Geli Voyante's Hot or Not by Elle Field Read Free Book Online

Bollywood spectacular when Theo does something completely unexpected that not only snaps me out of India, it astounds me as he is openly flaunting New News’ family values. I am desperately trying to fight my jaw’s desire to drop down; I know this is not my imagination because even Jerry drops his tea in disbelief. His favourite Little Britain mug .            
    This is because Theo has come over to me and has cupped my chin upwards in his big strong hands so he can stare directly into my eyes, a surprise in itself because the closest contact Theo and I have ever had is me handing him a cup of tea and our fingers accidentally touching… once… on a Tuesday… last year… at approximately twenty past eleven… but I can’t be fully certain. All I can do right now is stand here and let my face be cupped. This is magical.
    ‘I’m so sorry, Geli,’ Theo is saying . Pay attention! ‘It’s just that Sara reminded me…’
    Sara can drop down dead for getting my lunch cancelled, cupping or no cupping.
    ‘… that we have our appraisal today at one.’
    It’s a good job he’s holding me up because I would be on the floor otherwise. Now, appraisal? Ah. I might forgive her then. Sara Brenham, Theo Bones – their appraisals will certainly be close together. Mine’s next week being a “V”. Ooh! Tiggy will have hers today being a Boodles. Maybe she’ll get fired!
    ‘… and I want to take you out for lunch ,’ he emphasises for some reason like there is a hidden meaning to his words that I should recognise, which snaps my attention back. ‘And give you the full attention you deserve.’
    ‘Right,’ I manage to mutter weakly.
    I feel dizzy. I need to preserve my strength to keep upright because with my face still in his hands, I am finding it extremely difficult to breathe, given this unexpected, but entirely wonderful, proximity.
    Theo is having a moment with me – what has come over him today? First, there was his revealed love of marathons… Oh, wait. Well, first there was his lunch invitation; now this, whatever this is.
    ‘So, we’ll go out for dinner instead,’ he continues. Pay attention , Geli . ‘OK, babe?’
    Babe ? Oh my God! Theo has my face cupped in his hands, he is staring into my eyes, and he has called me babe. More magically, he wants to take me out for dinner! Dinner ! I cannot remember the last time a man took me out for dinner. Usually men pick me up in clubs and then… Well, we’re beyond the stage of the man in question needing to take me out for dinner because he clearly knows I’m a cheap date who he doesn’t need to waste money on to impress me into bed. I’m like a free museum – admission payment optional – and most of the men I seem to meet are tight-fisted cheap skates, sadly not just limited to their wallets. Their bedroom presents , or lack-of , fall also into the stingy category. Now all I can think about is the quality of Theo’s bedroom presents because I’m sure he gives them. With delicious stubble like his, it would be a sin not to.   
    ‘Babe?’ Theo repeats as I stare at him in drunke n lust. I cannot control myself but I know I should – I am in a family environment, after all.
    ‘Yes,’ I manage to splutter out.
    ‘Excellent!’ Theo grins cheekily, like he knows something I don’t. ‘We’ll sort it out when I’m back from my appraisal, but I’m off to grab lunch here. Are you coming?’
    I certainly hope I’m coming tonight, I think, but I manage to shake my head; Theo has let go of it at this point.
    ‘Until then.’ H e winks at me.
    Slowly, and wordlessly, I sink into my Todd chair in disbelief. That’s when Jerry notices his smashed mug on the floor as the realisation of what has just happened hits us both.
    ‘Fuck!’ he curses.
    Fuck indeed...

Chapter Seven
     
    ‘Geli? Geli… GELI!’
    I can hear a voice far off in the distance as I sit here slumped in my Todd chair. But the room is hazy, or maybe my eyes are losing