“Has quite the most amazing mother, he says.”
A bitter taste swelled on Felix’s tongue. Adrienne had revealed her hand, and, as he suspected, she hadn’t called “just to chat.” Somehow, she’d pumped Lucas for information. This weekend hadn’t been one of her scheduled times to take Lucas. She’d agreed to the change, but his out-of-ordinary request must have made her suspicious.
“And she does,” he said, trying to keep his voice even.
“Why haven’t I heard anything about her?”
Felix sighed, pulling into the yard of Small Oaks Farm and coming to a stop. Ammy and Thea stood near the front door, the former dancing like a fairy in her flower girl’s dress and Spiderman wellies. Thea grinned at her daughter. She held a sparkly wand in one hand and a small bag in the other. She’d pinned her silky hair into a smart chignon and wore a long pale blue dress that matched her eyes. Felix smiled. At least she hadn’t worn her work boots.
At the sound of the engine, Thea looked up. The expression in her eyes, the smile on her lips, made his heart skip.
“Lucas is happy. He’s found a new friend. One he really likes. Can’t you just be pleased for him?” Felix wondered if he wasn’t speaking on his own behalf.
“Well, I’d like to meet her, that’s all. I’d like to know who’s spending time with my son.” Over his dead body would Adrienne meet her. He didn’t want to ruin any truce between him and Thea with an introduction to his ex.
Adrienne spoke again, but Felix cut her off. “I have to go. The chef just set fire to his hat.” And without waiting to hear her response, he hung up.
18
THEA
At the sound of a car engine, Thea looked up. Felix sat behind the wheel of his shiny Range Rover. Even through the tinted glass, she could tell how polished he looked. Suave. He was chatting, probably on the phone. She hoped he was on the phone. Either that, or he’d lost his marbles. Or maybe he was trying to talk himself out of taking her to the wedding.
The more Thea thought about Felix accompanying her, the more she liked the idea. She wouldn’t be required to make small talk with anyone apart from him. And if things became awkward, they could always ignore each other. It wouldn’t be the first time. She’d also have a shield when anyone asked about her love life. They always did. But best of all, she’d get to do a little lusting on the side. The corners of her lips bowed. Yes. If Felix kept his opinions to himself, she’d enjoy the day.
She had some reservations, though. Daniel, Amber, Kitty and Josh all had beef with her date. That Felix was even at the farm bewildered Josh. Thea had given him a potted history of their interactions. She’d started with their first meeting but hadskirted over the sordid, more chocolate-coated details of the dinner dance. He’d looked at Thea as if she was bonkers.
Besides justifying her choice to Josh, she’d also checked with Daniel and Amber to see if they were okay with her bringing Felix to their wedding. They were shocked at her request. Questioned her heavily, but as Daniel pointed out, she hadn’t had a date for an eternity. He’d said she could probably do with a good shag. Thea’s cheeks heated at the thought. Of course, sleeping with Felix wasn’t on her agenda, but try telling that to her imagination.
And now the two of them were on an even playing field. They both knew she’d won him in the auction. Had left Persephone Murray defeated on the gym floor, metaphorically, of course.
She gave him a little wave and what she hoped was a welcoming smile, but her teeth were chattering so hard it could be more of a grimace. The spring weather was still a little chilly, and her only cardigan was neon green. She’d left it on her bed, not really wanting to channel Shrek for the day.
Felix climbed out of his car, and Thea swallowed. His gold watch glinted in the sunlight, and his black suit fitted every single inch of him like a glove. He wore a crease-free white shirt, two buttons down, and gold-edged aviator shades. All he needed was a pilot’s cap, and she’d happily call the control tower for permission to take off.
He walked over at a leisurely pace. “Hello, Thea.” His smouldering tone rolled over her like distant thunder. Holy hell, that voice.
Before she replied, though, Ammy squealed and rushed over to Felix, flinging herself at him. Did the lure of an in-car DVD player and a Harry Potter movie deserve such a rapturous response? After a quick wave to Belinda, her stable hand who’d agreed to hold the fort, Thea followed them to his car.
She climbed in and buckled up as Felix sorted thetechnology in the back. Ammy chattered away about the kittens she’d just fed, and he humoured her nicely, nodding and smiling in all the right places. Thea’s lips bowed. Barbie was the only other person who got this much attention from her daughter.
After closing the back door, Felix climbed in beside Thea and lifted his aviator shades to the top of his head. His green eyes raked over her, and Thea’s cheeks heated.
“You checked your emails?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
There was nothing like addressing the elephant in the car straight away. Thea nodded, tugging at the single scrunchie around her wrist. Felix smirked, pulled down his shades, and turned on the engine, backing slowly out of the yard.
Of course, he’d smirked. What else would a man who’d just had two women compete for him do? Would he remind Thea of her foolishness all day? That she’d spent an embarrassing amount of money on a few hours in his company. Surely, even his ego wasn’t that big.
“It surprised me when I opened the email from Persephone,” Felix said as they pulled out into the lane.
Thea held a breath. She could hardly explain her actions—even to herself. She’d passed it off as an act of contrition, but in the hours she’d spent mulling over the motivation for her bid, she’d seen it for what it was. Desire.
She’d enjoyed the feeling of his palm around her breast. Coveted his body as he’d undressed slowly in the school corridor. Hadn’t she slept in his shirt for almost a week? Washing it only when the scent of his cologne had long left the fabric. It’d been ages since she’d had wicked thoughts about a man. She’d even apologised out loud to Phil, in heaven, before she’d touched herself at night, thoughts of Felix running through her mind.
“Look, I’d rather we didn’t mention the auction again today. Busy weddings are traumatic enough.”
The corners of his mouth twitched. “Are you saying the prospect of an evening with me is traumatising?”
