Gentleman Sinner

by Jodi Ellen Malpas

  Her head pokes out from the side. “These were left for you at the desk,” she says, thrusting them at me.

  I have to sit back in the chair to fit them on my lap, the aroma of bright red roses filling my nose. “For me?”

  “Yes,” she confirms, reaching for the antibacterial spray and squirting some in her palms. “No flowers on the ward.”

  “I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting any.” I pull the card free, shuffling the roses to the side to read it.

  See you at seven.

  I swallow. Hard. I can’t decide whether I’m flattered or annoyed by his gesture. I remember his ticking jaw as he told me to get out of his car. He was desperate to get rid of me then. What’s changed? Once again, Theo Kane is throwing mixed signals. And that soon has me concluding that I’m annoyed. How does he expect me to react to this huge, beautiful spray of flowers? Call him and gush down the line? Swoon? I don’t know where I stand with him, and having worked my arse off to stabilize myself in recent years, to find my feet and get on with my life, I don’t need a man messing with that.

  “I’ll get these out of here,” I say to Susan, who’s standing over me, arms crossed over her ample chest.

  “Well?” She nods at the card as I get up.

  “Yes, well?” Mable backs her up eagerly. “Are they from the hunk?”

  “Yes, they’re from the hunk,” I confirm, passing the two women. “See you in a week.”

  “Don’t have too much fun,” Susan calls after me.

  “What?” Mable asks, disgusted. “Don’t listen to her, Izzy. Be bad but careful!”

  I laugh as I head out of the ward, reveling in the knowledge that I won’t be back for a whole week. I retrieve my phone from my bag and pull up Theo’s message, tapping in a reply and quickly sending it.

  I was gracious.

  I just didn’t accept.

  * * *

  My to-do list is growing by the minute, things coming to me as I search for my passport and case. “Sun cream,” I blurt to the drawer that I’m currently rummaging through, looking for the document I need to get me out of London and into Vegas. “Got ya.” I grab my passport and throw it on my bed before rushing to the kitchen and adding sun cream to my long list. “Swimsuit,” I shout.

  “You don’t have any?” Jess asks, relaxing at the table with a glass of wine, fully packed and organized.

  “I haven’t been on holiday for over ten years.”

  “I have loads of bikinis. Feel free to borrow.”

  I give her a look that Jess reads well, guilt swooping in and invading her pretty face. “Don’t look at me like that,” I warn, and she forces her face into a smile. “It’s cool.”

  “I think you should wear a bikini and own it,” Jess says, pushing my wine across the table.

  “I’ll be stared at for all the wrong reasons.” Taking a sip of my wine, I find my hand on my midriff, circling the spot where the only physical reminder of him remains. I shudder, and Jess doesn’t miss it.

  “I might buy a new swimsuit myself.” She stands and comes to me, kissing my forehead while I smile. “There’s some amazing designs this season.”

  Her gesture is sweet but not necessary. “Shut up,” I say, gently pushing her away.

  She goes with ease, skipping out of the kitchen, leaving me thinking about what else needs to be added to my list in an attempt at diverting my mind from more unpleasant thoughts.

  “Izzy,” I hear her call, and I drag myself up, heading for her room. But I don’t make it there, stalling in the hallway when I see her standing at the door. “It’s for you,” she says, biting her bottom lip and pulling it open to its widest, revealing a man standing on the doorstep.

  My relief is profound when I note it’s not Theo. It’s Callum, and he’ll be much easier to refuse. I walk forward and replace Jess in the doorway, spotting a Mercedes parked out front. “Hi,” I say, all smiley and polite, holding on to the edge of the door.

  “Miss White.” Callum nods, his expressionless gaze running down my frame, probably wondering why I’m in my work uniform. His dark brown eyes scowl a little. “Mr. Kane is expecting you.”

  “He shouldn’t be. I texted him to let him know that I couldn’t make it.” I congratulate myself for maintaining my politeness and sure tone. “I’m sorry you’ve had a wasted journey.”

  Theo’s driver smiles tightly. It’s in impatience, and it doesn’t soften his features one tiny bit. “It won’t be wasted if you come.”

