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.

her eyes she saw the laser glare of Elena Markos’s eyes and she wondered how Christian had endured living with

dragged himself out, turned it around and made something of himself only added to what had

forcing the issue, she was glad they’d gone. Her understanding of the man she was going to marry was

the day mingling with 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 could be there to enjoy it

kick back and relax when they went

in the sunken bath, already looking forward to the evening

she slipped 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, making it hard for her

regained her equilibrium when there was

the same suit she’d seen him change into that morning in his suite but with the tie

a huge surge through her, making her heart pump and her pulses race. Dio, the man

I’m going to New York,’

‘Okay. When’s that?’

for the airport

the effect of making her heart sink to her knees.