CHAPTER 22

She didn't want to be used again and she didn't want to be dominated, so she very selectively dated men that were from her world and weren't looking for her mother's millions to support them, but who were also patently non-aggressive. Men who spouted feminist ideals better than she did and who were sensitive. Men who did not have Nikos' vibrancy or personal power.

She'd grown weary of the dating scene quickly and it wasn't until Nikos bulldozed into her life that she realized what was missing. She wanted a man of integrity, but not one she could lead around by a ring through his nose. She wouldn't tolerate being dominated, and if he didn't already know that, he would learn, but she was glad he was so strong.

She'd learned that a man could be aggressive and powerful and sensitive to her feelings. At least some of them. Which was more than she'd ever had, but not the same as having his love. However, Nikos was always careful to look after her. His recognition of her dislike of driving was not an isolated incident. He watched her. He paid attention.

And that was very different from her mother. Which considering how many similarities she saw between the two of them was a very good thing.

Added to that, she didn't live in fear of denting his fragile male ego because he wasn'toverly sensitive. The fact her mother approved was a double-edged sword. Her lack of emotional connection to her had resulted in a sense of rebellion toward all that she stood for. But there was a tiny part of her that still wanted her approval. That still hoped deep inside that if she could please her enough, she would love her like a mother was supposed to love her little girl.

Marrying Nikos would definitely please her mother, but his similarity to the woman who had lacerated Ash's heart time and again with twenty-three years of almost complete indifference gave her pause. How could it do anything else?

She couldn't live the rest of her life in that same emotional wasteland with a husband. Even if she loved him.

Her disturbing thoughts were interrupted by a phone call and she didn't have another second to call her own for the rest of the day. She left work late and had to rush through getting ready for dinner at the Petronides home.

Nikos asked about her day when he picked her up and spent the entire drive to his home listening. It was a heady experience, being the central focus of his attention. With pleasure, she ticked a mental mark on his scorecard…on the side that said, "Not a carbon copy of Rachel Hemsworth."

He helped her from the car and she stayed him with a hand, reaching up to kiss him on the corner of his mouth. "Thank you."

His brows drew together. "For what?"

"For listening. I can't imagine that my attempts to help my clients better their lives is all that fascinating, but you never tell me to shut up."

He leaned down and kissed her full on the lips. "You are wrong."

She was clinging to his biceps for support after the short but devastating kiss. "About what?"

"Everything about you interests me, but your desire to help others is both admirable and yes, fascinating to me."

"You're a special man, Nikos." But was it true? If everything about her interested him, why was he so ignorant about some basic elements to her nature? Most important being her need for an emotional connection with him.

"Remember that."

"It's not something I could forget."

He just smiled and led her into the house.

Zoe Petronides was every bit as pleased to see Ash as Nikos had said she would be and made her welcome with warm effusiveness.

"It is so good you come. Nikos, he is like a caged lion lately, but when you are here…he is better." She squeezed Ash's hand before taking a seat on the large white sofa and indicating Ash should join her.

"Mama, I do not mind being likened to a lion, but I am far from caged."

"There are many kinds of cages, my son," Zoe said wisely. "Though I agree, you are very like a lion in the cage or out of it…because you see the world as your prey." She sighed, her eyes so like Nikos' filled with concern. "It is always the business with you. You want to win, win, win."