by Mather, Anne
‘But your father—’
‘Oh, yes. My father was eager to see you again. I’m not denying that. But he knew what I was doing. That was why he was so angry with me at times. Because he knew I still cared for you and I wasn’t being honest with either Ariadne or myself.’
Jane touched his cheek. ‘I was so jealous of Ariadne,’ she admitted.
‘You didn’t have to be. Once I’d seen you again, I realised what a poor substitute Ariadne was.’ He paused. ‘But I have to admit, when I came back to the island a couple of days after the explosion on the Artemis and found you’d gone again, I was shattered. I couldn’t believe you’d walked out on me again.’
‘But your father must have told you what happened.’
Demetri shook his head. ‘Or course, you don’t know. My father was ill when I got back to Kalithi—’ And when Jane made an anxious interjection, he raised a reassuring hand to cup her cheek. ‘I think it was the shock of the explosion, minor though it was, that kept him in his bed for a few days. By the time he was up and about again, I’d gone back to Athens.’
‘To Athens?’
‘Yes.’ Demetri pulled a wry face. ‘I didn’t have to, but I had to get away from the island. Once again, I think it was only my work that kept me sane. I couldn’t eat; I barely slept; I was consumed with guilt and misery. Stefan was worried about me. I think he thought I was going to drink myself into an early grave.’
Jane stroked his cheek. ‘I’ve been such a fool.’
‘You don’t have the monopoly on that, believe me,’ Demetri assured her fiercely. His hands slid beneath the collar of her jacket, caressing the soft skin at her nape. ‘I should have told you the truth about Ianthe as soon as I realised I still cared about you. But you seemed so—distant; so—in control; so—happy with your life.’
‘Oh, Demetri.’ Jane shivered as his hands moved over her shoulders and then tugged at the tie that kept her belt in place. ‘You only had to touch me and I was on fire. Don’t pretend you didn’t realise it, that day you came to the apartment.’
He smiled. ‘Whether you believe it or not, I didn’t come to your apartment expecting to tumble you into bed.’ He brushed his lips over hers and she quivered. ‘I was sure you wouldn’t want to see me and I was fully prepared for you to hear what I had to say and then throw me out.’
‘Me, throw you out?’ Jane was incredulous.
‘Well, not physically, maybe, but you know what I mean. I really thought you’d be glad to be free of me at last.’
Jane’s eyes widened. ‘Did you really think that?’
Demetri grimaced. ‘If you want the truth, I don’t think I thought any of it through until I saw you. Then I realised why my mother had been so against me having any part in the divorce. She must have known how I’d feel when I saw you again.’
‘And how I’d feel, too,’ murmured Jane huskily. ‘Oh, God, when you came into the bathroom, I just wanted to die!’
‘And I just wanted to hold you,’ said Demetri, tipping the woollen jacket off her shoulders and letting it fall to the floor. ‘As I want to hold you now,’ he continued, gazing down at her. ‘Come—let me show you how much I want you. How much I’ll want you for the rest of our lives.’
‘But—your dinner engagement—’
‘Theo can handle my dinner engagement.’ His eyes darkened. ‘Do you honestly think I’m going to leave you now?’
Jane hardly remembered the main bedroom suite at the townhouse. She and Demetri had only used it a couple of times in the past when Mrs Lang had been away. Jane’s mother would have been offended if they hadn’t accepted her hospitality, even if she’d lost no opportunity in those days to criticise Demetri’s privileged way of life.
Now Jane looked about her, noticing the décor had all changed, cream and gold giving way to much more masculine tones. ‘Ariadne never stayed here,’ Demetri said softly, coming into the room behind her and sliding his arms about her midriff. ‘I know what you’re thinking, but our relationship never extended beyond the island.’
‘I expect she stayed at your house there,’ said Jane tensely, expecting him to notice her thickening waistline any moment.
