He'd folded his six-foot-three-inch frame onto the cushion beside her. He took the drink and winked. "She had to check everything I had done to make sure I had not messed anything up too badly."
"Baloney. I knew you'd handled everything fine, Nikos, but there are always things that simply cannot be delegated. No matter how savvy the delegate."
Ash sat back down, keeping as much distance as she could between her and Nikos. "How are you feeling," she couldn't help asking him.
"Surely that is a question for your mother."
"Mom looks healthier than I've seen her in a long time, you on the other hand are almost gray with fatigue."
"It has been a long week, but I survived it."
"You need more rest, Nikos."
He merely shrugged.
She frowned. "You aren't going back to the office after lunch, are you?"
"There are things I could take care of."
"Let them wait."
His dark eyes widened.
Her mom laughed. "She's getting bossy. That's got to be a good sign. With her father it indicated he felt possessive of me."
Heat climbed into Ash's cheeks. "Even if we are no longer dating, I still consider Nikos a friend. I don't feel possessive of him, but I care about him. As a friend."
It was a huge understatement, not to mention a lie. She did feel possessive toward him, but to admit it would imply he had rights over her and that she would not do. She loved him and one thing she'd realized over the last week was that love, no matter how battered took a lot to die. Hers was bruised and maybe even bleeding, but still very much alive.
For both of them now looking at her so speculatively.
"I would be happy to stay out of my office if you would agree to spend the afternoon and evening with me," Nikos said.
"I have things to do this afternoon."
"Like what?" her mom asked.
"I'm expecting a call from Blade on the search for my sister. And I need to do some laundry and clean my apartment. I haven't been home much lately."
"I would be happy to help you do your laundry."
That made her laugh out loud. "I can just see that."
Nikos shrugged. "My mother and I had very little disposable income when we arrived in America. I can sort and fold clothing with professional efficiency, I assure you."
The thought of having him in her small apartment with her for several hours was nothing short of terrifying. "I don't think that's a good idea."
Nikos laid his hand on her thigh. "We need to talk, Ash."
"I don't want to talk," she admitted in a low voice, wishing her mom was not there with them, overhearing their conversation.
"Please, Ash…"
She closed her eyes against the appeal in his but nothing could stop the warm, rich tone repeating in her head. "I don't want to be hurt anymore, Nikos. Please don't push me."
She hated saying the words in front of her mom, but both of them knew they'd hurt her. She wondered if they realized how much. She was working toward a relationship with her mom again, but she didn't know if she could ever give Nikos another chance. Not after learning she was nothing more than a business pawn for him.
Nikos sighed. "I won't push you now, pethi mou ."
He wondered if she noticed the emphasis he put on the word, now. He knew she couldn't be aware of how damned fragile she looked. She needed rest as much as she claimed he did. So, he would not push her today, but soon, he and his Ash were going to talk out their relationship. And she was going to give him another chance. She was too damned gentle and kind not to.
Besides, she'd said she loved him. He knew she'd meant it. If she was capable of turning off her emotions, she would have stopped loving her mother a long time ago. She never had and it gave Nikos hope.
Blade called the next morning with the news that he'd found Ash's sister. She went by the name Emma Grant and she was staying on Miguel Menendez's yacht with him. They'd just come into port after spending more than a week at sea.