What the Greek's Money Can't Buy(96)

                Her legs finally gave way beneath her. Sakis caught her before she crumpled onto the sofa. They fell back together. His gaze dropped to her mouth that had fallen open with wordless wonder, and he groaned. ‘I know what I did was unforgivable but I want to try all the same to make it up—’

                ‘You love me.’

                ‘To you. Name your price. Anything you want, I’ll give it. I’ve already put steps in place to have your conviction revoked—’

                ‘You love me?’

                He paused and gave a solemn nod but it was the adoration in his eyes that struck pure, healing happiness into her heart. ‘I love you more than I desire my next breath. I need you in my life. I’ll do anything, anything, to have you back, agapita.’

                ‘What does that mean?’

                ‘What does what...? Oh—agapita? It means “beloved”.’

                She pulled back. ‘But you started calling me that even before we slept together. It was that day when you took me for pancakes.’

                He seemed startled by the remark. Then a smile warmed his stricken face. ‘I think my subconscious was telling me how I felt about you.’

                She caressed a hand down his rough jaw. ‘When did the rest of you catch up?’

                ‘In Greece, after I withstood Ari and Theo’s ribbing and I admitted that I didn’t want to live without you. I intended to tell you after the party.’

                ‘Tell me again now.’

                He repeated it, then pulled back after kissing her senseless, his gaze dark with a vulnerability she’d never seen. ‘Can you ever forgive me for what I did?’

                His cheeks were warm and vibrant beneath her hands. ‘You took steps to find out the truth about what happened to me. You could’ve walked away and condemned me, but you came back for me. I told you about my past, about my mother, and you didn’t judge me or make me feel worthless. I loved you for that. More than I already did before I sent Greg that text.’

                The shock on his face made her smile. It was the shock that made her get away with kissing him thoroughly before the alpha male in him took over. When he pulled away from her, she gave a groan of protest.

                ‘Do you have one of those go bags ready for a trip? If you don’t, we’ll manage, but we need to leave now.’

                ‘I do, but—?’

                He was up and striding towards her suite before she could finish the question. He returned, two bags in one hand and the other stretched out to her.

                ‘Where are we going?’ Hurriedly, she straightened her clothes and hair.

                ‘I’ve blocked off my calendar for a month. I believe there’s a Swiss chalet waiting for us.’

                ‘You think a month is going to be enough?’ Happiness made her saucy, she discovered.

                Pulling her close, he kissed her until they were both breathless. ‘No chance. But it’s a damned good start.’

                * * *

                The fire roared away in the enormous stone hearth as Sakis pulled the luxury throw closer around them and fed her oysters from the shell. Brianna wrinkled her nose at the peculiar taste.