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‘They seemed so good together,’ she said, thinking about Matthaios and Danica. ‘He was really comfortable with her.’
‘I noticed that too. I’m glad.’
‘He knows he can stay with us as long as he wants, doesn’t he?’
Ares nodded. ‘He’s keen to get back to Athens, to resume his life. His own business has been looked after by his chief financial officer, but that cannot go on for ever.’
‘Let me guess. He shares your control freak gene?’ she teased, kissing the tip of Ares’s nose.
‘I hope that’s not a complaint, Beatrice Jones?’
‘Absolutely not.’ She blinked at him with wide-eyed innocence. ‘I happen to like it when you take control.’
‘I’m glad to hear it.’ He emphasised his point by kicking back a little in the water, so that it was too deep for Bea to stand. She kept her legs wrapped around his waist, perfectly safe and utterly content.
‘You know, when we first met, I remember you telling me that you had no intention of getting married.’
Bea tilted her head to the side, the throwaway comment one she had no recollection of making. ‘Did I?’
‘At the time, I paid it little attention. I thought I felt the same way.’
Her stomach lurched. ‘And you don’t?’
He shook his head slowly, his eyes boring into hers. ‘No. Meeting you made me realise I feel the complete opposite.’
Bea’s heart skipped a beat.
‘I have been wondering if there’s anything I might say or do to change your mind,’ he said, running his hands down her back.
She sank her teeth into her lower lip, the man she loved staring at her so intently. ‘To what end?’
‘So that we can stand in front of our friends and family and agree to spend the rest of our lives together. What do you think?’
‘Are you proposing to me?’
‘Yes.’ The simple response rang with determination and she laughed because she suspected he would do or say whatever it took to assure himself of her agreement. And, while her heart was already saying yes, she couldn’t resist the chance to tease him a little.
‘It would require a new contract,’ she murmured, but her eyes showed her delight.
‘Indeed.’ He nodded. ‘I wouldn’t have expected anything less. What terms this time?’
‘Hmm.’ She tapped her fingers on his shoulder thoughtfully. ‘Coffee in bed every morning?’
‘Done. What else?’
‘A lifetime of happiness?’
‘And togetherness,’ he tacked on.
‘As little time spent with my family as possible.’
His laugh was gruff. ‘Just every second Christmas.’
‘Excellent. And lots of time with Danica and Matthaios.’
‘And Clare and Amy.’ He nodded.
She stared at him, her heart skipping a beat.
