"...By the pricking of my thumbs something wicked this way comes..."

Keira's POV

"Through thick and thin, heaven and hell, past and future, dark and light, poverty and prosperity, life and death," Nick spoke gazing deep into my eyes. His pale blues cannot be more hypnotizing than they are now. "I promise to care for you, to protect you, to provide for you, to satisfy all your needs, to love you deeply for all eternity."

As much as he is simply translating what the groom is saying, I feel like he is talking to me. I feel like the words are meant for me. The way he is looking at me and the way he is holding my hands makes me feel like he is the groom making me his wife. His wife.

"That's deep." I whispered after his gaze made me hot all over.

"It is." He agreed. "I'm sorry I didn't know my cousin would be doing this in Greek."

"At least I have you to translate." I whispered leaning dangerously close to him. Can we get too close? Is there such a thing when our bodies are already so close together? In addition to this hot Greek sun, I feel like I'm in an oven. His oven.

He got the hint but the kiss isn't what I want. It is brief and far too feathery for my liking. I want him to kiss me like he kissed me at the villa. That mad possession if his lips... I want that.

"Not here cara... I promise I will kiss you so much, your lips will grow sore. Just wait until we are alone."

I smiled against his lips, loving the thought of being thoroughly kissed.

He has been introducing me to his relatives but at a distance considering we were seated at the back. I have shied away from meeting them in person and he hasn't pressured me into it.

My main concern -considering both of us are married- is how he will introduce me.

Who am I really?

His mistress?

I don't know how to answer my own question but Lorraine would bluntly answer. She would say I am a mistress. I'm not his wife do I am a mistress. It's best that I'm not introduced.

Beauty runs in Nick's Greek side of the family. I haven't met the Italians but the Greeks are hot. Tall muscular men with blond hair and pale blue eyes much like Nick are all around us. The women are equally beautiful.

"You're the most beautiful woman here." Nick whispered kissing my cheek.

"Is that why they are staring? Or are they drooling over you."

"Most of them are relatives." He chuckled softly.

"I wish you could let me show you off my beautiful goddess."

"In Greek mythology, Aphrodite is the goddess of love, lust, beauty, pleasure, passion and procreation."

"It's said no man can resist her as I am fighting a war to resist you; a war I know I'm bound to lose eventually maybe even this very night."

I am honored that he thinks so highly of me. While Jason lives to belittle me into nothing Nickolas is putting me up on a pedestal. It is a breath of fresh air to matter to someone. I need someone to love me as much as I was willing to love him. Tonight sounds good. Why not? I want to. I really want to.

I held his handsome face and without caring that anyone is watching us, I kissed the man hungrily. I can't contain my expressions. I want him to know that I love this and I'm in 100%.

He followed my lead for a moment before gently broke away.

"Be patient." He reminded me.

"I can't wait any longer. Let's leave so that we can be alone." I whispered.

I can't believe this is me craving him so shamelessly. Is it the unusual heat of the night or the heat between my legs?

"Keira, my sweet girl. Sweet things come to those who wait." He teased me. "Very sweet things."

Is he seriously playing hard to get?

I forced my mind to focus on something he had said about Aphrodite.

"She was the goddess of fertility... I hope children are not in your cards. I can't get pregnant Nickolas."

I put it out there as bluntly as I possibly can. There is no need to give him false hopes.

"Has a doctor ascertained that you can't?" He asked me with a serious face.

"No."

He slid his hand through the open slit to hold my thigh. He gave it a light squeeze.

"Until such a time, you need to be positive my Aphrodite. Maybe I'll put one in you." He whispered roughly. "I don't miss."

The thought certainly pleases me. Maddie is very pretty. One of my own would be just as gorgeous.

My eyes settled on a man looking at us. He smiled at me. "Nick?"

He stopped kissing my neck. "Yes?"

"Who is that man?"

"Kei I'm busy trying to seduce you and you're looking at other men?"

I chuckled. "No. It's not like that. That guy over there, I saw him before. The man in a the last row? The one speaking to the red head. The one with fangs."

"Fangs?" Nick burst out laughing. "Vampires are not real."

"He has fangs, I swear."

"Bruce?" He has noticed him. "That's Bruce St Patrick. My best friend." My jaw almost dropped. He frowned strangely. "Tell me you're not in a Cole situation with Bruce."

"No! Absolutely not. I met him once, we didn't even exchange names. He smiled at me and I saw his canines. I have never forgotten."

"Well it's Bruce. I'll introduce you."

"Nick I have something to-"

"What do we have here?" A man with a serious expression approached us. It dawned on me that the wedding is over. Nick and I totally zoned out. He has a strong resemblance to Nick.

His eyes are intently on me ruthlessly tearing me apart. I cast my eyes downward to end the torment. Nick withdrew his hand from underneath my dress.

"Dad. I didn't know you were here." He rose to his feet and so did I.

It is his father...

I tried to tag at the neckline that has left me exposed. I don't want him to think I'm the kind to dress like this.

"Athena is my niece. Remember? At least she invited me to her wedding unlike you who decided to elope. How's that working out for you?" He glanced my way. "Cheating already?"

I felt awkward.

"Is there a point to this conversation?" Nick questioned.

I feel beyond awkward and out of place. I tried to excuse myself but Nick won't let go of my arm.

"We need to talk son. Look for me tomorrow. It's important."

Without paying the least attention to me, he left. Nick's grip on my arm tightened to the point I thought he would break it.

"Nick!" I gasped in pain and he suddenly released me his senses returning to him.

"I'm sorry." He apologized. "Let's leave please."

