Xanthus strode in, his eyes immediately found her, impatiently awaiting him at her table. Purposefully he made his way to her. The atmosphere became charged. Haley felt the electrical surge and knew the very second Xanthus had entered the coffee shop.
She watched him confidently stride to her table. His eyes locked with hers, his face expressionless. Haley held her breath. He looked so gorgeous. His broad shoulders so ramrod straight. He was immaculate in an exquisite Italian tailored suit. He oozed sex appeal. Many heads, both male and female lifted and followed him as he approached her table. She felt a certain possessive pleasure that he was walking to her.

'Kalispéra agápi mou' ... Good afternoon my love.

Haley laughed awkwardly as Xanthus gently lifted her to her feet and possessively claimed her lips. Oblivious or indifferent to the spectator value, Xanthus took his fill of her lips before releasing her. Haley felt stupid because her eye were closed, her lips were apart and her hands were wound around his neck.

His eyes held hers, his fingers trailed into her hair, as he spoke. 'I apologize for keeping you waiting agápi mou, but I could not get away as quickly as I wanted to,' he spoke as he retrieved his wallet from his inside pocket.

'Xanthus what are you doing!' She exclaimed as he dropped a few bills on the table, enough to cover a three course meal for two people.

'We're leaving,' he smiled charmingly.

'No! We have to talk and it --- can't be at your place.'

He turned on the appeal, smiling sexily, keeping his gaze transfixed on her. 'I know,' he murmured. 'And I believe this public place is not the place to do it.'

'You know!' She uttered coarsely.

'I don't think all and sundry should hear us, do you?' His fingers curved around her wrist in a vice grip.

Haley wanted to sink into the chair. She did not think her knees could hold out much longer. She was certain her feet were not going to move. They felt like lead, glued on the spot. She needed the protection of this public place. She did not want to be alone with Xanthus. If he was going to walk away, best he walk away from this café, than she get thrown out of his home.

'No Xanthus. We shall talk here,' she whispered in a croaky voice that she hardly recognized as her own.

With a trace of impatience, his fingers raked through his hair. She heard him mumble in Greek. He spoke so fast and he must have uttered three or four sentences. Her brain could not make out a single familiar word, what with it focused on her own impending doom.

Before she knew what was going on, Xanthus had scooped one arm under her knees and the other around her back and was marching out of the café, unperturbed by the curious glances they were getting, or Haley's demand for him to put her down.

'Xanthus put me down. I am not coming over to your place.'

'No more talking and no more arguments,' he instructed, as he unceremoniously dumped her into his sports car and locked her door.

How he managed to get the prime parking spot just outside the door of the café was beyond her. She tried the door and it would not budge just as he came around and slid into the driver's seat. He looked at her with his eyes narrowed, strapped her safety belt on, then his own and sped off towards his home. Instinctively she grabbed the handle for support. Again he muttered under his breath but kept his eyes focused on the road ahead.

'Can you speak in English,' she demanded.

'I said no talking!' His eyes met hers for a millisecond, before it returned to the road.

She turned away, curved her body towards the door and stared out the window. Not that she could see much, at the speed he was going. She wished a traffic official could flag him down and charge him for reckless driving. Curiously her eye scanned the dashboard and was amazed to see he was within the city speed limit, and in all honesty, his driving was not reckless. Just her paranoia, because she feared being alone with him. Feared how he would react when she divulged her secret to him. Her heart started to thump out of control as he parked in his driveway. He cut the engine and came around her side to help her out. Her seatbelt was still buckled. She sat rigidly in the seat, making no attempt to accept his hand.

Xanthus ducked his head, reached for the buckle and unclipped her belt. Without a word, he carried her out of the car and strode to the front door. Gently lowered her to the floor, took the key out of his pocket and opened the front door.

'Where is Yuri?' She asked desperately, hoping the butler would be in.

'Probably grocery shopping or doing the laundry I suspect,' he locked the door, ushered her in and guided her towards the lounge. 'This is perfect. We have privacy,' he removed his jacket and flung it carelessly over the couch.

Haley stood her ground. She refused to sit. She did not want to be here. She preferred the familiarity of the crowded café.

'What would you like to drink?' He offered.

She watched as he poured himself a scotch and took a huge gulp as he waited for her answer.

