Modern Romance November 2019 Books 5-8. Dani Collins

the reality of my son?

      The reminder was enough to propel me off her and across the room. Even then it took several control-gathering breaths to master my raging libido. It didn’t help that her reflection in the window showed her naked breasts for another handful of seconds before she righted her clothes.

      When she was done, she rose. She didn’t approach—which was a good thing, because I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t have given in to the urge to finish what we’d started.

      ‘Axios…’

      I gritted my teeth, the discovery that my name on her lips was its own special brand of hell driving my fingers through my hair.

      This had gone on long enough. ‘This is no longer purely business, Calypso. I want to know my son.’

      I caught another expression on her face—one that sent a different type of emotion charging through me.

      I turned around, wanting to verify it more accurately, but whatever it was had gone, her face a composed mask.

      ‘Of course. I won’t stand in the way of that.’

      Why didn’t that agreement satisfy me?

      Why did that hollowness still remain?

      ‘Good. Then we shelve discussion of divorce until further notice.’

      That gruff, shaken tone was gone. It was almost as if that little display of emotion over his son had never happened. As if the wild little tumble on the sofa less than five minutes ago was already a distant memory.

      But, no…there were tell-tale signs. Signs I didn’t want to notice. Like how deliciously tousled his dark, luxuriously wavy hair was now, courtesy of my restless fingers. How colour still rose in his chiselled cheekbones.

      And that definitive bulge behind his fly—

      With a willpower that threatened to sap the last of my composure I averted my gaze from the pillar of temptation he represented, and reminded myself why we were here in the first place. Dear heaven. I needed to be done with this before the desire I’d believed eroded by distance and absence made a complete fool of me.

      ‘I need your word, Calypso.’

      The implacable demand centred my thoughts. Reminded me that this wasn’t over. Contrary to what I’d believed, twelve months of living apart from him had done nothing to lessen my sentence. I was back to square one, with a child to think about.

      A child Axios fully intended to claim.

      ‘Where exactly does Andreos feature in your grand plan?’ I asked, belatedly focusing on the most precious thing in my life. On safeguarding his welfare before I embarked on fighting for my survival.

      Axios’s head went back, as if the question offended him. ‘He is my son. He will be brought up under our care with the full benefit of the Xenakis name at his disposal for as long as he needs it.’

      Through all of this I’d held on to the secret fear that Andreos might suffer. Over the past year I’d meticulously researched the Xenakis dynasty, with Andreos’s needs at the forefront of my mind.

      Outwardly, they appeared a close unit—but, as with most super-wealthy and influential families, rumours of acrimony abounded. Once or twice it had been rumoured that Axios’s status as CEO had been challenged by a daring cousin or uncle. None had succeeded, of course.

      ‘You give me your word that you’ll protect Andreos, no matter what?’

      ‘Of course. I vow it.’ His voice was deep and solemn and immediate.

      Relief weakened my knees, and for some absurd reason I wanted to throw my arms around him. ‘Thank you.’

      His frown deepened, speculation narrowing his eyes. I turned away before he could read my anxiety. Now wasn’t the time to think about my precarious health…about the tough road ahead. About the battle my grandmother had fought against cervical cancer and eventually lost.

      And it certainly wasn’t the time to dwell on the fact that the pain in my abdomen remained, its presence edging into my consciousness with each passing day.

       ‘Possible cancer… Prognosis uncertain if you choose to keep your baby…’

      Dr Trudeau’s words broke free from the vault I’d kept them in. Along with the frighteningly easy decision I’d made to keep my baby for as long as I could instead of chasing risky surgery. The tearful gratitude for every day Andreos had nestled in my womb, growing despite the unknown threat to his life and mine.

      And his sweet cry the moment he was born.

      I’d learned quickly that for my son’s sake I needed to compartmentalise. His keen intelligence and sensitivity, even at such a tender age, had focused me on giving him my very best—always. But giving him my best included fighting to remain in his life. Even if I had to temporarily entrust him to Axios in order to do so.

      ‘Do you agree?’ Axios pressed, his gaze probing mercilessly.

      ‘I’ll give you what you want on one condition. Take it or leave it.’

      After a moment he jerked his head in command for me to continue.

      ‘I’ll stay until your precious deal is done. On condition that you don’t attempt to interfere in my relationship with my son.’

      ‘What gives you the impression that I’d wish to do anything of the sort?’

      My shrug fell short of full efficiency under his heavy frown. ‘It’s been known to happen.’

      ‘Who? Your father?’

      I could have denied it, kept up the years-long pretence. But time was too precious to waste on falsehoods. So I nodded. ‘Yes.’

      Axios moved towards me, his frown a dark cloud. ‘What did he do to you?’

      I hesitated now, because on the flipside I didn’t want to bare my all to him. The desire to continue living on my own terms hadn’t diminished an iota since my return to Greece. And even if I intended to agree to Axios’s demands I would always keep one small corner of my life free from his interference.

      ‘He manipulated every relationship I ever had in some way. I don’t want that to happen with Andreos.’

      The grey gaze boring into mine stated blatantly that he wanted more. Mine declared I’d given him all I intended to.

      ‘I’ve seen you with Andreos. He thrives under your care. I’d be a fool to jeopardise that.’

      Before I could breathe my relief he stepped closer, bringing that bristling magnificence into touching distance. I balled fingers that tingled with the need to feel his vibrant skin under my touch again.

      ‘You have my word I will not interfere. Will you give me yours?’

      Again I was mildly stunned that it was a question rather than a declaration. But the searing reminder that giving in to one emotion around Axios was simply the gateway to a flood of other sensations I needed to keep a tight leash on, had me swallowing the desire.

      ‘I will stay for as long as it takes to give you what you need,’ I offered.

      He accepted it with a simple nod, as if it was nothing to celebrate. And perhaps in the grand scheme of things it wasn’t. We were picking up where we’d left off with the added inconvenience of needing to put out more fires than he’d initially anticipated.

      After several skin-tingling moments during which he simply stared at me, as if probing beneath my defences to read my secrets, I twisted away, eager to escape those all-seeing eyes.

      ‘I need to get back to Andreos.’

      ‘We’re not quite done, Calypso.’

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