Double
Trouble
Newborn Twins
Doorstep
Twins
Rebecca Winters
Those
Matchmaking
Babies
Marie Ferrarella
Babies in the
Bargain
Victoria Pade

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

Doorstep Twins

About the Author

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Those Matchmaking Babies

About the Author

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Babies in the Bargain

About the Author

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Copyright

Doorstep Twins

REBECCA WINTERS, whose family of four children has now swelled to include five beautiful grandchildren, lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the land of the Rocky Mountains. With canyons and high alpine meadows full of wild flowers, she never runs out of places to explore. They, plus her favourite vacation spots in Europe, often end up as backgrounds for her Mills & Boon® romance novels, because writing is her passion, along with her family and church.

Rebecca loves to hear from her readers. if you wish to e-mail her, please visit her website at www.cleanromances.com.

Chapter One

“I’M SORRY, MS. Turner, but Kyrie Simonides says he can’t fit you in today. If you’ll come next Tuesday at three o’clock?”

Gabi’s hand tightened around the leather strap of her taupe handbag. “I won’t be in Athens then.” The outcome of this visit would determine how soon she left Greece…that was if she were allowed to see him now.

She fought not to lose her composure in front of the retirement-age-looking receptionist who was probably paid a lot of money not to lose hers. “After waiting over three hours for him, surely he can take another five minutes to talk to me.”

The woman with heavy streaks of silver in her hair shook her head. “It’s the weekend. He should have left Athens an hour ago.”

At twenty after six on a hot Friday evening Gabi could believe it, but she hadn’t come this far to be put off. There was too much at stake. Taking a calming breath, she said, “I didn’t want to have to say this to you, but he’s left me no choice. Please tell him it’s a matter of life and death.”

Because it was the truth and her eyes didn’t blink, the receptionist’s expression underwent a subtle change. “If this is some kind of a joke, I’m afraid it will backfire on you.”

“This is no joke,” Gabi replied, standing her ground at five feet five in her comfortable two-piece cotton suit of pale lemon. She’d already undergone a thorough vetting and security check upon entering the building, so the receptionist knew she didn’t pose a threat.

After a slight hesitation the taller woman, clearly in a dilemma, got up from her desk and walked with a decided limp back to her boss’s office. That was progress.

While businessmen came and went from his private domain on top of the building complex in downtown Athens, she’d been continually ignored until now. If Gabi had just come out with it in the first place, it might not have taken her most of the day to get results, but she’d wanted to protect him.

Gabi only knew three facts about the thirty-three-year-old Andreas Simonides: First, he was the reputed new force majeure at the internationally renowned Simonides Corporation whose holdings were tied up in all areas of metallurgy, including aluminum, copper and plastics.

Her source confided that their vast fortune, accumulated over many decades, included the ownership of eighty companies. With a population of twelve thousand employees, the Simonides family ruled over a virtual empire extending beyond Greece.

Second, if the picture in the newspaper didn’t lie, he was an exceptionally attractive male.

The third fact wasn’t public knowledge. In truth no one knew what Gabi knew…not even the man himself. But once they talked, his life would change forever whether he liked it or not.

While she stood there anticipating their first meeting, she heard the woman’s footsteps. “Kyrie Simonides will give you two minutes, no more.”

“I’ll take them!”

“You go down the hall and through the double doors.”

“Thank you very much,” she said with heartfelt sincerity, then rushed around the reception desk, her golden jaw-length curls bouncing. At first she didn’t see anyone as she entered his elegant inner sanctum.

“Life and death you said?” came a voice of male irony from behind her. Though deep, it had an appealing vibrant quality.

She spun around to discover a tall man shrugging into an expensive-looking gray suit jacket he’d just taken from a closet. The play of ripcord muscle in his arms and shoulders beneath a dazzling white shirt attested to the fact that he didn’t spend all his time in the confines of an office. Helpless to do otherwise, her gaze fell lower to the fabric of his trousers molding powerful thighs.

“I’m waiting, Ms. Turner.”

Heat stole into her cheeks to be caught staring like that. She lifted her head, but her voice caught as she looked up into eyes of iron gray, half veiled by long black lashes that gave him an aloof quality.

He possessed a healthy head of medium-cropped black hair and an olive complexion. Rugged of feature, his dark Greek looks fascinated her. The picture she’d seen of him hadn’t picked up the slight scar partially hidden in his left eyebrow, or the lines of experience she could detect around his eyes and wide male mouth. They revealed a life that had known every emotion.

“You’re a difficult man to reach.”

After shutting the closet door, he walked across the room to his private elevator. “I’m on my way out. Since you refused to come back next Tuesday, say what you have to say before I leave.” He’d already stepped inside the lift, ready to push the button. No doubt he had a helicopter on the roof waiting to fly him to some exotic vacation spot for the weekend.

Standing next to him, she’d never felt more diminutive. Even if she didn’t have an appointment, his condescension was too much. But because she might never have another opportunity to get this close to him, she hid her reaction.

Without wasting time she opened her handbag and pulled out a manila envelope. Since he made no move to take it, she undid the flap and removed the contents.

Beneath a set of DNA results lay the front page of a year-old Greek newspaper revealing him aboard the Simonides yacht, surrounded by a crush of people partying the night away. Gabi’s elder half sister Thea, whose dark Grecian beauty stood out from the other women on board, was among the crowd captured in the photo. The headline read, “New CEO at Simonides is cause for celebration.”

Along with these items was a photograph taken a few days ago of two baby boys wearing diapers and shirts. Gabi had gone to a store to get it enlarged into an eight-by-ten.

She held everything up so he couldn’t miss looking at the identical twins who had a crop of curly black hair and gorgeous olive skin like his and Thea’s. He’d had his hair cut since the photo.

Up close she picked out many of the other similarities to him, including their widow’s peaks and the winged shape of their dark eyebrows. The strong resemblance didn’t stop there. She quickly noticed they had his firm chin and wide mouth. Her list went on and on down to their sturdy bodies and same square-cut fingertips.

Yet nothing about the set of his features indicated the picture had made any kind of impression. “I don’t see you in the photograph, Ms. Turner. I’m sorry if you’re in such a desperate situation, but darkening my doorstep wanting a handout isn’t the way to get the help you need.”

Gabi’s jaw hardened. “And you’re not the first man to ignore the children he helped bring into the world.”

His black eyes narrowed. “What kind of a mother sends someone else on an errand like this?”

Somehow she got around the boulder in her throat. “I wish my sister could have come herself, but she’s dead.”

The moment the words left her lips, she sensed his body quicken. “That’s a tragedy. Now if you’ll excuse me.”

Andreas Simonides was a cold-blooded man. There was no way to reach him. As his hand moved to the button on the panel, alerting her that this conversation was over, she said, “Are you saying you never saw this woman in your life?”

Gabi pointed to Thea’s face in the newspaper picture. “Maybe this will help.” She put the items under her arm while she pulled out Thea’s Greek passport. “Here.”

To her surprise he took it from her and examined the photo. “Thea Paulos, twenty-four, Athens. Issued five years ago.” His black brows formed a bar. He shot her a penetrating glance. “Your sister, you say?”

“My half sister,” she amended. “Daddy’s first wife was Greek. After she died, he married my American mother. After a while I came along. This was the last passport Thea held before her divorce.” Gabi bit her lip. “She…celebrated it with friends aboard your yacht.”

He handed the passport back to her. “I’m sorry about your loss, but I can’t help you.”

She felt a stab of pain. “I’m sorry for the twins,” she murmured. “To lose their mother is tragic beyond words. However, when they’re old enough to ask where their father is and I have to tell them he’s alive somewhere—but it doesn’t matter because they never mattered to him—that will be the ultimate tragedy.”

The elevator door closed, putting a definitive end to all communication. Gabi spun around, angry and heartsick. For two cents she’d leave the incriminating evidence with his receptionist and let the other woman draw her own conclusions.

But creating a scandal within the Simonides empire was the last thing Gabi wanted to do, not when it could rebound on her own family, especially on her father whose diplomat position in the consulate on Crete might be compromised. In his work he met with Greek VIPs in business and governmental positions on a regular basis. She couldn’t bear it if her presence here brought on unwanted repercussions.

No one had asked her to come. Except for Mr. Simonides himself now, no one knew the nature of this visit, especially not her grieving parents. Since Thea had died in childbirth from a heart condition brought on by the pregnancy, Gabi had taken it upon herself to be the babies’ advocate. Every child deserved its own wonderful birth mother and father. Unfortunately not every child was so lucky.

“Mission accomplished,” she whispered to the empty room. Her heart felt like an anchor that had come loose and had plunged through fathoms of dark water to the lowest depths of the Mediterranean.

Once she’d put everything back in the envelope and stashed it in her handbag, she left his private office. The venerable receptionist nodded to Gabi before she disappeared into the hall. In a few minutes she arrived at the ground floor of the building and hurried outside to get a taxi back to her hotel.

To her surprise, the chauffeur of a limo parked in front got out and approached her. “Ms. Turner?”

She blinked. “Yes?”

“Kyrie Simonides said you had to wait a long time to get in to see him. I’ve been asked to drive you wherever it is you wish to go.”

Her adrenaline kicked in, causing her pulse to speed up. Did this mean the twins’ father wasn’t a complete block of ice after all? Who wouldn’t melt over seeing a photo of his own flesh and blood? If the boys’ picture didn’t completely convince him, the printout of their DNA would provide infallible proof of a match.

By sending a limo for Gabi, it could mean he planned for a second meeting with her, but he was forced to be discreet. With his money and power, not to mention his looks, the head man had learned how to keep his former liaisons private.

“Thank you. If you wouldn’t mind taking me to the Amazon Hotel?” She’d purposely checked in there because it was near the Simonides building in the heart of the Plaka.

He nodded as he helped her in.

Before carrying out her plan to meet with Mr. Simonides today, Gabi had told her parents that one of her female coworkers from Alexandria, Virginia, was in Athens on a trip. They’d decided to get together and see a little of the sights. Gabi felt awful for outright lying to them, but she didn’t dare let them know her true agenda.

Until Thea’s fifth month of pregnancy when she’d developed serious heart complications and was hospitalized, Gabi hadn’t even known the name of the babies’ father. But as the end drew near and it became apparent Thea might not make it, she told Gabi to look in her jewel box at home and bring her the envelope she’d hidden there.

Gabi brought it to the hospital. Thea told her to open it. She took one look and gasped when she realized who the man was. “This is all I have of him. Like everyone else on board, we’d both had way too much to drink,” Thea whispered. “We were ‘strangers in the night’ kind of thing.”

Her confession elicited a moan from Gabi.

“It didn’t mean anything to him. He didn’t even know my name. I’m ashamed it happened and he shouldn’t have to pay for a mistake which was as much mine as his. I wanted you to see him so you’ll know what kind of genes the children have inherited. Now promise me you’ll forget everything.”

Gabi understood how Thea felt and planned to honor her wishes. Besides the unsuspecting father, she realized that any news would be exploited if linked to the Simonides family. As they had recently lost the daughter of her father’s first marriage, Gabi wanted to save her parents any added grief.

While she sat there deep in thought the rear door opened. Surprised they’d already arrived in front of the hotel, she gave a start before getting out.

“Please thank your employer for me.”

“Of course.”

Once he’d gone, she hurried inside, anxious to eat something at the snack bar before going up to her room. Whatever Mr. Simonides intended to do, he was in the driver’s seat and would be the one to set the timetable for their next conversation. If there were to be one…

She could only hope he would make the arrangements before morning. Tomorrow she needed to fly back to Heraklion on Crete and rejoin her family. On top of their sadness, they had their hands full with the twins who’d been born six weeks premature.

When it had looked as if Thea was in trouble, Gabi had taken an undetermined leave of absence from the advertising agency in Virginia to fly to Heraklion. Since then she’d taken over the care of the babies because her busy parents’ demanding diplomatic position didn’t allow for the constant nurturing of the twins without full-time help.

That was four months ago and Gabi’s job as public relations manager had been temporarily filled by someone else at Hewitt and Wilson, so she had a vital decision to make. If Mr. Simonides chose to claim his children, then she needed to get back to her work in Virginia ASAP.

Her immediate boss had been made regional director of the East Coast market and hinted at an important promotion for her. But she needed to get back home if she wanted to expand her career opportunity with him. The only other career more important would be to become the mother to Thea’s children. But if she chose to do that, then it meant she would have to give up her advertising career until they were school age.

Having been burned by Texas rancher and oil man Rand McCallister five years ago, Gabi had no intention of ever getting married or having children, but if the twins’ birth father didn’t want them, then she would take on the responsibility of raising them because they were her family. As such, she needed to go back to Virginia where she could rear them in familiar surroundings.

Her family’s home in Alexandria was the perfect residence in a guarded, gated community with other diplomats’ families, some of whom had small children. Gabi had always lived in it with her parents when they weren’t in Greece on assignment. Since Gabi’s father owned the house outright, she wouldn’t have to deal with a mortgage payment.

If she combined the savings from her job with her dad’s financial help, she could be a stay-at-home mom until they were both school age, then get back to her career. It could all work. Gabi would make it work because she’d grown to love the twins as if they were her own babies.

In all likelihood Mr. Simonides wasn’t interested in the children and had only made certain she got a ride back to wherever she’d come from. Therefore she would fly the twins to Alexandria with her next week.

After a quick meal, Gabi went up to her room on the fourth floor, reasoning that her mother would go with her to help the three of them settle in before returning to Crete. The consulate was no place for two new infants. Her parents would never admit it, but the whole situation had grown out of control.

No sooner did she let herself inside with the card key than she saw the red light blinking on the telephone. Her mother could have left a voice message rather than try to get her on her cell phone. Then again…

With an odd combination of curiosity and trepidation, she reached for the receiver to retrieve it.

“Another limo is waiting for you in front of the hotel, Ms. Turner. It will be there until eight-thirty p.m.” Her watch said eight-ten. “If you don’t appear with your luggage by then, I’ll understand this isn’t a life and death situation after all. Your hotel-room bill has been taken care of.”

Gabi hung up the phone feeling as if she were acting in a police procedural film, not living real life. He’d had her followed and watched. The fabulously wealthy Mr. Simonides inhabited a world made up of secrecy and bodyguards in order to preserve, not only his safety, but the privacy he craved.

She imagined the paparazzi constituted a living nightmare for him, particularly when someone unknown like Gabi materialized. Her intrusion reminded him there were consequences for a night of pleasure he couldn’t remember because everyone partying on the yacht had been drinking heavily.

Thea had confided he was a Greek god come to life. Unlike Gabi, who’d inherited her mother’s shorter height and curves, Thea had been fashionably tall and thin. Growing up, she could have any boy she wanted.

She’d always had a man in tow, even the bachelor playboy Andreas Simonides touted in the press, now the crowned head of the Simonides empire. When he’d picked Thea out from the other women on board and had started making love to her in one of the cabins, she’d succumbed in a moment of extreme weakness.

How tragic that in celebrating her divorce she’d become pregnant, the consequences of which had brought on her death…

Gabi couldn’t imagine Mr. Simonides forgetting her sister no matter what. But if he’d been like Rand, then there’d been many beautiful women in his life. As both sisters had learned, they’d only made up part of the adoring horde. What a huge shock it must have been to discover he’d fathered baby boys whose resemblance to the two of them was nothing short of astounding.

Gabi only had a few minutes to freshen up and pack her overnight bag before she rushed down to the lobby. It was a simple matter since she hadn’t planned to be in Athens more than a night and had only brought one other change of outfit with her.

Through the doors she spied a limo with dark glass, but a different driver stood next to it. She assumed she would be driven to an undisclosed location where Mr. Simonides was waiting for her.

“Good evening, Ms. Turner.” He opened the rear door to help her in with her case. “I’ll be taking you to Kyrie Simonides.”

“Thank you.”

Before long they were moving into the mainstream of heavy traffic circulating about the old Turkish quarter of Athens. Again she had the feeling she was playing a part in a movie, but this time she experienced a distinct chill because she’d dared to approach a complete stranger who had all the power.

The sky was darkening into night. If she were to disappear, her family wouldn’t have a clue what had happened to her. Their pain at such an eventuality didn’t bear thinking about. In the desire to unite the babies with their only living parent, she’d been blinded to the risks involved. Now it was too late to pull out of a possibly dangerous situation she’d created.

At this point she wasn’t quite sure what she’d hoped to achieve. Unless a bachelor who partied and slept with women without giving it a thought were to give up that lifestyle, he wouldn’t make the best father around. But for the sake of the twins who deserved more, she couldn’t just take them back to Virginia and raise them without first trying to let their father know he was a father. Would he want any part in their lives?

She wanted him to be a real man and claim his children, invite them into his home and his life…be there for them for the whole of their lives. Give them his name and seal their legacy.

But of course that kind of thing just didn’t happen. Gabi wasn’t under any illusions. No doubt he was convinced she’d approached him to extort money and was ready to pay her off. He would soon find out she wanted nothing monetary from him and would be leaving for the States with her precious cargo.

Before Thea died, she’d asked Gabi to help get the babies placed for adoption with a good Greek couple. She wanted them raised Greek. Both sisters realized the impossible burden it would put on their older parents to shoulder the responsibility of raising the children. For all their sakes Gabi had made Thea that promise.

But after her death, Gabi realized it was a promise she couldn’t keep. In the first place, the twins’ birth father was alive. Legally no one could adopt them without his permission.

And in the second place, over the last three months Gabi had learned to love the boys. She’d bonded with them. Maybe she wasn’t Greek, but, having been taught Greek from the cradle, Gabi was bilingual and would use it with them. They would have a good home with her. No one but their own father could ever pry them away from her now.

Suddenly the rear door opened. “Ms. Turner?” the driver called to her. “If you’ll follow me.”

Startled out of her thoughts, she exited the limo, not having realized they’d arrived at the port of Piraeus. He held her overnight case and walked toward a gleaming white luxury cabin cruiser probably forty to forty-five feet in length moored a few steps away along the pier.

A middle-aged crew member took the bag and helped her aboard. “My name is Stavros. I’ll take you to Kyrie Simonides, who’s waiting for you to join him in the rear cockpit. This way, Ms. Turner.”

Once again she found herself trailing after a stranger to an ultraleather wraparound lounge whose sky roof was open. Her dark-haired host was standing in front of the large windows overlooking the water lit up by the myriad boats and ferries lining the harbor. The dream vessel was state of the art.

Since she’d last seen him in the lift, he’d removed his suit jacket and tie. He’d rolled his shirtsleeves up to the elbow. Thea had been right. He was spectacular-looking.

She understood when the man announced to her host that the American woman had come aboard. He turned in her direction. The lights reflecting off the water cast his hard-boned features into stark relief.

“Come all the way in and sit down, Ms. Turner. Stavros will bring you anything you want to eat or drink.”

“Nothing for me, thank you. I just ate.”

After his staff member left the room, she pulled the envelope out of her purse and put it on the padded seat next to her, assuming he wanted a better look at everything. He wandered over to her, but made no move to take it. Instead his enigmatic gaze traveled over her upturned features.

She had an oval face, but her mouth was too wide and her hair was too naturally curly for her liking. Instead of olive skin, hers was a nondescript cream color. Her dad once told her she had wood violet eyes. She’d never seen wood violets, but he’d said it with such love, she’d decided that they were her one redeeming feature.

“My name’s Andreas,” he said, surprising her. “What’s yours?”

“Gabi.”

“My sources tell me you were christened Gabriella. I like the shortened version.” Unexpectedly he reeked of the kind of virile charm to turn any woman’s head. Thea hadn’t stood a chance.

Gabi understood that kind of potent male power and the money that went with it. Once upon a time she’d loved Rand. Substitute this Greek tycoon’s trappings for seven hundred thousand acres of Texas ranch land with cattle and oil wells and voilà—the two men were interchangeable. Fortunately for Gabi, she’d only needed to learn her lesson once. Thea had learned hers, too, but it had come at the cost of her life.

