Chapter 16
Bella
I was having more fun than I could remember having in a very long time. The water was comfortable, not too cold, nothing like I remembered the Pacific Ocean being. I was straddling the board, my feet dangling in the water, with Adrian right alongside me on his own board.
“Ready to try standing up again?” he asked.
I’d been struggling to concentrate on the surfing lessons. He’d taken off his shirt, revealing numerous tattoos and a chest that had left me wiping the drool from my chin. He was tanned and muscular, and the tats were a stark contradiction to the strait-laced suits I always saw him wearing. It intrigued me. I wanted to ask him what they meant, if there was any meaning. I had a feeling he would only get ink on his body that held some kind of significance.
“I will try,” I answered, not looking forward to another faceplant into the water.
Any makeup I had put on this morning was long gone. I had tied my hair back in a ponytail after the first few times of getting dunked in the crystal-clear water.
“One more try, and then we’ll grab some lunch,” he said with that sexy smile I was growing very accustomed to seeing. “I’m starving.”
“All right, here goes nothing,” I said, paddling out and hoping there was a chance I could actually ride a wave.
It was futile. Surfing was never going to be my sport. While I had fun trying, it wasn’t ever going to be my thing.
“Let’s get lunch!” he exclaimed, running out of the water, his board under his arm.
I followed behind him, laughing at his gleeful, boyish exuberance. He was a completely different man on the beach than he was in the office. I really liked this side of him. We walked back to return the surfboards. He pulled on his shirt while I used the towel he had thought to bring and dried off before pulling on my dress.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Should we put this in your car?” I asked.
He shrugged. “It’s just a blanket. Leave it for the next person who wants to enjoy it.”
“Okay.”
“There’s a place just a short walk away. We can drive if you prefer?”
“Walking works for me. It’s a nice day, and I could use the walk to dry my hair a bit.” I imagined I probably looked like a drowned rat.
We sat at a table outside on a cobblestone patio, each table with an umbrella to provide diners protection from the sun. I could hear and smell the ocean. I felt completely relaxed.
“You okay?” he asked, his head tilted to the side as he stared at me.
“Yes, fine, why?”
“You have a look on your face, like you’re… tired,” he said as if he wasn’t sure that was the right word.
I smiled. “It’s contentment. Complete relaxation. I’m relaxed.”
He grinned, nodding his head. “I see. I’m glad to see it.”
“Thank you for helping me achieve it,” I said. “I have truly never felt this relaxed. I know I’ll feel guilty about it later, but for now, I’m going to enjoy it.”
“Why feel guilty?”
“Because I feel like I should be doing something, working or calling my dad, or—I don’t know—something productive.”
He chuckled. “This is why you work. So you can have these moments. Did you work all the time back home?”
“I suppose I did. If I wasn’t working or studying, I was usually cleaning the house or volunteering at the animal shelter. I always felt like there wasn’t enough time in the day. Since I’ve been here, I feel like I have a lot of time on my hands.”
“What brought you here? It doesn’t sound like your life in the United States was bad.”
“It wasn’t bad!” I defended.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean bad. I guess I wonder why you chose to come all the way around the world for a job. You’re talented, and you have excellent people skills. You could work anywhere you wanted. Why come here when you so obviously miss your father?”
It was a good question. “I did a lot of research. Your company is at the top. I wanted to know what it was you were doing that was working so well. When I saw you were offering an internship, I figured that was a great way to get inside and learn from the best.”
He was studying me, watching me closely. “That’s a great answer, but I don’t think it’s the real answer. Why are you really here?”
I squirmed. My dad was the only one who knew me well enough to know when I wasn’t telling the truth. “I came here because I wanted one shot at living this kind of life.”
He nodded, leaning forward in his chair. “What kind of life?”
I put my hands up, gesturing to the water and the beach and all of it. “This. Eating a delicious lunch on a beach in a foreign country. This life where I wasn’t the girl who didn’t have a mom and lived in the tiny house that was falling down around her. I wanted to be one of the girls I had read about on blogs, traveling the world and just being completely free.”
“That right there is exactly what makes you so special,” he said, picking up the cold drink that had been delivered to our table.
“What? Special?”
He nodded. “Yes, your true talent lies in your people skills. You have an innate charm about you. People are drawn to you.”
“Except your friend, Rand,” I replied.
He smirked. “Rand is just as impressed with you like everyone else. Cassia can’t stop talking about you. You’ve really impressed her, and that is no easy task. She’s a tough person to get in good with.”
“Thank you. That means a lot coming from you.”
“I’m serious. You’re very good at your job, but I think we’re wasting your true talents by locking you down in a tiny cubicle, hiding behind a computer screen.”
I raised an eyebrow, not sure where he was going with his compliments and not entirely sure I wanted to stop him. “What are you referring to?” I asked, hoping I wasn’t going to have to dump the diet soda I had in my hand all over his pretty little head.
