“It’s lonely without you,” she whispered, eyes closed.
“You never need to be without me,” he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I vowed to protect you and care for you, and I meant it.”
Hannah fell asleep to the gentle sound of his breath.
10
Hannah woke up slowly, deliciously, stretching in the tangled sheets of the enormous bed. She’d grown used to the gentle sway of the yacht underneath her. The movement hadn’t woken her—it was the gorgeous sunlight streaming in through the windows.
Kyril still slept, arms thrown over his head, the hard lines of his abs on display, standing out against the white sheets. For a moment she considered running her fingers down those lines and waking him up, but it had been a long night. Better to let him rest.
She pulled on a silk robe and went out on the balcony. It was early yet, and Santorini was beginning to stir. The whitewashed buildings made her heart twist, they were so beautiful, there on the rise of the island.
Why did they have to go to Athens, anyway? They’d missed her dinner reservation, and all at once the thought of trekking through the city made her feet ache.
A soft kiss on her neck brought her out of her reverie. “Why didn’t you wake me?” Kyril’s voice was still husky with sleep. “I woke to an empty bed.”
She turned into his arms. “I want to ask you something.”
“Sounds worrisome.” He pressed another kiss to her neck.
“Do we have to leave?”
Kyril pulled back to look at her. “Leave bed or leave the marina?”
“Leave Santorini. I don’t want to go just yet. I can’t explain why.”
“No explanation needed,” he told her firmly, and he took her back to bed.
* * *
They spent another two days on the yacht. Hannah was so glad he’d agreed to stay, but not altogether surprised—she could see why this gorgeous island was her new husband’s escape from the world. On the third day, Hannah managed to tear herself away from the ocean for a stay at the villa. Kyril’s eyebrows shot up. And then, in true Kyril fashion, he disappeared onto the balcony with his phone.
She discovered why when they arrived at the villa…and they weren’t alone.
He’d planned a day of pampering for her, beginning with a pregnancy massage. The masseuse's hands were so skilled, working over Hannah’s body, that she almost fell asleep on the table by the end. But she didn’t, because there was more in store for her. A couple’s facial came next, then a manicure and pedicure for them both.
“You look so…”
Kyril leaned back in his chair, a tablet on his lap. “Refreshed?”
“Kingly,” she said, though it seemed inadequate to describe how even the sight of Kyril with his feet in lavender-scented water sent a curl of delight into the base of her belly.
The day ended with a luxurious haircut, the hairdresser lingering over Hannah’s blowout, and she felt as fresh and new as a daisy.
Tired, too, in a way she hadn’t expected. It was hard work to be this pampered.
Dessert was the only solution.
Hannah found the kitchen fully stocked, and she cornered the chef to ask for directions. It was going to be the perfect end to the evening. They could sit out on the balcony and watch the island light up beneath them, all with warm chocolate cake on their tongues. It was a relatively simple recipe, and while Kyril tended to the business of Al-Dashalid from his office, she tossed it into the oven and went to get ready for the night.
After a shower, she ignored the waiting robe and let the air caress her naked skin. It was time to get dressed.
Hannah searched the wardrobe and the dresser, looking for something to wear. Something sophisticated but comfortable. But everything she tried pressed against her belly. Even one of the sundresses she tried on looked ridiculous. Hannah scowled into the mirror. What had happened? One day lounging around in a robe and her belly had popped. She resorted to rifling through her suitcase, but nothing there seemed to fit either. She put the robe back on after all—it was the only thing that fit.
That was how Kyril found her, naked and scowling hopelessly into the suitcase.
“What a face, my darling.” He wrapped his arms around her, gliding his palms along the curve of her belly. Hannah felt herself melting into him. It was ridiculous, but within the circle of his arms, it didn’t seem to matter anymore. “What’s wrong?”