Page 81 of Filthy Rich Temptation

But for the first time since arriving, I don’t feel bad about it.

Not if it means he’s going to take a long-overdue holiday too…

‘We go on one condition,’ I say.

His mouth lifts to one side, eyes sparkling. ‘You’resetting the conditions now?’

I cross my arms. ‘I think it’s my turn.’

‘Name it.’

‘You take some time off too.’

‘Deal.’

No hesitation. No qualifiers. Just that.

My arms fall to my sides, body going slack with surprise.

‘Really?’

‘Really.’

Then heruns a hand through his hair again, and I’m struck by the memory of doing the same – fingers tugging, twisting, nails raking…

‘Stop overthinking it, Sadie. And get packing.’

‘You really are serious?’

He grins, but there’s still tension around his eyes – a heaviness I can’t quite place.

‘Have you ever known me to be anything else?’

I think about how serious he’d been last night when he told me I could come again. And mentally relive the highlight: me, spread wide on his kitchen counter, reaching for the stars he promised…

…and claiming every single one.

* * *

Theo

I watch Sadie walk away, fingers clasped tight behind my head, every muscle taut with the urge to chase after her.

She came undone on me just hours ago – shaking, gasping my name, body giving me everything. Trusting me. And fuck, I want her. So badly, it burns.

But that burn is nothing compared to the truth I’m holding back.

Because while I was making her see stars,hewas out there. That bastard Danny. He slipped under everyone’s radar and cornered Taylor outside her building. Left her shaken but she walked away unharmed. Thank God.

Sadie wouldn’t have been so lucky.

And that’s what guts me.

Because she’s finally dragging herself out of the wreckage he left – laughing again, pushing boundaries, owning her pleasure… She’s shining. Coming back to life in front of me. And he camethisclose to destroying it all. Heisthis close to destroying it all.

Because the moment Sadie learns of it…

No. My body spasms.Just no.