Pretending with the Greek Billionaire Read Free

language, please!”
    Luca stared down at Constance in astonishment. Had she really just chastised him for swearing, in his own home, where she was trespassing? His lips cracked into a grin, despite himself. It had been a long time since anyone had surprised him.
    The roar grew louder as a helicopter rose from behind the rock hills his house nestled against, close enough the blades sent gusts of wind tearing through the backyard. The girls all shrieked, some scattering toward the house, the others tackling Miss McMurty’s legs. Knocked off balance, she threw out her arms and he reached to catch her. She landed neatly in his embrace, clutching at his biceps for support.
    The helicopter flew out of sight, but Luca knew they’d circle back around in a minute. Damned paparazzi. They weren’t supposed to get that close. He couldn’t get rid of them, though he supposed he was partly to blame, since he always managed to give them something good to report. You’d think they had enough pictures of him joyriding through town or at a restaurant with some woman. Partying with people he had no business being with, whose only goal in life was to get in the papers no matter what stupid thing they had to do to accomplish it. He let himself get pulled along a few too many times. Some of his finest moments, right there. Just at that moment, however, he was having a hard time thinking about anything but the woman in his grasp.
    She fit against him perfectly, like she’d been made especially for him. She gazed up at him, her breath coming in sharp little gasps. Her shirt was still damp and the water had made the fabric tantalizingly see-through, just enough that he could make out the outlines of a spectacular pair of firm, round breasts. The faint scent of cherry blossom rose up to meet him. God, she smelled good.
    Her lips parted and he leaned closer. She didn’t back away, her eyes riveted to his mouth. Her breathing kicked up a notch and she lifted her face ever so slightly. Well then…
    Luca’s head dipped down and she jerked back just before he made contact.
    “What are you doing?” she asked.
    “You seemed like you were expecting a little something extra,” he said, not letting her go. “I thought I’d indulge you. Wouldn’t want to be a bad host, after all.”
    He leaned toward her again but she slapped a hand against his chest. “The children will see!”
    Luca grinned. His body blocked her from the kids’ view. She should be a lot more worried about the damn helicopter that was probably on its way back.
    “Excuse me,” she said, but before she could say anything more, the helicopter circled back around, its roaring motor shattering whatever strange moment they’d had. The wind from the blades kicked up sand, dirt, and debris and he pressed Constance’s face against his neck to protect her face from the flying particles. He held her close and pressed his lips to her ear so she could hear him.
    “Let’s get inside!”
    Constance nodded and pushed away from him but he kept his arm around her waist, guiding her toward the house. The helicopter disappeared over the roof, but wouldn’t be out of sight long.
    “Wait!” she said. “We’re missing one.”
    Luca turned around just in time to see the little one who’d torn up his flowers topple into the deep end of the pool. He reached the pool in three strides, his heart in his throat, and jumped in, holding onto the side with one arm while snagging the little girl with the other. She came up sputtering. He hauled her into his chest and heaved them both out of the pool. Constance was there, arms out, but the child wouldn’t let go of his neck. The helicopter loomed again, the photographer leaning out the open door with his camera. Luca swore under his breath and turned back to the house. He’d pry the child off his neck inside, away from the vultures.
    Joseph helped herd all the kids inside, closing the doors and drawing the drapes the moment they were all safely