CHAPTER FOURTEEN
ADONIWASWAITINGfor her when Alice entered the master suite, sketchbook in hand. Her skin was flushed despite the broad-brimmed hat that protected her from the sun.
‘We need to talk.’ He hadn’t meant to blurt it out but his phenomenal patience had frayed.
He needed to close this deal. Now.
Besides, when she swept the hat away, releasing a tumble of auburn-tinted hair that caught the dying light like rubies, when her pert breasts pushed with every quick breath against her shirt, it was talk or take her to bed.
For weeks Adoni had revelled in the sex. It was time he developed control.
‘Sure.’ She surveyed him with her deep slate-blue gaze then turned to put away her art equipment. ‘Is there time for a shower first?’
‘No.’ If she showered he’d join her. There’d be no talking—nosensibletalking—for hours. ‘It’s time to sort this.’
She didn’t ask whatthiswas. She must have been expecting this discussion.
‘Okay. But let’s go to the pool. I can soak my feet while we chat.’
Adoni nodded and motioned for her to lead the way. His eyes traced the curves of her hips beneath denim shorts and the way her pale T-shirt clung. Was that a slight thickening of her slim waist? He loved her body just as it was, but he eagerly awaited visible signs of pregnancy. The thought of her cradling his child in her body was still one of the most powerfully erotic things he’d ever known.
‘You want to talk about the contract?’ she said when they were settled, he in a lounge chair and she on the flagstones, her bare feet in the pool as she leaned back on her hands.
It struck Adoni that this way he saw her only in profile, not face-on.
‘We need to prepare for our child’s arrival.’ Better to mention that than the fact he, Adoni, was unsettled that they hadn’t arrived at an agreement. His nights had been spiked lately by dreams where Alice shoved the contract at him then strode off, carrying their infant son whose outstretched arms and cries tore Adoni from sleep.
He set his jaw. Thatwasn’tgoing to happen.
‘You’re right.’ She paused and her forehead wrinkled as she stared across the pool. ‘But you’re asking a lot, Adoni.’
He locked his jaw. He’dbeenpatient. This was the best way to proceed. They’d all win.
‘What will it take to convince you?’
Slowly Alice turned. Her expression was more sombre than he’d seen in weeks. Adoni’s belly tightened as premonition drilled through him. Had something happened on her outing? She’d been all smiles when she left.
‘Tell me about Vassili Petrakis.’
Adoni reared back, shock smacking him.
‘What’s he got to do with us?’
Alice shrugged. ‘I need to understand you before I commit to living with you.’
Adoni strove for control. If hearing this again helped persuade her, what did it matter?
‘We thought he was my father. Then we discovered he wasn’t.’ Adoni kept the words brief. ‘He was furious that my mother had deceived him and he’d raised a cuckoo in the nest.’ Adoni’s skin crawled. He could still hear the bass rumble of disgust in the old man’s voice. ‘He kicked me out and I’ve never seen him since.’
Adoni rubbed his collarbone as if there was a phantom ache from the old fracture. Vassili had been so furious that day. When Adoni hadn’t instantly obeyed and left the house, Vassili had tried to shove him out of the door. Adoni, angry and heartsore, but above all stunned at the rejection, had lost his footing and crashed onto the stone doorstep. The old man had shut the door so fast he probably didn’t even realise Adoni had been injured.
Slim fingers gripped Adoni’s other hand. He turned to find Alice leaning close, sympathy in her eyes.
‘It must have been dreadful.’ Her brow knotted. ‘But don’t you want to see him again? He raised you after all. He must have felt so betrayed. Maybe he regrets how he behaved.’
Adoni turned his hand, capturing her delicate wrist, feeling the strong pulse hammer there. Alice was nervous. Why?
‘I have no interest in seeing him. He disowned me. Barred me from seeing my brothers.’ Though of course they were brothers in name only. ‘Because of him I was homeless, penniless and I lost my fiancée too.’ Which had been a blessing in disguise, but that didn’t pardon Vassili’s rejection.