Page 90 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

She couldn’t help enjoying the other woman’s approval. Through the family meal Zoe’s positivity and humour had drawn Portia. All the family had been welcoming but she felt most at ease with his sister.

But as for Lex being fixated on her...

‘You’re mistaken. I’ve never known a man more self-contained.’ If he was focused on anything, it wasn’ther, but getting her to agree to his plan.

That moment yesterday when their gazes meshed in the mirror was long gone. It had lasted only until Portia swung around to face him, silk swirling around her legs.

His heated expression had vanished. He’d complimented her on her dress choice but there’d been nothing effusive in his manner.

Tonight Lex had taken her to the family home. He’d been solicitous, the perfect escort. For all his response she could have been an aged great-aunt, not a woman he’d asked to marry him.

That single sizzling look might never have been.

He’d as good as said he wanted to marry her to atone for his past actions and to protect his child. But Portia didn’t want atonement. Or a protector. She wanted tomatterto him, and not because of duty.

At least her disappointment had an upside. It had stirred her pride, feeding a vivacity she hadn’t felt in ages.

Portia hadn’t blinked twice at being with so many billionaires, meeting the guests’ curiosity easily. She refused to feel sorry for herself and refused to let Lex see any trace of hurt. Instead she’d mingled, smiled and enjoyed herself.

‘You can’t see it?’ Zoe leaned closer. ‘But then he doesn’t stare except when you’re not looking.’

‘Stare?’

‘You haven’t noticed? He looks at you like a hungry dog eyeing a juicy bone.’

Despite herself, Portia laughed, rotating the bangle on her wrist. ‘You’ve got some imagination, Zoe.’

Lex had said his sister wanted him to settle down. She was seeing things that weren’t there.

‘If you think I have your brother on a leash, you’re mistaken.’ Half to herself she added, ‘I can’t imagine him dependent on anyone. He’s so self-assured.’

‘If you mean he knows what he wants and goes out to get it, then yes. He does listen to advice, particularly from our father, but even when he first came here, he had confidence in his own decisions.’

‘That sounds like Lex.’

He’d always been that way. When her mother died and her father’s temper became even more erratic, Lex’s reliability and confidence had appealed more than ever. But in those days he’d let her in. He’d loved her.

Or so she’d thought.

Portia’s mouth tightened.

She missed that. There’d been something affirming and wonderful about being the one special person in his life. Believing shematteredto him.

‘You may not see it,’ Zoe murmured. ‘But I can. You’re important to him, Portia. Don’t keep him waiting too long.’

Portia stiffened. ‘What has he said to you?’

He’d promised not to tell anyone about their situation. She didn’t need more pressure to marry and besides, it was too early to tell people about the baby. Especially as she knew that, if the worst happened, there’d be no marriage. Lex had only proposed for the baby’s sake.

Zoe tilted her head, expression thoughtful, looking uncannily familiar. Lex did the same when considering a problem, the angle of his head exactly like that.

‘He’s said nothing. Just that you’re a friend having a break on his island.’

Portia exhaled, relieved.

‘But he’s never taken any woman there. Ever.’ Zoe’s knowing gaze pinioned her. ‘And he’s gone out of his way to specify we shouldn’t pry about your relationship while you’re here.’

‘He asked the whole family? Or just you, Zoe?’

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