Nine Months To Tame The Tycoon by Chantelle Shaw, Annie West

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CORA’SLITTLEBOATputtered out in the early morning light. As it drew in close it was completely dwarfed by the magnificent lines of Strato’s luxurious yacht. Cora didn’t care. She was well past being intimidated by his wealth.

Strato was just a man, as flawed as any other, even if he was also magnificent.

Her heart squeezed as she thought of him yesterday, doing what he believed to be the right thing by their unborn child, looking all the while like a man on the edge. His fortune was no protection against unhappiness or the terrible burden he carried.

The story of his past had undone her. What must he have suffered? It put his determination to remain unattached in a different light. His voice when he’d mentioned the family he’d lost...

It was obvious his guilt over surviving when they didn’t was real and raw.

So here she was, gambling her future on the slim chance Strato felt more than protectiveness for her and the baby. Hoping he felt even a little of what she did.

For what she’d learned yesterday had made her bruised heart open even further. She’d loved Strato when he was strong and sexy, when she felt cherished and sheltered in his arms. But her feelings were even stronger now, knowing how much he’d suffered, how much he’d missed out on and still did. How he thought not of himself but of her and their baby.

How could any woman who cared turn her back on him, having heard the truth?

The odds were against her. He was so fiercely determined to protect her and their child from himself. All she had on her side was his admission that he still wanted her. And the strength of her feelings.

So she’d taken her time to work out her strategy. It didn’t amount to much, a few arguments she hoped might convince him, and her sexy red dress that had distracted him in Athens.

Strato was no fool, he’d realise she’d dressed up for a reason, but she’d use whatever tools she had.

As she neared the yacht Manoli, Strato’s assistant, waved and took the line Cora tossed him, securing it.

‘It’s good to see you, Cora.’ He lowered his voice as he held out his hand to help her aboard. ‘I’m worried about him.’

She nodded. ‘So am I.’ Distress over Strato’s story, and the slim chances of making him see sense, had kept her awake most of the night. He couldn’t go on like that, cutting himself off from everyone, believing he was evil incarnate when he, more than anyone, was a victim. ‘Where is he?’

‘In his study, though he seems to be brooding more than working.’

‘I’ll see myself in if that’s okay.’

‘Great idea. If you don’t improve his mood, nothing will.’ Manoli’s sweeping glance and appreciative smile boosted her confidence.

Her dress was the sexiest thing she’d ever worn and she’d spent ages washing then brushing her hair till it shone. She’d even put on enough make-up to give her eyes a smoky look and emphasise the shape of her lips. She wore a delicate chain necklace in the shape of a bow with long tails that fell low and drew the eye to her cleavage.

Yet her stomach was full of butterflies as she pushed open the door to Strato’s study. His back was to her as he stared out to sea. For a second she had leisure to take him in, broad straight shoulders beneath a white shirt and pale trousers pulled tight over his perfect rear by the hands shoved in his front pockets.

‘Strato.’

He spun towards her and for a fleeting moment she read welcome in his expression, before a scowl descended. ‘I’d hoped you’d make this easy for both of us, Cora.’

She stepped into the room, shutting the door behind her. ‘You promised you’d hear me out if there were things we need to discuss.’

‘Well?’ His look, his stance were pure arrogant billionaire. As if she took up too much of his precious time. But Cora wasn’t fooled. This man felt deeply, too deeply, and he cared, even if he tried to give the impression he didn’t.

‘I have a proposition, Strato. I want you to live with me, not as a temporary lover, but as my partner.’

His eyebrows shot up and his eyes widened. ‘Didn’t you hear anything I said yesterday? I can’t live with you, what if I...?’

‘And what if you don’t, Strato? You’re denying us all, you, me and our baby, the chance of happiness, because you’re afraid of something that’s not going to happen.’

He stepped closer then stopped abruptly as if fearing to get too close. ‘You ask me to forget the danger to you both? I can’t do that.’

Cora folded her arms and saw with a flicker of hope the way his gaze followed the movement, lingering a fraction on her breasts.

‘You’re making assumptions, Strato, and any scientist will tell you that’s unwise. You’re acting without proof.’

He shook his head. ‘The proof being an act of violence? I refuse to risk it.’

‘Don’t you see, your thinking is flawed? I understand your fear about learning behaviour patterns from your father and grandfather. But have you stopped to consider that the very fact you refuse to take this chance points to you being different?’

‘You haven’t known me long enough to form an opinion, Cora.’ His dismissive tone might have stopped her once. Now she saw it as camouflage for his pain and doubt.

She paced closer, glad she’d taken time to pull together her information and marshal her arguments.

‘I did some research yesterday, Strato. There are plenty of press reports about you but not one mentioning violence or abuse of women.’ He opened his mouth but she kept speaking. ‘I also rang Steph Nicolaides, who spoke to her husband.’

‘You did what?’ He looked stunned.

‘Don’t worry, I didn’t share your past. I told her how I felt about you and asked if she was aware of anything I should know about you.’

Not because Cora doubted him for a second. But so Strato could hear what others thought of him. He respected Damen and trusted his acumen. She hoped Damen’s feedback would make Strato stop and think instead of instinctively rejecting what others saw and he couldn’t.

