When she returned, both their gazes were on her, Alexi with a small smile, and Hope with a tilted head and pursed lips. “Everything okay?” Hope’s persistence was a surprise. Niko must be rubbing off on her, or maybe tackling a guest in the foyer was enough to make even the most distracted guardian take note.
“It’s fine,” Alexi answered with a firm tone and a frown. His expression was just shy of, How dare you question me?
“Before you came up here, I was telling Alexi about your art,” Mia lied with a big smile. She brushed at the prickly glitter on her top. She’d handled that all very well, considering.
“Niko said you hate art. I’m so glad he’s mistaken,” Hope said.
Mia gave Alexi the evil eye. Hurt Hope’s feelings and prepare to get crushed.
“Niko’s right,” Alexi said.
Clearly, Alexi didn’t know to obey the evil eye. He’d learn. “You haven’t seen my sister’s work yet.”
Alexi’s lips tightened like a kid faced with taking his vitamins. “I’ll be very busy, but thank you anyway.” He eyed the glitter glue on her top. “Mia’s also been telling me about her American assimilation plan. We start tomorrow. Isn’t that right?”
Manipulative beast. “Can’t wait.” She grinned big. “You’re going to love the mall.”
Alexi flinched. “That’s not on my schedule.”
He didn’t like malls—Yep, he’s straight. “You promised.”
Alexi’s mouth pinched and he gave a slight nod. A guy who honors commitments, even when he doesn’t want to, wow, love that. She turned to Ms. Joellen, who was toting in another bag. “Alexi and I are going shopping for new American clothes, so please shove those to the back of his closet.”
Ms. Joellen nodded.
The clothes Alexi wore now looked expensive, tailored from beautiful fabric, but something marked them as foreign. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it. The color? The narrow cut? She’d help him blend in. Walking nearer, she reached for his cuff. Alexi glanced around at the others and moved his arm out of reach. Was he shy or circumspect?
“The mall.” Hope’s mouth twisted. “That’ll be nice.” She wasn’t a mall fan herself. Mia took care of most of her shopping.
“Not today,” Alexi said. “Mia promised me an evening to recover from jet lag.”
Mia closed her eyes for a second. She’d promised Sacha a movie and a manicure while clad in their pajamas.
Alexi smiled innocently at her.
He knew her thoughts. Okay, so he wasn’t shy, just circumspect in front of other people, and fun. She bit her lip on laughter bubbling up. They must have looked crazy fighting over that poster.
“You kids call down if you need anything.” Hope cleared the doorway.
Mia drew her gaze from her sister’s back, and turned to Alexi. “Be nice to her, especially about the painting. No manipulating her.” She used her firm voice.
“Artists don’t need nice. They live by their own rules.” Alexi sprawled across the couch and made himself comfortable. “Lunch was a fail. Where’s my movie?”
Mia took another swipe at the rough glitter on her top and walked over to the television stand. Her classic picks for Niko’s younger sister, The Princess Diaries and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, no longer seemed appropriate. Maybe they’d never been the best idea. What did she know about Sacha at all? She hesitated.
“You promised, ne?” Alexi asked the last part of the question in Greek. His throwing in the Greek word for “yes” swayed her. He knew she wanted Greek lessons, and he knew how to bargain. Plus, she liked the idea of honoring her own promise. She bent down to the Blu-ray player, picked up the girly discs and held them up. “Since your gender changed, I guess we’ll skip these.”
“My gender did not change.” He made a quick assessment of the titles. “And yes, we can skip these. We can stream a movie.”
“I have more.” She set the girly discs aside and flipped through the media folder. If he picked a movie from her favorite discs, at least she’d enjoy it. “Action or horror?”
“Both.”
“Okay.” Mia popped one in and picked up her bag of nail stuff from where she’d left it in preparation for Sacha’s manicure. She upended the contents onto the coffee table, and the nail file, buffer, and polishes clinked against the top.
The movie kicked off with a bang.