'The same as you.'

His eyebrows shot up. 'I've never witnessed you drinking scotch!'

'You don't know everything about me,' she hissed as he handed her a glass.

'Tonight will remedy that,' his eyes held hers .

She emptied her glass, looked away, and wrinkled her face in distaste as the alcohol burned down her throat and settled warmly in her empty stomach.

'Another,' she instructed, as she placed her glass on the counter none too gently.

His eyebrows shot up again. 'Are you sure?'

Ignoring him, she reached for the decanter, poured out double the potion he had given her and walked back to the lounge. She needed some Dutch courage, but she also needed to be able to speak eloquently. She tilted her head back, swallowed the content in her glass again, closed her eyes and shuddered from the repulsive taste, then sat down.

'That's enough alcohol for you Haley,' he took her glass away.

Anxiety washed over her. He hardly ever called her by her name. It was mostly the sweet endearment, that she loved, that turned her on... Her eyes were riveted to his face as he began removing his tie. She watched mesmerised as he slowly undid the top two buttons of his shirt. She could see the feint hairs of his chest. Her fingers tingled. She quickly shoved her hands under her legs.

'I know exactly what you wanted to talk about agápi mou,' he spoke soberly. He had taken one sip of his glass and it was still on the counter.

'You --- know?' She stuttered and swallowed nervously. Whilst he was stone cold sober, she could feel the alcohol working her central nervous system. Inebriation was definitely numbing her blood cells.

'You are right. It is about time we had the --- talk?'

'You do?' She blinked, trying to clear her mind.

'You want me to make a commitment to you,' his arm curved behind her neck. 'You want me tell you that I am exclusively yours,' he shifted closer.

She could smell the feint scent of the scotch on his warm breath. Surely her breath was not that pleasant as intoxication was clearly shocking her senses.

His hand slipped under her dress torturously caressing between her thighs. She wanted to kiss him so badly.

'I agree to all of the above,' he announced, 'and you are all mine and you shall not look at another man.' His head dipped, his hungry mouth captured hers.

'No Xanthus!' She tried to push him away, but he was like a concrete boulder. She turned her head away. 'I want to talk to you about the first day I met you --- about what --- I did.'

She heard his soft chuckle. His hand crept higher, felt the wetness by her lace briefs. His eyes darkened with uncontrolled desire. She squealed in agony, involuntarily her legs parted slightly.

'I know what you did. I was there remember?' His fingers dipped inside her briefs. She gasped pleasurably. He hissed gutturally at her wetness. She was totally ready for him. Her pupils dilated, her throat parched, her lips parted ...

'Xanthus please ---.'

He adjusted her body, settled her head on the arm rest and drew her hips closer to him. With deft movements, her briefs were removed, her dress shoved up to her waist. His head dipped to her hot, wet mound. She cried out as his tongue teased and laved her aching womanhood. Her head thrust from side to side. Her pelvis lifted upwards. She cried out his name as the initial tremors rumbled within her.

Hastily he ripped off his clothes, found the zip of her dress and lifted it over her head. Her bra was removed, she was as naked as he was, in his lounge, begging for his possession. He leaned over her, his naked body flush with hers, his erect shaft pressed against her body. She tried to shift so he would be where she desperately needed him. His mouth captured hers. Her fingers clutched the nape of his neck. Wildly she kissed him back, her tongue duelling with his. Xanthus tortured her cruelly, guiding his erect shaft to her moist centre but not entering her. She felt his wet heat teasing her. She lifted her pelvis towards his rock hard erection but he moved away. He dragged his mouth down to her breasts, his teeth nibbled gently. His hand slid between their bodies, his finger touched her heat.

'Enter me please Xanthus!'

'Tell me you are mine. All mine. Only mine,' he demanded.

Now! He wants conversation now!

'I am yours Xanthus. All yours. I belong to you, mind soul and body. Please --- take me,' she sobbed passionately.

There was a triumphant glint in his eyes. His palms lifted her bottom, he sunk into her...deep into her.

