From one night...

To nine months!

In this Greek Island Brides story, for jaded tycoon Xander Marinakos, renowned wedding destination Infinity Island is just another opportunity to expand his empire. Until he’s captivated by its beautiful owner, Lea Romes... When their one night together has unexpected consequences, Xander must negotiate the deal of a lifetime, and put his guarded heart on the table to convince independent Lea they can be a family...for infinity!

Award-winning author JENNIFER FAYE pens fun, heart-warming, contemporary romances, filled with rugged cowboys, sexy billionaires and enchanting royalty. Internationally published, with books translated into nine languages, she is a two-time winner of the RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award. She has also won the CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Award, been named a TOP PICK author, and has been nominated for numerous other awards.

Also by Jennifer Faye

Heiress’s Royal Baby Bombshell

Once Upon a Fairytale miniseries

Beauty and Her Boss

Miss White and the Seventh Heir

Greek Island Brides miniseries

Carrying the Greek Tycoon’s Baby

And look out for the next book

Coming soon

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

Carrying the Greek Tycoon’s Baby

Jennifer Faye

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-09077-3

CARRYING THE GREEK TYCOON’S BABY

© 2019 Jennifer F. Stroka

Published in Great Britain 2019

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

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www.millsandboon.co.uk

Version: 2020-03-02

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Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

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

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

EPILOGUE

Extract

About the Publisher

PROLOGUE
March, Infinity Island, Greece

THINGS WOULD GET BETTER.

They had to.

Lea Romes refused to accept any other alternative.

She pushed her chair back from the desk with its insurmountable pile of paperwork. In this modern age of technology, she thought paperwork would be a thing of the past. But alas, it seemed as though dealing with written documents would be a constant while the digital correspondence and spreadsheets just added to the burden.

At least she got to work in paradise as a wedding planner. She picked up her oversized coffee mug and moved to the French doors overlooking the private cove. She stepped out onto the spacious balcony, letting the vibrant sun warm her face. Since she’d inherited the island some thirteen months ago, her life had changed dramatically.

Her move from Seattle, Washington, to Greece had happened not in a matter of months or even weeks but days. Of course, it hadn’t helped that she’d learned she had extended family in Greece from an attorney instead of her own parents—parents who had deprived her of that part of her life. It was a betrayal she’d never seen coming. She’d felt utterly blindsided and hurt beyond belief.

With nothing more than two suitcases and a disillusioned view of life, she’d set out on her journey to Greece. She hadn’t known what to expect when she arrived on this small, lush Greek island. The attorney had informed her that Infinity Island had been in the family for generations. It wasn’t until she browsed through all of the photos in the family home that she realized her own mother had been born and raised on this very island. It was like an arrow to the heart. How could her mother have kept this place and her family from her?

Lea hadn’t spoken to her parents since their heated argument right before she left Seattle. But it wasn’t like they’d reached out to her, either. Her parents were stubborn and so certain they’d done the right thing by omitting certain details of Lea’s life. But right now Lea had bigger problems, starting with the fact that this wedding/honeymoon destination spot was in deep financial trouble—

Knock. Knock.

Lea stepped back inside the office. “Come in.”

Popi Costas, her best friend and the other wedding planner on the island, stuck her head inside the office. Her dark brown ponytail swung over her shoulder. “Your guest has arrived.”

“Already?” That couldn’t be right. He wasn’t due to arrive for another hour. Her gaze sought out the little smiling emoji clock on her desk. It was in fact 10 a.m. Not 9 a.m. Time had gotten away from her.

She’d wanted to touch up her makeup and hair before greeting this man—this very important man. She’d seen his photos on the internet. He was strikingly handsome in that tall, dark and mysterious sort of way. But she assured herself that wanting to fix herself up and put on a good—no, a great—first impression had more to do with business than anything else. He might just be the person to change everything for her and this island.

“Quit frowning,” Popi said. They’d become fast friends when Lea had arrived on the island. It helped that they were of similar age and Popi was easy to be around. She could make Lea smile, even when she didn’t want to. “You look amazing. As always.” Popi gestured with her hand. “Come on. You don’t want to keep him waiting.”

She was right. The last thing Lea wanted to do was give this man a bad impression right from the start. She dashed out the door, wishing she’d taken more time that morning in front of the mirror. She sighed. There wasn’t time to do anything about it now.

Outside, the sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky. One thing about living on a Greek island versus Seattle was there was sunshine almost every day of the year. And Lea loved it. Arriving on Infinity Island had felt, strangely enough, like coming home.

She climbed on the golf cart that she used to get around the small island. They had a whole fleet of golf carts for their guests as well as paved paths. She quickly maneuvered her way down to the marina. Most of their guests arrived from the mainland via a ferry or flew in via a chartered seaplane. In rare cases, a helicopter was used—but generally that was saved for emergencies or the occasional guest who could afford such extravagances.

When she’d first arrived on the island, she’d spent all her spare moments of that first month venturing down every meandering path littered with wild flowers and blazing some paths of her own. She’d met every human and every goat, of which there were many, that resided on the island. Most people there worked for the wedding business in one manner or another. They were like one big family and they’d welcomed her with open arms. Lea couldn’t imagine a friendlier place.

Just then she noticed a seaplane preparing to take off over the calm blue sea. But it was the man in the dark suit standing on the wooden dock, with his back to her, that caught her attention. She took in his immense height and broad, muscled shoulders accentuated by his suit jacket—a very fine set of threads. It probably cost more than she made in a month. Definitely.

His dark hair was trimmed in a short neat cut just like in his online photos. Not a strand was out of place. She wondered if he liked his life to be just as neat and orderly. As she continued to stare, she imagined what it’d be like to comb her fingertips through his hair. Her fingers tingled with temptation. She tightened her hold on the steering wheel.

Lea tramped the brakes, causing the cart to skid to a halt. She quickly alighted and moved across the dock toward the man. His attire continued to draw her curiosity. Did he not realize he was coming to an island? Around here swim trunks were more common than a suit jacket. When the man turned to her, she realized he was also wearing a tie. She inwardly groaned. If he was as uptight as his appearance, she was in big trouble.

As the departing plane flew overhead, she leveled her shoulders and stepped forward. She held out her hand. “Hello. I’m Lea Romes.”

The man’s dark brows rose in surprise. “You are in charge?”

When she nodded, he took her hand in his. His grip was firm. She could tell just from his touch that he was quite strong. So, there was more to this man than just a designer suit.

