by Lillie Jayne
My parents only married for that reason—an arranged marriage. Once I was born, and they were lucky enough to have a son first time, my father moved to the opposite end of the house, and they stopped sleeping together.
Now, he has many affairs, which my mother knows about but doesn’t care. They are amiable with each other, there’s no real animosity, they just aren’t in a relationship, so it works for them. It’s not the kind of marriage I envisage, which is why my mother never pushes me into anything.
My father made a huge fuss at first about carrying on the tradition…to be the next Worthington heir. But my mother made him see sense, and he backed off for a while so I could pursue other things before tying myself to Worthington Investments. For that I will be forever grateful.
“Okay, let’s do this, then, baby.”
Finn stops me short before we enter. “Theo, you won’t…” He pauses looking worried.
“Finn, I won’t breathe a word. It’s for you to decide if, and when, you tell them about the attack. I have your back, always. You know that.”
He exhales a huge sigh of relief. “I know. Thanks, babe. I just had to be sure. It’s a killer of a secret to keep from our mothers.” I nod and squeeze his shoulder in reassurance.
“When do you want to tell them about us?” I whisper. You never know if ears are flapping around here. The staff are the worst for gossip.
Finn sighs and looks out towards the stable block. “We can tell them tomorrow. I want you all to myself for a while longer before things get awkward. It will be a huge shock for them both.”
“I agree. I don’t expect they’ll take it very well, and I’m sure they never saw it coming.” I lower my voice and whisper in his ear, “As long as you still sneak into my room later, or I’ll wake the whole house up when I come looking for you.”
Finn swallows, his eyes scorching me with heat. “Oh, I’ll be there, sexy…with fucking bells on and a ribbon tied around my neck.”
I flick up an eyebrow. “Sounds like my Christmas has come a few days early…”
“As long as you don’t come early, lover, then it’ll be the best Christmas you ever had.”
I cut the conversation right there before I take him to the stables and start the festivities right now.
“Enough of that, my horny Santa,” I croak out as I steer him up the steps and through the door with our bags.
FINN
“Hello, mother hens. We’re home,” I sing as loud as I can as we stand in the foyer facing the grand sweeping staircase.
“Finlay Tyler, do not raise your voice around here, young man. I have taught you better manners than that,” my mother, Rose, scolds as she exits the kitchen and comes toward me.
“Oh, who cares? Just give your mother a damn hug,” Eleanor urges, as she emerges from the drawing room. I envelop my mother in a huge, warm embrace while Theo does the same with Eleanor. Then we swap and hug our other mothers.
Both in their early fifties now, they are so similar in personality, yet different looks-wise. My mother is short at five foot three, with dark, greying hair tied back in a tight bun. She has beautiful grey-blue eyes that can see every lie you’re telling and rarely wears make-up. She’s slim but not skinny and wears sensible clothes because of her job. Today, she wears a black pencil skirt and white blouse, with a powder blue cardigan and a white apron over her clothes. She doesn’t have a uniform. Eleanor won’t hear of it.
Eleanor, on the other hand, is rather tall at around five foot nine, skinny but healthy, thanks to my mother insisting she eat properly. She has a blonde bob which falls to the top of her shoulders and always wears make-up, although not too much. She, too, has crystal blue eyes, like Theo’s. He resembles his mother more than his father; both are exquisite looking. She wears fitted grey slacks, a white blouse, and a grey cardigan. A string of pearls adorns her neck and some pearl earrings hang in delicate drops from her earlobes.
Very Lady of the Manor.
“Let me look at you, boys,” Eleanor coos, inspecting every inch of us. “Have you both been eating properly? Theodore, you look too thin, dear. Have you been overworking? Finlay, you look tired. Have been getting enough sleep? I hope you haven’t been working too hard either, darling boy?”
“Yes, Finlay, sweetie, you do look exhausted. Are you both looking after yourselves, and each other? Come into the kitchen, and let me feed you,” my mother fusses as we head to the kitchen, along with Theo and Eleanor.
