Nicholas shook his head and wrapped an arm around Tommy, pulling his sleeping son closer to his body. After an effusive greeting from the Giannopoulos family and a beautiful meal together, the group had descended down onto the family's private beach. Beautiful clean sand led the way down to cool clear water. It never failed to amaze him how clear the sea could be when the seas back in England were so murky you would never be able to see the bottom.

In Markos' little section of paradise, everything was different. Even Nick felt a difference in himself. There were no cameras trying to force their way into his life. There were no crazy women trying to fight their way into his bed. There was only blissful peace. Even though the trip was purely a business arrangement, it didn't stop Nick taking a deep breath of the salty sea air and allowing himself to relax -- marginally.

His lips pulled into a small smile. Delilah lay buried within the sand just a few feet away, head and arms free as Betsy knelt by her feet in a one piece, carving the sand with her hands to form a mermaid tail. As if she felt his gaze, Betsy lifted her gaze, her blue eyes sparkling as her curls formed a wild halo around her head.

Nick drew in a sharp breath.

Beautiful.

There was no other way to describe her. It was an unpretentious beauty that ensnared him, drew his attention like no other woman ever had. She was so understated. She didn't try to impress him with make-up. She didn't try to impress him at all. It was one of the things he enjoyed most about Betsy. She was herself and never pretended to be anyone else. It was so refreshing. Who she was on the inside outshone the beauty on the outside.

She had pulled his family together. She had united them. She had even brought around the in-laws which was an incredible feat in itself. She was a one of a kind.

"Daddy, look at me. I'm Ariel." Delilah shouted. Her face was bright as she wriggled about in the sand. In her excitement, her foot kicked through the mermaid tail but Betsy didn't even blink. She just tickled the foot which had been revealed, earning a giggle from his daughter, and then she started to reshape the obliterated fin.

"Wow, that's amazing. I didn't know you were a mermaid!"

Delilah giggled and rolled her eyes as she stared up at Betsy. "Daddy's very silly."

Pressing his lips together, Nick fought back a chuckle.

"Do you need any help Betsy? I think you've got a queue forming." Nick teased, his eyes darting to the little girls who had gathered around them. They all had heads of thick dark hair just like their parents, and the same matching Giannopoulos nose. They were trying so hard to restrain themselves, to be good while they waited their turn, but they could stop the excitable jig as they watched on.

"You stay there Nico. You should relax more." Markos interrupted as he knelt down into sand. "Besides, we all know I am the artist here. I will create mermaids."

As he spoke, Markos pulled his granddaughters close and ruffled their hair. "Now which one shall have a tail first?!"

As the three little girls proceeded squeal and leap into their grandfather's arms, Nick sighed. He allowed the some of the tension, which was always present in his body, to ebb away. It felt odd. His body ached as it relaxed back into the deckchair. He spent so much of his life on guard, waiting for disappointment and betrayal, that peace and contentment were completely foreign.

With his son cradled against his body, sitting in the shade of the umbrella, Nick watched the Giannopoulos family interacting. They didn't care that the Davenport's were not of their blood. They made every effort to involve them all, to make them feel comfortable and welcome. Despite how many times he had been around Markos in recent months, had been on the receiving end of his generosity and exuberance, he still struggled to comprehend that people – families- like them existed.

Glancing down, Nick brushed the hair off of his Tommy's forehead. He wanted what the Giannopoulos family had. He wanted it for his son. He wanted to be able to give an open and loving family to both of his children. He wanted them to have everything he didn't. The Davenport's, by nature, had never been an openly affectionate family. He had grown up wanting for nothing in respect of material items. Yet, when it came to the unconditional love of family, he had been given none.

Nick ground his teeth together and hugged Tommy tighter. His children deserved better. He would give them better.

He lifted his gaze. Betsy, who was in the process of being buried by several children, laughed loudly. Nick felt an answering flutter in his heart. She was the answer to everything. She brought out a side to him he didn't even realise he had. She made him feel things he had never felt before. She would help him give the children the life they deserved. And Nick would make sure she never wanted for anything. He would give her everything she needed. He would do everything in his power to keep her safe, to keep her protected from further loss and pain.

Betsy turned her head his way. Their eyes met and an instant connection formed between the two of them. He couldn't deny the way his heart raced. Anticipation coursed through his body. He couldn't wait for the evening. Back home, they had always kept boundaries between them. Despite the kisses shared between them and the relationship that was slowly unfurling, they had never spent the night in bed together. At least, they had never slept together alone. Every time they had fallen asleep together, the children had always been there with them and it had always been an accident.

