Troy And Athena (Forbidden Love Series Book 15)

"But why are we here?" Asked Athena, looking at him with surprise. Why did he bring her here instead of dropping her off at her house? Her heart started beating faster and faster as a sense of apprehension settled in her stomach.

"My house is nearer. If granny needs us, we can always rush to the hospital. Why else?" Shrugged Troy and Athena felt guilty for over reacting. Troy led her to his private elevator. As the door closed, Athena became acutely aware of his presence in the closed elevator. His scent filled the whole elevator and tingled her nose. His hawk like gaze watched her every move.

"Stop staring, " she breathed out, looking everywhere but at him.

"I can't, you can do the same," he challenged her.

"No, I don't stare, " she told him with a frown but it didn't have any effect on him. He continued to stare and Athena felt like hiding somewhere.

"Everybody does, especially when a hot guy like me is right in front of them, " he smirked. Athena rolled her eyes.

"I don't, " she pointed out, feeling awkward at the strange abd weird topic of discussion. He still stared at her with disbelief and a small smirk playing on his lips as the elevator came to a stop at the top floor. The doors slid open and Troy led her outside.

He punched in his security code and the door slid open. "Welcome to your future home," he said with that same smirk. Athena glared at him.

"No, thanks. I'm fine with spending the rest of my life at my own house," she told him.

"Thank God!" He smirked as he strode into his apartment. Athena followed him inside with a puzzled look on her face.

"What's there to thank God for?" She asked him. His smirk widened.

"I'm glad that you dropped your plans of marrying Brandon and wish to spend the rest of your life at your own house instead, " he told her with a grin. Athena gaped at him. Really, he was the limit.

"I didn't plan any such thing. I'm still engaged to him if you must know, " she reminded him but his grin broadened.

"Not for long, " he told her, lowering his voice with a strange gleam in his eyes as if he was challenging her. Athena didn't argue any further. It was useless anyway since she could never win against him.

"I need to use the washroom," she said, looking around at the huge luxurious place. Anyone could get lost in here.

"C'mon then. You can use the one in my bedroom, " he shrugged. Athena shook her head and was instantly on high alert. No way! She wouldn't even step into his bedroom.

"No. Don't you have any other washroom apart from the one in your bedroom?" She protested. Troy chuckled. He knew she would protest this way. The chemistry and attraction between them was too much to ignore.

"What are so scared of Athena?" He asked, his eyes delving deep into hers. Athena looked away. Troy turned and climbed up the stairs to the bedrooms upstairs. "Come on, I'll show you to your room," he told her. Athena released the breath that she was holding, glad to have her own room to sleep. She saw the grand staircase and the grandeur of the upper floor of his penthouse. How could a single person live all alone at such a huge place? He led her to a room luxuriously furnished in off-white and subtle pale gold tones. The wide glass sliding doors connected it to a wrap-around terrace. The whole room looked cozy and warm although it was so luxuriously decorated.

"You can freshen up here. I'll order dinner for us," said Troy,  ready to leave. Athena looked at him.

"I could make something for us if you want me to," she offered.

"You can make us something, tomorrow. Right now, I don't have anything at home. I never cook, so there's only bread, cheese, butter, cereal and milk, coffee and cookies. I manage with these, " shrugged Troy. Athena realized that he was expecting her to stay with him tomorrow as well. She would have to inform him tomorrow that she didn't have any clothes and would take a cab and go home in the morning.

"I'll teach you to make a few basic and easy dishes," she told him instead. There was no point in telling him of his plans now. He would only argue.

"Sure," he said with a smile before walking out of the room. Athena looked around, loving the room very much. Even the en-suite was as luxurious as the room. After freshening up, Athena went outside to the terrace. The sun had set and there was a soft breeze blowing onto her face. It calmed her immensely and she went downstairs to look for Troy. It was a huge penthouse and she was lost. Where was Troy?

"Troy?" She called out loud, looking for him, everywhere but there was no sign of him anywhere.

She walked into a room which seemed like a gym room but he wasn't there either. She looked into the kitchen but he wasn't there. She went to a study room which was where Troy worked most probably but he wasn't there either.

"Troy?" She called with a little fear. Did he leave her here and go off to the hospital without her? She turned to rush upstairs and go check his bedroom when she collided with Troy.

"Ouch," she gasped, her hands going to his hard torso. Troy wasted no time and immediately his arm went around her waist and held her to himself. "Where were you? I was looking for you," she said, looking up into his face with a worried look on her face. Troy stared at her upturned face. The wish to crash his lips to hers was all he could think of. His glance fell to her lips and he just couldn't look away. Athena noticed where his eyes were hooked onto. Time stood still for them as they stared at one another. Athena couldn't look away from his pink lips too. In her twenty-four years of life, she had never been kissed rhe way she wanted to be. Brandon's friendly peck on the cheek or the forehead were the only kisses she had received from the opposite s*x. So although she knew that it was a bad idea, yet she couldn't help but want to feel the magic of a passionate kiss.

"You're staring, " whispered Troy, his lips inches away from hers. It made her snap out of her wayward thoughts. She became conscious and tried to get free of his hold and place some distance between them. Troy released her, he couldn't scare her yet with the intensity of his sinful thoughts just yet.

The door bell rang and he rushed to get their dinner. He carried the food to the kitchen and Athena too followed. She helped him serve the food into two plates, their fingers and hands brushing with one another's everytime. Electric sparks tingled along the areas where his hand touched hers. The air was heavy with two people knowing the immense attraction that they felt for each other. Troy was dying to have her in his arms while Athena badly needed her first kiss!

They carried the food to the dining table. "You have a beautiful home and such an awesome kitchen. It's a shame that you don't use it," she pointed out, trying to deviate her attention from his hot presence near her. She could feel Troy's unwavering gaze upon her as if he wanted to ask about his proposal.

"It's waiting for you to do the inauguration," he said with a piercing gaze delving deep into her heart, as if to search for his answer. Athena smiled at his consistency. He never left any opportunity to remind her of his proposal. He expectantly looked at her waiting for a reply but Athena didn't say anything and concentrated on her food. Troy too started eating but soon he lost his patience and looked up at her.

"Have you thought about my proposal?" He asked her, going directly to the topic at hand.

Athena had expected him to ask this question and had already thought of an answer to give him. "I couldn't think about it much since granny had been ill since yesterday. But if you insist, I can tell you this much that I'm still engaged to Brandon and I can't take this decision alone without talking to him. I might not love him but we have this understanding to look out for one another for life. I can't break my promise to him. He needs me," she told Troy.

He frowned at her answer. "What about me, Athena? I need you too," he said softly, looking a little upset. Athena was touched by the vulnerability in his tone but she didn't have any answer for him. How could he need her like Brandon did? Troy was born with a golden spoon and had doting parents and faithful friends. He was good looking and a successful businessman. What could he possibly lack in life to make him as needy as he claimed to be?

They ate in silence after Athena didn't answer his question. They cleared the table and Troy locked every possible door and window before retiring for the night. "You can go up to your room to sleep," he told her, seeing her follow him around. Athena nodded.

"Good night, Troy, " she told him and turned to climb up the stairs to her room.

"Good night, " he mumbled, looking more upset than before.