Page 56 of The Perfect Pick Up

“Can Josh and Kitty have her for the weekend? It’ll give them some practice. I’m sure you can drum up some help with the animals. Please?” he asked, leaning in and bringing his lips to hers, kissing her, hard, hot and breathless, against her front door.

“Will it be fancy?” she panted when their lips finally parted.

“Very,” he chuckled.

“I’ve nothing to wear.” Who was she kidding? She was already planning a raid on Kitty’s wardrobe.

“Good. I’d prefer you naked and in my bed all weekend.”

Thea’s lips curled. “Seriously though, I’ll let you down. Look at me,” she said, glancing down at her now crumpled dress.

“You could never let me down. And don’t worry about clothes. I’ll sort it out.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’ll go shopping,” he said, as if he’d just announced they’d catch the bus.

“We can’t! You can’t buy me clothes. This isn’tPretty Woman.”

Felix smirked and brushed his lips against hers. “Can’t I? I’m used to getting what I want, and I want you to look spectacular before I remove every last inch of fabric from your body.”

Thea sucked in a breath, about to refuse, but Felix leaned in and gave her a chaste kiss on her cheek.

“Good night, Thea. You taste delicious, by the way.”

And with those words echoing around her head and a million questions on her tongue, Felix left.

24

FELIX

The roads on the drive down to London were empty, and the journey passed quickly. Felix could hardly concentrate on the asphalt, though. Thoughts of Thea, of what he’d done to her on her kitchen counter, swirled around his head and tested the strength of his zipper.

He hadn’t acted so rashly, so utterly abandoned, for years. But with Thea, he’d loosened his grip on his usual tight control. He couldn’t remember wanting anyone as much as he wanted her, and no matter how his balls ached with bee venom, he’d almost given in to his desires. He couldn’t even be certain his equipment would have worked.

Adrienne had called him twice on the road. Once to ask him when he’d arrive, then again to tell him that Lucas had agreed to unlock his door on the promise that Felix was on his way.

After a time, the motorway morphed into urban sprawl, then merged into the hotchpotch of houses that made up London’s wealthier suburbs. Felix clenched his jaw. He flicked the control on his dash to call Adrienne. It was so late or earlythat he couldn’t guarantee she’d be up and waiting for him. She picked up on the second ring.

“Darling, where are you?”

“Is Lucas okay?”

“He’s fine. He’s asleep on the couch in the hallway. It was like pulling teeth to get him to calm down.”

Felix gripped the steering wheel a little harder than before. Adrienne always had a flair for drama. Still, if Lucas wasn’t happy, he’d have no problem letting his mum know. He loved his son’s forthright nature. Maybe that’s why he liked Thea?

“I’ll be with you in ten.”

A whoosh of a sigh came over the speaker. “Fine. But this can’t happen again. I’d given the nanny the night off. I have to get up first thing for Pilates. Then I have a brunch. My schedule’s going to be out of kilter.”

Felix swallowed down the bitter burn in his throat. “I’m sure your friends will forgive a few dark circles under your eyes. You could always tell them you’d been out partying.”

Adrienne’s harsh giggle seared his eardrums. “My partying days are over, Felix. I’ve made up the spare room. I was hoping you’d stay over. Talk about things. Aboutus.”

A bitter taste surged back into Felix’s mouth. Was she delusional? There would never be an ‘us’again. Still, the despondent look on Lucas’ face when they’d told him about the divorce would stay with Felix forever.

“I don’t think so. There’s nothing more to say.”