Whoever heard of such a thing?
Adoni, obviously. It was a reminder that, however relaxed she felt with him, they were from different worlds.
‘Unexpected,’ she said flatly. A weight pushed down on her, crushing her earlier pleasure at being with him.
Clearly that wasn’t enough for Adoni. His mouth thinned. She could almost hear his mind working.
‘It’s more than fair, Alice.’ His eyes flashed and his jaw angled up in that unconsciously arrogant expression that both thrilled and annoyed her. ‘I’ve even stipulated that all decisions about the child’s future will be mutually agreed between us. I’m trying to make things easier.’
Part of her recognised he was right. In his own outlandish way, he was ensuring their child had a family who loved and cared for it.
‘What if I want to do something in addition to being a mother? Like go to art school and work as an artist?’ She’d already buried that idea, at least for the foreseeable future, because it would take all her time and resources to care for her baby. But she wanted, one day, to pursue the dream she’d deferred so long.
‘Alice.’ Adoni took her hand in both of his, his clasp ridiculously reassuring. ‘I’m not a bully. Of course you need your art. You’re talented and it’s a tragedy you haven’t had a chance to pursue that properly.’ His words buried themselves deep within her. Pleasure glowed at his belief in her.
‘I don’t intend to give up my business but I’m sure I can delegate more so I spend time with you and our boy. If you want to work too, you should. So long as there’s a balance between career and home.’
Alice shook her head, striving to take it all in.
‘What?’ Adoni’s hold tightened. ‘What have I said that you don’t like?’
She smiled ruefully. ‘Nothing. You’re being so...reasonable, it’s a shock. I thought you might demand I devote myself solely to hearth and home.’
His lips quirked up. ‘It’s true we Greeks can be traditional about that.’ His thumb rubbed the underside of her wrist and her pulse fluttered. ‘But I want what’s best for our child. I believe that means mutual respect and parents who are happy and fulfilled, not sniping over petty grievances.’
‘You don’t envisage disagreements?’
‘I’m counting on them.’ He leaned so close his breath tickled her face and Alice felt heat sear her throat and cheeks. ‘I love your spirit. The way you stand up for yourself. I anticipate our love life will be fiery and incredibly satisfying.’
The bloom of damp heat in the space between her legs told Alice she’d enjoy it too.
But beneath it all, like a sour note she couldn’t eradicate, was regret. More than regret. Disappointment.
That Adoni would love their baby but never her. He’d excised the very notion and, no matter how tempting it was to believe she could change him with time, she had to face facts. Adoni didn’t believe in romantic love. It wasn’t even on his radar.
They could have a mutually enjoyable, respectful relationship, dedicated to the well-being of their child.
But there would be no love.
Could she live with that? Give up what, she realised now, she’d hoped to find one day. Could she accept something that was its mere shadow?
She swallowed, tasting that sourness on her tongue.
‘You’ll have to give me time to think.’
* * *
Adoni ended the conference call and shoved his chair from his desk. Here in the tower above the house, he had spectacular three-hundred-and-sixty-degree views. Usually the panorama of sea and land was soothing.
Not today. Not even his company’s impending software release, which promised to be its most successful yet, made him smile.
He stalked to the window facing the coast.
His software enterprise was steadily increasing market share. His plan to widen his investment base with a portfolio of luxury boutique hotels was proving profitable, despite economic uncertainties. Even the Devon property was available for purchase at the price he wanted.
Yet he felt no buzz of satisfaction.
Shoving his hands in his pockets, he surveyed the slope to the beach. Alice had taken that route. She’d talked of capturing some shots of wildflowers for the portfolio she was preparing. No doubt she was immersed in her art.