Pretending with the Greek Billionaire (17 page)

Mrs. Ballas needed to keep her mouth shut.

“I haven’t noticed that I stay at home any more than usual, or that I’ve changed.”

Reverend Mother did that over-the-rim look again. “Come, child. You are pale, and look as though you don’t sleep well, and the laughter is gone from your eyes. You have lost your joy, I think.”

Constance opened her mouth to protest that but was horrified to find tears flooding her eyes instead.

“I’m sorry. I know it’s wrong.”

“Why is it wrong?”

Constance frowned. “Because he…he and I…our relationship…” She took a deep breath and decided to just come clean. It made no difference now anyway.

“Everything about our relationship was a lie. Our engagement was a sham, a publicity stunt for him to get back into his father’s good graces, and for me to get back into yours after the girls trespassed on his property while under my care. And then, well, then those pictures…”

Her blood pulsed through her cheeks, setting her face on fire.

“Yes,” the Reverend Mother said drily. “Those were unfortunate, I’ll grant you that.”

Constance kept the sarcastic remark that popped into her head to herself.

“However,” she continued. “I saw something in the other pictures taken of you before that incident that I found to be more interesting.”

Constance frowned. “The other pictures?”

The Reverend Mother placed several magazines on the desk and pushed them toward her. A new wave of pain washed over her and Constance bit her lip to keep from crying out. She hadn’t even known some of those pictures had been taken. There was one of her and Luca at a restaurant, holding hands and laughing. One of them walking along a sidewalk, smiling at each other. The ones that really struck her hard were the ones of their last day on the beach with the girls.

Luca with his arms around her waist from behind, his cheek caressing her upturned face.

Luca watching as she cradled and rocked Elena, a look of such tenderness on his face that Constance’s throat grew tight. She hadn’t even known he’d been watching.

Luca with a look of gentle wonderment cradling Elena while she slept.

“You know what I don’t see here?” the Reverend Mother asked.

Constance looked up and shook her head, afraid if she spoke, she’d cry.

“I don’t see a sham relationship.”

Constance’s mouth dropped open. She wanted to protest, insist that it hadn’t been real, but it had felt real. Everything about it, almost from the first moment, had felt real.

“I see two people who love each other and who love that little girl. He might have said the photos were for publicity, but this,” she said, pointing at a close-up of Luca’s face as he gazed into hers, “this isn’t imitation. He’s not that good an actor.”

That surprised a laugh out of Constance.

“And neither are you, my dear.”

Constance took a deep breath and ducked her head, unable to look the other woman in the eye when she said, “I’m not. I do love him.”

A triumphant sigh came from the Reverend Mother. “I thought so.”

“But that doesn’t matter.”

“Why not?”

“How can I ever trust him? He has this weird love-hate relationship with the press. He hates them, but he can’t stay away. It’s like he’s driven to act in a way that will keep him in the spotlight. I can’t live like that. I can’t subject the girls to that. I don’t want to be used to keep him in the papers. I don’t want any part of that, and if it came down to his fame or me…well, I’ve already seen what he’ll choose.”

“Have you? What did he say when those pictures came out?”

Constance took a deep breath and blew it out. She’d shied away from any thought of that day in his office. “He said it wasn’t his fault, that he didn’t know how they’d found us.”

“And you didn’t believe him?”

She thought about it, had been thinking about it since she’d walked out his door. “I don’t know. My gut says no, he wouldn’t do that. He’d do a lot…but he wouldn’t have let photographers be there for something so private.”

“Well then…”

“Yes, but what if I’m wrong?”

“Then you are wrong. There aren’t any guarantees in this life, Constance, about anyone or anything.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

“Do you know what he’s been doing since you left him?”

Constance frowned. “No. After the first few weeks…no. He hasn’t really been in the papers or anything.”

“Doesn’t that show you he’s already changed?”

“Maybe.” Constance wanted to believe. Desperately. Wanted to think he could change, live away from the spotlight, live as normal a life as possible. He’d never be completely normal, of course, but there was a difference between being famous and being infamous. And until recently, Luca had been on the wrong side.

