The Diakos Baby Scandal

by Natalie Rivers

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I’m sorry that I haven’t given Lucas a better background.’

  ‘Don’t apologise for things that are not your fault. I would never blame you or think less of you because of your background,’ Theo said, stroking her hair gently away from her tear-streaked face. ‘Things like that mean nothing to me. I only care that our son has what he needs—love from both his parents.’ He paused, cupping her chin softly and tipping her head back so he could look down into her eyes. ‘Lucas will never be short of love.’

  A wave of warmth washed through her at his words. She knew he was speaking sincerely—and she knew that he really did not judge her for her troubled background.

  It felt as if an enormous weight had been lifted off her shoulders, and for the first time she felt that Theo was looking at her and seeing the whole truth about the person she really was. Until that moment she had never realised what a heavy burden the secret of her background had been.

  ‘I’m glad you told me,’ Theo said, sliding his fingers through her hair to the nape of her neck.

  He looked down at her, finally understanding what had driven her to react so recklessly to the conversation she had overheard the night of the accident. He meant what he had said—he would never judge anyone according to their background. After all, he would hate to be judged on the basis of being his father’s son.

  But it was terrible to think about Kerry growing up in such difficult circumstances. It was no wonder she’d never talked about her past.

  ‘I can’t face seeing Hallie and Corban again,’ Kerry said. Then she bit her lip, realising how cowardly that sounded. She couldn’t hide from her mistake for ever. She had to face up to it and take responsibility for what she had done.

  ‘I’ll be with you,’ Theo said, drawing her towards him with his hand behind her head.

  ‘Thank you.’ Kerry looked up at him, wondering if that meant he thought there would be trouble. Theo had been angry with her—surely Corban would be too? It was his wife and child that Kerry had endangered.

  ‘Don’t think about it now,’ Theo said, bending his head and pressing his mouth to her cheek with the lightest of touches. ‘Don’t think about anything.’

  A ripple of pleasure ran through her and she closed her eyes, feeling him kissing her again and again. The touch of his lips was as light as a shower of raindrops, scattering over her face to wash away her tears.

  It felt wonderful—just knowing there were no more secrets between them. For the first time ever she could truly let down her guard. Theo knew all about her—and yet he was still here with her, kissing her, caressing her…starting to make love to her.

  She sighed with delight and leant into his embrace, opening her lips as he finally kissed her on the mouth. Her pulse rate leapt up as his tongue slid inside, setting off a cascade of feelings surging through her body.

  Suddenly she was burning with desire for him. She was hot and desperate to feel his body moving against hers, to feel his hands on her bare skin.

  She grappled with his clothing urgently, pulling and tugging—and he was undressing her at the same time. Then all at once they were both standing naked, devouring each other with their eyes.

  ‘You look so good,’ she murmured, startled by how husky her voice sounded. For a second she didn’t move, just stood there letting her eyes roam freely over his magnificent body. He was fully aroused and ready for her, and his erection drew her gaze like a magnet. Her breathing was becoming ragged just from looking at him—but she wanted the moment to last.

  His eyes were on her too, searing a tingling trail over the peaks of her breasts, down across her stomach to the soft curls at the apex of her legs—and the expression of erotic hunger on his face was turning her on even more.

  Then suddenly he stepped towards her, as if he was unable to keep his hands off her a moment longer, and her world exploded into a wild, sexual tangle of entwined limbs and kissing mouths.

  Hot, liquid arousal sang through her veins and rang in her ears, blotting out everything but her growing need to feel Theo lying over her, thrusting long and hard into her body. But suddenly she found herself leaning back on the sofa, with him kneeling between her legs.

  She barely had time to anticipate the exquisite rapture he was about to deliver, when his mouth came down on her. She let out a shuddering cry as his tongue and lips caressed her most sensitive, intimate place, setting wave after wave of pure sexual sensation rolling through her. Her whole body was suffused with pulsing pleasure and she felt herself rocketing upwards, straight towards a shattering, all-encompassing climax.

