You Got It Wrong - Part Twenty Three

Chapter Twenty Three

Pressed against the work surface, jammed between the unforgiving ridge of smooth granite and the equally unforgiving hardness of Theo Peterson, Nina had never felt so trapped. The fact that the only thing that separated the rigidity of him from the bare softness of her stomach was the cotton of his boxer shorts only seemed to enhance the feelings of illicitness, the forbidden nature of their unplanned liaison. She’d never been kissed like that, not that she could remember the last time she’d kissed a man. Other than her boyfriend aged eighteen, she hadn’t had a formal relationship with anyone, a few drunken encounters that she could barely remember didn’t really count.

She knew in that moment that if she’d had this kiss when she was as drunk as she’d ever been she’d remember it. He was invading her, slowly, steadily, but she knew that she was claiming him back in equal measure. His lips were so strong, so controlling, but she didn’t feel dominated or overwhelmed. His hands scorched her skin, branding the strip of skin between her knickers and the vest she’d worn to bed.

Her hands, idle until that moment, slid up his bare arms, and she almost groaned when her fingers encountered the sleeves of his t-shirt, hating that she couldn’t touch his chest, his back, his shoulders.

Theo took advantage of the moan escaping her lips, as his tongue slid into her mouth, challenging, teasing. Nina was struggling to hold on the last vestige of her composure, it was easy to pretend that it wasn’t the middle of the night, this wasn’t her kitchen, and Theo’s daughter wasn’t upstairs sleeping.  With a moan, his lips left hers, gliding erotically over her cheek to her ear lobe. As he nipped at it, she felt her legs weaken and was grateful for the constant pressure of his body holding her up. Grinning against her skin as she dropped her head back, exposing her neck in rapture, he lowered his hands to grip her hips, fingers spanning across her bare flesh, cupping her buttocks.

Nina’s nails were cutting small moon shapes into his upper arms, and when she realised how hard she was gripping, she slipped her hands over his chest to grab the hem of his t-shirt. It was Theo’s turn to moan as he pulled his lips from his torturous trip over her shoulder to allow her to slide the fabric over his head. 

Nina was in heaven, the roughness of Theo’s stubble at her neck, the softness of his tongue on her collarbone was a stark contrast to the smooth sparsely hair covered contours of his chest under her hands. She had carte blanche to touch and feel his body, and when his lips returned to hers, she was as ravenous as he was. Their kiss was almost feral, teeth clashed, tongues duelled, and their hands grasped at flesh, trying to claw each other, a desire to turn the other inside out.

Theo’s hands were on her ribs, spanned out, sliding slowly up as she devoured his lips. But as his thumbs found the underside of her breasts, she couldn’t help but gasp, his response was a smile against her lips, a nibble of her bottom lip, and his two hands moving to cover her breasts, her nipples hard against his palms.

Nina slid her hands into his hair, securing his head and his hungry lips to her neck, pushing her desperate body into his hands, rubbing her pelvis into the hardness of his own arousal.

                “Dad?” the voice was soft, quiet, but came from the hallway.

Theo’s head shot up and he muttered, “shit!” under his breath. “I don’t...”

He stared at Nina, her eyes flashing with passion, her cheek pink from the ministrations of his stubble, her parted lips bruised, full. God he wanted to kiss her again.

                “It’s ok,” she finally managed, licking her dry lips. “She needs you; she doesn’t know where she is.”

He nodded, “but...”

She grinned, he was stood there in just a pair of boxers, his huge erection so visible through the soft material, but she was equally as exposed. “Saved by the bell again. We’ll be glad of that tomorrow.”

He was shaking his head in disagreement when Melody called out again.

Theo reached out, cupped her cheek for a moment, drinking in the nuances of her face, then reluctantly turned to rush out of the room.

Nina was always up early; Lilah was getting an early train, so she got up when she heard her moving around and started making coffee. She was filling the pot when the door opened behind her.

                “What’s this?”

Nina hadn’t really had time to digest what happened the night before, and when she turned to see Lilah holding Theo’s t-shirt between two fingers a look of disgust on her face. She tried to hide the blush, but she was useless at that, she was no actress, so instead she shrugged and turned back to the coffee machine, vivid memories and images of that kiss flashed into her mind and she felt as though her internal temperature and risen by two degrees.

