Page 31 of Greek's Temporary "I Do"

Helena raised her gaze and it clashed with his in shock as she discovered him standing on the threshold.

‘No, that’s it, thanks, Megan,’ she replied, without taking her gaze from his. ‘Have a great rest of the day.’

She hung up the phone and now he didn’t know what to do. Come out onto the deck? He could hardly turn and leave.

And just when had he become so indecisive and weak-willed?

Throwing off the awkwardness, he brazened it out onto the deck.

‘Am I right in thinking that congratulations are in order?’ he asked, hating the hesitation between them, the wariness heavy in the air awkward and uncomfortable. He’d almost preferred the intense sexual tension to this.

Slowly, she nodded, the smile on her lips pulling to one side. ‘Yes,’ she said with quiet confidence, unable to quite hide her excitement. ‘I’ve just secured my first brand ambassador and she’s going to be great.’

‘Then that does deserve congratulations. We should celebrate,’ he announced before frowning. ‘Or do we have another social event to attend?’ he asked with distinct displeasure.

‘Celebrate?’ Helena asked, as if confused.

‘You know, celebrate. Do something special to mark the success,’ he offered at about the same time as he realised that it was something she usually did with his brother. ‘Unless you want to wait for Leander?’ he asked, wondering why that thought filled him with a strange kind of resentment.

‘Well, I suppose I could. Kate messaged. Leander’s coming back on Sunday.’

Her words had the same impact as a stone thrown into a lake.

‘This Sunday?’ Leo asked, unable to hide his surprise.

‘Why? Is something wrong with that?’ Helena asked, picking up on his shock.

‘No, I just...hope that Kate got him to sign in blood. I’m about done with this whole affair,’ he dismissed, despite the bitter taste in his mouth.

Only to see Helena’s expression morph into hurt.

‘You’re not the only one,’ Helena grumbled as she made her way past him.

‘Wait,’ he said, reaching out to clasp her by the arm.

Everything stopped. His heart, her steps.

Slowly, she looked down at his hand, where his fingers had wrapped around her bicep, and he released her immediately. He’d done it without thinking, but the tremors rippling through the air and across his skin warned him it had been a mistake.

‘I’m sorry,’ he said. For the snarky comment, for grasping her arm. ‘I’m...’ he took a shaky inhale ‘...I’m trying. I’m not used to...’ he pressed his lips together ‘...modifying my behaviour. Having to, or even wanting to. Usually, people just do what I say and don’t really ask questions,’ he admitted hesitantly.

Or talked back, Helena guessed. Because Leo seemed to be talking only about professional interactions. The confession pulled at her heartstrings as she began to see, really see, how the separation between the two brothers had impacted him. But even what he had just said seemed much more like the old Leo than the still aloof Leo she had met on her wedding day.

‘So,’ he tried again. ‘Leander’s coming back on Sunday. But it’s Thursday today and I feel like we should celebrate sooner than that.’

Helena could see that he was trying. That it was an effort for him, but he was doing it for her. And even just the glimpse of what he could be like when he wasn’t so angry and rooted in the past made her want to pull him out fully into the light.

‘You know...’ she said hesitantly. ‘I saw that Leander left his prized convertible here in the garage,’ she went on, remembering how much Leo had loved to drive. To be in control, but also to be free in that control. ‘It would almost be a crime not to take it out for a spin on such a beautiful day.’

‘Now that, Helena, is an excellent plan,’ Leo replied, with a spark in his eyes that she hadn’t seen for years.

As Leo manoeuvred the car along the coastal road leading away from the Mani Peninsula and upwards, Helena couldn’t help but smile. The powerful car practically purred under his command.

The wind roaring in her ears and whipping at her hair meant that conversation was almost blissfully impossible and she was surprised by how content she was to simply be there in the moment, the sun falling on her shoulders and the stunning coastline a picture of intense blues, startling yellows and rich greens.

This was the most relaxed she had seen Leo since he had burst back into her life and she was glad of it. As he changed gear, the convertible leapt forward, restrained by his control but eager to show its power.

In tan trousers and a white linen shirt, rolled up to his forearms, he looked every inch the powerful Greek billionaire with the world at his feet and Helena revelled in being beside him. His eyes firmly on the road, his eyes hidden behind a pair of sunglasses, she watched his lips curve into a smile hooked at one side.

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