Page 113 of Modern Romance December 2025 1-4

‘If that’s what you’d like, you’re most welcome. But,’ he cleared his throat, ‘I’m needed in Athens. Some important projects I need to oversee.’

There were always important projects and he’d set up his business so that he could work where it suited him most of the time. But she didn’t need to know that.

She folded a page of her notebook, fingers working busily. ‘You’re going to Athens?’

He looked away, to the coast and the village where only yesterday he’d experienced such joy. Iron bands wrapped his chest, constricting his lungs, hampering his breathing.

‘Initially. Then the USA and Asia.’ The trip wasn’t strictly necessary. But he needed to put distance between them. ‘I’ll be travelling for a while.’

‘You’re eager to get rid of me?’

The hurt in her voice brought instant denial to his lips, but he kept it in. ‘Not eager, Princess. But our time’s up. We have to return to our real lives.’

Fotis sensed her dismay but, true to type, only her agitated hands and rapid pulse betrayed her. And that invisible connection between them. Hefelther shock, her hurt.

‘You haven’t called me Princess in over a month.’

He shrugged, ignoring the pain shrieking through taut muscles. ‘If the shoe fits.’

‘What if I said I don’t want to go? I want to stay with you.’

‘That’s not possible.’

‘It’s not impossible, it’s a choice. Yours and mine. You’re saying you don’t want me with you? What we share means nothing to you?’

‘What we shared was beautiful.’ He locked his jaw for a second, needing to ensure she couldn’t read his inner struggle. ‘Now it’s over. It’s time to return to our own lives.’

Her gaze held his and despite everything, he didn’t want to look away. He was in so deep the prospect of separating hurt. Which reinforced the necessity to end this immediately.

Her soft hand covered his, stroking the ball of his thumb. ‘I disagree. I want to stay with you. I love you, Fotis.’

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

IN ROMANTIC STORIESI love youwas the catalyst for an answering declaration of love. The cue for a happy ending.

Good thing you’re not really a romantic, isn’t it?

Because instead Fotis stared, his mouth dropping open, before he shot to his feet and stalked away. Any faint hope that her announcement would prompt a similar one from him died.

He spun around, scowling down at her, that furrowed brow a perfect match for the dragon she’d drawn. Yet he didn’t look angry so much as perplexed. Stunned.

‘You really didn’t know?’

She wanted to stand and face him as an equal but her legs were wobbly, so she was stuck here, staring up at him.

Just as well. If you were on your feet you’d reach for him.

Would he feel that spark of passion ignite now? Rosamund had always believed it was something they shared equally. But could it be one-sided, like her feelings?

‘It’s not love, Rosa. It’s sex. And liking. You’ve been through a stressful time. Your emotions are—’

‘Don’t try to tell me what I’m feeling, Fotis.’

She loved him but he tried her patience. Was he wilfully blind? Did hereallynot feel this?

She forced her breathing to slow. ‘I mean what I say. I’m not prone to romantic dreams. Remember, I grew up knowing the reality behind the fairy-tale fantasy. Then my teenage love affair cured me of such yearnings.’

Or so she’d believed.