-afternoon, so the usual scum were lying low. Andy felt safe enough. Well, she did until a soft top Jeep pulled up in front of her—Alex in the driving seat. Fuuucccckkkkk. “Get in this car immediately,” he growled. Andy shivered. “You know I can’t.” “I picked it up especially, Andy,” he said. “It’s a soft top, no roof to hold you in. You’ll be perfectly fine.” She paused, and he leaned across, yanking the door open. “Do not try my patience any further, Andrea.” To her surprise, Andy realized that the idea of getting in the Jeep did not bring her out in a cold sweat. Like Alex said, it did not have a roof. She could get out if worst came to worst. But

then Alex looked very angry. Andy wasn’t sure how wise it was to go with him right now…. “Get. In.” Scowling Andy scrambled into the seat and waited for the familiar burst of panic. She looked across at Alex and despite his frown she could see the tenderness in his eyes. The deep chocolate of his eyes looked softer than she’d ever seen before. “Deep breath, Andy.” The panic did not come. Andy felt fine, a little jittery but nothing like she had in the past. It had to be due to the open roof, or maybe even due to Alex. Damn him. “Let’s drive and see how it feels.” They did, and after a few minutes, Andy felt her breathing even out and she began to enjoy the wind in her hair. Clearly, she could drive in the future. She just needed to make sure the car was roofless. She smiled and took in her surroundings. “Where are going, Alex? You need to drop me off at the Haversham, please.” He laughed and pulled the Jeep into the road leading to his hotel, not hers. “Not going to happen, kitten.” Andy glared. “I have work. I can’t not go, Alex. This is a new job, and I cannot afford to lose it.” “I already said I would give you a job did I not?” “I don’t need your charity,” Andy said. “But I do need to go to work. I let Laura down tonight, and she’ll let me go completely. I’ll be jobless. I can’t let that happen, Alex. I can’t!” Why couldn’t her understand her perilous situation? Maybe because you haven’t told him…. Alex pulled the Jeep into the hotel car park and gestured her out. “Upstairs now. The time to talk has long since come and gone, Andrea.” “I have ten minutes, Alex. Ten God damn minutes and then I am going to work.” They made their way upstairs. Alex so obviously brooding—the tender look no more. And she silently seething— how dare he be so high-handed! Once inside the hotel suite Alex turned and spoke. “Right, answer me the question I asked of yesterday, Gatika.” Andy glared. “It’s none of your business, Alex. Damn it, I’m not your mistress. We’re….” She waved her hands, trying to

sort her thoughts out. How could she explain what the hell they were? “I don’t even know what we are.” “Lovers,” he said succinctly. “And I’m making it my business. Either tell me yourself, or I’ll go digging and find out.” “How about respecting my privacy?” She so did not want to have this conversation with him. A) it was massively embarrassing, and B) she did not want him to know how much of an idiot she’d once been. The vamp image she was trying so desperately to portray would crumble like a cookie and Andy did not want that to happen. “How about you tell me why you were so tired you fell asleep whilst working,” he retorted. “Why your shoes are mended. Why you can’t even afford the bus, and why you need another fucking job.” Shame, once again, wrapped its tentacles around Andy’s body, and she looked away. He probably would go looking if she didn’t tell him, and it would sound far worse in the dry documents he’d no doubt dredge up. “Alex I don’t think—” she began, but he waved her words aside. “I do, Andy.” She bit down on her lip trying to think of a way out but finding none. She had no choice really, did she? How much worse for him to hear all about it from someone else. Despite her conviction that she would not fall for him in any way, Andy still didn’t want him to think badly of her. She wanted him to like her, respect her—not see her as some sort of moron. “I have debts,” she said. The moments the words left her lips the clammy hands around her chest eased slightly. “From what?” he asked carefully. Might as well spill the lot. “A business I once had. A shop, a bakery to be precise. Up on Main Street, the little pink building.” “It went under?” Andy nodded. “How?” And here came the nasty part. Andy sat down on the couch, pulled her knees up, and wrapped her arms around herself, trying not to let the memories of that awful time hurt her. “I was in a car wreck. You know that already though. It was… a bad

one….” She paused and took a deep breath. Skip those fucking memories, Andy! “I was trapped in the car. No one saw me. It was at the bottom of the hill, and Pete…” she trailed off. “Who is Pete?” Alex asked. There was an odd note to his voice that even in her shivery state Andy picked up on. And here comes the super nasty part. “He was my fiancé,” Andy explained. “I called him whilst I was there trapped. There was just enough battery left on my cell—though who knows how it survived the crash. It didn’t even occur to me to call the emergency services. I thought first of him, and… well, he didn’t pick up.” “How long were you trapped?” he asked. Andy shuddered and felt goosebumps erupt over her arms. Alex surprised her by reaching out and rubbing them. His heated fingers dispelling the chill. “A day.” “Dios….” “Pete was too busy fucking someone else to take my call. So I waited, trapped in the car, whilst the metal twisted above me, pushing against my spine….” The horror was obvious in his voice as he cursed. “Andy, Gatika, I’m so sorry.” Not wanting his sympathy, lest it make everything that much worse, Andy shook her head. He wanted to know, didn’t he? He wanted all the gory details! Anger came to the fore, as it so often did when she remembered those times, and she spat the next words at him. “He left me there and didn’t even come to the hospital when I was found. Turns out his affair had been a long running thing. Whilst fucking someone else he’d been busy emptying my bank accounts, too. They needed the money you see for a new start.” “The business,” Alex breathed. And Andy nodded, the anger draining and tears pricking her eyes. Fucking hell. I will not cry! “There was nothing I could do. I spent days in and out of consciousness and all the while bills were being called for, and there was no money to pay them. And then I spent so long in hospital it just crumbled. They closed it.” “But your staff?” Alex asked. “Could they not have stepped in?”

