A second before their lips met, she hesitated. His mouth hovered above hers. He didn’t press forward, didn’t complete the kiss. It would have been easier if he had. Would have taken the pressure off her, eased the responsibility of making a decision.
But he didn’t do that. Holding himself back, Theo’s action, or rather inaction, sent a clear message. If she was going to kiss him, it would be her choice. If she was going to put her mouth on his, it would be because she wanted to.
And, oh God, she wanted to.
Bonnie lifted her chin and met his eyes. Screw your courage to the sticking place. She brushed her mouth across Theo’s. It could almost have been accidental, a momentary bumping of lips. But this was no accident. A mistake, maybe. But she’d think about that later.
Closing her eyes, she pressed her lips to his. And quickly realized she had no idea what she was doing. She’d never kissed anyone but Gabe before. Well, there’d been stage kisses with other actors, but those didn’t count. Usually, when Gabe kissed her, there was a predictable pattern, a process she was familiar with. But now, kissing Theo, she was in completely new and unfamiliar territory.
She brushed her mouth across his again, back and forth, and each time a tingle of something electric vibrated along her nerve endings, making her skin feel more awake, more alive. The sensation encouraged her, emboldened her. She parted her lips, letting the tip of her tongue sweep against him.
Reaching out, a tentative explorer taking her first steps in the new world, Bonnie slid her tongue into Theo’s mouth the tiniest bit, testing … tasting. Tart lemon bloomed on her tongue. She smiled against his mouth, tempted to go further, and thrust her tongue deeper.
Oh. More sparks.
She traced the shape of his mouth with her tongue, licking the little dip in the center of his upper lip. Then she sunk her teeth into his full lower lip, nibbling.
He groaned. Or was that a growl?
Fascinated, Bonnie licked the spot she’d nibbled, then bit him again, harder, wanting to provoke the beast, hoping to rouse another growl from him. She got more than a growl. Animalistic sounds rumbled in his chest, vibrating beneath her hand, still fisted in his shirt.
He reached up and threaded his fingers through her hair. Bracing his palms on either side of her face, he pulled back and met her gaze, a question in his blue eyes. She answered him soundlessly, nodding. The movement caused his thumbs to brush against her earlobes and Bonnie shivered.
Permission granted, his eyes darkened to blue fire, icy hot and intense, the indigo flecks orbiting his pupils sparking. This time, when his mouth lowered to hers, he went all the way, closing the distance. This time, he kissed her, his mouth enveloping hers, all heat and hunger. He didn’t taste, he devoured. With another growl, he thrust his tongue inside her mouth, invading, exploring—claiming.
* * *
Theo took Bonnie’s mouth with his, kissing her hard and deep, the way he’d wanted to for so long. He’d waged an internal war against this desire, losing the battle every night when his guard was down and his subconscious took over, filling his dreams with kisses and so much more. But she’d belonged to someone else, forbidden fruit, and his dreams had remained just that, only fantasies.
Now she was free, and his fantasy had come to life. He knew her heart was raw, the wounds of her breakup fresh, and likely she wasn’t thinking clearly or acting sensibly. But if, in this moment, she wanted this, if she needed this—needed him—if kissing him helped her heal, made her feel better, he was happy to be of service. To bandage her wounded heart the same way he’d bandaged her heel.
The ache in his groin reminded him, despite what noble stories he told himself, this was not a completely selfless act on his part. And likely it was selfish of him to take advantage of her while she was in this state, but bloody hell, he wasn’t a damn saint. He’d given her an out, offered her a choice, made sure the decision to kiss him had been hers.
Theo traced the angles of her face, running his fingers along her jaw, across her collarbone, over her shoulders, and down her arms to rest at her waist. He shifted, pulling her closer, and she splayed her hand flat against his chest, the heat of her palm burning through the thin fabric of his undershirt. Her hand dropped lower, skimming his abdomen, until her fingers rested against the clasp of his belt buckle. His cock jerked, eager for attention. Not yet, you little bugger.
