Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 234281 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1171(@200wpm)___ 937(@250wpm)___ 781(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 234281 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1171(@200wpm)___ 937(@250wpm)___ 781(@300wpm)
Mairi answered just as quietly, “I don’t consider myself forced to meet you in any way, Stavros.”
“I know the truth, Mairi. Damen told me you needed more time—-”
She was incredulous. “You talked to Damen?”
A frown formed on his forehead. “Did he not tell you?”
The truth dawned on them both.
Stavros said grimly, “He lied to me.”
“Stavros—-”
“Knowing you are with him, it is with the utmost respect for your relationship that I went to him first and asked permission to talk to you.” His jaw hardened.
She knew he wouldn’t say anything anymore. Stavros was not the type to backstab anyone, even if that someone had clearly lied to him. But then – he didn’t really have to, Mairi thought, still bemused. Clearly, Damen had lied to him, prevented them from meeting. But why? Surely he didn’t think she still loved Stavros?
“He must have his own reasons. Please don’t let this ruin your friendship.”
Stavros said curtly, “If it is fine with you, I do not plan wasting our time talking about Leventis.”
Her heart sank. Earlier he had called Damen by his first name. Now he was more formal, and it didn’t bode well.
She heard Stavros sigh, a harsh sound that confused Mairi. It was as if she had hurt him.
And then—-
“Did you know I tried looking for you?”
Her head jerked up. “You did? Why would you?”
He was disbelieving. “Why wouldn’t I? It was my fault you were expelled!”
Oh, these Greek billionaires. They could drive a girl insane. Did Stavros and Damen know how alike they were, with their tendency to blame themselves for something that was not and could never be their fault?
“It was not your fault, Stavros, and I never thought that.”
“I’m not surprised you think so. You have always been too nice.”
She shook her head, smiling wryly. “I threatened Principal Childress with a lawsuit just to make sure not a single word about the incident got out. So you know, I can be a bitch if I want to.”
Stavros allowed himself a slight smile even as he said firmly, “You are not and will never be a bitch. But I do know about what you did and again I think you were too lenient on her.”
“I couldn’t risk embarrassing my aunts,” she admitted.
He nodded. “I knew it was probably your reason for letting her get away with her unethical actions.” His lashes fell, partially hiding his gaze as he murmured, “I made sure she lost her job when you left. It was the least I could do for you.”
Mairi was stunned. It was her first time to hear that. The moment she had been expelled, she had decided that part of her life was over and she had taken pains to avoid any kind of news about her old school and everyone else associated with it...and that included Stavros.
She asked tentatively, “Why did you want to meet with me?”
The way her eyes nervously darted to and away from his face was so reminiscent of how she had been when she was young, it made Stavros’ chest tighten. The years might have passed, but what made Mairi Tanner the girl who had so quickly ensnared his attention without trying was still there.
And she was more beautiful than ever.
And she would never be his because it was obvious that her heart had already been claimed by another man.
In that instant he knew that whatever he had subconsciously thought to tell her were words he should never speak out loud.
The gentle smile on Stavros’ face made Mairi remember how he had been so kind to her all those times they had talked about Greek myths, with Stavros never telling her she was letting her imagination get the better of her.
Only now did she realize how much she had missed his friendship when she had left their school.
“Mairi?”
“Y-yes?”
“I am happy that you didn’t lose the courage to make your dream come true.”
Oh.
How was it that her mind had conveniently neglected to consider that Stavros would know about that horrible blog, the one that had exposed her dreams and turned it into a living nightmare?
She choked out, “Stavros—-”
“I just hope that your Greek billionaire knows how lucky he is to have a woman like you to love him. Because if I had been the one your heart had chosen, I would do my best not to fail you again.”
Chapter 16
ON THE CENTER OF DAMEN’S table was the envelope his unexpected visitor had thrown at him, as silently insidious as the sly gaze of the snake in the Garden of Eden. Inside it was knowledge forbidden and tempting, and even though hours had already passed he still could not decide what to do about it.
Glancing at his watch, he realized with a little surprise that it was already nine in the evening. He put a call to Mairi’s mobile and she answered at the first ring. “Damen?”