Page 57

She huffs a laugh, but it fades when I run my hands down her back and curl my fingers around her waist.

“Have I told you lately how gorgeous you are?” I murmur.

“It’s easy to look good in a thousand dollar dress.”

I shake my head. “You look good naked in my bed, too. More than good.” I dip my head to kiss her neck.

Her fingers curl lightly into the lapel of my jacket, and for a second I forget we’re in a department store. Forget the marble floors and the polite staff and the fact that my entire life exists outside this room.

“You have a dangerously smooth tongue,” she tells me.

Before I can offer to show her just how dangerous it is, the door opens.

“Theo?” A woman’s voice slices cleanly through the air. My mother’s.

For fuck’s sake. Does she have a damn tracker on me?

She stands in the doorway, looking as immaculate as ever, in a cream wool coat, her gloves folded neatly into one hand.

Her gaze lands on Georgia, who straightens almost imperceptibly, dropping her hand from my lapel.

“Oh,” my mother says lightly, giving me a questioning look. “Jess said you were here. Though I didn’t realize you were here with a… friend.” Her eyes dip to the cut of the silk as it skims Georgia’s hips, then shift to me. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

GEORGIA

“Georgia, this is my mother,” Theo says. There’s an edge of annoyance to his voice. “Lady Ravensmere.” He shoots me an apologetic look, making it clear he had no idea she’d be barging in.

“Hello Lady Ravensmere,” I say, pushing my cheeks up into a smile. I hold out my hand to her. She looks at it for a moment too long before taking it.

“You’re American.” Her voice is low and cool. Like the rest of her. She really is beautiful. You could put this woman in a potato sack and she’d carry it off like a model.

“I’m afraid I am.” I smile at her. And because apparently I don’t know how to keep my mouth shut, I add, “Sorry.”

It’s supposed to be a joke but she doesn’t smile. Theo does, though. “Georgia’s from New York,” he tells his mother.

“How lovely,” she murmurs, but I can’t figure out if she means it.

“Are you ready to try on some more clothes?” Elise asks, popping her head around the curtain.

“That’s my cue,” I say lightly. “It’s nice to meet you, Lady Ravensmere.”

I follow Elise barefoot through the curtains and back into the dressing room. She makes sure they’re closed then turns to me. “Okay, let’s get you out of this dress first.”

I let out a breath. What a way to meet a parent. Elise unlaces the back of the dress then discreetly disappears so I can take it off and put my underwear back on.

“I was surprised when you weren’t at the hotel.” His mother’s voice echoes from the other room. “It’s not like you to take time off at this time of year. You told me you were busy.”

“Georgia has kindly agreed to accompany me to your party,” he replies, his voice low. “She needed a dress.”

“So you’re coming now?”

“We are.”

It’s weird how that little ‘we’ sends a shiver down my spine.

“Do you think that’s wise, darling?”

Oh god, she thinks I can’t hear them. I grimace as I step out of the dress and pick up the emerald silk and place it on the hanger, before picking up the panties and bra I left on the velvet upholstered chair.