HE NEEDED OUT of the house.
The only problem was, he hadn’t wanted to walk out the door.
Apollo’s car sped down the road. He never thought he would want to stay at the mansion. But it wasn’t the same place as when he was growing up. It was different now—now that Popi and Seb were there. The sound of laughter was now common around the house. And each morning all the drapes were pulled back, flooding the mansion with bright, rejuvenating sunshine.
At first he’d started working on the neglected gardens as a way of getting out of the house, but now he had to force himself to go work on the project. He’d much rather stay inside and follow Popi around. But he knew that was a fool’s errand.
Popi was planning to leave the estate—leave him—just as soon as Infinity Island’s updates were completed. The closer the time for her departure came, the more he realized he didn’t want her to leave.
He’d even considered giving her a reason to stay—with him. The only reason he’d resisted the urge was knowing he couldn’t give her what she wanted. Long-term relationships didn’t work out for him. Every one that he’d had ended in disaster. And he wouldn’t subject Seb to a broken home.
Apollo slowed the car as he neared the bistrot where he was to meet up with Matias. He found a parking spot on the busy street and slipped his black Greek supercar into the spot.
As he walked into the darkened bistrot, he realized he should have turned Matias down on the phone. His life had changed and his wings had been clipped.
An image of Seb filled his mind. He knew that giving up his old nomadic ways was for the best. He loved Seb with all his heart. But sometimes he let himself imagine what his next adventure might entail—until his thoughts turned to holding Seb in his arms. Then Apollo knew he was right where he belonged—embarking on the most important adventure of his life.
Matias waved from across the room.
Apollo made his way to him, ordering a dark ale on his way. He took a seat across the table from a friend he’d made while trekking through Nepal. He’d met so many interesting people along his travels. In an effort to keep people from flocking to him because of his family’s fortune, he typically used his mother’s maiden name. Some would exchange information, along with a promise to keep in contact, but it was rare he would hear from anyone again. Matias was different.
They had kept in contact over the past eight years. Like him, Matias’s family was influential in Madrid. It made it easy for them to open up to each other because neither wanted anything from the other. And along the way, they found they had a lot in common, like avoiding commitments, not living up to family expectations and enjoying the thrill of an adventure.
“Hey, man.” Matias got to his feet. They clutched hands, pulled each other close and, with their free hands, clapped each other on the back. They quickly pulled apart. “It’s good to see you, man. I mean it’s really good to see you.”
“Thanks. I’m surprised to see you in Athens.”
“I’m just passing through. After I heard about your accident, I wanted to see that you’re truly in one piece.”
They both sat down and a waitress brought their drinks. Apollo took a sip of the dark brew. “Yeah. That was a bad one. Doctors weren’t sure if I was going to make it or not.”
“I would have been there for you if I had known about it.”
Apollo shook off the idea. “There was nothing you could do. Nothing anyone could do. It just took time.”
“And so you’ve decided to spend some time at home?”
With reluctance, he told Matias about his brother’s death and the new baby. He skimmed over the subject of Popi. He wasn’t sure how to describe his relationship with her. Was that right? Did they have a relationship?
His mind slipped back to the steamy kisses they’d shared. And they’d have shared so much more if not for her pregnancy. But did that equate to a relationship?
Then again, they were sharing a home. And they were sharing a baby, not to mention the time they spent gardening together and the meals they shared. The more these facts piled up, the harder it got for him to stick his head in the sand and refuse to accept what was right in front of him.
He was involved in a romantic relationship with Popi. And he was committed to being a full-time father to Seb.
His heart stilled for a moment as the significance of this acknowledgment settled in his mind. But where did it go from here? Where did he want it to go? Would Popi stay at the estate with him if he asked her?
“Hey.” Matias waved his hand in front of Apollo, gaining his attention. “Where’d you go?”
“What?” He had no idea what Matias had been saying. That wasn’t like him. But this was a situation that he’d never been in before. “Sorry. I guess I just have a lot on my mind.”
“It sounds like it. So, what’s her name?”
Apollo frowned. “Why do you just assume it’s a woman?”
“Because I know you. And there’s a look on your face—”
“What look?”
Matias smiled and shook his head. “Never mind.”
“I do mind. What look?”
“Like you’re a lovesick pup—”
“I’m not!” The denial came so quick and so vehemently that even he didn’t believe it.
