Ruthless Milllionaire, Indecent Proposal. Emma Darcy

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СКАЧАТЬ to help her deal with Ari in the most sensible way. If it was possible to avoid a showdown with him over Theo, grasping that possibility was paramount.

      ‘Only this evening,’ he answered with a wry little smile. ‘I knew of her, of course, because of her engagement to George, but within the family she was always referred to as simply Cassandra since she is famously known by that name in the supermodel world. I’d never actually heard her surname. I chanced to see it written on her luggage when she set it down in the apartment. Very opportune, given the circumstances.’

      The fact that he’d immediately seized the opportunity for a face-to-face meeting with her gave no support to the wishful thought of avoiding an ultimate showdown.

      ‘So you proceeded to draw her out about her family,’ Tina said flatly, feeling as though a trap was closing around her.

      ‘Very enlightening,’ he drawled, his eyes mocking the secrecy which was no longer a secret to him.

      Fear squeezed her heart. Sheer self-defence demanded she ignore his enlightenment. ‘You live in Athens?’

      ‘Not really. The apartment is for convenience. Anyone in the family can use it, which is why George felt free to bring Cassandra there for tonight. More private for her than a hotel.’

      ‘Very considerate of him,’ she dryly remarked. ‘Where do you normally live then?’

      All she’d previously known about him was he belonged to a wealthy Greek family with an involvement in the wine industry. During the time they’d spent together, Ari had been more interested in everything Australian than talking about himself.

      He shrugged. ‘Various business interests require quite a bit of travelling but my family home is on Santorini.’

      ‘We’re going to Santorini,’ Theo piped up, looked at Ari as though he was fascinated by the man.

      Ari smiled at him. ‘Yes, I know. Perhaps we could do something special together on your birthday.’

      Tina’s stomach contracted. He was intent on moving in on her, getting closer to their son.

      ‘Like what?’ Theo asked eagerly.

      ‘Let’s wait and see what we might like to do, Theo,’ Tina cut in firmly, inwardly panicking at spending any more time than she absolutely had to with Ari Zavros. She didn’t know if it was curiosity driving him or he was dabbling with the idea of claiming Theo as his flesh and blood. She turned hard, quelling eyes to him. ‘You said family home. Does that mean you’re married with children?’

      He shook his head and made an ironic grimace. ‘Much to my father’s vexation, I am still single. It’s his home I was referring to.’

      ‘Not exactly single, Ari,’ she tersely reminded him.

      He knew she’d seen him with a woman in Dubai. She didn’t have to spell that out. If he thought he could start playing fast and loose with her again, cheating on the beautiful blonde, he was on an ego trip she would take great satisfaction in smashing.

      ‘I assure you I am, Christina,’ he replied without the blink of an eyelid.

      Her teeth gnashed over the lilted use of her full name—a reminder of intimate moments that were long gone. She raked his steady gaze with blistering scepticism. The amber eyes burned straight back at her, denying the slightest shift in what he had just declared.

      ‘Another charming episode over?’ she sliced at him.

      He frowned, probably having forgotten how he had described his relationship with her. Whether he recollected it or not, he shot her a look that was loaded with determined purpose. ‘Not so charming. In fact, it convinced me I should free myself up to look for something else.’

      His gaze moved to Theo, softening as he said, ‘Perhaps I should become a father.’

      Tina’s spine crawled with apprehension. This was the last thing she wanted. The very last! Somehow she had to fight him, convince him that fatherhood would not suit him at all.

      ‘I don’t have a father,’ Theo gravely informed him. ‘I had a grandfather but he got sick and went to heaven.’

      ‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ Ari said sympathetically.

      ‘I think people should be aware there’s a very real and lasting responsibility about becoming a parent,’ Tina quickly stated, hoping to ward off any impulsive act that would end up badly.

      ‘I agree with you,’ Ari said blandly.

      ‘Fly-by-night people shouldn’t even consider it,’ she persisted, desperately determined on pricking his conscience.

      ‘What are fly-by-night people, Mama?’ Theo asked curiously.

      Ari leaned forward to answer him. ‘They’re people who come and go without staying around long enough to really be an important part of your life. They don’t stick by you like your mother does. And your grandmother. And your friends. Do you have some friends, Theo?’

      ‘I have lots of friends,’ Theo boasted.

      ‘Then I think you must be a happy boy.’

      ‘Very happy,’ Tina cut in, giving Ari a look that clearly telegraphed without you.

      ‘Then you must be a very special mother, Christina,’ he said in his soft, seductive voice. ‘It could not have been easy for you, bringing him up alone.’

      She bridled at the compliment. ‘I wasn’t alone. My parents supported me.’

      ‘Family,’ he murmured, nodding approvingly. ‘So important. One should never turn one’s back on family.’

      The glittering challenge in his eyes spurred her into leaning over to privately mutter, ‘You turned your back first, Ari.’

      ‘I never have to any blood relative I knew about,’ he shot back, leaning towards her and keeping his voice low enough for Theo not to hear his words. ‘We can do this the easy way or the hard way, Christina.’

      ‘Do what?’

      ‘Fighting over him is not in our son’s best interests.’

      ‘Then don’t fight. Let him be.’

      ‘You expect me to ignore his existence?’

      ‘Why not? You’ve ignored mine.’

      ‘A mistake. Which I will correct.’

      ‘Some mistakes can never be corrected.’

      ‘We shall see.’

      The fight was on!

      No avoiding it.

      The rush of blood to her head as she’d tried to argue him out of it drained away, leaving her dizzy and devastated by his resolute counter to everything she’d said.

      He straightened up and smiled at Theo who was tucking into a slice СКАЧАТЬ