28. Jess
28
Jess
A fter checking the coast was clear, I slipped out of the B&B. I already knew Theo had left. I’d heard him go for his run and then out for breakfast, so it was Glenda I was avoiding.
It was crazy. I was a grown woman, yet I felt like I was a teenager who’d got caught sneaking a boy into my parents’ house when I should’ve been at school.
But if I wanted to stand the best chance of winning this pitch, I had to toe the line. It’d only be for ten more days. After that, I’d either be going back to my shitty bedsit, or… I was too nervous to think about it.
This was the first time since I’d arrived that I was having breakfast outside. As I wandered down the high street, I wondered where Theo had gone. I’d put money on him going to Carl’s cafe a few streets away. Although from what I’d seen from the window, Carl mainly did fry-ups, Theo would probably persuade the staff to make something healthy just for him .
Healthy was definitely not what I wanted today. I wanted something naughty. Just like I did last night.
Having a one-night stand was so out of character for me. I hadn’t done that since I was nineteen and fell for a handsome Greek guy who was visiting London on holiday. He’d promised me the world and, surprise, surprise, the next morning he was gone and I never heard from him again. I’d vowed never to do that again, but how could I not with Theo?
My thighs still hurt from where he’d stretched me open, and I’d have loved nothing more than to feel him inside me again. But I wasn’t nineteen anymore. I couldn’t afford to make mistakes. This was serious. I really, really had to focus. There could be no more sex with Theo. No more fantasising about Theo. From now until the presentation, my mind was a man-free zone.
I stopped outside the bakery. It was heaving. The queue was so long I could barely see the main counter, never mind whether there were any seats available. But I needed something sweet and satisfying. If I couldn’t have any more sexy time with Theo, chocolate or cake, preferably both, was an acceptable substitute.
I pushed the door open and joined the queue. As the two people at the front stepped aside, clutching a tray of delicious-looking pastries, I caught sight of the display and my mouth watered.
There were cream cakes, colourful iced fingers, Chelsea buns, all of my favourites. I had no idea how I was going to choose.
Just as I scanned the restaurant to see where I could sit, I gasped. Sat towards the back was Theo. Shit. I had no idea he’d be here. And when I saw what he was holding, my jaw dropped. He was reading a book. Wow.
I studied his face—he looked engrossed. As he turned the page, I contemplated whether I could leave before he spotted me, but those cakes were calling my name. Once I’d ordered, I could find somewhere else to sit. The way his eyes were fixated on the novel, he wouldn’t even notice.
But just as I shuffled forward in the queue, he lifted his gaze from the page and our eyes connected.
At first his brows shot up in surprise. Then the corner of his mouth turned up into a smile and my stomach flipped.
Theo waved, then he pointed to the empty seat at his table. Looked like I wouldn’t be avoiding him after all.
Once I’d been served, I headed over and pulled out the empty chair.
‘Good morning,’ he said.
‘Morning.’ I smiled. ‘How did you sleep?’
‘Like a baby. You?’
‘Same,’ I said, biting into my chocolate muffin. As I took the first mouthful, I groaned with happiness. ‘Have you eaten breakfast already?’ I looked down at his empty coffee mug on the table.
‘No. Just waiting for it to come.’
Right on cue, a waitress came over. At a guess, I’d say she was in her late twenties or early thirties. She had olive skin and dark hair which had been tied away from her face. Underneath her apron she was wearing a blue T-shirt and jeans.
‘Two hot crumpets as requested!’ She winked at Theo as she put down the plate .
‘Thanks.’ He smiled.
‘We haven’t met before, I’m Maddie.’ She turned to me.
‘Nice to meet you, Maddie, I’m Jessica.’
‘Oh, I know who you are! You two are the talk of the town!’ She grinned.
Shit. Don’t tell me word had spread about me and Theo’s sexscapades already? Just how fast was this town’s grapevine?
Theo swallowed hard. He must be thinking the same.
‘Really?’ He regained his composure. ‘Why’s that?’
‘Your performance last night was incredible!’
OMG. Kill me now. I must’ve screamed louder than I thought when I orgasmed. It was true, though, Theo had put on an incredible performance.
