A fierce blush suffused my face. My breasts had been growing heavier in the last couple of hours. Even without the need to feed him myself I would have needed to express some milk before going to bed.

Expecting Ax to hand him over, I watched in surprise when he headed to the antique rocking chair I used for feeding Andreos. ‘You’re staying?’

‘Unless you have an objection?’ he asked, and I realised it was a genuine query.

About to say yes, I stunned myself by shaking my head.

A look flitted across his face faster than I could decipher it before he nodded. Once I was seated in the chair, which I’d discovered had been in his family for generations, Ax handed Andreos over. Then he started to move towards the adjacent sofa.

‘Um...’ I said.

He turned immediately. ‘What is it?’

‘Can you help me with my dress?’

Piercing grey eyes darkened a fraction as they moved to the halter neck of my dress. He gave a brisk nod, and in one deft move freed the fastening.

I caught the front before I was completely exposed, but there was no hiding from Ax’s focused attention as I positioned Andreos on my lap.

He latched on with greedy enthusiasm, one fist planted firmly on my breast while both chubby legs jerked up to wrap around the forearm of the hand I’d laid on his plump belly to steady him.

The familiar action tugged at my heartstrings and drew a smile.

‘Does he always do that?’ Ax rasped, his voice gruff with emotion.

For a precious few seconds I’d forgotten he was there, watching my every move, absorbing his son’s routine. Now my gaze met his and I nodded shakily, strangely overcome to be sharing this little snippet of time with the man who’d helped create my precious son.

‘Since he was two and a half months old. I think it’s his way of telling me to stay put. He’ll let me go when he’s satisfied.’

Ax lounged back in his seat and crossed his legs, a curious, heart-stopping little smile playing at his sensuous lips. ‘He’s a Xenakis. He knows what he wants.’

That display of unabashed male pride would have been unbecoming from any other man. From Ax it was a solid statement acknowledging his progeny. Progeny that would be completely his if I lost my fight.

The lance of pain to my heart made my breath catch.

‘What is it?’ Ax asked sharply. ‘Does it cause you pain?’

My gaze flew to his and I had to swallow before I could answer. ‘The breastfeeding? No, it doesn’t.’

His narrowed gaze moved from Andreos and back to me. ‘Then what is it?’

I flailed internally as I tried to find a plausible response. ‘I was just remembering our conversation in the car. Perhaps I was...a little harsh.’

One brow quirked, but it was minus the mockery I’d become used to. ‘Perhaps?’

‘Okay, I was. I... I don’t want us to butt heads over Andreos.’