She almost choked on her pleasurable gulp. 'Yes --- yes,' she bawled. Her head fell over the head rest. Her hips lifted, meeting his every thrust. Her ankles locked around his feet. Her nails pierced excitedly into his shoulders. She could not get enough of him. Lifting herself up with herculean effort, she pushed him backwards and straddled him. He moaned throatily. One hand reached out squeezing her breast. She sobbed her pleasure urging him on. He slipped one finger into her moist centre. She screamed, rocking him harder as she felt the tremors violently rip through her body. Xanthus felt the reverberations too, and thrust harder, feeling his own impending climax.

'I can't hold on any longer,' she pleaded.

'Let go, agápi mou. Let go,' he instructed.

And she did and felt her orgasm explode inside her like a thousand pieces of shard glass as the intense sexual pleasure detonated throughout every nerve end in her body. She collapsed on his chest, felt his heart beating wildly against her cheek. His arms circled her body tightly. He pressed his lips to her temple.

'That was the most amazing sex agápi mou. Now I'm never ever letting you go.'

She lifted her head and looked into his eyes. 'You were wrong about what I wanted to talk about Xanthus.'

He had been certain she'd wanted to end their relationship. Why else would she have chosen to meet at that public café? But he'd known how to work his charm, knew her body, knew what drove her out of control, into deep orbit and he knew how to order her acquiescence.

'It's not important. You belong to me. You are mine—mine. Do you understand?' His fingers pierced into her shoulders painfully. She shut her eyes ignoring the pain.

'Yes,' she whispered.

'I am hungry again,' he smiled. 'I cannot get enough of you,'

She felt him growing harder again inside her.

'Are you on the pill?'

'Yes.'

'Good. We don't want any accidents.' His fingers traced over her bottom, moulding her tightly to him, his tongue dipped into her mouth.

'Please --- can we go to your bedroom. I don't want Yuri walking in on us.'

Xanthus laughed. 'Relax agápi mou.' Yuri's gone to visit friends. Dinner is in the oven and we will not be disturbed.

'Why didn't you say so?' She smacked him on the chest.

Xanthus laughed. 'It would not have made a difference agápi mou. You were like a wild cat, out of control. I am sure my back bares testament to that.'

'I'm sorry,' she whispered.

'Never apologize about making love to me, agápi mou,' his fingers raked into her hair. 'It was worth it, every second of it.'

She lowered her head and captured his mouth in a sensuous kiss. 'I love making love with you,' she whispered. It was as close as she could get to confessing her love to him.

He smiled, altered their positions and began making love to her all over again.

       'So you still have not told him!' Lizzie demanded.

'I've tried, more than once,' Haley waved one hand in the air, as she paced around Lizzie's office, but he refuses to let me finish what I want to say. He refuses to listen.'

'Clearly you are not trying hard enough to get this out in the open. I fear for you Haley. You are going to get hurt!'

'I don't know what to do. Now he's demanded that we see each other exclusively.' She did not dare tell Lizzie every other confession he'd extracted from her in the throes of their passionate love-making. She was embarrassed just thinking about how desperately she needed his possession that she willingly and submissively agreed to his every order.

'Wasn't that the perfect time to tell Xanthus that you needed to confess why you took him to bed that first night?'

Amazing how easy it all sounds in Xanthus' absence...but when she is in the same room as him...

'Perhaps I should email him or something.'

Lizzie planted her hands on her hips. 'I cannot believe I am saying this to you Haley, but certain crucial matters must best be dealt with face to face.'

Haley flinched. 'You're right. I have to do this,' she nodded solemnly and walked out of Lizzie's office.

Haley went back to her office, but she could not work. In fact she had not done a stitch of work from the morning. Her productivity was down to zero today. She sipped from her coffee cup and tried to clear her chaotic thoughts. As if it had a mind of its own, her thoughts relayed the sequence of events from the previous evening; starting with her stupid decision to gulp down scotch of all drinks. The nauseating smell played havoc on her senses. She could still taste the vile flavour in her throat and recoiled, shaking her head to dispel the ghastly taste.

And then there was Xanthus' seduction. It could definitely only be described as seduction. His deliberate taunting as he drew closer to her, his hand slipping under her dress and wreaking havoc with her self-control. Well non-existent self-control, because eventually she was begging for his sex. It was like a demon spirit had taken control of her body. She badly wanted him inside her. She had literally begged for it and in total submission, she'd repeated every command he'd instructed, just so she could have her fill of him. She had been stark raving mad with scorching desire and nothing but nothing could have made her say no to him. Just thinking about the second he'd entered her, made her feminine parts become moist. She crossed her legs tightly, wishing the senseless ache for him would subside. There was no point to her futile analysis paralysis. She loved Xanthus. She loved his body, loved the way he made love to her, and most of all she loved how when she was with him, she was the focus of his undivided attention. Not forgetting his other attributes of being generous, caring and charming and those were admirable qualities.

