Chapter 39
39
Cat
“ W e’re done here.” I want to spit in that awful woman’s face, but Theo looks like he’s in shock. “Come on, sweetheart. I want to see the ocean.” I pull Theo through the house, into the garden, and down the steps. We take the stairs down two terraces until we’re right on the edge of the cliff, looking out over the water. The breeze is briny down here, and we’re hidden from view.
I lean against the wall, watching him. He’s staring out at the ocean, hands shoved in the pockets of his tux. He’s sharply masculine tonight, in a way that makes my stomach flip every time I look at him.
There’s a painfully blank expression on his face. I want to hug him or tell him we can escape through the back door, but I’m not sure how he’ll react.
So instead, I say, “Wow. What a bitch.”
He laughs, looking surprised. “That’s putting it mildly.”
“I take it that’s not the first time she’s done this?” I want to stab someone. The look on her face was pure avarice, like Theo was a possession, not a man .
“If you’re asking whether we’ve slept together, the answer is no.”
“No,” I exclaim. “No, that’s not what I’m asking. I’m asking—are you okay?”
“I’m okay.” Theo’s hands squeeze on the railing that keeps us from tumbling into the ocean. “This happens a lot.”
“That doesn’t make it better,” I say softly. “Tell me.” I stand next to him, looking out at the water, so he doesn’t have to look at me if he doesn’t want to.
“It’s always been like this. Since I graduated from college. Maybe even before. Those summers back at the house…” He looks out at the water. “Your stepmom’s friends hit on me.”
“They what ?” I choke out. “That’s horrible. I’m sorry.” My stepmother is closer to my age than my father’s.
“I didn’t hate it at the time.” He lifts a shoulder. “I thought it was pretty cool, that women wanted me. I’d always been the help’s son, but now I had power.”
I’m silent, feeling ill. I knew Theo sometimes helped out around the house, but I never imagined he was being harassed.
“I used it to my advantage, you know.” He says this like he expects me to think less of him, but all I can think is thank fuck , because he deserved every advantage he could get his hands on.
“Good,” I say viciously.
“Well, it hasn’t turned out great for me,” he says dryly. “My reputation means I’m fair game. These investors assume I’m here for a quick lay.” He waves his hand at the house. “They make passes. I say yes sometimes. I sort of have to. Now you’ve seen it in action.” He winces. “You probably think less of me for that.”
“What I think,” I say slowly, “is that I’d like to go up there and claw every woman’s eyes out for even looking at you.” The truth of those words settles into me. This might be a fake marriage, but Theo deserves someone in his corner.
He laughs. “Easy, princess. I need them to have eyes so we can take their money.”
“You shouldn’t have to do this. Do Miles and Jonah know they’ve put you in this position? ”
“They haven’t done anything. This is my problem. My failing.” Theo looks out over the water again. “I built this reputation. I’m not serious enough, not smart enough, too handsome.”
“Fuck that,” I bite out. “This isn’t your fault. And from where I’m standing, it looks like your business partners are using it.”
“That’s not it at all.” He shakes his head. “Miles and Jonah have done everything for me. If anything, I’m bringing them down. The least I can do is let an investor ogle me.”
“I don’t think they want that. You’re worth more than that, Theo. They’re your friends.” I hate that he feels he needs to pimp himself out to be worthy of Kings Lane.
His throat works, and when he looks over at me, his eyes are shadowed. “They are, but I owe them this deal.”
“Why? What if you didn’t win it? What happens?” I cross my arms.
He’s already frowning down at me. “Not an option.”
“Not an option why? Kings Lane is successful. There will be other deals.”
“There will be,” he says slowly. “But I might not be there to make them.”
“You’re quitting?” I can’t believe that. Theo loves what he does, as far as I can tell, otherwise he wouldn’t have spent a year traveling for work.
“No, I’m not quitting. I’m just…I’m not essential.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Did Miles or Jonah say that to you? I know Jonah can be a right prick when he wants to be, but Miles—”
“Nothing like that. It’s just a feeling I have. I came on later than them. They were already pretty successful before I joined. I’m nice to have. Not essential. I’m the schmoozer. The fixer. Not the moneymaker.”
