CHAPTER ELEVEN
‘IT’SSOBEAUTIFULHERE.’ Bea sighed appreciatively at the colours lighting up the sky—pink, purple, grey and silver, as the sun dipped closer to the horizon, preparing to draw a blanket of stars overhead. But for now it was a stunning display of dusk, her favourite time of the day, and Bea’s soul drank it in.
They’d watched a week’s worth of sunsets together since the first night they’d shared. By unspoken agreement, a rhythm had formed to their lives. Ares worked long days, often in his Athens office, returning after Danica was in bed. Bea worked when she could; despite Ellen’s presence, she tried to limit herself mostly to Danica’s nap time, so that she could be involved in the baby’s life, and be sure things were running smoothly.
There was no cause for concern with Ellen. The young woman was calm and enthusiastic at the same time, an excellent companion for an energetic baby.
Bea’s phone buzzing caught her attention. She reached behind her, swishing the screen to life, her pulse firing up when she saw a message from Amy.
‘Bad news?’ Ares’s voice was deep and husky.
Bea read the message, her frown deepening.
Sorry I’ve been MIA. Try not to stress about what you’re seeing in the papers—I’m okay. It’s nothing like last time. I’ll explain everything face to face. Love you. X
She didn’t have the heart to tell her friend—a PR exec—that she hadn’t read a newspaper headline since she’d been in Greece.
‘Not bad news, I don’t think...’ She shook her head, quickly googling her friend’s name and gasping when she read the first headline that appeared.
Palace Scandal! History repeats itself with new Lothario-in-Chief!
‘Oh, no, Amy!’
She skimmed the text, baffled by the revelation of Amy’s relationship with the Prince of Vallia. Last Bea had heard, Amy was going there in a professional capacity. So what was going on? This wasn’t exactly good PR for the prince. She clicked into another article, shaking her head, reminding herself that Amy’s text had explicitly said she was okay. It went some of the way to assuaging Bea’s worries. Besides, there was no way Amy would get involved with a guy like Luca Albizzi. Not after last time.
Nonetheless, she hit the forward button on her phone and sent the article to Clare. Speaking of MIA, she’d heard nothing from the third member of their trio, but Clare had said she’d likely be unavailable for a while, so that was hardly surprising.
Trying to ignore the frisson of worry, Bea brought herself back to the present, focusing on the warmth of the sun on her arms, the colours in the sky and, of course, the man in the pool.
Ares drew closer to the coping, his dark hair a wet pelt against his head. She watched the way the droplets rippled over his shoulders, admiring his tanned flesh and muscled arms.
‘You’re sure you won’t join me?’
Her smile was wry. ‘As I’ve told you every time you’ve asked, it’s way too cold for swimming.’
He laughed. ‘It’s warm, I promise.’
On previous nights the evening had brought a chill breeze, but tonight there was more heat in the air. Though summer was still another six weeks away, the promise of its warmth surrounded them tonight.
‘I’ll compromise by sitting at the edge. Deal?’
He didn’t say anything, simply watching her in that intense way of his as she stood, strolling towards him then sitting down. The denim miniskirt left her bare legs free to dangle in the water, the oversized tee required a pushing-up of the sleeves.
‘How was work?’ She reached out, ruffling his hair with her fingers, a jolt of anticipation running through her at the ease with which she could touch him, a man who had so recently appeared into her life and made her feel inadequate and powerful all at once.
His frown was infinitesimal. ‘Busy,’ he said, his eyes probing hers for a minute before he looked away.
Her heart skipped a beat as, for the first time in a week, she felt something akin to insecurity whisper through her. It was as though he was hiding something from her. As always, Bea was on the alert, looking for signs that a person she cared about was losing interest in her, ready to jump before she was pushed. How often she’d employed those skills with her parents—reading them intently, leaving a room before they could suggest she go and find something else to do, pretending occupation with a book so she wouldn’t appear to notice the way they fawned over the twins, hanging on their every word.
‘Ellen is doing well with Danica,’ she said, to lay the groundwork for that possibility. If he wanted her to go, she wouldn’t put up a fight. She’d make it easy for him, and walk away with her head held high. Worse than being unwanted, she’d learned a long time ago, was losing one’s pride along with it.
‘Yes.’ The agreement was distracted, as though something important was on his mind.
Danger signs blared and, despite her intention to stay cool, panic gripped her heart.
‘In all honesty, she could probably move in, you know.’ Say it, coward, she urged herself. Clearing her throat, she forced an over-bright smile to her face. ‘You could even release me from my kidnapping early.’ She let the words hover between them, the suggestion that she would be completely fine with that.
‘What?’ His drawn-together brows showed confusion, as though it was the last thing he was expecting her to say.