Her mobile buzzed. Her heart beat propelled with violent force when she saw Xanthus' number light up the screen. She waited for few seconds before answering, vacillating between summoning a smile as she answered or pretending to be deep in work mode. It was a no-brainer as her heart made the decision.

'Hi,' she smiled.

'Agápi mou?'

'Yes,' she answered automatically.

'How are you?'

'I'm great Xanthus.'

'What are you doing?' He questioned seductively.

Counting the thousand ways I love you.

'I'm at work Xanthus. Can you guess perhaps?'

She heard his throaty laugh. 'I enjoyed last night agápi mou.'

'Me too,' she whispered. Her finger curled around her hair as she smiled, reminiscing over their unforgettable night of passionate.

'I have a surprise for you agápi mou?'

'What?' She asked cautiously.

'I'm taking you to California for the weekend.'

She could just picture his smile, his eyes lighting up teasingly.

If she had to be with him, it would mean she would need to try again to tell him the truth. Fear gripped her. Fear that he would end their relationship, fear that she would no longer make love with Xanthus. Fear that she would have to contemplate a future without him.

Cowardly she sought an excuse to procrastinate.

'I --- dunno,' she mumbled.

'My girlfriend loves freebies. Who am I talking to?' She could still feel him smiling.

'Just this once, can I give this generous offer of yours a skip?' She pleaded.

'You have plans agápi mou?'

She racked her brain trying to come up with a lie, but just couldn't.

'No.'

'Then it is settled. Its the weekend. I want you with me and I will not accept no as your answer.'

'When ---when will we return?'

'Sunday afternoon,' he smiled. 'We leave at six tonight. I shall pick you up at your apartment.'

She was surprised they were not booked into a hotel. Xanthus had rented a very sprawling villa that overlooked the picturesque mountain range. It came with its own lush golf course, and other luxurious amenities. The very exclusive villa was in a secluded corner of a cul-de-sac that boasted an entrance to a private beach. As Xanthus took their luggage to the main suite, Haley followed the sound of the ocean and slid the balcony door open. Though it was late evening, the air was still humid. The salty tinge of the ocean wafted to her nostrils. A gentle breeze blew fanning the shiny tendrils of her wavy hair.

Xanthus returned to the lounge. He could hear the angry high tide waves crashing against the rocks at the shore. His eyes settled on her sexy figure leaning over the balustrade as she gazed towards the ocean. Haley was in a figure hugging dress, with buttons all the way down to the hem. The dress emphasized all her curves, her hour glass figure, her shapely bottom and her perfectly delectable breasts. He became hard and erect just staring at her luscious body. Luckily they'd enjoyed a sumptuous dinner on his private jet. He was in a hurry to get her into bed.

'Champagne?' He stood behind her handing her a glass of chilled bubbly.

'Thank you,' she smiled, accepting the glass. 'This place is beautiful.'

'If you like it that much, I can bring you back for a short holiday.'

She could feel his warm breath caress her throat. The heat of his body deflected on her shoulder.

'This is not a holiday?'

'It is a business trip. I'm seeing a client for an hour tomorrow morning,' he pressed his lips to her throat. 'Then I'm all yours for the rest of the weekend,' his tongue traced down her throat giving her goose bumps. His free hand undid two of her buttons allowing his thumb to dip into her bra and caress her nipple in a circular fashion.

She closed her eyes, leaned back, pressing against his chest, she felt his hard arousal and sighed heavily.

'You have a vociferous appetite,' she accused.

'Are you saying you don't want me?' He challenged.

She placed her unfinished champagne on the ledge and turned around and gazed into the depths of his eyes. He saw the desire building, her darkened eyes giving her away. She lifted her hands around his neck, her fingers raked sensuously into his hair.

'I'm not saying that at all.' She lifted her head up and captured his lips in a tender kiss.