Her gaze rose to his clean-shaven jaw and his mouth that was pressed into a firm line, not giving away what he was thinking. She’d caught him off guard at first but he seemed to have regained his composure.

When her gaze met his, she couldn’t read anything in his dark eyes. So she decided to smile, hoping to lighten the mood. “Welcome to Infinity Island.”

“Do you have many guests?” He withdrew his hand and glanced around at the quiet morning.

So much for the pleasantries.

She schooled her expression so as not to frown at his obvious lack of social niceties. “Not at the moment. We’re expecting guests to begin arriving tomorrow for an upcoming wedding.”

“So right now, the island is deserted, other than staff?”

She shook her head. “Not exactly. We have some honeymooners as well as some couples who have returned for a renewal of their vows and a second honeymoon.”

He frowned. Apparently that was the wrong answer.

“If you’d like to come this way—” she gestured toward the golf cart “—I can give you the grand tour.”

“Is there much to see?”

Was he being serious? Or was he being sarcastic? It was impossible for her to tell as neither his tone nor his expression changed much. His gaze continued to scan the area. And so she did the same, trying to see Infinity through his eyes. There was lots of green foliage interspersed with red, yellow, pink, purple and blue blooms. Wild orchids grew everywhere. A few of the buildings overlooked the cove. Her office happened to be one of them. And then she realized the problem.

She swallowed hard and turned to him. “You can’t see much of the resort from here as the island has been strategically planned. The buildings have been placed in various locations over the island instead of concentrated in one spot.” She should have grabbed a map of the island for him. It was something that was distributed to all the guests with their welcome basket. “Trust me. There’s a lot to the island including acres of vegetable gardens. We grow most of our own food.”

His gaze met hers, but she couldn’t read his thoughts. “Let’s proceed.”

He bent over and it was only then that she noticed he had an overnight bag. She hadn’t expected him to want to stay. Most business people who had flown in to meet with her had also flown out the same day. This was a situation that she hadn’t quite anticipated.

She stepped forward and held out her hand to take his bag, but he resisted. She didn’t know if he was being gentlemanly or if he was afraid that she might drop it. Whatever.

Once he placed the bag in the back of the cart, he joined her up front. His bicep brushed against her shoulder. It was as though static electricity flowed through her body. And suddenly the cart felt as though it had shrunk to half its size. Her mouth grew dry as her palms grew damp.

She refused to turn to him. Their faces would be far too close together. And there was something about his mouth that made her wonder if he had to be in control even when he was kissing someone. And then realizing how out of hand her thoughts had gotten, she gave herself a mental shake as she started the engine and then pressed on the accelerator.

She had to keep it together. She had to be a professional instead of letting the lack of a love life get the best of her. After all, the future of Infinity Island rested on her making this deal. And so they set off.

It was late afternoon by the time she’d given him the full tour. He was the first potential investor who had stuck around this long. Lea’s hopes soared. He had many questions about the island and she did her best to answer them. She was proud of her little island. As she’d spoken of the various aspects of the island, Mr. Marinakos made notes on his digital tablet.

This is going to work. This is going to work.

She struggled not to grin. After all, nothing was final yet—

“Miss Romes, I’d like to make you an offer.”

Yes! Yes! Yes!

She stifled the giddy happiness bubbling up inside her. She had to maintain her cool just a little longer. Later she could celebrate her success with Popi.

“Please call me Lea.” When he sent her a puzzled look, she added, “If we’re going to do business together, there’s no need to stand on formality.”

He hesitated. “Agreed. Call me Xander.”

“Okay, Xander.” She sent him her brightest smile. “What do you have in mind?”

And then he stated the most amazing number. She never ever imagined that anyone would want to invest such an incredible amount of money in the island. She wasn’t even sure what to do with that much money. Sure the place needed work, but none that would amount to that sum.

“Thank you. That is a very generous investment—”

“Wait. I think you misunderstood me. I’m not investing in your island. I’m buying it.”

He wanted to buy her island? Her heritage? Her heart sank clear down to her white sandals. This partnership was over before it even had a chance to begin.

Lea shook her head. This couldn’t be happening. She’d only just found this link to her past, and she wasn’t about to give it up. No way.

* * *

Xander Marinakos could feel this deal slipping through his fingers.

That was a very foreign position for him to be in.

The stubborn look on Lea’s face said she wasn’t giving up this island. And part of him applauded her while the rest of him thought it was a foolish endeavor. But he wasn’t a man used to walking away empty-handed.

“If you’re holding out for a better deal, you won’t get one from me or anyone else. That’s my one and only offer.” He wasn’t one to be trifled with—no matter how gorgeous he found this woman. Business was business.

“I’m afraid you came here under a false assumption. The island never was and never will be for sale.”

His lips pressed into a firm line. He wondered if she even considered what she could do with the money he was offering her.

This island could be the jewel in his real estate empire. It was beautiful and so private. And yet, it wasn’t that far off the mainland. Talk about a perfect location. He could build the most opulent estates that would sell for outrageous fortunes. He might even build a vacation home for himself. Not that he ever took vacations. But maybe someday he’d start.

“Is there anything I can say to change your mind?” If it was within reason, he’d consider it.

She didn’t even hesitate when she gave another firm shake of her head. “This island has been in my family for generations and I intend to keep it that way.”

He sighed. He was smart enough to know when to walk away. “Do me a favor?”

“What would that be?”

“If you ever change your mind about selling, let me know. This place would make a wonderful locale for exclusive estates.”

She didn’t look impressed. “It’s already a noted wedding and honeymoon destination.”

He didn’t want to argue with her. He’d never heard of the island before it was brought to his attention as a potential building site, but then again, he avoided anything to do with happily-ever-afters. However, he refrained from mentioning it to Lea. He liked it better when she smiled. “So it is.”

Though the grounds were well maintained, the place needed to be moved out of the last century and into the current one as far as technology and decorating went. He just didn’t see anyone coming in here and wanting to invest in the place to develop it as a venue for weddings—not when there were so many other more lucrative uses for the island.

He stared into her blue-green eyes, seeing the depths of her desperation. But no one could truly help her until she realized that fixing this wedding island was a waste of money. And as a respectable businessman with his thumb on the heartbeat of development, he couldn’t in good conscience throw good money after bad. It wasn’t like love lasted. If it existed, it was fleeting at best.

“I suppose you won’t be staying for the night.” Lea’s voice held a disappointed tone.

“Actually, you made the island sound so appealing that I’d like to stay for the night.” He had made no plans for the evening or the next morning as he’d thought that he’d be hammering out a formative agreement.

