Clare Connelly - Claiming My Hidden Son / Bride Behind The Billion-Dollar Veil

Trying not to let the intimacy of his belongings get to me, I quickly showered. Thankful for the voluminous towel that covered me from chest to ankle, I was contemplating the less than palatable thought of wearing my wedding dress again when a soft knock broke into my thoughts.

I cleared my throat. ‘Come in.’

One of the younger staff members who helped manage the villa entered with a shy smile. She’d been introduced to me last night, when my senses had been grappling with unfolding events.

With a strained smile, I pulled the robe closer around me and returned her greeting.

Her gaze passed quickly over my towel. ‘May I assist you with anything, kyria ?’

‘If you could direct me to where my belongings are, I’d appreciate it.’

‘Of course. This way, please.’

Expecting her to leave the room, I was surprised when she crossed to the opposite side and opened another door.

I followed her through a short hallway into another impressive suite, complete with living room, bathroom and dressing room.

An adjoining suite.

‘I came to ask if you would like some breakfast, Kyria Xenakis?’

The title added another layer of shock to my system and it took me a few seconds to answer with a question of my own. ‘Um…is Kyrios Xenakis still here?’

She nodded. ‘Yes. But he will be leaving soon. So if you wish to—’

‘Yes, I would very much like to. Can you wait for me to get dressed?’

Her eyes widened a touch, probably at the request. But I didn’t care. I needed answers. Needed to know how he intended the next twelve months to proceed. And, if necessary, insist on taking back control of my life.

My father had shown me that he cared nothing about me except as a pawn to further his needs. Regardless of my commitment to Axios, I didn’t intend to be pushed around any more.

That affirmation anchored deep as I concentrated on getting dressed.

The small suitcase that had accompanied me when I left Nicrete was empty, its contents sitting on a lonely shelf in the vast dressing room. But those weren’t the only contents of the large, opulent space. Rack upon rack of clothes were displayed in fashion seasons, with matching shoes arranged by colour, height and style.

Awestruck, I stared. It was by far the most extensive collection I’d seen outside a clothes store. Simply because I didn’t know who the clothes in the closets belonged to, I fished out a simple shirt dress from my own belongings, added comfortable flats and caught my hair in a ponytail.

The maid led me down the stairs and through several halls before stopping at a set of double doors.

‘He’s in there,’ she said softly. Then melted away.

The faint sound of clinking cutlery reached my ears as I paused to take a fortifying breath. But, aware that no amount of deep breathing could prepare me for the morning after last night, I pushed the door open.

He was seated at the head of a long, exquisitely laid table. Impeccably dressed in formal business attire, minus the jacket, with the sun streaming down on him.

I almost lost my footing at the sheer visceral impact of his masculinity. It really was unfair how attractive Axios Xenakis was. How the simple act of caressing his bottom lip with his forefinger, his brow furrowed in concentration, could spark fire low in my belly.

You’re not here to ogle him.

Fists tightening at the reminder, I approached where he sat. ‘We need to talk.’

He took his time to look up from the tablet propped up neatly next to his plate, to power it down with a flick of his finger before cool grey eyes tracked over me from head to toe and back again.

‘ Kalimera , Calypso. Sit down—have something to eat.’

His even tones threw me. He wasn’t behaving like a man who’d left his marriage bed after bedding his virgin wife. In fact, he seemed far too confident. Far too… together for my liking.

When I didn’t immediately obey he rose, his gaze resting on me as he pulled out a chair and…waited.

I sat, because hysteria would achieve nothing. What I intended to say to him could be said standing or sitting. Besides, this close, the potent mix of his warm body and his aftershave was making my head swim. Reminding me of what it had been like to stroke that warm body, to cling to it as fevered bliss overtook me.

‘What’s on your mind?’ he enquired as he poured exquisite-smelling coffee into my cup, then nudged platters containing sliced meats, toast and cheeses towards me.

Cool. He was far too cool.

Something was going on here. I probed his face and saw the slight tension in his jaw. The banked emotion in his eyes. I might have known Axios for less than twenty-four hours, but I’d quickly deciphered that his eyes gave him away. Right now, they were far too shrewd.

My heart jumped into my throat.

‘My father may have put us both in this position, but there’s no reason why we should remain like this.’ Relief welled as my voice emerged strong and steady.

His nod of agreement stunned me. ‘You’re right,’ he said.

‘I am?’

He shrugged. ‘The agreement states that we should be married for a year minimum—not that we need to be in each other’s pocket. Of course that’s not to say it’s cart blanche for you to do as you please.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘It means that for the time being Agistros is yours to enjoy. We will revisit our circumstances again when I return in a few weeks.’

His announcement was still resonating inside me when he rose from the table and strode, his head proud, shoulders stiff, towards the door.

‘When you return? Where will you be?’

He paused, his tall, imposing body swivelling towards where I sat, frozen. ‘In Athens, where my business is, and where I intend to stay for the foreseeable future.’

Despite sensing this had been coming, I found the announcement took me by surprise. ‘You’re leaving me here on my own?’

Theos —could I sound any more alarmed?

He gave a curt, unfeeling nod. ‘It is the best decision.’

I pushed my chair back and stood, feeling a yearning spiralling inside that wouldn’t be silenced. A yearning to know that his condemnation of my father meant that he was different. That, despite tarring me with the same brush as my parent, he wouldn’t punish me too.

‘Why can’t I live in Athens too?’ With you.

It would be the perfect place finally to put my art degree to good use. To start a career.

His hardening features broadcasted his displeasure at that question even before he spoke. ‘Why force us to endure one another when we don’t have to?’

‘I’m perfectly happy living on my own. I can rent a flat, get a job in an art gallery—’

The twist of his lips reminded me again of how hot his kisses could be. ‘What’s the point of staging an elaborate wedding to fool the world if my wife immediately moves into an apartment?’

‘Then why did you do it?’ I challenged.

‘Your father timed his strike to perfection—because my company needs stability now more than ever.’

Invisible walls closed in on me. ‘So this is a business decision?’

His jaw clenched. ‘ Everything that has transpired between us has been based on a business decision.’

Even last night?

My heart lurched and I was glad I was sitting down. ‘There has to be another way.’

‘There is. You stay here, in our purportedly happy home. You’ll want for nothing. Your every wish will be catered for. Buy as much art as you wish to—or even make it if you want.’

Yesterday the promise of freedom from this nightmare would have brought boundless relief. Today, all I felt was…trapped.