When Nico walked her out to the car and they drove to his apartment, she asked him about it.
“I wanted to pick his brains. That man knows more about what goes on than anyone in the government.”
He kissed her senseless on the ride up in the elevator. But when they stepped into his luxurious apartment, she turned to him. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Nico picked her up and carried her into the bedroom, following her down on the bed. “I promise to reveal all, but not yet. I’ve been living to be alone with you and don’t want to waste a second of it.”
After his late phone call last night to say good-night, Alexa had almost said she’d leave the house and come to him. Their wedding night had been cut short. She’d ached for him all through the rest of the night and had to suppress her feelings during lunch. But there was no holding back now.
They knew how to bring each other pleasure beyond description. He swept her away on a new tide of passion that left both of them breathless. No woman wanting to conceive had ever had a lover like Nico.
Already she knew she’d been out of her mind to put a four-month limit on their marriage. She wanted to tell him she didn’t mean it. She needed to tell him how deeply in love she was with him and always had been. Only one thing held her back.
There was no torrent of words about his love for her. She could wait, but he couldn’t say them. While he lay there asleep with his arm hugging her hip possessively, she studied his striking male features, the lines of his compelling mouth. No other man had been created so divinely. It almost hurt to look at him he was so perfect to her.
“Alexa?” Nico had awakened and brushed the tears off her cheeks. “What’s wrong?”
It was too late to hide emotions erupting inside her. “I’ve been reliving those early years when I didn’t understand why I’d never heard from you. We’d been so happy, then suddenly it was all over.”
“Tell me about it.” He pulled her into his arms, crushing her against him. “But don’t let it torture you. We’re together now.”
“We are!” She burrowed her face in his neck. More tears spilled out on his shoulder. “Do you remember that last Saturday years ago when we flew to Olympia?”
He kissed her hair. “How could I ever forget?”
“I told you how much I loved the Greek myths and you took me to the Olympia archaeological museum for a surprise. That was the first time I’d seen the statue of the life-size Hermes sculpted by the ancient sculptor Praxiteles. It had been done in that beautiful Paros marble. He was carrying the baby Dionysus to the Nysiades, the mythical nymphs of Mount Nysa.”
Nico rolled her over so he could look into her eyes. “I said you bore a strong resemblance to the painting of the young, gorgeous nymph Erato who helped take care of him.”
She nodded. Alexa never forgot anything he’d said to her. “Something happened to me when I saw that statue, but I didn’t tell you at the time.”
“What was that?” He kissed the end of her nose.
“We’d been talking about getting married and having a family. That statue reminded me of you. There was a look of such tenderness and fascination on his face as he held the baby in his arm. It was a brilliant work of art that stayed with me. I could imagine you carrying our baby like that one day, but I never dreamed that I’d be pregnant before you went away. You should have had the opportunity to raise our little Dimitra.”
“Alexa...” He ran a hand through her hair. “Why are you still agonizing over that?”
“I can’t help it. When I think of the years she missed out knowing your love and how fun you are. There’s no one more exciting than you. Didn’t you notice at lunch today how she wanted to talk to you the whole time? You light up her world. I’ve never seen her this happy in my life. I’m sure Kristos has seen a big difference in her. Irena remarked on it to me before they drove away from the restaurant.”
“I’ve never been happier either.”
“That’s the problem, Nico.”
“What do you mean?”
She couldn’t look at him. “I know you want a baby so badly and are so excited about it.”
“But you aren’t?”
“You know I am, but I’m afraid I might not be able to get pregnant. I talked to my OB here in Salonica the other day. He said that from the ages of twenty-five to thirty-six you have an eighty-six percent chance of conception if you keep trying at the fertile time.”
“I’ll take those odds considering we won’t miss any of your fertile days.”
Oh, Nico. “But the odds aren’t the same as they were when I was seventeen. He also reminded me that it’s harder to stay pregnant if you do conceive.”
“Let’s take it one problem at a time. Right now we don’t have any. In fact I don’t believe we’re in any hurry to get you home.”
“Don’t joke about this, Nico. Four months might not be long enough. I don’t want you to have to wait another second beyond that time before you find another woman who can give you children.”
His eyes wandered over her. “We’ve already had this conversation and have produced the perfect child together. You’re young and I don’t anticipate any problems. Now let’s stop talking.”
Within seconds he’d covered her mouth with his own and set her on fire as only he could do. She lost all sense of time while they found ways to bring each other pleasure. Nico created ecstasy beyond comprehension.
It was dark outside by the time she stirred and eased away from him.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“To the bathroom for a shower. I need to get back home.”
He drew her back against him. “What if I ask you to stay the night with me?”
She wanted that more than he knew. “If we’re trying to keep our marriage a secret, then it wouldn’t be a good idea.”
Nico pulled her closer. “The thing is, tomorrow I have to go out of town on important business. I might be gone several days and am not certain when I’ll be back.”
That shouldn’t have upset her. “Where are you going?”
“Not far.”
