Greek Tycoon, Inexperienced Mistress

Lindy had tried not to think about that fact since Theo’s birth. Atreus had made it very clear that he had no wish to talk about Krista, and Lindy had felt obligated to respect that embargo. It was not so easy to stay silent now, at her wedding, where she could see that the Dionides family and the Perris family were close friends and that a marriage between Atreus and Krista would have been hugely popular.

Be grateful for what you have, not what you don’t have, Lindy scolded herself while Atreus whirled her round the floor in the opening dance. But she could not forget the fact that when Atreus had had a free choice he had relegated her to the background of his life and kept her a secret. He had never pictured her in the starring role of bride, or as the mother of his son. In the end fate had refused him that freedom of choice.

Later, Lindy watched while Atreus took Krista onto the dance floor. She noticed heads turning in the direction of that spectacle, and heard a buzz of comment spread round the room. She was watching them too, her heart in her mouth while she struggled to repress a dangerous mixture of curiosity, jealousy and insecurity. Atreus and Krista talked easily, Krista smiling up at him, laughing and flirting with every look and every flick of her long, glossy hair.

‘Stop it,’ Elinor whispered, leaning closer to Lindy to admonish her friend. ‘I can see you torturing yourself and it’s silly. If he had genuinely cared about Krista he would never have married you.’

‘I don’t think I can make that assumption. Atreus was so determined to do the very best he could for his child. Even before he was born Theo made the scales weigh heavily in my favour,’ Lindy shared ruefully. ‘Did you see how Atreus’s family greeted Krista? Like she was a long-lost daughter.’

‘I also saw the women of the family hanging admiringly over Theo when his nanny appeared with him. He’s the next generation, and I’d say he’s done a very successful job of breaking the ice.’

The ice-breaker was cradled in her arms, black lashes down, like silk fans on his little sleeping face, and Lindy dropped a kiss on her son’s satin-smooth brow. When she returned to watching her husband she noticed that the smiles Atreus and Krista had worn had ebbed, and that an intent and serious conversation now appeared to be taking place between them. She quickly looked away again and told herself off very firmly. She was letting nerves and insecurity spoil her wedding day.

Lindy would not let herself mention Krista again. She had not been unaware of Atreus’s air of reproof when she had mentioned the heiress earlier that day. After all, she was the wife. Krista was a former girlfriend, and the decent, mature thing to do would be to overlook Krista’s nasty comment and be generous. Any desires in that direction, however, were slaughtered by the taunting glance of satisfaction that Krista sent Lindy after she persuaded Atreus to stay with her for a second dance.

Late that night Atreus and Lindy flew by private jet to Greece, with Sausage and Samson travelling with them on pet passports. Lindy was exhausted and slept for much of the flight, wakening more refreshed for the final stage of their journey. They were heading for Thrazos, the private island which Atreus freely admitted was his favourite place in the world. She had not been fit enough to make the trip after Theo’s birth, so Atreus had suggested that they spend their honeymoon there.

When they reached the house on Thrazos Lindy could see very little in the darkness. Somewhere down the hill she could see the sea glimmering in the moonlight as they walked from the helipad onto the terrace surrounding the well-lit villa. Atreus handed Theo to his nanny, and a housekeeper took charge to show them into the nursery.

‘Oh, this is lovely,’ Lindy commented, having strolled into a big room with natural stone walls and a relaxing décor of chunky wood furniture and pale draperies. Deep windows overlooked the grounds.

‘Barring emergencies, we should be able to stay here for about six weeks, mali mou,’ Atreus informed her, a brilliant smile curving his mouth as she spun round in surprise. ‘Yes, that’s why I worked day after day after day last month—so that we could enjoy the longest possible break here on the island.’

‘I wish I’d known that. You just seemed so busy…’

‘Well, I’m not busy now, glikia mou,’ her bridegroom said huskily, pushing her hair back off her cheekbones with gentle fingers.

‘Have you brought a lot of women here?’ The question just leapt off Lindy’s tongue.

Atreus dealt her a wry look. ‘No.’

‘Krista?’ Lindy prompted, unable to control her need to know just how deeply enmeshed the Greek woman had been within Atreus’s life.