‘No.’ Demetri was distracted, his lips finding the racing pulse below her earlobe. ‘On those occasions when I sought Ariadne’s bed, it was always at the villa.’
‘I—I don’t know if I want to know that.’ Jane’s voice was unsteady. ‘I don’t want to think of you making love to someone else.’
‘Having sex with someone else,’ Demetri corrected her gently. ‘The only woman I’ve ever made love with is you.’
‘I—well, there’s been no one else in my life,’ she confessed and Demetri blew softly into her ear.
‘You have no idea how much pleasure that gives me, aghapi mou,’ he told her thickly. ‘I am a selfish man, I know, but I would have found it very hard to be complacent about something like that.’
Jane tilted her head back against his shoulder. ‘Chauvinist!’
‘I am. I admit it.’ He turned her to face him. ‘Can you forgive me?’
‘I’ll think about it.’ She gazed up at him with adoring eyes. ‘Oh, Demetri, do you realise that if Ianthe hadn’t got a conscience at last, we might never have seen one another again?’
Demetri lifted his hands to her breasts. ‘I don’t believe that.’
‘Why not? You’re here in London and you’ve made no attempt to see me, have you?’
‘I’ve seen Gerrard,’ he admitted huskily. ‘I’ve told him I don’t want to continue with the divorce.’
Jane’s eyes widened. ‘You have?’
‘Yes.’ He looked rueful. ‘I know what I said earlier, but I’d already decided that, if you wanted the divorce, you would have to come and see me.’
Jane knew an overwhelming sense of satisfaction, but then another thought occurred to her. ‘What about your father?’
‘My father knows how I feel about you,’ he said simply, his fingers going to the ribbons that secured her smock. ‘We had a long conversation, he and I, and he told me that my mother had led him to believe that Ariadne and I were in love.’ He sighed. ‘She’d also told Stefan other stuff about my father but that needn’t concern us now.’
‘About the fact that your father would never recognise any child of Stefan’s as his grandchild?’
Demetri’s brows descended. ‘How do you know that?’
‘Stefan told me.’ She lifted her shoulders appealingly. ‘We got quite close while you were away in Athens. He told me he was very hurt that his father seemed to have so little faith in him.’
‘Really?’ Demetri absorbed what she’d said. Then, ‘Well, things are going to change. And they’ll change even more when he learns I’m making him my deputy.’
Jane’s eyes widened. ‘Is that your father’s idea?’
‘No, it’s mine.’ Demetri was smug. ‘I have no intention of risking our relationship as I did before. In the past weeks, I’ve realised that work is good if you’ve got nothing else in your life. But I do now. I have you. And your happiness is going to be my number-one priority from now on.’
‘And does Stefan agree?’
‘He will, when I tell him. He’ll understand how ticked-off I feel knowing that while you were on the island my brother spent more time with my wife than I did.’
Jane’s lips parted. ‘You’re jealous!’
‘Yes. Yes, I am. Bloody jealous, as it goes,’ he agreed thickly. He bent to brush her cheek with his tongue, kissing the soft flesh on the underside of her jaw before trailing his mouth to the scented hollow between her breasts. He loosened the ribbons. ‘I want you all to myself.’
The sides of the smock fell apart and Demetri’s lips sought the swollen peaks of her breasts pressing against the cream lace of her half-bra. ‘Oreos,’ he whispered. Beautiful. ‘Saghapo.’ I love you. He took one nipple into his mouth, suckling her through the cloth, causing a wave of longing that spread from her breasts to her stomach and from
there to the place between her legs that was already wet and throbbing with need. ‘Sethelo,’ he added huskily. ‘I want you.’
‘Oh, God, Demetri,’ she choked, clinging to him urgently, and he tore one hand away to take off his tie and rip open the buttons of his shirt.
