Page 43 of Filthy Rich Temptation

‘Sadie…?’

He freezes on the threshold, one hand braced against the wall like it’s the only thing keeping him upright. I’d say it’s just surprise at finding me here, but his voice sounds off. Too thick. Too gruff. Too… drunk?

‘Hey,’ I say, easing my feet out from under me. ‘Good night?’

The only light in the room comes from a single lamp I’ve left glowing in the corner. It messes with his green eyes, turning them near-black and glittering like glass. It sharpens his cheekbones, the stubble roughening his jaw, the crease between his brows… He looks tortured, broken.

‘Theo?’

His Adam’s apple bobs as he gives a stiff nod. Then he makes a sound, more grunt than word, and forks a hand through his hair. The dark-blond strands are already sticking up, like he’s been tugging at them for hours. Or someone else has.

A pinch, sudden and traitorous, snags beneath my ribs.

He was with Axel, I remind myself.

Though that doesn’t mean there weren’t women, too.

‘Is everything… okay?’

He pushes off the wall but doesn’t come any closer. ‘I wasn’t expecting you to still be up.’

‘Yeah…’

Neither was I. It’s well past midnight, but my recent blog posts have triggered a wave of new followers – people reaching out for advice, support, or just someone to hear them. And I want them to feel seen, even if it means sacrificing sleep.

‘…just catching up on some work.’

I slide my laptop onto the coffee table and his eyes narrow on it.

‘What kind of work?’

He’s never asked before. And something about the way he does now feels off. Like he’s suspicious.

Or maybe I’m just projecting. A combination of guilt and Danny making everything feel pointed. But the blog is my secret. I’m not ready for anyone to know about it. Not even Taylor or Theo. Not while Danny’s still out there.

‘Oh, you know… admin. The odd survey.’

He nods, but his eyes stay fixed on the device like it might self-destruct at any moment. ‘You’re not online, are you?’

I give a small, bemused smile. ‘Well, yeah, this is the twenty-first century.’

‘I mean, youraccounts, social media…?’

‘Of course not.’

I’d have to be insane to risk that. Not after everything Taylor went through to build us a fresh start – new devices, new accounts, new everything.

A digital reset I intend to reimburse her for just as soon as I’m back on my feet.

‘Good.’

I stand, and his eyes shift, catching on my bare legs with pained intent. And I swear I hear him groan. I tell myself I’m imagining it. That it’s just a trick of the light, a weird burr in the music playing quietly in the background.

But as his gaze travels up my body, there’s nothing imagined about the way I react – every inch of skin tingling, breath catching.

Then his eyes land on my mouth and?—

Fuck.