A tear fell then, a single tear and Andy brushed it away hastily. “There was only the one, and she was busy fucking my fiancé.” “Andy….” “I vowed there and then that I would pay everyone back, Alex. They were small business owners like me. People I owed a lot of money, too. People who depended on that money. I made arrangements with them all so that I wouldn’t be declared bankrupt. I thought I could pay them all and re-open you see. But it’s been so hard.” “How much?” he asked. “It was fifty seven thousand,” she admitted, shame burning again. “I’ve paid nearly fourteen. I’d thought another few years, and I can pay it all.” He gripped her arm, before sitting down next to her. “Another few years working this sort of pace?” Andy nodded slowly. “I can do it, Alex. I will.” He placed a kiss on her cheek, smudging the tear track. “No, Gatika. I’ll pay these trifling debts for you. I will remove this obstacle, and you will stop running off trying to find jobs and scrub floors, and whatever else it is you do.” Horror hit Andy, and she shook her head quickly. “No, Alex. I do not want you to! I pay my own debts, look after my own responsibilities.” He nodded. “I know that, Andrea. But you have more than just this responsibility now. I won’t have you running around stressed to death. Not now.” Andy jumped up and stalked to the front door. “Don’t you dare interfere, Alex. We might be lovers but you have no say in my life.” “That’s where you’re wrong, Andy,” he said, following her to the door and pulling her into his arms. Andy pushed him away but he simply held on fast. “It may have escaped your attention but I did not use a condom last night. Not once.” The blood drained from Andy’s face and she shook her head. “What? Oh my God, Alex. Why the hell not?” “An oversight.” “You fucking idiot!” Andy shrieked. “Language, Gatika,” he chided.

Thoughts running frantically, Andy raised a hand to her head and rubbed. “It’ll be fine,” she whispered—trying perhaps to convince them both. “Of course it will. I’m sure I won’t be…pregnant. Not after one time.” “Four actually,” he corrected, and she glared. “It’ll be fine….” Though deep inside her body was screaming something very different. If she was ovulating at all, it would be about now in her cycle. The worst possible time for unprotected sex. Fuck, fuck, fuck. “We do not know that,” Alex replied. “Even now my seed could be fertilizing one of your eggs. Until we know otherwise, you’ll be staying with me, and I will remove all stress from your life. I will not have the mother of my child worrying about money.” “The mother of…no.” Andy breathed. “It’s not possible.” He looked down. “I guess we will see, no?”

Chapter Twenty

“So that’s about the extent of it.” George shook his head, shoveled a forkful of eggs into his mouth, and shook his head again. “Good God, man. What the hell is wrong with you?” Alex bristled. “I don’t know what you mean.” “You got sleeping beauty with child, and you don’t know what I mean?” “It is not certain, Vre, like I said. It’s a possibility though.” “What were you thinking? No, don’t answer that. You weren’t, not with your head at least.” Alex helped himself to a side of bacon and scowled. “I don’t know what the hell that woman does to me! You realize it has been just over a week since I met her? I’ve had to bully her and threaten her to get any agreement to anything. This morning for instance, I found her on her way to her apartment. Said she had to go and pay her rent. Her rent!” He recalled that particular conversation with Andy and shook his head. Why did she have to make everything a battle? Why could she not understand that he was trying to take care of her? “What did you do?” George asked around a mouthful of bread. Alex shrugged. “I paid it already. The debts, her rent for the next six months—all of it. You’d think that would please her, no?” George opened his mouth to speak but Alex continued. “Did it, hell. She calls me overbearing. Says I’m trying to run her life. Insists she does not need my charity. Charity! A few God damn grand. Dios, the woman is driving me insane.” “She’s proud. There’s nothing wrong with that.” “There is when she could be carrying my child. I can’t have her scampering around the place making herself ill. She is never to step foot in that area again, as I have told her.” “I bet that went down well.” “No, it did not.” To say the least. But Alex was set upon it. Andy would stay in the good part of town, where he could keep an eye on her.

George pulled across a plate of tomatoes and shot Alex a thoughtful look. “You realize you cannot keep her cooped up in this suite forever. The woman has been used to activity. She’ll get bored. You don’t want a bored woman on your hands.” “I am aware of that,” Alex replied. “I have already taken steps to deal with it.” “Well, I’m not sure what else to say,” George commented after a moment. “You clearly know what you’re doing.” Alex paused, wondering just how honest he should be with his friend. He needed a second opinion though, and George could always be counted upon for that. “Though it pains me to admit it friend I do not.” “I see….” “I have rarely, if ever, felt so conflicted. She drives me mad, yet at the same time I cannot get enough of her. I am at a loss to understand how this could have happened in such a brief time.” “Love can do that to a man, Alex.” Alex shot a horror filled look at his friend. “Dios… love? Do not be ridiculous. I may have feelings for the little waif, but love? No, it is far too soon to be thinking anything of the sort.” “A relationship is not a business, Vre. You cannot expect to plan it out, no?” “You realize I asked this woman to be my mistress. Now you suggest something completely different?” What was George thinking? Did he not realize what he was suggesting? Alex planned to marry a quiet, biddable type of woman. Not a spitfire like Andy. Doing as she was told was the minimum he required of a wife. Andy would never obey except in bed. “If she is with child, you won’t marry her?” “Of course I will! My honor demands it. Love will play no part in that decision.” “And what will you do if she is not with child?” George asked. “Have you even thought about that?” He’d thought of little else for the past few days. In between implementing some changes at the store, changes that included a wide-spread uniform change, at Andy’s insistence, and sorting out the old house he’d thought and considered. At the moment there existed a strange little truce between them. Andy