His chest, with its dark triangle of hair, brushed against skin that was already sensitised to an unbearable pitch, and Jane decided that telling him about the baby could wait just a little longer…
Their lovemaking was wild and uncontrolled. Demetri had intended to take it slowly and deliberately, to enjoy every moment of it, but as soon as he felt her tighten around him, her muscles squeezing him and demanding his release, all his good intentions flew away. He wanted her. He needed her. And they would have plenty of time in the months and years to come to perfect something that was already as near perfect as it could get.
Tearing the coverlet aside, he pulled her to the bed, peeling off his own clothes as he did so. Jane seemed to share his urgency, for she shimmied out of her trousers and it was his pleasure to remove the rest of her clothes as he caressed her.
Then he was inside her and she was so ready for him. Feeling the slickness as he filled her with his thick shaft almost achieved his objective, but he wanted her with him every step of the way.
Jane drew up her knees and pressed the soles of her feet into the mattress, giving her the leverage she needed to push up against him. But when he would have drawn away to taste her, she dug her nails into his shoulders and urged him on. She wanted him, all of him, and the ripples of her own orgasm demanded his total possession.
And it was good, so good. Better than ever because this time there was no possibility that anyone would interrupt them. They had all evening and all night to explore the delights of their reunion, and, when Jane’s climax swept her away, she heard Demetri’s groan of satisfaction echoing her own.
It was dark when Jane opened her eyes again. It took a moment to adjust to the shadowy light that filtered in from the streetlights outside. But she had barely done so before a lamp was illuminated and she realised Demetri had been lying, propped on his elbow, watching her as she slept.
‘Hi,’ he murmured, regarding her with undisguised satisfaction. He bent to brush his lips across the soft curve of her jawline. ‘I thought you were going to sleep forever.’
The dark stubble on his chin grazed hers and she blinked up at him in some surprise. ‘What time is it?’
‘About half-past-twelve,’ he told her softly. ‘Why? Are you hungry?’
‘Hungry?’ Jane’s hand sought her stomach and then, remembering, she licked her dry lips. ‘I—no. Not particularly.’
‘Sure?’ Demetri turned and when he came back he was holding a glass of wine in his hand. ‘How about thirsty? I’m sorry I don’t have any champagne, but the Chardonnay is fairly good.’
‘Um…’ Jane shuffled up against the pillows, realised she was completely naked and reached automatically for the sheet. ‘Not for me, thanks.’
Demetri frowned, instantly aware of her uncertainty. ‘Ti simveni?’ He shook his head and spoke in her language. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing’s wrong, exactly.’
Demetri was really worried now. Putting the wine aside, he turned to sit cross-legged beside her, and, although Jane knew this wasn’t the time to be provocative with him, she couldn’t prevent herself from putting her hand between his legs.
He hardened instantly, and her tongue circled her lips in helpless anticipation. Oh, God, she thought, she loved him so much. How could she have wasted so many years because of her foolish pride?
‘What is it?’ he demanded, but she noticed his hand held hers against him. ‘Tell me, Jane, before I go completely out of my head.’
Jane hesitated. ‘You know what you said about—about wanting me all to yourself?’
‘Yes.’ He was wary now.
‘Well, how would you feel if I told you that six months from now that was going to change?’
Demetri frowned. ‘I don’t—’ He broke off shaking his head. ‘What are you saying? That you want—who—your mother, maybe, to come live with us?’
Jane had to smile then. ‘No, not my mother, silly!’ she exclaimed fiercely. She looked down at herself and then, with some hesitation, drew the sheet away. ‘Haven’t you noticed anything different about me? Don’t you think I’ve put on a little weight since—since the last time we made love?’
Demetri stared into her eyes for a moment, then his gaze dropped to her stomach before lifting to her face again. ‘Theos,’ he said in a shaken voice. ‘You’re pregnant!’
‘Mmm.’ Jane was nervous. ‘How do you feel about it?’
‘How do I feel?’ Demetri rolled onto his knees and leant towards her, his hands cradling her stomach. ‘How do I feel?’ he echoed unsteadily. ‘I’m…’ His voice shook. ‘I’m—staggered!’ He tried to gather his thoughts. ‘When were you going to tell me about this?’
