SILENT DESIRES

Someone had turned it into a garden, giving the impression of being in an enchanted bower high above the streets of the city. The view over the wall was spectacular. The moment she’d seen it she’d been glad she came with him, if only for the opportunity to spend her final evening in Greece in such magical surroundings.

He sat down in the chair opposite hers. No sooner than he had done and a drink was placed in front of him by a discreet servant. The first course was served moments later.

Their conversation flowed, Dash asking her questions about her life and he answered her questions about his.

“So, what are you doing in Athens, or is it top-secret business stuff?” She was used to her father keeping tight lips about many areas of his life.

“I make frequent trips to my headquarters here and elsewhere,” he replied.

He was as driven as her father, she thought. “Do you ever take time off to relax?” Tess asked.

His smile sent sensations quivering through her. “I am relaxing now, with you,” he replied.

“But even this,” she indicated their almost finished dinners, “is prompted by your business interests.”

“I assure you, business has not been in the forefront of my mind since I spied you walking back toward your tour bus laughing with your companion, your hand in his.” His voice had taken on the hardness of tempered steel.

She didn’t want a reenactment of their earlier argument, so she opted not to reply to his comment. She chose instead, to change the subject. “How is your mother? Your sister is twenty now, isn’t she? Is she dating anyone special?”

For a moment he actually looked bemused. “You know a great deal about me.” he said.

“It is inevitable after a three-year acquaintanceship.” Or rather three years of infatuation, she thought with some sadness.

“My mother is fine,” he replied. He laid his fork down and leaned back against his chair. “She is pressing me to marry soon.”

An irrational sense of loss suffused her at his words-irrational because you could not lose what you had never had. He would oblige his mother, she was sure. At thirty two, Dash was of an age to start making babies.

The thought of another woman big with his child was enough to destroy what remained of her appetite.

“And your sister?” she asked, pushing away her half-finished plate, trying not to dwell on the prospect of him marrying soon.

Warm indulgence lit his almost black eyes. “Elena is enjoying university too much to allow any one male to seriously engage her interest,” he replied. “She enjoys it very much. Mamma worries she will not wish to return home when she is done.”

Tess had nothing to say in reply to that. She had no experience of siblings and daughters and mothers. Hers had died when she was much too young.

“It is understandable,” Dash brooded. “My family can be very traditional in some ways. And sometimes I get tired of the marriage talk. You hold someone’s hand and boom, mom is talking about something serious going on. I guess it has affected me in some ways too… I didn’t know that till I saw you and your friend”

Why did he keep harping on that? It had to be because of the kiss they had shared not too long ago. “David is a friend,” she tried to explain. “He’s very affectionate, but he doesn’t mean anything by it.”

His brows rose in mockery. “This is why he invited you back to his room,” he asked.

Oh, dear. Dash was back to looking dangerous. “He’s never done that before. He was just reacting to your arrogant claim on me. It’s a guy thing, I guess.” Tess replied.

“Are you truly so naive you do not realize this man wants you?”

“I’m not naive.” Introverted did not equal stupid.

His dark eyes narrowed. “Your inexperience of men and their ways shows in your foolish belief that the touches of a man who pays you particular attention mean nothing.” he said

He didn’t need to rub in how gauche she must appear in comparison to his usual date. So, she seemed like a fool to him. She must have allowed herself to enjoy his kisses and conversation when he thought so little of her. “If you’re finished insulting me, I’d like to go back to my hotel now.” She said,

“We have not yet had dessert.”

“I’m not hungry.” She indicated her unfinished dinner. “And we have an early start tomorrow.”

“Is it that, or is that you wish to return and keep your liaison with David?”

Unbelievably, Dash sounded jealous.

“I’ve already told you, I have no intention of sharing David’s room tonight.” She spoke slowly and through gritted teeth, not understanding why she wanted him to believe her. “But if I did, it wouldn’t be any of your business,” she added for good measure.

“You can say this after the way you allowed me to touch you not an hour ago?” he asked. Outrage vibrated off of him.

Wasn’t that just like an arrogant guy used to getting his own way? He’d done the kissing and now held her accountable for it. “I didn’t let you touch me. You just did it.” She retorted.

“You did not protest.” He was six feet, four inches of offended masculine pride. “You were with me all the way.”

Heat scorched into her cheeks at the reminder. “A gentleman would not rub my face in it.”

“A lady would not go from one man’s arms to the bed of another.”This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

She jumped up from her chair, so furious, she could barely speak. “Are you saying I’m some sort of tramp because I let you kiss me?”

He rose to tower over her. “I am saying I will not tolerate you returning to David’s company now that you belong to me.”

“I don’t belong to you!” she said angrily. “Why do you keep saying that?”

“You do and you will stay here with me.”

Tess couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

She knew about the possessive streak in men, but to say she belonged to him just because they’d kissed was ludicrous. Not only was it ridiculous, it was inconsistent as anything. He certainly hadn’t been singing that tune at her dad’s party.