The whole event left Lily with a warm feeling and a genuine belief that this family really might live happily. Oh, there would be challenges of course, but a strong family weathered those together and she was sure that, no matter what had gone before, Kostas and Diandra were a strong family.
Just one dark cloud hovered on the horizon, shadowing her happiness. Now that the wedding was over, they’d both be returning to the reality of their lives.
And Nik Zervakis had no place in the reality of her life.
Still, they had one more night and she wasn’t going to spoil today by worrying about tomorrow. She was lost in a private and very erotic fantasy about what the night might bring when Kostas drew her to one side.
‘I have an enormous favour to ask of you.’
‘Of course.’ Her mind elsewhere, Lily wondered if it was time to be a bit more bold and inventive in the bedroom. Nik brought a seemingly never-ending source of energy, creativity and sexual expertise to every encounter and she wondered if it was time she took the initiative. Planning ways to give him a night he’d never forget, she remembered Kostas was talking and forced herself to concentrate.
‘Would you take Chloe for us tonight? I am thrilled she is with us, but I want this one night with Diandra. Chloe likes you. You have a way with children.’
Lily’s plans for an erotic night that Nik would remember for ever evaporated.
How could she refuse when her relationship with Nik was a transitory thing and this one was for ever?
‘Of course.’ She hid her disappointment beneath a smile, and decided that the news that they were sharing Camomile Villa with a toddler was probably best broken when it was too late for Nik to do anything about it, so instead of enlisting his help to transport Chloe’s gear across to the villa, she did it herself, sending a message via Diandra to tell him she was tired and to meet her back there when he was ready.
She’d settled a sleepy Chloe into her bed at the villa when she heard his footsteps on the terrace.
‘You should have waited for me.’ Nik stopped in the doorway as she put her finger to her lips.
‘Shh—she’s sleeping.’
‘Who is sleeping?’
‘Chloe.’ She pointed to where Chloe lay, splayed like a starfish in the middle of the bed. ‘It’s their wedding night, Nik. They don’t want to have to think about getting up to a toddler. And in case you’re thinking you don’t want to get up to a toddler either, you don’t have to. I’ll do it.’
He removed his tie and disposed of his jacket. ‘She is going to sleep in the bed?’
‘Yes. I thought we could babysit her together.’ She eyed him, unsure how he’d react. ‘I know this is going to ruin our last night. Are you angry?’
‘No.’ He undid the buttons on his shirt and sighed. ‘It was the right thing to do. I should have thought of it.’
‘She might keep us awake all night.’
His eyes gleamed with faint mockery. ‘We’ve had plenty of practice.’ He looked at the child on the bed. ‘Tell me what you want me to do. This should be my responsibility, not yours. And I want to do the right thing. It’s important to me that she feels secure and loved.’
Her insides melted. ‘You don’t have to “do” anything. And if you’d rather go to bed, that’s fine.’
‘I have a better idea. We have
a drink on the terrace. Open the doors. That way we’ll hear her if she wakes up and she won’t be able to escape without us seeing.’
‘She’s a child, not a wild animal.’ But his determination to give his half-sister the security she deserved touched her, and Lily stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek. ‘And a drink is a good idea. I didn’t drink anything at the wedding because I was so nervous that something might go wrong.’
‘I know the feeling.’ He slid his hand behind her head and tilted her face to his. ‘Thank you for coming with me. I have no doubt at all that the wedding was a happier experience for everyone involved because you were there.’ His gaze dropped to her mouth and lingered there and her heart started to pound.
All day, she’d been aware of him. Of the leashed power concealed beneath the perfect cut of his suit, of the raw sexuality framed by spectacular good looks.
A cry from the bedroom shattered the moment and she eased away regretfully. ‘Could you pick her up while I fetch her a drink? Diandra says she usually has a drink of warm milk before she goes to sleep and I’m sure today was unsettling for her.’
‘It was unsettling for all of us,’ he drawled and she smiled.
‘Do you want warm milk, too? Because I could fix that.’
‘I was thinking more of chilled champagne.’ He glanced towards the bedroom and gave a resigned sigh. ‘I will go to her, but don’t blame me when I make it a thousand times worse.’