His Virgin Mistress Part 18

'Then?' He shook his head. 'Surely you can understand what it was like? I was inundated with people who required my decision about this, my signature on that. I wanted to speak to you. Dear heaven, I wanted to see you. But my life was not my own.'

She nodded, 'I understand.'

'Do you?'

'I think so.'

'So-why did you not return my calls?' persisted Demetri.

stroking her gently. He looked down at her a little pensively. 'Do you know, I think you have put on a little weight?' He smiled, 'It suits you.'

'That's good.' Joanna drew a breath. 'Because there's a reason for that, too.'

Demetri frowned. 'Too?'

'I-wanted to get in touch with you,' she confessed hus kily.

'But-it was difficult.'

'Difficult?'

'I'm pregnant,' she said hurriedly. 'Now do you see why I didn't return your calls?'

Demetri stared at her, feeling as if his breath was trapped somewhere in the back of his throat. 'Pregnant?' he echoed incredulously. 'You are pregnant?'

'Yes.' She licked her lips. 'You're not too shocked are you?'

Demetri didn't know how he felt. Shocked, certainly.

Exhilarated, amazingly. But mostly relieved. So relieved. He'd thought for a moment that there was something wrong.

'I cannot believe it,' he said, staring at her helplessly. His eyes strayed to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, still swollen from his lovemaking, to the gentle swell of her stomach, now so understand ably rounded.

She was expecting his child.

'But you don't mind?' she probed anxiously, 'I mean, I know it's not what you expected-'

'Oh, Joanna!' He suddenly realised how his dazed ex pression must appear to her. ' Agapi mou, you have- stunned me, that is all.' He lowered his head and kissed her mouth, his tongue lingering against her lips. 'But as for- what was it you said? Do I mind, no?' He lifted her hand and brought it to his lips. 'My darling, I am overwhelmed, humbled. But-' His brows drew together, 'It is I who should be asking you that question.' He hesitated. 'Perhaps you did not want to tell me.'

Joanna's laughter was tremulous. 'You have to be jok ing,' she exclaimed, cupping his face between her palms. 'You don't know this, but I've practically spring-cleaned this apartment from one end to the other. Anything to avoid thinking about what I was going to do, what I could do. Of course I wanted to tell you. But I didn't know what you'd say, how you'd feel. The last thing I wanted was for you to think that I expected you to marry me because I was having a baby-'

Demetri turned his mouth against her palm. 'Believe me, agapitos, it would have been no hards.h.i.+p.' he told her softly. 'As I said before, I have wanted you for what seems like for ever.

And now you are mine.' He knew he sounded smug, but he couldn't help it. 'I am content.'

'Olivia may not be so pleased,' murmured Joanna doubt fully, but Demetri only laughed.

'Olivia will not have time to object,' he said wryly. 'As you know, she has always wanted to be involved in the company.

Well, now she is. I have made her my deputy. Which means...'

He nuzzled her throat. 'We will have all the time in the world to ourselves.'

'But- 'But nothing,' he insisted, easing his thigh between hers. 'You may be surprised to hear that Olivia encouraged me to come and see you.'

'No-'

'Yes.' He was very certain. 'She has been worried about me.

She and Alex both. Unlike you, I have lost weight, and Olivia has finally realised that I need you in my life.' His eyes teased her.

'Does that rea.s.sure you?'

'Some,' she admitted, sliding her arms round his neck. Then, 'I suppose I should offer you something to eat, shouldn't I?' Her lips tilted. 'But first-'

Demetri hesitated. 'And-the baby-?'

'Is perfectly content that his daddy is here,' Joanna as sured him gently. 'Make love to me, Demetri.' She smiled. 'You see, you have taught me what making love means...'

end.