While all he’d done was try to keep his distance—supposedly focused on keeping her safe, when really he’d been keepinghimselfsafe. Except he’d been unable to resist circling back to her, because she was warm and loving and generous.
She had so much love to give and she’d hardly been given the chance to. But she was going to be fine. She was better at coping than he was—already she lived a more rounded life—she had friends, a home, connection. And he knew she would make a wonderful mother for their child. She would do everything in her power to ensure that.
Edo’s powers were far more limited. He’d imposed boundaries. She’d accepted most. Demanded more, but not everything. Until he’d pushed her out completely. He’d known just how—what wound to press on. He’d denied the truth and let her think there was nothing between them but sex.
It was all you wanted to let me have.
He went back to work in his office. Still couldn’t focus. It was worse than when she’d been there and distracting him all the time. The still-wrapped present sat in the bottom of his bag. After Dante’s abduction, Edo had never opened the presents his grandfather had sent him. He’d never wanted another cent of the man’s money. He hated him with every fibre of his being. Because there was the fear there, that he had a little too much in common with the selfish old jerk.
And now Edo couldn’t bring himself to open Phoebe’s present either. Yet nor could he throw it away. It fuelled his anger. It had beenherbirthday, not his. She’d had hardly anyone buy her any presents and yet there she was,giving. He didn’t want to accept anything from her. Except he had already taken so much more. And she just kept giving, didn’t she? Even when the odds were against her. She would do anything for the ones she loved.
So would he, right? That meant making this sacrifice. That meant sending her away and letting her be both safe and free. Edo deserved—needed—to be alone. But Phoebe didn’t. Sheshouldmeet someone else. Probably would. Some smart guy would see her. Would love her. Would give her everything. His blood bubbled and arrogance surged at the thought. No other man could give her whathecould give her, and he didn’t mean wealth and riches. But he’dchosennot to.
His grandfather had withheld Dante’s ransom—he’d been afraid of having more taken from him. More money. Edo had withheld his heart from Phoebe. Why—when their time in Tuscany had been the best days of his life? Because of exactly that. She’d gotten too close and he was terrified fate would rip his heart from his chest. He’d been such a coward. He’d let her think that she was somethingless. Crushed her when he should have offered unconditional support. Let her believe in his indifference. He’d been terrified of letting her down and he totally had.
He’d stopped her from saying whatever she wanted. Dismissed her feelings for him. Minimised her when she was the only thing that really mattered to him. He’d told her that what they had was less. He’d denied his own feelings. And hurt the woman he loved.
He stared sightlessly down at the pool house, unable to stop the memories surging. He’d not admitted how much he wanted her to stay. How much more than sex they were. He’d let anxiety conquer him.Silencehim.
He’d not supported Dante either. He’d let silence grow when he should have tried to reach out. He’d not known what to say. He’d done what he thought he had to—got them financial security and independence. And it wasn’t enough. Regret almost sank him now.
He glanced at the bright wrapping paper peeking out from the bottom of his bag. Irrepressible. Optimistic. Hopeful. Phoebe wasn’t a quitter. He couldn’t be either. Not now. She didn’t know how important she was to him and, whatever else happened, she ought to know that. She deserved to know that.
The sonogram photo of their child was still stashed in the side pocket. A different kind of gift. One altogether too precious. He pulled it out, made himself look. Made himself face the feelings he’d been trying to deny for days. He was going to be a father. And he wanted to be a good one.
He drew in a deep, painful breath. He could never get forgiveness from Dante and, while he could ask Phoebe for hers, more important was whathecould giveher. And that was honesty. Full, complete, honesty. Despite his fears, he needed to offer her his whole heart—unconditionally.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
‘YOU DON’T NEEDto hover over me all the time,’ Phoebe reassured Bethan for the thirtieth time in five minutes.
‘I don’t want to go on this date. I don’t even like him like that. I’m not ready for anything new.’
‘I know,’ Phoebe sympathised before turning pragmatic. ‘But you’ve not been on a date in centuries, so just consider it practice. A small step to getting over the Greek.’
Bethan fidgeted with her bracelet, repeatedly opening and closing the clasp. ‘Didn’t we agree getting involved with men was a bad idea?’
‘You don’t have to get involved with him. You’re just going out to remember what having a social life is actually like. And because youreallywant to get over the Greek.’
‘Okay.’ Bethan nodded, nerves still evident in her eyes. ‘You’re right. I need to move on, and nothing else has worked. This might.’
‘Worth a shot, yes?’
Bethan bent and hugged her. ‘I won’t be late.’
‘I’ll be here.’
Phoebe had only been back in London ten days and Bethan had already knitted a stunning merino baby blanket and was onto an array of tiny singlets. She and Elodie had both been accepting and excited about her pregnancy and were helping keep her chin up most of the time. But honestly Phoebe was looking forward to having tonight entirely alone. She planned to sink into the sofa, watch back-to-back tear-jerker movies, eat pizza and ugly-cry. But, only a few minutes after Bethan had left, someone thumped on the front door. Whoever it was didn’t stop.
‘Hold on!’ Phoebe limped into the hallway as quickly as she could and assumed it must be Bethan, because she’d not even ordered the pizza yet. ‘Did you forget your key?’
She opened the door and froze. It wasn’t Bethan filling the frame. Edo’s glittering gaze raked her from head to toe and stayed there.
She wasn’t wearing enough. Not nearly enough. And nor was he—because that black jacket did things to his eyes that ought to be illegal.
‘What are you doing here?’ she croaked.
‘What happened?’ He stared at her foot and a white ring appeared around his mouth.