My father raised me to be a respectable woman. I wasn’t going to be propositioned over lunch by my boss, no matter how handsome he was.
He held up a hand. “I was referring to your people skills. You would be really good with clients. I have a meeting in Athens this coming week, and I would really like you to go with me. You have an honesty and an innocence about you that I think clients will appreciate. They don’t want to hear my spiel. They want to hear from someone who they feel they can trust and relate to.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. I don’t think I’m any good at dealing with people.”
“You’re great with people. You have a warm smile and a way about you that puts people at ease. I’m at ease. I’m never at ease with anyone. That should tell you something right there.” He laughed.
“I guess it was all those years of waitressing and working in the nursing home,” I said, shrugging a shoulder.
“A nursing home?” he asked.
“Where old people live. I don’t know what you call them here, but back home, it’s like a hospital, but it’s for old people who don’t have anyone to care for them. They go into a nursing home. I started volunteering with my friend when I was fourteen.”
His brows raised. “Really? What did you do? You were a nurse?” The skepticism on his face was laughable.
“No, no. I would read to them, play Bingo with them, sometimes help them eat and stuff like that. I wasn’t a nurse.” I found it interesting that he didn’t know what the homes were.
“I see. I think that definitely helped you relate to people. When I talk to clients, many of them are small-business owners that want an edge. I hate to admit it, but I don’t think I have that personality that puts them at ease. They see me, and sometimes, I get the feeling they think I don’t really care about their struggles to run a small business. I do. Trust me, I do, but they see me as the successful CEO of a company.” He sighed.
“And you think I can persuade them
to hire the company?” I asked, wanting clarification.
“Yes. You’re exactly what I think will persuade them. You’ll be my secret weapon.” He grinned.
I laughed. “That’s flattering.”
“It’s the truth,” he said, his eyes holding mine. “If there is one thing about me you need to know, I don’t lie. I don’t like to dance around a point. I say what I feel and don’t waste time with empty compliments.”
I felt like I was in a business negotiation with him. He was a formidable man and could be very intimidating but in a nice way. “Okay. I’m your employee, and I’ll do what you think is best.”
“I think this is best, and I appreciate you being open to trying something different. This is going to be great for you, for me, and for the company.”
I couldn’t stop smiling. I felt like I was on top of the world. I couldn’t wait to tell my dad. I wasn’t sure it was a promotion, but it certainly felt like it. Not only was I going to get out from behind the computer, but I was going to get to go to Athens. That had definitely not been on my agenda. My dad was going to be so excited.
A waitress came by and took our orders. I was absolutely starving and was already telling myself not to stuff my face and embarrass myself in front of not only my boss, but probably the hottest guy on the planet.
“How often do you surf?” I asked him, changing the subject.
“Not a lot, and I will never be a pro, but it’s great exercise, and I try to get out here at least once a week. It doesn’t always work out like that.” He shrugged.
“I still cannot get my head around living here and having the beach right there,” I said. “Like, you get out of bed and there’s the beach!”
He nodded his head. “It’s not quite that close, but my house does have private beach access,” he confessed.
“No way!”
“Yes, way.”
“Wow. It is going to be really hard to leave this place. If I was a native, I don’t think I would ever move away. I would live here until the day I died,” I said on a breath.
When I turned back to look at him, I saw him watching me. The way he was looking at me made me feel breathless. My heart was pounding in my chest. I wanted to ask him what he was thinking but stopped myself. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. I wasn’t sure I could handle it. There was a very good chance I would melt.
“I don’t think I will ever leave,” he said.
I thought I sensed sadness or maybe regret. I wondered what the story was behind it. Adrian was a man who only offered small tidbits of personal information. I would wait. He would tell me if he wanted me to know. I wouldn’t press. I was going to enjoy the time I had with him in this beautiful city.
Chapter 17
Adrian
The weekend had been too short. I could have spent an entire week hanging out with Bella, showing her around the city and maybe taking a road trip down the coastline to visit some of the other cities crowded on Crete. I’d had one day with her, and I was hooked. I wanted there to be more days just like Saturday.
Maybe there was a way I could extend our trip to Athens by a day. I knew it was risky, but I kept telling myself it was just two people hanging out. I was being nice and showing her around, being a friend for someone who was in a new place and knew no one. I was being a good guy—nothing more.
There was a soft knock on the door, pulling me from my thoughts about working out a way to spend more time with Bella. “Come in,” I called from where I was seated at my desk.
“Hi, are you busy?” Bella asked, popping her head in the door.
“Not at all,” I answered, jumping to my feet. “Come in.”
She walked inside and quietly closed the door. My eyes roamed over the skirt and sleeveless blouse she was wearing. It was professional, sexy, and made me think of a bad porn movie. All she was missing was the glasses on the tip of her nose. Even her hair was up in a loose bun, with little strands falling around her face. She was sexy as hell no matter what she wore.
