Legacy of Olympus (In the Gods' Secret Service) (22 page)

Eleni nearly wept with relief at the feel of Alec moving inside her. Need burned, its flames licking along her spine. She bucked against him, tiny sounds of pleasure issuing from the back of her throat. Her climax had only just taken the edge off of her desire. She needed more.

He started moving, sliding every inch of his erection against that oh-so-sensitive part of her he’d been so tenderly loving moments before. She felt herself contract against him.

“Stop that.” He spoke between clenched teeth. “You’re getting me so hot I won’t last more than a damn minute.”

Smiling seductively, she ran her hand down the lean plane of his face. “I’ll do my best.”

He moved again, and her head dropped back as she arched against him. Unable to stop herself, she raised her legs higher, forcing him even deeper, then locked her ankles high on his back.

“You’re killing me.”

“No more than you are me.”

Then he moved again, and pleasure shimmered through her, causing her breasts to swell, her nipples to tighten.

Alec must have noticed, for he dipped his head down and drew the tip of one breast deep into his mouth and used that magic tongue of his to bring her to the brink once again.

Alec increased his pace, watching as Eleni’s pupils widened, then went white hot with fiery pleasure. She was close again. He could tell. Tiny pulses tugged at his rigid flesh, so deep inside Eleni, there was no way to tell where he started or she ended; the way it should be. Two parts of a whole.

Pure sensation ripped through him as he started moving again, fighting his own release, trying to draw this out, bring more pleasure to Eleni. His back tensed as she tugged at him again. Sweat dripped from his forehead. He couldn’t stop it this time. Intense pleasure so keen it bordered on pain flooded his body as he withdrew, then thrust into Eleni again. Her hips rose off the tiles, shoving at him, accepting his release as he poured into her.

Seconds, maybe even minutes passed, as they remained in that position, locked together. Slowly he removed himself from her and slid into a sitting position.

“Feel better?” Mischief lit her eyes.

“Much.” But he knew it wasn’t merely physical. This had transcended any previous sexual encounters. Hadn’t even compared.

“Alec?”

“Hmm?” Her voice sounded far away. Had he drifted off?

She shifted, sending a wave of water across his lap.

He sat and ran a hand through her hair.

“What Mallaki said at dinner. About losing your house. Is that true?”

He recoiled, feeling like he’d been sucker punched. Now ancient history, the wound still felt raw. But after everything they’d been through, Eleni deserved the truth. “Just after my brother Nick was born, my dad opened a micro brewery along the Erie Canal in Fairport. Did a booming business. We were living the American Dream.”

“What happened?” Her voice was calm, sympathetic.

“When I was sixteen, my father died of a heart attack.” To Alec’s surprise, the words no longer invoked the overwhelming sense of loss. “Creditors took the brewery and house and very nearly the shirts on our backs. We moved to a small two-bedroom apartment where Nick and I had to share a room. I quit the swim team and got a full-time job at a local store.”

Her face grew compassionate, and moisture rose to the corners of her eyes. “What about school?”

He swallowed past the knot in his throat and stared beyond her to the sea, where crests of waves glinted in the moonlight. “I worked after school and on weekends. My family depended on my paychecks to survive.”

“So that’s why you work so much now?”

His face tightened, and his pulse pounded in his ears. “I’ll never live like that again, worried that I won’t have a place to live, that I’ll lose my goddamned house.”

She took his hand and squeezed, tears falling freely down her cheeks.

“What?” He shook her free and glared at her. “I don’t need your pity.”

“I don’t pity you, Alec. I’m sorry for the sixteen-year-old boy who had to grow up too fast.” She curled herself over him.

He stiffened, then allowed her to bring his head against her chest. A knot of emotion clogged his throat.

Several minutes passed.

He raised his head, then wrapped his arm around Eleni’s shoulder, wishing they were in another place.

Eleni ran a hand through his hair. “Do we have to go? I want to stay here forever.” Her breath warmed the side of his face.

His body echoed her sentiments. How right this felt, holding her in his arms again.

Cupping her hips and lowering her into the spa, he turned her around and settled her back against his chest. More content than he could ever remember feeling, he watched the stars winking in the sky.

“Alec?”

“Hmm.” Had he drifted off again?

“Were you tempted by Mallaki?”

