Page 43 of Her Greek Inheritance
Leo looked ashamed. “Because I needed you to sign the stock certificates over to me. And frankly, seeing you again started up a hunger inside of me I couldn’t resist.”
“And that time on the beach?”
Leo nodded once. “The same—or so I told myself. I couldn’t admit that my feelings for you were changing. It wasn’t until I learned what Petrina had done that I knew I couldn’t risk losing you. Gemma, I love you. I want you to stay here in Greece with me.”
Gemma was stunned.Leo loves me!Joy burst inside her chest at hearing her own feelings expressed in his voice. She knew she loved him, but so much had happened...Is love enough?
Leo slipped onto the bed, brushing the back of his fingers tenderly over her bruised cheek. “This all started because of those stock certificates, but I can’t and won’t force you to give them up.”
“What will happen if I don’t sign them over?” Gemma asked him quietly, recognizing the extreme sacrifice he was preparing to make for her. She was overwhelmed with the knowledge that Leo was willing to give it all up. For her.Because he loves me!The reality of that knowledge staggered her.
“The board of directors will expect me to either marry Petrina to secure her uncle’s stock, or give up my own. I would rather have you than the company.”
What?Gemma’s cheeks flooded. The subject of marrying him was not something she was willing to discuss right this minute. Too much had happened and her head was still pounding away.“Is there any chance of getting them to change their mind?”
Leo looked grim. “There’s one way to find out. They will be meeting in an hour. I plan to be there.” He stood up, looking down at her. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”
Gemma gave him a small smile. “Once my head stops hurting, I believe I will be fine.” She watched him leave.
Leo’s going to challenge the board! There has to be something else…some other way… Leo can’t give up everything his father has worked so hard for. What happens if he has to give up his stock?
The more she thought about Leo and the path he was on, the more upset she became.There has to be another way.
Gemma’s head throbbed, but for the first time since being rescued, her physical discomfort wasn’t the most important issue in her mind. She’d hoped to have some time to process everything that had happened the last few days, but circumstances made that impossible.
Leo’s getting ready to give up everything for me. Am I willing to do the same? I already know I can trust him with my life.Gemma looked down at the sleeping child nestled against her.Can I trust him with my heart?