Hands on with the CEO By Cathryn Fox
Chapter One
Alexis Cassidy stood inside the grand villa overlooking the breathtaking Mediterranean Sea and tried to keep her jaw from dropping. She hadn’t flown halfway across the country, to babysit for some rich CEO in Athens, only to come across looking like a corn-fed Iowa farm girl—one whose idea of luxurious living involved late night pizza delivery. And to think this beautiful seaside mansion was merely her employer’s summer home. Heck, maybe she should forget about finishing her English degree and get involved in the software industry instead.
“Alexis,” Mr. Georgiou greeted, a dazzling smile on his boyish face as he stepped farther into the airy entranceway.
“Mr. Georgiou,” she responded in return, working to keep an air of professionalism about her, a difficult task considering the sudden jolt of sexual awareness turning her scholarly brain to mush. Chatting with her new employer and his four-year-old daughter over Skype was one thing, but seeing her new boss in the flesh was quite another. Not only was he smoking hot, he had an air of badness about him. Everything from his dark, sexy eyes, the rebellious length of his hair, to the confident way he moved had lust exploding inside her. As her body registered every delicious inch of him—and from the bulge in his jeans, he clearly had many delicious inches—she blew a long strand of hair off her face and shifted her purse to conceal the telltale hardening of her nipples.
The soles of his shoes tapped on the marble floor as he closed the distance between them and perfect white teeth flashed against his rich olive complexion when he said, “Welcome to our summer home.”
Alexis extended her arm for a shake, but Mr. Georgiou put his hands on her shoulders and kissed her on both cheeks, one of the many Greek customs she’d read about before beginning her overseas journey. He crowded her as his mouth brushed one cheek and then the other, his warm minty breath washing over her face in scintillating ways. Hyperaware of his closeness, she became very aware of just how young and athletic he was, very aware of the way her body reacted when he pressed against her, his soft lips so damn close to hers.
So damn close...
Behind her Mr. Georgiou’s limousine driver placed her luggage on the marble tile floor. “Will that be all, sir?” he asked, and Alexis inched back, thankful for the distraction before she did something that could only embarrass them both, something like angle her head so his lips landed squarely on hers.
She turned to the driver and worked to regain her composure; pretending her boss’s close proximity and feel of his lips brushing her cheeks hadn’t turned her knees to rubber or warmed her in all the wrong places. Exhaling slowly, she reached for her purse to give the driver a tip.
“I’ve got this, Alexis,” Mr. Georgiou said in a thick Greek accent that sent little shivers skittering up her spine. He pulled out his wallet and stepped past her, the warm sandalwood scent of his skin curling her toes and teasing all her senses as it enveloped her. The muscles on his forearms bunched beneath the rolled up sleeves of his light blue dress shirt and it was all Alexis could do not to drool.
The man was a freaking Greek God!
She knew he was young and good looking when she’d Skyped with him a few weeks back, but the distorted image on her tablet didn’t do the man justice. She also knew his multimillion-dollar software company had landed him and his partner on Forbes’ “30 under 30” list. The man was smart, successful, driven.
Single.
Of course he hadn’t always been single, but after losing the love of his life during the birth of their daughter four years ago, he’d become reclusive for a time, removing himself from the public’s eyes. He reappeared as—according to the rag mags—one of Europe’s richest, most eligible bachelors. Photos of him filled the tabloids, a different woman on his arm in every shot. Rumors of relationships were immediately shot down, the captions always reading the same: according to a close personal friend, Mr. Georgiou and his current companion deny rumors of commitment...
Alexis liked his way of thinking. She wasn’t in the market for a full-time partner, either. Nor was she looking for love. She simply wanted a man to help her get in touch with her sexual self, and to teach her a thing or two in the bedroom. She cringed as she thought about the one and only guy she slept with at last year’s football party. She was pretty sure he was simply giving the chubby girl a pity f*ck, and when it was over, College Boy walked away and told his buddies she wasn’t just fat, she was frigid.
