“It’s not for me to say, madam. I assure you, however, that it’s quite tragic.” His voice was somber and his eyes held the faintest glint of anger.
“You can’t just tease a girl like that, Giles,” she informed him lightly. She knew she was being played by the old man, but couldn’t help but fall into the trap. It also provided an excellent distraction.
“There was a woman in his life: only one. She walked out at a most inopportune time when young Master Torres needed her most,” he said somewhat bitterly.
“I see.” She cast her eyes downward and nodded her head. She felt sorry for the man she had been sleeping with. The insight made her curious about him but she knew that she could not let herself get too involved. She wanted no more than this, and she thought she made that clear. I’m not exactly playing with his heart, she rationalized. Am I?
“Enjoy your evening, madam. I look forward to seeing more of you,” he said politely before turning on his heel. He walked away to return to his duties with the faintest of smiles playing on his lips.
She watched him walk away and couldn’t help but chuckle to herself. It seemed that Andreas had people that were willing to go out of their way to try and manipulate her into liking him more. It was subtle and even sweet, and it actually made her think more of the man. Anyone that could inspire that kind of loyalty was at least worth having dinner with.
As Eva waited, her earlier feeling of anxiousness returned and began to grow. She wished that Andreas would show up and provide her with a distraction. She looked into her purse and grabbed her phone to check the time. She had gotten ready too quickly and she began to worry if she had missed something. She mentally checked off all the things a woman should do before meeting with a man, and found that she had completed them all. It was because of her anxiety that she was restless and moving faster than normal. Now she wished she had moved slower to avoid the lack of forward progress, and something to focus her mind on.
She sighed and put her phone away, keeping her eyes locked on the door. As if the universe had heard her worries, it sent her the answer. A black limo pulled in front of the entryway, and a moment later, her Greek god of a man stepped out. He looked dashing in his navy blue suit and she started walking slowly toward the door to meet him.
She began to feel better as she walked. The anxiousness disappeared almost completely the moment she laid eyes on him. She wasn’t sure why, but she was glad that he could comfort her. She resolved to forget her bad feeling and focus on the beautiful man she was about to spend her night with. She pushed past the doors and felt the cool tropical night air fill her lungs. She smiled at him, allowing herself to feel completely at ease.
Chapter Seven
Andreas stared out of his window as the lights went by. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t even notice when the limo pulled into the hotel. He sat there for a moment and took a deep breath before stepping outside. His eyes scanned the area and fell onto Eva, standing just beyond the glass doors in a cream-colored dress that subtly blended with her pale skin. Even from the distance he stood, he could see her blue eyes clearly. His breath caught in his throat and his lips went dry. Never before had he seen a woman exhibit so much grace and beauty.
He saw her approach, and admired the way she moved in her heels. He wanted to freeze time somehow, to capture this moment forever. The way the dress clung to her body as she moved; the way her hair as it bounced with each step. He moved toward her, excited to embrace her in his arms and feel her body pressed against his. His heart pounded in nervousness and he struggled to control his pace.
She exited the hotel and the wind caught her hair. It made it flutter around her face, and it brought a smile to his face. No longer was he concerned about his past, but looked to her for his future. Even if things didn’t go the way he wanted, he could take comfort that from his interaction with Eva, he could move on with his life.
“Hello charming,” she said lightly as she approached the limo. She had to admit that the glamor was exciting.
“Hello princess,” he replied as he extended his arm out for her to take.
She entangled her limb with his and pressed herself close to his familiar scent and warmth. Her blue eyes looked up at his. “Careful, Andreas. It looks like you’re falling for me.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said though he knew it was a lie. He could easily picture himself spending years with her and having more nights like this.
“Uh huh,” she said huskily as her hand stroked his chest. “Shut up and kiss me.”
Andreas dutifully complied, pulling her closer for a warm kiss. Once they separated, she rested gently in the nook of his shoulder, cuddling against him. Andreas was looking forward to the evening ahead; he had decided not to pull any punches with dinner tonight. He had arranged for the two of them to eat at the finest French restaurant on the island. While he kept his brother’s advice in mind, and knew he should ease his “romance erection” into Eva, he still felt it was only proper to treat her to a nice dinner.
He was on cloud nine as the car drove down the street. He loved his job, and he loved his island home, but nothing made him happier than being around Eva. He had never believed in love at first sight, but seeing her had awakened something in him that had been sleeping for years. From the moment he had laid eyes on her, he had been possessed with an urge to get close to her. Of course, he had gotten quite close, quite quickly; but it was not satisfying. He needed to get close in every way. In all the ways.
He stared out of his window as the lights went by. He had never really stopped to appreciate them before. He had this little kingdom almost, with people that loved him, yet he never stopped to appreciate it. For years, the only thing he left home for was mandatory company meetings. It was lucky he had been in a position to meet Eva at all. He had his brother to thank for this. Tyler’s stubborn ways and constant pestering had finally worn through his armor; and seemingly at the perfect time. Andreas remembered his father saying that everything always happened when it was meant to happen. His lips formed a faint smile as he acknowledged his brother’s role in all of this. Idly, he thought that he should introduce Tyler to Nicole. He was positive those two would hit it off.