“You really think that?” I suck in a breath. “Money isn’t everything, but if you want to compare dollars to dollars, you’re just as smart as Miles and Jonah. ”
“That was a different time in my life,” he says bitterly. “And besides, trading stock is for bottom-feeders.”
“Who told you that?” I ask sharply. “That sounds like something my father would say.”
Theo’s mouth parts in shock. “It was. How did you know?”
“Because he said as much any time he lost money on a trade in his portfolio. I’ll fucking kill him.” Tormenting me is one thing, but coming for Theo? Unacceptable. I’m shaking with rage until Theo tugs me over to him, pushing my back against the stone wall and bracketing me with his arms. He’s smiling as he does it, his eyes soft. Rage rises, making me want to snap my teeth. This man is nothing but impressive and honest, and my father tried his best to ruin him, just like he did to me.
“Easy, princess. He did say that, but it was a long time ago. I applied for an internship at Peterson International. He denied it.”
“He’s such a fucking prick,” I say. “I can’t believe that. You’re way smarter than he is. He’s threatened by you.”
Theo’s hand comes up to stroke over my jaw. “I know.”
“I’m going to kill him,” I seethe.
“I know.” Theo tilts my face up. “You’re sexy when you’re angry.” He’s giving me that crooked smile that makes him look like he knows what color my panties are and he plans to shred them later.
“You’re not even listening,” I say.
“Oh, I’m listening. You’re just magnificent, and all the blood is rushing to my cock.”
I choke a laugh, and he dips his head to capture the sound. He tastes like wine. His lips are warm and delicious, and the way he strokes his tongue over mine makes me gasp and clutch at his lapels.
“That’s it, princess,” he murmurs before he nips at my lip. “Kiss me.”
“I am kissing you. I’m not going to climb you in the middle of this party just to prove a point.”
“No one’s watching us,” he whispers. “This kiss is just for me.” His mouth claims mine again, searing me. His body covers me from view of the party. I’m wrapped up in him—his heat, his strength, the firmness of his lips. I push my fingers under the lapels of his jacket. I want to feel him. I want to savor the beat of his heart under my palm, this man who is brave and tortured and unyielding. He growls his approval into my mouth as I deepen our kiss and dig my fingers into his chest.
When he finally breaks the kiss, I sag against the wall like I’m boneless. “I like when you look like that,” he says.
“Like what?” I sound dazed, even to myself.
His breath whispers over my ear as he bends his head. “Like you want me to fuck you.”
Heat blazes through me. I do want that. I want to leave here with him right now. My stomach is tumbling, the words yes, please on the tip of my tongue.
That’s when we hear “Theo. Let’s play.”
“Lorenzo,” Theo says. “There’s a private poker game. Want to give them a show?”
The poker game is held in a room off the terrace. There are crystal vases, a haze of cigar smoke, and portraits of dead ancestors on the walls.
“You wanted debauchery,” Theo murmurs. “Here you go.”
We’re greeted by a chorus of “Theo” and “here he is” and “married now, you old dog?”
He slaps backs and introduces me to the men, each of whom is impeccably dressed, some of them obviously European, with their shined shoes and tailored suits. There’s one man who’s rather serious and all alone, sipping a glass of whiskey. He greets me with a polite nod and a “congratulations.”
“Aiden Prince,” Theo says with a note of respect in his voice. The name is fitting. The man does look like royalty. His face looks like it inspired Greek statues, especially with how serious his expression is. He’s the only one here without a partner, and he looks absolutely bored. The other men introduce me to their girlfriends and wives, then Lorenzo enters the room with the dealer, and a cheer goes up from the crowd.
Theo seats himself on one of the green velvet chairs and raises a brow expectantly. “Join me, princess,” he says. On his lap, he means. Am I really about to do this? This feels a hell of a lot like selling myself. “I dare you,” he mouths.
We’re in this together. Theo won’t let me fall. This might be sexist and dumb, but Theo isn’t. He’s on my side.
I settle on his lap and slide back into him, like we did when we practiced at home. And just like then, I feel like I’m on fire.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers in my ear. “I’ll make it up to you. You’re helping me play a part tonight.”
