Page 33 of Slightly Married
“I’ll be fine,” I assured him, walking confidently across the concrete pad. “My feet are used to them.”
The brothers exchanged amused glances as Dimitrios helped Tia aboard.
“After you,” Konstantin finally spoke, gesturing toward the helicopter.
The seating arrangement placed me directly across from Konstantin but beside Tia. As Dimitrios took the pilot’s seat and began takeoff procedures, we all donned headsets. The helicopter rotors whirred to life, building to a vibration I felt through the soles of my feet.
As we ascended, the brothers discussed the island’s history, explaining that Thalassía had been in the Christakis familyfor generations, a treasured ancestral property passed down through centuries.
“There’s Thalassía,” Dimitrios announced through the headset, pointing to an emerald gem in the sea.
I pressed my face against the window. The island was spectacular with lush green hills crowned with a gleaming white structure, pristine beaches embracing its perimeter, and crystalline waters in shades of turquoise and sapphire.
“It’s paradise,” I breathed, unable to contain my awe.
“It truly is something special,” Tia agreed, her nervousness momentarily forgotten.
“My father considered it the crown jewel of our holdings,” Konstantin said.
Our eyes met, and I quickly looked away, uncomfortable with the realization that my father had traded this ancestral treasure for a grandchild. Had he ever walked these shores? Did he understand what he was taking from the Christakis family when he acquired it? What had driven him to such lengths?
The helicopter descended onto a rugged landing pad. Thalassía stretched before us—wild, beautiful, and untamed. Aristides helped Tia disembark, and when my turn came, Konstantin extended his hands toward my waist.
“I can manage,” I protested, but his strong hands gripped my waist, lifting me effortlessly to the ground.
“Of course you can,” he murmured. “But why should you have to?”
“You can let go now,” I said, placing my palms against his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath my fingertips.
“No.” His eyes dropped to my lips, darkening with unmistakable intent. “Go ahead,” he instructed the others, never breaking our gaze.
Dimitrios smirked knowingly before following Tia and Aristides, who were already engaged in a discussion about restoration priorities.
When they were out of earshot, Konstantin’s grip tightened. “Why do you insist on tempting me?”
I arched an eyebrow despite the throbbing between my legs. “How am I tempting you?”
“With that velvet skin,” he murmured, one thumb brushing along my collarbone, “those full lips,” his gaze tracing them, “these dresses that reveal just enough,” his hand skimmed my hip, “and these heels that make your legs look endless.”
“It’s not deliberate,” I breathed as his fingers danced across my skin.
“I know,” he said, his voice vibrating through me. “Which makes it so much more endearing.”
His mouth found mine with bruising passion, my back pressing against the aircraft’s cool metal surface. My fingers threaded through his thick hair as he lifted me to align our bodies, the evidence of his desire unmistakable against my abdomen.
The kiss deepened, my rational drowning beneath waves of desire. It wasn’t fair that he kissed like this. It wasn’t fair how my body craved his touch and responded to it with traitorous eagerness.
The distant sound of Dimitrios calling Konstantin’s name pierced our bubble of desire. I pushed against his chest, breaking the kiss.
“Your brother’s looking for you,” I whispered, straightening my dress.
Konstantin stepped back, jaw tight. “This isn’t finished.”
“Yes, it is,” I countered, despite my body’s protest. “You’re engaged, remember? We’re business partners, not lovers.”
His expression hardened, but he turned toward his brother’s voice, leaving me breathless and conflicted against the helicopter.
For the next two hours, I avoided Konstantin by staying close to Tia, focusing intently on not breaking my ankles as we walked the wild terrain while trying to ignore his burning gaze whenever it found mine.
