Page 59 of Modern Romance May 2026 Books 1-4
‘You’re late,’ he muttered.
‘What?’ Stunned he’d materialised just as she’d thought of him, she struggled to understand. ‘I’mwhat?’
‘Late.’His tone censured her and something like reproach burned in the backs of his eyes.
He thought she was late to the party, but she was also late in a deeply personal way. How could she not have realised sooner? Now she gaped as the horrifying truth hit. She’d dismissed it as travel sickness. That her fatigue was simply stress. But this wasn’t a bug, this was a baby.
No!
‘I thought you weren’t coming,’ he added huskily.
She blinked. She was freaking herself out. She went through irregular patches. They’d used protection. She was overcooked by the heat and delirium had set in.
His bright blue eyes bored into her with concern he had no right to feel. Thatshehad no right to appreciate. Trying not to react, she dropped her gaze only to drink in his hewn physique. In the pale linen he looked impossibly cool and she was almost overcome by the yearning to lean against him. Her nipples tightened. Her body didn’t care about what her brain was computing. Her body just wanted his—like an animal recognising her mate.
‘Lily?’ His hands tightened again. ‘You’re not feeling better, are you?’
Her gaze shot back to his. How did he know she’d been feeling off colour? Had Shane told him?
‘You fell asleep before the last race—you’re working too hard.’
How did he know aboutthat? Completely mute, she shook her head, never as mortified. She wasn’tweak. She was—
‘Are you sure you’re well enough to be here?’
He was right in front of her and she was reacting in the most inappropriate manner imaginable. It was as if he’d been imprinted on her in a purely animal way. Before she’d known who he was, she’d felt him, she’d let him in and that part of her was now so thrilled to see him she was basically a molten puddle at his feet.
‘Don’t you want me to be here?’ she asked.
‘Not if you’re unwell.’ He frowned and actually put the back of his hand to her forehead. ‘You’re flushed.’
Because she gothotaround him! And she had to get away from him now. ‘My health isn’t any of your business.’
Except maybe part of it was. She lost her ability to breathe and focused on fury instead. Why was he here? Why was he breaking their fifteen-feet-away agreement? Overcharged and overwhelmed, every emotion overtook her.
‘Lily, you’re not—’
‘I’m fine,’ she snapped, her words hurtling faster than the cars on track. ‘In fact, I’m more than fine. In fact, I think I’mpregnant.’
Time stopped as he stared into her face. Reading her rage, herblame. And while she’d been exhausted a second ago, now she was invigorated. His presence—his proximity—was suddenly like a shot in the arm. She pushed away from him and turned. Too late, she saw the people. Mechanics, engineers, marketing team—all with glasses and platters and this was a horrifically public setting in which to have a deeply private conversation. She couldn’t be seen talking intimately with the CE Bloody O! There was no reason for her ever to talk with him. Had anyone elseheardher? She blinked furiously as her vision muddied, multiplying the number of people around her until they looked like a drunken choir of judgemental bystanders.
Massimo grabbed her hand and walked her in another direction, the rapidity of his movements conveying the strength of his emotions. She was so stunned she was just swept along; she didn’t even see where they were going. All she knew was that it was suddenly, blessedly cooler.
‘Forgive me. You’ll need to get the next one,’ he growled as they passed a group of people. ‘She needs cool air and space.’
‘What are you doing? Where—’
Lily broke off as she saw the door had closed and they were alone in a glass compartment. She gasped as the compartment moved, leaving that pile of people behind. He’d taken her into the Singapore Flyer—the enormous Ferris wheel with the stunning views of Singapore city that she’d not had the chance to check out yet. But they were trapped for the next twenty minutes or more and his high-handed behaviour was appalling. ‘Loadsof people could fit in here, but you’re spoilt enough to take one entirely to yourself?’
‘I’m not by myself. You’re here with me. And you do need space.’
This was an argument easier to face than the one that really mattered. ‘They’ve beenqueuing—’
‘Not for that long. This is a private event.’
He’d caused a scene and she was mortified and definitely didn’t want to consider what she’d so brainlessly blurted. ‘You made me look weak in front of everyone.’
‘Right now youareweak. Sit down before you fall down. Your face is whiter than your dress.’
