“Sorry,” yelled a young sailor. “You’ll have to catch the ferry tomorrow.”
“But please. It’s important.”
“Can’t stop the ferry now.”
Popi was so anxious to get away from Apollo that, for a moment, she considered swimming for the boat. But she knew that would cause pandemonium, and the water wasn’t exactly inviting right next to the dock. It was murky, unlike the clear blue water on the island.
With a resigned sigh, she leveled her shoulders and turned. She knew Apollo would be standing there. What was it going to take to make him go away?
Her gaze met his and her heart thump-thumped like it did every time he stared deep into her eyes. “Say whatever it is you have to say and then be on your way.”
“I’d rather show you.”
“Show me what?”
“Come with me.”
She hesitated. “I... I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“How about we make a deal?”
“What sort of deal?”
“You come with me and if you don’t like what I have to show you, I will chopper you out to the island today. You won’t have to spend another night on the mainland.”
That deal was too good to pass up. But what did he have to show her that was so important?
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
THIS HAS TO WORK.
Apollo wanted this more than he’d wanted anything in his life.
And he was more nervous than he had been while crossing the Amazon with its many dangers.
“What are we doing back here?” Popi asked.
“You’ll see.” He drove past the front of the house, toward the back.
“Apollo, what’s going on?” Popi stared out the window at the big white tent he’d erected the night before. “If this is some sort of party—”
“It’s not. I promise.”
He got out of the car and came to her side. He opened the door and offered her a hand out but she didn’t accept it. She got out on her own.
“But I don’t understand.” She walked to the edge of the drive. “The gardens look like they are set up for a wedding.” She turned to him. The color faded from her face. “Are you trying to tell me you’re getting married?”
“I’m not. At least not right now. I put this together for you.”
She pressed a hand to her chest. “For me? But I’m not getting married.”
“Come see. And then I’ll explain.”
He held out his arm to her. She hesitated at first, but then slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. He led her down the aisle. And in that moment, he knew without any shadow of a doubt that he was doing the right thing. They belonged together. But how did he convince Popi of that?
At the end of the aisle, he turned to her. “I did this for you. I wanted to show you that Infinity Island isn’t the only place for beautiful weddings.”
Confusion reflected in her eyes.
He cleared his throat. “I’m not saying this very well. What I mean is that you could—if you wanted, that is—run a wedding business right here at the estate.”
“But why?”
He gazed deep into her beautiful brown eyes, willing her to truly hear what he was saying. “Because I want you to stay. I’ve made such a mess of things. I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with you—”
“You love me?”
He smiled and nodded. “I think I have since we danced at your friend’s wedding. But I didn’t know it at the time. And then after we made love, I panicked and I let my doubts and insecurities overrule what I knew about you.”
“Which is?”
“That you are beautiful both inside and out. That you would do anything for the people you love—even sacrificing your happiness.”
“I can’t believe you’re saying all of this...even after the part I played in the deaths of our siblings.”
He stepped closer to her and brushed the back of his fingers gently down over her cheek. She couldn’t resist leaning into him and drawing on his strength.
His gaze met hers. “You have to stop blaming yourself. You didn’t do anything wrong. Sometimes bad things happen and there’s no one to blame.”
“Really?” Hope gleamed in her eyes.
“Really. Quit being so hard on yourself. It isn’t what your sister would want.”
Popi paused as though considering his words. He was right. This not what Andrina would want. “My sister could procrastinate with the best of them, but she was never vindictive.”
“See. The only one who has to forgive you...is you.”
Popi nodded in understanding. “I’ll work on it.”
He was winning her over—he was certain of it. “So, what do you say? Would you like to stay here with me—with Seb? And start your own wedding business?” And then he realized he’d forgotten something. “And that tent off to the side, it’s going to become a conservatory with glass walls and ceiling so you can dance beneath the stars. And you may use it for your weddings. Use whatever you desire.”
“You’d do all of that?”
He nodded. “And more, if you’ll say yes. I’ve traveled the world searching for something—something I never found. Until now. I’ve found my home right here with you and Seb.” He pulled a ring from his pocket and dropped down on one knee. “I love you, Popi, with all of my heart. Will you be my partner on the biggest and grandest adventure of my life?”
Tears splashed onto her cheeks. “I will. I love you.”
EPILOGUE
Five months later...
The Drakos Estate, Athens, Greece
THIS WAS GOING to be the wedding of the season.
Every newspaper, television network and paparazzo was in attendance.
But the guest list was quite selective—only family and friends.
