“The next two—Thisis where we’re staying?” My eyes shifted past his shoulder to the gorgeous home perched on the cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea. “The house is stunning but doesn’t look like it has fourteen bedrooms.”
“That’s because it doesn’t.”
“Then how can we stay here for two weeks? What happened to your ‘I only sleep in the same bed once’ rule.”
“This house is different.”
“Pourquoi?Why?”
He leaned into the helicopter and punched the release on my belt. “Because this is mine, and it’s well guarded.”
Mon Dieu.I was right.
Dimitri had brought me home.
“Now get out of the helicopter, Benoit.”
He started off toward the stone-fronted house, and this time I followed. He wove us up through the landscaped property full of cacti, olive trees, and bougainvillea that added pops of color against the rocky volcanic terrain. It was beautiful, immaculately kept, and gave a rugged, naturalistic aesthetic to the property that somehow fit Dimitri to a tee.
“You brought mehome?” I finally managed as we reached the top of the stone steps. The idea was still completely unreal to me, considering the utter disdain he’d shown me of late.
“I brought you to whereIwas going,” Dimitri said without a backward glance. “Which just so happens to be my home. Yes.”
That was a lie if ever I’d ever heard one. Someone of Dimitri’s power would most certainly have backup homes or accommodations should he wish to go there. Even if it was on his home island of Santorini.
I didn’t quite know what to make of the fact he’d brought me back here, to his actual house. Because despite what he was saying, it was a big deal to bring someone into your inner sanctum. And what about the rest of his crew? Would they be joining us later?
“So let me get this straight,” I said as we crossed a terrace and rounded a large infinity pool. But when my eyes landed on the view staring back at me, all other thoughts left my head. “Wow…”
Sweeping views of Santorini and the Aegean encompassed all you could see, and the sight was utterly breathtaking.
Dimitri moved up beside me but didn’t say anything as I started at one of the most spectacular sights I’d ever seen.
“Why would you ever leave?” The question was more for myself than him, but I got a response anyway.
“I have a business to run.”
His answer was so to the point, so him. But I had a feeling there was more to it than that. This place was beautiful, but the strained expression on his face told me there was pain there too, hidden beneath the beauty.
I was about ask, or at leasttryto engage him in some form of conversation that didn’t involve his snapping at me, when he turned and headed toward the double doors.
“So,” I said, crossing under the shaded area of the terrace to the doors, “you brought me to your house, are dressing me in your clothes… If I didn’t know any better, I would think you might want to keep me forever and ever.”
“Two weeks, Benoit. Then I’ll give you back.”
I ignored the sting of disappointment, because why would Iwantto stay? I had a life in Manhattan to get back to, fabulous parties, friends, and couture. Not to mention my own things. Being without even a phone made me feel too naked and exposed. I didn’t like it.
“Well,” I said, lifting my chin, “you don’t have to sound so excited about it. You’re the one who wanted me here.”
“Maybe I wanted to keep an eye on you. Make sure you didn’t fuck up my meetings.”
“Oh, I think you wanted to keep an eye on me, all right. But you really could’ve chosen clothes that would give you a better view.” I pulled at the hem of the plain, boring t-shirt and made a face.
“There’s no one for you to impress here. Those will do.”
That was whathethought.
Venturing over to the set of plush outdoor chaise longues that looked comfortable enough to sleep on, I pulled my shirt over my head, tossed it in Dimitri’s direction, and spread out on top of a lounger. The shirt hit his chest, and he caught it as I turned my face toward the sun.
