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He saw Serena’s expression become doubtful and unease slipped over him. Did she doubt his ability to love his child as much as he did?
CHAPTER TEN
THE REALITY OF her situation began to slide over Serena. Nikos intended her to stay here and bring up their child while he returned to Athens and continued with his life as normal. Was this her payment for the IVF funds? Disappointment crashed over her, destroying the small glimmer of hope she’d glimpsed this afternoon.
The villa was amazing—a gorgeous home—but she didn’t want it. Not if the man she loved wouldn’t be part of it. She didn’t want the ruthless Nikos who’d met her on her return to Santorini. She wanted the man she’d fallen in love with three months ago—the man she’d seen again briefly this afternoon.
He’d shown a gentle side as he’d ensured his grandmother was well, but in such a subtle way that only someone who looked beyond the calculating businessman would see it. As he’d looked at his grandmother Serena had seen real affection. So how could he now be someone different, trying to push her to one side?
‘It is something for me to worry about,’ she said as she sat at the table beside the pool, her strength having ebbed faster than an outgoing tide.
All along she’d fought against the worry of their being forced together, as her parents had been, but after the week she’d spent in Athens she’d hoped her fears were unfounded. Despite his hard deal, all she wanted was for them to be happy together and maybe one day for him to come to love her. Now it appeared he had every intention of sending her to live here while he stayed in Athens. That wasn’t going to happen. She might as well be in England, bringing up the baby alone, just as she’d originally planned. At least she’d be close to her sister.
‘This is the perfect place to bring up a family.’
His voice startled her and she turned to see him looking out beyond the gardens into the darkness of the night.
‘A family?’ The question slid from her before she could stop it. He hadn’t said a child, but a family.
‘Yes—a family.’
His expression was set. He’d obviously made up his mind. But that didn’t mean she could stay. Not now. His callous insistence that she become his wife in return for funds for Sally rushed back to her. How could she have pushed such emotional blackmail aside? Because you’ve fallen deeper in love with him.
The thought unnerved her and she stood up, restless and on edge.
She glanced at him and for a brief moment their eyes locked. His gaze was fierce with determination, but she knew hers would be soft and gentle, full of concern for her future and love for the man whose child she carried. She wanted to tell him she couldn’t stay here alone, a banished wife, while he returned to Athens and continued with his life as if they didn’t belong together. But as he walked towards her, his blue eyes darkening with hungry desire, each word dissolved from conscious thought, never making it into spoken words.
‘You and the baby are my family now, and you will live here, with every luxury possible yours for the asking.’
He moved towards her, his long legs needing only two or three strides to cover the distance, but the passionate intent in his eyes left her in no doubt that talking of such matters right now was not on his agenda.
‘But what about your grandmother?’ She sidestepped the issue as his arms wrapped around her, pulling her close, but what he’d just said had caused an uneasy feeling to settle over her. How could he expect her to live here, in such a beautiful place, when his grandmother had only her small and dated house?
She tried to resist the need to press herself against him, to feel the hardness of his body, determined he wouldn’t sway her from her questions with kisses and heady glances. She couldn’t let him seduce her again.
He smiled at her, almost hypnotising her with his blue eyes so full of desire and so incredibly sexy. ‘My grandmother will be happy that you are living here.’
‘But she should be living here—in this luxury.’
She couldn’t help raising her voice a little. The injustice of the old lady living in such an old-fashioned house while he offered her this fabulous villa was too much. What kind of cold-hearted man was he? How could he build and move into this villa, leaving his grandmother in her little white house overlooking the sea?
‘Do you always worry about everyone else?’ His voice had deepened to a rough growl, but a trace of humour lingered there too.
