Claiming My Hidden Son / Bride Behind The Billion-Dollar Veil. Clare Connelly

my agitated thoughts wanted to latch on to the fact that it was the sex that had driven him away, intuition suggested otherwise. Axios might not have wanted to experience the depth of chemistry that blazed between us but he’d been caught up too. Maybe a little bit too much?

      Because I was reeling from the wildness of our coming together, the sheer abandonment that still rocked me to my core. The sheets might have cooled in his absence but his possession still remained. As did my growing consternation.

      Last night my decision had seemed so clear-cut. Close all avenues by which my father could further interfere in my life. But the experience had been nothing like clear-cut. The experience of sleeping with Axios had been…unparalleled.

      And now he was gone.

      I refused to allow the dull thudding of my heart to dictate my disappointment. Whatever my future held, it was time for action.

      About to get out of bed, I paused as my last conversation with my mother replayed one more time.

       ‘You will know very quickly if this is the right choice for you. If it isn’t, don’t be like me. Don’t accept it as inevitable. Do what is right for you.’

       ‘What are you talking about, Mama?’

       ‘Find your own happiness, Callie. Don’t let your father’s actions dictate the rest of your life. Your grandmother said the same thing to me on my wedding day and I didn’t listen.’

       ‘I don’t think I have a choice. You… Papa—’

       ‘Forget about me! There’s nothing your father can do that will hurt me any more. Knowing you’re unhappy because of me will break my heart. Promise me you’ll put yourself first.’

       ‘Mama—’

       ‘Promise me, Callie!’

      My promise weighed heavy on my heart as I rose from the bed. For a moment I swayed in place, my limbs weak with recollection and my body heating after every little wanton act of last night.

      But, lips firmed, I approached what I hoped was the bathroom. There, further signs that this was Axios’s domain were everywhere—from the luxury male products to the thick dark robe hanging next to the shower.

      Trying not to let the intimacy of his belongings get to me, I quickly showered. Thankful for the voluminous towel that covered me from chest to ankle, I was contemplating the less than palatable thought of wearing my wedding dress again when a soft knock broke into my thoughts.

      I cleared my throat. ‘Come in.’

      One of the younger staff members who helped manage the villa entered with a shy smile. She’d been introduced to me last night, when my senses had been grappling with unfolding events.

      With a strained smile, I pulled the robe closer around me and returned her greeting.

      Her gaze passed quickly over my towel. ‘May I assist you with anything, kyria?’

      ‘If you could direct me to where my belongings are, I’d appreciate it.’

      ‘Of course. This way, please.’

      Expecting her to leave the room, I was surprised when she crossed to the opposite side and opened another door.

      I followed her through a short hallway into another impressive suite, complete with living room, bathroom and dressing room.

       An adjoining suite.

      ‘I came to ask if you would like some breakfast, Kyria Xenakis?’

      The title added another layer of shock to my system and it took me a few seconds to answer with a question of my own. ‘Um…is Kyrios Xenakis still here?’

      She nodded. ‘Yes. But he will be leaving soon. So if you wish to—’

      ‘Yes, I would very much like to. Can you wait for me to get dressed?’

      Her eyes widened a touch, probably at the request. But I didn’t care. I needed answers. Needed to know how he intended the next twelve months to proceed. And, if necessary, insist on taking back control of my life.

      My father had shown me that he cared nothing about me except as a pawn to further his needs. Regardless of my commitment to Axios, I didn’t intend to be pushed around any more.

      That affirmation anchored deep as I concentrated on getting dressed.

      The small suitcase that had accompanied me when I left Nicrete was empty, its contents sitting on a lonely shelf in the vast dressing room. But those weren’t the only contents of the large, opulent space. Rack upon rack of clothes were displayed in fashion seasons, with matching shoes arranged by colour, height and style.

      Awestruck, I stared. It was by far the most extensive collection I’d seen outside a clothes store. Simply because I didn’t know who the clothes in the closets belonged to, I fished out a simple shirt dress from my own belongings, added comfortable flats and caught my hair in a ponytail.

      The maid led me down the stairs and through several halls before stopping at a set of double doors.

      ‘He’s in there,’ she said softly. Then melted away.

      The faint sound of clinking cutlery reached my ears as I paused to take a fortifying breath. But, aware that no amount of deep breathing could prepare me for the morning after last night, I pushed the door open.

      He was seated at the head of a long, exquisitely laid table. Impeccably dressed in formal business attire, minus the jacket, with the sun streaming down on him.

      I almost lost my footing at the sheer visceral impact of his masculinity. It really was unfair how attractive Axios Xenakis was. How the simple act of caressing his bottom lip with his forefinger, his brow furrowed in concentration, could spark fire low in my belly.

       You’re not here to ogle him.

      Fists tightening at the reminder, I approached where he sat. ‘We need to talk.’

      He took his time to look up from the tablet propped up neatly next to his plate, to power it down with a flick of his finger before cool grey eyes tracked over me from head to toe and back again.

      ‘Kalimera, Calypso. Sit down—have something to eat.’

      His even tones threw me. He wasn’t behaving like a man who’d left his marriage bed after bedding his virgin wife. In fact, he seemed far too confident. Far too…together for my liking.

      When I didn’t immediately obey he rose, his gaze resting on me as he pulled out a chair and…waited.

      I sat, because hysteria would achieve nothing. What I intended to say to him could be said standing or sitting. Besides, this close, the potent mix of his warm body and his aftershave was making my head swim. Reminding me of what it had been like to stroke that warm body, to cling to it as fevered bliss overtook me.

      ‘What’s on your mind?’ he enquired as he poured exquisite-smelling coffee into my cup, then nudged platters containing sliced meats, toast and cheeses towards me.

      Cool. He was far too cool.

      Something was going on here. I probed his face and saw the slight tension in his jaw. The banked emotion in his eyes. I might have known Axios for less than twenty-four hours, but I’d quickly deciphered that his eyes gave him away. Right now, they were far too shrewd.

      My heart jumped into my throat.

      ‘My father may have put us both in this position, but there’s no reason why we should remain like this.’ Relief welled as my voice emerged strong and steady.

      His nod of agreement stunned me. ‘You’re right,’ he said.

      ‘I am?’

      He shrugged. ‘The agreement