One black brow quirked. “Where are these twins? At your home in Virginia, or are they a little closer at your father’s consulate residence in Heraklion?”

With a mere phone call he knew people in the highest places to get that kind of classified information in less than an hour. Naturally he did. She wanted to tell him that, since he possessed all the facts, there was no need to answer his question, but she couldn’t do that. Not after she’d been the one to approach him.

“They’re on Crete.”

“I want to see them,” he declared without hesitation, sending Gabi into mild shock that he’d become curious about these children who could be his offspring. She felt a grudging respect that he’d conceded to the possibility that his relationship with Thea, no matter how short-lived, had produced them. “How soon are you due back in Heraklion?”

“When I left this morning, I told my parents I was meeting a former work colleague from the States in Athens and would fly home tomorrow.”

“Will they send a car for you?”

“No. I told them I wasn’t sure of my arrival time so I’d take a taxi.”

He shifted his weight. “Once I’ve delivered you to Heraklion, there’ll be a taxi waiting to take you home. For the time being Stavros has prepared a room for you. Are you susceptible to the mal de mer?”

They were going back by sea?

“No.”

“Good. I’m assuming your parents are still in the dark about the twins’ father, otherwise you wouldn’t have needed to lie to them.”

“Thea never wanted them to know.” She hadn’t wanted anyone to know, especially not Thea’s ex-husband Dimitri. For the most part their marriage had been wretched and she hadn’t wanted him to find out what she’d done on the very day she’d obtained her divorce from him. Dimitri wouldn’t hesitate to expose his ex-wife’s indiscretion out of simple revenge.

“Yet she trusted you.”

“Not until she knew she might die.” Thea hadn’t wanted to burden anyone. “Though she admitted making a mistake she dearly regretted, she wanted her babies to be taken care of without it being Mom and Dad’s responsibility. I approached you the way I did in order to spare them and you any notoriety.”

“But not my pocketbook,” he inserted in a dangerously silken voice.

“You would have every right to think that, Mr. Simonides.”

“Andreas,” he corrected her.

She took a deep breath. “Money isn’t the reason I came. Nor do you have to worry your name is on their birth certificates. Thea refused to name the father. Though I promised to find a good home for the twins with another couple, I couldn’t keep it.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re alive. I’ve looked into the law. No one can adopt them unless you give away your parental rights. In truth, Thea never wanted you to know anything.”

He shrugged his elegant shoulders. “If not for money, then why didn’t you just spirit them away and forget the legalities?”

Gabi stared hard at him. “Because I plan to adopt them and had to be certain you didn’t want to claim them before I take them back to Virginia with me. You have that God-given right after all.” She took a fortifying breath. “Being their aunt, I don’t.”

Her lids prickled, but she didn’t let tears form. “As for the twins, they have the same God-given right to be with their father if you want them. If there was any chance of that happening, I had to take it, thus my presence in your office today. Naturally if you do want them, then I’ll tell my parents everything and we’ll go from there.”

The air seemed to have electrified around them. “If you’re telling me the truth, then you’re one of a dying species.”

His cynical remark revealed a lot. He had no qualms about using women. In that regard he and Rand had a lot in common. But Gabi suspected Mr. Simonides didn’t like women very much.

“One day when they’re old enough to understand, I wouldn’t be able to face them if I couldn’t tell them that at the very beginning I did everything in my power to unite them with you first.”

His eyes looked almost black as they searched hers for a tension-filled moment. “What’s in Virginia when your parents are here in Greece?”

“My life, Mr. Simonides. Like you, I have an important career I love. My parents’ responsibilities are here on Crete for the time being. Dad has always had connections to the Greek government. Every time they’re transferred, I make the occasional visit, but I live at our family home in Virginia.”

“How long have you been here?”

“I came a month before the children were born. They’re three months old now.” They’re so adorable you can’t imagine.

“What’s your routine with them?”

Gabi thought she understood what he was asking. “Between naps I usually take them for walks in their stroller.”

“Where?”

“Several places close by. There’s a small park with a fountain and benches around the corner from the consulate. I sometimes go there with them.”

“Let’s plan to meet there tomorrow, say three o’clock. If that isn’t possible, phone me on my cell and we’ll arrange for another time.”

“That will be fine,” she assured him.

“Good.” He wrote a number on a business card and handed it to her. In the next breath he pulled the phone out of his trouser pocket and asked Stavros to report.

Half a minute later the other man appeared. “Come with me, Ms. Turner, and I’ll show you to your cabin.”

“Thank you.” When she got up, she would have taken the envelope with her, but Andreas was too fast for her.

“I’ll return this to you later. Let’s hope you sleep well. The sea is calm tonight.”

She paused at the entrance. Studying him from across the expanse she said, “Thank you for giving me those two minutes. When I prevailed on your receptionist, she said you were already late leaving your office. I’m sorry if I interrupted your plans for the evening.”

He cocked his dark head. “A life and death situation waits on no man. Go to bed with a clear conscience. Kalinihta, Gabi Turner.”

His deep, attractive voice vibrated to her insides. “Kalinihta.”

As soon as Stavros saw her to her cabin, Andreas pulled out his cell phone to call Irena for the second time this evening.

“Darling?” she answered on the second ring. “I’ve been hoping to hear from you.”

“I’m sorry about tonight,” he began without preamble. “As I told you earlier, an emergency came up that made it impossible for us to join the family party on Milos.”

“Well, you’re free now. Are you planning to come over?”

He gripped the phone tighter. “I can’t.”

“That sounded serious. Something really is wrong, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” his voice grated. In the space of a few hours his shock had worn off enough for agony to take over.

“You don’t want to talk to me about it?”

“I will when the time is right.” He closed his eyes tightly. There was no right time. Not for this.

“Which means you have to discuss it with Leon first.”

What did she just say?

“Judging by your silence, I realize that came out wrong. Forgive me. Ever since we started seeing each other, I’ve learned you always turn to him before anyone else, but I said it as an observation, not a criticism.”

She’d only spoken the truth. It brought up a potentially serious issue for the future, but he didn’t have the time to analyze the ramifications right now. “There’s nothing to forgive, Irena. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Whatever’s disturbing you, remember I’m here.”

“As if I could forget.”

“S’agapo, Andreas.”

In the six months they’d been together, he’d learned to love her. Before Gabi Turner had come to his office, he’d planned to ask Irena to marry him. It was past time he settled down. His intention had been to announce it at to-night’s party.

“S’agapo,” he whispered before hanging up.

Chapter Two

THE next afternoon Gabi’s mother helped her settle the babies in their double stroller. “It’s hot out.”

“A typical July day.” Gabi had already packed their bottled formula in the space behind the seat. “I’ve dressed them in their thinnest tops and shorts.” One outfit in pale green, the other pastel blue. “At least there’s some shade at the park. We’ll have a wonderful time, won’t we?”

She couldn’t resist kissing their cheeks. After being gone overnight, she’d missed them horribly. Now that they were awake, their sturdy little arms and legs were moving like crazy.

“Oh, Gabi…they’re so precious and they look so much like Thea.”

“I know.” But they also looked like someone else. That was the reason they were so gorgeous. She squeezed her mother around the shoulders. “Because of them, Thea will always be with us.”

“Your father’s so crazy about them, I don’t know if he can handle your taking them back home to Alexandria to live. I know I can’t. Please promise me you’ll reconsider.”

“We’ve been over this too many times, Mom. Dad can’t do his work the way he needs to. It’s best for both of you with your busy schedules. At home I’ll be around my friends and there’ll be other moms with their babies to befriend. We’ll see each other often. You know that!”

Right now Gabi had too many butterflies in her stomach at the thought of meeting up with Andreas to concentrate on anything else. She slowly let go of her. “See you later.”

Making certain the twins were comfy, she started pushing the stroller away from the Venetian-styled building that had become a home to the consulate with its apartments for their family. From her vantage point she could look out over the port of Heraklion on the northern end of Crete, an island steeped in Roman and Ottoman history.

Normally she daydreamed about its past during her walks with the children, but this afternoon her gaze was glued to the harbor. Somewhere down there was the cabin cruiser that had brought her from Piraeus.

The trip had been so smooth, she could believe the sea had been made of glass. She should have fallen into a deep sleep during the all-night crossing, but in truth she’d tossed and turned most of it.

That was because the man she’d labeled bloodless and selfish didn’t appear to fit her original assessment. In fact she had trouble putting him in any category, which was yet another reason for her restlessness.

As a result she’d slept late and had to be awakened by Stavros, who’d brought a fabulous breakfast to her elegant cabin with its cherrywood décor. She’d thanked him profusely. Following that she’d showered and given herself a shampoo. After drying her hair, she’d changed into white sailor pants and a sleeveless navy and white print top.

Once her bag was packed, she’d applied lipstick, then walked through to the main salon before ascending the companionway stairs in her sandals. She’d expected to find Andreas so she could thank him for everything, but discovered he was nowhere in sight. Somehow she’d felt disappointed, which made no sense at all.

Since Stavros had let her know her ride was waiting, she’d had no choice but to leave the cruiser from the port side. He’d carried her overnight bag to the taxi and wished her a good day. After thanking him again, she’d been whisked through the bustling city of close to a hundred and forty thousand people. Further up the incline they reached the consulate property and passed through the sentry gate.

After her arrival, she’d made some noncommittal remarks to her parents about having had an okay time in Athens, but she’d missed the children too much and wanted to come straight home. The babies had acted so happy to see her, her heart had melted.

Closer to the park now, she felt her pulse speed up. Though the heat had something to do with it, there was another reason. What if Andreas took one look and decided he did want the children? Though that was what she’d been hoping and praying for, she hadn’t counted on this pang that ran through her at the thought of having to give them up.

The park held its share of children, some with their mothers. A few older people sat on benches talking. Several tourists on bikes had stopped to catch their breath before moving on. It was a benign scene until she noticed the striking man who sat beneath the fronds of a palm tree reading a newspaper.

There was an aura of sophistication about him. a man in control of his world. One of the most powerful men in Greece actually. Everywhere he went, his bodyguards preceded him, but she would never know who they were or where they were hidden.

Today he’d dressed in a silky blue sport shirt and tan trousers, a picture of masculine strength and a kind of rugged male beauty hard to put in words.

She glanced at the twins. They didn’t know it, but they were looking at their daddy, a man like no other who wasn’t more than ten feet away.

His intelligent eyes fringed with inky black lashes peered over the newspaper at them before he put it aside and stood up.

Gabi moved the stroller closer until they were only a few feet apart. Hardly able to breathe, she touched one dark, curly head. “This is Kris, short for Kristopher. And this…” she tousled the other gleaming cap of black curls “…is Nikos.”

Andreas hunkered down in front of them. Like finding a rare treasure, his eyes burned a silvery gray as his gaze inspected every pre-cious centimeter, from their handsome faces to the tips of their bare toes.

He cupped their chins as if he were memorizing their features, then he let them wrap their fingers around his. Before long both his index fingers ended up in their mouths.

Gabi started to laugh. She couldn’t help it. “He tastes good, huh. You little guys must be hungry.” She undid the strap and handed Nikos to him. “Sit down on the bench and you can feed him.” In a flash she supplied him with a cloth against his shoulder and a baby bottle full of formula.

“If you’ve never done this before, don’t worry about it. The boys will do all the work. Let him drink for a minute, then pat his back gently to get rid of the air bubbles. I’ll take care of Kris.”

For the next little while, she was mostly aware of the twins making noisy sounds as they drank their bottles with the greatest of relish. Afterward they traded babies so he could get to know Kris.

Every so often the sounds were followed by several loud burps that elicited rich laughter from Andreas. When she’d approached him in his office yesterday, she hadn’t thought he was capable of it.

Any misgivings she’d had about starting up this process fled at the sight of him getting acquainted with the boys. It was a picture that would be impressed on her heart forever. Wherever Thea was, she had to be happy her sons were no longer strangers to their father, even if he’d never sought her sister out again.

Gabi didn’t know the outcome, but this meeting was something to cherish at least.

“We’ll have to make this fast because I don’t want to keep them out in the sun much longer.” She flashed him a quick glance. “Next time—if you want there to be a next time—you can take them for a walk on your own.”

He made no response. She didn’t know what to think. Another five minutes passed before she said, “There now. They’re as sated as two fat cats.” Again she heard laughter roll out of him.

Together they lowered them back into the stroller. Her arm brushed his, making her unduly aware of him. She put the empty bottles and cloths away. When she rose up, their glances collided. “I have to go,” she said. Maybe she was mistaken, but she thought the light in his eyes faded a trifle. “If you want to see them again, call me on my cell.”

Pulling out his phone, he said, “Tell me your number and I’ll program it into mine right now.”

Maybe that was a good sign. Then again maybe it wasn’t. A small shiver ran down her spine in fear that when he contacted her next, he would tell her that, cute as the boys were, he was still signing his rights away and they were all hers with his blessing.

After she’d given him her number, he pushed the stroller toward the path leading out to the street. One of the older women caught sight of the twins and shouted something about them having beautiful children.

“Efharisto,” Andreas called back, thanking the woman as if this were an everyday occurrence.

Gabi didn’t want to tear herself away, but her mother would worry if she wasn’t back soon and would want to know why the delay. “I really have to go.”

“I know,” he said in a husky tone before giving the boys a kiss on their foreheads. “I’ll be in touch.”

With those long powerful strides, he left the park going one way while she trundled along with the stroller going the other. The farther apart they got, the more fearful she grew.

He wasn’t indifferent to the twins. She knew that. She’d felt it and seen it. But one meeting with his children didn’t mean he wanted to take on the lifetime responsibility of parenting them. Between his work and girlfriends he wouldn’t have much time to fit in the twins.

She’d told him she’d be leaving for Virginia next week. If he didn’t want her to take them away, he needed to make up his mind soon.

Maybe he would compromise. She’d raise them and he’d be one of those drop-in daddies. For the boys’ sake Gabi couldn’t bear the thought of it, but having a daddy around once in a while, even if he only flew into D.C. from Greece once a year with a present, was better for them than no daddy at all, wasn’t it? Gabi loved her own father so much, she couldn’t imagine life without him.

The only thing to do now was brace herself for his next phone call.

Accompanied by his bodyguards, Andreas rushed toward the helicopter waiting for him at the Heraklion airport. Once he’d climbed aboard, he directed his pilot to fly him to the Simonides villa on Milos where the whole clan had congregated for the weekend.

Last night there’d been a party to celebrate his sister Melina’s thirtieth birthday, but he’d been forced to miss it because of a life and death situation. Gabi Turner had been right about that.

Though his married sister had been gracious over the phone, he knew she’d been hurt by his excuse that something unavoidable had come up to detain him in Athens. He’d promised to make it up to her, but that kind of occasion in her honor with extended family in attendance only happened once a year. Now the moment was gone.

Yet, sorry as he was, he had something much more vital on his mind and couldn’t think about anything else. Throughout the flight he still felt the strong tug of those little mouths on his fingers. Their touch had sent the most peculiar sensation through Andreas.

Even though he had ten nieces and nephews, he hadn’t been involved in their nurturing. The closest he’d come was to hold their weightless bodies as they were being passed around at a family party after coming home from the hospital.

Today had been something totally different. It was as if the blinders had come off, but he hadn’t known they existed until contact was made. Kris and Nikos weren’t just babies. Those excited bodies with their bright eyes and faces belonged to a pair of little guys who one day would grow up to be big guys. Guys who had the Simonides stamp written all over them.

As soon as he entered the main villa Andreas went in search of his vivacious mother, who was in the kitchen supervising dinner preparations with the cook, Tina.

“There you are, darling,” she said the minute she saw him.

He gave her a kiss, already anticipating her next comment. “My absence was unavoidable.”

Her expressive dark brows lifted. “A delicate merger?”

“Incredibly delicate,” he muttered. The memory of Nikos and Kris so trusting in his arms as they inhaled their formula never left his mind.

“You sound like your father. I have to tell you I’m glad he’s finally stepped down and you’re in charge. He’s a different man these days. Let’s just hope that when you’re settled down, hopefully soon, your wife will have more influence on you to take time off once in a while. You’re already working too hard if you had to miss Melina’s birthday party.”

His mother could have no idea. He gave her an extra hug. “Where’s everyone?” he asked, knowing the answer full well, but he didn’t want to sound like anything out of the ordinary was wrong.

“Still waterskiing. Your grandparents are out on the patio watching your father and your uncle Vasio drive the younger children around. We’ll eat out by the pool in an hour.”

“That gives me enough time to get in a little exercise.” After stealing an hors d’oeuvre from the plate Tina was preparing, he pecked her cheek to atone for his sin before walking through a series of alcoves and walkways to reach his villa with its own amenities farther down their private beach.

The massive family retreat—a cluster of linked white villas in the Cycladic style—had been the Simonides refuge for many generations. Because of business, Andreas didn’t escape from his penthouse in the city as often as he wanted and had been looking forward to this time with the family.

Who would have dreamed that, before the lift door closed, an innocent-looking blonde female would sweep into his office like a Cycladic breeze, bringing a fragrance as sweet as the honeysuckle growing wild on the island before she dropped her bomb?

Still charged with adrenaline, he changed into his swim trunks and hurried down to the beach where the family ski boats were in use.

“There’s Uncle Andreas!” One of his nieces waiting on the beach for her turn screeched with joy and ran toward him. Her brother followed. “Now that you’re here, will you take us? Grandpa hasn’t come back for us yet.”

His sister Leila’s children were the youngest, seven and nine. “What do you think?” He grinned. “Climb in my ski boat. We’ll show everybody! You spot your sister first, Jason.”

“Okay!”

Happy chaos reigned for another half-hour, then everyone left the beach because dinner had been announced. Andreas secured his boat to their private pier. Things couldn’t have turned out better than to find his brother Leon the last to tie up his own ski boat. His wife Deline had gone up with the others, leaving them alone for the moment.

“How was the party last night?” Andreas asked as he started tying the other end for him.

Leon shot him a glance. “Fine, but I have to tell you Dad wasn’t too thrilled you didn’t make a showing. He was hoping to see you there with Irena.”

Irena Liapis was a favorite with the family and the daughter of his parents’ good friends who owned one of the major newspapers in Greece. It was the same paper that had shown Thea aboard the family yacht.

Everyone was hoping for news that a wedding was in the offing. With his four siblings married, his parents were expecting some kind of announcement from him.

Andreas groaned. No woman had ever been his grand passion. Maybe there wasn’t such a thing and he was only deluding himself because he’d been a bachelor for too long. But his feelings for Irena had grown over the months. Besides being beautiful, she was intelligent and kind. He wanted his marriage to work and knew it could if she were his wife.

But last night Gabi Turner’s explosion into his life had caused every plan to go up in smoke. Now that a certain situation had developed threatening to set off a conflagration, his whole world had been turned on its side. For the time being he couldn’t think about Irena or anything else.

Andreas knew it wasn’t fair to keep any secrets from the woman he’d intended to marry, but, as he’d just found out, life wasn’t fair…not to the twins who’d lost their mother or to Gabi who’d taken on the awesome responsibility of raising her half sister’s children.

By tacit agreement he and his brother started walking up the beach toward the pool area. Using his fingertips, Leon scooped up his sandals lying in the sand. “Your non-appearance was kind of a shocker. Normally Dad gives you a pass.”

“It’s because he has a soft spot for Melina.” She was the baby in the family.

“If you pulled off the Canadian gold-refining merger, I’m sure all will be forgiven.”

Andreas frowned. “That might not happen. I’m still debating if it’s to our advantage.”

“With the kind of revenue it could bring in, you must be joking!”

“Not at all. I think they’re in deeper trouble than they’ve made out to be.” He gave his brother a covert glance. “Speaking of trouble, there’s something you and I have to talk about in private.”

