than that.
Even when they had made love again last night he’d felt that she was holding herself back from him, somehow. Although her kisses had been passionate and needy, there had still been that underlying vulnerability about her.
Was she regretting their marriage? he wondered suddenly. Had he rushed her into something that was ultimately making her deeply unhappy?
He frowned. They had a child to consider, he reminded himself. She would come round. She would have to!
They arrived at Alexi’s parents’ house just as the sun was starting to go down and Katie would never forget her first glimpse of the place. The mansion was set in its own grounds with spectacular views across the sea. Behind the house the forests melted into the dusky pink of the twilight sky.
There were already a lot of cars lined up on the driveway, and light and music spilled out from the open front door.
‘The party sounds like it’s in full swing. Are we late?’ Katie asked as they parked and stepped out into the warmth of the evening.
‘No, we’re on time. They probably wanted everyone here before us, so they could welcome you properly. I’ll warn you now—I have enough aunts, uncles and cousins to repopulate the lost city of Atlantis,’ he told her calmly. ‘So don’t worry if you can’t remember names—or work out who everyone is—even I struggle sometimes,’ he added with a smile.
Katie knew what he meant as they stepped inside. There were crowds of people milling about in the vast marble entrance-hall, and by the time they had reached the doors to the reception areas Alexi had introduced her to so many relatives, and she had been warmly hugged by so many strangers, that she had completely lost track of who was who.
Alexi’s parents were out on the patio, organising a barbeque.
Alexi’s father was still a handsome man for sixty-five. He had the same tall, powerful physique as his son, same thick, dark hair, only Philip’s was sprinkled with grey. Helen, Alexi’s mother, was probably ten years younger than her husband. She looked stylish and sophisticated in a black-and-white dress, and yet approachable, as if she was the sort of person you could talk to if you had a problem. Katie liked them both immediately.
She liked the fact that when they saw their son there were tears and effusive welcomes in Greek. Katie stood slightly back, but found herself immediately included and greeted like a long-lost daughter.
‘We are just so pleased,’ Alexi’s mother kept saying to Katie. ‘So happy for you both. Welcome to the family, Katie.’
The words touched Katie. She had never been a part of a family like this before; they were so demonstrative and warm-hearted. And they spoke to her with such genuine affection that it blew her away.
A chair was found for her at a table that was filled with food. It looked like a feast had been laid out for over two-hundred people. A glass of champagne was pressed into her hands, and everyone was speaking to her at once.
She was introduced to Alexi’s two sisters. They were very attractive brunettes, both younger than him. Alesha was fifteen, Julia was twenty-six and married with a two-month-old little girl called Georgia. Obviously both girls adored their big brother; Katie watched as they flung their arms around him and he hugged them tight before being handed his niece.
It gave Katie the strangest feeling, seeing Alexi holding that baby. He looked so at home—so gentle and tender—as he rocked the child in his arms and talked to her with warmth and love in his voice. The ruthless, powerful tycoon was gone and in his place was someone Katie had never seen before. It made her heart fill with even more love for him … more love than she knew how to handle.
He would be a good dad, she thought with certainty as she tried to blink away sudden tears—a wonderful dad.
He glanced over at her, and for a moment their eyes connected through the crowds. He smiled at her.
‘So, tell me all about your wedding,’ his mother was demanding. ‘Where exactly did you get married? When did Alexi propose?’ The questions raced on.
‘It’s just been a complete whirlwind,’ Katie answered honestly. ‘I still can’t believe it myself, to be honest!’
‘That sounds like Alexi!’ His mother laughed. ‘When my son decides that he wants something, he doesn’t usually like to wait.’
‘So what about your family, Katie? Will they be waiting for you in England to celebrate when you get back?’ Philip asked.
‘Unfortunately I only have my sister, and she is in France. My mother died when I was sixteen, and I never knew my dad.’
‘Well, you have us now, Katie,’ Alexi’s mother said, and patted her hand.
‘Yes, heaven help you,’ Alexi said teasingly. ‘The entire family’s mad.’
‘Pay no attention to him,’ Helen said with a smile. ‘If he doesn’t behave himself I shall tell some stories about the scrapes he got into when he was a little boy—things you need to know,’ she laughed, and winked at Katie.
As the sun disappeared the garden was lit with twinkling lanterns, and people started to dance by the side of the swimming pool. More and more people arrived. Katie was separated from Alexi for a while as people flocked to meet her.
Alexi’s father tried to pile her plate with more food. ‘Really, I couldn’t eat another mouthful,’ she laughed. ‘I’ll be the size of a house.’
‘Nonsense,’ he’d said gruffly. ‘We need to feed you up.’
Katie had to smile at that; it was such a fatherly thing to say. It was strange how at home she felt here—how accepted. She’d never felt like this before. She liked it. She liked the way Alexi’s father put his arm around his wife and gave her a kiss as he walked past.
They looked happy together—as if they were still in love even after all the years of marriage.
Would Alexi ever look at her like that? she wondered suddenly. The thought made her feel quite emotional again. Must be her hormones, she thought angrily. She was never usually so weepy one moment and so happy the next … it was strange.
‘Ah, so you must be the radiant bride.’ A woman came to stand beside her. She was about the same age as Katie with long blonde hair and a stunning figure that she seemed proud to flaunt in a low-cut black strapless dress. ‘I’m a distant cousin of Alexi’s, Natasha Scollini.’
‘Pleased to meet you.’ Katie smiled politely.
‘I have to say, I was surprised when I saw you. You’re not what I was expecting.’
The comment surprised Katie. And she didn’t like the woman’s tone. ‘So what were you expecting?’ she asked curtly.
‘Forgive me, Katie. I shouldn’t really say it, but I was expecting you to look like Andrea. It’s just Alexi was so … absolutely head over heels in love with her. Dying about her, in fact, that, well, I expected him to have fallen for someone similar.’
‘I think if he had been going to do that he would have done it eight years ago, don’t you?’ Katie replied archly.
‘Yes, you’re quite right.’ Natasha smiled. ‘I shouldn’t have said anything; I hope you’ll forgive me.’
‘There’s nothing to forgive.’ Katie shrugged.
‘I saw Andrea in Athens quite recently, actually, she was between assignments, on her way to Paris,’ Natasha continued. ‘She looked stunning. She must be about twenty-nine now—which I suppose is old for a model—but, whatever beauty regime she is using, it certainly is working. Of course, confidence is a great beauty boost, isn’t it? And being on the cover of this month’s Vogue must be a hell of a thrill.’
Alexi’s sister Julia walked over towards them and Natasha started to talk to someone else next to her before moving away.
‘What