Chapter Seven #2
Dating seemed a curiously old-fashioned, almost innocent word. Fotis didn’t date, he took women to bed.
He didn’t have emotional relationships with them.
Not after watching his mother use sham affection for the males in her life, solely to get the lifestyle she craved.
Besides, after losing his father and brother, he’d found it easier not to engage emotionally.
His affairs were short-term, exclusive while they lasted, and with no expectation on either side that they’d lead to anything more than physical gratification.
‘There’s no one worrying about who I spend my time with.’
‘No one? You don’t have family?’
He hesitated on the brink of a terse response. Something sharp that would deter more questions. Except he knew now that Rosamund wasn’t a spoilt socialite probing for fun. She’d been genuinely distressed and concerned for him last night, not leaving his side until he’d received treatment.
He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had worried about him like that. It made him feel…raw. Yet part of him hankered for more.
His voice roughened. ‘Only my mother and she doesn’t take an interest in things like that.’
Blue eyes surveyed him, unblinking, making him wonder what was going on in Rosamund’s quick brain. ‘But if the press knows there was an incident last night—’
‘She won’t worry.’ He saw Rosamund wasn’t convinced. ‘We’re not in contact. I don’t even know where she is. She could be incommunicado at some Pacific beach resort, or shopping in New York.’
It was a lie. Of course he knew where she was, on a luxurious, privately-owned Caribbean island. Even after all these years he kept discreet tabs on the woman. If he knew where she was he could ensure their paths never crossed.
Time to change the subject.
‘I talked with your brother.’
‘Leon? He rang?’ Fotis heard pleased surprise in her voice. As if a call from the king was an unexpected pleasure. What were her family relationships like? He doubted they could be worse than his.
‘I called to update him.’ He paused. ‘The US investigators are closing in on Ricardo. They’re hopeful it won’t take much longer to finish building the case and arrest him. But you’ll need continued close personal protection for a while longer.’
If he’d expected her to be pleased, he was mistaken.
‘He’s already tried an attack on me and failed. The police have the attacker in custody.’
‘They’ve yet to prove the link and that doesn’t mean you’re out of danger. What’s to stop Ricardo trying again?’
Rosamund paled. ‘Is that likely? Surely he has other priorities if he’s running out of money.’
Fotis’ mouth flattened. He knew how reckless a thwarted narcissist could be, his mother was a perfect example. Ricardo might not expect money from Rosamund, but Fotis guessed he felt she owed him for what he’d lost.
He leaned across the table, willing her to understand.
‘You made a fool of him in public. You denied him the fortune he desperately needed. And he is desperate. That makes him angry and dangerous. The scandal you created means even if he did have another woman in his sights, they wouldn’t trust him after reading those press reports.
If he’s going down, he’ll want to take you with him. ’
Fotis saw the brutal words sink in, hating their necessity.
Rosamund gave a shuddering sigh then put her untouched coffee down. ‘So Leon wants me to have the full complement of royal bodyguards when I get back to Cardona.’
‘That’s one option.’ Fotis measured his words carefully. ‘Or you could come with me to Greece. I can protect you there more easily. After all, the world believes we’re lovers.’ He ignored the blast of pleasure his words elicited. ‘No one will think it suspicious if we spend time together.’
‘To Greece? With you?’
Her astonishment was such that he might have suggested they fly to the moon instead of across the Mediterranean.
‘You don’t trust me to look after you?’
Her gaze went to his bandaged arm then to his face. ‘Of course I trust you.’
There it was again, that peculiar feeling of loosening and warmth, deep inside, as if she’d tugged free a too-tight knot in his gut. He didn’t let himself wonder why her trust mattered.
‘Why would you do that? You fulfilled your end of the bargain. Leon will deliver on his promise.’
Fotis was the first to look away, fixing his attention on the navy blue sea. ‘There are benefits to having a king in your debt.’
‘You negotiated another deal with him?’
He shrugged. Let her think that. It was easier to let her believe his interest was in fulfilling his own agenda than a simple determination to keep her safe.
He cared about her well-being.
That was rare. For years he’d cut himself off from relationships. There were few exceptions, like Dimi Politis and her grandfather. Life was easier when you were totally self-sufficient. And far less painful.
‘He should have spoken to me before making any arrangements.’
