Adonis in Athens - Page 41
They drove to his parents’ house in a neighborhood not far from his own. They’d bought it only 10 years ago, upgrading from the tiny home he’d grown up in. Though it had been clean and functional, it was small, just two bedrooms and one bathroom for two adults and three children. It had been close to the beach, though, and his parents had gotten good money for it. Then they’d bought this house, which cost a fortune and wasn’t quite as close to the beach, but still just a ten-minute walk there. It was big, with three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. Everything was modern and sleek, with beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows in the main room and a balcony that wrapped all the way around the second floor, so each bedroom had access to it. He and Sophia had moved out, of course, so with his parents in one bedroom and Melina in the other, they now had a room for his grandmother, though she was always willing to give it up for guests and would sleep on the couch no matter how much anyone protested.
Pulling into the small driveway, he glanced at Paige who seemed pale suddenly. “You okay?” he asked, going around to open her door for her.
“Kinda.” She made a face. “I might be a little nauseous.”
“We’ll just tell my mother you’re pregnant and the thought of grandchildren will make her forget all about how we got married.”
She snorted. “You’re not helping!”
“Sorry.” He kissed her, his lips claiming hers gently but insistently. “I’m really sorry I have to put you through this, but this is my family, you know? I don’t care if my mother gets mad about how we did things; as long as you make an effort, that’s enough for me.”
“I will,” she whispered. “I just…what do I say when they ask if I’m moving to Greece? You know they’re going to try and separate us today so they can size me up.”
He nodded. “You tell them we’re trying to figure it out but that you’re open to it. That’ll hold them off until we make our decision.”
“Okay.” She gripped his hand tighter than she intended but he didn’t protest, guiding her through a pretty garden filled with roses and up to an ornate front door.
Apollo threw open the door and pulled her inside as he called out to his mother. “Mama? Pou ise?” Where are you?
“Etho!” Here.
Paige took a deep breath as they continued through what appeared to be a small den of some kind into a big open room at the back of the house. A large table was set in the center of the room, and there was a man sitting at it eating a piece of bread. He looked up and narrowed his eyes, nodding at Apollo and sliding his eyes up and down Paige’s body without even trying to hide it. She felt the heat of embarrassment warm her cheeks at his blatant perusal of her chest but Apollo slid an arm around her waist and tugged her against his side.
“Paige, that’s my brother-in-law, Giorgios. Giorgios, this is Paige. My wife.” He emphasized the word as the other man gave her a smarmy smile.
“Hi.” Paige’s voice was almost a squeak and she quickly averted her eyes, searching for anyone else she could focus on. She suddenly understood why Apollo didn’t like his brother-in-law; he was a creep. Why on earth was Sophia married to someone like him?
“Apollo.” His mother came out of the kitchen with a smile for her son, ignoring Paige entirely.
“Mama.” Apollo kissed her on each cheek and then pulled Paige forward. “This is Paige. Be nice or we’re leaving.”
His mother scowled at him. “When have I ever been not nice to a guest?” She turned to Paige and switched to English. “Hello, Paige! I am Maria Lakkas—welcome to our home.”
“Thank you. What I’ve seen so far is lovely.” Paige hoped she didn’t sound like an idiot, but she felt like one right now.
“This is my daughter Sophia,” Maria turned to someone who’d come in behind her and the surly-faced young woman arched a brow.
“I’ve heard so much about you,” Paige said, holding out her hand.
Sophia ignored her gesture. “I wish I could say the same.”
“Sophia.” Apollo’s voice was barely a whisper but laced with an edge that got his sister’s attention.
“What?” she asked, shrugging. “I don’t know her.”
“That’s why she’s here. Behave or we’ll leave.”
“Makes no difference to me,” Sophia chuckled.
“It makes a difference to me!” Maria snapped in Greek, smacking her daughter in the arm. “Go get the salad.”
Sophia left the room after rolling her eyes and Maria held out a hand to Paige. “Come. Don’t pay attention to Sophia—she is having the hormones.” She said something to Apollo, who scowled, but turned to Paige.
“She’s been unable to get pregnant again so she’s taking all kinds of drugs to see if they’ll help.”
“They can wreak havoc on your body,” Paige said sympathetically.
“Yes, it has been difficult for her.” Maria had a deep accent but seemed to have a better command of English than her husband did.