by Leslie North
“You’re mistaking me for Zeus.”
“No one could make that mistake. Are you Athena?”
“The patron goddess of Athens?” She thought for a moment and ran a finger over the rim of her wine glass. She tried to think of something witty to say, but being so near to Dareios had her senses spinning. Her heart was racing, and there was a distinct wetness gathering between her legs that was hard to ignore. She ignored the urge to cross her legs. “I believe in the battle with Poseidon I would have been just as wise in my gift to the people.”
“Ah, you know Greek mythology. Do you think Poseidon’s gift of sea water was in error?”
Alexandra shrugged. “It gave the people a source of trade, but the water couldn’t be consumed. The olive tree provided not only fruit and oil, but wood. A much wiser gift.”
He leaned closer. “I always envisioned Athena as being proud and full of herself. You seem more like…Aphrodite?”
“The goddess of love and pleasure?” Alexandra gave a small laugh. It felt heady to flirt with Dareios from behind her mask. “You’d like that, would you?”
“She was the most beautiful goddess. You are certainly the most beautiful woman here tonight.”
“I should thank you for the compliment. However, Aphrodite was unfaithful to her husband and countries warred over her.”
Touching his hand to hers, he asked, “Have we met before? There’s something…familiar about you.”
Alexandra’s heart quickened. She sipped her drink and smiled. “I was going to say the same thing. Perhaps we met in another life?”
He shook his head. “No, I would remember I think. Well, if you’re not Athena and not Aphrodite…ah—I know. Artemis! The smart one. The goddess of the hunt.”
She gave a small nod. She watched his eyes darken. “And since you didn’t come as Orion, you’re in no danger of dying this evening.” The more she thought about it, the more she could see herself personifying Artemis this evening. Hunting seemed like a good description of her activities this night.
“That’s good to know. We’re not allowed to reveal our identities until midnight.” He glanced at his watch. “That gives us more than two hours to get acquainted. Dare I ask the cliché—what brings you here tonight?”
“A worthy cause. Helping children. And you?”
“The same.” He leaned even closer.
She could smell his scent and his breath warmed her cheek. If she stayed in this tight space with him another minute longer, she was liable to embarrass both of them by throwing herself into his arms. “Do you like to dance?” she asked, her voice soft and huskier than she’d ever heard it before.
Dareios looked toward the dance floor and then back at her. “If it lets me hold you in my arms, I’m willing to suffer through it.” Standing, he held out his hand to her.
Chapter Six
His mystery goddess allowed him to pull her from the booth. When she rose to her feet, he wrapped her hand around his elbow and steered her toward a corner of the dance floor that wasn’t crowded.
They stepped onto the dance floor and the music changed from a fast rock tune to a slower ballad. Dareios grinned and whispered, “Much better.” He pulled her against his chest. She smelled like a garden—fragrant and sweet. Tucking her head beneath his chin, she followed his lead.
He lifted her free arm up, wrapping it around his neck before dropping it to join his other hand to rest at the low curve of her back. When he spread his fingers and gripped her lightly, she gave a small sigh. He didn’t want to let go of his goddess. He had to know more about her.
“Do you live in Milan?” he asked. She leaned away slightly and shook her head. “Ah, more mystery. Are you going to make me guess all night?”
Voice low and husky, she said, “I’m just visiting.”
The sensation caught at him that he knew her—that voice seemed so familiar. But her eyes were shadowed by her mask, and he knew now that the blonde hair was a wig. What color was her real hair? Dark? Red?
He knew himself well enough to realize part of her allure was her mystery. He liked that she seemed intelligent—and he wasn’t certain he really wanted to know her identity. His own mask was giving him an anonymity he liked—he was just Zorro for tonight.
A hero, yes, but also a bit of a rogue. Just a man in black, instead of the son of a rich Greek shipping magnate. But he wanted to make certain his goddess was fair game.
“No boyfriend?” he asked.
She tipped her head and smiled. “No girlfriend?”
