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“Please read us a bedtime story?” Nefeli held out a book to Leo.
“Cleo and Cornelius, again?” He grinned at Nefeli. The book was the children’s current favorite.
He glanced at Rose for permission. He didn’t want to hold up their date, but he didn’t want to deny the children either. He often felt he spent too little time with them as it was. They were already missing a mother. He didn’t want to fall into the category of absentee father.
She smiled and nodded.
He settled on the edge of the bed, and the children flanked him. He read the charming picture book of Cleo and Cornelius and their adventures in Egypt and Italy.
“When can we see the pyramids?” Adonis jumped on the bed.
“When we don’t have to worry about you getting lost inside one.” Leo tackled Adonis to the bed and tickled him.
“I won’t get lost.” Nefeli climbed onto Leo’s back.
“If you did, I would find you all.” Stavros picked up Nefeli and tickled her side before rescuing Leo from Adonis. “Which book do I get to read?” he asked the kids.
They both scrambled to the far side of the bed to find a book.
“That’s your cue,” Stavros said to Leo and Rose. “I’ll take it from here.”
Leo couldn’t resist dropping a kiss on his children’s heads before taking Rose’s hand and walking out of the room.
He chuckled when he heard Nefeli ask, “Why is Papa holding Rose’s hand?”
Rose laughed too as they escaped onto the warm sand. In the evening air, ambient light from the villas and moon lit their path.
“Poor Mr. P. You stuck him with the explanation,” she said.
“Yes, I did.” Leo grinned. “He’ll be fine.”
“I’m sure he will. He’s their father. Though I still think they have a better relationship with you.”
Leo cleared his throat. “Well, I do spend a good deal of time with them.”
“I wish Mr. P had the same kind of relationship with them.”
Leo tugged at his sleeves. “He’s a busy man and does his best.”
“Yet they still seem to prefer you.” She laid a hand on his arm. “Are you sure you’re not their papa?”
Icy dread filled Leo’s body. How had she found out? Who had told his secret? Then he noticed the teasing gleam in her eye and took a shaky breath before letting out a nervous laugh.
“Are you alright?” Rose cocked her head.
“Fine,” he said. “Fine.”
“You seem on edge.”
This wasn’t the beginning he’d imagined. Time to get the date back on track. He squeezed her hand. “How could I be anything else when I’m with you?” He raised her hand and kissed the back of her knuckles, drawing a beautiful blush into her cheeks.
“Where are we going for dinner?” she asked.
“Wherever you’d like to.” He swung their joined hands lightly.
“You didn’t make a reservation?” Her eyes narrowed a fraction.
“I canceled it. I thought we’d let the night take us where it wants to.”