Page 191 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

He really didn’t need the reminder.

CHAPTER SIX

ELODIETOUCHEDHERCHEEK, regretting her rash decision to turn up the temperature in the escape room and still battling to contain her jumbling emotions. What had just happened?Howhad that just happened? How had she lost all control, so completely? And was she really just going to go off with this man?

Yes, she was.For Ashleigh. She muttered her sister’s name like a mantra, desperate to keep her sister uppermost in her mind—not her own ravenous desire that had materialised the moment she’d set eyes on him and apparently could overrule her common sense as easily as pie.

As she approached reception, Bethan’s eyes widened.

‘Are you okay?’ Bethan leaned across the counter and whispered. ‘You’re really flushed and your blouse is—’ Bethan broke off only to immediately add, ‘What—’

‘I’m fine,’ Elodie interrupted hastily. ‘But I have to go away for a few days. Can you look after the rooms? Get one of the part-timers to—’

‘Go where?’ Bethan gaped.

‘I know it’s sudden.’ Elodie slapped on a reassuring smile. ‘I’m working on a deal to secure our future, but I just need—’

‘A deal withhim?’ Bethan shot a concerned glance over her head to where Ramon was waiting by the door. ‘He doesn’t look like he wants to dobusinesswith you, he looks like he wants to—’

‘It’sfine,’ Elodie assured her urgently. She didn’t want to lie to her friend. She didn’t want to tell her the truth either. She would evade both options. ‘Can you manage?Please.’

Bethan hesitated. Bethan, who was still heartbroken from the whirlwind holiday romance that had culminated in a rushed mess of a marriage, and who trusted men even less than Elodie did.

‘Of course, but you stay in touch, and you call me if you need me,’ Bethan whispered vehemently. ‘Any time.I’m here for you.’

Elodie squeezed her friend’s shoulder. ‘I know.’

Five minutes later Elodie awkwardly sat in the back of a car, avoiding meeting Ramon’s far-too-smug expression. She’d caught him looking at her thoughtfully once already and now she’d finally fully recovered her self-possession she was embarrassed. But she would fake otherwise.

Be smart. Sassy. Worldly-wise. Confident...

In control, in other words.

She cleared her throat. ‘Where are we going?’

‘To get your passport and papers. Then we’ll head to the airport.’

This was movingfast. But that didn’t surprise her, this man was used to getting things done. ‘I’m not marrying you without written confirmation of our deal.’

‘I’ve had a prenuptial contract drawn up—’

‘You were that certain I would say yes?’ Her temperature ticked up again.

‘I like to be prepared for all eventualities. Give me your lawyer’s email and I’ll send over a copy right away.’

She shot him a quelling look. ‘I’m capable of reviewing a contract myself.’

‘You should take independent legal advice.’

‘You should assume I’m capable of looking after my own interests,’ she replied coolly.

‘Have it your way,’ he murmured softly.

‘That’s how I like it,’ she purred back.

There was the smallest curve to his mouth as he gazed limpidly back at her.

‘So where is it?’ she prompted.

---