The whole experience had been horrible and embarrassing. Not only had the reputation clung like a sweaty sports sock, following her around her entire first year of college, it was the last football party she’d been invited to. Which was why she planned to go on a strict diet for the next two months, learn her way around the bedroom, and return home a new woman. Then she’d show them!
Her glance moved over Mr. Georgiou, taking pleasure in the self-assured way he moved. He certainly looked like the guy who could give her what she needed, but he was her boss, which meant he was completely off limits. Still, she couldn’t wait to text Melanie back home and tell her all about him.
As Mr. Georgiou spoke with his driver, Alexis stifled a yawn and waved to the little girl with the big brown eyes and thick dark hair as she ran into the foyer and latched on to her father’s leg. Sophie waved back, and then Alexis put her hands over her face to play peek-a-boo. With two younger brothers, and having spent her high school years babysitting for nearly every family on her block, Alexis was used to being around kids. Which was why, when the ad for an au pair went up on the bulletin board outside the student employment center at her college—an au pair who majored in English and could help Mr. Georgiou’s daughter refine her speech—she’d jumped all over it.
The benefits of taking the job were twofold. Not only did she need the money, which turned out to be a substantial sum, but rumor had it the men in Greece liked their women plump. With any luck she’d meet a hot guy during her time off from the job, gain a little more experience and learn to loosen up in the bedroom department before her upcoming sophomore year. A shiver moved through her. She never wanted to be called frigid again!
With the driver gone, her new boss turned back to her. “Alexis, it’s so finally nice to meet you in person,” he said, taking her right hand between his palms. “I’m sure you must be exhausted after travelling all day.”
“I’m a little tired,” she admitted. Actually she was exhausted. She’d gotten up at the crack of dawn, only to discover her flight had been delayed. She’d sat at the airport for hours, forcing herself to stay awake for fear of losing her luggage, and hadn’t touched down in Greece until late this evening.
The sound of footsteps heralded someone’s approach. She glanced past Mr. Georgiou to see an elderly gentleman enter the grand entranceway and collect her luggage. Dressed in formal wear, she took him to be the butler. Even though everything about the place, from the limo driver to the butler, seemed so formal, Mr. Georgiou himself appeared a little more laid back, a little easier going.
After Mr. Georgiou introduced her to the tall man with the graying hair he looked at her and said, “Damien has your room all ready for you. I’m sure you’ll like it. It has one of the best views in the house.” When she gave him a thankful smile, his handsome face softened, making him look even more boyish, like he could be any one of the guys sitting next to her in lecture hall. “You should try to get some sleep. Tomorrow we can go over the details of your duties.”
“Okay,” she agreed when Damien moved to the foot of the grand staircase.
Mr. Georgiou’s voice dropped an octave, and sounded highly suggestive when he said, “And Alexis, if you need anything, anything at all, don’t hesitate to ask.”
Anything at all...
Alexis swallowed, heat zinging through her blood as she considered the provocative edge to his voice. When she stole another glance at him, he gave her a polite smile, nothing on his attractive face to suggest he’d been hinting at something more intimate.
She shook her head to clear it, sure her jet-lagged mind was simply playing tricks on her.
His hand cut through the air. “Our home is your home and we want you to be comfortable here.”
“Thank you,” she said, relaxing as she once again took in the opulence of the place.
“But before you go...” Mr. Georgiou put his hands on his daughter’s shoulders and moved her in front of him. “I’d like you to meet Sophie. Sophie, you remember Skyping with Alexis don’t you?”
Sophie nodded, peeking up at Alexis shyly as she curled her ponytail around her finger.
“Hi, Sophie,” Alexis said, then crinkled her nose, and looked up the huge staircase. Hoping to put the child at ease by enlisting her help and assigning her responsibilities, she said, “I’m glad you’re here to help me out and show me around. Otherwise I might get lost in this place.”
Sophie stopped playing with her hair, and stood a little taller, clearly liking the idea of being in charge. “I won’t let you get lost,” she said, a childish confidence to her voice.
