Greek Billionaire's Forbidden Lover (The Rosso Family Series Book 2) by Leslie North

become much more after Alexandra’s mother had died. Gaia narrowed her eyes. She didn’t say anything, but she had her lips pressed tight and there was a warning in her gaze.
    Face warm, Alexandra looked away. “We’re going to wait for Antonio on the patio. Is there any lemonade?”
    Gaia nodded and waved them from her kitchen. “Go. Make yourselves comfortable and I’ll bring it out.”
    Outside, Claire leaned close and said, “Gaia knows something is up. And so do I. Just what happened on that yacht with Dareios?”

Chapter Twenty One
    Alexandra glanced around to make sure they were alone. “You have to promise not to tell Antonio.”
    Claire shook her head and frowned. “I’m not sure I’ve been married long enough to have secrets. Are you and Dareios like…a thing?”
    “More like nothing. Or we will be if Dareios has his way. I thought…well, I thought a fling would be great. And then it’d be back to normal.”
    “And it’s not.” Claire sat down in the cabana that shaded the chairs around the pool. The day was warm, but a light breeze ruffled her hair and tugged at her yellow, silk blouse. “It never is—some of us just aren’t built to have flings.”
    Flopping into a chair, Alexandra sighed. “So I’ve found out. Now I just have to convince Dareios that we’re right together.”
    “And then you have to convince Antonio that Dareios will make a great brother-in-law and not just a friend.” Leaning forward, Claire patted Alexandra’s hand. “Leave that part to me. I think I can help out. But what are you going to do about Dareios?”
    Alexandra smiled. “I think I have a plan.”
    Holding up a hand, Claire shook her head. “Don’t tell me. The less I know the less I have to hide.”
    “Hide from whom?” Antonio asked. He gave Claire a kiss on the cheek and sat down.
    Alexandra offered up a bright smile. “Hide from you. I’m going to take Claire shopping and the bills will be terrible!” Antonio laughed, and Claire mouthed a silent ‘thank you.’ Gaia brought out the lemonade and Alexandra began to tell them about the trip—leaving out all the parts that would make a brother blush.
    The least she could do was distract Antonio right now. But in the back of her mind she began to plan. Milan had given her a few ideas. And she had a few more from Dareios himself.
    ***
    Three weeks, Alexandra thought, a little disgusted. Out every night, dancing until dawn, and she’d had more photos of herself in the papers over the last week than she’d had in ten years. She’d been dubbed the ‘good-time Greek heiress’ but it was more work to live up to that name than she’d thought it would be.
    She had a dozen men now calling her—and what she wanted was to spend the night at home with a good movie and popcorn. But Dareios still hadn’t seemed to notice. She’d give him another week—and then she was giving up.
    She stared at her reflection in the mirror. She’d put on a red mini-dress that hugged every curve—out every night had meant new dresses for every night, and she’d made good on her promise to drag Claire out shopping with her.
    She’d bought shoes and dresses—and handbags. She’d also bought jewelry—diamond earrings, gold bracelets and necklaces. But tonight she would just wear the dress. It was startling all on its own. She tugged down the hem slightly—it barely covered her ass. If Antonio saw it she’d get another frown from him.
    Heading downstairs, she slipped out and into the waiting limo. A new dance club had opened. And she planned to be the star attraction. At the club, she got out of the limo with flashes going off, just about blinding her.
    But she smiled and posed for the paparazzi. Then she headed inside. She didn’t see Dareios. Pushing through the crowd to the bar, she ordered a vodka with ice and a splash of cranberry juice. And then she started to mingle.
    By eleven, she was beat—and ready to call it a night. Dareios hadn’t shown up—yet