you both. Welcome to the family, Katie.’
The words touched Katie. She had never been a part of a family like this before; they were so demonstrative and warm-hearted. And they spoke to her with such genuine affection that it blew her away.
A chair was found for her at a table that was filled with food. It looked like a feast had been laid out for over two-hundred people. A glass of champagne was pressed into her hands, and everyone was speaking to her at once.
She was introduced to Alexi’s two sisters. They were very attractive brunettes, both younger than him. Alesha was fifteen, Julia was twenty-six and married with a two-month-old little girl called Georgia. Obviously both girls adored their big brother; Katie watched as they flung their arms around him and he hugged them tight before being handed his niece.
It gave Katie the strangest feeling, seeing Alexi holding that baby. He looked so at home—so gentle and tender—as he rocked the child in his arms and talked to her with warmth and love in his voice. The ruthless, powerful tycoon was gone and in his place was someone Katie had never seen before. It made her heart fill with even more love for him … more love than she knew how to handle.
He would be a good dad, she thought with certainty as she tried to blink away sudden tears—a wonderful dad.
He glanced over at her, and for a moment their eyes connected through the crowds. He smiled at her.
‘So, tell me all about your wedding,’ his mother was demanding. ‘Where exactly did you get married? When did Alexi propose?’ The questions raced on.
‘It’s just been a complete whirlwind,’ Katie answered honestly. ‘I still can’t believe it myself, to be honest!’
‘That sounds like Alexi!’ His mother laughed. ‘When my son decides that he wants something, he doesn’t usually like to wait.’
‘So what about your family, Katie? Will they be waiting for you in England to celebrate when you get back?’ Philip asked.
‘Unfortunately I only have my sister, and she is in France. My mother died when I was sixteen, and I never knew my dad.’
‘Well, you have us now, Katie,’ Alexi’s mother said, and patted her hand.
‘Yes, heaven help you,’ Alexi said teasingly. ‘The entire family’s mad.’
‘Pay no attention to him,’ Helen said with a smile. ‘If he doesn’t behave himself I shall tell some stories about the scrapes he got into when he was a little boy—things you need to know,’ she laughed, and winked at Katie.
As the sun disappeared the garden was lit with twinkling lanterns, and people started to dance by the side of the swimming pool. More and more people arrived. Katie was separated from Alexi for a while as people flocked to meet her.
Alexi’s father tried to pile her plate with more food. ‘Really, I couldn’t eat another mouthful,’ she laughed. ‘I’ll be the size of a house.’
‘Nonsense,’ he’d said gruffly. ‘We need to feed you up.’
Katie had to smile at that; it was such a fatherly thing to say. It was strange how at home she felt here—how accepted. She’d never felt like this before. She liked it. She liked the way Alexi’s father put his arm around his wife and gave her a kiss as he walked past.
They looked happy together—as if they were still in love even after all the years of marriage.
Would Alexi ever look at her like that? she wondered suddenly. The thought made her feel quite emotional again. Must be her hormones, she thought angrily. She was never usually so weepy one moment and so happy the next … it was strange.
‘Ah, so you must be the radiant bride.’ A woman came to stand beside her. She was about the same age as Katie with long blonde hair and a stunning figure that she seemed proud to flaunt in a low-cut black strapless dress. ‘I’m a distant cousin of Alexi’s, Natasha Scollini.’
‘Pleased to meet you.’ Katie smiled politely.
‘I have to say, I was surprised when I saw you. You’re not what I was expecting.’
The comment surprised Katie. And she didn’t like the woman’s tone. ‘So what were you expecting?’ she asked curtly.
‘Forgive me, Katie. I shouldn’t really say it, but I was expecting you to look like Andrea. It’s just Alexi was so … absolutely head over heels in love with her. Dying about her, in fact, that, well, I expected him to have fallen for someone similar.’
‘I think if he had been going to do that he would have done it eight years ago, don’t you?’ Katie replied archly.
‘Yes, you’re quite right.’ Natasha smiled. ‘I shouldn’t have said anything; I hope you’ll forgive me.’
‘There’s nothing to forgive.’ Katie shrugged.
‘I saw Andrea in Athens quite recently, actually, she was between assignments, on her way to Paris,’ Natasha continued. ‘She looked stunning. She must be about twenty-nine now—which I suppose is old for a model—but, whatever beauty regime she is using, it certainly is working. Of course, confidence is a great beauty boost, isn’t it? And being on the cover of this month’s Vogue must be a hell of a thrill.’
Alexi’s sister Julia walked over towards them and Natasha started to talk to someone else next to her before moving away.
‘What was she saying?’ Julia asked with barely concealed dislike.
‘She was just telling me how successful and beautiful Andrea is,’ Katie said wryly.
‘Oh, was she indeed?’ Julia shook her head. ‘She’s probably as jealous as hell about you marrying Alexi. She thought when he and Andrea divorced that she stood a chance with him, but he was never interested in her!’
‘Oh, I see.’ Katie smiled, and then couldn’t help asking, ‘So is it true that Andrea is a top model?’
‘Yes. She was just starting to make a name for herself as a model when Alexi met her, and she’s working for some top fashion-houses now.’
‘Alexi never talks about her,’ Katie murmured.
‘Well, he was pretty cut up after the divorce. But it’s all in the past. It’s good to see him so happy again.’ She glanced over at Katie. ‘I really am so pleased for you both. And don’t give anything Natasha says a second thought.’
‘Give what a second thought?’ Alexi asked as he joined them.
‘Natasha,’ Julia informed him bluntly. ‘She really is painful!’
‘Why? What has she been saying?’ Alexi looked at Katie and smiled a warm, teasing kind of smile that made her heart dip in a very peculiar way.
‘Nothing important.’ Katie didn’t want to start repeating that conversation to him. ‘This is a lovely party; it’s so kind of your parents to go to so much trouble for us.’ She changed the subject abruptly.
‘Do you want to dance?’ Alexi asked her suddenly.
She