It surprised him, how much of life he was missing out on. He chastised himself for waiting this long to put himself out there, while also rationalizing that it was for the best. He’d have never met Eva if he had forced a lesser relationship sooner, or adopted his brother’s promiscuousness. At least, he hoped it would all be worth it; after all, Eva could simply fly out of his life forever in a few days. All the money and power in the world couldn’t make someone love you. Only effort and time could do that.
Chapter Eight
The roads were smooth as the limo drove silently in the night. Eva relaxed against Andreas and the comfortable seat as her eyes glanced around with excitement. She had never been in a limo before, and she felt herself being swept away by the romance. It was like she was living her own fairy tale. She knew how stupid it was to think that; she inwardly called herself stupid a hundred times for letting her guard down around this man.
Her eyes fell on Andreas for a long moment, and she studied him carefully. She wanted to find something wrong; some reason to dislike him. She needed some glaring flaw or inadequacy to show itself now as a sign that he was no good for her. She needed a reason to fight harder to keep her defenses firmly in place. Yet when he looked at her with kind eyes and a soft smile she felt her walls melt like the wax of a burning candle.
“Something on your mind?” he asked curiously.
His voice startled her out of her thoughts. “You,” she said simply.
“What about me?” he asked as he shifted in his seat.
“I’ll tell you later. Let’s just have a good night. You’re being the perfect gentleman.” She leaned against him and breathed in his powerful scent. It automatically caused moisture to gather between her thighs. Her thoughts drifted to only a few hours ago, with hi
s cock pumping in and out of her while she feasted on Nicole’s sex. The mental images seemed more like a dream than reality.
“I have been anything but a gentleman; let’s be honest.” He couldn’t help but laugh at the situation they were in. They’d sex several times, once with another person involved, and only now were they actually going on a date.
“That’s true, but you’ve been really sweet. I appreciate that.” She couldn’t understand why he was being this way. Nothing made sense. She was terrified by the warm, fuzzy feelings in her chest that signified that she was growing attached to him. The only comfort she could find was in the fact that she would soon be back to her real life, and all of this would be far away in the distant past. She would be safe at home with her mother, and working on grad school and job applications. It would make a good story to tell her other friends—how she once banged a billionaire.
“I’m just me,” he said softly as he caressed her hair as she lay against him.
The words rang through her mind, and for a fleeting moment she allowed herself to think that he was a wonderful man that she would want to be with. No. Things like this don’t last forever, she thought to herself as she crushed the hopeful idea in its tracks. She was here to have fun, not fall in love.
“You haven’t told me where we’re going,” she said in an attempt to fill the air with conversation and drown out the thoughts in her mind.
“It’s a surprise,” he said cryptically. “I have no doubt you’ll love it.”
Normally, she hated it when men did this. They would always pick something without thinking about it and the experience would be really terrible. She trusted him in this area however. It was his business to know fine food and sights. “I better. You are the master hotel owner.”
“No pressure or anything,” he said with a nervous twitch.
She patted him lightly on the arm and leaned up to kiss his cheek. Her eyes drifted out the window to see the palms drifting past. The green grass was illuminated by the bright street lights and other cars passed them on the way to their destinations.
“How long have you lived here?” she asked curiously.
“Ten years or so? My dad moved us out here when I was pretty young to oversee some things. We ended up falling in love with the area,” he said in a soft voice. His eyes drifted away from her as memories flooded his mind.
“I can see why. It’s nothing like where I’m from,” she said as she straightened herself.
“I hate to ask, because… you know,” he stammered out.
She laughed lightly and a smile formed her lips. “I’m from New York City.”
“Big city girl, I see. That explains quite a bit,” he said teasingly.
“And what’s that supposed to mean, mister?” she asked in a mock haughty voice.
“Oh, nothing.”
She huffed and crossed her arms, looking straight away but keeping him in the corner of her eye. She wasn’t actually offended, but she was feeling playful. She couldn’t even remember what it was that was making her feel terrible earlier.
The limo slowed down as it turned into a parking lot. Floods of people were walking into this restaurant by the ocean. Little flames were on torches all around them and the sounds of laughter filled the air.
“We’re here,” he said softly as the door opened for them.
The pair stepped out into the cool tropical air and the driver of the limo went off to park the car. They walked inside the restaurant, only to be greeted with a massive line of people waiting.
“Guess we should have expected this on a weekend when most people are on vacation,” he said in slightly irritation.
“You really don’t get out much, do you?” she asked softly as she entangled her arm with his.
He grunted in response and ushered them forward so that they could put their names on the list.
“Two,” he said simply.