had agreed not to look for another job until she knew either way, and he’d agreed not to bully her anymore. Each night he took her in his arms and fucked her for hours, and each time he slipped into her wet, waiting pussy it got better. Alex had never known sex like it. The orgasms were overwhelming. The sensations he found in her body exquisite. He began to resent the condom he wore, wanting nothing between his cock and her sensitive inner walls. She did everything he asked of her. On her hands and knees, riding him, curled up with her little ass pushed into his cock. In short, Andy was the perfect mistress. Only she didn’t want to be. Though he would admit it to no one, Alex even found himself hoping she was pregnant. At least then he could marry her without having to consider why. Andy would be his, and that would be that. He could continue to enjoy her body, continue to hold her in his arms and quiet her when she mumbled in her sleep. The idea of letting her go, leaving her to look after herself, filed him with horror. And though he did not know exactly what he felt for her, he was set on one thing. Child or no Andy was his. “I’m not letting her go,” he said quietly. “Pregnant or no she is mine.” “Marriage?” George asked. Alex shook his head. “No.” “Then what?” “I don’t know.” Because he didn’t. Alex wanted his Gatika, but he had no idea how. He knew he wanted to fuck her constantly. The idea of never having access to those pert little breasts ever again made his jaw clench and his anger rise. He knew his feelings for her were confused, difficult to understand. He felt something. Only he didn’t know what. Desire, protectiveness, and admiration. Beyond that? He was lost, and Alex was not a man who liked that feeling. But marriage? He snorted, he doubted Andy would even accept if he asked. “She’s mine, George. But beyond that? I do not know.” George piled another load of eggs on his plate and clicked his tongue. “Might be an idea to find out, Vre. Women generally like to know a man’s feelings before they agree to stay with them.”

Alex laughed. “You think she has a choice?”

Chapter Twenty-One

God damn periods! Andy glared at the sheets as she made the bed. For possibly the first time ever she’d hoped to wake up to the Japanese flag, not a clear white expanse. Her cycles were never perfectly regular, so she had no idea if she was simply late or up the duff. She fervently hoped it was the former. Just the idea of having Alex’s baby frightened her half to death. Liar, liar…. Okay, maybe a small part of her found the idea intriguing. Not to mention exciting. Andy loved babies, always had. She’d begged Pete to make a start on their family as soon as they got engaged. He, of course, wanted to wait, and Andy seethed to herself whilst promising she’d change his mind as soon as that ring was on her finger. The best laid plans…. Still now there was a possibility of a child, an oliveskinned, dark-haired little lovely. Andy hoped for a girl. And she would be free to actually look after it. No working fifteen hour days anymore. Alex had taken care of that. Though Andy had been angry with his presumptuous actions, the weight she’d felt when he’d told her the debts were cleared had been enormous. The luxury of not worrying day after day—not to mention the pleasure of being able to make plans again. In fact, Andy planned to visit the bank this afternoon to see about re-starting the business. She’d promised Alex not to look for a job until she knew either way. She’d said nothing about making one of her own. Grabbing a robe, Andy checked her hair in the mirror— loose because Alex preferred it that way—and made her way to the sitting room. Though Andy had tried to cook her own meals, Alex ignored her and had them delivered anyway. Andy would be a liar if she said the pampering wasn’t wonderful. She could already see the difference on her breasts and hips. Curves suddenly appeared again—and it felt great. Andy knew she was so deeply in debt to Alex she’d never crawl her way out. She was well aware of that. Part of her, a small part, the dark fairy maybe, insisted the money was small change to a multi-millionaire and not to worry. The good fairy insisted she

would pay him back every single penny. Not that he’d let her but still. “Good morning.” Andy smiled as George, Alex’s right hand man, walked by—on his way out. She wasn’t quite sure how to take the other man. He was devastatingly attractive in a different way to Alex, but she didn’t get any of the jitters around him. He was pleasant and nice and that was that. “Hi.” “Alex is in the dining room,” George said. “Go easy on him, eh?” She laughed. “I always do.” Though wasn’t that just a lie. They never went easy on each other. They fucked like rabbits and sparred whenever they weren’t naked. Andy had never met a man who infuriated her more. Infuriated and excited. Andy had no idea how she felt about him beyond extreme lust and gratefulness. Somehow Alex managed to make her feel more alive than anyone. He’d removed all her worries and gave her jaw dropping pleasure night after night. She wanted him, she knew that much. But beyond that? It was impossible to say. “You need to get dressed, Gatika,” he said when she entered the dining room. Andy’s heart—as always—raced at the sight of him. “Why?” “Because if you stay like that, in just a robe, I will fuck you. And we have an appointment in an hour.” “Where? With who? Why?” He smiled his wicked predatory smile that Andy craved and made his way around the table. “So many questions. It is a surprise. Though, you will see when we get there.” “Alex, I have plans this afternoon.” “Yes, you do. With me.” She sighed. He was so domineering. It excited her in a weird sort of way but annoyed the hell out of her, too. Eventually she would have to put her foot down. She couldn’t live with it forever. Forever? Whoa! Andy gulped at her errant thought. There would be no forever for them. This was a lover thing, and as soon

