Page 50 of Secrets, Lies and Love

“It’s going to be beautiful. It will be difficult for single men to look away.”

“Even my boss?” I ask, recklessly.

“Cici . . .”

“I’m joking. He’s dating a model.”

“He is?”

“I accidentally saw it on a celebrity website. Furthermore, my relationship with him is purely professional. I texted Cage.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why did you send a message to Cage? You told me you weren’t interested in him.”

“Maybe I just need to give him a chance.”

“I don’t believe that. Either a man makes your heart race, or he doesn’t. It’s that simple.”

“My heart is stupid, Elina. It raced for the wrong person. Perhaps the time has come to teach it what to do.”

I look in the mirror one last time before going downstairs. Despite what I said to Elina, it’s the prospect of meeting Dionysus again that’s making me weak in the knees, not the fact that I’m giving Cage a chance.

The thought of meeting the Kostanidis bank executive makes my heart miss a beat.

I’m feeling like a princess from a fairy tale. Even though I’m embarrassed to have accepted such an expensive gift from Zoe, I can’t deny that the clothes and sandals, as well as the makeup and hair, will help me blend in with the other guests.

About half an hour ago, Cage sent a message offering to come pick me up and I almost said no, but I’m determined to put my redneck manners aside. He is not a total stranger but a senior employee at Kostanidis Bank. He’s also shown himself to be a gentleman so far, so there’s no reason why I shouldn’t trust him.

I leave the room because he must already be arriving. Elina will go with her husband, children, and Joseph, and I’m supposed to go in the next car with Lisa. She’s the one assigned to stay with my boy today, and even though that is not what I want, I cannot go against a direct order from our boss.

Since I accepted Cage’s offer to pick me up, Lisa has already left with Anderson. I’m alone.

The house is silent because everyone is gone, so I get a shock when I reach the top of the stairs and look down to see Dionysus.

For a moment, neither of us speaks.

I try to fight the longing I feel. It doesn’t work, and it doesn’t help that he looks drop-dead gorgeous in a gray, 3-piece suit like Joseph’s.

My legs lose strength, and I have to hold on to the railing while his eyes roam all over me.

He looks at me like I’m his favorite meal and he’s hungry.

“Joseph has already gone ahead with Elina,” I say, still not having the courage to start going down the stairs.

“I know.”

“There is no one else in the house.”

He nods, making it clear he’s aware of that too, and my nervousness increases. “That color suits you. You look beautiful, Cecily.”

My heart races at the unexpected compliment, and when he reaches for me, I know I need to take action or else I’ll be lost.

Cecily

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

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