‘I can’t drop everything and go to Greece. I have a job and—’
‘That’s no problem.’
The soft burr of Adoni’s deep voice made her shiver, but not from cold. She didn’t even like him, did she? Yet she responded to him every time. As if they shared some secret link, some affinity. ‘Sorry? I missed that.’
‘I spoke to your employer.’
‘You didwhat?’ Her voice rose and a woman bustling down the narrow pavement gave her a wide berth.
‘I explained you needed rest to regain your strength—’
‘You told her I was pregnant?’ Alice’s temper soared. Usually she was slow to anger, her emotions under control.
Adoni Petrakis, however, had a knack for igniting her fuse.
‘Of course not. I just mentioned I was concerned for your health.’
‘That isn’t something you should discuss with my boss.’ Severely, Alice repressed the idea of a holiday. It was a luxury she couldn’t afford. ‘If I want to ask for leaveI’lldo it. But I can’t. I haven’t been there long enough and it’s busy—’
‘But you can.’
‘Pardon?’ Alice drew her collar closer and scowled into the rain that had graduated from a miserable drizzle to solid sheets of icy water.
‘She is happy for you to go.’
Alice frowned. It sounded unlikely. They were rushed off their feet. One waitress was off with a broken leg and another on compassionate leave to care for her sick mother.
‘I can’t leave my job.’ Because chances were there’d be no job to return to.
‘Are you always this obstinate?’
‘Are you always such a bulldozer?’
His laugh, a rich, baritone chuckle, was like liquid chocolate, warming her chilled bones. ‘Touché.’ He paused. ‘If it’s the income you’re thinking of, I’ll cover your expenses while you’re away. And your rent.’
Was the man a mind-reader?
Yet it wasn’t just the money; it was the way he’d dealt direct with Viv, interfering outrageously now he was sure Alice carried his child.
She tried to whip up fury but instead sagged back against the wall of the shop.
Adoni was right. The long hours she was working, taking extra shifts in the scramble to save as much as she could, were getting too much.
Nor could she really blame him for needing proof of paternity. They were strangers. Despite the quickening she felt whenever he came close, or like now, when his treacle-rich voice was soft in her ear.
‘Think of the baby,’ he purred. ‘It needs you to be healthy and well-rested.’
‘Lots of women work during pregnancy.’ If he tried to make her feel guilty...
‘Of course, but I’m sure most would appreciate some extra rest. Besides, we have decisions to make for the future. Wouldn’t you rather do that when you’re refreshed and on vacation?’
Alice’s nerves twitched at the determination she heard on the worddecisions. As if he had very definite views on their child’s future and intended to have his say.
I’ll be there every step of the way.
I’ll be part of its life every day.
‘I can’t talk now. I’m late.’ She lifted her head and more windblown drops spattered her cheeks.