Page 27 of Modern Romance December 2025 5-8

“I just want to make it through the next year without ending up at each other’s throats, Renzo. Whatever else happens in the meantime…” She shrugged, unable to put it into words.

A line tied his brows, but he said nothing more.

She swallowed, bent low and checked the water. It was hot but just right. Before she could move back, he pulled her hand underwater.

Mimi squealed with surprise, then laughter as he let go and splashed her. She half fell into his lap and retorted with her full might. Within seconds, his face and neck and chest were drenched.

Laughter burst up from her chest, breaking through the tightness of grief and ache, making her shake. She continued her onslaught, wetting them both thoroughly in the process.

With an exaggerated sigh, he wiped his face with one hand, while his other arm rested right under her breasts, pressing into her with the perfect amount of pressure. God, how she adored being held by him like this, like she was precious to him. Like he couldn’t go another minute without having her up against him.

Like she wasn’t just his son’s mother.

His cheek pressed into hers as he tucked his chin onto her shoulder. “It is good to hear you laugh,bella.”

She nodded, refusing to look into those penetrating eyes.

Slowly, he hefted her until her butt was resting on the lip of the tub, and he waited until she had her balance.

Once he was sure, he got up and moved around the bathroom, pulling out his shaving kit and shedding his damp shirt.

Mimi watched the smooth planes of his muscled back without blinking, those tendrils of warmth encasing her again. His chest was lean and sculpted with a smattering of wiry chest hair that she wanted to run her fingers through. Then there was the way his black trousers hugged his butt and his thighs.

God, the man was sexy enough to make a corpse feel things. And she was very much alive, her body coming back to itself with delicious little pangs.

He shaved in quick, deft movements, washed, pulled on another crisp white shirt. As if remembering her presence, he turned and frowned. “Get into the water. It will get cold.”

“I will, after you leave,” she said, pulling the lapels of her damp robe together. The motion only caused his gaze to slip down, noting how the silk hugged her breasts.

His eyes darkened, and satisfaction that she pleased him made her flush. God, was there anything this man didn’t make her feel?

“I watched you give birth to our son. There’s nothing to…” He stopped himself and shook his head. “Forgive me. Two more minutes and I’ll be out of your hair.”

She nodded, soft heat streaking her cheeks.

Intimacy swirled around them like an invisible dome, trapping them inside. Plus, it was intensely pleasurable to watch Renzo dress. He did it with a meticulous efficiency, like he did everything else. Still, the thought thatonly shewas getting a behind-the-scenes show filled her with perverse, unjustified satisfaction.

Until another thought struck. “You’re going out,” she said, following him into the bedroom, her voice sharp enough to make him pause.

A black jacket lay on the chaise behind him, and the gleam of polished leather shoes by his feet told her everything she needed to know.

He looked up, his fingers busy fastening the cuff links on his shirt. “It’s a business dinner. Something I can’t skip tonight.”

Mimi stared at him and nodded slowly. Her throat tightened, and she let out a shaky breath. “Those Japanese investors that your assistant was talking about.”

Surprise painted his features. He finished his cuff link with a decisive snap and stepped toward her. “I’ll only be gone for a few hours. Unless you need me here. Or there’s something I haven’t thought of.”

His gray eyes held hers for several beats, willing her to say something. Anything.

“No,” Mimi said, sounding more decisive than she felt. “You’ve arranged everything I could possibly need. There’s nothing more.”

His Adam’s apple moved. “I’ll see you in the morning then,” he said, picking up his jacket.

The door closed behind him with a soft click, and Mimi stared for long minutes at the space he had just occupied. The room felt cavernous without him, the quiet pressing down on her like a weight.

Would it be just the investors he was seeing? Or would he seek other forms of entertainment? And if he did let loose after the last stressful month, did she have any right to question in what form he sought that relief and release?

She had admitted the inevitable conclusion of their attraction, but that didn’t mean a virile, attractive man like Renzo would wait for her, did it? Nor would a sophisticated man like him limit himself to her. It wasn’t as if their vows actually meant anything. Not unless she asked him for exclusivity and fidelity in their marriage.