She sighed, looking away from Dimitrios, focussing on the towers across the water. ‘They’re beautiful.’ Her voice was hoarse, and she swallowed to moisten her mouth. ‘I’ve seen them in movies, but in real life, they’re huge.’
Had he moved even closer? In the sultry night air, she caught a hint of his masculine aroma, and her stomach clenched in automatic response.
‘An excellent spot for Christmas shopping.’
She wrinkled her nose, well aware that the shops in a building such as that were bound to be incredibly high-end.
‘I see your hesitation, Mrs Papandreo,’ he said quietly, the words a caress against her ear. Her pulse lifted. She felt an ache deep inside, a need to push backward a little and lean against his broad chest, to feel his closeness and have his arms wrap around her. She wanted to pretend, just for one night, that their marriage was a real marriage. That this was a normal wedding night, and the passion that flowed between them had roots in love, as well as lust.
But Annie knew the risks inherent in such pretence. She had to stay on her toes.
‘Perhaps,’ she said with a little lift of her shoulders. ‘I didn’t see a Christmas tree in your house.’
Dimitrios stayed close and she was glad of that. ‘It’s still three weeks away.’
Annie turned to face him then. ‘That’s soon.’
‘Then I’ll have a tree brought in.’
‘Do you have decorations?’
‘They’ll bring those too.’
She shook her head, a smile tickling her lips. ‘Life really is different for you.’
‘Is that a complaint?’
‘On the contrary. I’m starting to think I could get used to this.’
‘We’re so high up, Mummy! I feel like I could fly.’
‘Don’t you dare. Don’t even think about it.’ She reached out and grabbed Max by the back of his shirt, her heart rate accelerating at the very idea of him pitching his little body over the railing.
Dimitrios laughed, leaning closer so he could whisper in her ear. ‘I don’t really think he’s going to jump, do you?’
Embarrassed, she threw him a look. ‘We’re so high up.’
‘And perfectly safe.’ He nudged her shoulder then reached down, taking Max’s hand in his. ‘Now, no more giving your mother a heart attack.’ He winked at Annie and began to walk off, the two of them so similar that she stood where she was for a moment, high above Singapore, enjoying the vista of the Supertrees and the walkway that linked two of them. The view was incomparable, the air cool and fresh up there. And, more than that, Max was in seventh heaven after a whole day spent exploring Bay South with Dimitrios.
The sun was lowering in the sky, casting the world in shades of orange, and a moment later Dimitrios slowed to a stop and turned back towards Annie.
‘You coming?’ he mouthed, their eyes sparking even at this distance.
She swallowed and began to move, catching them easily. Dimitrios reached for her hand and she let him, the sense of rightness spreading through her as they walked.
‘This is like magic.’ Max’s voice was filled with wonder. Annie couldn’t disagree.
‘You should see it at night.’ Dimitrios gestured to the Supertrees that made up this man-made grove. ‘The trees light up like big sparklers.’
Max’s face showed suitable awe.
‘It sounds breath-taking,’ Annie murmured. Dimitrios stopped walking and stared at her. His look was so full of admiration and intensity that her heart warmed, her cheeks turned pink and she felt a thousand and one things.
He lifted a hand, brushing his thumb across her cheek, and then he smiled, a smile that reached right inside her and made her feel special and perfect.
‘What’s that, down there?’
Annie followed Max’s gaze. ‘It looks like some kind of street performance. A magic show, perhaps?’ Nestled amongst the trees on street level, a group had set up, and a crowd had formed to watch them.