She folded her arms, inadvertently tugging the towel down to reveal her breasts, plumped up by the gesture. Fotis made himself look away, wrestling his unruly thoughts under control. He couldn’t be distracted by that lush body and what he’d like to do with her.
‘I have a busy schedule. I can’t just hare off to Greece.’
‘Leon had someone check your royal diary. He said there’s nothing that can’t be rescheduled.’
The look she gave him ignited, as if he’d poured petrol onto hot embers. Her eyes blazed and perversely he wanted to draw closer and bask in that heat.
‘I haven’t been living in Cardona full-time lately. Leon has no idea of my schedule.’ She bit the words out, all clipped indignation. ‘Not all my commitments are in the royal diary.’
Fotis crossed his arms. ‘Is there somewhere else you need to be in the next week or so? Something else you need to do?’
A suspicion had formed over their time in Paris.
They’d attended a lot of events together.
Some expected, like formal galas and film screenings.
Some surprising, like a community college awards night where Rosamund had presented scholarships to teenagers studying acting and related disciplines. Scholarships in her mother’s name.
Rosamund wasn’t the woman he’d first imagined. But as time passed he’d seen the hours she’d spent frowning over her laptop, or engrossed, writing in a tattered notebook. Both of which she’d snap shut whenever he approached.
He supposed he could confirm his suspicion easily enough, but he didn’t want to investigate her any more than he already had. She’d had enough people pry into her life.
He’d rather she told him herself.
‘Rosamund?’
She firmed her lips and looked away. Her schedule for the next month consisted of solid days working on the draft of her new book, and ideas for illustrations.
But she was not going to explain that. The idea of spending more time with him made her feel vulnerable.
She’d had enough trouble trying to get work done this last week, always hyper-alert to his presence in the Paris house.
Her life wasn’t perfect but it suited her. She was heart whole and set her own priorities. That had always been enough for her, hadn’t it?
Yet having him at her side, looking out for her, had made her wonder what it would be like to be with someone. Really be with someone. To matter to them.
As if you’d ever matter to Fotis. He’s only here because he’s done a deal with Leon.
Rosamund remembered his contempt when they’d met. She understood his anger at what he thought she’d done to Dimitria Politis. After a lifetime of being judged and found wanting, Rosamund resented that he’d done exactly that.
She deserved better. Far better.
And maybe you’re scrounging for reasons to keep your distance. When you explained what happened in New York, he believed you. He stopped being so judgemental.
Maybe you’re jealous of the Greek girl who arouses him to such protectiveness. Last night it was all you could do to resist tumbling into his bed.
Her problem was that this man made her feel unfamiliar emotions. As if it weren’t enough that she was targeted by an unbalanced criminal.
Her mouth tugged down in a rueful half-smile. Life was never simple, was it?
‘I don’t like people talking about me behind my back.’ Which was hilarious, when she thought about it. That was the story of her life. ‘Organising things on my behalf, I mean.’
She’d hoped, after that recent meeting with Leon, that perhaps she was more to her half-brother than an unwanted responsibility.
It was stupid to feel hurt that he’d discussed the situation with Fotis, not her.
After all, Fotis had called him. Rosamund had been too shell-shocked last night to call Leon.
For most of her early years he hadn’t been around.
She’d certainly never got in the habit of confiding in him.
She was simply out of sorts today. She didn’t know what she wanted. That exasperated her. She never dithered.
Rosamund turned to meet Fotis’ intense stare. It felt like diving into the ocean, letting the currents drag her deep. As if she could float there safely.
The intensity of the illusion pushed her into speech. ‘I don’t want a bodyguard, even for another week.’
She didn’t want to feel beholden, knowing he saw her as an obligation. The physical pull between them might be strong but one glance at that proud face reminded her Fotis’ priorities would always be business.
‘But,’ she said as he opened his mouth, ‘I’ll consider going with you to Greece.’
No! This is a mistake.
She silenced the warning voice in her head. Just as she ignored her illicit thrill at the idea of going to Greece with him. Last night she’d told herself parting from him was necessary. Today her willpower had seriously fractured. The thought of leaving him filled her with dread.
Those winged, black eyebrows lifted. ‘You’ll consider it?’
‘On one condition. First, we go to the hospital and get your arm checked properly, not by the house doctor here, but by an expert. Then—’