Chapter 1

'Hi. A.S.L?'I type into the Smalltalk textbox,

'Hey. 26, male, London. You?' the anonymous stranger.

London? Oh my.

'20, female… also London,' I reply hurriedly.

'Badoop!' A picture pops up, and it's not a dick pic for once. Wow… he's hot.

I bring up the camera and take a quick snap of myself, brown hair, freckles, and baby blue eyes, and send it back.

'Where abouts in London are you from, angel?' he replies.

Do I tell him? Oh, fuck it.

'North. You?'

'North-East. Hm.'

'Hm?' Nervousness flutters through the entirety of my slim body and as I look to my left, I notice in the mirror that I'm slightly flushed.

'Hm.' Is his oh-so-cryptic reply. Fuck. The computer flashes again and another message comes through.

'94 North Charlton St. Meet me there at 2pm tomorrow. I'll be waiting.'

And the fucker leaves the conversation.

Of course I won't meet you; I don't know you. Ugh. Men.

But really, I'm curious.

Me, a petite, 20 year old university student, meeting up with an attractive older guy? It's just not something I'd do. I'm too… safe. But the curiosity is gripping me tight now, and I'm buzzing, thrilled.

'Do it, do it, do it!' is the mantra going through my head.

I nod, resolutely, and shut my laptop. After taking down the address on my notepad and setting my alarm for 10am the next day, I roll over and close my eyes.

Bur sleep eludes me. My mind's wide awake. Twittering like early morning birds in the willow trees outside my apartment.

What's his name? What if the picture he sent me isn't him?

The possibility of danger excites me, pulling me away from the reality – this could be very stupid.

Oh. Well I guess I fell asleep then. I squint blearily at my phone as I fumble to turn off the stupid fucking incessant beeping of the alarm.

"Morning, Luna," comes a chirpy voice from my doorway. That's Steph, my bestie. We're on the same course at Uni and we knew each other from college so yeah… apartment buddies. Yay!

She enters my room, all black and silver, with a pot of tea for us to share, as she often does of a morning.

"Doing anything today?" she asks. It's an innocent question, I know, but for some reason I can't stop my eyes from darting to my computer and my tongue poking out to lick my soft lips.

"Dunno yet," is my – very honest – reply. I'm still debating it.

I know… 'really?' But honestly, I feel a pull towards this man, like a moth to a flame.

12pm and I'm on a train to North-East London.

'You are such an idiot Luna. Such an idiot.'

I look down at my Ipod with nervous eyes 'Bubblegum Bitch' is playing, but I can't get into it as I usually would. My thoughts are too preoccupied.

I pick my phone up off the table on the chair in front of me and tap in the passcode, before looking at the map to see where I need to go to get a taxi to this place.

Okay… so, left, right, left again, then second left, then I'm at the taxi rank.

I knock on the window of a typical black London cab and nod towards the front seat, silently asking for permission to enter the vehicle.

The guy leans over to unlock the door and I jump in, reaching for the piece of paper with the address and read it aloud to him. He nods again and turns the key in the ignition, starting up the car and heading towards the mysterious man's abode.

"Nice weather today, huh?" asks the taxi driver – John – by the name on his tag.

"Yeah. Lovely." I look out the passenger side window up to the sky and the scorching sun. Yet, as I take in the yellow ball of fire, I can't help as my bare shoulders hunch and shiver as a sudden wave of anxiety rolls over me.

"You okay, love?" The guy speaks again.

"Yeah. I-I'm good thanks," is my tenuous response.

"Well, okay then. Here we are… 94 North Charlton Street."

"Thank you." I pay the man and go to get out of the car, clutching my bag and reaching for the door handle, but as I pull the handle the driver lunges forward, grabbing my thin wrist tight and pulling me towards him.

I whip round, letting out a surprised yell. "What the fuck?!"

"You're nowhere you know, lady. I doubt anyone knows ya here. You're mine for the taking." And he leans towards me beardy face inching closer to mine, crusty lips attaching themselves to my own.

I jerk back, smacking my head on the window and letting out yet another yelp, this time of pain.

A sharp rapping on the same pain of glass lets me know I'm not alone, however, as when I turn my head to peer out, I see him – the mysterious Smalltalk man,

I nearly fall out of the door as he tugs it open, but he catches me with quick reflexes and strong hands. I look up at him through my lashes, blushing and wriggling to remove myself from his firm grip.

