Important note: Please stop BULLYING me to update. It's not very nice  and I feel pressured. I appreciate the support and the excitement but obscene language and questioning my reasons for not updating are both highly demotivating. I write because it makes me happy and I'm passionate about it. Please don't take  that away from me. I have a very busy schedule and will update when timing allows. 

-Thank you for the patience (: ...it's worth it I promise. 

'There's too much risk in loving.' The young boy said. 'No.' Said the old man. 'There's too much risk in not.' -Atticus

Athena's POV. 

Not much time was given pondering over Nico's abrupt exit as the warm water and gentle scent of the jasmine aroma and lavender lulled me in encouraging me to dispel my distress as it did therapeutic wonders to my body and mind. Closing my eyes and inhaling the comforting mixture tipped me into a light doze regaining my body a peace that it had desperately craved for months. The measurement of time had been lost to me as my body was so relaxed under the water; I became unaware of his reappearance until I felt the magnitude of his strong presence as a force itself staring at my almost comatose state. Blinking my eyes open, I immediately caught sight of those icy pools that shone with its liquid warmth.

"The water would turn cold any time now." He remarked still gazing at me with a look that I could not have deciphered, "You should get up before you catch a cold."

Rising once again, his hand came out offering a help to get out the water. Naked underneath, panicked eyes met his as he offered a reassuring look.

"Do you trust me?" He asked like he had previously in the day.

It was hard to believe so much had happened since then as it felt like a lifetime ago. Only this time, those blues burnt into me as he held his breath awaiting an answer.

"Yes." I responded without doubt.

Because I did.

No matter what.

Those frosted blues simmered a little like an icecap melting under the rising sun as a glint shone in the depths.

"I think my legs may have fallen asleep." I told him trying to recover from the deep state of loosened muscles that had not yet woken up.

As gentle as ever, he slowly came forward, as though approaching an injured colt as he scooped me into his arms holding my wet body tight against his warm skin soaking him in the process as we stepped into the shower. Lowering me to the tiles, he kept a hand around my waist as he switched on the showerhead. Satisfyingly it pelted against our bodies like rain except heated and much more tolerable. It was hard to imagine just the previous night we were in the exact position. Looking up into his burning eyes, I knew in an instant his mind had time traveled as did mine. Breaking the stare, he reached over grabbing the shower gel and sponge as he bathed me. It was meant to be as a caring act. Like a caretaker and a patient but the intimacy of the moment and the chemistry that burnt between us was too much to fight.

Distantly I remembered...the pain that came with it was too much to handle.

It was a tough battle that begged me to throw down the reigns and surrender to the moment as his strong fingers delicately massaged shampoo into my hair begging me to give up again.

But I could not.

For once I craved a kind of strength that I never knew possible.

Turning me back around in his arms, he enveloped me as the reminder of tears that I had left ran freely. It was a moment to tender, a moment that I had felt underserving of but basked in either way. When I was sure I had recovered, I stepped out of his hold sturdier on my feet. Silently exiting the en-suite, grabbing the fluffy towel and wrapping myself, I entered the closet patting myself dry as I took in the full length of it. It was a room meant for clothes that mirrored the size of a small house. Keeping with the tones of greys and white of the bedroom itself, it mirrored masculinity. Which was quite odd when I realized one side was stacked neatly with ball gowns, dresses, coats and other beautiful clothing that was shared equally with Nico's dozens of well pressed shirts, jackets and trousers. I must have been exhausted earlier when I came back to miss such a thing I thought to myself ruefully. To the other side, layers were built in holding dress shoes, trainers, sandals and an array of designer heels and boots. To the other corner sat multiple different purses to match any style of outfit. Overwhelmed, I rummaged through the drawers gaining knowledge on which one contained Nico's items as opposed to mine. Slipping into my underwear and what I found to be nightwear made of the finest silk that kissed my body as it slipped over my skin, I prepared to exit having a barrel of questions that needed to be answered as I ran smack into Nico's broad defined chest.

"What is all this?" I asked swallowing convulsively as I took in his near naked state covered only by a white towel that hung dangerously low on his well-toned hip.

His eyes did the same to me scorching every path it took burning me internally through the flimsy nightgown.

"What is what?" He responded in a low husky voice still staring at me.

Again I lost the ability of speech as my mind rioted around to remember what I wanted to say.

Gesturing around me, I pointed at the clothes as he looked on in utter confusion.

"Is there something wrong?" He asked completely dumbfounded as I continued on to stare puzzled.