Placing her hands onto the work surface, she took a few deep breaths, trying to control herself, then reached for some mugs from the cupboard, the thought of Theo’s hands on her body, the kisses that caused such stubble rash...were things she had to get out of her mind. She’d been emotional, she’d had a few drinks...she needed time and space.

The door had just closed behind Lilah, excited at the thought of getting back into the modelling world, when Nina heard voices on the stairs. Looking up she saw Melody beaming at her as she clutched the banister and came down the steps.

                “You ok little lady?”

Melody grinned, “we had a sleep over!”

Laughing she led the little girl into the kitchen, “of course we did. And it was fun, wasn’t it?”

                “Oh yes, it definitely was.”

Nina froze at the deep timbre of the voice behind her, she had wanted to avoid this confrontation, and know she wanted the floor to open up and swallow her.  Taking a deep breath and looking at the small girl smiling up at her, she mumbled, “good fun. Now do you want some breakfast or are you rushing off to London?”

He was silent, and Nina didn’t want to turn, didn’t want to look him in the eye, but the silence was palpable. Finally she turned an eyebrow lifted in question to see him lounging against the doorframe fortunately a shirt covered his broad chest.

                “Don’t do this Nina.”

Nina’s eyes widened and she looked down at Melody then back to him, she had no intention of discussing what did...or rather didn’t happen the previous night in front of his daughter. If it was up to her she’d pretend that nothing happened at all, and it seemed he was wise to that.

                “Are you eating?”

He sighed, “we’ll grab a piece of toast or something if we can.”

                “I can do better than that, you like cereal Melody?”

She nodded, “Cocopops?”

Grinning Nina reached for the box, then got her a bowl.

Theo slithered into a seat beside Melody and watched Nina busy herself around the kitchen. He KNEW she’d pretend in hadn’t happened, knew she’d retreat into her shell once again, but he had no intention of letting it go. The thought of the kiss they’d shared heated his veins like nothing else ever had. He couldn’t walk away from that. But the one thing that the previous evening had highlighted was the fact that Melody was going to make things difficult. He knew that he couldn’t display his feelings towards Nina in front of his daughter, but he had to find a way to juggle them both, keep them both happy, and treat them both in the way they deserved. That wasn’t going to be easy.

For the moment he was happy to let Nina cluck around being the hostess, but before he left, he was going to plan their next encounter. That was the plan B.

                “We need to get going Melody.” He disturbed the two females who had been deep in conversation since he’d entered the kitchen. She gave a groan and he chuckled, “I’ve got to go to work, and you young lady have a day with Day Care.”

                “But it’s fun here Daddy, can’t I stay?”

He laughed suddenly seeing an in, “no sorry sweetheart, but I’m sure that Nina will come for tea, maybe tomorrow?”

He heard Nina groan before he looked up at her with the same pleading eyes as his daughter.

                “Will you Nina? That’s great. We can make cakes!”

As the little girl skipped across the kitchen he watched her shake her head, “that is SUCH a low blow Mr Peterson.”

Shrugging he jumped to his feet, “I’ll use any tactic I can. Tomorrow? Four?” He mentally hoped that he could finish work in time; he was neglecting that part of his life hugely at the moment. “I live in Pimlico, if you can get to the tube station by four, I’ll pick you up. You know what car is mine?”

It was a statement not a question and he didn’t give her time to answer, instead with a beaming smile, he scooped up Melody and strode out into the early morning.

               

                “You kissed him!”  Lilah leaned back in her chair and gasped. “YOU. Nina Willoughby had a hot passionate session in the kitchen? I’ve heard of midnight feasts, but that takes the biscuit.”

Nina blushed glancing around hoping that none of the other diners at the posh restaurant could hear her friend’s exclamations. “It wasn’t like that.” She hissed, but the smile those memories caused and the deepening blush revealed more than she denied.

                “You look guilty, despite your remonstrations.”

Nina leaned back in her chair and sighed, “before we went to bed, we almost kissed. Melody woke...so he had to sort her out.” She looked to the ceiling for a moment then grabbed her wine and slugged a mouthful of wine. So obviously I couldn’t sleep.”

                “So he followed you downstairs?”

She blushed, “I was wearing a vest and my knickers, that’s all. But I didn’t have time to be embarrassed about that, because he pounced on me.”

                “The bastard!” She announced though there was no venom in her words. “Taking advantage of you again?”

