Page 55 of Billion-Dollar Baby Shock

He was outside Tara’s door, pressing the bell.It opened and she was there, smaller, because she’d obviously kicked off the shoes.

‘Dion?’

He saw the way colour flared into her cheeks.The pulse at the base of her neck under her pale skin.The future was the future.Nowwas all he needed to worry about.

‘I want you.’

She bit her lip.

‘I said I was tired.’

‘You did, and I won’t come in unless you invite me.’

She didn’t look tired.She looked glorious.Like a fiery queen.He asked himself why he had put this door here.Why had it been such a good idea?Because now it felt like a very bad one.Lust was clouding his brain.

And then just when he thought she was going to close the door in his face, she stood back and relief mixed with triumph pounded through his veins.

* * *

When Tara woke the next morning her body was heavy from an overload of pleasure.She didn’t have to open her eyes to know Dion wasn’t there.She could see it now so clearly.How he’d neatly excised her from their lives.She could visit Niko in the villa during the day, invariably when Dion was at work.And then he would spend the evening here.As if he was having an affair but not betraying a partner, betraying their son.

She’d been congratulating herself last night for walking away, for showing him she didn’t need him, but as soon as he’d turned up at her door, looking wild and slightly crazed, she’d had no will to turn him away.She had no idea how long he would want her.She would never stop wanting him.She did need him.

This desire between them only seemed to be burning brighter.She knew it frustrated Dion.She could feel it in the desperation of their lovemaking.And she could sense the turmoil within him.She knew that he’d never had any intention of having a family, but surely even he could see that it was worth trying?For Niko’s sake?

She couldn’t go on like this, living like a mistress, in this lonely apartment.And if he was doing this to try and drive her away, she would double down on her determination to make a life in Athens work.

At the very least she wanted to ensure, not only that the public knew her now as Niko’s mother, but that she’d be recognised legally and have equal rights to her son.

* * *

‘He’s gone to the office this morning, something about a meeting on Monday,’ Maria told Tara.

Tara had arrived at the villa in her car a short whilebefore.She’d spotted one of Dion’s drivers standing by, presumably in case Maria needed him.The new nanny was due to start the following week so Maria was still living in, for now.Niko was sitting up against a cushion and playing with a soft toy.He’d smiled gummily at Tara, showing his emerging baby teeth, when she’d arrived.That had only made her even more determined to assert herself now.

For all Niko knew, she was just another nanny.She said to Maria, ‘Why don’t you take the day off?I want to talk to Dion.I’ll take Niko with me for a little trip.’

Maria looked worried.‘Are you sure?’

Tara nodded.‘Totally.We’ll call you if anything comes up.’

When Maria had left, Tara dressed Niko, grabbed some supplies and asked Dion’s driver to take them to his office.Tara hadn’t been there before.It was an imposing modern building in the centre of Athens, surrounded by much older buildings.She liked it.It was like a statement of intent from Dion, demanding to be seen, after a life of being abandoned by those who should have loved him the most.

That made her feel emotional though and she had to push it down.She strapped Niko into his pram and went into the building.The receptionist brought her to a private elevator and said, ‘I’ll let Mr Dimitriou know you’re coming up.’

Tara’s belly erupted into butterflies as the elevator ascended.When the doors opened Dion was standing there, in trousers and a shirt, sleeves rolled up, frowning.‘What are you doing here?’

He looked at the pram.‘Is Niko okay?’

‘He’s fine.I wanted to talk to you.’

‘Where’s Maria?’

‘I told her to take the day off.’

‘She answers to me.’

Tara’s spine straightened.This is why she was here.‘She should have to answer to me too.I’m Niko’s mother.’