Page 57 of Modern Romance December 2025 1-4

His scrutiny intensified, those uniquely coloured eyes regarding her with a laser focus that scraped her skin.

Annoying man, but clever. He knows there’s something going on behind the smile.

That made two of them. She could almost hear the wheels turning in that arrogant head of his.

‘So, are we done here, Mr Mavridis?’

He nodded. ‘As long as you’ll obey me, we’re done.’ He turned away without waiting for an answer.

Obey!‘There’s just one thing,’ she murmured. ‘You didn’t ask ifIhad any ground rules.’

Satisfaction was a pleasing glow as those broad shoulders stiffened. She wondered if he’d pretend he hadn’t heard and simply walk away. But slowly he turned.

‘And you have ground rules, of course.’

He didn’t grimace but his tone spoke of barely contained patience. What was he expecting? A request that they detour so she could shop for designer handbags? A demand for vintage champagne in the limo? A coy request that they not get too close when they pretended to be a couple in public?

As if she had any fears on that score! Whatever this man’s weakness was, it wasn’t her. He looked like he could barely stand her presence.

What a relief.

‘Just one.’ Rosamond waited long enough for him to raise his eyebrows at the delay. Good. She had his full attention. ‘Courtesy, Mr Mavridis. It’s non-negotiable. You might be in charge, as you so succinctly put it, but I expect to be consulted, not ordered. You might not think much of life’s little courtesies. Greetings, please and thank you. But most people prefer to be treated with respect. I’m one of them.

‘Besides, if we want the public to believe you’re my companion rather than my bodyguard, you’ll need to practise politeness, with me and the people we meet.’

‘And you’ll reciprocate?’

Rosamund picked up her bag and straightened her jacket. ‘Of course. Haven’t you noticed?’ She moved past him towards the door. ‘If I weren’t polite I’d have already mentioned you’re the most arrogant, objectionable man I’ve met in a long time.’ She paused to look over her shoulder into his narrowed stare. ‘Shall we go?’

CHAPTER TWO

FOTIS FROWNED, REPLAYINGher parting words at the plane.

Not that he wanted to be amused, or impressed. But Princess Rosamund of Cardona had surprised him.

That was unusual. He made it his business to be prepared. Yet from the moment he’d boarded the royal jet everything had been out of kilter.

It wasn’t a sensation he liked. He’d spent a lifetime ensuring he was in control of his world, not the other way around. His mouth flattened as he watched the Parisian streets go by.

In his peripheral vision he saw her, busy on her phone. She hadn’t looked at him since they’d climbed into the back of the limo. Such complete disregard was deliberate.

Like the way she’d sashayed down the plane’s steps. She hadn’t wriggled her hips or tossed her head. Oh no, she was too regal for that, but the proud set of her shoulders and her absolute composure proclaimed nothing he’d done or said fazed her. He was beneath her notice.

For a millisecond he considered doing something that wouldreallyruffle her feathers.

On the plane she’d casually let down her hair then redone it, just to make the point thatsheset the timetable. What would she do if he reached out now and tugged it undone, threading his fingers through the shining tresses, dragging her head back so her throat and mouth were vulnerable to him?

The idea was tempting even for a man who didn’t allow himself to be provoked. Who didnotmanhandle women.

Admittedly she’d had a point. He’d ditched social niceties. How that must have shocked a woman used to smarm and charm and getting her own way.

It was a timely reminder of who and what she was.

This was the last place he’d be if he hadn’t been virtually blackmailed into it. He despised her, with good reason. He knew her sort intimately. Usually he ignored them, but when others suffered it was different.

Inevitably pain resonated as he thought of Nico.

His little brother had died because Fotis had failed to protect him. And because their mother had been too absorbed in seducing a rich new lover to care for her children. She was another shallow, self-absorbed woman, used to getting what she wanted.