  I make sure I don’t break our eye contact, because that would be displaying weakness. I’m not weak. I’m strong, as Callum will soon realize. “Like I said, I’m sorry you’ve had a wasted journey.”

  His lips pucker on a light, suppressed laugh as he backs away. “Have it your way.” He nods, forced, and walks away, sliding into his car and pulling off quickly.

  Have it my way? Yes, I will. I close the door with a satisfied nod and find Jess behind me. “What?” Her lips are pressed together.

  “And that was?”

  “Theo’s driver…I think.”

  Her face says it all. “Lord Almighty.”

  I make my way back to the kitchen, Jess hot on my heels. “Your knickers just burst into flames, didn’t they?” I chuckle.

  “I don’t know why you won’t just go for dinner with him.”

  “We’re going to Vegas tomorrow,” I remind her, as if she could have forgotten about the trip that’s been in the making for a year and bled us both dry of savings. “I’ll save my energy for that.”

  “Fine by me,” she sings, discarding her wine and reaching for both my hands. I give them to her, and she starts to dance us around the kitchen. “Vegas, baby!”

  I burst into fits of giggles, being twirled in circles with Jess’s cheesy grin beaming at me. I was already excited, but now I’m dizzy with it. Literally. “Stop!” I laugh, closing my eyes.

  And she does. Abruptly. Then I hear the hard rap at the door. My smiles and laughter shrivel up, but I remain dizzy. “Ignore it,” I demand, my hands still clutching Jess’s. “He’ll go away eventually.”

  “You know, I really don’t think he will,” Jess replies, sounding worried and intrigued.

  “He’ll have to. I’m not answering.” I shut the kitchen door, blocking out the echo of his follow-up knock.

  “So we’re going to hide in here all night?” Jess asks with a furrowed forehead.

  “If we have to.”

  “Seriously?”

  I laugh. “Yes, very seriously.” I fetch more wine and wave it at her face. “We have supplies. Let’s just drink. No work tomorrow,” I remind her.

  “Just tell him no if you’re that determined. Simple.”

  “He won’t listen,” I grate, taking the bottle to my lips and glugging a bit down. “The phone, the flowers, turning up at work. He’s immune to the word no. No one says no to Theo Kane.” More wine.

  I must remain strong. For the first time in a very long time, I feel like I’m making progress. They’re small steps, but they’re small steps in the right direction. I know where I’m heading. When I look at Theo Kane, I don’t know where I’d be heading if I were to get involved with him, and that’s a good enough reason to steer clear. I like where I’m at in my life. I like who I am. And that’s an achievement, because I hated myself for such a long time. I’m finally breaking free of the fear that’s controlled me.

  “I’m fine on my own,” I tell her. “I’m happy on my own.” I’m in control on my own. When I’m with Theo, I don’t feel in control in the slightest.

  Jess sighs, her shoulders dropping. “Pass me that bottle.” She makes grabby hands at me, and I willingly hand it over, pleased she understands.

  Another knock at the door. “So what are we going to do as soon as we arrive?” I ask, ignoring it.

  “Drink.” Jess takes another glug before handing the bottle back to me. I accept gratefully and take it to my lips. She looks over her shoulder to the closed kitchen door as more knocks sound.r />
  “And on the second night?” I rush on, needing to distract her.

  “I don’t know. Bellagio’s?”

  “Great!” I swig again and give her the bottle. “And the third night I was thinking a nice meal and a little gamble.” I’m literally yelling now.

  “Right,” she says slowly, and then she sighs. “This is ridiculous.” She slams the bottle down and pulls the kitchen door open.

  “Jess, no!”

  “I’ll tell him no if you won’t.” She marches on her way with determination.

  “Jess!” I’m running forward a few steps and retreating again, back and forth, unsure of what to do. Hide. I should hide. “Tell him I’m out!” Damn it! I rush after her, hoping to make it to the door before she does so I can stop her from opening it.

  “Fuck me!”

  I hear Jess’s startled curse as I screech to a halt behind her, finding she’s already pulled the front door open and her head is slowly tilting back to find Theo’s face. I can’t see my friend, but I’m guessing her jaw is lax.

