Page 195 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

‘It’s your baby.’

‘As the escape room is yours.’ He scooped up the towel on his handlebar and wiped his brow. ‘Admit it. You work hard to make it thrive.’

‘Yes. But unlike you I also have other things in my life.’

‘Because your baby is somewhat smaller than mine. Mine is demanding.’

‘You could delegate.’

‘Why? What am I missing?’

‘Rest and relaxation?’ she quipped lightly, barely masking her deep curiosity. ‘A social life?’

‘Like you have? Dancing with all your men?’

‘Dancing with myfriends,’ she replied nonchalantly. ‘If men want to dance with us, that’s fine too. It’s a more fun option thanyourstress release.Cycling.’

He stopped pedalling. ‘Well, tomorrow night I’ll be riding you and I think you’ll be grateful I burned some energy here already.’

She gaped at him. ‘You’re appalling.’

‘Because you make it so worthwhile.’ He hopped off the bike and moved towards her. ‘For a party girl with no conscience and no cares, you blush amazingly easily.’

She locked her weak knees so she wouldn’t back away from him. ‘I’m not blushing. This is my natural colouring. Red.’

‘Rot.’ He placed the backs of his fingers against her cheek. ‘You’re burning up.’

‘Fever.’

‘Yeah, commonly known as lust.’ He laughed. ‘As stunning as I know we’re going to be together, we’re definitely waiting until our wedding night sostoptrying to tempt me.’

She wanted to tell him he’d be waiting a long time but couldn’t lie that well.

‘It’s my first, you know?’ Sardonic amusement danced in his eyes. ‘Marriage, that is. Special.’

‘Are you going to wear white?’ she gritted acerbically.

‘I can’t tell you that!’ he declared with mock outrage. ‘It’s bad luck to see each other in our wedding finery before the ceremony.’

‘Bad luck is the least of your concerns.’ She turned and stomped back to the forward cabin.

She desperately tried not to stare at him when he returned to the seat beside hers a half hour later. He’d seeminglyshoweredonboard and was now dressed in a different suit, smelt delicious and looked more vital and virile than ever. And she was not thinking about the bed she’d seen in that cabin at the back of the plane.

Once they’d landed, Ramon guided Elodie into the waiting car. They went straight from the airport to a civic office where they registered their intention to marry. In twenty-four hours they could proceed. Then they went to the hotel—which would also be their wedding venue. Oceanfront and opulent, their suite had the most stunning views of the sea.

‘I have work to do.’ Ramon set his bag by the large desk in the lounge.

So predictable.

‘Good stuff,’ Elodie said airily. ‘You need to earn many more millions because I’m taking Piotr shopping for the outrageously expensive dress that you don’t care about.’

‘Did that wound?’ He smiled at her dangerously. ‘Don’t worry darling, I care very much about what’sbeneathit.’

Elodie had to get out of there before she devolved and did something physical to him—and not in a good way.

‘We need to find an evening wear specialist, Piotr. Are you up to it?’ she asked the enigmatic bodyguard.

‘I have a list of boutiques and phoned ahead to make several private appointments,’ he answered. ‘There’s also a hairdresser and beautician at the hotel on standby should you like to make use of them later.’

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