“You are my dream guy!”
Her girly, high-pitched giggles filled the air. Markos sensed her interest in him and knew he was saying and doing all the right things to impress her. He’d score her cell phone number by the time they landed in Tampa, and a date, no doubt about it.
They talked nonstop during the in-flight movie, laughing and cracking jokes. They had a lot in common, but what shocked Markos most were her insightful comments about the business world, her knowledge of Wall Street and politics.
“To be honest, I don’t put much faith in politicians,” Tatiyana confessed. “They’ll say and do anything to get elected, but once they’re in office, they forget about the promises they made to their loyal constituents. We need leaders who’ll stand with the American people, and unite the country, not divide it.”
“That’s a tall order, don’t you think?”
“No. If the government invests in education and health care, and provides better training to police departments, I think things would drastically improve. Especially for lower-income families and impoverished communities.”
“Well said, Tatiyana. I wholeheartedly agree.” Markos raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you’re an executive secretary? If I didn’t know better I’d think you were a community activist.”
Tatiyana smiled, and Markos did, too.
“It’s hard to believe we just met. I feel like we’ve known each other forever. It’s so easy to talk to you.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” he confessed, echoing her thoughts.
“It feels like we’re old friends catching up at our high-school reunion.”
“That’s because you’re an exceptional conversationalist. You’re articulate, well-read, and you have an opinion about everything.”
Tatiyana frowned, arching an eyebrow. “Is that your way of saying I talk a lot?”
“No, that’s my way of saying I’d like to see you again.”
The flight attendant appeared. “Can I interest either of you in a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon?”
“Absolutely.” Tatiyana helped herself to a flute from the flight attendant’s tray, two bowls of nuts and a warm hand towel. “Thanks, Miss, I’ll buzz you if I need something else.”
“And you, Mr. Morretti?”
“I shouldn’t. It’s too early in the day to be drinking.”
“Get one,” Tatiyana urged. “You only live once, right?”
“It does smell good,” he conceded, licking his lips, his mouth wet with anticipation.
“It tastes even better...”
Markos swallowed hard. He couldn’t stop thinking about kissing her, and wondered if her lips tasted as good as they looked.
“It’s not going to kill you to have one drink,” she said, popping a cashew into her mouth. “Everything in moderation. That’s my personal philosophy, and it governs everything I do.”
“Good point.” Markos grabbed a flute off the tray and raised it in the air. “To Tampa.”
They clinked wineglasses. Time stopped, and everything around them ceased to exist. They stared at each other, as if they were long-lost lovers reuniting after years apart, and instinctively Markos took her hand in his. She was a vibrant, young woman with a wicked sense of humor and a terrific pair of legs—and Markos couldn’t wait to feel them around his waist. And he would, once they arrived at the Oasis Spa and Resort.
Oasis Spa and Resort, a luxurious hotel known for its world-class amenities and picturesque views, was located in a sprawling, gated community thirty minutes from downtown Tampa. Strolling from his executive suite to Prime Steak House Markos took in his surroundings, noting the vibrant flowers and towering palm trees shielding the grounds. The resort had it all—an 18-hole championship golf course, swimming pools, tennis courts, acclaimed restaurants known for their delicious menus and a renowned spa. Popular among A-listers with time on their hands, and money to burn, the resort was filled with sports legends, actresses, reality stars and social media darlings snapping selfies at every turn.
Prime Steak House was packed, filled with laughter, conversation and casually dressed diners. The moment Markos stepped into the restaurant, he spotted the Morretti clan seated in a secluded corner, away from the other patrons. His body tensed, and the smile slid off his face. His cousins, Demetri, Nicco and Rafael, and his brothers, Emilio and Immanuel, weren’t alone; they’d traveled to Tampa with their wives. It was obvious the couples were madly in love; they were whispering, cuddling, even feeding each other.
He cocked an eyebrow. Markos was shocked by his brothers’ behavior, was blown away by their public displays of affection. They looked proud, too, as if they had the perfect lives, but Markos knew better than anyone how fast things could change. One minute it was candlelight dinners and weekend getaways, and the next it was screaming matches, separate bedrooms and divorce court. For their sakes, he hoped it wasn’t the latter, but Markos didn’t put much faith in relationships. They didn’t last, and he had the broken heart to prove it.
Absent from the group were his youngest brothers, Enrique and Romeo. Based in Italy, they both worked nonstop, preferring to make money than spend it. Days earlier, he’d called Enrique to find out his travel information, but his brother said he was too busy with his media company, Icon Productions, to attend the charity golf tournament. He’d tried to persuade him, but there was nothing Markos could say to change his mind. Romeo had given him the same spiel yesterday. A brilliant investment banker, with foresight and ingenuity, he owned everything from real-estate properties to upscale restaurants, spas and fitness centers. In spite of his recent health scare, Romeo was still the hardest working person in his family. At thirty-one, he’d accomplished incredible success in his career, and Markos was proud of him.
Cheers and laughter filled the air. He heard his sister-in-law Sharleen giggle, and watched as Emilio kissed her passionately on the lips. So much for our guys-only trip, he thought, contemplating whether or not to return to his suite. He had a meeting with a Hollywood actor on Tuesday morning, and Markos didn’t want to be ill-prepared. The Oscar winner wasn’t just another client; he was also a friend, and Markos didn’t want to let him down. Being a partner at LA Family Law was an honor, a goal he’d had since he started at the firm ten years earlier, but it wasn’t enough. Markos had political aspirations, dreamed of being the next mayor of LA, and hoped to make it a reality during the next election.
His stomach groaned. The décor in the steakhouse was simple, nothing to write home about, but according to his siblings, the food was outstanding. Markos was starving, hadn’t eaten anything since arriving at the resort two hours earlier, but he’d rather eat alone in his suite than watch his brothers and cousins fawn all over their wives. He didn’t want to be the third wheel, and feared he’d die of boredom sitting with the love-struck group playing kissy face—
Ducking out of the restaurant, before his family could see him, he strode down the walkway, noting the pop star seated on the patio signing autographs.
Hearing a voice full of warmth and life, Markos glanced over his shoulder,
