Chapter 4 #5
“You’re so besotted with her, you can’t even see it,” his friend glared at Theo for a long moment, then heaved a brotherly sigh of disgust. “Admit it, Theo. You’re in love with Genevieve. If you won’t admit it to me, at least admit it to yourself and do something about it.”
A sudden bump against his shoulder from Amenhotep tugged Theo out of his reverie.
Reaching into his coat pocket, he pulled out another piece of apple and fed it to the horse.
Absently, he rubbed the animal’s neck as it chomped on the fruit, while he remembered Peter challenging him to admit he had feelings for Genevieve.
It was true he was fond of Genevieve. He’d always enjoyed the sound of her laughter, and the way her beautiful green eyes sparkled when she was teasing someone. She had the strength of will few men had, and her ability to venture back into the hell that had left her scarred indicated her courage.
How could he not be fond of her, admire her? It was why he cared about her happiness, but love? With a snort of disgust, Theo closed his eyes for a moment and blew out a harsh breath of air. The only thing he had to admit was that he was guilty of acting dishonorably this afternoon.
Today he’d lost command of his senses and acted on the hunger he’d suppressed for years.
He’d also violated Peter’s trust in him to look after Genevieve.
Bedding her was not looking after her. Worst of all, his inability to control himself had only increased his need to make love to her again.
It didn’t help matters she refused to marry him, but was more than willing to become his mistress. How could he do that to her?
He couldn’t, which meant he had to find a way to convince her to marry him. Theo wasn’t sure how he could resolve the issue, but he would think of something. Muttering an oath, he looked at Amenhotep.
“Why in the hell didn’t I just replace her goddamn bandage and order her to put her bloody jacket back on the moment I saw how bad her injury was?”
His query went unanswered as the horse stared back at him. A brief second later, Amenhotep bowed its head to nudge at the pocket that held the last of the apple slices. Giving the animal the last piece in his pocket, Theo looked toward the low-lying croft.
He should have believed Wills as to the extent of her wound. Perhaps he might have if he’d not been so shocked to learn she’d been working for the Crown all this time. C was to blame for that. The man should have told all of them so they could at least watch out for her.
Irritated that he’d been such an idiot, Theo shook his head, trying to think of what he could have done to prevent what had just happened. Why had he demanded to see the wound for himself? And why the fuck had he kissed her?
Why? Because he’d been wanting to kiss her since that day at the pond.
No, he’d wanted a lot more than just a kiss.
From the moment he’d seen Genevieve rising up out of the pond years ago, he’d been craving what had just happened between them in the croft.
His desire for her was precisely why Theo had stayed as far away from her as he could all these years.
Peter had been mistaken. He might be fond of Genevieve, but love? No. What Theo felt for Genevieve was desire. In the back of his mind, he heard Peter’s mocking laughter, all the while whispering that the emotion driving Theo to bed Genevieve had been something much different than lust.
Denial made him shake his head. If his best friend were with him now, Theo would remind Peter of that summer day at the pond.
That was when his hunger for Genevieve had begun, and he’d recognized then the danger she posed.
Every time she was near him, Theo’s entire body ached for her.
It was why he’d always stayed as far away from Genevieve as possible.
Even when standing guard at different soirées like the rest of the male Rockwoods, Theo still managed to keep his distance. While the others would rescue Genevieve under the pretense she’d promised them a dance, Theo never did.
He would send the offending male on his way, then guide Genevieve to another family member in attendance, before putting space between them.
Theo knew pulling Genevieve into his arms to circle the dance floor with her was far too dangerous.
Her touch always left an invisible mark that burned him for hours afterward.
Just having her hand tucked inside the crook of his arm was sheer hell.
But today? Today he’d crossed the Rubicon and could never go back.
His desire for Genevieve had erupted with such an intensity, it had exploded out of control.
Theo had always dreamed of what it would be like making love to Genevieve.
But Christ Jesus, the carnal, base chemistry between them this afternoon was something he’d never expected.
Even more amazing was that despite Genevieve’s painful past, she was a creature of great passion.
Theo wanted to experience more of that passion, which meant persuading Genevieve to marry him.
The memory of how adamant she’d been in rejecting his offer shouldn’t have surprised him.
It was understandable. But he’d forgotten the one thing Peter had once told him.