Claiming the Drakos Heir

by Jennifer Faye

  “What else would there be?” Popi’s beautiful face filled his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

  “I don’t know, but you have that look on your face again.”

  Finally deciding that he needed some advice about his situation with Popi, he opened up to his friend. He told Matias about the first time he met Popi and that undeniable immediate attraction. He went on to mention that Popi’s life was on Infinity Island and how she planned to return to her life there as soon as possible—with the baby. And how he would once again be alone.

  “You’d be able to get back to your adventures,” Matias offered.

  Apollo lowered his gaze and stared blindly into his drink. “I don’t know if it was almost dying on this last excursion or what, but I’m not anxious to get back out there. At least not yet.”

  “Is it that? Or have you finally found a reason to stay at home?”

  “You mean Popi?” When Matias nodded, Apollo said, “But this arrangement is about to end and then she’ll be gone.” Just like everyone else in his life.

  “Unless you give her a reason to stay.”

  Apollo looked up at his friend, finding that he was perfectly serious. But what could he offer Popi to stay here? Her career and friends were on the island. When she spoke of the island and the weddings she’d planned, it was obvious how much she missed it.

  But her family was here in Athens. A flicker of hope sparked within him. If he were able to give her another reason, maybe he could change her mind. But how?

  He searched his mind to come up with some reason that would rival her desire to return to Infinity Island. There had to be an answer. It wasn’t like money would be an obstacle. But he also knew throwing money at Popi wouldn’t be the answer. She was so stubbornly independent.

  “Can I offer you a bit of advice?” When Apollo nodded, Matias said, “Be careful. I know things seem really good now. But move cautiously. I just got burned by a woman who was only interested in my bank account. She put on such a good show that I didn’t see it. I was just about to propose to her when I learned the truth.”

  “Is this the reason you missed the last trip?”

  It was Matias’s turn to avoid Apollo’s gaze as he nodded.

  “It’s just as well. As you can tell, it didn’t go well.” Apollo rubbed his surgically repaired thigh, which still had a dull ache to it.

  “Just be careful is all I’m saying. Make sure if you move forward with her that she’s interested in you and not what you can offer her.”

  Apollo didn’t believe it was the case with Popi. He was certain she had a heart of gold. He pushed his friend’s advice to the back of his mind.

  * * *

  “This place is more impressive than I ever could have imagined.”

  Two days later, Popi’s mother stood in the nursery, holding Seb while gazing out the window at the estate grounds. The nursery had an excellent view of the extravagant gardens that Apollo was creating. Popi joined her mother at the window. She gazed down, catching a glimpse of Apollo as he worked in the bright sunshine without a shirt on.

  He was too far away to make out the detailed lines of his well-defined muscles. But the memory of him working shirtless was vividly imprinted upon her mind. She’d been tempted more than once to reach out and smooth the flecks of dirt from his tanned skin, but each time she’d resisted the urge, unsure of his reaction.

  Sure, they’d kissed, but she still didn’t understand where that left them—except for wanting more. And since she’d had the baby, he’d been so reserved around her—even if she saw the desire reflected in his eyes. It wasn’t like he was going to stay here in Athens. He was a nomad, always on to the next adventure.

  “Looks like you find it impressive too.” Her mother’s voice drew Popi out of her thoughts.

  “Mmm... What?”

  Her mother sent her a knowing smile.

  “What?” Popi asked.

  “I’m thinking you’re enjoying the view a little too much.”

  Heat rushed to Popi’s chest and headed north to her cheeks. “I... I don’t know what you mean.”

  Her mother arched a brow. “Popi, don’t play coy with me. I saw you looking at Apollo. Is there more to this playing house than caring for Seb?”

  “Of course not.” Did her response sound like a lie? Because it sure felt like one.

  Disbelief reflected in her mother’s eyes. “Just make sure that whatever you do with Apollo, it’s for the right reason.”

