The Virgin's Secret

The thought that she might get pregnant made her go cold all over—especially after hearing Leo’s stark words to Ari today. One thing was crystal-clear: this relationship was heading for closure, and sooner rather than later. Angel knew that Leo would not appreciate being forced into fatherhood by a Kassianides, and what if he thought she’d done it on purpose? She had an awful feeling that he still didn’t trust her entirely.

The phone rang then, making her jump, and Angel reached for it. Leo had insisted on getting a phone installed in her workroom.

‘Hello?’

‘Why didn’t you stay?’

Angel’s heart tripped, and she gripped the phone with two suddenly slippery hands. The sandwich—he must be mortified.

‘I…had to get back to package up the pieces. I only dropped in to say hello, but you were busy.’

He said nothing for a moment, and Angel could imagine him sitting in his palatial office.

‘Thank you for my lunch.’

Angel laughed, and it sounded false to her ears. ‘Oh, God, that. I don’t know what—’

‘It was sweet.’

Angel was glad she was alone, because a raging fire of humiliation was burning her up from her toes to her head.

‘I’ll be home at seven. See you then.’

And the connection was terminated. Angel’s heart was thumping out of control; she felt shaky and clammy all over. She was a mess. She was in love. And she was doomed. The Parnassus family were going to have the last laugh after all.

CHAPTER TEN

THAT evening, after they returned from dinner, Angel felt like a limp rag. For once in her life her joy of making jewellery had been eclipsed by something else, Leo, and protecting herself around him. She marvelled at how men could have no feelings invested in a relationship and yet make you feel as if you were the only woman in the world.

All evening Leo had been solicitous. Angel had told herself it was just for show, but when Lucy and Ari had briefly left the room to tend to their children Leo had turned to Angel and taken her face in his hands, pressing a hard kiss to her mouth almost as though he couldn’t help it, as though he needed it, and her body, traitor that it was, had responded.

It had only been when they’d heard a teasing, ‘You know, there are some spare rooms upstairs if you like…’ that they’d broken apart. Angel had felt unbelievably raw and shaken.

‘Penny for them?’

Angel looked sharply at Leo from where she was taking off her shoes inside the door of the villa. She looked down and shrugged minutely, feeling the intense need to self-protect.

‘Nothing, really—just that I hope Lucy likes the earrings and bracelet. It’s the first time I’ve done something in a while and—’

Leo was close, and when Angel stood he tipped her chin up with a finger, making her burn inside.

‘She’ll love them. Ari loved them. You’re extremely talented.’

Angel blushed and could have kicked herself. Why, oh, why couldn’t she pull off the whole insouciant thing?

He came too close then, and took her arm just above the elbow. She trembled and tried to pull away. His eyes flashed a little.

‘A nightcap?’

Angel answered on instinct, needing to get away, ‘Leo, I’m really—’

‘Please?’

Something in his face made Angel stop. Her heart beat faster. She shrugged minutely. ‘Okay, I guess…’

She followed Leo into the palatial drawing room, a little perplexed. If she didn’t know better she’d imagine that he wanted to talk to her about something.

He asked her what she wanted, then poured a Bailey’s for her and a whisky for himself. He handed her the drink.