Chapter 9
She decided it was time for her to make the first move.
After the very enlightening conversation with Lori and surprise!
She was starting to like the women that had suddenly come into her life.
She had also learned that despite her scathing reference to them sitting on their butts and not doing much of anything, it turned out that they were hardworking individuals who were staunch supporters of abused women and children.
Her week stay at the clinic had done wonders and she was impatient to go home.
Christos visited daily, sometimes even spending nights, lying in a sleep chair that had been brought in for him, but he was different.
There was something different about him.
He was courteous and attentive, but he made certain not to touch her, unless it was absolutely necessary.
She wasn't used to that side of him.
His family visited regularly, even the male members of the family. Lori was right, they were all in and very committed. She had not heard from her mother and decided that it was a good thing. She had another family, one that had made her feel welcome and were there for her.
It was time for her to do the right thing, to do what she had been afraid to do ever since she met him.
As soon as they reached home and he made certain she was settled in bed, he started from the room.
"I have some calls to make." He turned to look at her, his expression remote. "When you decide what you want for supper, I'll let the housekeeper know."
"Can't you make your calls here?"
He shook his head. "I don't want to disturb you, and I might have to do some yelling."
Before she could say anything more, he was gone, closing the door quietly behind him.
She stared at the door, a frown marring her forehead.
It had been three days since he was like this. No explanations, nothing. Usually, they were fighting about some decision he had gone ahead and made without consulting her, now he was remote and distant.
She knew he had spoken to her mother, and she cringed as she imagined what had been said. He had done that for her because she had cried all over him.
So, what had been said had finally got through to him. He decided that it was not worth the bother after all. If that was the case then, he needed to be man enough to tell her that he wanted her out of his life.
She plucked at the quilt, turning her head to stare out at the unrestricted view from the floor to ceiling window. She loved the wide open spaces. He had made some adjustments to accommodate her. The closet had more shelves added.
He had tapped into his account at Romano's, and she was now the owner of several very lovely maternity outfits. They certainly were not making them shapeless and unattractive anymore.
He saw to her every need. His housekeeper was apprised of the situation and was acting accordingly. He had told her they were getting married and yet he had not produced a ring or mentioned anything about it again.
Which meant he had changed his mind. If that was the case, she needed to know. Firming her lips, she shoved at the sheets. She had put on black leggings and an oversized cream sweater for her journey back from the clinic.
Her hair was done in a neat braid at the side of her head. She was going to have to call the salon and have them send someone to do a wash and deep condition very soon.
Slipping on the fuzzy pair of mules, she checked the mirror, grimacing at the slightly drawn look on her face before heading for the door.
This was what he had brought her into. He was the one who insisted they live together.
No, she shook her head, her lips pursed.
He had been asking her to marry him for weeks now.
So, he could just go to hell if he had suddenly changed his mind.
*****
He wasn't working of course. He had not completely lied to her. Not entirely. He had some paperwork to sort through. Being with her in the clinic, standing watch had messed with his schedule. Not that he minded, he told himself as he stared blindly out the window.
He had wanted to ensure that she was all right.
He hadn't been able to do any traveling, but his brothers had seen to it, they had picked up the slack. His family was good at doing so. And he hadn't wanted to be out of the country in case something went wrong. It would have killed him.
But he was angry. Still was. After the distasteful argument with her mother, he couldn't get the words out of his mind. Lori, bless her big heart had told him of the conversation she had with her. And had mentioned the broken arm part and how she had been discouraged to even cry out her pain.
He wanted to hurt someone. And not being able to accomplish that, it left him feeling helpless and furious. So, he couldn't face her. Or he would take it out on her.
Best to leave things alone until he calmed down sufficiently. He was lifting the glass to his mouth, when he caught movement at the corner of his eye that had him stiffening.
"You're supposed to be in bed."
"And you're supposed to be working or was that some excuse you made to be alone?"
The guilt came at the accuracy of her statement and had him turning to face her.
