by Cathryn Fox
“Bye,” she mumbled absently as she reached for her shovel.
His muscles bunched as he shifted his stance, moving directly in front of Alexis. His glance slid over her before moving back to her face. He paused for a moment, then said, “Don’t make any plans for tonight.”
She swallowed. Hard. “What?” she asked, trying not to ogle his body. “Why?”
His smile stretched wickedly. “I’m having a pool party.” He shaded the sun from his eyes and said, “You should come.”
“I should?”
As if he could read her innermost thoughts he said, “It’s a good chance to meet a few of the locals, and see what the night life is like around here.” He gave a knowing smile and said, “Otherwise it will be an awfully long summer stuck in that room of yours every night, don’t you think?”
“It’s not so bad.” She shrugged, and suddenly, feeling very brave and flirtatious, she added, “The view is rather nice.”
With that he laughed out loud, and she couldn’t help but grin. Jesus, what the hell had come over her? She never flirted with a guy so brazenly before, and never with one as hot as Dimitri. Perhaps the sun was getting to her, or maybe the second his hands had touched her body she knew she had to know what those hands of his would feel like caressing every inch of her body, especially all the hidden parts.
“Yeah, well it was nice from where I was standing, too.” A low chuckle rumbled in his throat and she expected he was a man who always got what he wanted when he added, “I expect to see you later, Alexis.”
Chapter Three
Music from Dimitri’s back yard drifted in through Alexis’s open bedroom window and a nervous quiver moved through her. Sure she came here wanting to find a man to give her experience, but she’d never expected an Adonis like Dimitri to flirt with her, let alone invite her to his party. She looked through her wardroom again, and had pretty much decided against going, considering nothing seemed appropriate for a lavish pool party given by a very wealthy Greek Adonis, who undoubtedly had women throwing themselves at him. She sent Melanie a text.
I’m not going.
The hell you’re not!
I have nothing to wear.
You have your sexy new bathing suit.
I have nothing to wear over it.
It’s a pool party, Alex. You don’t need to wear anything over it. Get over there and show off that sexy body of yours.
Alex stole a glance out her window. She took in the posh crowd, and their skimpy outfits as they mingled near the pool. Honestly, compared to what the other women were wearing, her barely there bathing suit looked more like a potato sack, than a skimpy bikini.
Her phone made the little “zip” sound when Melanie texted her back.
Come on, Alex. If you won’t do it for you, at least do it for me. Last night I ended up drinking beer out on the back forty and doing the horizontal shake with Johnny Simpson. It wasn’t my best moment.
Alexis cringed. Ugh, what were you thinking?
I know, right?
I guess you really do need me to do this for you.
So does that mean you’ll do it?
She sat on the window ledge and gazed longing at Dimitri’s pool, trying to summon the courage to don the tiny bikini dangling from her fingertips, and walk over there like attending elaborate pool parties in a sexy thong was an everyday occurrence. As she took deep breaths, Dimitri’s parting words came back to her.
I expect to see you later, Alexis.
Good God, if she put on her new suit and went over there, he’d definitely be seeing her. Every plump inch of her, except for a couple of miniscule patches.
Her glance surfed through the crowd a second time and when it landed on Dimitri, her heart gave a little jump. He stood at the edge of his pool, his dark head tipped toward her window. Everything in the way he was looking up at her, his grin sexy, his eyes so full of heat and promise had her breath catching.
She sent Mel another text. He’s looking at me.
Which means he’s interested, so get your ass down there, and send me pictures if you can.
Alexis drew another breath and her thoughts went back to her horrible first year at college as she powered down her phone and tossed it onto her bed. God she really wanted to go back to college a changed woman, one with a sleek, experienced body—one who was good enough to be invited to the football parties.
This is your chance, her inner voice taunted. Just do it.