“If you’re referring to the acquisition of those mineral rights in—”

“I’m not,” he cut him off. “You made a brilliant move on that.” Leon was his second in command. “I’m referring to something else that doesn’t have anything to do with business. After we eat, come to my villa alone. Make it look casual. You need to see something.”

Leon let out a bark of laughter. “You sound cryptic. What’s gotten into you?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

For the next hour Andreas joined in with his family and gave Melina the gift he’d found for her on one of his business trips to the Balkans. She collected nesting dolls. The one he gave her proved to be a hit. Once dessert was served, he faded from the scene and headed for his place, nodding to one of the maids on the way. Not long after, Leon showed up.

“Lock the front door behind you. I don’t want us to be disturbed.”

Leon flicked him a puzzled glance as he pushed in the button. He walked into the living room. “What’s going on? The last time I remember seeing you this intense was when Father suffered that mild heart attack last year.”

Heart attack was the operative word.

Andreas was still trying to recover from the one Ms. Turner had given him. Without wasting any more time he handed the newspaper photo to Leon, who studied it for a minute before lifting his head. “Why are you showing me a pic-ture of you? I don’t understand.” He handed it back to him.

“If you’ll notice the date, this headline is a year old. When the picture was taken, I happened to be in the States on business with our big brother. As usual, the paparazzi got you and me mixed up. That was during the time you and Deline were separated. This tall, raven-haired beauty who’s looking over at you was the woman, right?”

Only now did it strike Andreas that Thea bore a superficial resemblance to both Deline and Irena. Sometimes it astounded him that he and Leon had similar tastes, not only in certain kinds of foods and sports, but in women. They were all striking brunettes.

“Yes,” he whispered. “And if I hadn’t gone to Deline and told her the truth about that night, it could have cost me my marriage. I still marvel that she forgave me enough to give us a second chance.”

Leon unexpectedly grabbed the paper out of his hand and balled it up in his fist. “Why are you reminding me of it? Look here, Andreas—” His cheeks had grown ruddy with unaccustomed anger.

“I have been looking,” he came back in a quiet voice. “Because I love you and Deline, for the last twenty-four hours I’ve been doing whatever it takes to protect you and keep this news confidential.”

“What do you mean?”

“I thought you’d like to know the name of the woman you spent that hour with on the yacht. Her name was Thea Paulos, the divorced daughter of Richard Turner, of the Greek-American Consulate on Crete. Her ex-husband Dimitri Paulos is the son of Ari Paulos who owns Paulos Metal Exports, one of the subsidiary companies we acquired a few years ago.”

While his brother stood there swallowing hard, Andreas removed the twins’ photo and DNA results from the manila envelope and handed everything to him.

Stunned into silence, Leon sank down on the couch to stare at the children he’d unknowingly produced. Though Andreas had it in his heart to feel sorry for his brother’s predicament, a part of him thought Leon the luckiest man on earth to have fathered two such beautiful sons.

“I had our DNA compared to theirs. It’s a match.”

Leon’s face went white.

“I’ve seen them,” Andreas confided. Thanks to Gabi, he’d held and fed both of them, an experience he’d never forget.

His brother’s dark head reared back. “You’ve seen them—” He sounded incredulous.

“Yes. They’re three months old.”

“Three months?” He mouthed the words, obviously in shock. “How did Ms. Paulos contact you?”

“She didn’t. Tragically for the children, she died on the operating table giving birth to them.”

“She’s dead?” He kept repeating everything Andreas said, like a man in a trance.

“It was her half sister, Gabi Turner, who came to my office yesterday. She’s the one who arranged for me to see the boys at a park near the consulate today.”

His brother jumped up from the couch looking like a caged animal ready to spring.

“Take it easy, Leon. I know what you’re thinking, but you’d be dead wrong. In the first place, she believes I’m the father.”

Leon jerked around. “You didn’t tell her I was the one in that news photo?”

“No.”

His brother averted his eyes. “How much money does she want to keep quiet?” he asked in a subdued voice.

It was a fair question since the same one had dominated Andreas’s thoughts when she’d first pulled out the photograph. “Forget about her desire to blackmail me. This has to do with something else entirely.”

“And you believed her?” Leon cried, grabbing his shoulders.

Andreas supposed Gabi could have been lying through her teeth. If that were the case…He saw black for a moment before a semblance of reason returned.

“I’d stake my life on the fact that her only agenda for coming to me was to make sure I knew I had two sons before she left Greece.”

“Why would she do that?”

He sucked in his breath. “Because she said they deserve to be with their real father if it’s at all possible.”

Leon’s eyes clouded for a moment before he flashed Andreas a jaded look and released him. “It could be a ploy. Where’s she supposedly going?”

“Alexandria, Virginia.” To her home and her life, as she’d put it. “Her father started his diplomatic career there. I have confirmation of it.”

While Leon stood there tongue tied, Andreas’s cell phone rang. He checked the caller ID and clicked on. “Mother?”

“Where are you?”

“In my villa.” He glanced at his brother. “Leon’s with me.”

“Can’t you two stop talking business for one evening?”

“Yes. We’ll be right over.”

“Good. Everyone’s wondering where you are. Deline’s been looking everywhere. We’re going to start some family movies.”

“Tell her we’re coming,” Leon called out loud enough for her to hear before Andreas clicked off.

He went into the study and locked the envelope in his desk, then eyed his brother soberly. “Since Gabi thinks I’m the father, we’ll leave it that way for now.”

As soon as Leon handed the wad to him he set it in an ashtray on the coffee table and put a match to it. When the evidence was gone, he lifted his head. “Before you make a decision about anything, you need to see the twins for yourself.”

Another odd sound escaped his brother.

“I’ll phone Gabi and see if we can’t arrange it for Monday. We’ll make up some excuse to the family about a business emergency. We won’t have to be gone long.”

Leon buried his face in his hands. “How am I going to be able to act like everything’s normal until then?”

A shudder passed through Andreas’s body. “We’re both going to have to find a way.”

His dark head reared back. “When Deline finds out about this…I swear I’ve been doing everything to make our marriage work. It only happened that one time, Andreas. It’ll never happen again. I love Deline.” The tremor in his voice was real enough.

“I believe you.”

“You know the reason why we separated for those two months. We’d been fighting over my working too much. She got on that old rant about my being married to you instead of her. She said she was tired of being neglected and told me I was the reason we hadn’t gotten pregnant yet.

“When she told me she wanted a separation because she needed time to think, I was in hell. After weeks of trying to get her to talk to me, she told me she was thinking of making the separation permanent. I was so hurt, I ended up taking the yacht out. Some of my friends came along and brought women. There was too much drinking. I never meant to lose my head.”

Andreas had heard it all before. He’d seen his brother was in anguish then, but this news added a terrifying new wrinkle.

After pacing the floor, Leon stopped and faced Andreas. “I know that was no excuse for making the ghastliest mistake of my life.” His mouth formed a thin line. “Sorry you got involved in this mess.” There was a lengthy pause. “It isn’t your problem. It’s mine, but I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do about it yet.”

At least Leon had admitted responsibility. “Once you’ve seen those babies, you’ll figure it out.” Of course Andreas could tell himself that now, but there was no sure way to know how his brother would feel after he’d gotten a look at them. “Let’s agree that for the moment there’s nothing else to be done. You go on back and find Deline. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Though he’d promised his mother he wouldn’t be long, he found he didn’t want to put off the phone call to Gabi until tomorrow. It surprised him how much he was looking forward to talking to her again.

Gabi had just finished changing the last diaper of the night when she heard her cell phone ring. She’d kept it in her jeans pocket to be certain she’d didn’t miss Andreas’s call if it came.

A peek at the caller ID and a rush of pleasure filled her body. Since her parents had gone out to dinner with guests, she could talk freely and clicked on.

“Andreas?”

“Good evening,” came his deep, compelling voice. She liked the sound of it. Thea had obviously found it attractive, too. The knowledge that she’d had an intimate relationship with him increased Gabi’s guilt and anger at herself for having any thoughts or feelings about him.

“Am I calling at the wrong moment?”

“No.” She left the bedroom that had been turned into a nursery and closed the door. “It’s a perfect time.” Gabi was the only person to speak for the children. He sounded eager enough to see them again. “The children are finally down until their three-o’clock bottle, thank heaven.”

“Then you’re going to need your beauty sleep, so I won’t keep you.”

She let the remark pass. His only agenda had to do with his children, who appeared to be growing on him. That was the result she’d been hoping for. Leaning against the wall in the hall, she said, “Have you decided you want to see the twins again?”

“Yes. Could we meet at the park on Monday?”

Her pulse sped up. “Of course. When would you like to come? Morning or afternoon is fine with me.”

“Morning would be an ideal time for me.”

“Then I’ll meet you at ten o’clock. After they’ve been fed and had their baths, I often take them on a walk when it’s not so hot.”

“I’m anxious to see them again.”

That was an excellent sign. “The children love any attention.” Especially when it was from their father. “I’ll see you then.”

“Gabi?” There was a nuance in his voice that caught her off guard.

“Yes?”

She heard him take a deep breath. “Thank you for being there for them.”

It was too early for her to get a handle on his vision for their future. After his visit on Monday to see the children, there might not be another one. She had to prepare herself for that possibility. “You don’t need to thank me. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

“I’ve noticed you don’t accept compliments graciously, so I’ll say it another way. Not everyone would do what you’re doing. Not for your sister, not for anyone.”

“Before you give me too much credit, don’t forget I watched the twins being born. It was a life-changing experience for me.”

“I don’t doubt it. Ta Leme.” She knew that phrase well enough.

Gabi hung up, wishing his visit was as soon as tomorrow instead of Monday. She would like to know his plans because she was leaving with the children next week. It was no good staying in Greece any longer. One way or the other, she needed to get on with her life and her parents needed to get on with theirs.

During Gabi’s morning walk with the children, Kris had nodded off. Last night he’d played too hard after she’d gotten up to give him a bottle. Nikos, on the other hand was wide awake and raring to go.

When she reached the park bench beneath the shade, she undid the strap and picked him up. He clung to her as she showed him the fountain. The noise of the babbling water had captured his attention. She looked round to see if Kris was all right. As before, her breath caught to discover Andreas standing over the stroller looking down at him.

Every time she saw the boys’ father, she experienced a guilty rush of excitement that was impossible to smother. He’d dressed in a light blue business suit with a darker blue shirt and no tie, the personification of male splendor in her eyes. Thea’s, too.

There was a time when Gabi hadn’t thought there was a man who came close to Rand in his cowboy boots and Stetson. While on her two-week summer vacation with Rachel McCallister, her friend from college, she’d fallen hard for Rachel’s cousin and his Texas charm. Two weeks of a whirlwind relationship and she’d thought it would go on forever.

Too late she found out there was nothing deeper to back up his fascinating drawl and the smile in those dancing blue eyes. He’d let her go back to Alexandria without making any kind of plans to see her again. When she learned through Rachel that he was getting married to his old girlfriend, Gabi’s heart withered.

Since then she’d met and dated some attractive, successful men at her work and at the consulate, but she took no relationship seriously. Her career had become her top priority, the one thing she could count on.

Thankfully she’d learned her lesson well before meeting the legendary Andreas Simonides. Though there was no male to equal his intelligence or incredible appeal, she wouldn’t fall into that trap again. Once had been enough.

She walked toward him carrying Nikos. “Good morning.”

“Kalimera.” His voice had a lazy, almost seductive quality. She felt his gaze linger on her face before he switched his attention to Nikos. Again his gray eyes lit up. “Do you remember me?” He kissed the baby’s cheek.

Nikos’s eyelids fluttered in reaction. He was so cute.

“Gabi?” His eyes trapped hers once more. They held a trace of anxiety. “I brought someone with me I’d like you to meet.”

Who?

Maybe it was a woman he was thinking of marrying now that he was running the Simonides company. Gabi fought to remain calm. Naturally that woman would be hopelessly in love with him. But when she learned he had two sons, would she be able to accept and eventually love the children he’d fathered with someone else?

Suddenly Gabi was feeling very possessive. No woman could mother them the way she could, but it was none of her business since she had no parental claim to the boys.

He put a hand on her upper arm and squeezed gently. “It’s all right,” he whispered, noticing how quiet she’d gone. “I trust him with my life.”

Him?

While her heart picked up the lost beat, Andreas stepped around the end of the wall. Within two seconds he came back again, but at this point Gabi thought her vision had become blurred because she was looking at two of Andreas.

She blinked in alarm, but nothing seemed to clear her double vision. They came closer, in range now, she realized there was nothing wrong with her eyesight. Moving toward her was Andreas and his mirror image wearing a tan suit and cream shirt, only he didn’t have a scar and his hair was the same style and longer length as in the news photo.

Gabi stared at Andreas in surprise. “You’re a twin!”

“That’s right. Gabriella Turner, meet my best friend and older brother by five minutes, Leonides Simonides.”

“Hello, Mr. Simonides,” she said, shaking his hand.

“Leon? Say hello to your sons.”

Chapter Three

Thea had been with Leonides Simonides, not Andreas?

“Ms. Turner? I hardly know what to say.” Leon looked as stunned as she felt. In fact he barely got those words out because his gaze had fastened on the boys in visible disbelief.

“Gabi’s holding Nikos,” Andreas stated, filling in the silence. “Down there is Kris, who looks like he just woke up from his catnap.”

Swift as the speed of light Andreas caught Gabi’s eye and winked. Warmth flowed through her body as she smiled back, remembering the humorous comment she’d made on Saturday about the children being fat cats.

But she couldn’t forget Leon. Though Andreas would have told him about the children ahead of time, this still had to be the most earthshaking moment of his life. She wasn’t surprised he sank down on the bench literally stupefied.

“Would you like to hold Nikos?” she asked.

“I won’t know what to do if he cries,” he murmured, ashen faced.

“He won’t.” She handed the baby to him. By now Andreas had reached for Kris and was kissing his sweet little neck.

Deciding to give them privacy, she wandered to the other side of the park and sat down to finish reading the biography she’d picked up on the life of the French chef Julia Child.

She hadn’t enjoyed a book as good as this in several years. Like Julia, Gabi had experienced an epiphany about food. But it hadn’t happened until her father had been transferred to Crete where she’d tasted her first pastitsio and developed an instant love of Greek cuisine.

During the last few months she’d been practicing in the kitchen at the consulate, determined she would raise the boys on Greek food in honor of both their parents. By now she could make pretty good spanakopita.

When she realized she’d read the next page for the tenth time, she closed the book and looked across the park. The babies had been put back in the stroller. Both men stood next to them. It seemed as if Andreas was doing most of the talking. Gabi wasn’t sure what it all meant.

Hesitant to interrupt, she waited until he started wheeling the stroller toward her with a grave countenance marring his handsome features. She put the book back in her purse and stood up, noticing that Leon had walked out to the street.

“Let me apologize for my brother.” He spoke without preamble.

“There’s no need. It’s not every day a man is confronted by instant fatherhood, especially when they’re twins.” The happiness she’d felt earlier to see the children united with Andreas had dissipated. Not in her wildest dreams would she have thought up a contingency where his twin brother was the father!

Andreas eyed her with a solemn expression. “Especially when he’s been married three years.”

A small gasp escaped her throat. Had Thea known he was married, or hadn’t it mattered to either of them in the heat of the moment?

“Obviously he’s going to need some time,” she whispered.

“You’re a very understanding woman. When he can gather his wits, I’m sure he’ll want to talk to you.” She was fairly certain Leon wouldn’t, particularly when Andreas would have already told him she planned to go home to Virginia and raise the twins. But she didn’t say anything.

“Thank you for making this meeting today possible, Gabi.”

It sounded like a goodbye speech if she’d ever heard one. Leon had probably told him he couldn’t deal with the situation. What man could? One night in a stranger’s arms wasn’t supposed to end up like this. He wouldn’t be the first father to opt out of his responsibilities.

She felt sorry for Andreas, who clearly loved his brother and had done everything he could to support him. “Of course. I approached you, remember? Thanks to you I won’t ever have to lie to the children.”

After clearing her throat, she said, “When I get back to Virginia, I’ll be reconnecting the phone and will leave the new phone number on a voice mail for you. That way if your brother ever wants to contact me, you can give him both numbers. One last thing. Please let him know I’ll never try to get hold of him for any reason.”

His eyes turned as black as his grim expression. “How soon are you leaving?” he asked in a gravelly voice.

“The day after tomorrow.” She extended her hand, not wanting to prolong the inevitable. “Goodbye, Mr. Simonides.”

Tuesday evening Gabi’s phone alerted her to a text message while she was packing the last of the babies’ clothes into the big suitcase. Her parents were in the nursery playing with the twins, their last night together for two months or more. Pretty soon it would be bedtime. Her dad wanted to put them down.

Since yesterday when she’d pushed the stroller in the opposite direction from Andreas and his brother, she’d tried hard to put the whole business behind her. She thought she’d been doing a fairly good job of hiding her feelings from her parents. Any pain they’d seen would have been attributed to tomorrow’s dreaded departure.

Little did they know she’d met the boys’ father. To her dismay he was doing nothing to prevent her from taking his children out of the country, out of his life.

Gabi hurt for his sons.

She hurt so horribly she could scarcely bear it, but she had to handle it because that was her agreement with Andreas. She would honor her commitment even if it was killing her.

With a tortured sigh she reached for the phone on the dresser. Her best friend Jasmin knew she was coming home and probably wanted to find out her flight number and time. But when she saw who’d sent the message, her adrenaline kicked in, causing her heart to thud.

I just arrived in Heraklion. When you’ve put the twins to bed, meet me at the park.

I’ll wait till morning if I have to because we need to talk. A.

She had to stifle her cry of joy. This meant Leon had been having second thoughts about letting his children slip away without making some arrangement to see them again. It meant she would have contact with Andreas one more time. Gabi wished her pulse didn’t race faster at the thought.

After shutting the suitcase, she hurried to her bedroom to change. She slipped off her T-shirt and jeans, then reached for the tan pleated pants and kelly green cotton top she’d left out to wear on the plane tomorrow.

Once she’d run the brush through her curls and put on lipstick, she poked her head around the door of the nursery. Her parents were absorbed with the children, too busy to be unduly curious about her. “I’m going out for a few minutes to pick up some things at the store.”

“Don’t be too long,” her dad cautioned in between singing to Nikos off-key. The scene melted her heart.

“I won’t.”

A minute later she waved to the guard at the sentry and headed in the direction of the park. Because of the reflection from the water, twilight brought out the beauty of the Greek islands, but never more so than tonight. It was Andreas’s fault. The knowledge he was waiting for her had added that magical quality.

Maybe this was how Thea had felt when she’d met Leon that evening aboard the yacht, as if the heavens were close for a moment and one of the twin gods from Olympus had come near enough for a human to touch.

He’d come close all right, so close he’d touched her with two little mortals, and now his twin, the powerful god Andreas, was here to parlay a deal between the two worlds. When Gabi thought of him in that light, the stars left her eyes and sanity returned.

Tonight he wasn’t dressed like a god. She spied him at the fountain wearing a cream sport shirt and khakis. No one else was about. Instead of expensive hand-sewn leather shoes, he’d worn sandals like everyone else walking along the beachfront.

He watched her coming, but didn’t make a move toward her. “Yassou, Gabi.”

“Hi!” Keep it airy. “I came the minute I got your message because Mother and I have an early morning flight to Athens.”

“I’m aware of that.” He stood with his hands on his hips, emanating a stunning male virility. “Before you go anywhere, I have something in mind I’d like to discuss with you.”

She blinked. “Why isn’t Leon with you?”

Andreas studied her for a long moment. “I think you know the answer to that question.”

Gabi was afraid she did, but Andreas’s presence confused her. “Then I don’t understand why you’re here.”

“Because I don’t want you to leave Greece.”

