Page 162 of Modern Romance Collection March 2025 (1-4)

She simply stared at him, the vulnerability in her eyes crucifying him all over again.

‘After the photos went viral,’ he continued, because he could see she was struggling to understand her own reactions at this point, ‘I figured the last person you would want to talk to was me, given that I was the one who had made you a target in the first place.’

Instead of agreeing with him, though, as he had expected, she frowned, then stared down at her hands, which were clasped so tightly in her lap the knuckles had whitened.

She huffed out an unsteady breath. ‘This mess isn’t your fault, Rene,’ she said so softly he almost didn’t hear her. ‘I may want to blame you for a lot of things, but you’re not responsible for what unconscionable people choose to do for a living.’

He thought of all the times he had been caught in compromising positions before that night four years ago—the excessive drinking and partying once his father was gone, and the endless round of beautiful women he’d had on his arm in the years since, to try and force Mel from his mind. And he knew she was being naïve about his role in this debacle, and far too forgiving.

He tucked a knuckle under her chin, tipped her gaze up to his. ‘I’ve been a target my whole life, Melody. I knew the score. I should have protected you from them and I didn’t.’

She blinked slowly, her expression unsettled and even more unsure. ‘That’s not your job,’ she said softly.

Yeah, it is, he thought but didn’t say, because he knew it would only exacerbate her stubborn streak.

The soft rap on the window had them both tensing, before he realised the car had stopped moving.

‘Your Majesty, we have arrived at the hangar,’ his flight attendant said, who stood by the car. ‘Are you ready to board?’

‘Just a minute,’ he said.

He turned to Mel, who looked flustered now, and still hopelessly confused. Time to push his advantage.

‘Come with me, Mel,’ he said, determined to use the carrot first, and at least make itsoundlike a question, before he made any more demands. After all, he already knew Mel did not respond well to the stick. ‘We can’t do a reliable test for at least ten days, according to the obstetrician I contacted. By which time my legal team will have hopefully had some luck having the photos taken down.’

She took another deep breath, her indecision clear. But at least it wasn’t an immediate no.

‘Can you stop the press release saying we’re engaged? It’s not true and it feels dishonest to pretend it is,’ she said. ‘And I’m perfectly capable of protecting my own reputation.’

Frustration and even hurt twisted in his gut.

‘No, I’m afraid not,’ he said smoothly. He’d be damned if he would take her away now, only to leave her even more exposed to prurient speculation when they returned. Plus, there was a chance shecouldbe pregnant, in which case he had every intention of making the engagement a real one. ‘A select number of journalists have already been briefed.’

She sighed. ‘I really wish you hadn’t done that…’ she managed, and he found his temper kicking in. Why was she so damned determinednotto announce an engagement? If she was carrying his child, marriage would be afait accompli. Surely she knew enough about royalty and how it worked to understand that.

‘Isn’t it going to make things even more complicated when we return and we have to announce the engagement’s off?’ she offered.

‘We’ll deal with that situation when we know you’re not pregnant,’ he said curtly.

Her frown deepened, but she didn’t reply. At least she wasn’t going to argue the point right now.

More progress.

‘What exactly are we supposed to do on this island for ten days?’ she asked.

He laughed, he couldn’t help it, the tension in his gut releasing, while the familiar heat spiked. ‘The place is an island paradise. Fully staffed, with perfect weather at this time of year. There’s swimming and snorkelling, sailing and some great hiking trails… And if none of that appeals to you—’ he paused, going in for the kill ‘—I’m sure we can think of something else to amuse ourselves.’

He wasn’t about to pressure her into having sex with him. But denying their chemistry had already got them into a world of trouble over the last four years… And he saw no reason not to take the opportunity this break offered to finally deal with this insane physical attraction. After all, they’d both been without sex for four years, which was precisely why they’d been unable to keep their hands off each other in the cabin. At least now they would be fully conscious and not under stress, so they could make informed decisions about how to proceed—while preventing any other unforeseen mishaps if they chose to indulge themselves. And didn’t they deserve the release good sex could bring, after the emotional rollercoaster they’d both been on in the past week? Not to mention denying themselves for four years!

Cupping her cheek, he ran his thumb over her lips, rewarded when she didn’t pull away, and awareness darkened her eyes.

Her breath caught on a sensual sob.

‘I need an answer, Melody,’ he pressed. ‘Are you coming with me or not? Or do you want to continue arguing? Because we both know how that is likely to end,’ he finished, his voice becoming huskier by the second.

She eased away from his touch, but he could already see the answer in her eyes. And heat pulsed in his groin.

‘Okay, I’ll come,’ she said, still frowning. ‘But only because I really don’t have a lot of alternatives—and I don’t want to put the people I love in the firing line.’

---