Breathing hard, Theo broke the kiss, and grappled with the tattered remains of his self-control. They were moving too fast. She hadn’t had time to process what she’d been through, and there was a good chance she’d regret … whatever it is they might do if he allowed what was happening between them to continue. He let go of her waist, pulling back to look at her.
That was a mistake.
Her cheeks were flushed a rosy pink, lips swollen from their kisses, eyes bright with lust. His chest tightened, need and doubt and caution warring for space. That she wanted him, was obvious. Why she wanted him, wasn’t so clear. Was he just a convenient distraction? A way to get back at the man who had cheated on her?
Do you care? That was the real question. Was he willing to let himself be used in such a way? Could he sleep with Bonnie, knowing he was a pawn, whether consciously or unconsciously, meant to level the playing field? He was fairly certain he knew the answer … and wasn’t nearly as disturbed by it as he should be.
But he wasn’t a complete git. For both their sakes, he’d give them a little space. A little time to decide if this was what they really wanted. He brushed a stray curl from her forehead. It twisted around his finger, soft and silky, clinging to him. “Well.” Theo cleared his throat. “I hope that answered your question.”
She stared at him blankly.
“About the kiss?” He gave her a light, teasing smile. “What I taste like?”
After a moment, understanding flickered in her eyes. “Oh, right.” She followed his casual, lighthearted lead and returned the grin, smacking her lips. “I’m satisfied.”
“Good.” He wasn’t satisfied—far from it—but he’d wrestle with that later. Likely while alone in bed tonight. Rising from the chaise, Theo busied himself with cleaning up the first aid supplies. He closed the kit and set it aside before returning to sit next to her, trying not to stare at her bare legs and the adorable sprinkling of freckles on her knees, or to think about how he wanted to kiss each one. He’d tasted her mouth … now he was dying to know what she tasted like everywhere.
He cleared his throat again. “Back to my original question. Why haven’t you told Cassie about the breakup yet?”
She stared at her hands, resting in her lap. Her right hand fiddled with her left, twisting a phantom ring. “It’s stupid,” she finally said.
“I doubt that,” he assured her.
“Well, it’s juvenile.” Bonnie raised her gaze to his. “I’m jealous of her.”
“Of Cassie?” Theo straightened. Had he read her wrong? Did Bonnie want Logan instead? Had she been attracted to his friend all this time?
“Yes, of Cassie. I’ve been engaged for over a year, to a man I’ve been with for freaking ever, and here she is, planning a wedding to a guy she hasn’t even known for a year!”
“Ah,” Theo said.
“What do you mean, ‘Ah’?” She glared at him, her mouth twisting defiantly, petulantly.
“It’s only, I understand now.”
“You do?”
“Of course. Have I ever told you I’m the oldest of four children? And that all my siblings are sisters?”
“So?”
“Let’s just say, I have a better understanding of the female psyche than most men.”
“What a pigheaded, chauvinistic thing to say,” she scoffed, voice rising.
“All three of my sisters would agree with you. And perhaps you’re right, but chauvinistic or not, I’m right too.”
She snorted. “Another chauvinistic response.”
Theo ignored the jab. He’d been navigating the minefield of his sisters’ e
motional outbursts his entire life and had learned when to keep his trap shut. Even though now was very likely one of those times, he couldn’t resist pressing the issue. “It’s all right to be upset, to be jealous even. Your friend is getting the very thing you’ve been waiting a long time for. I agree, it’s not fair. But that’s not her fault. And it’s not fair of you to treat her like it is.”
“That’s not what I’m doing!” she sputtered.
“Isn’t it?” He held her gaze steadily, until she squirmed and looked away.
“You have your schoolmarm face on again,” she grumbled.
He chuckled but resisted her attempt to change the subject once more. No, she was going to work through this. And he was going to help her, if she’d let him. Any way he could. And yes, Theo decided, that included if she wanted to use him as a rebound lover.
Perhaps that was for the best. It wasn’t as if he could offer her more.
But part of him acknowledged he was interested in more.