‘Thanks. Jessica did most of the work.’ His mouth turned up into a cheeky smile. ‘I mainly just sat there and used my hands.’
‘But you were excellent with your hands. You played my… that instrument like a maestro,’ I added, relieved that I’d quickly said instrument instead of my clit .
‘But, Jessica, your voice was brilliant!’ Maddie said enthusiastically.
‘Ohhhh, thanks.’ I smiled as I realised that of course she was talking about the talent show, not the private one Theo and I enjoyed afterwards.
‘Everyone’s so happy that you two won—you deserved it. Best double act we’ve had in ages! Anyway, I’d better get back. Enjoy your breakfast.’
Once Maddie was out of sight, we both burst out laughing.
‘Did you think she was talking about…?’ Theo asked .
‘Yep.’ I slapped my forehead.
‘I did too at first, but then I thought it would be fun to go along with it!’
When Theo spoke about him just sitting there whilst I did most of the work and he used his hands, Maddie thought he was talking about sitting at the keyboard whilst I sung. Not that he meant I sat on his lap and rode his cock on a rocking chair whilst he squeezed my nipples and stroked my clit.
‘Funny! Let’s hope that’s the only performance the town hears about from us.’ As my laugh faded, Theo’s eyes met mine. The heat from his gaze sent shivers racing through me. I needed to change the subject. ‘Crumpets, eh?’ I looked down at his plate. ‘Didn’t have you down as a crumpet lover.’
‘On the contrary,’ he said, licking his lips, ‘I love a nice bit of crumpet…’
‘You did not just make a joke about crumpets!’ I laughed.
‘Who said it was a joke? I love crumpets. I’d have crumpets in the morning, crumpets in the evening. I’d feast on crumpets all day long if I had the chance.’ His lips twitched.
‘Are we talking about the crumpets on your plate, as in the savoury yeasty thing you eat with butter, or are you talking about the other meaning?’
‘Other meaning?’ Theo raised an eyebrow playfully. ‘I think you’re going to have to explain yourself.’
‘ Please .’ I rolled my eyes. ‘Are you telling me that your private school education didn’t teach you that crumpet also means an attractive woman?’
‘I think you’ll find that nowadays it can be used for both women and men.’ He smirked. ‘As for which meaning I was referring to, I’ll leave that for you to decide.’
My guess was that he wasn’t talking about the crumpets on his plate. And even though the word wasn’t my favourite, I’d be happy for Theo to feast on me all day long.
No, no, no.
Focus.
‘I see you’re reading.’ I flicked my gaze away to the book resting on the table.
‘Listening to you talk about books inspired me to try again.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes.’
Hearing that made my heart sing. Although I was still waiting to get my reading mojo back, I was glad that he’d picked up a book because of me.
‘So? How is it? Are you enjoying it?’
‘I love it. I read it on the train from London back here yesterday and I had a bit of a stressful start to the morning, but as soon as I started reading, I got lost in the story and forgot about everything else.’
‘Sorry to hear you had a stressful start.’ I frowned. ‘What happened?’
‘Just work stuff.’ He waved his hand dismissively.
‘Oh. Well, it’s amazing that reading helped you escape your problems. Mrs Davis said something like that when we first came here. She said books are like a holiday for the mind and that they allow you to travel and experience a million different adventures without leaving home. I’ll always remember those words. ’
It was true. I used to love how books allowed me to escape the monotony of my life and forget about the misery in the world.
When I opened a book, I was able to live through those characters. Lose myself in an epic love story. To walk in someone else’s shoes and experience things or visit places I might never get to in real life.
‘Sounds like she was a wise woman.’
‘Yeah. Obviously I didn’t know her very long, but she seemed to be. That’s why securing this space for the library is so important…’ My voice trailed off and Theo winced. I understood why. Me winning this meant Theo losing and vice versa.
‘I understand. But I’m also under a lot of pressure to secure Seaview High. My father has made it very clear that failure isn’t an option,’ he said firmly.
We both fell silent. I took the last bite of my muffin. This was awkward and I didn’t know what to say.
Failure wasn’t an option for Theo, and it wasn’t for me either. The whole situation was so messed up.
