Gentleman Sinner(49)

‘I’ll call her back later,’ Theo says, coming to a stop in the centre of his huge, elaborate entrance hall. The sweeping staircase holds my attention for a moment, a flashback to my first time here capturing me in a daze for a fleeting second. Once again, the woman appears with a tray in her hand, except this time there are two glasses – the familiar tumbler with amber liquid, and a glass of white wine. Theo shrugs his big shoulders out of his jacket and takes the two paces needed to close the gap between them, handing her his coat before lifting the two glasses from the metal tray. He knocks back his drink and places the empty glass down. The lady nods and backs away before turning and leaving us.

Then the sound of the front doors closing fills the space, pulling me around. I find the two men who were flanking the entrance now flanking the exit. It’s all so well rehearsed, the same routine as before.

‘Izzy?’ Theo’s soft calling of my name turns me back around. He holds out the glass to me. ‘Drink?’

I accept, taking the glass by the stem. In all honesty, I’m too tired for wine. It could finish me off and have me falling asleep here where I stand. ‘Thank you.’ I force myself to take the tiniest of sips, not wanting to be rude.

Jefferson approaches, nodding politely to me before turning to Theo. ‘Can I get you anything else, sir?’ he asks.

‘I think I’m fine for the rest of the evening,’ Theo says, coming closer to me and slipping an arm around my waist. ‘Tell Callum I won’t be at the Playground tonight.’

‘Yes, sir.’ Jefferson bows as he backs away. It’s all so old-fashioned and formal. I feel like I’m in a modern-day Downton Abbey – butlers, serving staff and all.

‘Your home is run with military precision,’ I say as we take the stairs. I watch them carefully, each stripy step blending into the next. ‘Is your life one big controlled environment?’

‘It’s best for everyone,’ Theo says, simple as that, yet I’m guessing it isn’t that simple at all, and I look up at him to gauge his expression. Even when his face is blank he’s still a certain kind of prime stunning, the kind that I’m certain could never be matched, least of all topped. Right now, he’s handsome but unreadable, yet his eyes are glossy and thoughtful.

‘Better for everyone, or better for you?’ I ask, slowly trying to work my way closer to the core of Theo.

He drops those deep blue eyes on to my curious form, a small smile tickling his full lips. ‘Primarily me, yes. But it’s best all round. No mistakes can be made.’

‘Mistakes?’

‘For someone who’s so tired, you’re firing questions rather sufficiently.’ He raises his eyebrows at me, and I look away, a little shyly. I’m assuming by mistakes he means unexpected touches. It’s all quite strange, and if I hadn’t touched Theo myself, I would think he had some kind of rare condition that would kill him if he came into contact with another human. I shrug off his observation as we reach the galleried landing, Theo leading us to the right.

‘Where are we going?’ I ask, admiring all the huge gold-framed portraits as we walk.

‘To my private quarters.’

Private quarters? ‘Sounds posh.’

‘It’s peaceful and . . . private.’

I conclude that to mean he doesn’t need to be on his guard constantly, alert to any possible touch. ‘And what’s the Playground?’ I’ve heard that mentioned on more than one occasion.

We reach a set of heavily carved double doors, and I stop as Theo opens one, making way for me to enter. I look up at him when I get no answer. He seems a little tense. ‘I’ll show you one day. Let’s get to know each other better first.’

My lips press into a straight line. ‘Better?’

He flicks his head in indication for me to enter, ignoring my question. ‘In before I strip you naked right here.’

I nod mildly, thoughtfully, as I study him, concluding quite quickly that he’s diverting me. He can have his way. For now. ‘Clever,’ I muse with a playful pout, wandering into Theo’s private quarters, the doors opening up into a huge lounge area. Just like every other part of this mansion that I’ve seen, it’s ostentatious and indulgent – the furniture large, the walls covered in huge paintings, and the carpet thick and luxurious. An over-size marble fireplace dominates the room, the flames dancing hypnotically. But despite the extravagance of the space, I’m comfortable and warm, not intimidated. It’s exactly how I feel in Theo’s presence.

I look back to find him watching me take it all in, standing quietly by the door. He strolls lazily over to me, coming to a stop behind me, and my entire body rolls with a shiver when he reaches past me and relieves me of my wineglass and places it on a nearby table that’s decorated with a huge vase of stargazer lilies. ‘Let me take your coat,’ he whispers in my ear, placing his hands gently on my shoulders and pulling the material away. I swallow as he drags my mac off, keeping his mouth close enough so I can hear his shallow breaths.

I begin to feel anxiety take over, not because of where I am, who I’m with, or the potential of what’s about to play out. No. None of that. Those thoughts set my blood on fire. What’s not so welcome is the knowledge that I’ve just worked a tough twelve-hour shift and I could really do with a shower. ‘I’ve been at work all day,’ I say quietly, pushing the side of my face into his lips when he places them on my cheek. The feel of his bristle makes me hum, my eyes closing in bliss, every part of his front pushed into my back.