Tonight would be different. And even if they just spent the night holding one another and doing nothing else, Nick knew the evening had to be special for Betsy. She deserved that.

He had plans to make and a Giannopoulos to consult.

***

By the time the evening rolled around, Nick found himself standing once more in the Giannopoulos's impressive entrance hall. Tommy was already asleep and Delilah was enjoying a sleepover with the Giannopoulos children. Markos and his wife had promised to watch over them both for the night. Not that they would be going far.

An intimate dinner in their rooms would have to suffice. Nick had considered taking his beautiful blonde pixie into the nearest city for dinner but it didn't feel right to leave the children behind. It was one thing to have them down the hall but he didn't want to take advantage of Markos's generosity and kindness.

With the sun almost set in the sky, Nick stood just inside the doorway. Dressed in a white cotton shirt, the top few buttons undone, and knee length cargo shorts revealing his pale legs, he looked out over at the sea. The brine scented sea air whipped past him, bringing with it a sense of peace. He could understand the fascination with such a beautiful place. It felt as if all of his worries and concerns were just melting away. The Giannopoulos family had embraced the Davenport clan wholeheartedly. The trip was supposed to be about the merger but, while he knew there was still business to be discussed, he could scarcely bring himself to care.

Heels clicked across the floor. Nick's hands clenched around flowers he held clumsily within his fingers. Betsy never stopped him feeling like a teenage boy, uncertain as strange emotions flooded through his system. Even when he was a teenager, he couldn't recall ever feeling so nervous. By the time he was fifteen Nick had already mastered his emotions. It was the one useful thing his father had passed on to him. It was so much easier to approach a situation without the confusing tangle of feelings to get in the way.

Turning slowly, Nick drew in a sharp breath. Betsy stood on the other side of the hall her eyes meeting his for just a second before she dropped her gaze. Her hair was loose and wild, a white flower tucked amongst the sun kissed curls. Her skin had taken on a rosy pink hue from her day in the sun. Yet it was her smile which stole his breath. Her smile radiated warmth, only getting brighter when she noted his lingering stare.

Nick cleared his throat as he closed the distance between them. Reaching down with his free hand, he took her smaller hand in his and raised it to his lips.

"You look beautiful." He murmured, his eyes drifting down and noting the way the pale green fabric fitted around her chest and then flowed loosely down to her feet. With the flowers braided into a crown of her hair, and the small dash of pink to her lips, she looked like a nymph who had just stepped from the woods.

"You look good too."

"I'm feeling underdressed right now."

Betsy smiled, placing one hand on his shoulder as she stood up on her tiptoes. The scent of sweet vanilla tickled his nose as she drew closer. Drawing in a deep breath of her scent, Nick ducked his head to meet her. Their lips brushed together in a gentle kiss.

It wasn't enough. Groaning in the back of his throat, Nick wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her soft yielding body closer to his. He felt like a man deprived. He had been waiting for the chance to kiss her all day. The timing just hadn't been right. There had always been eyes watching them, children to entertain, or the moment just wasn't right.

It was finally right. He drew out the kiss, savouring the mint induced tinge from her toothpaste. And beneath it there was the taste that was wholly her. His pulse raced within his veins as Nick sought entrance to her mouth, a shudder coursing through his veins as her tongue tentatively caressed against his.

Giggling echoed around them. Betsy let out a low whine of protest as Nick halted the kiss. Then, ever so slowly, he pulled away. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he struggled to regulate his breathing. It felt as if she had just run a marathon. Betsy just had a special way of setting his off balance. She had a way of making him forget everything around him. Pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead, Nick offered her the flowers. He grinned at the sight of the crumpled pink and white blooms, his eyes drinking in the way she held them to her nose and inhaled the soft summery scent.

Before he gave into temptation and drew her in for another kiss, Nick stepped away and laced his fingers through hers. "We can finish this later." Tugging lightly on her hand, he led her off to one of the doors to the right. "Come on, let's eat."

He led her through the halls he had memorised earlier, twisting and turning until finally they emerged into his assigned room. It was large, as large as some of the rooms at Davenport manor. The room was painted eggshell white, the floor covered in pale varnished wood, and a large canopied four poster bed dominated the wall of to his left. Blues and greens were woven into the furnishings to add a touch of colour to the room.

With the help of Markos's wife, Nick had transformed part of the room into a dining room. A small round table had been set up before open patio doors, the light blue voiles blowing in the evening breeze. Candles fluttered from the table top and several covered dishes were already there waiting for him while a bottle of champagne chilled in a bucket.

When she paused, Nick used her hand to tug her forwards.

"Don't worry; it's not the same one from the flight." He murmured in reassurance, guiding her into the chair and handing her a glass. He poured a healthy amount of champagne into her waiting glass.

