Making love to her in Athens had been explosive, mind-blowing. But this was more.
Watching her take her pleasure. Watching her beautiful face shine as she rode him, causing such agony for them both—and such explosive pleasure. When he’d heard her gasp out the words, he could hold back no longer, and he poured himself into her with a sharp cry.
Holding her afterward, he realized why this was like nothing he’d ever felt before. He hadn’t just been making love to Eve.
He was in love with her.
Looking at his beautiful, pregnant wife, his heart lurched in his chest. He loved her. She had brought him back to life, made him feel and see things in his life in a totally different light.
He loved her.
He would die if he ever lost her.
And he prayed they would stay here forever, happy, hidden from the world, where he’d never have to be afraid she might remember—
She suddenly screamed in a hoarse voice that had nothing to do with pleasure.
Covering her face, she rolled away from him.
“Eve!” He cradled her back against his naked chest, trying to see her face. When she finally rolled back to face him, her beautiful face was streaked with tears.
“I had another memory.” Her voice was like a whimper.
The chill of fear struck through his heart. “What was it?”
She blinked up at him, her lovely eyes the chilling blue of ice. “I remembered stealing the papers from your safe. I gave them to Jake Skinner at that restaurant, just like you said. Then I ran away from Athens and kept running. I never wanted you to find me. I hated you.”
Her face looked shell-shocked, bewildered, her eyes filling with tears as she pleaded, “Why? Why did I hate you so much?”
His heart rose in his throat. He stared down at her, unable to speak.
“Tell me why I hated you,” she cried.
“I…I don’t know,” he lied, wanting to protect his wife.
Covering her face, she pushed away from him, curling her body into a fetal position.
“It doesn’t matter.” He forced her to roll back. He looked down at her. “The past doesn’t matter. Not anymore. All that matters is the future. Our baby.”
Naked, she stared up at him.
“Do you love me, Talos?” she whispered.
He hadn’t expected that question.
Yes, he started to say. I love you.
But the words got stuck in his throat. He’d never said them before to anyone.
I love you. And I’m terrified I’ll lose you.
When he didn’t answer, she sucked in her breath. He saw the misery on her face and knew he’d hurt her at the moment she most needed comfort.
“Eve…” he whispered. He leaned forward to kiss her.
Then stopped himself.
He’d thought by bringing her to Mithridos, a place she’d never been before, he could protect her from the memories.