She struggled to stifle her moan. Of all the things he might have said, his blunt answer wasn’t even on her list. Now if Rand had said, “I don’t want you to leave Austin…” But he hadn’t said anything. As for Andreas, she knew his agenda had nothing to do with her personally.

“I don’t understand.”

He took a deep breath. “Leon’s in a panic right now, but in another day or two he’s going to conquer it. When he does, the children need to be here, not clear across the Atlantic.”

Gabi was the one starting to panic and shook her head. “I can’t stay on Crete.”

His pewter gaze pierced her. “Why not?”

“B-because my parents need to get their life back,” she stammered. “The boys and I need our own home.”

He took a step closer. “You’ve had a home here for months. I would imagine your parents will be devastated when the babies are gone. Therefore that couldn’t be the real reason you’re so anxious to take flight. Do you have a lover in Alexandria waiting for you?”

Taking the out he’d proffered, she said, “As a matter of fact I do. Not that it’s anyone’s business.” While she spoke, she watched a young couple who’d wandered into the park and had started kissing.

“You’re lying. Otherwise he’d have flown here to whisk you and the children back to Virginia weeks ago.” The comment had come out more like a soft hiss. He would make a terrifying adversary if crossed.

She turned her eyes away from the amorous couple. “If you must know, I want the children to myself.”

“So they’ll know you’re their mother,” he deduced. “That makes perfect sense, but you don’t have to go to Virginia to do that.”

Gabi sucked in her breath. “I don’t have the means to earn a living right now and Dad’s home in Alexandria is paid for. With my savings and his financial help, it will work until they’re in school and I can go to work.”

He shook his dark head. “I’ve learned enough to know your father has the means to help you move into your own place here on Crete where you and the boys can be close by but still independent. Why are you afraid to tell me the truth? What’s going on?”

Andreas saw too much. “There are already too many questions being asked about the paternity of the twins. My parents don’t know anything. If it got out about your brother and Thea, my family as well as yours would suffer and you know it. That’s why I want to take them back with me.”

“Out of sight, out of mind, you mean.”

“Yes.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “That might work for a while, but it’s inevitable the day will arrive when the secret comes out. They always do. By then the damage will be far worse, not only for the families involved but for the twins themselves.”

“I realize that, but for the present I don’t know what else to do. There’s—” She stopped herself in time, but Andreas immediately picked up on it.

“What were you going to say?”

“N-nothing.”

“Tell me!” he demanded.

Feeling shaky, she said, “I should never have come to your office.”

“That isn’t what you were about to blurt.”

The man had radar. At this point she had no choice but to tell him. Not everything, but enough to satisfy him.

Taking a few steps, she sank down on the park bench. He followed, but stood near her with his tanned fingers curled around the back railing. “Thea’s husband would love to hurt our family for backing her in the divorce. He’s capable of making trouble that could make things unpleasant for Leon, too.”

“You’re talking about Dimitri Paulos.”

Gabi got up from the bench. “How did you know?”

His eyes played over her. “I did a background check. Thea’s passport alerted me she has an ex. Has he threatened you personally, Gabi?”

She pressed her lips together. “No, but suffice it to say he was furious when Thea divorced him. If not for diplomatic immunity through Dad, I don’t even want to think what might have happened to her. Dimitri considered her his possession. Thea was convinced he’d hired a man to follow her everywhere.”

One black brow lifted sardonically. “My father and I have had business dealings with Dimitri’s father in Athens. I’m familiar with his son’s more devious methods.”

That shouldn’t have surprised Gabi. Andreas knew everything. “The trouble is, before she died she told me he was still out for blood wanting to know who made her pregnant. If he were to learn your brother is the father of her twins, he’d love to feed that kind of gossip to the newspapers just to be ugly.”

“He can try,” Andreas muttered with unconscious hauteur. After a palpable silence he said, “Since your parents must be waiting for you, I’ll walk you back.”

Gabi shook her head. “That won’t be necessary.”

“I insist.”

He cupped her elbow and they started walking. Far too aware of his touch, she eased away from him as soon as they reached the street and moved ahead at a more brisk pace, but his long strides kept up with her.

When she nodded to the guard doing sentry duty, she thought of course Andreas would say goodnight. Instead he continued on through the front courtyard with her.

She halted. “You don’t need to see me all the way to the front door.”

“But I do. I want to speak to your parents.”

What? Her body tautened in defense. “No, Andreas! My parents aren’t involved in this. That’s the way I want it to stay. If Leon decides to claim the children, then I’ll tell them everything. If there’s any discussion about this, he’s the one who needs to do it.”

He cocked his head. “In an ideal world, it would work that way, but he’s not ready yet.”

That was obvious enough.

Reaching out, Andreas grasped her upper arms gently. She wished he wouldn’t do that. It sent too many disturbing sensations through her body. Her awareness of him was overpowering.

“I have a plan that will solve our immediate problem, Gabi, but you’re going to have to trust me.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “Thea trusted me. Now look what’s happening because I broke my promise to her. After her wretched divorce and subsequent death, my parents have suffered enough pain.” Her voice throbbed. “Please just go.” She stepped away from him.

His jaw hardened. “I can’t, not when things haven’t been resolved yet. You know the saying about being forewarned. If our two families know the truth and unite now, no power later on can shake our worlds. Don’t you see?”

Yes. She could see there was no talking Andreas out of this. He wasn’t the acting head of the Simonides Corporation for nothing. Gabi had only herself to blame. He’d asked her to trust him. Up until a minute ago she’d thought she could. But to go any further with this was like flying blind.

“I—I don’t even know if they’re still up.” Her voice faltered.

“Then call them on your cell and alert them you’ve brought someone home with you.”

She lowered her head. “I can’t do that.”

“Then I will because they deserve to know exactly what’s going on.”

A shiver raced through her body. Andreas had just put his finger on the thing tormenting her most. She’d hated doing all this behind her parents’ backs. Defeated by his logic and her own guilt, she opened her purse and pulled out her phone. When she pushed the programmed digit, her mother answered on the second ring.

“Hi, darling? Where are you? I thought you’d be home before now.”

She turned her back on Andreas. “When I went out, it was to meet a man I arranged to see in Athens the other day. He’s with me now and wants to talk to you and Dad. I realize this sounds very cryptic.”

The silence on the other end told its own story. “Do we know him?”

Gabi swallowed hard. “No, but you know of him by reputation.” You and everyone in Greece.

“What’s his name?”

“Andreas Simonides.”

“Good heavens!” When the Simonides yacht was occasionally spotted outside Heraklion harbor, the whole city knew about it.

Gabi closed her eyes tightly for a second. “I realize it’s getting late, but this is of vital importance. Prepare Dad, will you?”

“Of course. The babies are asleep. We’ll be waiting for you in the salon.”

“Thanks, Mom. You’re one in a billion.”

Andreas eyed her as she put the phone back in her purse. “If you were looking for a job, I’d hire you as my personal assistant on your integrity and discretion alone.”

She’d just received the supreme compliment from him, but the last thing she’d ever want to be was his personal secretary or anything else that put her in such close proximity to him for business reasons. No way would she allow herself to be put in emotional jeopardy like that again.

“Shall we go in?” She led the way to the front door and opened it. The salon was to the right of the main foyer where Gabi found her parents. Blonde and fit, she thought they were the most attractive people she knew. Andreas wouldn’t be able to help but like their soft-spoken manner.

After she made the introductions, he sat forward in one of the chairs opposite the couch where they were seated. Gabi sat in another matching chair, knowing her parents were dying of curiosity.

“I’ve noticed you staring at me,” Andreas began without preamble. “No doubt you’ve seen your grandsons’ resemblance to me. That’s because their father Leonides is my brother. We’re identical twins, too. Twins run in the family.”

While her parents digested that startling piece of information he said, “Nikos and Kris have an uncle Gus and two aunts, Melina and Leila. Until Gabi came to my office on Friday evening, my parents had ten grandchildren. But after our chat, I realized that number has grown to twelve.”

“But this is unbelievable!” Gabi’s mother exploded. She actually sounded relieved as she looked at Gabi’s father. His burnished face had broken out in a smile, the last reaction Gabi would have imagined from either parent.

Andreas sent Gabi a satisfied glance. “Later, she’ll fill you in on all the hows and whys of our first meeting. The important thing to know is that on Saturday, Leon met the children at the park.

“Unfortunately he’s not ready to claim them yet. His wife Deline knows about his one-night relationship with your daughter Thea while he and Deline were separated. His pain and guilt over what he’d done drove him to go home the next day and talk everything out with her.

“It took a lot of gut-wrenching sessions and tears, but she eventually forgave him because she wasn’t without her faults in the marriage, either. But that was a year ago and she has yet to learn he fathered two children. That’s the hurdle facing him as we speak.”

Gabi’s parents squeezed hands.

“When Leon tells Deline about the twins, it could break up their marriage, possibly for good. The irony here is that they’ve been trying for a baby since the day they got married. It was one of the reasons they quarreled in the first place. She claimed he worked too hard and wasn’t home long enough for them to start a family. So far they haven’t been successful.”

The added revelation hurt Gabi a little bit more. There’d been too much suffering all the way around.

“They’d been separated a while at the time he met Thea aboard the yacht. She’d come with a big group of friends, but Leon didn’t know them. His friends had arranged it in order to party and cheer him up. His wife Deline had just told him she wanted a permanent separation. In his grief, he acted out unwisely. It doesn’t excuse him for what he did, but it does explain his actions that night.”

Gabi’s father sat forward. “I’m afraid my daughter acted just as irresponsibly. Her marriage never took. When she won her divorce after a long battle, she made a wrong choice that night.”

Andreas frowned, his brows black above his gray eyes. “Even if he was separated from his wife at the time, my brother’s in a bad way because of his shame over making love to a virtual stranger when he was already married. His shame is even worse because he knows your daughter has passed away leaving two beautiful little babies who are his. Believe me, he’s in anguish right now.”

“He would be,” her father murmured.

“Leon’s my best friend, Mr. Turner. I know his heart.”

Gabi bowed her head. She heard the love and the caring in his tone. He really was a wonderful man.

“In another day or two when he’s found the courage to tell his wife, he’s going to want to see the children again and meet you. Hopefully at that point he’ll be able to make some decisions in their best interest.”

“I don’t envy him,” Gabi’s mother murmured.

Neither did Gabi, but her thoughts were also on Andreas. This was no shallow man. The depth to his character kept hitting her harder and faster. Only a few days ago she’d thought he had ice water in his veins.

“I’ve come here tonight to urge Gabi not to go back to Virginia yet. I believe that if she stays in Greece another week where the children are accessible, something good will come of this.

“But she’s told me her fears about Thea’s exhusband, Dimitri Paulos. I know him and his family through business. Apparently he became hostile when your daughter asked for a divorce. That’s his way. Gabi’s worried he’s going to keep nosing around until he finds out who fathered Thea’s twins. She’s afraid that if he learns it’s Leon, he’ll expose him to the press.”

Her mother nodded. “He’d do it without a qualm.”

By now Gabi’s father had gotten to his feet. “I’m afraid he turned on me when I helped my daughter obtain her divorce.”

“It happens. But by the time my brother comes to grips with this situation one way or the other, it will have lost its sensational value. For now I’d like to suggest Gabi and the chil-dren be removed to an undisclosed place that’s still close enough for Leon to have immediate access.”

Gabi blinked. “Where?”

Andreas shot her a penetrating look. “I know The perfect spot,” he said with authority and got to his feet. “It’s late. Walk me out and we’ll talk about it.”

The next few minutes were a blur while her parents thanked him for his frank speaking and dealing with this delicate situation head-on. Before he joined her at the front door, there’d been hugs to welcome the twins’ uncle to the family. The man was endowed with charm from the gods.

She went outside with him. The balmy night air seemed to make the moment more intimate somehow. Strange little tingles brought an ache to her hands. When she looked up at him, she felt her body come to life with feelings she’d thought Rand had killed. But it wasn’t true.

This couldn’t be happening again. It just couldn’t!

In the semi-darkness she felt his piercing gaze travel over her features. “Gabi?” he said her name in his deep voice. “Will you continue to trust me for a little while longer?”

It was hard to swallow. “After approaching you first, I’m hardly in a position to refuse now. Do your parents know anything yet?”

“No. Leon wants to tell them when he’s ready.”

“So you have to continue to be the keeper of all the secrets.”

“I don’t mind.”

No, because she was learning what kind of a man he really was. “You have a lot on your shoulders.”

“So do you. In fact you’ve inherited the bulk by taking care of the twins. I’d like to help you with that. We’ll think of it as a vacation time for both of us. After all, they’re part my flesh and blood.”

“Andreas? Are you married, too?” Before she took another breath she needed the answer to that question. “I haven’t seen a wedding ring, but I realize some men don’t wear them.”

In the silence that followed, she felt his sudden tension. “I’m still single. You don’t need to be worried I’m keeping secrets from a wife or neglecting her for Leon’s sake.”

Single. His answer frightened her because she no longer trusted herself around him. When she’d promised to never let a man get under her skin again, Andreas had already found entrance, slipping past her guard totally undetected.

“W-where is this safe place?” she stammered.

“On Milos, in a little village called Apollonia. I realize you’re leaving in the morning, but I hope you’ll give my idea serious thought. Either way I’ll expect a call from you later tonight. Sleep well, despinis.”

Chapter Four

ANDREAS had two phone calls to make. The first was one he’d known was coming ever since Gabi had entered his office, or rather blown in with that head of curly golden hair and eyes like the periwinkle bougainvillea outside his villa door.

Like the Venus de Milo unearthed in the ancient town of Milos where he used to dig around the ruins as a boy, Gabi’s feminine shape appealed to his senses. With his six-foot-three height, he’d never been partial to shorter women or blondes until now, a fact that surprised the daylights out of him.

Her guileless honesty combined with her intensity had intrigued him. If he were to admit to all the traits he’d found fascinating and endearing since watching her with the twins, the list would be endless.

Something earthshaking had happened to him. Already he felt a changed man. Right or wrong, his desire to be with Gabi was so profound, he realized he had to break it off with Irena.

To feel this way about another woman wasn’t fair to her. He hadn’t planned for this to happen. It just did…

Maybe Andreas’s feelings for Gabi would die a quick death, but until that eventuality he had to explore them because he’d never known this kind of excitement over a woman in his life. Somewhere in his gut he knew these feelings weren’t all on his side. Gabi wouldn’t have asked him if he was married if her emotions weren’t involved, too.

Tonight, when they were outside the consulate, it was all he could do not to pull her in his arms and kiss them both into oblivion.

After his shower he hitched a towel around his hips and reached for his cell. It rang until Irena’s voice mail came on. Frustrated because this wasn’t something he wanted to do by phone anyway, he started to click off when he heard her speak.

“Andreas—don’t hang up. I was in the other room and had almost given up on hearing from you tonight. I’ve missed you.”

Guilt smote him. The last time they’d talked had been Friday. Now it was Tuesday night. In that short amount of time he hadn’t missed her at all. Another woman had filled his thoughts to the exclusion of everything else. How could that be?

“Irena? Forgive me.”

“You know I do.”

Yes, he knew.

“Something’s definitely wrong. You sound so different.”

Heaven knew his world had changed. “I’m not sure how to say this except to come straight to the point because you deserve my total honesty. Up until last Friday you’ve been the only woman in my life.”

A long pause ensued. “And now you’re telling me there’s someone else?”

He bowed his head. “Let’s just say I met someone.” Andreas couldn’t believe he’d admitted it to the woman he’d loved and had been planning to ask to marry him. It meant Gabi had a hold on him more profound than even he had realized. “I swear this was the last thing I ever expected to be saying to you.”

More silence. “Does she feel the same way?” Irena finally asked in a subdued voice. There were never any tantrums with her. She wasn’t like that. He wished she would rage at him. Instead there was this condemning quiet that underlined her pain.

“I sense she’s not indifferent to me, but I haven’t acted on my feelings yet.”

“But you want to?”

He drew in a ragged breath. “I would never hurt you purposely, Irena, but until I explore what’s going on inside of me, being with you right now wouldn’t be fair to you. That’s why I’m calling.”

More silence. “Won’t you at least come to the house so we can talk about this?”

“I will when I’m back in Athens.”

“Where are you?”

His hand tightened on the receiver. “I’m on Crete and can’t leave.” He was in a hotel, wondering how he would be able to wait until morning when he saw Gabi again.

“Does she know about us?”

There’s no us. Not anymore. “No.”

“Who is she?”

Irena deserved that much. “An American who came to my office because of a life and death situation. She had business with me no one else could help her with. I’m still helping her solve a very serious problem before she returns to the States.”

“I see,” she whispered.

Except she didn’t see. How could she? Andreas wanted to tell her everything, but he couldn’t until he knew what Leon was going to do. Irena was best friends with Deline. The whole situation was more complicated than anyone knew.

He clutched the phone tighter. “I know I’ve hurt you, Irena, but to be less than honest with you at this point would be unconscionable.”

“Your father told me your courage is one of your most remarkable traits. After this conversation I have to say I agree with him. I love you, Andreas. I know you did love me in your own way. But you were never in love with me, otherwise—” She broke off talking. He knew what she was going to say, that otherwise they would have married months ago. “I’m going to hang up now.” The line went dead.

Horrible as he felt for hurting her, relief swept through him that from here on out he wouldn’t be lying to her or Gabi.

Before he let any more time pass, he had a second call to make to Leon, who was vacationing for the next two weeks on Milos with Deline and the rest of the family. With Gabi sequestered in Apollonia on the north end of the island nine kilometers from the Simonides villa, the timing and proximity couldn’t be better.

In anticipation of her falling in with his plan, he’d made all the arrangements ahead of time. Now there was nothing left to do but inform his brother, who’d known this call was coming.

As soon as they spoke he’d never heard Leon sound so upset. He hadn’t told Deline the truth yet, but knew he had to.

After encouraging him not to wait any longer, Andreas hung up to wait for Gabi’s phone call. If she chose to fly back to the States in the morning, then he’d take her and the twins home in the company jet.

Gabi’s father patted the side of the bed and stared at her with solemn eyes. “When did Thea tell you about Leon Simonides?”

With that question she realized it was going to be a long night. She sat down next to him. “Right before she died.” After clearing her throat she said, “All along Thea thought the man she’d made love with was Andreas. That’s why I went to his office.”

Her parents listened intently as she explained what had happened to Thea. “When she swore me to secrecy, I intended to honor my promise to her. But after she died, I kept looking at the babies and thinking how terrible it would be if they never knew their father, either. I realized I couldn’t go through life with that kind of a secret.”

“Of course you couldn’t.” Her father pulled her into his arms. “I love you more than ever for what you’ve done.”

“So do I,” her mother cried. “It took tremendous courage, darling.”

“I’m sorry to have lied about my reason for going to Athens on Friday, but I didn’t know if I’d be able to get in to see Andreas.”

“Thank heaven you did. Honestly, when he walked in the salon, it was like looking at the children all grown up.”

Her dad shook his head. “I’m still amazed by what we’ve learned. He’s a very remarkable man. A good one. No wonder he’s at the head of the Simonides empire.”

“You should see him with the boys, Dad. The way he responds, you’d think he was their father.” Her voice shook.

Her mother reached over to press her arm. “What’s Leon like?”

“I can’t tell yet. He was in shock on Saturday and hardly spoke, but the fact that he came at all speaks of his character.” She wiped her eyes.

“Seeing those two brothers together will really be something,” her mom said. “That’s how it’s going to be for Kris and Nikos.”

Gabi nodded. “Thea was so beautiful, and they’re so handsome already. When they’ve become men, they’ll be as spectacular as Andreas—I mean Leon.”

“Does he know Kris will have to undergo a series of surgeries in the future?”

“Not yet, Mom,” she mumbled.

“Why didn’t you tell him?”