  The sight of him, tall and oddly refined behind his intimidating front, makes me feel like I’ve just been smacked in the head with a baseball bat. He’s a vision. His top lip quirks as he looks past Jess, abandoning my dazed friend in favor of me. And again I’m tucking my hair behind my ears, my gaze dropping. One day I won’t look like a bedraggled mess when he appears from nowhere. “I texted to tell you I wouldn’t be having dinner with you.” I jump in before he can ask why I’m not ready.

  “And I assumed it must have been a slip of your fingers on the keys.”

  “What…” I do a quick mental calculation. “All seven words?”

  “Eight,” he counters, getting my attention again. He watches me carefully. “If you include the kiss that you tagged on the end.”

  My cheeks heat under his watchful eyes, and Jess swings around with an accusing look. “A kiss?”

  My lips remain locked tightly shut, not willing to explain myself. Though it doesn’t stop me from justifying it in my head. I added it as a gesture, that’s all. To soften the blow.

  “Yes, a kiss,” Theo confirms. “It said, ‘Thank you, but I can’t make dinner.’” He reels off my message from memory. “And then there was definitely a kiss.” He raises his eyebrows, pouting a little. “Don’t take that kiss away from me, Izzy. It’ll break my heart.”

  I want to smile, but that would be feeding his playfulness. And I shouldn’t do that, no matter how thrilling it is to bounce off his light banter. I’m still figuring out what to say next when Jess opens the door wide and gestures for him to come in. He dips a little to clear the frame and avoid hitting his head. What is she doing?

  I point a steely glare at her that she totally ignores, the cow. Fuck, I’m hot. My hand comes up to fan my face without thought, triggering another knowing smile from Theo. He looks lovely when he smiles, and I sense he doesn’t do it often. His smiles are warm and tempting.

  Tempting.

  He’s that already, even when he’s straight-faced and ominous. With a cute curve of his lips, he’s plain irresistible. That dimple is adorable and definitely misplaced.

  The narrow hallway becomes far too crowded when he enters, and I flatten myself against the wall to avoid making contact with him. I’m going to kill Jess. Slowly.

  “It was nice to meet you,” she chimes, trotting off, leaving me and Theo more or less wedged in the space. I breathe in to widen the small gap between our torsos when he stops right in front of me.

  “Your friend is quite hospitable,” he says, lingering before me. “Maybe you should take note.”

  My eyes narrow. “And maybe she might be easier to bed than me. Why don’t you try your luck?” I want to regret my spiteful retort, if only because I’ve insulted Jess, but I can’t. He’s pissed me off now, chasing away any temptation that I was fighting off.

  Though it all comes steaming back when Theo takes my jaw in his big hand and brings his face close to mine, even if his handsome features are twisting in disdain. My lungs squeeze as I fight for breath. He looks truly threatening now. Yet I’m not scared.

  Why am I not scared of him?

  “That was uncalled for,” he whispers menacingly but softly, keeping me in place with his grip, but more with his eyes.

  I clench my back teeth, not cowering nor backing down. “You want me to apologize?”

  His grip loosens, going from holding to feeling, his palm encasing the entire side of my face. “I’ll forsake an apology in exchange for dinner.”

  I shake my head no, exhausted by the strength needed to continue refusing him. Everything inside me is telling me to just go. “It’s still no,” I affirm. “With all due respect, Mr. Kane, I’m really not interested in getting involved with a man. Especially not a man who carries a gun. But thanks for the offer.” I smile sweetly, and I can tell he’s struggling to hold back his own amusement.

  “But you’re forgetting something, Miss White,” he says roughly, and I tilt my head, prompting him to remind me. “If I want something, I have it.”

  “You buy it?” I ask, referring to my fixed phone and flowers.

  “Yes.”

  “What if it can’t be bought?”

  “Then I take it.”

  “And what if it fights?”

