The Greek Tycoon's Secret Child by Cathy Williams

words.’
    â€˜But grown-up cutlery,’ Dominic grinned. ‘I know a very good seafood place. You do like seafood, don’t you?’
    â€˜My favourite. I’ll go and change. Why don’t you go and wait in the sitting room? Frankie…’
    He watched the shadow flit across her face and insanely wished that out of sight was a little bit more out of mind. Correction, a whole lot more out of mind.
    â€˜Frankie won’t be bursting in…’
    She dressed quickly and carefully. Nothing at all sexy, nothing to remind him of the girl she had been. Chic, or at least as chic as she had been able to afford on herlimited budget. Black skirt snugly fitting but reaching to her knees, a silky pink vest top with a matching cardigan, fairly flat black shoes which she had bought in preparation for her job, sheer black tights because summer was giving way to autumn and there was a nip in the air that hadn’t been noticeable a few weeks ago.
    When she finally looked at her reflection in the mirror, there was an excited gleam in her eyes that made her hesitate for a few seconds.
    Then she was walking into the sitting room, feeling like a teenager on her first date.
    He hadn’t sat down. He was standing by the window, half looking out, his hand in his jacket pocket, and he turned as soon as she walked in.
    â€˜Better?’ Mattie asked nervously. Her! Nervous! ‘Or should I wear my diamond tiara?’
    â€˜The tiara might be just a little too much,’ Dominic told her gravely, but heavens, she looked edible. The shorter hair suited her, gave her a tailored beauty that was even more alluring.
    â€˜So,’ he murmured as soon as they were in his car and heading out towards Chiswick, ‘no more Frankie?’
    â€˜No more Frankie.’
    â€˜Pleased?’ He wished he could watch her, see the expressions on her face so that he could gauge what was going through her mind, but he needed to concentrate on the road and she was far too much of a distraction for sensible driving.
    â€˜Yes and no.’
    â€˜What does that mean?’ His hands tightened on the wheel but he kept his voice low and steady.
    â€˜Things weren’t right between us. I mean, it’s good that…that we’ve both reached the same conclusion, but…he was a big part of my life for such a long timethat it takes some getting used to…’ Mattie cleared her throat. ‘He let me have the use of his house until I found somewhere of my own, and guess what…?’
    â€˜What?’ A twinge of guilt made his jaw tighten but it only lasted a second.
    â€˜I’ve been offered a job and…’ she paused to add drama to what she was about to say next ‘…part of the deal is that they’ve offered me an apartment! Can you believe it? I couldn’t, to start with, but this company is spearheading a marketing campaign for a massive complex in south London. Apartments, health facilities, shops, the lot! And while they’re involved in the marketing, there’s a perk afforded to some of the employees of an apartment on site. I can’t believe how it all happened at just the right time. Isn’t it fantastic?’
    â€˜Fantastic.’ Another twinge of guilt but he consoled himself with the thought that she would have got there anyway. She had the dedication or else how could she have persevered with her course against all odds? And she had the talent. Top of her course from the minute she had stepped foot in the classroom.
    â€˜You don’t sound very pleased for me.’ And for some reason, that was hurtful.
    â€˜I’m incredibly pleased for you,’ Dominic said abruptly. ‘How did Frankie react after I had gone?’
    â€˜Not as I’d expected, actually. You don’t think I’m capable of doing this job, do you?’
    â€˜If you’re capable of studying by day and working nights, then you’re capable of becoming the