Belonging to Ioniko: The Greek Billionaire's Obsession

by Tee, Marian

  I tried getting up, but both men automatically held on to each of my arm, and I nearly yelped in surprise. My discomfort must've shown as the two swiftly apologized and pulled their hands back.

  "Don't go," Guy #1 coaxed.

  "I'm sorry if we took you by surprise," Guy #4 said gently.

  "I really think there's been some mistake---" I stopped speaking when I saw the two men rising on their feet, and I panicked. "Wait."

  Both men stilled.

  "I'll sit," I told them quickly and did so right away. Since female members outnumbered men 3:1 in Associate, one of the most important rules among my sex was not to do anything that could be considered as "monopolizing" the men's attention. And with how tall and good-looking these two were, I might as well have painted a target on my back if all three of us had remained standing.

  So whatever this weird encounter was about---

  Oh.

  Too late, I realized that both men had been watching me the entire time and felt myself turn red. "S-Sorry," I stammered. "Were you saying something?"

  Guy #1 only smiled. "We were simply admiring the view."

  Oh. Right. I nodded in relief. "I like how the renovation turned out, too---" My voice trailed off when the men suddenly started coughing in an ill-disguised attempt to hide their laughter. "What's so funny?"

  "Err...nothing." Guy #4 cleared his throat. "So...have you been on Tinder for long?"

  Tinder?

  "I'm betting hers is a new account," Guy #1 commented.

  New account?

  "True," the other man murmured. "We'd have seen her before this otherwise."

  My confused gaze flicked from one guy to another as the two men moved their chairs backwards as they started talking to each other.

  "Clay, right?" Guy #4 went on to ask.

  "And you're Kazuya, if I'm not mistaken."

  "How long have you been doing Tinder?"

  "About three years now," Kazuya admitted with a grimace. "It was the only way to get my mother off my back about marriage."

  "You can say that again." Clay's tone was pained and disgusted at the same time. "I've got someone like that in my life as well, a grandfather who keeps threatening to die if I don't present him with a bride soon."

  "May the best man win then."

  "May the best man win."

  Both men's gazes suddenly turned towards me, and I echoed without thinking, "May the best man..." I stopped speaking. Wait. Things were starting to click and add up, and I could feel my head starting to reel. "Wait." This time, I spoke the word out loud, my voice dazed and confused.

  "Are you alright?" Kazuya's tone was concerned.

  "I..."

  "You look a little pale," Clay observed with a frown.

  "Um..." I cleared my throat. "This is going to sound stupid..." Not to mention insane and impossible. "But can I just ask..." Gaaaaaah. "Did you two see my photo on Tinder?"

  Thirty seconds later, and I was walking as fast as my legs would permit, hell-bent on looking for a certain Greek heiress who thought it would be fun for some reason to create an account for me on Tinder.

  Aaaaaargh!

  Never in my life...just never, never, never in my life would I have joined dating apps like Tinder. I simply couldn't, just couldn't. If you swiped right on a guy, you might as well have told him you found him cute, and oh my God, oh my God...

  I bit back a groan as I thought back on all the photos that Kat showed me, a majority of which I had effing swiped right on without knowing.

  Shit, shit, shit!

  Things like this were only supposed to happen in rom-coms. Romance novels. Or - in my case - otome games. But it was not supposed to happen within the sensible boundaries of reality, dammit. It just wasn't, and---

  Aha!

  I found Kat at her usual place behind the counter and marched towards her determinedly. The younger woman was talking on the phone, her face expressive, and she was making wild gestures every so often even though the other person couldn't see her.

  I planted myself on her line of sight and crossed my arms over my chest. She was so going to get a piece of my mind the moment---

  But when she finally noticed me, Kat's eyes only lit up. "Just the person I need to see."

  Huh?

  "Here." She shoved her phone towards me, and I took it without thinking. "Talk to him."

  What?

  But Kat was already asking her assistant to take over again and had escaped into her private office in the next moment.

