Page 58 of Modern Romance Collection May 2024 Books 1-4

The thought of agreeing to marry Ajax and living a life where the desire between them gradually fizzled out to be replaced with companionship... if they would even have that...sent shudders through Erin. She’d been fooling herself to think she could live with a scenario like that and it was beyond ironic that Ajax was the one who had made her realise she wanted more.

Ashling squealed from somewhere behind her on the small plane that was taking them to Ajax’s family event on another island. An island owned by the family.

She looked behind her, and against every instinct she melted inside. Ashling was on Ajax’s lap. He was trying to read some paperwork, and she kept trying to grab it. He put it down and lifted Ashling to face him. She put her hands on his face.

Erin felt a very inappropriate twinge of envy.

She got up and walked down the plane. Ajax looked up. Erin felt the effect in her blood.

She put out her arms. ‘I’ll take her—you’re working.’

Ajax lifted her towards Erin and for a second their hands met as she took Ashling. Erin had to grit her jaw against the spark.No.

Ajax said, ‘We’ll be landing shortly anyway.’

Erin sat down on a nearby seat, suddenly trepidatious. ‘So, who is going to be there?’

‘My parents. Aunts, uncles, cousins. Some of Sofia’s family.’ Ajax’s mouth thinned. ‘After all, that’s why my brother was going to marry her. Her family are also one of the oldest and most prominent in Greece.’

‘It must be hard for them...losing her and Theo.’

Ajax made a rude sound. ‘Not that you’d know it. Our marriage united the families and that’s all they care about.’

‘They sound truly...inhuman.’

Ajax shrugged. ‘It’s just a different world for them. It’s how they’ve been brought up.’

Erin hugged Ashling a little closer.

Ajax saw the movement and said, ‘It’s exactly what I don’t want.’

He looked at her then. Explicitly. The offer was still there.

Before he could see how he affected her, Erin fled back to her seat and occupied herself with Ashling for the rest of the flight.

It was a small, pretty island, with a bustling harbour town, iconic white and blue houses all along the sea front. They were driving up over the hill behind the harbour, towards a massive villa in the distance, surrounded by lush greenery.

Erin had noticed at least a dozen private jets parked up at the island’s airport. Nerves churned in her belly. She was definitely out of her comfort zone now. She recalled what those people in Athens had said about her:ambulance chaser.She smiled a little grimly at herself. They’d also said Ajax would never want to marry her, but they’d been wrong about that.

If she wanted it...but she didn’t.

She’d asked Georgiana for advice over a video call, and the stylist had helped her pick out some clothes. She was wearing a relaxed light blue suit—culottes and a matching jacket—with a cream sleeveless silk top underneath. Wedge sandals. A little more make-up than usual to feel fortified. Minimal jewellery.

She’d dressed Ashling in a cute romper suit with a matching sun hat that she kept trying to pull off.

Erin suddenly felt a surge of protectiveness for her daughter, at the thought of bringing her into this lions’ den. She wanted to ask Ajax to turn the car around and take them home.

Home.

She had to stop thinking of here as home. New York was home. Where she had her life with Ashling.

They were at the villa now, and pulling into a huge courtyard. Uniformed staff hurried out to greet them. Damia was in the car behind, and Erin was grateful not only for the help but to have a friendly face.

Erin got out of the car and lifted Ashling out of her seat. The little girl was tired. She hadn’t had her morning nap on the plane, too excited by everything, and Erin could sense a cranky storm brewing. She hoped she could put her down soon.

Ajax put a hand lightly on her lower back, but it burned even through two layers of clothes. He said, ‘Might as well get the initial introductions over with.’

He led Erin into the villa—a vast space. Her first impression was that it was cold—which should have been welcome, considering the heat outside. But it was cold in a way that signified little human emotion.

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