He’d opened that particular door. Attempting to slam it shut now would only make things worse. He gave a single curt nod and saw the speculative smile that curved her full mouth.
‘Word of warning, though. I give as good as I get. And I don’t always play fair.’
Her smile disappeared and Ari couldn’t stop the laugh that rumbled out at her startled look.
He tore into his lunch and watched with satisfaction as she consumed hers. They were polishing off the last of the salad when she glanced furtively at him.
‘Do your brothers know that I’m...pregnant?’
‘No, I haven’t told them yet. Ideally, I’d like to announce the pregnancy and our intended marriage at the same time.’
Her gaze slid from his and he forced himself not to react. ‘Um...okay.’
Feeling the restlessness that had taken up residence in his body clamouring through him again, he got up. ‘Time for the full tour, then I’ll let you get to work.’
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE DAYS PASSED in a blur of activity and by the time Sakis and Brianna arrived on Thursday afternoon, Perla had everything in place in anticipation for when the VIP guests arrived on Sunday.
Unlike their first meeting, Sakis Pantelides’s smile was openly friendly if a lot speculative. She read the same keen interest in Brianna’s stunning blue eyes.
‘Ari tells me you’re putting on a spectacular list of events for the opening.’
‘He should know. He’s been slave-driving me up the wall with his endless demands for perfection. Perhaps now you’re here, you can get him out of my hair for an hour or two.’
Brianna laughed as she hugged her husband’s arm. ‘That seems to be a common trait amongst the Pantelides men. They never know when to leave well enough alone and trust us women to get on with it.’
Her husband sent her an indulgent smile so full of adoration Perla’s heart snagged in her chest then dropped to her stomach in envy.
‘Asking me to leave you alone is like asking the lark to stop singing first thing in the morning. It’s simply impossible, agapita.’
A blush raced up her face and the powerful passion that arced between them made Perla look away.
Sakis turned to her. ‘Where is my brother, anyway?’
‘He’s getting the scull ready for your rowing session this afternoon. I believe he wants to hit the water the moment Theo arrives,’ she said.
What she didn’t add was that Ari had been growing steadily more restless as the days had progressed this week. This morning they’d snapped at each other over breakfast, after which he’d disappeared with a curt instruction for her to take things easy. Or else...
God, why had she deluded herself into thinking they’d learn nice things about each other this week? So far she’d learned that even though he’d stated that he was happy for her to carry on working, he intended to keep a close eye on her at all times.
She only had to think of a need for it to materialise. Meals and snacks appeared minutes before cravings hit and there was always someone with a golf buggy, a wide-brimmed hat or a cool drink nearby.
That he also fully intended to extract a yes from her as soon as he could was also clear. As for the heated looks he’d sent her whenever she walked into his presence...
She shook her head and focused to find two pairs of eyes trained on her. ‘Um...the concierge’s assistant will escort you to your villa and I’ll let Ari know you’re here.’
With a smile she knew was a little strained, she walked away. After triple-checking everything on her list and clucking with impatience because she knew she was dawdling, she jumped into her allotted SUV and drove down to their villa.
Ari was in the middle of a phone call when she walked into the cool, brightly lit living room. He advanced until he stood in front of her but carried on his conversation, one hand idly playing with her loose hair.
She’d started their stay by wearing it up but Ari had found every opportunity to free it until she’d given up. There were some fights that just weren’t worth the effort.
She didn’t follow his conversation because it was conducted in rapid-fire Greek. But even if he’d spoken English, she wouldn’t have followed it because of the feverish emotions coursing through her at his touch.
Each day since they arrived at the resort he’d laid assault to her senses like this, touching her whenever she was within a few feet, grazing his fingers over her stomach in a possessive move that sent her emotions into free fall every time. That had been when he wasn’t snapping at her.