She lifted the glass to her glossy lips and took a sip, her eyes fluttering as the bubbles burst over her tongue.

"No, it's not the same champagne. This one's more expensive."

Betsy gasped on her mouthful of champagne spluttering as she glanced between the glass and the bottle still within his hand. "Nick!!!"

"What? It was too easy." He defended before adding. "And it was a gift from Markos so drink it nicely. You were a huge hit with the girls today."

Betsy relaxed back into her seat, her eyes becoming distant. "They're lovely girls. I think Delilah needs to find some friends like them." She took an unconscious sip of the bubbly liquid. "I still think you should consider enrolling them in a school. Tutors are excellent but they do not allow for the human interaction children need."

Nick, who had finally taken a seat, reached out and placed his hand on top of hers. Betsy startled, her tongue darting out to catch a drop of the bubbly liquid that lingered on her lips. Nick's eyes followed the movement, entranced by the way such a small action could affect him so much.

"I love how much you care about Delilah. I'll admit that before you, I never looked for someone to be a parent for my children. I never thought I would find someone who would care for her as much I do. But you truly want the best for both of my children. You are incredible." Nick squeezed her hand.

"How could I not? They're wonderful."

Nick blinked and smiled sadly across at her. "Not everyone would agree. Just a few months ago I was struggling to find someone to take the housekeeper position. The last woman I employed, she was –." He paused and it was only when she leaned across the table and pressed her hand to his cheek that he realised he was grinding his teeth.

"You can stop. You don't have to continue."

"It's fine. She wasn't nice to the children. She wasn't openly malicious but she neglected them. She belittled them over and over again. So they started to act out. I should have known something was wrong a lot sooner." Nick glared down at the table before him. "I cannot change the past but I can decide the future. And the only future I want right now is with you in it."

Betsy drew in a shaky breath. The turned her hand that was in his and laced their fingers together. He glanced up from the table, his eyes widening as he was met with a wide smile that lit up her face. "And the only future I want is with you and the children. You've all helped me to heal without even trying to. I know the words are thrown around far too often these days, but I love you Nick."

Pushing back from his chair, Nick quickly closed the gap separating them and pressed his lips to hers. With his fingers still entwined with hers, Nick threaded his free hand into Betsy's hair holding her close. Their kiss was slow and tender but the reaction within his body was just pure passion. A fire kindling within his bloodstream, coursing through every part of his body until it threatened to overwhelm him.

Pulling his lips away, Nick leant his forehead against Betsy's. His breath came out in pants as he watched her eyelids flutter open, her gaze unfocused as she lingered in the afterglow of the kiss. She tilted her chin up, her blue eyes focusing on his as her lips sought his once more. Every part of Nick wanted to close the distance between them both. Every part of his being wanted to become consumed within her – but it was her choice.

Gently Nick placed his fingers over his lips, halting her movements.

"We need to stop. I'm normally a strong man but you somehow manage to break my control. I don't want to rush things between us." Nick murmured, his eyes staring deep into hers. "If I keep on kissing you, I don't think I'll be able to stop. I want you too much."

Soft fingers wrapped around his and tugged. Nick allowed his hand to drop, his fingers skimming along her curves in the process before coming to a stop on her hip.

"What if I don't want you to stop?" She asked, peering up through her eye lashes. "What if I want you to keep kissing me? What if I want more?"

Nick's fingers flexed, digging into her hip as his eyes darted to her lips. They were swollen and glistening from their kisses, begging for him to close the distance.

"Don't toy with me on this, my beautiful pixie." Nick dipped his head and stole a quick brief chaste peck. His fingers tightened their grip on her, pulling her tighter even as he gave her another chance to walk away. "Are you sure?"

"I've been sure for a long time." Betsy replied, her eyes sparkling with playfulness as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I've just been waiting for you to catch up."

Nick grinned, his smile almost feral as he growled "Then consider me caught up."

Before he could utter anything further, she poured her body out of the chair and into his arms. Nick held her close, hooking her legs around his waist before he stood. Betsy's breath caught in her throat. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tighter, a giggle escaping her lips as he fought with the canopy surrounding the bed.

With a laugh, the pair of them fell through the gap in the canopy and down on to the mattress. Everything stilled as Nick lay beside her, her breath caught as he trailed his fingers down the side of her face. Her eyes fought to remain open as the sensations washed over her but after a few seconds Betsy's eyes fluttered closed.

