‘Then you haven’t changed your mind?’
‘No.’
‘Oh.’ Her disappointment was obvious, her full lips instinctively dropping into a small frown, and he repressed an impulse to wipe his thumb across her lower lip once more to remind himself of how soft and sweet they felt beneath his touch. As if she could read his mind, she lifted her own fingers to her lower lip, tracing the outline there. It was almost painful to watch her reciprocate, so he jabbed his hands in his pockets, focussing on his reasons for being here.
‘I do not want to make Cameron’s life harder than it needs to be. I am, naturally, mindful of what he’s been through, and for how that’s affecting him. I concede that these changes must be overwhelming to the boy and, like you, I want to protect him.’
‘You do?’ Her brow furrowed, her lip dropping further. His body tightened in an immediate and unwelcome response.
‘Of course. Do you think I’m some kind of monster? That I’d revel in my own son’s pain?’
‘I didn’t mean that.’ Her cheeks bloomed into a pink the colour of plum blossoms.
‘Didn’t you?’
He scanned her face—not dowdy, not even remotely. ‘Considered’ would be a better word. Measured. Everything about her was carefully audited, even her reaction in his office. Desire had been swamping them both but she’d pulled herself back, wrapping herself in a veneer of ice, pushing him away before things could get out of hand. Her control was impressive. Or perhaps he was just surprised to meet a woman who wasn’t vying to be taken to bed by him. It had been many years since he’d been turned down—if ever. It was little wonder the experience had dominated his thoughts since. It was the novelty factor.
‘No!’ Her denial was emphatic. ‘But moving him to Greece is, in my opinion, going to be very difficult for him.’
‘And you don’t want that.’
‘No.’ Her voice softened, the hint of a smile curving her lips. ‘I—I told you the other night...’ She stumbled awkwardly over the words. ‘I care for Cameron very deeply. I understand the position is awkward for both of you but you’re the adult. It’s your job to protect him.’
‘And I intend to.’ His eyes sparked with hers, narrowing speculatively. ‘Which brings me to why I’m here.’
She waited, silent, her eyes boring into his now, her lips parted ever so slightly. He wished she wouldn’t do that.
‘I have a proposition for you.’
Her eyes grew more round, her lips parting further as she whooshed out a deep breath. ‘Go on,’ she prompted, though it sounded as if she’d rather do just about anything than hear whatever was coming next.
‘Come with us.’
She blinked, shaking her head a little. ‘What do you mean?’
‘At the end of the school year, I will take Cameron to my island to live. Come with him and help him to adjust to his new life. Help him adjust to me.’ The final request surprised him; he hadn’t planned to admit how hard he was finding it to bond with his son, nor to forgive Cynthia for keeping their child a secret. Whenever he looked at Cameron he could see only what he’d missed out on, not what he’d gained.
‘You’re asking me to go to Agrios Nisi with you?’
‘I’m offering you a job,’ he clarified. ‘Six weeks as Cameron’s companion.’
Amelia frowned, again shaking her head a little. ‘He has a nanny.’
‘He’s had three nannies since his mother died but, yes, right now he has a nanny and she seems competent. I think he probably likes her better than the other two. However, she is a career nanny. While she takes excellent care of him, I don’t feel that she has much of a personal connection with Cameron. You apparently do.’
Amelia looked sideways a moment, lifting a hand and brushing her hair from her face. She wore on her middle finger a gold ring with a flat face, the kind of ring one might get at a college graduation ceremony. He didn’t recognise the engraving; and she moved her hand again, much too quickly for him to commit the design to memory.
‘I think Cameron is a very unique little boy and what he’s been through...’ Her voice tapered off a little, her eyes suspiciously moist. But when she turned back to face him there was a strength in her eyes, a look of determination. ‘I care for all my students, Mr Anastakos.’
‘But particularly for Cameron.’
She bit down on her lower lip, anguish in her eyes. He could feel her prevarication, her torment. She wanted to accept his offer but she was scared. Of what—him? Of what happened between t
hem the other night?
‘This would be a formal offer of employment,’ he said smoothly. ‘My lawyer would arrange a contract, you’d be paid a salary—given set hours and weekends—just like a regular job.’ And then, after a pause, ‘I would expect nothing of you personally.’
He saw his words affecting her, drawing her out, and she made a noise of consideration.