‘Yes, I have,’ he answered calmly. ‘He had the right to know, just as I had the right to know. Which you denied me for the past five years, Christina.’
‘You made it clear that you were finished with me, Ari.’
‘You could have found me. My family is not unknown. A simple search on the Internet.’
‘Oh, sure! I can just imagine how much you would have welcomed a cast-off woman running after you. Any contact from me via computer and you would have pressed the delete button.’
‘Not if you’d told me you were pregnant.’
‘Would you have believed me?’ she challenged.
His hesitation gave her instant justification for keeping him in ignorance.
‘I thought I had taken care of contraception, Christina,’ he said, trying to justify himself. ‘I would certainly have checked. However, we now have a different situation—a connection that demands continuation. It’s best that you start getting used to that concept because I won’t be cut out of my son’s life any longer.’
The edge of hard ruthlessness in his tone told her without a doubt that he was intent on making a legal claim. A down to the wire fight over Theo was inevitable. What she needed to do now was buy time. Quelling the threatening rise of panic, she tried bargaining with him.
‘You said in Athens we could do this the easy way or the hard way, Ari.’
‘Yes. I meant it. Is there something you’d like to suggest?’
‘You messed up my life once and I guess nothing is going to stop you from messing it up again. But please … don’t make a mess of my sister’s day in the sun as a bride. That would be absolutely rotten and selfish, which is typical of your behaviour, but … I’ll make it easy for you to get to know your son over the next few days if you hold back on telling everyone else you’re his father until after the wedding.’
The silence that followed her offer was nerve-wracking. Tina gritted her teeth and laid out
the hard way.
‘I’ll fight you on every front if you don’t agree, Ari.’
‘When was I ever rotten or selfish to you in our relationship?’ he demanded curtly, sounding as though his self-image was badly dented.
‘You made me believe what wasn’t true … for your own ends,’ she stated bitingly. ‘And may God damn you to hell if you do that to Theo.’
‘Enough! I agree to your deal. I shall meet you at the resort in one hour. We will spend the day happily together for our son’s pleasure.’
He cut the connection before Tina could say another word. Her hand was shaking as she returned the telephone receiver to its cradle. At least Cass’s wedding wouldn’t be spoiled, she told herself. As for the rest … the only thing she could do was deal with one day at a time.
It took Ari the full hour to get his head around Christina’s offensive reading of his character. Anger and resentment kept boiling through him. He wasn’t used to being so riled by any situation with a woman. It was because of Theo, he reasoned. It was only natural that his emotions were engaged where his son was concerned.
As for Christina, her hostility towards him was totally unreasonable. He remembered romancing her beautifully, showering her with gifts, saying all the sweet words that women liked to hear, wining and dining her, not stinting on anything that could give her pleasure. No one could have been a better first lover for her.
Was it his fault that the contraception he’d used had somehow failed to protect her from falling pregnant? He had never,
never
intended to mess up her life. He would have dealt honourably with the situation had he known about it. She could have been living in luxury all these years, enjoying being part of a family unit instead of struggling along with single parenthood.
That was her decision, not his. She hadn’t allowed him a decision. If there was any condemnation of character to be handed out on all of this, it should be placed at her door. It was
selfish
and
rotten
of her to have denied him the joys of fatherhood.
Yet … there was nothing selfish about not wanting anything to spoil her sister’s wedding.
And he could not recall her ever making some selfish demand on him during the time they’d spent together. Not like Felicity Fullbright. Very, very different to Felicity Fullbright. A delight to be with in every sense.
Gradually he calmed down enough to give consideration to her most condemning words …
You made me believe what wasn’t true … for your own ends.
What had he made her believe?
The answer was glaringly simple when he thought about it. She’d been very young, inexperienced, and quite possibly she’d interpreted his whole seduction routine as genuine love for her. Which meant she’d been deeply hurt when he’d left her. So hurt, she probably couldn’t bear to tell him about her pregnancy, couldn’t bear to be faced with his presence again.
And she thought he might hurt Theo in the same way—apparently loving him, then leaving him.