“I have been informed of at least one thing he’s been doing over the last few weeks. I think you will be pleased. That is actually the reason I brought you in today. He will be on television tomorrow to make his grand announcement. He asked me to meddle a bit and try to be sure you’d watch.”

The thought of seeing Luca again, even on television, made Constance’s stomach flip in excitement and fear. It had taken her weeks to be able to see his face in a magazine without wanting to cry. And that was when she saw him by accident. Purposely tuning in to watch him live on television might be more than she could take. But curiosity was going to get the better of her.

“All right. I’ll watch.”

And hopefully by the time it was over, she’d still be sane.

Chapter Twenty

Luca straightened his tie for the hundredth time and smoothed his hands down his tailored shirt. Joe helped him with his jacket, pulling at the shoulders, picking off imaginary lint. He’d been fidgeting all morning, unable to sit still, but he didn’t want to pace the room like some caged tiger, so he sat on the couch in the studio’s green room, waiting for his segment to be announced.

Someone with a headset popped her head in and said he was up in five minutes. Luca nodded and straightened his tie again.

“Did you give them the list of topics to stay away from?” he asked Joe for probably the fourth time.

Patient as always, Joe answered, “Yes, sir. They will ask about your new project only and will not talk about your engagement or former fiancée or anything else of a personal nature.”

“Good.” He hoped the Reverend Mother had been able to convince Constance to watch today. He wanted her to see what he’d been working on, but he had no intention or desire to go out there and spread more of their personal details around the world, especially if she was watching.

He was done with that, done with the fans and the media and the fame and all of it. He’d thrown himself into his work after Constance had left. His father had finally been convinced that even without her he’d made a change for the better. Grown up. He’d been given control of the New York offices, a move that, in his mind, allowed him to do something worthwhile with his life for once. Maybe someday he could convince Constance that what they’d had was real, and worth giving a second shot.

He took his place behind the curtains and waited for his introduction. When he was announced he went out, smiling and waving for the cameras. He took a seat on the couch with the host and waited for the audience to quit screaming.

The host went through the formalities. Lots of welcoming, joking about how handsome he was, how popular with the ladies. He tensed for a moment, waiting to see if she’d ask him about Constance, but she didn’t. Relief flooded him and he relaxed a bit. Maybe she’d actually stick to the list and keep away from the forbidden topics after all.

He was good-naturedly teased about his cameo in an upcoming Adam Sandler movie and then she got down to why he’d wanted to be there in the first place. Excitement zipped through him at finally being able to reveal the project he’d been working on.

“So, Luca, in addition to working alongside your father, you’ve got a special project of your own in the works, is that right?” the host, a tiny little blond woman, asked him.

“Yes. This has been in the planning stage for a while now and it’s a project that is really close to my heart. We’ve finally gotten the last permissions we need and will be breaking ground in Mykonos on the first Constant Heart Children’s Aid Village next week. We are hoping to be able to build many more over the next few years.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful! Now, these villages are groups of foster homes, essentially, correct?”

“Yes. With the financial crisis hitting so hard, more and more children need good, stable homes in which to live. The foster families who are part of the Family Emergency Aid organization tend to live near one another for support and help. We call these groupings of such homes villages. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to find homes near each other as more and more homes are needed. The Constant Heart Foundation would like to change that by providing these homes for the foster groups.”

“What a wonderful goal! But, I have to mention it, as these villages are located in Greece, does this mean you’ll be moving there full time to oversee the building?”

A general groan of dismay came from the audience and he laughed like they expected him to. Though the fact that she had glossed right over the plight of these children to focus on where he’d be spending his time infuriated him. “For the most part. I’ll still spend some time here in the States and in London, but the bulk of my time will be in Greece for now.”

“The Constant Heart Foundation. Quite a poignant name,” the host said. “You were engaged not long ago to a social worker…” She checked her notes. “Constance McMurty. That relationship sadly didn’t work out, but going by the nature of this project, and the name you’ve given it, can we assume that there might be some lingering feelings there? Or at least a bit of inspiration?”

