mind teased, replaying the light conversation he’d had with the tall, ticketless sylph. He’d watched her from the distance during the ballet, happy in the back-row seat off to the side management had found for him. She’d sat motionless through the performance, apparently entranced, and she’d applauded energetically. But he’d seen a hint of sadness on her mouth when she’d turned to leave. Theo had pressed back into the crowd as competing instincts had warred within him. He had affairs only rarely—always discreet, always without strings, always unencumbered by emotion or the weight of baggage. There were no hearts involved in his dalliances. Physical pleasure was just a freely given gift—very simple, very satisfying. The suggestion of anything more was not. He’d seen the hurt it caused when it mattered too much.
And he didn’t think the leggy brunette was the no-strings, no-hearts type.
As he walked into the reception room the nearest group of women turned to stare, then smile. One peeled off and walked over.
‘You’re Theo Savas.’
‘I am.’
Invitation shone in the pretty dancer’s eyes but he turned away from it as he invariably did. Yet he still couldn’t shake the recollection of that brunette’s lavender-blue gaze or the awkward interest that had shone from it. Regret curled.
‘I’m—’
‘I’m sorry,’ he interrupted the woman briefly. ‘I can’t stop to chat.’
He’d check in with the company director and get out of here. But as he turned to seek out the director he spotted a tall figure on the other side of the room. His second glance morphed into a stare. And he smiled. Every sense sharpened. She was in shadow, but her silhouette was unmistakable. Triumph allowed temptation to burst free. His ticketless damsel must have been invited to the after-party by her dancer friend.
‘Hey.’ He caught her arm to get her attention in the crowd, barely quelling the impulse to pull her close.
‘Oh…’ Her pupils dilated as she stared up at him. There was no hiding the sensuality that sparkled in her eyes. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I could ask you the same question.’ He couldn’t drag his hungry gaze from her face. It was as if he’d not seen her in months, not mere minutes. ‘Where’s your friend?’ He didn’t really care. All that mattered was that they had a second chance and he wasn’t letting her slip away again. Not yet.
She glanced around then pointed to a petite woman animatedly talking to a group of dancers. ‘Zoe’s over there.’ As she watched her that sparkle in her eyes dimmed. ‘She’s…busy at the moment.’
‘She’s left you alone.’
‘You left me alone too.’
He stilled, silenced by that hint of reproach.
‘She’s having a good time’ she added quickly, failing to mask her awkwardness in the sudden pregnant moment. ‘She deserves to.’
‘And you don’t?’
‘I did have a good time. But you gave me your ticket.’ She looked up at him. ‘Why did you do that? You missed the whole thing.’
He could omit a couple of little facts and bask in her gratitude, but he didn’t want to lie to her. Not after that oddly intimate little conversation they’d had before the ballet. ‘Actually, they gave me another seat, so like you I didn’t miss the second half.’
That seat at the very side of the theatre had been perfect, because while it had given him an obstructed view of the stage, it had also given him an angled view of her…though that little fact he was going to omit.
‘Oh, good. I’m so glad.’ A faint wash of colour bloomed over her face. ‘It was still very kind of you.’
‘Mmm…’ He still didn’t feel very kind right now. He felt achy. ‘It was my pleasure.’ He’d enjoyed watching the emotions flit across her face. ‘I get to go to the ballet a lot. The theatre, opera, sports fixtures…it comes with my job.’
‘You don’t enjoy it?’
‘Sure. Mostly.’ But when he had other issues pressing on his mind, not so much. And right now he had too much on his mind. It had been a miserable few months. He just wanted to forget it all for a while. Temptation beckoned. Maybe his method was standing right in front of him. And maybe, he just couldn’t resist.
He held his hand out to her. ‘Theo Savas.’
Leah didn’t want to keep staring but she couldn’t seem to tear her gaze away from him. ‘Leah Turner.’
A premonition warned her, but the urge for the slightest touch was irresistible and she put her hand in his. For a second they were locked together in a moment of physical intimacy that felt much more powerful than a mere handshake should.
As she stared into his eyes her thoughts jumbled. He’d just been kind earlier—hadn’t expected to see her again, hadn’t known she was going to be at this party. His gift had been just that, a simple gift with no strings—just a thoughtful, generous moment between strangers.
But the banked fire in his gaze now? The sizzle shooting up her arm? The electricity short-circuited her brain. She couldn’t look away from him. She couldn’t release him any more than he could seem to release her.
‘I should get going,’ she mumbled.
‘Why?’
She swallowed. ‘I have work tomorrow.’
‘So? I have a flight first thing.’
She couldn’t help smiling. ‘Is it a competition?’
‘You tell me.’
She shook her head. ‘I’m not a fan of competition.’
‘No?’ He nodded. ‘No one likes losing.’
So true but she doubted he’d ever lost much.
‘How about collaboration, then?’ He was somehow closer. ‘We’d work together to achieve a common goal…’
Her mouth was so dry she had to lick her lips before she could answer. ‘And that goal would be?’
His eyes were serious even as his mouth curved into a wicked smile. Intensity beneath the charm. ‘The best night of our lives.’
‘Wow. Setting a big goal.’
‘Always. If you don’t aim high…’ His smile faded as he studied her. ‘I didn’t expect to see you again.’
‘Are you sorry you have?’
‘I was sorry I didn’t stay earlier. I was sorry I let you go.’
Her heart trembled. So why had he? She couldn’t bring herself to ask. She still couldn’t move either. Someone pushed past behind her, jostling her in the throng. He released her hand only to wrap his arm around her shoulder and draw her closer against his side. Just like that the rest of the world faded.
‘You want to go somewhere quieter?’ he asked.
Leah had never gone ‘somewhere quieter’ with anyone ever. But she knew what it meant. ‘You barely know me.’
‘And I’m not going to.’ He smiled ruefully. ‘I go back to Greece tomorrow.’
He was in town for only the one night. Was he letting her know this would only be a one-time thing? Was she right in thinking there might even be a one time? She opted for diversion so she could process all the signals she was too inexperienced to be certain of. ‘You’re from Greece? Whereabouts?’
‘Athens.’ His gaze didn’t waver—it was as if he knew she needed a moment