by Annie West
She watched him reach for his desk as if he needed support. Good. Maybe a few shocks would knock some sense into him.
‘Steph said you were kind and generous and that you’d make a terrific father if you could be persuaded to settle down.’ Seeing Strato’s shock, Cora hurried on. ‘Not that she knows about the baby. She said Damen thinks highly of you and trusts you. He said you’re a truly decent man, masquerading as someone who doesn’t care.’
Cora agreed.
Strato’s mouth twisted in a jeering smile. ‘Much as I appreciate the praise, none of that counters my concerns.’
‘What about Asteri?’
He stiffened. ‘Asteri?’
‘Don’t look so surprised. I know you’re associated with it, even if you don’t run it. I told you I’d been digging.’
Strato’s lowered brows told her he wasn’t happy.
‘Where did the name come from? Since it means star, it made me think of a bright light to guide you in tough times. Is that it? It’s appropriate for an organisation that gives on-the-ground support to victims of family violence.’
‘You have done your homework.’ He didn’t sound pleased.
‘I kept seeing hotel bookings from Asteri, for single women or sometimes for women with children. I got curious.’ She’d found a charity that provided safe housing and services to families affected by violence. ‘Those holidays you’ve paid for aren’t just for employees. Some are for survivors of trauma.’
‘I don’t see the relevance.’
He was so stubborn. ‘Do you really think a man who sees women as possessions to be controlled would champion that cause? Not with a tax-deductible payment, but with a meaningful contribution like holidays they wouldn’t usually be able to afford? A break when they most need it?’
Cora closed the gap between them and put her palm to his chest, pushing. A tremor ran up her arm and encircled her chest at the thrill of touching him again.
‘Don’t, Cora.’
‘Or what? What will you do?’
His hand closed on hers and he gently pulled it away. Yet he kept hold of it. Was it imagination that turned his touch into a caress? His grim stare into one of longing?
‘Would you beat me or—?’
‘Don’t, Cora! This isn’t a game.’
His pain created an ache that ripped through her own chest. Cora lifted her other palm to his face, cupping his jaw, feeling the roughened texture of his unshaved skin.
‘I know. But you’re not like your father. I look at this scientifically, look at the facts, and draw sensible conclusions.’
She didn’t mention the very unscientific fact that she also followed her heart. Her instinct that Strato was the man she believed him.
‘You’re not violent, Strato. On the contrary, you help victims of violence.’ And went to considerable trouble to do it quietly so that the public wasn’t aware of his interest. ‘You’re incredibly protective, of me and our baby. I admire you. I care for you. I love you, and I want you to take a chance on turning your life around and being with me.’
* * *
She had no idea what she did.
Asking the impossible. While at the same time holding out shining hope.
Strato had never let himself think of being loved again. He knew how precious it was. Still remembered the warmth of his mother’s love and his siblings’. He’d spent his life locking away what was left of his broken heart. Now Cora strode into his life, smashing barriers he’d thought impenetrable, and said she loved him. She trusted him. She wanted a future with him.
A great shudder racked him from head to toe. He tried to move back, find space to think, but couldn’t bring himself to release her.
The tender touch of her palm on his face was every hope, every dream he’d tried not to harbour.
But it seemed dreams weren’t so easily killed. Beneath his adamantine control something welled, hot and strong. A yearning. A need. A sense of inevitability.
Because he loved her.
Cora had worked a miracle, awakening feelings he’d never thought to experience. That was what he’d fought against recognising all these weeks.
He loved Cora with every part of his shadowed soul. With every breath he took and would ever take.
Not just because she offered the elusive promise of a future to a man who’d never allowed himself to think long term.
But because of Cora. She was everything he needed. Sensible. Sexy. Giving. Funny. Determined. Frustratingly determined.
‘Strato?’
Eyes the colour of cognac held his and he felt himself on the brink of falling. He wanted to fall. To trust she was right and all would be well.
But it wouldn’t be him paying the price if this ended in disaster.
‘I...care for you, Cora. That’s why I can’t do what you want.’
He stepped away, far enough that she couldn’t touch him. She didn’t follow. She looked winded, as if his rejection had undone her.
Strato wanted to tug her into his arms and tell her it would be all right. But she was too precious.
‘What would your mother say, Strato?’
His head jerked back as if she’d slapped him.
‘Don’t bring my mother into this!’
He still grieved for her. For the fact he hadn’t been able to save her.
‘Would she want to see her boy turning his back on happiness? Wouldn’t she want to see you with your own family, feeling joy and tenderness? Do you think she’d be happy seeing you pursuing meaningless hook-ups that diminish you instead of sustaining you?’
How had Cora known? That was exactly how it felt. He’d realised in the time they’d been apart that he could never go back to those brief sexual encounters.
Because what he wanted was Cora. For ever.
His nemesis continued. ‘I suspect she’d hope that, despite what happened to your family, you’d find true peace and happiness. That you’d love.’
Strato drew a slow breath and released it.
