Page 62 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

‘If I decide to bid at future auctions I’ll do it online. You won’t have to worry about me turning up here again.’ He half turned towards her but didn’t meet her gaze. ‘I wish you well, Portia. Goodbye.’

He’d taken three steps when something touched his hand. Warm fingers slid over his then pulled away.

He halted, turning and there she was, heart-stoppingly sexy in her plain business clothes and neat earrings. He recognised them, he realised. They were tiny golden roses, the last gift she’d ever received from her mother.

The sight reminded him that while he’d known her long ago, they were strangers now.

She opened her mouth and he fixed his own in a slight smile ready to acknowledge her farewell.

But his smile solidified when she spoke. ‘You’re right, Lex. We can’t go on like this.’ She breathed deep. ‘I need time to pack and I need to be back to London on Sunday evening.’

It was so unexpected it took a second to understand.

‘I’m accepting your invitation, Lex. I’ll spend the weekend with you.’

CHAPTER SIX

THEENDOFwinter had brought a freeze and the view beyond the deep-set window was stunning. The rolling countryside shone white with snow, topped by a rare blue sky that seemed to go on forever.

When Portia suggested a walk before lunch, he’d agreed automatically. Because what pleased her brought him pleasure too. Besides, logic decreed that after two nights at this exclusive retreat they should finally venture further than their suite.

But they’d got sidetracked and the vision before him was so much better than any bucolic view.

Portia’s hair glowed like dark honey in the sunlight streaming across the bed. Her hair curtained her upper back, except at her spine where he’d kissed his way down from her nape to a spot between her shoulder blades.

He lowered his mouth again, nipping this time and feeling her naked body twitch beneath his, her rump sliding against his erection.

Lex paused, telling himself thatthis timehe wouldn’t rush. This time he’d conquer the driving need to have her as soon and as thoroughly as possible.

He drew back on his knees, clenching his teeth at the loss of contact. He concentrated instead on the taste of her as he kissed his way lower, and the incredible softness of her flesh beneath his palms. Her murmurs of wordless encouragement and delight made him want to take her to the stars again.

Lower he went, hands shaping her waist, mouth nipping and kissing each vertebra. She twisted beneath him, breathing ragged, and he knew she wouldn’t last long. Soon she’d beg for completion. He loved the husky sound of her saying his name, urging, demanding or crying out in triumph or even shock as ecstasy took them.

He couldn’t get enough of it. Of her.

Today was Sunday and they had to return to London later. His scheme to incinerate this all-consuming lust by stoking the fire until it turned to ashes hadn’t worked.

They needed more time. They needed—

Below him she gave a sinuous wriggle, making his hands tighten on the swell of her hips. The shape of her, those devastatingly feminine curves, even the narrow splay of her shoulders, gleaming beneath her rumpled hair, sidetracked his thoughts.

Then she lifted herself up on her knees, her buttocks circling against his engorged penis. It all felt so perfect he feared he’d explode there and then.

He pulled back a little, at the same time smoothing his hands along the downward tilt of her body towards her shoulders, detouring to sweep out and brush the sides of her plump breasts.

‘Lex.’

His skin tightened at the sound. His name on her lips was voluptuous, a sensual promise and a sigh of gratification melded into one.

The remaining blood pumping in his arteries surged south. She pushed back again and suddenly he was the one on the edge of control when moments ago she’d been lax and sleepy while he’d led the erotic interplay.

Every time, she turned the tables.

Not making sex a contest, but simply undoing him.

Portia lifted her upper body, grasping the headboard, and he took the opportunity to capture her breasts fully, kneading and stroking them, torturing himself and her with how magnificent that felt.

Gently he pinched her nipples and she hissed a breath, shifting against his groin.

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