Indulgence Read online

  “Rush hour? The people are worse than the cars.” Khristos spoke first.

  “No one is worse than a driver. Unless you count the discount store aisles and checkout lines. The people are a bit insane, fighting over checkout lines, clogging up pathways to sit and chat, and let’s not forget, the twenty items and under line is not for ages twenty and under, it’s twenty items or less, like that stops folks from unloading their cart full of crap…” She tugged at the sleeve on her cup, wondering why he’d chosen to spend time with her, out of all the available women he could be with.

  “True. I find busy people miss out. Taking time isn’t overrated and discount store lines are crazy. What I find worse is people coming to fistfights over parking spots. Then again, no one has ever zoomed in and taken mine, so who knows what their fate would be, in my hands.”

  “So very true.” Foreplay with words? She couldn’t rightly ask. And looking at him, you wouldn’t think he knew about chain stores, more like he would use the high priced, ritzy, top-of-the-food-chain type of stores. The way his clothes clung to his perfect body, she imagined he had his own personal tailor, and wanted the job for herself, to map his drool worthy physique.

  He leaned back and took a sip. She followed the action, watching him swallow and sigh in pleasure. She needed a drink to quench the thirst he brought on. In heaven with her sweet treat, she licked at a dab of runaway cream on the side of her cup lid.

  “You missed some.”

  “Where?” She spun her cup around, searching for the sticky sweetness.

  “Not on your cup.” Khristos leaned forward and swiped his thumb over her bottom lip.

  She sucked in a breath and waited for the kiss to come. Perfect opportunity. Her jittery nerves jumped in jubilation, and then wailed a banshee scream when he licked the cream off his fingers and sat back, never intending to kiss her. Embarrassment and a brush of disappointment coursed through her until she remembered the new dating rules. Bugger it, a long wait was in store for her—unless she took the initiative.

  Play it cool, girl. Easier said than done when his knee kept brushing against hers. “Thanks.”

  “Anytime.” Khristos checked his watch, a distraction close to an insult.

  “Have somewhere you’d rather be?” Way to go, girl. Inquisitive, not waspish.

  “No. Keeping time to get you back before your assistant comes to find you. Can’t have customers coming out thinking I’ve kidnapped you.

  “Hardly gonna happen. Marie is good. She can handle the masses. Sorry for the tone.”

  “You’re not keeping me from anywhere. As a matter of fact, I find it interesting you’re not talking, when I’ve observed for weeks how much you can chatter to everyone else.”

  “You make me nervous. Once I get warmed up, trust me, you won’t be able to shut me up.” She crossed her legs, and then uncrossed them, glad he couldn’t see her mannerisms. Better to be quiet than to make an absolute fool of herself and scare him away.

  “Why don’t we break the ice, then? Tell me about what led you to create chocolate treats.” The timbre of his voice dropped, a clear indication of his attempt to make her feel at ease. His eyes crinkled at the sides again, giving him a charming air.

  Zoey spun her coffee cup around on the table, toying with the lid. “My grandma made chocolate for family and friends, all by hand, from recipes handed down from her grandmother to her mother. Grandma’s smiles and sweet treats turned the crappiest day into one of the best ever. I wanted to make people smile. How about you? What do you do?”

  “My job isn’t nearly as fun. I sit in my office a good portion of the day, closed off from the world. Acquisitions and mergers are a challenge I enjoy. People like you are good at chatting with everyone, and I know you do more than chat. I would venture to bet, you know a good deal about your regular customers, and they enjoy being in your shop. I know I do.”

  He made his job sound lonely. A pang of guilt stabbed her as she realized how lucky she was to be able to share her love with so many strangers who eventually turned into friends. “I’m sorry. I’d die in an office, literally. I can’t sit still, even super-glued to a chair.”

  “Picturing you in that position is enticing.”

  Khristos winked, and damned if bondage by glue, tape, or rope didn’t appeal to her, all of a sudden.

  “So, what is it you do in solitary confinement?” He laughed at her dramatic flair, making her cheeks turn pink.