“Not a problem at all.” She turned from her position by the rail overlooking the cove, where the sun was starting its descent toward the horizon. “I can show you to your bungalow.”

He liked Lea. She was pleasant, and when she smiled, her whole face lit up. And it had been a long time since he’d taken time for a social life. He’d prided himself on being able to amass his fortune before the age of thirty-five. But it had come at a price—his work schedule meant he hardly had a normal life.

There was something about this island—something so relaxing. Or perhaps it was the company. His gaze met hers. “I hope that even though we couldn’t do business together we can still be friends.”

Surprise lit up her eyes, but in a blink it was gone. “Um...sure. No hard feelings.”

“Good. Would you care to join me for an early dinner?” When she hesitated, he added, “I’d love to hear more stories of the island and tales of your most outlandish weddings.”

Her beautiful eyes widened. Was sharing a meal really that unusual for her? Or was she surprised by his interest in the goings-on of this eventful island? But with their business concluded, this meal would be...well, it would be between friends. He liked Lea, and the way she told stories was genuinely entertaining.

“Unless, of course, you have other plans.” He hadn’t considered that. “Perhaps with your husband or boyfriend?”

She shook her head. “I’m single.”

“Good.” And then realizing how that might sound, he added, “I mean that you’re available for dinner.”

“You don’t have to pretend that you’re interested in my stories—”

“There’s no pretending. It’s been a long time since I’ve been so amused. And by stories of goats, no less.” He gestured for her to lead the way. “Shall we go?”

“Um...yes. The Hideaway Café is right this way.”

In less than two minutes, they were at the restaurant. There was a thatched roof, ceiling fans and lots of colorful art on the walls. The aroma of coffee wafted through the air.

Xander loosened his tie. Then on second thought, he slipped it off and undid the top buttons on his dress shirt. It’d been a long time since he let himself enjoy a woman’s company.

To his enjoyment, they were escorted to a patio table. It was just too nice a day to be stuck inside. Most of his life was spent in offices. This was different. And when his gaze came to rest on Lea, he decided that it was very nice indeed.

Once they’d ordered the food, he leaned back in his chair to take in the scenery. The very beautiful—very tempting—scenery. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Lea was someone he longed to know so much better.

“I never expected to find someone so—” He stopped himself from saying “beautiful” and instead said, “...so young running the island. By your accent, I’m guessing you’re not from Greece.”

“I’m not. I grew up in Seattle.”

“That’s a long way from here. So why move here? Why give up everything to run a wedding island?”

She fidgeted with a spoon on the table. “Because I wanted to learn more about my heritage. Do you know why they call this Infinity Island?”

He shook his head.

“Because when two hearts are joined here, they are joined for infinity. Not for a year or two or ten. It’s forever. That’s why we’re selective with our clientele. The happy couples that marry here come from all around the world.”

“And if you weren’t so choosy, you might not be in such a dire situation. You could have more than one wedding a week. There wouldn’t be any downtime like now.”

She frowned at him. “We aren’t in it for the money. This island is special and I won’t part with it for you to build some expensive homes for people that don’t understand the significance of the island and its history.”

“You speak like you’ve lived here your entire life.”

“Sometimes it feels that way.” She never made any secret about her past. “My mother left Greece when she fell in love with an American soldier. She followed him to the States, where I came to be.”

“So how did you end up back here?”

“My aunt never had any children of her own. I was her sole heir and she entrusted me with the island.”

“What about your mother?”

“She and my father still live in the States on a little island off the Pacific coast. My mother, well, she had a falling-out with her family.”

“I probably shouldn’t do this since I’d really like it if you would call me in the near future and sell me the island, but I have some advice to keep your business afloat.”

Her eyes lit up with interest. “What would that be?”

“This place is practically empty.” He waved around at the plethora of empty tables. “Open the island up to vacationers as well as wedding guests. It would keep a steady flow of people and increase the flow of revenue.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

But he could tell she’d already considered the option and dismissed it. Apparently traditions ran deep where this island was concerned. Xander couldn’t help but wonder if it was really the love of the island or if there was something else keeping her here away from her family—away from society.

But he kept those questions to himself as they savored a delightful array of fresh vegetables, seafood and cheeses produced on the island. The meal was leisurely and the food was out of this world. He was quite tempted to lure the chef away and put him on staff at the Skyrise Restaurant atop his headquarters in Athens.

Even though the sun had slipped below the horizon, leaving a pink hue in its wake, Xander wasn’t ready to end his time with Lea.

They strolled down to the beach. No one was around, and they enjoyed the surf and sand alone.

“I really should get back to work,” Lea said, but her voice lacked desire.

“I should, too. But why don’t we play hooky this evening?”

She glanced at him as they ambled along the shore. “Do you usually play hooky?”

“No.”

“Then why this evening?”

He stopped and turned to her. “Because you reminded me that there is so much more to life than business. I haven’t laughed this much...ever. It has been a truly wonderful evening.” He stared deep into her eyes. “I don’t want it to end.”

“You don’t?”

“I don’t.” His gaze lowered to her lips. They were so inviting. He’d been glancing at them off and on all through dinner. They were rosy and glossy. Nothing about her appearance was overly done. She was more down-to-earth and much more appealing than any of the women he’d dated in the past.

He had a policy of not mixing business and pleasure. Tonight, he might have been tempted to break that long-standing rule, but he knew Lea wasn’t going to change her mind about his offer. And so there was no reason to hold back. They could find out where the evening would take them.

He stepped closer, watching and waiting to see if she would pull away. She didn’t. He glanced down, catching the slight pulse in her neck. She was as intrigued by him as he was by her. The most captivating thing about her wasn’t her gorgeous face or luscious lips, but the beauty inside that glowed outward.

He reached out to her. His movements were slow so as not to startle her. And then his fingers caressed her smooth, soft cheek. “You are the most incredible woman I’ve met.”

There was an audible hiss as she sucked her breath in through her teeth. Her eyes widened and then took on an inviting look. He had no intention of missing out on such a tempting invitation.

He lowered his head, but before he got very far, she was there—meeting him in the middle. Her tender lips pressed to his. The breath caught in the back of his throat. Her touch was like a static charge—sending a current through his body, making every cell vibrate with desire.

His hand lowered to her waist. He drew her to him. Her hands came to rest on his chest as their kiss deepened. He hadn’t ventured to Infinity Island with a thought of having a romantic tryst—not at all. He’d been disappointed that he hadn’t been able to purchase the island, but this wasn’t so bad as a consolation prize. And though he’d deny it to anyone, he’d ended up with the better of the two options.

