Once they arrived at her room, Kira felt the need to say something to soothe his obviously wounded ego. “I really did enjoy our evening, Tarek, and I want you to know that any woman would be flattered to have your attention.”
“But not you.”
“Of course I’m flattered. I’m simply being cautious. Before I even consider being with you again, I have to be certain I’m not going to be hurt.”
His features relaxed somewhat. “If you recall, we both agreed that our relationship would remain casual with no complications. What has changed?”
Everything. “I suppose I’ve learned I’m not the kind of woman who can engage in casual sex. I have to have more.”
Now he looked concerned, as if his fight-or-flight reflex had kicked in. “How much more?”
“I need someone who appreciates me for who I am. I need to know that I’m not only a fling.”
He swiped one hand over his jaw. “My lifestyle has not allowed me to consider settling into a serious relationship.”
“Don’t you want to someday have a wife and children?” She sounded almost desperate, even to her own ears.
He took both her hands into his. “I refuse to make empty promises to you for the sake of having you in my bed. Yet since that night, I have thought of nothing aside from you. Nevertheless, if you cannot accept what I can offer to you at this point in time, an attentive lover who will treat you the way you deserve to be treated, with great care, then say so now and I shall not bother you again.”
Not at all what she needed to hear. “You mean you want sex with no strings attached.”
“Life is very brief. I endeavor to make the best of each moment. What better way to do that than to spend those moments with a remarkable woman?”
She leaned back against the wall next to the open door. “Are you trying to sway me to your side with pretty words?”
“Never doubt my sincerity where you are concerned. You are a remarkable woman. Highly intelligent and innately sensual. Your former lover was a fool not to recognize those attributes.”
Common sense told her to let him go immediately. The child growing in her belly said she couldn’t right now. Yet the loudest voice in her head came from her heart. The same voice that had cautioned her during all their lengthy conversations and heady flirtations—she could easily fall in love with him.
She would keep that voice quieted for the time being. “I understand what you’re asking of me, and I can only promise I’ll sleep on it.” If she was in fact able to sleep at all.
He lifted her hands, turned them over and kissed each palm before releasing her. “And that is all I ask. I will see you early in the morning.”
Perhaps in the morning, she would see things more clearly.
* * *
As soon as the limo pulled into the drive leading up to the resort, the magnitude of Tarek’s wealth finally hit home for Kira.
Perfection. Absolute perfection, from the white stone facade to the elaborate dual rock water features flanking the hotel’s entrance. Three floors of rooms, all containing large balconies, fanned out on both sides of what appeared to be the main lobby. The manicured landscape would be described as lush and green and tropical, laid out precisely to her father’s standards. Unfortunately, she couldn’t express her favorable opinions to the proprietor since he’d departed for the resort long before her, according to Alexios. She couldn’t help but wonder if he’d reconsidered and decided to shelve the seduction. That should give her some relief, but in reality, it gave her a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that had nothing to do with the pregnancy. As silly as it seemed, a part of her wanted him to persist.
After the driver stopped beneath the portico, he rounded the limo and offered his hand to help her out. Kira strolled toward the entry, expecting to be greeted by Tarek, only to see a woman emerge from the double copper doors. A classically beautiful, dark-eyed, golden-skinned woman dressed in an impeccably tailored white linen suit. Her shoulder-length raven hair had been styled in soft waves, reminiscent of a Hollywood icon from decades ago. Her makeup was equally perfect, as was her dazzling smile that almost seemed rehearsed. “Welcome, Ms. Darzin,” she said as she offered a slender hand. “I am Athena Clerides, Tarek’s business associate.”
The goddess-like name fit her well, Kira decided, though she found it odd Tarek had failed to mention her during their many conversations. She also felt completely underdressed in her simple pink sundress and sandals. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Clerides,” she replied as she shook her hand.
“Please call me Athena.” Her accent hinted at her Greek roots and so did her striking features.