Dareios grinned. “Dozens of them. But just now you are the only woman who matters.”
His goddess stiffened slightly. “Do you say that to all your girls?”
He shook his head and searched her face, wishing he could better see her eyes. The crowd had thickened on the dance floor and the heat in the room seemed stifling. Lights flitted over them, almost revealing his goddess, casting her into shimmering gold, and then leaving her a shadow again.
“They usually don’t ask—or care. But don’t worry, my beautiful goddess. I won’t risk your wrath by breaking your heart. I’m only here for the fun—for the moment. That’s all we really have, isn’t it.”
“That sounds very…Zen of you. And as if you are avoiding looking into your heart.”
“Now that sounds disapproving.” The music shifted up tempo. Dareios stepped back. “Shall I leave you? Are you looking for an honest man? I am that, for I’ll warn you now the men of my family don’t have very big hearts. We’re…we’re best when we’re not tied down.”
His goddess shook her head. “You are making excuses. And if you abandon me, that vampire may return for more than my blood.”
He grinned at her. Stepping close, he lowered his head until his lips were barely brushing her ear. She had beautiful ears. Small and perfectly shaped. “Then come with me. I want to find a place where we won’t be disturbed for a while and see if your lips are as soft as they look.”
He stepped back. She licked her lips. His pulse kicked up and his breathing quickened. A hint of a smile played around her lips. “That sounds inviting.”
That nagging feeling that he knew her sounded a warning in the back of his head. Why did she seem so familiar—was it her voice, the way she held her head, or that warm smile? He’d had just enough ouzo to leave him able to ignore everything except his intoxicating goddess.
Taking her hand, he pulled her with him. He led her off the dance floor and down a darkened hallway. At the far end, he stopped in front of a door. He keyed in the security code—thankfully Brian hadn’t changed it since Dareios had last been at Club Senza.
From behind him, his goddess tugged on his hand and asked, “Where are you taking me?”
She didn’t sound worried—or nervous. Which meant she was just curious—and probably wanted to be away from the crowd as much as he did. “Someplace…quiet.” He pushed the door open and pulled her into the room.
Inside, he turned on the lights and adjusted the brightness. His goddess glanced around the small apartment, but Dareios didn’t see anything to embarrass. Modern and sleek, Brian kept the apartment stocked with everything—including an incredible wine cellar.
Turning to him, his goddess asked, “Who lives here?”
“The owner Brian and his wife Tia sometimes stay here.”
She tipped her head. “And you just happen to have the security code?”
Dareios smiled and nodded. “Convenient, isn’t it?” He stepped up to her and skimmed his palms down her arms. Reaching her hands, he intertwined their fingers.
He kissed her, softly at first.
She seemed hesitant. But when he deepened his kiss, she opened her mouth and pressed up against him. Her breasts rubbing against his chest. She wrapped a leg around his leg, and he gave a groan. His blood was pounding hard.
He’d never had any woman arouse passion in him so fast. He wanted to drag her with him into the bedroom. Hell, he wanted to take her right here against the wa
ll. He wanted his hands on her skin, and he wanted to see her eyes.
Untangling her hands, she reached up and undid his cape. It slid off his back and he let out a breath. Sweat dampened his shirt. He wanted to push his hands into her hair. He had to see her eyes—to see them darken with desire. He reached for her mask and wig. She pulled back and caught his hand. “No revealing our identities till midnight.”
Dareios smiled. “I’m not of a mind to argue with you right now—not when we could be kissing.”
She came back into his arms, all softness and willing heat. He’d never known a woman like her. He put his hands on her waist and wrapped her close to him—and that’s when it hit him.
Of course he knew this body.
How many times had he given her a brotherly hug? How many times had he been close to her—in strictly a brotherly fashion? He pushed her away and stared at her, his pulse still pounding and his body disagreeing with this move.
No…it couldn’t be. But…hadn’t he known her the instant he’d seen her. He’d also wanted her from that instant—badly. But this…this was Alexandra. Antonio’s sister. And he…god, he didn’t even want to think what he was just about to do with her.