  I looked down, Kat's phone still in my hand. What was that she said earlier? Talk to...OH. And before I could even think about it, I had already hit the red button to end the call.

  Oops.

  A moment later, the phone started ringing and vibrating, the name BIG BOTHER flashed on the screen, and I swallowed back a nervous laugh. It was so like Kat to name Ioniko like that in her phone book---

  Riiiing.

  I nearly dropped Kat's iPhone and quickly switched it to Silent when I belatedly noticed the frowns being thrown at my direction.

  Shit. Shit. Shit.

  I reluctantly answered the call, knowing it was pointless to delay the inevitable. Judgment Day would come whether I wanted it to or not. Taking a deep, calming breath, I said hesitantly, "Hello?"

  "Do you know, koukla mou...no woman has ever hung up on me."

  The dangerous softness of Ioniko's silky voice had me wincing, and I said weakly, "I'm sorry?"

  A few moments passed, and then Ioniko's voice had turned abrupt as he asked, "Is it true?"

  I bit my lip.

  "About Kat creating an account for you on Tinder?"

  "Yes," I whispered.

  "Get rid of it."

  I meant to. Or at least I had...until he said that, and instead I heard myself say, "No."

  Ioniko said something in Greek, and whatever it meant, the savage tone he used told me it wasn't anything good.

  "You really mean to do this."

  "Yes."

  Another moment passed, and then Ioniko said, "Come join me in Athens, and we'll talk."

  * * *

  This is crazy. Just plain abso-effin-lutely crazy. Crazy, crazy, crazy. But even as the words played over and over in my mind, it still didn't stop me from frantically going through my meager wardrobe and packing an overnight bag in a frenzy.

  Crazy, crazy, crazy.

  And yet here I was, meekly thanking a guy in a black suit as he took my carry-on and opened the door for me. The door to a freaking limousine, mind you, because apparently, this was how billionaires typically traveled.

  Like I said: craaaaaaaaazy, and it got even crazier when we arrived at the airport. Another guy in a black suit took over from Man in Black #1, and after escorting me through several narrow hallways, I only realized we had already bypassed customs and immigration when the last door we went through had us exiting straight out to the ramp.

  The airline's ground crew greeted me by name and walked me up to the plane, from which the first class cabin crew took over and ushered me to 3A. Although there were 10 suites - my God, SUITES, and not seats - in first class, there were only three other passengers with me: a politician and his wife in 1A and 1B and then a female celebrity at 5B.

  As soon as I was seated, the flight attendants fussed over me like I was a toddler about to throw a tantrum.

  Would you like to see our wine selection, Ms. Mathers?

  How about a shower while on board?

  If you'd like to have our in-flight chef prepare you any kind of dish, please just let us know.

  It took a while before I had them convinced I truly didn't need anything, and by the time they left and pulled the door shut, I was completely exhausted and overwhelmed, my jaw aching from all the smiling I had done because I didn't want them to think I was a hard-to-please bitch.

  Crazy, was all I could think of at that moment. This was just over-the-top bonkers, and the more I thought about it, the more I felt I was about to have a panic atta
ck. I shouldn't have let Kat convinced me to go, I thought hysterically. What the heck was I thinking, saying yes to flying halfway across the world just to spend---

  Riiiiiing.

  For a few seconds, I could only stare at my phone, stunned and more than a little worried because I had forgotten to switch it to airplane mode.

  Riiiiiing.

  And then I remembered: this was first class, and apparently, one of the perks included having Wi-Fi connection.

  I answered the call. "Hello..." I was hoping my voice would come out steady, but instead it wobbled in the end, and it was getting harder and harder to breathe.

  "Schuyler." Ioniko's deep, accented voice was strangely comforting, and I found myself closing my eyes and clinging to its sound. "Thank you for doing this."

  "I'm starting to regret it, to be honest."

  "Then it's a good thing you're already forty thousand feet off the ground now."

  I swallowed hard. "I just don't know..."