as Aunt Flow made a visit, she suspected Alex would send her on her way. Andy hoped, embarrassing as it was to admit, that he’d want to see her afterwards. The idea of never feeling his thick cock inside her again was almost painful. “Look Alex—” He took her mouth in one swift move, his usual method to shut her up, and plundered it with a ruthlessness that left her gasping. Before Andy knew it, she found herself bent over the table, robe pooling around her feet. “Your body excites me like nothing else, Andrea,” he said. She shuddered when she heard his zip being opened. Then shuddered again as his cock pressed against her folds. “Condom?” she whispered. “Damn it, we’ve run out!” Alex growled. “You are not likely to get pregnant now.” “But—” “Let me have you, Andy,” he said, and before she could stop him he filled her. Andy gasped in pleasure, her body stretching to accommodate Alex’s length. Each thrust made her knees quiver. Each movement sent tingles through her body. “Yes, Alex….” He pounded her ferociously. Their bodies slapping against one another, skin on skin, gasp to gasp. “This is mine,” he growled. “Whose is it, Andrea?” “Yours.” She panted as she always did. “All yours.” Why Alex needed to be assured of that Andy did not know, but he insisted on staking his claim every time he was inside her. Though in all honesty he could have got her to agree the moon was red when filled with his cock. She agreed to everything. “Mine,” he roared and slammed into with such force Andy’s legs buckled, and she fell, prone over the table. Ass high in the air she heard him suck his thumb into his mouth, and her whole body shivered. Oh. My. God. “Alex, don’t....” she whispered. But as always he did. His thumb slipped into her ass, no more than a half inch, but it was enough to set all her nerve endings on fire. She came in one massive explosion, all of her muscles clenching every part of him.

“Mine,” he roared again and Andy felt him come inside of her. Filling her with his hot seed, perfectly in time with the racing shivers of her own orgasm. He curled into her, and Andy’s heart gave a peculiar kind of thump. How can I ever give this up? “Appointment, kitten,” he said. And she nodded, all the while wondering when the strange little thumping would cease.

Chapter Twenty-Two

“I don’t understand,” Andy said. “I really am speechless.” Alex stood in front of her, a strange sort of pride filling his chest. “I know you cannot spend all day inside the hotel. I know you have been bored and a little lost. So I thought to myself, what will make Andy happy. And then it seemed so obvious, no?” “But, Alex—” “You will take things easy,” he said. “Just a few hours a day until we know what the situation is.” “I don’t know what to say, Alex. This is the most wonderful thing….” She looked so shocked Alex couldn’t help but feel a little smug. He’d spent some time thinking about how to give her a distraction. He spent hours working, and he knew Andy was at a loss for what to do during that time. Who knew how much longer they would have to wait to find out if she was pregnant? And afterwards, whether a yes or a no, Andy would need something to fill her time before the baby came, or something to fill the time when Alex was not around. He ran an extensive worldwide empire after all, and he knew Andy was not the sort of woman to kick her heels shopping or the like. Knew and admired it. And then it had come to him. The solution so obvious he’d laughed. A few phone calls later and everything was in place, and now here he was surprising her. It felt good. A little too good, and Alex found himself wondering what else he could do to put a smile on her face. Jesus Christ. “It’s…mine you say?” Andy asked hesitantly, and Alex nodded. “Here.” He handed across the deeds of ownership, including a back deposit slip. “You own the building outright, including the little apartment on the second level. It’s only small but it has two bedrooms. I’ve also arranged for one hundred thousand to go into your new business account. That should be plenty to get things back to how you want them and to give you a floating balance.” Andy shook her head and looked up at the building. “Alex, I don’t know what to say. To do this for me…I….”

He pulled her into his arms and planted a kiss on her open lips. “It pleases me to make you happy, kitten.” And it did. God damn it, it did. Alex held Andy in his arms, more to give himself a moment than anything else. Why did making her happy cause such a strange feeling in his own chest? Why did he feel so pleased with himself? So proud to be able to do this for her? Alex took a deep breath and tried to get a hold of his feelings. Andy was tying him in knots, and he had no fucking clue how to unravel them. He’d exulted at the lack of a condom, found himself hoping to plant more of his seed inside of her. What the hell was going on? What had Andy done to him? Alex shuddered slightly and tried to ignore his scattered thoughts, but in the midst of them was one overwhelming feeling. I have to get that wallet back… **** Andy looked up at the pink building, tears forming in her eyes. Her shop, her little bakery, and Alex had gotten it back for her. More than that he’d brought her the fucking building! Something she’d never had before. “Is there a tenant?” she asked. “No, it is empty.” “So I can get started straight away?” “Slowly,” he cautioned. “Be mindful of your condition.” “I do not know what to say, Alex,” Andy whispered, tears threatening again. “This seems like too much.” “Andy,” he growled. “For once in our relationship just say, ‘thank you Andras,’ and leave it at that.” “Andras?” He shrugged. “Greek. It means the most amazing man you have ever met.” She laughed and prodded him in the ribs. “It does not. I’m seriously going to have to learn the language at some point.” The realizing what she’d said, and what it implied, Andy blushed. “I mean, well….” “Good idea. We’ll start lessons tonight.” “Alex,” she said, suddenly serious. “You’ve already given me so much. The debts and the rent and now to do this? To give my business back to me, and money to make it even better than it

