Page 107 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

It felt like the very air sparked with electricity. Like when an enormous thunderstorm was about to break.

Portia longed to take a shower or a long soak in the bath but didn’t have the heart to keep Lex waiting.

As soon as she entered the kitchen he swung around. Was that relief on his features? She was so tired she was probably seeing things. She’d already assured him about the baby so there was nothing left for him to worry about.

Her bones seemed to melt as she sank onto a stool beside the gleaming counter. ‘I didn’t expect you back here yet. Was there some problem with your meetings? I thought—’

‘Why did you leave, Portia? And why didn’t you answer my calls?’

Lex put a steaming mug of tea in front of her but didn’t move away. He stood with one hip propped against the counter, ankles crossed. But his tightly folded arms belied his casual pose. He looked just as tense as when he’d ripped the front door out of her hand. Like a man on the edge.

Lex looked down into her wary eyes and tried to tell himself he was worrying about nothing. One of the traits that made him an excellent businessman was his ability to remain calm and think quickly under pressure. To adapt and turn problems into solvable opportunities.

That facility deserted him now. For a night and a day he’d been frantic with worry and he couldn’t seem to switch off. Even the news that their baby was all right didn’t diminish his fear.

Portia had returned but not necessarily to him. She hadn’t expected him home. He should still be in the US, except his need to be with her had surpassed all his other priorities.

Was she back for good? Or had she returned temporarily, not expecting to see him?

Gut instinct told him something was wrong. Something she’d tried to hide these past weeks.

She sighed and lifted the mug, cradling it in both hands. ‘I didn’t answer your calls because my phone was dead. I left in a rush and forgot to take my charger so the phone went flat. I didn’t think you’d worry. We’d already spoken yesterday afternoon and I was returning today.’

‘But the couple of times I’ve been away overnight, I always ring in the evening too.’

To check she was okay.

Because she was precious to him.

The terror he’d felt since yesterday, not knowing where she was orhowshe was, had undone him. And proved beyond all doubt the true depth of his feelings.

It amazed him he hadn’t realised before. But then he’d spent years telling himself he was done with such feelings. What a time to discover the truth!

The immense resources he’d put into the search for her hadn’t turned up any viable clues and he’d been mindless with worry.

Portia surveyed him over the rim of her mug as she sipped. ‘I know. I’m sorry. I have your number on speed dial but I never memorised it. When the phone died I told myself one night wouldn’t matter.’

It had mattered to him. His blood had run cold at the idea she was either sick or had left him.

‘I’m sorry I worried you. But truly the baby is fine.’

He nodded. That had allayed some of his fears, but not all.

He’d imagined Portia finding a new place to live, without him, because she’d decided marriage would be a mistake. She’d given up her old flat and her friends hadn’t heard from her. Had she been scoping out a new home, returning only to tell him she was leaving?

In her unexplained absence, Lex had finally worked out what had made her so edgy lately. Their upcoming wedding. It had to be. Which meant she was working up to jilting him.

Because she didn’t feel the same way about him that he did about her. Despite the sex, despite the friendship, despite the baby, Portia kept a part of herself separate.

Because she didn’t trust him enough or care for him enough. That realisation had gutted him.

But he had to hear her say it.

Then persuade her not to leave him.

‘Where were you, Portia? What were you doing?’

‘You should sit down, Lex. You don’t look good.’

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