It had been three long years since Melissa Marshall had last seen Greek shipping tycoon, Christos Thesspinos, and even then, they hadn’t left on the best of relations. If there had been any other way for Melissa to help her brother then she would have never have come back to Christos.

She knew as soon as he stepped on the ship, for awareness sizzled down her spine, and she turned – only to bump into Leo. “Ahh, Melissa, where have you been all this time, agape mou?” Coldly, she turned back to stare at him. “I was never your sweetheart, and I never will be.” She plastered a honey sweet smile to her face and started to walk away when a painful grip on her forearm made her gasp. “Don’t think you can leave so easily, agape mou. It has been a long time since we last met, and now that Christos – he spat the name out – is no longer sharing your bed, you are now free to share mine.” Melissa was just about to answer back when a deep voice behind her said, “Leo, get off the boat. You had no invitation to this party.” A tirade of Greek spurted from Leo’s mouth, words which she knew she wouldn’t like to hear the meaning of.

“Guards,” Christos murmured and two muscular men appeared from the shadows to escort Leo off the boat. He then turned his attention on her. His tone gentle, he placed her arm on his, “pethi mou, it has been a while, follow me and we shall reacquaint ourselves – in private.” As they strolled, meeting curious gazes, Melissa took this time to let her eyes feast on the Greek god. He had been handsome on the verge of adulthood at twenty-one, but now at the age of twenty-four, he was exquisite. His eyes a cold blue, a slightly crooked nose which she knew was the result of a brawl when he was younger, but this just added to the ruthlessness and power that his muscular, toned body oozed. His lips, oh even Leonardo DiCaprio didn’t wreak havoc with her heart like Christos’ lips did. They made you think of silk, roses, and very, very, inappropriate thoughts.

“A penny for your thoughts pethi mou,” Christos broke the silence. As his eyes penetrated her thoughts, and his gaze brought heat to her cheeks and it was all he could do not to lean down and take her right there, against the railing of the ship, in front of all his guests. He growled under his breath and dragged Melissa towards the lower cabin. “Kurios Thesspinos, I need to ask a favour...” Melissa started as they reached the door of the cabin. “Mel, we are not strangers, you are free to call me by my first name - Christos”, Christos interrupted. Melissa looked down, and wondered whether to tell Christos that formality was her only shield whenever he was around. Once those penetrating blue eyes rested their gaze on her, she felt flustered and forgot what had happened before, forgot why she despised this particular Greek god’s guts. “I’d prefer being professional, because business is why I have returned.” Melissa replied simply, trying her hardest to sound nonchalant. Christos chuckled as he opened the cabin door, and gestured towards the balcony on the far end of the mahogany themed room. Melissa could only stare in awe at the grandeur of the room, it was small, granted, but the walls were decorated with priceless art pieces and the plush rug that was dyed in a rich maroon. Her eyes travelled around the room, her eyes widening in awe.

Christos followed her gaze, smug that she understood how wealthy he had become, “You like?” Melissa turned to face Christos, her face lit up with excitement, “Oh yes. I definitely like!”