Page 89 of Pandora's Pleasure

“Why?”

“I’m more than happy to say it here, if you want.”

“What happened to ‘what stays at Fight Club’?”

“What can I tell you…I’m light on my feet when it comes to threats. Now get the fuck out.”

I let him take my hand and escort me across the tarmac. We stood at the base of the metal staircase where we could talk freely.

Theo lowered his voice to a whisper. “What happened at The Ritz should be considered a present from your lover. He’s possessive, but still let you have that experience—”

“I’m so embarrassed it was you.”

“Why? You were beautiful. Damien controlled every aspect. You asked for that fantasy and he gave it to you.” He pressed his palm to his chest. “He knows I’ll put you first in any scenario.”

I closed my eyes. “What we did in that room…”

“Your secrets are my secrets.”

My face blanched at the thought that this man had been intimate with me, yet he stood here as though nothing had happened, acting all business-as-usual, like it was no big deal that he’d gone down on me.

What the three of us had done at The Ritz would be a secret I’d carry with me forever, never to be shared with anyone.

“Go on, up you go.”

My heart couldn’t take much more of this angst. “Tell me how to make him love me.”

Theo gave me a sympathetic look. “Earn his trust. Pure and simple.”

“He thinks I’m with him for all the wrong reasons.”

“Convince him otherwise.”

“I want to visit Vanguard.”I want more.

He hesitated. “Tell him.”

“I will.” And I had, only so far there’d been no favorable response.

Theo pointed to the stairs. “Be the woman he needs. You’re a rare gem. He knows that but he needs to see you’re capable of falling in love with every side of him.”

How could I not trust his words? Theo’s touch during our shared intimacy had been gentle and respectful, and he continued to be loyal to Damien.

I stood on tiptoe and planted a kiss on his left cheek. “Thank you.”

“I’m here for both of you.”

“It’s so hard to be around a man who hates me this much.”

“There comes a time when hate can flip over to love. You’re already on the way to making that happen.”

“I hope you’re right.”

With a nod of gratitude, I made my way up the stairs and into the cabin—stopping short when I saw the plane was empty of passengers.

I’m not quite sure why my father thought I could have a relaxing trip to Sanibel Island when I had to bring along the most contentious woman in the city.

“Go have fun,” he’d said, “create some photo ops.”