He stiffened and released her so quickly he felt her hip bump against the bottom of the spa.

She swiveled and brushed the hair back from her eyes. “I wouldn’t blame you if you were. Mallaki would make you rich, while Amalgamated...” She spread her hands. “We live okay, but it’s definitely more of a hand to mouth existence than the lavish life Mallaki can offer.”

A muscle tightened in his jaw, while his pulse beat at his temples. “Do you think so little of me?”

“I wouldn’t blame you. Stephanos always talked about the temptation to jump ship, to join the other side. For someone with your history...” She gave a little shake of her head. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“Well, you did.” His stomach soured. But had there been a point where he’d actually been tempted? “There’s no doubt if I joined Mallaki’s side, I’d never have to worry about money ever again. But to call another man,
Master
?” He spit out the distasteful word. “Never.” A beat passed. “To work for someone responsible for the deaths of thousands of people? Is that what you think of me?”

“Of course not. I can see why Mallaki targeted you, with your past. I just wanted you to know I could understand if you had been tempted. Most men would be.”

He bit back a sharp retort. Could he blame her? “I’m not most men, Eleni.”

She gave him one of her dazzling smiles, then laughed, suddenly dispelling the tension in his chest. “I know, Alec. You’re the one who can save us.”

His stomach nose-dived. She had such faith in him. Did he deserve it? This time with Eleni, though precious, was limited. Doubt prickled along his scalp. Could he stop Mallaki and get Eleni out of there safely?

Splaying her hands against his chest, she struggled to plant her feet, but he easily lifted her off the floor.

The backs of her calves brushed the foot of the bed. Panicked, she scanned his hardened features, pleading for mercy with her eyes. “You said you wouldn’t take a woman by force.”

His hands grasped the belt of her cover-up and, ignoring her attempts to stop him, untied the hastily-done knot and flung back the fabric. His heated gaze raked her body, causing her to inwardly cringe. She knew how she looked in the damp suit. Everything, except the most intimate part of her, was there for him to scrutinize. She started to cover her breasts, but he seized her wrists, forcing them to her side, while he scrutinized her almost nude body.

“Turn around.”

“You will not hurt me.” She had to try.

His wild laugh raised the hair on her neck. “You think
you
would ever have power over
me
?”

“Please.” Her voice broke.

“I said, turn around.”

Trembling, she spun in a slow circle, a combination of humiliation and helplessness washing over her. He slid the cover-up off her shoulders, and the fabric pooled at her feet. Would he push her forward onto the bed and rape her? Or worse?

He took hold of her face with two fingers, then turned her head toward him. Lust, and something she didn’t want to analyze too closely, glittered in the depths of his dark eyes. “I will have your body, Eleni, but not when you have another man still inside you.” He ran his hand lightly over the cleft of her buttocks.

Fear forced a sheen of sweat to rise from her pores.

“I could take you the Greek way, but that’s never been something I’ve particularly enjoyed. I want a woman to experience ultimate pleasure when I’m making love to her.”

He traced a finger on the side of her face where he’d slapped her. “Such delicate skin. You’re already bruising.”

Eleni fought against a developing shudder as he ran a hand through her hair.

He placed a palm on each of her cheeks, forcing her to meet his gaze. “You will not see Mr. Androulakis alone. Ever. Or I will kill him.”

Moisture collected at the corner of her eyes, but she refused to let tears fall.

“You’ll feel that way about me one day. Give us a chance, Eleni. You won’t be sorry. I can give you everything Mr. Androulakis can, and more.”

Never.

Mallaki leaned forward and planted a kiss on her forehead, then stepped away. “Better get some sleep, my dear. We have a long day tomorrow.” He headed for the door, then turned back toward her. “By the way, in case you’re thinking about another midnight rendezvous, I’ve posted Zander outside your door. He’s been instructed never to lose sight of you again. Or die.”

The door slammed behind him, a reminder of how tenuous a grip Mallaki had on his anger.

Eleni collapsed on the edge of the bed, her entire body shaking from her toes to her hair and it wasn’t because she was in a damp bathing suit. As soon as she collected herself, she darted to the bedroom door, then flung the deadbolt into place with a resounding thud.

Mallaki was an insistent man, used to getting what he wanted. And he wanted her. She had no illusions. Tonight’s reprieve was temporary.