‘No! There’s nothing. You think I don’t know the so-called publishing assistant over there is a bodyguard? Or that you arranged for others? I know you have strong protective instincts but I’m not your responsibility.’ She saw his lips part, knew he’d argue, and couldn’t bear it. ‘I don’t want aminder,’ she snapped, whipping up anger as a defence. ‘I want aman. One who’s strong enough to believe in himself and in me. Now, it’s time I left.’
She’d taken a step away when a single word stopped her. ‘Please.’
She froze, hearing something in that one syllable she’d never heard from Fotis. Desperation. Longing. Something more, so powerful she drew the sound deep inside, holding it, afraid of what would happen if she let it go.
‘You’re absolutely right.’ His voice was hoarse, as if his throat had constricted like hers. She was sure hers was lined with sandpaper. ‘You deserve so much more than I offered. I’m ashamed, Rosa. I was a coward, all the time telling myself I was doing the right thing, pushing you away to protect you from even worse hurt, but all the while I was protecting myself.’
Slowly she turned back. Beyond him everything was a blur. All she saw was him, hands open by his sides, wearing an expression of such pain that answering grief stoppered her throat.
How could a man with such innate strength look suddenly so gaunt? Haunted? His cheeks hollowed, those bright eyes dimming as if he were a shadow of the person she knew. It killed her to see him that way.
‘I came to say you were right. About me. I’ve been scared since I was a boy, scared of caring too much and losing what I cared for. Terrified of connecting, much less loving.’ His chest rose on a deep breath and she saw a pulse race at his temple. ‘It was easier to cut myself off. But I did yearn for more. For community. Friends. Love.’
His words reverberated between them, dying away into thickening silence.
She’d been hurt too many times. It had taken all her strength to walk away last time and now…
Rosamund shook her head, torn between excitement and fear. Her flesh was cold but scorching heat radiated inside. She blinked as fire burned the back of her eyes.
Instantly Fotis was there, so close she had to angle her head up to hold his gaze. And suddenly there was fire in his eyes too, blazing down at her, holding her in thrall. He might be haunted by past pain, but he was strong, a survivor, willing to learn from his mistakes.
‘I was terrified, Rosa, because with you I wanted everything. I wanted us to continue as we were but I wanted so much more, things I’d never considered. I want you body and soul. I want to laugh with you, share with you, build a future with you.’
His words stole the air from her lungs, because she could see, feel, that he meant every syllable. The air crackled between them, her fingertips tingled as hope ghosted along her spine and settled near her heart. When he spoke like that…
But this time caution, the product of past hurts, stopped her. ‘I…’ She shook her head.
‘It’s all right,asteri mou. I know I’m another man who let you down when you deserved better. I know you need time to think. I won’t crowd you.’
He raised his hands and stepped back. Part of Rosamund went with him.
‘I love you, Rosa.’
Again her heart seemed to stop, before taking up a rackety, excited beat. Had she heard him right?
‘I didn’t know it at the time, but I suspect I loved you from the moment you went toe-to-toe with me that day in Paris, when you put me in my place then strutted off the plane. But what I feel for you is deeper than attraction. It’s something I’ll carry all my life, whether you forgive me or not.’
He smiled then, a rare, crooked smile that hooked her heart.
Who was she kidding? Her heart had been hooked from the first.
‘You need space,’ he said. ‘I respect that. I’ll go now and—’
‘You’re not going anywhere.’
One winged eyebrow rose. ‘I’m not?’
‘If you loved me, would you really go back to Greece now?’
‘Who said anything about Greece? I’m trying to be reasonable, not pressure you. I’ve booked a suite in your hotel. I’m going to invite you to breakfast tomorrow when you’ve had time to think. I’m going to work on convincing you to forgive me, then I’m going to woo you properly.’
So, far from accepting defeat and retreating, he had a plan to coax her out from behind her defences. Or wear her down. Or perhaps seduce her into changing her mind. Anticipation rippled across her skin and eddied in her womb.
Thatwas the man she’d fallen for. Powerful, clever, single-minded.
It was just as well she loved him the way he was.
Despite the gravity of the moment, her mouth twitched. ‘Wooing? That sounds very old-fashioned.’
