Ten Brides for Ten Hot Guys

by Donna Fasano

  “Ashley.” Stefano narrowed his eyes.

  Not ready to be intimidated, she shrugged and walked to the door. “Anyway, I have to leave now.”

  “Don’t you dare,” Stefano called after her.

  Ignoring the exclamations of protest, she slammed the door behind her, and strode toward the elevator. The office door opened again.

  “Ashley, I said I’m going to drive you.” Stefano’s authoritative tone brought back the morning scene.

  “Go to hell, Mr. Kostapoulos.” She stepped inside the elevator.

  “What? Ashley—” The closing doors cut off the rest of his sentence. When the elevator stopped in the lobby, she found Stefano waiting for her. His arms crossed over his chest, his legs apart, he blocked her way. “We have to talk. Now.”

  She raised her palm to stall him and shook her head. “You’re wet. Don’t you want to change?”

  “Wet or not, I will say my piece.” He cupped her elbow. “Come.”

  “Let me go.” She jerked her arm to free herself. To no avail. “Let me go or else—”

  “You don’t have a drink in hand to throw at me.”

  “That was your fault.”

  “Fine, but now you can scream all you want. You can try to hit me, or scratch, or bite, but you will listen to what I have to say.”

  She released a long sigh and hissed. “Don’t think I’ll forgive you after you sweet talk me.”

  He smiled. “I won’t sweet talk you. All I ask is the chance to present my case, Counselor Sheppard.”

  She didn’t smile but glanced at her elbow still incased in his firm grip. “Are you going to walk in the street with those wet clothes?” With a tilt of her head, she pointed at his crotch. “People may think—”

  “The hell with what people think. We’re going to talk now.”

  “You won’t let go.”

  “Ashley, you have the right to be upset, but all I ask is a few minutes of your time. Is that too much to ask?” The dark glimmer in his eyes sent a tingle of awareness right down to her toes.

  Obviously, there was no easy way to get rid of Stefano Kostapoulos when he wanted something. She’d rather talk than spend another minute trapped by his gaze.

  “Fine, walk me to my hotel and say what you have to say. Quickly.” She tugged at his arm. He let her go and followed her out of the building.

  “Ashley—” He started, but she shrugged.

  “Do you expect me to believe more lies?”

  “Would you like to put me under oath, Counselor?” Frustration oozed from the tight set of his jaws. “Here, I swear to tell the truth.”

  “All the truth and nothing but the truth?” Slung by its straps over her shoulder, her purse bounced at the same rate as her crisp steps.

  “Yes, satisfied?” With a groan of exasperation, Stefano nodded.

  “You’re the one who asked for this.” Chin high, eyes staring straight ahead, she strode the sidewalk. “Did you or did you not already know I was your enemy’s granddaughter when you invited me to your yacht?”

  “But—”

  “Remember, you’re under oath.” Energy surged through her. She’d give him a demonstration of her cross examination technique he wouldn’t forget easily.

  “Yes, I knew who you were but—”

  “Did you or did you not want to delay me and prevent me from attending the hearing?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “Did you or did you not abstain from giving me your phone number for fear I would recognize your name?”

  “Yes, yes, but—”

  “Did you or did you not already know you’d be in the courtroom when you said you’d wait for me outside after the hearing?”

  “Ashley, stop it. I didn’t ask for an interrogation. I want to clarify some facts. You promised to listen.”

  “Go ahead.” He could talk until dawn without convincing her. The sharp look she cast him challenged more than words.

  “Yes, I knew your identity. And yes, I had my own agenda when I invited you to my yacht, but all that fell apart when I saw you on the deck taking pictures, so lovely and determined to help your grandfather. I forgot the villa and the project. All I wanted was to get to know you as a woman. Not as the enemy. When I held you in my arms, I hated the Pink Villa that stood like the Peloponnese between us.” He paused, obviously waiting for an answer or a reaction to his heart-felt declaration.