Mia dug through the stuff while Alexi’s gaze stayed on the television, his focus on the growls and car crashes. She reached for his hand. He glanced toward his doorway, where the servants still were putting away his things, and pulled away. She rolled her eyes, stretched across him, and took his hand anyway. His hand was large, warm, and dry. She squeezed lotion onto the back of his tan hand and breathed in the apple fragrance before sliding his hand between her palms. His skin felt rough, manly. She liked the sensation of it under her fingertips.
Alexi glanced around the now empty room and then positioned his other hand between hers, too.
Chapter 7
Mia massaged each of Alexi’s fingers, then bent each finger back and forth. Alexi’s gaze remained riveted on the screen, but he stilled each time she paused or grabbed another nail utensil. Mia lightly scratched her nails from the base of his palms to the tips of his fingers. Alexi shivered, and his eyelids half lowered.
A knock sounded on the door.
Mia dropped his hands. She scooted to the other side of the couch and focused on the television, sucking in a calming breath.
Alexi’s gaze followed her until Niko stepped into the room, holding one of Hope’s hands in one of his and a bowl of popcorn in the other. Niko dropped beside him. “Hope said you’re up for a movie.”
Hope had no interest in car crash movies. Instead of watching, she curled up by Niko, leaned on his shoulder, and sketched.
Alexi glanced between Hope and Niko, then his gaze rested on the popcorn. “Is it salty or sweet?” He stared at the kernels as if he could tell the answer by their appearance.
“Americans make it salty,” Niko said.
Hope kept up her sketching. “Are you tired from your trip?”
“Yeah,” Mia answered for him. “It was exhausting watching the staff tote his luggage and unpack his things.” She tried to imagine how many bags he’d have brought had he been a girl. “Clear it up for me. There’s you two. You’re halves? Steps? How many siblings do you have?”
Niko shrugged a shoulder. “Alexi and I share the same parents. My stepmother has two daughters. So, we have two step-sisters.”
That was clear and easy. Like nothing he’d said before.
Alexi fell asleep before the movie was halfway through. He looked just as good asleep, maybe better. Less tense, more his age. Mia tried to follow the plotline, but she was totally blown away by her inconvenient and enthralled reaction to Alexi. She’d been on dates, she’d had boyfriends. Nothing, not one single kiss or even a caress, came close to the charged feeling she got from just holding Alexi’s hand. Don’t go there. She knew how it would fall out. He’d be heaven to hook up with, but then he’d move back to Greece and she’d have to sit across from him once a year at the family’s holiday table—for the rest of her life—him and his new girlfriend. Pass the mashed potatoes. By the way, remember that time senior year when I crushed all over you? And then you left me… Yeah. Fun times.
No. A chance at love was not worth the risk.
They’d just be friends.
***
Mia followed Alexi toward the garage, breathing in the hot, humid Houston air. The mall would be a cool and air-conditioned relief from this heat. She eyed Alexi’s strong stride. He had to play sports; he’d gotten that body from more than working out.
“I’ll drive,” he said.
Mia stopped at the driver’s door of her red two-door car and put a hand on the door handle. She gestured toward the passenger’s side. “We drive on the right here.”
“I’m not British. In Greece, you drive on the right.” Alexi frowned at
her small, not too old, not too new car. He stared hard at the scratch on her side mirror.
Whatever, the garage back home was narrow. “What?”
“Your sister lets you go in this?”
“This car’s awesome.”
“Has my brother seen it?”
Who knows. Mia narrowed her eyes. “Europe has much smaller cars.”
“This isn’t Europe.” He frowned and his mouth pinched. “Hope suggested I get a look at your car. Artists.” The last word came out muttered. “I’ll tell Niko to replace it.”
Hope hadn’t done any such thing, and like she’d let some guy buy her a car. Mia’s hands moved to her hips, and she tilted her chin. “Why would I replace my car? I love my car, and Niko doesn’t get a say in it.”
Alexi gestured with his hands. “Niko keeps Hope. You’re her responsibility, so that makes you his responsibility, too. Dependent upon our largess.”
A small gasping noise left her lips. Largess? Big word for a charity case. His English must have failed him on that one.
