Page 193 of Love Among the Ruins
She raked her hand through his hair, tugged it brazenly, not caring to tone down her desire. The warm familiarity of his scent, his skin, his breath, carried a reassurance that he was hers, he belonged to her, and that, maybe, they belonged together. That she would be okay, and he would be, too, and that whatever life threw at them, they could handle.
His mouth exploring hers turned her brain to jelly. His hardness poking her reminded her of that night, the one she wanted more of. She sighed against his lips and pressed her body to him, acknowledging, agreeing, giving in.
But … she'd come in here for a reason.
The reason.
She pulled back. “You said you’re not going back to the US yet?”
“Not for a while. My father believes he's punishing me by keeping me here, but this is the best outcome I could have hoped for.”
“But ...” But what? It didn't matter. Everything changed in the face of his revelations.
“You can stay here,” he told her, his hands palming her bottom. Did he even know what he was doing? “We can be together if that's what you want—”
“What I want? What do you want?” She needed to hear it from his lips.
“I have my hands on your butt, what do you think I want?” He blinked. “It’s…it’s not that … not the sex. Notjustthe sex, that’s not it. That’s not—”
She tiptoed up and kissed him.
“I want to be with you, Eleni. But if you want to leave here, we can still see each other. Spetses isn't that far.” His hands stilled, as if their future together was a decision only she could make.
“I was going to climb Kili,” she blurted out. Her goal stood before her, huge and unmoving, like the mountain itself, something she needed to do before she could let the past rest in peace.
Dominic pressed his forehead to her. “I understand. And you must. I'll still be here. Trying to create a consortium that holds bigger potential than Galatis, will take time.”
“But you'll do it,” she said, mumbling against his lips, the urge between her legs, heating and growing.
He laughed. “With no Galatis making me angry, I will.”
They pulled back.
There was hope. A chance for something.
He seemed to hesitate. “And you … depending on what you decide to do, I want you to know that your contract here can be made permanent. We have several positions open in the company and—you wanted to talk to me before the weekend,” he stated, suddenly. “What happens at the weekend?”
“I was going to go home again.” She searched his face. “But now, I’m not sure I want to … leave…”
Their eyes locked. An understanding growing between them; one their bodies seemed aware of.
“You were going home because?”
“I needed time alone, to think. About Galatis, and you and everything else.”
He frowned. “Sounds deep. You could do your thinking in Santorini. There is a villa with plenty of rooms, where you could be alone and do your thinking all day long, if you so needed. By the pool, even.” His need for her glinted mischievously in his eyes.
Her carefully considered plans fell to the wayside. She’d once told him that if she’d had the chance to do it again, she would have stayed with him after the wedding. Dominic was offering her a chance now.
She had the opportunity to make things right with him. To show him how grateful she was for everything. To discuss the reality of what these changing circumstances meant for both of them.
“I would like that,” she murmured. He claimed her mouth and sealed it with a passionate kiss that made her shudder. Desire coiled in her belly.
“I’ll get Miranda to book the plane tickets.” He winced. “Or maybe … not.”
“She’s fine, with you and me, withthis. She’ll go to Spetses, without me. My friend Angeliki has threatened to set her up on a date.”
“Wonderful.” He kissed her again. “I have a better idea. Let’s leave now.”