He groaned, murmured a litany of endearments in Greek and drew her closer. He got rid of his glass, began unbuttoning her dress and complained about the number of buttons he needed to get to. She laughed softly as she slipped her hand under his sports shirt. Her nails grazed over his taut chest. Giving up on the buttons, once he got to her waist, gently he pushed it off her shoulders. It fell and bunched at her ankles.

'You are beautiful agápi mou,' he admired the sexy silk bra and matching briefs.

Haley lifted his shirt over his head. Her tongue laved over his muscular flesh.

Xanthus carried her to the bed and delicately laid her on the satin sheet. His pants and boxers were quickly dispensed with. He kicked off his shoes and removed his socks. She purred with pleasure as his hands freely roamed over her thighs and moved upwards and captured her breast. He didn't remove her bra, but merely pushed it aside so he could suckle her aroused nipple.

'Keep it on for me please agápi mou,' he urged when she attempted to unhook her bra.

She smiled, reached for him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

'Kiss me Xanthus,' she pleaded as he was painstakingly ministering to her delightful breasts.

He lifted his head, dipped his tongue into her mouth. Her hand reached down, stroked his hardened shaft. He was so big, so beautiful and smooth like velvet rose petals.

She wriggled beneath him, wanting him inside her.

'Don't be in a hurry. We have all night,' he murmured.

'I want you,' she pleaded.

'Not yet,' she felt him smile against her lips, but he indulged her with a little taste, guiding his engorged shaft through the side of her briefs, teasing her moistness, with his wet heat.

'Xanthus ---,' she cried out, lifting her pelvis, so she could take him in.

But he trapped her hands above her head, gently yet unhurriedly, his tongue and lips caressed every part of her body and only when he felt the beginnings of her volatile shudders, did he rip her briefs off and thrust into the depths of her soul. When he climaxed, he lay atop her, just basking in the afterglow. Haley loved that he never immediately threw himself off her when he was done. He always held her tightly, whispered sweet endearments and waited until he felt she was ready to release him. Tonight she held onto him longer than usual, her arms clinging to him possessively, not wanting to release him. Only when his lips shifted from hers, to her cheek, did he discover the hot tear sliding down her cheek.

'Agápi mou?' He questioned with concern, lifting his head.

'It's nothing,' she smiled, shaking her head.

'How can nothing make you cry?' His husky voice enquired with alarm.

'You are an amazing lover,' her eyes held his. Her palm cupped his face.

A sexy smile lit up his face, a sparkle of triumph glittered his eyes. She pressed his head to her shoulder, her fingers lightly caressed through his hair. He was still on top of her, still inside her.

'I'm heavy agápi mou.'

'No. Just stay,' she whispered.

Her fingers trailed down his spine, measured the length and breadth of his sturdy back. He sighed blissfully enjoying her soft caresses and when he felt her breathing become heavy, he slid of her, gathering her in his arms. Her face against his chest, she shut her eyes and just savoured the embrace.

She was still awake, when she heard his soft breathing, his arms around her, lifeless. She held her breath in, slowly shifted away and left the warmth of his arms and the bed. She unzipped her luggage, found a gown, slipped it on and found her way outside the balcony.

The tangy salty air had become a little crisp. As she looked at the ocean, the water looked black, only when the waves reached the shore, did she catch glimpses of the white foamy breakers.

She flopped onto the sand, hugging her knees and just stared into the dark space. She was still emotional from Xanthus' love-making tonight. He had been gentle and tender like a little lamb. A flash of heat zinged through her remembering his plea, for her not to remove her lingerie. He had been so turned on by it, only undressing her at the very last second. Yet the night before he had been dominating, demanding, manipulative, tormenting...but tonight, a complete antithesis. Heaven help her, she loved him wild and demanding and she loved him gentle and compliant. His love-making tonight had reduced her to tears and damn it Xanthus had witnessed it. Would he guess she was in love with him? Every day she was falling more and more in love with him and every night their love-making was become more intimate and elevating to higher levels.

But what will happen when she tells him her dark secret? He had said it was not important. He'd been dismissive, possessive, controlling when she'd tried to bring it up again. How could she fight him... resist him, when he unfairly used her attraction to him to compel her acquiescence? How much longer could she hold onto him, when she herself, was beginning to find her tactless action abhorrent?
                                                 
                                                                                     -end chapter twelve-