CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THEIROVERNIGHTSTAYin Athens became a week as Adoni worked and Alice explored, discovering and delighting in what the city had to offer. Evenings were spent dining out, enjoying the nightlife, then hurrying back to his sleek white mansion and making love into the wee hours.
Neither mentioned the future, or her leaving. It was as if they both realised this bubble of mutual delight was fragile. They didn’t want to spoil it with the nitty-gritty negotiations that must eventually come.
Alice knew she should think of leaving but couldn’t summon the energy. England with its dismal spring weather and her tiny, cold room seemed a million miles away.
Was it so wrong to accept Adoni’s hospitality and not worry about her rent for just a little longer? As he’d said, she really was feeling better for the rest and surely a healthy mother was better for the baby?
Or maybe you’re looking for excuses to stay because you can’t imagine leaving him.
It was true. She didn’twantto go.
So when Adoni presented his plan a few days after they returned to his villa in the Mani, Alice stifled her amazement and actually considered his proposition.
‘We both want what’s best for our baby.’
Alice nodded. ‘Of course.’
Adoni smiled, distracting her as he stroked a finger down her bare arm.
They sat on the balcony outside the master bedroom, enjoying the early evening air, scented by the wildflowers that bloomed so prolifically around the house. The rhythm of waves soothed when her pulse beat hard at Adoni’s touch.
One touch was all it ever took, sometimes just a look, for her to melt. Alice shivered and tried to concentrate.
‘We both need to build a relationship with him.’
‘Him?’ Alice raised her brows but Adoni merely smiled. That wry tilt of his lips was so ridiculously attractive it stole her breath.
‘What can I say? I believe our child is a boy.’
Alice said nothing. Not because of Adoni’s bizarre claim, but because when he saidour childit did strange things to her insides. As if they were a couple, a family.
The notion, like an elusive wisp of aromatic smoke, tantalised before fading into nothing. They weren’t a couple; they were sharing pleasure for a short time, no strings attached.
Alice shifted in her chair, refusing to acknowledge the swift plunge of her belly that felt like disappointment.
‘It will be better if he has both of us in his life,ne?’
‘Yes.’ Alice tilted her head, searching Adoni’s face. His use of the Greek wordnefor yes caught her attention. He rarely used Greek with her, except when they were naked. He reverted to his native language in the throes of passion and Alice adored it—he sounded so desperate, so out of control then. Was Adoninervous?
‘And we agree security is vital to a child.’
Again Alice nodded. ‘Where are you going with this, Adoni?’ While they hadn’t formally discussed future arrangements, occasionally one or the other would remark on some aspect they believed important. It had been a relief to discover their views coincided—a good relationship with both parents. Time in both Greece and England, and raising their child as bilingual, enriched by the cultures of both parents. ‘You’re going over what we’ve already discussed.’
‘Patience,glyká mou. This is important.’ He threaded his fingers through hers, engulfing her hand. Alice wished she didn’t enjoy that easy touch so much.
She’d miss it when she went back to England.
‘Go on then.’
Deliberately she turned away from his proud, handsome profile, staring over the rough ground where she’d sketched this afternoon. There’d been bright red peacock anemones and carpets of white daisies, delicate pink orchids and so many other flowers she didn’t have names for. She could spend days, weeks, years here, painting.
It was paradise.
And not just because of the plants. Or the sunlight or the friendly locals.
Paradise because you’ve never been happier than here, withAdoni.