Page 14 of Filthy Rich Temptation

‘Sure. The sun is shining. We can take Lottie to Hyde Park, get some ice cream…’

‘Ice cream?’ My mini devil has bat ears when her favourite food is mentioned, and now she’s giving me those big baby blues. ‘I want ice cream!’

‘There we go, Lottie’s up for it.’ He gives me a shameless grin. ‘So, what do you say?’

I’m still floundering over his sudden turnaround – from wishing me gone to asking us out. What’s he playing at? Or rather, what’s Taylor playing at? Because I have no doubt that she’s behind this.

‘I don’t know,’ I say. ‘I’m trying to get back on track with Lottie’s potty training…’

‘And going out will get in the way of that?’ he says, eyes narrowed.

‘It’s almost Lottie’s lunchtime,’ I counter.

‘Concierge will sort us a picnic.’

‘I really don’t fancy tackling the Tube on a day like today.’

‘Who said anything about the Tube? We’re taking my car.’

God, the man has an answer for everything…

‘You’ll never get parked.’

‘My driver will drop us and come back when we’re done.’

Hisdriver?

Of course he has a driver, stupid. He’s a bloody billionaire. As wealthy as Taylor. It’s just you who’s skint and having to start over.

‘How long do you need to get ready?’

‘I—What?’ Were they seriously doing this?

‘I assume you’ll need to prep a bag for the sticker monster.’ He sends Lottie a wink that sends a stream of butterflies through my already dancing belly. ‘Twenty minutes? Thirty?’

‘Twenty’s fine,’ I say weakly.

‘Great.’

And then he sweeps out like the giant, sexy, frustratingly disruptive tornado that he is. And he thinkswe’rethe Masters of Chaos?!

I look at Lottie, who’s already tossed her book aside and is tugging up today’s choice of training pants with about as much glee as the dread I feel…

It’ll be okay. You’re in company. Danny doesn’t know where you are, and there’s an ocean between you both now.

Though he could be on the other side of the world, and it wouldn’t be far enough. Because it’s not even him per se. It’s the ghost of him.

‘Mummy, ’m stuck!’

I zone in on Lottie, who is twirling on the spot, trying to get her arm through her romper suit, and shake myself out of my funk. ‘Coming, baby.’

Hyde Park will benice. Hyde Park will befun.

No harm will come to us.

No harm at all.

Save for the kind inspired by being up close and personal with Theo for the day…