A Perfect SEAL

I nod, but don’t move for another long second. “Our anniversary.”

Her eyes widen. “That was months ago.”

Shaking my head I go to her, taking her arm in what might have been a polite gesture, if I hadn’t pulled her so close against me. “I’m talking about the earrings. I gave them to you on our first anniversary.”

Harper blinks. “You remember that?”

I grin. “Of course. I also remember how embarrassed I was when Sophie accidentally told you she’d chosen the earrings.” Shrugging, I add, “But she has good taste. They look perfect on you.”

We leave the room, heading down the stairs to the car waiting outside. “It was no big deal. I’d already figured out the gift was her idea.”

Waiting for her to slide into the limousine before joining her, I wonder aloud,“Why?”

Her voice comes back in a careless, offhanded way. “Why would we celebrate milestones in a fake marriage?”

I grimace but don’t reply as the car drives away from the villa. The silence might have been welcome, but right now, it feels awkward and uncomfortable. Often we’ve sat in companionable silence, each of us usually involved in our own activities, but nothing feels easygoing about this quiet. As much as she might have wanted to avoid the evening’s party, she breathes a sigh of what seems like relief to arrive at the Kakos villa a few moments later.

“This landscaping is gorgeous,” says Harper as we exit the car. “The sheer number of plants! The home is lovely, too, but it can’t compare to the beauty of our villa.” She draws up short. “Your villa, I mean. Nothing of the Satyros empire belongs to me, of course.”

“Of course it’s your home,” I say quietly. I don’t add anything about the future. That will remain up to her.

“For now.” She smiles and looks away.

Warm lights lend a welcoming glow to the house as we walk up the stairs to the entrance. Harper stiffens when I take her hand. She tries to tug it away, but I tighten my grip just enough to let her know I want to keep it. The strength I exert isn’t enough to hold her fast, but just enough that she’d cause a scene if she wanted to wrench her hand free. She glares at me, resentment clear on her face.

Well, I can’t argue with her. Our usual performance involves walking together, but we have had a tacit agreement to avoid touching as much as possible. So what? She’s my wife, and after her reaction to that massage today, I’ll touch her hand. I know part of her likes my touch.

People fill the home’s large salon, and I catch sight of the wait staff circulating among the guests. Their crisp white uniforms are a stark contrast to the glittering finery of the guests. Harper looks as good as any of them, or better. But I know she couldn’t name a designer to save her life. It was another oddity that set her apart from the women in my social circles. She probably doesn’t think I appreciate that about her, but I’d rather she name rare plants than designers any day.

Within moments, we mix into the party, and Harper maintains at least the façade of a happily married woman enjoying a night of sophisticated company. I know her enough that I’m sure curling up in the huge tub with a paperback calls to her as the sister of our host babbles on incessantly about the new wardrobe she’s commissioning. Somewhere between hearing about every detail of importing the correct fabrics to arranging to bring the designer directly to Trini Island, I watch as Harper manages to finish a glass of champagne and slowly slip away from the small group of vapid women surrounding Hestia Kakos.

“Hello,” says a familiar voice, breaking my concentration.

“Maia,” I answer. “It’s been a while.”

Her black bandage dress hugs her curves. Curves I know all too well.

Chapter 7

Harper

I retreat to an alcove to survey the partygoers, willing to admit only to myself that I’m searching for Jayson. Some of the men in the room may be his height or have s

imilar hairstyles or frames, but only Jayson makes my heart stutter when my gaze finally finds him. His back is to me, but I would know him anywhere.

My heart skips another beat when I see his companion. Heat suffuses my face, and I lean against the wall for support. The last time I saw Maia Papadas, she wasn’t wearing a sexy black bandage dress.

She wasn’t wearing a thing.

During the last trip to the island, when I half-convinced myself I was in love with Jayson, despite his lack of awareness of my existence, I spent a lot of time moping in the gardens surrounding the villa. One afternoon, I wandered the paths, looking for a place to sit and pour out the adolescent whining of my heart into my secret journal, when I heard passionate moaning.

Curiosity overwhelmed me, and ignoring the voice of caution, I stopped to seek out the source. Peeking through a thick growth of short Chaste trees, I saw two bodies entwined in a passionate embrace: Jayson lying on his back, his hands cupping Maia’s breasts as she rode him.

Devastated, I fled from the scene and locked myself in the room I’d been assigned for the vacation. For the rest of the trip, I didn’t set foot in the garden, and neither did I speak to Jayson. He clearly hadn’t noticed, but it made me sick to my stomach even to look at him.

With the passing of time, I realized his actions were normal and healthy, and that he hadn’t betrayed me. Suffice it to say, I got over it.

Or at least I thought I had.