Matias’s eyes widened as he held up his hands. “Hey, you asked.” He glanced down at the table. “So, back to the reason for my visit. How soon are you ready to set off on a new excursion? I’ve got guides set up for a walking safari. We’ll get up close and personal with the wildlife.”
It was something that Apollo had never done. And it was something that he’d always wanted to do. But he’d never found it challenging enough. Until now, he’d always wanted to push himself to the edge. But with this last adventure, he’d gotten too close to the edge and it had cost him.
The safari was exactly what he needed while his body continued to heal. But that would mean leaving Seb. That was something he couldn’t do. It was up to him to look after the little guy. And more than that—he’d miss Seb something awful.
He shook his head. “I can’t, man.”
“You mean because of your injuries?”
“No. I mean I’m still not one hundred percent, but I have the baby now. I have to put him first. I owe that much to my brother.”
But that wasn’t exactly the truth. His desire to stay here in Athens wasn’t born out of duty but rather out of desire. He wanted to stay home—to be there with Seb—and Popi. To share his life with them.
Matias stared at him. “Is that the only reason holding you here?”
“What else would there be?” Popi’s beautiful face filled his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.
“I don’t know, but you have that look on your face again.”
Finally deciding that he needed some advice about his situation with Popi, he opened up to his friend. He told Matias about the first time he met Popi and that undeniable immediate attraction. He went on to mention that Popi’s life was on Infinity Island and how she planned to return to her life there as soon as possible—with the baby. And how he would once again be alone.
“You’d be able to get back to your adventures,” Matias offered.
Apollo lowered his gaze and stared blindly into his drink. “I don’t know if it was almost dying on this last excursion or what, but I’m not anxious to get back out there. At least not yet.”
“Is it that? Or have you finally found a reason to stay at home?”
“You mean Popi?” When Matias nodded, Apollo said, “But this arrangement is about to end and then she’ll be gone.” Just like everyone else in his life.
“Unless you give her a reason to stay.”
Apollo looked up at his friend, finding that he was perfectly serious. But what could he offer Popi to stay here? Her career and friends were on the island. When she spoke of the island and the weddings she’d planned, it was obvious how much she missed it.
But her family was here in Athens. A flicker of hope sparked within him. If he were able to give her another reason, maybe he could change her mind. But how?
He searched his mind to come up with some reason that would rival her desire to return to Infinity Island. There had to be an answer. It wasn’t like money would be an obstacle. But he also knew throwing money at Popi wouldn’t be the answer. She was so stubbornly independent.
“Can I offer you a bit of advice?” When Apollo nodded, Matias said, “Be careful. I know things seem really good now. But move cautiously. I just got burned by a woman who was only interested in my bank account. She put on such a good show that I didn’t see it. I was just about to propose to her when I learned the truth.”
“Is this the reason you missed the last trip?”
It was Matias’s turn to avoid Apollo’s gaze as he nodded.
“It’s just as well. As you can tell, it didn’t go well.” Apollo rubbed his surgically repaired thigh, which still had a dull ache to it.
“Just be careful is all I’m saying. Make sure if you move forward with her that she’s interested in you and not what you can offer her.”
Apollo didn’t believe it was the case with Popi. He was certain she had a heart of gold. He pushed his friend’s advice to the back of his mind.
* * *
“This place is more impressive than I ever could have imagined.”
Two days later, Popi’s mother stood in the nursery, holding Seb while gazing out the window at the estate grounds. The nursery had an excellent view of the extravagant gardens that Apollo was creating. Popi joined her mother at the window. She gazed down, catching a glimpse of Apollo as he worked in the bright sunshine without a shirt on.
He was too far away to make out the detailed lines of his well-defined muscles. But the memory of him working shirtless was vividly imprinted upon her mind. She’d been tempted more than once to reach out and smooth the flecks of dirt from his tanned skin, but each time she’d resisted the urge, unsure of his reaction.
Sure, they’d kissed, but she still didn’t understand where that left them—except for wanting more. And since she’d had the baby, he’d been so reserved around her—even if she saw the desire reflected in his eyes. It wasn’t like he was going to stay here in Athens. He was a nomad, always on to the next adventure.
“Looks like you find it impressive too.” Her mother’s voice drew Popi out of her thoughts.
“Mmm... What?”
Her mother sent her a knowing smile.
“What?” Popi asked.
“I’m thinking you’re enjoying the view a little too much.”
Heat rushed to Popi’s chest and headed north to her cheeks. “I... I don’t know what you mean.”
