“It’s a ten-million-dollar architectural masterpiece, Morgan.”

“Or merely an outrageously expensive ice cube tray!”

His eyes sparked. “You disappoint me.”

“Yes, so I’ve gathered. You work twelve-hour days while I’m home learning Greek, and how to cook, and hopefully getting pregnant.” She shuddered. “What a horrendous life that would have been. Thank God I escaped when I did!”

He reached out, his fingers wrapping around her bicep to haul her against him. “Do you know how many women would be thrilled to live in that house?”

“I have no idea, although I’m sure Bronwyn would love to be one.” She flung her head back to look him in the eye. “How is she, by the way? Doing well?”

“She’s fine.”

“I bet she is.”

“What does that mean?”

“What do you think it means, Drakon?”

“I think it means you’re petty and irrational when it comes to Bron. She’s never been anything but polite to you—”

“Give me a break!”

“—ordering you flowers, arranging for your birthday cake,” he continued, as if she’d never interrupted.

Morgan shook his hand off her arm. “How nice of her to get me flowers from you and order birthday cake for me. It makes me feel so good to know that your vice president of Southeast Asia was able to do those little things to make my birthday special since you were too busy to do it yourself.”

He tensed and his jaw popped. “That’s not why I didn’t do it.”

“No? Then why didn’t you do it?” She dragged in a breath of air, holding it a moment, fighting for control, not wanting to cry now. She would not cry while discussing Bronwyn. Would not lose it now when she needed to be strong. “Because I didn’t want flowers picked out by the woman who is spending all day at the office with you. I didn’t want a cake ordered by her, either. She’s not my friend. She’s not my family. She doesn’t like me and is only trying to get closer to you.”

“She was doing me a favor.”

“Ah. I knew it. It was about you.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means, that her favor to you, was not just unnecessary, but it actually hurt me.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

And this was why she and Drakon weren’t together. This was why she’d left him, and this was why they’d never be together.

Even though part of her would always love him, they couldn’t be together, because outside the bedroom, they simply didn’t work. There was no real understanding, no meeting of the minds. The only time they connected, the only time they made sense, was when they were having sex. But sex was just a part of a relationship, it couldn’t be the relationship.

She looked up at him, her expression fierce. “Perhaps you will permit me to give you a little advice. Maybe I can do something for the future Mrs. Xanthis. Don’t let Bronwyn, or any other woman, intrude so much in your personal life. The women you work with shouldn’t be allowed to overshadow the woman you live with. And should you want to send your wife flowers, or a gift, do it yourself or don’t do it at all.”