“Yes, mother hens, we have been looking after ourselves. I’m only tired because I’ve been working too late at night,” I lie, even though I know my mother will spot it a mile away.
It’s good to be home.
Afternoon tea with our parents, in the drawing room, is just what I need at this moment. I feel nostalgic here. Loved and cherished. My mother has been baking up a storm since we spoke to her last week and scarfing down my mother’s home-baked food feels like a huge comfort.
“Mother hens, it’s wonderful to be home, I must admit. As much as I love the city, there’s nothing I enjoy more than coming home to the country, and family, from time to time,” Theo mumbles around a mouthful of scone. He has a dollop of jam on his cheek, which I want to lick off. In fact, I want to lick many parts of him.
“And you shouldn’t be talking with your mouth full, Theodore. It’s rude,” I mock scold before the mother hens can interrupt.
“Swallow first, dear. It’s polite,” my mother continues, and I choke on the tea I’m drinking. Theo glares at me as he swallows, and I follow the bobbing of his throat. My stomach flutters and my heart misses a beat as he then licks his lips, still watching me.
Bloody hell. Down, boy.
As if nothing’s happened, Eleanor speaks next. “Yes, it’s wonderful to see you boys. I wish it were more often, but I know how busy you both are. Still, we shall make the most of your company. Oh, and Rose and I have a surprise early Christmas gift for you both.” She looks at my mother, both smiling with glee.
“Finn doesn’t like surprises,” Theo taunts me. “Isn’t that right, Finn?”
Twat. I’ll get him back for that, and the towel flicking.
“Finlay? You always loved surprises as a child. Eleanor and I were sure you would love it. It’s for both of you.” The mother hens look crestfallen.
I feel like a selfish dickhead.
“Ignore Theo. I’m sure I’ll love it.” I pat her hand to soothe the hurt.
“Excellent,” Eleanor declares grinning. “Well, Rose and I have had the cottage refurbished and have decided that, if you would like, you can both stay there when you visit. We thought since you both have your own place in London, then you can both have your own place here, too. Unless you would rather stay in your old rooms in the main house? We aren’t kicking you out. Far from it. It will give you both more privacy, and you might want to stay for longer visits? No pressure though, boys. The choice is yours.”
Theo and I look at each other with our mouths hanging open. The cottage is huge, with an open-plan kitchen and drawing room, an office, and a bathroom. There are three bedrooms upstairs and two en-suite bathrooms. It’s nowhere near as large as the main house, but it has personality and charm and we love it. The mother hens are right though. This would give us some much-needed privacy when we come to stay.
Especially now.
“Mother, that…that’s wonderful. I mean, delighted as we always are to stay in the main house, the cottage will be amazing. You guys really didn’t have to go to all that trouble. What do you think, Finn?” Theo addresses me, still shocked.
“I echo Theo’s sentiments. That’s kind of you to do that. Are you sure? Don’t you want to use it for something else?” I’m stunned. It’s generous. Our own little home in the country and the city.
“Of course we are sure, boys,” Eleanor insists. “We thought when Theo inherits everything, you can turn it into your own veterinary practice and live in the main house. That’s just an idea we have been bouncing around, though
. The choice would be Theo’s. Eleanor and I hired an interior designer. If you don’t like it, we can always change it,” my mother babbles.
I look at Theo and give a subtle nod and grin, letting him know I’m thrilled with the idea. “In that case, we both accept graciously. We love you both, and thank you.”
“Yes…thank you both, so much. We love that place, and I can use the office to write my music and practice.”
Eleanor claps her hands together and Rose beams with happiness. “Right, the only stipulation is that you eat dinner with us when you’re visiting, unless you let Rose know in advance.”
“I expect we can live with that, don’t you, Finn?” Theo asks, grinning at me.
Sexy fucker.
Chapter 29
THEO
The cottage is nothing short of spectacular.