was before. I can’t even begin to know what to say. I don’t deserve it.” Was it wrong to just accept it? To do as Alex asked and for once say thank you and nothing else? To Alex such money meant very little, whilst to her it was everything. And she could see in Alex’s eyes how much it was pleasing him to do this for her. He looked all proud and smug, and damn it she liked it. He’d tried to find a way to make her happy, to start giving her back what she’d lost. It would be wrong to refuse his gift. Accepting it would not put her in debt to him, she realized that now, it would just make him happy. As happy as he made her. She shivered and thought about the last week spent with him. Hadn’t she said it would change her life on way or the other? How right I was. “Kitten,” he said. “Let me do this for you please.” And it was then. In that moment, as she nodded, and he smiled triumphantly, and swept her up into his arms that her heart gave another one of those strange little thuds. The truth hit Andy about as hard as the mugger had. Her heart sang from it at the same time as her mind reeled from it. She pulled back and looked into Alex’s deep brown eyes, her heart pounding and her body clenching. She was in love with Alexander Iannou.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Two weeks after he gave her the present, Alex found Andy in the shower, curled up in the corner, arms wrapped around her legs, water streaming onto her. He reached over, turned the nozzle off, bent down, and tilted her face up to his. She looked up at him, hair dripping around her face, eyes puffy and red. Panic hit him. What the hell was wrong? Who had upset her? Alex’s protectiveness of his little kitten had not lessened as the weeks went by, If anything, it increased. He’d kill anyone who dared to harm her! He wracked his brain trying to think of anything he might have done that could have displeased her but could think if nothing. Like every day for the last week, she’d gotten out of bed all rosy faced and smiley, before skipping off to her shop. They spent every spare moment together, talking, laughing, pleasuring one another. He’d thought she was happy. Was he wrong? “Kitten?” he asked. “What’s the matter? A problem at the shop? Did they send the wrong kind of flour again? Did the girls you pick not accept the jobs?” She shook her head and gulped. “Who has upset you? Tell me immediately, Andrea, and I will deal with them.” She gulped again and gave a funny little shudder. “No, it’s not the shop.” “You’ve been working too hard,” he accused, grabbing a huge white towel and lifting her into it. She’d freeze in the cold shower otherwise, and that was unacceptable. It was his job to look after her. He held her in his arms and carried her into the bedroom, planting little kisses on her face as he went. “Or I’ve kept you up too late. Worn you out.” He couldn’t help himself though. Despite trying to reign in his desires, he needed Andy every single night, usually more than once. It might help if she refused him but she never did. If anything, she encouraged him to take her. Alex could no longer imagine falling asleep without Andy’s curvy little body curled up in his arms, the idea was just ridiculous.

“Kitten?” he prompted. Sitting down on the bed he crouched in front of her. “Tell me.” To his surprise, she looked down at her towel clad form and cried again. Panic hit Alex, and he looked around the room as if someone would tell him what to do. What was wrong with her? What should he do? Feeling massively impotent, Alex growled. “Andy, speak to me right now.” She stood up, tears still falling and pointed at the dropped towel. There in the expanse of white Alex could see exactly what had upset her. Clenching his fists he too stood up, staggered by the disappointment that washed over him. “You’re not pregnant.” “No.” “I see.” He’d almost convinced himself. They’d even spoken of going to the Doctor’s by the end of the week and getting a test. He ran a hand through his hair and banked down his feelings. Maybe it was for the best? After all they’d only known each other for a few weeks. Maybe this was a good thing. Yeah, you tell yourself that, Andros. “I thought…” she began, then gulped again and closed her mouth. “I’m sorry, Alex.” A strange feeling ran through his chest, and Alex took a deep breath. This was not her fault, surely she didn’t think that! But then she would, his Andy seemed to take responsibility for everything. But she mustn’t take the blame on herself for this, for fucking biology. Over the last couple of weeks, Alex had removed the shadows form her eyes and discovered a laughing, delightful woman. He could let nothing bring those shadows back. ,ever again. “There is nothing to be sorry about, Andrea. It is for the best, no?” He’d convince her of that and maybe in time…. She grabbed a robe from the closet and wrapped it around herself. “It is?” Disappointment still washing through him, Alex nodded. “Of course.” “I see.” “Andy—” The vibration of his phone jarred him, and Alex cursed. “One moment.” He opened the phone up and barked a clipped “hello.” It was George and as Alex had suspected he was

