Gentleman Sinner

Thankfully, Theo hasn’t pressed me any more on my little episode at Stan’s tattoo studio, and I chose not to mention it to Jess, either. Almost as if not talking about it means it never happened, which is just the way I want it.

As I wander into the kitchen, Jess looks up from her coffee, her eyebrows bunched. ‘It’s seven in the morning, Izzy.’

‘I couldn’t sleep.’ I set about making my own coffee.

‘Did you apply for any of the positions I forwarded to you?’ she asks as she taps away at her phone.

‘No.’ Not one of the jobs I looked at yesterday morning compared to my previous position. I realize beggars can’t be choosers, but still. I stop myself thinking that I shouldn’t be in this position, because it has me momentarily cursing Theo to hell and back again.

‘What about the nurse bank?’

‘I’m thinking about it,’ I say to appease her, splashing milk into my mug. I turn, armed with my coffee, and give her a wry smile. ‘How’s Callum? Any more puddle-induced orgasms?’ I hide my grin behind the rim of my mug as I take a sip.

‘You’re fucking hilarious.’ She gets up and swills her mug under the tap. ‘I’ve not seen nor heard from him.’

‘Disappointed?’ I ask as she slowly turns towards me, resting her weight on her hip.

‘No. I die every time I think about the other night.’ Jess grabs her bag and heads for the door. ‘What are you up to today?’ she calls over her shoulder.

There’s only one thing I have planned for today, and I’m not sure whether I’m happy or worried about it. ‘I have a date with Theo’s mother.’

She skids to a stop and looks back at me. ‘Bonding?’

‘I don’t know.’ I shrug. When she called me yesterday, at first I thought maybe Theo had asked her to offer, if only to keep me busy for a few hours. Then I wondered if she genuinely wants to get to know me. Or bond, as Jess said. I’ve only been in the woman’s company briefly, and on few occasions, but I like her. That’s not to say I haven’t detected the tough streak she has hidden under all that Chanel.

‘Well, good luck.’ Jess interrupts my thoughts and carries on her way. ‘I get off at six. I’ll call you.’ The door slams and I look around the quiet kitchen, cursing myself for not taking Theo up on his offer to stay with him last night. Because right now, instead of standing lonely in my empty apartment, I’d be snuggled into his side, warm and content.

As I make my way to the bathroom to shower, my phone rings, and Theo’s name on the screen chases away my discontent. ‘It’s like you know when I’m thinking about you,’ I answer, flipping the shower on.

‘I do. It’s all the time, right?’ His voice is the answer to all my woes, and I smile as I strip down.

‘Right. Where are you?’

‘In my office. Bored. Wishing you were here. Do you miss me?’

I roll my eyes, but I can’t lie. ‘Yes.’

‘Should have stayed last night,’ he grumbles. ‘And the night before.’

‘I can’t stay at your place every night.’

‘Why?’

I dump my pyjamas in the laundry basket and pull the clip from my hair. ‘Because I have my own place to stay at.’

‘That’s not a reason. Tonight, you’re staying here.’

‘What if I don’t want to?’

‘You do.’ I can hear the smile in his voice, and I laugh a little at his sureness.

‘I have to go. I have things to do before I meet your mother.’

‘Oh yeah. Sorry about that.’ His apology tells me that this wasn’t Theo’s idea. I don’t know if that makes me feel better or not. ‘She’s excited. I’ve never had a girlfriend before.’

‘Never?’ I don’t know why I haven’t thought about this. ‘Ever?’

‘Never, ever.’

I reach into the shower and feel the temperature of the water. ‘I don’t know what to say.’

‘There’s nothing to be said. Have fun with my mother. I’ll see you later, okay?’

‘Okay.’

He hangs up before I do, but as I place my phone on the vanity, it rings again. Theo. On a frown, I answer. ‘Hello.’

‘I forgot to tell you something.’

‘What?’

‘Izzy?’ He draws my name out, thoughtfully. Low. Gravelly.

I’m suddenly apprehensive. ‘What?’

‘I love you.’

I deflate, laughing a little. ‘You had me worried.’

‘You should be. I’m going to eat you alive later.’ He hangs up again, and I’m left with that wonderful promise circling my mind as I shower.*I walk into the Langham Hotel just after five and head for the plush cocktail bar, spotting Judy across the bar sitting in the arched window seat as I enter.

‘Izzy.’ She smiles as she stands, arms reaching, beckoning me into her embrace. ‘How are you, darling?’

I let her hug me. ‘I’m well, thank you, Judy.’

‘Very good.’ She breaks away, holding me at arm’s length and smiling at me fondly, her rouge lips stretched wide, displaying beautiful teeth. She’s really quite a stunning woman. ‘Come, sit.’