  She cried out as she reached a moment of release, but before she had a chance to drift back down Theo had lifted himself over her and thrust his hard, masculine length deep into her body.

  Her trembling, sensitised flesh clamped around him, and she shot back up into the heavens immediately. She hadn’t known it was possible to feel such intense sensual pleasure—but Theo drove her higher and higher. Thrusting deeper and deeper into her willing body, he carried her up and up until she was lost in a whirling vortex of pure sexual excitement.

  Then, as the final crescendo of delirious ecstasy crashed through her, she heard Theo shout as he reached his own explosive climax.

  Kerry smiled tenderly as she looked at Theo lying beside her. Her body was still glowing from their lovemaking, and her heart felt a gladness she could never remember feeling before. She had told Theo about her past—about all the sordid details of her dysfunctional family—and he still wanted to be with her.

  She knew it was for Lucas’s sake, but she finally felt as if she and Theo were growing closer. She didn’t think that he had fully forgiven her for what she had done, but at least now he understood why she had not been thinking clearly the night of the accident.

  She lifted her hand and traced her fingers gently over the contours of his gorgeous face—across his high cheekbones and down to his strong, angular jaw. He opened his dark brown eyes and looked at her, his sensual lips curving into a lazy smile as his gaze held hers, filling her with another wave of warmth.

  ‘You look beautiful,’ he said, his voice low and husky.

  She smiled, feeling the flutter of butterflies deep inside her. Just looking at him made her feel good—joyful and excited at the same time. Her blood tingled through her veins like champagne. She was so happy to be there with him—so happy that he was the father of her child.

  Suddenly her heart turned over and she realised something—something wonderful and terrible at the same time.

  She loved him. She had fallen in love with Theo all over again.

  Later that day Theo took Kerry to meet Hallie and Corban. Her legs felt weak with nerves, but she knew she had to overcome them. Not just for the sake of her future in the Diakos family—but because it was the right thing to do.

  ‘I’m so sorry for what I did.’ Kerry rushed the words out the moment they were all together.

  They seemed to jar uncomfortably around the room, as if she’d just said something out of place, and she felt her stomach crunch with nervous agitation. But in her heart she knew there was no point waiting, working awkwardly through small talk, with such a big issue still hanging in the air between them.

  ‘It’s all right,’ Hallie said suddenly, throwing her arms around Kerry impulsively. ‘Everyone is all right.’

  ‘But…but when I think what might have happened…’ Kerry stammered, feeling her eyes brimming with tears of remorse. She’d thought that after her afternoon of confession with Theo she was all cried out—but as the tears ran down her cheeks she knew that she wasn’t.

  ‘Honestly, I can’t remember much about it,’ Hallie said. ‘But I know you—I know you didn’t mean to harm anyone. Maybe you even helped me, in a way.’

  ‘I don’t understand,’ Kerry said, gratefully taking the tissue Hallie offered her and dabbing her eyes.

  ‘I don’t think I was ready to accept that I needed help,’ Hallie said. ‘I k
now it wasn’t the best way to realise that I did—but at least crashing the car made me stop and think.’

  ‘But…but…’ Kerry wasn’t ready to believe that anything good could have come of that night.

  ‘You didn’t put the car keys in my hand,’ Hallie said. ‘But you did try to stop me—and you went straight for help.’

  She turned and reached out her arm for her husband, drew him closer to them.

  ‘We forgive you,’ Hallie said. ‘And we are pleased that you will be part of the family again.’

  Kerry smiled tremulously as she looked at Hallie. She was such a kind, generous soul, and Kerry felt so grateful. Hallie’s friendship had always meant a lot to her, and she knew that it would enrich her life now that she was to be married to Theo.

  ‘Theo has told me what happened.’ Corban’s deep voice rumbled beside her and she turned to look up at him. He was so like his brother that when his dark eyes met hers she felt a rush of nervousness. ‘I accept that you did not mean for any harm to come to my family.’

