Chapter Fifteen
‘I THINK YOU’LL AGREE, it’s a highly desirable property,’ the estate agent said as they exited the architect-designed home and stood, surveying the view of Athens. ‘It meets all the items on your wish list.’
Panos turned and met Dido’s eyes, his look questioning. She felt a little tug of pleasure. Any qualms that he might expect to make all decisions in this relationship had been scotched in the six weeks since their return from Vienna.
Now they had a partnership. They talked about things that mattered and she knew he wanted her to be happy. And if the basis of their relationship was pragmatism, rather than love…she told herself to be grateful for what she had.
‘It is lovely,’ she murmured.
When he’d asked her opinion about giving up his current Athens home, the showpiece penthouse that she’d found so daunting, she’d been pleased. Especially when he’d spoken of wanting somewhere with a big yard for Athena to play.
She’d instantly imagined her little girl playing with a younger sibling or two in the bright Greek sunshine. The idea of more children had filled her with delight and excitement.
‘So you like it?’ Panos persisted.
She smiled. ‘I do. It’s beautiful and convenient to the city but it’s comfortable.’
It would make a perfect part-time home, along with the island Dido was growing to love, and the London house Panos planned to buy so they could regularly spend time with Flavia.
When Panos had insisted he wanted her aunt to be part of their daughter’s life Dido had been moved. Not just by his consideration, but because he truly valued family. It was criminal that he’d never known the familial love and support she had.
‘I agree.’ His smile made his eyes glow. ‘We want a home, not a showpiece. Though,’ he added as he turned to the agent, ‘it is an impressive design.’
Instantly the agent began extolling its details. But while Panos discussed specifications, Dido was content to lean close, his arm warm around her.
She knew Panos liked the place as much as she did. But then their tastes so often dovetailed. They were more alike than she’d allowed herself to believe.
When she’d married Panos she’d known she was taking a risk, not knowing him long.
Now she understood the risk had been worth taking.
Panos made her happy in so many ways. He was tender, thoughtful, passionate and caring.
His bond with Athena was strong and with her…
well, it got better every day. The only thing missing was love.
Dido had no doubts he adored their daughter.
But given his past, was he even capable of romantic love?
She’d learned about the burdens he carried. How cut off he felt from others. He’d grown so used to believing everyone wanted his money, he didn’t realise his popularity could be real. Like with the staff and children on the holiday resort he’d created.
When she’d mentioned that, he’d muttered about simply being a benefactor. Dido knew it was more. She’d seen him with those kids. The laughter they shared, and the respect.
It was her mission to show him there were people who liked him, separate to his fortune.
As she stood in the circle of his arm, she imagined hosting friends here in the large covered entertaining area. Their future home would be happy and over time Panos would understand he wasn’t alone anymore. That he belonged.
She’d already started organising a surprise party at their island home for his birthday.
Flavia and a few of Dido’s friends would fly out and a group from the resort would come by boat for a barbecue feast. She was so busy picturing it and mentally reviewing her to-do list, that she was surprised when the estate agent offered his goodbyes.
‘You really like the place that much?’ Panos asked as they exited the security gates. ‘You’re not just trying to please me?’
Dido stopped on the pavement and turned to him. Her hand palmed his shirt, feeling hard muscle and that steady heartbeat she loved to snuggle up against as she went to sleep. ‘No, I really love it.’
And not just the house. Her heart lurched then picked up speed. She’d fallen for him years before and was falling deep for him all over again.
Was it madness to hope one day his feelings might match hers? The question haunted her, making her teeter between hope and fear.
‘But I do like pleasing you,’ she whispered, and was delighted to see that familiar molten glint in his eyes.
Was he remembering their early morning shower today? She wasn’t going to forget it anytime soon. The thought made her wet between the legs.
Maybe he was, because he wrapped both arms around her, hauling her close, his breath hot on her ear. ‘You know you make me—’
A shout interrupted.
A second later Dido found herself behind him as he spun to face the street. One hand held her arm, as if to ensure she stayed there and she felt his big body brace.
There were sounds of a scuffle and more shouts, then Panos turned. ‘Come. The car’s just here.’
Sure enough, their vehicle had purred up beside them. But as Panos opened the door to usher her in, Dido heard her name called by a familiar voice.
