“Make love under the stars,” Sally interjected.
Theo slanted a sideways glance at Trish and laughed. “Definitely.”
At that moment Bruno strode across the deck, making a beeline for his new bride. The look in his eyes brought a lump to Trish’s throat. It was all therethe love, the devotion, the till death do us part. Everything Trish had ever wanted for her best friend.
“We’re talking about Theo and Trish’s wedding night,” Sally said, greeting her husband with a kiss.
Bruno kissed her back soundly. “I’d rather talk about my own. When are we going to get this honeymoon started?”
“I’m ready when you are, big boy.” Sally trailed a finger up his arm then stopped. “As long as the girls are settled…”
“Don’t worry,” Trish said. “Menka is taking good care of them. The last time I saw her she had all three tucked under her wing.”
Trish hadn’t been surprised when Theo’s grandmother offered to take charge of Bruno’s girls as well as Cassidy during the wedding festivities. On their frequent trips to Miami, Menka and Tommy Catomeris had embraced grandparenthood with gusto. Tommy had been teaching Cassidy to cook Greek cuisine while Menka was busy filling her new granddaughter’s head with stories of Corfu and Greek culture.
And Cassidy was loving every minute of it. Just the other day her daughter had told Trish she’d started counting down the days until the family went to Corfu for the summer.
Family.
Trish expelled a happy sigh. Cassidy’s acceptance of all things Greek extended to her stepfather, as well. Though Theo hadn’t had much experience with children, it hadn’t taken long for Cassidy to accept him into the tight-knit circle she and Trish shared. And recalcitrant Steven had even warmed to Theo once he’d realized that Trish’s Greek boyfriend had no intentions of coming between him and his daughter.
Personally Trish thought Steven’s magnanimous mood had more to do with the fact that there was a new woman in his life. Someone he appeared to genuinely adore. They’d already told Steven to plan on bringing her to the wedding.
“Mrs. Tucci,” Bruno said, a hint of urgency in his tone. “There’s a problem in the honeymoon suite that has me frustrated.”
Even though Bruno had an apartment at the hotel, he and Sally planned to spend the night in the hotel’s elegant honeymoon suite before leaving for Venice in the morning.
A look of dismay crossed her face. “Problem?”
“Yes,” Bruno said, pulling her close. “You’re not there and I can’t honeymoon alone.”
Sally pushed back from Bruno’s arms and grabbed his hand, laughing. “That’s easily remedied.”
“Doesn’t look like he’ll be frustrated for long,” Theo observed, wrapping his arms around Trish as they watched the bride and groom disappear inside.
Trish snuggled against him. She loved it when Theo held her. Nestled in his strong arms she felt cherished, protected and loved.
Not a day went by that Theo didn’t show her in words and actions how much he cared. Not a day went by that she didn’t remember how much he’d given up to be with her. Not a day went by that she didn’t feel a twinge of guilt.
“Do you ever think how much easier your life would be if you’d fallen in love with a woman from Corfu rather than an American with a child?” Trish asked, keeping her tone deliberately light.
Theo loosened his grip on her and took a step back, holding her at arm’s length. “I don’t want a woman from Corfu, I want you,” he said. “Having you in my life has been a blessing beyond measure. Having”
“Still”
“Having Cassidy has been an extra bonus,” he said, not giving her a chance to speak. “I could not love the child more if she were my own flesh and blood.”
“But because of me, because of
us
, you had to leave your home”
“My home,” Theo said firmly, “is wherever you are. Besides, I like living in Florida. And I have a feeling my grandparents are going to become even more frequent fliers.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Trish said.
“You
know
I’m right.” Placing his arm around her shoulders, Theo led her to a wooden bench surrounded by fragrant roses. He waited for her to sit down before taking a seat next to her and capturing her hand.
Bringing it to his lips, Theo planted a kiss in the center of the palm, curled the fingers closed and placed her hand against his chest. “You are my heart. You are my soul. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
His voice was husky, barely recognizable. She stared into his face, and even in the dim light there was no mistaking the love. Trish let the last little trace of guilt fade away.
How had she gotten so lucky? Never in her wildest dreams could she have imagined that the hunky Greek businessman she’d met in a Corfu taverna would become a permanent part of her life. That he would become her heart, her soul.
Her mouth curved in a smile. Best friend. Lover. And in few short months, husband.
Life didn’t get any better.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-0438-0
THE TYCOON’S SON
Copyright © 2007 by Harlequin Books S.A.
Cynthia Rutledge is acknowledged as the author of this work.
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