Greek's Baby of Redemption

Which worried her all the more. With mounting unease, Milly went upstairs to change. She took off her wedding dress slowly, her eyes on her reflection, noting the sorrow that had crept into them, casting shadows.

For a brief, painful moment, she imagined how different this day might have been. They’d have returned to the villa for a party, food and wine, laughter and dancing out on the terrace, until the sun set over the sea and Alex took her by the hand and led her back to the house, up to the bedroom.

He’d turn to her, his bright blue eyes turning sleepy and hooded as he tugged the zip down the back of her dress and the silky material fell away. Then he’d reach for her, and his lips would brush hers...

Goodness. Milly let out a shuddering breath as the effects of that image trickled through her like heated honey, making something both lazy and urgent unfurl deep inside. Such a different scenario had been all too easy to imagine, and yet she knew, she absolutely knew, it wasn’t going to happen like that. She didn’t even want it to happen like that. She’d told Alex the truth when she’d said she was wary of romance, cynical of love. Now that she was married, she most certain

ly could not go building castles in the air.

With a sigh, she turned away from her reflection, trying to banish the last remnants of that warm, sensuous feeling, and finished getting dressed. She needed to get back downstairs before her sister started festooning the villa with paper hearts and hiring someone to play the violin. Milly wouldn’t put anything past her at this stage.

When Milly came downstairs, she saw that Anna had been busy getting things ready, although thankfully without any cringeworthy decorations or serenading violins. A table for two was set outside on the terrace, with the finest linens and crystal from the villa’s cupboards. Yiannis must have been in on the plan because there was fresh food that had been brought from Halki—a mouth-watering Greek salad, crispy souvlaki and fresh pitta bread with several yogurt-based dips. Milly gazed at it in a mix of hope and apprehension; would Alex object to them sharing a meal together? She had no idea.

‘This looks amazing,’ she told Anna, grateful at least that her sister had only planned a meal, and not something more obviously romantic. ‘But you should join us, Anna, and Yiannis, too. It is a celebration, after all—’

‘Absolutely not,’ Anna returned firmly. ‘This is for the two of you. You need to get to know each other,’ she added meaningfully, and Milly briefly closed her eyes. Alex would eventually twig to Anna’s obvious attempts at creating romance, and then what would she say? He would no doubt be coldly scornful of such attempts, and Milly didn’t think she could bear his contempt.

Yes, Anna was being young and sentimental, but she was a teenager and she’d had so little love in her life. Milly couldn’t bear not to go along with it, even if the thought of Alex’s reaction made her stomach cramp.

Anna ran to fetch Alex, and he strolled out onto the terrace with a bland look on his face, taking the table for two in his stride, although he didn’t look particularly pleased about it. Anna had, of course, disappeared.

‘I’m sorry about my sister,’ Milly began awkwardly when they were both seated. ‘She means well, really...’

‘At least she’s pleased,’ he replied shortly.

‘Yes...’

‘She reminds me of my sister, how she used to be,’ Alex said, then looked away, clearly wishing he hadn’t shared so much.

‘Your sister?’ Milly searched his face, startled by this admission, just about the last thing she’d expected in this moment. ‘I thought you only had your stepbrother, Ezio.’

Alex’s mouth compressed. ‘I do. Daphne died some time ago.’ He began to dish out some salad on both of their plates, clearly unwilling to say anything more on that painful subject.

‘I’m sorry,’ Milly said quietly. ‘That must have been very hard.’

‘It was.’ The two words were clipped, a hint of a warning in them. Don’t push it, Milly, she told herself. At least Alex had offered something personal, even if he hadn’t quite meant to. The door had cracked open just a little, and every so often she would push it a little further open. With time and patience, she might get to know him.

And is that all you want from your husband?

Milly chose not to pay attention to that mocking little voice. She wouldn’t even know how to begin to answer that question.

* * *

Alex gazed out at the tranquil sea, the sun blazing down, and then turned back to the woman seated across from him. His wife. Milly had changed from her lovely wedding dress to a simple sundress in pale green, the skinny straps showing off her shoulders. She did have freckles there. Alex found his gaze skimming to them again and again, the dusting of gold urging him to press his lips to each one. Something, of course, he had no intention of actually doing. No doubt Milly would be horrified if he did.

It had been well-meaning of Anna to dress up their day a bit, although Alex could tell Milly was uncomfortable with it, something that irritated him even though he knew the reaction was unreasonable. Hell, he was uncomfortable, too. It was just a meal, but it wasn’t what they’d agreed to. Nothing about this day felt the way he’d expected it to.

He’d viewed the ceremony as nothing more than a hurdle to get over, a hoop to jump through, and yet the words the priest had spoken had oddly moved him, as had the ancient rituals he and Milly had participated in—crowned with laurel, their eyes meeting over the common cup as they drank... He’d known marriage was binding, but he’d seen it as nothing more than a legal contract.

The ceremony in the tiny church had made him realise it was something sacred, and the thought humbled him. Scared him a little, too. What if he couldn’t protect Milly? What if he hurt her?

‘Alex?’ Her voice, as well as the light touch of her fingers on his, startled him out of his dark thoughts. ‘You suddenly started frowning rather ferociously.’ Her lips trembled as she tried to smile. ‘Is...is everything all right?’

‘It’s fine.’ Alex forced a quick, tight smile to his lips, feeling his scar pull across his cheek, reminding him yet again of the limitations of their life together. The limitations Milly wanted as well as him. ‘My mind was elsewhere. I’m sorry.’

‘It’s okay.’ Her forehead was crinkled in concern, her gaze scanning his face. He looked away, angling his face so his scars were less visible. Even now, especially now, he didn’t want her to see him like this.

‘Well, I’m glad Anna isn’t scaring you off,’ Milly said with a light laugh. ‘She’s so excited about everything...and I think she’s read too many romance novels.’