Page 28 of The Kiss that Captured a Billionaire
She gestured toward the area to the left below them.
“That staircase? We rebuilt it four times. There was a leak, and the directors didn’t want to spend the money to have the roof fixed. They did—after water damage caused a lot more damage. Pop kept telling them. The chandelier is real crystal; my grandfather was terrified when the company reinstalling it after it was taken down for a cleaning nearly dropped it.”
He looked at her with a quiet intensity. “You said your grandparents raised you?”
Her smile dimmed. “Yeah. My parents were in a car accident. My mom died instantly. My dad lived… but he was in a coma andnever woke. He passed away when I was five. It nearly broke my grandparents.”
Theo’s eyes softened, but she shook her head gently before she glanced at her watch.
“It’s late. I need to check the doors and make sure everything is locked up.”
He nodded. Together they descended the stairs, their footsteps echoing softly through the theatre’s empty halls.
“I love that I’m walking the same place that so many others have before me. Sometimes I like to imagine I can see and hear them—dressed in their period clothing, laughing about the performance they just saw,” she sighed, feeling a little self-conscious about sharing such an intimate feeling with him.
She checked each door—methodically, automatically. He didn’t offer to help, just stayed beside her. Silent. Present.
When they reached the last door, she turned awkwardly, brushing her palms down her slacks again.
“So… I guess I’ll see you tomorrow night?” she asked, glancing up at him. “What time? And where?”
“Is seven too early?” he asked.
“No, that’s perfect. I rarely stay out late,” she said with a small shrug.
“I’d like to escort you home,” he said, his brow pulling together.
She laughed. “You already have.” She turned and waved her hand behind them.
He looked at her with a confused frown. “What do you mean?”
“I live here. In the basement. Perks of handling maintenance. Awesome responsibility and itty-bitty living accommodations.”
Theo stared at her, then let out a soft, stunned breath of laughter. Of course she did. Rose Smythe belonged to the theatre, body and soul.
She pulled open the main door, the cool night air brushing her cheeks. “Will you be okay getting home?”
He didn’t answer, just lifted a hand.
A sleek black car slid to a stop at the curb.
“Ah, right,” she murmured.
He glanced back and chuckled. “Perks of being a billionaire.”
She stepped outside to walk him to the car, but he turned back—swift and deliberate.
He brushed his lips across hers. Feather-light—and it stole her breath.
His voice was low, husky, and wrecked. “That kiss doesn’t count.”
She stared up at him, dazed.
“I’ll see you tomorrow. Lock the door behind me,” he added, retreating toward the car.
She nodded, barely breathing. “Goodnight, Theo.”
The car door shut, and he was gone.
