Page 18 of Filthy Rich Temptation

It’s the noise that hits me first: the constant hum and clatter of city life. Horns. Barking. Shouting. Then comes the heat – thick and pressing, clinging to my skin.

I join Theo and Lottie on the pavement, my eyes darting all around. Even with the shade being gifted by the trees lining the park and the tall, fancy buildings across the way, the air feels too hot, too thin.

At least I dressed light – trainers, shorts, vest – but sweat still gathers between my breasts, at the bend of my elbows, the nape of my neck… I drop Lottie’s bag to the ground and tug a bobble from my wrist, use it to scrape my hair into a high ponytail and breathe. Once. Twice.

‘You okay?’

I blink. Theo’s watching me, a crease between his brows as he sets Lottie on her feet and swings the picnic holdall over his shoulder.

I nod.

I’m not.

But he doesn’t need to know my heart is skittering like it’s got somewhere else to be – and this time, it’s not all for him.

So much for a relaxing day outdoors…

I take Lottie’s hand as she starts to move off, and Theo hoists her bag onto the same shoulder as the holdall. He’s in a plain white tee and navy cargo shorts – very much the unassuming billionaire on a rare day off – but the sight of that sparkly unicorn bag slung across his tall, lean frame makes my already-pounding heart beat louder.

Somehow, I manage a smile I almostfeel.

‘Suits you,’ I say, aiming for a tease – anything to make this moment feel as light as it should. ‘But I can carry it.’

‘I’ve got it,’ he says, flashing a grin that does a much better job of warming me through. Surprise, surprise. ‘Despite what you were suggesting in the car,’ he adds, slotting on a cap and pulling his shades from the collar of his tee, ‘I’m man enough to go full-on princess when required.’

Lottie smothers a giggle with her palm. ‘Uncle Feo makes thebestprincess.’

‘Better than Mummy?’ I ask, mock offended.

She considers me with a furrowed brow, then declares with a nod, ‘Mummy is the prettiest!’

‘She’s not wrong,’ Theo murmurs – so quiet, so sure, it makes my head snap up. But he’s already looking away, shades on, gaze fixed on the park entrance like he didn’t just knock something loose inside my chest.

I don’t get a chance to dwell on it. Lottie’s already tugging me forward, skipping behind a family of four – two kids, two parents, all holding hands. Maybe it’s that image that inspires her, or maybe it’s just Theo, but she reaches for his hand too, planting herself between us like she’s done it a hundred times before.

He doesn’t even miss a beat, just folds his fingers gently around hers and keeps on walking.

And suddenly, we’re a trio. A unit. Strolling into Hyde Park like we belong together.

My heart gives another exaggerated beat.

A beat that refuses to settle as we get deeper into the park. All around us, the noise shifts and builds. The trees rustle sharply in the breeze, bikes clatter past, a busker twangs on his guitar, dogs bark, children scream. It all comes at me, no space between one sound and the next. No pause. Just pressure.

I can feel my shoulders inching up, my body folding inward – shrink and shield.

That is, until Lottie lets out an excited squeal and I jolt, every one of my limbs springing free.

‘Swans, Mummy! Look!’

She releases Theo’s hand to point wildly at the birds gathered at the water’s edge ahead, their white feathers gleaming like beacons in the glaring summer sun.

‘I see them, kiddo,’ I say, forcing a smile, and Theo glances my way.

‘Are you sure you’re okay?’

I nod but my smile wavers at the edges. My heart’s still pounding – too hard, too fast. I wipe one sweaty palm against my denim shorts, keep the other locked around Lottie’s hand as my eyes flick left, right…

A group of teenagers erupt into laughter. One of them shouts something unintelligible at the top of his lungs and I flinch, instinctively pulling Lottie closer. The sound filters through me like broken glass, a memory I can’t fight off coming to the fore.