This was…well, she wasn’t family, but she was just about. He’d watched her grow up. He could close his eyes and still see how she’d looked when she’d been a skinny ten year old with long, dark hair and a school girl uniform. He couldn’t…not with Alexandra.
Some women were for fun. Some were for marrying. Alexandra fell into the latter category—and Dareios knew he wasn’t the kind of guy who would ever make a good husband. He’d cheat on her. He’d lie to her. He’d make her miserable. And he wasn’t having a casual fling with his best friend’s sister.
Pushing away from her, he scrubbed a hand over his face, as if he could brush the last few moments in time away. He had to take another step back. He wanted to do the opposite. He wanted her back in his arms. He wanted to leave their masks on and pretend.
But he couldn’t. Taking yet another step away, he shook his head and demanded, “Alexandra? What the hell kind of game is this?”
Chapter Seven
Alexandra knew the game was not only up, but the recriminations were coming. And she simply couldn’t face it.
Dareios was about to treat her like she was still a kid and tagging after him and Antonio. He was going to lecture her, and she’d go from feeling like a goddess to feeling like a mouse. She couldn’t stand it. And she saw only one chance to escape the disaster this evening had become.
Maybe if he didn’t see her face, maybe he’d doubt that she’d really been here. Maybe…just maybe, she could make him think he’d been wrong. She wasn’t certain she could pull this off, but she had to try.
She stepped up and slapped him—hard. Glaring at him, she put up her chin and moved away. “What kind of game are you playing—calling me another woman’s name?” While Dareios was nursing his reddening face, she headed for the door. She got out and hurried down the hall. She could hear Dareios calling for her to wait.
Seconds later, she burst back into the throng of people inside Club Senza. The noise hit her like a fist. The faint echo of Dareios’ steps behind her disappeared, and she wove her way onto the dance floor. The smell of sweat, booze and perfumes wrapped around her and left her head swimming.
She had to get out. She would lose Dareios in the mass of people dancing floor to a popular rock song, and then she’d bail on this mess. She darted around one couple, ducked under an outstretched arm, and ran smack into her vampire.
He grinned. He had one arm wrapped around a girl dressed as a fairy and one around her now. “I see you’ve changed your mind.” He pulled her against his chest. The fairy giggled.
Alexandra used both hands to shove against his chest. She wanted to smack him as she had Dareios but her hand was already stinging. She glanced over his shoulder and saw Dareios searching for her. Her throat tightened.
She simply couldn’t face him—it was too…too humiliating. What had she been thinking? That one kiss and Dareios would see her in a different light? Well, they’d had their kiss…and nothing had changed. For a few seconds, she’d been in his arms, and everything had been perfect. Better than perfect. Dareios’ kisses were magic. She’d melted under the touch of his lips—he’d tasted like heaven. And then…somehow, he’d recognized her. She wanted to cry. Or to hit someone.
The music was an upbeat number and she pushed against the vampire one more time. “Give me a little room to move if you really want to dance with me.”
The vampire grinned, took a slight step away. He twirled the fairy who smiled at Alexandra and gave her a wink. Stomach tightening, Alexandra wondered if this night could get any weirder or worse.
***
Dareios searched the crowded dance floor. He was almost positive his Greek goddess was Alexandra Rosso, but was she? She’d darted away from—she’d slapped him. But she hadn’t taken off her mask. And where the hell was she now? Who was she? Had he gotten it wrong? But how could he have—he’d known from the first instant he’d seen her that she looked familiar.
Oh, hell, what if she just looked a lot like Alexandra? It wouldn’t be the first time he’d been attracted to a girl because she looked like…no, no, he wasn’t going there with that thought. Alexandra was his best friend’s sister—end of story. And he was going to drag her out of this club and read her the riot act for pulling a joke on him like this.
He headed for the main entrance. Brian was there, talking to the doorman, and from there Dareios knew he’d also be able to see the back exit opposite the front doors.