The more he tasted Lea, the more he wanted her. She snuggled up against him. Her soft, voluptuous curves fit perfectly against him. He had a feeling this evening was only going to get better and better.

CHAPTER ONE
Late June...

TWO PINK LINES...

Three separate results...

Diagnosis: Pregnant.

Every time Lea thought about it, which was quite often, she started to hyperventilate. This couldn’t be happening. Not now. Not when her life was in such an uproar.

But she’d had all of the early symptoms, from her missed cycle to tender breasts. As much as she wanted to live in the land of denial, she couldn’t. There was now a baby to take into consideration. And a man who didn’t have a clue he was about to become a father. Well, he would if he’d answer his phone.

After a trip to the doctor for official confirmation, Lea had tried repeatedly to reach Xander and let him know she was pregnant, not because she wanted anything from him but because it was the right thing to do. But each time she called, it went straight to voice mail. It wasn’t until she tracked down the number to his office in Athens that she learned he was out of the country on business.

So once again, she called him. Once again, her call was forwarded to voice mail. “Xander, this is Lea. Um...” Her stomach churned with nerves even though he wasn’t on the other end of the line. “I need to talk to you. Could you give me a call when you get a chance?”

She pressed the end button on her phone and took her first full breath. And then she realized that “when you get a chance” probably didn’t convey the urgency that she felt or the importance of the news she had to tell him. Still, it was better than nothing. He would get back to her soon. Until then she had an island to save and a baby to prepare for. Plenty of things to keep her mind off Xander...as if that was possible.

* * *

He listened to the voice mail.

And then he listened to it again.

Xander could tell there was something off in Lea’s voice, but he couldn’t quite narrow down the problem or determined if there even was one. And then he realized what it must be—she was disappointed that he hadn’t phoned her. Not that the thought hadn’t crossed his mind more than a few times.

In fact, he hadn’t been able to get Lea off of his mind since their lost weekend in paradise. Random memories of her distracted him from his work and filled his dreams at night. She was an amazing woman, not only in looks but in everything about her. It was so tempting to pick up the phone and call her back. If it were possible, he’d drop everything and return to Infinity Island. But his busy life didn’t allow for such indulgences.

At first, he hadn’t believed it, but by the time he departed Infinity Island, he knew there was something extra special about it—about Lea. Maybe he’d let himself get caught up in the most amazing views of the sea or the tranquil cove or even the colorful vegetation. Or more likely it was letting his guard down with Lea and enjoying the moment that had him so distracted from his work.

But right now, he was fully involved in a resort deal with his younger sister, Stasia. It was their first business deal together. And with his sister at loose ends after losing her husband, Xander was willing to do whatever he could for her.

And his sister, against his recommendation, had risked her entire life’s savings on this project being a success. That was a responsibility he didn’t want, but being stubborn and insistent, Stasia had put him in that very unwelcome position.

As much as he would like to see Lea again, it would have to wait for quite a while. Business came first. It always had. And it always would. Except when family shoved their way to the front of his priorities. Of course, his sister knew how much he adored her. He would do anything for her. And the feeling was mutual.

He set aside his phone and loosened his tie. His trip to the interior of Asia had not been fruitful. He’d known that it would be a long shot from the start, but long shots were what had catapulted him to the top of his field. Sometimes leads panned out and other times, well, they were a waste of time. But it never stopped him from seeking out the next big deal, in some of the most unlikely places.

He’d just hung up his tie in his walk-in closet that was the size of a second bedroom when he heard his phone buzz. He was really quite tempted to let it go to voice mail. He’d been traveling all day and what he longed for was a hot shower to ease the tension in his neck. But he had been out of contact for an extensive amount of time... and this could be important.

With a deep sigh, Xander headed back into the bedroom. On the way, he loosened the top buttons on his white dress shirt. He glanced down at the phone and was surprised to find Lea’s name on the caller ID. She was calling again? That struck him as odd.

Sure, he hadn’t known her that long, but she didn’t strike him as the pushy type. In fact, she seemed quite the opposite. And she was more than willing to stand on her own two feet. Was it possible that he’d incorrectly interpreted her earlier voice mail?

Not giving himself time to think about it further, he answered the call. “Lea, how are you?”

“Xander, finally. I’ve been trying to reach you for a while now. I was beginning to think that you were avoiding my calls—”

“Whoa. Slow down.” Something really had her worked up. “I just got home a few minutes ago. What’s wrong?”

“I... I don’t know if you’d say it’s wrong or not.”

“Just tell me what it is and we’ll go from there.”

There was an extended pause. He could imagine her worrying her bottom lip, like she did when she was unsure of something. While he’d been on Infinity Island, he’d picked up on her mannerisms. He found her quite captivating. It was one of the reasons he’d avoided calling her. He knew if she asked him to return to the island, it would be too great a temptation.

As the silence dragged on, Xander said, “Lea, I can’t help until you tell me what’s the matter.”

“I’m pregnant.”

Xander stumbled back as though her words had physically slugged him in the chest. The back of his knees hit the edge of the bed. He slumped down onto the mattress. Maybe he’d heard her incorrectly.

“Could you say that again?”

“Xander, I’m pregnant. And you’re the father.”

That was what he thought she’d said.

But this can’t be true. Could it?

Xander knew all too well that it was quite possible. They’d spent that not-so-long-ago weekend in bed...and there was the time on the floor...in the living room—

He halted his rambling memories. He didn’t normally let loose like that. In fact, he’d never had a weekend like that one. It was unforgettable. And apparently in more than one way.

But he had to be absolutely sure of what he heard. “Could you say that again?”

“I’m pregnant.”

His heart pounded so loud that it echoed in his ears. As though all the energy had been drained from his body, he fell back on the bed. His fingers combed through his hair as his palm rubbed against his forehead, where a throbbing headache was starting.

The silence grew heavy. He should say something. Anything. But what? He’d never been in this position before.

He needed time to think because right now all that was going around in his mind was that he was going to be a father. He wondered if this was what shock felt like.

“I... I need a little time to absorb this,” he said. “We’ll talk soon.”

He wasn’t even sure if he said goodbye before disconnecting the call. He had no idea how long he lay there staring into space before the buzz of an incoming text jarred him back to reality.

I’m going to be a father.

The profound words echoed in his mind.

How could this be? Well, of course he knew how it happened. It was a weekend that he would never forget, much as he had tried. Lea’s stunning image was imprinted upon his mind.

