‘Yes. Golden when you’re angry and green when you’re aroused. They’re very alluring.’
The muscles deep within Lexi’s pelvis clenched at his intimate tone and she knew from the way his eyes smouldered that he knew it. The man oozed sexuality when he wasn’t even trying so when he was … Lexi felt heat sweep into her face and tried to think of something to say.
‘I’ve always hated them. As a child I longed for blue eyes and blonde hair.’
‘I love them.’
Okay, not helping.
‘We need to change the subject.’
‘We need to find a bed, you mean.’
Lexi felt a stupid grin split her face as he reached across the table and took her hand in his, drawing lazy circles around her palm.
‘That’s not helping either.’
‘Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?’
‘Yes. Several times. As are you.’
‘Beautiful? Sexy, maybe.’
‘And modest.’
‘You don’t get anywhere being modest, angel.’
Lexi sipped her wine, feeling mellow and content. ‘Speaking of getting anywhere, do you think you’ll stay in the apartment, or do you think you might get a house with a garden now that Ty is staying with you?’
She’d said the wrong thing. She knew it even before he removed his hand from hers and picked up his water glass.
‘Ty lives with Amanda.’
‘But Amanda’s email …’
‘Is rubbish. Once my security team find her I’ll sort out the problem and everything will be back to normal.’
Sort out the problem? Lexi felt slightly queasy. He had been so different this week. She had been so sure … and of course she knew why he thought he couldn’t have Ty, but didn’t he see he was different from his father? Or was there more to it? Was it that he just didn’t want Ty, regardless? A thought Lexi had trouble formulating, let alone verbalising. And why was that? Why did she care so much …?
‘You can stop looking at me with those shocked, wide eyes, angel. I know what you’re thinking but life isn’t a fairy tale.’
‘I know that,’ she snapped, but she knew part of her wished that it was.
‘Then you know that I have to find Amanda.’
Lexi tried not to grimace. ‘And if you don’t?’
‘I will.’
His certainty sent a frisson of dread darting down her spine and she was starting to feel sorry for Amanda. ‘Don’t be too hard on her, Leo. I think it’s possible she suffered from postnatal depression after Ty was born.’
‘You feel sorry for her?’ His tone was incredulous and she cringed.
‘I’m not taking her side, if that’s what you mean. I know she tried to trap you into marriage, but I don’t see the point in dwelling on that. Life is too short to waste on anger or guilt.’
He stared at her for a heartbeat, his body tense. ‘It’s also too short to talk about Amanda Weston. Come.’ He stood up. ‘The Parthenon awaits.’
Lexi was only half paying attention to their personal guide as she wandered through the ancient ruins, her mind on the conversation in the restaurant.