CASSANDRA

It has been a week since I lost my virginity to Calix Spiridakou. I deliberately ignored his texts and calls since Loukas and Sapphire's wedding also I have a very busy week, packing my things in my apartment because I would be relocating to New York in the following weeks.

Yep, I got a job as a curator at an art gallery in Manhattan. I thought this might be a good new beginning for me and finally moved on with my heartbreak. Who knew I might find a nice man in New York? I was not closing my door to that possibility, I am young and ready to explore the world on my own without my father's shadow.

I sighed deeply when I noticed my phone beeped again with a text message. It was Calix again asking me if I would like to have lunch with him since this was his last day in Greece and he would go back to Monte Carlo. I shook my head and continued to pack the things I wanted to bring to New York with me. Though, I didn't regret what happened to us at Loukas' wedding that didn't mean that I would continue seeing him after that night.

He was too wild and a certified womanizer for me if I would base my assumption on the articles published in international tabloids about him. I couldn't see myself being associated with him I was too innocent and naïve for the likes of him. Besides, my brain had been warning me not to get associated with a man like Calix Spiridakou. I just didn't understand his interest in me, maybe he finds me a novelty compared to the women he was usually associated with.

I was sure sooner or later his fascination with me would finally wear off. I would rather focus on my new career than entertain such a womanizer in my life. Also, it didn't help the fact that he was the cousin of the man I love. How awkward it would be if Loukas knew that I slept with his cousin? That would be so embarrassing.

Once again, I decided to ignore his text and continued with my task. Several boxes were already ready to be shipped ahead of me in New York so by the time I would arrive in my new apartment in Manhattan my thing would already be there waiting for me.

My Dad just wanted me to buy new things for my new apartment but I insisted on taking a few things from my home so I could have a sense of familiarity with the new city where I would live from now on.

My eyes lit with delight when I saw an email on my phone from my favorite designer brand about the bag that I ordered last month was finally here. I didn't waste my time going to the mall and left my chores behind.

Stuffing my clothes into my suitcase can wait but my new bag cannot.

I got my purse, phone, and keys as I went out of my apartment. I couldn't stop the grin on my face as I traveled to my destination. After some time, I finally arrived at the high-end boutique in Mykonos while waiting in the VIP room for my long-awaited handbag. I fell in love at first sight when they presented the bag for my inspection. I almost want to use it right away but I thought I would be using this on my first day on the job. When everything was okay, I watched them put it back on the large box and place it on the paperback with the large logo of the brand. I went out of their store feeling ridiculously happy with my new purchase.

Since I was on the rows of designer brands I suddenly had the urge to explore even though I just bought a new bag a few seconds ago. My happiness dampened when I stopped in my tracks and stared at the happy couple strolling on the streets of Mykonos like me.

Unbelievable.

The torment was back in my heart when I saw Loukas and Sapphire exploring Mykonos. I forgot that they would have their honeymoon here since Sapphire was forbidden to travel due to her delicate pregnancy. Of all the times, I've decided to go out why do I have to see them? Should I just pretend that I didn't see them?

It was hard to decide when I stood frozen in my place and watched them being so in love with one another. Suddenly, my vision of the happy couple was blocked by a large hand covering my eyes while someone was standing behind me.

"You will only hurt yourself even more if you keep on staring at them like that."

My heart skipped a beat when I heard the familiar voice of Calix Spiridakou. The one man I've been avoiding religiously since last week. I tried to remove the hand that was covering my eyes but he didn't let me.

"In a moment," he said in a low voice, unaware of how he made my heart pound so loud on my chest. "I don't want to see you getting hurt because of their happiness." I bit my bottom lip nervously. Here I was, standing in the middle of the streets and the man I was avoiding was once again here to save me from the pain in my chest. "There. All clear."

Finally, he removed his hand from my eyes. I turned around to look at him with narrowed eyes. "What are you doing here?"

He shrugged casually, tucking his hands in the rear pocket of his jeans. "I'm wasting my time. It is so boring back at the island."

I tilted my head to the side. "You are not stalking me, are you?"

His face broke into a sexy smirk. "No. Why would I?"

"It is so unlikely coincidence that we bump into each other there today," I informed him. I glanced at him disapprovingly. Why does he need to be so handsome today in his jeans and white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his arms? It didn't help that his eyes were obscured by a pair of dark sunglasses.

"Ah, yes, of course, when you are intentionally avoiding me since the wedding." He replied with a tilt of an eyebrow.

I felt my cheeks heating up at his remark. How should I deny it when he was not mistaken? I forced myself to look him straight in the face. "I don't think that's necessary. I don't want to be friends with you." I sent him an apologetic look. "No offense meant."

I thought he would get mad at my brutal honesty but he surprised me when the corner of his mouth twitched. "Me too. I don't want to be friends with you."

My lips parted with disbelief. I didn't understand this man, I swear. "Then, why do you keep on pestering me with texts and calls this last couple of days if you don't want to be friends with me anyway?"

His mouth broke into a wide grin. "Because I don't want to offer you friendship but something else entirely. Have you forgotten?"

"Huh? I thought you were just jesting at that time."

"I'm completely serious, Cass." He announced with a serious face. "To forget your unrequited love for my cousin you need someone to keep your mind off him and I think I am that man."

