Stay

“You and that pier. Who have you been there with? Who with? Jake?” Alexi demanded, his accent more pronounced than normal. More upset equaled a heavier accent.

She rather liked the accent, but didn’t like the thought of him being upset over something that didn’t even exist. “I didn’t go to the pier with a guy. It’s just something everyone knows.” She was a little annoyed at telling him something that was none of his business, but was too weak to watch him sulk.

Alexi looked at her probingly through the darkness of the car. “No guy?”

“I’m waiting for someone special.” Mia dug through the minibar and removed a chilled bottle of champagne. She handed it to him.

Alexi relaxed, clearly happy with her response. He untwisted the wire and eased the cork out slowly. There were benefits to having a driver. She held out a champagne flute for him to fill.

“Me, too.” Alexi grabbed a second empty flute from the minibar. “Crystal is much nicer than those plastic cups.” He filled the glasses and set the bottle down in a nook atop the bar. Then he took a drink. “Liquids taste better out of crystal. Cook can pack crystal in with our lunches. Vincent will retrieve the glasses after we finish and clear for us.” He looked as if she’d agree with his crazy idea.

How could a guy so picky still look like such a guy? Mia tossed her drink back, poured herself another glass then slid next to Alexi. She met his gaze. “From now on, your eyes will remind me of dancing in the dark in Texas.”

“Your eyes remind me of the water back home.”

Lovely uniquely-him compliment. “To finding someone special,” she toasted.

Alexi frowned and clinked his glass against hers. Even frowning, he was handsome. Great bone structure, incredible physique. She couldn’t believe she’d confessed to waiting for someone special…to being a virgin, and he’d said ‘me too.’ He was so much like her, such high standards and big dreams. He was unique. Mia rubbed a hand over the side of his cheek, along his jaw; his skin was slightly rough. He needed to shave.

Alexi turned his head and kissed her palm right in the center. Mia curled her fingers in as if capturing the tingly feeling, and then stretched up to retract the moon roof. The stars shined down on them, lighting the limousine’s interior like a NASA picture. What a perfect night—music, stars, champagne, and Alexi.

“I’m glad you’re waiting, too.” Mia shrugged. “It makes me less alone. Lauren thinks I’m crazy not to hook up and turn in the V-card.” Mia leaned back against the cushions and curled her feet up into the seat. “I’m glad you’re holding out with me.”

Alexi tilted his head and then pulled her legs across his lap and rested a hand against her ankles. He took another drink without saying anything.

***

Mia had to wear her cheerleading uniform to school, so she made sure to throw warm-ups on prior to going down to breakfast. It was too early for a fight about clothes. Niko greeted her with a new paperback. “Thanks.” Mia pushed her meal aside and took the book.

Niko handed Alexi a book in Greek.

“Thank you.” Alexi tapped the spine on hers. The Odyssey in modern Greek. “You read Greek?”

“We read it in English last year, but imagine reading it in almost its original language. Thank you, Niko.”

Niko nodded. “Hope said you enjoyed the story.” Hope smiled over at him, and Niko grinned. There wasn’t much Niko wouldn’t do for one of Hope’s smiles.

Alexi lifted the book out of Mia’s hands, opened it, and read the first line aloud. “Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns/driven time…” He handed it back.

“You have a beautiful voice,” Mia said. “Maybe you can read more? Until I learn enough Greek to do it.”

“Maybe.” Alexi took a bite of toast. He’d taken to eating larger breakfasts, given the horrible school lunches.

“You really do,” Hope said from behind her sketchpad. “You could make a successful career out of it, as a radio announcer or, with your looks, acting. Do you like entertaining?”

Alexi and Niko wore identical frowns, and Mia giggled.

“No,” Alexi said.

Her giggling made her choke on her toast, so she gulped some water. When her throat cleared, she said, “Alexi’s not really a people-person.”

“True,” Niko said.

“Okay.” Hope gave Alexi’s arm a small pat. “Whatever interests you.”

“I’ll be late tonight; we’re cheering at the soccer tryouts. I’ll take my own car so Vincent won’t have to driv

e back for me, and you won’t have to wait.”