‘How do you feel about me?’

His eyes bored into hers. Cora swallowed and reminded herself this was no time for pride.

‘I love you.’

Strato moved towards her then stopped abruptly.

‘You can’t!’

He was breathless, his voice cracking, and all the feelings she battled to contain surfaced. She wanted to hold him and comfort him. Rock him in her arms, take him into her body and whisper soothing words to erase his pain. She wanted to take those lovely, wide shoulders and shake him!

‘I can and I do.’ When he would have spoken, she raised her palm. ‘You can’t control my feelings, Strato. I’ve loved you since well before I learned about our baby. My feelings are true and real and I wouldn’t change them if I could.’

She watched him reach for his desk as if he needed support. Good. Maybe a few shocks would knock some sense into him.

‘Steph said you were kind and generous and that you’d make a terrific father if you could be persuaded to settle down.’ Seeing Strato’s shock, Cora hurried on. ‘Not that she knows about the baby. She said Damen thinks highly of you and trusts you. He said you’re a truly decent man, masquerading as someone who doesn’t care.’

Cora agreed.

Strato’s mouth twisted in a jeering smile. ‘Much as I appreciate the praise, none of that counters my concerns.’

‘What about Asteri?’

He stiffened. ‘Asteri?’

‘Don’t look so surprised. I know you’re associated with it, even if you don’t run it. I told you I’d been digging.’

Strato’s lowered brows told her he wasn’t happy.

‘Where did the name come from? Since it means star, it made me think of a bright light to guide you in tough times. Is that it? It’s appropriate for an organisation that gives on-the-ground support to victims of family violence.’

‘You have done your homework.’ He didn’t sound pleased.

‘I kept seeing hotel bookings from Asteri, for single women or sometimes for women with children. I got curious.’ She’d found a charity that provided safe housing and services to families affected by violence. ‘Those holidays you’ve paid for aren’t just for employees. Some are for survivors of trauma.’

‘I don’t see the relevance.’

He was so stubborn. ‘Do you really think a man who sees women as possessions to be controlled would champion that cause? Not with a tax-deductible payment, but with a meaningful contribution like holidays they wouldn’t usually be able to afford? A break when they most need it?’

Cora closed the gap between them and put her palm to his chest, pushing. A tremor ran up her arm and encircled her chest at the thrill of touching him again.

‘Don’t, Cora.’

‘Or what? What will you do?’

His hand closed on hers and he gently pulled it away. Yet he kept hold of it. Was it imagination that turned his touch into a caress? His grim stare into one of longing?

‘Would you beat me or—?’

‘Don’t, Cora! This isn’t a game.’

His pain created an ache that ripped through her own chest. Cora lifted her other palm to his face, cupping his jaw, feeling the roughened texture of his unshaved skin.

‘I know. But you’re not like your father. I look at this scientifically, look at the facts, and draw sensible conclusions.’

She didn’t mention the very unscientific fact that she also followed her heart. Her instinct that Strato was the man she believed him.

‘You’re not violent, Strato. On the contrary, you help victims of violence.’ And went to considerable trouble to do it quietly so that the public wasn’t aware of his interest. ‘You’re incredibly protective, of me and our baby. I admire you. I care for you. I love you, and I want you to take a chance on turning your life around and being with me.’

She had no idea what she did.

Asking the impossible. While at the same time holding out shining hope.

Strato had never let himself think of being loved again. He knew how precious it was. Still remembered the warmth of his mother’s love and his siblings’. He’d spent his life locking away what was left of his broken heart. Now Cora strode into his life, smashing barriers he’d thought impenetrable, and said she loved him. She trusted him. She wanted a future with him.

A great shudder racked him from head to toe. He tried to move back, find space to think, but couldn’t bring himself to release her.

The tender touch of her palm on his face was every hope, every dream he’d tried not to harbour.

But it seemed dreams weren’t so easily killed. Beneath his adamantine control something welled, hot and strong. A yearning. A need. A sense of inevitability.

Because he loved her.

Cora had worked a miracle, awakening feelings he’d never thought to experience. That was what he’d fought against recognising all these weeks.

He loved Cora with every part of his shadowed soul. With every breath he took and would ever take.

Not just because she offered the elusive promise of a future to a man who’d never allowed himself to think long term.

But because of Cora. She was everything he needed. Sensible. Sexy. Giving. Funny. Determined. Frustratingly determined.

‘Strato?’

Eyes the colour of cognac held his and he felt himself on the brink of falling. He wanted to fall. To trust she was right and all would be well.

But it wouldn’t be him paying the price if this ended in disaster.

‘I...care for you, Cora. That’s why I can’t do what you want.’

He stepped away, far enough that she couldn’t touch him. She didn’t follow. She looked winded, as if his rejection had undone her.

Strato wanted to tug her into his arms and tell her it would be all right. But she was too precious.

‘What would your mother say, Strato?’

His head jerked back as if she’d slapped him.

‘Don’t bring my mother into this!’

He still grieved for her. For the fact he hadn’t been able to save her.