  His lips part, his gaze dropping to my mouth as he moves in and traps me against the wall. Our bodies meld into each other. I feel his chest inflate on a deep suck of air. He looks awed, happy, his head shaking mildly as if not believing how good it feels to touch me. It feels so good. He brings his mouth close to my ear. “Then it makes the victory so much sweeter when I win,” he whispers, his hand sliding to the back of my neck and gripping gently, applying a little pressure to turn my head and bring my mouth closer to his. My breath diminishes as his lips skim over mine, and I whimper, the sensation of his mouth, the feel of his tongue tracing across my flesh, and the heat of his breath reeling me in that final stretch. He tastes divine.

  Clamping his teeth lightly over my bottom lip, he retreats slowly until it pops free. My palms meet the wall behind me and press into the plaster, anything to hold on to except him. “You don’t feel or sound like you would fight very hard, Izzy.” He peels his body from mine and pulls the door open, watching me disintegrate against the wall. “Think about dinner.” He walks out, and my fingers come to my lips, feeling gently where his mouth was a moment ago.

  “Oh…fucking…hell…” Why did I let him do that? I look to the doorway of the kitchen as if searching for the answer there, but I find Jess instead, looking as bamboozled as I am. “See?” I laugh, shaken to my absolute core. “He won’t take no for an answer.”

  “You don’t need to be saying no to him.” Jess looks to the closed door, her cheeks puffing out. “Shit, Izzy. You need to be letting him do what the hell he pleases with you, because it sure as shit looks like it would be quite an experience.”

  “I know.” I’m done with denying it. I said I wouldn’t pass it up if he made a pass, but he didn’t give me a chance to. He left me hanging. And I’m devastated. “You need to get me to Vegas pronto.” I need to get as far away from Theo Kane as possible before I cave and let him possess me. Because that’s exactly what will happen. He’ll possess me. One brief kiss and I’m all over the place. Anything more and I fear I’ll be signing my soul over to him.

  Or the devil.

  Chapter 5

  We really have gone all out. Premium economy on our flight was lush, even if it has swallowed up most of my savings. I’m not going to beat myself up about it. I’ve never had savings to splurge so recklessly, and I’ve worked my fingers to the bone to tick this biggie off my bucket list.

  Jess and I are smiling like a pair of prats as we tug our cases out of the airport. “Holy shit,” I blurt, being smacked in the face with heat.

  Jess retrieves her floppy hat from her bag and shoves it on her head. “Don’t breathe through your nose.”

  I see my name on an iPad scre
en being held by a suited man and wave for his attention. “Why?” I look behind me as I pull my case over to him, finding Jess pinching her nose.

  “You might singe your nasal hair.”

  I burst out laughing, handing my case to our driver when he smiles and gestures for it. “Welcome to Vegas, ladies.”

  “Thanks!” we sing in unison, following him onward. He takes us to a shiny black Escalade and gets us comfy before loading our cases.

  Jess makes a dive for the bottled water positioned between our seats and drinks it down ravenously. “Oh, that’s so good.”

  “Hard Rock?” the driver asks as he hops in, quickly pulling out of the car park.

  “Please,” I confirm, giving Jess excited eyes, which she returns before diving into her bag and pulling out her makeup. She starts to freshen up, and though I roll my eyes, I accept her compact powder when she hands it to me. No work uniform for five whole days. I need to make the most of it.

  The drive to our hotel is surprisingly quick, and I reluctantly vacate the cool car and step into the near-on unbearable heat again.

  WHEN THIS HOUSE IS ROCKING, DON’T BOTHER

  KNOCKING…COME ON IN!

  “Okay!” Jess shouts after she’s read the sign over the entrance of the Hard Rock Hotel. “I can’t believe we’re here.”

  I follow her in, and we both come to a stop as we’re hit by cool air. Bright lights glow at every turn, and a fuck-off big Harley is on display. “Oh wow,” I breathe.

  “Check in, dump our cases, and drink.” Jess makes a dash for the insanely long reception desk, and I’m relieved to find only a few people in the queue after it feels like I’ve done nothing but queue since we left home. We’re armed with our key card ten minutes later, and up in our room ten minutes after that.

  I dive on the bed and sigh. “We need to keep going or our body clocks will be buggered.”

  Jess frowns and spins toward the long drapes keeping the room dark. “What’s that noise?”

  I look toward the drawn curtain, where the vibrating beats of music sound beyond. “It’s coming from out there.”