Page 24 of Modern Romance Collection May 2024 Books 1-4

‘It’s no problem. I’ll see you later.’

Ajax left and Erin let out a long breath. She looked around. The French doors were open onto a small balcony. She walked out and took in the view of lush rolling gardens. The sky was lighter now, losing the golden touch of dawn. The heat was rising too. She could hear the faint splash of waves in the distance. The air was scented with a mix of flowers and sea and grass.

It was paradise.

Ashling’s head was tucked into Erin’s neck. She was exhausted. Erin made her way downstairs to the terrace and put Ashling in a highchair, feeding her bits of fruit and pastries while she helped herself to the same.

Once she and Ashling had eaten, she thanked Agatha and made her way back upstairs, where Ashling went down with minimal fuss. A sign of her exhaustion.

Once the baby was fast asleep, Erin left the door to the nursery ajar and turned on the baby monitor, then checked the other one was on. It was so sensitive she could hear Ashling’s breaths.

She explored further, to find a dressing room with all her things already unpacked. Were there other staff here apart from Agatha? Invisible? She wouldn’t be surprised. It seemed all too magical.

Then there was the bathroom, with its footprint about the same size as her entire apartment. There were two sinks, a bath the size of a small pool, and a huge shower. Honey-coloured tiles... Exclusive beauty products and a large fluffy robe...

Erin couldn’t resist washing the stickiness of the journey off her body and she stripped off on the spot, before stepping under the steaming spray of the shower. It was bliss.

After drying herself, she kept the towel wrapped around her and lay down on the soft bed. She fell into a dreamless sleep.

That evening, even though she was expecting it, Erin still jumped when there was a light knock on the bedroom door.Ajax.Her heart thumped at the thought of seeing him again.Pathetic.

Luckily shehadpacked appropriately, and she was wearing a plain shirt-dress, teaming it with a leather belt and flat sandals.

At the last moment she’d resisted reaching for any make-up apart from some tinted moisturiser. She’d left her hair to dry naturally. Dinner with Ajax wasn’t a date.

She checked quickly that Ashling was still asleep and that both monitors were on, before taking hers with her. She took a breath and opened the door—and nearly melted on the spot.

Ajax was wearing faded jeans and a dark polo shirt. Short sleeves. All she could see was how his biceps bulged under the material. His skin was bronzed and gleaming. He made her feel very pale and washed out. She cursed herself for not making more of an effort. He must be wondering what he’d ever seen in her.

‘Ready?’

Erin nodded. She left the door open and fell into step beside Ajax.

He said, ‘She’s asleep?’

Erin nodded. ‘It took a while—her body clock is all over the place. We slept for a few hours this morning, and then I kept her occupied for the afternoon in the garden. Hopefully she’ll sleep through to dawn. I’m lucky—she’s a good sleeper.’

Erin felt as if she was babbling.

She slid Ajax a glance as they went down the stairs. ‘Did your wife and son spend much time here?’

He shook his head, and when they reached the ground floor he put out a hand to indicate which way to go. ‘No, they were never here.’

Erin had a vague memory that the accident had happened in Athens.

They were walking out onto the terrace now. Night had fallen and candles were burning, imbuing the pretty space with a soft golden glow. A wrought-iron table was set with a white tablecloth, gold-trimmed crockery and silverware, sparkling crystal glasses.

Ajax pulled out a chair. Erin sat down. Ajax took his own seat. It suddenly felt very intimate.

A young girl Erin hadn’t seen before appeared, smiling shyly as she filled their water glasses before disappearing again.

Ajax said, ‘This island isn’t owned by my family, so it’s a better place to stay off the radar.’

Erin tried not to gape. ‘You mentioned that your family do own islands?’

‘A few.’

She’d bet that that was an understatement. She said, ‘This is a beautiful place. It’s a pity your wife and son didn’t spend any time here.’

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