“I put her down for an early nap, so she would be at her best when your mother and sister arrive.” Polly turned to Corrina and hugged her. “I think married life is agreeing with you. You look wonderful.”
Corrina was dressed in casual summer elegance, but it was the happy glow about the Greek heiress who had gone to school in England that brought a smile to Polly’s own features.
“And you don’t look nearly so tired as the last time I saw you. How are you feeling?”
“Really well. I’ve had a second session with the chiropractor, and both he and the acupuncturist are coming back in a couple of days.”
Corrina grinned. “I’m still gobsmacked that Alexandros arranged all that.”
“Would my brother not
do whatever was in his power to make sure you were as comfortable as possible if you were pregnant with his child?” Alexandros asked chidingly, showing he’d been listening even if it had looked like he was busy greeting his brother.
Corrina blushed, giving Polly a caught look. She smiled charmingly up at Alexandros. “Of course, but holistic medicine? Really?”
“It’s been working for people for millennia.”
“Well, of course…” Corrina let her voice trail off, clearly not sure what to say.
“It’s working for me now.” Polly laid her hand on Alexandros’s arm. “I feel better than I have since getting pregnant.”
He stilled and then slid his own arm around her waist in a jerky movement that was unlike his usual graceful self, pulling her so close, her entire side pressed into him.
She gasped, impacted by the touch far more than she should be. Pregnancy hormones.
As if he knew she was feeling things she shouldn’t be in company, he turned her to face him and slashed a knowing smile down at her. “Feeling all right, pethi mou?”
Swallowing, she nodded.
He leaned his head down as if he was going to kiss her. In front of his brother!
But he frowned instead when his mother’s voice came from the doorway to the drawing room.
“Stop pawing your wife in that common manner, and come greet your mother, Alexandros,” Athena demanded imperiously. “I was surprised no one was outside waiting to greet our arrival.”
The animation drained right out of his wife and she shifted, as if trying to step away from Alexandros.
But he had no intention of letting her go. “Not just yet,” he said to her.
“What? But…” Pollyanna stared up at him, like he’d grown two heads. “Your mother wants you.”
“And I want a kiss.” He didn’t wait for his wife to answer, but lowered his head and claimed her mouth.
With purpose. He wanted the life back, and in this, she always gave him spark.
For the count of three full seconds, Pollyanna did not respond at all, but then she relaxed against him and returned his kiss.
“Really, Alexandros, kissing your pregnant wife in company.”
Pollyanna went stiff at his sister’s snide tone, and Alexandros allowed her to step back when she pressed against his chest, pulling her head away from his. Ignoring both his mother and his sister for the moment, he cupped Pollyanna’s cheek. “I find you irresistible, agape mou, but I’ll keep. Did you want to go get Helena?”
Pollyanna nodded, her expression a cross between confusion and wary happiness.
He turned to face his sister and spoke before Pollyanna had a chance to leave the room. “I will kiss my beautiful wife where I like and in whatever company I find myself. Acting like a jealous cat because you don’t have someone interested in doing the same with you only makes you look petty.”
He flicked a glance over his shoulder and noticed that Pollyanna had a spring in her step as she crossed the drawing room that was rarely there in his mother and/or sister’s company.
“How can you say something like that to me?” Stacia demanded, wounded eyes filling with tears.