Page 86 of Filthy Rich Temptation

Theo

She’s got that look in her eye.

The one that says she’s thinking things I shouldn’t be entertaining.

Not when she just called me out over Katie. Hit me with a question so sharp, it carved right through the lie I’ve been living with, like she didn’t even know it was my deepest fear laid bare.

And Axel’s voice echoes behind hers:

‘Maybe it’s just easier to hide behind work than admit you’ve been stuck on the same girl for almost ten years.’

She can’t know.

Because I don’t know.

Not for sure.

And if I screw this up – if I chase a feeling I’ve never dared name – I don’t just risk breaking myself. I risk ruining her. And I brought her here to prevent Danny from doing just that. To protect everything she’s rebuilt – so fragile and hard-earned, it’s fucking sacred.

She looks happy. Whole, even. And the idea thatIcould undo that, send her spiralling back to the girl by the river… worse, the cowering woman from the park.

No. Fuck, no.

‘We should go inside,’ I mutter, voice rough, already half-turned to leave.

But she stops me, her palm pressing against my chest, and every nerve lights up.

My eyes find hers. And then I’m looking at her –reallylooking. Caught in the fire of her gaze, the colour in her cheeks, the sheen of her lips…

‘This morning, I made a promise to myself.’

‘Yeah?’ I rasp, my voice already betraying me.

She nods slowly, the breeze picking up around us – lifting strands of her hair, sending her cardigan slipping off one shoulder. My gaze follows it, drawn helplessly to the exposed skin, the soft curve of her breast just visible. My fingers twitch, my mouth dries up – wanting to touch, to taste, to trace…

She doesn’t move. Doesn’t cover up. Like she knows what it’s costing me, and she’s daring me to look away, to walk away from this.

And God help me, I can’t.

‘I promised myself that the next time I took my pleasure, you were coming with me.’

Fuck. My jaw locks, my cock bucking against my jeans all too willing to agree.

‘I’m supposed to be protecting you,’ I grind out.

‘From what, the seagulls?’ She gives a breathy laugh, the heat of her continued touch seeping through the fabric of my tee. ‘Because last I checked, we’re completely alone.’

‘You know what I mean.’

‘I don’t,’ she says, her voice soft but unwavering. ‘Because I feel safe, Theo. Safer than I’ve felt in years.’

But she wasn’t safe. Not even twenty-four hours ago. And that truth – hidden from her but pounding inside me – is a blade against my ribs.

‘And it’s because of you,’ she adds, her palm sliding up to my neck, fingers toying with the hair there, and it takes everything I have not to groan. ‘You didn’t just give us shelter, you gave me the confidence to get out there and live my life again. You helped me remember who I am. You helped me see the kind of woman I want to be. Strong. Sure. A good mother that Lottie can look up to.’

‘You werealwaysa good mum, don’t ever doubt that,’ I burst out, my fingers threading through her hair as I urge her to see it. ‘And you did all that by yourself.’

‘I couldn’t have done it without you.’ Her voice breaks, just slightly. ‘You believed in me. You pushed me.’