  “A lot of paperwork. I buy businesses and own a few of my own. Micromanagement, delegating in my absence, dealing with the public remotely, saving jobs, bringing new jobs to areas in desperate need. I enjoy my job, the strategy it takes to make a failing business thrive again. Unfortunately, my job tends to make me the enemy, sometimes.”

  “You, a bad guy? I can’t imagine that. I keep trying to place your accent and nothing comes to mind. So, either you’re an alien, and I have an opportunity to make a lot of money by calling a tabloid or I’m hearing things, and you have no accent, and my mind’s playin’ tricks on me.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you, I’m not from another world.” He winked, and she melted into a puddle of goo. After reeling in her lax jaw, she took a sip of her cold-as-ice coffee.

  “Damn. There goes the café upgrade.” Zoey snapped her fingers.

  “The accent comes from two places, Greece, where I’ve spent most of my life and New York City. You could say, my father met my mother here in your country and that’s all she wrote. My mother is Italian, so I am a mixture of each.”

  “Do you speak both languages?”

  “Yes, my parents were big on not speaking much English at home. Sometimes, when she’d yell at me for not allowing my little brother and sister to tag along with me, it’d be in attitude and fire in Italian and Greek.”

  “I’d never have pictured you for Italian. Greek, sure. There’s a Greek shop across the street from mine. I don’t go there.”

  “Why not?”

  “Let’s just say I don’t enjoy competition and losing my customer base. Things were fine when my shop was the only one on the strip. The lady running it seems nice and all, I just don’t have a personal interest in adding to her success.”

  “You’re cute, not in a puppy dog sort of way that offends women, but your logic is something else. When you’re not visualizing the demise of the store across the street, what do you like to do for fun?”

  “Hey, I don’t wish for the death of anything, however, if she were to move to another part of town, I wouldn’t complain. As for fun, the usual, movies, dinner, skydiving…”

  “Iliahtida, skydiving? If God meant for us to have wings, I’d be daring. I’m no bird, so I’ll fly in a plane, but not jump out of one. I’d love to take you out to do whatever makes you happy outside of dares and stunts.”

  “Iliahtida?”

  “Means sunshine in Greek. I saw your smile from the street when I was passing by one day. Now, whenever I see you, I’m reminded of what drew me to your store.”

  Zoey searched his face for signs he was joking or teasing. He looked genuine and regarded her with a questioning stare. His stare turned heated, igniting a fire in her belly. She squirmed in her seat, waiting for the moment to pass. It never did, and she couldn’t think of anything to say. To hell with being cautious. Taking matters into her own hands, she stood up from her chair, walking the short two steps to his. “That was the sweetest thing I’ve heard in a long time. Thank you.” Before she lost the nerve, she pressed her palms to his chest, leaned down, and planted her lips on his.

  Her plan was a soft, short kiss to tell him she definitely wanted to get to know him better, so she was ill-prepared for him to take control of their first kiss. He tasted like the chocolate blend with undertones of fruit-and-nut robust coffee beverage he’d consumed.

  When she went to pull away, she found herself gridlocked between strong arms, him teasing her with nips and sucks on her bottom lip, nibbling on her ear, and then moving back, resulting i
n total possession. With each thrust of his tongue, the urge to get naked nearly overcame her responsible nature. She drew in deep breaths and inhaled deeply between his all-consuming taste test of her. After one last nibble, he broke contact, giving her room to breathe. The absence of his strong hold left her unbalanced. Zoey sucked in a breath, forcing her weak knees to hold her weight. She darted her tongue over her bottom lip and smoothed her clothing. “I’m, um—”

  “Have to get back to work.” Khristos finished for her as he stood, appearing unfazed, until she saw the evidence to the contrary.

  “Walk back with me. You still have to pick up your prize.”

  “After you.” Khristos pushed his chair up to the table and slid his hands into his pockets. Zoey hoped her kiss wasn’t too impulsive. Damn, the man charmed the socks right off her, and then the lip-lock knocked all her past lovers right out the ballpark, placing him in a league of his own.

  “Have you decided what kind of dessert you’d like to take back with you?” They walked back toward her café at the slow pace he set.