Luca’s stomach bottomed out. She went where she wasn’t supposed to. He’d known this was a distinct possibility, unavoidable probably, considering the fact that Constance
was
his inspiration and he’d named the project after her. Well, he couldn’t get out of answering the question without being horribly rude, and Constance was hopefully watching. So be it. He’d seize the opportunity and tell her everything he’d wanted to tell her.

The host sat forward, salivating for every juicy detail. Luca ignored her and just said what was in his heart.

“More than a bit of inspiration. There would be no foundation without her. She is the best example I know of someone who is selfless and good and kind. She introduced me to the work this organization does, something I’m ashamed to say I knew nothing about, though I should have. My life was focused on partying and fame.”

“Ah, but there’s always a little room for a good party, am I right?” she asked, winking at the audience.

Luca gave her a tight smile. “Within reason. I went a great deal overboard in that regard. Constance changed all that, changed me, made me want to be a better man.”

The host sat there momentarily silenced, whether by his sincerity, something she probably rarely saw, or by the seriousness of his words, he wasn’t sure.

“Sounds like you still care for her.”

Luca took a deep breath. “I’m head over heels in love with her. Have been since the day I met her, and always will be.”

The host clutched her chest. “Oh my. That’s quite a declaration.”

Luca laughed a little and shook his head. “It’s something I should have said when I had the chance, but I was stupid, too focused on the wrong things.”

He turned toward the camera and looked straight into the lens, praying Constance was somewhere watching.

“Constance, I’m sorry for everything. I didn’t arrange for a photographer to be there that night, I swear it. I would never have done something like that. But even still, it was my fault. I wanted to be in the limelight and I made sure I was. I was arrogant to assume I could control it. And I’m sorrier than I’ll ever be able to express for whatever pain your association with me has caused you. I hope you can find it within you to forgive me someday. Whether or not that happens, I want you to know that because of you I’ve changed. For the better, I hope.”

He paused and took a deep breath. “You told me once I had the power to do great things. I hope I can prove you right. I love you, Stanzia. I’ll always love you.”

He paused for a second, his words sinking in. The host clasped her hand to her chest again.

“That’s just…wow,” she said, waving at her eyes like she was about to cry although there wasn’t a tear in sight.

He glanced at her, but he didn’t really see her. He was seeing a woman with dark red hair, flashing blue eyes, and a smile that set his world on fire.

“I love her. Want her. Need her.” He shook his head and stood. “And I’m damn well going to go and get her.”

He removed his mic and walked off the stage. He hoped Constance had been watching because they belonged together. And he wasn’t going to take no for an answer this time.

…

Constance sat back, her heart pounding. “Luca,” she whispered.

He loved her. He loved her! She couldn’t believe it, couldn’t believe what he’d just said. What he’d done. He was building villages. All those homes! And he was coming for her.

“Constance! Constance!” Mrs. Ballas ran in, probably from her own house judging by how hard she was breathing. She pressed her hands to her cheeks. “Did you see?”

Constance nodded, still stunned speechless.

“Oh, think of all the children and families we can help now.”

“Yes,” she said faintly. “It’s wonderful.”

She couldn’t sit there anymore. She had to get up, had to go…somewhere. He was in New York. She couldn’t go to him but she could wait for him. He was coming for her. He’d left the studio. Wait…

Up in the corner of the television screen was a little notation saying
Previously Recorded
. The show hadn’t been live, which meant he could already be back in Greece, on Mykonos.

“Mrs. Ballas, I…”

The old woman patted her cheek. “I know, dear. I’ll hold down the fort here. You go get him.”

Constance laughed and swept her into a hug. “Thank you.”

She sprinted out the door. She grabbed her moped and was off before she could really process in her mind what her plan was. Sit on his front porch until he came home? If Joseph even let her in the gates. If Joseph was even there. She almost had a slight panic attack before she remembered that Luca had given her the gate and house codes as long as he hadn’t changed them. She’d walked out on him months ago. If he’d been smart, he would have changed them. She blew out a breath and gave her scooter more gas. Only one way to find out.

