The Greek's Long-Lost Son (12 page)

Theo grimaced. “My letter must have come as a shock.”

“I fainted, but Iola caught me so I didn’t crack my head open on the floor.” The compassion in his eyes was too much. She looked away again.

“I’m sorry, Stella. After driving past the villa and seeing you, I didn’t know how else to make contact.”

She moistened her lips. “No matter how it was done, it was like finding out you’d come back from the dead.”

“I was told you’d gotten rid of our child.”

“Theo—”

“To see Ari skipping along with you almost sent me
into cardiac arrest. To think the whole time in New York, I believed—”

“That I’d ended my pregnancy?” she cut in on him. “How you must have despised me.”

His body stiffened with remembered pain. “I was riddled with rage until I saw Ari. Then I was plunged into another kind of fury because you’d kept him from me.”

After taking a deep breath she said, “Who did this to us?”

“It doesn’t matter anymore.” He leaned over her. “In the beginning I tried to despise you, but I couldn’t. I fell in love with you a long time ago, Stella. That’s never going to change. Marry me, sweetheart. I can’t go on without you.”

She let out a little moan as he began kissing her, sweeping her away. “I never stopped loving you, either. You’re my whole life!”

“Did you just say yes?”

“You
know
I did,” she cried. “I love you, I love you, Theo. I want to be your wife as soon as possible.”

“Stella—” came his exultant cry. “Let me love you tonight. Really love you.”

The feel of his mouth brought her such rapture, she’d become a trembling mass of need. Over and over she cried out his name. His powerful legs entwined with hers, reminding her of those other times when they’d given in to their desire.

“Papa?”

They both groaned.

“When are you coming back to bed?”

“Don’t tell him yet,” she whispered. “Let’s wait until we know all our plans.”

“Agreed.” Theo kissed her throat before rolling away from her. “I thought you were asleep, sport.”

“I had a nightmare.”

“Oh, honey,” Stella said. “Come on up here.” Ari scrambled on the bed between them. “What was it about?”

“A shark. It was trying to catch me.”

“Well, you stay right here with us. We’ll keep you safe.”

She felt Theo’s fingers creep into her hair, tantalizing her. He’d expected her to urge Ari back to bed so they could take up where they’d left off, but it wouldn’t be a good idea for several reasons. The main one was snuggled up against them happy as a new puppy, his nightmare forgotten.

“Good night, everyone.”

“Good night, Mom. Good night, Papa.”

Theo squeezed her shoulder. “Good night, Mom. Good night, son.”

“Mommy’s not your mom.”

More deep laughter reverberated in the room. It was the last thing she remembered before falling asleep.

By the time their vacation was over, Stella felt like they were a family. She could have stayed there forever playing with and loving the two men she adored. The thought of going back to work made her groan. That was how transported she’d been.

“What was that sigh all about?” Theo was so tuned in to her feelings, they could read each other’s minds.

“How much I don’t want this to be over.” The three of them were carrying their bags to the helicopter.

He caught her around the waist. “It’s not going to be. You and I need more time together. Hire a temp to help Keiko for another week. Someone in the office will want the opportunity.”

Another week with Theo? She almost stumbled in her excitement. “I’ll see what I can arrange.”

Before long they flew back to civilization. When the helicopter landed on top of his office building, Stella rebelled. For a moment she had the premonition that now he’d asked her to marry him, this fragile new world they’d been building was going to explode by an unseen force and they’d never be able to pick up the pieces.

As Theo helped her out of the helicopter she whispered, “Do you still have that letter? I’m ready to read it.”

His black eyes ignited like hot coals. He pressed a hungry kiss to her mouth. “It’s in my office.”

“Will you get it for me before you drive me and Ari home?”

“I’ll do it right now and join you at the limo.” He ruffled Ari’s hair. “See you in a minute.”

T
HEO
made a detour to his suite. There was a message waiting for him. Nestor had talked to the judge, but there was no budging him. The show-cause hearing was going ahead as planned for the day after tomorrow.

