Ruthless Milllionaire, Indecent Proposal. Emma Darcy

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СКАЧАТЬ was nerve-wracking. Tina gritted her teeth and laid out the hard way. ‘I’ll fight you on every front if you don’t agree, Ari.’

      ‘When was I ever rotten or selfish to you in our relationship?’ he demanded curtly, sounding as though his self-image was badly dented.

      ‘You made me believe what wasn’t true … for your own ends,’ she stated bitingly. ‘And may God damn you to hell if you do that to Theo.’

      ‘Enough! I agree to your deal. I shall meet you at the resort in one hour. We will spend the day happily together for our son’s pleasure.’

      He cut the connection before Tina could say another word. Her hand was shaking as she returned the telephone receiver to its cradle. At least Cass’s wedding wouldn’t be spoiled, she told herself. As for the rest … the only thing she could do was deal with one day at a time.

      It took Ari the full hour to get his head around Christina’s offensive reading of his character. Anger and resentment kept boiling through him. He wasn’t used to being so riled by any situation with a woman. It was because of Theo, he reasoned. It was only natural that his emotions were engaged where his son was concerned.

      As for Christina, her hostility towards him was totally unreasonable. He remembered romancing her beautifully, showering her with gifts, saying all the sweet words that women liked to hear, wining and dining her, not stinting on anything that could give her pleasure. No one could have been a better first lover for her.

      Was it his fault that the contraception he’d used had somehow failed to protect her from falling pregnant? He had never, never intended to mess up her life. He would have dealt honourably with the situation had he known about it. She could have been living in luxury all these years, enjoying being part of a family unit instead of struggling along with single parenthood.

      That was her decision, not his. She hadn’t allowed him a decision. If there was any condemnation of character to be handed out on all of this, it should be placed at her door. It was selfish and rotten of her to have denied him the joys of fatherhood.

      Yet … there was nothing selfish about not wanting anything to spoil her sister’s wedding.

      And he could not recall her ever making some selfish demand on him during the time they’d spent together. Not like Felicity Fullbright. Very, very different to Felicity Fullbright. A delight to be with in every sense.

      Gradually he calmed down enough to give consideration to her most condemning words … You made me believe what wasn’t true … for your own ends.

      What had he made her believe?

      The answer was glaringly simple when he thought about it. She’d been very young, inexperienced, and quite possibly she’d interpreted his whole seduction routine as genuine love for her. Which meant she’d been deeply hurt when he’d left her. So hurt, she probably couldn’t bear to tell him about her pregnancy, couldn’t bear to be faced with his presence again.

      And she thought he might hurt Theo in the same way—apparently loving him, then leaving him.

      He had to change her perception of him, make her understand he would never abandon his child. He had to show her that Theo would be welcomed into his family and genuinely loved. As for winning her over to being his wife … trying to charm her into marrying him wasn’t likely to work. Those blazing dark eyes of hers would shoot down every move he made in that direction. So what would work?

      She had just offered him a deal.

      Why not offer her one?

      Make it a deal too attractive to refuse.

      Ari worked on that idea as he drove to the El Greco resort.

      ‘He looks just like a Greek God,’ her mother remarked admiringly as Ari Zavros strode across the terrace to where they were still sitting in the open-air section of the restaurant, enjoying a last cup of coffee after breakfast.

      Tina’s stomach instantly cramped. She had thought that once—the golden Greek with his sun-streaked hair and sparkling amber eyes and skin that shone like bronze. And, of course, it was still true. The white shorts and sports shirt he wore this morning made him look even more striking, showing off his athletic physique, the masculine strength in his arms and legs, the broad manly chest. The man was totally charismatic.

      This time, however, Tina wasn’t about to melt at his feet. ‘Bearing gifts, as well,’ she said ironically, eyeing the package he was carrying under his arm.

      ‘For me?’ Theo cried excitedly.

      Ari heard him, beaming a wide grin at his son as he arrived at their table and presented him with the large package. ‘Yes, for you. Happy birthday, Theo.’

      ‘Can I open it?’ Theo asked, eagerly eyeing the wrapping paper.

      ‘You should thank Ari first,’ Tina prompted.

      ‘Thank you very much,’ he obeyed enthusiastically.

      Ari laughed. ‘Go right ahead. Something for you to build when you have nothing else to do.’

      It was a Lego train station, much to Theo’s delight.

      ‘He loves Lego,’ her mother remarked, finding even more favour with the Greek God.

      ‘I thought he would,’ Ari answered. ‘My nephews do. Their rooms are full of it.’

      ‘Talking of family,’ her mother quickly slid in. ‘Your father has apparently insisted on paying for all our accommodation here and …’

      ‘It is his pleasure to do so, Mrs Savalas,’ Ari broke in with a smile to wipe out her concern. ‘If you were staying on Patmos, George’s family would see to it. Here, on Santorini, my father is your host and he has asked me to extend an invitation to all of you for dinner tonight at our family home. Then we will not be strangers at the wedding.’

      Her mother instantly melted. ‘Oh! How kind!’

      Tina glared at Ari. Had he lied about keeping the deal? And what of his parents? Had he warned them not to reveal their relationship to Theo? He was pursuing his own agenda and she wasn’t at all sure he would respect hers. Far from melting at his kindness, every nerve in her body stiffened with battle tension.

      Ari kept smiling. ‘I’ve told my mother it’s your birthday, Theo. She’s planning a special cake with five candles for you to blow out and make a wish. You’ve got all day to think about what to wish for.’

      All day to worm his way into Theo’s heart with his facile charm, Tina thought grimly. She knew only too well he could be Mr Wonderful for a while. It was the long haul that worried her—how constant Ari would be as a father.

      ‘Are you coming with us today, Mrs Savalas?’ he asked, apparently happy to have her mother’s company, as well, probably wanting the opportunity to get her even more onside with him.

      ‘No, no. It sounds too busy for me. I shall stroll into the township in my own time, take a look at the church where the wedding is to be held, do a little shopping, visit the museum.’ She smiled at Tina, her eyes full of encouraging speculation. ‘Much better for you young people to go off together.’

      Tina СКАЧАТЬ