Page 67 of Modern Romance October 2025 5-8
‘I’ll see you to your room.’
Stella’s head whipped around in surprise, excitement jolting through her. Did he mean…?
Bright eyes locked on hers as they reached the porticoed entrance. ‘After that I have a couple of late calls to make, but I was brought up to see a woman safely to her door.’
Her tentative smile froze as she struggled not to reveal disappointment.
Would you really have invited a stranger into your room?
But Gio didn’t feel like a stranger. She’d never taken to anyone the way she had to him. He’d been the perfect companion.
You’re attracted to him. You get breathless at the accidental brush of his hand. You’ve spent half the day wondering how that hand would feel, exploring your body.
They’d stopped and his gaze sharpened. ‘Stella?’
Her face flamed. What did he see there? ‘Of course I don’t mind. That’s very…kind.’
The elegant lobby was quiet but for smiling staff who kept a discreet distance. All too soon she and Gio emerged on the second floor. ‘This is me.’
She winced at her artificially high voice, as if she tried too hard to sound nonchalant. But Gio didn’t seem to notice, just nodded and followed her.
Despite her knowing he was simply seeing her to her door, her body hadn’t got the message. Her heart beat quicker, her flesh tingling down one side, responding to his nearness.
It was one thing to walk with Gio outdoors. It felt different, intimate, in the hushed corridor. His shoulders seemed broader, his arm closer and again she caught a drift of cedar and lemon on warm male skin that made her insides squirm with delight.
Stop it, stop it, stop it.
‘Mine’s the last room,’ she murmured as they passed yet another door. The corridor hadn’t been this long earlier. Finally they reached the end and she didn’t know whether to be glad or disappointed.
She fumbled for her key card, holding it up and fixing on a smile. ‘So, again, thank you, Gio.’
His expression caught her breath.
Did he look…disappointed? Those silvery eyes blazed down at her, his sculpted face taut with what looked like expectation.
Excitement clawed her chest. Perhaps the attraction wasn’t one-sided!
Even if it’s not, you’ve only known him a few hours.
Of course she wouldn’t invite him in, under normal circumstances. But today wasn’t normal. Today was better than any normal she’d known, because of Gio.
Her fingers wrapped around the keycard until its edges threatened her circulation and logic reasserted itself. This was out of character. The attraction might be real and more intense than anything she’d ever felt but she couldn’t trust her judgement. What if her response to Gio was because she was desperate for solace after her father’s harsh demands?
She’d never felt this incredible rush of attraction to a man. Never felt the coiling urgency in her belly or the softening between her thighs from a single, searing look.
‘I told you, there’s no need for thanks, Stella. I enjoyed myself.’
Did he move closer? Her breath quickened. No man had ever regarded her so intently, as if wanting to learn everything about her, or committing her to memory.
His gaze grazed her skin, making it tingle. It roved her features, slowing at her lips that parted in response, then lifted to her eyes.
Something jolted through her, making her body hum. Stella’s heart thundered as she waited, willing him to move closer.
That bright gaze dropped again to her mouth and she realised she’d licked her bottom lip. She could almost feel his mouth on hers.
‘I—’
‘Goodnight, Stella. I’d better make those calls.’
