Xandro’s jaw tightened. ‘Ruffled feathers will need to be smoothed over, but I’ve dealt with more challenging obstacles in a business deal.’
She stared at his resolute expression. After the brief glimpse into his past, a stinging premonition curled over her nape. ‘What Ben took from you...it isn’t just a meaningless piece of jewellery, is it?’
His eyes locked on hers. Direct. Searing. ‘No, it’s not.’
He didn’t elaborate. She didn’t push. In just a handful of hours, she’d learned that his past was an integral part of the man he’d become. And if what Ben had taken was a part of that history, then Xandro wasn’t going to rest until he had it back. Which meant his presence in her life, depending on her brother’s actions, could get even more overwhelming. She couldn’t contain a shiver at the thought.
‘Tell me what you’re thinking,’ he demanded a moment later.
Twin streaks of betrayal and anxiety warred inside her. But in the end she answered. ‘I love him. He’s been my champion and my strength for a...long time. But sometimes I wish...’ She shook her head.
His lips firmed. ‘You’re wishing again. Let’s focus more on getting him to do what we want.’
A pulse of irrational anger charged through her. ‘How, exactly? With another fumble at the dinner table?’
If she’d expected a mocking denial, she was about to be sorely disappointed.
‘Indeed. Or, better still, a more...demonstrative show.’
Her heart lurched but the free fall wasn’t one born of fear but an emotion she didn’t want to identify too closely. ‘Demonstrative in what way?’
‘You, fully ensconced in my life in a way that leaves no room for doubt as to what is between us. You wish to return to the suite to get some sleep? I think it’s a good idea. We’ll fly out to Vegas first thing in the morning.’
CHAPTER TEN
THE RIDE IN Xandro’s helicopter had introduced her to a short but stomach-dipping bout of excitement. His private jet, almost as large as the commercial jet she’d flown to Greece in, introduced her to yet another dimension of his wealth and power that would’ve made her wonder why he was chasing her brother for a relatively insignificant sum, had she not discovered the truth last night.
One hour after take-off in his private jet, Xandro joined her for lunch. Their meal was served in china she was almost scared to touch. And when she retreated to the back of the plane to wash, the stunning master bedroom suite left her speechless for a long moment. Until she realised she was staring at the bed Xandro slept in when he was flying and her cheeks flamed.
When she returned to the sitting area his gaze rested on her for a long moment, one eyebrow lifted mockingly, as if he’d read her thoughts, before he excused himself to return to the business area.
For the rest of the long flight he left her mostly alone, joining her for another meal when they stopped to refuel in New York.
The straggle of paparazzi at Athens International Airport on their departure was disturbing enough. The flash of cameras when she strode beside Xandro at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas was an experience she never wanted to relive.
As for the questions they’d flung her way—‘Who are you? How long have you been dating Xandro? Is it serious? Are you living together?’
‘It’s not always like this for you, surely?’ she asked once they were in the limo, a little bewildered by the invasive questions and the fact that with the partition between them and the driver closed she was cocooned in low-lit privacy with Xandro.
He shrugged, his focus on his phone. ‘They take an interest whenever I start dating someone new.’
‘And how often is that?’ she asked before she could think better of it.
That got his attention although with his eyes shielded by a pair of aviator shades, she couldn’t read his expression. ‘Are you prying into my sex life, Sage?’ he murmured.
‘I just want to know how long I have to suffer their interest before I become old news to them.’
‘The first few encounters can be a nuisance, but they’ll grow tired and move onto the next victim. In your case, however...’ He paused, a curious smile playing at his lips.
She waited. ‘In my case, what?’ she snapped when it became clear he intended to leave her hanging.
‘I dare say their interest will last a while longer.’
‘That’s not funny.’
He removed his shades, then reached across without warning to pluck hers off her nose.
‘What are you doing?’ she demanded.