Page 49 of Tempt

But I appreciated the effort.

“When were going to tell me?”

“You just asked me.”

Lies.All lies!

“Theo,” I growled and gave his thick beard a little tug.

“Careful what you’re starting.”

I grinned at him. “Or what?”

“Or I’ll fucking finish it.”

I closed my eyes as my entire body quivered with need—promises like that were so damn hot. “I’ll let you finish it if you tell me the truth.”

He sighed as if I exhausted him. “I’ve already made arrangements for a quick holiday. It seemed safer to get us away from Toni’s territory than to hide all weekend. You’re a mind reader. Or a minx.”

“Or a minxy mind reader.”

He groaned and I grinned.

He wrapped both arms around me. “Just one more thing before I finish what you started.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Oh yeah?”

“Only pack one very small bag.”

I frowned. “It’s supposed to be cold this weekend.”

“So pack wisely.”

I only had a second to scowl at him before he scooped me up and took me to bed.

Chapter 18

Istared at the tiny silver antique Mercedes 300SL and finally understood why Theo asked me to pack light. There was approximately zero room for any luggage, but it was an adorable little antique roadster.

“Is this yours?”

“Yes.” He opened the trunk and slid our two bags into the almost non-existent space. “It’s a two hour drive from here to the hotel and it’s one of my favorite drives.”

We’d just taken a jet from London to Manchester on our way north for the weekend. Rain was threatening to ruin everything, but for the moment, it was holding off, which was good because there was no top to the car.

Since we were both early birds it was only nine in the morning and we still had the whole Saturday ahead of us. The moment the plane had left the ground I’d felt a weight lift off my shoulders. It turned out I’d been more worried about Toni than I’d realized and getting away was exactly what I needed.

Theo held open the passenger door. “Your chariot awaits.”

I settled into the seat. “Why is this your favorite drive?”

He grinned and closed the door as I buckled myself in. “You’ll see.”

And I did. There was a reason poets and writers had written masterpieces while living in the Lake District. It was an inspiring and beautiful place. I’m pretty sure I looked like a kid at Disney World with my mouth open and eyes the size of saucers just trying to take it all in and memorize the views forever. There was magic hidden in the rolling hills—I was certain of it. Pictures didn’t do it justice.

We stopped for brunch in Windermere and I fell absolutely in love with the town. Since the weather was holding off we took a chance and wandered the streets for a couple of hours. I took pictures, ducked into shops, and ate my body weight in treats. I felt like a kid so I acted like one, bouncing as I walked, and running when I got excited. Theo kept a more casual pace, strolling when I went ahead, holding my hand when he caught up, generally seeming to enjoy watching me.

“What are you thinking?” I asked as I paid for Beatrix Potter trinkets to give to Elizabeth and Lily who were coming to visit at Thanksgiving.