When she’d looked up and seen him there, a dark scowl on his brow and tension stiffening his shoulders, her heart had sunk. She’d wondered if something had happened to drag them back to the old days of distrust and accusation.
‘Well, he is very handsome. Aren’t you, Adoni?’ She turned to the little boy and gave him the ball, knowing full well he didn’t understand a word of English. He was only just starting to babble in Greek, according to his proud grandmother.
‘You don’t mind?’ she asked, looking up at Stavros, still wondering about the frown she’d seen a moment before.
‘Mind that I find you embracing another male in my absence?’ He took a long stride closer, his expression mock-stern.
She shrugged. The Stavros she knew was no snob, but there must have been some reason for that black look of disapproval. ‘I meant, me playing with Melina’s grandson. I know that in some houses there’s a demarcation line between staff and…guests.’
Guests must surely include her, she thought on a twinge of bitterness. How else would you classify a wife who was really no more than a mistress?
His eyebrows rose in surprise. ‘Have you seen evidence of that here?’
Tessa shook her head. On the contrary, she’d met quite a few of the staff and they spoke of Stavros respectfully but affectionately, as if he were family.
‘No. No, I haven’t.’
‘That’s as it should be. They are all my people.’
She tilted her head in query. His people?
‘From this island,’ he explained. ‘I have a policy of employing islanders here, and where possible in Denakis Enterprises. It’s a way to support the local economy. Besides,’ his smile flashed, ‘they are the salt of the earth, these people.’
And clearly they thought the same way about him. Tessa had heard such praise. How he’d offered Melina her post as housekeeper when she’d been newly widowed and struggling to support her teenage children. How he funded small business loans for locals as well as scholarships for those who wanted to study on the mainland.
Originally she’d seen Stavros only as a mega-wealthy man but had never given thought to what he actually did with his money. It made her proud to know he was interested in other people and his community, not just in adding to his wealth.
Adoni wriggled in her arms, clearly tired of being held so long.
She looked up at Stavros, so close, so attractive, and felt that familiar tug of need deep inside.
‘I’d better take Adoni back to his grandmother.’
Stavros’ mouth curved in a knowing smile and his gaze heated as he met her eyes over the toddler’s head.
‘Don’t be long, glikia mou.’ His voice dropped on the endearment, transfixing her. ‘I have plans for this evening.’
No doubting what he had in mind. And no doubting either that she’d be a more than willing participant. Where Stavros was concerned, she had no will-power left.
With a quick nod and a shaky smile, Tessa turned and headed for the back door. Melina was picking herbs for the evening meal. She’d take Adoni to her and then return to Stavros. Excitement squeezed her stomach at the thought.
Stavros watched her walk away. The gentle sway of her hips, the protective curve of her arms as she held the child, the seductive swing of her long hair across her back. Need tightened to a hard knot in his belly.
What was he going to do with her?
The sex was terrific. But more than that he enjoyed having Tessa here. He’d been delegating his work so he had more time with her. It was indulgent, out of character. And so satisfying.
He speared his fingers through his hair, searching for answers. Then, out of the blue, it hit him.
The hairs stood up on the back of his neck as an idea lodged in his brain.
Unorthodox. Unexpected. Unlikely.
Perfect.
He strode to the window to stand, watching her talk with Melina. And all the time he was busy, assessing the notion from every angle, possibilities and permutations clicking through his brain at lightning speed.
His father was lonely and wanted companionship.
Stavros wanted a family. Partly for the old man’s sake, so he could see the next generation of Denakis sons. Partly because Stavros had come to realise he wanted more from life than could be gained from a balance sheet or the adrenaline rush of a tricky corporate negotiation.
Stavros wanted a wife. A sexy, intelligent woman who’d bear his children, make his home comfortable and offer the solace a man wanted after a long day.
And Tessa wanted security. Financial security, and, unless he’d missed his guess, the stability that came from having a family, permanence and belonging. One look at her holding Adoni told him all he needed to know about her views on children. She’d make a wonderful mother. Warm and caring.