He was also good for her—whether she wanted to admit it or not. Though he could make her heart race like no other, he could also put her at ease as though nothing in this world was insurmountable, which was ridiculous considering her mother’s irreversible diagnosis. But somehow, he still made her want to believe in dreams and the power of love.
She knew she was setting herself up for a fall. Sooner, rather than later, this unconventional marriage would end—for real this time.
She dreaded that quickly approaching day.
* * *
Demetrius escorted Zoe around Residenza del Rosa, paying her more attention than the restoration work being done on the historic mansion. But he couldn’t help it. Zoe kept sending him strange looks. He wanted to stop her and ask what was on her mind. Was she thinking about the fact they were still secretly married?
He couldn’t tell if that knowledge came to her as good news or bad news. Not that he cared. Well, maybe he was just a bit curious. Okay, a lot curious.
After inspecting the shell pink paint in the sunroom and the sandy shades in the library, they made their way back to the reception area. He’d asked the foreman to gather the workmen together. He wanted to give them a word of encouragement.
While waiting for everyone to be assembled, a few of the men approached him to discuss the revitalization project. The men were friendly and thankful for the work. Demetrius promised to do all he could to keep the revitalization project alive.
When it came time for the talk, Demetrius motioned for Zoe to join him. She stepped forward. As strange as it sounded, it felt natural having her next to him. Dare he admit it, he liked having her back in his life.
He cleared his throat. “Ms. Sarris and I would like to thank you all for doing such wonderful work. This place looks amazing. I know this isn’t the sort of place people want to end up, but I’m hoping Ms. Sarris’s vision will give the place a fresh and easy air. I know that we don’t have much time until the Christmas ball and the official opening in the New Year, but I personally appreciate all of the extra time and effort you’ve put into this very special project. Give yourselves a round of applause.”
Demetrius started clapping. Zoe joined him and then one by one the men started clapping and smiling.
When silence fell back over the room, Demetrius had one more announcement. “I’m so impressed that each of you will be receiving a Christmas bonus if the project is brought in a week early.”
Another round of clapping. Cheers and whistles went up.
“Okay, men, let’s get back to it,” the foreman said.
“Kiss. Kiss. Kiss.” A soft chant started.
What in the world? Demetrius’s first thought was to glance at Zoe to see if she had any clue what they were talking about, but he didn’t dare look in her direction. He didn’t want anyone to read anything in his expression.
“Kiss. Kiss.” The chant grew louder and some started to clap. There were smiles all around.
Demetrius turned a questioning look to the foreman. The man pointed upward. Demetrius tilted his head back, already suspecting what he’d find. Mistletoe.
Something told him that the workers had a bit of holiday mischief going on as he recalled how they’d pointed out where he should stand to give this talk. He tried to figure out which man had suggested this particular spot. Demetrius was unable to locate him in the crowd.
And still the chanting continued.
Not seeing an easy way out of this awkward spot, he turned to Zoe to see if she’d been wise enough to make a hasty exist. This time he wouldn’t blame her for running away. But much to his surprise she was still standing there frozen. Worry, or was it panic, reflected in her eyes. A kiss certainly wasn’t going to help his resolve to keep their relationship on friendly terms.
Still, he didn’t know how to just walk away without turning this awkward situation into a big deal. He glanced out at the sea of smiling faces. Their jolly moods were good for business. And if he walked out now, he knew there would be a distinct shift in attitude. Too bad he’d thrown out the Christmas bonuses before this mistletoe scene. He’d lost a very effective distraction.
“Kiss. Kiss. Kiss.”
This wasn’t a good idea. And yet...
“Kiss.”
This was a really bad idea. But still...
“Kiss.”
Demetrius leaned toward her and her eyes opened wide, but it was her glossy lips that beckoned to him. He wanted—no—he needed to once again feel her lips beneath his. He longed to taste her sweet kiss again. In fact, he’d never wanted something so much in his life.
But at the last second, he moved, letting his lips land on her cheek. It definitely wasn’t what he’d had in mind, but it was for the best. The crowd went crazy. Applause made any attempt at conversation nearly impossible.
The quick and simple kiss was over in a heartbeat. When Zoe’s gaze met his, his heart thumped hard. In fact, it was beating so loud that he was sure she could hear it. How was it that a woman who’d hurt him so deeply could have such a tremendous effect on him?
Perhaps he’d been working too much—for far too many hours. That had to be it. Because he was over Zoe. He’d put her in his rearview mirror that dark, overcast night when she’d left without an explanation. They were friends now. Nothing more.
He turned away from her. It was then that he noticed a number of phones pointed in their direction. So their little bit of fun had been photographed. That was a complication he hadn’t anticipated. It seemed that when Zoe was around, there were quite a few things that slipped his mind.
But he didn’t have to worry. His security team was all over it. Demetrius breathed an easy breath as phones were confiscated and photos of himself and Zoe were deleted. Apparently the men had forgotten that upon being hired for this very special project—a project that he planned to oversee personally—that they’d signed confidentiality agreements.
The part of this whole scenario that alarmed Demetrius was that after everything, Zoe still got to him. He’d have to be careful in the future. Keep more of a distance in their friendship.
He wouldn’t give her a chance to hurt him again.
TIME TO MAKE a hasty exit.
Zoe didn’t even wait for Demetrius as she moved away—far away from the mistletoe. Her heart was still hammering. She’d thought for sure he was going to lay a real kiss on her—in front of everyone. And the truth was, she wouldn’t have stopped him. Did that make her desperate? Or was she just plain pathetic?
She gave a shake of her head as she rushed past the newly erected registration desk toward the grand ballroom. She didn’t need any distractions right now—even if it was from the sexiest prince on the planet. She needed to concentrate on her work. Everything had to be perfect for the Royal Christmas Ball. She wouldn’t let Demetrius down this time. She owed him that much.
Before she reached the ballroom, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She paused and turned, not quite ready to discuss what had happened back there.
Demetrius stood before her with a frown on his face. “What are you running from?”
“I wasn’t running.” Was she?
“It sure looked like it to me.”
Drat. She wanted to show Demetrius that she was changing. That she wasn’t the same person he used to know. She was done running. She was working hard at facing her problems head-on. At least most of them.
“Well,