Page 13 of Modern Romance October 2025 5-8

Bethan quelled her shiver. He didn’t mean that in the desperately romantic way it sounded. His thumb stroked back and forth across her shoulder. The tiny insistent sweeps would send her into ecstatic orbit if they were alone. As it was goosebumps lifted on her skin—those gentlest of touches softened her all over again, even though she was wildly angry with him. Chemistry had so much to answer for.

‘I’m sure you’ll forgive our early departure now. You understand it’s a while since we spent quality time together. We only had a quickly snatched moment to reunite before remembering to call in here and...’ He shrugged negligently and shot Bethan a scorching look that she knew not to misinterpret. ‘Time alone is our priority tonight.’

Chapter Four

Howdaredshe?

Ares refused to swear, which meant he couldn’t actually breathe. If he opened his mouth there’d be an outpouring of vitriol and that was not happening in front of his damned ‘family’ let alone all these business connections. He hugged Bethan close, swiftly leading her back to the elevator. He kept holding his breath as they finally descended to the basement. His waiting driver glanced up as they walked towards the car, read his expression and immediately fired the engine and activated the privacy screen.

‘What wasthat?’ Bethan shot the second they got in the car.

‘You’reangry withme?’ Ares retorted as he messaged his driver his instruction.

‘You all but admitted what we’d been...’

Ares’s brain slid off course, distracted by the discovery she still blushed when discussing sex. He dragged in a deep breath and forced focus.

‘You’rethe one who said that we’re together,’ he goaded, furious she’d let those people believe something so outrageous. ‘I was being supportive and not contradicting you in public, like the good husband I am.’

Her eyes flashed. ‘Did you stop the elevator on that floor deliberately?’

‘What?’Why would he ever? And how could she even think something so crazy? Stunned, he just snapped. ‘Of course not.’

He swore, long and loud in Greek, and it barely released any of his frustration. He’d been too distracted to noticeanything—frustrated as hell because he’d seen a harrowing hurt in her eyes that he still didn’t understand. Because hehadpleased her—she’d been wet and hot and she’d chanted his name as her orgasm hit. Pleasing her was so bloody rewarding, but that best of moments had turned to acrid, bitter ash in seconds because he’d been unable to see it through. He wouldneverrun the risk of impregnating her. He was never having children. A failure of a son to his mother, he would be a failure of a father too—as his had been to him. For a few days just over two years ago he’d thought he could fake it—but then Bethan had questioned and he’d been unable to answer.

But in all this current mess, he’d completely forgotten there were drinks at the office for clients tonight. Stepping into that room had been an automatic response because he was Ares Vasiliadis—in control and unaffected, high-performing heir and CEO. He’d been whipped into shape by that damned dysfunctional family in less than five years and he would never do less than excel in front of them. He would always remain in control around them.

He’d seen Gia and Dion home in on Bethan like circling sharks. He’d been about to intervene but he’d briefly stilled because Bethan’s chin had lifted. She’d smiled—so politely, so confidently. Her cheeks had still been flushed from passion and her eyes had gleamed proud—magnificently. He’d been awed by her quiet dignity until he’d come to his senses and stepped in. Too late, damage done. They’d needled her.

He’d not been bothered bythem. He was immune to their reluctant tolerance and wouldn’t give them power. Not showing a hit—a hurt—had never been a problem until Bethan. But somehow a poker face was impossible around her.Herbelief he’d set that elevator to open on that floor got beneath his armour and he was too outraged to hide it.

‘You really don’t trust me,’ he said bitterly. ‘Why would I want any of them to see me with you again?’

‘Maybe it wasn’t about them.’ Her expression pinched. ‘Maybe it was about humiliating me because you’re still angry I walked out on you.’

He waswildlyangry with her, but not for that reason. His problem was that he still wanted her to a shockingly uncontrollable degree.

‘So you told them we’re back together?’ he growled, stuck in a maelstrom of conflicting emotion.

He couldn’t believe the chaos she’d caused in a few minutes. She’d turned an already difficult situation into a public spectacle at the worst possible time.

‘I didn’t tell them, theysawus,’ she argued. ‘What was I supposed to do?’

‘Be honest,’ he snapped.

‘Iwas,’ she shot back. ‘And you were the one getting handsy in the elevator.’

He glared at her, which was unhelpful given she was infuriatingly beautiful. And yes, she probably hadn’t told anyone she was back with him. Gia would have manipulated the moment, just as she tried to manipulate everything. And he hadn’t been getting ‘handsy’ with Bethan, he’d wanted to know if she was okay. Why did he damned well even care?

Because nowhewasn’t okay. He wasn’t able to stop thinking about how she’d gone up in flames in his office. How swiftly he’d lost control. How soft and hot she’d felt. How badly he’d wanted to pin her beneath him and take her but he couldn’t because no way in hell was he ever having children. They didn’t need the baggage he would rain down on them. His whole family were fucked and he refused to screw up more innocent kids.

Allhe wanted was to expunge this insane desire. He was irate it still burned like this. But he needed to focus on fixing the mess she’d just made. He’d told them Bethan was here for the Melina Foundation, so she would have to attend because he was allowing nothing and no one to ruin that night.

Bethan would have to stay for all of thisweek. His bitter frustration simply fuelled the satisfaction that thought brought. They had unfinished business. Maybe he would drive her mad with want for him. Maybe he would make her forget any other man she’d had in her bed. Maybe he would destroy her for any more to come...because heabsolutelycould. It was what she’d already done to him.

His pulse settled into a happy rhythm as he formulated a plan. He would demand this week. It would well be long enough for him to have his cake and eat it too.

‘Where are we going?’ Bethan sharply interrupted his thoughts. ‘I need to go to a hotel.’