Page 27 of Wilder at Heart
I bite the inside of my cheek as Charles nods thoughtfully into his scotch.
‘It’s bold. I don’t dislike it. But we don’t have anywhere near that kind of CapEx ring-fenced for a project of that scale, Theo.’
‘Look.’ Theo waves his hand with a carelessness I suspect is feigned. ‘It’s just an idea. All I’m saying is, big shifts require bold thinking. You have a brilliant asset there. Let’s just not limit ourselves when we consider how to make that asset work best for us. And if a members’ club is a compelling use for some of the space, then you can open up founding memberships which will give you some of the advance cash flow. We can get creativeon everything, start with a blank piece of paper. It’s worth considering, that’s all.’
I gaze at Theo. I haven’t seen him this impassioned before. He takes a breath and rakes his hand through his gorgeous dark hair. His eyes are flashing with enthusiasm for his topic, and I can’t deny he’s hot as hell in this mode. He’s a different guy from the affable playboy role he usually plays. It strikes me that this is where he can make his mark in the family.
I know Miles has been stirring things up and modernising the portfolio, but the Montagues would be crazy not to take advantage of Theo’s genuine energy and youth, as well as the indisputable fact that this is his scene. I’ll bet this guy is at Annabel’s or Five Hertford Street every week. He knows exactly what the wealthy young elite want, and I bet he can deliver that in Manhattan.
As Charles excuses himself to mingle and makes a promise to ponder on what Theo’s said, I stare up at my handsome co-conspirator in triumph.
CHAPTER 10
Theo
I’m not sure if it’s the adrenalin of having had the balls to pitch Dad, or the fact that he seemed open to what I had to say, or the fact that Nora’s staring up at me as if I’m a genius, but it bloody well feels great.
All of it.
‘That was amazing,’ she tells me. Maybe it’s because she’s such a tough audience, but being praised by Nora Wilder is a head rush.
‘I don’t know—he seemed to listen. That’s as good as it gets with Dad.’
‘You did a great job. You made sense, and he may be the founder, but I’m sure you know far more about what people our age want than he does. I’m telling you, I’d give you my billions if I had them.’
She gives me a beautiful smile. She’s sweet when she’s fangirling. And this red dress of hers, while being utterly appropriate (I don’t think Nora has an inappropriate bone in her body) is pretty damn sweet too. It skims her curves in a way that’s begging for me to slide my hand around her shapely waist.
I’ve been in business mode so far this evening, my anxiety over getting some traction, somewhere, with someone in thisfucking company. But now I’m high on Dad throwing me the tiniest bone, and I’m ready to enjoy myself. Maybe I won’t be getting laid tonight, but my fake girlfriend is pretty easy on the eye, and as luck would have it, her ex is in my line of vision, talking earnestly to one of the board members.
I step closer to Nora and return her smile. Give into the temptation and slip my hand over the indent of her waist. My thumb slides over the jut of her hipbone and, for some reason, it feels intimate. There’s the faintest ridge of her underwear through her dress.
‘I’d take your billions,’ I tell her, ‘but given I can see Jonathan over there—no,don’tlook—I’ll settle for a kiss. You game?’
I’ve been thinking about how to do this. Obviously, it looks more convincing if we’re spontaneous, but Nora’s not the kind of girl you dive on without permission. Not if you value your balls. So a short-notice warning seems like the best way to go.
Her face is upturned, those huge eyes widen, and she swallows, giving me a little nod of permission. I can’t help smiling. She may not be a real conquest—the irony of the fact that my kiss should draw her further into the arms of another man if all goes to plan is not lost on me—but right now, standing in this crowded room with her as she grants me permission to kiss her, she feels like one.
This is a first for me. I kiss women all the time, without thinking about it, but sex is always the end game, whether I kiss them in clubs or in the comfort of my living room after sending them ayou up?text. I can’t remember the last time I kissed someone without it ending in sex.
Until now.
The objective of this kiss is completely outside of the arena of my getting lucky, but it’s a point of pride that I want to make it good for Nora, within the perimeters of what’s allowed. Pissoff her ex. But don’t freak her out. And don’t disgrace myself in front of the family.
Excellent.
My sobriety adds to my hyper-awareness. I can’t lose myself in this kiss. Not that I would. Obviously. But as I hold eye contact with Nora and she licks her lips a tiny bit, there’s an answering flicker in my groin. She’s gorgeous. This isn’t a hardship.
None of this ruse with her has been a hardship. Yet.
I stick my glass on the table next to us and relieve her of her glass, too. My free hand slides around her neck, my thumb stroking down her jaw and levering her face up towards me. And I lower my mouth to hers.
My instinct is to pull her to me. To crash our lips together. Drive hers open with my tongue. But I’m being a good boy tonight. And besides, devouring her would put me in a whole world of trouble. I donotneed a boner at Mum and Dad’s nice work party. Even if we’re off to the side of the bar in a semi-private corner. Private enough for this not to be inappropriate, but visible enough that her ex can see us.
Her lips are soft under mine. Warm. Pliable. Despite myself, I slide my hand around the back of her neck and do what I’ve been wanting to do, and get a good grip on her hair as I gently suck on the plump perfection of her lower lip. She arches into me and her breasts press against me, which I take as a pretty damn clear sign that we’re off to a good start. I tug harder on her hair, the silky masses of it sliding through my fingers, as I change the angle of our mouths up.
And then it happens. Her lips relax and open up, just a tiny amount, but enough that when I slide my top lip between them, it connects with the faintest touch of her tongue.
I was not expecting that.
