Page 32 of Modern Romance Collection May 2024 Books 1-4

The living space, decorated with comfortable couches and chairs and coffee tables covered in glossy hardbacks, flowed into a formal dining space. Huge glass doors opened out directly onto a patio, which led to a pristine lawn sloping gently downwards to a row of trees behind which, Ajax told Erin, was a swimming pool and changing rooms.

The air was scented by the abundant flowers blooming on the edges of the garden. Erin wistfully thought of her father, who would immediately lose himself in identifying these exotic plants—a hobby of his.

Around to one side of the patio Erin gasped at the view of Athens laid out before them. The Acropolis looked like a toy replica in the distance. It was almost possible to make out the hundreds of people clambering over it like tiny ants. There were no skyscrapers or modern structures to ruin the view from this angle. It was truly impressive.

Back in the villa, she saw a baby gate had been installed on the stairs, ruining the architectural lines somewhat, but very necessary for a curious baby on the cusp of walking, who would soon be able to tackle stairs quicker than a flash of lightning.

As Ajax led her up to the second level Erin gestured to the temporary addition and said, ‘Thank you for this.’

Ajax commented, ‘I remember how it is.’

Erin followed him silently. He might not want to engage with his daughter, but he was already proving that he wasn’t completely oblivious by taking such care over her safety.

Upstairs was elegant, with plush carpets and elegant minimal furnishings. Doors led off a long corridor and Ajax opened one for Erin. She walked in and could hardly take in the scale of the room, it was so huge.

The bedroom, with a bed big enough for a football team, had two doors leading into an adjoining walk-in dressing room and then a bathroom that more resembled a spa. There was even a massage bed.

Yet another door Ajax had just opened led into a smaller anteroom which had been turned into a nursery, decorated with whimsical murals on the walls of dogs and bunnies and birds. Something struck her. Maybe...

She looked at him, but he seemed to read her mind and shook his head.

His voice was clipped. ‘No, this wasn’t Theo’s. His and Sofia’s rooms were elsewhere.’

One of the other doors they’d passed? She forced her mind away from speculating and took in the bright decor and the doors leading out to the wide balcony that ran outside the main bedroom too.

There was a cot and a changing table. A chest of drawers full of clothes from an exclusive French children’s label.

She looked at Ajax. ‘You didn’t have to do this. She’ll have outgrown most of these within a few weeks.’

‘I wanted to make sure you have all you need.’ He pointed to a door on the other side of the room. ‘That leads into Damia’s room, so she’ll be right beside Ashling when we’re out.’

When we’re out.

As if they were a couple. But of course they were nothing like a couple. Couldn’t be further from a couple. And that made her feel bereft—which was something she never would have expected.

Having a baby had changed her. She now knew that deep down she hungered for companionship, and that she’d never put her career over that. Erin wasn’t like her mother.

What about love?whispered a voice.

No, not love. Love had the potential to betray and destroy. Erin was realistic enough to hope for something that didn’t have the power to wreck a life...a family. Since Ashling’s birth she’d realised that some day maybe a family would be nice, with a partner she could like and respect. Trust. Companionship. Not the loneliness of her father’s existence. She’d always longed for brothers and sisters—she’d like that for Ashling.

But that dream was shattering before it had even fully taken root. And it wasn’t even Ajax’s fault. He’d never promised anything. He’d never led her on. They’d had two hot nights when they’d connected with maximum physicality and minimum emotionality.

And yet here they were now, connected for a lifetime and having to navigate emotional territory that he obviously didn’t welcome.

The sooner they got through these social events and defused the press interest, the sooner she and Ashling could get on with their lives. But a sobering realisation made her go cold. Their lives would never be their own again, no matter what happened. Ashling was the daughter of a billionaire and the whole world knew it. Ajax had even alluded to the fact that they may need security.

Feeling unsettled, she said to Ajax, ‘Speaking of going out...the first event is tomorrow?’

Ajax nodded. ‘Yes, in the evening.’

Erin’s belly lurched. Being in this billionaire’s world was suddenly all too real. She tried to hide her trepidation.

Ajax said, ‘I’ve arranged for a stylist to come today, with a selection of outfits for you to choose from.’

Her belly was churning now. ‘I know how to dress for work events—not high society. What if I wear the wrong type of dress?’

‘Georgiana is very experienced. She’ll know exactly what you need to wear.’

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