“Uh, no,” Holly said awkwardly, shifting her baby’s weight on her hip. “I’m Holly, his...” His what? Baby mama? Cast-off lover? “His, um, friend.”
“Friend?” the housekeeper repeated with a frown.
Turning to Stavros, she said something sharply in Greek. Lips quirking, he answered her in the same language.
The old woman looked mollified. As servants collected their luggage and moved the convertible into the nearby garage, the housekeeper turned to Holly with an innocent smile. “You must be tired from your journey, Miss Holly, you and the baby. Everything is ready. Won’t you come in, please?”
“Yes, thank you,” Holly replied, throwing Stavros a confused glance as she followed them into the villa, cradling her baby in her arms.
Stavros’s head tilted back as they walked through the foyer. “This place is smaller than I remember.”
The housekeeper’s wrinkled face smiled. “It is not smaller. You are bigger.”
Small? Holly’s eyes nearly popped out of her head as she looked around her. It was like a palace! The foyer opened directly into a huge room with a breathtaking view of the sun lowering into the sea with streaks of orange and red. An elegant chandelier hung high above the priceless antique furniture and marble floor.
Freddie gave a hungry whimper, and Eleni crooned, “Poor baby, you are tired. I will show you to your room.”
Their room? As in, Holly and Stavros would be sharing one?
No. Surely not. Holly had made it very clear to Stavros that she had no interest in spending time with him. Especially not time of an intimate nature!
“Thank you, Eleni,” Stavros said. He lifted a dark eyebrow. “When can I convince you to move to New York?”
“What would I do there? You live in a hotel!”
“Anything. Or nothing.” He looked at her seriously. “You deserve to rest, after taking care of us when I was young. You were my mother’s only friend when she was here. At least accept a pension?”
“Oh, no.” Blushing, the older woman ducked her head. “I won’t take charity.”
“It’s not charity. It’s gratitude.”
“No. I couldn’t. But thank you, Stavi. If you ever need a housekeeper, let me know. You’re a good boy.” She smiled at him, then turned as servants passed with their luggage. “Your room is this way, if you please.”
As they followed the housekeeper down a long hallway, Holly whispered to Stavros, “What did you say to her earlier?”
He frowned. “When?”
Her cheeks went warm. “At the door when we arrived. When I said I was just your friend, she looked so upset. Until you said something to her in Greek.”
“Oh.” His black eyes gleamed with amusement. “I told Eleni not to worry. I will marry you soon.”
His words caused a jolt that nearly made her trip. Then she rolled her eyes. “Funny.”
Stavros raised an eyebrow. “You think I’m joking?”
He hadn’t lost his arrogance, that was for sure. “I’ll never marry you, Stavros. No way, no how.”
He tilted his head with a crooked grin. “We’ll see.”
Holly’s worst fears were confirmed when the housekeeper led them to a magnificent bedroom, with a balcony overlooking the sea. In the center of the room was a single enormous four-poster bed, and in the corner, a crib. Nearby, a changing table had been set up, with everything a baby could need. A rocking chair was placed by the windows.
“Perfect, yes?” Eleni said, smiling.
“It’s beautiful, but...” Holly bit her lip as she looked around. “Where will I sleep?”
The housekeeper laughed, her eyes dancing. “I am not so old-fashioned as to believe you sleep in separate rooms.” Going to the enormous walk-in closet, she said to Stavros, “For your wife and baby.”
Just hearing herself described as Stavros’s wife caused a frisson of emotion to dart through Holly. She stuck out her chin. “I’m not—”