  That was it? No lecture? No telling her that he was absolutely the wrong person for her? Popi struggled to keep her mouth from gaping open.

  “What?” Her mother placed the sleeping baby in the crib before turning back to her daughter.

  “It’s just that I expected you to tell me not to get involved with him...to stay away from a man who never slept in the same place more than a few nights.”

  “Is that what you expected me to say? Or is that what you’ve been saying to yourself?”

  Popi shrugged, not wanting to answer. “I don’t know what to make of him. He’s so much different than the picture Andrina painted of him.”

  “That happens a lot. People are never quite what other people say of them. Usually there’s so much more if you look beneath the surface.”

  Popi moved to a basket of fresh baby clothes and began placing them in the new chest of drawers. “It was so much easier when I was certain he was an irresponsible playboy, out to have a good time instead of taking responsibility for himself and his family. But now...”

  “Now you’ve found out there might be reasons for his globetrotting.”

  Popi stopped and turned to her mother. “How did you know?”

  “Your sister. She didn’t know the whole story, but from what she was able to glean, Apollo had a harsh childhood, with an alcoholic father.”

  “She knew there was more to him?”

  Her mother sighed. “She didn’t know for sure, but she hoped when the time came that he would step up and be there for the family. And perhaps have a family of his own.”

  This was all so unexpected. Her sister had never said anything like this to her. In fact, Andrina had warned her, should she ever meet Apollo, to be on her guard. Maybe Popi had misinterpreted that warning. Maybe her sister had known just how dashing her brother-in-law was and she worried that Popi would fall for him and he would end up breaking her heart. Was that going to happen?

  Had she already lost her heart to him? Was that why she was still here even though she’d received word that all the renovations had been completed on her bungalow?

  She looked at her mother, who was wise in the ways of the heart. “But how am I to know what he wants?”

  “The question you have to answer first is what do you want?”

  “I... I don’t know.”

  “Listen to your heart—it will guide you.”

  “If only it was that easy.” But every time she listened to her heart, her mind intervened with all of the reasons that pursuing anything with Apollo wouldn’t work.

  “Don’t push yourself. You’ve been through a lot, and so has he. But I have to say that your sister would be so proud of you.”

  Popi’s heart stuttered. How could she be so caught up with Apollo? It wasn’t right.

  If it wasn’t for her sister’s death, she wouldn’t be here. And Andrina wouldn’t have died if it hadn’t been for her. Which meant that she didn’t deserve Apollo. She didn’t deserve to have the perfect family that her sister had been robbed of.

  “No, she wouldn’t.” Popi couldn’t meet her mother’s gaze. “Andrina should be here, not me.”

  “That’s nonsense. I know that it’s hard without your sister. I miss her every day. But one life is not more important than the other. I love you both, equally.”

  Her mother’s unconditional love is what ha
d gotten her through so much in life, including her sister’s death. But there was something her mother didn’t know—that she was the one who’d insisted that her sister be on that boat. She just didn’t know how to admit to something so horrible.

  “Mum, there’s something you don’t know—”

  Knock-knock.

  Apollo stuck his head in the doorway. “I heard we had company.”

  Introductions were made, and as though the baby sensed Apollo was in the room, Seb fussed, wanting to be picked up. Apollo readily lifted the baby into his arms as though Seb had always belonged there.

  She noticed how Apollo had changed into clean clothes. Still, he had the worst timing. But then again, maybe it was for the best. Her mother would just end up trying to make Popi feel better for what had happened to her sister. Her mother wouldn’t throw around blame—that wasn’t her way. And Popi didn’t deserve her mother’s sympathy and understanding.

  And most of all, she didn’t deserve Apollo...no matter how much she wished it was otherwise. Because this was the life her sister should have been living—an adoring man, a beautiful home and a smiling, happy baby.

  Popi thought she was coming to terms with losing her sister and learning to live with the loss, but every time she held Seb and that little boy stared up at her with those big brown eyes—so much like Andrina’s—the guilt washed over her.

