Page 65 of The Romance Library

‘It’s you: you’re really good at reading aloud.’

He really was. Theo sounded just like I’d imagined the character Rocco from the book. The way his voice was low and deep, the way he growled. It wasn’t just Virginia that was getting damp in the knickers department. I was too.

‘Oh.’ His eyes widened. ‘Thanks. Seeing as we’ve paused, can I get a little context here? There were twenty other chapters before this that obviously I haven’t read, so what’s the deal with these two? Can you remember what happened to Rocco and Virginia?’

‘If I remember correctly, they work together. And their relationship is forbidden, but they can’t keep away from each other.’ My voice wavered a little because describing the characters’ situation was strangely familiar. It felt a bit like life imitating art.

Technically Theo and I didn’t work together, but we had to exist in the same orbit, and just like with Rocco and Virginia, there were many reasons why the illicit thoughts swimming around in my head about what I wanted Theo to do to me were also forbidden.

‘Got it.’ Theo nodded. ‘Want me to continue?’

‘Please.’ Tingles raced through me.

Theo tilted the Kindle screen and started reading:

‘“‘Okay,’ I panted, struggling to catch my breath. Do it. Fuck me.’

‘“Rocco’s eyes darkened as he clutched my blouse, and in one swift movement he ripped it open. As the buttons scattered across the white tiled floor, I gasped. I couldn’t believe this was finally happening.

‘“Next Rocco unclipped my bra, tugged down the front, cupped my breast, then started sucking on my nipple.

‘“‘Oh God!’ I cried out…’”’

As Theo continued reading, my pulse rocketed. His voice was hypnotic. I didn’t know anything about real estate or how good he was at it, but seriously his talents were wasted there. His voice was like honey. Before, I remembered being annoyed with how much I liked it, but now, I was grateful. I could listen to him read to me for hours.

Full disclosure: I’d prefer it if he could do it through a wall or on the phone so I wouldn’t have to see him, though. The combination of his sexy voice and godlike looks made it impossible for me not to want to put my hands down my knickers and start touching myself.

And, no, that still didn’t make romance like porn.

‘Hello?’ a voice sounded loudly from the other side of the door. ‘Jessica? Theo? Are you in there?’

‘Oh my God!’ I shouted. ‘Edwin’s come back! Yes! Yes! We’re here. The handle broke off and we got stuck!’

‘Goodness me! Hold on. I’m opening the door right now.’

Theo and I both sprung up off our boxes and watched as the door moved little by little until it eventually opened all the way.

‘Oh thank God!’ I blew out a breath. ‘I’m so happy to see you!’

‘We were worried we were going to die down here!’ Theo said.

‘I’m so sorry,’ Edwin said, concern written all over his face. ‘Are you both okay?’

‘We’re good, right?’ Theo turned to me for confirmation.

‘All good now, thanks,’ I replied as we climbed the stairs to the main floor.

‘I’m so happy to hear that.’

‘What made you come back to check on us?’

‘Glenda called. She said that normally you were both back in your rooms by this time and wanted to check you were okay because she couldn’t get through on your mobiles and no one had seen you at the pub or Candace’s. She was about to send out the search party when I said I’d go and check again here, just in case.’

‘I’m glad you did!’

‘That’s one of the many benefits of having a tight-knit community like we have at Sunshine Bay. Everyone looks out for each other.’

So different to a lot of places in London. I’d lost count of how many stories I’d heard of where people had died in their homes and been left rotting for weeks or, in extreme cases, months because no one came to check on them.

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