Page 89 of Modern Romance March 2025 (5-8)

He grazes his teeth against the dip in my shoulder, reignites the fire. I embrace it, letting my head drop back as I focus on the physical sensations.

His fingers slide up my neck and into my hair a moment before he turns my head. He kisses me again, a searing kiss I feel in every nerve ending in my body.

And then he pulls back.

“Is that it?”

He chuckles. “For now.”

Disappointment chases away some of my contentment. “But…that was just a kiss.”

One brow climbs up. “If that only ranks as just a kiss, I’m going to have to improve on my technique.”

I lightly thump his chest with my fist. “You know it was good.”

“Good,” he repeats with slight disdain. “I prefer the best.”

“Given that you’re the only man who’s truly kissed me, you are the best.”

“Minus my brother.”

I roll my eyes. “I never should have told you that.”

“I’ll have to remind him to keep his lips off my wife the next time I see him.”

His teasing words have the opposite effect. He says “my wife” so casually. Yet in just a few months, we’ll be divorced.

“Well,” I say, striving for a light tone as I slide off his lap, “if that’s all for tonight, I’m going to go to bed.”

I avoid his gaze as I reach for my crutches. He waits until I’m standing before he speaks.

“Tessa.”

I swallow hard before I look at him, trying to project a confidence I don’t feel. “Yes?”

“We can stop this at any time.”

He stands, sliding his hands into his pockets. The fire is gone, replaced by the familiar ice I’m accustomed to. The lover has disappeared. In his place stands the billionaire developer who can switch feelings on and off in the blink of an eye.

I knew what I was getting into when I proposed this. Just like I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to marry Rafe. I ran away then. I’m not going to run away now.

I raise my chin up and smile. “I know. I’m enjoying myself. Hopefully you are, too.”

“Yes. But this isn’t about me.” He advances toward me. “You’re upset.”

I shake my head, dislodging more of my hair from its updo. “No.”

“No lies, Tessa.” His hand comes up, then falls back to his side. “Not to me. Not to yourself. Arrangements only work if both parties are honest with each other.”

Arrangement.A cold word. Businesslike. One that yanks me out of the emotional quagmire I’ve stumbled into and pulls me back to reality. There is nothing waiting for me on the other side of this. Not with Rafe, anyway.

But if I can keep my head, if I can enjoy what he’s offering, explore my sexuality with someone I trust, there’s only endless possibility waiting for me at the end.

“I want to be here, Rafe. I’ll tell you if that changes.”

I turn and walk away.

CHAPTER NINE

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