  Despite his words of assurance there was no warmth in his eyes. Kerry knew that he was still protective towards his wife and child—and she understood why. The fact that Hallie had forgiven her so freely was more than enough. She knew she would have to earn Corban’s trust again, but for his brother’s sake he was prepared to accept her into the family.

  ‘Thank you.’ Kerry spoke sincerely.

  ‘Let’s go for dinner.’ Hallie’s voice was bright and breezy, and Kerry knew she was determined to lighten the atmosphere, to put the past behind them. ‘You can tell me all about the wedding plans.’

  Theo fell into step with his brother as they walked through into the dining room, but his eyes were on Kerry. She was clearly relieved that seeing Hallie and Corban again had gone so well—and Theo shared that relief.

  He wasn’t in the habit of worrying about what other people thought, but he realised he’d been ill at ease, waiting for this meeting to take place.

  Perhaps it was because up until this afternoon Kerry had never truly apologised for what had happened. He’d only known that she regretted the outcome—rather than the fact that she had interfered in the first place. But now he believed that she was genuinely sorry. And he’d been impressed by the open honesty she had shown Hallie and Corban.

  As he looked at her a strange sensation passed through him. He frowned, momentarily disconcerted as he couldn’t identify what he was feeling. Then he realised what it was—pride. He was proud of how she had taken responsibility and given such a heartfelt apology to Hallie and Corban.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  OVER the next few weeks Kerry re-established her friendship with Hallie. They’d always got along well, and it was wonderful to have someone to pass the time with while Theo was working. It was good for the children to play together too. Lucas, who had just started crawling, had great fun following his older cousin Nicco around.

  The wedding came and went with the minimum of fuss. It was a small ceremony, just for immediate family, and afterwards Theo took Kerry and Lucas to the island for a couple of days. She was a little disappointed that he’d only taken such a small amount of time out of his busy schedule for them. Not that she’d wanted a big fancy honeymoon, but she would have liked the chance to spend more time with Theo. She finally felt as if they were starting to get to know each other again, but it was slow progress because he was always working.

  When they returned to Athens, Corban and Hallie had already left to continue the trip they had interrupted to attend the wedding. Kerry and Lucas were alone during the day once again, and life settled into a quiet pattern.

  One day, about a week later, Kerry received a message from Drakon, asking her to come and see him at the hospital. She was surprised because Theo had told her that he wasn’t well enough for visitors—and hadn’t been for some time. In fact the afternoon that Theo had flown from the island to meet Drakon at the hospital the old man had taken another turn for the worse. Theo had been refused access and the situation with the sale of the island was still unresolved.

  Kerry looked at the handwritten note that Drakon had sent to her. She had the feeling that Theo would not be pleased if she went to see the old man alone—but he’d flown to Paris that morning and wouldn’t be back till late. She didn’t want to keep Drakon waiting. His health seemed so precarious that he might not be fit to see her if she delayed her visit.

  So she left Lucas with the housekeeper and went to the hospital alone.

  ‘Thank you for coming,’ Drakon said, struggling to sit up straighter against the starched white hospital pillows. ‘I wasn’t sure if you’d be able to.’

  ‘Of course I came,’ Kerry said, crossing the room to kiss Drakon lightly on the cheek. She was startled by how changed he seemed—he looked so frail that she’d hardly recognised him at first.

  ‘There are a few things I want to ask you,’ he said, getting straight down to business. ‘Forgive me for not worrying about the social niceties—but I tire easily.’

  Kerry looked at the old man, suddenly feeling wary. She had a feeling that she wasn’t going to want to answer his questions…

  Theo signed the last of the documents securing his purchase of Drakon’s island and stepped back, away from the old man’s hospital bed.

  ‘You take care of my island,’ Drakon instructed him testily. ‘And take care of that pretty wife of yours. You’ve got a gem there—although I think you’re too pig-headed to realise it.’