  Ashley kept her lips tight and navigated her way through the crowd bustling away from the downtown square toward the beaches. Of all the places to share an intense conversation on such a touching subject, the busiest street in the heart of Mykonos was the worst, but she wouldn’t allow him to trap her in a secluded place. The throng elbowing them every step of the way offered her the best protection against her unreliable emotions.

  “I didn’t plan to attend the hearing. Ted was more than capable of representing me. Knowing that you’d be there made me change my mind.”

  Her stomach lurched with sadness. She spun to face him. “Why? To watch my humiliation?”

  “No, to tell you the truth, to protect you from hurt.”

  A snort escaped her.

  “I came for you, Ashley. I couldn’t stand the idea of you learning my identity from someone else.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me who you were on your yacht?”

  “Before we made love, you’d have run away and insisted I brought you back to shore. There was chemistry between us, a chemistry I didn’t want to destroy. I promised myself I would tell you the truth in the morning.”

  Tears stung at his words, and she averted her head. He’d just soiled her most beautiful memories.

  “After I held you in my arms all night, I just couldn’t spoil our beautiful time together. Please understand.”

  Understand? That he’d ruined everything. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

  “I understand perfectly.” Swallowing her frustration and inappropriate tears, she blinked several times.

  “Later, I tried to fix things for your grandfather. Not for him. But for you.”

  “Thank you. I’m flattered.” They’d almost reached her hotel. She’d rather not hear anymore of his sweet words.

  “Honestly, Ashley, I was attracted to you from the minute I saw you on the beach. Before I even knew who you were.”

  She stopped in her tracks and spun to face him. “When did you see me on the beach? You weren’t even there.”

  He chuckled. “I was on my boat playing with my binoculars when I saw a beautiful redhead come out of the Pink Villa and settle under an umbrella. Then I asked Ted to find out about you.”

  “Oh my God, you spied on me through your binoculars when I was…” Good God, he saw her remove her bra. She fisted her hand ready to punch him. “You dirty Peeping Tom. You thought I was an easy…”

  Of all the humiliations of the day, this was the worst. “Go to hell, Mr. Kostapoulos.” Good thing the hotel entrance was only a hundred feet away. She took off at a run, her heart echoing the clanking of her heels on the sidewalk.

  As she reached the revolving door, an arm coiled around her waist, dragged her back against a strong chest, and propelled her to the sidewall of the hotel building.

  She flinched and gasped. “Stefano. Stop it. I don’t want to hear more explanations.” She squirmed against him to free herself. To no avail. His hold tightened. The feel of his body heat penetrated the fabric of her shirt and scorched her skin.

  “Sweetheart, I’m a man of action. We’re done with explanations and words.” He muttered against her ear, and then turned her to face him.

  “Let go of me this instant.” She shoved at his chest with both hands, wanting to slap the smug smile off his face.

  Pinning her against the wall, he didn’t budge. “Not on your life, kookla mou.” His blue eyes bore into hers, dark, intense, and unnerving.

  Before she had time to utter another word, warm lips covered hers and his tongue slid past her teeth, tan
gled with her own, and robbed her will-power.

  The world reeled around her. She stopped pushing, clutched fistfuls of his shirt between her trembling fingers, and concentrated on the intoxicating taste of him.

  One more kiss. One last time.

  His palm cradled her nape, tilted her head, and deepened his kiss. Their mouths welded and their tongues waltzed a happy dance. Out of breath, she moaned. His lips slipped to her cheek and trailed warm kisses along her jaw and down her throat.

  “Ashley,” he groaned. “I won’t let you go.”

  But I have to let you go. The thought doused her passion like a bucket of icy water. Too many women gravitated to him. She wouldn’t be one of the many he tempted with his kisses and discarded when the next beauty came along.

  Recalling her tattered poise, she drew in her breath and met his gaze. “Stefano, what exactly do you want?” Her frigid tone should convince him she’d recovered her wits. “We can flirt together, or we can work together, but not do both at the same time. It’s against my work ethics.” She offered him a thin-lipped smile. Lord, give me the strength to continue this act.

  His eyes narrowed. He released her. “You wouldn’t mind flirting?” Anger laced his tone.

