Thea sipped a coffee, her lipstick leaving a pale pink stain on the cup. ‘Who are they and what should I know?’
‘More business contacts.’
‘What about friends?’
‘No.’
A faint frown marred her brow. ‘Do you have any?’ she said, like it was a surprise to her that he could be close to anyone.
Christo hesitated. Thea was nearer to the truth than she realised. But why did he feel the need to explain? They had a business deal. He would simply dictate the terms and she’d do what he wanted, without the need to bare his soul. Yet that look of hers judged him, as lethal as a stab to the heart.
‘Of course.’
Except he spent all his time bolstering Atlas. Nothing else had mattered for longer than he remembered. Including
other people. He scrubbed his hands over his face, every part of him weary.
She shrugged. ‘Tell me what I need to know and I’ll be ready.’
Thea always assimilated the information he gave her and used it in the most gracious of ways. Making every person she met feel special, as if they were old friends. There was strength in her. She didn’t want this, yet she carried on with persistence and dedication. And that part of her glowed more brightly than mere beauty ever could, lighting the darkest places of him.
‘Tonight, perhaps we could have dinner on the terrace and discuss it.’ There, under the olive trees, seemed to be her favourite place.
He smiled. Thea smiled back and the warmth of it filled him to overflowing.
‘I’d love to.’
She sounded genuinely pleased. He contemplated staying home from work today. Taking time away from shoring up support for Atlas and spending it here. With her.
A low pulse picked up a throbbing tempo in his gut. He was sure they could find something pleasurable to do together...
‘Mr Callas?’
His thoughts were interrupted by Anna.
‘Your car’s here.’
Christo’s shoulders sagged. More work. Stitching together the gaping holes left by his father. But he’d win this battle and release Atlas from its debts. Release Thea in the process. Yet something about that prospect sat bitter in his mouth.
He stood. Anna was looking on, so he kissed Thea on the lips. Her rich scent curled into him and something deep inside clenched with need. Better he leave for work than risk exploring that hunger.
As he passed Thea, he noticed a vivid red mark on the back of her white blouse. ‘You’ve blood on your shirt.’
Thea lifted her head, a look of concern flickering over her face before disappearing. Her features reverted to a blank calm. ‘I had a bite. It must have been bigger than I realised.’
She smiled again, but this one was flat and lifeless.
‘Perhaps someone should take a look?’
She rolled her eyes. ‘It’s nothing. A mosquito bite, and I scratched too hard.’
He accepted her explanation reluctantly. After all she was an adult, could look after herself.
‘Now, go,’ she said, with a flick of her hand, her engagement ring twinkling in the fresh morning light. ‘Sergei can look after me. That’s why you hired him, isn’t it?’
She turned back to her breakfast and he felt strangely dismissed.
* * *