The Greek Billionaire's Secret Baby (Contemporary Romance) (11 page)

Maria gave a dismissive wave with her free hand. “That is oversimplifying a situation that was much different from your. Shakira Varcaro was a gold digger and ten years older than Christopher. He was eighteen and he had college and whole life ahead of him. The family would have tolerated Shakira for our son’s sake. Costa would not have interfered. But she was only after Christopher’s money. She was easy to buy off and send packing. If she’d really loved him she would have fought to stay. Instead she took the first offer.”

Maria traced a circle on the baby’s cheek. Nick hardly stirred. “You cannot compare her to your own situation with Alex. Costa did not interfere in your relationship, did he?”

“I don’t know.” Had Theo acted on his own in discouraging Lauren?

“Let me assure you Costa did not interfere,” Maria asserted. “Alex has never been the impressionable, easily seduced type. Costa knew Alex was old enough to know his own heart and mind when he declared to his family that he loved you and planned to marry you.”

Alex had done that? Maria’s forceful declaration cut into Lauren’s heart like a whetted knife and she fought to remain strong. Perhaps Alex had loved her. He’d said so. But she had never been a priority. Not compared to his business. And Theo’s threats had been real, even Christopher had agreed that his cousin was slightly unstable. Theo had always been second.

Lauren sighed and watched her child sleep in his grandmother’s arms. The entire situation was such a mess. Alex had declared to her that he’d never love her again. It was too late for the truth to set anyone free or for second chances.

As if sensing Lauren’s turmoil, Maria spoke. “Alex was in a rough spot nine months ago. My darling Costa’s Alzheimer’s disease required his hospitalization and the burden of the family business fell fully on Alex’s shoulders. His determination and grit were the only things that saved our company.”

“I was a distraction. All he did was call and cancel. I never saw him.”

“You were his sanity,” Maria said. “And soon you will be his wife.”

Maria turned her head and those all-knowing indigo eyes stared, brows lifted. “Are you going to win him back, Lauren? Do you plan to try? Are you going to make this marriage you’ll enter for convenience work or will you transcend that and become a real family for your son? He deserves that, you know. All of you should be happy.”

Her words hit Lauren like a thunderbolt and Lauren found herself stammering. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. “I…”

“Dead men can’t speak, Lauren. Even if a paternity test proves this baby is Alex’s, my eldest son will never believe you didn’t betray him with his brother. You will just have to make him realize, make him understand that it doesn’t matter one way or another, that the two of you belong together and that you can love each other again despite whatever sins he feels you have.”

“It’s not that simple,” Lauren said, trying to hold herself together. She would not cry again for what she’d lost. “He has told me in no uncertain terms that he’ll never love me ever again.”

“Alex would say that. He’s a very proud man and he’s been hurt deeply. You shredded his pride. It’s an uphill battle, perhaps even impossible. But be like Sisyphus and push your stone up the hill again and again until finally, perhaps the gods will you let you reach the top and have a happy ending.”

A movement made Maria pause and within seconds Alex came back into the living area of the suite. “That was Claudia,” he said. “I’ve taken the entire next week off work. She’ll coming by here each day to bring me only what work is truly important. Theo and the others will handle the rest. Theo’s always wanted a bigger role in the company, so this is his chance.”

“That sounds extremely wise.  Even with a nurse, Lauren and the baby will need your help. Besides, these are crucial bonding times for Nick.”

“I plan to be here for that,” Alex said. His gaze found Lauren’s and she flushed slightly. “I know my priorities.”

A gentle dig, and perhaps one she deserved, Lauren thought as for the next week Alex remained true to his word and worked from home. He was there for the baby’s two-week check up, and after the doctor said how well baby Nick was doing, Alex even extended his work-from-home for another week.

Lauren found herself growing stronger each day, and found she relied less on her nurse for basic daily functions.

Her stomach muscles had healed enough so that she could sit on her own and walking was not as tiring as it had been. During the past two weeks she’d also seen a calmer, gentler Alex, one more like the man she’d met so long ago, more like the man she’d first lived with and loved. To Lauren’s delight, the nurse had finally been dismissed as Lauren’s doctor had declared her able to do things on her own.

Like right now. It was time for Nick’s middle of the night feeding. She rolled over and slowly swung her legs over the bed, her feet finding the insides of her soft slippers. Her eyes adjusted to the semidarkness created by the nightlight’s gentle glow. The clock beside the bed flickered to read 2:16 a.m.

Unlike the previous nights, though, something wasn’t quite right, but Lauren, having just woken from her restless sleep, wasn’t quite sure what it was. She checked the crib next to her bed.

Nick was gone.

Mother’s homing instinct had her tying her robe about her waist and walking out into the living area.

Except for one small lamp near the fireplace, the room was dark. As she approached, she could see the movement of the rocking chair and hear the gentle thump thump of wooden runners hitting the hardwood. An empty baby bottle sat on the floor.

“You were supposed to stay asleep,” Alex said as she’d entered his peripheral vision. “Nick ate a good three ounces and went right back down.”

“I can see that,” Lauren said. Her throat constricted as she looked over Alex’s shoulder.

Was there any more beautiful or peaceful sight than this? Nick lay against Alex bare chest, safe and secure in his father’s arms. Nick’s tiny lips puckered as he slept, almost if he were cooing in his sleep. His little fist rested on his father’s palm like a quarter awash in a moneybag, a quarter trusting that it was safe inside something so big.

Alex stopped rocking. “What time is it?”

“About twenty minutes past two.”

He yawned sleepily. “As much as I don’t want to, I have to go into the office around noon. It shouldn’t take too long and then I’ll be right back. I have been proving that, haven’t I?”

“You have,” Lauren admitted as she took her son from his arms. “Don’t worry about us. Nick and I have a big walk planned.”

