Page 11 of Modern Romance Collection May 2024 Books 1-4

‘Are you?’

She’d forgotten how blunt he was.‘Just so we’re clear, I want you, Erin.’

She shook her head. ‘No...but are you really suggesting that there’s still something between us?’

He didn’t have to answer that. It sizzled between them, as much as Erin would like to deny it.

Desperately she tried to pretend it wasn’t happening. ‘Do I need to remind you that you were the one who cut things off?’

‘Maybe I was a little too...hasty.’

The memory of how close she’d allowed him to get made Erin say tartly, ‘It’s been almost two years—the opposite of hasty, I would say.’

His gaze met hers, and the intensity of his unusually light eyes made Erin quiver inwardly.

He said, ‘I’ve been a little busy.’

‘Well, so have I.’

Birthing his daughter.

Tell him.

But her mouth wouldn’t form the words. Guilt was like acid in her stomach.

Ajax took a step closer to Erin. She knew she should step back, but her limbs were like lead.

He said, ‘How can you deny it when it’s running like electricity between us right now?’

His scent washed over her and she breathed it in—distinctive and achingly, instantly familiar, musky and woody with something spicy underneath. It hurtled her back in time and all Erin could see was Ajax. She was engulfed in memories and, treacherously, lust. The stresses and strains of the past months dissolved. She was just a woman again, standing in front of the man who had seared himself onto her psyche in more ways than one.

She’d really felt as if she’d been reconfigured after those two nights in his bed. Her cells realigned. Even though she hadn’t been an innocent, she’d felt as if he’d transformed her into a woman. A sexual woman. With a sense of her own sensual power. He’d given something to her—something she couldn’t even name—but it had felt precious.

She’d forgotten about it until now. Or maybe she’d blocked it out. But here, under his avid gaze, she was feeling all those things again. Sensual. Powerful. Desired.

He reached out and touched her hair lightly. ‘It suits you.’

Erin felt self-conscious. ‘I... Thank you.’

Ajax kept his hand lifted, said, ‘May I?’

Erin wasn’t sure what he was asking, but everything in her body had her nodding her head.

His fingertips traced the line of her jaw, down to her chin. He lifted it slightly, looked at her mouth. ‘I’ve dreamed of you...’

Erin had been too exhausted to dream much, but there had been nights when she’d known she’d had torrid dreams. She’d just been relieved not to remember much about them. She’d felt them lingering in her body, though, because she’d woken aching, feeling unsatisfied.

Ajax moved closer. Erin didn’t step away, even though she knew she should. Right now she couldn’t quite remember why. She was caught up in the intensity of Ajax’s proximity and the way he was looking at her, and so when his head lowered towards her and his mouth touched hers she felt nothing but a wild surge of desire.

Yes, please.

Had he asked if he could kiss her? She didn’t care. She’d given her assent just by accepting it. His mouth moved over hers, more insistent. Asking a question. Erin answered without hesitation, her mouth opening under his, allowing him to deepen the contact.

He moved closer, wound an arm around her back and pulled her into him, so she could feel the hard thrust of his desire for her. It sent arrows of need right to her core, where she was melting, and—

Ajax pulled his head back abruptly. ‘What’s that sound?’

It took a second for Erin to register the cry of her baby. She reacted instantly, pushing free of Ajax’s arms, and ran to the bedroom.

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