Her mother arched a brow. “Popi, don’t play coy with me. I saw you looking at Apollo. Is there more to this playing house than caring for Seb?”
“Of course not.” Did her response sound like a lie? Because it sure felt like one.
Disbelief reflected in her mother’s eyes. “Just make sure that whatever you do with Apollo, it’s for the right reason.”
That was it? No lecture? No telling her that he was absolutely the wrong person for her? Popi struggled to keep her mouth from gaping open.
“What?” Her mother placed the sleeping baby in the crib before turning back to her daughter.
“It’s just that I expected you to tell me not to get involved with him...to stay away from a man who never slept in the same place more than a few nights.”
“Is that what you expected me to say? Or is that what you’ve been saying to yourself?”
Popi shrugged, not wanting to answer. “I don’t know what to make of him. He’s so much different than the picture Andrina painted of him.”
“That happens a lot. People are never quite what other people say of them. Usually there’s so much more if you look beneath the surface.”
Popi moved to a basket of fresh baby clothes and began placing them in the new chest of drawers. “It was so much easier when I was certain he was an irresponsible playboy, out to have a good time instead of taking responsibility for himself and his family. But now...”
“Now you’ve found out there might be reasons for his globetrotting.”
Popi stopped and turned to her mother. “How did you know?”
“Your sister. She didn’t know the whole story, but from what she was able to glean, Apollo had a harsh childhood, with an alcoholic father.”
“She knew there was more to him?”
Her mother sighed. “She didn’t know for sure, but she hoped when the time came that he would step up and be there for the family. And perhaps have a family of his own.”
This was all so unexpected. Her sister had never said anything like this to her. In fact, Andrina had warned her, should she ever meet Apollo, to be on her guard. Maybe Popi had misinterpreted that warning. Maybe her sister had known just how dashing her brother-in-law was and she worried that Popi would fall for him and he would end up breaking her heart. Was that going to happen?
Had she already lost her heart to him? Was that why she was still here even though she’d received word that all the renovations had been completed on her bungalow?
She looked at her mother, who was wise in the ways of the heart. “But how am I to know what he wants?”
“The question you have to answer first is what do you want?”
“I... I don’t know.”
“Listen to your heart—it will guide you.”
“If only it was that easy.” But every time she listened to her heart, her mind intervened with all of the reasons that pursuing anything with Apollo wouldn’t work.
“Don’t push yourself. You’ve been through a lot, and so has he. But I have to say that your sister would be so proud of you.”
Popi’s heart stuttered. How could she be so caught up with Apollo? It wasn’t right.
If it wasn’t for her sister’s death, she wouldn’t be here. And Andrina wouldn’t have died if it hadn’t been for her. Which meant that she didn’t deserve Apollo. She didn’t deserve to have the perfect family that her sister had been robbed of.
“No, she wouldn’t.” Popi couldn’t meet her mother’s gaze. “Andrina should be here, not me.”
“That’s nonsense. I know that it’s hard without your sister. I miss her every day. But one life is not more important than the other. I love you both, equally.”
Her mother’s unconditional love is what had gotten her through so much in life, including her sister’s death. But there was something her mother didn’t know—that she was the one who’d insisted that her sister be on that boat. She just didn’t know how to admit to something so horrible.
“Mum, there’s something you don’t know—”
Knock-knock.
Apollo stuck his head in the doorway. “I heard we had company.”
Introductions were made, and as though the baby sensed Apollo was in the room, Seb fussed, wanting to be picked up. Apollo readily lifted the baby into his arms as though Seb had always belonged there.
She noticed how Apollo had changed into clean clothes. Still, he had the worst timing. But then again, maybe it was for the best. Her mother would just end up trying to make Popi feel better for what had happened to her sister. Her mother wouldn’t throw around blame—that wasn’t her way. And Popi didn’t deserve her mother’s sympathy and understanding.
And most of all, she didn’t deserve Apollo...no matter how much she wished it was otherwise. Because this was the life her sister should have been living—an adoring man, a beautiful home and a smiling, happy baby.
Popi thought she was coming to terms with losing her sister and learning to live with the loss, but every time she held Seb and that little boy stared up at her with those big brown eyes—so much like Andrina’s—the guilt washed over her.
She was the reason Andrina was on that boat. Popi’s ultimatum was the only reason her sister had reluctantly gone out on the water. And that was why Popi couldn’t let herself enjoy a family that was hers out of default. It wasn’t right. Andrina should be here, watching her beautiful baby boy grow.