Page 240 of Modern Romance Collection December 2024 Books 5-8

Back at the island, they spent the rest of the day in bed, exploring, teasing, seducing one another. Finally, they lay, muscles relaxed, bodies warm and damp, their limbs intertwined, at ease with each other in a way that seemed both natural and miraculous. And yet something was different. He seemed distracted, as if his mind was split. Her heart squeezed a little. Could he be thinking what she was?

‘Tiger.’

‘Sydney.’ His eyes gazed down on her, pupils darkening.

‘Actually, hold that thought.’ She leaned forward and kissed him on the mouth. ‘I have to go to the bathroom.’

In the bathroom, she turned on the taps, scooping up the lukewarm water, to splash her face. Straightening, she stared at her reflection. Her heart was pounding. She hadn’t needed the bathroom, but she’d had to leave. She needed some distance because it was getting harder and harder not to tell him that she loved him.

She wanted to, and she would, but she couldn’t just hijack him with her feelings. He had been hurt, and just because she was ready didn’t mean he would be. And that was fine. This was all still so new for her and she wanted to hold the feeling close and private. This feeling of love, of loving with knowledge and understanding, of loving a man who was worthy of her love, it made her feel strong and as if she were a bird soaring high and free.

For now, though, kissing him was easier.

‘What was it you wanted to say?’ he said, pulling her against him. She wriggled round so that her head was resting on his shoulder.

‘I just wanted to thank you for taking me to Venice. It was the most perfect day.’

His eyes stilled on her face as if seeing her for the first time. ‘It was. And thank you for being there for me this week. And I haven’t forgotten about your brothers. I’ll get in touch with my legal people on the flight home.’

Flight home.

She’d always known that they would be flying home this evening but hearing him say the words out loud was like having a bucket of cold water tipped over her head.

‘So we’re leaving this evening,’ she said slowly.

He didn’t speak or nod but he was already starting to sit up, shifting his weight. Retreating, she thought, her throat tightening.

‘I have a meeting tomorrow with the lead on the space agency project. To talk numbers.’

He was standing now, and had already pulled on his trousers. ‘And maybe finalise my piggybacking on one of the exploratory missions.’

‘So you really are going to go to the moon? That’s amazing. I’m so pleased for you.’ Her smile was instant and genuine. His face softened a fraction and he pulled her closer, his hand curving around her waist.

‘Hopefully, yes.’

He let go of her then without even kissing her and she stared at him in confusion.

‘Don’t look so worried. You kept your side of the deal and I’m going to keep mine. I’ll make sure your brothers get the best legal counsel.’

The deal. She stared at him, trying to breathe past the frozen lump in her chest. He must be trying to reassure her because there was more to this week than the deal they’d made in New York.

‘I just thought—’

‘Thought what?’ he said impatiently. ‘Look, Sydney, I know things have got a little blurred between us but this was only ever a temporary arrangement. ‘

Her heart stumbled. He was looking at her in the same way as he had a moment earlier and she felt a chill scamper down her spine because she wasn’t the stranger here. He was. There was a tension in him now, and a distance.

She cleared her throat. ‘Maybe I could come with you,’ she said lightly. ‘You know, watch your back. Support you.’

He ran his hand through his hair. ‘Where is this coming from, Sydney? I don’t need supporting. What I need is for you to stick to the terms of our arrangement.’

Glancing down, she realised she was naked and she reached for her robe. As she slipped it on, something flickered in his eyes, desire, and something else she couldn’t name.

‘I don’t care about the terms of our arrangement. I care about you. And I thought you cared about me. You said you did.’

Tiger was staring at her, his eyes not that clear, light gold any more, but opaque, guarded.

‘I did say that, and I meant it. In the context of you being here. With me. Now.’

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