And so the media was left outside the gates. But that didn’t stop them from hiring helicopters to whirl above the big white tent in the lawn of the Drakos estate. But with a few well-placed calls, Apollo was able to get the helicopters removed, letting the peaceful chirp of the birds and the rustle of the wind be the only backdrop to this occasion.
In just a few hours, Popi was going to become Mrs. Apollo Drakos. And then the adoption of Seb would become official. Popi moved to the crib and lifted her future son into her arms.
Popi held Seb so that she could look him in his eyes. “Very soon Apollo and I will be your legal parents. But don’t worry, we’ll make sure you know all about your very special birth parents. They loved you so much. We all do.”
“What’s going on in here?” Apollo’s voice came from the doorway.
Popi turned to him. “You aren’t supposed to see the bride before the wedding. It’s bad luck.”
He stepped farther into the room and didn’t stop until he was next to her. He planted a quick kiss on her lips and then one on the baby’s forehead. “We don’t need luck. We have love on our side.”
Aww... This was one of the reasons that she’d fallen in love with him. Once he’d trusted her enough to let down his guard, she’d found an optimistic side to him. And Apollo truly believed what he said. And she believed in him. They didn’t need luck, because their love was strong enough to see them through anything.
The smile slipped from his face. “I just have one question for you.”
“What’s that?”
“Are you sure about starting your own wedding business here? I will understand if you want to return to Infinity Island.” He gazed deeply into his eyes. “My home is wherever you are.” At that point, the baby let out a cooing sound. Their gazes moved to Seb. “And you too, little guy.”
“And my home is here.” With her free hand, Popi reached out to Apollo. Her fingers traced down over the stubble trailing down his jaw. “My heart belongs to you. And I can’t wait to start my own busi
ness. I’ve already been working on a new website and deciding what colors I’ll use for my brand.”
“You have?” When she nodded, he said, “I can’t believe you’ve had time with all our wedding plans, the baby and finishing the remodel. I’m so proud of all you accomplished in such a short amount of time. You are amazing.”
She smiled. When he talked to her that way, she felt as though she could accomplish anything. It meant so much that he believed in her.
Before she could put her thoughts into words, there was a knock at the door. Lea stepped into the room with the newest addition to their group. Baby Lily was in her arms, sound asleep.
Lea smiled. “Hey, you two aren’t supposed to be together before the wedding.”
Popi nodded toward her soon-to-be-husband. “Someone says that we don’t have to worry about luck.”
“Really?” There was disbelief in her voice. “I wouldn’t want to tempt fate.” She narrowed her gaze on Apollo. “That means you need to go.” When he didn’t make any move to go, she added, “Now.”
Popi turned to Apollo. “I think she’s serious. You better go.”
He sighed. “But the wedding isn’t for hours.”
“You’ll be fine.” Lea smiled once more. “I’ve never seen a more perfect couple.”
“She’s right,” Popi said. “It’s only three more hours—”
“And three minutes,” Apollo added.
“In three hours...and three minutes, I’ll be all yours. And you can have me all evening.”
“Mmm... I like the sound of that.” He leaned in close and pressed his lips to hers.
“Hey! Hey! Hey!” Lea said. “You have to wait for that until after the vows.”
Apollo groaned as he pulled away. “It won’t come soon enough.” And then he looked at Seb. “I will see you soon, little guy. Hopefully you haven’t outgrown your tux.”
“We just got the outfit for him last week,” Popi said.
“He’s a Drakos. He’s growing quickly.”
“Don’t rush him. I’m enjoying having a baby.”
“Me too.” His gaze sought hers out. “Maybe we should discuss having another one.”
“Really?”
“Mmm-hmm.” His gaze reflected his sincerity.
Lea moved between them and, with her free arm, gave Apollo a shove toward the door. “It’s definitely time you go. Out. Out.”
When Apollo closed the door behind him, Lea turned to her. “Wow. That guy is really crazy about you.”
“It goes both ways.”
“I’m really going to miss you on the island. But I totally understand why you want to stay here. You have a devoted guy. And this mansion and the grounds are amazing.”
“Apollo created the garden where we’re getting married. Together, we’re turning this into our home with our memories.”
“Then we better start getting you ready. We have a blissful memory to make.”
“Yes, we do.”
This was just the beginning of the greatest love story. Popi smiled. She never knew life could be this good. And it was all due to Apollo. She loved him with all her heart.
“Popi, come on.” Lea placed Lily in the crib. “You have to put down Seb. We have to get you ready for your groom. It’s almost time for you to say ‘I do.’”
Popi’s feet barely touched the ground.
There really were happily-ever-afters...
* * *
If you missed the previous story in the Greek Island Brides trilogy, check out
Carrying the Greek Tycoon’s Baby
And look out for the next book
Coming soon!
