Page 222 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 1-4

She was torn between shock at how he’d read her thoughts again and some emotion she didn’t want to consider as she read his tenderness for their little girl.

‘No, you shouldn’t have.’ She wasn’t sure she could ever forget that.

He nodded. ‘We both want to be with her. We should both have a place in her life.’

Dido folded her arms. ‘That’s easier said than done.’

‘Is it? Surely there’s one simple solution. Marriage. Raising her together.’

Shock rocked her back in her seat as she goggled at him. Finally she choked out, ‘Marriage? After what we’ve been through?’

‘Exactly because of what we’ve been through. We want the same thing. Family. A stable home for Athena.’ He leaned forward. ‘But this time I know you, trust you. You know the worst of me and you have my word I’ll do whatever it takes never to be that man again. I’ll stand by you and support you.’

It was on the tip of her tongue to say she didn’t need his support. And she didn’t, but how many times had she wished she weren’t solo parenting?

‘Wouldn’t it be better to raise her together than shunting her between two homes?’

Dido tried to imagine waving her daughter goodbye for weeks, maybe months at a time, and couldn’t bear it.

‘But…marriage!’

He didn’t move closer but suddenly heat drenched her, meeting his eyes. ‘There’s chemistry between us, Dido, powerful chemistry. That’s never been an issue. It would be a plus if we married.’

An image filled her mind, of the pair of them making love on that remote Pacific island. Their bodies slick in the sultry afternoon heat as he took her to peak after peak before they finally hurtled to completion in each other’s arms. They’d shared such radiant pleasure.

But a large part of that pleasure had been in sharing herself with the man she believed herself fated to be with. The man who’d cherish, respect and support her through their lives together.

Yet you had sex with him here when he was your enemy. You still enjoyed every second.

Whatever her feelings for Panos, and right now she didn’t want to examine them, she couldn’t deny he was right about their combustible passion.

‘Marriage is about more than sex and raising a child.’

Or maybe raising more than one. With an active sex life… A shiver of unwanted excitement stirred deep inside but she quashed it.

‘It is. And I give my word to treat you with respect. We’d share decisions affecting Athena. You’d have money and the freedom to pursue your career if you want. I can—’

‘I don’t want your money.’

He nodded, his expression somewhere between rueful and pained. ‘I know. Yet as my wife you’d be entitled.’ He paused. ‘Think about it, Dido. I won’t pressure you. I promise not to do that again. But we need to find a way forward.’

Reluctantly she nodded. ‘I’ll think about it.’

At least he’s not pretending to feel more for you than he does. He’s not wooing with romantic words and gestures.

Dido pulled in a deep breath and turned to look at her daughter, reminding herself that Athena… Theeny was what really mattered.

* * *

Over the next few days their relationship subtly altered.

She told herself she’d reserve judgement about Panos and his shocking proposition, yet something fundamental had already shifted in her. For so long she’d been tense, constantly wary around him. Now that eased.

Because he’d changed, or perhaps he’d simply torn down the barriers that had kept her at a distance. Yet he was careful not to push her. They spoke about Athena every day but not custody. Having suggested marriage, he didn’t mention it again, leaving her to consider her options.

Given his past actions, that alone would have impressed her. But there was more. Every day Panos opened up more about his life. She gained the sense of a man who wasn’t intrinsically bad.

Above all she believed in his love for Athena.