Page 60 of Modern Romance December 2025 1-4

You’re tired, that’s all.

‘I said there’d be no staff. I’m your minder, remember?’ His tone held a thread that might have been censure or sarcasm. It was hard to be sure over the painful thud of her pulse in her temples. ‘I need to be close in case there’s a threat.’

She looked down at the door then opened it and looked at the other side. ‘There’s no key.’

‘If there’s a problem I need to be able to get to you quickly.’

Oh, there’s a problem all right. You’re the problem.

As for him getting to her, he was already doing that.

No one since her father had got under her skin but this man excelled at it. Unlike her father, he even managed it with a few laconic phrases or raised eyebrow instead of a full-scale rant.

She turned to find him surveying her. His expression hadn’t changed but abruptly shefelthis self-satisfaction. He liked the fact this wasn’t what she wanted.

Tomorrow she’d wonder why. For now she had other priorities.

Pushing weary shoulders back and drawing herself up to her full height, she inclined her head. She’d learned to choose her battles.

Much as she hated the idea of him able to invade her privacy, it was obvious he had no intention of coming to her room. He might be smirking beneath that rigid stare, but he didn’t want to get close to her any more than she wanted him to.

‘How very sensible.’ The pain now was so bad she didn’t even attempt a smile. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like privacy.’

Without waiting for a reply she turned, picked up her bag and made for the bathroom.

By the time she’d taken some painkillers he was gone. She glanced at the connecting door and pursed her lips. Pulling out the chair at the writing desk near the window, she carried it across and propped it under the doorknob.

There was no key in the door to the hall and nothing she could use to bar it. She’d think about that later.

And about her compulsion to keep Fotis Mavridis at a distance. She didn’t know why he unsettled her so much. It wasn’t just his disapproval. She’d had years of that from her father. There was something else, gnawing at her, making her aware of him, making it impossible to ignore him.

Shucking her shoes and slipping off her jacket, she undid her hair with a sigh of relief and crawled onto the bed, letting herself relax fully as her body met the mattress. It seemed like forever since she’d been able to stop and switch off.

But her last thought was of eyes the colour of the sea, changeable and full of censure.

Fotis spent some time confirming arrangements with the security staff, checking the perimeter cameras and alarms and refamiliarising himself with her schedule.

So many days out of his own schedule to do this favour for the king of Cardona! But it would pay dividends in the end. Leon had promised his unwavering support for the initiative Fotis had finally got off the ground.Thatwas all that mattered. For that he’d look after a bevy of beautiful, spoiled, narcissistic princesses!

As day turned to evening Fotis focused on his own work, checking in with staff, catching up on messages, and delving into a draft report on a particularly complex issue prepared by a new but promising staffer. It would need finessing before being presented to the client but the bones were good.

Rolling his shoulders, he realised he’d been sitting too long and glanced at the time.

He frowned. After making coffee and a sandwich hours ago, he’d retreated to his room. No matter his personal views on the woman on the other side of the door, he’d promised to protect her. It was unlikely any threat would reach her here, but he’d given his word. Fotis always kept his word.

Yet there’d been no sound from her room in hours. She hadn’t gone to the kitchen for food or rung out for a delivery. Subconsciously he’d been listening for the sound of her moving around but there’d been nothing.

Why hadn’t he realised before? He’d let the intriguing issues in his report distract him.

His mouth flattened as he acknowledged how determined he’d been to put her from his mind. Because thinking about her destroyed his concentration.

He’d let his response to her interfere with what had to be done. It was inexcusable.

Grimacing, Fotis moved to the connecting door and listened. Nothing. She had no light on but looking through the keyhole he saw something move. It took a heart-stopping second to realise it was a long, sheer curtain billowing at an open window, its movement caught by silvery moonlight.

She probably just liked fresh air. But the instinct that had kept him safe during his military career kicked in. He had to be sure. He turned the door handle, only to discover the door wouldn’t budge.

Seconds later he was out of his room and in the corridor. Hand on her doorknob he paused, listening, but heard nothing. Silently he turned the knob, relief singing in his blood as the door opened without obstruction.