Kallie felt panicky and didn’t know why. Well, yes, she knew exactly why. She needed time to think, to be alone, to sort things out. She’d been about to tell Alexandros that she wanted to move back into her apartment, put it to him that it would look better for when he broke the news of the divorce, as if problems were brewing. And why hadn’t he mentioned a divorce yet? That was a special form of torture in itself, the constant not knowing…
His face was closed, remote, shuttered. A million miles from the Alexandros of last night.
He shrugged. ‘You’ve been working hard, you could do with a break…’
She turned away from him and wrapped her arms around herself. Even though he hadn’t mentioned divorce, she knew it hung in the air around them. Was this weekend it? As much as she wanted to bring it up, to be brave enough to confront him about it, especially now, she couldn’t. And hated herself for it. And he still had the power to do serious damage to her family. But she knew that as reasons went, if she was honest, she hadn’t thought about her family much since the day of the wedding.
She turned back. If this was the last time she’d have with him then she’d take it. And when it was over, she’d insist on the divorce. And then think about what she had to do. ‘Very well…’
Alexandros shut himself off from the vulnerability in her eyes, flashing blue and green. This weekend in Athens was going to be it. And with it, he’d get her out of his system for good. He should mention the divorce…but for some perverse reason, he didn’t want to at that moment.
He smiled. ‘Good. We leave in the morning.’
Getting out of the four-wheel-drive at the villa the next day and watching Thea come down the steps made a vivid sense of déjà vu wash over Kallie. She held onto the vehicle door to steady herself. She had felt nauseous again that morning but had managed to make it to the bathroom and avoid Alexandros hearing her. She had to keep her secret. Had to. If he found out before the divorce, he’d insist she stay married to him. She knew him too well now.
At least if they were already divorced, he couldn’t march her back up the aisle, and as for her uncle…She could feel the blood leave her face. She couldn’t think now about what she’d do if he threatened them again.
Thea came and embraced Kallie, looking at her closely. Kallie felt a quiver of panic. Could Thea see her secret? But the moment was gone as Thea led them inside. This time there were no questions about bedrooms and both their bags were left in his bedroom.
That night Kallie made a pact with herself as she lay in Alexandros’s arms. After the weekend she would do whatever it took to get the divorce. Insist on moving back into her own apartment. He’d have to lock her up if he wanted to stop her. She couldn’t take it any more. She felt panicky. She’d even call the police if she had to. She forced herself to be calm, confident that she could make him let her go. So that meant there were two days left, two days sharing Alexandros’s bed. Then a lifetime without it.
Sudden desperation made her seek his embrace again, even though they’d only shortly come down from a high plateau. Alexandros was all too eager to comply and for a blissful while Kallie didn’t have to think about anything else.
All the following day, Kallie felt like a cat on a hot tin roof. She tried to avoid being anywhere near Alexandros, but in the evening he insisted they go for dinner in Athens. Their conversation was desultory and forced. Kallie miserably had to concede that this was obviously the precursor to the divorce, even though he hadn’t said so.
She sipped at coffee. And finally they were ready to go. Silently they made the journey back to the villa. All the way up the hill Kallie could feel something in her stirring, moving. A sense of growing doom, panic. How could she be so complacent? Allow him to bring her here, like some mute sheep. She now had a life growing in her, she wasn’t just responsible for herself any more.
By the time they got to the villa she felt jerky and anxious as she followed him inside. Alexandros sensed her mood and turned to her, one step on the bottom of the stairs. Brows drawn together. ‘What is it?’
See? Kallie thought, slightly hysterically, I’m not performing exactly how he wants, not following instructions.
‘I can’t do this any more, Alexandros. You’ve had your pound of flesh. I want to go home. Now. And I want us to be divorced as soon as possible.’
He came towards her and she backed away towards the main living room. She put out her hands. ‘Stay away, Alexandros. I’m not some puppet on a string. I’ve had enough.’
She’d had enough? He’d tell her when she’d had enough. That’d be when he’d had enough and this weekend was it. No way was she going to deny him this, not when she was patently lying, her whole body reacting and quivering for his touch. The fact that she’d mentioned divorce didn’t even impinge on his consciousness. The only thing he could think about was that she was denying herself to him.
She turned before he could reach her and had run across the living room to the patio doors. She opened them and went outside. When he stepped out, the moonlight gave a glow that seemed to circle around her form. The strands of her golden hair glistened. She was backed against the wall, facing him, breathing harshly. His arousal levels skyrocketed. He didn’t know what she was up to, or what was going on, but all he did know was that he had to have her. The hunger in his blood obliterated any other concern.
He strode over and caught her to him. ‘Kallie, what is wrong with you?’
She shook her head fiercely. ‘Don’t…Please, Alexandros, you know I can’t…can’t resist…’
He bent his head and took her mouth. Hauling her even closer. The familiar battle was fought and somewhere he knew he yearned for a time when Kallie would come to him willingly, without having to fight him, even for a moment. But it was lost in the whirlwind of passion that took them over.
It was only after a long moment, when he pulled back and looked down, that he became aware of his surroundings, where they
were. It touched something deep inside him. Primeval…visceral and extreme. Something he had to lash out against instinctively. So many threads in his head…tangled and knotted, and in the middle of it all, this woman. Kallie. History was being repeated and she had to know what she was doing to him. He cupped her jaw and laughed softly into her face.
‘Very good. I didn’t even notice where we were.’
She was leaning back against the wall, hands against his chest, her pelvis tight against his, his arousal insistent against her.
She frowned. He could see a wary light cut through the desire in her eyes. ‘What are you talking about?’
He turned her chin with his thumb and forefinger.
Kallie felt shock rush through her entire body when Alexandros turned her head and she saw what he wanted her to see. Where she’d unwittingly led them. To the patio. There was the tree. The place where she had come to find him seven years ago. The place of her youthful folly and utter humiliation. The pain came back so intensely she felt faint, then for a moment she just felt still. Incredibly calm.