‘So, about last night…’ I lowered my voice and scanned the tables around us. A couple on the table a few feet away seemed to be very interested in our conversation.
‘Maybe we should take a walk and talk. Away from prying ears and eyes,’ Theo said.
‘Good idea.’
Once he’d wiped his hands on a serviette, he reached into his wallet and dropped a twenty-pound note beside the plate. I doubted his crumpets and coffee cost much more than a fiver.
‘You’re leaving that as a tip?’ I asked. Theo nodded. ‘Isn’t that a lot? ’
‘Maybe.’ He shrugged. ‘When I was at uni, I had a friend who had to work in restaurants and saw how he struggled because the pay was really low. So after that I always vowed to tip well. I never do it on the card, though. I always give cash to make sure it gets to them directly and doesn’t just line the pockets of their bosses.’
Wow. I thought he always tipped a lot because he was being flashy, but I should’ve known. Theo was a good guy.
‘Oh,’ I said as we both got up, waved to Maddie, then left. ‘That’s really kind. I wish the customers I served whenever I worked in bars and hospitality were that generous.’
Theo shrugged like it was no big deal, then paused at the kerb.
‘Shall we walk on the beach?’
‘Okay.’ I followed him across the road, then took a deep breath. ‘So, as I was about to say at the bakery, given how critical the presentation is, for both of us, maybe it’s better if we keep our distance. To make things easier.’
‘That would definitely be the sensible thing to do. Last night we were both high on the adrenaline of winning and got caught up in the heat of the moment, but I agree, we should both focus. I’ve already got my father breathing down my neck. I can’t disappoint him.’
‘He sounds like a taskmaster,’ I said.
‘That’s an understatement,’ he sighed.
‘Why does he want the land so badly?’ I asked, thinking that I didn’t really know why it was so important to get this particular place.
‘The truth? It’s a good investment. He’s wanted to develop something in this town for years and has been waiting for something to come up. And if I don’t get this place, I can kiss goodbye to the CEO position I’ve been working towards for my whole life.’
Oh.
My stomach twisted.
‘So if you don’t get this, you won’t get promoted?’
‘Correct. Since birth, he’s been preparing me to take over the business. Everything I’ve ever done at school, college, university and business school has all been for this moment. He wants to retire soon, and this is the deal I need to secure to prove that I’m worthy of stepping into his shoes.’ Theo blew out a breath.
‘Sounds like a lot of pressure.’
‘Tell me about it.’
A pain shot through my heart. I hadn’t realised there was so much at stake for Theo. I’d just assumed this was another money-spinning deal to make him richer than he already was.
But now his whole world would come crashing down around him if he failed. He was a good man, and I hated the idea of something bad happening to him.
Did he need this deal more than me? Was he more deserving? I couldn’t decide. It was so difficult.
I wished there was a way that we could both win. That would be fair. But as I’d learned the hard way, life wasn’t fair.
I’d made a commitment to do my best to honour Mrs Davis’s wishes, and I had to stick to that.
Lucky for me, I wasn’t the one who had to make the decision, which was down to Edwin. Rather him than me.
‘I’m sorry,’ I said, not knowing what else to say.
‘Don’t be. Anyway, seeing as this is the last time we’ll see each other properly before the presentation, I want to give you something. Can you come to my room?’
‘Theodore Eaves!’ I mock gasped. ‘I thought we’d just agreed to keep our distance!’
‘No!’ He laughed. ‘Get your mind out the gutter, woman! Actually, maybe it’s better that I do it here.’
‘On the beach! In broad daylight?’ I gasped again.
‘You have a very dirty mind, young lady! I was referring to what I need to give you, which, to clarify, has nothing to do with my cock.’ His eyes darkened.
What. A. Shame.
‘I know.’ I smiled. ‘I’m just teasing. I mean, pulling your leg. Aaargghh!’ I sighed, realising that those descriptions both had sexual connotations. ‘I’m joking. That’s what I was trying to say.’
‘Wait here. I’ll be back in a minute.’
About ten minutes later, Theo returned and found me sitting on a bench overlooking the beach. He was holding a bag behind his back.
