“Then don’t say anything funny.” This had the billionaire snorting, but I decided to forgive him for it since he was currently doing a really good job on getting rid of the pain. “Can you do it harder?”
“Like this?” I could feel him smiling against my hair.
“Yeeeeeeees.” My eyes started to droop. “It feels so good,” I mumbled. “Almost as good as touching myself. But probably not as good when we finally have sex…”
“They told me about this, too.”
The wicked pleasure in his tone wasn’t lost on me, but I was just feeling too good to mind. It was almost like I was floating even, and I could only snuggle closer to him.
“It’s true,” I told him drowsily as his hands continued to work their magic on my belly. “It’s like I’m extraordinarily susceptible to painkillers, and they make me spill my deepest and darkest secrets…oooh.” His fingers had somehow found a magic pressure point within my belly that I never knew existed, and the way he was rubbing it was just…
“You’re soooo goood aaaaat thiiiiiis.”
His chest rumbled in silent laughter against my cheek.
“Really good.” My voice came out a little slurred now, and I could no longer pry my eyes open. “Who knew you’d turn out to be some kind of Period Whisperer?”
“Indeed.” The billionaire’s tone was dry. “Who knew?”
“I’m not going to tell anyone else though.”
“Oh?”
“Because then everyone’s going to make them want you to rub their bellies,” I said with a pout, “and I don’t want that.”
“Ah.”
“So promise me, okay? No belly rubbing with other women.”
“I promise.”
When I woke up, at least an hour had passed, but it was more than enough for the painkillers to kick in, and I was feeling much better. Ioniko had transferred me back to my seat, and it felt so wonderfully warm under the covers.
“Feeling better?”
I turned to his voice. “Thank you,” I whispered.
“We haven’t even started though.”
“Start what?”
I watched him push a button that had all the window blinds folding open, and I gasped when I realized that our van was parked right across one of Athens’ most iconic landmarks.
And that was how our private van tour started, with Ioniko actually managing the unthinkable and allowing me to explore the city without having to leave the comfort of my seat. Even better, Ioniko acted as my tour guide, and it was wonderful, just sweet, wonderful bliss, listening to his accented English as he spoke of the sights the van slowly drove past. The Parthenon. Acropolis. Hadrian’s Arch. The Ancient Agora of Athens.
Afterwards, a half-hour’s drive from the city took us all the way down to the Athenian Riviera, and although I insisted that I could maybe start walking again, Ioniko would have none of it and had one of the fancy riverside restaurants deliver our food to the van instead.
Another pill had me sleeping all the way back to the city, and when I woke up again, it was morning the next day. Ioniko had already left for work, the cramps were gone, but I still hurt.
Yesterday was perfect, and he…he was just as perfect.
Everything was perfect…except me, and that said it all, shouldn’t it?
I grabbed my phone. My fingers trembled as I started typing, and I had to stop midway because I was already crying too hard. Hormones, I told myself. This was all because my period messed my hormones up. Just that, and nothing else, and after taking a deep breath, I resumed typing.
Schuyler: Hey. Sorry I wasn’t able to get back to you right away.
Clay: It was a change, being made to wait.
Schuyler: It wasn’t deliberate. I promise. This weekend was just really…crazy.
Clay: I’m glad to hear that. I don’t think I can afford to fly you out to Europe every weekend.
I nearly dropped my phone. How did he — My face contorted into a grimace. Duh. Who else could’ve told him but Ioniko’s sister herself?
Clay: See you back on Monday.
Schulyer: Yup. See you.
Clay: We’ll have dinner then.
When Ioniko came back, it was late in the afternoon, and I had already showered and dressed for battle. He took one look at me, and his steps immediately came to a halt. “I’m guessing it’s time to talk.”
I nodded.
“You’re sure?” His voice was light and teasing. “We still have a few hours left before our flight.”
I nodded again.
“Alright then.” His voice had turned gentle, and it broke my heart.”But before anything…” I found myself tensing as he moved towards me, and I couldn’t help holding my breath the moment he reached me. “Are you feeling better now?”
My heart threatened to crack. “Please don’t be like this.”
Ioniko appeared genuinely puzzled. “Like what?”
“I need you to act like a selfish, arrogant asshole right now.”
“Ah.” His green eyes glinted, but his voice remained calm – soothing even – as he said, “You’ve spoken to the other man then.”