“Because I knew Leon was in shock. When I put myself in his place, I realized how hard it would be for him to tell his wife. I suppose I didn’t want to scare him off or have him thinking I was after his money to pay for the medical expenses.”

Gabi’s father patted her arm. “Tell Andreas. He’ll know the best way to broach his brother.”

Her dad was right. “I will.”

“Do his parents know anything yet?”

“No.”

“So where is this safe place he was talking about?”

She slid off the bed, too filled with nervous energy to sit any longer. “On Milos.”

“Of course,” her father said. “Their family compound is on that island in a private bay that is better guarded than the White House.”

“Actually, he mentioned I’d be staying at a nearby village called Apollonia, but I don’t know any of the details yet. He said to leave everything to him, but I have to be sure it’s the right thing to do. I told him I would have to think about it. He’s waiting for a phone call from me tonight.”

Her dad cleared his throat. “I guess your mother and I don’t have to tell you how wonderful it would be to know you and the children are close by while Leon is deciding what to do. Naturally I’d prefer that you stayed right here and—”

“No, Dad,” she interrupted him. “I don’t know how you’ve done your work through all this, but it’s time you were able to concentrate on the job you were appointed to. You have too many dignitaries coming and going to put up with so much distraction.”

“You and the children are hardly a distraction, Gabi.”

“You know what I mean. Your life isn’t conventional. You need to get back to it. Andreas told me to think of this as a vacation.”

Her mother flicked her a thoughtful glance. “If Leon realizes he wants his children, then you have to admit Andreas has come up with a temporary solution that suits everyone. A week from now and everything could be settled. But it’s your decision.”

That was what was haunting Gabi. No decision sounded like the right one.

If Leon wanted to claim his children and raise them, then she would be free to get back to her old life in the States. But her world had changed so dramatically since her arrival on Crete four months ago, she didn’t know herself anymore.

The twins had come to mean everything to her. As for Andreas…She kneaded her hands. He was waiting for her to get back to him.

She paused in the doorway fighting conflicting emotions. “Andreas is doing everything in his power to unite his brother with his own babies. I started all this and need to finish it, so I’ll tell him yes. See you in the morning.”

Once out the door she rushed down the hall to her room to make the phone call. He answered on the second ring.

“Gabi?” came the deep voice she could pick out over anyone’s. “Did you discuss this with your family?”

“Yes.” She struggled to sound calm. “The children need their father. If my coming to Milos will hasten the process, then so be it.”

“Good. Now here’s what I want you to do. Follow through exactly with the plans you and your parents have for tomorrow morning. But when you arrive at the airport, tell the driver to take you through to the heliport where my helicopter will be waiting. I’ll be there to help you and the boys aboard.”

“All right.” She gripped the phone tighter. “Andreas—there’s something else you need to know. I should have told you before now, but I was afraid.”

“Of what?”

“That you would believe what you first thought about me—that I was out to get money from you.”

“Go on.”

“This concerns Kris.”

“What about him?” Just now she heard a raw edge to his voice.

“He was born with a defective aortic valve in his heart. No one knows why. He didn’t inherit anything genetic from Thea. She didn’t develop heart trouble until she became pregnant. His condition is called stenosis.”

“I noticed he’s a little smaller.”

Most people saw no difference in the twins, but nothing got past Andreas. “According to his pediatrician here in Heraklion, he’ll have to undergo his first operation next month. I’d planned to have the surgery done in Alexandria with a highly recommended pediatric heart specialist.”

“We have one of the best here in Athens,” Andreas murmured, sounding far away. “How many procedures will be required?”

“Maybe only one more after that. The doctor said most valves have to be replaced every two to three years, but with non-embryonic stemcell heart tissue, the replacement valve should grow as Kris grows and no more surgery will be necessary. That’s what we’re hoping and praying for.”

“Amen to that.”

She put a hand to her throat. “When do you think you’ll tell your brother?”

“Tonight. He needs to be apprised of all the facts before you’re settled on Milos. In the next few weeks he and I will start giving blood for Kris’s fund.”

“Our family plans to give some, too. To look at him you wouldn’t know anything’s wrong. He’s so precious.”

“Until now I’ve never coveted anything of my brother’s.”

“I know what you mean. If the gods were giving out perfect children, you wouldn’t have to look any further than Kris and Nikos.”

“No,” came the husky rejoinder. “Get a good sleep for what’s left of the rest of the night, Gabi. Tomorrow’s a new day for all of us.”

“Andreas—”

“Yes?”

“I just wanted to say that I think Leon is very lucky to have a brother like you. Would that the twins develop that kind of love for each other. Goodnight.”

“We’re coming up on the little fishing village of Apollonia, named after the god Apollo.” Andreas had been giving Gabi an insider’s tour of the Cyclades from his position in the copilot’s seat.

She’d never been to Milos. As the pilot swung the helicopter toward the beautiful island sparkling like a gem in the blue Aegean Gabi’s breath caught. She’d once visited the islands of Mykonos and Kea on the ferry, not by air. To see all the fantastic volcanic formations and colorful beaches from this height robbed her of words.

During the flight from Heraklion, her awestruck gaze had met his many times. Maybe it was a trick of light from being at this altitude in a cloudless sky, but when he looked at her the gray of his irises seemed to turn crystalline, almost like a glowing silver fire.

The twins were strapped down in their carry-cots opposite her so she could watch them. They’d stayed awake during the flight, good as gold.

“Is that Apollonia down there hugging the bay?” she questioned as they drew closer.

Andreas chuckled. “No. That’s the home of the Simonides clan. Apollonia is just beyond it.”

Gabi was staggered. She stared at the twins. Little did they know the lineage they came from included a kingdom as magical as anything she’d seen in a fairy tale. But instead of towers and turrets and drawbridges, it was a gleaming white cluster of cubical beauty set against an impossibly turquoise-blue sea found only in this part of the world.

Further on lay the picturesque little town where she’d be staying. It was built in the typical royal blue and white motif along a sandy beach, the kind you saw in videos and on postcards advertising the charm of the Greek islands. Before the helicopter landed, she knew she was going to love it here.

She picked out the boats at the village pier. There appeared to be myriad shops and restaurants close by, an idyllic vacation spot if there ever was one. As soon as they landed and the blades stopped rotating, Andreas helped her and the twins into a car waiting by the helipad.

The pilot loaded her luggage and the stroller into the trunk. There was a considerable amount of stuff. She poked her head out the window. “Thank you!” she called to him. “When you travel with babies, there’s no such thing as packing light.”

Both men flashed each other a grin before Andreas took his place behind the wheel and started the motor. Seated across from his hard-muscled body, Gabi felt an excitement out of all proportion to the reason why she and the twins had been whisked to this heavenly place.

He drove them past tavernas and bars, pointing out a supermarket and a bakery where she could buy anything she needed. In a few minutes they turned onto a private road that wound beneath a cluster of trees and ended at a perfectly charming blue and white house with its own shaded garden and stone walkways.

Gabi let out a sound of pleasure. “This is an adorable place, Andreas.”

“I’m glad you like it. From the front door you step right out onto the beach. The house is fully air-conditioned, another reason why I chose it.”

“The babies and I will be happy as clams here.”

He darted her a curious look. “That’s an odd American expression. Do you think clams are happy?”

She burst into laughter. “I have no idea, but I know we will be.”

His low chuckle followed her as she got out of the car to open the back door. By now the twins were so awake they were eager to escape their confinement. While she released Kris’s carry-cot from the strap, Andreas removed Nikos. Together they walked toward the door where a pretty, dark-haired woman who looked to be in her mid-twenties held it open for them.

“Kalimera, Kyrie Simonides.”

“Kalimera, Lena. This is Gabi Turner.” The two women smiled. “Lena and her husband manage this resort. They have a son, Basil, who’s five months old.”

“Oh—I’d love to see him.”

“He’s with my husband right now, but I’ll bring him out to the garden later in the day. How old are your children?”

“Three months.”

“They are very beautiful.” Lena’s glance slid to Andreas, no doubt trying to figure out their relationship when the wiggling babies looked like him, not Gabi. “We have maid service. If you need anything, pick up the phone and the office will answer.”

“Thank you. This is delightful.”

“I think so, too. Enjoy your stay.”

After she walked off, they moved through to the living room whose white interior was accented with dark wood furniture and blue accessories. “What a charming house!” she cried.

“I’m glad you like it.” Andreas sounded pleased as she followed him through to one of the bedrooms down the hall where two cribs and a set of dresser drawers had been set up. Everything was impeccably clean.

Andreas helped her lift the boys out of their carry-cots and lay them down in their cribs. “I’ll bring in your things.”

“That would be wonderful.” She kissed Kris. “The babies have been awake for a long time and are getting impatient for their lunch, but first they’re going to need a diaper change.”

“Afterward I’ll help you feed them.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“What if I want to?”

His playful teasing didn’t fool her. “You’ve done more than enough, Andreas. I can just picture your exceptional receptionist wondering where on earth you’ve disappeared to.”

She watched him kiss Nikos. “Didn’t I tell you I’m on vacation? The whole family’s here for the next two weeks.”

This time her heart really did get a major workout. “As I recall, you were going to give me an appointment at three o’clock yesterday afternoon.”

“If you recall,” he murmured, coming to stand next to her, bringing his warmth and enticing male scent with him, “a life and death situation altered the scheme of our lives.”

Gabi gripped the railing of the crib tighter. Our lives was right. When she’d gone to his office in Athens on Friday, the idea that days later she’d be alone with him on Milos would have stretched the limits of her imagination. Yet here she was…

“For the time being, my first priority is to lend Leon moral support.” On that succinct note he left the bedroom.

While he was gone she gave herself another lecture about remembering why she’d been temporarily ensconced in this corner of paradise. Leon was blessed to have his brother’s backing. As Gabi’s father had said, Andreas was a good man. How good no one would ever know who hadn’t walked in her footsteps since last Friday evening when she’d first confronted him.

In a few minutes he’d returned with the diaper bag and bottles of formula already prepared. They changed the babies before going into the living room to feed them. He was as confident and efficient as any seasoned father. Whether Leon ended up raising them or not, Andreas had claimed his nephews. She had an idea he would be an intrinsic part of their lives from now on.

After they put the twins down for their nap, Andreas announced he was leaving for his villa. “I’ll be back with food before they’re awake.” He flicked her a heavy-lidded glance before disappearing from the house.

While she was taking clothes out of the suitcase to hang up and put in drawers, she heard the car drive off. He’d told her the Simonides compound was only ten minutes away by car, but already she missed him. To keep herself busy she acquainted herself with the rest of the house.

A perfect little kitchen containing snacks and a fridge stocked with drinks connected to the living room. On the other side was a hall with a bathroom separating two bedrooms. Hers had a shady terrace with loungers and a table looking out on the translucent water. The pots of flowers and an overhang of fuchsia-colored bougainvillea on the trellis gave off a subtle perfume.

Gabi hugged her arms to her waist, hardly able to contain the rush of euphoria that swept through her. She was in that dangerous state where the lines were blurred and she was imagining something quite different than the reality of her situation.

The beach was calling to her, so, with Lena’s assurance that she would watch over the babies, Gabi changed into her two-piece aqua-colored swimming suit. A month ago she’d wandered into a little shop in Heraklion and had bought the most modestly cut outfit she could find, but it still revealed more than she liked. A tan might have helped, but this hadn’t been a summer to relax in the sun.

After smoothing on some sunscreen, she grabbed a large striped towel and left for the beach through the terrace exit. A person could step down to the sand where the sea was only ten yards away, no more. It shimmered like a rare aquamarine. She dropped the towel and ran out, luxuriating in the calm water whose temperature had to be in the seventies.

Gabi swam for a while, then floated around on her back while she watched various sailboats and the occasional ferry in the distance. There were a few other people farther down the beach, but for the most part she had this area to herself. Doing a somersault, she swam underwater to examine the shallow sea floor before surfacing to reach the beach and stretch out on her towel.

While she lay there on her stomach thinking this was pure heaven, she heard a motor that signaled a boat was approaching. When the sound was suddenly cut, she lifted her head from her arms and realized a ski boat had glided right up on the sand.

Her double vision was back as two Greek gods in dark swimming trunks jumped down from the sides with the kind of agility any male would kill for and walked in her direction.

“Andreas—” She sat up with a start, taking the towel with her to give herself a little protection from his all-seeing eyes. Then she remembered her manners, her gaze darting to his brother. “How are you, Leon?”

A faint smile hovered around his lips. “More in control than I was a few nights ago. I apologize for my rude behavior.”

She shook her head. “There’s no need.”

“There’s every need,” he insisted, reminding her of a forceful Andreas. “I should be the one asking you how you are. You’ve been taking care of my sons all this time and I never knew.”

Gabi smiled. “They’re my nephews so it’s no sacrifice, believe me.”

“May I go in and see them?” He was making the effort, she’d give him that.

“Of course. If they start to fuss, there are bottles of formula made up in the fridge. Just warm them up in some hot water. Andreas?” She flicked her gaze back to him. “Why don’t you show him their room while I go for another swim? If they wake up, it will be lovely for them to see their daddy.”

His white smile had a domino effect that slowly melted every bone in her body. “When you surface again, climb up the back ladder into the boat and I’ll take you for a ride. While Leon gets acquainted with them, we’ll enjoy a picnic on the water.”

“That sounds good. I’m getting hungry.” It was already three-thirty. She’d lost track of the time.

“So am I.” His husky tone caused a ripple effect through her body.

The second they disappeared through the front door, she hurried into the bedroom via the terrace and grabbed a loose-fitting short sundress with spaghetti straps she often wore over her suit as a cover-up.

Their deep male voices faded as she rushed back to the beach. After shaking out the towel, she walked in the water and chucked her things in the back of the boat before climbing in. By the time Andreas emerged from the house, she was presentable enough to feel comfortable being with him.

He ran toward her, shoving the boat back into the water, then he levered himself effortlessly over the side. His brief glance managed to take in all of her before he started the motor. “We’ll head for Kimolos.” He nodded toward an island that couldn’t be more than a mile away. “The sight of the little village of Psathi is worth the short trip.”

Halfway across, he turned off the engine and joined her in the back so they could eat. In the hamper were sodas, fruit and homemade gyros. No food had ever tasted so good. She didn’t have to search for a reason why.

“Thank you for a wonderful meal. In fact this whole trip.”

Andreas stared at her while he munched on an apple. “Thank you for not giving up trying to get in to see me.”

Gabi knew what he meant. Her mouth curved in a half-smile. “We need to thank your receptionist. Without her going out on a limb for me, that would have been the end of it.” Then a slight frown marred her brow. “But maybe it would have been better if she hadn’t had compassion on me.”

Lines darkened his striking features. “Don’t ever say that. I don’t even want to think about it.”

Neither did she. A world without Andreas was incomprehensible to her. She finished her cola. “What are your brother’s feelings by now?”

Letting out a heavy sigh, he closed his eyes and lay back on the padded bench to get the full effect of the sun for a moment. End to end, his toned physique with its smattering of dark hair plus his chiseled profile proved to be too much for her. She turned her head to stare anywhere but at him.

“If the twins hadn’t tugged at Leon’s heart the first time he saw them, he wouldn’t have agreed to my plan for you to bring them here. When I told him Kris has to go in for heart surgery next month, that seemed to jar him to the reality of the situation. But he’s terrified because he loves Deline and is afraid he’ll lose her when she learns the truth.”

“I can’t imagine being in his position.”

After a silence, “If you were Deline, do you think you could handle it?”

His searching question brought her head around. They looked at each other for a long time. “I don’t honestly know. She forgave him for what happened a year ago, but now that the other woman’s children are involved…”

She bowed her head. “If I loved him desperately, it might be possible. At the time he didn’t know he’d gotten my sister pregnant, but I’m not Deline. Do they have the kind of love for each other to deal with it?”

He jackknifed into a sitting position and put his feet on the floor of the boat. His eyes looked haunted. “After he tells her, I guess they’re going to find out how solid their marriage really is.”

Gabi stirred restlessly. “He needs to do it soon. Every day that passes while he keeps it from her will make it harder for her to trust him.”

“I told him that the night he saw the children at the park.”

“Andreas—much as I’d love to go sightseeing with you this afternoon to give him more time with the twins, I think we should go back. You need to impress on him that if he waits even another day, it might be too late to convince Deline of anything.”

“I agree,” his voice rasped.

“Trust is everything. If Leon wants to prove his love, then he needs to approach her now.”

He nodded. “Not only that, every day he’s away from his sons, he’s losing that vital bonding time with them.” Andreas sprang to his feet. “Let’s go.”

With the sea so placid, they made it back to the beach in a flash, but Gabi had returned in a completely different frame of mind than when they’d headed for open water. She jumped into the shallows carrying her towel above her head and walked in the front door of the house ahead of Andreas.

To her surprise, Leon had brought the chil-dren into the living room. It was a touching scene to see the three of them spread out on the quilt together. Nikos lay next to his daddy, who held Kris in the air, kissing his tummy to produce smiles.

Andreas’s eyes looked suspiciously bright as he darted her a glance that spoke volumes. While she held back, not wanting to interrupt, he lifted Nikos from the floor and cuddled him.

Leon stood up with Kris pressed against his shoulder. “I can’t believe they’re mine.” He spoke into the baby’s soft black hair. He was totally natural with the children now.

“I dare say you’ve produced the most beautiful sons in the entire Simonides clan.”

He eyed Andreas with a soulful look. “No matter what, I have to tell Deline today. Come with me, bro.”

What Gabi had been hoping for had come to pass, yet with those words no matter what she felt a door close on her secret dream of adopting the twins herself. It was as if her heart had just been cut out of her body.

Chapter Five

“GABI?” Leon had turned to her. “I’m not sure when I’ll be back. Do you mind being responsible for the twins a while longer? You know what I mean.”

Yes. She knew exactly, but by some miracle she didn’t give in to the impulse to break into hysterical sobbing. “I’ve loved taking care of my nephews and want to help you any way I can. Why don’t you put the children back in their cribs so I can change them?” she suggested in the brightest voice she could muster.

As they headed for the bedroom she was aware of Andreas’s avid gaze leveled on her, but she managed to avoid contact. He could see inside her soul. If she were to make the mistake of looking at him, her composure would dissolve. This was a pivotal moment for Leon. An emotional meltdown on her part now could ruin everything.

Thankful after they’d left the room and she could hear the rev of the boat engine, Gabi put clean diapers on the twins and got them ready for an evening walk around the village in their stroller. Next to the bakery was a deli where she could buy some food ready to go.

Once she’d showered and had dressed in a matching blue skirt and sleeveless top, she wheeled them out of the back door. Lena happened to be pushing her little boy along in his stroller as she did some weeding.

The two of them talked and pretty soon they went into the village together. Gabi enjoyed the other woman’s company. It helped not to think about the loss that was coming. If she were honest, it wasn’t only the twins she was already missing…

Three hours later she was putting the babies to bed when her cell rang. The sight of Andreas’s name on the caller ID caused a fluttery sensation in her chest.

“Hello?” She knew she sounded anxious.

“I called as soon as I could, Gabi.”

“You don’t owe me anything. H-has Leon told his wife?” Her voice faltered.

“Yes.”

His silence made her clutch the phone tighter. “Was it awful?”

“I won’t lie to you. It was a great deal worse.”

Tears clogged her throat. “I’m so sorry.”

“So am I. She’s threatened to divorce him and has flown back to Athens in the helicopter. I just drove him to the island’s airport so he could take a plane to catch up to her.”

A whole new world of pain had opened up for them.

When Thea had divorced Dimitri, Gabi had been overjoyed, but this was an entirely different situation. From all accounts Deline was a lovely woman who didn’t deserve to have any of this happen to her. Neither did the babies. But the fact remained Leon and Thea had made a mistake that had caused heartbreak in every direction.

“Does your family know the reason they left Milos?”

“Not yet, but it’s only a matter of time,” he ground out.