She inched away from the window, pulled on her bikini, and avoided her mirror. One look at her overflowing cleavage and curvy hips and she’d surely tuck tail and dive under her covers. She hauled a spaghetti strap dress from her closet and slipped it on. It wasn’t glamorous by any means, or suitable for Dimitri’s pool party, but it would have to do the trick. Until she felt comfortable enough, she wouldn’t be taking it off.
She quietly opened her bedroom door, and stole a glance around the dark hallway. With Sophie asleep, and Nikko in charge of her care after hours, she tiptoed down the hall, not wanting to disturb anyone or explain where she was going. She was pretty sure Nikko’s idea of exploring the night life didn’t involve getting naked with his neighbor, and if luck was with her tonight, that’s exactly how the evening would end.
A few minutes later, she followed the foliage-lined path from Nikko’s mansion to Dimitri’s. As she glanced around, she wondered what Dimitri did for a living, considering he looked to be about the same age as Nikko and also lived in a mansion. Her heart began to pound in synch to the fast paced music as she entered his lantern-lit backyard. She stopped to take it all in, her glance moving over the crowd of partygoers, as they laughed, swam, ate and drank copious amounts of alcohol. Some of the women were dressed in bikinis and some only wearing their bottoms, but that wasn’t what shocked her most. Oh no, not at all. What nearly had her scurrying back to her bedroom were the couples who were in various stages of sex, getting down and dirty on the chaise lounges, completely oblivious to everyone around them. Then again, maybe they weren’t. Maybe they liked being watched. Alexis shivered, recalling the way her body had reacted watching Dimitri in his pool, and how it had turned her on when she’d discovered he was watching her in return. Before she had a chance to give it any further thought, a pretty blonde who looked only a couple years older than her stepped up to her.
“You must be Alexis.”
“What?” Alexis asked, surprised the woman knew her name. “I mean, yes, I am,” she added hastily, remembering her manners.
“Dimitri has been waiting for you.”
“He has?” Her heart gave a little jolt. She looked through the crowd, unable to find him, but when she saw a guy working his mouth down his girl’s body, she couldn’t deny that it filled her with equal amounts of apprehension and excitement.
As if sensing her sudden distress, the girl gripped her hand and gave a little tug. “Come on. I think you need a drink.”
She let the slender girl lead her to the bar, and even though she didn’t want the extra calories from alcohol, she definitely needed a drink.
“So how do you know Dimitri?” she asked as she poured Alexis a flute of champagne and handed it over.
“Actually, I just met him.” Alexis tipped the flute toward the foliage that separated the houses. “I’m here for the summer sitting for Mr. Geo...I mean Nikko.”
Intrigue moved over the girl’s face. “Really?”
“Yes, I was hired to watch Sophie and help with her English.”
The girl looked past Alexis’s shoulder to Nikko’s house. “That guy is so fucking hot. Damn, what I’d do to sleep under the same roof as him.” Her eyes glossed a bit when she added, “Actually, I’d like to be sleeping under him.” She tossed Alexis an envious look, like she was privy to something Alexis wasn’t. “You’re a lucky girl.”
She was about to tell her Nikko was her boss and it wasn’t like that, but the girl shrugged her shoulders, her ample breasts jiggling in her frilly bikini. “Anyway, I’m Ze
nobia, but everyone calls me Zen.”
Instantly taking a liking to Zen, and hoping they could become friends over the summer, she said, “I’m Alexis,” but then realized Zen already knew that. Trying to hide her nervousness, Alexis sipped her champagne and said, “This is a nice party.”
Zen gave her a grin. “Dimitri’s parties are legendary. We love when he comes back here for the summer.”
She took a huge gulp of her champagne. “So this is his summer home?”
She nodded. “Would you like me to introduce you around, until Dimitri comes back? I think he got tied up with a business call?”
She was about to ask what Dimitri did for a living, having such an amazing summer house and all, but Zen frowned and asked, “Did you bring a bathing suit?”
Alexis put a tentative hand on the strap at the back of her neck. “It’s on underneath.”
