Page 109 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

What does Portia feel for you?

Fear, like a lump of ice, skittered down his spine to lodge in his belly.

Still her eyes met his. He couldn’t bear the doubt he read there, couldn’t bear that he’d hurt her, in the past and it seemed, now.

‘I’m not acting just for the baby’s sake, Portia.’ He cleared his throat over jagged shards. ‘I love you. I fell for you all those years ago and despite everything I told myself, I never stopped loving you. It wasn’t just a youthful infatuation. It was something far more profound and still is.’

Portia’s mug slammed onto the countertop. He heard the noise as if from a distance. All his senses focused on the woman before him, her eyes growing wide, her beautiful mouth sagging as if in shock.

‘You don’t have to do this, Lex. We promised honesty, remember?’

He nodded, the movement jerky, and stepped closer, into her space. He lifted an unsteady hand to stroke her cheek, needing the physical contact. His breath expelled in a rush as he touched her warm skin.

‘I remember. And I confess I haven’t been completely honest.’

Portia started back, jerking away from his hand as if scalded.

He was making a mess of this but he’d lost all his finesse. He was left with only the bare truth.

‘I told myself for ages that what we shared was only sexual desire and the remnants of old friendship. That was enough to go on with. And when I learnt about the baby, I told myself the thrill I felt was all about being a father.

‘I was a coward. At first it was unintentional, a way of keeping my emotions in check so I wouldn’t be hurt again. And there was shame too, that I’d left you to cope alone because I didn’t see through your father’s lies. I wondered if I were more like my mother than I realised, sabotaging anything like an intimate relationship.’

He raked a hand through his hair, hating what his actions said about him. ‘I let you down, Portia, and at the most fundamental level I knew I didn’t deserve you.’

‘Oh, Lex.’ Warmth encircled his left wrist and he looked down to see she’d grabbed it. Swiftly he covered her hand with his right hand, holding it in place. ‘We were both so young. You’d faced prejudice all your life. I’m not surprised you fell for that lie.’

‘But you still held it against me when we met again.’

She nodded. ‘It took me a long time to trust again. Especially to trust my feelings—’

‘Give me a chance, Portia. If you want to put off the wedding, or not marry at all, I’ll accept that. I just want to be with you. I love you. I know you’ve been having second thoughts but I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy. To win your trust back.’

To his horror, she blinked, her eyes overbright.

‘Ah,Chrysi mou, please don’t cry. I—’

‘They’re happy tears.’ She sniffed and her chin wobbled. ‘I’ve loved you all this time. I tried not to but never quite succeeded.’

His heart leapt. ‘You love me?’

Her other hand joined his so they gripped each other tight. They both trembled and he saw in her face the dawning wonder and excitement that spilled through him.

She inclined her head. ‘That’s why I’ve worried about the wedding. I know it’s the best thing for the baby, but marrying someone who doesn’t love me back—’

‘But I do. With all my heart I do.’ Lex lifted her hands, pressing kisses to her fingers.

He dropped to his knee, still holding her hands. ‘Portia.Chrysi mou.Will you marry me? Not because of our child, but because my life would be hollow without you. I don’t think I could go on.’ He took a breath so deep his lungs ached. ‘I promise to be upfront about my feelings in future. And if you’ll have me, I promise you my trust, my devotion and my love. Always.’

If he lived to be a hundred he’d never forget her expression. So open and loving he felt like he’d swallowed pure sunlight.

‘Just try and stop me.’ Her sudden laughter was joyous. ‘I promise to trust you and love you too, Lex, and share howIfeel. You’re the only man for me. No one has ever made me so happy.’ She tugged at his hands. ‘Now, get up and kiss me before I really do start crying.’

Lex closed her in his arms and finally believed it was real. She loved him and no man in the world could be happier.

Ages later she murmured, ‘What doesChrysi moumean? I tried to look it up but can’t spell Greek.’

Lex’s hand was supporting the back of her head. He let his fingers comb her beautiful blonde locks.

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