Page 124 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 1-4

CHAPTER FIVE

THE FLICKERING OF flames had always been soothing to Astrid. She tilted her face towards the fire, enjoying the play of golden light against the ceiling, wondering if it only appeared so vivid because something new and wonderful had just played out for her.

She shifted as much as she could with the weight of Javier’s body on hers, naked skin to naked skin, muscle and sinew against her softness. Her fingers moved to idly run over his back. Strange that she’d been nervous to touch him earlier, almost uncertain if she were permitted, and now, only minutes later really, she ran her hands over him as though it were her birthright.

He pushed himself up onto one elbow, removing the pleasure of his weight. She wanted to cry out because there was something so addictive about having him there. His eyes roamed over hers, as though he were reading her for cues. Reading her like an open book.

Only Astrid didn’t want to be read.

She didn’t know what he’d see, if he looked too closely.

She needed a moment to compose herself, to remember who she was, to anchor herself back to reality. She couldn’t do that when he was looking at her with such obvious attention.

His fingers moved to her cheek, stroking her gently, but gentle was the last thing she wanted. Gentle was to risk the unravelling of even more of her boundaries, the guarding she did so carefully of her inner sanctum, her core, her heart. Gentle was a disaster and it sure as heck wasn’t what she expected from Javier Diamandi.

Hadn’t she let this happen with him because of his power and dynamism? Because he seemed like someone who could seduce a woman and walk away without a backwards glance?

‘That was wonderful,’ she said, honestly, her tone of voice very familiar to her. It was the way she might address the prime minister after a speech, or a doctor, opening a new hospital ward. It was congratulatory and cool, drawn not from her heart but from her head. The coldness made her flinch inwardly, even as she was glad to be back to normal. ‘Thank you so much.’

Also appropriate.

For as much as the intimacy and raw passion of what they’d just done unnerved her, she didn’t regret it. Not as much as she would have regretted not coming here, anyway.

Who knew what kind of sex life she’d have when she was married? Chemistry was very low down on the list of considerations she was bringing to bear in choosing a husband. Instead, her emphasis was on compatibility and calmness. She wanted to find a man who’d be as undemanding as he would be uninvolved.

Having one wild, runaway sexual encounter made it easier to accept the reality she was staring down the barrel of.

‘You’re welcome, Your Majesty.’ And despite the way her voice had been pushing him away, when he did actually move to separate from her, she felt a rush of regret and a burst of longing. A desire to beg him to come back. Instead, she watched silently as he stood and strode across the enormous room, towards a wide, high-ceilinged corridor, and disappeared through it.

Being naked on the lush rug in front of the fire had seemed fine when Javier was lying on top of her, but now that he’d left, self-consciousness crept in, as well as a comprehension of how antithetical this was to her usual state of play.

She’d got what she came for, she really should get dressed and leave. Except…her skirt. It hit her like a lead balloon that she could hardly leave in the same outfit and Javier was not likely to have anything she could wear back to the palace.

Anja would have to bring something to her, which meant Anja knowing where she’d been and with whom. Nonetheless, it couldn’t be helped.

Astrid sat up and reached for her underpants in one motion, and was about to draw them up her legs when Javier reappeared, naked except for the towel he had wrapped around his hips and slung low. The crisp white was of stark contrast to the deep tan of his skin.

Something had changed and the sensual fog that had consumed her was dissipating, leaving Astrid with an increasing sense of not belonging. Of needing to leave.

He moved towards her with an intent in his eyes that had everything skittering though. She went to pull on her underpants but his voice stilled her.

‘I wouldn’t bother.’

Her eyes flew to his.

‘Did you really think we were done?’

Her pulse leaped into her throat.

‘Oh, Your Majesty,’ he tsked, crossing the room and standing right beside her, lowering a hand for her to hold. ‘That was just the beginning.’

Her jaw dropped as temptation flared to life once more. But Astrid was returning to herself, the woman who was always in control, who prided herself on being able to keep everything and everyone at bay.

‘I should go.’

‘Should you?’

She swallowed past a thickened throat and nodded slowly, even as she put her hand in his.