Nina sighed, “well if he took advantage I didn’t complain. In fact, I got more than I gave, so to speak.”

Lilah’s eyes were wide, “was it good?”

Nodding, her voice was a whisper when she replied, “the best.”  Glancing up to the ceiling again she tried to compose herself then added, “then Melody woke again and it was like a douse of cold water for us both.”

Lilah giggled, “saved by the bell, so to speak.”

Again she blushed, “well there are more appropriate things than a quick jump in the kitchen.”

                “Don’t play it down Nina, you seem happy, it’s good to see you enthusiastic. Go with it.”

She nodded, “I’m going to his tomorrow afternoon. I don’t know how I feel about that.”

As if on some sort of telepathic link, her phone buzzed in her pocket.

                “What the hell does that as because just when I thought you couldn’t blush any more you’ve turned scarlet?”

Nina sighed then dropped the phone onto the table between them.

                “In case you’re thinking of crying off tomorrow, I’ll come to your home if you don’t come to mine. Melody will be going to bed after dinner, and that’s our chance to talk. Because Nina Willoughby, I want to get to know ALL of you, not just how hot you look in your sleep attire. Four. Pimlico station. Theo.”

You Got It Wrong - Part Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Two

Nina was sat opposite Theo in the kitchen a great poker hand in front of her when Lilah looked in.

                “I’m getting an early night; got to meet my agent in at nine in London in the morning, so I’m on a train at some ungodly hour.”

Nina looked up, “that mean you’re modelling again?” There had been a lull recently, since splitting with her last boyfriend she’d cut back on travelling, in being away, but that hadn’t been an entirely positive move. The thought that she was getting her mojo back pleased Nina no end.

                “A few things on the horizon, I’m going to be VERY selective though, I’m not a desperate teenager chasing fame anymore. If they want me in the right situation then I’ll do it.”

Nina grinned; at her lowest ebb her friend had compared modelling to prostitution, something that had disturbed her. “That sounds amazing. Do you want me to come and meet you after, get some lunch?”

Lilah nodded, “that sounds brilliant. I’ll be done by half twelve I reckon, think I can get us into Gordon Ramsey’s new place...I met the maitre’d a few weeks ago. I’ll call him in the morning.”

Lilah came across the kitchen and gave Nina a kiss on the cheek, then waved to Theo with a slightly sarcastic grin, before leaving them alone.

Theo was slouched in the chair across the table from her, his hand of cards between them, a convenient barrier to literally hide behind. Before Lilah had entered the kitchen, he had been smiling from his half hidden position, eyes low darting his head an inch to meet her gaze then returning to his cards. She’d found it funny, but during and after Lilah his whole demeanour changed.

                “What’s wrong?”

He shrugged, “nothing why?”

She shook her head as she threw a few more chips into the centre of the table, “I’ll see you Mr Peterson.”

Lowering his hand, he revealed two pairs, but that was no match for her flush which she laid out with a flourish, “you were smiling before Lilah came in, did she do something to offend you?”

She studied him and there was a delay, a hesitation that made her realise she’d hit the nail on the head, “what did she say?”

Groaning he tossed the hand onto the table, “she just made it clear she thinks I have ulterior motives for being here.”

Nina inclined her head for a moment as she took than on board, then she stood and made for the fridge, “it was my suggestion.”

He shrugged a response then watched her as she came across the kitchen to him, her extended arm offering a beer, “and have you?”

                “Have I what?”

Lowering herself opposite him again, she knew the alcohol was loosening her lips, she had a moment to stop, but her lips seem to continue without her brain engaging, “got an ulterior motive.”

Theo stared at her, he could see the pulse at the base of her throat racing, his eyes were sparkling and he’d never seen her look more desirable, more exciting. He’d started the evening apologising for being so uncouth at the wedding to her, and yet now...now she was making a move. That was what this was, wasn’t it? The silence seemed to only magnify the sound of their breathing, the bubbles popping in their beer, and the way they both swallowed nervously.

                “An ulterior motive?” He finally managed. “That would mean that I would have planned tonight.”

He couldn’t miss the way her eyes dropped, was that disappointment? He didn’t want her to think that he hadn’t thought those thoughts, he wasn’t about to reject her all over again.

                “But we’re not a million miles from where I had hoped we would be when I called you after the wedding.”