Cora was right. His mother had been positive, despite her abusive marriage. She’d told him to reach for the sky and dream big. That was why the charity he’d established was called Asteri. That and the fact she’d always called him asteri mou, my star.
‘You’re right.’ The words ground from his constricted throat. ‘But I can’t seek happiness at your expense.’
The dawning light in Cora’s eyes dimmed as her mouth thinned. She planted her hands on her generous hips, drawing his unwilling attention to the marvellous curve at her trim waist and up to those magnificent breasts.
‘You don’t think I have the strength to stand up for myself, Strato?’ Her chest heaved and he looked up, discovering her eyes narrowed in anger. ‘Well, I can.’ She paused and he wondered what argument she’d try next.
She dropped her arms and breathed slowly, as if through pain.
Had he convinced her? Why didn’t he feel pleased? He knew an unreasoning urge to bar the door to stop her going.
‘If that’s your final word, there’s nothing left to say.’ Her gaze held his and he read distress there that matched his own, making him even more miserable. ‘But know this, Strato Doukas. I want my baby to have two loving parents like I did. It may take a while, years even, but I’ll find a man who’s not afraid of commitment. A man who’ll truly care for me and help me raise my child.’
Unbelievable pain filled Strato’s chest, clogging the space behind his ribs till he couldn’t breathe.
‘You wouldn’t.’ The thought of Cora with another man, a stranger raising his child...
‘Why not? I’m not going to live like a hermit because you don’t want me.’ She looked away. ‘You might have broken my heart.’ She paused, swallowing, and his own heart shattered. ‘But thanks to you, I’ve discovered I like sex. There are decent men out there
who could be a father to this baby. It mightn’t be a love match but, as you’ve also taught me, love doesn’t guarantee a happy ending.’
‘You’re bluffing!’ She had to be.
Cora turned towards the door, the hem of her skirt flaring, teasing him with a glimpse of toned thighs.
‘Someone like Manoli maybe. I like his sense of humour. And he’s got infinite patience. He has to have, working for you—’
Strato’s hand on her arm stopped her mid-step.
Go to Manoli indeed! When she professed to love him.
Cora swung around and he couldn’t help himself. Fear and desperation melded into an unstoppable force. He hauled her close and put his mouth on hers, the threads of his control finally tearing.
Firm hands captured his head, holding tight as if she feared he’d pull back. All that wonderful womanly softness pressed against him, splintering any thought of self-control. And her kiss...
Strato sighed. She kissed like a woman in love. As desperate as he.
He wrapped his arms securely around her and gave himself up to the inevitable. Amazingly, it didn’t feel like defeat, but victory, optimism.
It was a long time before he could summon enough control to lift his head and find his voice.
‘Witch.’ Even to his own ears the growl sounded like an endearment. ‘You had no intention of pursuing Manoli or anyone else, had you?’
‘You expected me to fight fair when our happiness is at stake? Our whole future and our child’s?’ Her eyes shone overbright. ‘Kiss me again, Strato. Please?’
Her wobbly voice undid him. It matched his own shuddering wonder.
How could he refuse her? Even knowing she’d played him, had him dancing to her tune. She’d broken him down to his most elemental being and reassembled him so he felt trembling belief in the possibility of a future.
He just couldn’t relinquish it, or her. Not now.
Finally, it seemed hours later, he sat with her bundled on his lap, warm and luscious in his arms. Strato inhaled the scent of wild honey as he nuzzled her neck and knew that whatever the future held, this was right. She was right for him.
‘I love you, Cora.’ It felt amazing to say it aloud.
She turned, eyes shining with wonder.
Strato swallowed, pushing down fear and clutching at hope. The precious gift Cora brought him.
‘Oh, Strato!’ Her eyes brimmed with tears, but she smiled through them and the sight of her joy gave him hope for the future.
‘I want to make you happy, always. But I don’t know how.’
She shook her head. ‘For a clever man you have a lot to learn. Just keep on being you and I’ll be happy.’
‘That I can do. I just wish—’
Her finger on his lips stopped him. ‘How about we promise to take it a day at a time? You’re not the only one who has to learn about building a future together. And being a parent.’
Strato lifted her hand to his lips. ‘But we’re in this together.’ The power of that thought sustained him against the shadows of fear. He’d do everything he could to build a wonderful future for them all. There was no other possible alternative. ‘You and me together, Coritsa. We’ll make mistakes but we’ll learn. If I have your love that’s all I need.’
Cora’s tender smile eased a little of his ancient hurts. Who knew what a lifetime of them together could achieve?
‘You have it, agapi mou. Always.’
EPILOGUE
‘LOOK, DADDY, LOOK!’ Melissa turned her gap-toothed grin and bright eyes on Strato and he felt that familiar hit of joy. ‘There’s another. Isn’t it cute?’
She pointed to the tiny, just-hatched turtle, crawling across the sand towards the sea.
‘Absolutely,’ he murmured. ‘Almost as cute as you.’
