Pretending with the Greek Billionaire (18 page)
Read Pretending with the Greek Billionaire Online
Authors: Kira Archer
Tags: #Entangled, #romance, #blackmail, #Fake Engagement, #Indulgence, #opposites attract, #enemies to lovers, #Kira Archer
“Then maybe I should give this back to you.” He pulled her sapphire ring out of his pocket. “My strong, amazing, beautiful Stanzia… Marry me. For real this time.”
She laughed, so full of happiness she was sure it radiated from every pore. “Yes,” she said, her heart nearly jumping from her chest when he slipped the ring back on her finger.
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the ring. “And you’ll move back into the house tonight. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
She laughed and then gasped, her stomach dropping. “Wait. I can’t.”
Luca’s face fell, his eyes widening.
“I want to,” she insisted, “I do. But…the girls…I can’t leave them…”
“Oh,” he said, letting out a sigh of relief and crushing her to him again. “God, you scared me.” He gave her a lingering kiss. “Don’t worry about the girls. I still have everything all set up for them. I don’t see any reason why the Family Aid organization wouldn’t approve me as a House Father, especially if you remain the House Mother. The girls were living with me anyway.”
“Luca, are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I want all my girls back home where they belong.”
“Oh, Luca,” she said, giving him a swift kiss. “Thank you so much.”
“Let’s sit for a second.” He pulled her down to the sand with him, tucking her into his chest with his arms wrapped about her and his legs on either side, keeping her cocooned from the cool breeze blowing in off the sea. “There’s something else I wanted to discuss with you.”
He still seemed happy, but there was something beneath the surface. He almost seemed nervous, anxious about something. “What is it?” she asked with a slight frown.
“I wanted to see how you’d feel about making some of the arrangements permanent. I mean more so than they already are.”
“What do you mean?” She thought she knew, but she was afraid to hope that much.
“If it would be all right with you, and with her, I’d like for us to adopt Elena.”
Constance gasped and flipped around in his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist so she could hug him with her whole body. “Oh Luca, of course it’s okay with me. I never dreamed…” She pulled away to look at him though his smiling face was blurry through her tears. “Really?”
“Really,” he said with a little laugh. “I’ve sown enough wild oats.”
She snorted and he gave her a mock glare. “I think it’s time I settled down and had a family, and I always was one for instant gratification.”
She laughed. “Well, just this once, my love, I wholeheartedly approve.”
“Good,” he said, jumping up, bring her along with him. “Let’s go get our girls.”
Constance tugged on his hand, drawing him back to her. She reached up to cup his face, drawing him down for a kiss. “Mrs. Bal
las is in charge for the night. You and I have some catching up to do.”
His smile turned sensual, desire flashing through his eyes. “I love the way you think,
koritsi mou
.”
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Author’s Note
The Emergency Family Aid organization that Constance works for in this story is loosely based on a real organization, SOS Children’s Villages International. The SOS organization provides homes and care for children whose families are no longer able to do so. While elements similar to the real organization were used for this book, literary license was taken to fit the needs of the story. For more information on the real SOS Children’s Villages, please visit their website at
http://www.sos-childrensvillages.org
.
Acknowledgments
My deepest thanks to the entire Entangled team, especially my incredible editor, Alethea Spiridon. Luca wouldn’t be here without you, and without Luca my world would be tragic. Thank you so much for everything. I have loved working with you and appreciate everything you’ve done to get this book out in the world.
To my sweet husband, who makes me breathe fresh air, cooks real food, tells me I look great even when I’m on deadline and look like an extra on
The Walking Dead
, and only rarely fusses when I stumble into bed just before he gets up—I really couldn’t do this without you. At least not well. Just imagine how pale I’d be if it weren’t for you dragging me out into the sun every now and then.
To my amazing kids, for never complaining no matter how many pizza days or video games you’re forced to endure, for scattering when I need a few extra work minutes and still putting up with the Mama Love even though you’re almost as tall as I am—you are my everything. And I promise to put on my “outside clothes” before I pick you up at school. Most of the time.
To Sarah Ballance, my writing creepy twin who somehow manages to keep me sane with your crazy (our crazy?)—my family thanks you. Without you, they’d have to deal with me unfiltered and I’m not sure they are up to that. Also, keep your spiders to yourself. I see a spider, I’m breaking out the mice. Fair warning. As for the jalepeno chips, address them to my son. The kid was drinking salsa when he was two. He thanks you in advance. I wonder if anyone has noticed we talk to each other in these things yet…this could get interesting.
And most importantly, to my fabulous readers. You are the reason I can do what I do. I can’t even express what that means to me. You guys are beyond wonderful!
About the Author
Kira Archer
resides in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kiddos, and far too many animals in the house. She tends to laugh at inappropriate moments, break all the rules she gives her kids (but only when they aren’t looking), and would rather be reading a book than doing almost an-ything else. She has odd, eclectic tastes in just about everything and often let’s her imagination run away with her. She loves a vast variety of genres and writes in quite a few. If you love his-torical romances, check out her alter ego,
Michelle McLean
.
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