She moistened her lips nervously. “What would your brother like me to do?”

“Stay right where you are. I’ll bring the car around at eight-thirty in the morning. We’ll drive to the pier where the cabin cruiser will be waiting. I need a solid break and intend to show you the sights of the island. Pack enough formula in case we want to dock somewhere overnight. Stavros will take care of everything else.”

Her body trembled.

An invitation to party overnight on the Simonides yacht had proved too much of a temptation for Thea. Gabi wasn’t any different. The desire to spend uninterrupted time with the twins’ uncle aboard his cabin cruiser filled her with secret longings that had her jumping out of her skin.

When she thought about it, she would never again have the opportunity to be with a man who thrilled her the way Andreas did. In a few days Leon would make definitive plans where the twins were concerned and Gabi would be leaving Greece.

So why not enjoy this time with Andreas? As long as she recognized he was a bachelor who didn’t take his relationships with women seriously, then she wouldn’t either. She’d learned her lesson with Rand.

In the future she would come to visit her family and the twins from time to time, but she had a career waiting for her back in Virginia. The boys’ lives were here with their father. They would need to get used to the nanny Leon would employ to help him.

Gabi couldn’t possibly stay around, otherwise none of it would work; therefore this little bit of time on Apollonia was all she was going to get with Andreas. As she’d told his receptionist on Friday, “I’ll take it!”

“Eight-thirty’s a perfect time. The three of us will be ready. Goodnight, Andreas.” She hung up before she betrayed herself and kept him on the phone if only to listen to the sound of his deep, mellifluous voice.

With the babies down until their next feeding, Andreas instructed Stavros to bring the cruiser as close to the cave opening as possible. A side glance revealed that a golden-haired nymph had come to join him on the swim platform and was ready to dive with him.

Her modest two-piece suit only seemed to add to the allure of her beautifully proportioned body. Compared to the bronzed females he’d seen at various beaches throughout the day wearing little or nothing at all, her delicious femininity and creamy skin—unused to so much sun—drew his gaze over and over again.

“Are you sure you want to try this, Gabi? We’ve done a lot of swimming today. If you’re tired, we can explore here in the morning.”

She flashed him a mischievous smile that gave his heart a wallop of a kick. “After the big buildup about an evening swim at your favorite beach, you couldn’t stop me!”

Without warning she leaped off the side and headed through the cave opening to Papafragas beach at a very credible speed.

Andreas hadn’t had this much fun in years and followed her into the cool water. Beyond the opening was a long, natural, fjordlike swimming pool surrounded by walls of white rock. He heard her cry of delight.

“This is fabulous, Andreas!” Her voice created an echo.

He caught up to her and they both treaded water. “You can see the deep caves where pirates used to hide.”

Her lips twitched. “Even modern-day pirates like the Simonides twins, I would wager.” She kept turning around, looking up at the incredible rock formations. “It’s time for the truth, Andreas. Between you and Leon, how many girls did you used to bring here on an evening like this, pretending surprise that you were the only ones about?”

His laughter created another echo. “You’ve caught me out. We brought our share. It’s true that this late in the day most tourists have gone back to wherever they came from.” He’d planned it this way because he’d wanted Gabi to himself. “Come on. I’ll race you to the beach at the other end.”

Another fifty yards lay a strip of sand still warm from the sun, though its rays no longer penetrated here. She reached it first and sank down in it, turning over so she could look up at the sky. “Oh-h-h, this feels so good I’ll never want to move again.”

“Then we won’t.” Andreas stretched out on his stomach next to her. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this alive.

A come-hither smile broke one corner of her delectable mouth. “We’ll have to, if only for the twins’ sake.”

“They’re being watched over. For the moment I’d like to forget everything and everyone and simply concentrate on you.” He raised up on one elbow. “You know what I want to do to you.”

The little pulse at her throat was throbbing madly. “Yes,” she whispered in an aching voice.

A moan sounded deep in his throat. That was all he was waiting to hear before leaning down to lower his mouth to hers. He needed her kiss as much as he needed air to breathe. At the first taste of her, he was shaken by her breathtaking response. After coaxing her lips apart he began drinking deeply. Back and forth they gave each other one hungry kiss after another until it all became a blend of needs they fought to assuage.

Heedless of the fine sand covering their bodies, he rolled her on top of him, craving the perfect fit of her in his arms, the sweet scent of her. “You’re so beautiful, Gabi,” he murmured against the side of her tender neck. “Do you have any idea how much I want you?”

“Andreas—” The tremor in her voice told him she was equally caught up in the surge of passion sweeping them into a world where nothing existed but their desire for each other.

“What is it?” he whispered after wresting another kiss from her incredible mouth.

“I feel out of control,” she admitted against his lips.

He molded her body to his with more urgency. “That’s the way you’re supposed to feel when it’s right. I can’t get enough of you.” So saying, he kissed her again until they were both devouring each other.

Never having known rapture like this, he wasn’t prepared when she suddenly tore her lips away and rolled off him. “Where did you go?” he cried before sitting up. “We’re not in any hurry.”

“Maybe not, but I’m out of breath and need to slow down before we start back.”

He kissed her shoulder. “If you’re too tired when we’re ready to go, I’ll help you.”

“You mean you’ll get me out of here using the old reliable life-saving technique? Just how far do you think we’d get?” Gabi teased. She’d turned her head, focusing her dark-fringed eyes on him. Their color changed with the surroundings. Right now they’d picked up some of the gray-blue of the water.

“In my condition and the way I’m feeling at the moment, not far, but in time I’d manage it.”

“I believe you would,” she said with a smile that was too bright after what they’d just shared. His eyes narrowed on the erotic flare of her mouth, an enticement that lured him like Desponia’s song. She could pretend all she wanted, but in each other’s arms they’d both been shaken by a force that was only going to grow in strength.

“Sometimes I think you’re half god the way you make things happen. It’s like magic.”

“Would that I had the magic to put my brother’s world back together.”

“I could wish for the same thing.”

She got up from the sand and walked into the water to wash off. Bringing her to this spot had been in the back of his mind since last night. He couldn’t bear it that they were forced to leave, but they had to get back to the twins.

Although he’d allowed Gabi to believe otherwise, he’d never brought another woman here before, not even Irena. She liked an occasional dip in a swimming pool, but she wasn’t adventurous, not like Gabi, who’d sprung onto the canvas of his life with an unexpectedness that had left him reeling.

Until today he could have told Irena that everything he’d done to help his brother through a nightmarish, unprecedented situation had been necessary and it would have been the truth. But being out here with Gabi would have been impossible to explain. More than ever he was thankful he’d broken it off with her.

She would have pointed out that the twins’ aunt was already staying in a vacation spot that provided every possible distraction without requiring Andreas’s assistance. He would have had no excuse for spending the rest of today and tonight with her on his cabin cruiser. No excuse for coming close to making love to her.

While she treaded water, he threw his head back and looked up at the darkening sky, wishing this night never had to end.

“We’d better go, Gabi.” The words came out harsh, even to his own ears. “Do you think you’re up to it?”

“I was afraid maybe you weren’t and I would have to save you,” she quipped. So saying, she took off like a golden sea sprite, leaving behind a trail of tinkling laughter he found utterly irresistible.

Gabi gripped the rings that helped her climb the ladder into the boat. After rinsing off in the shower of the swim platform, she wrapped up in a towel and moved toward the rear cockpit where Andreas was talking to Stavros.

She smiled at him. “Did you think we were never coming back and you’d have to deal with two howling babies wanting their feeding in the middle of the night?”

The older man’s eyes twinkled. “We would have managed.”

“Have they been good?”

“Like little angels.”

“I’m glad, then.” She raised up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “Thank you for being a wonderful babysitter.”

Gabi was still trying to catch her breath, as much from the physical exertion of attempting to outdistance Andreas—which was an impossibility—as having been alone with him.

There’d been a moment on the sand when she’d wanted to know his possession so badly, she’d almost expired on the spot. But she knew better than to repeat the mistakes of the past.

She had no doubt Andreas wanted her. He’d been forthcoming about it, and the desire between them had been building until she was ready to burst. Those kisses on the beach were inevitable, but she was wise enough not to read anything more into them. That was why she’d swum for her life back there, so she wouldn’t forget the promise she’d made to herself to focus all her energy on her career.

She flicked her host a steady glance. “When I’m back at my job inundated with work, I’ll remember this glorious day. Thank you.”

“There’s more to see tomorrow before we get back to Apollonia,” Andreas reminded her.

Gabi knew what that meant. Her pulse throbbed without her permission. “I’m looking forward to it,” she said bravely. “Goodnight.”

Not daring to meet his eyes this time, she darted down the steps to her cabin off the passageway. Relieved the children lay sound asleep in their carry-cots, she quickly showered again and washed her hair before climbing into bed.

Since spending time on the boat, she’d learned that his stateroom was on the other side of the wall. One more thing she’d picked up from Stavros. This cabin cruiser was Andreas’s home when he really wanted to get away on his own.

Gabi realized the older man had let her know she was a privileged person, but she could tell him that without the babies she would never have been given entrée to Andreas’s private world.

Almost a week ago today she’d gone to his office. Since then she’d spent some time with him, yet she still didn’t know anything about his personal life. He’d only volunteered information on a need-to-know basis. Love for his brother was the sole reason she’d been invited aboard this boat.

With time on his hands, he’d done the natural thing and had kissed her because he knew the attraction was mutual. The same thing had happened with Rand. She’d been a guest on his ranch and he’d enjoyed her to the fullest as long as she was there.

Those were the key words to help her keep her head on straight with Andreas until she went back to Alexandria.

Three o’clock was going to be here before she knew it. With the memory of him lying next to her on that sandy beach where she could still feel the taste of his mouth on hers, she closed her eyes, fearing she’d never be able to sleep. But to her shock the twins didn’t start crying until seven-thirty the next morning.

Maybe it was the sea air or the gentle sway of the boat. Whatever, they’d actually slept through the night!

After she’d bathed and fed them, she got dressed in shorts and a top before carrying them up on deck one at a time. Already the sun was warm. Stavros had breakfast waiting for her on the up-and-down table, another remarkable invention aboard the cruiser.

“Mmm, that looks delicious. Good morning, Stavros. How are you?”

“Never better.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Is Andreas still asleep?”

“No,” sounded a familiar voice behind her. She swung around to discover him standing there in a sage-colored polo shirt and white shorts. There couldn’t be a more attractive man anywhere in the Cyclades. His slate eyes collided with hers. “I’ve been waiting for you and the babies to appear. Let’s eat. I’m ravenous.”

“I’m hungry myself,” she admitted. “It must be this gorgeous air.” Andreas sat down next to her. Gabi tried to act natural, but after her dreams of him it was close to impossible.

Andreas studied her for a moment. “How did you sleep?”

Was this god from Olympus psychic, too?

“Would you believe these two didn’t start crying until seven-thirty? It’s the first time I haven’t had to get up in the middle of the night. The pediatrician said it would happen when the time was right. Isn’t it strange how they both did it at the same time?”

His compelling mouth broke into a lopsided smile. “My mother could tell you endless stories about the mystifying aspect of twins.”

“I don’t doubt it.” She would love to meet the mother of this extraordinary man, but held back from telling him so. Near the end of their meal he chuckled over Nikos, who gave a big yawn. In the next breath he got up and took the twins out of their carry-cots. Propping them in either arm, he moved over to the windows. “What do you think of this sight, guys?”

Gabi had been concentrating so hard on Andreas, she could tell him that the sight of him standing there holding his nephews was the most spectacular one in all Greece. Terrified to realize how emotionally involved she’d become with him, she found it a struggle not to let him know it.

When she could finally tear her gaze away, she noticed the cruiser was anchored off an unreal white outcropping of elongated rocks set against a brilliant blue sea. She stood up and joined him. “What is this place?”

“Sarakiniko, an Arabic word.”

“It looks like a moonscape.”

“That’s what it’s famous for. When we were boys, Leon and I would come here to play space aliens with our friends.”

She laughed. “That beats the neighborhood park.” Andreas’s backyard was unlike any other. “Every time you show me a new place, I think it’s the most fabulous spot around. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for this tour. I’m very lucky.”

He cast her a sideward glance. “Seeing everything through your eyes has taken me back to happier days and times. I’m the one indebted to you, so let’s agree we’re even.”

Once again she sensed he was brooding. If he’d heard from Leon, he would have told her. His change in demeanor had everything to do with his brother.

Gabi knew most men stuck in this unique situation would have left her to her own devices while she waited for word from his brother. Not Andreas. His unselfishness meant he’d put his own needs aside, but it was wearing on him. She wouldn’t allow this to happen again.

For the next while they lazed on deck and played with the babies. To convince him he wasn’t the sole meaning of her existence she phoned her mother to let her know she and the children were fine. She hoped that if she played it breezy in front of him, he wouldn’t suspect how on fire she still was for him.

Her mom was delighted to learn the boys had slept through the night. In front of Andreas she raved about her sightseeing trip and his kindness, then promised to phone again when she knew more about Leon’s plans. He could prob-ably see through her attempt to keep everything light and above board, but she had to try.

By the time she hung up, they were coming into port at Apollonia. Since Andreas was still having fun with the babies, she excused herself and went below to pack up the few things in her cabin. She found Stavros and thanked him.

Within a half hour Andreas had driven them back to the house. While he helped her and the twins inside, she sensed he had other matters on his mind. As he was bringing in the last bag, she met him at the door.

“Stop right there. You’ve done enough.” She took the bag from him. “I had the time of my life. Now go. I know you’ll get back to me when you have any news.”

Gabi felt his gaze travel over her, turning her body feverish. He seemed reluctant to leave. “Promise me you’ll phone if you need anything.”

His entreaty spoken in that husky tone sent a weakness to her legs. She rubbed her palms against her hips nervously. “You know I will. Now I’ve got to take care of the babies.”

“Before you do that, I need this.” In the next breath he pulled her into his arms and started kissing her again. Caught off guard, she was helpless to stop him. Gabi had been dying for his touch since last night. Without conscious thought she slid her hands up his chest and encircled his neck, needing to get closer to him.

He was such a gorgeous man. With every caress her senses spiraled. The heat he created was like a fever in her blood. Another minute and she would beg him to stay. Through sheer strength of will she wrenched her mouth from his and eased away from him, breathing in gulps of air.

“I’ll be back. Miss me a little.” With another hard kiss to her trembling mouth, he strode off. She shut the door and fell against it while she waited for him to drive away.

As soon as she couldn’t hear the car motor any longer, she made fresh bottles of formula, then put the twins in their stroller and headed out the door for a long walk. If her life depended on it, she couldn’t have stayed in the house another second, not when she was feeling this kind of pent-up energy. She didn’t plan to come back until she’d visited every shop in the village and had worn herself out.

At noon the next day Gabi left the house again, this time taking the twins with her to enjoy lunch in a delightful little restaurant she’d passed last evening. It was a good thing Andreas hadn’t come back.

She blushed to realize how wantonly she’d responded to him at the door. Twice now she’d been playing with fire, but only she was going to get burned if she continued to let it happen every time he got near her.

During the delicious meal, the babies created a minor sensation with customers and staff alike. On her way out the door several tourists asked if they could take their picture because they thought the boys were so angelic.

Gabi supposed it didn’t matter as long as no one knew they were the sons of Leonides Simonides. In that case their pictures would show up in the newspaper and on television.

Before long she reached the path to the house. As she was about to open the door she heard a female voice call to her. She turned around to see the manager come hurrying up to her. “I’m glad you’re back. You have a visitor who’s been waiting for a while. She’s in the office.”

“Who is it?”

“Mrs. Simonides.”

Her heart pounded an extra beat. Deline? Was it possible? Where was Leon? Or maybe it was Andreas’s mother. Had he dropped her off with the intention of coming by for her later? She could hardly breathe at the thought of seeing him again.

“While I take the children inside, would you please show her over here, Lena?”

“Of course.” She rushed off.

Gabi looked down at the children. “Come on, you cute little things. Someone has come to see you. I want you to look your very best.”

After wheeling them inside, she brought out the big quilt and put it on the living-room floor where they could stretch out while she changed them. With that accomplished she put them in their white and yellow stretchy suits. The colors brought out the warm tone of their olive complexions. She kissed their necks. “Umm, you smell sweet.”

When she heard the knock, she jumped up and darted over to the door to open it. The tall, slender brunette beauty on the other side couldn’t be much older than Gabi’s twenty-five years. She’d worn makeup but it didn’t disguise the telltale signs of pain. Gabi detected a distinct pallor and her eyelids were swollen from too much crying.

“You must be Deline.” She spoke first. Her heart ached for the other woman who’d found the courage to come and at least see the children.

“Yes. I understand you’re Thea Paulos’s half sister Gabriella.”

“That’s right. Please come in.” She had a dozen questions, but didn’t ask one. This was too significant a moment to intrude on Deline’s personal agony. She followed her into the living room where the twins were lying on their backs making infant sounds. Their compact bodies were in constant motion.

Gabi’s lungs constricted while she waited for a reaction from Leon’s wife. It wasn’t long in coming.

A pained cry escaped her lips and she sank into one end of the sofa as if her legs could no longer support her. Tears gushed down her cheeks. “They look exactly like him, but they should have been our children,” came her tortured whisper.

By now moisture had bathed Gabi’s face. “I’m so sorry, Deline. I wouldn’t blame you if you hated me for contacting Andreas. When I went to his office, I thought h-he was their father,” she stammered.

“Andreas told me everything.” Deline shook her head. “But a situation like this would never have happened to him. Unlike Leon, he doesn’t lose his head when he’s down or upset. That’s why he was made the head of the company over Leon after their father suffered his heart attack.”

“I didn’t realize.” Gabi knew so little really.

“When Andreas is married, his wife will be able to trust him to the death.”

The blood pounded in her ears. “Is he getting married soon?”

“Irena’s expecting a proposal any day now. She’s his girlfriend and my best friend. Her family owns one of the major newspapers here in Greece. She heads the travel section department.”

All of a sudden Gabi had to reach for the nearest chair and sit down. Swallowing hard, she said, “Will they be married soon?”

“Irena’s hoping so. He’s in Athens with her this weekend.”

Gabi had to fight not to break down hysterically. It appeared Andreas and Leon had more in common than Deline knew.

Last night Andreas had kissed her senseless. If Gabi hadn’t pulled away when she did, she’d have made the same mistake as Thea. When he’d told her he didn’t have a wife, she’d taken it to mean he didn’t have a romantic interest of any kind at the moment. What a naïve fool she was!

Yet none of it mattered in light of what Deline was going through. Gabi was being incredibly selfish to be thinking about herself at a time like this.

“How can I help you, Deline? I’d like to.”

She looked down at the children. “You can’t. I’ve loved Leon forever and always wanted his baby so badly, but it never happened. Now that I’m going to divorce him, there won’t ever be that possibility. Life’s so unfair.” Sobs shook her body.

Gabi’s heart sank to her feet. “I agree. My father lost his daughter early, and Thea didn’t live long enough to raise her babies. I’m convinced that if she hadn’t developed a heart problem, she would never have told me anything and this situation wouldn’t have arisen.”

“But it did,” Deline stated flatly, “and Leon wants his sons, which is only natural. He’s told his family, so that’s it.” She jumped up from the couch. “This morning he came to my parents’ home and begged me to fly here and see the children before I did anything else.

“I know what he’s hoping for, but he doesn’t understand. Even if I wanted to stay with him and was willing to give our marriage one more chance, I don’t see me in their countenances.” Her voice broke. “I’m afraid I’ll always see her and resent them even though they’re innocent in all this.”

Gabi felt such a wrench, she got up and put her arms around Deline. “I admire you for your gut honesty,” she cried softly. “I can’t tell you how sorry I am.”

Deline relaxed enough to hug her back. When they finally let go she asked, “What will you do now?”

