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She knew that the conversation they’d had right before Theo had swept her upstairs had helped to change the atmosphere between them. He’d been so candid and it had touched her deeply. It was a change in him that she hoped would continue. Not that they’d been dishonest in their communication before—but they’d both held back too much.
She knew that she’d been reserved and guarded—too worried by what Theo would think if she was completely open with him.
But she’d been hurt so many times throughout her childhood, culminating in the most horrible shock when she was eighteen. So she’d taught herself not to expect too much from other people. Not to ask for anything because it would inevitably lead to disappointment.
She had continued to live by that philosophy when she first met Theo—being grateful for their time together but never asking for more. And never burdening him with anything that was troubling her.
But that was going to change. Now she was going to follow Theo’s lead and take down her protective barriers. He had done it, and it had made them closer. But she knew they could be closer still.
Very early the following morning Kerry brought Lucas downstairs to give him a drink of milk. He’d always woken up at the crack of dawn, and nothing seemed to be changing about that since they’d arrived in Greece.
As she walked outside onto the terrace she saw that Theo was swimming. She sat at the table with Lucas on her lap as Theo powered through the water beside them. She never tired of watching him—he was a natural swimmer, and he seemed to glide at super-speed through the water with the effortless strength of a dolphin.
It was a beautiful morning—still so early that the sea was a shimmering silver-blue and the sky was tinged pale apricot from the recent sunrise. Kerry felt good—genuinely happy that Theo had brought her back here with him.
He finished his lengths and lifted his head, noticing her for the first time. She lifted her hand to wave at him as he swam over to the steps—just as she had done so many times in the past.
A strange feeling washed over her. Maybe it was still the afterglow of their lovemaking—or the positive effect of their conversation the evening before. But she felt as if
she was home. As if she belonged here.
Theo reached the steps and surged out of the pool, water pouring off the hard planes of his muscled body. He looked like a Greek god emerging from the sea, and Kerry felt a renewed kick of desire deep inside.
‘Good morning.’ Her voice sounded huskier than normal, and she smiled up at him, suddenly feeling shy.
‘Hello,’ he said, towelling himself off roughly and coming to stand beside the table. ‘How are you this morning? And Lucas?’
‘We’re very well, thank you,’ she said.
She drew in a shaky breath as she looked up at his magnificent masculine body, wondering what he was planning for the day—whether or not he had to fly to Athens again. She felt so different from yesterday, when she’d been glad that he’d had to leave the island.
‘I’m going to shower,’ he said. ‘And then I’d like to spend some time with you and Lucas—if that suits you.’
‘That would be lovely,’ Kerry said, feeling a warm glow of expectation spreading through her.
Theo emerged from the shower feeling fully energised, thinking about making love with Kerry the night before. It had been good. Incredible, actually. If their marriage was going to work, that was the way they should always make love. Openly and honestly. Untainted by their troubles outside the bedroom.
When they’d arrived on the island Kerry had been so withdrawn—moody, even, although she’d barely spoken—he’d started to have serious concerns for their future. But now she seemed to have snapped out of it, and their situation seemed to be more manageable.
The sound of his phone ringing cut into his thoughts.
‘Diakos,’ he barked, annoyed with his PA for calling him so early. It had better be important…
Two minutes later he stormed through the house in a black temper. He strode out of the terrace doors and nearly collided with Kerry coming the other way, not looking where she was going because she was chattering away to the baby.
‘Oh!’ Kerry gasped, clutching Lucas tightly as she wobbled, grateful for Theo’s steadying hold on her arm.
‘All right?’ Theo asked, slowly releasing his grip.
‘Yes. Thank you,’ Kerry replied, looking up into his face. His dark expression made her catch her breath. ‘Are you all right? You look like you’ve had bad news.’
‘I’m fine,’ Theo replied shortly. ‘But I have had some bad news.’
He looked at her sharply for a moment, then led her into the living room and sat with her on the sofa.
‘It’s Drakon,’ he said. ‘I’m afraid he’s taken a turn for the worse. He’s in hospital in Athens.’
‘Oh, no—poor Drakon!’ Kerry gasped. ‘How serious is it?’
