Page 16 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 1-4

‘Like an opportunity for a real relationship. I would appreciate if we can make it look as real as possible in public but once we’re back behind closed doors, this is a business relationship.’

‘You said you don’t want a relationship.’

Yes, he had. ‘That’s right.’

‘From what I can tell you don’t even see a marriage as a relationship, it’s just a step up from what you’re asking me to do. With the benefit of having children, sorry, I mean heirs.’

Axel looked at her suspiciously. ‘Are you laughing at me?’

She shook her head, curls bouncing gently around her face. ‘No way. Some day I do want a relationship and hopefully a family but my vision of that is way removed from yours, so you don’t need to worry about me being seduced by your world.’

Axel’s initial reaction to that was extreme cynicism. He didn’t know a human on earth who wouldn’t be seduced by the perks and trappings of his world and he heard himself asking, ‘This vision of yours, what is it exactly?’

Her eyes were wide. ‘Well, it’s simple really. I want somewhere I can put down roots and have a family. Maybe a nice small town near the countryside. I was moved around a lot in foster care so…’ She trailed off.

Axel cursed his curiosity. He did not need to know more about Hope Smith. She’d already given him her life story. Her willingness to share information was such an alien thing to him. He had the uncomfortable feeling that she really wouldn’t be seduced by the trappings of his world.

He came back over to the desk and picked up a pen and handed it to her, saying, ‘Are you sure you don’t want to get your own solicitor’s advice?’

She shook her head as she took the pen. Axel noticed that her nails were short and clean. Buffed. He liked that. She really did seem to be totally without artifice but he knew better than to believe a surface image. Everyone had an agenda. Her agenda is a cottage with a white picket fence and a gaggle of children, mocked a voice inside Axel’s head. To his consternation, his immediate reaction to that wasn’t derisory, it was something altogether more ambiguous.

‘Um, I don’t have a solicitor. And I trust you.’

‘You do?’ Axel was surprised. Very few trusted him because they knew that if they gave an inch he’d take a mile. And regularly did.

She had the pen poised over the dotted line and Axel said, ‘It’s also an NDA agreement.’

‘A what?’ She looked up.

‘A non-disclosure agreement, meaning that if you were to tell anyone about it or this agreement, I could prosecute you.’

Hope shrank back a bit. ‘I wouldn’t do that. I don’t gossip.’

‘It’s just…a precaution.’ Why did he feel as if he’d just kicked a puppy?

Hope signed it quickly and put the pen down. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t be telling anyone about this.’

‘Why not?’ Axel should be welcoming her intention to be discreet but instead he wanted to know why she would be reluctant to share this information.

‘Because it’s completely ridiculous! No one would believe me anyway.’

This was so surreal, Axel couldn’t think of anyone who wouldn’t jump at the chance to be associated with him. And make the most of it.

‘You’ll be appearing in the press and media when we go out in public together.’

Now she went pale. ‘I hadn’t thought of that.’

‘I’ll protect you as much as I can but I won’t be able to stop them disseminating your image.’

Hope gave a small shrug. ‘No one will recognise me but I should let Claire, my flatmate, know where I am.’

‘What will you tell her?’

She looked at Axel as if seeking guidance. ‘I’m guessing not the truth?’

Axel nodded.

Hope said, ‘Well, then, I’ll just have to tell her that, as improbable as it sounds, I’ve struck up a whirlwind affair with someone I met at work.’