From the outside, it’s a miniature version of the main house. Inside, a sweeping staircase starts from the reception hall to the first floor which houses two bedrooms and a bathroom with a brass bath sitting in front of a low sash window, overlooking the countryside. The view is breathtaking.
The drawing room has a huge bow window, with long blue curtains hanging from it. There are three large blue sofas surrounding a period fireplace in the centre of the wall. A large flat-screen TV hangs on the wall between the arches.
“Wow, this looks so different from when you lived here, yet, the same, you know?” I utter to Finn in awe.
“I know, it’s stunning. I can’t believe they did this for us. One minute they’re asking when we will make them grandmas, and now, they seem to think we will live together forever, judging by this,” he snorts.
“Well, won’t we?” I question. “I’m not giving you up, Finn, and I know you don’t want that, either. You’re mine…you’ve always been mine. Together, always. We both said it.”
I shiver at the intensity of his stare as he stands in front of me. His sapphire eyes sparkle under the spotlights. I recognise that look. Lust. A bolt of desire shoots down my spine, straight to my dick.
I lick my lips, noticing the way he watches my tongue move, licking his own in recognition. My heart is beating wild and uncontrolled, searching for a way out of my ribcage, as it rips its way through bone and sinew to get to him. I can see him breathing harder, and the sexual tension in the air is unmistakable.
I rise, and stop in front of him, whispering in his ear, “Together, always, Sunshine. `Til death, I promise.”
Then I swagger away, glancing over my shoulder. “I’m going for a quick shower. Wanna join me in the hot tub?”
“Hot tub? There’s a fucking hot tub?” I hear him exclaim in shock from behind me.
Snickering, I spin around and snare his mouth in a fierce kiss. “Yes, my little sexy Santa, there’s a fucking hot tub. Let’s go skinny-dipping together.”
Finn is already stripping off his clothes in anticipation. “I’ll get the beer, you have your shower…just don’t make me wait too long.”
“Don’t start without me.” I wink as I head toward the shower in the downstairs bathroom.
Once I’ve washed the long drive off me at warp speed, I wander to the patio where I spotted the hot tub earlier. There’s also a huge patio heater to keep us warm when we get out.
Finn’s eyes widen when he sees me, almost dropping his champagne flute in the water. I haven’t bothered with a towel. I’m comfortable wandering naked through the cottage.
“Champagne?” I ask as I step into the bubbling hot water, wondering where the hell he got it. We didn’t bring any with us.
“Yeah, I found it in the fridge along with enough food to feed a small country. Typical mother hens.”
He passes me a glass of the fizzing liquid, and we tap our glasses together. I drift over to him as we toast.
“To us,” I declare. “For finally getting our shit together and not wasting another day.”
“To us,” Finn echoes, as we drink to our new relationship.
We place our drinks behind us and lie back, letting the effervescent water ease our aching muscles and the tension and stress we’ve been harbouring.
It’s sheer bliss.
I grab Finn’s hand and tow him toward me, turning him so his back is to my front, where he lays his head back on my shoulder. I wrap my arms around his abdomen and suckle his neck.
“Mmm,” he rumbles as he closes his eyes and relaxes. “It’s hard to believe we’re finally here, you know?”
I nod, nibbling his earlobe. “I know. We’ve worked so hard for this, Finn, and I’ve got to be honest…it fucking scares me.”
Especially if my father finds out.
He turns in my arms and searches my face. I know he’s looking for signs of uncertainty in me, but he won’t find any. Loving Finn and being with him is the only thing I’m sure of.
“What scares you, Doc?” he whispers with caution, afraid of my answer. His body trembles in my arms.
“Not what you think. I know where your head is going, Sunshine…don’t. It’s just…there’s so many unresolved issues, and I’m fucking terrified someone will try to take you away from me. I have nightmares about it sometimes…”
He visibly relaxes and cradles my face between his palms. “I won’t let anybody keep us apart, babe. I mean that. Never again. We belong to each other. Where you go, I go.”