  “If you were a doctor of chocolate and I was your patient, what would you recommend?”

  He got her sense of humor and with it, earned extra kudos. “I’d say it depends on what ails you. If you’re angry at the world…I’d suggest death by chocolate. Seven layers of chocolate cake with alternating fillings of caramel, mocha, and Kahlua crème, topped with a cherry for each slice.”

  “That might put me in cardiac arrest.”

  “Then I’d have to revive you by feeding you a thick pretzel stick drizzled in dark chocolate, peanut butter, white chocolate, and covered with nuts. Sweet and salty works every time.”

  “Hmmm. Then who’s going to revive you after you deplete your cache of powers?”

  “I have it on high authority there’s a sexy businessman who needs sunshine in his life. I’m sure I have nothing to worry about, should I need resuscitation.” Zoey tucked her hair behind her ears.

  “We’re here.” He stopped in front of the café. The nosey faces peering out at them didn’t escape her notice.

  “You don’t want to come in?”

  “Not like this. Looks like you have a second set of parents, or third, even. Surprise me. You have my card. My schedule is free for a while tomorrow morning.” He dropped a quick kiss on her lips, pulled back, and dropped his hand that had manifested without her noticing, from her nape. Her skin pebbled and her kiss-swollen lips tingled.

  “Okay.”

  “Until tomorrow.”

  She gathered her wits about her at the same time he turned from her to walk away, giving her a delectable view of his backside.

  Chapter Two

  “Mother fucker,” Zoey wheezed, short of breath. Khristos had failed to mention that his skyscraper office building had thirty-four floors, and his offices resided on the twenty-third. The receptionist saw to it that her belongings made their way up the secure elevator…while she trudged up the stairwell. Somehow, she didn’t believe the apology the woman gave her or the reasoning that the employee elevator was for employees, not visitors. How hard was dialing the CEO’s number and advising him of her arrival? The snooty gatekeeper gave her the option of leaving the building since she’d delivered her package, or using the stairwell. Anger at the situation in hand pushed her damned claustrophobia to the back of her mind. With each step, she’d envisioned the dressing-down the woman would get for putting her out. Just because she wasn’t a size two didn’t mean she wasn’t fit. Being a size twelve was not fat or obese, and it’s too bad society didn’t see anything other than Barbie-doll-thin as societal perfection.

  Next time, she’d eat a banana first and bring a bottle of water, an mp4 player, and a sweatband. The burn seared through her thighs as she came to a maroon door with twenty-one painted on it. Two more flights to go. I got this. Shit, no gym for me tonight. Upping the pace to get there sooner, she said a silent thanks for the ventilation in the stairwell keeping her from being overly drenched in sweat.

  “Zoey?”

  Her name echoed in his deliciously smooth voice. Temptation to not answer flashed through her mind, so she could hear him say her name again. “Be right there in a sec.”

  “I can’t believe Suzanne took out her spite at me on you.”

  As she rounded the last bend, she saw him leaning against the door, sporting the biggest frown, his face tight with anger.

  “You know what? I wanted to scratch her eyes out, but it’s alright, she saved me a trip to the gym today.” Zoey shoved a tendril of hair behind her ear. “I take it, you got the goods.”

  “Yeah, minus you, which confused me. I gave her explicit orders to allow you on the private bank of elevators since the visitor bay is broken. Fuck, I’m sorry.” He ran a hand through his hair.

  “Eh, a little sweat never killed anyone. I hope you fired her, though.”

  Khristos chuckled. “She’s being replaced as we speak. Come here doll, you look taxed.”

  Zoey melted into a puddle of goo. The affection seeping through his anger-laced tone left her wrecked.

  “You look so damn good, sweat and all. It’s only fair I take care of you now.” He slipped his hands under her legs and swept her into his arms. “Hold onto my neck.”

  “So, a wicked witch was all it took to get swept away. I take it back, don’t fire her, promote her.” Khristos’s laughter rumbled out of his mouth, and vibrated against her side.

  “Don’t drop me.” She tightened her hold and leaned into him, and he smelled like sin incarnate. She wanted so badly to sin in every conceivable way with him and then some.

