The Greek's Pregnant Bride

The empathy shining from her eyes had been too much.

He’d never introduced his mother to any of his friends or lovers before. His mother had her own special compartment in his life. He’d long ago accepted that she wouldn’t change, that no matter how he succeeded in life it would never be enough for her. Even the news of being a grandmother had failed to elicit a smile. She would never love him.

Far from repelling Alessandra, his mother’s behaviour had elicited her sympathy, her empathy: towards him.

He didn’t want her pity.

She was getting too close; he could feel it.

Any closer and she’d be able to see the gutter rat who lived in the blackness of his heart.

* * *

Christian’s driver dropped Alessandra back at the hotel before taking Christian to his offices.

A dozen more guests had arrived while they’d been at his mother’s house. It amazed her that so many super-wealthy and famous people were able to drop their commitments for what was essentially a free holiday, but surprisingly their presence worked in her favour, distracting her thoughts from their visit to Christian’s mother.

of Elena Markos’s eyes and she wondered how Christian had

added to what had been a slowly growing admiration towards him. That admiration

was suffering a large dose of guilt for forcing the issue, she was glad they’d gone. Her understanding of the man she was going

their guests, some of whom she actually knew, lazing by the pool, playing cards, drinking non-alcoholic cocktails. It was fun, but she wished Christian

he would kick back and relax when they went on their short honeymoon. She hoped so. He

soak in the sunken bath, already looking forward to

into a red tunic dress, she realised that there hadn’t been a single minute when she hadn’t thought of him. The thought was like a jolt, enough to make her hands tremble,

when there was a

wearing the same suit she’d seen him change into that morning in his suite but with the tie removed and the top three buttons of his shirt undone, exposing the top of his

sent a huge surge through her, making her heart pump

you know I’m going to

‘Okay. When’s that?’

leaving for the airport in

words had the effect of making her heart sink to her knees. ‘Are