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And those who didn’t know better would imagine I was spending the night making love to my dynamic new husband?
The thought ramped up the heat inside me, making me grateful when Neo guided me past the grouping of sofas I’d used earlier to another set, facing endless lush greenery just beyond the sparkling pool, before dropping his hand.
‘Sit down, Sadie. You’ll better enjoy the sunset from this spot.’ His voice was low, deep, if a little on the stiff side.
One of the wait staff approached and spoke to Neo in Greek. Without another word he walked away, his shoulders still tense.
Choosing to enjoy the temporary release from his overwhelming presence, and grateful to be off my feet, I kicked off my heels. I was smoothing down the floaty layers of delicate chiffon when a beam of sunlight caught the gems in the band on my finger. I’d been a little shell-shocked during the ceremony, but now I stared at the perfectly fitting diamond-encrusted platinum ring, a quiet sense of awe overcoming me.
I didn’t need to be a jeweller to know the ring was near priceless. And I’d been stunned to see that Neo wore a similar band minus the diamonds. What was that supposed to prove? That he intended to take this role seriously, even though he was merely biding his time until his child was born? Or was it something else?
You have my word there will be no other...
My heart lurched, despite knowing I couldn’t, shouldn’t read anything into that.
I was writhing in confusion when his bold footsteps returned. I dropped my hand into my lap, sliding the weighted reminder of our wedding ceremony between the folds of chiffon just as he entered my eyeline.
He was carrying a large tray on which several platters of food had been arranged. ‘You’ll be so kind as not to argue with me over this again, won’t you?’ he enquired drolly, despite the implacable determination in his eyes.
As if he’d flipped a switch, my appetite came roaring back, the succulent scents emanating off the tray making my mouth water. ‘Not this time, no.’
With a satisfied nod, he set the tray on my lap.
‘I should change...’
His grey gaze swept over me, lingering at certain points on my body, including my bare feet, and igniting the sparks higher. When his gaze returned to mine the glint had turned stormy, the sensual line of his mouth seeming fuller.
‘There’s no hurry. Eat first. Then I’ll give you the tour.’
I polished off a portion of moussaka, then a salad with the chicken I’d rejected earlier, almost moaning at the flavours exploding on my
tongue.
Keep talking. It’ll dissipate the heat threatening to eat you alive.
‘Earlier, you said you didn’t care what anyone thought about our reasons for doing this. But you’ll agree that, you being who you are, everyone’s going to be curious about the woman you’ve married suddenly out of the blue?’
He gave a tight-lipped nod, his nostrils flaring slightly. ‘They’ll wonder if there’s more than meets the eye. They’ll wonder if you’re pregnant. How you got pregnant.’
The food turned to sawdust in my mouth. ‘You mean—’
‘Certain members of my family know I can’t produce children, yes.’
I pushed my tray away.
He firmly pushed the plate back in front of me. ‘The deal was that you’d eat.’
For the baby’s sake.
The words hung in the air between us.
I chewed. Swallowed. ‘So they’ll wonder if I’m a liar?’
His jaw rippled, tightened, but he shrugged. ‘Only time will resolve that situation.’
Or you could believe me...
The words stuck in my throat, along with the next mouthful of food that suddenly refused to go down.