calling about the problem with their shipping line. He’d sent George to investigate over a week ago, not wanting to leave Andy. Now the problem needed his attention, and maybe it would do them both some good to have a couple of days apart? Alex could master his disappointment, and Andy could deal with her hormones—which he thought must be all over the place. “I’ll be there in a few hours.” He hung up and turned to Andy. “There is a problem with the dock. I need to go down to the port for a few days.” “Right.” “I’ll be back as soon as possible.” She smiled tightly at him, and Alex frowned. “Fine.” “Andy—” “Just go and do what you have to, Alex,” she said, the sheen of tears obvious. “I’ll see you when you get back.” “We’ll talk when I return, okay? Straighten this all out.” She nodded, and Alex dropped a quick kiss on her forehead. For some odd reason his own eyes felt a little wet. He had no idea why.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Andy placed the last pair of curtains on the rail and stood back to admire her handiwork. The color scheme in her new sitting room was beautiful. All pinks and greens and it went some way to cheering her dented spirits. Alex had been gone for over two weeks. He called several times but Andy had no idea when he planned to return. If at all. She shuddered and curled up on the settee, once again exhausted. Ever since the day her period had shown, Andy had felt out of sorts. Hormones, she guessed. Though how a one day period could send her so awry she didn’t know. Or maybe it was Alex? Andy missed him. Desperately. She missed lying next to him, missed sleeping with him, and missed talking to him. But then that was love for you. It fucked everything up. She sighed and picked up the small plate of fruit. Her appetite seemed to have deserted her. Andy awoke every morning feeling slightly sick. And though she’d stopped eating as much—the nausea kind of putting a dent in the whole scoff it up outlook—her curves were not going anywhere. If anything, her breasts had gotten a little bigger, and were tender. She wondered if they, like she, missed Alex’s touch. Turning on the small TV, Andy channel flicked for a while and stretched out. The smell of flour filled the air, and she smiled. The two employees she’d taken on were wonders in the kitchen, and while the front of the shop was given an overhaul, they’d practiced in the refurbished kitchen. The shop would be great once it re-opened. She was sure of it. And her? Well, she’d dealt with a broken heart once, hadn’t she? Surely she could do it again. Because she knew now even if Alex did come back at some point, that this was the life she’d signed up for. The life of a mistress. The fucking irony. Alex would go off around the world looking after his business ventures, and she would sit in this small town waiting for him to return. She wondered again how many weeks of the year she was likely to get with him. Five, ten? Did it matter? Though it

shamed her to admit it, Andy knew she’d take whatever Alex was willing to offer and be grateful for it. She loved him, completely and couldn’t imagine not being with him. Sure she’d said she wasn’t mistress material, Andy knew now that she’d do whatever it took to keep ahold of her man. Though he might not know it Alex was hers, and she’d wait forever if she had to. She shifted again in her seat, nausea stabbing at her, and looked around her new home. She’d moved into the small apartment over the shop a week after Alex’s departure. Part of her suspected he’d planned for her to all along. After all, why else would he buy her the whole building? The meaning was clear, and as soon as she’d realized she wasn’t pregnant, Andy had started thinking about the move. The idea of Alex returning to the hotel and asking why the hell she was still there horrified her, and she’d ran around sorting the small rooms out ready to move into. The place wasn’t large of course: a small kitchen, a small sitting room and two tiny bedrooms with a half-bath. Still there was only her, and how much space did she really need? Her old apartment was testament to living in cramped conditions. Alex would no doubt visit her here though, in her little mistress apartment. She sighed and thought again of the relief she’d seen in his face when he’d realized she wasn’t pregnant. It’s for the best…. Her own disappointment had staggered even her. Surprising really how quickly one could get used to the idea of something. In a way, Andy almost felt like her baby had been snatched away. Though that was ridiculous, she’d never even been pregnant. Would there ever be a baby now? Andy suspected not. Her role in Alex’s life was clear. He’d made it clear. To be fair, he’d been straight with her from that very first day. It was her own foolish heart which hoped for more. Despite her promises to herself, the stupid idea of vamping it up and playing the slut for once, Andy had never really had a choice. She’d fallen like a pile of bricks and there was no lifting herself back up. Her heart belonged to Alex now in a way it had never belonged to Pete. So she would wait for him to return and take whatever time she could get.

What else could she do?

Chapter Twenty-Five

Alex pressed his foot harder on the accelerator, urging the car to move faster. He couldn’t wait to get back home, was frantic to see Andy. His business had taken much longer than he would have liked, and he’d found himself working all hours to get it completed and return to his kitten. Finally he was able and had set out in the early hours with the intention of surprising her. He thought of her constantly whilst gone. Thought of her pouty little mouth, sassy little voice and fantastic body. He couldn’t wait to strip off whatever she was wearing and bury himself in her for hours. Imagining her beneath him he groaned. Would she have carried on eating well? Alex hoped so. He was excited at the prospect of new curves to wrap his hands around…. He pressed the accelerator harder. Even better his architects had informed him that the old house was finally finished. He could move at anytime, and he planned to do so within the week. What would Andy would think of the old place he wondered. Would she like it? How would she want to decorate it? Because he’d decided just a few days into his trip that he wanted her to move in with him. He wanted Andy in his bed and in his home. It made sense after all. She belonged with him now. It was as simple as that. Before long he pulled into the hotel car park, his watch showing six thirty. Tiredness stabbed him but he sped up the stairs, his heart pounding, excitement running through him. Would she be awake? Would she want to talk or to fuck? Alex wouldn’t mind either way. He just wanted to see her. A vision of pulling her into his arms and resting his head against her filled him and he smiled in anticipation. He strode into the suite calling out her name. Checked the sitting room, the dining room and the bathroom before pushing the door open to the bedroom. Disappointment crashed through him. Where the hell was she? He flipped his phone open and called her number. It rung several times before switching to voice mail and he cursed. If