He closed his eyes tightly, imagining Stella’s reaction. After asking her to marry him, he’d do anything to protect her from being hurt, but it was all going to come out, and he was terrified what it would do to her.

The letter was in his drawer. He put it in his pocket and left his office, catching up to them out in front of the building. The second he climbed in the back next to Stella, Ari said, “I wish we didn’t have to go home. I love fishing.”

“So do I, son. After our astronomy class has ended, we’ll do it again. I know a place in the mountains where we can camp out and fish the stream. Leandros and his papa love to fish, too. Maybe the four of us could go. Would you like that?”

“I’d love it.”

That was one of the things he loved most about Ari. His constant enthusiasm. Stella had been right. Their son was the brightest, sweetest boy in the world. They were both his life!

Too soon the limo drove up in front of the villa, bringing their trip to an end.

“See you tomorrow, Papa.” Ari gave him a big kiss and climbed out first. Taking advantage of the moment, Theo drew the letter from his pocket and put it in her purse lying next to her on the seat.

He reached for her hand and kissed the palm. “Call Keiko and make those arrangements. I have more plans for us.”

She nodded. “I’ll let you know tomorrow.”

“Stella—” He cupped her face to kiss her one more time. It wasn’t long enough or deep enough.

“Come on, Mom.”

Theo reluctantly let her go.

“Good night.” She got out of the car, leaving him with an ache that was never going to go away.

He watched her rush up the steps to join Ari. Once they were safely inside, he told the chauffeur to take him back to the office. Theo knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep, so he might as well get some work done.

A time bomb was ticking. Before long it was going to go off. There had to be a way to help Stella when the time came, but his greatest fear was that she would go into shock. When he thought about one of his own brothers having the capacity to betray him to that degree, he couldn’t imagine it.

One thing and one thing only was helping him to hold on to his sanity tonight. To his everlasting gratitude, he had Ari, his greatest ally and link to Stella. Ari always pulled through for him.

What a wonderful son. His joy. That’s because he had a mother like Stella. On this trip Theo found out he needed them like he needed air to breathe. If the crisis
that was coming was too much for her, he might never be able to reach her again in the same way.

This trip had drawn them so close together, the thought of anything destroying what they had now was killing him. He buried his face in his hands.

Iola took one look at Ari and threw up her hands. “You’ve turned into a lobster!”

“Lobster…” Ari roared with laughter. “Guess what? I caught two sea bass!”

“How big were they?”

“This long.” He demonstrated.

“Good for you! Did you eat them?”

“Yes. Papa’s the best cook just like my grandma. The fish was yummy, wasn’t it, Mommy.”

“Delicious.” On their trip she’d discovered Theo had many hidden skills.

“Are you hungry now?”

“No. We’re ready for bed,” Stella declared. “If he’s going to play with Dax in the morning, he needs his sleep. Run on up, honey, and get your bath. I’ll be there in a minute to tuck you in.”

“Okay.”

As he darted up the stairs, she turned to Iola. “How are you?”

“I’m fine now that you’ve come home so happy. You’re in love again.”

Stella nodded. “Theo’s even more wonderful than he was before.”

“He’s a man.”

“Yes. He’s my life and Ari’s.” She kissed Iola’s cheek. “See you in the morning.”

Once in her room, she couldn’t wait to read the letter.
Her hands trembled as she got it out of her purse. When he’d given it to her on Andros, she’d thrown it back at him. At the time, her state of mind wouldn’t allow him inside her head. Now he filled her whole heart and soul.

She sank down on the side of her bed, dying to find out what he’d written. Taking as much care as possible, she opened the sealed envelope and pulled out the short, one-page letter.

Stella moaned.

“Kyrie Pantheras?”

“Yes?”

“Stella Athas is here to see you.”

Excitement charged his body. “Tell her to come in.” He threw down his pen and hurried around the desk to greet her. This morning she was wearing a stunning cocoa-colored silk blouse with pleated pants in a café-au-lait tone.