“Where did your goddess run off to?” Brian asked. He scanned the bar as if she expected the woman in question to magically appear. “Problems?”
Dareios shrugged. He’d lost his cape and now he pulled off his hat and masks. He was damn tired of costumes. “Do you have a copy of the guest list for this evening?”
“Sure. Weren’t you successful in getting her name?” Brian nodded to the doorman, who offered up his clipboard.
Dareios scanned the list. “No. Although, I think I know who she is.” He stabbed a finger at one name. “A. Rosso. Did Antonio make a donation?”
Brian nodded. “I don’t know. We haven’t gone over all the checks yet. But I know he’s usually good for a few hundred thousand. That’s why I sent him an invitation.”
“Well, his sister took you up on the invite.” Dareios turned his attention back to the crowded dance floor. The music changed to a slow, romantic tune. The mass of people diminished, with some leaving to find refreshments and others wrapping themselves around each other, leaving lots of open space.
The dim lighting wasn’t helping, but a flash of gold caught his eye. He pushed the clipboard back at the doorman. “Excuse me. I have an unmasking to attend.” He headed for that flash of gold. As he got closer, he could see the vampire had his hands on two women. Dareios clenched his hands at his side. He was going to punch out that damn vampire.
She’s not yours and never will be.
Dareios shook his head. Great, now she had him totally confused. But he was going to rip off her mask, and if it was Alexandra, he was hauling her ass out of here. He didn’t want to think what he would do if it wasn’t his Alex.
Chapter Eight
The vampire just wouldn’t shut up. The fairy giggled at ever suggestion of a three some and how much fun it could be, but Alexandra was just disgusted with his vulgar invitations. She pulled away from him but he caught her wrist. Eyes narrowed, she stared at him. “You’re about to get your fangs pulled. Let me go. Now!”
The vampire smiled. A large arm reached over Alexandra’s shoulder and a hand wrapped around the vampire’s throat. “I believe the lady asked you to remove your hands from her person.”
The vampire gasped and released her.
Alexandra turned around. She knew who she would see. Dareios had pulled off his mask and his hat. His face had hardened. He didn’t lo
ok like the easy-going party guy she knew. He looked dangerous. Hands up, the vampire backed off and headed into the crowd.
The fairy watched him, and turned back to give Dareios a warm smile. “Some muscles you’ve got.”
Alexandra wanted to punch the fairy now. Instead, Dareios stepped in front of her and swept out a gesture. “Join me back in the booth.”
It wasn’t a question, and Alexandra didn’t feel like she had any choice. She could see the entrance, but Dareios was between her and it, and he wasn’t looking in any kind of mood to let her go. As if he knew what she was thinking, he stepped close and said, “Don’t even think about it, Alexandra. We are going to talk and then I will decide if I’m going to call Antonio.”
Alexandra’s shoulders slumped, but she crossed her arms over her chest. “Fine. But remember, I am an adult and I make my own decisions.”
“Fair enough.” Dareios extending an arm again toward the booth they had occupied earlier.
Alexandra headed that way. She wished she still felt like a goddess, but this was probably how Athena had felt when Zeus came down on her. She slid into the booth. Dareios slid into the other side, opposite her. Darn it! He’s already trying to put distance between us!
She scooted closer toward him.
He put his hands on the table and stared at her for several long moments. She met his stare and refused to back down. Instead, she tried to see all the imperfections—his slightly crooked nose from a skiing accident when he and Antonio were in the early teens, the tiny mole near his left ear, his hair sticking up. None of it was helping. Her pulse still quickened. She was still too aware of the glimpse of chest she could see under the black silk shirt. And his eyes were far too blue—and blazing hot.
“Okay, talk to me. What are you doing in Milan? And will you take off that damn mask?”
Alexandra put her chin up. She didn’t take off the mask, but she licked her lips and tried to come up with something to say that would justify her presence in Club Senza. “Eva and I—”