He had to change her perception of him, make her understand he would never abandon his child. He had to show her that Theo would be welcomed into his family and genuinely loved. As for winning her over to being his wife … trying to charm her into marrying him wasn’t likely to work. Those blazing dark eyes of hers would shoot down every move he made in that direction. So what would work?
She had just offered him a deal.
Why not offer her one?
Make it a deal too attractive to refuse.
Ari worked on that idea as he drove to the El Greco resort.
‘He looks just like a Greek God,’ her mother remarked admiringly as Ari Zavros strode across the terrace to where they were still sitting in the open-air section of the restaurant, enjoying a last cup of coffee after breakfast.
Tina’s stomach instantly cramped. She had thought that once—the golden Greek with his sun-streaked hair and sparkling amber eyes and skin that shone like bronze. And, of course, it was still true. The white shorts and sports shirt he wore this morning made him look even more striking, showing off his athletic physique, the masculine strength in his arms and legs, the broad manly chest. The man was totally charismatic.
This time, however, Tina wasn’t about to melt at his feet. ‘Bearing gifts, as well,’ she said ironically, eyeing the package he was carrying under his arm.
‘For me?’ Theo cried excitedly.
Ari heard him, beaming a wide grin at his son as he arrived at their table and presented him with the large package. ‘Yes, for you. Happy birthday, Theo.’
‘Can I open it?’ Theo asked, eagerly eyeing the wrapping paper.
‘You should thank Ari first,’ Tina prompted.
‘Thank you very much,’ he obeyed enthusiastically.
Ari laughed. ‘Go right ahead. Something for you to build when you have nothing else to do.’
It was a Lego train station, much to Theo’s delight.
‘He loves Lego,’ her mother remarked, finding even more favour with the Greek God.
‘I thought he would,’ Ari answered. ‘My nephews do. Their rooms are full of it.’
‘Talking of family,’ her mother quickly slid in. ‘Your father has apparently insisted on paying for all our accommodation here and …’
‘It is his pleasure to do so, Mrs Savalas,’ Ari broke in with a smile to wipe out her concern. ‘If you were staying on Patmos, George’s family would see to it. Here, on Santorini, my father is your host and he has asked me to extend an invitation to all of you for dinner tonight at our family home. Then we will not be strangers at the wedding.’
Her mother instantly melted. ‘Oh! How kind!’
Tina glared at Ari. Had he lied about keeping the deal? And what of his parents? Had he warned them not to reveal their relationship to Theo? He was pursuing his own agenda and she wasn’t at all sure he would respect hers. Far from melting at his
kindness,
every nerve in her body stiffened with battle tension.
Ari kept smiling. ‘I’ve told my mother it’s your birthday, Theo. She’s planning a special cake with five candles for you to blow out and make a wish. You’ve got all day to think about what to wish for.’
All day to worm his way into Theo’s heart with his facile charm, Tina thought grimly. She knew only too well he could be
Mr Wonderful
for a while. It was the long haul that worried her—how
constant
Ari would be as a father.
‘Are you coming with us today, Mrs Savalas?’ he asked, apparently happy to have her mother’s company, as well, probably wanting the opportunity to get her even more onside with him.
‘No, no. It sounds too busy for me. I shall stroll into the township in my own time, take a look at the church where the wedding is to be held, do a little shopping, visit the museum.’ She smiled at Tina, her eyes full of encouraging speculation. ‘Much better for you young people to go off together.’
Tina barely stopped herself from rolling her own eyes at what was obviously some romantic delusion. Gorgeous man—unmarried daughter—Greek island in the sun.
‘I shall look forward to the family dinner tonight,’ her mother added, giving whole-hearted approval to Ari’s plans for the whole day.
Tina smothered a groan.
No escape.
She had agreed to letting him into their lives in return for his silence until after the wedding, but if he or his parents let the cat out of the bag tonight, she would bite their heads off for putting their self-interest ahead of everything else.
After a brief return to their room to put the Lego gift on Theo’s bed, refresh themselves, and collect hats and swimming costumes, they re-met Ari and set off for the five-minute walk into the main township of Fira. Tina deliberately placed Theo between them. He held her hand, and unknowingly, his father’s. She wondered how she was going to explain this truth to him—another nail in her heart.
