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Her heart was in her throat as she looked up at him, tears in her eyes. She took a deep breath.
“I love you, Talos,” she whispered. “Whatever I felt for you last summer—I’m in love with you now.”
His hand trembled over hers. He started to pull his hand away, but she stopped him, pressing his hand to her cheek.
“And I’m sorry,” she whispered into his skin, pressing her lips against the back of his hand. “Forgive me.”
She felt his hand shake, but instead of pulling away, he suddenly took one of her hands in both his own. Looking up, she was startled to see the weight of emotion shimmering in his eyes.
Clearing his throat, he glanced around at the elegant, empty restaurant. “Let’s go have breakfast somewhere else.”
Looking into his face, she felt her heart leap in her chest. Suddenly, she knew everything was going to be all right.
She now knew the reason he’d treated her so badly—but now he’d finally told her the truth, it could be healed. He could forgive her. She wouldn’t stop trying until he did—and until she remembered why she’d done it. And they could be a family.
Wiping tears from her eyes, she nodded.
Still holding her hand, he threw a large wad of bills on the table, then took her out into the bright sunshine.
The Greek sun was already starting to burn white. But as they crossed the busy street, the morning was fresh and new to Eve. Joy was everywhere.
Talos held her hand tightly as he led her through the traffic, protecting her body with his own. They hurried past ancient white stone buildings packed between new trinket shops. She saw young mothers playing with their children on balconies draped with clothes hanging out in the sun to dry, wizened grandfathers smoking as they played chess in the sun.
Palm trees waved above them, providing respite from the early heat as they crossed into the Plateía Avissynías, an outdoor bazaar rich with music, the sizzle and smell of souvlaki and loud, boisterous haggling in the market stalls over everything from jewelry to Turkish carpets.
And Eve suddenly knew happiness was waiting for them around every corner.
“I’m sorry I wiped out your fortune,” she said once they reached the square. Talos stared at her in surprise.
Then he pulled her into his arms with a sudden boyish grin. It made him so handsome it took her breath away.
“You tried to ruin me,” he pointed out. “But in the end, the press attention only revealed our integrity. My company is worth more now than ever.”
“So really,” she teased, “you should thank me.”
On the sidewalk, he pulled her closer, his body hard against her own. Suddenly all the traffic and other people faded away.
His eyes were dark. Hungry. He pulled her close, stroking her face upward. “Thank you.”
And as he lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her so deeply and purely, she knew she would love him—forever.
Nothing had changed.
And yet everything had changed.
As Talos looked down at her beautiful face in the busy outdoor market, her eyes were still closed. Her lips were swollen and bruised from his kiss.
As he lowered his head to kiss her again, he dimly heard his cell phone ringing from his pocket. He retrieved it and glanced down at it, cursing softly when he saw it was his assistant, no doubt calling about the Sydney deal. “Excuse me,” he said with real regret. “I have to take this call.”
Her beautiful eyes smiled up at him. Accepting him, flaws and all. Asking only that he accept her, as well.
She’d taken blame.
She loved him. How was it possible?
“That’s all right,” she breathed. “I’ll just—um—look around the market until you’re done.”
“Stay where Kefalas can see you.”
