A memory fragment hit—of her binding his wrists, of him letting her do as she pleased with him. The playfulness they’d shared had masked a deeper resonance. A spark flickered in his eyes as if he too had been struck by the same recollection.
‘Pretty much.’ He breathed deeply again. ‘It’s always easier—more impactful—to show than tell, but I’ve not been showing you everything. Not how truly I love you.’
Those words—three more little stones—sank deep and settled with the others.
‘I’m sorry to have caused you more heartbreak. You’ve lost enough already.’ His expression softened. ‘I’ve realised I have some baggage. What happened with my parents left me feeling unwanted... It struck deep. I guess that feeling...fear...led me to make some bad decisions, but I’m trying to work through it because I want to start over with you.’
Start overhow? Bethan stared. Not interrupting, needing to hearallhe had to say because surely this was impossible.
‘You’re a beautiful person, Bethan,’ he muttered. ‘You believe in good things and that’s never something to apologise for. I think that’s a gift. You believed in me when I didn’t. And when I didn’t deserve it. You were brave enough to be honest with me but I wasn’t as brave with you.’ He swallowed. ‘The other day I let you leave thinking all sorts of stupid things. Like that I couldn’t love you. It was easier than being honest, but it was awfully cruel to you.’ He bent his head and his voice thinned. ‘I pushed you away with lies.’
Lies.Her heart pounded.
‘My mother did that to me all those years ago when she said I was a burden. I have to hope she genuinely believed me going to Grandfather was in my best interests. But when I pushed you, it wasn’t really because I thought it would be best for you. It was because I couldn’t believe that the bestpersonI’d ever met could ever truly want me.’ He paused. ‘At least not for long.’
Bethan shrank deeper into her seat, hurt that he’d not trusted her yet able to understand why. Because he’d been hurt by a level of rejection she’d never imagined before, let alone had to endure.
‘When we first married, you found out I wanted you to live at the villa. You thought I didn’t want to have you in Athens during the week but you understand now that my life there was only work, no? There was never—would never be—anyone else.’
Every muscle was so stiff her nod was a jerk.
He breathed out, leaned closer. ‘It wasn’t that I wanted to hide you away. I thought if I wasn’t there all the time, it would take longer for you to realise I’m not... That it would take longer for you not to want me any more.’ A strained half-smile briefly broke through his tension. ‘I haven’t felt wanted for me—justme—for a really long time.’
If ever, right? Bethan’s heart just broke. He’d been so wary he’d never let anyone that close.
‘I need to be more honest,’ he said. ‘The truth is I loved the idea of you being in the villa. I was super possessive and wanted to know you were there waiting for me. Only for me. Always for me. That you were safe and no one could take you away. That you were mine. If I’m really honest, that’sstillwhat I dream of. But now I want to live there with you. Not leaving after only a couple of nights. Knowing for sure that you would never send me away. That you would always want me to stay. That’s what I really want. That’s my dream.’ He was actually sweating now. ‘Is that awfully selfish of me?’
‘Oh, Ares.’ What he wanted was everything she wanted too.
‘I’m terrified, Bethan. I screwed up and I don’t really know how to fix this other than to tell you that I was a fool and I’m sorry and you deserve so much better but if you’ll give me one last chance, I’ll show you. I’ll tell you. I’ll—’
‘You know I wanted you when I thought you were an ordinary guy working on a tiny ferry,’ she interrupted fiercely. ‘I never wanted your billions or your beastly family connections.’
‘I know.’ That smallest smile quirked his lips. ‘You wanted my body.’
‘You wanted mine,’ she countered. ‘But not only did I want your body, you were kind. You went out of your way to help me. You gave me water. A hat. A ride on your boat even when it wasn’t your job. Even when you really didn’t want to.’
‘Oh, I wanted to.’
‘Because you’re kind.’
He paused. ‘Only to you.’
‘That’s good enough for me.’ She cocked her head as his lips twisted. ‘And not quite true. You were nice to those trainees. You let me seeyouthat day, Ares. And I wanted you just for you.’
‘Bethan.’ His voice cracked. ‘I love you.’
Each time he said it, that pile of stones inside her grew—becoming a foundation on which all hope, all future could be built. And she realised that he needed it too—that rock of certainty inside. He’d never had it and she could gladly give him that.
‘I share your dream, Ares,’ she admitted in a heartfelt tumble of truth. ‘I want to share life—everything—with you. And I will until I die. Because I love you too. So much.’
But instead of matching her smile, his expression crumpled. ‘I’ve been so stupid. I should have come after you when you left me back then. God, I’ve wasted so much time.’ He dropped his head into his hands. ‘I didn’t understand how much you meant to me until after I brought you back to Greece and we actually communicated beyond the bedroom. I’ve been blind and stubborn.’
‘I’ve been every bit as stubborn.’ She nudged his chin so he met her eyes again. ‘And maybe I needed that time, Ares,’ she whispered. ‘I needed to figure myself out. Needed to grieve properly and grow as a person so I could be an equal partner for you. Because you’re crazy strong and capable. It took so much to push all that hurt down and hold it together all on your own for so long. But you don’t have to any more. I’m here. I can handle it. I can handle you. And I know you can handle me. So you can let me in now. This is our time—we’re together, right when we’re meant to be.’
‘You’re too generous.’ He reached for her but was stopped by the snap of the seat belt again. He muttered a curse. ‘Can I please unfasten your seat belt now?’
She’d completely forgotten they were driving. Shocked, she looked out of the window and saw, not only had they stopped, but they were parked in a garage.
