Secret Heirs: Baby Scandal. Кейт Хьюит

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СКАЧАТЬ watched her as she poured iced water into two glasses and handed him one.

      ‘The reporters last night have taken you at your word, judging by their photos.’

      His comment last night might have been made without the thought he usually gave dealing with the press, but it had certainly sparked a furore of media interest. He just wished he’d seen it first.

      ‘Is that a problem?’

      ‘Of course it is. You’ve made certain I have no option but to accept your absurd deal. But I hate you for it Nikos—with all my heart.’

      * * *

      Serena saw the colour drain from Nikos’s face. Last night she hadn’t realised there had been calculated planning behind making such an admission to the press, but now she did. It had been made to remove that tiny window of escape, to force her to accept his deal.

      She hadn’t arrived looking for marriage—just the opportunity to do the right thing and tell him face-to-face. After her talk with Sally last night she knew deep down she wanted to be with Nikos, to raise his child. But he must never know that—not when he could use her so cruelly after all they’d shared.

      It was perfectly clear he didn’t want commitment, and if their last night together hadn’t resulted in pregnancy she would never have seen him again. Somewhere deep inside she’d known that all along, but now he was forcing her into a marriage neither wanted. A marriage just the same as her parents had had, until their divorce a few years ago. One for the sake of their child—and she’d been the one who’d paid the price.

      She inhaled deeply. Her child might not have been planned, but she’d never let her child think he or she was a mistake, never make it feel guilty for forcing its parents to be together. The idea of marriage to Nikos had been a far-fetched dream, but now it was a harsh reality that would enable her sister’s dreams to come true. A high price, but one she would willingly pay if it meant Sally becoming a mother.

      ‘I have a charity party to attend this evening. I need to talk with some business acquaintances. You will come too.’

      He’d recovered his composure quickly. The ruthless businessman was well and truly back in control and today he looked even more so than he’d ever done. The fisherman she’d met wasn’t evident at all. The tailored suit that hugged his body with agonising perfection and the crisp white of his shirt shouted professionalism, but the expensive watch on his wrist and gold signet ring screamed success.

      Before seeing him this morning she’d already decided she had no choice but to stay, to give marriage to him a chance not just for her child but for Sally. It was Sally’s advice that had taken the sting out of Nikos’s deal, warning her she mustn’t base her life on her parents’ marriage. She had to find her own happiness and she owed it to her child at least to try.

      Despite that, she couldn’t keep a cutting remark from leaving her lips. ‘In what capacity? Your fiancée—as you told those reporters last night?

      His blue eyes darkened. Glittering sparks shot from them and he set his lips in that all too familiar line that she was fast becoming accustomed to. It was something she’d never seen the fisherman she’d fallen in love with do.

      ‘Of course. We are to be married—that is why you are still here, is it not?’

      ‘I’m still here because it helps my sister.’ She threw her retort back at him, infuriated by his arrogance.

      ‘I will buy you a ring so big there will not be any questions as to my intentions towards you.’

      His acerbic tone cut deep, but she didn’t let it show. Instead she took a sip of water. The ice clinking in the glass as her hands shook almost gave away how much his words had hurt.

      ‘After those newspaper headlines that will save a lot of awkward questions.’

      Buying an engagement ring with a man in such a harsh mood wasn’t at all what she’d hoped for. Even though theirs wasn’t going to be a marriage made out of love, she’d hoped the desire and passion they’d once shared would count for something.

      ‘I had no idea the story would get out. It won’t help my current negotiations if I’m seen to be going back on my word to the woman I’ve proposed to. Are you ready to go right now?’

      ‘I’m ready,’ she said—though she wondered if she was ever going to be ready to enter into a loveless marriage. It was her parents all over again. Their unhappiness had been her fault, and now she was going to lay that guilt on her own child—but with Sally’s happiness at stake she had little choice...for now at least.

      Half an hour later, having been driven through the rush of Athens traffic, she was in an exclusive and very expensive jewellers with an attentive Nikos at her side. His acting skills were incredible, and he lovingly laid his arm around her shoulders as she tried the biggest diamond ring she’d ever seen on her finger.

      The assistant gushed, but her Greek words were totally lost on Serena. It was an amazing ring—a big show of wealth—but it wasn’t at all what she wanted.

      ‘No,’ she said decisively, and the assistant’s smile slipped. ‘This is too big...too expensive.’

      ‘Expense doesn’t come into it.’

      His sexy voice was deep, almost a whisper, sending shivers of awareness down her spine. She reminded herself that it was all for show. She mustn’t for one moment think he cared. He didn’t.

      ‘Very well—it’s too big.’ She looked at him, unable to keep the confrontation from her eyes. ‘This is much more to my taste.’

      She picked up a small but beautiful emerald ring, and was about to try it on when Nikos took it from her, held her hand and slid it on to her finger.

      She looked at him and her breath caught in her throat. The intensity in his eyes warmed her from the inside out. Her heartbeat raced and her stomach fluttered. His gaze, darkening to resemble the sea at night, held hers, and she might have been back on the beach, just before they’d made love. His eyes had swirled with the same ardent passion then too.

      ‘This is the ring.’

      His voice was husky, his accent heavy, making her heart pound harder.

      ‘Serena, will you marry me?’

      She swallowed hard, aware that her breathing had deepened and each breath was harder to come by. Would he think she was acting the part too? She certainly hoped so, because he must never find out how much she loved him.

      ‘Yes.’

      She responded with the answer she knew he wanted for the sake of acting the part. Would she have given the same answer if he’d asked her last night, instead of blackmailing her with something as cruel as her sister’s happiness?

      His lips brushed hers so briefly she wondered if it had happened. Her sigh of pleasure couldn’t break the connection that arced between her and Nikos at that moment. Serena couldn’t breathe as he continued to hold her hand, his fingers warm against hers. It felt so real, so passionate, so loving.

      It’s just pretence, she reminded herself sternly.

      * СКАЧАТЬ