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.”