Still, he’d never thought he’d hear that he was going to be a father.

A father.

Those two little words sent his heart racing as his palms grew damp. His mind slipped back to the time he’d spent on Infinity Island. He’d never expected it to change his life. But it had. And now he had to figure out a plan. He was known for thinking on his toes, but this was different. This was a baby. His baby.

And he had to do whatever was best for the child.

But what was that?

CHAPTER TWO

HAD HE BEEN STUNNED?

Was that why he’d ended the phone call so quickly?

Maybe he’d been in shock. He had said that they’d talk soon. What exactly did soon mean?

The next day Lea was still playing over her conversation with Xander. It had ended so abruptly that it startled her. She didn’t know what she’d been expecting, but it hadn’t been for him to become so quiet. Perhaps she’d been waiting for him to lob questions and accusations but none of that had come.

Did he outright not believe her? She knew that was always a possibility, but she just wanted to believe that Xander was more of a man than to shirk his responsibilities. Granted she didn’t know him that well, but she sensed he was a good guy—a man who cared for those closest to him—even if to the world he portrayed himself as a ruthless businessman. In private, he was a very different man. That much she was certain about.

Or the other possibility—the one that she was going with—was that she had absolutely blindsided him with the news of the baby. How could he not be shocked? She certainly had been. A baby was the last thing she’d had on her mind at the moment. Her priority had been trying to keep a roof over her head in the upcoming year.

She sighed, not about the baby but about the state of the island. She straightened up the papers on her office desk. She felt as though she were letting down her family, which was silly when you thought of it, because she didn’t know any of the people who had run the island before her. And her parents, well, they wanted nothing to do with the island. So perhaps she felt as though she were letting down herself.

When she first learned that she’d inherited this gorgeous island, she’d imagined swooping in here and making it the best—the most shiny, sought-after wedding destination. Instead she was patching holes, painting walls and duct-taping hoses. Half of the guest rooms were shut down due to one reason or another.

In addition, she’d had to reduce the staff. As a result, she’d had to take on additional responsibilities that took up any free time and had her falling into bed at night utterly exhausted.

She stood and moved out from behind her desk that still had a slew of unfinished tasks. A more urgent problem needed her attention. A leaking faucet. Thankfully her parents had had no gender bias when raising her. She used to assist her father with all sorts of tasks around the house—including plumbing.

Lea moved to the closet, opened the door and retrieved a red toolbox. She almost felt as though she needed a tool belt to sling around her waist—to give her that authentic fixer-lady look. She wondered what Xander would make of the look. A giggle rose in her throat as she imagined a horrified look on his handsome face.

Dressed in a loose T-shirt and a pair of old jean shorts that had the top button loosened to make room for her expanding midsection, she set off for the bungalow midway across the island. She hoped it was just a worn-out washer and nothing more serious. She had a big wedding this weekend. She couldn’t afford to lose yet another accommodation because there was nowhere else to house people unless she gave up her bungalow.

She’d just placed the toolbox in the golf cart when she heard the whoop-whoop of a helicopter. This couldn’t be good. They weren’t expecting any new guests today.

The people on the island either lived and worked there or were lingering guests from the past weekend’s wedding. There was also a couple celebrating their fiftieth anniversary. Some of their guests liked to return every year for their anniversary, sort of as a reminder of how it felt when their love had been so new, fresh and exciting.

She worried her bottom lip. Could it be a medical emergency? No. She would have been informed.

But as the warm breeze caressed her skin, she put a hand to her forehead, blocking the bright sunshine. She tilted her chin upward to watch the helicopter descend to the helipad not far from her office. Whoever this was, they weren’t a guest.

Her body tensed as the long seconds dragged out. She never knew it could take so long for a chopper to land. But she knew that in reality not much time had passed at all. It was just her anxiety that seemed to have slowed the world down as she waited to see what new problem awaited her.

And then the door to the helicopter opened. And...

The breath of anticipation hitched in her throat. And...

A man emerged from inside. His head was ducked, but he had dark hair. And his clothes appeared to be a business suit. Her heart plummeted to her tennis shoes. Could this be an attorney putting some sort of lien against the island as she wasn’t quite on top of all of her bills. She tried. But some months she had to pay some accounts and then the next month she paid others.

But as the man rushed away from the helipad, there was something familiar about him. She couldn’t put her finger on what exactly it was, but she sensed she knew him. And then as the man reached the steps leading away from the helipad, he lifted his head.

A breath hissed past Lea’s teeth. Xander. She blinked. He was still there and he was staring directly at her.

She sucked in a deep breath, pulling in her baby bump, but that only succeeded in making her ever-expanding breasts stick out even further. She immediately released the pent-up breath. There was no hiding that her body was changing.

What was he doing here? And then she realized that in her shock, she’d asked the most ridiculous question. He wasn’t here to see her—not like she’d dreamed about at night where they’d rushed into each other’s arms. No, he was here about her baby—their baby.

She’d only told him the news yesterday. She couldn’t believe he was standing in front of her. But he was looking a little out of sorts. His necktie was missing. His collar was loosened. He hadn’t shaved, leaving a dark shadow of stubble to highlight his squared jaw.

It was then that she noticed he wasn’t smiling as he made his way to her. If he wasn’t happy about the baby, why bother coming? It wasn’t like she’d placed any demands upon him. She wasn’t poor, even if the state of the island said otherwise. This land was worth a lot of money—he’d pointed that out to her. If the absolute worst happened, she could sell the island and live comfortably the rest of her life. But she would have to be desperate to sell her heritage. At this point, she wasn’t desperate. At least that was what she kept telling herself.

Hang in there. This is all going to work out.

She wondered if the pep speech was about the dire state of the island or about her impending meeting with Xander. She hadn’t moved since she’d watched him arrive. Normally she would have met a guest halfway, but not today—not with Xander frowning. She had to be strong and stand her ground. He could come to her.

When Xander finally stopped in front of her, she stood silently. Her stomach churned nervously. She hadn’t invited him here. It was up to him to decide how this conversation should go.

“I’m here.” He stared at her with tired eyes.

That’s it? That’s all he has to say?

She leveled her shoulders and tilted her chin upward. “I didn’t ask you to come. We could have handled this over the phone.”

“This is too serious for a phone call.”

But with a phone call, she would have been able to concentrate on the conversation instead of how he looked even sexier than she recalled. She fidgeted with the gemstone bracelet on her wrist before forcing her hands to remain still at her sides.

