Maybe, no matter how small, she still felt something for him. She could deny it all she wanted but it was clearly there.
For the first time in a long time, he felt a spark of hope. Maybe Antonio was right and that he was not really living his life anymore. Now, he felt truly alive for he had a purpose. He’d win back his wife whatever it took.
He was ready to forget his biases in order for both of them to move on. Also, something happened in the past which wasn’t their fault and he would discover that.
This time, nothing else would come between the two of them.
Nikos sat quietly in the dark as he and Cassia ate their fish.
Earlier, they cooked the fish over the fire then took it back to the cabin to eat. Since that event by the stream, Cassia still hasn’t talked to him. When he tried to ask her a question, she simply replied with a yes or a no.
Even when he teased her, she ignored him. He found himself missing the easy camaraderie they shared these last few days.
“Cassia, if this is about what happened earlier...I’m sorry.”
She only grunted in reply and went back to eating her dinner.
“Cassi—“
“I don’t want to talk about it Nikos, okay? I’d also appreciate it if it won’t happen again.”
“Why?”
“You know why! Everything between us is over! I’ve moved on with my life and you’ve moved on with yours. We are getting a divorce! It’s best that we don’t complicate things further.”
“Cassia, you know how I feel about the divorce. I won’t allow it.”
“Well that’s just tough then.”
“We have to talk about this,” he implored.
“I don’t have anything more to say, Nikos.”
“I want another chance, Cassia. I know you wanted me ten years ago. I want that back.”
Cassia scoffed.
“Damned arrogant, aren’t you? Whatever I had for you ten years ago, you already killed it. Nothing’s left, Nikos. You don’t even deserve anything from me.”
“We already spoke about what happened in the past, Cassia. We could discuss it more and you’d know what happened was all a misunderstanding.”
“I explained that ten years ago but you did not believe me. And talking about things doesn’t set them right, Nikos. It’s over between us.”
“You say that yet I know you still want me. Your lips say one thing but your body says another.”
Cassia laughed.
“Don’t mistake lust for something else.”
“Lust? Lust is two people scratching an itch, Cassia. But when I kiss you, you melt. You sigh against my lips just like you did ten years ago.”
“Don’t turn nothing into something, Nikos. It’s over between us. I have Hector now. I am happy with him. I’ve agreed to marry him that’s why I need a divorce from you. Now.”
Nikos’ patience ran out after hearing Hector’s name together with the word marriage.
His blood pounded in his ears and his heart thundered in his chest. How dare she mention another man’s name? His blood heated and his entire body roared with possessiveness. He’ll show her who she really belonged to.
She just had to forget about Petrides for he was never letting her go.
“Marriage is for life, Cassia. No divorce. I won’t let you go to Hector Petrides. You’re mine.”
He tugged her to his chest and then claimed her lips once more. But this was unlike any other kiss before. This one was a brand of possession, a stamp of ownership. It was fierce and demanding. He kissed her as though he was never letting go.
Nikos placed his hand on her nape and held her steady as he deepened the kiss. His other arm wrapped around her and brought her into contact with his hard body.
Cassia’s senses reeled at the onslaught. She knew she should be fighting this. She knew she should push him away. But even to save her life, she could not do it.
This felt so perfect that she just couldn’t let it end.
Deep in her subconscious, this was what she’s been dreaming of for ten years now.
As Nikos kissed her, she also realized what she thought was missing in her relationship with Hector.
Passion.Desire.
When Hector kissed her, it was nice but it didn’t set her body on fire for him the way Nikos’ kisses did. He made her melt with even just one glance the way Hector never did.
He backed her up against the wooden table and lifted her against it without breaking their kiss. He separated her legs and stepped between them. She moaned again when she felt the evidence of his desire against her.
Nikos unbuttoned the blouse she wore and slid it gently off her injured shoulder. Somehow, she also found herself lifting her hands to unbutton his shirt. She sighed with bliss and ran her palms down the hard ridges of his muscles.
