Page 17 of Driving the Billionaire Wild

‘That’s thoughtful, thank you.’ She waited for a breath, feeling awkward in the prolonged silence between them after a day of determinedly disregarding the other tense moments they’d shared during their whirlwind reunion in Italy. Moments that she had already decided could not be repeated if they hoped to co-parent successfully. Sure, she’d ached when she’d remembered coming apart in his arms on that sofa in Venice, and she knew it would be all too easy to lose that control again.

But, whilst Apollo was intent upon building a connection with his son, he’d given no indication that he had any other intentions towards her. He was used to travelling the globe, and was never photographed with the same woman twice. After ending her first relationship, Astrid had decided never again to let a man change her plans. Certainly, since Luca had been born, she’d vowed that if she ever risked another relationship it would only be with someone who slotted into the life she’d built with her son. And, while the idea of casual sex with Apollo Accardi was…incredibly tempting, it was better this way, keeping their relationship focused solely on Luca.

Apollo led her into the master suite, a grand room that had a wall of windows to the front of the property. Inky-black night was all that greeted her when she threw open one door and stared out, but the sound of waves and the smell of sea salt told her that the morning view would be spectacular.

‘If you’re worried that I’m going to demand you share my bed while we’re here, you can relax,’ he mumbled. ‘Unless, youwantme to demand it?’

‘Of course not!’

‘No?’ He stepped closer. ‘Because in Venice you were all for continuing to explore that part of our little reunion.’

‘I wasn’t exactly thinking straight then,’ she said, fighting the urge to add that she never seemed to think straight around him. Instead, she crossed her arms and straightened her spine in an effort to feel even a modicum of control. ‘Apollo, you know that sex would only complicate things between us.’

‘Don’t you think “complicated” is just another word for exciting?’

‘If we have any hope of being successful co-parents, we need to not have any more conflicts of interest between us than there already are.’

‘Conflict of interest,’ he said darkly. ‘That’s truly how you see this?’

‘I still work for Falco Roux, and you’re still dealing with your situation at Elite One. We have a son together.’

‘You think all of those things change the fact that we can’t go five minutes without wanting to tear one another’s clothing off?’

‘Contrary to my previous behaviour, I do possess some self-control.’ Astrid bit down on her lower lip. ‘Already Luca and I have been swept away from London and we’re staying here in your home. I won’t risk confusing him for the sake of a quick fling.’

‘What makes you think it would be quick?’ He raised a brow.

‘I’m serious; your exciting dating lifestyle isn’t something I expect you to change just because you’ve become a father. Just as I don’t plan to change my own. We should keep things clear between us, no complications.’

‘Seems like you’re well-acquainted with my wild dating history. Care to share yours?’

‘Compared to you, there’s nothing to share.’ She shrugged. ‘Once Luca came along, I decided that I wouldn’t get involved with anyone unless I knew it could be serious. Since you, there hasn’t been anyone.’

‘Good.’ He turned away, pinching the bridge of his nose. ‘I mean, it’s good that you know what your boundaries are.’

‘I have to.’ She shrugged. ‘When breaking them affects more than just me.’

Apollo’s gaze turned serious. ‘I brought you both here to keep you safe and I meant every word—my protection does not come with the condition that you share my bed. In fact, how about this—I give you my solemn word that I willnotattempt to seduce you.’

‘Okay…thank you.’ She bit back a smirk, amazed at how he could make such a strange and serious admission playful.

‘I respect your need to lay down some ground rules. I mean it: if that’s what you want, I won’t touch you again.’ He walked as far as the door, turning just before he moved out of sight. ‘Just remember, I never said that you couldn’t break those rules yourself.’

* * *

Over the next few days, Apollo appointed himself as their personal tour guide, taking them on day trips to explore the beaches and nature trails that surrounded his property, as well as arranging boat trips to let Luca view the various coastal sights from a comfortable distance as they eased into their new surroundings.

They adapted a new routine, rising early to eat breakfasttogether on the veranda before packing picnic lunches to bring out on their travels. If Apollo was dissatisfied with her wish not to include visits to some of Grenada’s fine dining establishments, he didn’t say. Luca’s diet was limited to some of his preferred familiar brands which she had been sure to pack enough of, as well as specifically prepared fruits, vegetables and pasta shapes. Astrid, on the other hand, adored food in all its forms but she didn’t need to be wined and dined, not when the main point of this trip was for Apollo to get to know their son.

To his credit, he threw himself into being the perfect balance of fun and relaxation, allowing Luca to come to him and wander off or go silent as he saw fit. He asked her questions about Luca and listened attentively to her answers, adapting his approach to the boy when needed. For three days, they spent the majority of their time together, then one day in the late afternoon Apollo disappeared for his second daily training regime at a private gym he frequented while on the island. She knew from previous interviews that he trained both in the morning and evening to maintain his performance as a driver, summer break or not. Despite saying he was no longer a driver, he was still taking his training seriously, which had her clinging to a little foolish hope that he might change his mind about quitting Falco Roux. He wasn’t a top athlete in one of the most competitive and demanding sports in the world for no reason. Apollo had the kind of talent and drive that people studied and tried to emulate but never could.

Astrid tried not to feel his absence as she passed the evenings swimming with Luca in the shallow end of the gorgeous saltwater pool and taking turns going downthe slide built into a large rock feature. But Apollo didn’t return to the house after Luca’s bed times. If he did, he didn’t make himself known to her or try to seek her out, which was exactly the kind of respectful co-parenting she’d asked of him. He was a grown man on a break from work; they hadn’t made any personal plans, nor did he need to report his actions to her.

Once dusk fell on their third night in Grenada and Luca was safely tucked into bed, she wandered along the corridors of the large house, finding yet more turtle designs in the tile patterns and light switches. Finding a comfortable recliner on a cute wooden veranda that overlooked the beach, she took some time to answer the small matter of emails and phone calls she’d been dodging since leaving London.

It seemed that being named as the mother of an Elite One driver’s secret love child was causing no small amount of concern for Falco Roux. She had contacted Tristan and Nina to forewarn them, but still, guilt plagued her for not jumping in to help. But it was far too personal for her to remain cool-headed, in her usual manner. She knew she had made the right call, and protecting her son had to take priority in this situation, something she hoped her team would understand. She had just finished typing another long-winded email reply when she became aware of raised voices coming through a set of partially open double doors nearby.

‘This whole situation stinks of Enzo’s meddling,’ a female voice said loudly. ‘These things don’t just remain secrets without someone ensuring it, Apollo. Can you trust that no one paid the child’s mother to stay hidden? Can you trusther?’