“I wanted to ask you about what you mentioned on Saturday,” she said, looking over her shoulder as if she was afraid someone would hear her.
“Have a seat,” I said, anxious to have her stick around a bit.
“Were you serious about the Athens trip?” she asked.
I smiled, nodding my head as I took my seat again. “I was. Why? Do you not want to go?”
“No, I mean, I do, but if you weren’t serious, it’s okay,” she said, her hands twisting in her lap. “I’m only asking because I need to plan my week here.”
“I was absolutely serious,” I told her. “It’s an important meeting, and I think your presence there could really sway them to sign with us.”
“Okay, great,” she said with a smile. “I’ll let Cassia know. When do we leave?”
My phone ringing was her answer. I grabbed it, seeing my mother’s face on the screen and grimaced. “I need to take this.”
She nodded. “No problem,” she said, getting to her feet.
“No, stay. It’ll just take a second.”
She sat back down while I answered the phone.
“Hi, Mom,” I said into the phone.
“Adrian, I need to know if you are coming on Saturday,” she scolded.
I sighed, my shoulders slumping forward. “Mom—”
“Adrian, it is one day, half a day. You can make it. I know you are the boss. You don’t have to work if you don’t want to work.”
“I know, but I—”
She cut me off before I could come up with a clever excuse. “No, no buts. I want you here.”
I closed my eyes before leaning back in my chair and staring up at the ceiling. “I’ll be there.”
“And your girlfriend?” she asked. “Will you be bringing her?”
“Mom,” I started, not sure what I was going to say.
“Adrian,” she snapped.
“Actually, you know what?” I looked at Bella. “She’s here right now, and we were just talking about it.”
Her eyes went wide with surprise. I offered her a small smile. I probably should have asked her first, but it was done now.
“Oh great!” my mother exclaimed. “Let me speak to her. I will personally invite her.”
“Uh, not now. We both have to run. We’ve got work to do. I’ll see you Saturday.” I quickly disconnected before she could pressure me into saying or doing anything else I might regret.
I put the phone on my desk and looked up to see Bella staring at me. There was a small smile on her lips. “Your mother?” she asked.
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Are we going to a barbecue or whatever it is called here on Saturday?” she asked, that playful smile still resting on her lips.
I let out a groan. “Yes, please?” I asked.
She giggled softly. “I already told you I would. I don’t mind. I’ve always wanted to meet a big Greek family, and now I get to.”
I slowly shook my head. “You might end up regretting this.”
“I doubt it. I’m looking forward to it.”
“I’m only accepting your offer because you owe me,” I teased.
“Oh, good god, for what part? The job? Rescuing me? Hanging out with me?” She laughed. “I think I owe you a lot, and one little lunch with your family doesn’t quite seem like it will even the scales.”
“Trust me,” I said with a grimace. “I’ll be in your debt after this lunch with my family.”
“I think you’re overreacting. It will be fine. I can get along with most people. I’ll do my best not to embarrass you.”
“You couldn’t embarrass me, and it isn’t you I’m worried about. My family? They can be kind of, um, obnoxious, I think is the word I would use.”
She burst into laughter, obviously amused by my discomfort. “I cannot wait. You always have this calm and cool thing going on. I cannot wait to see you out of sorts and uncomfortable.”
“Thanks,” I grumbled.
“So, this Athen
s thing,” she said, getting right back to business. “When and where and for how long?”
“We leave tomorrow morning,” I told her.
“What?” she exclaimed, panic in her voice. “Already? Oh my god! I have so much to get done!”
“You don’t need to worry about your work here. It will get taken care of. I was serious when I said I wanted to pull you out from behind the scenes. I want you up front where the action is. I want you to be the one that talks to clients and makes them feel comfortable about hiring us. You have the benefit of knowing what goes on in a campaign, and you have the creative edge that can’t be taught—it’s a gift. I want clients to see that and hear it from you.”
“You sure know how to be persuasive,” she replied.
I grinned. “Together, we’ll make a hell of a sales team.”
“Okay, I will be ready. Are we flying?”
“Private jet. I’ll pick you up at the hotel around seven. Does that work?”
She nodded. “Of course. How many days should I pack for?”
I thought about it. I was going to do what I could to try and get an extra day in Athens. I was sure Rand could handle things in the office, and I didn’t have anything pressing on my schedule for the week.
“Let’s plan for three days,” I said. “We can always come back early if our business is taken care of early.”
“Okay.” She nodded, but I could tell there was something on her mind.
“Bella, did you have something you needed to be here for?” I asked.
“No, it’s just, I was going to live stream my dad’s show on Friday morning,” she said, a hint of sadness in her voice.
“Your dad’s show?” I asked with confusion.
“It’s the Fourth of July back home on Thursday,” she replied. “His show will be going at seven or so our time on Friday morning. I was hoping to be able to watch the live stream.”
Fake It For Me Page 10
