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Her eyes were more than blue, they had a hint of pale purple, and he took another step closer on auto ‘You couldn’t find your ticket?’

She shook her head and kept staring

Theo couldn’t hold back a small smile Apparently she couldn’t find her voice either He was used to getting a reaction fro one speechless?

At least so back into her face But suddenly she sed and turned away He couldn’t resist following She stopped at the nearest table and, aain she fruitlessly searched her bag He caught a gli bulky in its depths, surely not a blanket?

‘You know, they’ll never let anyone in late,’ he said softly to let her down gently ‘They won’t interrupt the perforun’

She dropped her hands and darted another glance at hilish accent soft and clear ‘It’s just that I had it’

And she really wanted to watch the ballet? Her ticket loss was definitely genuine Her sharp disappointment nicked his skin and the absurd desire to see her smile slid into his blood

‘Oh, Mr Savas’ The theatre usher suddenly appeared at his side, looking flustered ‘I can sneak you in if you’d like to follow me quickly’

For a split second his eyes met those lavender-blues and he watched the consternation bloom within them

‘I wouldn’t want to interrupt the rest of the audience,’ he dismissed the usher’s invitation smoothly ‘But thank you anyway’

The usher beat a hasty retreat and Theo faced Leggy Brunette

‘No one gets in late unless they’re ridiculously rich?’ she muttered, soft reproach in her expression

Uh Yeah ‘I have a spare ticket you can use for the second half,’ he murmured impulsively

She looked away again as if the sight of him somehow hurt her unusual eyes ‘U ‘That’s really kind of you, but I couldn’t’

‘Why not?’ he asked He wanted her to say yes and Theo was pretty used to getting what he wanted these days ‘It’s a spare ticket,’ he reiterated ‘You can still see the entire second half’

Her hand twisted in the strap while more colour rose in her cheeks He knew she was tempted, but wary

‘There’s no trick,’ he reassured softly ‘Just a ticket’

She drew her lower lip between her teeth and bit down on it ‘Really?’

‘Yes, really’ He chuckled People didn’t usually dilly-dally about taking things fro deal’

That colour swarlanced past him ‘Youdon’t have a date you’re here with?’

Was that the reason for her incredulous expression? He suppressed another smile ‘No Do you?’

‘No’ She shook her head quickly

Satisfaction surged with surprising force ‘Then I guess it’s ht?’

‘I’ She paused ‘Right’

‘And noe ht as well have a drink while ait, don’t you think?’ He nodded towards the glea with anticipation

She turned to face hiazed directly into his and her chin lifted with a little pride ‘May I get you a drink, to say thank you?’

For a second Theo was bereft of speech The women he dated never offered to pay They knew him, kneealthy he was and they were happy to meld into his lifestyle But his brunette in distress had no idea who he was and apparently had no desire to just take whatever she could from him

‘Please,’ she added ‘I wouldn’t want to feel indebted to you’

Indebted by a htened Was she worried he’d ask her to pay him back in some nefarious way? Well, she could remain calht have money, but he wasn’t spoiled and he’d never presume

‘Okay,’ he said equably, but then couldn’t

resist teasing her prinity ‘But are you sure you have your wallet on you? You wouldn’t want to make offers you can’t fulfil’

‘Very funny’ Sparks lit her lavender eyes, but then her expression wrinkled ‘Daed in her bag again—were those chopsticks in there? But then she extracted a small coin purse with a flourish No sleek leather wallet filled with elite credit cards for her

‘I knew I had it,’ she said victoriously ‘But I swear I had the ticket too’ She groaned ruefully ‘What an idiot’ A sudden little giggle bubbled out

To his astonish eyes and pretty lips and delight—and he found hi back at her Frankly it was the most he’d smiled in months

‘How about you go ahead and order?’ he suggested huskily ‘I need a second to arrange the seat with the staff’

‘What would you like to drink?’

‘You choose’ He shrugged ‘I’ll have whatever you’re having’

‘Are you sure you want to risk that?’ she asked, her expression wrinkled again

‘Why?’ He was surprised into another so decide for the both of us’

He couldn’t resist watching her walk towards the bar He really was intrigued—she was a contrary mix of shy and aard and assured Tall, slender, feiven the last two months of stress, isolation and uncertainty But she was definitely cautious and perhaps she was right to be, given his inner teether and carry her back to his bed for the night He’d worship those long limbs and work very hard to put a smile on her pillowy pout

So not appropriate Or normal Not for him He’d never followed in the footsteps of his playboy father and he never wanted to He shook off that outrageous whisper of sin and strode towards the theatre staff One drink, then it was back to duty

When he walked back to the bar she was sitting all alone with two tall glasses in front of her and quite obviously trying not to appear self-conscious