His hand settles on my hip, and his breath puffs over my ear, moving my hair in gentle flutters. Theo’s first hand is good. A pocket pair of kings. I tense until he presses his lips to my neck. “Don’t react,” he says, low and dark. I shiver as his stubble scratches my skin.
Theo plays lazily, like he couldn’t care less if he wins or loses, but beneath me, his thigh is tense. The chatter around the table flows around us. He responds easily, lightly.
He wins the first hand, and the second.
I flinch when his next hand is just an off-suit two-seven. His lips are at my ear again. “You’re going to give us away, princess. While I don’t need the money, I do want to win.” His hand tightens on my hip.
I turn my face, press my cheek to his. It looks like we’re embracing. Hell, it feels like we are. My stomach is alight with nerves. “Your cards are shit, sweetheart,” I say.
His chuckle vibrates through me.
“You think I’m going to lose? I’m counting cards, so it’s not likely.” His words are a mere breath in my ear.
I laugh, causing people to look at us, and he growls under his breath.
“It’s like you want me to teach you a lesson,” he murmurs. His hand slides down my dress until he curls his fingers under the hem. His thumb traces a circle on my thigh as he slides his cards forward to indicate that he folds .
The next hand makes me suck in a breath. His thumb inches higher until it reaches the sensitive skin of my inner thigh. Is he going to touch me? Right here, where everyone could see? He stills. I guess not.
I want to be that girl, even if the thought of someone seeing Theo’s large hand pushing my dress up makes me want to hide. I want his hand to continue. I want to fall into him and let him sweep me away. I tip my head back on his shoulder. Please, Theo.
When the flop comes, I make that little noise again. He digs punishing fingers into my leg. Yes.
I shift, and he makes an unbearably sexy sound. A strangled curse that he swallows. Oh. His erection is pressing against me. Just like the other morning. I want him to move. I desperately want him to shift closer to me like he did in bed. I pretended to be asleep, but I was completely focused on him, like I am now.
His fingers slip higher, soothing the bruised skin he grabbed, skimming ever so lightly until he gets to my lace underwear.
He’s still winning, still chatting. Aiden Prince wins a hand, and Theo congratulates him. Aiden gives a regal nod, looking right at me as Theo’s finger brushes over the lace between my legs. My skin trembles. It’s the lightest of caresses. Not enough.
“Please,” I whisper.
Theo’s lips caress my ear. “You want me inside you? Right here? Where anyone could see?”
“The list.”
He stills, and his fingers turn punishing, squeezing my thigh. “Sure. The list.” In a heartbeat, the lace is pushed aside, and his fingers are stroking slow and soft, circling my clit, teasing me, making me rock against his thumb. He resettles my dress over my thighs and wins another hand.
It’s all I can do to keep my lids from fluttering shut as he strokes me.
Theo and Aiden are left. Everyone else is ignoring them, too focused on drinking and the game they’ve set up on the side. Theo is unbothered, laughing and smiling as he wins hand after hand. Aiden’s face is getting blacker and more intense as they play .
How is he doing this? How is Theo making jokes while he counts cards and brings me to the edge of orgasm with one hand? He’s brilliant. Utterly fucking brilliant, and when he wins another hand, I shudder.
“You like that?” he whispers. His voice is rough and his breath is hot and damp. Aiden isn’t looking. He’s pushing back from the table to get another drink.
“I like when you win,” I murmur. “You’re so fucking”—I sigh as his thick finger presses into me—“competent.”
“Is that what turns you on?” The words are so low in my ear as to be almost inaudible. His finger curls just right.
“You’re the smartest man I know,” I respond. It’s so hot. It’s so fucking hot how good Theo is at what he does. He’s stronger and funnier and smarter than any man in the room. He looks better in a tux than any of them. He’s worked harder than any of them to get to the top. If biology tells us to choose the apex predator, the strongest hunter, then I choose him.
He’s still under me, his breathing labored. The only sign of his discomfort.
And then he yanks his hand away, pushes us back from the table, and turns to Aiden.
“You win, Prince. I need to be alone with my wife.”