Page 175 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 1-4

Triumph filled him. Whatever her scheme here, she wanted him and she couldn’t hide that. His whole body thrummed, his pulse quick and heavy with anticipation.

Panos could almost taste her mouth. Would she yield sweetly, inviting him in, or would she be voracious, claiming the pleasure she knew he could give her?

As if either would make him forget what she really was!

How long would she make him wait when they both knew she was fighting her need for him? Their relationship had been short, but long enough for him to read her body if not her brain. He knew she hovered on the brink of capitulation. She might have duped him once but her physical passion had been genuine. He saw it now in her dilated eyes and parted lips.

His patience ebbed. He lifted his free hand and stroked a knuckle down her cheek, felt her tremble. And then…

She was gone, yanking her hand free and retreating till her back hit the full-length window, eyes wide as if in shock.

Panos was the one surprised. He’d felt her eagerness, her hunger. It was there still, trembling in the air between them like a silent scream of need.

She flattened her palms against the glass as if desperate for support. Her breasts rose and fell sharply. Did she have any idea how the clinging silk outlined her hardened nipples?

His groin was tight and heavy, so much so that he felt momentary regret at her retreat. It would have been satisfying if she’d shown her true colours.

He didn’t want her, he assured himself. But it was a reminder that he’d been celibate too long. He wanted…

No, you don’t want her. You want her gone.

‘Pack your bags,’ he growled, surprised at how his voice scraped. ‘Now. You leave in half an hour.’

She shook her head. ‘You might be rich and powerful but you can’t hide this.’

He frowned. ‘I have no intention of hiding anything, just getting rid of a nuisance.’

His chest was tight as if his lungs cramped and the churning in his belly betrayed how much the sight of her unsettled him. He hated that. Hated that though he’d excised her from his life, she still got under his skin.

‘She has to know the truth.’

Dragged out of his thoughts, Panos struggled for a second to follow the conversation. ‘Know what?’

‘That you’re married. That you can’t marry her.’

There was a roaring in his ears as he crossed the space between them in a couple of strides. His hands flexed as if wanting to reach for her, but he kept them at his sides.

‘We’re not married. We never were. You know that.’

Now he’d surprised her. She stared, her mouth dropping open.

He shook his head. ‘You really think I’d have spent the last three years married to you? After it became obvious why you’d latched onto me?’

He remembered her shining eyes, her vows, her excitement which at the time he’d put down to something akin to his own pleasure. But soon enough he’d discovered what really excited her was cold, hard cash. Nothing more.

‘It won’t wash, Ms Jones. You and I both know we aren’t married.’

‘Are you serious?’ She looked dazed. ‘I was never served divorce papers. There was nothing from your lawyers after…’

‘After they threatened to sue if you kept harassing me?’

It had taken a lot of work to make her desist. She was persistent, he’d give her that.

Suddenly he’d had enough. ‘We both know there was no need for divorce when the original marriage wasn’t legal.’

‘Of course it was legal. We got the paperwork.’

‘Married on a tiny Pacific island by the local headman? It might be good enough for local custom, but not to stand up in a court of law.’