Page 212 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 1-4

Even after hours pursuing pleasure in his arms, first in the kitchen, then his bed and just half an hour ago in his black marble shower, she couldn’t drag her gaze from his nude splendour. Soft lamplight cast his body in shadowed bronze, defining every line and curve.

Part of her couldn’t believe she’d given herself to him. The other part couldn’t believe she’d forgotten how glorious he could make her feel.

She’d stumbled out of bed at the sound of her daughter mumbling, picked up by the baby monitor. At the time Dido had felt tired and sweetly sated, but now that tell-tale pulse quickened between her thighs as a wash of lush heat engulfed her.

She dragged her attention up to Panos’ questioning eyes. ‘She was just dreaming.’

He nodded and walked towards her. His long arms wrapped around her, drawing her against his muscled frame.

Dido knew she shouldn’t rest her head on his chest. Just as she knew she shouldn’t have fallen asleep in his arms. She feared developing a weakness for their easy intimacy.

Too late! Her body didn’t share her mind’s qualms. After years of loneliness, she ached for his touch. Resisting was impossible now.

She shifted closer, the scratchy hair on his chest teasing her cheek, the hot silky skin of his back inviting her hands to explore.

‘I woke and you were gone.’

Her brow wrinkled as she tried to decipher the emotion in his sleep-roughened voice.

Without thinking she turned her head and pressed a kiss to his chest. His arms tightened around her and it felt—as everything had done since they’d come together downstairs—just right. As if all were well in the world. For a moment she was dragged back to those heady days when she’d felt they had a golden future. So long ago now.

It was an illusion conjured by sexual satisfaction and a temporary release of the screaming tension she’d endured so long.

He draped an arm around her shoulders. ‘Come on. I’ll feed you and we can talk.’

Her heart dipped. It was easier not to talk. They got on better when they communicated only with their bodies. Talking would only set them at odds again. Unless, excitement stirred, perhaps now he’d listen to her.

She let him usher her out of the room. ‘Only if you put on some clothes.’ It would be difficult enough to hold a sensible conversation without being distracted by that hard, chiselled body.

He chuckled as he led her away. Chuckled! ‘There was I hoping you’d be naked for our midnight feast.’

Dido snapped her mouth closed before she could blurt out that he’d already feasted on her naked body. The memory made her squirm in appreciation, diverting thoughts from what lay ahead.

Yet, not for long. Instinct told her this was make-or-break time. If he didn’t believe her now…

* * *

Panos filled her glass from the jug of iced water, watching as she ate. He’d never felt comfortable sharing a meal with someone who toyed with their food rather than consuming it.

He tried to imagine Dido so ill she lost weight rather than gained it as her pregnancy progressed. Cold skittered across his skin despite the warm night air.

How dangerous had her illness been? Her passing reference to depression and potential kidney problems horrified him.

Yet she looked the epitome of good health with her flushed skin and halo of shining dark curls. She’d grabbed his discarded shirt when she went to Athena, rolling up the sleeves. It looked far better on her than him, skimming her thighs and her unfettered breasts, reminding him with every exhalation that she was naked beneath it.

But it wasn’t just how she looked that affected him. He felt proprietorial and deeply satisfied at the thought of her wearing his clothes.

This was more than admiration for a sexy woman. He’d never felt this way.

Was this why he’d been having doubts about his earlier actions? Sex alone shouldn’t change things. Yet with Dido his certainties weren’t as certain as they’d once been.

Because, with her, he felt so much. Sexual arousal mingled with a desire for her company. Sharing time with her, caring for their daughter together, evoked emotions he barely recognised. Dredged up ancient yearnings. For connection. Family.

‘Aren’t you going to eat anything more?’

Clear green eyes held his and warmth washed through him. Far from sating his desire, the last few hours had ramped up his hunger for her.

His hunger and his curiosity. And his feelings.