“Then you might want to ditch the dress,” Zen said, reaching around to pull the strings loose for her. “After all, this is a pool party,” she added, a dazzling smile lighting up her pretty face.
The dress slipped to her waist, and Alexis resisted the urge to cup her breasts, barely covered by the slip of triangle, when Zen’s eyes dropped to them. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to my friends.” Zen shook her head. “They’re going to love you.”
Left with no choice but to follow, Alexis glanced around as she shimmied the dress over her hips and stepped out of it. She folded it over her arm, holding it in front of her body like a shield as Zen led her through the crowd. She introduced her to so many people Alexis knew she’d never keep the names straight.
Everyone was so laid back and easy to talk to, she soon found herself having a good time, and feeling less and less conscious of her curvy body. In fact, with the way the guys were paying attention to her, she actually felt a bit sexy. Maybe it was true that the men here really did like their women curvy. She stole a glance around, looking for Dimitri, as Zen introduced her to a few more of her friends, and she was both surprised and thrilled when they suggested she join them at Club Athens over the upcoming weekend.
She sipped her champagne, accepting Zen’s invite to visit the clothing boutique she owned in town, then nearly choked on her drink when a deep male voice asked from behind, “Are you having a good time, Alexis?”
Heat moved through her body, fully aware that it was Dimitri standing close. The sexy way her name rolled off his tongue, combined with his unique beachy scent filled her with a deep sense of awareness. She turned slowly, and tried to tamp down her want, but failed miserably when her glance met with dark, predatory eyes. She acknowledged the flare of desire deep between her legs and worked hard not to stare at his magnificent body. She gripped the stem of her champagne glass, resisting the urge to push his hair from his eyes as her pussy thrummed with want.
From behind her, one of the guys Zen had introduced her to said, “Hey Dimitri, you didn’t tell us you had this treasure hidden next door.”
“I didn’t know it myself until last night,” he said, without taking his eyes off her.
“So I take it you and Nikko—”
Before the guy could finish, Dimitri put his hand on the small of her back and splayed his fingers over her quivering skin. “I’ll take it from here, Zen,” he said, his voice gliding over her naked flesh like a rough caress. “Thanks for showing her around.”
He gave a little nudge to set her into motion, and guided her to the bar where he refilled their glasses. As he poured, her glance moved over the trays of beautiful hors d’oeuvres. Despite the grumble in her stomach, she didn’t dare take one of the scrumptious looking phyllo cheese triangles if she wanted to return home slim.
Dimitri slipped one into his mouth, and said, “Help yourself, Alexis.”
“No thanks,” she murmured.
Before she realized what was happening, Dimitri reached for another one and held it to her lips. “Open,” he commanded softly. Surprised, she was about to protest, but he nudged the wedge against her mouth and she automatically obeyed. When the rich, buttery pastry settled on her tongue, the taste stimulating all her senses and filling her with euphoria, there was nothing she could do but savor the little piece of heaven.
As she chewed, Dimitri lifted his fingers to his mouth and licked them, the flick of his tongue so sensual her pussy clenched, eager for that same kind of attention.
Music filled the air and he stepped closer, the heat emanating off him practically scorching her exposed flesh. “You should never deny yourself what you want,” he said with certainty, and she flushed at the intimacy in his tone.
“But I’m...” she began, then stopped herself. This man didn’t know her for the chubby girl who the boys teased and dismissed.
“What you are is perfect,” he murmured into her ear. “You’re sexy just the way you are, Alexis,” he added, giving her the sense he knew exactly what she had been about to say. He took her dress from her, placed it on a chair beside the bar, and handed her the full champagne flute. She sucked in a quick breath when he pressed his hand into her back again, to set her into motion.
As he led her to the Jacuzzi at the far end of this backyard, she replayed his words in her head.
You’re sexy just the way you are.
