Page 64 of Modern Romance June 2025 5-8

Heat eddied in his belly, drawing tight and low, provoking anger at how easily she affected him.

‘My answer is no.’

She sat higher, fingers curling around the arms of her chair. Her mouth flattened, jaw tightening. And her eyes…they were slits of green fire, hot enough to scorch.

A childhood memory stirred. An old legend about the dragon that had haunted the high Alpine reaches of Prinzenberg. Not only could it breathe fire, but also turn to stone anyone foolish enough to meet its stare.

Benedikt breathed deeply, meeting that incendiary look. His pulse quickened as adrenaline pumped hard and he welcomed it, welcomed the surge of response. He told himself it was because, after months grappling with his father’s convoluted backroom deals and half-truths, he found honest dislike refreshing.

Bizarrely, her searing lookwasturning him to stone.

His lower body was weighted and hard. That sizzling gaze was like a hand stroking his skin, reminding him how long it had been since…

There was a rustle of silk as she rose. ‘In that case we’re finished here. I have an appointment with a constitutional lawyer tomorrow.’

Benedikt stood too, closer than he’d intended. Close enough to feel her heat and inhale her light floral scent. ‘Because you’re giving up your claim?’

Her fiery stare turned cool. ‘I didn’t come here to walk away empty-handed.’

Unfortunate but predictable.

‘Then you won’t walk away.’

Her gaze searched his and he had an uncanny sense of familiarity. But they’d never met before. He’d only seen her at a distance once in his youth.

‘Why are you looking at me like that?’

‘You don’t think you can drop that bombshell then stroll away?’ Benedikt shook his head. ‘Until the succession is clarified, you’ll stay here.’ His lips curved in a feral smile. ‘As my guest.’

CHAPTER FOUR

‘Are youthreateningme?’ Annalena hoped the quiver in her voice was anger.

He looked different, as if beneath his control lurked something untamed. His sharp smile contrasted with that heavy-lidded, almost lazy stare that she knew was anything but indolent. His tall frame almost hummed with energy.

‘Of course not. Threat implies something unreasonable.’ He folded his arms, making her even more aware of his height and the impressive breadth of his chest. ‘I’m sure you’ll agree I’ve been remarkably fair-minded in the circumstances.’

She considered reminding him it washisfault they’d got to this stage, by refusing to heed the information sent to him about the hydroelectric project. But a glance at that rigid jaw told her recriminations were pointless.

‘Once the confusion about your arrival was cleared up, you’ve been treated courteously. I listened to your story. I set in motion enquiries to verify or disprove it.’

So hehadtaken action to confirm it. Annalena didn’t know whether to be relieved or worried. Would his agents try to steal the original documents? Would they harass her grandmother?

‘Meanwhile you’ve enjoyed my hospitality and the company of an old friend.’

‘Only because you wanted to verify my identity.’

‘That too.’ He paused, his lowered eyebrows giving him a brooding look. Yet to her dismay even that didn’t mar his dark charisma, a charisma she didn’t want to notice. ‘Given your allegations about my father, my behaviour has been remarkably restrained.’

A micro expression flitted across his features. Repudiation? Who would want to believe their father was a murderer? For a moment she felt a surge of sympathy.

Automatically she opened her mouth to apologise for any distress caused, then realised how absurd that was. The truth wasn’t her fault and she wasn’t broadcasting it publicly. She was giving him the opportunity to deal with this behind closed doors.

‘Thank you for the meeting,’ she said through gritted teeth. ‘And the refreshments. But it’s time I left. We can speak when you’ve completed your enquiries.’

She was turning away when he spoke. He didn’t raise his voice. It was smooth, almost soft. ‘You really thinkthat’sreasonable behaviour, Annalena?’

Something tickled her spine as he said her name. It felt like the caress of a feather, drawing her flesh tight and making her insides quiver.

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