The skin at her nape tightened and she froze. ‘But that’s…’ She peeked past him and saw her half-brother Charlie struggling to get past a pair of men in dark suits.
She rarely noticed Panos’ bodyguards. They were experts at blending into their surroundings, but moved fast when needed. The sight of them forcibly holding Charlie back made her eyes goggle.
‘You don’t want to talk to him, do you?’
Panos’ question cut through her astonishment. She shook her head, revulsion vying with shock. Charlie had done his best to ruin her life. She wanted nothing to do with him.
Panos nodded and gestured for her to get in. ‘I’ll make sure he doesn’t bother you.’
Once she was inside he shut the door and strode the few metres down the pavement to where Charlie now stepped back from the bodyguards, adjusting his collar and straightening.
She saw the beginnings of her half-brother’s smile and felt bile rise. What was he doing here? But there was only one answer. He saw a chance to get something for himself from her relationship with Panos. What lies would he tell?
He didn’t have time to say much. Panos leaned towards him, speaking. Even from this distance she saw Charlie pale, before he began to talk. But Panos was already moving away. Minutes later he was beside her on the back seat as the car smoothly accelerated away.
Panos turned to her, his features sharply honed. His gaze gave nothing away.
Did he know she hadn’t invited Charlie to Athens? They’d been seen out enough for the world to know they were together. It wasn’t a secret. Not like last time when Panos had blamed her for Charlie’s approach.
Yet her stomach was full of swooping butterflies and her body hunched protectively. Seeing Charlie made her feel sick. But far worse was the possibility everything she’d been building with Panos might shatter again.
She read the tension around his mouth and locked jaw, the tic of his pulse testament that he fought to stay calm. Her heart plummeted.
Then he reached out one hand, palm up on the leather seat. ‘Dido.’
When he said her name like that, in the rich, roughened voice she usually heard when they made love, something unspooled inside her. She let out a breath she hadn’t realised she held. Slowly she unwrapped one of the arms wound around her middle and put her palm in his.
Long fingers curled around hers, squeezing gently.
‘He won’t bother you now.’ Dido breathed deep at Panos’ reassurance, catching his skin’s faint bergamot and spice scent. ‘Now, let’s talk houses. Would you like to look at more options?’
Dido blinked. Surely she should say something about her half-brother. But Panos was right. She wanted nothing to do with Charlie. He was poison. Why waste time on him? Especially as Panos seemed to have discounted the possibility she’d invited him to Athens. Relief buoyed her.
She wrapped both her hands around her husband’s.
Her husband’s.
He was the man she wanted to spend her life with. A man who wasn’t perfect but was trying hard. Perhaps she’d never hear the word love from his lips. Perhaps his past made that impossible. But she’d take what he could give. He made her happier than any other man could and he was all she wanted.
‘The house is gorgeous. I’d love to live there with you and raise our family.’ She held his gaze, feeling that buzz of connection. ‘I can imagine Athena playing hide-and-seek there.’
He nodded. ‘She’d love the pool too.’
Instantly Dido could see the pair of them, father and daughter, laughing together in the water. ‘And the library, I’d like to fill it with books. And that huge, trellised patio will be perfect for entertaining.’
His expression stilled.
‘You don’t like hosting parties?’
His shoulders lifted. ‘I don’t know. I’ve never done it. I don’t count charity galas where I’m wheeled in to give a speech and persuade people to donate money.’
Dido’s heart missed a beat. He said it so prosaically, as if it were normal, never having friends visit.
How she wished a younger Panos had been allowed to discover the joys of true friendship. But there was no point dwelling on the past. They’d concentrate on the future.
‘You’re married to a party planner, and as an expert I can tell you that house is perfect for entertaining. But don’t worry, I’ll enjoy organising that.’ She squeezed his hands. ‘I want our children to grow up in a home where they can have their friends around. I don’t want them—’
‘Socially isolated.’ He nodded. ‘I want that too.’ His look was grave. ‘You said children, plural.’
‘I did.’ She held her breath. Until his mouth curled in a smile that made her think of long, passion-filled nights.
‘You know,’ his low voice was velvet brushing her skin, ‘if we’re going to fill the house with parties and children, perhaps we need to start now.’
His index finger stroked the centre of her palm, sending thrills of delight through her.