As he watched her waiting for a response, her eyes were still averted, but he couldn’t miss the way she bit her bottom lip, worrying it with her teeth. For Theo it caused a bolt of heat to light up his body, his stomach lurched for a moment, and he had to pause. His instinct was to reach out, touch her bruised bottom lip, brush it with his thumb. Then he thought about her lips fastening around it, sucking it into the warm cavern of her mouth. He heard a moan, then realised it was him, and it was that that finally caused her eyes to lift to his.

                “You intrigue me...” he responded to his urge, reaching out to massage her bruised bottom lip, his fingers sliding over her smooth skin, resting at her hairline. Her lips parted with a sigh and her eyes studied him. He was equally blessed and cursed that a table separated them, because his body was displaying very obviously his desire for her.

                “Theo.” His name was a breath on her lips, and she was leaning into his hand.

Theo couldn’t remember a time when he had wanted something as much as he wanted the woman opposite him. From the minute he’d set eyes on her they’d had a turbulent time, mainly due to him, but was it really that bizarre to be suspicious of someone...a stranger to be so generous and caring? In this day and age he didn’t think he was hugely out of order, but then that was a huge part of why he found her so captivating. She dropped everything to help her, to help Mansell, to help Melody. And she really had no ulterior motive for that.

Standing he leaned forward bringing his face close to hers.

                “Do you have any idea what you do to me?”

She bit her lip for a moment, nervous, then she gave a half smile, “infuriate you? Annoy you?”

He laughed and was surprised how throaty that sounded, “all the time, but that’s not what I mean.”

He could see her swallow, the constriction of her throat so obvious, as was the way she moistened her lips. He hadn’t wanted to go there, to lift the tension to this level. He wanted her, whenever he was in her company that was blatantly obvious, almost unable to control. But he hadn’t intended to make a move; he had too much on his plate without screwing up something with her.

But now, their faces just a breath apart, her eyes filled with warmth, skin covered in gooseflesh, primed, wanting him as he wanted her. He was sure. Leaning closer he could feel her breath against his lips, as her eyes closed anticipating a kiss, a shout from the corner of the room caused them to leap apart.

                “Daaaad?”

It was a wail more than a shout and they both sprung apart almost violently, pushing away from the table that separated them. But Melody didn’t appear at the door. It was only then that Theo spotted the baby intercom illuminated on the work surface.

                “I’d better go see to her...she won’t know where she is...”

Several hours later Nina was no closer to sleeping. The events of the evening were vivid Technicolor replays on the back of her eyelids. She’d tossed, turned, fumed and felt embarrassed, and when her clock read two am she knew she had to get to sleep soon. Warm milk with a shot of whisky, that always worked for her. So she jumped out of bed and crept along the hallway past the doors to Lilah’s and then the spare bedroom, not wanting to disturb anyone.

Filling a mug with milk she slipped it into the microwave, and leaned against the counter, being in the kitchen only made the evening more real. She’d wanted to kiss Theo, hell she’d wanted more, and that was what she found hardest to deal with. Since she’d found her stepmother with her boyfriend almost ten years earlier, she’d avoided men. There had been a few drunken encounters on her prolonged trip to France and Spain that followed her discovery, but they’d been accidental falling together moments, with Theo, she wanted it. Would quite blatantly plan time with him, plan ways to be alone with him. Until he ran off.

But Melody had woken, he was being a good father, she tried to reassure herself. But couldn’t he have just made some comment, some hint that he felt the same way, instead of leaving her mortified, feeling like some hussy? She wanted to scream aloud, but didn’t. Instead she reached inside the kitchen cupboard and pulled out her best whisky, it may seem a waste going into hot milk, but she had standards when it came to Scotch.

The microwave pinged and she took out the mug and was just topping up the milk with whisky when the kitchen door opened. She turned with a smile expecting to see Lilah there, but instead she came face to face with Theo, in his t-shirt and boxers, hair ruffled from sleep. But as he looked at her his eyes literally popped out on stalks.

Theo hadn’t been able to sleep, he was aware of every creak of floorboard, every mattress spring as he tried to share a bed with his wriggling daughter. Melody was a restless sleeper at the best of times, but tonight she seemed to be taking an award for it, or maybe his lack of sleep was compounding the issue. Either way he’d not wanted to disturb the house by getting up, but when he heard someone in the kitchen he didn’t feel so bad about getting up for a drink.