she’s working at this time. Yes, that was most likely. He’d come to realize that Andy was as much a workaholic as him. He’d need to put his foot down over that at some point. His kitten would wear herself out otherwise. He flopped down on the bed and intended to rest for just a moment before driving to the shop. His gaze drifted over the velvet drapes, across the plush carpet and over the rich wood furniture, but he didn’t really see any of it. Something nagged at him but he wasn’t sure what. He rubbed his tired eyes and looked around properly. Realization hit and he jerked upright. None of Andy’s things were spread around. Not her robe hanging on the door or her creams on the cabinet. And where was her pillow, the big one she insisted on curling up in? She needed that pillow to sleep properly. Alex eyed the closet, a nasty thought taking root and stalked over before throwing the doors open. Andy’s things were gone. Nothing remained. Shock punched him, and he staggered back. It couldn’t be true? Surely it couldn’t be? They’d spoken only yesterday, talked for over an hour. She hadn’t said a word about leaving. But she’s moved out. Left me. Where the hell could she have gone? And why would she? Didn’t she realize…. He swallowed and pressed a hand against his chest. Dios…. How the hell could she have realized when he’d only just done so himself? He fell back on the bed and took a deep breath. He was a fucking idiot for not getting it sooner, because it was ridiculously obvious now. Had been for weeks now he thought about it, but he’d been so stupid, so insistent. He thought of George’s words, of the packet in his pocket and closed his eyes. Alex was in love with Andy Jones.

Chapter Twenty-Six

A knock on the downstairs door awoke Andy first thing, and she stumbled from her bed before being overtaken with nausea. Ignoring the door she ran to the bathroom, leaned over the sink, and puked her guts up. Stomach empty, she turned the tap on, washing away the vomit. It was so freaking gross. The fruit hadn’t even had time to digest, and Andy took deep breaths trying to get the nausea under control. The constant knocking ceased, and Andy heard footsteps on the stairs. Probably one of the girls, she’d given them both a key in case of emergency. She groaned, hoping nothing was wrong and, reminded of her responsibilities to both the shop and her staff, she promised herself there and then to see a doctor. It must be a bug or something similar. Something she had no time for. Another round of nausea overtook her, and Andy retched into the sink, though of course, there was nothing else left to come up. “What the hell?” The voice was painfully familiar, and Andy cursed. Of all the ways for Alex to see her on his return. Just my fucking luck. It was like the tampon all over again! “Dios… what is wrong with you, Andrea?” he asked. Sick and a little dizzy Andy shook her head. “I don’t know.” She was not impressed with the whiney way her voice sounded. “Come.” He lifted her into his arms and swept a wash cloth across her face. The coolness was a huge relief, and Andy sighed. “Let’s put you back in bed, and I will contact a doctor.” Alex steered her to the bed and tucked her in. Lethargic and still a little queasy, Andy let him. He stood up, opened his phone and spoke rapidly into it, before disappearing and returning with a glass of water. “The doctor is on her way.” Andy gulped the cold liquid gratefully. “Thank you.” “Before she gets here,” Alex began, and Andy was alerted to something in his tone. She bit down on her lip and wished she

could disappear into the quilt. Alex did not sound happy, and she suspected she was in trouble. “And ignoring the fact you are ill, which I might add is very inconvenient. Perhaps you can explain to me what the hell is going on.” “What do you mean?” “You walk out on me without so much of a word?” Andy bit her lip and took another gulp of water. Even when angry, Alex was so hot. She clenched a little and imagined exactly what they would be doing were she not still queasy. “I thought you would call before coming back here. I was going to tell you then,” she explained. “And how did you even know I was here?” “Andrea,” he growled. “It was fairly obvious and to say that I am not happy about it is an understatement. I expected you to be waiting for me.” “Oh, did you.” Andy had forgotten how domineering he could be. But they weren’t fucking right now. He could save the high-handedness for when he had his cock in her. But then the meaning of his words hit her, and Andy gaped. “I thought, I mean…I’m not pregnant.” He shrugged and peered at her as if she was stupid. “We established that some weeks ago.” “So I thought you’d want me to move into here. The place you got for me.” He narrowed his eyes and shrugged again. “For your shop.” Why did she feel like she was missing something? “Yes, but the shop is downstairs.” “And this top level comes with the building does it not. I expected you to rent it out or expand up to here.” Shock hit, and Andy gasped. “You didn’t want this to be my mistress flat?” “You refused to be my mistress.” “Well yes, but….” “Andy, are you telling me you moved in here because you thought I wanted you to? Were you planning to be my mistress after all?” I am a fucking idiot. Alex didn’t want her stashed away. He wanted her at the hotel with him? Happiness filled her. Despite