"Why did you do this?" I questioned, "All these clothes..."

"Would look stunning on you." He replied completing my sentence for me.

"That is not what I meant." I responded.

With a tired sigh, he contemplated his answer before replying, "I never meant to offend you, and I had gotten a personal shopper to select some items in your size that we thought you would have liked. The weather is unpredictable and I was only seeking your best interest. I attend many functions throughout the year and the different array of dresses would have been appropriate. If you are displeased we can always have them sent back."

"When did you do this?" I questioned still in bewilderment.

"Before we left Greece." He hesitantly responded.

"I told you what I wanted." I said to him on a shaky breath as the haunted look returned, casting a shadow over his handsome face.

"I know." He said softly, "We'll get through this."

"There is no getting through." I told him looking down at my toes against the plush white carpet, no longer able to withstand his burning stares, "I cannot. Not anymore."

Slowly walking past me to the side he occupied, I heard the telltale drop of his towel as it hit the floor. Desire scorched my womb as I willed my heavy feet away.

"Athena." He called out.

Swallowing the lump pass my heavy throat, I took a moment before replying, "Yes..."

"Will you go to Italy with me?" He questioned.

Giving him the necessary time to put on clothes, I slowly turned around facing his shirtless state and a body that only wore slow slung pajama bottoms hanging provocatively off lean hips.

"Pardon...?" I questioned stammering as my mouth went dry trying my best to not let my eyes linger.

"My friend has invited us for a function and I would really like you to attend with me." He stated explaining...

"Please." He asked with a depth that swallowed me whole in his consuming eyes.

Despite myself, I nodded in response as a small smile flickered across his lips. It should not have made me so happy to be pleased when I, in myself was drowning.

"I made you dinner." He said, striding towards me as he placed his hand on the small of my back exiting the closet and to the tidied bed.

"You did?" I asked in question not being sure if I had heard correctly.

"It is just a toasted cheese sandwich." He said smirking down at me as the shock was evident on my face. Holding the duvet up, he silently instructed me to get in to which I obeyed.

Propped against the puffy pillows, he placed a silver tray containing little squares of melted cheese between golden brown bread, a teapot with hot water beside a teacup and saucer, cream, sugar and a bottle of Advil.

"I really am not that hungry." I admitted as the emotional exhaustion of the day got the better of both me and my appetite.

"You have to eat." He commanded in a mild scolding voice as he poured the water into the teacup preparing my tea.

Not having the energy to argue, I did my best trying to consume the sandwich as he gently stirred the sugar cubes and cream into the tea. A lone tear escaped my eye as I looked on at him. He was perfect in every-way he needed to be. Maybe it was really me. Maybe it was I who was undeserving of his love.

"Here you go." He said handing me the cup as his face transformed into a frown.

"You have beautiful eyes." He told me as his finger caught the trickle of that lone tear.

Quietly sipping the tea, a silence settled between us until the end of the meal as he was positive that I was replenished. Taking the tray away, he placed it on the glass coffee table before re-approaching the bed as I was removing the covers to step out.

"Where are you going?" He questioned.

"I told you I did not think it was a good idea for us to sleep together." I responded trying my best and failing miserably to keep my voice steady, "It...it hurts too much and I can't...not with you...not again."

Pulling the covers back, he gently nudged my body downwards until I drooped against the pillows, "I have already caused you so much discomfort, and I'll sleep on the couch."

Switching the lamp off, his shadow stood looming over my body and even in the dark-ness; I felt the full power of those icy blue eyes.

"Kalinikta agape mou." He said in his mother tongue wishing me a goodnight before his muscular body bent downwards pressing a soft kiss to my temple. Automatically my eyes fluttered closed savoring the moment.

But it was a moment too late.

"Nico." I called as he made his way to the sofa that was much smaller than his large body. Pausing his strides, I saw he halted his steps in the darkness of the room as he waited with bated breath.

"Please don't call me that ever again." 

A/N: OH MY HEART ! What a chapter right! My emotions are everywhere. Will they get their happy ending? Here's to hoping ;) As always my loves VOTE, COMMENT and feel free to drop a positive message by. I love hearing from you guys. Be sure to check out 'THE BILLIONAIRE ULTIMATUM'  'THE BILLIONAIRE'S MATCH' and 'THE BILLIONAIRE'S CHRISTMAS REVENGE' available on my page. If you fell in love with Nico, just wait 'till you meet Ethan Lucas and Dillon ;) 

See you soon...

oxoxox...Allison :)