“As soon as Leon comes for the children, I’m going back to Crete and then on to the States. My job is waiting for me.”

“What do you do?”

“I’m a manager at an advertising agency. It’s a fascinating business I like very much.” For the twins’ sake if nothing else, she had to keep giving herself that pep talk in front of them. If she ever truly broke down, she might not get herself back together again. “Do you work?”

“Not yet, but I have a friend who has offered to let me work in a hotel gift shop. I’m thinking of doing that so I don’t fall apart.”

Good for her! Gabi could relate. Deline wasn’t only wonderful, she had a backbone. “I wish you the very best. I hope you know I mean that.”

While they’d been talking, Kris started to whimper. Gabi picked him up to comfort him.

Deline studied her for a moment while dashing the tears off her face. “I was prepared not to like you, but having met you I’ve discovered that’s impossible.”

Gabi’s eyes filled again. Leon was losing a perfectly fabulous woman. How sad that he and Thea had ever met. Because of that pregnancy, Thea was no longer alive. But following that thought, if they’d never gotten together, there’d be no babies. She would never have met Andreas. No matter how hurt she was, Gabi could never wish the three of them didn’t exist.

She walked Deline to the door. “Did you fly here?”

“In the helicopter with Leon. He’s gone on to the villa. When he knows I’ve left the island, he’ll be over.”

Things were moving fast. “I hope you have a safe flight.”

Before she could respond, the baby hiccupped, proving a distraction for Deline, who couldn’t help examining his dear little face. “Which one is he?”

“Kris.”

“The one who has to have the heart surgery?”

“Yes.”

“He looks well.”

“I know, but he tires more easily and fusses more than Nikos. He’s a little smaller, too. When they’re grown, he’ll probably be an inch shorter. The doctor said this first operation is going to make a big difference.”

Her lower lip quivered. “H-he’s so sweet.” Her voice caught before she turned away with an abruptness Gabi understood. “I have to go.” She hurried off.

“Take care,” she called after her.

Oh, Deline…

Chapter Six

WITH a heavy heart Gabi closed the door. After feeding the babies, she put them down for their nap before checking her watch. It was ten after two. She phoned her mother, but all she got was her voice mail. Gabi left a message that she’d be returning to Heraklion without the children.

While she waited for Leon to come for his boys, she checked airline schedules and ferry crossings to Crete. There wouldn’t be another flight out of the island airport until tomorrow, but there was a ferry to Kimolos leaving from the pier at five-thirty. From there she would take another ferry to Heraklion.

She needed one more day to be with her parents and get her packing done. Then she’d fly to Athens and make a connecting flight to Washington, D.C. Without the twins to care for, it was imperative she put an ocean between her and Andreas.

A knock on the door broke her concentration. “Gabi? Are you in there?”

It was Leon’s voice. She hurried across the room to open it. He looked worse than Deline, as if he hadn’t slept in days. “Come in. Your wife said you’d be over.”

He followed her into the living room. “I’m not going to have a wife much longer.”

There was nothing she could say to comfort him on that score. He knew better than to ask her questions about their conversation since she couldn’t answer them out of respect for Deline. “But you do have two little babies who need their daddy. What plans have you made?”

“For the time being I’m going to keep them with me at my villa here. Estelle, the housekeeper, is going to take over as their nanny until I can find a permanent one. Mother will help. The family is around right now, turning one of the bedrooms into a nursery. Everyone’s anxious to help me get them settled. Needless to say, my parents are eager to love their newest grandchildren.”

“I’m sure they are.”

“Gabi?” His bloodshot eyes had gone moist. “I’m aware of how much you and your parents love them. This has to be a very difficult moment for you.”

“It is. I won’t lie to you about that, but you gave them life. They need you more than my folks and I need them. The sooner you take over, the sooner they’re going to become yours, heart and soul.”

“You know my home will always be open to you.”

“Of course. In two months I plan to fly back to Crete to see my parents for a week. By then Kris will have had his operation and be recovered in time for all of us to have a reunion.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it. We’ll have a family party where everyone can get acquainted.”

Gabi wondered how she would live until she saw them or Andreas again. “The next time you’re with your brother, please tell him thank you for making the arrangements here. It’s been a lovely vacation for me.”

“Andreas is the greatest friend a person could have.”

I know.

Together they packed up the children’s things and put them in his car. Leon had already installed two infant carseats in the back. Then came time to carry the children out of the house and buckle them in.

Throughout the process they stayed asleep, not having any idea that the next time they woke up, they’d be home with their daddy for the rest of their lives. And Andreas would always be their loving uncle…

Such lives they were going to lead being the sons of a Simonides!

She was thrilled for them. For herself, she was dying inside from too many losses in one day. Don’t lose it yet, Gabi. Remember why you sought out Andreas in the first place.

Leon came around and hugged her hard. “You’ve been a guardian angel all this time. I’m never going to forget. Before I go, let’s program in each other’s cell-phone numbers. I’m afraid I’ll be calling you pretty constantly until I get the hang of being a father. The children will be wanting you all the time.”

“For a day or two maybe.”

Gabi ran back in the house to get her phone. In a minute they were both set and there was nothing else to detain him. He climbed in behind the steering wheel. She shut the door. Leon pressed her hand one more time before turning on the motor.

Leave now before my little darlings open their eyes.

She waved until everything became a blur.

The minute the helicopter touched down on the helipad behind the villa on Milos, Andreas climbed out. He’d just come from Irena’s, where he’d told her everything. She deserved to know about the twins and the strange circumstances that had brought Gabi into his life.

Even in her pain, Irena demonstrated a rare graciousness before he said goodbye. Now he was anxious to find his brother. He assumed everyone was out at the pool enjoying dinner. After he ate, he’d disappear with his brother.

As he drew closer he could hear his family talking. They sounded more animated than usual. He couldn’t help but be curious over the reason why. When he descended the last flight of steps, he saw their large clan congregated around Leon and his parents. To his shock they were holding Kris and Nikos, but the babies weren’t happy about it.

Andreas’s heart thundered in his chest. He jerked his head to the side looking for Gabi. He felt as if it had been weeks instead of hours since he’d last seen her, but there was no sign of her.

Leon caught his glance and came striding toward him. He pulled Andreas over to the wall where they could talk in private.

“As you can see, the secret is out now. The family knows everything.”

Andreas had to admit he was relieved. Now he didn’t have to bear the burden of it alone. “Did Deline get a look at the twins?”

“This afternoon. Then she flew back to Athens. I’ll be receiving divorce papers shortly.”

Unfortunately he’d been afraid of that. “Where’s Gabi?”

“On her way home.”

It appeared Andreas had just missed her. “You mean the resort.”

“No. I mean the States. She said she’d be back in two months for a visit with her folks. That’s when I plan to get both our families together.”

Two months?

His guts froze. “You mean she’s already left Milos?”

Leon stared at him in surprise. “As far as I know.”

“And you didn’t stop her?”

His brother blinked. “Take it easy, Andreas. Why would I do that?”

“Why wouldn’t you?” he fired back. “Gabi’s been their mother for the last three months. She must be out of her mind with grief right now.”

“I’m sure she is, but we both agreed it had to be this way so I could bond with my sons. In this case a complete break was necessary if the babies are going to look to me for their needs now.”

Andreas couldn’t argue with her logic or Leon’s, but after the brief intimacy they’d shared the knowledge that Gabi had left Greece made him feel as if his tether had come loose from the mother ship and he was left to float out into the dark void.

“She asked me to thank you for the vacation arrangements in Apollonia.”

He rubbed the back of his neck while he tried to take it all in. When he thought of her response on the beach, and at the door yesterday…Didn’t it mean anything to her?

“Bro?” Leon whispered. “Did you hear what I said?”

Yes. Andreas heard him, but he couldn’t waste any more time talking. “Leon? Do me a favor and make my excuses to the family while I go inside for a minute. I’ll be right back.”

While his brother stood there looking visibly perplexed, Andreas raced up the side steps. When he was out of sight of the others he called the resort. “I’d like to speak to Lena. This is Andreas Simonides.”

“One moment please.” He paced until he heard her voice. “Kyrie Simonides? What can I do for you?”

“I understand Ms. Turner checked out today. Did you order a car for her so she could be driven to the airport?”

“Not to the airport. She went to the pier to get the ferry.”

That ferry only went to Kimolos.

His adrenaline surged. “Thank you. That’s all I needed to know.”

He hung up. Gabi would have to stay there overnight until there was a different ferry to Athens tomorrow. He had time to make plans.

With his pulse racing, he rejoined the family. Two extremely miserable babies were being passed around. They were looking for the one beautiful, familiar golden angel who didn’t make up part of the dark-haired Simonides family.

No one—not his sisters, his mother or Estelle could calm them. Leon had to take over, but they still weren’t completely comforted. Andreas knew in his gut Gabi wasn’t in nearly as good a shape as the twins were.

His mother shot him a curious glance. “Where did you go? Why isn’t Irena with you?”

Now was not the time to discuss his breakup or the reason behind it. “She couldn’t make it. I had an important phone call to deal with.”

“Have you eaten yet?”

“I’m not hungry.”

She shook her head. “Your brother told us the saga about the twins and the major role you and Gabriella Turner have played in all of it. You’re a remarkable son, Andreas. I love you for your loyalty to him.”

“Deline’s destroyed all over again.”

His mother nodded. “I’m afraid she might not be able to deal with his babies, not when she wants one so badly herself.” Her eyes filled with fresh tears. “But the boys are so adorable. It’s uncanny how much they resemble you and Leon at that age.”

“They have the look of their mother, too. I saw pictures when I was at the consulate.”

“The Turner family must be devastated over their loss. Your father and I would like to meet them.”

“I’ll arrange it.” Just as soon as I catch up to Gabi.

The splotchy face and swollen eyes that looked back from the hotel-room mirror made Gabi wince. She could only hope that by the time she went aboard the ferry taking her to Heraklion later in the day, all traces of the terrible night she’d just lived through would be gone.

She finished dressing in jeans and a white sleeveless blouse. Her hair, still damp from its shampoo, was already curling. The heat would dry her out in no time. With a coat of coral lipstick, she felt a little more presentable to face the day.

After having given Leon all the babies’ things yesterday, she had only her overnight bag to carry down to the pier surrounded with its assembly of fishing boats and other craft. Small groups of tourists were slowly making their way to the same embarkation point where they could see the ferry entering the port.

She hadn’t been anywhere without the chil-dren for so long, she felt empty. Were they missing her? Her eyelids burned. The only way her parents were handling the loss was because they had each other. They were the great loves in each other’s lives.

When she’d thought she’d be raising the twins, she hadn’t met Andreas yet and had been glad she was single. Now she had nothing left except her dreams of a god who’d turned out to be too human after all. More than ever she was eager to get back to her career.

“Gabi?”

She thought she was hearing things and kept walking. When her name was called out a second time, she slowed down and turned around. By then it was too late to stifle the cry that sprang from her throat. Her overnight bag dropped to the ground.

Andreas studied her tear-ravaged face. “I thought so,” his voice rasped.

Her mouth had gone dry at the sight of him. He looked impossibly handsome wearing white cargo pants and a blue crewneck shirt with the sleeves pushed up to the elbows.

“If something’s wrong with the children, why didn’t Leon call me? He has my number.”

He scrutinized her for a moment. “Whatever happened to hello? How are you? Isn’t this a beautiful day!”

Heat spilled into her cheeks, but she didn’t look away. “A man with your kind of responsibilities doesn’t show up at an obscure port off the beaten track unless there’s a dire emergency.”

“That’s not always true or fair.” He stood there with stunning nonchalance. “You’re suddenly making judgments about me. What’s changed since we last saw each other?”

For him, nothing. Though he had a serious girlfriend right now, he enjoyed being the quintessential playboy up to the very end. Why not? Little did he know the experience with Rand had taught her two could dance to that tune.

“Absolutely nothing. Last week I told you that if Leon decided to claim the children, I had to get back to my job.”

He rubbed the side of his hard jaw absently. “I’m the one who brought you to Milos. Why didn’t you at least wait until I could make arrangements to get you back to Crete?”

She pasted on a phony smile. “Andreas—I’m a businesswoman, remember? I’m capable of looking out for myself.”

His expression tautened even more. “Didn’t it occur to you I wanted to do that for you?”

The fact that he’d shown up here proved he was hoping to pick up where they’d left off at the beach. If his girlfriend knew about the other women he played around with, then she had a high tolerance level. Gabi wasn’t made the same way.

“It’s not a case of occurring to me. You’re probably the most generous person I’ve ever known. But you’re also the head of your family’s company. Now that Leon’s been united with his children, you and I have other fish to fry, as we Americans say. I’m due for a promotion as soon as I return to Alexandria, so it’s imperative I leave Greece on the next flight out.”

His silvery eyes bored into hers. “Will one more day matter in the scheme of things?”

Yes, considering the convulsion he’d set off by his unexpected presence here. “Since my boss is expecting me, I’m afraid so. Now if you’ll excuse me, people are starting to board the ferry.”

“Let them,” he declared. “My boat will take you wherever you want to go.”

She sustained his gaze without flinching. Andreas had an agenda and insisted on taking her to her parents, so there was no point in fighting him. If she kept her wits about her, she ought to be able to handle a few more hours alone with him. Play along for a little while longer. That was the key.

“Okay. I give up. Hello, Andreas. It’s lovely to see you again. What brings you to this island on such a beautiful summer morning?”

Laughter rumbled out of him. “That’s better.”

“I’m glad you think so.” The charisma of the man had the power to raise her temperature. “My plan is to go back to Heraklion. I need to pack the rest of my things before I fly home.”

He picked up her overnight bag. “Come with me and we’ll reach Crete long before the ferry gets there.”

Andreas walked her in another direction toward a sleek-looking jet boat tied up in one of the slips. The Simonides family had a different vessel for every occasion. For this trip it was going to be just the two of them. Though she forbade it, she couldn’t stop the thrill of excitement that spread through her body to be with him again. She had to be some kind of masochist.

After helping her on board, he handed her a life jacket and told her to put it on. While she buckled up, he undid the ropes and jumped in, taking his place at the wheel. Before he could turn on the engine, she handed him a life jacket. “What’s sauce for the goose…” she teased. “Do you know the expression?”

“I know a better one.” He smiled back. “Never argue with a woman holding a weapon.” He slanted her an amused glance before taking it from her and putting it on his hard-muscled frame. She felt relief knowing that if, heaven help them, something happened on the way to Crete, he was wearing a floating device, too.

The cold, implacable head of the Simonides corporation she’d first confronted at his office was so far removed from the relaxed man driving the boat, she had trouble connecting the two. Before she knew it, they were idling out to sea at a wakeless speed.

“How long are you going to keep me in suspense about what really brought you here this morning?”

Andreas didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “Not long.” He engaged the gears and the boat burst across the water like a surfaced torpedo.

Gabi had to be happy with that explanation. She was happy. Too happy to be with him when he didn’t know what it meant to be faithful to one woman. Gabi wished she didn’t care and could give in to her desire without counting the cost.

Deline was a much better woman than Gabi. She’d forgiven Leon his one-night stand with Thea. Until she’d found out about the twins…

Resigned to her fate—at least until they reached Heraklion—Gabi put her head back to feel the sun on her face. Every so often the boat kicked up spray, dappling her skin with fine droplets of water. She kept her eyes closed in an attempt to rein in her exhilaration.

The problem was, she’d fallen irrevocably in love with Andreas, the deep, painful kind that would never go away. But she’d made up her mind he would never know he was the great love of her life. Nor would she ever dare to say it out loud. An ordinary mortal reaching for the unattainable might bring on the mockery of the gods.

“Tell me something honestly, Gabi. How wedded are you to returning to your old job?”

His question jolted her back to the real world. She sat up, eyeing him through shuttered lids to keep out the blinding sun. “I’m very wedded. Besides being stimulating, it provides me a comfortable living with the promise of great things in the future. Why do you ask?”

He cut the motor, immediately creating silence except for the lapping of water against the hull. In a deft motion he left his seat long enough to produce a couple of sodas from the cooler. After handing her one, he sat down again with his well-honed body turned toward her.

“Thank you. I didn’t realize I was thirsty until now.”

His eyes, a solid metal-gray at the moment, met hers over the rim of his drink. “I know what you mean.” An odd nuance in his low voice caused her to believe he was referring to something else. Memories of the two of them communicating in the most elemental of ways on that beach never left her mind. Trembling, she looked away.

“What do you recall about my receptionist?”

The question was so strange, she thought she hadn’t heard him right, but Andreas never said or did anything without a reason. “I suppose I thought she was firm, but fair…even kind in her own way.”

“An excellent description,” he murmured. “Anna’s going to be seventy on her next birthday. She worked for my father forty-five years and never married.”

“They must have been a perfect match for her to stay in his employ that long.” Gabi imagined the woman had been madly in love with the senior Simonides. If he had a tenth of his son’s brilliance and vitality, it all made perfect sense.

“When he stepped down, I kept her on with the intention of asking her to train a new receptionist before I let her go. However, after one day of working with her, I realized what a treasure she was and I refused to consider breaking in anyone else.”

Gabi swallowed the rest of her drink. “If it hadn’t been for her, the twins would still be without their father. For that alone, I like her without really knowing her.”

She heard his sharp intake of breath. “Being a receptionist is only one of Anna’s jobs. In a word, she’s the keeper of the flame. Do you understand what I mean?”

“I think so,” Gabi said with conviction. “She’s a paragon of the virtues you admire most.”

He nodded gravely. “But she needs to retire and get the knee replacement she’s been putting off.”

“I noticed her limping.”

“It’s getting worse every day. The trouble is, I’ve despaired of finding anyone else like her. Then I met you.” His piercing glance rested on her, reminding her of something he’d said to her a week ago.

If you were looking for a job, I’d hire you as my personal assistant on your integrity and discretion alone.

The worst nightmare she could conceive of was upon her. She knew exactly where this conversation was going and shook her head.

“Before you refuse me outright,” he said, “I’m only suggesting that I could use your help while I look around the company for the right person to replace her. It could take me several months. You’ll be given your own furnished apartment on the floor below my office. There’s a restaurant on the next floor down for the staff.”

“Andreas—” she blurted almost angrily. “What’s this really about?”

“I don’t want you to leave Greece until we know Kris’s heart operation is successful. If there are complications, you’ll want to be here.”

She didn’t want to be reminded of that possibility. “I’m praying everything will go well, but if it doesn’t, I’ll fly over on the spot.”

“That’s not good enough.”

What was going on inside him? She knew his request couldn’t be for personal reasons. Besides his girlfriend, there were legions of women who’d love a fling with him. “Why?”

He seemed fascinated by the pulse throbbing in her throat. “I just came from being with the family. The babies were out of control. We both know they were looking for you.” They were? “Let’s be honest. With the operation coming up, Leon’s going to need you. I know it in my gut.”

Gabi bowed her head. “They’ll get over the separation in a few days and cling to him.”

“I don’t believe that, and neither do you.” Andreas leaned closer to her. “These things take time. I know how much you love the boys. Admit you’re dying inside after having to give them up.”

“Of course I am.” The tears started spurting. Too late she covered her face with her hands.

“Gabi…” Andreas whispered in a compassionate voice.

“When Thea asked me to find a couple who would adopt the boys, it killed me because I wanted to be the one to take over. She didn’t know that by then I was prepared to give up my career for them. But the law forced me to come to you.”

“Thank God it did!” In a sinuous movement Andreas pulled her into his arms. At first she remained stiff, but his gentle rocking broke down every defense and she ended up sobbing against his broad shoulder.

“I know how much you love them,” he murmured into her silky curls. “That’s why I don’t want you to leave. Stay and work for me until Kris has recovered fully from his operation. You and I can visit the twins after work every few days. That way everyone will be happy and it won’t interfere with the bonding going on between them and their father.”