‘Would she want to see her boy turning his back on happiness? Wouldn’t she want to see you with your own family, feeling joy and tenderness? Do you think she’d be happy seeing you pursuing meaningless hook-ups that diminish you instead of sustaining you?’

How had Cora known? That was exactly how it felt. He’d realised in the time they’d been apart that he could never go back to those brief sexual encounters.

Because what he wanted was Cora. For ever.

His nemesis continued. ‘I suspect she’d hope that, despite what happened to your family, you’d find true peace and happiness. That you’d love.’

Strato drew a slow breath and released it.

Cora was right. His mother had been positive, despite her abusive marriage. She’d told him to reach for the sky and dream big. That was why the charity he’d established was called Asteri. That and the fact she’d always called him asteri mou, my star.

‘You’re right.’ The words ground from his constricted throat. ‘But I can’t seek happiness at your expense.’

The dawning light in Cora’s eyes dimmed as her mouth thinned. She planted her hands on her generous hips, drawing his unwilling attention to the marvellous curve at her trim waist and up to those magnificent breasts.

‘You don’t think I have the strength to stand up for myself, Strato?’ Her chest heaved and he looked up, discovering her eyes narrowed in anger. ‘Well, I can.’ She paused and he wondered what argument she’d try next.

She dropped her arms and breathed slowly, as if through pain.

Had he convinced her? Why didn’t he feel pleased? He knew an unreasoning urge to bar the door to stop her going.

‘If that’s your final word, there’s nothing left to say.’ Her gaze held his and he read distress there that matched his own, making him even more miserable. ‘But know this, Strato Doukas. I want my baby to have two loving parents like I did. It may take a while, years even, but I’ll find a man who’s not afraid of commitment. A man who’ll truly care for me and help me raise my child.’

Unbelievable pain filled Strato’s chest, clogging the space behind his ribs till he couldn’t breathe.

‘You wouldn’t.’ The thought of Cora with another man, a stranger raising his child...

‘Why not? I’m not going to live like a hermit because you don’t want me.’ She looked away. ‘You might have broken my heart.’ She paused, swallowing, and his own heart shattered. ‘But thanks to you, I’ve discovered I like sex. There are decent men out there who could be a father to this baby. It mightn’t be a love match but, as you’ve also taught me, love doesn’t guarantee a happy ending.’

‘You’re bluffing!’ She had to be.

Cora turned towards the door, the hem of her skirt flaring, teasing him with a glimpse of toned thighs.

‘Someone like Manoli maybe. I like his sense of humour. And he’s got infinite patience. He has to have, working for you—’

Strato’s hand on her arm stopped her mid-step.

Go to Manoli indeed! When she professed to love him.

Cora swung around and he couldn’t help himself. Fear and desperation melded into an unstoppable force. He hauled her close and put his mouth on hers, the threads of his control finally tearing.

Firm hands captured his head, holding tight as if she feared he’d pull back. All that wonderful womanly softness pressed against him, splintering any thought of self-control. And her kiss...

Strato sighed. She kissed like a woman in love. As desperate as he.

He wrapped his arms securely around her and gave himself up to the inevitable. Amazingly, it didn’t feel like defeat, but victory, optimism.

It was a long time before he could summon enough control to lift his head and find his voice.

‘Witch.’ Even to his own ears the growl sounded like an endearment. ‘You had no intention of pursuing Manoli or anyone else, had you?’

‘You expected me to fight fair when our happiness is at stake? Our whole future and our child’s?’ Her eyes shone overbright. ‘Kiss me again, Strato. Please?’

Her wobbly voice undid him. It matched his own shuddering wonder.

How could he refuse her? Even knowing she’d played him, had him dancing to her tune. She’d broken him down to his most elemental being and reassembled him so he felt trembling belief in the possibility of a future.

He just couldn’t relinquish it, or her. Not now.

Finally, it seemed hours later, he sat with her bundled on his lap, warm and luscious in his arms. Strato inhaled the scent of wild honey as he nuzzled her neck and knew that whatever the future held, this was right. She was right for him.

‘I love you, Cora.’ It felt amazing to say it aloud.

She turned, eyes shining with wonder.

Strato swallowed, pushing down fear and clutching at hope. The precious gift Cora brought him.

‘Oh, Strato!’ Her eyes brimmed with tears, but she smiled through them and the sight of her joy gave him hope for the future.

‘I want to make you happy, always. But I don’t know how.’

She shook her head. ‘For a clever man you have a lot to learn. Just keep on being you and I’ll be happy.’

‘That I can do. I just wish—’

Her finger on his lips stopped him. ‘How about we promise to take it a day at a time? You’re not the only one who has to learn about building a future together. And being a parent.’

Strato lifted her hand to his lips. ‘But we’re in this together.’ The power of that thought sustained him against the shadows of fear. He’d do everything he could to build a wonderful future for them all. There was no other possible alternative. ‘You and me together, Coritsa. We’ll make mistakes but we’ll learn. If I have your love that’s all I need.’

Cora’s tender smile eased a little of his ancient hurts. Who knew what a lifetime of them together could achieve?

‘You have it, agapi mou. Always.’