Page 87 of Modern Romance May 2026 Books 1-4
Her hands threaded through his hair, holding him close.
‘Youalwayssee me,’ she whispered. ‘Always please me.’
Her words reverberated so deeply within him that he had to kiss her to stop their impact. But then her kiss sliced to his soul. And as he stroked, euphoria shuddered through her. He watched, ripped apart as she came hard, treasuring the vulnerability she displayed with him. This wasn’t just sex; this was…impossible.
He couldn’t let this matter this much. And he couldn’t hold her like this forever.
Silently, he held her as the violence of her orgasm eased. Then she pushed back, tugging the silk back down.
‘I can’t believe I have to face people.’ The flush in her cheeks deepened.
‘You look stunning.’
There were more cameras than he expected. Members of the public with their phones up, video on. She bit her lip and stepped behind him. He wrapped his arm around her and drew her closer to mutter almost angrily in her ear. ‘I’m not ashamed of you, Lily. I don’t care who your parents are or what they have or haven’t done.’
And he’d bought their silence to ensure her security. He would tell her that when they were alone again. She probably wouldn’t be pleased. But sheneverought to want to hide. She deserved so muchmorethan that.
He was the one stained in everlasting shame. He grabbed her hand tightly, hiding his own shaking fingers.
Lily wasn’t sure quite how she got up to the venue. Her legs had stopped trembling, but her heart was racing faster than a roadster on a hot lap. What had just happened? Why had that just happened? What was hethinking?
Bad things happen.
Had he actually meant that herleavingwould be bad? Had he been that bothered? Because it seemed like he had. It seemed as if he’d suddenly dropped his facade and shown he cared. Did he, though? Could she believe that?
‘Please, meet my partner, Lily.’ Massimo smoothly introduced her to someone.
‘Partner?’ Lily echoed as they moved deeper into the room, trying to make light of it when in reality the prospect struck too deep. ‘Is that you soft launching us?’
‘That dress is no soft launch and you know it.’
What she’d thought she’d known was that there could be nous. Except within the past hour something seemed to have changed within Massimo. There was something wild and reckless about him and she couldn’t quite keep up.
‘Are you ready to dance with me?’ He ran his fingers lightly down the side of her face.
Maybe it was only a thoughtless movement from him, but it felt like so much more for her. He pulled her straight onto the dance floor and into his arms. Because of course she followed. And of course he could dance—how was that possible when all he did was work? But he was lithe and graceful and quick. She was instantly lost in the heat, the fast beat, the glittering intensity in his eyes and that flash of a too-rare wide smile. She didn’t want the moment to end. Dancing high enough to almost touch the sky, it was what dreams were made of.
But it was hot. Too hot.
‘You need a drink?’ he asked.
‘Please.’ She nodded, breathless. ‘I’ll wait here.’
By a fan funnelling blessedly cool air in her direction. She gazed across the skyline, taking in the light show flickering across several buildings and the vast expanse of water stretching for miles beyond. Then she turned and took in the polished and stunning dresses so many of the women were wearing. Distracted, she wondered why Massimo had reacted as weirdly as he had when he’d thought she’d left. Why he’d suddenly seemed to cut loose now. Very hot and dangerously happy, she was just getting her heart rate back to normal when Emiliano materialised in front of her.
‘Ciao, Lily!’ He beamed at her.
‘Hi.’ She gaped, then stammered thoughtlessly. ‘I didn’t know you’d be here tonight.’
He nodded affably. ‘I holidayed in Japan, then came back for this before heading home.’
She pressed her hand to her chest, trying to stop her heart from thumping right out of it. She’d not expected anyone from Hearnshawe to be present tonight. Massimo can’t have known, either, or he would have warned her, right? Or perhaps hehadknown and hadn’t said anything because then she wouldn’t have agreed to come. She glanced across the bar. She didn’t see any other Hearnshawe people about, and an imperious-looking trio of businessmen had Massimo cornered.
‘Congratulations on your podium.’ She made herself focus on Emiliano. Honestly, she was curious about him. He’d spent his entire teen years under Massimo’s roof and she wondered how close they were. ‘May it be the first of many in P1.’
‘Yes, indeed.’ He nodded, all confidence. ‘You arrived with Massimo, sì?’ His smile broadened. ‘Now I know why I’m not allowed to talk to you in the garage.’
‘What? You’re not what?’
