Page List


Font:  

Chapter 17

Theadora

Declanhadaskedif I could sort out his files, and being my day off from the hall, I agreed.

As always, I rode my bike from the hall, which was around two miles from his home, when a storm came over followed by a huge downpour.

Drenched from head to foot, I let myself into his home. I started to shiver, and since I was alone, removed my clothes and tossed them into the dryer.

I had a quick hot shower, and with nothing to wear, grabbed one of Declan’s T-shirts, hoping he wouldn’t mind.

The heating was on, making it comfortable walking around barefooted on the luxuriantly warm wooden floorboards.

I grabbed the box of files and popped them into their appropriate bundle—accounts in one bundle and architectural designs for the boot camp in another pile. I lingered over the drawings, impressed by Declan’s vision.

Helping damaged teenagers seemed like the farthest thing I would have imagined a billionaire doing.

I thought about my own troubled youth, when I spent most of my time worrying instead of hanging out with kids my age. I would hide in my room when my mother and stepfather were home, and when he was there alone, I’d jump on my bike and ride for hours.

As a teenager, would boot camp have helped me? I’d spent so many gloomy hours alone, thinking of ending my life.

I took a deep breath, tossed those dark thoughts aside, and continued to place the paperwork in its respective file.

After I finished filing, I headed into the kitchen for a cup of tea and to clear away the dishes.

I opened the dishwasher and bent over to remove the cleaned dishes when “Theadora” sounded over my shoulder.

I turned and nearly dropped a plate.

My mouth dropped and my eyes virtually popped out of my head. I must have looked idiotic.

Who else was I expecting?

Having gone commando, I’d flashed my bum when bending over.

He’s seen more than your arse, you idiot.

I gulped back a lump. “Oh, I…”

He rubbed his neck. His face had turned red. Probably not as red as mine. But it was his eyes. Oh, my god, they had changed to a darker blue. How the hell did he do that?

Running his tongue over those lips that had launched a thousand fantasies, he cleared his throat.

“I see you’ve taken to wearing my clothes.”

“Um… aah…” Having turned brainless, I stammered. “I got caught in a storm, riding over here. I had to have a shower, and my clothes, which should be dried now, are in the dryer.”

His mouth twitched into the makings of a smile, like he found my awkwardness amusing. Or that could have been me misreading him. I wasn’t exactly thinking straight after the humiliation of him seeing my naked bum.

“Sure. I don’t mind. It suits you. Stay like that if you like.”

A nervous giggle scraped my throat. “I’ll go and see. They should be dry by now.”

I scampered off before he could respond.

Having changed back into my dampish clothes, I entered the living area and found Declan on the sofa reading through documents.

“I finished the filing.”


Tags: J.J. Sorel Billionaire Romance