Alexi ignored her strangled protest, focusing on Niko’s cars. They lined the massive garage. Dark. Conservative. “What does my brother have against color?” A rack of keys hung on the side wall and Alexi headed there.
Mia caught up to him and grabbed his arm. “You’ve misunderstood. Niko is Hope’s boyfriend. They live together because they’re in love.” The words sounded naïve, and she widened her eyes so he could read the sincerity in them.
“Exactly. She’s his mistress, and you’re her dependent.”
Her palm dropped away, her mouth opened a little, but she couldn’t respond.
Alexi continued for the keys.
Mia waved her arms, barely missing the Bentley’s side mirror. “That’s not okay. You’ve got it wrong. They’re planning a future together.”
Alexi nodded, clearly humoring her.
“I live with my parents. They’re on an extended trip—an around-the-world cruise. That’s why I’m staying with Hope. I’m not her dependent.” She waved her hands in the direction of her car. “If I need a car, my parents will pay for it. Not your family.”
“Mia.” His voice had softened. It held…pity? He made an inexplicable gesture with his hands. “Parents don’t always come back. Adults sometimes have different agendas.”
What was he talking about? Her parents hadn’t dumped her.
Vincent stepped out of a back office. “May I give you two a lift?” He put on his cap and walked toward the limo, which was at the far end of the room, walking like they’d take him up on it.
Alexi gauged its length then nodded. He smiled in satisfaction.
Whatever. They’d take the limo today. She’d worry about Alexi’s warped European take on Niko and Hope later. He’d see how great they were, soon enough.
The short distance to the mall seemed quicker than normal in the smooth limo, plus the bonus of not having to circle for a parking spot. The car pulled up to the curb and Mia slid to the edge of her seat, waiting for Alexi to get out first. He stayed seated.
Mia arched her eyebrows. Was she supposed to wait for Vincent to open the door? Uh, no. That was taking the privilege too far. Opening it, she hopped out. The driver came around and took the door handle while Alexi slid free.
“Thanks, Vincent,” she said.
Vincent touched his hat in response. Alexi gave him a nod that was reciprocated in like fashion.
Inside the mall, the noise of families, excited shoppers, and shoes against marble tile was accompanied by a visual assault of end of summer sale window displays. Everything competed for their attention. This was going to be so much fun. The mall was awesome, and finding the right thing for him would be easy. There was such a large selection here, such a range of products, he’d be the best-dressed guy in her class. They’d hit the small shops, and then the department stores. Mia’s heart rate and steps picked up.
Alexi’s slowed. His gaze shifted around, his expression reluctant.
Sigh. Guys and shopping. He was about to bolt back outside. She could see it in his posture, and his glances flitting back to the exit. “Just one store?”
His mouth twisted, and he nodded.
She led him to a trendy place. He only needed a few key pieces. She could supplement them with whatever clothes he had brought. The servants had carried in a ton of bags; there had to be something good in them.
Alexi fidgeted while she filtered through the racks. When she’d hold up an item to force an opinion, she’d get a shrug of okay or an adamant head shake. Zero enthusiasm. “Just try on a few. I’ll shop for more without you later.” Mia shoved him toward the dressing room. “It’s like you’ve never been shopping before. Don’t you have malls in England?”
“Of course. But clothes usually are delivered and tailored. I don’t go to a shopping mall.”
Spoiled. She thought of Kristnaldo’s tendency toward fedoras. Alexi needed this, even if he didn’t know it. “Trust me.” She gave him another small push. “You can’t wear lederhosen here.”
“I’m not German.” With that, he disappeared through the door.
Mia went back to the racks to dig for more clothes.
In a far shorter time than it would’ve taken her, Alexi emerged in a Texan’s T-shirt. He was built beautifully, with broad shoulders and lean hips. Nice. Mia forced her gaze away. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea. Alexi was too attractive.
He looked gorgeous. Mia used the opportunity to walk around him and lightly touch the cotton shirt. Stop it. No pawing the potential future new relative. Mia lowered her hand, though she didn’t want to. Alexi turned toward her hand as if he missed it. The blue of the T-shirt brought out the stormy blue in his mostly gray eyes. If anything, the color made him even more stunning. How was that even possible? “Yep, you’ll do. This way you can keep the foreign thing under wraps unless you want to use it.”