Even as he accepted this truth, the same honest, no-nonsense part of him warned he couldn’t pursue that interest. Aside from the fact he lived halfway around the world, as acting head of the Wharton family and heir to the Emberton title, he had duties to fulfill. Obligations. Expectations. People were counting on him. His mother, his sisters … every bloody soul who depended on the Embertons for their livelihood.
Unlike his failure of a father, Theo was determined not to let them down.
Land rich and coin poor, with many of their extensive properties mortgaged to the hilt, Theo’s father had dug the family deeper into debt year after year, leaving the Wharton finances in dire straits upon his death. Theo had been raised knowing it would be his job to undo the damage. His duty to save the family from complete financial ruin.
Over the past several years, he’d thrown himself into the task. Through a series of wise investments and careful estate management, he’d been able to stave off the worst from happening and avoided bankruptcy. But keeping the Emberton holdings solvent was like bailing water off a sinking ship with a teaspoon.
Eventually, he would have to succumb to the inevitable and follow through on his mother’s plan. Which meant marrying an heiress with pockets deep enough to buoy the Wharton coffers. Which also meant he had no business contemplating a relationship, of any kind, with Bonnie.
And yet, he couldn’t stop himself from reaching for her hands. “Look,” he told her. “You said it yourself; friendship is the balm of broken hearts or whatnot. Cassie is your best friend. The two of you have been together even longer than you’ve known what’s-his-name, right?”
“You mean Gabe?”
He nodded. He recalled the cad’s name. He just didn’t want to say it.
“Yeah, Cassie and I became friends when we were in first grade. How did you know?”
“You told me. In London, while we were on the Eye. Remember?”
Bonnie nodded, her smile turning shy. “I can’t believe you remember.”
Theo brushed it off. He remembered every detail about their encounter last summer, but she didn’t need to know that. “Speaking of remembering, what’s important here is that you need to remember how much your friendship with Cassie means to you. Don’t let what that bugger—Gabe—did get between you two. Tell her what happened.” He squeezed her fingers gently. “She’ll be hurt if she thinks you hid it from her.”
“Wow, that’s really good advice.”
“I told you.” Theo leaned back, her compliment making him feel like a bloody king. “Three sisters.”
“Okay, okay. Keep the ego in check, please.” Bonnie made a show of rolling her eyes, slipping her hands out of his grip. “But you’re right. I’ll tell Cassie. She wants to get together and discuss”—she grimaced—“wedding stuff with us before you leave. When are you heading back to London?”
“Monday.” Theo stood and offered her a hand up. “I believe Lo mentioned something about supper tomorrow night?”
She headed for the bathroom. “That works.” A second later, she returned, tights bunched in her hand. “We should take you somewhere special. A Chicago tradition.”
“Sounds delightful.” Theo fought to keep his smile in place and groaned inwardly, not sure his stomach could handle another round of gut-busting deep-dish. “Can I walk you to your room?”
She glanced up from grabbing her boot. “This again? I can get there by myself, thank you.”
“Sorry. Habit.”
“I know. You’re just being polite.” She sighed. “Truth be told, it’s actually kind of nice.”
The grin he flashed her faded when he noticed she’d begun to wobble a little. “Are you all right? You sure you want to walk back barefoot? I can carry—”
“I’m fine,” she insisted, gritting her teeth as she gathered up her coat and bag, her movements jerky, almost brusque.
Theo decided it was best not to press. And carrying Bonnie to her room, soft bare thighs balanced on his arm, warm weight curled against his chest, was probably not wise. “Well then, until tomorrow night?” he asked, holding his hotel room door open for her.
“Yes.” She paused in the doorway. “And thanks again, for … everything.”
He held her gaze, unable to resist letting some of his pent-up feelings slip through. “My pleasure.”
CHAPTER 9
BACK IN HER own suite, Bonnie dumped everything on the floor, checked to make sure the bandage was still secure on her heel and collapsed onto the chaise. My pleasure. Those two words had been loaded with double entendre … right? She was often accused of being too naïve, too innocent. And it was true, dirty jokes often went over her head, and she rarely caught on when innuendos were fired in her direction. Yet even she couldn’t miss the sexual heat burning in Theo’s reply. And if she had, there was no mistaking the fire sparking in those blue eyes. He wanted her.
