Chapter Fifteen #3
She looked proud, almost defiant, like a strong woman about to tell him to go to hell. ‘I love you.’
‘What?’
He gaped as her serious face transformed and she gave a huff of laughter. Then amusement vanished and she leaned in, expression earnest. ‘I love you, Panos. S’agapo. I even know how to say it in Greek.’
His heart pounded. He was astonished, torn between disbelief and elation. ‘I thought you believed the worst. That you’d thought I’d been plotting against you to take Theeny away. How can you believe me so easily? How can you love me?’
That was the truly impossible thing. For no one, ever, had loved him. Even craving her love, doing everything recently to win it, part of him had despaired of it ever happening.
‘Simple. I know you now. I trust you. I know how horrified you were, discovering you’d jumped to the wrong conclusion about me before. You’re a good man who tries to do the right thing. You wouldn’t try to steal my daughter away. Not now.’
Never in his life had Panos been lost for words but he was now.
‘Don’t look so shocked. I know my feelings. I’ve known for a long time.’ Her gaze dipped from his before she looked up again, and what he saw there melted every last vestige of bitterness a lifetime of loneliness had created.
‘I loved you three years ago, Panos. That’s why I hated you for banishing me.
Why I never wanted to see you again. But since then you’ve proved you are the man I’d once believed in.
Overhearing that conversation rocked me.
But instead of running away, I came to get the truth from your lips.
Because you’re right, I know you wouldn’t lie to me. ’
His throat closed on an uprush of emotion and he pulled her close, wrapping his arms tight around her, whispering endearments against her silken hair.
Her arms came around him, squeezing, her head against his chest. His ribs expanded on a mighty sigh as he tried to take it all in.
‘You really must love me.’ He was amazed she hadn’t marched away, believing the worst.
Her chuckle sounded watery and he pulled back just enough to look into her flushed features. Her eyes were overbright. ‘Don’t cry, matia mou. It’s okay. Everything is going to be all right.’
‘I know. I just feel so happy.’
Was that what this feeling was? True happiness? It felt like wonderment mixed with joy and an optimism such as he’d never known. His smile was too huge to be contained. ‘Loving you is the best thing in my life.’
She blinked rapidly but her smile was so beautiful it transfixed him. ‘And our daughter.’
‘Of course. That goes without saying.’
‘You still haven’t explained everything.’
Panos stroked his hand through her vibrant curls. ‘And I still can’t believe you love me.’
It was a miracle, that the woman he’d wronged believed in him ‘I love you, Dido Diamandis. It’s taken me too long to realise how I feel about you. But looking back I realise the reason I proposed to you three years ago was that I’d fallen head over heels in love with you.’
As she had with him. Elation punched his chest.
Now her eyes shone like polished gems. ‘I wanted a family and stability but above all I wanted you. Needed you. I couldn’t articulate my feelings, didn’t even recognise them, but that’s why I reacted so badly when I thought you’d lied. For the first time I’d opened my heart and—’
‘You thought I’d betrayed you. Oh, Panos.’
‘I’m sorry. If I could go back in time—’
‘Sh.’ Dido pressed her fingertips to his lips. ‘That’s in the past.’ For a lingering moment she stared up at him as if she’d never seen anything so fascinating and he’d never felt so wonderful. ‘Now tell me what’s going on.’
He shrugged. ‘It’s simple. I’m taking you on a romantic weekend away, just the pair of us. Everyone’s sworn to secrecy. It was going to be a surprise.’
‘It was that.’
He grinned. ‘It was meant to be a good surprise. I’ve booked a castle—’
‘A castle? A real castle?’
He shrugged. ‘Just a little one, on the edge of a lake, surrounded by mountains. Very secluded and romantic, with several big four-poster beds.’
‘You wanted to make sure Athena was well protected while we were away, particularly with Charlie sniffing around.’ Her eyes danced. ‘I love the sound of a romantic getaway.’
‘I’d do anything for you, Dido. I haven’t wanted anyone else since I met you. You’re the only woman I’ve ever spent a whole night with, the only person I trust implicitly. The only woman I want to spend my life with. You mean everything, you and our little girl.’
Dido blinked brimming eyes. ‘Just when I think I couldn’t love you any more you go and say something like that.’
Panos felt a hot, scratchy sensation behind his eyes and swallowed hard. But he knew now these feelings for Dido didn’t make him weak. They made him strong.
‘Together we’re going to make a wonderful future.’
She rose and brushed a kiss to his lips. ‘I can’t wait.’
Being a man not given to hesitation, he scooped her close and kissed her thoroughly. She might believe in him, might love him, but he’d never take that for granted. He’d show her every day of their lives together exactly how much she meant to him.
The only woman in the world for him. His adored wife.