The Maid's Best Kept Secret (The Marchetti Dynasty 1)

It took her hours to fall asleep that night. And the revelation that he hadn’t slept with anyone since her hit her anew when she woke in the morning. She knew it really shouldn’t mean anything, but she couldn’t help her silly heart beating a little too fast every time she thought about it.

/> She knew it was dangerous to contemplate, but the fact that he wanted her and she wanted him... Surely it went beyond the purely physical? Or could?

But Maggie grimaced. He still hadn’t really bonded with Daniel. If he couldn’t bond with his baby then what chance did she have?

When Maggie emerged into the breakfast room with Daniel, Nikos wasn’t there. But there was a note and a mobile phone.

Your new phone. I’ve sent you a text. N.

She picked up the phone and read the text.

We’re going to a party tonight. Need to be ready to leave at six p.m. Is this okay?

Maggie figured that at least he was asking her. Not ordering her.

She typed back a quick text.

Yes, fine. X

Then she quickly deleted the X and sent it.

‘You didn’t say we were leaving Athens to go to the party,’ Maggie commented drily as she preceded Nikos back into the apartment later that night.

Her insides were still swooping after their return journey in the small sleek helicopter that had taken them to the island and back.

To her surprise it had been an enjoyable evening, an informal event celebrating the eightieth birthday of an old friend of Nikos’s grandparents. Alexiou Spinakis.

The small, rocky and idyllic island had been covered in wild flowers and was full of exotic scents. They’d arrived as the sun was setting, and it had been the most magical sight Maggie had ever seen. And then they’d returned to see Athens lit up underneath them like a glittering carpet of jewels.

She slipped off her heels, giving a small groan of relief. She turned to face Nikos, whose shirt was open, his jacket off and slung over his shoulder, held by one finger. He looked thoroughly disreputable, and Maggie’s body tingled all over after an evening spent in such close proximity with him.

In a bid to defuse the ever-simmering physical awareness, Maggie said, ‘I really liked Alexiou. He was sweet.’

Nikos smiled. ‘He liked you—the old goat.’

Maggie made a face. ‘It wasn’t like that. He really loves you, you know. And I can see that you care for him.’

Nikos’s face became impassive. ‘He was kind to me.’

‘It’s more than that—he considers you family.’

Maggie felt vulnerable all of a sudden, when she realised that she’d seen a totally different side to Nikos that evening. He’d been at home in his environment, relaxed in a way she’d never seen before. And clearly, he cared for the older man who’d evidently been more of a grandparent to Nikos than his own blood family.

With each layer stripped away he was revealing more of the complex man underneath, and she felt she had to protect herself more.

Terrified that he might touch her, or see even a hint of the vulnerability she felt, she stepped back and said, ‘I should go and let Marianne know we’re back. I told her not to worry about the night feeds tonight.’

Maggie turned and walked away and Nikos had to battle with himself not to beg her to stop and stay. Her words he considers you family reverberated in his head. He didn’t need family. But the truth was that Maggie was his family now. And Daniel. No matter how alien it felt. No matter how terrifying.

He watched the green silk of her dress billowing around her body. She’d taken her shoes off and carried them in one hand. Her hair was loose and wild. That dress had been driving him crazy all night, making his hands itch to slide underneath it and cup her breasts.

He wanted nothing more than to go after her and sink deep inside her, where he didn’t have to think. Or feel. But their son needed her.

For the first time in Nikos’s life he had to acknowledge the novel sensation of someone else taking precedence over him. He also had to acknowledge that, as much as he wanted Maggie, he didn’t relish those far too incisive blue eyes searching his soul for why he always felt such a mix of emotions when he saw his old friend, Alexiou.

He’d always been there for Nikos in a way his family never had. Alexiou used to visit him at boarding school, whenever he’d been in England on business. Even though Nikos had been an angry, surly youth.

The older man would ruffle his hair and say, ‘You can’t push everyone away for ever, Nikky. Sooner or later you’ll have to let someone in or you’ll die alone, like I will.’