The comment gave the boost of self-confidence Alexis needed to loosen up and enjoy the party. She breathed in the fresh night air, and took note of the people around them. She tried to appear unaffected, tried not to notice the quickening of her pulse, the ache between her legs as they moved past a couple having sex. The woman leaned over a table, legs spread, her head thrown back as her partner grasped her hips and drove into her from behind. Alexis stole a glance at Dimitri to see his reaction, and found him looking back at her, his eyes caressing her with sultry heat.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes...I just...I’m not used to...”
“Not used to what?”
Not wanting to come off as a country bumpkin, she said, “Nothing, it’s nothing.”
His dark eyes moved over her face, a careful assessment. “Our culture takes some getting used to,” he said softly, as if he could read her innermost thoughts.
She forced a smile, “I’m sure I’ll get used to it.”
“With the right guidance you will.” His finger skimmed along her collar bone, and slid under the tie of her bikini top. “I’m glad to see you didn’t burn today. It pleases me that you followed my directions.”
“Directions?” she asked, trying not to sound breathless as he crowded her.
His hair fell into his eyes, and his grin was badass when he said, “You must have taken extra care to reapply after getting wet, being careful to massage the lotion in to all those hidden spots, like I showed you.”
Hardly able to believe this gorgeous creature was flirting with her when there were so many beautiful women around, she answered with, “You did seem to know what you were talking about. I would have been a fool not to do as I was told.” Her chest heaved, fully aware of just how much guidance this man could provide, just how much she could learn from him. And how badly she wanted to be his student.
When they reached the Jacuzzi, and found a few people lounging in the hot water, chatting over a glass of champagne, Dimitri held out a chivalrous hand and helped her in. She looked at him, but there was nothing gentlemanly in the way he was staring back. God, no man had ever looked at her like that before. Her heart raced wildly as her body stirred with want. Sexual tension arced between them, making her feel edgy, out of control...desired.
As her body flushed hotly, she slid lower in the water, bubbles breaking around her as Dimitri moved closer, bringing his heat with him. Her blood pounded harder, aware at how fast things were moving. But she wanted this. Oh, how she wanted him.
“Did I hear correctly, you’re going out to Club Athens this weekend?”
The dark desire in his eyes made it difficult to think. “Your friends...they invited me to go clubbing.”
“You sh
ould go,” he said. He took a sip of his champagne, and swiped the soft blade of his tongue over his bottom lip.
“You think so?”
He dipped his head, his mouth so close to hers she was sure he was going to kiss her. “You’re here looking for an authentic Greek experience, aren’t you?” he asked, and once again she suspected he could read her innermost desires.
“You know how the saying goes. When in Rome...,” she said, ripples of sensual pleasure moving over her flesh as her thoughts careened in an erotic direction. “If I want a true Greek experience I must adapt myself to the customs and behave the way locals behave.”
There was a teasing glint in his eye when he corrected with, “Don’t you mean misbehave.”
Her stomach tightened with a mixture of apprehension and excitement. She swallowed hard, gathering her bravado and said, “If that’s what it takes to experience everything.”
“Everything?” he asked, his hungry expression letting her know they were talking about something entirely different then blending in with the locals.
His knuckles brushed hers and she shivered as his touch went right through her. Even though it was all happening so fast, and Dimitri’s attention was completely overwhelming her, there was no denying he could give her what she wanted.
“Yes,” she murmured and tamped down her nervousness. “Everything.”
His mouth lifted in a sexy, half smile, and everything about the way he looked at her gave her confidence, made her feel sexy. “So is that really what brought you here, Alexis? The opportunity to experience all Greece has to offer.”
Fueled by need, she decided to go for it, to let him know in no uncertain terms exactly what she was looking for. “Yes. I’m looking for a real hands-on experience.”
He leaned into her, his breath warm on her face. When he shot her a suggestive look, her body responded with a tremble, despite the warmth of the water. Ignoring those around them, he put his hand on her leg. Her sex clenched almost painfully as he ran his fingers up her thighs, along the length of her side, his knuckles coming perilously close to her rock hard nipples.
