Page 70 of Filthy Rich Temptation

‘She’s Taylor’s little sister.’

‘And she’s the woman who has you disconnected from your computer and your phone for the first time in too many years to count.’

‘I’m not disconnected.’

‘No? Then where’s your laptop? Your phone? I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen you without one or the other. Always working, always chasing the money. But I haven’t seen you check either all evening.’

‘Because I’m looking after Lottie.’

‘You can look after Lottie and still check your phone. And she isn’t here now. Have you checked it?’

I don’t even know where the damn thing is. Probably being smothered by one of Lottie’s stray plushies.

‘I bet you don’t even know where it is,’ she says, her smile triumphant, like she’s just read my mind. ‘The Theo I know would’ve had it in the back pocket of his jeans, if not already in his hand. Whether I was in the room or not.’

She’s not wrong. But…

‘I know you want me to settle down, Mum. Get married. Have a couple of kids. But that life – it’s not for me, okay?’

She sets her wine glass down and cups my cheek.

‘But it could be, darling. Don’t you see?’

No, I don’t daresee. Because that kind of image is as powerful as it is fragile.

I gently take her hand and lower it with a squeeze. ‘Just because it’s your dream doesn’t make it mine too.’

You sure about that?

13

SADIE

By the time I get back to Theo’s, I’m a little bit cocky and a way bit drunk, but I’m on a mission.

And that mission is Theo.

I want what eighteen-year-old me wanted, and I want it now.

And I don’t care if I sound like a petulant Veruca Salt, I’m getting it.

I’ve been sat in Taylor’s opulent surroundings all evening and we’ve had the most amazing, utterly cathartic night.

We’ve put the past to bed – and now I want to put him to bed… preferably with me on top.

I giggle as I fall out of his elevator into the softly lit hallway, his space doing more than just tickling my tummy; it tickles my nethers too.

Another giggle escapes and I press a finger to my lips,oops,anchoring myself to the wall as I slip out of my boots,shh.

I look to the left, to his quarters, and the living area just before, then to the right, to Lottie. Daughter first. Always daughter first.

It’s the longest I’ve been without her since she was born. Surreal but true.

I pad down the hallway, extra careful to be quiet. The last thing I want to do is wake her, but…

I ease her door open. The nightlight by her bed casts a deep amber glow that barely reaches past her sleeping form. I tiptoe in, her gentle snore reaching my ears as the scent of her shampoo fills the air, and I smile. She’s clutching Dino beneath her chin, just like always. Her long, dark lashes rest against her adorably pudgy cheeks, and her small smile – so much like mine this second – makes my heart bloom in my chest.

I bend to kiss her forehead and linger for a moment.