‘Are your parents aware of our deal?’ she asked Ari over Theo’s head.
‘They will be in good time,’ he assured her.
She had to believe him … until his assurance proved false, like the words he had spoken to her in the past. Would he play fair with her this time? She could only hope so. This wasn’t about him. Or her. It was about the life of their child.
The view from the path into town was spectacular, overlooking the fantastic sea-filled crater with its towering cliffs. Two splendid white cruise ships stood in the middle of the glittering blue harbour and Theo pointed to them excitedly.
‘Are we going to ride in one of those boats?’
‘No, they’re far too big to move close to land,’ Ari answered. ‘See the smaller boats going out to them? They’re to take the people off and bring them to the island. We’ll be riding in a motor-launch that can take us wherever we want to go. You can even steer it for a while if you like.’
Theo was agog. ‘Can I? Can I really?’
Ari laughed. ‘You can sit on my lap and be the captain. I’ll show you what to do.’
‘Did you hear that, Mama? I’ll be captain of the boat.’
‘Your boat, Ari?’ Tina asked, anxiously wondering what other goodies he had up his sleeve, ready to roll out for Theo’s pleasure.
‘A family boat. It will be waiting for us at the town wharf.’
His family. His very wealthy family. How could she stop the seduction of her son by these people? He was a total innocent, as she had been before meeting Ari. He was bound to be deeply impressed by them and the outcome might be a terrible tug-of-war for his love.
Tina suffered major heartburn as they strolled on into town. It was so easy for Ari to win Theo over. It had been easy for him to win her over. He had everything going for him. Even now, knowing how treacherous it was, she still had to fight the pull of his attraction. After him, no other man had interested her, not once in the years since he had left her behind. While he, no doubt, had had his pick of any number of beautiful women who had sparked his interest. Like the blonde in Dubai and probably dozens of others.
It was all terribly wrong. He had been the only man in her life and she’d meant nothing to him. She only meant something to him now because she was the mother of his child and he had to deal with her.
On the road up to the beautiful white church dominating the hillside, a statue of a donkey stood outside a tourist shop displaying many stands of postcards. The donkey was painted pink and it had a slot for letters in its mid-section. Over the slot was painted a red heart with the words POST OF LOVE printed on it.
‘I didn’t get to sit on the camel, Mama. Can I sit on this donkey?’ Theo pleaded.
‘You’ll be sitting on a real donkey soon. Won’t that be better?’ Tina cajoled, mentally shying from anything connected with
love.
Theo shook his head. ‘It won’t be pink. I’d like a photo of me on this one.’
‘Then we must do it for the birthday boy,’ Ari said, hoisting Theo up on the donkey and standing beside him to ensure he sat on it safely.
They both grinned at her, so much a picture of father and son it tore at Tina’s heart as she viewed it through the camera and took the requested shot.
‘Now if you’ll stand by Theo, I’ll take one of the two of you together,’ Ari quickly suggested.
‘Yes! Come on, Mama!’ Theo backed him up.
She handed Ari her camera and swapped places with him.
‘Smile!’ he commanded.
She put a smile on her face. As soon as he’d used her camera he whipped a mobile phone out of his shirt pocket and clicked off another shot of them. To show his parents, Tina instantly thought.
This is the woman who is Theo’s mother and this is your grandson.
It would probably answer some fleeting curiosity about her, but they would zero straight in on Theo, seeing Ari in him—a Zavros, not a Savalas.
‘You have a beautiful smile, Christina,’ Ari said warmly as he returned her camera and lifted Theo off the donkey.
‘Stop it!’ she muttered, glaring a hostile rejection at him. She couldn’t bear him buttering her up when he probably had some killing blow in mind to gain custody of his son.
He returned a puzzled frown. ‘Stop what?’ Theo was distracted by a basket of soft toys set out beside the postcard stands, giving her space enough to warn Ari off the totally unwelcome sweet-talking. ‘I don’t want any more of your compliments.’ His gesture denied any harm in them. ‘I was only speaking the truth.’