Jane trembled. ‘How could I tell you? I thought you were going to marry Ariadne.’
‘Hristo, Jane, you knew why I was marrying Ariadne!’
Jane shook her head. ‘I know. But—so much had happened. I couldn’t bear the thought that you might think I had only got pregnant to ruin your life for a second time.’
‘Not telling me about this baby would have ruined my life,’ Demetri assured her forcefully. ‘Theos, a baby! I’m going to be a father! I can’t believe it.’
‘But—you’re—happy about it?’
Demetri cupped her face in his hands and pressed a hungry kiss to her open mouth. ‘I’m not just happy,’ he told her thickly. ‘I’m freakin’ ecstatic! My wife! My baby! Theos, it doesn’t get any better than this…’
Epilogue
Nikolas Demetri Leonides Souvakis was born on Valentine’s Day. He weighed in at a massive ten pounds five ounces, and Jane was pale but triumphant when her in-laws came to view the new arrival.
Demetri had been with her throughout the twenty-four hours of her labour. And, although at times he would have opted for a Caesarean, Jane had wanted to have their son naturally, wanted Demetri’s hands to be the first the baby felt on his arrival into the world.
It was wonderful that Leo could be there to hold his grandson, too. Actually, in recent months, since he’d welcomed Jane back to Kalithi again and learned of her pregnancy, he seemed to have acquired a second lease of life. And despite her opposition to their reunion, even Demetri’s mother had been unable to hide her pride that she was going to be a grandmother at last.
Stefan, too, had been to see his nephew, but now he’d flown to England to bring Jane’s mother and sister back for a visit. Even Mrs Lang had been persuaded that her daughter had never been happier, and, because there was going to be a new baby visiting her house, she was much more tolerant of her other grandchildren’s antics than she had used to be.
Olga, meanwhile, had sent a message expressing her delight at the news. She would come out to see the baby on one of her frequent buying trips to Greece. Jane knew Olga was hoping that one day she’d reopen the gallery in Kalithi, but that would be a long time in the future, if at all.
Jane’s mother and Lucy had arrived and welcomed the new baby, but now they’d returned to the villa and the suite of rooms Angelena had prepared for them. It had been agreed that all guests should stay at the villa and not with Jane and Demetri. Her daughter-in-law needed rest, Maria Souvakis had insisted, for the first time considering Jane’s feelings before her own.
It was much later that night before Jane and Demetri were alone together. Jane had slept for a while and then taken a shower, and when her husband came into their bedroom she was looking deliciously relaxed and rested in an ivory satin nightgown with tiny pearl buttons down the front. Demetri thought she’d bloomed in the last six months, and their happiness was palpable.
‘Tired?’ Demetri asked now, coming to sit on the side of the bed nearest his wife, and Jane stroked his cheek.
‘A
little,’ she conceded. ‘But I’ll get over it. How about you? You haven’t even been to bed.’
Demetri shrugged. ‘I don’t like sleeping alone,’ he confessed softly, playing with the buttons on the front of her gown.
‘You don’t have to,’ she said at once, moving across the huge bed to give him room. ‘Come on. You know you want to.’
Demetri hesitated. ‘You need your sleep,’ he said, glancing at the clock.
‘You need yours,’ she countered. ‘I want you to stay, Demetri. I don’t like sleeping alone either.’
Demetri regarded her for a long moment and then he stood and unfastened his shirt. Tossing it onto a chair, he followed it with his trousers, and then drew back the covers to get into bed.
‘You don’t sleep in boxers,’ Jane pointed out huskily, and, with a rueful grimace, Demetri kicked them off as well.
‘Goodness knows what Nurse Seledha will say when she brings Nikolas for his feed,’ Jane added, teasingly. And when Demetri would have protested, she reached over him and turned off the lamp. ‘Don’t fret, my darling. She’ll just be envious of me.’