Gentleman Sinner(5)

He steps forward, offering his hand. I stare at it and roll my shoulders to rid myself of the tremor of apprehension. ‘Take it, Izzy.’

I do, immediately, and he tugs me forward, my front coming dangerously close to his. He gulps, his hand beginning to shake, and he pulls away but doesn’t release his grip, like he’s having a fight with himself over whether or not to let me go. I look up at him in question, seeing that battle in his eyes. This close, I get to truly appreciate his height, my level vision falling just below his throat. Jesus, he’s a mountain.

Constricting his hand around mine, he takes another tiny step forward, almost as if he’s approaching me with caution. His persona and behaviour could be interpreted as intimidating, but I feel nothing but intrigue. He’s studying me closely. The sharp stubble of his jaw is perfectly even, his lips parted just a fraction. ‘You have soft hands,’ he murmurs quietly. ‘Warm and soft. I like the feel of them.’

Oh my God.

I look away, completely stunned. ‘She needs professional care,’ I say mindlessly, feeling his grip flex around mine. I try to pull away, but he laughs in the face of my strength, keeping a firm hold of me. ‘I strongly urge you to take her to the hospital. It’s the best place for her.’

‘You don’t think I can care for her?’

‘Forgive me, but you don’t look like the type to have any medical knowledge.’

‘But you do,’ he replies gently, seeming to take no offence, his hand shifting a little in mine, roaming and feeling through my fingers. ‘So you’ll come with me.’

‘What?’ I blurt, my eyes darting upward. Is he crazy?

‘Your concern for Penny is touching,’ he goes on. It’s now him trying to pull free from my grasp, but nerves have suddenly made my grip tighten. His jaw stiffens, and he yanks himself free with a hiss. My arm drops to my side as I stare up at a face that is hovering on the line between irresistible and dangerous. ‘I’ll ensure everything you need is waiting for you when we arrive.’

‘I’m not a doctor,’ I point out. ‘I’m a nurse. My medical knowledge isn’t as broad as a doctor’s.’

‘I have faith in you.’ Theo gestures towards the big, impressive Bentley, watching as I follow his extended arm. ‘Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you, Izzy,’ he says on a mere whisper, turning those big hands over and showing me his palms. ‘That I promise you.’

I have no reason to believe him, and despite sensing that he’s no danger to me, I know I should be wise. And it wouldn’t be wise for me to get in that car with these two huge men. I shake my head and step back. ‘Please, won’t you just take her to a hospital?’

On a sigh, he reaches back under his suit jacket, pulling something out. ‘I can’t do that.’ He holds something out to me, and I look down to see what.

A gun.

‘Oh my God,’ I murmur, clumsily stepping back, my composure long gone. ‘Okay, I’ll come.’ I hold up my hands.

‘Hey, calm down,’ he says, way too gently, considering he has a gun aimed at me. What does he expect? But then reason finds me, and I peek at the weapon in his hand. He’s not holding it. It’s simply lying in his palm. ‘It’s for you.’ He steps forward and takes my hand, putting the gun in my grip. ‘An insurance policy.’

The weight surprises me, and I look up at him, confused. ‘What?’

‘If you feel like you’re in danger, go right on ahead and shoot me.’ He smiles that cute smile again, and I’m forced to look away. ‘I’m sorry for scaring you.’

With his apology, I immediately fall under the spell of the contradicting softness and hardness of his stare. He won’t hurt me. Or Penny. I know the signs of a man who throws his weight around. I bet Theo throws his weight around all right, but not with women.

I swallow and straighten my shoulders, handing back his gun. ‘I don’t think I’ll need this.’

He cocks his head in interest as he accepts. ‘Why?’

‘Because I have my own,’ I joke and roll my eyes, and he gives me that roguish smile again. Damn that smile. It shouldn’t suit him. ‘Where do you live?’ I ask, wondering who Penny is to him.

‘You don’t need to worry about an address.’ He slips his hand on to my shoulder, and I jump under his hold, fire racing through my veins. It’s making my head spin. ‘You’ll come with me, and I’ll have my driver take you home once you’ve seen to Penny.’ His grip flexes, his big hand practically blanketing my entire shoulder. The odd warmth that melts deeply into me as I move toward the car is confounding, and I can’t think past the whoosh of blood pumping in my ears. Who the hell is this giant?





Chapter 2

I tell myself Penny’s well-being is the only reason I’m currently sunken into a plush leather seat heading God only knows where, but I’m lying. Theo has reduced me to an idiot. I must be stark raving mad. He tried to give me a gun to shoot him if I deemed it necessary. A bloody gun! But he also showed up and stopped that slimeball from . . .

A cold shiver travels through me as I gently pull up Penny’s eyelid to check her pupils before assessing the gash on her eyebrow. It’s stopped bleeding but will definitely require a few stitches. I feel momentarily guilty for being thankful for having Penny to focus on, because he’s still watching me, and it’s making my heart boom relentlessly.