The knowledge made her tingle all over, even more than his dimples.
But not as much as his kisses.
Bonnie leaned back, staring up at the hotel ceiling. She’d kissed him. Tasted him. And he had tasted sweet and spicy—tart. As good as she’d imagined. Better. Like the lemon icing Mom frosted gingerbread with at Christmas.
And then he’d kissed her back. Bonnie pressed her bare thighs together, squeezing her legs tightly closed. What if he’d kept kissing her? Her hand had been on his belt buckle. What if they hadn’t stopped, if he hadn’t pulled away? Would she have let her hand drop lower? Her mouth went dry as she shut her eyes, imagining what she might have found if her fingers had continued to explore that particular piece of British territory.
A blast of Spice Girls interrupted her very specific and very inappropriate speculations. Bonnie rolled off the chaise and dug her phone out of her purse. “Hey, Cassie.”
“So, how did it go?”
It took Bonnie a moment to realize Cassie was referring to her meeting with the Cambridge people. If what happened last night felt like forever ago, tea at the Drake this afternoon seemed to have happened years ago. Her life was taking so many twists and turns, she’d aged a decade in a day. “Fine. Great.” She filled Cassie in on the details.
“You’re taking it? Fantastic!” she squealed. “Oh, Bonnie, I’m so happy for you. I knew you were perfect for the job.”
Joy and pride were reflected in Cassie’s voice, and Bonnie felt a deep tug of affection for her best friend. And guilt too. Theo was right. She needed to tell Cassie about what happened.
As if reading her mind, Cassie asked, “And Gabe is totally cool with this?”
Again, Bonnie screwed her courage to the sticking place. Channeling Lady Macbeth was exhausting. “Gabe really doesn’t have a say.”
Cassie laughed. “Right. Okay. Very forward thinking of you, but you know what I meant, Bon. This was supposed to be a special summer for the two of you, right? Your time to reconnect and all that.”
“We broke up,” Bonnie burst out, unable to listen to any more about what was supposed to happen t
his summer. What’s past hope is past care, right? She realized now why Cassie hated that saying so much. It really didn’t help at all. “Cassie? Are you still there?”
“Uh, yeah. I’m … just in shock. Did you say you and Gabe broke up?”
“Yes.”
“As in you two are over? The engagement is off?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, Bonnie. What happened?”
For the second time that day, Bonnie replayed the terrible details. “I caught Gabe cheating on me.”
“Wait, what? When?”
“Last night.”
“And you’re just telling me now?” Cassie’s voice rose. “Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”
“I wasn’t ready to talk about it.”
“Um. Okay,” Cassie said. “Did you kick him out?”
“No. I left.”
“Where are you? Did you go home to your parents’ place?” Cassie asked, then added, “You should have told me. That must have been a lot, to get back to the city in time for the meeting at the Drake.”
“I’m still in the city.” Bonnie took a breath. “Sadie hooked me up with her dad’s suite at the Waldorf.”
“Oh,” Cassie said, hurt weighing the word down. But good friend that she was, she didn’t say anything more. “Hey,” she said instead, her voice brightening. “You know what’s wild? Theo’s staying at the Waldorf too.”
“Yeah, I know,” Bonnie admitted.
“You do?” Cassie asked, surprised. She paused, and then repeated the question, drawling suggestively, “Oh, you do, do you?”
“Knock it off. We just happened to run into each other.”
“Uh-huh,” Cassie mocked disbelievingly. “Is that what they’re calling it now?”
“I’m serious. Actually, I ran into him at the Drake, and we walked back together.” Bonnie tactfully left out the part about her pathetic attempt to evade him at the hotel. And the kiss.
Cassie laughed.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“What’s so funny?” Bonnie demanded, knowing it would bother her incessantly if Cassie didn’t elaborate.
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