If you enjoyed this story, check out these other great reads from Jennifer Faye
Heiress’s Royal Baby Bombshell
Miss White and the Seventh Heir
Beauty and Her Boss
All available now!
Keep reading for an excerpt from Second Chance with the Best Man by Katrina Cudmore.
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Second Chance with the Best Man
by Katrina Cudmore
CHAPTER ONE
THE BEAST PRESSED his snout against Hannah McGinley’s car window, the glass instantly fogging up. ‘Good doggy, off you go, now,’ Hannah called out, trying to sound in control but also cheerful—the last thing she wanted to do was anger this beast any further. Her arrival on the driveway of Château Bonneval had already caused him to run alongside her car like an entry at the Grand National, his incessant barking almost causing her to drive into one of the hornbeam trees lining the long avenue.
As a farmer’s daughter from Shropshire, she’d been told time and time again she’d no cause to be so scared, but no amount of cajoling from her family had ever rid her of her terror of even the smallest of dogs, never mind the donkey-sized version staring at her right now as though he couldn’t wait to sink his teeth into her.
Looking in the direction of the front door of the château, Hannah willed someone to come out and rescue her. Surely they had heard the beast’s hound-from-hell baying?
Not for the first time, Hannah wondered at her decision to agree to travel to France to act as the celebrant at her best friend Lara’s wedding blessing. An easy, joyful decision in most circumstances, but not when you had dated and fallen in love with the best man and brother to the groom, Laurent Bonneval, only for him to end it all. And the worst part of it all was that the wedding was taking place in his home—Château Bonneval. Why couldn’t it at least be at a neutral venue? Her only hope was that they would be surrounded by others all weekend and she would manage to project the air of calm professionalism she’d been rehearsing ever since Lara and François had travelled to London from Manchester, where they lived, just to ask her to be their wedding celebrant.
Though moved beyond words that they trusted her to perform their wedding blessing, especially given the fact that she was so new to being a celebrant—this would only be her fourth wedding—she’d asked if they were really, really sure it was she they wanted to be the one to perform the ceremony. Lara and François had exchanged a tentative glance before Lara had leant across the table of Hannah’s local Richmond coffee shop, and touched her arm. ‘You’ve been my best friend since we were seven.’ Pausing, Lara had given her a half-smile, one that had asked Hannah to understand, to trust her. ‘It would make our day even more magical to have you bless our marriage.’
Tears had blinded Hannah f
or a moment as she’d remembered how Lara had waded in on her first day at Meadlead Primary School and told Ellie Marshall and her gang to mind their own business when they had interrogated Hannah during the break with endless questions as to who she was, why she was joining the school in the middle of term, why she was so skinny. Frozen inside, confused by everything in her life, Hannah had been taken aback at just how grateful she was to Lara when she’d led her away from her interrogators. For weeks after, she’d remained silent. And while that had garnered her endless suspicious glances and whispered words behind cupped hands from the rest of class, Lara had cheerfully chatted away, her quirky humour and buoyant outlook on life thawing Hannah’s numb heart.
That day in the café in Richmond, Hannah had turned to François, her heart as usual jolting in remembrance—some of François’s features were so like Laurent’s: the thick dark wavy hair, the strong and proud Gallic jawline, the wide, high cheekbones, the clean blade of a nose. ‘Will...?’ She tried to form the word Laurent, but it stuck in her throat and refused to budge. Eventually she managed to mutter, through a false smile, ‘Will having me as the celebrant be okay with all of your family?’
François’s eyes were different, a softer, more forgiving blue, none of the striking, pain-inducing brilliance of Laurent’s. The care in his eyes had matched his gentle tone when he had answered, ‘Laurent is to be my best man,’ but Hannah had still felt it like a whip to her heart.
She’d looked away from the discomfort in both Lara’s and François’s expressions, hating that they had been put in this position. Their wedding should be a carefree celebration, not tainted by the fact that she’d foolishly fallen in love with Laurent, confusing his Gallic charm and romantic gestures for a sign that he’d felt what she did, that he too had wanted more.
In the months after he’d left London to return to the family business and château in Cognac, telling her before he left that he didn’t want to continue their relationship, she’d puzzled over the overwhelming effect he’d had on her. The pain, the disappointment, the humiliation had been so engulfing she’d struggled to comprehend it all. Was it the fact that he was the first man she’d ever truly fallen in love with? Which admittedly was pretty tragic at the age of twenty-nine. But up until then, she’d never met anyone who had quickened her heart, who had communicated so much with a glance, who intrigued her.
Claiming the Drakos Heir Page 17