Theo sat across from Elle in Le Monde, absolutely mesmerized by her. Her dress was simple and understated, allowing her natural beauty to shine, and her shoes—visible as she crossed her legs beneath the table—were gold with flowers embroidered across the top and sexy as hell. He waited until they’d ordered before broaching the conversation they needed to get out of the way.

“I didn’t want to have this conversation in the car because I wanted to be able to look at you while we talked. I just need you to know that I’m going to do my very best to keep our personal and professional relationships separate.”

She lifted one shoulder in a half-hearted shrug. “I don’t know how possible that will be.”

“Well, it won’t affect my decision about the castle. How’s that?”

She nodded. “Okay.”

“I just wanted to be clear that I’m still planning to sell, and I don’t want you to think it has anything to do with you. I really do wish you guys the best with your business, and I’ll do what I can to sell the castle with your inn up and running inside it. You have my word.”

“I appreciate that,” she said, still watching him closely.

“As for our relationship, I think we should try to keep things casual, fly under the radar whenever possible.”

“Okay,” she said, and if he wasn’t mistaken, the warmth in her eyes had cooled.

“Obviously, things are complicated by the fact that I have to go back to London at the end of the summer.” The collar of his shirt seemed to shrink because Elle was definitely not thrilled with him right now.

“I know. It’s just…weird to spell it all out ahead of time, don’t you think?”

“Perhaps.” He tugged at his tie. “I don’t have a lot of experience with this kind of thing. I just wanted to be sure that I was up front about my intentions.”

Elle’s expression softened. “I do appreciate that.”

He knew business, he knew aristocracy, and he knew sex, but he didn’t know emotions or relationships or women, and he had no idea how to handle this particular conversation. “Forgive me if I was too blunt.”

“I do,” she said with a smile. “I’m more of a ‘take the leap and see what happens’ kind of girl, but I do appreciate you being upfront.”

Their meals arrived then, and the conversation shifted to casual topics as they ate. She told him how one of the couples who’d stayed at the castle had adopted a pair of dogs from the shelter on their way home thanks to the Fairy Tails program.

“And I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before one of our foster animals finds a home too,” she said. “Hopefully this week.”

“I think that sounds like a real possibility. How many guests do you have booked?”

“We have about fifteen total rooms booked throughout the week,” she told him.

“That’s great.”

“You know,” she said as she spun pasta around her fork, “even if we only get to do this for a few months, hopefully we’ll help a few shelter pets find forever homes and give people a memorable vacation while we’re at it. It’s not all a lost cause either way.”

“I would never call what you’re doing a lost cause. But, speaking of your work at the castle, I want you to hire someone to help out in the kitchen.”

“Oh, but we’re—”

He waved away her concerns. “I know you’re capable of handling it yourselves, but you shouldn’t have to, and Beatrice and Mary could use the help as your guest count rises. Hire a few people to help them cook as well as serve the food.”

Elle opened her mouth as if to protest before pinching her bottom lip between her teeth as she nodded. “Okay. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“So you’re actively looking for buyers then?” she asked, watching him closely.

He nodded. “It’s an unusual property to sell, as I’m sure you can imagine. My realtor has been contacting potential buyers, and I’ve been working my way through a list of personal contacts as well.”

“But no offers yet?”

“No.” Not even a nibble of interest, which frankly surprised him. Hopefully, his luck changed soon.

“What’s it like being an earl?” She leaned in close, her green eyes sparkling. “What do you do when you’re at home in England?”

“Well, I’ve hardly been there since I inherited the title, so I can’t really say for sure, but I don’t imagine it will be very different from my life there before. I’ll have more public obligations now.” And that part he didn’t like. “Charity work is a big part of what we do, and now that I’m the face of it, I can put my own spin on it, choose my pet charity, if you will.”

“You sound so British sometimes it’s hard to remember that you grew up here in Virginia,” she said, a soft smile on her face.

“Well, I did attend boarding school in London.”

“That explains it. And what will your pet charity be? Any ideas?”

“A few. Nothing official yet, though.”

“Well, maybe I can help. Want to talk it through with me?” She took a sip of wine, her eyes never leaving his.

“It’s complicated.” He followed her lead, sipping from his own wine. Its warmth flowed through his belly. If he couldn’t talk about this with Elle, how did he expect to share it with the world? “I guess…I do know the charity I’d like to support, but it’s very personal.”

She sat up straighter in her chair. “Well, without knowing what it is, I know you’re on the right track. If it’s this personal to you, your emotional connection and your passion will show when you speak about it. And of course, it will be that much more meaningful for you when you give money to the cause.”

He nodded. “But it would mean revealing a secret the family has worked very hard to keep hidden.”

