Page 27 of Reunited By the Greek's Baby

And wasn’tthata memory best forgotten?

‘Tell me straight, Theo. What do you want?’

His wry grin was far too appealing. ‘Apart from lunch?’

‘With the baby. You haven’t said anything other than to agree that it’s yours.’ Was it any wonder she was on tenterhooks? ‘Do you want to be involved?’

Theo held her gaze as he nodded. ‘Absolutely. I want our child to have the love and support of both parents. All the time.’

Isla blinked. What had she expected? That because he was a billionaire he’d hold aloof from their child?

‘When it’s old enough to travel we could sort out some arrangement.’

Her voice petered out at the thought of being parted from this baby she hadn’t even met. It felt wrong. But she had to be reasonable. Theo was right, she’d do whatever it took to ensure her baby had the love and support of both parents. For she knew exactly how important that was, none better.

‘You misunderstand me. That’s not what I had in mind.’

‘It’s not?’

Theo shook his head, his eyes never leaving hers. ‘I want our child to have both its parents. Together. As a family.’ His mouth curled in one of those trademark smiles that, to her dismay, could still melt a vital part of her. ‘I want you to marry me, Isla.’

CHAPTER SIX

THEOHADNEVERimagined saying those words to any woman. So it was strange that they should settle, low and warm in his belly, feeling like truth.

He saw panic flare in Isla’s expressive eyes but felt none himself. Prior to this he hadn’t been ready to give up his freedom and tie himself to one woman for life. But he was ready now and when Theo made a commitment he stuck by it.

He’d seen the downside of broken families and wanted none of it for his child. The thought of abandoning a child knotted his belly. He’dneverturn his back on this baby.

Yet it was more than that. There was something satisfying, almost reassuring, about claiming Isla for himself. Pushing her away had been incredibly difficult. A decision he’d regretted though he knew he had to do it.

Theo wasn’t naïve enough to believe marrying Isla would be easy, despite the throb of sexual awareness that underscored every contact with her. In fact that complicated things. He needed to manage the situation and persuade her to his way of thinking. Instead he kept getting distracted by this enticing, infuriating woman.

Their physical attraction was one more thing to build on to convince her. Besides, they’d shared more than that, hadn’t they? He hadn’t imagined the joy or connection between them.

True, he hadn’t told Isla the full truth of who he was, but that was because he’d felt he was sharing his essential self with her. The money, business connections and power weren’t all there was to him. There’d been something precious in knowing Isla’s response had nothing to do with his money. That she responded to Theo, the man, not the billionaire businessman.

‘Marriage. That’s a bit excessive, don’t you think?’

Theo read amusement in Isla’s face, as if she were too sophisticated to take the idea seriously. But she couldn’t conceal the throbbing pulse at her throat or the way her hand shook as she reached for her glass.

Because she feared him? Everything within him rebelled at the idea and he forced himself to remember how she’d accepted his innocence. But if Isla wasn’t afraid the stories of his guilt were true, what did she fear?

Maybe she’s not afraid. Maybe she’s decided she really doesn’t like you.

Once, she’dmorethan liked him. She’d looked at him as if he’d hung the very stars in the sky and he hadn’t been able to get enough of that, and her.

Pain was a black, aching chasm inside at what he’d lost. But even if she hated him now, she’d cared once. If her furtive looks proved anything, she was still attracted. That was a weakness he could exploit, for the sake of their baby.

‘Not excessive at all. I’ve been thinking as I’m sure you have. I want our child to have the best start in life.’ He shook his head. ‘No, more than that, the best life it can have.’

‘You think that’s likely if it’s raised by two people who don’t care for each other?’

Theo surveyed Isla. Her chestnut hair was pulled back in a thick plait and she wore little, if any makeup. Yet that pared-back look emphasised her fine bone structure, the sweet curve of her pale pink lips, the intelligence in her eyes and the determination in the angle of her jaw. Her deep green top complemented her colouring and emphasised an innate air of elegance.

Familiar desire ignited, fiery trails heating his veins. How could the wanting be so sharp when she surveyed him so coolly? When she’d done nothing to entice him?

The first time Theo had seen her, Isla had worn dusty trousers, shirt and disreputable straw hat. He’d taken one look at her serious face as she discussed a fragment of pottery with Simon, then heard her chuckle, the sound like liquid sunshine, and hadn’t noticed anyone else.

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