Page 53 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 5-8

I cry out again as he slides inside me. My body clamps down around him.

My whole life I’ve wanted to be needed, wanted for myself. Now, as we move together, our rhythm quickening and our hearts pounding, I know that whether or not Dominic and I ever have love, we’ll always have our passion, our mutual need to possess and be possessed by each other.

I peak again, Dominic kissing me to keep my screams quiet. I tighten my legs against his hips as he swells inside me moments before finding his own release.

I slump forward, leaning against his chest. He wraps his arms around me, lays his head on top of mine. My eyes drift shut as my breath comes out on a sigh.

This. I want more of this. Not just the sex, although I certainly would not mind if this became a part of our everyday. But I also want these moments where it’s just us, stripped bare by desire without any pretense or fears between us, letting our true selves show.

In this wonderful, blissful moment, I feel whole for the first time in years.

Dominic presses a kiss to my forehead. “We should get back.”

“Mm-hmm.”

His arms tighten around me a moment before he raises his head. “Let’s get you dressed.”

I stand and let the folds of my skirt fall and slip my arms into the straps before presenting my back to him.

“Tonight?”

He chuckles as he works on the buttons. “Are multiple rounds of lovemaking allowed in your condition?”

“Carmen, my doctor, strongly recommends it.”

He drops a kiss on my shoulder. “Then I’m yours all night, Princess.”

Chapter Eighteen

Dominic

The water is impossibly blue, the forest a deep emerald. And our over-the-water bungalow is surrounded by nearly one hundred acres of nothing but wildness. I surprised Sophaya by changing the honeymoon destination and sending a dummy plane to Thailand while we took a smaller private jet to St. Lucia. Even though international consensus was in our favor over the helicopter incident, with footage making the rounds and a public outcry going up around the world about the mistreatment Sophaya had suffered, I wasn’t taking any chances.

I walk out of our suite onto the deck. Sophaya is lying on a white chaise lounge, sunbathing in a red bikini. The last four days have been nothing short of incredible—snorkeling, massages, lounging on the beach. A butler from the resort comes in three times a day, delivering meals, performing light housekeeping and making sure we have everything we need. Other than that, we’re completely alone.

We’ve made love every night, as well as some mornings and afternoons. Her nausea is gone, seemingly replaced by a need that seems insatiable. A need I have no problem satisfying as I can’t get enough of her, either.

The woman I glimpsed in Venice is back, relaxed and happy as we luxuriate in our own little world. I draw closer and realize Sophaya has fallen asleep. I sit down on the edge of the chaise, reach out and trail my fingers down her back.

I can’t stop touching her. It’s as if every wall I struggled to maintain was knocked down the moment that helicopter thundered overhead. Wrapping my body around Sophaya, even as she used hers to shield an innocent child, put things in perspective for me. It’s been a week, but the thought of what could have happened—the possibility of losing her, losing the baby—still makes my chest burn.

I’ve enjoyed waking up to her in my arms, seeing the little moments I’ve missed out on with us living in separate quarters. Another thing to address with her before we head home. I’m not sure what the future will bring, but increasingly, I know that I want to have more with Sophaya. I want to get to know her better before the baby arrives.

It’s hard contemplating letting go, letting down my walls. Yet as I move my fingers over the blades of her shoulders, the curve of her spine, I can’t deny the small flicker of hope inside.

Her eyes flutter, then open. She smiles at me, a soft, genuine smile that hits me square in the chest. I know it can’t be forever. Royal duties will be awaiting us when we get back.

“Lunch is ready.”

She lets out a contented sigh. “Okay.”

We move over to the table overlooking the water. She sits down, completely comfortable in the tiny bikini. My eyes devour her as she picks up her fork and takes a bite of her seafood risotto. She lets out a soft murmur of contentment before sitting back and looking out over the water.

“I wish we could have more days like this.”

I pause. I hadn’t planned on bringing this up now, but she’s given me the natural opening. “How can we have more days like this?”

She looks back at me, blinks.