* * *
Stavros hadn’t intended to propose marriage like this. But it was logical. It was the best way to secure his son, and give the baby the future he deserved—with two parents in the same home.
When he’d returned to Holly’s cabin an hour before, he’d intended to calmly insist on his parental rights, or perhaps threaten to sue for partial custody.
He’d arrived just in time to see Holly and the baby—dark-haired, tiny—climb into another man’s car. And
all his calm plans had gone up in smoke. He’d grimly had his driver follow them at a distance.
Meeting Hans in person at the Christmas market, Stavros was reassured that the man was no threat. Holly herself made that clear. There was no way the two of them had even kissed, for all the man’s obvious interest in her.
But Holly was too bright, too beautiful, to be alone for long. As Stavros had watched her push the stroller through the Christmas market, her fiery red hair flying behind her, she’d looked effortlessly pretty in her black leggings and black puffy jacket. She smiled at everyone. And everyone smiled at her. She shone brighter than the star at the top of the Christmas tree.
He’d been mesmerized.
But he couldn’t let her know that. He couldn’t reveal his weakness. The one time he’d been weak enough to give in to foolish longings last Christmas, it had changed not just his life, but hers—permanent changes from a momentary whim.
He had a son. From the moment he’d seen his tiny, innocent baby, he’d known he would die to protect him. Just touching his cheek had made Stavros’s heart expand in a way it never had before. He looked again at the sweetly drowsy baby in the stroller. He ached to take his son in his arms, but he’d never even held a baby before. He didn’t know how. But there was one thing he could do: give Freddie the home he deserved, by marrying his mother.
Stavros tightened his hands at his sides.
“Well?” he said to Holly coldly. “What is your answer?”
He waited, wondering what her reply would be. Any other woman would have immediately said yes, but then, Holly wasn’t like any other woman. She clearly despised him and didn’t want him in her life. On the other hand, she’d agreed to marry him last Christmas. There was an even better reason for her to agree to it now. They had a child.
She stared at him, her emerald eyes wide. Then she did the one thing he’d never expected.
She burst into laughter.
“What’s so funny?” he said grumpily.
“You.” She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “Thank you for that.”
“It’s not a joke.”
“You’re wrong.” She shook her head. “Do you really think I’d agree to marry a man I don’t trust?”
Stavros ground his teeth. He’d been reasonable. He’d explained about his illness. He’d told her he wanted to take responsibility. He’d even asked her to marry him. What more could he do to convince her? He said shortly, “I have never lied to you.”
“You lied about your illness last year.”
“Damn it, Holly, what should I have done? Let you wreck your life holding my hand, watching me die?”
Her jaw tightened. “You should have given me the choice.”
“Like you’re giving me now, trying to cut me out of Freddie’s life? I’m his father!” He narrowed his eyes. “I want to give him a name.”
“He has one. Frederick Marlowe.”
“No.”
“It’s a good name. My father’s name!”
“His last name will be Minos.”
“Why are you pretending to care?”
“I’m not pretending.” Coming closer, he tried not to notice how her eyes sparkled beneath the Christmas lights in the festive outdoor market in the town square, with the snowy Alps soaring above. “I’m going to give my son the life he deserves. Marry me, or face the consequences.”