Bought: The Greek's Baby(36)
“I spent months trying to find you before you resurfaced at your stepfather’s funeral. You’re a wealthy woman, Eve, so you couldn’t have betrayed me for money. So you must have done it for love. You’re in love with Jake Skinner. It’s the only explanation.”
She thought of the playboy with his bleached-white smile and shook her head. “I could never love him.”
“Then why? Why would you do it? What did I ever do to you?”
She took a deep breath as tears filled her eyes.
“I don’t know,” she whispered.
“Was it out of spite? Did I offend one of your friends? Did I ignore you or hurt someone you cared about? Why? Why would you give me your virginity—then betray me?”
“I don’t know.” She took a deep breath. “But…I’m sorry.”
He stared at her, his handsome face the picture of shock.
“Just like that?” he whispered. “You admit your guilt?”
“I don’t remember this restaurant. I don’t remember betraying you. I can’t even imagine doing something so horrible.” Her eyes filled with tears and she blinked rapidly. “But I knew you had some reason to hate me. If you say I betrayed you, then I believe you. I must have done it.” She shook her head. “I don’t know why and can’t offer any excuse. Except to tell you that I’m sorry, desperately sorry.”
Talos just stared at her, wide-eyed, not moving.
No wonder he’d been so cold and distant after their marriage. No wonder he’d wanted to punish her. He’d hated her, but he’d felt he had no choice but to marry her because of the baby.#p#分页标题#e#
How would she feel in his place, forced to marry the lover who’d once betrayed her? Her heart ached just to think of it.
“You must hate me,” she said softly.
His jaw tightened.
“No,” he said in a low voice. “You’re not the one I hate.”
“Then—who?”
He turned away. “I thought you would remember Skinner if you saw him. I was sure you’d remember loving him.”
“Him? No!” She shook her head fiercely. “If you say I betrayed you, then I believe you. But not for that man, no. Never!”
She saw the surprise in his face, the dawn of insecurity. “How can you be so sure?”
“He’s dreadful!”
“Perhaps you didn’t always think so. You’ve changed since the accident, Eve.”
She bit her lip, looking down at her pink cotton tank top and simple beige skirt. She suggested in a small voice, “I was more attractive to you before?”
Unexpectedly, he reached his hand over the table, placing it over hers.
“No,” he said in a low voice. “You were selfish and cold then, only focused on yourself. Now…” He took a deep breath. “You’re different. You care about other people. You’re loving and kind and sexy as hell. I’ve tried not to want you, Eve. Tried not to care. I’ve tried. And failed.”
Her heart was in her throat as she looked up at him, tears in her eyes. She took a deep breath.
“I love you, Talos,” she whispered. “Whatever I felt for you last summer—I’m in love with you now.”
His hand trembled over hers. He started to pull his hand away, but she stopped him, pressing his hand to her cheek.
“And I’m sorry,” she whispered into his skin, pressing her lips against the back of his hand. “Forgive me.”
She felt his hand shake, but instead of pulling away, he suddenly took one of her hands in both his own. Looking up, she was startled to see the weight of emotion shimmering in his eyes.
Clearing his throat, he glanced around at the elegant, empty restaurant. “Let’s go have breakfast somewhere else.”
Looking into his face, she felt her heart leap in her chest. Suddenly, she knew everything was going to be all right.
She now knew the reason he’d treated her so badly—but now he’d finally told her the truth, it could be healed. He could forgive her. She wouldn’t stop trying until he did—and until she remembered why she’d done it. And they could be a family.
Wiping tears from her eyes, she nodded.
Still holding her hand, he threw a large wad of bills on the table, then took her out into the bright sunshine.
The Greek sun was already starting to burn white. But as they crossed the busy street, the morning was fresh and new to Eve. Joy was everywhere.
Talos held her hand tightly as he led her through the traffic, protecting her body with his own. They hurried past ancient white stone buildings packed between new trinket shops. She saw young mothers playing with their children on balconies draped with clothes hanging out in the sun to dry, wizened grandfathers smoking as they played chess in the sun.