Alexis's POV

I rolled over after placing a soft kiss on her lips and lay down on my back while both of us were panting.

"It was intense, wasn't it?" I asked huskily, turning my face towards Charlotte.

"Yeah. Sex with you isn't bad, Mr. Stavros." She winked at me playfully.

I raised my eyebrow. "It wasn't sex; it was love making." I corrected firmly, stroking her cheek tenderly with the back of my hand. She smiled happily, blushing. "Because of it, it was very intense. It is always different when feelings are involved, koukla mou." I added and brushed my lips against her, kissing my fiancée passionately.

***

I greeted Markos cheerfully in front of his restaurant. We planned to have lunch together while my mother and Charlotte went shopping.

"So... How is it going on with Charlotte? You were so lovey-dovey yesterday." Markos said mischievously after taking a sip from his white wine.

"We are good." I smiled happily.

"Glad to see you happy, Alex. She seems like a good girl." He commented.

"Yes, she is." I agreed proudly.

"Your mother and grandpa must be on cloud nine. After yesterday, I am sure your old man got convinced that you are in love with Charlotte." He gave me a devilish smirk.

"I hope so. He told us he hoped that the next wedding would be ours." I informed, shaking my head. "It seems he won't leave me alone till Charlotte and I marry." I added and took a sip from my wine.

"I don't think he has to insist a lot." Markos commented, giving me a sly smirk.

I raised my eyebrow. "What made you think that?"

"My instinct." He winked at me playfully. "You know your grandpa's condition, and you are crazy for that girl. So..." He smirked knowingly.

"But it takes two to tango. Charlotte's opinion is important to me. We haven't talked about it since we started dating. Besides, I don't want Charlotte to think that I want to marry her for the inheritance." I stated firmly.

"So you want to marry her?!" He grinned wickedly. I gave him a dirty look. "I advice you to get your ass in gear." He added with a serious expression on his face.

I raise my eyebrow, giving him a questioning look. "Why did you say that?"

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, and leaned towards me. "This morning... I saw Thalia."

I looked at him, frozen. As soon as I managed to pull myself together, I cleared my throat and ran my hand through my hair. "What..." I mumbled, dazed.

"I bumped into her in front of our company this morning when I visited my dad. She asked about you... and asked me to give her your phone number. Of course, I didn't give her your number, but the Thalia who we know will find a way to reach you." Markos informed me, worried.

I gritted my teeth in irritation and finished my wine in a gulp.

"What the fuck does she want from me?" I asked angrily.

"You." He gave me a knowing look.

I frowned. "She has to be a fool to think I will give her a chance after what she has done." I stated firmly.

"She thinks you can't still resist her." Markos commented and heaved a loud sigh. "You have to be careful. She is a dangerous woman. She will try to create problems between you and Charlotte."

"If she tries to hurt Charlotte, I will do everything to destroy her." I stated, clenching my fist.

"I don't know what she plans, but.... I hope it won't affect your relationship with Charlotte." He heaved a loud sigh, giving me a concerned look. I looked away, lost in my thoughts.

After chatting with Markos for a while, I left the restaurant. When I was about to get in my car, a familiar voice called me from behind. I squeezed the top of the door tightly while holding it open and gritted my teeth without moving.

I closed my eyes, breathing deeply, and turned around slowly as the same voice called me again.

"Thalia..." I mumbled, facing the woman who I hadn't seen for a long time.

"Hi, Alex." She gave me a bright smile as she took a few steps towards me, closing the distance between us. "Glad to see you again. I missed you." She said softly.

I burst out laughing. "Really?!" I commented bitterly, giving her a mocking smirk.

"Alex..." She mumbled sadly. "I am sorry. I made a mistake. It is just.... I was overwhelmed about marriage, the wedding, and all these responsibilities." She gave me an apologetic look. "Because of that mistake, I lost the love of my life." She added regretfully.

"I think you got paid very well for losing the so-called love of your life." I stated sarcastically, emphasizing the words- the love of my life.

Her expression changed instantly. She gulped nervously and ruffled her hair.

I gave her an arrogant look and shook my head. "What? Did you think I didn't know my father gave you money?" I asked sarcastically.

"Alex, it...."

"Shut up, Thalia!" I snapped, frustrated.  "I don't want to hear anything from you. Leave me alone!" I stated firmly and wanted to get into my car.

"Alex, please. I still love you. Please forgive me. Give us a chance." She pleaded, grabbing my arm. "My aunt needed money. I had to take it despite the fact I loved you so much." She added, giving me an apologetic look.

I gritted my teeth and slammed the door furiously. "Thalia, don't take me as a fool! You never loved me. You are just a pathetic woman. And I am glad I didn't marry a woman like you. So I had to thank you for getting into my friend's bed." I stated bitterly and gave her a disgusting look. "Now get out of my way!" I exclaimed in a bossy tone as I opened the door of my car and got into my car quickly.

"I won't give up on us, Alex." Thalia shouted through the window, determined.  I rolled my eyes and drove away, leaving dust behind my car.

I took a deep sigh and walked into my bedroom after asking my mother where Charlotte was. Now I just wanted to see my woman, kiss her, hug her, feel her warmth against my body.

"Alex!" She exclaimed happily as my angel saw me.

"Koukla mou." I gave her a tender smile, approaching her, and brushed my lips against her inviting lips. "I missed you." I added, hugging her tightly.

"I missed you too." She gave me a dazzling smile as she pulled back slightly.

"I love you so much." I stated, looking her in the eyes.

She smiled brilliantly and kissed my lips before hugging me without saying anything. I hugged her back, feeling disappointed. She didn't confess her feelings towards me again. Every time when I told her I loved her, I was hoping Charlotte would finally say it back, but she never confessed her feelings.

Sometimes I had doubts that she really loved me; maybe I was just rebound, nothing more. Those thoughts gave me nightmares. I didn't know what I would do if I lost her. I loved Charlotte so much.

"Pack up your suitcase! I am kidnapping you to my favourite island." I informed, stroking her cheek.

"Really?" She asked happily.

"Yes, let's see, if you like Paros or not. I enjoy spending time there. Hope you like the island as well." I said warmly while caressing her cheek affectionately.

"I have no doubts." She placed a chaste kiss on my lips.

"And... we have to go back to New York earlier than planned. I have an urgent meeting with Omar this Monday." I informed my girl. I wanted to take Charlotte away from Athens before we bumped into Thalia.

"Is everything okay? Is it about Mahmud?" She asked, worried.

"Yes, don't worry. No, nothing to do with that bastard; it is about work." I assured her, giving her a tender look.

"So we just have three days here?!" She commented sadly.

"I promise we will come back soon." I promised, cupping her cheek, and brushed my lips against her lips.

Charlotte's POV

I was leaning against Alex's chest while our yacht was approaching Paros. Meanwhile, my Greek god was wrapping his arms around my waist from behind, placing kisses on my hair and temple. 

Alex held my hand and helped me to get off the yacht as we arrived in Parikia, the island's main port.

Once we settled down in Alex's house, we went to explore the island. It was such a beautiful place; traditional Cycladic architecture, azure waters, magical beaches, enchanting rural villages, historical monuments and vivid nightlife.

We strolled in the streets of Parikia and visited small handicraft shops. After shopping and having lunch, we went to Livadia Beach.

After spending a few hours here, we went to the house to take shower and change our clothes. We left the house later than we planned because my irresistible Greek god joined me in the shower and blew my mind with his masterful skills.