Chapter 7
Nora
Okay. So Theo’s going heavy on the physical contact. I can do this.
I think.
It’s probably because he’s incapable of basic human emotions like guilt or empathy and therefore has no reason to be nervous, but I have to admit he’s putting on a fantastic performance as an adoring boyfriend. Not only does he touch me in a way that’s natural, comfortable, but he’s sweet. Adoring.
The easy way he folds me into his body. The tenderness with which he gazes into my eyes.
The softness of his fingertips when he strokes my skin (which he’s been doing a lot).
I suppose he’s pretty familiar with women’s bodies, but that’s different from being familiar with having a girlfriend, which I’m pretty sure he is not, so I’m surprised he takes to the role so effortlessly.
In fact, he’s so convincing that if he wasn’t Theo Montague, I’d be in danger of forgetting every touch, every smile, is fake.
I’d be in danger of lapping it all up. Because it’s weirdly natural.
And weirdly nice, to be the sole object of a gorgeous man’s focus.
Especially when you’ve been dumped by the only man who’s ever made you feel like this.
I’ve amazed myself with my ability to get on board with this.
To stand here in this lovely garden and let someone I’m not in a relationship with cuddle me and fawn over me.
It should be seriously surreal, but it’s only marginally so.
But he is Theo Montague, and I’d do well to remember that this guy is a total playboy, and that tens or maybe hundreds of women have fallen prey to that spellbinding smile.
It’s easy to be intoxicated by his attention, even while disapproving of him, and his moral code in general, and his attitude towards women in particular.
I’ve always assumed his pickup strategy would be seriously sleazy, but he’s not being sleazy with me.
He’s being sweet, and that’s far more dangerous for a girl like me.
Though I’m sure he’s smart enough to tailor his approach to the woman he’s targeting on any given day.
Sweet presumably didn’t work for Trixie and Dixie.
I must remind myself he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Or puppy dog’s clothing, as is the case on this sunny afternoon, surrounded by his family.
And I’ve seen his family’s reaction. It seems they’re not used to this side of their beloved Theo, either. I see it in the way his mum swallows a happy smile as she watches us, or his brother Stephen nudges Miles with a smirk when Theo hugs me and kisses my temple.
Now, as I stand there with his arms around me and my face pressed against that firm chest, breathing in the scent of fresh linen and sunshine on skin and intoxicating, unmistakable masculinity, he says what I’ve been thinking but would never give him the satisfaction of admitting.
‘You make it very easy to pretend, you know.’
I feign ignorance. ‘Hmm?’
‘This.’ His hand moves up my back to where the low dip at the back of my dress exposes my skin, and he slides his palm up it. ‘You’re gorgeous. It’s no hardship at all, groping you for show.’
My face heats against his shirt and I’m glad he can’t see it.
There’s no doubt about it, Theo Montague is emotionally slutty.
I bet he says whatever he needs to say to manipulate women into doing what he wants, whether it’s going to bed with him or, in my case, playing along with his little ruse.
And worst of all, I bet it comes so easily to him that he doesn’t even think of it as manipulation.
I bet he tells women they’re gorgeous every single bloody day.
‘I can’t imagine you’d find it a hardship to grope anyone,’ I mutter into his chest.
‘Not true. But my fake girlfriend is a particularly sexy little thing.’
His hand slides back down, coming dangerously close to my bum, and I pull away.
‘Keep it parent-friendly, Romeo.’ I glare at him. ‘I’m not here so you can get your cheap thrills. Okay?’
He holds his hands up, a little boy busted with his hand in the cookie jar.
‘Got it.’
Clearly, I’m the only one capable of upholding boundaries.
Brené Brown has taught me well. But if he’s intent on getting whatever kicks he can out of this little arrangement, there’s a chance I’ll sink to his level.
Enjoy his attention. Perve over him when I get the chance.
Stroke that ridiculous chest through his beautiful shirt.
Inhale him when he pulls me into his arms.
After all, I’m only human.
As Laura attempts to shepherd us all towards the long table laid for lunch, Saoirse makes a beeline for us and beams at Theo.
‘I’m stealing her for a sec. We need to talk. Urgently.’
‘Go for it, gorgeous.’ He gives Saoirse a panty-dropping grin.
The grin and the cheeky endearment to his own brother’s fiancée serve as timely reminders that Theo will flirt shamelessly with anything in a skirt.
The little stunts he’s been pulling with me come as easily as breathing to him.