This conversation definitely would have gone smoother over the phone. As soon as she would have assured him that she wasn’t plotting a messy paternity or support lawsuit, they could have gotten back to their lives. Because she could do this parenting thing on her own. In fact, she was looking forward to being a mother.

When Lea noticed him staring expectantly at her, she said, “I thought you’d be busy with work.”

A definite note of incredulity clung to his voice. “You can’t just deliver a bombshell, over the phone no less, and expect me to do nothing.”

“What do you want to know?”

“How about for starters, are you sure the baby is mine?” His gaze narrowed as he stared at her as though by look alone he could ferret out the truth.

The fact that he would question her about something so important hurt—it hurt deeply. Apparently they didn’t know each other at all. The weekend they’d spent in each other’s company for every exquisite moment had meant more to her than him. So be it.

“Yes. I’m sure.” If he thought she was going to stand here in public to be interrogated, he was mistaken. “I have to go. I have an emergency.”

Without giving him a chance to respond, she turned back to the golf cart. She climbed inside and started it. She glanced up and was about to put her foot on the accelerator when she found him standing directly in her path, with his arms crossed over his broad chest and a definite frown on his face.

She sighed. “I don’t want to fight with you. In fact, I don’t want anything from you.”

“Then why call?”

Seriously? He had to ask that?

And then one of the staff started in their direction. The man was giving them a strange look as though trying to decide whether he should step in or not. She made a point of painting a friendly smile on her face and waving at her employee. The man smiled, nodded and kept moving.

Lea turned back to Xander. “Would you stop standing there like some Greek statue and get in?” When he didn’t move, she said, “Xander, don’t make a scene.”

Without a word, he climbed in beside her. His shoulder brushed up against hers, sending a wave of nervous energy racing through her body. It settled in her chest. As she breathed in his spicy aftershave, the heat in her chest gravitated southward to her core. Her back teeth ground together, refusing to give in to her body’s desires. That boat had sailed. It was out of the docks, out of the harbor, and was headed into open seas.

CHAPTER THREE

HIS QUIETNESS WAS UNNERVING.

Lea sent Xander a sideways glance. The set of his jaw and the twitch in his cheek let her know that he was angry. Sitting so close to him, she could feel the agitation radiating off him.

She didn’t know what gave him the right to be so upset. It wasn’t like she’d ended up in this condition by herself. It definitely took two to tango. If she’d hidden the baby from him, it would be different. But that hadn’t happened. And lastly, she didn’t expect or request a thing from him. So if he wanted to be mad at her, he could just sit there and stew. She had work to do.

Lea slowed the golf cart to a stop outside the honeymoon bungalow. Without a word, she got out. She grabbed her toolbox with a replacement rubber washer in it and headed up the four wooden steps to the front door.

The guests were supposed to have checked out by now, but as was standard procedure on the island, Lea rapped her knuckles soundly on the door. “Hello. Maintenance.”

A moment passed with no response.

She lifted her hand to insert her passkey but missed. If only Xander would go away, the slight tremble in her hands would stop. Lea inhaled a deep breath and tried again. This time she got it.

Footsteps sounded behind her. She didn’t have to turn to know it was Xander. She could smell the faint whiff of his cologne mingled with his male scent. It was an intoxicating combination.

Ignoring Xander, Lea opened the door slowly so as not to startle anyone that may be lingering on the inside. “Hello. Anyone here?” She glanced around for any sign of guests. “Maintenance coming in.”

With the door wide open, she stepped inside. No people. No luggage. No discarded dishes or drinks in the living room area or the kitchenette. They were alone—

Alone with Xander in a honeymoon bungalow. What made her think bringing him along was a good idea? Oh, yeah, he hadn’t given her a choice.

Then the door snicked shut behind her. She glanced over her shoulder, her gaze verifying that the door was indeed closed and then registering that Xander was standing very close to her. So close she could reach back and place her hand upon his chest. She swallowed hard and resisted the temptation.

So as not to give into her impulse, she faced forward, as though by turning away she’d be able to forget just how sexy he looked. In her mind, she pictured him clearly in that navy blue suit, sans tie and with the top buttons of his light blue dress shirt undone, giving a hint of the few dark curls on his chest. Lea stifled a moan.

On stilted legs, she headed toward the master suite. Her heart was racing. Her palms were damp. How was she ever going to be able to work with him lurking over her shoulder?

She stopped before reaching the bedroom. “You can take the golf cart and head back to the offices.” She was getting desperate for some space—a chance to think clearly. “I can walk. It’ll be good for the baby.”

“Why would I do that?”

Because you’re making me a nervous wreck.

Lea moistened her dry lips. “I didn’t think you’d want to stick around and watch me fix a leaky faucet.”

“Why are you doing maintenance work? Don’t you have people to do those sorts of things? I mean in your condition, should you be doing manual labor?”

She turned a narrow gaze on him. “I’m pregnant, not dying. And now that the morning sickness has passed, I have a lot of energy.” She tilted up her chin. “Trust me, I won’t do anything that would endanger the baby.”

He nodded in understanding. “I still don’t understand why you’re doing this.”

She didn’t want to tell him just how bad off the island was these days. With more and more accommodations shut down because of needed repairs, the fewer weddings she could book. The fewer weddings booked, the less income for repairs. It was one big downward spiral and she had yet to find a way to stop it. If only she could find an investor who didn’t want to change the island or the way the business was run. But so far, she hadn’t found that right person. And it certainly wasn’t Xander, who wanted to rip down everything her ancestors had built and loved.

“That’s not the kind of owner I am. I like to be a part of everything. Make sure things are functioning properly.”

He arched a brow. “And you can tell all of that by fixing a faucet?”

His tone let her know he didn’t believe her. But that was his problem. She didn’t have time to alleviate his curiosity. She had work to do. And this was her best unit on the island.

When she reached the master bedroom, she immediately stepped in water. It seeped up over her sandals. The breath hitched in her throat, smothering a scream.

A little leak? A drippy faucet?

Lea muttered under her breath as she rushed toward the bathroom. Her foot slipped on the wet floor. The next thing she knew, she was falling back. Strong hands reached out and caught her. She didn’t have time to thank him, she had to shut off the water.

Inside the bathroom, oblivious to the water, she knelt down and leaned under the countertop. She tried the shutoff valve under the sink but it wouldn’t budge. Using her whole-body strength, she groaned, but the valve didn’t move at all.

“Here. Let me try,” Xander said from behind her.

She turned to him and was about to tell him that this wasn’t his problem, when she noticed he’d divested himself of his suit coat. It now hung over the towel rack and his shirtsleeves were rolled up.