  She was the reason Andrina was on that boat. Popi’s ultimatum was the only reason her sister had reluctantly gone out on the water. And that was why Popi couldn’t let herself enjoy a family that was hers out of default. It wasn’t right. Andrina should be here, watching her beautiful baby boy grow.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  HE COULDN’T SLEEP.

  It wasn’t from worry. And it wasn’t from unpleasant memories.

  In fact, it was quite the opposite.

  For the first time in his life, Apollo was content and happy right here at home. He never thought that could happen. In fact, he had been quite certain that returning to the Drakos estate would be like a life sentence of misery.

  And all this happiness was due to Popi.

  His friend’s warning about Popi echoed in his mind. He quickly dismissed it. Matias didn’t know Popi. If he did, he’d realize she would never intentionally hurt anyone. After all, she even rescued helpless kittens.

  She was like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. She could make something as mundane as breakfast be like a grand meal with her comical stories of Seb, her radiant smiles and her genuine interest in him. No one before her had ever taken such an interest in his life—not even his brother.

  And he didn’t want to miss a moment of the sunshine Popi had brought to his life.

  Because he knew in the end that this wasn’t going to last. This peaceful serenity that had taken over his life would end as soon as Popi walked out the door. And then what? He’d long to escape once again on one of his adventures?

  But there was Seb to think of. He couldn’t just leave him—not even with the best nanny or Anna, the housekeeper. No, Seb was his responsibility—his and Popi’s. Because what he was quickly learning was that the baby needed both of them.

  And then a thought began to percolate in his sleep-deprived mind. But it was so far out there that he was certain it was all fantasy without any substance. Because there was no way Popi would want a future with him. Would she?

  “Waah... Waah... Waah... Waah...”

  There was no time to answer the question. He obviously wasn’t the only one not sleeping. Apollo sprang out of bed and headed for the nursery that was situated between his and Popi’s bedrooms. He hoped to get there before Seb woke Popi too. There was no point in them both being awake.

  Not taking the time to dress, Apollo rushed out of the bedroom in nothing more than his blue-and-white boxers. After all, the whole mansion was asleep. No one would see him. And Seb needed him.

  Apollo rushed into the nursery. He immediately turned off the baby monitor so as not to wake Popi. She needed her rest. He’d noticed her at dinner and she had been quieter than normal. She’d even yawned through the main course. Maybe he’d been spending too much time in the garden and leaving her to deal with the baby more than he should. He made a mental note to be on hand more instead of losing track of time in the gardens.

  “Hey, little man. It’s okay.” Apollo spoke softly as he picked up the baby. He cradled Seb against his bare shoulder. “What’s the matter?”

  Seb’s crying softened but it didn’t stop.

  “Did you have a bad dream?” As he lightly bounced the baby in an effort to comfort him, he noticed that Seb’s diaper was wet. A problem that he could solve. The nurse had instructed him on how to do this in the hospital. Between Popi and the nanny, he didn’t have time to put the lesson to use until now.

  “I see the problem. You need a diaper change. No problem. We’ve got this.”

  Until this point, he never thought he’d want a baby—another human counting on him for everything was daunting. But Seb was teaching him that he was capable of being there for someone—did that include Popi?

  * * *

  The baby’s cry had woken her.

  Popi hadn’t moved at first. One book she’d read about parenting said not to rush to the baby at their first cry. Sometimes the baby would self-soothe and go back to sleep. Waiting didn’t come natural to her. Her natural tendency was to rush to the nursery and comfort Seb. But she wanted to be a good parent—the best possible—even if it wasn’t always easy.

  But the sound of Apollo’s voice over the monitor surprised her. Usually that man slept like a log and didn’t hear a thing. It didn’t bother her. She’d opted to take the baby monitor so she could keep a close eye on Seb. She didn’t want a nanny soothing the baby at night. Seb needed his mom holding him and letting him know that all would be right in the world again.