  "There's nothing to overthink yet, koukla mou." Ioniko's voice was soft and gentle. "You haven't committed to anything---"

  "Haven't I?"

  "If I could postpone my trip to Athens, I would---"

  "I didn't mean to---"

  "But I'm also unwilling to give any other man a chance to make a move on you while I'm away."

  Oh.

  "We'll talk, we'll compromise, and we'll see where we go from there, ne?"

  I nodded even though I knew he couldn't see me. "Ne."

  "Good girl."

  The term should've been offensive, but even though it made me wrinkle my nose, I also couldn't help feeling foolishly thrilled to it.

  After not-so-subtly ordering me to feed myself and rest, Ioniko hung up soon after, and I found myself alone with my thoughts once more. But unlike earlier, I was no longer hysterical and it wasn't as hard to breathe anymore.

  Ioniko was right, I thought. Flying halfway across the world for a weekend getaway and discuss a potential fling might be overkill in my book, but it wasn't in his, and both of us needed to learn how to compromise. He was already meeting with me halfway as it was, so now it was my turn.

  About an hour before the plane was scheduled to land, I decided to give the onboard shower a try, and it was such an incredibly surreal feeling that I couldn't help taking a quick photo of myself and sending it to Sara with a four word caption.

  Can you believe this?

  Sara's answer was waiting for me when I was out of the shower.

  Sara: You're living the life, Mrs. Billionaire.

  Schuyler: Shut up.

  Once back in my seat, butterflies started fluttering their wings inside my stomach, and I was unable to keep still despite the opulent comfort of my chair. I tried to resume working, but my brain refused to cooperate, with images of Ioniko constantly flashing in my mind. Doubts and insecurities had also wriggled their way back into my thoughts, and I started wondering and worrying again about the dangers of (potentially) falling for a gorgeous Greek billionaire.

  He's him, and I'm me. This isn't going to work, and I must've been out of my mind to think I had the slightest chance of holding his interest for more than a few days. Once he has me, that's it, he'll lose interest---

  A knock rapped on the door, the sound hurtling me out of my thoughts, and I realized I had been staring unseeingly for some time at my window.

  My window, which showed that we were already out of the runway and right next to the terminal.

  There was another knock, and I quickly got to my feet. "Sorry," I apologized as I slid the door open. "I didn't realize---" My voice trailed off when I realized it wasn't any of the cabin attendants waiting outside my suite.

  Oh. Myyyyyyyyy. Gaaaaah.

  Why couldn't I get used to how gorgeous he was? Why? Why? Why? I tried to get my vocal chords to work, but it was just impossible, and my knees literally trembled as I watched a mind-blowingly sexy smirk curve over Ioniko's lips. "You look like you want to kiss me."

  He...he...he was right, dammit.

  * * *

  Ioniko took hold of my hand and refused to let go even as the other first-class passengers gaped (they obviously knew him, and just as obviously wondered what the billionaire was doing with a girl like me) and the entire flight crew came out to greet us. It was my first time to experience what it truly felt like, being seen by people who knew Ioniko was, and I wondered if it would always be this uncomfortable and nerve-wracking.

  "They all think you're an idiot for dating a woman like me," I told him as we ascended the airstairs leading up to the plane listed for our connecting flight and which would fly us all the way to Athens.

  "So we're dating now?"

  I couldn't help grinning, knowing that faux pas was totally my fault. "You know what I mean."

  "Ne," Ioniko purred. "And it's exactly what you said. We're dating."

  I only rolled my eyes at that. He so wished it was going to be that easy---oh. We had reached the top of the steps, and one look around was enough to tell me that we weren't boarding a commercial plane. This was a private jet, and the identity of its owner could be easily gleaned from the hand-stitched logo in everyone's uniforms.

  Well...shit.

  I had a sudden, powerful urge to flee, but Ioniko must've sensed it, too, because his hand had instantly tightened around mine. And then he started introducing me to his flight crew, and I found myself putting my jaw to work once more as I smiled and smiled and smiled.

