The Greek's Bought Wife. HELEN BIANCHIN
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Nic’s eyes narrowed. ‘Foster the illusion I’m the child’s biological father?’
Her chin tilted a little. ‘Yes.’
‘I will delight in my wife’s pregnancy, and initiate adoption proceedings immediately following the birth.’
Ensuring the legalities were neatly taken care of.
‘You avoided answering the question.’
‘The child will be born a legitimate Leandros, with two parents.’ His eyes speared hers. ‘No one, apart from Paul and Stacey, need know personal details.’
‘And Claire.’ Dear heaven, she had yet to enlighten her mother of the pregnancy. She eyeballed the man seated opposite. ‘I won’t keep the truth from her.’
‘I wasn’t going to suggest you do.’
There were a few other conditions she needed to voice, and she paused as the waitress presented their meals.
‘Claire’s boutique is my responsibility,’ Tina insisted as soon as the waitress was out of earshot. ‘Don’t expect me to give up work and assume a social butterfly persona.’
‘No objection, with one proviso.’ Dark eyes lanced her own. ‘Unless the medics advise otherwise.’
She wanted to argue, and her eyes darkened to a deep emerald-green. Something that fascinated him. She was fire and ice, and a complex mix of strength and vulnerability.
‘I want a prenuptial agreement protecting my interests.’
That was his criterion, surely? ‘Anything else?’
‘What if either one of us chose to file for divorce?’
‘I doubt the possibility will occur.’
‘But if it does?’ Tina persisted, and met his hard, level look.
‘Be aware I’d fight you in court to assume full custody of the child.’
‘You’d never get it,’ she said with certainty. ‘The courts generally favour the mother, especially when the male parent is not even the child’s biological father.’
One eyebrow arched in silent cynicism. ‘You doubt my ability to prove a case against you?’
A chill shiver feathered its way down her spine. Nic Leandros had both wealth and power in his favour. Sufficient of both to employ the finest legal brains in the country.
‘No.’ She paused imperceptibly. ‘But don’t underestimate my determination to oppose you.’
Brave words from a brave woman. He selected his cutlery and indicated she should do the same. ‘Let’s eat, shall we?’
The tortellini looked and smelt delicious, but Tina’s appetite had gone on strike. Instead, she cast an envious glance at the crisp cos lettuce in Nic’s bowl, the croutons and sliced chicken, the delicate sauce…and caught the faintly humorous twist at the edge of his mouth.
Without a word he signalled the waitress, ordered another chicken Caesar salad, and met Tina’s glare with equanimity.
‘What do you think you’re doing?’
‘Ensuring you have what you’d prefer to eat.’
Her glare intensified. ‘And you know this because?’
One eyebrow rose. ‘Can I look forward to a battle-field with every meal we share?’
‘Count on it if you intend overriding every choice I make!’
Nevertheless the Caesar salad, when it arrived, was too tempting to resist, and she ate in silence while steadfastly ignoring the man seated opposite.
‘No polite conversation?’
Tina offered him a level glance. ‘I was trying to avoid indigestion.’
His soft laughter surprised her, and her eyes widened fractionally as she caught a gleam of humour in those dark eyes.
‘Our relationship will be an interesting one.’
His drawled observation attacked her equilibrium, and she fought to retain it. ‘A qualification…I’ve yet to agree.’
‘But you will.’
‘Why so sure?’
‘Because in your heart you know Vasili would see our liaison as an ideal solution.’
It didn’t help Nic Leandros was right. ‘Together with your assurance the alternative isn’t something I’d want to contemplate?’
He took his time. ‘Precisely.’
Tina wanted to throw something at him, and almost did. ‘I don’t like threats.’
‘Believe it’s a statement of fact.’
The icy certainty in his voice was a vivid reminder she didn’t stand a chance against the wealth and influence of the Leandros family.
This…marriage, Tina qualified, was merely a business arrangement, with advantages for her, a child who surely deserved a stable upbringing…as opposed to a tug-of-war custody battle.
She didn’t want to give in. Especially to this man, whose powerful presence disturbed her more than she was prepared to admit.
Yet a marriage based on mutual convenience among the wealthy wasn’t so unusual. It forged a legal partnership, built wealth and provided heirs. A beneficial arrangement, legally documented and containing clearly defined boundaries.
‘I want everything in writing.’ She rose to her feet and sent him a long direct look. ‘Subject to my legal advisor’s perusal and approval.’
Nic followed her actions, extracted notes from his wallet and tossed them on the table. ‘The document will be delivered to you by courier late this afternoon. A copy of which will be despatched to your lawyer.’ He waited a beat. ‘Whose name is?’
Tina gave it, and battled the apprehension curling deep inside.
An instinctive omen? Don’t be ridiculous, she silently derided as she made her way out of the restaurant. This isn’t personal…it’s business.
She paused as she reached the pavement. ‘We’ll be in touch.’ Then she turned and walked away from him without so much as a backwards glance.
Outward composure, when inwardly her nerves were threatened to shred into a tangled mess.
Lily could barely contain her curiosity as Tina re-entered the boutique. ‘Details,’ Lily begged without preamble.
Truth wasn’t an option, so she went with ambiguity. ‘We’re still working them out.’
A call from her lawyer a few hours later insisting on a personal consultation at day’s end didn’t surprise her. Nor, as she sat opposite him, did his cautionary advice.
He agreed, however, that each of her concerns had been adequately dealt with from a business aspect.
Tina signed, her signature was duly witnessed, and she walked out into the cool evening air, aware she’d just sealed her fate.
An hour later her cellphone rang, and she discovered Nic Leandros on the line.
‘I’ve arranged an intimate ceremony at the weekend in my home, immediate family only.’ He barely paused. ‘Any further media queries, refer them to me.’
Her heart leapt into her throat. ‘So soon?’
‘Why delay?’
She closed her eyes, then opened them again. Because I’m not ready for this. But then it was doubtful she’d ever be ready.
CHAPTER THREE
THE following few days passed in