But as he opened the kitchen door he knew he’d rue that decision for a long time. Until he saw Nina he really didn’t know if it was her or Lilah that had woken, but the vision that greeted him, was all Nina. She had her back to him, and was wearing just a tight strappy purple vest that came to what he imagined was her belly button. That alone wasn’t an issue, but it was only accompanied by a pair of black knickers. Her waist, her hips, and those shapely legs were all completely bare. And it took his breath, his head was rolling as though he’d just stepped off the fastest roller coaster, and his heart was pounding equally as hard.

And then she turned to face him, a smile briefly on her lips, that disappeared when her eyes met his. As he noted the disappointment at finding him there, he couldn’t help but study her, from the back she’d looked like a teenage boy’s dream, but head on. Words failed him. The tight vest clung to her shapely body, her large breasts emphasised, her nipples hard pointing almost through the soft cotton, her rounded tummy, she lacked the slimness that was so fashionable, but her rounded hips, just begged for his hands, and he had no idea how he’d manage a conversation with her looking like that, when he met her eyes again, they were staring at him, but then he knew that his reaction to her was more than obvious, and her wide eyes only confirmed that she’d spotted his desire for her.

His throat was dry, his brain unthinking for the level of arousal that overwhelmed it.

                “I was getting a drink...do you want...”

But she didn’t finish the question, the offer of a drink for him, as he had stalked the few steps towards her and silenced her with a hand to her cheek, an assessing, caressing hand.

Nina felt like crying, she’d never felt so out of her depth, never felt so short of breath, so unable to focus. His fingers slid over her cheek settled in her hair, caused waves of sensations to erupt across her skin. She couldn’t remember a moment so tense, so exciting, when she felt so aroused, so desperate for something. She watched as his face grew closer.

                “We were disturbed...earlier...” the words were a rasp the voice barely resembling the Theo she’d spoken to so many times. But she had little time to process that thought, instead, his lips found hers...and it was like an IED had fired in the centre of her. 

You Got It Wrong - Part Twenty One

Chapter Twenty One

Nina had loved her afternoon, they‘d made more cakes that they could possibly eat, and Melody was covered in flour, not to mention the amount of cake mixture she’d consumed.

                “Right, let’s decorate these cakes, one for your Dad, and one for Lilah.” She handed the little girl an icing pen and a pot of sprinkles. “Can you draw a picture on here? Shall I help you write a ‘D’ for Dad?”

Melody laughed then giggled, and they managed to get the two largest cakes decorated.

                “Right, wash your hands,” she ordered as she heard the doorbell ring, “I’ll see who this is, then we can share our cake, ok?”

Melody nodded enthusiastically then disappeared to the downstairs cloakroom.

Pulling open the door, Nina grimaced when she saw Theo stood there, “wasn’t expecting you yet.”

He smiled, “seems I’ve interrupted another make up session.”

Confused she turned to glance at the mirror behind her to see she was wearing as much flour as Melody had been. Groaning she stepped back to let him in to her house, “baking. Melody’s just washing her hands.”

Giving a nod, he followed her into the house.

Theo couldn’t help but stare as they walked through the house, he had no idea what to expect, but the place did seem as eclectic as she was, and that pleased him. They passed the large mirror and a dresser topped with a pile of mail and a photo of Nina and her friend grinning, and into a huge kitchen that was old fashioned, yet modern, he immediately liked it. As he was staring around the room, he catapulted straight into the back of Nina who’d stopped dead in her tracks.

                “What the...?”

Her glare silenced him and he followed her nod to the small sofa immediately to their right, where Melody was curled up, fast asleep, still covered in flour.

                “She was awake a few minutes ago.”

He sighed feeling so guilty that his daughter was shattered and should be in bed, “the poor thing. She’s shattered.”

Nina looked at him sympathetically, “she was telling me all about her afternoon with you. She loves spending time with you.”

Glancing at her, he shrugged, “I think you’re being generous there. She’s like a homeless waif at the moment.”

Nina moved to the kitchen and pulled two beers from the fridge, without waiting to see whether he wanted one, she cracked them open then handed him one.

                “It can’t be easy, looking after her, working...”

He rubbed a hand over his eyes, hating how emotional that level of understanding made him feel. “I have to be everything to everyone. That’s difficult.”