“Oh.” She stared into her wineglass. “Well, that does complicate things. I get it, though. The whole thing with my parents’ affair was always kept very hush-hush. It was especially awkward after I went to live with my dad, my stepmother, and my half-sisters. That has nothing to do with charity though.” She lifted her gaze. “Sorry, I tend to babble sometimes.”

He smiled. “I’ve realized that about you, and I really appreciate your thoughts on this. You’re right. If I can’t tell you, then I can’t hope to support this particular charity publicly. It’s something I’ll have to give more thought to.”

“Absolutely.” Her head bobbed. “And I’m here any time you want to talk it through.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Theo…” She leaned forward, so close that her flowery scent enveloped him, scrambling his brain into a haze of lust and need.

“Yes?”

“Thanks for this dinner—date—whatever it is. I think it was just what we needed tonight.”

“I think so too.” He leaned in to meet her halfway across the table, their lips only inches apart. “And Elle, have I mentioned how much I love your fuck-me-hot shoes?”

A wide grin spread across her face. “You have, in fact. Do you like these?”

She stuck her foot out from under the table, resting it against his calf. He dropped his gaze to her sparkly gold shoe with the flowers embroidered on it, and his cock thickened. “I fuckin’ love them.”

“Good,” she whispered. “They’re my favorite shoes. I was wearing them when I found out we’d won the contest to come live here at the castle.”

“Were you?” He traced a finger over the gold strap. “Seems especially fitting that you should be wearing them tonight then.”

“I thought so too.”

“I’m going to love taking them off you later.” He rubbed the arch of her foot, drawing a needy whimper from Elle. “Actually, on second thought, I might ask you to keep them on.”

“Dessert?”

Elle set down her wineglass and took the menu Theo held toward her. “I never say no to dessert.”

“That’s my kind of girl,” he said, his expression heated. “What’s your pleasure?”

“Anything chocolate.” She dropped her gaze to the menu. “Like the flourless chocolate tart. Would you like to share it with me?”

“Now that would be my pleasure.” The look he gave her was positively sinful.

“Has anyone ever told you how ridiculously sexy you are?” she said, brushing her fingers over his hand where it lay on the table.

He flipped his hand over, gripping hers. “They have, but I’ve never been so glad to hear it before.”

“It’s not just your looks,” she told him. “Although obviously you’re not hard to look at.”

“Good to know.” One side of his mouth turned up in a sardonic smile as he traced his fingers back and forth across her palm, and it felt so good she had to close her eyes for a moment to absorb the sensation, completely losing her train of thought.

“It’s your words…your actions,” she whispered, eyes still closed. “That’s what makes you so incredibly sexy and special to me.”

“That’s…” He cleared his throat, his voice gone low and gritty. “That’s, well, that means a lot to me, and also, that was sexy as hell.”

Her eyes popped open, meeting his.

Their waitress stopped at the table then, interrupting the moment. Theo ordered a chocolate tart with two spoons, his attention snapping back to Elle the moment the waitress had left their table. He leaned forward so that their faces were just inches apart. “You have no idea how turned on I am right now.”

“Really?” A warm, liquid ache pooled low in her belly at his words.

“I’m so hard I have no idea how I’m going to stand up from this table after we eat our dessert.” There was something raw—needy—in his tone.

Without meaning to, her gaze dropped to his crotch, hidden from view beneath the table. When she looked back up, his jaw was clenched, and now that she was paying attention, she saw the hot, needy glint in his eyes. “Oh.”

He leaned closer, his lips pressed to her ear. “Does it make you wet, knowing that you have this effect on me?”

“Yes,” she whispered, pressing her thighs together.

He sat up and winked at her. “Good to know.”

“Are you regretting that we have such a long drive home now?”

“Not at all,” he answered, taking another sip of his wine. “Foreplay is half the fun, and I’m fairly sure we can get a bit naughty in the front seat of the Mercedes.”

“Oh.” The ache inside her began to throb.

He leaned forward again, his voice low. “That dress makes it entirely too easy for me to touch you in all the ways I want to.”

Her mouth fell open, and she squirmed in her seat.

“Haven’t fooled around like that since high school,” he said with a slow smile.

“Me either.”

“You bring out the randy teenager in me,” he said, just as the waitress arrived with their dessert.

She set it on the table with an embarrassed smile and rushed off.

“Oh my God.” Elle covered her eyes, giggling uncontrollably.

“I’m sure it’s not the worst thing she’s ever overheard,” Theo said, looking unconcerned.

“Probably not.”

“After you,” he said, handing her a spoon.

She took it and scooped out a bite of the tart. It was rich and sweet, and… “Mmm, delicious,” she said with a moan of appreciation.

“Not helping the situation in my pants,” Theo said, staring hungrily at her mouth.

“No?” She licked her lips, watching him watch her and ridiculously aroused by it.

“Not a bit.” He took the other spoon and helped himself to a bite.