‘What you got there?’ I said.
‘Close your eyes and open your hands.’
‘Okay.’ I did as he’d asked, my heart racing with excitement as I thought about what it could be.
‘I got you something.’ Theo placed the heavy bag on top of my palms. ‘You can open your eyes now.’
I glanced down at the bag and my jaw dropped. I recognised the shop name immediately. It was a bookstore that I used to visit all the time.
When I saw what was inside, I nearly fell off the bench.
‘Oh my God! These are for me?’ My eyes widened. ‘These are, like, my favourite authors!’ I started taking the books out, swooning at the gorgeous colourful covers.
The temptation to start sniffing them was strong because I loved the smell of a new book, but I didn’t want Theo to think I was weird. I’d definitely be doing that later, though. In private.
‘Glad you like them.’ Theo smiled. ‘There’s a special one at the bottom too.’
I was still trying to take in the fact that he’d bought all these books for me and the fact that his choices were spot on when I reached the last book in the bag.
I blinked once, then blinked again.
‘No way!’ I slid the book out, then held it in my hand.
This was unreal.
I went to open my mouth, but no words came out.
He’d remembered.
Theo had listened to everything I’d told him about the book. How it was my favourite. How I’d missed having my own paperback copy after my ex had savagely burnt it.
He’d even remembered the book and he’d got this. For me. Because he knew it was important to me.
I didn’t know what to say.
Tears pooled in my eyes and my lips began to tremble.
‘Thank you,’ I said softly.
‘Hey.’ He lifted my chin. ‘I didn’t mean to make you sad. I’m sorry. I thought it would make you happy. I can take it back if it’s too painful for you.’
‘No.’ I looked him in the eye. ‘I love it. I am happy. So happy . You don’t know how much this means to me.’
Theo opened his arms and pulled me into a hug. As I sobbed on his shoulder, he rubbed my back gently, kissing the top of my head .
I didn’t know why I was crying. I genuinely was happy. I’d looked so many places for this version of the paperback and it was always sold out. They had the new version online, but I’d always preferred the original one. The one that Theo had just got me.
So many emotions swirled around inside me.
After what my ex did, I never thought I’d get back into reading or date again. And now, here I was, with my reading mojo slowly creeping back and with a man who not only didn’t judge my reading, he embraced it. Encouraged it.
Not only did Theo believe I should read whatever I liked, he’d even gone out of his way to buy my favourite books to help me do that.
Sod’s Law that this was going to be the last time we’d get to be together.
Once we left this beach, we’d be locked in our rooms until the presentation. Then next Friday, we’d be back to being rivals.
And once the decision was made, we’d never see each other again.
Thinking about that sent a fresh wave of tears rolling down my cheeks.
‘Please don’t cry, Jess.’ Theo gently brushed his hand over my cheeks, wiping my tears away, before kissing the top of my head softly again.
This man was killing me. First he gave me the best sex of my life. Then he bought me a bag full of books because he wanted to make me happy, and now he’d just called me Jess for the first time in that sexy, buttery voice of his, whilst wiping away my tears and comforting me .
How was I supposed to just walk away from the first man that had made me feel so… so special?
‘Thank you,’ I whispered into his chest.
‘You’re welcome. If you really want to thank me, I need you to try and do something for me.’
‘What’s that?’ I said. At first I thought it might be something to do with the presentation, but then I dismissed it. That wasn’t Theo’s style.
‘Try and read again. I don’t care if it’s one of these books or something on Mrs Davis’s Kindle, just try and take the first step. Even if it’s a sentence or a paragraph. Whatever happens next Friday, it would mean a lot to me to know that at the very least, something long-lasting came out of this situation.’
That was what he wanted me to do for him?
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
Of all the things he could’ve wished for, he wanted me to read again: something that would benefit me a lot more than him.
I was supposed to be distancing myself from him, but that selfless request only made me like him more.
‘Okay,’ I said, lifting my head from his chest. ‘I promise.’
As he got up and I watched him walk away, I made a promise to myself to keep my word.
Tonight, once I’d finished work, I was going to do it. I was going to read. For Theo and Mrs Davis, but most importantly, for myself.