He waited, and she hardly dared to breathe, sensing that the impenetrable barrier around him had opened just enough for her to slip through—if she dared.
‘You’ll find it on the internet, I’m sure.’
The spiked and curt words reminded her of the expression of regret she’d seen on his face yesterday, when he’d arrived from the office to find her working on her laptop. She hadn’t been searching for stories of him then, but knew that was what it must have looked like. What was in his past that was so bad? What was he avoiding?
Something akin to fear gripped her heart and she had to hear it from him. ‘I want you to tell me.’ Her voice was a whisper, but a firm and decisive one. He’d said this much and she couldn’t let him shut down on her now.
He let go of her and turned to stand looking out at the view. His profile was set in stern lines, but she moved towards him, her body so close to his they were almost touching. Almost.
‘I’d been here in Athens for two years and had put my every waking hour into Xanthippe Shipping. I’d made the money I wanted and more. Everything finally seemed to be going right—until my mother wrote to me.’
‘I don’t understand,’ she said softly, placing her hand on his arm.
He looked at her, his fierce blue eyes a total contrast to the way he’d just spoken. ‘Don’t you?’
The question hurt. It was prodding, as if to try and revive a dying flame. Memories of a childhood that had made her push men away as a young woman, wary of being hurt, rushed towards her in a stampede.
She shook her head.
‘No, of course you don’t. You had the happy home every child deserves.’ His brow furrowed.
He was too close now to her upsetting childhood, and her heart thumped so hard it blocked out the hum of tourists talking and laughing. There was no way she could tell him the truth. How could she say she’d loved him from the moment they met when he thought she’d only returned for financial gain? Hadn’t she confirmed his suspicions by accepting his offer to fund more IVF for Sally—accepting his marriage deal?
‘You don’t know anything about me,’ she whispered in a half-truth, desperate to look away from the accusation in his eyes but not daring to. ‘And that’s changing the subject. What happened, Nikos?’
She saw his jaw clench, the hard lines highlighting his cheekbones, his eyes hard and suspicious. ‘My mother’s “love” died when she found someone with more wealth, more able to give her all she wanted. She left me with my father. He didn’t care about my pain—just drank himself into oblivion.’
The harsh way he’d all but snarled the word love was not lost on her and she drew in a ragged breath, moving away from him, away from his contempt of the emotion she felt so strongly for him.
* * *
Nikos stood looking at the view of St George’s chapel. The sun was bouncing off its white walls as it sat perched on top of the tree-lined mountain opposite. This was supposed to be a day out. A time for Serena to see a place she’d expressed an interest in—a place that was part of his child’s legacy. Instead it had turned to deep and unwelcome exploration of his past.
He sensed Serena by his side, the heat of her body reminding him of the passion they’d shared last night. That passion would be the foundation for their marriage. Serena had shown her true self in accepting his deal. She would do whatever it took to get what she wanted. Love hadn’t been a part of what they’d shared those few weeks on Santorini, and it certainly wouldn’t be a part of their marriage. Lust was all he could offer—because he couldn’t give more. Not ever.
‘My mother walked away without a backward glance.’ He said the words aloud, not realising he had done so until he felt Serena move at his side. He looked down at her. ‘We are better off marrying for our convenience—and for the baby, Serena. Emotions are messy and complicated things.’
He’d wondered initially at Serena’s motives when she’d returned—had been sure that she’d discovered his true identity, that she was looking for whatever it was his mother had found in the man she’d left his father for. That fear hadn’t dissipated. Still doubts niggled. But one thing was certain. He could not and would not be a victim of love again. He’d care for Serena in every way possible, but never again did he want to expose himself to such rejection, such heartache.
Nothing else in his life compared to the pain he’d carried since the day his mother had left. Her words still haunted him, killing any of the attempts to make amends she’d made over the years.
Serena moved away from him, walking among the scattered stones as they lay in the parched earth and for a moment he couldn’t move. Then she turned and smiled so bright he wondered if he had imagined all they’d just spoken about.
She held out her hand to him. ‘There is more to see?’
He was grateful for the change in subject and, slamming the door of his past shut, he walked over and took her hand.
The wonder on her face as she walked towards the Parthenon a short time later held his vulnerable emotions captive. He watched as she reached out and touched the cream stone that had been there for thousands of years, and despite their earlier conversation he was glad he’d chosen to spend the day with her.
The two weeks they’d spent together on Santorini came back to him. Nothing else had mattered. He’d lived those two weeks only for each moment, for each smile from her adorable lips, each kiss which had set light to him, and each gentle and alluringly innocent touch.
It had been like looking in on the life he could have had—but they would never find that again. No, those two weeks now meant he was to be a father.
The thought filled him with wonder and dread.
* * *
As the sun grew higher in the sky Serena looked weary. She still smiled, still wanted to know all he could tell her about the ancient temple, but she was looking hot and tired. Concern for her and for the baby filled him.
‘We should go now.’ He looked at his watch, surprised that they had been out so long. The appointment he’d arranged with a doctor before leaving Santorini was in just an hour. ‘The doctor is calling later.’
‘Doctor?’ She blinked in confusion and fixed him with those green eyes. ‘On a Saturday? I don’t need to see a doctor that urgently.’
‘Maybe not, but you will. It has all been arranged.’
He took her hand, but sensed her hesitation as they began to walk back through the mass of tourists. At least they would have some time alone at the apartment. His body heated at the memory of their last hours alone together.
‘Do you still doubt you are the father?’
He turned to her instantly, to see that she was looking at the ground, as if concentrating on every step instead of meeting his gaze.
‘In the past two days you have flown across Europe alone and then travelled here to Athens. You admitted you were ill for the first months of your pregnancy. You will see a doctor. I do not want my child being put at risk.’
She stopped and looked at him. Hostility and disbelief were burning in her eyes, but she didn’t say anything. Before he could rein in his frustration at knowing she’d spent those months alone and ill, unable to tell anyone, she began walking again—but this time with purposeful strides which clearly displayed her annoyance.
* * *
Serena answered all the questions the Greek doctor put to her, aware of Nikos’s brooding presence behind her. He didn’t trust her. That much was evident. But was it because he didn’t believe the child was his or because he genuinely cared about it?
As