She looked good enough to eat. Her velvety brown
eyes sought his with a new eagerness. She must have read his letter or she wouldn’t have that expectant look on her face.

“Am I disturbing you?”

“Yes,” he whispered in a husky tone and reached for her, sliding his hands up and down her arms. “In all the ways only you can do.” He could tell she was out of breath. “Did you work things out with Keiko?”

She nodded.

“Anything else you want to tell me?”

“Yes. It’s about us. Weeks ago you asked me to accept you on faith. Last night on the boat you asked me to marry you. It’s what I want, what Ari wants. That’s what I’ve come here to say and I want us to tell Ari today.”

“Stella,” he cried. “I prayed that was why you’d come. Now that you’re here, I don’t intend to waste another second.”

He lowered his mouth to the lush moistness of hers, leaving her no escape. They began devouring each other with a fervency that transported both of them back in time to halcyon days when nothing mattered but to be together communicating like this.

His body trembled with desire while they clung in such a tight embrace, there was no space between them. He couldn’t believe it. She was giving him everything. It was as if a light had been turned on. Theo couldn’t get enough of her as their kisses grew more breathless and sensual.

“I’m in love with you, Stella,” he cried into her hair.

Her gasp of ecstasy thrilled him. She burrowed her face in his neck. “I’ll love you forever, Theo. I couldn’t get through life without you now.”

To hear those words caused the blood to sing in his ears. “Do you think I could?” His euphoria made him forget everything except the wonder of holding and kissing her until he was delirious with longings that needed assuagement soon. They were already in deep trouble.

“Kyrie Pantheras? You asked me to buzz you when it was ten to twelve.”

Stella’s moan of protest was as loud as his.

“Thank you.”

He drank from her mouth one more time before putting her away from. Her eyes were glazed from desire. She swayed in place.

“Only Ari could force me to let you go at a time like this.”

She kissed his hands. “Let’s go pick him up together. I can’t wait to tell him our news. He’ll be so happy.” Her gaze played over him with so much love he felt like he was drowning.

Theo pressed his lips to her palms. “Neither of you could want it as much as I do. After we get him, I’m taking you both to my house on Salamis. While we have lunch there, we’ll tell him it will be our home. I want to marry you right away. Will you mind living on the island?”

Her brows formed a delicate frown line. “How can you ask me that?”

“Because you’ve lived in the heart of Athens all your life.”

“As long as I’m with you, I don’t care where I live. We used to talk about the house we would have right on the beach one day. It was my dream. Have you forgotten?”

He caught her face between his hands. “There isn’t one second of our lives I haven’t lived over and over until it has driven me mad. I’m hardly going to forget
the plans we made.” After kissing her with refined savagery, he wheeled away from her to gather his suit jacket and the phone.

Together they rode the private elevator to the car park where his limo was waiting. En route to Dax’s house he held her on his lap and kissed her senseless. For a little while he felt like a teenager again, crazy in love with Stella Athas, the most gorgeous girl in the world.

“We’ve got to stop doing this before we get there, Theo. Ari’s going to know what we’ve been up to.”

He chuckled. “Our son knows exactly what’s been going on with us from day one.” She slid off his lap and sat across from him to brush her hair. “I love the taste of your lipstick by the way. You can lay it on me anytime.”

“Behave, Theo.”

“I don’t want to. Besides, you don’t want me to.”

“That’s beside the point,” she said while she applied a fresh coat to her lips.

“Are you as happy as I am?”

She shot him a glance that enveloped him in love. “I’m so happy I’m in pain. The kind that’s never going to go away.”

“We can be married in three weeks, Stella. I’ll arrange it with Hektor.”

Three weeks without being married sounded like an eternity. While Stella was wondering how she would last until then, the limo turned into Dax’s driveway. The boys were out in front throwing a ball. Ari waved goodbye to his friend and ran toward them.