Nick knelt up over her prone form, his hands seeking hers. He twined their fingers together and then ever so slowly drew her arms upwards until they were pressed into the bed above her head, his body stretched out along the length of hers. She wriggled beneath him, her eyes holding his as he leant down. He bypassed her lips, instead seeking out the curve of her neck he loved so much. His nose caressed along the sensitive skin a moment before he kissed and nibbled his way along her skin.

"Nick." Betsy sighed, her body melting into the bed even as she fought to release her hands from his grip. Her hands into to touch, her mouth lingering to taste, and her body wanting to experience everything she had dreamt of.

Nick's hands loosened just enough for her to tug her hands free. And then her hands were fumbling over the buttons, desperate to feel the warmth of his skin. When she couldn't get the buttons free, she blindly grasped each side of the shirt and pulled sharply. The shirt tore open, the buttons shooting off in different directions. Her hands sought out Nick's skin, a sigh escaping her lips as her finger tips danced over his chest.

Any control Nick possessed disappeared in an instant. His lips smashed against Betsy's, their arms getting tangled with one another's as they fought to remove each other's clothes. So many months of dancing around each other had led to this – the fire and passion which demanded to be sated.

Breathless, Nick pulled away and gave the woman beneath him a rakish grin as her hands continued their explorations. She'd had her fun but now he wanted his turn. He crawled backwards, his eyes locked on hers, until he was knelt by her feet. Her chest, which had been rising and falling with her pants, stilled as she waited. Anticipation burned within her gaze as she followed his every move.

Glancing down, Nick felt a bolt of awareness course straight through his body, his shorts suddenly feeling far too constricting. The long skirts of her dress had ridden up exposing the creamy pale skin of his little pixie's calves. It also revealed to his the beautiful pair of shoes which wrapped up her feet. They shoes were made of pale blue silk, the straps wrapping around her calves delicately before being finished off with a bow.

His hands trembled as he reached out, his fingers tracing over the silk as it crisscrossed over her skin. It was like a present made only for him. A present he needed to unwrap. His fingers stroked back up her legs, in slowly gentle caresses. It was almost too much. He had waited for so long to be able to touch her. He had wondered for so long how it would feel to touch every inch of her body.

He grasped the ends of the silk strands and then, locking his gaze on hers, he drew his arm back slowly. The bow unravelled, the silk loosening its hold around her creamy skin.

"Breathe Betsy," Nick teased, his eyes hungry as he watched the rise and fall of her chest. He would be lying if he said he hadn't wondered what she would look like. To see all of her with nothing in the way.

His little pixie gasped out a breath. Her eyes were wide as he reached for the other bow. She bit her lip as he loosened the bow so slowly even his own body was protesting the movement. He slid body of the heeled shoes from her feet, tossing them carelessly over his shoulder. Soft thuds hit the floor just moments later but he barely registered them.

Nick stood from the bed, shrugging from his shirt and kicking off his shoes. He was hot, too hot. Every part of him felt taught, his entire body becoming consumed with need. His fingers toyed with the edge of his shorts, his eyes watching Betsy with hunger. Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips.

Nick groaned aloud. His body grew harder, more aware. Every part of his felt attuned to Betsy, from every breath she took to every wriggle of her hips. Hooking his fingers into the band of his shorts, Nick drew in a deep breath.

"Nick, hurry up." Betsy ordered, her eyes watching his hands even as she sat up, her hands fumbling for the zip was her side. She drew it down rapidly, making no effort to hold the dress to her body so the top just peeled away.

As his eyes caught the first glimpse of her, Nick's legs trembled beneath him. She was perfection. All creamy white skin, her face strangely innocent despite the lust written so plainly upon her features. Without any further preamble, he tugged down his shorts and kicked the shorts aside.

And then he was on the bed, hands touching and tongue tasting every inch of her skin he could reach. Betsy's hands threaded through his hair, encouraging even as groans escaped her kiss swollen lips.

The only words exchanged between the pair in the following hours were soft sighs and whispers of love. Skin to skin, without any barriers between them, Nick felt more exposed than he ever had before. Everything was different with Betsy. With her his heart and soul were left open to her inspection. It went against everything he was and yet he couldn't regret the way she made him feel.

As the sweat cooled on his skin, Nick rolled on to his back and pulled Betsy into his arms. She sighed and nuzzled her face into his chest, her hair a knotted mess from their activities. Nick smiled and brushed the strands from her face, her eyes already closed as she gave in to sleep. Caressing his hand up and down the length of her back, he settled back into the pillows.

Yet even as his tired body pulled him towards sleep, the comforting weight of her curves pressed against his side, he couldn't stop his arms from tightening around her. He had finally found the woman he had been waiting for. Nick only hoped that when morning came, his little pixie would still be real.