  Still plastered against the wall, she tried not to flinch under his unyielding gaze. “For a few days, no. But then, I will leave. I’d hate to waste more time on pleasant but pointless games when so much work awaits me in Boston.”

  “Is that so?” Controlled fury replaced his laidback arrogance. He shoved his hands in his pockets and stepped back. “We are meeting at 9:00 am in my office tomorrow morning.” Turning around, he stomped off along the sidewalk.

  Her arms folded against her chest, she watched his proud back disappear around the corner, and then she entered the hotel. Pain knifed through her heart and deflated her fake calm. His kiss had been so passionate, so tender. Did she have to hate him to protect herself?

  Chapter 8

  An almost sleepless night gifted Ashley with a splitting headache. Awake at six, but too tired to get up, she rehashed the events of the previous day and mentally repeated every word exchanged in court and later.

  From the legal point of view, the outcome of the hearing sounded like a victory—at least for her grandfather, but Stefano had claimed he’d accommodated his former enemy only because of her. Sure, because he wanted her back in his bed. No other reason. He couldn’t have any other reason. They’d just met two days ago. A successful businessman and playboy of his caliber who collected beauties, the likes of Sophia and Ireny, didn’t fall for a woman so fast. She was the one who’d lost her head like a teenager at her first dance. Disgusting.

  She winced as she recalled their torrid kiss on the sidewalk last evening. A heated tide covered her face and her stomach fluttered. Good thing she’d managed to convince him their steamy embrace had been nothing more than a flirtatious game for her.

  A game? Oh dear, a game when her heart squeezed and desire thudded in the pit of her belly? A game when she couldn’t erase the taste of his mouth or forget the caresses of his hands on her flesh?

  And yet, he claimed he wouldn’t let her go. Chills tickled her skin. Was he sincere?

  Their blissful night played in her memory and a blazing flame curled up her chest. She closed her eyes, still hearing her moans of pleasure when his muscled body had pressed into her, her happy sighs when she snuggled against his naked form.

  Stop it, counselor. Drat, she needed a cold shower to douse the inferno that threatened to consume her again. Or better, a dip in the sea and vigorous swimming to bring her back to her senses.

  Wiping beads of perspiration from her throat, she shimmied out of her wet nightie to slip on her bikini. After tucking her beach wrap around her, she made a makeshift knot under her collarbone, tossed her keys in her bag, and left her room.

  The young man at the reception desk greeted her with a yawning voice.

  “Good morning, Vasilis. If anyone asks for me, just say that I’m gone for the day.” Reassured that Anton or any driver Stefano might send to pick her up wouldn’t waste time waiting for her—especially when she preferred to be on her own—she walked out of the hotel through the backdoor leading to the beach.

  A few sunbathers already relaxed on large towels, some lying on their stomachs, others tanning their breasts under the weak sunrays of the early morning. Ashley twitched her mouth at the sight of topless women. No power on earth would make her shed her bra from now on.

  Without hesitation, she yanked off her wrap, shoved it in her bag, and dropped it on the sand to join the dozen early birds who swam in the rippling sea. Hopefully, some brisk exercise would cool her body and help her regain her rational mind.

  “I’ll get that man out of my hair.” She padded through the low tide and then swam through the refreshing sea.

  Half an hour later, she floated on her back, a hand resting on the safety buoy, marking five hundred meters. Letting the gentle waves carry her, she relaxed and ignored the boats idling not too far from her. Invigorated, she was ready to go back to the hotel, get dressed and tackle her first day of work on the Kostapoulos-Zanis venture, but certainly not ready to meet her new working partner and spend hours averting her gaze from his turquoise eyes and steel muscles.

  She dove under water one last time and surfaced, shaking droplets out of her eyes. “Time to go back,” she said out loud.

  “Too early yet.” The all-too familiar voice had her sputter. She spun to look at the swimmer approaching her.

  Talk about the devil… “What the—”

  “Good morning.” A slow wicked smile crinkled Stefano’s sensual mouth.

  She hadn’t stopped thinking about him. All night, all day. Was that enough to have him materialize in front of her? In the middle of the sea?

