Fortune Favors The Bold

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: PLAYING WITH FIRE

“What are you playing at?” Alaya asked the broad back leaning over her workstation as soon as she was out of that office. Pheww that had been stuffy and had not been going well at all. Thank Heavens Adonis had barged in like that oozing confidence and putting them in their place.

Not that she was going to show her appreciation. She’d been peeved with herself for letting those men walk over her, but they been numerous pinned against her. Even Captain Gibbs had been unable to take her defense.

“Your hero,” he drawled lazily, picking up something from her desk, and her eyes popped open when she noticed what it was. Her so-called lucky charm which her mother had gifted to her. Snowball - a white angry toy rabbit figurine from the movie The secret life of pets.

Her mother had always said that the crying rabbit reminded her of her daughter – a psycho bunny. Alarmed, she tried to snatch the figurine from his hands, but he reacted instantly. He lifted his hand up and removed the item from her grasp. Alaya could only watch in dismay and discomfiture as he retained the fake animal in his captivity.

“You don’t seem very pleased with my intervention,” he commented duly, peering over her desk in unabashed curiosity and she cringed as she caught sight of a few of her personal belongings. There was a framed picture of a younger version of herself with freckles on her nose and a pair of braces which was very evident. Her untamed brown hair had been even more rebellious at that time, standing almost in spike around her head. It had been easier chopping it down rather than styling it.

Another one with her father and brothers adorned her office desk, which had been taken a year ago when she’d gone home for Christmas. She looked good in that one, she reflected with female vanity. But she was a far cry from the plastic model beauties he espoused.

“Do you expect me to drool over you like your other girlfriends?” she snapped irritably and bit her tongue once the acerbic words were out. His eyebrows skyrocketed to his hairline as he picked up the fact that she’d tagged herself as his ‘girlfriend’.

A slow malicious grin formed on his lips, and he threw Snowball in the air with Alaya jumping to catch the figurine. In vain because he caught the object in time, keeping it out of her reach once again. “Nope,” he delivered in a succinct voice. “That would be too conventional or boring, and we both know you’re neither.”

She rolled her eyes at his playfulness but could not conceal the fact that she was thoroughly enjoying that light banter. That was a lot to say considering the fact that she’d never swooned over any man before.

Everybody in the precinct knew that she was no typical female, so it was no wonder that her colleagues were staring curiously at her while she flirted with the enigmatic businessman. “What would I be then?” she countered boldly.

He pretended to think, but Alaya had the notion that he had the answer ready on the tip of his tongue having anticipated that question from her. She had the uncanny feeling that he was toying with her, like a cat would do to its prey before the final showdown.

“Charming, I would say,” he drawled silkily, and Alaya was saddened. She’d somehow wished to be something else entirely. He read her disappointment easily and added. “Different.”

She supposed she should be grateful that he hadn’t tagged her as one of his floozies, but she wasn’t going to let this go. “Different how?” she c****d her head sideways towards him coquettishly. How the hell did she get so flirtatious?

“Well…. the others would have been dropping to my feet out of pure gratitude after that stunt I pulled in Cap’s office.”

“I didn’t need you to save me. I can take care of myself,” she replied calmly despite the fact that her heart was beating out of rhythm in her chest. She looked up meeting him in the eyes and wished she could wipe off that smug knowing look which smoldered with intensity. It made her knees go weak and she pressed her foot on the ground to keep herself from losing her balance.

Without any comment, he picked the family picture, the pad of his thumb brushing against the frame. “Does that independent streak of yours come from the fact that you have five brothers?” he speculated, hitting home with his deduction.

She crossed her arms across her chest in a defying gesture. “Yeah. Six overbearing males in my family is enough,” she grimaced easily, her family background which she kept from the world came pouring out from her. For some reason, talking to that man was easy. “After my mother died, it was just us. I was the only female in the house who had to adapt to their chaotic lifestyle. It wasn’t always easy,” she summarized it in one short sentence like it wasn’t a big deal.

“Yah I guess,” he responded by dropping the rabbit figurine back to where it belonged. Theoretically, it looked like it never left its place, but Alaya felt like it had been tarnished. The insignificant object would never feel the same again after he’d touched it. “Have you eaten?”

She looked up at him in surprise, casting a discrete look towards the other workstations and noted with relief that the office was practically empty. She’d been so engrossed in him that hadn’t even realized that most of her colleagues had packed for the night.

Right on cue, her stomach rumbled to embarrass the hell out of her.

“Ahh,” he concluded with a cheeky grin. “Seems like you haven’t! Let’s go then!” he pressed, picking up his jacket and veering towards the door.

“Wait!” she cried after him, mimicking his action, but it was too late. He was already out of the door, leaving her no choice than to follow through. “Wait up!!” she repeated frantically, but he held the elevator for her for one second before pushing the down button. “Where are we going?” she queried breathlessly after her little sprint.

