Chapter One
Present time
At eleven in the morning, the party island of Teleios was expectedly crowded, its beachfront path humming with life. Some were adrenaline-seeking tourists returning from the day’s first wave of water activities while others were guests just about to start their day, searching leisurely for a nice, shaded restaurant that could offer both a sumptuous brunch and a spectacular view of the sea.
Among the latter was a particularly good-looking couple, both of them tall and dark-haired.
The man was obviously as Greek as they came, his handsome face accentuated by high cheekbones and a strong jawline. Dressed in casual elegance with his white button-down shirt and chinos, he caused women to stop and stare, licking their lips as they privately hoped he would glance their way. But he never did.
The woman beside him was equally stunning. Her long, curly hair swayed every time she turned this way and that, and her vivacity was made evident by her quick smiles and the sparkle of gaiety in her gray eyes. The men she walked past stared at her with keen interest, only to quickly look away upon seeing the lethal warning in her companion’s dark gaze.
Still, the unspoken threat of dismemberment wasn’t really necessary. The men’s admiration wouldn’t have registered on the woman at all, not when all of her attention was focused on her exquisitely reserved Greek.
“Please, please, just once, please?” 24-year-old Daria Everest was not above begging, considering it only a means to an end and one that had no bearing on her self-confidence.
Most times, begging and pouting worked after a single attempt. Today, however, wasn’t one of those times, with her companion retorting icily, “Not in this lifetime or ever.”
Nik Alexandropoulos didn’t even deign to glance Daria’s way as he spoke. Her request was completely ridiculous, the 29-year-old Greek billionaire thought. They were both adults, for God’s sake, and yet here she was, nagging him to act like a lovesick teenager. The mere thought was repulsive, and Nik had to repress an instinctive shudder.
Most women would have been intimidated into silence by the note of derision in Nik’s voice, but not Daria. Unfazed, she begged yet again, “Pleeeeeeeeeease,” and tugged on his sleeve to get his attention.
Despite his better judgment, Nik found himself looking at Daria, and his jaw almost dropped at seeing her flutter her lashes at him. “Are you serious?” His voice was low and pained. “You really think high speed blinking’s going to convince me to hold hands with you while walking?”
Daria knew she should be insulted, but instead she found herself laughing. “You’re the rudest man I—-” She almost said dated but caught herself in time. Although she and Nik had only known each other for a little more than a day, she understood him enough to know that he wouldn’t appreciate the fact she had foolishly dated twenty-eight frogs before him.
Correcting herself, she finished, “You’re the rudest man I have ever met.” Her smile turned mischievous. “But too bad, I’m not easily offended. So if asking nicely won’t work—-”
Slim, pale fingers fitted in between Nik’s, and the next thing he knew, a woman half his weight had managed to capture his hand.
Nik froze, and his eyes swiftly moved down, disbelief etched on his face as he took in the sight of his and Daria’s clasped hands. Recovering from the ghastly sight, he attempted to pull his hand out of her hold, but Daria’s fingers only locked with his more tightly.
His gaze snapped back up to her face. “Let go,” he gritted between clenched teeth.
Her smile widened. “No.” She began walking then, and short of letting her drag him with her, Nik was left with no choice but to fall into step beside her.
Daria saw Nik’s jaw clench as their clasped hands started to sway in rhythm with their footsteps. Uh-oh. Deciding it was prudent not to look his way for now, Daria instead made herself savor the strong, warm grip of Nik’s hand.
Bliss, she thought contentedly. Although the weather was more sunny than cool, the heat hadn’t reached oppressive levels, allowing for a more comfortable walk. Once in a while a light breeze would tickle her skin, bringing in the scent of the sea with it.
The sound of waves lapping at the shore serenaded her senses, and Daria thought that if she had to define bliss, then this would be it. Perfect weather, perfect beach, and—-
Unable to help it, she stole a look at her companion’s face.
Perfect man.
She only had to look at Nik for more than a few seconds, and it started again. Heat rippled down her skin, locking the oxygen in her throat and sending her heartbeat skidding into a fast and erratic pace.
God, here we go again. Her whirlwind romance with Nik made her feel like she was on a rollercoaster, and right now she was burning and floating at the same time—-
Up, up, up—-
Daria knew it was the height of stupidity to let herself get carried away, and yet...
It felt so right between them, and the thought sort of calmed her.
Down, down, down—-
Without warning, Nik’s head turned towards her, and he caught Daria staring at him. Something on her face must have given her away, with the way his dark gaze suddenly glittered with feral desire, and the sight caused Daria to swallow and feel even more out of breath.