She giggled and threw herself at his legs, hugging hard. ‘I love you, Daddy.’
As ever, those words made his heart turn over. Even though he was now part of a family that spoke openly about such emotion.
‘And I love you, my little princess.’ He scooped her up in his arms, whirling her high till she giggled.
‘Shh! You’ll scare them,’ Alex cautioned. Strato turned to see his son at the water’s edge with his grandfather and Doris. Serious, warm-hearted Alex and carefree Melissa. The twins lit up Strato’s world, as their namesakes, his siblings, had years before.
‘We promise to be quiet. Don’t we?’ Melissa nodded and he put her down, watching her skip off to the others.
This was a regular outing. All the family came to Cora’s island when it was time for the hatchlings to appear. Strato had built a house on the main island across the headland from his father-in-law’s hotel and this was just a short boat ride away.
‘Thank you, agapi mou.’ An arm slipped around his waist and there was Cora, his wife, his love, his life. He pulled her satisfyingly close, his smile widening.
‘What for? The island?’ He’d bought it in her name, as part of a successful proposal to turn the area into a marine park. Now it was protected from development and a new research facility did important work, also providing opportunities for researchers like his wife.
Glowing golden-brown eyes met his and desire stirred. ‘That too. And for inviting Steph, Damen and the kids to visit next week for our anniversary party.’ She paused, her mouth curling in a tender smile. ‘But mainly thank you for believing in us. For trusting yourself, and me. I love you, Strato. I can’t tell you how much.’
Her misty eyes and sweet smile told him. As did the ache of pure joy that filled him.
‘As much as I love you, Coritsa.’ His love for her filled him to the brim and always would. ‘I give thanks every day that we found each other.’
She’d saved him from himself and taught him how to live in the sunlight instead of the shadows. He leant in and, here at the place where they’d met, Strato kissed his own, special Nereid with all the love in his heart.
* * *
If you lost yourself in A Consequence Made in Greece, why not have a look at these other Annie West stories?
Contracted to Her Greek Enemy
Claiming His Out-of-Bounds Bride
The King’s Bride by Arrangement
The Sheikh’s Marriage Proclamation
Pregnant with His Majesty’s Heir
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Keep reading for an excerpt from Nine Months to Tame the Tycoon by Chantelle Shaw.
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Nine Months to Tame the Tycoon
by Chantelle Shaw
CHAPTER ONE
‘I DID NOT expect to find you out here alone in the dark.’
Lissa Buchanan tensed when a gravelly voice with a sexy Greek accent came from the shadows. She knew without turning her head that the voice belonged to Takis Samaras and her skin prickled.
‘I thought you would still be holding court in the marquee,’ he drawled. ‘The most beautiful woman on the dance floor attracting the attention of every man in the room.’
‘I wasn’t trying to attract attention.’ She was aware that she sounded defensive. She hated the party girl label the tabloids had given her. Her reputation in the media was not the real Lissa Buchanan, but she was not about to explain that to a stranger, even though he was the most intriguing man she had ever met. Her pulse rate had accelerated at Takis’s casual compliment. ‘Besides, my sister is the most beautiful woman at her wedding.’
‘Eleanor is a delightful bride, which I assume is the reason Jace chose her for his wife,’ Takis said drily.
‘You seem surprised about Jace’s marriage to my sister.’ Lissa finally dared to look at Takis and nothing could have prepared her for her reaction to his potent masculinity. Never before had she felt such an intense sexual attraction. Beneath her bridesmaid’s dress her nipples were hard, and the silk scraped across the sensitive peaks, creating a delicious friction.
The wedding ceremony had taken place at the town hall in Thessaloniki earlier in the day. Lissa’s heart had missed a beat when she’d set eyes on Jace Zagorakis’s best man. She had been conscious of his brooding presence and barely able to concentrate while Eleanor and Jace had made their vows.
Throughout the reception that was being held in a large marquee in the garden of Jace’s beachfront house, Lissa had found her gaze constantly drawn to Takis. He was not conventionally handsome. Tall and powerfully muscular, but his chiselled face bore a grimly forbidding expression. On the rare occasions when he smiled, his teeth were a flash of brilliant white against his olive-toned skin. His jet-black hair was cropped short and beneath heavy brows his eyes were the colour of cold steel.
There was something uncompromising and at the same time fascinating about his mouth, which was both sensual and cruel. He was sleek and in the prime of physical fitness and he reminded Lissa of a wolf.
He shrugged. ‘I confess I did not expect that Jace would marry. I have known him for a long time, and he has always been against marriage.’
‘Ah, but who can understand the mystery of love?’ she murmured.
‘You think love is the reason why Jace’s marriage to your sister took place at short notice?’
‘What other reason could there be?’ Lissa looked towards the main part of the garden, which was illuminated by hundreds of fairy lights, and saw Eleanor and her new husband emerge from the marquee. It was obvious that they only had eyes for each other. She sensed that Takis was about to say something, but he hesitated as his gaze followed hers over to the newlyweds.