“You do? And I’ll miss it?” He’d been accompanying them to the park each day.

“I guess so.”

The sleeping bundle in her arms stretched and shifted. She held him close, delighting in the soft, sweet smelling bundle of life she’d created and loved. Alex had even changed Nick’s diaper.

Alex followed Lauren back to her bedroom. Lauren set Nick down in the crib, placing him securely on his back. He remained swaddled in the receiving blankets and she covered him with another. The air-conditioned suite could get cold.

“He’s perfect, you know,” Alex whispered, his voice filled with wonderment. “So absolutely perfect. You did good.”

Guilt plagued Lauren, causing tears to fall. After watching Alex these past two weeks, she’d contemplated a dozen or more times every single word his mother had said.

Alex already loved Nick… A sniffle escaped her as she tried to check the tears that now suddenly streamed down her face.

“
Glykia
mou
, what is it? Why are you crying? I wanted to let you sleep. I had him.”

“I know. It’s not that. It’s…” she stopped. What could she say? What words would make the situation right itself? There were none.

Alex’s strong fingers came to rest on her shoulders and he began kneading her shoulders. “You’re too tense,” he said. “Relax so you can climb back into your bed and fall asleep again. Do not worry. I have you,
agapiti
. I have you.”

Did he? Did it matter?

Lauren let her head fall forward as Alex’s fingers worked their magic. His gentle yet insistent touch traveled up her neck, through her hair, down her throat, and over her shoulders. She leaned into him, letting his strong body support hers. This much she could have. This much she could savor.

“There you go,” he whispered, his warm exhale light against her ear. “Relax,
angele
mou
. Everything’s fine. I’m here.”

He’d called her his angel. Through the thinness of her nightdress and robe, Lauren could feel Alex’s body next to hers. She felt when the caress of his fingers turned from providing soothing into providing pleasure; she felt the hardness of his arousal press into her back.

Here in the nightlight’s soft glow, she knew she’d never stopped loving him. She’d lied, created her own world, and deliberately shut him out. Her reasons for doing so didn’t matter.

Could she make him forget? Make him love her again despite everything?

Fresh tears threatened to fall, and Lauren needed escape. She tried to take a step forward, away from his magical touch, but trapped by the crib, she was forced to turn and face him. Her step faltered.

Close up Alex cut an impressive figure. Her fingers moved to touch his jaw and she traced his lips with her forefinger. He wet the tip and somehow she found her voice. “I should go back to sleep. Nick will be up in another three hours and you have to work.”

The nightlight’s glow added mystery and shadows to his face, but nothing disguised the need and desire clearly evident.

“You are so beautiful,
theá mou
. Even now, so beautiful. I mustn’t, but then again destiny is telling me I must. Just this once. One taste. You are a siren…”

The husky words that came from deep inside him sent an illicit thrill through her. His hand reached forward, snaking gently into the golden strands of her hair.

Inch by inch he came closer: that handsome, perfect face that Lauren had once planted endless kisses over. There was his smooth olive skin, the proud square chin, the straight nose, and those lips that could kiss ever so gently or be wild with unrestrained passion.

The last thing she saw were his deep, fathomless black eyes as his mouth claimed hers.

For nine months, she’d had nothing but memories, and the second his lips touched hers, the embers of the fire that was always Alex Pappas and Lauren Andrews flared fully to life. The passion that burned gave legitimacy to repressed need and Lauren and Alex’s lips molded together as if both were afraid water could douse the flame at any minute.

Although that could not be possible. Not with a kiss this tantalizing.

He plundered her mouth and a wash of pure desire thundered through her, sending heat pooling to her curled toes. Her arms slid around his neck, her hands moving to cup each side of his face. The night’s beard growth was fuzzy beneath her fingers, gently prickling and teasing her fingertips as she stroked his face.

His mouth demanded a mating from hers and Lauren swayed into him, her own need as evident as his.

Then he set her aside, away from him. A wash of cold chillier than an early morning outdoor shower immediately descended around Lauren’s heart.

“
Stin
orgy
! May I go to hell!” Alex swore at himself in both Greek and English. She stepped forward and he held up his hands, indicating she should stay away.

“Look at me! No better than a rutting animal.” He shook his head savagely, nightlight illuminated visibly shaken to his core. “You had surgery only two weeks ago. I could have hurt you. I could have hurt you.”

“Alex, it’s okay. It was only a kiss.” Lauren pressed her finger to her tingling lips. “I didn’t mind. It was…”

She faltered as he laughed bitterly. “I guess this proves how much we still turn each other on. But my behavior was unacceptable. Get some rest. As you said, Nick will be up soon.”

With that, Alex strode from the room.

*****

Chapter Eight

Theé mou
! Last night he’d been kissing Lauren! He still couldn’t believe it.

Alex pushed aside the room service plate containing the delicious breakfast. He’d lost his appetite this morning. He’d had even less sleep. Even pregnant he’d found her physically desirable, and had vowed not to live the rest of his life celibate.

But he hadn’t expected his reaction to her kiss.

Kissing Lauren had been pure fire, like a volcano erupting after long being dormant. The intense power of their kiss had shaken him to his very core.

After all this time, their kiss should have been weak, tepid; his desire and need for Lauren all but distant memories. Instead he’d wanted and craved her with every inch of his being, even more so than he had when he’d first met her.

He banged his fist on the table and the silverware jumped. He expected to have sex with her after their marriage—after all, Nick would not be an only child. Everyone in the Pappas family had at least two.

He’d expected to be duty bound to touch her. As a man, he knew his flesh would enjoy his physical duties while he remained mentally and emotionally detached. But his rationality had frozen, and his body had craved and molded itself to her during the kiss. He’d lost all control; he’d been swept away.