Nick's POV

Keira and I fell out of bliss as fast as lightning strikes. My father interrupted an intimate moment that would have evolved into an erotic night. We were hot for it, ready, in the same wavelength and then he happened.

This morning I woke up early as I usually do only to realize my Aphrodite is still sound asleep. When we got home, she cooked, we ate, watched a movie and she fell asleep in my arms. It's not how the night was supposed to go.

I have prepared breakfast for her hoping she will like it. I haven't forgotten all the meals she made in Miami. I think I may have out on some weight from the over indulgence. I want nothing more than to pamper and spoil her for the short time we have together. She deserves everything good in the world but time is moving too fast. I wish it could slow down so that we were trapped in this moment forever. I want her to feel special even if it was just for a few days.

I learned how to cook from my mom. It was her way of making her son's responsible. Tony and I used to compete over who is the better chef. We love to cook only when we are in the mood to. I made some sweet bread from scratch and some eggs. I will serve it up with fruits in yoghurt and some tea in case she pleases. After slicing up the bread and spreading some marmalade on it I set up my tray. I placed a small velvet box on the furthest end of tray. It is a little gift I have gotten her to thank her for coming with me.

She is fast asleep the covers spread all over. One of her feet has a sock. The other one doesn't. It's funny. She's not so graceful in her sleep. Setting the tray down beside her on the night stand I slowly pushed the dark silky mess of hair from her pale face. She stirred slightly as I moved closer to her face. I rubbed her lower lip with my thumb as her long thick eyelashes paved way to those breath taking sapphire gems. I have never seen eyes so blue and beautiful!

Dio she has gorgeous eyes!

She is beautiful.

"Nick. Good morning. Did I sleep in? I'm sorry. I'll make you breakfast." She spoke quickly trying to sit up but I held her down by the shoulder. It is sweet for her to want to cook for me.

"Relax my Aphrodite." I whispered. "Today, you're my master and I'm here to serve you."

In real sense I will always be her master but a few occasional submissions are allowed to spice things up.

I kissed her lips briefly before presenting her with breakfast.

We ate in comfortable silence our eyes doing all the talking. I have to see my dad today. That means I either leave her alone or take her with me. I want to take her with me. I want her to meet my father in a more conducive setting and possibly my mother once I return to Tuscany. She is part of my life now.

Gazing at her as she savours her breakfast makes me happy. She looks happy.

"This is perfect Nick. If I could wake up to this every morning!"

"If I could wake up to you every morning, I'd be the happiest man alive. Seeing your beautiful face everyday is all I want mia armor." I told her unable to stop the sweetness from oozing out of me. "So let's do this every morning."

"What?"

"Let's wake up next to each other and share a breakfast tray. Let's do this every morning Kei."

Keira and I have an undeniable powerful connection that we must explore. How can we do so when we are apart?

"I would love that."

"Good. I'm glad we are reading from the same script." I pushed the little box towards her.

"For me?" She asked pretty much sounding like a little girl.

"For you agapi mou."

"What does that mean? Is it Greek?"

I reached out for her face running my fingers gently along the side. She closed her eyes taking in my embrace with a beautiful smile.

"It means-"

My phone interrupted the moment.

"Excuse me, but I have to take this."

Keira's POV

Agapi mou...

I have pondered over those words since Nick left for his meeting with his father. I looked it up. It means 'my love'. Is it just s term if endearment or does he love me? He instructed me to stay indoors but it is so beautiful outside, almost as beautiful as the sapphire stone earrings he has gotten me. They almost match the shade of my eyes. They are heart shaped studs mounted on silver.

I have spent the day lazing around the villa wondering what to do with all the spare time on my hands. When I'm at home, I stay busy. I don't like being idle.

Nick hasn't asked me to do anything for him. He is hands on and barely petty about matters. He beat me to making breakfast. I had a plan for it but the sleep was just too sweet. Maybe it was the comforting thought of knowing he was down the hall.

Last night, I hoped for much more than kisses. But after his dad showed up, Nick suddenly grew cold and definitely upset about something. The mood faded.

This morning he tried his best to smile but beneath those pale icy blue eyes I could see anger. Maybe I was imagining it or maybe I was spot on. All I am sure of is that he wasn't okay.

The light showers of the day attracted me outside. The weather is gloomy, not necessarily cold but gloomy. Yet it looks beautiful. I don't even have a sweater on, just a short light pink chiffon dress that is swaying in the wind.

I stepped away from the shelter of the balcony into the rain and giggled when the rain drops touched my skin. I've never felt this happy before. Smiling for no reason, giggling like a little girl... I'm happy. I slowly got soaked as I walked bare footed along a stone path with purple roses on either side.

I reached out for a rose and ended up getting pricked by the thorns.

Wiping the blood off against my dress I picked the rose this time being more careful. I brought it to my nose inhaling the sweet scent and smiling at the little pleasures life has to offer. I don't want to leave Greece. I don't want to go back to my normal life. This is it. I want this.

I kept walking until I was at the edge of a wooden deck looking down at the sea below. It is rough and far below. From a distance I can see someone swimming in the raging waters. He is the reason I am at the edge of the deck. Why is he swimming in this weather? When the water is this rough?But the view from this high point is also stunning. Nick's villa is right at the edge of the sea.

If only we could stay forever. I don't want to go back home. This could be home. I think I'll ask him for permission to stay here. Jason will never find me. I'll be safe here.

I leaned forward to peek at the raging waters below when a force propelled me forward.

I lost my footing and failed to hold on to the railing when I went over. I screamed when I saw the rough rock.