Page 26 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 1-4

The dress hugged her waist and then ended mid-thigh. It had a train extending from her waist and down to the ground. It was quirky and modern and in spite of her insecurities Hope loved it. She never really dressed up that much to go out, preferring to stay in. Loving when she had the flat to herself. Enjoying the silence after years of relative chaos moving around other people’s homes.

Or, she had loved that until she’d met Axel and had suddenly become aware that she could feel lonely. She shook her head at herself. She was being ridiculous.

She was reclaiming a bit of her youth. She felt excited at the thought of seeing Axel even though she knew it wasn’t appropriate. She liked it far too much when they had to touch in public.

The stylist had given her a diamond necklace and matching bracelet and earrings. And even though they were on the discreet side, Hope still felt as if she were blinging like a Christmas tree. But now Axel was waiting and she had to leave. She took a deep breath and made her way to the entrance hall like an unsteady foal in the vertiginous silver strappy sandals.

Chapter Five

Axel paced across the flagstoned floor as he waited for Hope. She’d disrupted his thoughts all day, so much so that he’d regretted not going into his office in town. He’d been aware of her not being in the house—while she’d been out shopping—and then he’d been aware of her when she’d returned. Cutting a meeting short to go and see her on some flimsy pretext of filling her in on the evening’s activities.

He couldn’t stop thinking about how she’d felt under his hands last night in Paris, or the things she came out with. She was so…blunt. Honest. Inquisitive. She was clearly intrigued by his world of cold parents, seismic deals and strategic relationships. He couldn’t help but feel that she pitied him in some way. A very novel experience for Axel, who was probably one of the most envied people on the planet.

And yet… She rubbed up against him, against that little kernel of dissatisfaction inside where he wondered if he’d feel sated, at peace, once he’d achieved all of his ambitions. And also where he felt an ache when he thought of Ares, his brother.

Ares was engaged to a queen. He would become a king, or something. And his business was off-the-charts successful. So much so that Axel knew that if Ares hadn’t been his brother, he’d already have called and requested the services of Drakos Security. They were the best at protection on a physical level but more importantly on a cyber level where the real threats were these days.

Hacking a company could do more damage than anything else.

So, his brother was clearly doing just fine…and yet Axel had thought about him more in the last few days than he had in a long time. Because of Hope’s curiosity and innocent questions. Or maybe not so innocent. Maybe her whole wide-eyed humble facade was a play. And maybe this had all been a huge mistake.

You approached her, reminded a voice. Yes, he had. Impetuously. And he was never impetuous.

But now that they had gone public, it would look even worse if Axel was to suddenly appear with another woman before the Baros party. In any case, he couldn’t envisage any other woman now except Hope.

And as if he had conjured her up by his imaginings, he heard a sound and looked up towards the stairs. Hope was standing at the top, and immediately the doubts faded. She came down the stairs towards him, careful in the heels. Axel couldn’t take his eyes off her bare legs, revealed in the electric-blue minidress.

She reached the bottom and walked towards him, taller in the heels. The colour of the dress made her eyes pop. Her hair was styled and swept back from her face. She looked cool and elegant and contemporary. Sexy. Her scent tickled his nostrils. Earthy tones. Geranium. And something sweet on top.

‘You look…stunning.’ Axel’s voice was hoarse. Why was he second-guessing himself when he never did? She was perfect.

He could see her bite her lip. She wasn’t used to compliments. Any other woman would be purring with satisfaction right now. Or eager to leave and get in front of the paparazzi. But she wasn’t.

‘I feel like I’m playing dress-up.’

‘You play at it very well,’ Axel responded, trying to bring his roaring blood under control.

‘So do you,’ Hope said, looking shy.

Axel couldn’t even remember what he’d changed into. He looked down. A white tuxedo jacket. Black trousers.

He said, ‘Ready?’

She took a breath and nodded and Axel had the strangest sensation of feeling proud of her for agreeing to enter into this media cauldron with him as he led her out to the waiting car.

* * *

Axel led Hope towards the throng in front of them on the red carpet and security moved people back. This was a far bigger deal than Paris. As soon as they were spotted shouts came quick and fast: Drakos! Who’s the mystery woman? Is it serious?

All Hope could do was cling on for dear life, pressing close to Axel. She knew she didn’t need to cling quite so tightly to him, or press that close, but she couldn’t help it.

Then she saw the massive billboard and said, ‘No way.’

‘No way, what?’ Axel looked down at her.

‘It’s the new Dunway movie.’

Axel couldn’t seem less interested. His face was set in serious lines as they battled the gauntlet of the press scrum. Hope’s eyes were bugging out of her head to see faces of people she’d watched on TV or the movies all her life right there in the flesh, mere feet away.