He held a hand out to her. “Hurry up. The water is still pouring in.”

He was right. This was not the time to stand on pride. If she lost this unit, the island would go out of business and her heritage would be lost. She couldn’t let that happen. It was her job to protect her family’s legacy—something her mother refused to do.

Lea watched as he clenched the wrench. The corded muscles of his forearms strained. His neck grew taut as his lips pressed together in a firm line. A deep groan filled the room as he gave it everything to move the valve.

After a few failed attempts, he turned to her. “Where’s the main water shutoff for the whole unit?”

“Outside. In the back, I think.” Up until this point, she hadn’t had any need to turn off the water main, but she knew the bulk of the units had the utility hookup in the back, out of view from the guests.

Xander stood. The water dripped off him—his suit was going to be ruined. And then she noticed his black leather dress shoes. They were partially submerged in water. Lea inwardly groaned as she thought of how many hundreds or more likely thousands of dollars his attire cost—something she didn’t have the extra cash to replace. She would have to deal with that later.

She took off for the door with Xander hot on her heels. The water shutoff thankfully was easy to find. And unlike the valve inside, it turned pretty easily.

Turning the water off was only the first step in fixing this huge mess. They rushed back inside, using everything available to mop up the water from the floor. Xander opened all of the windows. They continued to work together in peaceful harmony.

When the last of the water had been mopped up, Lea stood and inspected the damage. Thankfully the wood floor wasn’t discolored. It didn’t look like the water had been there long. Lea thanked her lucky stars.

As she placed the last wet towel in a laundry bag, she turned to Xander, who had just gotten to his feet after checking the plumbing joint under the sink. “Thank you.”

“No problem.”

Her gaze took in his wet, wrinkled suit. “I think your clothes are ruined.”

He glanced down as though he’d forgotten he was wearing dress clothes. “I’ve got more.”

“I didn’t see any luggage.”

“True. Everything is back in Athens. I was in a bit of a hurry.”

“Obviously.” She gave it a little thought. “Let’s drop off these wet linens and then we’ll get you something dry to wear.”

He gave her a strange look. “I don’t think you’ll have anything that will fit me.”

His words inspired an image of him in women’s clothes and a smile pulled at her lips. As they climbed in the golf cart, the image of Xander wearing her clothes wouldn’t leave her. She pressed on the accelerator.

“You’re picturing me in your clothes, aren’t you?”

“I...uh...no, I’m not.” But she couldn’t subdue her amusement.

“You are. I know it. But trust me, nothing you have would fit me.”

The frown on his face only added to her amusement. She knew that after the disaster at the bungalow she shouldn’t be smiling, much less laughing, but she couldn’t help herself. The laughter bubbled out of her.

Maybe it was some strange reaction to stress. Or perhaps it was her pregnancy hormones. Whatever it was, she couldn’t stop laughing. And looking in Xander’s direction only made it worse.

“What?” he asked as his frown deepened. “Do I have something on me?” He then started to wipe his face off. “Would you stop that?”

“I’m trying.” Lea did her best to subdue her unexpected amusement. “It’s not you.”

He arched a dark brow. “Then why are you laughing at me?”

She shook her head. “I’m not.”

“Sure seems like it to me.”

“I’ve just never seen someone in expensive clothes crawling around on a flooded floor.” She dabbed at her damp eyes. “You’re a mess.”

“And that’s funny?”

“No. Not really.” The grumpier he became the cuter he got. That acknowledgment sobered Lea. Being attracted to him was what had gotten them in this situation in the first place. “Anyway. What are you doing here?”

“You need to ask?”

“Apparently I do or I wouldn’t have asked you.”

She pulled the golf cart to a stop in front of her bungalow—the same place that their baby was conceived. It was as though they’d come full circle and were now back at the beginning. She got out and headed for the door.

She glanced over her shoulder, finding Xander still sitting in the cart. “Come on. You can’t go around looking like that all day.”

She let herself inside the small but airy bungalow, lit abundantly from the floor-to-ceiling windows. She wasn’t quite sure how to act around Xander. It wasn’t as though they were strangers, but there was definitely a thick layer of awkwardness between them.

“The shower is through there.” She pointed to the guest bathroom.

He looked at her. “Are you sure you don’t want to get one first?”

She glanced down at herself. She was as wet as him, with some black grease marks here and there.

Her hand moved to her hair. It was still damp on the ends and the rest of it was growing frizzy. She must look a sight. No one would desire her in this state. And that was for the best. She tried to tell herself that she was relieved but what she was really feeling was disappointment.

Not wanting to dwell on her disheveled appearance, she grabbed her purse from the side of the couch and headed for the front door. “I’ll be back shortly.”

“Where are you going?”

“To get you something to wear.” Not waiting for his response, she strode outside, pulling the door shut behind her.

There was only a limited number of retail shops on the island. Most people who visited weren’t interested in shopping, except for the occasional necessity. But they did have a boutique and that was where Lea headed.

The only problem was that everything in the island boutique was geared to leisurely, fun-in-the-sun clothes. There were no suits, not even jeans because it was hot outside with only the sea breeze to cool you off. There was actually a pair of gray sweats lurking on the back shelf, but Lea dismissed them. Xander would melt in them.

She moved on to a pair of navy shorts with a white anchor pattern. This was more like it. Her mind filled with an image of Xander in them, showing off his well-defined calf muscles. The man was a walking advertisement for the benefit of working out daily.

She picked up a white T-shirt with Infinity Island emblazed across the front of it. Her gaze moved to the section of the shop with the more intimate items, but there was no way she was buying him underwear. Not a chance. She had to draw the line somewhere.

She started for the checkout but realized she was being silly. If she could have his baby, she could pick out some boxers. Still, it felt like something a girlfriend or, dare she say it, a wife would do. As she scanned over the various colors and styles, her mind conjured up images of Xander wearing them.

She resisted the urge to fan herself. Boy, was it getting warm in here. Eager to get this over with, she grabbed a few pairs of extra-large boxers. If he wanted something else, he could come here and shop for himself. With her face still warm, she started for the front of the store, passing by the rack of flip-flops. She grabbed a pair. He would be all set to go—to go home to Athens.

With her purchase made, Lea headed back to her place. Soon Xander would be gone and then she could relax. She glanced at the time. The once-a-day ferry would be arriving at lunchtime and he could hitch a ride back to the mainland. Whatever he’d hoped to accomplish by coming here wasn’t going to happen.

He had his life.

And she had hers.