She frowned, sensing he was keeping something from her. “You can’t tell your own wife?” she teased.
“I promise to tell you everything after I return.”
Suddenly the idea that he was leaving Salonica for any reason at all frightened her. The last time he’d flown away from her, he’d never come back. It was silly of her to be this worried, but she couldn’t help it. “I’ve a feeling this doesn’t have anything to do with your work.”
“My lips are sealed for now.”
Alexa knew it, and didn’t like the sound of it. But she didn’t want to behave like a nagging wife. Instead, she slid out of his arms and hurried across the room to the bathroom.
Twenty minutes later he walked her to the door of her grandfather’s home. She could tell he was preoccupied. “I’ll text you when I can.” After a hungry kiss, he walked swiftly to his car. Naturally there were no words of love from him.
How long are you going to wait for something that’s never going to happen, Alexa? How long do you think you can play house with him, knowing the most important ingredient for you is missing?
It took all her self-control to keep from crying out her love for him. If she did, she’d never stop.
* * *
Over the next two days, Alexa lost a lot of sleep. Until she heard from Nico, she knew she wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything. On Wednesday morning she was so anxious, she had no desire to go on her morning run. It wouldn’t help her.
Dimitra had just left the house for the university with Kristos. Her daughter had no reason to be concerned that her father was away on business. Alexa went into the kitchen to make coffee, all the while waiting for her husband’s call. She could hear her grandfather talking to Phyllis while he was get
ting dressed. It might be a normal day, but it didn’t feel like one.
While she was pouring coffee into a mug, her phone rang, causing her to spill some on the counter. She grabbed her cell without looking at the caller ID. “Nico—” she cried.
“No. It’s Giannina.”
“Oh—” She gripped it tighter in disappointment. “Hi. How are you?” They hadn’t talked since Alexa had gone to lunch with her.
“Alexa, it’s obvious you haven’t heard the news. Nico left town for me on a secret mission.”
What?
“In the middle of last night he was in a car on his way home with some NIS agents when there was a collision.”
Alexa’s cry brought her grandfather and Phyllis into the kitchen. She thought she was going to faint and sat on the nearest chair. “H-he isn’t—”
“He’s alive.”
“Oh, thank heaven, thank heaven.”
“Everyone survived, but Nico was brought to Saint Paul Hospital unconscious and still is. I don’t know the extent of his injuries. My parents and I are here with him, waiting for news from the doctor about his condition.”
Alexa tried to stifle a moan, but she wasn’t successful. She feared for Nico’s father with his heart problem.
“Is Dimitra there? I know this news is going to come as a horrible shock to her.”
Dimitra... This was agony beyond bearing. “No. Kristos came by and they’ve gone to the university.”
“Then he doesn’t know either. I’ll phone Irena. She’ll want to be told and get in touch with her son. She adores my brother.”
We all adore him.
A groan came out of Alexa. “I—I’ll text Dimitra,” she stammered. “She’ll tell Kristos.” It was a struggle for breath. “What floor are you on?”
“Six. We’re in the lounge area, east wing.”
“I’ll be there soon.” She hung up.
Her grandfather wheeled his chair next to her. “What terrible news has caused you to go white as a sheet?”
“Oh, Papoú—” She threw her arms around him. “It’s Nico. He was in a car crash last night and hasn’t gained consciousness yet. I’ve got to get to Saint Paul Hospital, and Dimitra has to be told.”
“You leave that to me. I’ll call her while you get dressed. We’ll all go and pick her up on our way to the hospital. He needs his family with him.”
Alexa didn’t remember getting dressed or driving to the hospital with her grandfather and Phyllis. Irena had already called Kristos. He was bringing Dimitra straight from the university.
Within a half hour, a congregation had gathered in the lounge area, everyone waiting to hear from the doctor. Alexa couldn’t sit still and kept watching for any sign of someone to come and tell them what was going on.
How could this have happened after all the suffering Nico had been through in his life? It wasn’t fair. He was the best man on earth. She looked around the room. Everyone loved and needed him. He held their world together.
Though they’d been separated all those years, Alexa had always known where she could find Nico. But if the worst happened to him now, there was no address on earth she could look up to find him.
The second she saw a nurse come in the lounge, Alexa ran up to her. “Do you have news about Kýrie Angelis?”
“The doctor will be in shortly to talk to everyone,” she said before walking over to Nico’s parents.
Dimitra ran over and put an arm around her waist. “What did she tell you?”
“Nothing. She said to wait for the doctor.”
“I don’t believe Baba is going to die. We just found each other.”
Alexa hugged her around the shoulders. “I agree. He’s going to pull out of this and walk you down the aisle. You’ll see.” Her daughter was trying valiantly not to break down. Alexa needed to be strong for her. “We have to have faith.” More faith than Alexa had exhibited in her entire life.
A few minutes after the nurse left the lounge, the doctor came in and headed straight for Nico’s parents. She clung to Dimitra while they waited to hear the news.
