Page 176 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

CHAPTER THREE

‘PARDON?’ELODIESTAREDat the stunning man as a rushing noise echoed in her head. She can’t have heard him properly.

‘My cousin is the man coercing your sister into marrying him. Well, actually, it’s really his mother doing the coercing. My aunt.’

Hisaunt? She gaped. ‘You’re not Ramon Fernandez?’

‘I am Juan Ramon Fernandez. You were seekingJoseRamon,’ he explained with a faintly regretful air. ‘We are both known as Ramon.’

She suddenly realised he was still holding her and sharply pulled free of the hold that had been disconcertingly comforting. ‘Not at all confusing.’

‘The names are a family thing.’ He watched her step backwards. ‘My mother Daniela’s family, actually. Fernandez is her name. The first Ramon washerfather. My mother married a businessman who became CEO and took control of the Fernandez empire—continuing the family name through me was part of their deal. It is my mother’s sister Cristina causing the problem. Her son—Jose Ramon Fernandez—is to marry Ashleigh.’

Stunned, Elodie tried to process all that information but it was almost as convoluted as one of her most challenging escape room clues.

Jose Ramon. Juan Ramon. Ramon. Both Fernandez.

She had it wrong.Thisman was not Ashleigh’s prospective groom, that was someone else entirely—his cousin on his mother’s side. And instead of doing the mental gymnastics to sort all that out, heat simply swamped her from head to toe as that illicit part deep within her pulsed with primal pleasure—

He wasn’t the one. He wasn’t taken. He could be hers.

Full mortification hit as she suppressed her own inner roar of possession. What was shethinking? She’d worked herself into a fury and she’d not even attacked the right guy and she should definitelynotbe so happy about it.

‘You should have told me the moment you realised my mistake,’ she growled.

He’d strung her along and allowed her to completely embarrass herself—hell, she’d all but thrown herself at the man in an attempt to show his immorality!

‘I wanted to understand more about the situation—’

‘You let me rage at you!’ She couldn’t restrain herself from raging again now. ‘You let me—’

‘You might have left before I could help.’

She paused, mistrustful as hell. ‘You intend to help?’

‘That surprises you?’ His lips curved in that devastating smile. ‘I think we may be able to resolve this situation to our best advantage if we work on ittogether.’

Best advantage? He spoke coolly, yet she felt an insidious warmth at the possibility of teaming up with him. But she couldn’t lower her guard just because of his good looks and sudden charm.ThisRamon was more than wealthy. He was powerful and definitely controlling. He’d just controlled the information he’d given her! He was used to being in charge—getting everything his way. And if he were anything like the controlling men she’d known, he wouldn’t stand to be denied. She needed to be very,verycareful. But she realised he’d given something away in admitting he’d wanted to understand more.

‘You didn’t know about the engagement plans,’ she surmised.

He hesitated. ‘No.’

‘Yet you’re this other Ramon’s cousin?’ Were they not close?

‘Families can be complicated.’ His gaze slid from her for the briefest second. ‘I think Jose Ramon is as much of a pawn as your sister. He won’t stand up to either his mother or your father.’

She felt a flare of pity for Jose Ramon because she had the feeling he wouldn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of standing up tothisman either. She knew how hard it was to say no to powerful people. It had taken her years to develop the skill. ‘How old is he?’

‘An immature twenty-two.’ He cocked his head. ‘How old are you?’

She ignored his question. ‘Why does your aunt want him married to my sister?’

He hesitated. ‘Because I have no plans to marry and they know it.’

‘What’s the relevance ofyourrelationship status?’ she asked with blunt sarcasm.

Even though that greedy part within her was utterly, keenly interested.

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