The host, who didn’t even bother looking up asked, “Name please?”
“Torres,” Andreas replied.
The host’s eyes darted up from the seating chart he was making and looked at Andreas with wide-eyed shocked. “Sir, I didn’t realize it was you. We’ll have a table ready for you right away.”
Andreas smiled at the man and looked back toward Eva. “Is my surprise working for you so far?” he asked as they waited on their table.
“So far; but I’m not nearly as wowed by the fancy treatment as you think,” she started to say as a smile formed on her lips, “so the food better be amazing.”
“It will be. This is one of my restaurants,” he said defensively.
“Of course it is,” she replied fondly, patting him on the arm.
It took hardly any time at all before the manager came over to take Andreas and Eva back to their table. They navigated through the crowded floor all the way into the back corner where a booth was set aside for them.
“Your normal seat, sir,” the manager said with a grin. “Enjoy your meal and let me know if I can do anything for either of you.”
“Thank you,” Andreas replied smoothly as he helped Eva into her seat.
He moved to sit across from her in the candlelit room. He had forgotten how nice it was to take someone out on the town. It was something he hadn’t done in years; hadn’t even wanted to do in years. Not until he met her.
“Andreas, thank you,” she said softly as she reached across the table to clutch his hand.
“For what?” he asked with a tilt of his head.
“For not sucking at taking a girl out on a date,” she said with an amused laugh as she squeezed his hand tighter.
He couldn’t help but smile, and feel overcome with warmth. It was so easy to talk and joke with her that he couldn’t imagine anyone else being across from him. Thoughts of old heartache melted away as Eva held his hand. “One can only try their best.”
Chapter Nine
Andreas made sure to order an assortment of foods. He tried to select things that Eva had never had before tasted, and could not normally afford. She feasted eagerly on the caviar and oysters and various cheeses. Each new smell and flavor overwhelmed her senses to the point that she had to push her food aside and just focus on conversation.
“Okay, you win,” she said as she leaned back in her seat and allowed her food to settle.
“I wasn’t aware that this was a competition,” he replied with a laugh.
“Don’t you know that taking a girl out to eat is just foreplay?” she asked as she released a small laugh. “So, you win. You can have your way with me. Any way you want it, even right here.” She would have never dreamed of saying those words before, but between the wine and the events of the past forty-eight hours, she was feeling a little crazy.
Andreas’ face went flush as the heat traveled through his body. “You’re getting naughtier the more I spend time with you.”
“Of course I am. It’s entirely your fault for waking up my sexual hunger, so take responsibility and feed me,” she said with a straight face. She slipped off a high heel and placed a foot in his lap under the table. She began to stroke his hardening length with her toes.
“I guess I better do that soon; it’s almost after midnight,” he said as his breathing picked up.
“I’ll pretend you’re calling me Cinderella and not a gremlin,” she retorted back with hooded eyes. Her toes curled around the bulge in his pants as she caressed him through the fabric.
His hand grasped her foot and his thumb dug into the sole. “I would never dream of calling you that.” He released a low chuckle as he massaged her foot, attempting to turn the tides on her.
“Of course not, Charming,” she said in a husky voice. She leaned back in the booth, enjoying his touch against her foot. She allowed herself to grow comfortable with the pressure as his strong thumbs kneaded away at her worry. “You’re quite good at that.”
“I appreciate that. I don’t often get a chance to use this skill,” he said with a laugh. He continued working on her foot,
almost forgetting about his arousal as his mind focused on the massage.
“Well, if you ever fail at running hotels and lose all your money, you can always try becoming a massage therapist.”
He rolled his eyes and continued working her foot with his hand. “I’ll remember that,” he spoke softly as he focused on gently pinching the space in between her toes. The skin gave way under the pressure as he slowly dragged his fingers outward.
Eva leaned her head back and let out a soft little moan. She forgot about teasing him and allowed herself to simple enjoy the soothing sensation. She hadn’t even realized that she might need this until it started happening. Unlike sex, the massage was pure relaxation, and it cleared her mind rather than cloud it.
The waiter arrived a few moments later with the check. He laid it down silently on the table and Andreas nodded in appreciation. He reached for his wallet and placed his credit card in the little book that housed the check before returning his attentions on his date.
“Would you like to go back to my place after this?” Andreas asked as he continued to administer the foot massage. “I think it might be more private than going back to your hotel room—I had fun with Nicole, but I just want to be with you tonight.”
“Sure,” Eva groaned in response. “But if you keep this up, we’re not going to make it to your house,” she said as she arched her foot into his touch. She felt her panties growing soaked beneath her dress. She wished that he would remove them sooner rather than later.
“Oh. Do you want to get started in the limo?” he asked, already knowing the answer. He gazed at her hungrily. Her nipples were poking through the fabric of her dress and her skin was flushed He knew she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
More than a Fling (Billionaires on the Beach) Page 4
