Page 227 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

He’d wanted to be close to her. That’s why it had hurt so much when he’d found out all she’d held back. But shehadgiven him a lot already—companionship, compassion,fun. He’d revelled in her blossoming physical pleasure, enjoyed her boundless creativity and he ached for her to succeed. God, he wanted to be alongside watching while she did.

And why on earth had heeverworried he’d be an unfaithful jerk like his father? Elodie kept him not just wholly occupied, but absolutely captivated. There was nothing and no one else he wanted or would ever want. He wanted to be with hernow, the only one with her henceforth. Her last, in other words. He wanted her to be his forever. He’d wanted her to love him. Because he loved her. But he hadn’t said any of that. Instead, he’d been a coward the first chance he could.

He’d sent her away.

Like an idiot.

But what horrified him most was the realisation he was in danger of being asunforgivingas his mother had been with him. He knew how much thathurt, how much it had destroyed for them both. He never wanted to do that to Elodie. Or to himself. He was suddenly so very sorry.

Ramon straightened. He did not stand about doing nothing. Ever. He formulated a plan and enacted it immediately. He was so preoccupied that he didn’t notice the piece of paper wedged beneath the rug at the front door as he strode out of the house.

Nothing was going to stop him now.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

‘THATPACKAGEHASARRIVED.’Bethan glanced up as Elodie walked in. ‘I’ve put it in the room we’ve stripped out.’

‘Really?’ Elodie frowned. ‘It’s that big?’

‘Uh...yeah.’ Bethan followed her, oddly fidgety for someone generally serene.

Elodie walked into the room they’d prepped for a new escape scenario. It was completely empty save for one thing.

‘Welcome to my escape room.’ He spread his hands.

She heard the door close behind her but she was too busy staring at him to have the nous to move. Ramon didn’t have the decency to look even slightly unhappy or unkempt; in fact she’d never seen him look as handsome. He was clean-shaven, his hair neatly trimmed, and his suit showcased his tall, muscular frame to bone-melting perfection. She was suddenly, horribly conscious that this morning she’d decided to rot in bed for the day and it was only because Bethan had phoned to tell her about a delivery that she’d bothered to come in. She’d thrown on a ratty pair of jeans, too depressed to make much effort when she planned to be in the back office and not see anyone all day.

‘Bethan!’ She called for her friend to come back and unlock the door.

But she knew Bethan was still a romantic, despite being devastated by that Greek jerk she’d married, and doubtless thought she washelping.

‘It’s not locked,’ Ramon said. ‘You can walk out of here any time you like. But I hope you won’t. Yet.’

‘It’s hardly an escape room then, is it,’ she said stiffly, glancing anywhere but at him. ‘There’s at least a narrative. Some clues. A puzzle to solve. There’s literally nothing in here.’

‘There’s me. And you.’

No puzzle. Only pain.

‘Apparently this is my building now, and I’d like you to leave.’

‘Is this another instance where the opposite is true?’ he challenged softly. ‘The opposite was true of a lot of what you let me believe.’

She closed her eyes. It was too late for this. ‘Ramon... I don’t want to hurt any more.’

It hurt to look at him. It hurt to hear him. It hurt to hold everything in.

‘You know we need to talk.’ He moved a step nearer.

‘You could have just phoned.’

‘Would you have answered?’ His mouth twisted. ‘I couldn’t take the risk. And hopefully you’ll find it harder to refuse me in person.’

‘You arrogant—’

‘I find it impossible to think when I’m with you. Which gives you the upper hand completely, by the way. And unfortunately I needed time to think and realise the blindingly obvious. So can you please be patient—’

‘Patient? I wrote to you over aweekago and there’s been nothing.’ She’d been crying herself to sleep every night and she was sick of it.

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