Page 192 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

His eyes gleamed and his smile deepened. ‘I’ve put it into a series of envelopes and hidden them in various places in this car. I’ll offer occasional clues, though you might find each out of order and then have to puzzle them together. The page numbers might help, but who knows.’

She gaped at him for a full second before her burgeoning amusement bubbled out. His smile became pure grin as she giggled.

‘Here.’ He reached into a bag at his feet and handed her a file.

She was completely grateful for the diversion. It was bad enough that he was staggeringly beautiful, but when he made her laugh like that any last resistance fled her already weak body. Paperwork would be the perfect antidote. Beside her, Ramon had pulled another file and was already reading it.

He’d moved into work mode. She could get a grip and do the same. Thankfully, she’d taken Phoebe’s advice and done evening classes in business management and contracts law once she’d settled in London. She might not have made billions like Ramon, but with her wonder assistant friend’s help, she had educated herself. Hopefully, once she had control of the escape rooms she would make it even more successful. She wished she could’ve bid for the business on her own but she didn’t have the savings. And Ashleigh’s call for help now meant she needed to do whatever was necessary.

She read the neatly typed pages. Several clauses caught her attention. Upon the dissolution of their marriage, the business interests of the escape rooms would be hers in entirety. In return she would relinquish any further claim to his fortune. But there were additional benefits she’d not expected.

‘You’re giving money to Ashleigh?’ she asked.

‘My family has put immense pressure on her.’ Ramon kept reading the report in front of him. ‘Consider it reparation for emotional stress. This way she can choose to study or travel without having to bow to further parental pressure.’

Elodie blinked at his generosity. ‘And there’s a lump sum for me.’

‘You can scratch that one out if you like.’ He turned the page of his own document. ‘It was only in case the escape room doesn’t do as well as hoped once you take over, but having seen you in action today, I know you’re going to kill it.’

She was stunned by his vote of confidence in her ability.

‘What?’ He lifted his head and gazed directly at her after a couple moments. ‘You know you’re good.’

Well, she hoped so but it was nice to hear someone else say it. Especially someone as successful as him. She coughed and tried to focus. ‘The trust for Ashleigh is dependent on our remaining married for a minimum of six months.’

‘We don’t have to live together for all that time. I just want to beat the duration of your previous marriage,’ he said with a softness that was actually nerve-shreddingly sharp. ‘Be better than any competition. I’m a very competitive guy.’

She gritted her teeth. ‘I’m astounded there’s no good behaviour clause with a special reward for my doing every little thing you want.’

‘But Elodie,I’myour reward. This you already know.’ His eyes widened in mock innocence. ‘And every little thing you do will be every little thing thatyouwant.’

Elodie dropped her gaze to the papers on her lap, trying to deny the fact that her damned toes were curling. Response rushed through her. She snatched together some sarcasm. ‘If it’s to be so mind-blowing, what tears us apart? How am I to destroy you?’

‘We’ll work that out later.’ He shrugged. ‘It doesn’t need to be anything dramatic. Neither of us will oppose the divorce. It’ll be quick, easy, painless.’

Unlike her last. She breathed out slowly. This offer was too good to turn down. Too easy. He was right. She would geteverythingshe wanted. ‘You have a pen for me to sign?’

‘Do it on the plane, Piotr will witness.’ He nodded his head towards the window. ‘Passport, papers—birth certificate, wedding, divorce. Make it snappy.’

She hadn’t realised they’d pulled up at her tenement block. ‘I don’t need anything else?’ she asked, irritated by his high-speed insistence. ‘Toothbrush? Clothes?’

‘We can get all that there. You have ten minutes before Piotr drives off.’

Pointedly, she didn’t move a muscle because she wasnotjumping to his every little command. ‘Are you sure you don’t want to handcuff me to you and come inside with me?’

He stared at her, motionless. She stared back—words forgotten, intention to tease evaporated. Because this was no joke. Heat unfurled deep within and a dragging sensation in the pit of her pelvis pulled her inexorably towards him.Everythingtightened. Just as she made to escape he leaned over her. Stopping her simply by narrowing his proximity.

‘I’ve already promised I’ll indulge any and all of your kinky urges once we’remarried,’ he reprimanded softly.

Fire scorched her cheeks. Yes, she’d thrown a gauntlet. But he’d not just accepted it, he’d trounced her with only a few words. She swallowed. No doubt he’d had many affairs while she was a completefaker. Little more than a novice. She’d have to work harder—smarter—to hold her own with him. Indulge and yet somehow maintain some self-protection. Remembering this wasmerelyan affair was the way.

‘Go on.’ He opened her door before slowly pulling back from her. ‘The sooner we get to the airport, the sooner your sister is saved,’ he taunted.

She furiously exited the car and stalked into her building. Shewouldhold her own with him. And she would escape unscathed. The one thing that soothed her was thathehadn’t been able to hide the fiery expression in his eyes. He felt this attraction as keenly as she. She grabbed her passport and file of important paperwork, changed into comfy jeans and a tee and threw a few other items into a small carryall. She needed his influence to free Ashleigh. He was willing to pay for that because he needed her name on a certificate so he could retain the property he wanted. Beyond that, his interest was only in her body. She had no real interest inhimeither—justhisbody. So she would have it. She was in control of this every bit as much as he was.

She would see Ashleigh safe. She would get her business. And she would have the first full-blooded affair of her life.

Ramon stared fixedly at the paperwork he’d been ignoring on his knee and willed time to move just a little faster. He did not want to see her home. Not her bedroom. He wasnotcurious. And the last thing he wanted to think about was the other men she’d taken there. He’d never thought he’d ever be a jealous lover, but here he was—hating the thought of her kissing someone else. Of her letting someone else inside her home, her life, her body. He dragged in a deep breath, trying to quell the ferociousness of these utterly foreign thoughts overtaking his mind. He didn’t think about any women like this. But Elodie Wallace was gorgeous and wilful, smart and infuriating and he could notbelievethat he’d lost all control of himself and gone at her in herworkplace. He hadn’t been able to resist. Which was not great.

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