She pulled to a stop in front of his estate. There were no paparazzi around. No female fans hanging out in their cars hoping for a glimpse. She entered the gate code, her heart pounding.

The gate swung open. She drove up to the house and jumped off her moped to run up the front steps, not hesitating this time. Her key still fit the lock; the code still shut off the alarm. Had he left everything as it was, hoping all this time that she’d come back?

She wandered from room to room. Everything was exactly as she’d left it, from the clothing she’d left still hanging in the closet, to her toothbrush in the bathroom, to the basket of the girls’ toys in the front room and their bedrooms still set up waiting for them to come home. He’d left it all. Her heart soared. Yes, maybe it was a bit arrogant of him to assume she’d return. Or maybe he just hadn’t given up hope.

Would he be hoping that she was there now? Would he come home looking for her?

Or…would he go someplace else? Their place. His secret place. The place that had been the beginning of the end. What better place for a new beginning?

She went back out and got on her scooter. Hopefully she could remember the way. She’d only been the one time and she’d been a bit distracted by the rock-hard Greek god she’d had her thighs wrapped around.

Only one wrong turn later and she found the long dirt path that lead to the bungalow. She realized too late that she didn’t have a key. Disappointed, she walked around to the back. The swing bed swayed gently in the breeze and Constance’s body tingled with the memories of the night they’d spent there.

The sound of the waves washing ashore called to her. She’d always loved that sound. Especially at dusk, when the sky above the sea turned its brilliant orange and faded slowly into the gentle dark hues of night.

She wandered down the rocky path to the shore, kicking off her sandals once she reached the sand. The salt-tinged air filled her lungs and she took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing mind. What would she say when she saw him again? Could they really make this work? She wasn’t sure she cared anymore what their differences were, what obstacles stood in their way. She just wanted to see him again.

She hadn’t heard his footsteps in the sand, but the clean, fresh scent of him announced his presence behind her just before his arms slipped around her waist. He filled her senses, totally and completely, and she leaned back against his chest with a sigh. All the tension she’d carried around for the last few months melted from her. She sighed, at peace at last.

He held her for a few moments as they watched the sun dip lower into the horizon, then he turned her around in his arms. His hands reached up to cup her face, his thumbs brushing across her cheeks.

“You’re here,” he said.

“Yes.” She smiled up at him. “I saw you on the show.”

“I hoped you would.” He smiled down at her and brushed her hair from her face.

“How did you get here so quickly?”

“The show was taped a few days ago. I arrived this morning and came straight here. It’s been a very long day, wondering if you’d let me in again, if you’d let me see you. And here you are.” He kissed her forehead, held her close.

“I think I would have come anyway. Living without you these last few months…” She shook her head, tears tightening her throat. “I don’t think I could have done it much longer, but I did want to tell you—and I don’t know how to say this without sounding like a mother hen—but I wanted to tell you that I’m so proud of you.”

“You are?” he said, his tender expression warming her through and through.

“So much. Using your powers for good instead of evil. Not many supermen can pull off a switch like that.”

He laughed and hugged her again. “God, I love you so much.”

His arms enveloped her, crushed her to him like he’d never let go. She wrapped her arms around his waist, her heart so full of love for him she could scarcely breathe.

“I love you,” she said, pulling away enough to reach his face. “I should have told you before.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheeks, his brow, his lips, all the while whispering, “I love you, I love you,” over and over again.

He crushed her to him with a sound that was almost a sob, his lips capturing hers. He kissed her until she was breathless and dizzy before he released her with a ragged sigh.

“Don’t ever leave me again,” he said, leaning his forehead against hers.

“Never,” she agreed.

He pulled back so he could look into her eyes. “You know what that means? I’ve done what I can to stay out of the spotlight, but there will always be photographers. There will always be private details splashed in the papers. My life will always be a little bit…crazy.”

“I know,” she said, smiling up at him. “I’m not saying I’ll enjoy all that, but it’s a small price to pay to be with the man I love.”

The smile he bestowed upon her took her breath away.

“Are you sure?”

She nodded. “Never been more sure of anything in my life.”