“I knew I could count on you.” She held her hand out to the little girl, and nodded toward the wide staircase. “Do you think maybe you can help me find my room?” From her previous exchanges with Mr. Georgiou, she knew how much the girl loved the ocean, so she added, “If I get lost in the hall for days, I’ll never be able to take you to the beach tomorrow.”
Sophie giggled and when she stepped forward and accepted Alexis’s hand, Mr. Georgiou smiled. “I can already see Sophie is in good hands.”
Her glance went to his chin, to where he was scrubbing his palm over his five o’clock shadow.
Speaking of good hands...
Shaking off a shiver, she let Sophie lead her to the stairs, but stopped when Mr. Georgiou said, “Oh, and Alexis, one more thing.” She turned and when dark, sexy eyes locked on hers, heat moved through her body. She swallowed the little rush bubbling in her throat and opened her mouth to speak, but before she could find her words, he said, “Call me Nikko.”
“Okay,” she managed to push out. “I’ll see you in the morning, Nikko.” She turned her attention to the massive staircase, hoping her knees wouldn’t fail her as she climbed. She gripped the handrail, and held tight as she made her way up.
She chattered with Sophie as the little girl showed her to her lavish room. Once Damien delivered her luggage, he shooed Sophie out so Alexis could have some privacy while getting settled in. After the two disappeared, she spread her arms wide and couldn’t keep the smile from her face. She took it the king-sized mattress, pretty floral bedding, gorgeous furniture and the en suite bathroom that was hers and hers alone. A little squeal sounded in her throat as she reveled in her good fortune. She grabbed her phone from her bag, punched in Melanie’s number and walked to the elaborate, floor-to-ceiling window with a spectacular view of the moonlit ocean. She pushed back the sheer curtain, released the latch on the window to push them open, and breathed in the salty sea air. A warm breeze rushed inside and ruffled her lacy curtains.
“Oh. My. God,” she whispered when she spotted the infinity pool overlooking the ocean. She could just imagine herself lounging beside that pool, sipping a fruity drink and staring out at the view.
“Oh. My. God. What?” Melanie asked, concern in her voice.
She shrieked when she heard her friend. “Mel, you wouldn’t believe this place.”
“Oh Jesus, you scared the living shit out of me,” she scolded. Then she gave a loud sigh and said, “I knew it would be awesome.”
“Awesome doesn’t even begin to describe it.”
“Tell me everything,” Mel demanded, and Alexis could just picture her friend throwing herself on her bed, pissed off that she was stuck at home working the corn fields instead of taking her own au pair job like she wanted. “If I can’t be there, then you at least have to let me live vicariously through you. So now tell me everything, and don’t leave out a single detail.”
Alexis shot a glance toward her closed door and lowered her voice. “Nikko is unbelievably gorgeous.”
“Nikko,” she sighed again. “Even his name is hot.”
“Everything about him is hot.”
“Wait, you’re on a first name basis with him?” Mel asked.
“He insisted.”
“Umm,” Mel purred. “Sounds like a man who likes being in control. I wonder what else you’d do if he insisted.”
Alexis laughed. “He’s my boss and I want to keep this job,” she said, even though she secretly wondered that herself.
“He might be your boss but not only is he young, gorgeous and a notorious playboy; he’s f*cking rich, Alex. Rich!”
Exactly, which was why he had numerous waif-like models throwing themselves at him and wouldn’t give a plump farmer’s daughter a second glance. Not that she would ever try to seduce her boss, or act on the delicious things he made her feel, but it still didn’t stop her from thinking about it.
Deciding to redirect the conversation, Alexis pulled her curtain back, taking in all the other mansions dotting the mountain. “Nikko was right, the view is breathtak...” Her voice trailed off, her tongue thickening at the unexpected vision before her, a vision more beautiful than the cerulean waters lapping against the sandy shoreline far below her window.