She licked her spoon and sucked on it, her eyes locked on his. “Would you like me to do this to you later?”

“Fuck, yes.”

“I’d like that too.” She winked as she reached again for the tart.

“Perhaps we should have gotten dessert to go.” Theo’s eyes were locked on her mouth, watching her swallow.

“Regretting the long drive now?”

“Starting to.”

She leaned in so that her lips brushed his ear. “But I thought foreplay was half the fun.”

“That was before you offered to suck me off.” His breath was hot against her neck, his tone playful, belying his words.

“I could do that in the car,” she answered, smiling against his cheek.

“Check please,” Theo called to the waitress, not breaking the contact between them. “Not unless you want me to drive us off a cliff,” he whispered in her ear.

“True. You’ll have to wait until we get home then. Such a shame.” They were face to face, leaning across the table, hands clasped, the tart long forgotten.

“It will be a real test of my willpower, that’s for damn sure.” His fingers traced her palm, sending warm shivers up and down her spine.

The waitress arrived with their check, and they broke apart long enough for Theo to pay.

“Cover me,” he muttered as they stood.

Elle caught a glimpse of the impressive tent in the front of his pants and stepped in front of him, blushing furiously. He rested a hand on her shoulder, and together they walked out of the restaurant and through the darkness to his car.

“Just a minute,” he said, pressing her up against the side of the car as his mouth crashed into hers.

“Mmm,” she mumbled, yanking him closer.

His hands gripped her waist, holding her against him as his tongue lashed hers, and all the heat that had been simmering between them during dinner burst into flames. She angled her head, deepening the kiss, her fingers tangled in the dark depths of his hair.

After a few heady minutes, he dragged his mouth from hers. “Get in the car.”

“Bossy,” she murmured, gasping for breath.

“I need to touch you. Now.” He pulled away, opening the door behind her, his tone pure sex.

“Oh.” Her knees almost gave out. She lowered herself into the front seat as Theo came around to the driver’s side.

He leaned over, his mouth meeting hers while his hand slid up her skirt. “You’re so wet for me,” he whispered as his fingers scraped over her sensitive flesh, drawing a needy gasp from her mouth.

She clutched at him, stymied by the car’s center console, which kept his body firmly separated from hers. “Theo…”

“I’ve got you.” His fingers stroked and plunged while he ravaged her with his mouth, making good on his word. He was awfully good at the logistics of messing around in the car, making the most of the awkward angles and cramped quarters to leverage his movements.

She gripped the collar of his shirt, holding on for the ride. His fingers were everywhere, filling her, pumping in and out as his thumb rubbed against her clit. Her eyes fluttered shut, a moan lodged in her throat.

“Come for me, beautiful,” he murmured against her lips as his fingers stroked her over the edge.

Her head fell forward, and she bit his shoulder to hold in the cry that threatened to tear from her throat as the orgasm ripped through her, sending hot waves of release radiating out from her core.

“Breathtaking.” He kissed her again, hard, before withdrawing his hand and smoothing out her skirt.

She sat there a moment, breathing, just breathing until she regained her senses. Then she reached over and gripped him through his pants. His shaft was like steel—hot steel—beneath her touch. “Theo…”

“Not now. Not here.” He lifted her hand, kissing her palm, before starting the car.

The drive back to the castle seemed eternally long. Every now and then, she glanced over at Theo, unable to stop herself from checking out the bulge in his pants.

“Not helping,” he said with a laugh, his eyes never leaving the road.

“You have an incredible ability to focus under pressure.” She gripped her seatbelt as he manipulated yet another hairpin turn.

“I have a very strong motivation to get us home in one piece.” His gaze darted to hers for one quick, scorching second.

“Yes, you do.”

Finally, he was pulling down the castle’s long driveway, and now that the danger of driving off a cliff had passed, she reached over to grip him through his pants. His cock surged beneath her touch.

“Torture,” he muttered, but he was smiling.

“So close,” she whispered, stroking him through his pants, thrilled by the way his jaw clenched and his hands tightened around the steering wheel.

“You’re telling me.”

“Can you wait one more minute?” she asked, giving him a firm squeeze.

“Barely.” He thrust his hips upward, increasing the pressure of her hand.

She leaned down, tracing his outline with her tongue, then sucked his head gently through the fabric.

Theo thumped his hand against the steering wheel. “Fuuuuck, Elle, you’re going to make me come in my trousers.”

“I trust you not to.” She looked up at him and winked, then nipped at him through the fabric of his pants.

His hips jerked against her mouth, the teasing look gone from his eyes now, his jaw tense. He pulled into the driveway behind the guest house, jerking the car to a stop. Then he was out of his seat, and so was she, and he’d yanked her into his arms, her legs wrapped around his hips.

He fumbled the key in the door and stepped inside, kicking it shut behind them.