Page 190 of Modern Romance October 2025 5-8
But a hand on her wrist stopped Charlotte mid-step and a light tug had her turning back to face him.
His face was the very definition of ‘thunderclouds’ but she didn’t get why. Unless he was actuallyjealous? Jealousy, though, had no place in their relationship. They both knew that.
Then again, if she’d seen some gorgeous woman draped over him, eagerly hanging on his every word, she might have felt a stirring of that emotion despite what they’d promised each other. That was a normal biological impulse, she reasoned, as ancient as time itself.
‘I am not going to let you marry someone you barely know.’
‘You’re not going toletme?’ she repeated, voice squeaking.
He made no attempt at apology.
‘Dante, you don’t get to “let” me do anything.’
‘Want a bet?’
She stared at him, not comprehending.
‘If you are determined to go through with this—,’
‘Which I am—,’
His nostrils flared. ‘Then we’ll do it your way.’
Silence crashed around them. She stared up at him, her heart racing as she tried to understand what he was saying.
‘You’ve changed your mind? I thought you didn’t want to get married.’
‘Believe me, I don’t.’
She ignored the flicker of pain, familiar rejection crushing her insides, and straightened her spine. ‘Then fine, leave me alone.’ She pulled on her wrist but he didn’t let go. Instead, he pulled her closer, so she bumped right into his chest.
‘But I see no reason why us getting married has to fundamentally change the parameters of our relationship.’
Her heart stammered.
‘We have spent six months sleeping together and successfully avoided any emotional entanglement.’
‘Agreed.’
‘Then our marriage will be the same.’
Her heart slammed into her ribs. Every cell in her body began to tremble and shake.Married.It was something she’d sworn she’d never, ever do. Never love a guy. Never marry. But Dante was just talking about a continuation of what they already had. It was easy. Everything she wanted.
‘You’re saying yes?’
‘Provisionally, yes.’
‘Provisionally?’ she arched a brow, then made a show of looking around. ‘I need a firm answer. Because one way or another, I’m walking out of here with a husband tonight.’
His jaw visibly shifted as he ground his teeth. ‘You are walking out of here with me, tonight, Shaw.’
She arched a brow. ‘You seem to think you have a right to boss me around.’
His nostrils flared. ‘You’re asking me for a favour, I’m telling you how it will work.’
‘How, exactly?’
He looked around then, as if only just becoming aware of the attention they were drawing. ‘Not here. Let’s go back to my place where we can talk in privacy.’
