She stilled, arrested by what that told her.
‘I’ve thought about how we can achieve that and ensure our son isn’t continually in transit between us, especially when he begins school. Continuity will be important.’
Alice sat straighter. What was he leading up to? Continuity? Did that mean their child living with Adoni since he could provide everything money could buy? Alice’s tension notched up. Would she have to fight for her rights?
His expression was intent, still as a predator about to strike, or a tycoon about to deliver acoup de grâceto some underperforming executive.
Had she misjudged him? Was he going to fight for sole custody? Surely not! That didn’t fit with the man she’d come to know and—
‘I believe we should raise him together.’
‘Sorry, I thought you said—’
‘I did. I believe the pair of us should raise him.’
She angled her head as if that might help her read his thoughts but he looked more guarded than ever.
‘Definetogether.’
‘As a couple. As a mother and father, raising their child in the usual way.’
Alice blinked but Adoni looked just the same. ‘You meanliving together?’ Her voice betrayed her, growing hoarse.
‘Ne. Yes.’ He caressed the pad at the base of her thumb. Was it an unconscious gesture or was he trying to soothe her, knowing he’d dropped a bombshell?
‘Adoni.’ She sat forward, her gaze locked on his. ‘You need to spell this out. It sounds like you’re talking about us living as...as...’
‘Partners. Parents. Lovers.’ Each word, in that deep voice, was like a mighty stone dropping into a still pool. Alice felt the ripples grow and crest in waves of emotion.
‘You want us tomarry?’ Her voice cracked. Adoni hadn’t struck her as conservative but he was Greek and she guessed traditions like marriage and legitimacy might be more important to him than to many.
She had her answer in his instantaneous withdrawal and the blaze of horror in his widening eyes. He slammed against the back of his chair and his hand dropped hers as if he’d discovered it was a live bomb.
‘Not that!’ He shook his head for good measure. Then, as if reading something in her gaping expression, he continued. ‘I don’t intend to marry, ever. I’m sure you understand, given my history.’
Alice inclined her head. He meant his mother, who’d married only for money and security. The woman who’d lied and connived and never divulged the identity of Adoni’s real father.
Adoni’s distaste for marriage was understandable. Yet that didn’t diminish her hurt at his horror. Or her poignant sense of loss that it could never be an option.
What was she thinking?
Her nape prickled as she identified the direction of her thoughts.
Was she really pining because Adoni would never offer to marry her? It wasn’t as if they loved each other. Marriage would be a farce, a sop to convention because of the child they shared.
Alice clasped her hands tight in her lap, as if by reining in her physical response she might control her wayward thoughts.
‘So,’ she said slowly. ‘You want us to live as a couple.’ She paused, watching him nod. ‘To be lovers and parents together.’
‘A family. Yes.’ He leaned towards her then, his mouth curving invitingly.
It’s safe for him to get close now he’s made it clear you can never be his wife.
Alice cursed the cynical voice in her head and tried to focus. Just becauseshebelieved in love and marriage didn’t mean everyone did.
‘But we don’t...’ She hesitated to use the wordlove. ‘You’re talking about a permanent commitment?’
His eyebrows lifted as if in surprise. ‘Won’t raising our son be a permanent commitment?’