  Theo looked down at the old man, biting back the cutting retort that had come into his mind. The island was his now—he did not have to answer to anybody about what he chose to do with it. And—unfortunately—he was well aware of what kind of woman he had married.

  ‘Trust me—I know my wife,’ he replied smoothly. She was a woman who still had not learnt her lesson about meddling in his affairs. A woman who had gone behind his back yet again and betrayed his confidence.

  Drakon snorted derisively, as if he was far from convinced by Theo’s words, then held out his hand to shake on their deal.

  ‘We’re finished here,’ he said. ‘Don’t let me keep you from your other business.’

  Theo shook his hand firmly, a wry lift of his brow the only indication of what he thought about Drakon’s clumsy dismissal.

  He left the hospital and headed straight back to the hotel. He could not believe what had happened. He had finally acquired the island for his aunt—but all he could think about was how Kerry had betrayed him. Again.

  Kerry looked down at Lucas, already sleeping soundly. She walked out of the nursery and closed the door quietly, biting her lip distractedly.

  She’d been in a permanent state of agitation since Drakon had called her to the hospital the previous day. She’d been determined not to do or say anything that would displease Theo, but it hadn’t made any difference—because Drakon already knew everything.

  He’d told Kerry the story of Theo’s aunt and uncle, and how they’d lost the island. And then he’d simply watched her response as he’d quizzed her about Theo’s plans. When he’d suggested that Theo might be buying the island in order to give it back to his aunt, her reaction had confirmed his guess was correct.

  She felt awful for inadvertently giving Drakon the verification he was looking for—but short of telling him an outright lie she hadn’t been able to hide the truth.

  Although she knew Theo would be furious with her, she had decided to tell him what had happened as soon as possible. But he never seemed to be around. She’d tried to call him, but he was always in meetings. And in any case it wasn’t the kind of conversation she wanted to have over the telephone.

  She walked out onto the roof garden, hoping to calm her nerves, but somehow the heavy fragrance of jasmine seemed too overpowering, and the trickle of the fountain didn’t soothe her as usual.

  Suddenly she realised that she was thinking about the last time she’d waited for Theo on the roof garden, knowing that she was about to con
fess something that would make him angry. That time she had made a terrible mistake—and Theo had reacted by kicking her out of his life. This time she had not done anything wrong except not tell Drakon a barefaced lie to protect Theo’s privacy. But she knew he would still be angry.

  She turned to go back inside, but at that moment Theo appeared in the doorway.

  ‘I’m glad you’re home,’ she said right away, pleased at how steady she kept her voice, despite the unease that filled her. ‘There’s something I need to tell you—something that happened yesterday.’

  ‘You went to see Drakon,’ Theo said, pre-empting her confession.

  Kerry looked up at his face and felt herself tremble. Whether he’d meant to or not, Drakon had put her in a terrible position. And now she had to try to explain it to Theo.

  ‘He sent me a message,’ Kerry said. ‘I felt I had to go right away—he’s been so unwell that I didn’t think I should delay.’

  ‘I’ve also been to see him. In fact I’ve just come from the hospital now,’ Theo said, partially drawing a sheaf of papers out of his briefcase. ‘The island is now mine.’

  ‘Oh!’ Kerry gasped, relief running through her as she watched Theo return the documents to the safety of his case. ‘Oh, that’s wonderful.’

  Then she looked back at his face, and a bundle of nerves tightened inside her as she realised her relief had been misplaced. Despite the fact he’d finally bought the island he was furious.

  ‘Why aren’t you pleased?’ she asked. ‘You’ve got what you wanted.’

  ‘I wanted a wife who understood not to meddle in my affairs,’ he grated.

  ‘I didn’t meddle!’ she said incredulously, a spike of annoyance stabbing into her.

  ‘You told Drakon things that I’d told you in confidence,’ he said.