An Offer She Can't Refuse. Emma Darcy

see what we might like to do, Theo,’ Tina cut in firmly, inwardly panicking at spending any more time than she absolutely had to with Ari Zavros. She didn’t know if it was curiosity driving him or he was dabbling with the idea of claiming Theo as his flesh and blood. She turned hard, quelling eyes to him. ‘You said family home. Does that mean you’re married with children?’

      He shook his head and made an ironic grimace. ‘Much to my father’s vexation, I am still single. It’s his home I was referring to.’

      ‘Not exactly single, Ari,’ she tersely reminded him.

      He knew she’d seen him with a woman in Dubai. She didn’t have to spell that out. If he thought he could start playing fast and loose with her again, cheating on the beautiful blonde, he was on an ego trip she would take great satisfaction in smashing.

      ‘I assure you I am, Christina,’ he replied without the blink of an eyelid.

      Her teeth gnashed over the lilted use of her full name—a reminder of intimate moments that were long gone. She raked his steady gaze with blistering scepticism. The amber eyes burned straight back at her, denying the slightest shift in what he had just declared.

      ‘Another charming episode over?’ she sliced at him.

      He frowned, probably having forgotten how he had described his relationship with her. Whether he recollected it or not, he shot her a look that was loaded with determined purpose. ‘Not so charming. In fact, it convinced me I should free myself up to look for something else.’

      His gaze moved to Theo, softening as he said, ‘Perhaps I should become a father.’

      Tina’s spine crawled with apprehension. This was the last thing she wanted. The very last! Somehow she had to fight him, convince him that fatherhood would not suit him at all.

      ‘I don’t have a father,’ Theo gravely informed him. ‘I had a grandfather but he got sick and went to heaven.’

      ‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ Ari said sympathetically.

      ‘I think people should be aware there’s a very real and lasting responsibility about becoming a parent,’ Tina quickly stated, hoping to ward off any impulsive act that would end up badly.

      ‘I agree with you,’ Ari said blandly.

      ‘Fly-by-night people shouldn’t even consider it,’ she persisted, desperately determined on pricking his conscience.

      ‘What are fly-by-night people, Mama?’ Theo asked curiously.

      Ari leaned forward to answer him. ‘They’re people who come and go without staying around long enough to really be an important part of your life. They don’t stick by you like your mother does. And your grandmother. And your friends. Do you have some friends, Theo?’

      ‘I have lots of friends,’ Theo boasted.

      ‘Then I think you must be a happy boy.’

      ‘Very happy,’ Tina cut in, giving Ari a look that clearly telegraphed without you.

      ‘Then you must be a very special mother, Christina,’ he said in his soft, seductive voice. ‘It could not have been easy for you, bringing him up alone.’

      She bridled at the compliment. ‘I wasn’t alone. My parents supported me.’

      ‘Family,’ he murmured, nodding approvingly. ‘So important. One should never turn one’s back on family.’

      The glittering challenge in his eyes spurred her into leaning over to privately mutter, ‘You turned your back first, Ari.’

      ‘I never have to any blood relative I knew about,’ he shot back, leaning towards her and keeping his voice low enough for Theo not to hear his words. ‘We can do this the easy way or the hard way, Christina.’

      ‘Do what?’

      ‘Fighting over him is not in our son’s best interests.’

      ‘Then don’t fight. Let him be.’

      ‘You expect me to ignore his existence?’

      ‘Why not? You’ve ignored mine.’

      ‘A mistake. Which I will correct.’

      ‘Some mistakes can never be corrected.’

      ‘We shall see.’

      The fight was on!

      No avoiding it.

      The rush of blood to her head as she’d tried to argue him out of it drained away, leaving her dizzy and devastated by his resolute counter to everything she’d said.

      He straightened up and smiled at Theo who was tucking into a slice of watermelon. ‘Good?’ he asked.

      Theo nodded, his mouth too full to speak but his eyes twinkling a smile back at Ari. Tina seethed over his charming manner to her son. He’d been so very charming to her once. It meant nothing! But it was impossible to explain that to a five-year-old boy.

      Ari turned his attention back to her. ‘Cassandra told me you now manage a restaurant at Bondi Beach.’

      ‘Yes. It was my father’s. He trained me to take over when … when he could no longer do it himself.’ Another bad time in her life but she had coped. The restaurant was still thriving.

      ‘That surely means working long hours. It must be difficult, being a mother, too.’

      She glared at him, fiercely resenting the suggestion she might be neglecting her son. ‘We live in an apartment above the restaurant. Theo attends a pre-school, which he loves, during the day. He can be with me or my mother at all other times. And the beach is his playground, which he also loves. As you remarked, he is a happy boy.’

       And he doesn’t need you. For anything.

      ‘Mama and I build great sandcastles,’ Theo informed him.

      ‘There are lots of beaches on the Greek islands,’ Ari said.

      ‘Can anyone go on them?’ Theo asked.

      ‘There are public beaches which are for everyone.’

      ‘Do they have chairs in rows like we saw in Dubai?’

      ‘The private beaches do.’

      ‘I don’t like that.’

      ‘There’s one below where I live on Santorini that doesn’t have chairs. You could build great sand-castles there.’

      ‘Would you help me?’

      Ari laughed, delighted he had won Theo over. ‘I don’t think we’ll have time for that,’ Tina said quickly.

      ‘Nonsense!’ Ari grinned triumphantly at her. ‘Cassandra told me you’re spending five days on Santorini, and Theo’s birthday is two days before the wedding. It would be my pleasure to give Theo a wonderful time—a trip on the cable-car, a ride on a donkey …’

      ‘A donkey!’ Theo cried excitedly.

      ‘… a boat-ride to the volcanic island …’

      ‘A boat-ride!’ Theo’s eyes were as big as saucers. ‘… and a trip to a beach where we can build the biggest sandcastle ever!’

      ‘Can we, Mama? Can we?’

      His voice was so high-pitched with excitement, it drew her mother’s attention. ‘Can you what, Theo?’ she asked indulgently.

      ‘Ride a donkey and go on a boat, Yiayia. For my birthday!’

      ‘I said I would take him,’ Ari swiftly slid in. ‘Give him a birthday on Santorini he will always remember.’

      ‘How kind of you!’ Her mother beamed at him—the man gorgeous enough to be a movie star, giving his time to make her grandson’s stay on Santorini so