Page 62 of Modern Romance May 2026 Books 1-4
‘What is this, the nineteen-hundreds?’ she questioned scathingly. ‘You don’t need to save my reputation and certainly not the baby’s. The child can take your name but I don’t want to. And you certainly don’t need to feel as if you have to befully involved.’
Had she heard his underlying discomfort at the prospect of paternity?
‘Don’t feel as if you have to do theright thingby me.’ Her caustic words confirmed his suspicion. ‘I can manage on my own just fine. I don’t want a cent of your money.’
‘Why? Is it somehow worth less than other money?’ he muttered, his anger easing the more hers was roused. ‘You have several million of your own hidden away? An offshore account?’
‘Don’t be facetious.’ She tossed her head up defiantly. ‘I don’t need it and I don’t want it.’
She was a petite, ferociously independent lioness but she was still pale andtrembling. What the hell was he doing fighting with her? Why was he bullying her with a rear-guard random proposal he wanted as little as she?
Guilt hit. A whole bunch of contrary emotions chopped up his insides. This situation was abominable. He couldn’t understand how the hell any of it had happened. He stared while she gleamed like a furious damned diamond in the flickering lights. Gold flecks sparkled in her eyes. Energy streamed from her, merging with the electricity thrumming through him. He wanted to forget it all. To press close and hit oblivion with her. But he couldn’t. He had to explain.
‘I was born before my parents married. It led to some issues.’ He wasn’t having this child face any doubts over lineage. Nor did he want it to suffer from the family pressure and ironically, it was safer to protect it fromwithinthe family fold. It would mean Massimo could actually keep a better distance. He had a knack for employing very good staff. He’d been able to protect Emiliano well enough that way; he would do the same for this child. And for Lily herself. Becausehecouldn’t gettooclose. He would fail if he got too close, just as he’d failed his parents. He’d failed his baby brother.
‘I’m sorry you experienced issuesyears ago,’ she said sarcastically. ‘But theworldhas changed.’
He smiled bitterly. ‘Notmyworld. Legitimacy matters. Especially for a family like mine. This child must be seen as my rightful heir.’
‘To your great empire?’ Weirdly, she whitened all over again. ‘You have no idea whoIam. No idea where I’ve come from.’
‘I know you’re a hard worker. You’re focused. You’re driven. You wouldn’t be working in P1 Global if you weren’t and certainly not for Hearnshawe Racing. That you’ve been selected and successfully working for us tells me all I need to know.’
She didn’t take it as a compliment. ‘Because only thebestwork for you?’
He nodded, unashamedly. ‘We can work out any other problems as they arise.’
‘You’re not listening to me. You’re ludicrously wealthy. I’m not.’ She stiffened. ‘I’m not from a suitable background.’
‘What is this, the nineteen-hundreds?’ he mocked. ‘Class and social division are irrelevant.’
‘Because you say so? Yet, some old-fashioned notion about illegitimacy is important enough to wreck both our lives? You really do live in another world, don’t you?’
Yes, maybe he did.
‘Can there be no conversation, no compromise possible?’ She registered his implacability. ‘No. You’ve gone straight to dictator mode. Well, you’re going to have to level up even more and go full gangster to get your wish.’ She goaded him. ‘Go on, steal my passport. Gag me and drag me up the aisle. Drug me. That’s what it’s going to take because there is nothing you can do or say that would make me agree to marry you.’
He suddenly smiled, enjoying her rebellion. ‘I think I can convince you. I’ve gotten you to say yes before. I’ve gotten you to scream it.’
‘You want to seduce me into doing your bidding? Go right ahead—screw me till I can’t stand. You have my full permission to touch me wherever, however, you want.’
She was outrageous fire and determination. She ran so hot so quick and he relished the pure provocative challenge she’d just thrown at him. Somehow, this had gone off course, but he recognised her steely beauty. She wasn’t backing down. Nor was he. Breathless, furious, he was desperate to touch her again and avoid thinking about everything else.
‘Thank you for that,’ he growled. ‘I won’t forget.’
‘No problem.’ She tossed her chin up and whispered in his ear, so tantalisingly close. ‘But I willneversay yes to marrying you.’
‘Never say never, Lily.’
As much as he wanted to sweep his hands over her body and make her shake, they were in a glass cage. As it was he was too close to her for comfort given the occupants of the opposite compartments could see their silhouettes. He could use that fact, of course. Publicly confirm their relationship, but if he touched her now, he mightn’t be able to stop. Yet, nor could he step back.
An agonised expression flickered in her eyes. Triumph surged, tempting him even more. Oh how he ached to wreak vengeance on her for holding him at such lengths for so long.He’dbeen trying so hard to be good for freaking ever. He’d burned with frustration and now she was finally here, clearly as drawn to him as he was to her and he was so close to losing control. But this was no longer about just the two of them. There was something more important to consider. More terrifying.
‘I can’t indulge you here, darling.’ He forced himself to move. Away.
Her eyes widened with surprise and she ducked her head.
‘We’re nearly back down.’ Her voice caught. ‘I’ll go back to the hotel and find out for sure.’