  Popi sat up in bed, waiting to see if her assistance was needed, but then the baby monitor went totally silent. Apollo must have turned it off.

  She knew he deserved some one-on-one time with the baby. It was good for both him and Seb. Since they’d returned from the hospital, Seb had grown a strong bond with Apollo. In the beginning, Seb would cry when Apollo picked him up, but now the baby would fuss for Apollo to hold him. At least that’s the way it seemed to her. But she couldn’t help worrying that Apollo would need help.

  She’d never worried this much in her life. She was constantly thinking of ways to keep Seb safe or happy. She wondered if this was how it felt to truly be a mother. At times it could be exhausting. But the when Seb smiled, he made all of it worthwhile. He was a bundle of love.

  Popi couldn’t go back to sleep. She had to know what was going on, so she slipped out of bed and put on her robe. She tiptoed into the hallway, not wanting to startle Apollo or the baby. She paused at the doorway to the nursery. Apollo was inside with his bare back to her, as he had Seb on the changing table.

  “I’ve got this, little guy. We’ll have you all dried up in no time.”

  Popi enjoyed watching her two guys together. She quickly realized her mistake. Apollo wasn’t her guy, even if they were living together and had shared a life-changing moment on the island—not to mention the toe-curling kiss beneath the stars.

  With the soiled diaper off and the baby cleaned up, Apollo said, “Hang on, I just have to get a fresh diaper.”

  With one hand on the baby, he bent over to grab a fresh diaper off the lower shelf. Popi was about to say something when Apollo straightened and the baby peed—all over Apollo.

  Popi couldn’t help it—she burst out laughing.

  Apollo turned a frown in her direction. “You saw that, huh?”

  “Uh-huh.” She stepped farther into the room and wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes. “I should have warned you to always have a fresh diaper ready so that doesn’t happen. I can finish so you can
go clean up.”

  He shook his head. “I’ll finish changing him.”

  Apollo dried off, cleaned up the little guy again and then put a fresh diaper on him before handing Seb off to her. Holding the baby in her arms felt so right—so natural. So did sharing this moment with Apollo. They seemed like—dare she think it—a real family.

  And the sight of Apollo standing there in nothing more than his briefs—wow, it had grown warm in the room. She resisted the urge to fan herself as she took in the view of his muscular chest and his six-pack abs. There were a few scars on him that she longed to run her fingers over and ask him about their origin, but she resisted the urge. Those scars only added to his sexy factor. They definitely didn’t detract.

  “We’ve got a lot to learn, little man.” Apollo’s voice drew her from her thoughts. “But we’ll work on it.”

  When Apollo stepped forward to kiss the baby on the head, his lips came so close to hers. Was it her imagination or did he pause ever so slightly as though considering kissing her too?

  Their gazes connected. The breath caught in her throat. She willed him to kiss her again.

  If not for the baby in the crook of her arm, she would have looped her hands around Apollo’s neck and pulled him down to her level. And then she would—

  Apollo’s head turned away. He kissed the baby good-night and headed for the shower. Popi was left standing there with her heart racing madly and the realization that she wanted this relationship to be more than two people sharing a space. She wanted the one thing she didn’t deserve—this family.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  SHE WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL.

  Very special.

  And it wasn’t just some pumped-up compliment to cover for all Popi had done by not only giving birth to his nephew but also her willingness to come here and make a home for the baby. Apollo really meant it. Popi was special. With every day that passed, he realized just how much Popi was changing his life, in big and little ways.

  Most of all, he found that staying here in Athens was nothing like he’d originally envisioned. He found himself anxious to get up in the morning to seek out Popi and to hold Seb. He found that gardening was something he really enjoyed. He’d learned a lot about vegetation while he was off on his adventures from both the tour guides and the locals. And now he was able to put that knowledge to use.