‘Children need protecting, even ones in expensive schools.’ He expelled a slow breath as if searching for control. ‘It needn’t have happened. One of the students overheard what the other boys had done and told the maths master since he was nearest. The master told him to mind his own business, that a little interaction with the older boys would toughen Nico’s character.’
‘Fotis!’
He pulled over to the side of the road and switched off the engine. ‘The man was sacked. Eventually. At first they didn’t want to believe the boy. Until others came forward with stories of bullying. There was quite a scandal though a lot was hushed up.’
She reached for his hand and held it in both of hers. ‘And you? It must have been…’ She shook her head. ‘I can’t imagine.’
One callused finger brushed her cheek with a gentleness that defied the harsh set of his jaw. ‘I survived. I grew tough. I got into a lot of trouble as a teen but Costas Politis helped me, made sure I didn’t go off the rails completely. Then I went into the army. The discipline changed my life, and then I found a chance to use my skills. Ah, Rosa, don’t.’
She bit her trembling lip and nodded. She wasn’t a teary person but his story, his and Nico’s, broke her heart.
‘Don’t worry about me! I’m fine.’
She waved away his concern, embarrassed by it whenhewas the one who’d suffered. But that concern warmed her too. Hecaredabout her. His tenderness made something inside her grow and blossom. A warmth she had no name for.
So much made sense now. His contempt for his mother. His dour determination to remain a loner. She knew he still felt his brother’s loss deeply. Then there were his strong protective instincts. Even when he’d despised her he’d done everything necessary to keep her safe.
Despite his stern air and his determination to cut himself off, that protectiveness was intrinsic in him.
She’d never felt safer with anyone in her life. But she felt so much more too.
Maybe that explained the strange, fluttery feeling in her chest as he closed the space between them.
‘It’s okay, Rosa. It was long ago.’ His gaze pinioned hers. ‘The past makes us what we are but we keep going, don’t we? We have that in common. The past has made us stronger.’
It was one of the most affirming things anyone had ever said to her. The most surprising.
She’d spent her adult life reminding herself she was strong, that she’d moved on past hurts and errors. That she could face anything. But no one had acknowledged that in her. Sometimes, on her down days, it was hard to feel so certain about herself.
Fotis’ words made her feel strong, as if she could face anything, yet simultaneously left her craving more, craving things she’d told herself weren’t for her. Emotional attachment. Belonging.
His warm hand cupped the back of her neck and he pulled her towards him, his mouth brushing hers as lightly as a morning breeze drifting across her skin.
Instantly she opened for him, breathing in his scent, his taste, her hands clinging to his straight shoulders. He was so solid, so imposing, yet his kiss was heartbreakingly gentle.
Did he know how that tenderness undid her? How precious it was?
No one had ever kissed like this.
As if he wanted to make her whole. As if she meant everything to him.
The shocking thought speared her consciousness. But then he stroked her lips with his tongue, pausing as if seeking permission before delving deeper, and thoughts splintered.
She clung to him, trembling at the vast, burgeoning emotion that spread and spread until it filled her up.
‘Fotis. Please, I…’
‘Asteri mou.’
The words feathered her mouth and she knew what they meant now. My star. She’d looked them up.
She’d told herself it was a random endearment delivered in the throes of passion. But they weren’t having sex now. Those two little words felt powerful. As if signifying something monumental.
Rosamund pulled back a little, needing to read his expression. But her withdrawal shattered the moment. She saw his unfocused gaze sharpen and he muttered something in Greek. ‘The wedding. We’re going to be late if we don’t move now.’
Dazed, she nodded, hearing the words and knowing he was right, yet unable to move away.
Fotis caught her hand and pressed it to his mouth, his kiss to her palm a promise for later. She had to be content with that. She couldn’t be utterly selfish and keep him from the wedding. These were his friends and she suspected he didn’t have many true friends.