  “Never. You feel too damn good in my arms to drop. Perhaps I’ll give her clemency. She did bring us—closer.”

  Khristos stopped in front of his office door, kept his grasp on her and managed to turn the knob. She gave him brownie points. Her first impression of his office was how it fit his personality. Big, open windows gave him an insane view of the busy city below. Opulence surrounded her. He lowered her into a cushy chair and sat opposite her, propping her feet up on his thighs. Swallowing the knot of arousal, she forced herself to sit still, not to squirm under his appraisal.

  “What are you—” He slipped her fashionable heels off. “Ohhhh, that feels so good. Don’t stop!” His strong fingers pressed into the arch of her foot, massaging deeply.

  “The least I can do to make up for twenty-three flights of stairs.” Khristos loosened his tie and freed the top button of his dress shirt with one hand, his other kneaded her foot. “Why do you wear heels to bake in?”

  “I love heels. My mama said to look sexy, is to feel sexy. She never warned me how expensive a shoe collection would be or that I’d have to have a completely separate closet for footwear.” Zoey leaned back, but smoothed down her skirt to avoid giving him a glimpse of her lacy undergarments and matching thigh-highs while he functioned as her personal masseuse.

  “I don’t have some creepy foot fetish, but you do wear some sexy shoes with your dresses. It’s interesting to see what you’re wearing daily when I come in for my cup of coffee.”

  The way he acted, he stalked her footwear. She let out a giggle. “So you stalk my feet, huh?”

  “No, definitely your smile, but I do take a glance to see what pair of heels will be attached to your gorgeous legs and matching polish. You coordinate like I coordinate my ties.” He leaned closer. “And if I’m really bad, I wonder how soft the nylons you wear are and if they’re thigh-highs or not.” He picked up her left foot and began rubbing.

  Zoey’s face flushed hot. “Some things are made to wonder about.” She gave him a saucy wink. If I told you, that would ruin the surprise. Who knows what the future may hold? Maybe one day, I’ll allow you a peek.”

  The phone on his desk rang. He made no move to drop her foot to get rid of the distraction.

  “Aren’t you going to answer that?”

  A dark look crossed his face, one she wasn’t sure she wanted to explore. The man had some
definite moods. Watching him reach behind him to grab the phone on the edge of the desk gave her a glimpse of bunched muscle under his expensive shirt.

  “What?” he barked, clenched his jaw, then spoke. “I want Suzanne removed from the building. Confiscate her work phone, company credit card, company car keys and write her a severance check for six months of pay, and no, do not have HR write her a recommendation letter. I’m being generous. If she has a problem with that, she can march up twenty-three flights of stairs herself. I’ll wait while you relay my last…” He turned and winked at her whispering, “the witch is pissed.”

  Zoey covered her mouth to stifle the laughter trying to break free. He’d known who was calling before answering, the reason for the sudden black mood.

  “Yeah, cancel the conferences for the rest of the morning. I have an enchanting woman to take care of, who I plan on pampering, due to the mistreatment from Suzanne. Yeah, I didn’t think she’d want to walk up that many flights of stairs, like she so wrongly made my guest hike up just now. Excellent.” He grinned at the phone, and ran a hand through his hair. “Yes, I’ll resume my meetings after lunch. Thanks.” He dropped the phone on the cradle and met her gaze.

  “My word, she’s going to bring your building down. You scorned her.”

  Khristos dropped her foot back on his lap, his fingers no longer running in a soothing pattern in the middle of her arch. “Hmm. If she’s smart, she won’t try anything else, she’s been warned in the past about her unprofessionalism. My mother is her mother’s friend.”

  “Ohhh. So that’s almost like nepotism. Families are something else, huh? My parents wanted me to hire one of my cousins, who knows nothing about baking, and would rather text and stay on social media all day than work. Why would I put that laziness into a business I built from the ground up? I swear, it was insulting to even have them ask me. But, I told them no.”

  “No, is good sometimes. I think your feet are good now, unless you’d like me to continue. How are your back, neck, and shoulders? Any issues from your hike to my office?