"I took a break. Nothing's wrong with that. What are you doing up?"
"I'm not an invalid." She placed a protective hand over her bulge. It was amazing how much she had ballooned out in just a few months. She was four months pregnant and there was no doubt she was carrying multiples.
"You should be off your feet. Your ankles tend to get swollen." He stayed where he was, even though he wanted to rush over and scoop her into his arms.
"Is that the issue here?" She demanded, walking into the office. "My swollen belly and ankles. Are you turned off by the fact that I'm no longer thin?"
He frowned at her. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Ever since I had that damn crying jag, you've been different. Lori told me you called my mother. Does that have anything to do with why you're turned off?"
Making sure his face was scrupulously clear of expression, he stared at her levelly. "Don't be ridiculous."
"You haven't answered my question. If you no longer want to be with me, then be a man about it. Say it to my face."
His eyes kindled with anger, his mouth thinning. "I won't listen to this nonsense." Striding to his desk, he slammed the glass down and reached for the internal phone. "I'll alert the housekeeper that we're ready to eat."
"Put the damn phone down Christos." She had waddled over to the desk and was leaning over, her eyes glinting with anger. "I will not be dismissed. I need you to tell me what's going on and based on what you say here and now, I will decide if I should go back upstairs and pack my damn bag."
Putting the receiver back, he straightened, expression hardening. "You think I would ever allow you to walk away?"
"Allow me?" She straightened slowly and propped her fists on her swollen waist. "Allow? Like I'm a child who needs your permission to do as I damn well please?"
"I'm not going to accommodate your need to vent. You need to eat."
"Damn you!" She shouted. "You were the one who pushed and pushed. You said you loved me and now you've changed your mind. Well to hell with you! I'm--"
She let out a gasp as he dug his fingers into her arm and marched around the desk. His face was frighteningly livid, eyes blazing. "Changed my mind? You think that I can love you so damn much and then change my mind the next minute?" He shook her roughly.
"I adore you! I cannot take a breath without thinking about you. You consume me, damn you. I'm angry, that's what I am. So bloody angry that I want to hurt the ones who hurt you." He shook her again. "You bloody fool. How can you not see what's in front of you?"
"Do you think I can ever be away from you? I've been keeping my distance so that I don't take out my rage on you, when you're not the source."
She stood there staring at him, her insides quaking. She had never been loved so completely, and it humbled as well as frightened her.
"That's, that's." She took a deep breath as she struggled to say the words that needed to be said. "It's handy because, because. Oh God! I love you too. There. I said it."
He went completely still, his fingers gripping her arm.
"Say it again." He whispered hoarsely.
"I just--"
"Please. Say it again."
The look on his face made it easier the second time. Leanne felt joy bursting inside her, warming her from the inside out.
Moving into his arms as far as her belly would allow, she lifted her hands to frame his beloved face and felt tears starting. "I love you Christos, more than I can ever express."
With a tortured groan, he cupped the back of her head and bent his to brush his lips on hers. All the pent up anger and uncertainty he had been feeling for the past few days melted away at the scent of her, his mate. Her breath mingled with his as he brushed his lips softly over hers.
He had to hold back, he thought dazedly. He had been without her for so long and her declaration had floored him. If he deepened the kiss, he would devour her. He wanted to swallow her whole.
"Make love to me. Now." She whispered against his lips, destroying the tight hold he had on his control.
"I can't." He gasped, trying to ease away. "We can't. We have to wait."
"No."
"Baby--" He groaned when she rubbed her lips over his. "You need to recover some more. I have to stay away. Darling--" He felt the blood draining out of his head and leaving him dizzy. She was nibbling on his bottom lip, sending hot darts of fire licking in his belly.
"We'll just go and lie down for a bit. I--"
"No." She used her tongue this time, running the tip of it to soothe the bites. And he was lost.
Swearing raggedly, he swung her into his arms as if she weighed little more than a feather and marched from the room.
*****