13
FELIX
Felix left the school, heading out of the kitchen’s fire exit. His staff had cleared up and moved their equipment out, and as he stepped into the night, he tossed and caught his car keys.
He wasn’t exactly trying to avoid Thea, but the longer he stayed away from her, the easier things would be on his brain. And his body. Their interactions this evening had left him so confused, so infuriated, yet when he pulled her in close on the dance floor, not every part of him was conflicted. He’d had an erection to rival one of the rolling pins in the school kitchen.
He puffed out a breath, a light cloud of condensation swirling into the chilly night air. He needed to cool off. Not literally, of course. He only wore a suit jacket and trousers, but his annoyance with Thea sizzled hot in his gut. Even if he found her sexy as all hell, he couldn’t forgive her actions tonight.
She’d lied to him. Led him on about the drinks and made him look like a fool. She’d laughed at him, too. Then sold him in her damned auction like a piece of meat. Offered him to the highest bidder without consulting him—without thinking. Andhe had no intention of spending an evening with anyone. Particularly not Persephone Murray. Even if she’d bid in the millions, he’d triple her offer rather than spend any time alone with her.
The concrete tapped crisply under his feet as he walked along the path and down the steps to the car park where he first met Thea. His eyes narrowed as he recalled her appalling behaviour, her utter lack of remorse at drenching him. But tonight, she’d actually come to his rescue at the fountain when Persephone had been on the brink of devouring him whole. And how had he thanked her? He’d grabbed her boob.
Felix steadied his breath. The memory ran through his head. Her breast had fitted perfectly in his hand. The weight of it, the shape of it, so tempting. When her nipple had hardened against his palm and… Fuck! Was he some sort of pervert? He’d inadvertently fondled an innocent woman in public, and all he could think about was how good it’d felt.
Shutting his eyes, Felix paused on the path. He needed to push thoughts of Thea out of his head. He didn’t want any distractions from getting the Rusty Plough running like clockwork—from settling Lucas into their new life.
With a heavy sigh, he opened his eyes again, adjusting to the gloom. Who was he kidding? No amount of ignoring Thea would change the fact that when she’d come out of the toilet wearing his shirt, all golden ringlets and blue eyes, he’d wanted nothing more than to throw her over his shoulder and find a broom closet.
Walking around a parked car towards his own, Felix stopped. Straight ahead, bathed in the soft amber glow of the car park lights, loomed a pair of long legs. He’d recognise them anywhere. He sucked in a quick breath. Thea’s car bonnet was up, and she stood on her tiptoes, bent over the engine. “Damn it,” he muttered under his breath. The last thing he needed wasanother run-in with Ms. Fox, but he couldn’t leave her stranded.
“Car trouble?”
She turned her head slowly toward him, her eyes as big as saucers. She obviously hadn’t heard him. If he’d been a serial killer, looking for his next victim, she wouldn’t have stood a chance.
After a second, her mouth cracked into a smirk. “No. I just like staring at machinery on chilly nights. Honestly, it’s fascinating. Have you ever looked inside a washing machine? I mean,reallylooked. The wiring alone is…”
“Stop,” he said, his tone far harsher than he expected. The evening had exhausted him, and he wasn’t looking for a fight.
Thea stood back upright, tucking an errant curl behind her ear with oily fingers. “I’m sorry. Calm down.”
Felix ground his teeth. She’d know those two words would have the exact opposite effect.
“My car won’t start,” she said.
Talk about stating the obvious. Why else would she be out here? Almost everyone had left. “Have you tried…” his words trailed away. Felix didn’t know what she should try. He knew nothing about cars and engines. He’d had a driver for most of his life. “Have you tried wiggling things a bit?”
The corners of Thea’s mouth trembled. “Which things should I try wiggling? I need to be careful. Persephone has already accused me of loose morals this evening. I don’t want to get myself a reputation.”
Felix shut his eyes and shook his head. Did she have to make a joke out of everything? “I don’t know. What about the oil thingy?”
Thea grinned at him, her teeth glinting in the lamplight. “Yep, I’ve wiggled the oil thingy, as well as a few other bits.” She held up two blackened palms as proof. “Didn’t work. Honestly, it’s far too late for all this. I’ll leave the car here. Get Josh to pickit up in the morning.” With that, Thea unhooked the bonnet arm and let it fall with a loud clunk. “Goodnight, Felix.”
She extracted a bag that hung off the wing mirror, slinging it over her shoulder before taking off her heels and heading barefoot towards the car park exit.
“Where the hell are you going?” Felix asked, scowling into the dark.
“Home,” she called over her shoulder.
“Wait! Surely you don’t plan on walking? You live miles away, and it’s pitch black out there.”
Thea stopped, turning her head towards Felix, a cheeky smile on her face. “Are you offering me a piggyback?”
“No. I’m offering you a lift home. In fact, I’m insisting on it.”
Thea spun slowly to face him. “Insisting? So masterful, Felix.” She quirked an eyebrow. “No wonder Persephone and friends were squabbling over you. They probably need a man to take control. I don’t.” Thea turned away again and continued walking.
Damn her! He was trying to be nice. Did she have to be so contrary? He honestly didn’t know why he’d bothered. But as her back disappeared into the shadow of the lane, he couldn’t let her go. He couldn’t send her out into the dark, half-dressed and shoeless.
