By Your Side

17

Gracelyn

I don't know what exactly had spurred me to invite Ioannis for dinner. Maybe it's because I'm excited that Theo's back and I want Ioannis to meet my stepbrother and vice versa. Maybe it's because I don't want Ioannis to go back to the guesthouse yet and I just want an excuse to see him more, even though we already spend so much time together. It's probably a combination of both reasons.

We take our seats at the dining table, with my mother and I sitting on one side and Theo and Ioannis on the other side. Rosie's prepared a delicious feed, with oven baked chicken breast, Shepherd's pie, a Caprese salad, spaghetti carbonara and baked salmon.

As my mother and Theo make small talk, my eyes lock with Ioannis's. There's a softness in his green eyes as he stares at me that makes my heart flutter and my body want to melt then and there.

My gaze trails down to his lips. Those mesmerizing lips I'd just tasted a little over an hour ago.

Those lips that should be on mine. Again.

God, he'd tasted so perfect.

My kiss with Ioannis had been replaying in my mind like an album on repeat all the way home. I can still visualize the sensation of his hands frantically trailing up and down my back, his stubble jaw grazing my face as his lips pressed against mine, and the taste of mint as he'd kissed me like he wanted to claim me as his wholly.

It hadn't escalated into a full make-out session or anything further but it had still been better than any fantasy I've ever conjured in my head or any physically intimate encounter I've ever had.

After a group of loud and obnoxious teenagers had arrived at Avalon Beach near our spot, we'd left shortly after. The drive home had occurred mostly in silence and neither Ioannis nor I had mentioned the kiss. It had been the elephant in the room, or rather, the car, but something tells me that I'm not the only person who can't stop thinking about it.

The smell of fresh pumpkin soup distracts me from my thoughts and I turn to see Rosie serving each one of us our entree meals. At the same time, my mother's phone starts ringing, and she steps out to take the call.

"Theo," Rosie says to my stepbrother. "Welcome back."

"Good to see you again, Rosie. I've missed your cooking." He flashes a charming grin at her. "And you too."

Rosie rolls her eyes. "I take it that after a stint in Italy you're still single?"

My stepbrother rolls up his sleeves. "Not if you'll have me, Rosie."

Rosie blushes and it's probably the first time I've seen her blush. "I'm fifteen years older than you."

"Theo, stop flirting with poor Rosie," I scowl. And every third other woman.

Theo lets out a tiny laugh and runs a hand through his hair. With his light brown hair, ocean blue eyes, charming smile and tall, masculine frame, I can see why many women were attracted to my stepbrother looks-wise. "Age is just a number."

I take another drink of my soup, savoring the rich taste. "How was your flight back?" I ask Theo, hoping to change the subject to something else.

"It was amazing. I had a great meal and then slept through most of it. And before you say anything, that was more than five hours ago so I'm hungry again."

"Sounds productive," I jokingly remark.

"You sure you don't want to take the private jet when you fly to New York in a few days?" Theo smirks.

I put down my spoon. "Apparently, according to a study I read online, private planes are estimated to be five to fourteen times more polluting than commercial planes per passenger."