Page 201 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

‘What?’ She breathed hectically.

‘I bought it,’ he growled. ‘It suits you.’

Her eyes widened. ‘Piotr said I could trust him.’

She’d been honest about the necklace and deeply concerned not to deceive the retailer. Or him. Which pleased him an odd amount. Her sweet panic compelled him to admit the truth.

‘You can,’ Ramon said, as he pulled her onto the plane. ‘He didn’t tell me it was on loan until after the ceremony. He was forced to when I asked him to get ready to leave sooner than I’d originally said. So I sent him to pay for it.’

She perched on the edge of a seat and didn’t look any more relieved. ‘How much did it cost?’ she asked.

‘I’ve no idea.’ He slumped into the seat opposite hers.

‘You don’t know how much it costs?’ She looked appalled.

‘Apparently nor do you,’ he said. ‘And honestly, I don’tcarehow much it costs.’

A flash of fury sharpened her eyes and her hands went to her neck.

‘Keep it on,’ he ordered sharply.

She froze, then lowered her hands.

Utterly goaded by her fierce glare he leaned forward. ‘I’m taking you to my bed the moment we land back in London. And in that bed I will take you wearing nothing but those diamonds, Elodie. I’ve been fantasising about that from the second I saw you in that dress today. Which also is delectable by the way. So don’t remove a thing, becauseIwant to do it.’ He paused to release a stressed sigh. ‘Please.’

‘You’re going to...’ She breathed in with apparent difficulty.

‘Have you. Yes. My bed. Time. Space. Privacy. So we endure the flight back. It’s only three hours. Can you cope?’ He was furious with both her and his descent into monosyllabic sentences.

She flushed. Her gaze fixed on him. Struggling as much as he.

They remained silent while the attendant got the flight ready and Piotr returned. Remained silent as the plane taxied down the runway and took off. And the moment they levelled out, Ramon stood to remove his jacket.

‘Don’t take it off,’ Elodie ordered in a thin voice.

He stilled.

She lifted her chin and met his gaze squarely. ‘I want to do it. Don’t remove a thing.’

He sat back down. ‘You like making me sweat?’

‘I think it’s only fair.’

Ramon stared at her. Siren. Temptress. So bloody beautiful. And finally—for now—his. He watched her erratic breathing, the sheen on her skin, the way she squirmed in her seat as he stared. As for the undeniable evidence of her arousal gifted to him by the sharp peaks of her luscious breasts—his body was like a rock.

‘Let’s play something,’ he suggested tightly. Except the only games he could think of were highly inappropriate.

‘You’re not going to work?’ she muttered.

‘Currently not capable,’ he conceded through gritted teeth.

Another flush of desire stained her skin. She reached into the bag the attendant had delivered and pulled out a spiral-bound notebook. ‘Help me design a room I’m working on.’

He reached for a bottle of mineral water and took a moment to mentally calibrate. ‘What’s the theme?’

‘Honeymoon suite.’

‘Right.’ He half laughed. ‘Let me guess. Runaway bride?’

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