                “What about her mother? You said she was ill?”

Again he felt overwhelmed, taking a nervous gulp it was a while till he looked up and met her eyes, “she came out of hospital a couple of days ago. She wants Melody back.”

                “And you won’t let her?”

He gave a wry laugh, “it’s more serious than that, I have Child Protection Services on my side. She can’t have her, she neglected her. I can’t give her up.”

                “What happened?”

Theo wasn’t ready to discuss things, he wasn’t about to bare the ugly details, the dirty secrets of his life with her.

                “Sadie...she wants her own life more than she wants to be a mother.”

She nodded slowly then took a slug of her beer, “and now you’re mother, father and bread winner.”

Theo stood and walked to the window looking out into the garden, “don’t forget grandson.”

Nina’s heart bled for him, she could see the turmoil in his eyes, he wanted to do everything for his daughter, but he was torn, committed elsewhere. It was hard for him, very hard. Standing too, she moved away from the kitchen table, to the sofa, pulling a blanket onto Melody.

                “You eaten?”

He looked up from his reverie, from his fascination with something outside, “had a few of Melody’s chicken nuggets earlier. Planned on getting home and eating when she was in bed.”

                “She’s settled. It’s half past seven. Let her sleep. We’ve got a spare room...I’ve made dinner...and cakes of course.” He made to protest and she merely added, “I’m not about to kidnap her or jump on you, I can assure you. I’m just thinking that she’s asleep, you can wake early and drive back to London then.”

He stared at her for a moment and she could see the warring emotions in his face. “What’s for dinner?”

That made her grin, “curry, my speciality.”

She heard his stomach grumble from across the dining table, “take her up to the room at the top of the stairs, it’s got a double bed. You ok sharing with her?”

                “She won’t know where she is when she wakes...”

Nina grinned, “well...” She reached out for the work surface, “we have this.” She waved a baby monitor at him. “I have one half in my workshop for when I’m busy, Lilah can contact me if it’s an emergency, there’s no mobile phone connection in the basement. Connect it up and you’ll hear her wake.”

He took it from her then stared at her, “why are you being so nice?”

                “What you mean after you repeatedly being a complete bastard towards me?”

When he laughed and gave a nod, she smiled, “I like your grandfather, I like your daughter...there must be a nice bit of you there somewhere inside, I just ain’t seen it yet.” He laughed and then she added, “and it’s nice to see a man who wants to do the right thing by his kid.”

                “That is a very loaded comment, but I won’t ask now.”

It was her turn to laugh, “ask all you want, there’s nothing to say.”

When he came back downstairs Nina was stirring a large pot on the stove, another open beer beside her.

                “I feel a bit crazy staying here.”

She looked up and shrugged, “Melody needs a bed, you need a meal. What’s wrong with that?”

He sighed, “nothing I suppose, what about you? I still feel strange, putting you out like this.”

Nina laughed then tilted her head to drink more of her bottled beer, then turned to him, “don’t you get it by now? I like helping people. I’m almost masochistic with that.” She looked up at him poignantly, “pretty sad really that not everyone is generous with their time or thoughts.”

Nodding in the direction of the fridge, she offered, “help yourself to another beer.”

                “Thanks.” He helped himself to a beer, “I’ll go grab a few more from the shop in a minute.”

She shook her head, “no need, there are loads here. Sit down dinner is almost ready.”

He pulled out a chair and watched her confidently move around the kitchen dishing steaming rice and what looked to be amazing curry on to two places.

                “So you live here with your friend?” He asked after thanking her and taking the plate she offered.

She nodded, “Lilah lives here, but she’s not always around.” He watched her and gave a nod of encouragement, so she added, “she’s a model, mainly magazines and clothes catalogues, but she used to be a catwalk model.”

He smiled, “she is tall...”

Nina dissolved into laughter at the awkwardness in his response, but she was used to people feeling inadequate when it came to her stunning best friend, “tall? She’s absolutely beautiful, her hair, her eyes...she’s the most beautiful woman I know.”

Theo paused then shook his head, Lilah wasn’t a patch on the woman in front of him, but then tall, glamorous Lilah reminded him far too much of his ex wife. But he wasn’t ready to start that conversation, so instead he tucked into the curry, which was amazing.

Lilah came in as they were finishing eating, arms loaded with bags from a shopping trip, the kitchen door burst open and she almost fell into the room.