He takes my lips in a tender, reassuring kiss, which I return with as much emotion as I can pour into it.
How the hell do I tell him I only have a few more weeks before I have to come home and run Worthington Investments alongside my old man?
At least Finn can live in our flat in London. He won’t be homeless. Shit, I haven’t given this enough thought. I’ll see much, much less of him than I do now, especially since my father has banned him from the main residence.
This cottage, though, is ours to live in, which means he can still come here, and we can be together…but what about his own career? He was phenomenal on stage, and now the music execs have seen him, he’ll be on his way up. I’m certain of it.
“What worries you, handsome? What things are still unresolved?” Finn asks, breaking my thoughts.
Swiping my hands over my face, I capture his worried gaze. “So, please don’t be mad but…I did something you won’t like…”
Fuck, this is tough. He’ll go ape shit on me.
Finn glares at me, his chest rising and falling with rapid breaths as he forces more air into his lungs. “What did you do, Theo?”
“I…I had to do something…something about that night…so I hired Lewis to track Tom.”
Finn moves away from me in the water and stares over my shoulder as I rabbit on, hoping he’ll understand.
“I know you don’t want to talk about this, Sunshine, and I don’t want to spoil tonight, but I need to help. I understand why you don’t want to go to the police, but Lewis might unearth something to bring that bastard down.”
He’s still breathing heavily, but then he turns to me with a resigned look in his eyes. “You’re right. I don’t want to talk about it, and I don’t want to go to the police, but he needs to pay for what he did. He also needs to be locked up where he can’t fucking hurt anyone else.”
I float toward Finn and put my arms around him. My forehead falls against his as we breathe the same air.
Relief.
I feel blessed relief that he didn’t freak out on me.
“I’m sorry, baby. I was so angry…I didn’t know how to let it out other than drink myself into fucking oblivion. Unfortunately, I already tried that, and it made things worse. My only other options were to punch something or someone or do something to help.”
His face is passive, it gives nothing away about how he’s feeling, which worries me somewhat. He lets me hold him in the soothing water, staying quiet and still.
“You’re not mad at me?” I whisper in his ear, pulling back to caress his cheek with my hand.
“I am fucking furious, Theo…but I’m also relieved that
someone is monitoring him. It will be on my conscience if anyone else gets hurt. I can’t live with that…can’t live with not doing something…”
I nod and kiss his beautiful, full lips.
“Has Lewis found anything? Anything that can put him away, I mean?”
“No, not yet, but we found out the hostess was the one who drugged your drink. He blackmailed her into doing it.”
Finn opens his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. I know what he’ll ask.
“Please, don’t ask how we discovered that. Trust me when I say…you’re not ready for that yet, but I will tell you when you’re better.”
Finn pauses a second, then nods, so I press on. “She said she didn’t know what he intended to do that night, and I believe her, Sunshine. She has a young sister at home, who he threatened to hurt…the same way he hurt you…if she didn’t do it.”
“That motherfucking bastard,” Finn yells, anger and frustration oozing from him in waves. His body shakes as I hold him tight.
“Don’t worry. Lewis advised her to move away with her sister. I also transferred enough money into her bank account to help her do that. I can only hope she’ll put the money to good use and make a new life for them both.”
He pulls back and gazes at me with so much reverence and so much love reflecting at me from his dark blue eyes.
“You’re too good to be true. Do you know that? I thought I couldn’t possibly love you any more than I already do, but you just showed me I can. You are an extraordinary human being, Theodore Worthington.”
I blush…I fucking blush like a bashful schoolgirl with her first crush. Well, technically Finn is my first crush, so I’m halfway justified.
I slide my palms to his neck and caress his face with my thumbs. We hold each other’s gaze for a quiet moment, when a rush of love, like never before, surges through me. Emotional, crazy, painful, wonderful love.