“The good news is Kýrie Angelis has awakened. He has cuts and bruises, but it’s his head that was impacted by the crash.” Dimitra broke down quietly, hugging Alexa. “We’ve run scans to know if there’s been significant damage to the brain. We’ll have the results soon.”
“Can I go in?” his mother asked in a tear-filled voice.
“No one is allowed to see him yet. Since he came to, he has asked repeatedly for us to send in his wife.”
Upon hearing that, Alexa’s heart almost jumped out of her chest.
“It’s an indication that he’s lost some of his memory. Whether it’s temporary or permanent, we won’t know for a while.”
Alexa took a deep breath. “He hasn’t lost his memory, doctor.”
Everyone looked at Alexa as if she’d lost her mind.
“I’m his wife.”
A collective gasp resounded in the room. Dimitra looked at her in shock.
“We were married in a private ceremony at the church in Sarti Village the other day, and planned to tell all of you after Dimitra and Kristos were married. But circumstances have changed the timeline.” He had to love her a bit to want to see her before anyone else, right? “May I see him now?”
“Of course,” the doctor murmured. “Come with me.”
“Go to him, Mama.” With stars in her eyes, Dimitra gave her a hard hug before letting her go.
* * *
Nico prayed he wasn’t hallucinating when Alexa came in the room and walked over to his bedside. She wore a filmy pale blue sundress with spaghetti straps. He had a royal headache, but there was nothing wrong with his vision. Her gorgeous face had a pallor that told him how she’d been suffering.
“Darling—” She finally said the word he’d been waiting for. Her sea-green eyes filled with liquid. “I had to tell them I was your wife, or they wouldn’t have let me see you before anyone else. Everyone loves you so terribly and is clamoring to see that you are all right.”
He lifted the hand that didn’t have an IV so she would take hold of it. “Thank heaven our secret is out. I couldn’t have lived with it another second. Don’t you know I want to shout it to the world that we’re together forever? Agape mou. I love you to the depth of my soul. Kiss me.”
“Are you sure it’s all right?” She sounded so frightened.
“Would you rather I expired while I wait for it?”
“Oh, Nico—I’m so in love with you, it hurts.” She leaned over and gave him the kiss of life. Her shiny chestnut hair fell around them.
When she finally lifted her head he said, “As the car met head-on with the other car, I couldn’t believe I had to say goodbye to my beloved again. I couldn’t bear it and called on the powers that be to perform a miracle.”
“It’s more than a miracle,” she cried softly. “You’re not only alive, you’re completely yourself. I’m overjoyed. I love you, Nico.”
“I’ve been dying to hear those words from you. I knew that if you said them, it meant you’d gotten over your guilt from the past.”
“I have, and I’ll keep telling you I love you till you’re sick of it. You have no idea how much I love you. Are you really feeling all right?”
“Other than a headache, I’ve never felt this wonderful.”
“That’s the kind of news I like to hear,” a male voice intruded. The doctor had come in the room and walked over to them. “Your tests are back. No permanent damage has been done. I’m keeping you here until tomorrow morning. If all is well, then you’ll be released. And by the way, congratulations on your marriage.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“I’ll give your families the good news, but I don’t want you bombarded with visitors.”
“I’ll make sure he doesn’t o
verdo it,” Alexa assured him.
As the doctor left the room, Nico squeezed her hand. “The minute I’m released, we’re going to fly to the villa and spend a few days alone. We need it in the worst way.”
“Nico—” She laughed. “Now I know you’re back to normal I need to tell our daughter she doesn’t have to worry. Be good while I go get her.”
“Don’t leave me yet. I need another kiss.”
“So do I, my love.” She kissed him one more time before leaving his room.
Less than a minute passed before Dimitra appeared. “Baba—” She leaned over to hug him carefully. “I’m so thankful you and Mama are married. I love you more than you will ever know.”
“You took the words out of my mouth.”
Life didn’t get better than this.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THOUGH THEY’D FLOWN to Sarti on Thursday, it was Nico who drove them down to his private beach in the estate car on Friday. Another glorious, hot July day greeted them.
Other than a few bruises on his right upper arm and thigh, you would never have known he’d escaped death in a car crash. There was a little cut at the corner of his right eyebrow, and another one on his right earlobe, but those would fade.
Nico was still Alexa’s fantasy. In fact she would love to hire a sculptor who would create a statue of him, but no work of art could ever match the wonder of him in the flesh. She told him that as they ran out in the turquoise water. Farther on it turned a deeper blue.
“A statue of me?” He laughed his head off. Another wonderful quality of his was the fact that he wasn’t in love with himself. No other man had more reason to think otherwise. Not Nico. He was perfect.
“Yes. I’ll have it erected in the backyard and go out to look at you while you’re at work.”
He’d gone out deeper and was treading water while she swam to him. “How about we have a statue of you erected and put in the front yard. Everyone who comes to your grandfather’s house will see the exotic mermaid and fall madly in love with her.”
The Greek's Secret Heir Page 14