“Mom!” He climbed inside next to Theo. “I didn’t know you were coming with Papa. This is great!”

“Your mother and I have a plan. I’ll tell the driver to run us to your house. Both of you grab some clothes for
a sleepover and we’ll spend the night at my house. Though you’ve seen it, your mother hasn’t.”

“Goody! Will we go to class from there?”

Theo nodded. “Tell me what you and Dax did this morning.”

Stella scarcely listened. Too much excitement over the news they had to tell Ari made her restless. Not only that, she couldn’t wait to see Theo’s house.

While they were at class, she had a wedding to plan. Rachel would help her. She’d include Elani, too. In fact she’d call them both tonight. It would be a joyous time for all of them.

“Stella?” Theo whispered. “What’s going on inside that lovely head of yours?” She blinked to realize they were in front of the villa.

“Ari’s gone in to get his things.”

“I need to get mine, too.”

“Just a minute.” He pressed a deep kiss to her mouth. “Tell me you’re not having second thoughts. I couldn’t handle it.”

“Hush, Theo.” She kissed him back passionately. “Actually I was thinking of Rachel and how excited she’ll be to help me plan our wedding.”

“I’m looking forward to meeting her.”

“You’ll love her.”

He kissed her temple. “Do you want me to come in while you get your things?”

“No. It’ll only take me a minute.”

“Hurry!”

“I promise.”

He helped her out. She passed Ari in the foyer with his backpack. “I’ll be right out, honey.” All she needed were some toiletries, a change of clothes and a nightgown.

While she was putting everything in her overnight bag, Iola came in her bedroom. “Where are you going?”

She closed the lid. “To Theo’s. I’m not sure when we’ll be home. It might be a few days.”

“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

“Absolutely. Iola, you might as well know first. We’re back together for good. In fact we’re getting married in three weeks.”

Her eyes filled with tears before she broke down with happy sobs. Stella gave her a hug. “You’ll have to help me with the wedding plans.”

Iola finally pulled herself together. “Before I forget, Rachel wants you to call her right away. She says it’s an emergency.”

“Thanks for telling me. I’ll phone her.”

“Good.”

After she walked out, Stella reached for her phone. She’d purposely turned off the ringer while she’d gone to Theo’s office. Much as she’d like to put off this call, she couldn’t, but with Ari and Theo outside waiting for her, she’d make this fast.

It barely started to ring when Rachel answered. “Stella?”

“Hi. What’s wrong?”

“If you have to ask me that question, then you don’t know.”

Her heart picked up speed. “Know what?”

After a silence. “I hope you’re sitting down.”

Stella stood there unable to move. “If this is about Theo, I don’t want to hear it.”

“You have to hear it, Stella.” She heard tears in Rachel’s voice.

“Then tell me.”

“Nikos has brought a full-blown lawsuit against Theo for misrepresenting who he is and taking advantage of you. The case is set for tomorrow morning. He expects the family to be there for support. I told him I wouldn’t have anything to do with it. Stasio’s in shock that Nikos has carried it this far.”

“I am, too,” she murmured. It meant Theo had been aware of the court date for some time now, but he’d never let on.

“Stella?”

“I have to go now.”

“Are you all right?” Rachel sounded frantic.

“No. I have to talk to Theo. Tell Stasio I’ll call him later.”

She hung up feeling so ill she didn’t know if she’d survive another second. For her brother to do this at the height of her happiness made him sound unbalanced. In a panic, she rushed downstairs and out the front entrance to the car.

Theo opened the limo door and gave her a squeeze around the waist. “We thought you were never coming.”

Avoiding his eyes she said, “I had a phone call that detained me. Before we go anywhere, I need to talk to you alone.”

She lowered her head to look at Ari. “Honey? There’s something I have to discuss with your father in private. It will only take a minute. Would you mind running inside the house? I’ll let you know when we’re finished.”

He could tell she was serious. His happy expression faded. “Okay.” He slid out of the limo leaving his pack behind and raced up the porch steps into the house.