  Afterwards, Ioniko took me to a lounge-slash-bar at the back of the plane, and when the captain announced we were about to take off, he leaned over and reached for my seatbelt.

  "I can---" But a snapping sound told me he had already taken care of it, and so I stopped arguing. How very alpha, I couldn't help thinking, and the thought made me want to laugh and knock my head against something hard all at the same time.

  When Ioniko leaned back into his seat, his green gaze immediately sought mine and narrowed. "Something wrong?"

  "Just...overwhelmed." I wanted to be as honest as possible with him. "The difference between the lives we lead has been quite...glaring."

  "There are differences," Ioniko acknowledged, "but since it's you, they should be a welcomed change."

  "They should?"

  "You're a gold-digger, remember?"

  "Oh. Uh. Right." But the moment I saw his smirk, I totally lost it and burst into laughter. "Jerk."

  "While you, my Schuyler, have no hopes of being mercenary even if it is to save your life."

  "You just wait," I promised him. "Things like that take practice."

  "Good luck with that then." Ioniko's tone was so polite it had me giggling, and it suddenly struck me---

  Oh.

  Ioniko frowned when my giggling died an abrupt death. "What is it?"

  I felt my throat tighten as I gazed at him. Every time I thought about Ioniko being a billionaire, I felt awkward and terrified, but every time I was actually with him, I couldn't remember feeling happier and more relaxed in any other guy's company.

  "Schuyler?"

  It was almost as if...

  Almost as if I was...

  I squeezed my eyes shut.

  It's not true, Mathers. Whatever you think you feel for him, it's not that. It's not.

  "Speak to me, koukla mou."

  I opened my eyes. "I still want to date other guys."

  Ioniko noticeably turned rigid in his seat. "I see."

  "It's the only way," I told him jerkily, "I can protect myself."

  "Because you're absolutely convinced you need protecting?"

  "Can you tell me honestly that I don't?"

  His lips tightened, and his silence was answer enough for both of us.

  "When I say date...it's just, you know, spending time getting to know another guy, and that's all." When I saw something flicker in his gaze, I added emphatically, "There won't be anything else, like...kissing..."

  The tension visibly eased from Ioniko's form.


  "Or touching..."

  And the muscle in his jaw finally stopped ticking.

  "I see." It was all he said again, but at least this time he no longer sounded like he was biting each other word out, and when our gazes met once more...

  "Do you agree then?" I asked softly.

  "It depends on one last thing." His voice was sober.

  My brows furrowed. "You've got a condition of your own?"

  "What about our dates?"

  Oh.

  "Do I get to kiss you?"

  Gulp.

  "Touch you?"

  Double gulp.

  The correct answer to that was obvious from the start, but instead I heard myself answer, "We'll see."

  A few moments passed, and then another rakishly beautiful smirk slashed over his lips. "That's good enough for me."

  * * *

  Ioniko asked if I wanted a tour of the jet, and of course I said yes, and I took lots of photos, too, because this time I remembered that I had a role to play. "See how vain I am?"

  "A selfie is supposed to include yourself, koukla mou."

  Oh. Shit. He was totally right, of course, and the billionaire smirked when he saw me grimace at my mistake.

  After the tour, we headed back to the lounge, with its coffee tables converted into a dining table during our absence. Napkins were laid on our laps, and the seven-course meal served after it was just spectacular.

  This really is the life, I couldn't help thinking, but the thought only left me feeling subdued and uneasy, and when the staff started clearing the plates away, I asked Ioniko if I could have some time to work.

  "Of course. Do you want to work here or would you rather work in your room?"

  "The latter please."

  Ioniko took my hand as he helped me out of my seat, and when I kept trying to tug free, he bent his head down and murmured, "It's either you let me hold your hand or I'll try to kiss you."

  I stopped struggling after that, of course, and meekly followed his lead as he took me to one of the guest rooms onboard. Ioniko only freed my hand when he had to hold the door open for me, and I hid my hands behind my back the moment his fingers loosened.