the lingering nausea Andy smiled like a maniac. Maybe there was more to this relationship than she’d thought. Maybe Alex wanted her as much as she wanted him? She’d been wrong before after all hadn’t she? Thinking her wanted her to pay back the debts. Not realizing he desired her. In fact at that moment Andy knew she’d been an idiot ever since he’d found her snoozing away. It was time to take a leap for once. Time to let Alex know how she really felt and let the cookie crumble in whatever way it was going to. She hoped to God the chocolate chips came out on top. **** Just as he’d thought all along, Andy had no idea how to look after herself when he wasn’t around. A couple of weeks and she was already sick and living in a tiny apartment over her shop. He’s said so before but he knew it to be true. Andy needed a firm hand. It was a good job he was willing. He took her hand in his, puzzled by the wide smile filling her face. “I’ll take you anyway I can get you, Alex,” she said softly, hesitantly. His chest thumped. “If that means I’m your mistress so be it.” “You have me,” he said. “I’m yours, kitten.” “You mean it, Alex?” He nodded. It was time his woman knew the truth. Time she realized exactly where they were going. He thought back to the day he’d asked her to be his mistress and smiled. Andy was his mistress, his lover, his friend. More than that she was his other half. He might have thought he wanted a quiet, biddable sort of wife but he’d been wrong. He wanted his sleeping beauty, fiery hair, disobedience and all. “I love you, Andy. You must know that.” She smiled back, a soft, beautiful smile. “I love you too, Alexander. I’ve known it for a long time.” Alex reached into his pocket and pulled out the package. The tissue paper came free and the ring tumbled into his open palm. Even in the dim lights of Andy’s bedroom the diamonds sparkled. Unbidden the image of his Yiayia filled his mind and

Alex remembered those same diamonds shimmering on her finger for all the years he’d known her. He slipped from the bed and down onto one knee, offering the ring forth. Andy gasped and ran a shaky hand through her hair. “Alex….” She breathed. “How?” “We have George to thank for this. He had lookers out in every pawn shop this side of the coast. They found it last week. He knew before I did. He sent them the first day I brought you to the hotel.” “I knew what it was for,” she said. “The first time I saw it, and I thought you must have someone you wanted to give it to.” He shook his head. “There has never been anyone but you, Andrea. No one I’ve ever even come close to wanting to give a ring to.” He paused for a moment, savoring the feeling running through him. “You will marry me.” She laughed. “High-handed to the last. Alex, you’re meant to ask me to, not command it.” He growled. “You will marry me, Andrea.” Andy reached out and caressed the sparkling emerald. “You know I will.” “It matches your eyes. Honestly, Gatika, it’s like she knew.” Andy shot him a puzzled look. “Who?” “My Yiayia, my grandmother,” he explained. “She died a few months ago, and just before she did she made me promise to come to this town and find myself a wife. She was insistent, and I had no choice but to agree—I loved her dearly you see. She gave me her ring and told me to give it to the woman I loved.” He paused, smiling at the memory of the old woman. Like his Andy, she had been a spitfire in her time. “She was also called Andrea.” “Wow, that’s….” “More than a coincidence,” he said. “So take the ring, Andy. It is yours now.” Alex slipped it onto her finger before pulling her into his arms. It fit, of course it did—why was he not surprised? It looked right on her, too, just like she felt right in his arms, like they’d been made just for her. Which he realized with a slight jolt, they had.

“Not to ruin the romance, Alex,” she said laughingly. “But you picked a lousy time to propose. I need to brush my teeth.” He laughed and squeezed her tighter. “Andy—” The knock on the door halted his next words. “Hold that thought, the doctor is here.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Andy sat and tried to gather her thoughts. Alex was seeing the doctor out, probably still grumbling about her throwing him out of the room. But honestly, who’d want a medical in front of their fiancée? Fiancée. She savored the word and looked down at her sparkly ring. Almost too happy to even take it in. Alex loved her. Alex wanted to marry her. Could it get any better than that? She thought of the doctors words. Yes, clearly it could. “What is the matter, kitten?” Alex asked, striding into the room. “The doctor would not tell me. Is it related to your accident? I thought your back was all better now? Or some sort of virus? Do not worry we can have you well again soon enough. I will call my mother down to nurse you. You will like her. She is very maternal—” “Alex,” she interrupted. “Stop already.” “I can go to the pharmacy and get some medicine or—” “Alex!” He frowned. “Talk then, woman.” She growled. “Give me a bloody chance. Geez, honestly Alex, I’m going to have to whip you into shape.” He smiled wickedly and ran a finger across her arm. “Anytime, kitten.” “So basically,” Andy began, wondering how to break the news to him. “I did not have a period.” Alex shook his head, puzzlement obvious. “But the bleeding?” “Implantation bleeding the doctor thinks.” Alex bolted upright. Took a step back and then a step forward. “You don’t mean….” Andy grinned, her excitement too much to contain. “Yes! Alex we are going to have a baby. The doctor did a test—good job I hadn’t been to the toilet yet. Anyway so it was positive. Look here.” She held up the little stick, and Alex’s eyes widened. “A baby…Dios….”

“You’re happy?” she asked. But then she saw the look in his eyes and knew it was a stupid question. “Happy? Andrea, you could not have made me any happier. A baby… I am the luckiest man alive.” “And I’m the luckiest woman.” Alex leaned forward and took Andy into his arms. They fit together perfectly, hearts beating as one. “It will be a son of course.” “A daughter, Alex.” “I will be pleased with either.” And so would she. “I believe that means I’ve paid my debt,” she said casting him a saucy glance. Alex laughed before eyeing her thin nightgown. “I think there might be interest payments to consider.” “Well by all means, Mr. Iannou, feel free to collect.” “Believe me sleeping beauty, I will.” The End

www.emmashortt.co.uk Other Books by Emma Shortt: 'Twas a Dark and Delicious Christmas The Valentine's Fae The Kiss

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