I give him an I’ve got your number smirk and turn to go with Saoirse, but he grabs my hand and pulls me back to him, planting a light kiss on my mouth.
A brief sweep of his lips against mine, warm and firm.
When he pulls away, I stare at him, my eyes wide with surprise.
We didn’t pre-agree what physical contact was fair game, but I wasn’t expecting him to kiss me on the lips.
Not today. Not yet. The kiss was fleeting, but there was something about it that’s brought colour to my cheeks.
It felt like he was staking a claim before I left.
He matches my stare with a smug smirk. ‘Happy gossiping, ladies. Hey, sweetheart. Don’t give her too much dirt. I don’t want my brother knowing the darkest details of our sex life.’
‘In your dreams, Romeo.’
Oh my God. He is mortifying. My mouth presses into a straight line as I tell him exactly what I think of him with my eyes before turning on my heels and tugging Saoirse away. She’s laughing.
‘You’ll have your hands full with that one.’
‘Tell me about it,’ I say grimly.
Saoirse is looking particularly beautiful today in a floaty, pale blue dress. She’s a stunning girl, with a cloud of black hair, massive green eyes and the kind of bee-stung mouth I’d give a limb for. No wonder Miles is crazy about her.
I’ve only met her and Miles a few times, but the sweetest thing about them as a couple, and the thing no one can fail to be charmed by, is that they both believe they’ve won the lottery. They genuinely think the sun shines out of each other’s arses, and it’s adorable.
Saoirse’s told me she can’t believe a guy like Miles, who she sees as so gorgeous and successful and intelligent and ridiculously wealthy (all true), wants to spend his life with a normal girl from Ireland and is intent on lavishing her with this incredible lifestyle that seems like a dream come true.
He whisked her off to St Barths with him and Bea for a month, apparently, and he’s got her her dream job in event planning, and he won’t stop spoiling her.
And in addition, she gets a ready-made daughter with whom she’s head over heels in love.
Miles, meanwhile, is clearly smitten, and while he certainly hasn’t confided in me the way his fiancée has, he’s said and done enough for me to know he’s a man crazily in love.
From what he’s said, he views Saoirse as this heaven-sent creature, this ray of sunshine who’s rescued him and Bea from darkness and who’s the purest human being he knows.
I can get on board with that. She has this innocence, sincerity, that makes her even more beautiful on the inside.
Suffice to say, they’re my #couplegoals. And Saoirse’s so lovely I can’t even resent her for it.
Right now, she’s bouncing up and down in excitement.
‘Talk,’ she orders. ‘You and Theo! How’d it happen? Was it at our drinks? We didn’t know he was bringing you today! And I know I don’t know you that well, but have you really had sex, or is he just winding you up?’
I wait till she’s taken a breath and try my best to answer with a minimum of lies. This is what I hate—deceiving lovely people like Saoirse who have my—and Theo’s—best interests at heart.
‘No, we haven’t had sex. Theo is taking the piss. I only met him at the drinks, for God’s sake! Though I’m pretty sure I told you we overlapped at uni for a year.’
She nods. ‘Yeah, you did. So you got it on at the drinks, then? How exciting! Tell me everything.’
‘He came up and chatted to me at the drinks. I was upset, because Jonathan and his new girlfriend were there, as you’d warned me they’d be.
’ I can do this. I can skirt around the truth.
‘And… we hit it off. Obviously, he’s ridiculously attractive.
And I kissed him once, at uni. So we have a tiny bit of history. ’
She hits me on the arm. ‘No way! That I did not know.’
‘Yeah.’ I lean forward and throw her a bone. ‘Best kiss of my life. So when he asked me out to dinner…’
‘… You knew you’d get a decent kiss out of it, right?’
I grin. ‘Exactly. It may have swayed my decision. So obviously it’s very early days, but we’re just seeing where it’s going.’
‘Theo seems very affectionate with you, though.’
I suffer a stab of guilt. ‘That’s just Theo. He can’t keep his hands to himself. I wouldn’t read too much into it.’
‘I don’t know.’ Her eyes are dancing. ‘I have a good feeling about this one.’
My chest tightens. ‘Don’t get too excited, okay? And obviously, I want you to know it won’t affect my work on the wedding at all. I’ll be completely professional, no matter what happens with Theo.’
She waves her hand dismissively. ‘Oh, please. I hadn’t even thought about that, but of course you will. I can tell you’re really professional. Miles is so impressed by you. I can’t wait to see what he thinks of you and Theo being together—I’m sure he’s jumping for joy. Especially after…’
‘Trixie and Dixie?’