‘I want to spend my life with you. You’ve given me so many things, Leandro. Diamonds, houses, cars, a lifestyle beyond my wildest dreams, but the most important thing you’ve given me is self-esteem. You make me feel special.’
‘You are special.’ He cupped her face in his hands. ‘You took on your sister’s child, despite everything.’
‘So did you.’ Millie’s eyes filled. ‘You took him on knowing that he wasn’t yours. Knowing that everyone would make assumptions.’
‘I didn’t want Costas to go through what I went through.’ He gave a twisted smile. ‘The situation was different, I know, but for me it felt like a healing process. I was able to give this baby a home, a name—an identity. Everything I never had. Millie…’ He was hesitant. ‘This lifestyle isn’t going to change. If you stay with me, there are always going to be people hunting you down, wanting to make you believe bad things about me.’
Millie leaned forward and kissed him. ‘Is this a good moment to confess that I might need the services of your lawyer after all?’
‘Why?’
She shrank slightly. ‘I was in a panic when I put Costas in your car…’
‘And…?’
‘I think I might have accidentally damaged one of the motorcycles that the journalists had propped against your gate. It was in the way. I was also responsible for the fact that one of the journalists dropped his camera.’
‘Sounds like you need driving lessons.’ Laughter in his eyes, Leandro raised an eyebrow in mocking contemplation. ‘Dare I enquire after the health of my Ferrari?’
Millie squirmed. ‘It’s nice to know where your priorities lie. It might need a teeny-weeny touch of paint.’
Leandro closed his eyes. ‘I don’t love you any more.’
Millie giggled and wound her arms round his neck. ‘Yes, you do.’
‘You’re right, I do.’ Leandro took her face in his hands and kissed her. ‘I love you, agape mou. I will always love you, no matter how many Ferraris you get through or how many journalists sue me. You say that you’re different to every other woman I’ve ever been with and that’s true—you are. That’s why I fell in love with you. I saw instantly that you were different. You weren’t interested in my money and you had values that I admired and respected.’
‘I can see why you were disappointed when you thought I’d turned into a shopaholic.’
‘I didn’t look for a reason for the change in your behaviour. I accused you of not trusting me, but I was guilty of that charge, not you. I assumed you’d suddenly discovered how much you enjoyed having the money.’
‘Leandro, I do like the money,’ Millie muttered. ‘Anyone would be mad not to, wouldn’t they? I love the fact that I don’t have to queue for a bus in the rain. I’ll never stop being thrilled when the lights turn on by themselves, but most of all I love the fact I’m going to be able to stay at h
ome with Costas and our baby and not work.’
‘Babies,’ Leandro purred, his characteristic arrogance once more in evidence. ‘I intend to keep you very busy in that department. I’d hate Costas to be lonely.’
Millie grinned. ‘This one isn’t cooked yet.’
He slid his hand over her flat stomach in a gesture that was both intimate and protective. ‘You will be a fantastic mother.’
Millie kissed him, feeling the roughness of his jaw against her sensitive skin. ‘What are we going to do about Costas? I can’t bear to think of him growing up with this question of his parentage hanging over him.’
‘My lawyers have started adoption proceedings,’ Leandro told her. ‘I can’t pretend it’s going to be a quick and simple process, but we’ll get there, I promise you that. We’re his parents.’
‘And I think we should have a couple of dogs. Big dogs. Trained to bite journalists.’
Leandro laughed. ‘I was so wrong about you. I used to think you were gentle and kind.’
‘I am, most of the time. As long as no one upsets me.’ Millie grinned. ‘It’s no good frowning. You don’t scare me any more.’
‘I’d noticed. In fact, I’m not sure I like the new, confident you,’ he drawled. ‘I’m not sure you know your place.’
Millie wound her arms round his neck. ‘I know my place, Leandro Demetrios,’ she said softly, and he lifted an eyebrow in question.
‘So where is your place, agape mou?’
‘By your side, bearing your children, loving you for the rest of my life. That’s my place.’