Could they stay in contact for their child? If he wanted. She didn’t have any qualms about updating him on the progress of the pregnancy.

And that was exactly what she planned to tell him when she entered the bungalow. She dropped her purse on the living room couch and moved to the guest room. She knocked on the open door but got no response. It was then that she noticed the sound of running water. She moved to the bed, hoping to leave the clothes there and get out before he came out of the shower. She’d just placed the bag from the boutique on the bed when Xander emerged from the bathroom.

A billow of steam surrounded him like he was some Greek god. His hair was still wet and spiky. His face and shoulders were damp. And beads of water trailed down over his muscled chest before being absorbed by the fluffy pink towel slung low over his trim hips.

Lea swallowed hard. It was like having her very own hot-guys calendar come to life—not that she had such a calendar. But after seeing Xander, the idea was tempting. So long as he was in it. But then she knew she’d never switch the month. It’d always be Xander’s month.

He cleared his throat, drawing her gaze upward. “Is that for me?”

Heat rushed from her chest to her face, scorching her cheeks. With great reluctance, she glanced away. “Yes, there are some, uh, clothes. They should fit.” And then realizing she shouldn’t be here at this particularly awkward moment, she said, “I’ll, um, wait for you in the living room.”

“There’s no need for you to run off.” A knowing smile lit up his face.

But Lea didn’t look back and didn’t pause until she’d reached the kitchen sink. Noticing that her mouth was parched, she grabbed a drinking glass from the cabinet and filled it with some ice-cold water from the fridge. She downed the entire thing in one long gulp, but it did nothing to cool her down. Thankfully he would soon be on that boat and out of her space. Not much longer now.

“Thanks for the clothes.” Xander’s voice came from behind her. “But you didn’t have to.”

“It’s the least I could do—” The words died in her throat as she turned to him. On second thought, she should have gone with the sweat suit. Then he’d be just as uncomfortably warm as her.

The T-shirt barely fit him as it was pulled tight over his broad shoulders and chest. The man could probably lift one of her in each hand without breaking a sweat. His waist was narrow. And the shorts didn’t hang as low as she’d have thought. She definitely had a view of his legs—legs that weren’t tanned. Her gaze moved to his arms. They weren’t tanned, either. The man definitely spent too much time in a suit.

She could ask him to stay. He obviously needed some downtime in the sun. But that was not a good idea. She did not need any more complications.

He moved to the couch and sat down. “No more distractions. We need to talk.”

He was right. It was time to get it all out there in the open. “I don’t expect anything from you if that’s what you’re worried about. I can take care of the baby.”

He patted the couch cushion next to him. “Come over here.”

She didn’t trust herself being so close to that sexy hunk of a man, but she refused to let on that he still got under her skin. She forced her feet one in front of the other. She perched on the edge of the couch, leaving as much space between them as possible.

She could still remember how good his kisses were and how his hands created the most arousing sensations wherever he touched. The mere memories sent her heart racing. When her gaze met his, there was a challenge reflected in his eyes.

She glanced at the clock on the stove. “If you don’t hurry, you’ll miss the ferry. It’s the only one today.”

“Is this the way it’s going to be?”

She turned her full attention to him. “How what is going to be?”

“You and me. How do I even know the baby is mine?”

“I’d like to think that no one would lie about such an important thing. But you obviously don’t trust me. So after the baby is born, a test can be done. But there’s no way I’m having one of those great big foot-long needles stabbed into my stomach.” She visibly flinched at the memory of what she’d seen on the internet. She didn’t like needles. They all looked huge to her.

“I want to trust you, but I’ve had people lie to me in the past about much smaller matters.” Pain reflected in his eyes.

“It’s understandable that you would want confirmation. It isn’t like we’ve been in a loving, committed relationship.”

His eyes widened. “Is that what you want? For us to marry for the sake of the child?”

“No.” It was a short, straight-to-the-point answer.

His gaze narrowed. “Are you sure?”

Why was he pushing this so much? Surely he didn’t think marriage was a good idea, did he? It was not even like they were in love. They were, well, they were friends at best. And not very good friends at that.

“I’m sure.” Her tone was firm. “Besides, you don’t have time for a family. You’re always working.”

“I can make time for everything—” Just then his phone buzzed and he retrieved it from his pocket.

“Point proven.”

After nothing more than a glance, he returned the phone to his pocket. “So you’re planning to do this all on your own?”

“If you mean raising the baby, then yes, I plan to be a single parent. It’s not like there are a lot of single guys on the island. Most are bridegrooms or a guest of a wedding party. They generally bring a date and don’t flirt with the island staff.”

“You’re going to stay here on the island and raise the baby?”

“This is where my ancestors were born and raised. It’s where my mother grew up. If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me and the baby.”

“And what about what happened today with the honeymoon bungalow?” he asked.

“What about it? Things break.” She tried to brush off the incident as nothing out of the ordinary, but she knew it was a very big deal indeed.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Don’t act so blasé. I saw you earlier. You were practically in a panic. This island needs a lot of work—work that you don’t have the money to do.”

Her mouth gaped. How dare he? “Since when do you know about my finances?”

“Since I did some digging when I wanted to buy the island. I needed to know just what I was getting myself into.”

She wanted to ask what he’d learned, but she didn’t. Nothing good would come of it. Where finances were concerned Infinity Island was in disastrous straits.

Xander gazed into her eyes, making her heart race. “You need to rethink this—”

“Rethink what? Giving up my home? My past? My future?” She shook her head. “If you think you’re going to talk me into selling you the island, it isn’t going to happen. Remember? We already had this conversation.”

“You don’t have to stay here. I can set you up in Athens. Anywhere in the city. You name it.”

She crossed her arms. “I’m not leaving the island.”

“Stop being so stubborn and see what’s right in front of you.”

Her voice started to rise. “I do see it. And just because this place isn’t perfect doesn’t mean I should turn my back and walk away.”

He sighed and got to his feet. Without another word, he started for the door.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“Out.” And with that he stepped onto the covered deck.

She should be relieved, but she wasn’t. She felt like they’d talked about everything except what he really had on his mind. And then there was the whistle of the approaching ferry.

She rushed to the doorway. “You’re going to miss your ride back to the mainland.”

“I’m not leaving.” He kept walking.

Not leaving? He made it sound like it would be indefinitely, but she knew that couldn’t be the case. He had a business empire to run.

She assured herself that he’d just be here for a day or two. Just long enough to figure out how this pregnancy would affect their lives. Then he’d go back to his life in Athens. And she would remain here on the island.

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