Nikos flinched when she touched his scar.
He didn’t like anyone to see or touch it for it reminded him of the horrors he experienced. This was why, after he was kidnapped, he never let another woman get close. For over two years, his bed was empty. For more than two long years, he hadn’t felt another’s touch.
This was also why he was ravening for her.
Nikos took his time admiring the creamy swell of her skin that he uncovered. Before she had any chance to be self-conscious, he stepped closer again and covered it with his hands. She moaned against his lips and her grip on his arm tightened.
He removed her bra and placed his hand on the middle of her back. She arched her back against him to make herself more accessible for his mouth. When his lips touched her heated skin, pleasure shot down her spine and pooled low in her belly. He moved to the other nipple and she moaned his name.
“You’re mine, Cassia,” he whispered against her ear after he gave one tentative lick.
She shivered in his arms but this time, it wasn’t from the cold.
Her head spun and she opened her lips to contradict his statement but what came out was only a breathless gasp for he slipped his hand inside the waistband of her jeans. Finally, he touched her where she craved him the most. She was so wet for him that he almost came right then and there.
He prayed for control.. He wanted to make this night last and he wanted to savor her. This wasn’t a dream. She was really here in the flesh and he wanted to make it special.
“Tell me you’re mine,” Nikos whispered as he kissed a path down her neck. “Tell me.”
Her only reply was a sharp intake of breath.
He unzipped her pants and drew them down her legs. Her underwear soon followed. He knelt by the table and parted her legs. Then, he used his fingers and his mouth to drive her wild and make her soar.
He knew she was nearly there and he lifted his head.
“Don’t stop. Nikos...” she pleaded.
“Tell me you’re mine,” he repeated.
She was silent for a long time. She merely closed her eyes and lay down on the table.
Telling him that she was his was like admitting what her greatest fear was: that she never really moved on. That somehow she still wanted him and that she still had feelings for him no matter how deeply buried they were inside of her. That she was just in denial all this time.
Telling him would be admitting what she’s known but feared and kept a secret for ten years of her life...
“I’m yours,” she whispered in defeat.
He stood up, removed all his clothing. She felt him pressing against her.
“Tell me this is what you want.”
Nikos forced down his desire and wrestled with control. He had to make sure she wanted this too. He’d waited for this for ten years and he didn’t want her to have any regrets. It would be hard to pull away but he would do that for her if that was what she wanted.
“I want you...”
Without wasting another moment, he pushed inside her. This time, it was he who moaned her name. She heard him whisper endearments in Greek and she held on to him tightly.
“...like I’ve always wanted you.”
He started to move. His breathing deepened as pleasure assailed him. He cupped her jaw and forced her to look at him. He wanted to see her face as he made love to her. He saw her desire mirrored in his eyes and he knew she wanted him as badly as he wanted her.
She bucked her hips and heard his quick intake of breath. Once more, she opened her lips to his and the sensation of their tongues twining almost sent him to his knees. He pulled back to look at her and the way her features were twisted with pleasure would forever be in his memory.
She drew him back to her by wrapping her arms around him and moving her hips against his. He couldn’t take more of this wicked temptation and he succumbed to it. He moved against her faster and harder, and she returned his passion equally.
He bent his head and flicked his tongue against her nipple. Then he sucked and it was just too much. Cassia held on to him tightly as she shattered in his arms as while she moaned his name.
Her climax triggered his.
“Cassia!” he writhed against her as ecstasy consumed him.
Afterwards, he carried her carefully to the bed. He was much stronger now and he also made sure that he was careful of her shoulder and his broken wrist.
He didn’t give her time to think, for he didn’t want her to have any regrets. The moment that she was settled on the bed, he pulled her against his chest and laid her head on his arm. He placed one last sweet, lingering kiss against her swollen lips and pulled the covers over them.
“Sleep...” he whispered.