are complications, you’ll want to be here.”
She didn’t want to be reminded of that possibility. “I’m praying everything will go well, but if it doesn’t, I’ll fly over on the spot.”
“That’s not good enough.”
What was going on inside him? She knew his request couldn’t be for personal reasons. Besides his girlfriend, there were legions of women who’d love a fling with him. “Why?”
He seemed fascinated by the pulse throbbing in her throat. “I just came from being with the family. The babies were out of control. We both know they were looking for you.” They were? “Let’s be honest. With the operation coming up, Leon’s going to need you. I know it in my gut.”
Gabi bowed her head. “They’ll get over the separation in a few days and cling to him.”
“I don’t believe that, and neither do you.” Andreas leaned closer to her. “These things take time. I know how much you love the boys. Admit you’re dying inside after having to give them up.”
“Of course I am.” The tears started spurting. Too late she covered her face with her hands.
“Gabi…” Andreas whispered in a compassionate voice.
“When Thea asked me to find a couple who would adopt the boys, it killed me because I wanted to be the one to take over. She didn’t know that by then I was prepared to give up my career for them. But the law forced me to come to you.”
“Thank God it did!” In a sinuous movement Andreas pulled her into his arms. At first she remained stiff, but his gentle rocking broke down every defense and she ended up sobbing against his broad shoulder.
“I know how much you love them,” he murmured into her silky curls. “That’s why I don’t want you to leave. Stay and work for me until Kris has recovered fully from his operation. You and I can visit the twins after work every few days. That way everyone will be happy and it won’t interfere with the bonding going on between them and their father.”
When she realized she’d be content to stay like this forever, she eased away from him and wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands.
Eventually she glanced at him, never having realized gray eyes could be so warm. His love of the twins produced that translucent glow. “When you put it that way, you manage to exorcize all the demons. Only Andreas Simonides can make everything sound so simple and reasonable, even if it isn’t.”
“That’s all I needed to hear. The matter’s settled.”
No. It’s not. “Nothing’s settled. First I have to talk to my boss and determine if that promotion will still be waiting for me if I get back at a later date.”
“After knowing you a week, I can guarantee he’ll move mountains to accommodate you in order to get you in the end.”
Andreas said whatever needed to be said in order to accomplish his objective. That was why he was the head of the family business. There was just one problem. She couldn’t figure out his objective. She knew he loved the twins, but he was after something more.
“Tell me the real reason you’re asking me to temp for you. By your answer, I’ll know if you’re telling me the truth or not.”
“You’re not just anyone. You’re the twins’ aunt. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to peek in on them from time to time. That’s hard to do from across the ocean.” A compelling smile broke out on his striking face. “I want to peek with you.”
Andreas…
She averted her eyes. “That’s the wrong answer.”
“It’s the only one I have,” he answered with enviable calm.
“You mean the only one you’re willing to offer me. Without knowing the truth, I can’t stay in Greece even if my boss were willing to give me more time away.”
His smile faded. “I didn’t know there was more truth to tell unless it’s my guilt.”
She blinked. “About what?”
He eyed her intently. “About everything. It’s my fault my brother’s marriage is in trouble again. If I’d left everything alone after you walked out of my office, they wouldn’t be headed for divorce and the twins would be in Virginia leading perfectly contented lives with you.”
“Except that I couldn’t have adopted them.”
“They’d have still been yours, Gabi.”
“And after they grew up and demanded to know about their father, what then? If I admitted that I’d known his name all along, they might never forgive me.”
A strange sound came out of his throat. “You’ve just put your finger on my greatest nightmare. If I’d kept the secret of the twins over the years knowing Leon and his wife could never have children, I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself for playing god with my brother’s life.”
It was Gabi’s turn to moan.
He reached out and grasped her hands. “The truth is, you and I are up to our necks in this mess together. Leon needs our help for a little while longer.”
She sucked in her breath. “But you don’t really need an assistant.”
“Actually I do. Anna’s got to get that knee operated on right away.”
“You could hire any number of secretaries in your company to replace her.”
“I could, but I thought one of the reasons you were leaving Crete was so your parents could get back to the lives they were leading before Thea became ill.”
“You’re right,” she confessed quietly.
“By the time you leave my employ, I’ll be hiring a permanent assistant.” He kissed the back of her hands before letting them go. A tingling sensation coursed through Gabi’s sensitized body and lingered for the rest of the trip to Heraklion.
THE blood donation area of the hospital in Athens had continual traffic. Gabi looked over at Andreas. Both of them were stretched out side by side on cots giving blood. They’d taken the day off from work. It was a good thing since they’d had to wait at least an hour after arriving there before their turn was announced.
In preparation for today she’d eaten a good breakfast and had forced down fluids. Before bringing her to the hospital where Kris would be having his surgery, Andreas had instructed the limo driver to drop them off at a fabulous restaurant in the Plaka for lunch. But instead of ordering the specialty of the house, they’d eaten iron-rich spinach salad followed by sirloin steak.
Andreas was remarkable. In the short time she’d been working for him, she’d learned that when he did something, he always did it right and thoroughly. She loved him with a vengeance. If Kris weren’t facing an operation, Andreas wouldn’t