                “OMG you will NOT believe what happened...” She froze mid sentence as she took in what probably appeared to be a cosy dinner for two in front of her. “What?”

Theo looked from Lilah to Nina who was smiling, then watched as she spoke.

                “I looked after Theo’s daughter earlier, but she fell asleep before he picked her up. So she’s in the front bedroom. They’re going to stay.”

Lilah didn’t look any less stunned as her eyes flitted between the two of them, “staying? Here?”

                “I can go if it’s a problem,” he offered immediately, but that just made both women stare at him.

                “Don’t be stupid,” Lilah almost snapped, “I’m just surprised that you’re here.”

Nina grinned, “will you stop fussing woman?”

Lilah groaned, “he was a complete bastard to you two weeks ago, just don’t want to see you roll over and be nice to him!”

Theo was amazed at how calm Nina was, she laughed again, “thank you mother! I’m not being held down and compromised, and I’m hoping we’ve buried the hatchet...there’s food there. You want some?”

Lilah nodded, still eyeing him suspiciously as she passed them to get some food.

                “So what were you about to say? Before you got sidetracked?”

Her friend paused in her action, almost shaking with the need to share her information, but then she looked at Theo again and shook her head, “nothing much. Can’t remember.”

Theo went to the bathroom and to check on Melody after what had been an enjoyable meal once Lilah had become less prickly.

                “What were you going to say before you got pissy about Theo?”

Lilah stares at Nina, “I’m not getting pissy, you were really upset after the wedding, now he’s here making use of you?”

                “I offered, I didn’t have to, but I wanted to. He’s good company when he’s not being a knob.”

Lilah laughed out loud, “must run in the family cos his brother FINALLY called me today. Been too busy apparently.”

Nina could see the huge lack in self confidence that her friend had, and she squeezed her hand, “He’s preparing for an election, and his grandfather’s ill...all the French family are over. It’s a lot going on, it’s not you darling, you are beautiful, he barely deserves you.”

                “And his brother deserves you?”

Nina laughed, “his brother freely admitted that he doesn’t want me, so there’s no question of deserving, but no, he doesn’t deserve me. Look, I like Mansell, I like Melody. I’m helping them.”

                “I don’t want to see him break your heart; you’re not someone who does this.”

Standing Nina made for the fridge and grabbed another beer, “does what?”

                “You don’t do casual Nina, you don’t do relationships. I mean have you dated anyone since Josh?”

Nina took a few deep breaths, “a four year old girl fell asleep, I’ve given her a bed. Theo’s ok, he’s not about to steal our jewels. So stop worrying, and stop throwing my past up at me, Josh was a long time ago, a LONG time ago.”

Lilah sighed, “and it still hurts you.”

Nina shook her head vehemently, “the betrayal of the woman he cheated with is what hurt me, a woman who should have cared for me.” She couldn’t bring herself to mention her step mother’s name. “I expect nothing from strangers, which is why Theo can’t hurt me. I’m over being hurt.”

Lilah sighed, “it isn’t that easy Nina, it really isn’t.”

Theo waited a reasonable time to enter the room, he felt almost uncomfortable at the conversation he’d unwittingly overheard, but with every hour that passed in her company, he knew that he wanted to get to know Nina Willoughby in far greater detail.

                “You don’t like me.” It was a statement not a question that he offered as soon as Nina left the room.

Lilah looked up maybe a little surprised at his honesty, “I don’t know you Theo, but I know her.” She pointed above her head in the direction of the bathroom where she knew her friends had disappeared to.  “And she’s not wise to someone like you.”

                “What is someone like me?”

Lilah shrugged, “you know what I mean. She’s good, she’s generous, she’d give her last penny to someone who needed it more. You are worldly, you are experienced...you can chew her up and spit her onto the scrap heap easily, and THAT is what worries me.”

                “I’m not interested in that, I don’t want to hurt her.”

Lilah laughed, “I’m sure you don’t...now! Look she deserves the best, to be loved, adored...if you do anything to compromise I’ll come after you. That’s all I’m saying, ok?”

He reached for his drink after giving a nod, how strange that the fact that he’d been threatened by this woman made him pleased, he was glad, that Nina had someone protecting her at all times. Lilah was right; she had a vulnerability about her that was appealing to his protective side. This was a dangerous combination.