Greek Tycoon, Inexperienced Mistress

Children were chasing round the villa, hotly pursued by their nannies and Samson, Sausage and Alissa’s dog, scruffy little Mattie. Lindy bustled about, checking that everyone had what they needed to be comfortable, but she did not have much to do because their housekeeper was so very efficient.

Soon they took the children outside, to let them burn off their energy. Elinor’s three kids, Sami, Mariyah and little Tarif, were inseparable from Alissa’s two, Evelina and Alek, and Theo fitted right in. Tall for his age, like Alek, and also a daredevil, he raced about on sturdy legs. Prince Sami, the eldest and now the direct heir to the throne of Quaram, was undeniably the leader of the group. Mature for his years, he was already demonstrating the social skills he had begun learning from the moment his father, Jasim, became King of Quaram, when his grandfather, Akil, had passed away.

‘They’re such great company for each other,’ Elinor pronounced with satisfaction. ‘If the children are fully occupied we get to spend more time together.’

‘You’re pale, Lindy,’ Alissa remarked anxiously as their hostess supervised the arrival of a tray of cool drinks. ‘Let me take care of that. You’ve been very busy today and you should sit down.’

‘I’m fine…it’s the heat.’ Lindy settled heavily into an armchair, stretched out her legs and tried to relax. She was six months pregnant with twins, and as far as she knew both were girls. Theo couldn’t wait for them to be born, and Lindy was already looking forward to the prospect of doing girlie things with her daughters and choosing pretty clothes.

They dined in state that evening on Platinum II. It was a wonderful meal, blessed by a lot of laughter and solid friendship, but by late evening Lindy was glad to walk back into the peace and comfort of their own bedroom.

Atreus eased her down on the bed and thoughtfully flipped off her high heels for her.

‘Happy anniversary, agapi mou,’ he murmured, sliding a jewellery box into her hand.

‘It’s not until tomorrow,’ Lindy reminded him.

‘But tomorrow we will have company, and tonight we’re alone.’ Atreus flicked open the box for her and removed a gold bracelet hung with charms.

Her interest quickened as she realised that the dainty charms had been selected to have relevance to her life. There was a little boy with a football, a big dog and a little dog, a racing yacht, a tiny island, and a cat—which revealed that Atreus had noticed the scrawny feral moggy she had smuggled into the house after all. But most precious of all was the diamond heart charm etched with her husband’s name.

‘My heart in your hands,’ Atreus told her, his eyes brilliant with emotion as he framed her smiling face with caressing fingers. ‘I want to thank you for the gift of three wonderful years and a child I adore…not to mention the two on the way…’

‘Yes, we’ve done very well on the family front,’ Lindy whispered, all her attention locked to his lean, dark, devastatingly handsome profile as he clasped the bracelet on her wrist. ‘But the most important thing is that you make me feel incredibly happy and valued. That’s why I love you so much.’

‘The longer you’re with me, the more I love you, agapi mou,’ Atreus intoned, bending his dark head to steal a passionate kiss that shimmied through her nerve-endings like a delicious wake-up call. ‘And I’m never going to stop loving you.’

Her trust complete, she locked her arms round him as best she could with her tummy in the way. With a sound of amusement low in his throat, he rearranged her on the bed for greater comfort, and smoothed a loving hand over the swell of her stomach. ‘You’re beautiful,’ he told her softly.

And she knew that in his eyes she was. Her happiness knew no bounds. ‘We’re together for ever,’ she told him lovingly.

With his next kiss he sealed the deal.