  “Where d’ you come from?” Had he inquired about her at the hotel?

  His thumb lifted to point behind him. “I spent the night on the Athena. Couldn’t sleep much. In the early morning, I cruised along the beach, hoping to see you. The Lord up there answered my wish.”

  A gasp escaped her. The Lord, or most probably Satan. She whirled and gaped at the sleek yacht moored not far from them. How had she overlooked such a big boat?

  “How did you spot me from far… Never mind.” She narrowed accusing eyes on him. “You spied on me with your binoculars again.”

  “Spied?” He smacked his chest indignantly. “Never. Just used them to scan the beach and the sea. Is that a sin? Binoculars are made to help far vision. I couldn’t miss the only red mane floating on the waves.” His fingers caught a wet lock and played with it.

  Although she didn’t feel his touch, a tingling sensation froze her kicking legs as his lazy grin played havoc with her self-control. She took a deep, steadying breath, and flipped her head. Her hair slipped from his hand.

  “We have plenty of time to enjoy the sea.” His voice, hoarse and sensual, suggested many seductive ways to use their time. “Our official meeting doesn’t start until nine.” The dark hair plastered to his forehead added to his rakish pirate looks. Although she wondered if pirates came with such gorgeous turquoise eyes. Or with bronzed shoulders padded with taut muscles. Or…

  Stop it.

  Darn, for the past half an hour, she’d swum with all her strength at an ungodly hour to clear her mind of Stefano. She shouldn’t spend another minute trying to stay afloat with him invading her breathing space. “I already had my swim.”

  “Then how about breakfast on the Athena?”

  “No way. Huh, no thank you.” Did he think she’d sit across from him in her skimpy bikini, at the same table where they had a lovely dinner by sunset and a steamy kiss that led her straight to his bed? Her heart wobbled but she steadied her voice. “I’ll have breakfast at one of the cafés before going to your office.”

  “As you wish.” His gaze settled on her for a brief moment.

  “I’ll see you later.”

  He held his hand up to block h
er way. “Ashley, do you believe me?”

  She stopped short and leaned on the buoy. “Pardon?”

  “Do you still think I made love to you because I wanted to prevent you from attending the hearing and win the case?” His finger touched her chin and tipped her face up.

  Her eyelashes shuttered. She’d pondered the same question all night long. “How can I trust you after—” She clamped her mouth. Remembering their night together was too painful.

  “I’ve done everything in my power to convince you I didn’t trick you.”

  She stared at him. Grandpa had told her once that the definition of a fool was someone who didn’t learn from a mistake. Was she a fool? “So why did you keep me on your yacht?”

  “For the same reason you wanted to stay. Because I’m attracted to you and have trouble resisting our attraction.” He grasped the buoy with one arm and folded the other around her waist bringing her against his body, his breath fanning her cheek. “Since I’ve seen you, I couldn’t think of anything but getting you in my arms.” Attraction, desire, lust. He said it all in one sentence, all he wanted and all he would offer.

  “Oh dear.” She averted her gaze toward the darned yacht she hadn’t noticed because she’d been so engrossed thinking about him, convincing herself she shouldn’t be back in his arms.

  Don’t be a fool, counselor. She lowered her eyes to his muscled arms and fisted her hand to avoid splaying her fingers on his chest and raking the tantalizing dark curls.

  Geez, she wanted to be back in his arms.

  What about her dream of finding a Greek man who could love her unconditionally? She inwardly snorted. That particular dream was her grandfather’s suggestion. As a rational lawyer who dealt with the scum of the earth and subdued all kinds of characters daily, she knew better than to play games with her own heart. Yet, Stefano’s unspoken offer came with fringe benefits she secretly craved.

  “Ashley, you haven’t answered. Do you trust me?”

  God help her. Yes, she trusted him. Yes, she wanted… A clear picture materialized in her mind, a deliciously erotic picture of herself, topless, clinging to his Apollo’s torso, lips locked with his, hands hooked behind his neck and legs wrapped around his hips. A sigh of longing escaped her.