"It's Cassie, not Cass." I corrected him.

"I told you, I don't like that name. It doesn't suit you."

I gasped at his harsh words. "Fine. Call me whatever you like and about your offer no thanks. I don't think that will work. Sleeping with you once proved that it did not help me forget Loukas. I still feel the same about him when I woke up."

Something about my words angered him. I saw the way his jaw tightened. "Who would forget her infatuation with a man by sleeping with another man once? If you want to forget Loukas you need to keep me in your bed for quite some time—"

I immediately covered his mouth when people threw a scandalized look in our direction. "Oh, please, lower your voice! I don't understand why we are discussing this matter in the middle of the street. It's so embarrassing! People can hear us."

"Is that so? That's easy to rectify." He merely gave me an amused look as he took the designer paper bag in my hand with one hand while his other hand grabbed my hand. "Let's have lunch together. I know a restaurant with delicious food."

"Hey, where did you get the idea that I want to have lunch with you? Besides, I need to go home I am quite busy lately." My protest only fell on deaf ears. He kept on pulling me to the restaurant he was talking about while holding me hostage and my new purchase.

"There," he said in satisfaction when we finally arrived at the restaurant. He even pulled a chair for me before sitting in front of me at the small table. I was so astonished by the turn of events that I sat there with him. "I would recommend their seafood and their Moussaka but feel free to choose anything you like on their menu. My treat."

I gave him a big fake smile. "I believe that I have not yet agreed to have lunch with you."

"But we're already sitting at one of the best tables in the restaurant it would be a shame if would leave me alone here. Besides, who can resist authentic Greek food?"

I rubbed my forehead warily. "Remind me again why are you doing this? We just met at the wedding. Why do you insist on helping me forget your cousin? Normally, men wouldn't bother to do that."

He finally removed his sunglasses to reveal his ocean-blue eyes. He shrugged indifferently. "Because I want to."

"That's it?" I frowned at him. "Why bother sleeping with an inexperienced woman like me when you could have more sophisticated women to be your bed partners?"

"Let's just say that I am taking a break from those kinds of women for now."

I frowned at him questioningly. "Is that even possible?"

"Of course."

I played with my fingers that were resting on the table nervously. "I still don't think that this is a good idea. I mean, the last thing I want is for a man to have sex with me out of pity. My pride will not accept it."

"Who says about pity, Cass? He stated, his blue eyes fixed on me. "The last thing I feel for you is pity."

"I thought you don't do relationships?"

"Yes. I don't."

I leaned on the table, looking to my sides making sure we were not within hearing distance of other people. I even lowered my voice to make sure. "Then, are you offering me an illicit affair?"

Something flared in his eyes, it was hot and fierce. "Yes. If you badly want to forget my cousin as soon as possible I am suggesting to take up my offer. I assure you that you will never regret it and I can help you forget Loukas."

I bit my bottom lip cautiously. My sane self was already telling me to turn down his offer straightaway but to my surprise, a tiny part of me was considering his offer against my better judgment. "What do you get from this liaison?"

He rested his elbow on the table while his hand supported his jaw as he stared deep into my eyes as if I were the only woman in his eyes. "You."

My heart galloped. Of course, he only meant my body and nothing more, I reminded myself. I laughed, even in my ears the laugh sounded off. "Well, yeah, of course. Silly me."

He took a sip of his water to hide the grin on his face. "So what do you say? Are you going to accept my offer?"

I shook my head regretfully. "I am not sure about this since I accepted a job in New York in a few weeks I will be moving to America and you will be in Monte Carlo. Do you think a long-distance fling will work? It would be a better idea if I just started dating an American guy, don't you think?"

He scowled darkly. "Try it."

I raised an eyebrow at the dark expression on his face. "Why? Do you think they will not give me a second glance?"

"On the contrary, I think they will fight like dogs for your attention." He mumbled under his breath with repulsion.

"You don't seem to like the idea?"

"No. I don't. And I will not let that happen."

I hid my smile watching that kind of reaction on his handsome face, then I remembered something. "May I ask you a question?"

"Sure. Anything for you, Cass." The flirtation was back in his eyes.

"Do you have any plans on returning the underwear you stole from me?" It didn't sit me well knowing he has something in his possession that I own intimately. I never heard of a man stealing the undergarments of the woman he has had sex with.

A lazy smirk broke into his face. "Finders keepers, Miss Vitalis. I found it then I shall keep it. Think of it as a souvenir from you."

I clicked my tongue trying to look serious but the smile on my face kept on betraying me. "You know what? I will think about this affair you are offering me if you will return my underwear, how is that?"

His blue eyes danced with deviltry. "Are you sure?"

I knew I was being reckless here but I was starting to enjoy his company more than I care to admit. Who knows maybe he might indeed help me forget Loukas? Normally, I wouldn't associate myself with the likes of him—a certified playboy, because men like him were a walking red flag. But then, from the start, he was clear with his intention he was offering me a no-string-attached affair, and our night together at the wedding proved that I could have sex with a man that I don't love. Let's see where this madness would take me. "Yeah. I will even give you the address of my apartment in New York so you can visit me whenever you want."

"Deal!"

I laughed at his enthusiasm. "Very well, Mr. Spiridakou. We have a deal."

Little did I know that would be the start of the rollercoaster ride of my life.