“Hello? Alex, are you still there?”
“Oh my God.”
“Now what!”
“I just saw my neighbor.” Patio lanterns illuminated the grounds next door, giving sufficient light for her to see the man in the scant bathing suit as he climbed onto the diving board. Her glance moved over him, trailing down the firm ridges of his abdomen, to follow the sexy line of hair that disappeared into the material that did little to hide the huge bulge her fingers suddenly itched to explore. A wheezing sound escaped her lips. Alexis squinted her eyes and focused on his torso...and the area due south. Surely it was a play of the lanterns reflecting off the water that caused all those mouthwatering ridges, bulges and dips on his body? Sort of, nature’s way of Photoshopping.
She heard Mel sigh. “I take it he’s hot too.”
“Oh yeah. He’s in a Speedo and he just dove into his pool.” Alex gripped the curtain and leaned out her window for a better view. When Mr. Speedo surfaced on the other end, his hand came up to smooth his hair back and his gaze lifted to her bedroom window. A small, sensual smile touched his mouth when their gazes collided beneath the moonlight. Alexis dropped the curtain and jumped back, her heart hammering against her ribcage.
“Oh, shit. He just caught me staring.” She quickly threw herself on her bed, her long dark curls splaying across her pillowcase. “How frigging embarrassing. He probably thinks I’m a voyeur.” She clamped her hand over her eyes at the thought, then snorted and flung it back onto her pillow. Too late for that now.
“The hell with being embarrassed. That’s f*cking hot! Let him know you’re looking. Let him know you’re interested, that you like what you see. Isn’t that what you wanted—a sexy man to notice you, to give you some experience?”
“Yes, but...”
“No buts. This is it, girl. Don’t you dare puss out. Go for it!”
Alex’s stomach tightened as she thought about opening the curtain again, doing exactly as Mel suggested. Instead she groaned and rolled to her side.
“I’m not like you, Mel.”
“Come on, Alex. One of the reasons you took this job was to sample the local cuisine.”
“I know,” she groaned and rubbed her hand over her stomach where butterflies took flight at the thought of Mr. Speedo pulling her into his arms and... “but he’s so incredibly hot.”
“So are you.”
She frowned, knowing otherwise, but instead of dwelling on her full figure, she asked, What if he’s married?”
“What if he’s not?”
“But he’s Nikko’s neighbor.” What if she made a move on him and he wasn’t interested in more than flirting. If he told Nikko, she’d have to live with the embarrassment for the duration of her stay. On the other hand, what if she didn’t act on it, and missed out on the very thing she’d come to Greece for?
“Perfect.”
Alexis ran her hand along the soft bedding. “Why is that perfect?”
“Because,” she began, stretching out that one word. “if you can watch him, it means he can watch you, too.”
“And what exactly will he be watching?” Alexis asked, not sure if she wanted to hear the answer.
“You, sunbathing by the pool, topless, and bending over. A lot.”
Alexis laughed. “You are so bad.”
“And I bet Mr. Speedo is so f*cking good.”
As a surge of heat moved through her, Alexis climbed from the bed and inched her curtain open again. She stole another peek at her young, well-built neighbor as he lounged against the side of the pool, his arms braced on the ledge, showing off a hard body that was clearly made for sex.
Alexis gulped when he glanced her way again.
“Oh shit, he’s looking at me,” she whispered into the phone, her pulse leaping like mad.
“Good, now give him something to look at,” Mel said.
He gave her a lopsided panty melting smile and crooked his finger.
“Oh. My. God. He’s inviting me to come down.”
Her friend squealed. “Jesus, Alex. Go for it.”
Alexis’s body flushed hotly as she pictured herself accepting his invitation, going down there in the sexy thong bathing suit Mel insisted she buy, and joining her hot neighbor in the pool like it was the most natural thing in the world for her to do.
She wet her bottom lip and asked in a low voice, “You really think I could seduce him?”
“Yes, girlfriend, I know you can seduce him. So get down there and do it!”