Page 86 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8

“I think it’s the best place for rampant media attention. It’s either that, or New York or LA. I have offices in both places, but...”

“No. London.”

“Perfect.” She looked down at her hands. “I need to stop by Your Girl Friday before we make any public appearances.”

“That is acceptable, but you will have to come to my penthouse no later than two o’clock in order to ready yourself for our public debut.”

“That’s fine. I can do that.”

“Perfect. I will simply secure some new flight staff, and then we will be off.”

CHAPTER FOUR

AUGGIEHADN’TFULLYthought through what he meant by securing new flight staff until they boarded the plane. Where she found herself being treated as Matias’s guest, and not as the flight attendant. She knew a total out-of-body experience when she looked at a woman standing next to the liquor cabinet, wearing the same sort of smart outfit that Auggie normally did.

“Can I get you a drink?” the woman asked.

Auggie blinked. “Sure.”

“Champagne,” said Matias. “We are celebrating.”

The woman, to her credit, did not askwhatthey were celebrating. Because of course people in her position knew that details would be revealed to them as the employers wished to reveal them.

It was the sort of thing that Auggie knew well.

Their champagne flutes were filled near to the top, and she took a seat with him in the position usually occupied by his arm candy.

She grimaced internally. She didn’t like to think of the women in reductive terms. Perhaps he was their arm candy. So there. Equality.

She took a sip of the champagne, which was undoubtedly the best quality she had ever had.

She was going to have to try and explain all of this to the work wives. She had a feeling that Irinka would be proud of the resourcefulness. That Lynna would be slightly wary, but overall see the merit of it. It would likely wound Maude’s softer soul. For her part, Auggie didn’t feel like she could afford to be a romantic. She had never messed around with men. She had too many important things to try and build. Too much to make up for. Too many experiences to reclaim, and relationships hadn’t been high on the list, because they would come with an obligation to another person.

It just wasn’t what she wanted. So this was... Strange, but it didn’t mean anything to her as far as romance went.

As far as attraction went...

She knew exactly what he was. She had watched him engage in all manner of uninhibited behaviors.

She wasn’t stupid enough to get herself involved in that.

He might not be quite who the media thought he was, but he was indiscriminate with his body.

And that was fine. His decision.

But she didn’t need to go involving herself in it.

Auggie liked to be an expert before she jumped into anything.

And sexual contact with Matias would require expert-level skills.

She didn’t even have entry-level skills.

So when they finished their champagne, and he extended his hand, drawing her out of her seat, his hands warm, and much rougher than she would’ve imagined, her heart leapt up into her throat. “Time for us to retire, I think.” His eyes were intent on hers, and she could barely breathe.

It was hammering against her breastbone. But she followed him, into the bedroom. The one that she had just sneaked into so that she could make sure the woman he was with was not taking pictures of him.

He closed the door behind them and lounged on the bed.