Page 57 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

Portia heard herself cry out something, heard him whisper her name in a voice that didn’t sound like his. Then there was nothing but his frantic pulsing inside her, the shuddering, wonderful release of her body and rapture engulfed her.

CHAPTER FIVE

‘HELLO,PORTIAOAKHURSTSPEAKING.’

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, a pause just long enough for instinct to tighten her skin and snag her breath.

Then a smooth, deep voice purred in her ear. ‘Portia. I’m pleased to catch you at your desk.’

She sagged back in her chair, trying and failing to control her galloping pulse.

It had been three weeks almost to the day since she’d seen Lex. She’d walked out of his hotel late that Saturday morning without a backward glance, telling herself there’d be no regrets. That night of fantastic sex had finally burnt out the last remnants of her feelings for him.

She’d told him the truth about the day they’d parted, that she hadn’t deserted him, and he’d accepted it easily. Because the feelings they’d once shared were long dead. Now, she’d told herself, she could move on and fully put the past behind her.

But for three weeks she’d started every time the telephone rang. Every time she saw a tall man in a leather jacket. Every time she glimpsed unruly dark curls and a squared jaw. The thought of running into Lex kept her on edge, half fearing and half wishing he’d seek her out.

And here he was, calling her at work. ‘Lex, what a surprise.’ She waited but he didn’t fill the silence. Her hand tightened around the phone. ‘Are you ringing about an upcoming auction?’

This time his silence had a sizzling quality to it. As of annoyance barely held in check.

‘Don’t insult our intelligence by even pretending to think that, Portia.’

Did he deliberately drop his voice as he said her name, making it drawl so low she felt it scrape through her pelvis?

She sighed and tugged her earlobe. So much for pretence. He knew too much about her.

And you know a lot about him. Especially how he likes his sex.

The needy clench of her body reminded her she was nowhere near immune.

Portia looked towards the open door but there was no one nearby. ‘Why did you ring, Lex?’

‘Why do you think?’

She chewed her bottom lip and reminded herself it wasn’t for the pleasure of her company.

‘I don’t have time for a game of twenty questions. I have work to do.’

‘But not on the weekend.’

The silence thrummed with the heavy beat of her pulse. It was Thursday. Was he asking her to spend time with him this weekend?

‘No, I have other things planned.’ Like grocery shopping and cleaning the oven in her small shared flat.

Boring thingssaid a voice in her head.

But sensible and safe.

‘I’m flying to London soon. Can I tempt you to spend the weekend with me? I know a place outside London I think you’ll like.’

Portia put her hand to her chest, trying to still her racing heart. He was right, itwastempting.

That night three weeks ago would, she knew, be emblazoned on her memory for life. The sort of memory she’d take out and dream over when her bones grew arthritic and her body bent. Or probably long before that, because she suspected whatever her future held, there’d be little to compare with the ecstasy, the sheer vibrant joy, she’d experienced with Lex.

That’s because you’ve never let another man into your life the way you let him in. Now that part of your life is over.

Portia grimaced. That was why she had to say no.

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