“My apartment is through the next alcove. The last section houses two more guest rooms plus the kitchen and dining room. There’s a den where I do my work. It has television and a computer. All of it is at your disposal for the time you’re here.”
“I’ve never seen anything so unusual and beautiful.”
“Those are my sentiments, too. You saw Inez when we drove in. She and her husband, Ari, head the staff here. There’s the gamekeeper, of course, and Thomas who runs the stable. All you have to do is pick up the phone and Inez will direct one of the maids to help you.”
“Thank you. I didn’t expect to find paradise when I came to Hellenica. I don’t think your brother believed me when I told him it really does exists here.”
“Paradise implies marital bliss. You’ll have to forgive him for being cynical over your naïveté.”
Alex’s comment bordered on mockery, revealing emotions too raw for him to hide. She shuddered and turned away, not wanting to see the bleakness she often saw in his eyes when he didn’t know she was looking.
“I’d better go check on Zoe.” She hurried through to the other bedroom, but there was still no sign of her.
Alex came up behind Dottie, close enough for her to feel the warmth of his breath on her neck. “I’ll give you one guess where she’s gone.”
“Well, Mark is pretty cute. She doesn’t know she’s playing with fire yet.” The words came out too fast for her to stop them.
“That’s true,” Alex said in a gravelly voice before she was spun around and crushed against him. “But I do, and right now I don’t give a damn. I want you so badly I’m shaking.” He put her hand on his chest. “Feel that thundering? It’s my heart. That’s what you do to me. I know I promised not to touch you, but I’m not strong enough to keep it. You’re going to have to give me help.”
The moment had caught her unaware. He had a slumberous look in his eyes. His mouth was too close. She couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe. Dottie tried to remove her hand, but found her limbs had grown weak with longings that had taken over.
“Alex—” She half groaned his name before taking the initiative to kiss him. When she realized she’d been the one to make it happen, it was too late to change her mind. Their mouths met in mutual hunger. She wrapped her arms around his neck, wanting to merge with him.
With one hand cupping the back of her head, his other wandered over her spine and hips, drawing her closer. The kiss she’d started went on and on. She desired him too terribly to do anything that would cut off the divine experience of giving and taking pleasure like this.
In the background she heard the children’s muffled laughter. She didn’t know if they’d peeked in this room and had seen them or not, but the sound was too close for comfort. Much as she never wanted to leave Alex’s arms, she slid her hands back down his chest and tried to ease away from him so he would relinquish her mouth.
“I heard them,” he whispered before she could say anything. Alex had the uncanny ability to read her mind.
“I hope Zoe didn’t see us.”
He sucked in his breath and cupped her face in his hands. “I hate to break this to you, but she woke at the last minute on the yacht.”
Guilt swept through her, making her whole body go white-hot.
“Every little four-year-old girl has seen the movie of Snow White. My Zoe knows that when Prince Charming kissed the princess awake, it was true love that worked the charm.”
What he was telling her now caused Dottie’s body to shake with fright. “You don’t think she really sees us that way—”
His handsome features hardened. “Who’s to say? In her eyes you’re her mommy. Zoe has never seen me kiss another woman. I have brought you to my castle. The way you and I were devouring each other just now has probably set the seal in her mind.”
Aghast, Dottie propelled herself away from him. “Then you have to unset it, Alex.”
“I’m afraid it’s too late. You might as well know the rest.”
She folded her arms to her waist to stay calm. “What more is there?”
“Sofia had a private word with me this morning before I left the palace. Just as Hector spies for my grandmother, Sofia is my eyes and ears where Zoe is concerned. It seems my daughter told her grandmother that you and I were leaving for Aurum today. But she told her not to cry. When we have the baby, we’ll bring it to see Yiayia
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