“That’s a surprise,” he replied enigmatically, and the elevator pinged open to the parking lot. “That’s my car,” he beeped the SUV, a sleek black BMW X7 which made her gasp in awe.

“Holy s**t! Is that yours?” she asked with childish enthusiasm.

“No, it’s stolen!” he retorted back with aplomb, but there was a shine in his eyes which said that he was pleased with her reaction. “Of course it’s mine! I took the SUV since I figured you must love sports cars.”

“I do!” she inferred enthusiastically, inordinately pleased that he’d gone out of his way to please her. It wasn’t everyday men fell all over themselves to show off their toys, but that man was not ostentatious. She figured he only wanted to impress her, and that delighted her more than it should.

“Hop in,” he instructed, opening the door for her, and she felt heat warm up her cheeks at his gentlemanly behavior.

“So,” she beamed cheerfully to hide her inner turmoil and pulling the strap to tie her safety belt. When she turned, his hand was lifted towards her face, and she flinched a little before he tucked back her unruly hair behind her ears. She forgot what she was about to say as a lump of emotion clogged her throat.

“So?” he prompted.

Her mind cleared from the fog of Adonis Fortune. “So, where are we going?” she asked, quickly recovering from the shock.

“Wait a few more minutes,” he said with a wink, and Alaya had to brace her heart against how sexy he looked. A one-day stubble was already shadowing his jaw, and it should have taken away the perfection of his polished looks. Instead, it gave him a more rugged look which gave him a dangerous edge. His hair was adorned with gel and neatly pushed back from his forehead, but a few locks had fallen over.

Alaya had to clench her fists to prevent herself from reaching out to touch the wayward strand of hair. But she wasn’t as bold as he was – he must have a vast experience with a panoply of lovers considering his status and looks. In contrast, she was a hardworking police officer who barely had a social life.

The difference between them was striking. Like right now she was not even dressed for one of the restaurants he would bring her. It would be nothing like she was used to for sure. Being a Fortune meant that he had every means to a luxurious life.

It was no wonder she was stunned when he brought her to what looked like a low-budget restaurant. The mural designs were the first thing which caught her eye, some graffiti’s written in Greek alphabet. She could not read them, but she stopped in front of them to decipher the message.

When she failed, she turned towards him. “What does it say?”

He slashed her a mischievous grin. “Size does not matter.”

Her mouth gaped open, and she looked twice at the double entendre blushing furiously when he stared at her wolfishly.

“Adonis!” a plump woman came out to greet them. “It’s been so long,” she said before engulfing him in a bear hug which Adonis returned with one of her own. “It’s so good to see you, yiós. »

“Calista! It’s good to gee you too. I’ve brought someone. Calista, please meet det…Alaya,” he corrected at the last minute as he fumbled over the word ‘detective’. “Alaya, this is my theía Calista Chrolos.”

Alaya kept her smile intact while she shook the lady’s hand, but she could not help wondering why he was introducing her to a member of his family. It must not be a big deal for Theia Calista didn’t seem too surprised that he’d brought a female guest unannounced. He must be used to bringing girls to his aunt.

But Alaya hadn’t known that he had actual Greek connections. She’d thought the Greek names were just a fluke. Once again, he seemed to anticipate her shock.

“My father’s family is Greek. In fact my grandfather’s father was born and bred in Thiva.”

She gasped. “You mean Thebes? Where the legendary king Oedipus’s tragedy happened?” she questioned in a daze. She had always been fascinated by the cultures and history of different countries, and she read a lot about ancient civilizations.

Adonis c****d his eyebrows in that haughty manner of his without a response while Calista crackled in delight. “Atta girl. Now that’s someone who knows our history. Why don’t you come inside, and I’ll tell you more? I must have some moussaka. Have you ever tried any?”

“No,” Alaya replied delightfully. “But I would love some.”

“Keep some for me too,” Adonis drawled from behind, and Alaya turned just in time to watch the sparkle in his olive-green eyes. There was no mistaking of the fond look which he bestowed her, and even Calista stared between the two of them in obvious surprise. “Is there anything going on between the two of you? Adonis is there something I should know?” the lady asked without preamble, and Alaya blushed fiercely as all pretense that nothing had happened between them dissipated in the air.

The tension between them was instantly tangible as they stared at each other with an intensity which could not be hidden. Alaya held her breath, waiting for his reply and her heart sank to her toes when he did. “No, of course not!” he barked with animosity.

Calista frowned down at him. “Well, you cannot blame me for thinking so. You’ve never brought a girl here before.”

Adonis shrugged but didn’t clarify that she was the detective who was working on his father’s case. Alaya didn’t know whether she should be grateful, and she tried to hide her feelings by suggesting a bite of the Moussaka.