For a moment, Theodore acknowledged the fleeting tension, a subtle discord that quickened his pulse. Wasn’t it curious, he mused inwardly, how such minor sparks between a man and a woman could ignite a rush of thoughts and sensations?Pamela’s suggestion hung in the air, her tone sweetly teasing yet underscored by a hint of challenge. "Then why don’t you give me a pay rise? I could buy myself a newer car."Theodore’s lips quirked in a half-smile, his mind momentarily diverted by the playful banter. He recognized the game they played, the unspoken dance of wit and attraction that simmered beneath their professional rapport. Pamela’s confident demeanor and sharp retorts never failed to stir a reaction from him—a mix of amusement and a deeper, more primal response that hinted at something beyond their usual exchanges.He cleared his throat, regaining his composure as he considered her proposal with a measured expression. Beneath the surface, however, his thoughts lingered on the electric
It had been over a decade later before their paths crossed again. She had gone back to the school for the opening of a magnificent extension to the library and Theodore had been there, still surrounded by adoring women. For one brief moment Pamela had looked at him with adult eyes. Had registered that he was still as gorgeous as he was unobtainable and that her schoolgirl crush should sensibly die a death. With a resigned little shrug of her shoulders she had turned away and put him right out of her mind as of that moment.The new library was fabulous, with softly gleaming carved wooden panels. Tooled leather tables sat at its centre, and the long, leaded arched windows looked out onto the cool beauty of the north gardens.By then Pamela had been a secretary—working in a dusty office for a rather dry bunch of lawyers in London. It hadn’t been the most exciting work in the world, but it had been well paid, and had provided her with the security she had always craved.There’d been no on
She turned to look at him—at the ebony arcs of his feathered lashes which were the only soft component to make up his formidable face. She had never seen him asleep before, and it was like looking at a very different man. The hard planes and angles of his features threw shadows over his olive skin, and for once his sensual lips were relaxed. Once again she saw an unfamiliar trace of vulnerability etched on his features, and once again she felt that little stab of awareness at her heart.He was so still, she thought wonderingly. Remarkably still for a man who rarely stopped. Who drove himself remorselessly in the way that successful men always did. Why, it seemed almost a shame to wake him … and to have him face the reality of his convalescence in her humble home.Racking her brain, she thought back to how she’d left the place last weekend, and realised that there was no fresh food or milk. Stuff she would normally have brought down with her from London.Reaching out her hand, she touch
Unexpectedly, Theodore gave a low laugh. ‘You can be a fierce little tiger at times, can’t you?’Something about his very obvious approval made her cheeks grow warm with pleasure. ‘I can if I need to be.’‘Okay, you win.’ Sinking down onto a chintzy and over-stuffed sofa, he batted her a sardonic look. ‘Is that better, Nurse?’Trying not to laugh, Pamela nodded. ‘Marginally. Do you think you could just try sitting there quietly while I light the fire?’‘I can try.’Theodore leaned back against a heap of cushions and watched as she busied herself with matches and kindling. Funny, really—he’d never really pictured Pamela in a cottage which was distinctly chocolate-boxy despite the sub-zero temperatures. Not that he’d given very much thought at all as to how his assistant lived her life.Stifling a yawn, he looked around. The sitting room had those tiny windows which didn’t let in very much light, and a big, recessed fireplace—the kind you saw on the front of Christmas cards. She was crou
Since his brother had unexpectedly acceded to the throne, things had become even more difficult for him, putting him directly in the spotlight. He was painfully aware that everything he said was listened to carefully, frequently twisted out of context, and then spread around, so he had learned to speak very cautiously.But at this moment, he was experiencing a rare feeling of happiness that was entirely new to him. For the first time since he became an adult, he found himself alone in a small space with a woman who wasn’t trying to undress him.‘I have a slight ache in my …’ he shifted his position as she tucked her surprisingly long legs beneath her and he felt another sharp kick of awareness ‘… head. But other than that I feel okay.’The gleam in his black eyes made Pamela uneasy. She wished he would stop staring at her that way. To distract herself, she gave the fire a quick, unnecessary poke. "Good," she said.Theodore took a sip of his tea, observing the sudden tension in her sho
‘It is what it is. Some people have to contend with far worse. My childhood was comfortable and safe—and you can’t knock something like that. Now, would you like some more tea before it gets cold?’ she questioned briskly.He could tell from the brightness in her voice that she wanted to change the subject, and suddenly he found he was relieved. It had been his mistake to encourage too much introspection—especially about the past. Because didn’t it open up memories which did no one any good? Memories which were best avoided because they took you to dark places?He shook his head. ‘No thanks. Just show me which bathroom you want me to use.’‘Right.’ Pamela hesitated. Why hadn’t she thought of this? ‘The thing is that there’s only one bathroom, I’m afraid.’ She bit her lip. ‘We’re going to have to … well, share.’There was a pause. ‘Share?
Apprehension skittered over her skin as she tried to tell herself that she didn’t find Theodore attractive. She didn’t. Her innate fear of feckless men had always protected her from his undeniable charisma.So what had happened to that precious immunity now? Was it because they were in her home, and on her territory instead of his, that she felt so shockingly vulnerable in his presence? Or because she’d been stupid enough to blurt out parts of her life which she’d always kept tucked away, and in so doing had opened up a vulnerable side of herself?Suddenly she was achingly aware of his proximity. Every taut sinew of his powerful body seemed to tantalise her and send a thousand questions racing through her mind. What would it be like to be held by him? To be pressed against that muscular physique while his fingertips touched her aching breasts?Aware that her cheeks had grown flushed, she lifted her eyes to his, wondering what had happened to all her certainties. ‘Is there … is there a
But that was a bad idea. And he needed something to occupy his thoughts other than musing about what kind of underwear a woman like that would wear beneath her rather frumpy clothes.In the end he forced himself to read a thriller—grateful for the novel’s rapid pace, which somehow seemed to suck him into an entirely believable story of a one-time lap dancer successfully nailing a high-profile banker for fraud. He was so engrossed in the tale that Pamela’s voice startled him, and he looked up to find her standing over him, her face all pink and shiny.‘Mmm?’ he questioned, thinking how soft and kissable her lips looked.‘Supper’s ready.’‘Supper?’‘You do eat supper?’Actually he usually ate dinner—an elegant feast of a meal—rather than a large spoonful of glossy rice slapped on the centre of an earthy-looking plate. But to Theodore’s surprise he realised that he was hungry—and he enjoyed it more than he had expected.Afterwards Pamela heaped more logs on the fire, and they sat there i