Page 106 of Tempt

“You ready?” he squeezed my hand as Martin pulled the car to a stop.

I bit my lip. “I’ve already forgotten my speech.”

He slid a piece of paper out of his suit pocket. “I made an extra copy.”

I had the exact same piece of paper in my clutch, but it didn’t matter.Thismattered. The fact that I’d somehow found a guy who knew me and cared about me enough to make sure he had an extra copy of my speech—just in case. I pressed a soft kiss to his cleanly shaven cheek then used my thumb to brush away my lipstick. “I miss the beard.”

He grimaced. “Change is good.” He’d been saying that ever since Nicki insisted he shave for the wedding. She also insisted he shave now so his skin had time to adjust before the big day.

“Change is good. I like this sexy mysterious man who has suddenly joined me in bed. However,” I grinned up at him through my lashes, “I am very much looking forward to our holidayafterthe wedding.”

Theo had found a beautiful little piece of property not far from the one he’d been dreaming of and purchased it only a month ago. We were having Nicki’s wedding there and then, after everyone was gone, we were going to spend two solid weeks making it our new home.

We were now that couple that had two homes—one in the city and one in the country. And even better? We’d arranged our schedules so that every year we were going to be living at the country house more. It was our ten-year transition plan.

I know, I know…ten years sounds like a long time but really? It’s not. Especially not when you have a lot of plans and big dreams. I loved my work with HDM2 and now that Margaret and I had found a way to work together, I loved every single thing about my job.

This award was proof that I’d found my calling. I had work to do and I was excited to blaze new trails.

“You know they’re all in there waiting for you, right?” Theo chuckled, but his eyes were light and adoring.

“Why do I get the impression you’re enjoying this?”

“Because I am.” He ran his hand around the back of my neck and up into my hair, pulling me in for a proper kiss. “You are the most confident and put together woman I have ever met. And for some reason, standing up to receive an award for something you are passionate about has turned you into a nervous wreck. You’re so adorable I can’t stand it.”

“Adorable?” I gasped. “Did you just call meadorable?”

That, of course, only turned his chuckle into a deep rumble of laughter. “I did indeed. Because you are. You know you can be sexyandadorable, right?”

I shook my head as some sort of red-hot embarrassment bubbled up and heated my cheeks. “You’re going to pay for this.”

And now he threw back his head and full-out laughed from his belly. I didn’t know why I was so upset about being adorable…until he grabbed my hand and placed it firmly over his heart.

That’s when I got it all.

Theo adored me. This was never just sex and it never would be. We had that special kind of love that encompassed everything from adoration to possessive overwhelming need.

“I love you Theo Sutherland.”

His laughs softened into a smoldering growl. “And I fucking love you, Allison Riley, with every ounce of my unworthy soul. Now get your ass inside there and be spectacular.”

I swallowed down the lump in my throat and gave Martin a nod. He hopped out and opened my door. This was it. We were finally going public. It felt like a massive hurdle despite everything we’d already done. All the I love yous, moving in together, fighting for each other…and yet it was this step that was making my heart beat out of my chest.

Theo was behind me in a flash, his hand on the small of my back as we walked inside. As usual, he was dressed in a fantastic three-piece suit that somehow managed to be both incredibly modern but with a hint of the thirties. I’d caught a little bit of whatever was in Theo’s airwaves and picked a beautiful sapphire blue dress that was slim-fitted to my body but had classic lines. My hair was styled in a similar soft wave as the night I first met Theo. I felt beautiful and powerful, and loved that my first day on his arm reminded me so much of the night we met.

We got the same basic reaction everywhere we went as we moved through the party. Everyone smiled warmly for about three seconds before their eyes went round and bugged out of their heads. I could see the headlines already,London’s Most Eligible and Secretive Bachelor Taken.

Theo was enigmatic. He grinned from ear-to-ear (when he wasn’t growling dirty thoughts into mine.) He charmed everyone in the room until we were called into the luncheon. He held out my seat and took my hand so I wouldn’t fidget while I waited. Margaret took the stage to explain the award, smiling down at me from the stage. I expected her to call me up to accept the award but that wasn’t what happened.

“This project was deeply personal to the building’s owner. He took great care in selecting the team that oversaw the renovation and he has asked to say a few words about our guest of honor.”

I sat there with my mouth hanging open in shock as Theo scooted his chair back and stopped to kiss me on the cheek before practically skipping up onto the stage.

Seriously, the man who didn’t speak in public or attendanythingwas now up on a stage looking giddy as a schoolboy.

“Hello everyone. My name is Theo Sutherland.” He paused while the room tittered with whispers and soft applause.

My heart jumped into my throat and started pounding uncontrollably. There was no chance I was remembering my speech now.

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