When she realized she’d be content to stay like this forever, she eased away from him and wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands.

Eventually she glanced at him, never having realized gray eyes could be so warm. His love of the twins produced that translucent glow. “When you put it that way, you manage to exorcize all the demons. Only Andreas Simonides can make everything sound so simple and reasonable, even if it isn’t.”

“That’s all I needed to hear. The matter’s settled.”

No. It’s not. “Nothing’s settled. First I have to talk to my boss and determine if that promotion will still be waiting for me if I get back at a later date.”

“After knowing you a week, I can guarantee he’ll move mountains to accommodate you in order to get you in the end.”

Andreas said whatever needed to be said in order to accomplish his objective. That was why he was the head of the family business. There was just one problem. She couldn’t figure out his objective. She knew he loved the twins, but he was after something more.

“Tell me the real reason you’re asking me to temp for you. By your answer, I’ll know if you’re telling me the truth or not.”

“You’re not just anyone. You’re the twins’ aunt. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to peek in on them from time to time. That’s hard to do from across the ocean.” A compelling smile broke out on his striking face. “I want to peek with you.”

Andreas…

She averted her eyes. “That’s the wrong answer.”

“It’s the only one I have,” he answered with enviable calm.

“You mean the only one you’re willing to offer me. Without knowing the truth, I can’t stay in Greece even if my boss were willing to give me more time away.”

His smile faded. “I didn’t know there was more truth to tell unless it’s my guilt.”

She blinked. “About what?”

He eyed her intently. “About everything. It’s my fault my brother’s marriage is in trouble again. If I’d left everything alone after you walked out of my office, they wouldn’t be headed for divorce and the twins would be in Virginia leading perfectly contented lives with you.”

“Except that I couldn’t have adopted them.”

“They’d have still been yours, Gabi.”

“And after they grew up and demanded to know about their father, what then? If I admitted that I’d known his name all along, they might never forgive me.”

A strange sound came out of his throat. “You’ve just put your finger on my greatest nightmare. If I’d kept the secret of the twins over the years knowing Leon and his wife could never have children, I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself for playing god with my brother’s life.”

It was Gabi’s turn to moan.

He reached out and grasped her hands. “The truth is, you and I are up to our necks in this mess together. Leon needs our help for a little while longer.”

She sucked in her breath. “But you don’t really need an assistant.”

“Actually I do. Anna’s got to get that knee operated on right away.”

“You could hire any number of secretaries in your company to replace her.”

“I could, but I thought one of the reasons you were leaving Crete was so your parents could get back to the lives they were leading before Thea became ill.”

“You’re right,” she confessed quietly.

“By the time you leave my employ, I’ll be hiring a permanent assistant.” He kissed the back of her hands before letting them go. A tingling sensation coursed through Gabi’s sensitized body and lingered for the rest of the trip to Heraklion.

Chapter Seven

THE blood donation area of the hospital in Athens had continual traffic. Gabi looked over at Andreas. Both of them were stretched out side by side on cots giving blood. They’d taken the day off from work. It was a good thing since they’d had to wait at least an hour after arriving there before their turn was announced.

In preparation for today she’d eaten a good breakfast and had forced down fluids. Before bringing her to the hospital where Kris would be having his surgery, Andreas had instructed the limo driver to drop them off at a fabulous restaurant in the Plaka for lunch. But instead of ordering the specialty of the house, they’d eaten iron-rich spinach salad followed by sirloin steak.

Andreas was remarkable. In the short time she’d been working for him, she’d learned that when he did something, he always did it right and thoroughly. She loved him with a vengeance. If Kris weren’t facing an operation, Andreas wouldn’t have asked her to stay on and none of this would be happening.

“This is kind of like lying on the beach at Papafragas.”

For him to mention that night—out of the blue—when she’d lost almost every inhibition in his arms came as such a surprise, she almost fell off the cot.

“It’s not as warm,” she murmured.

“No, and we’re not alone. It’s a good thing we don’t have to swim the length of that fjord later. We’re not supposed to do any strenuous activity for the rest of the day. I wouldn’t be able to save you.”

In spite of that bittersweet memory, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Then what are we going to do?”

“I’ll tell the chauffeur to drive us back to the office and we’ll watch TV in your apartment while we take it easy.”

“If you get lightheaded, the long couch is yours,” she quipped, but the second the words came out, she regretted saying anything. Since the day he’d shown it to her, he’d never asked to come inside and she’d never invited him. To cover her tracks she asked, “Do you ever watch TV?”

“All the time.”

“You’re joking—”

He chuckled. “Leon and I are sports nuts.”

“I can believe that, but when do you find the time?”

“My iPhone. Broadband is everywhere and performs almost every trick known to technological mankind.”

“Aha! So in between important phone calls and meetings, you’re watching soccer?”

“Or basketball or the NFL.”

“How about NASCAR? The Grand Prix?”

“Love it all.”

She frowned. “And here I thought you were different.”

His smile was too much. “What do you watch?”

“When I’m in the States and have time, the History Channel and cooking shows, British comedies and mysteries. I also like bullriding.”

“You’re a fan of the rodeo?”

“When I was in college, a friend of mine attending there asked me to go back to Austin with her during our two-week break. We met a couple of cowboys and got talked into going to one. I’ve been hooked ever since.”

He stared at her as if trying to find a way into her soul. “On a certain cowboy?”

“For a time I was,” she answered honestly, “but the illness passed.”

“Have there been many?”

“Many what?” She knew exactly what he meant.

“Illnesses.”

“Probably half a dozen.” She didn’t want to talk about old boyfriends. The man lying near her made every male she’d ever known fade into insignificance. “Andreas? Speaking of illness, what did Kris’s heart surgeon tell Leon when he took him in for his checkup yesterday? You went with him, but you acted differently when you came back to the office.”

“Did I?”

“You know you did. If you’re trying to spare me, please don’t.”

Suddenly the curtain was swept aside and two hospital staff came in to finish up and unhook them. “You’re all done.” They both sat up and put their legs on the floor. “Take your time. There are refreshments outside before you leave the hospital.”

When they were alone again, Gabi slid off the cot and turned to him. “I’m still waiting for an answer.”

By now Andreas had rolled down his shirtsleeve and was on his feet. “The doctor couldn’t promise the operation would be risk free.”

“Of course not. No operation is.”

“My brother’s dealing with too many emotions right now.”

They all were. She sensed Andreas was secretly worried, but he hid it well. “On top of Leon’s pain, taking care of the twins is physically exhausting work no matter how sweet they are.”

His eyes were almost slumberous as they looked at her. “We need time off from our fears, too. Since there’s nothing more we can do for the moment, let’s go home and relax.”

She watched him shrug into his jacket. He sounded as if he meant that they would actually go back to her apartment and spend the rest of the day together, but it was out of the question. Andreas had a playful side that could throw her off guard at unexpected moments, but from the time Deline had told her he had a serious girlfriend, Gabi refused to play.

After they’d been served juice and rolls, the limo took them to the office. They rode his private elevator to her floor. Gabi’s heart thudded heavily as they walked across the foyer to her suite.

She opened the door, then turned to him. “Thank you for accompanying me this far in case I fainted, but as you can see I’m fine. If you’re feeling dizzy, there’s a very comfortable couch to lie down on in the reception room of your office.” A smile broke the corner of her mouth. “I know because I spent half a day on it waiting for you to give me an audience.”

She heard him inhale quickly, as if he were out of breath and needed more air. “I’m sorry you were forced to wait so long.”

“I’m not,” she said brightly. “It gave me an opportunity to watch Anna at work. On that day who would have guessed I’d end up filling in temporarily after she left?”

When he still made no move to leave, she said, “Thank you for giving blood with me, Andreas. I’m glad I didn’t have to do it alone. See you in the morning and we’ll plan that big company party you want to give for Anna after she’s recovered from her knee surgery.”

Before the weakness invading her body smothered the voice telling her not to let him get near enough to touch her, she stepped inside and started to close the door.

“Not so fast.” Andreas had put his foot there, making it impossible to shut it. Quick as lightning he stepped inside and closed it. Her heart thumped so hard, she was afraid he could hear it.

“What is it?”

“What do you think?” he demanded in a silky voice.

Uh-oh. Gabi backed away from him. “I—I’m sure I don’t know,” she stammered.

He moved toward her. “When I left you at the resort on Apollonia after our night at Papafragas, I held a woman in my arms who was with me all the way. In the blink of an eye I learned she’d left the island. When I went after that woman and found her, she’d changed. Since then I’ve been waiting for her to re-emerge, but she hasn’t. Now I want to know why.”

She smoothed her palms against her hips, a gesture his piercing gaze followed while she tried to think up an answer. Unless it was the truth, nothing would satisfy him, but in doing so she would give herself away.

As the silence lengthened a grimace marred his handsome features. “At the hospital you admitted there was no other man in your life, or is that a lie and it’s your boss you’re in love with?”

Gabi had a hard time believing she’d injured his pride by playing hard to get, because that was all this interrogation could possibly be about.

“No,” she finally answered with every bit of control she could muster. “Like you, I don’t have a significant other I’m keeping secrets from.” She’d said it on purpose to watch for the slightest guilty reaction from him. Now was the time for him to admit his involvement with the woman Deline had mentioned, but nothing was forthcoming.

“If that’s true, why do you rush away from me the second our business day is over? How come we never share a meal unless it’s on Milos while we’re checking on the twins?” His eyes narrowed on her mouth. “Have I suddenly become repulsive to you?”

She was aghast. “I’m not going to dignify that absurd question with an answer.” If anyone were listening, they’d think he was her husband listing the latest problem in their marriage.

“Then prove it. I told you I’d like to spend the rest of the afternoon with you. We can do it here or at my penthouse.”

There was no putting him off. She bit her lip. “Well, as long as you’re here, y—”

“My thoughts exactly.” He finished her sentence and removed his jacket, tossing it over a side chair. “When we get hungry later, we’ll have the restaurant send something up.”

She got that excited sensation in her midriff. “Excuse me for a moment.”

“Take all the time you need to freshen up. I’m not going anywhere.”

That was what she was afraid of as she darted from the living room. The second she saw herself in the bathroom mirror she groaned to see her cheeks were filled with hectic color. After giving blood, she was shocked by her body’s betrayal.

When she returned a few minutes later her feet came to a standstill. Andreas had stretched out on her couch with his eyes closed. He’d turned on television to a made-for-TV Greek movie.

He was so gorgeous, she didn’t dare move or breathe in case he sensed she was there and caught her feasting her eyes on him. Every part of his male facial structure was perfect. From his wavy black hair to the long, hard-muscled length of his powerful anatomy, he was a superb specimen. But it was the core of the remarkable human beneath that radiated throughout, bringing alive the true essence of what a real man should be.

Maybe it was the combination of giving blood and the many hours of work he’d been packing into each day so they could spend time with the twins. Whatever, it all seemed to have taken its toll. She could tell from the way he was breathing that he’d fallen asleep.

He would never know how much she wanted to lie down and wrap her arms around him, never letting him go, but she couldn’t. Feeling tired herself, she lay down on the small couch facing him so she could watch him as he slept.

The movie played on, but she had no idea what it was about. Her lids grew heavy. When next she became cognizant of her surroundings, Andreas had just set a tray of sandwiches and coffee on the table.

Surprised at how deeply she’d slept, she took a minute to clear her head before she sat up. Her watch said five to six! She glanced at Andreas. “How long have you been awake?”

“About twenty minutes. It’s apparent we both needed the rest.”

“I never sleep in the middle of the day!”

She felt his chuckle down to her toes. “You did this time.” Did she snore? Help! “I’m going to take it as a compliment you felt comfortable with me.”

“In other words it was the proof you needed to realize I don’t find you repulsive?”

“Something like that,” came the wry comment. “I’ve already eaten. Have some coffee.” He handed her a cup.

“Thank you.” She drank half of it before eating a sandwich. In a few minutes she sat back. “That tasted good.”

He stood there surfing the channels until he came to another movie. Before she could countenance it, he sat down next to her and pulled her across his lap into his arms.

“This is what I wanted to do earlier.”

Andreas moved too fast for her. She could no more resist the hard male mouth clinging to hers than she could stop breathing. Oh—he tasted so good, felt so good. Her body seemed to quicken in acknowledgment that they’d done this before.

Without conscious thought she curled on her side and wrapped her arms around his neck, wanting to get her lips closer to his face. The need to press kisses to each feature took over. She ran a hand into his hair, loving the texture of it.

On a groan he crushed her tighter, then his mouth covered hers again and she thought she’d die of the pleasure he was giving her. “I want you, Gabi. I want to make love to you.”

She wanted it, too, more than anything she’d wanted in life, but enjoying a few kisses and sleeping together were two different things. Gabi refused to get in any deeper when she knew she wasn’t the only woman in his life. Girlfriend or wife, there was someone else. The fact that he still hadn’t admitted it revealed the one flaw in him she couldn’t overlook.

These last three weeks she’d avoided this situation for the very reason that you couldn’t go on kissing each other or it turned into something else. She needed to quit while she could still keep her head. That way she’d have fewer regrets when she got back to the advertising world.

The second he allowed her a breath she eased away from him and stood up. “Much as I’m tempted, I’d rather we didn’t cross that line. Remember we’re an aunt and uncle to the twins and will be seeing each other on the rare occasion throughout our lives. Many times I’ve heard you tell potential clients you like keeping things above board and professional. It’s my opinion that line of reasoning works well in our particular case.”

After his arrival on Milos, Andreas strode through Leon’s villa looking for his brother. Estelle told him he was putting the babies down for the night. As he approached the nursery he saw Leon closing the door.

They glanced at each other. “Thanks for coming,” he whispered. “Let’s go to my room.”

“Sorry I couldn’t get here any sooner to help with the twins. I had an important meeting.” He’d asked Gabi to type up his notes and leave them on his desk before he took off for Milos.

Since the night she’d delivered the coup de grâce, he’d only been functioning on autopilot. Gabi was keeping something from him and he was determined to get it out of her no matter what he had to do.

Leon shut the door behind them. “You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”

Andreas stared at his brother. He’d lost weight and looked tired, but that was to be expected considering he was a new father. The look of anxiety in his eyes was something else again, kindling Andreas’s curiosity. “What’s this about? I thought you told me Kris was fine after his checkup.”

“He is.”

“Don’t tell me you think they’re still missing Gabi?”

“Not as much. After the first few days they both stopped crying for her and accepted me. Now when they see me, they reach for me and don’t want anyone else except Gabi when she comes. It’s an amazing feeling.”

“I can only imagine.” Andreas was longing for the same experience himself, but only under the right circumstances. “So what’s wrong?”

“Maybe you ought to sit down.”

Was it that bad? He remained standing. “Just tell me.”

“You won’t believe this. Deline called me this afternoon. She’s pregnant.”

The news rocked Andreas back on his heels. In fact it was incredible. He stared at his twin. Leon was now the father of a third child yet to be born.

“The doctor confirmed she’s six weeks along. It was the shortest phone call on record. Before she hung up, she said she was still divorcing me, but wanted me to know the baby was due next spring.”

“No matter what, congratulations are in order.” Andreas gave him a brotherly hug.

Leon looked shell-shocked. “Ironic, isn’t it? I’ve got Thea’s children, Deline’s carrying mine, yet none of us will be getting together.”

He’d left out a heartbroken Gabi who would have had every right to hold on to the twins without telling anyone, but she didn’t have a selfish bone in her beautiful body. One thing was evident. Through this experience Leon had learned how much he loved Deline. Andreas could only commiserate with him.

“Don’t despair. With time it could all work out the way you want it. As long as I’m here, why don’t you fly to Athens and talk to her tonight? I’ll do the babysitting duties here until you get back. If you need a couple of days, take it!”

Leon’s eyes ignited. “You’d do that?”

His brother was in pain and needed help.

“What do you think?” After today’s meeting he didn’t have anything of vital importance on for tomorrow. If he went to Gabi’s door, she wouldn’t let him in. “I’m crazy about my nephews and want to spend some quality time with them.”

His brother had difficulty swallowing. “Thanks. It seems like that’s all I ever say to you. I haven’t been to work in weeks. You’ve had a double load.”

“Don’t you remember you’ve been given maternity leave? As Gabi once said to me, what’s sauce for the goose…”

While Leon changed clothes, he shot Andreas a curious glance. “How’s she doing as Anna’s replacement?”

“Better than even I had imagined.”

“Under the circumstances you were wise to break it off with Irena as soon as you did. Everyone in the family knows it now, but I have to tell you it came as a shock to Deline.”

Andreas nodded. “Those two managed to grow even closer during the time I was seeing her.”

“Deline says Irena is leaving for Italy for a long holiday. Before she does, she wants to take a look at the twins, so don’t be surprised if she shows up. Sorry about that if it happens.”

“I’m not concerned. If there’s any problem with the boys that I don’t anticipate, I’ll call you.”

As soon as Leon left the villa Andreas stretched out on top of his brother’s bed and drew the phone from his pocket. He frowned when all he got was Gabi’s voice mail. The beep eventually sounded.

“Gabi? Something has come up and Leon needs my help. First thing in the morning I’d like you to reschedule any appointments for the next two days, then I want you to fly to Milos. The helicopter will be standing by. I’ll expect you in time to have a late breakfast with the boys.”

She would never come for him, but an opportunity to see the twins was something else again.

The apartment in the Simonides office building was more fabulous than any five-star hotel. Every time Gabi stepped out of the shower of the guest suite, she felt as if she were a princess whose days were enchanted because she was allowed to be with Andreas while he worked.

If there was a downside, it came at the end of the day. When Andreas left his office and said he’d see her in the morning, the enchantment left with him. Except for the evening she’d talked to him about not crossing the line, she hadn’t been with him in another setting away from the office.

Since she’d come to work for him, the nights had turned out to be the loneliest Gabi had ever known. To stave off the worst of it, she spent time after hours acquainting herself with the files stored on the computer and memorizing the names of his most important clients.

One night last week she’d come across the merger with Paulos Metal Experts. To her astonishment she read that Dimitri had brought several unscrupulous lawsuits against the Simonides Corporation in order to get the judge to intervene.

Andreas had represented his father in court. Every attempt by the opposition was defeated. Photocopies of all the court documents were there. It had been a heated case. She didn’t say anything to Andreas, but reading the material gave her a much fuller understanding of the disgusting man Thea had married.

This evening when Andreas had left the office, she could tell he was in a hurry. Naturally she imagined he was planning to spend the night with his girlfriend, a possibility too devastating to contemplate.

With an aching heart she reached for her cell phone to see if there’d been any calls from her parents or Jasmin while she’d been in the shower. To her shock, the only message she’d missed had come from Andreas.

She always loved the opportunity to fly out to Milos so she could hold her precious babies. This time she’d make it a short, drop-in visit and take some pictures of the twins with her cell phone to show her parents. After that she would ask the pilot to fly her to Heraklion for a surprise visit. They’d love to see how much their grandsons had grown.

Since Gabi needed a break to separate herself from Andreas, it was a good plan. In a few more days Kris would be having his surgery. After he’d recovered, she would resign her job with Andreas and go back to Virginia.

That would leave him free to do whatever. Everything would be wrapping up soon and she’d be gone for good.

Twelve hours later Gabi climbed aboard the helicopter atop the office building with her overnight bag. En route to Milos she informed the pilot she would only be there for a brief time. Afterward she wished to be flown to Heraklion.

Armed with her plans, she arrived at the Simonides villa where Andreas stood at the helipad, disturbingly handsome in an unfastened white linen shirt and bathing trunks. She’d been so used to seeing him in a business suit at the office, her heart skipped around, throwing her completely off-kilter.

As he stepped forward to help her out, his penetrating eyes seemed to be all over her, turning her insides to mush. She’d worn a summery print skirt and sleeveless blouse in earth tones on white with white straw sandals. It was an outfit he wouldn’t have seen before.

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