Page 31 of Modern Romance Collection December 2024 Books 1-4

Quin appeared in the space where Monica was holding open the curtain, blocking out all the daylight behind him with his wide shoulders, and all Sadie could do was look helplessly at him through the reflection in the mirror.

At first he was frowning, stern, but then he looked at her and his expression was wiped blank. And then...it changed. The only way Sadie could describe it was...arrested—as if someone had just punched him in the back. His eyes were glued to hers. And then moving up and down, taking her whole body in from bare feet to the top of her head. The look on his face was so intense...and something else...hungry.

Sadie’s skin prickled. She had to be imagining it. He was angry, not hungry. And then his phone rang again, and he said something to Monica before turning away to take the call.

Monica came back, all business, helping Sadie out of the dress.

When Sadie went to look for the clothes she’d been wearing she couldn’t find them. Monica made a face and handed her some of the new clothes, saying, ‘I think these might be more comfortable for now. I’ll get the rest packed up.’

Sadie took the clothes, and when she was alone again saw that there was a new pair of jeans and a loose silk shirt. A very luxe version of the casual style she liked. There was a pair of soft slip-on brogues. And—her face coloured—underwear. It was as if Quin had surmised that her underwear would be as tatty and cheap as the rest of her very limited wardrobe.

In any case, she was pretty sure he wasn’t investing in new undergarments for his benefit. He’d made that clear.

When she’d changed—underwear and all—she caught her reflection in the mirror again and had to make a wry face. Even with unkempt hair and no make-up she could see that the quality of these clothes added an elegance that couldn’t be manufactured any other way except by money.

She sighed. She’d never be able to afford to pay Quin back for this—an entirely new wardrobe of clothes.

She went out of the changing area into the main salon. Quin was off the phone now. He had his back to her, arms folded, looking out of the window. Legs planted wide. She could tell he was brooding from his stance.

He turned around then, and said, ‘Ready?’

Monica reappeared, smiling—and no wonder. Quin had just dropped a small fortune. ‘I’ll have everything sent over today,’ she said.

‘Thank you. I appreciate it, Monica.Adeus.’

‘Obrigado.Goodbye, Sadie.’

Sadie forced a smile. ‘Thank you.’

At the last moment, Monica said, ‘Wait!’ and Sadie turned around at the door. The woman handed her a pair of sunglasses and said, ‘On the house.’

Sadie smiled for real. ‘Thank you,’ she said, and slipped them on, appreciating the protection from the afternoon sun outside. And, more importantly, the protection from Quin’s dark gaze that kept flicking to her as he manoeuvred the car out of its parking space and into the traffic.

There was silence between them. Tension was growing and becoming suffocating.

When they were stopped at some lights, Sadie blurted out, ‘I never said I was your girlfriend, and I didn’t ask to try that dress on. She insisted, and I didn’t have the heart to say no...’

Quin looked at her. ‘What?’ He frowned and then he seemed to absorb what she’d said and waved a hand. ‘I didn’t even hear her say that.’

Sadie felt a little deflated. ‘What is it, then?’ she asked. ‘You’re tense enough to crack.’

A muscle pulsed in his jaw. The car moved forward again with a little jerk. Eventually Quin said, ‘Not here. We’re almost at the school. We’ll talk later.’

Soon they were pulling up outside a big modern building. Small children were coming out of the gates, being greeted by parents and carers. It was a happy throng, and for a moment all Sadie could do was blink to try and keep her emotion back.

Quin must have noticed, because he took her by surprise, touching her hand in a fleeting movement. ‘Okay?’

Sadie shook her head and nodded at the same time, and tried to swallow the lump in her throat. ‘It’s nothing. I just... I used to fantasise about this—about someday being able to collect Sol from school. A normal thing that most people take for granted with their kids.’

She didn’t look at Quin, afraid of what his expression might say, so she didn’t see the way he looked at her thoughtfully.

He got out of the car and came around to help her out. Sadie stood beside him and pushed the sunglasses onto her head, straining to see Sol’s distinctive reddish blond hair. And then there he was—a blur of energy, colliding with his father.

‘Papa! I missed you.’

And then he noticed Sadie, and took her completely by surprise.

‘You came too!’ he said, as he threw his arms around her waist.

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