“Use it?”
“Yeah, you know, pick up someone with it.” Mia lowered her voice and spoke in a heavy accent, one nothing like Alexi’s accent. “I am Alexi from Sweden, is that your room?” She threw in some foreign hand waving. “Oh, how confusing your American customs are. You must teach me. Shall I take off my shoes?” She ended with a leer.
“I’m not Swedish. Shoe removal, huh? Will that work on you? You’ll show me your shoe collection?” Alexi reached for her arm.
She slapped his hand away. “Nope, your tricks won’t work on me. I’m not sitting across the table from you for the next fifty years after you’ve seen my shoes.”
“Fifty years? You’re confident Niko and Hope will stay together.” Alexi reached for the hem of the shirt and raised it on his return to the dressing room, giving a glimpse of his cut abs. His skin looked tan, lean, and warm.
But his attitude had an edge of cold and cynical. Did they teach that in rich kid boarding school? He’d learn. Hope and Niko were the real deal. “They’re in love.”
He tossed her the T-shirt without responding. Mia added two others, and went up to the register.
As they left the store, Mia saw it…a toiletry and cologne kiosk. While he smelled amazing now, who knew what habits he’d brought with him? She pointed. Alexi followed the path of her finger and shook his head. Mia bit her lip. Not good. Did toiletries repel him?
Alexi turned toward the exit. “You said one store. That was one store. We’ve finished.”
“Well, that’s not a full store; it’s a kiosk. Remember when we were texting, and you said that drive-through fast-food places don’t count as restaurants?”
“They don’t. There should be standards for meals. Cooks can’t just lift something from a deep fat fryer, and call it a—”
Knowing his views well, she held up her hands. He’d texted for two days on this topic. “Well, a kiosk is like a drive-through. You can’t count it as a store.”
“Mia.” His voice wavered
as he lost to his own logic.
“Please, please, just try a few.”
He sent her a sideways look and walked over to lift a perfume bottle. After sniffing it, Alexi sneered at the fragrance. He pointed to the glass shielding the expensive bottles.
The kiosk worker, an indifferent sixteen-year-old guy who’d clearly rather be watching his phone, unlocked the case. The worker paused and stared at Mia. He shifted on his feet. “Did ya want…”
Alexi shook his head and the guy went back to his stool. Mia hurried to select several of her favorite guy colognes, ones not already overpowering the hallways at her high school.
Alexi lifted a perfume bottle. “Give me your wrist.”
Mia held up the cologne. “Give me yours.”
His eyes narrowed. She set the bottles down and held out her arm. Taking his selections, he sprayed her wrist, the inner crook of her elbow, and the middle of her forearm. Bending toward her arm, he raised it to sniff each spot. She wanted to slide her hand into his hair. This close, it looked like such a rich, deep color. Her fingers curled at the effort to restrain herself. Behave. Mia tried to jerk her arm away. Alexi held it tightly and his blue-gray eyes said stay still. His thumb brushed over her elbow. He seemed to like the powdery fragrance. The motion sent a feeling of tiny sparks from her elbow down to the tips of her fingers. Her mouth parted. She wanted him to rub it again.
Alexi released her and turned toward the sales clerk to point at the bottle. While he was turned, Mia slapped her hand over the inside of her elbow and rubbed, trying to erase the sensation.
Alexi held out his arm, covered in a long-sleeved oxford shirt. She slipped both buttons free, folded the cuff over twice, then shoved the sleeve up to his elbow. Her fingertips grazed his lightly muscled forearm, strong under the mall’s florescent lights. She pressed her finger against the vein near his elbow. Bizarre—all her veins were under her skin. Why did guys’ veins stand out? Hmm, was this an upper body strength thing? Mia ran her finger along the blue line.
“Here you go.” The kiosk worker handed her a cologne bottle.
Huh?
Alexi glared at the interruption, and the guy backed off.