As I watch, his shaven jaw twitches, eyes narrow, and his head inclines sharply toward the driver of the Hell Taxi.

"If that is all – John?" he growls at the man as he reads his name badge.

"Watch ya tone there, boy. I eat young'uns like you for breakfast." He cackles and speeds off in his car, black as his murky personality.

"Well," says the man, with a raise of his dirty blond eyebrows. Eyebrows that perfectly match the colour of his smartly styled hair. "I suppose that's one way to meet in person." He looks up and throws me a quirky half smile, emerald green eyes sparkling with humour.

"I guess," is all I can say, captivated by his stare. I know I'm staring back, but I can't help it, my own sea blue eyes glued to his.

He interrupts my stare as his eyes flick to my lips. Again, his eyebrows move, this time furrowing. I watch his adams apple bob up and down as he gulps, presumably from nervousness. Little did I know, it was from self-restraint.

He clears his throat and sticks his hand out. "Theodore Layton, at your service, miss…?"

"Oh! Dove. Luna Dove. Pleased to meet you Mister Layton."

I shake his hand and am surprised to find it's soft – soft and warm and he doesn't let go and, well, I think we're walking towards his home now, hand in hand, but it can't be because it's so big and majestic, worlds away from anything I'm used to.

As we walk, still holding hands, we pass a matte black Mercedes, which Theo pats as we walk past. "My pride and joy, Luna. My father bought her for me when I turned 22. Her name is Honey. You're not to drive her alone."

Me, drive his car? What's he on about?

"O-okay," I confusedly mutter under my breath.

"What was that?" He lets go of my hand now, and his own snap out to hold my wrists firmly, his voice stern.

"I… nothing. Sorry. No-nothing."

"Okay. One thing you need to know about me, Miss Dove. I. Do. Not. Appreciate. Being. Lied to. Do we understand each other?"

"Yes, sir." Sir? Where the fuck did that come from?

His quirky half smile's back, and his hand is again holding mine as he leads me through the door to his… well, his mansion.

We'd walked all the way up a long driveway and I didn't even notice. I'm usually so observant; what's wrong with me?

"Very good, because this will not work without understanding and trust. I know I've yet to earn your trust, but you'll learn in time, I'm a – very – trustworthy man." And with that, we're in the entrance to his place – the hallway, or corridor even, it's that big.

"Something troubling you?" I notice I'm staring around the place, eyes wide. I'm drifting off and… and… why am I on the floor?

"Miss Dove? Miss Dove, wake up. You're safe. You're at my home – Theodore Layton. It's okay, no don't cry. You're alright. Oh. Oh, come here, little lady."

I'm taken into his arms now, being held, feeling cherished and looked after. After a while of this I realise, this is the first time I've felt like this… ever. And through the haziness in my mind I'm happy. I'm happy here.

I wake up feeling dazed and wrapped in a warm, cocooning duvet, it's green, like Theo's eyes, and come to think of it, his shirt too.

My eyes widen as I realise I've been staring at him for 5 minutes, trying to wake up, oblivious to my surroundings again.

He sits there, at my bedside, in a large black leather throne which frames him like a dark halo. As I watch, he puts the book he was holding – not reading, just holding – down, and leans towards me.

It's a second before I realise he's speaking my name again, a beautiful sound as it leaves his plump, bitten lips.

I don't answer his question of whether I'm okay though, instead diving in with my own questions. "Where am I? What happened? And, well… why do you look nervous?"

"Your diary, Miss Dove. It fell from your bag when you collapsed. I could not help myself. My sincerest apologies, but it was very eye-opening." His knowing eyes find my own shocked ones, and there's an apology and a beg – beg?! – for forgiveness written boldly within them.

My diary, which holds all my deepest, darkest fears and fantasies, had been read by this man – this stranger. Bloody fucking hell.

"Why?" I ask, wondering why he'd read it instead of just putting it back in my bag.

"Because I was curious. Because I felt it would be the only way to really know you. Again, I apologise."

He says he apologises, yet he never once said the word 'sorry'. What have I gotten myself into?

"Miss Dove?"

"Luna," I correct him, fed up of all the formalities. He knows everything now. Why shouldn't he call me by my first name?

"Luna." He inclines his head towards me, seeming to accept the correction for now. "To answer your other questions, you're in my home – in my bed, might I add. You collapsed, obviously from sheer exhaustion, both from the amount you slept, and the busy account your diary holds from the last few days.

"Oh." Is all I can say in response to that.

"Mhm." And he's still speaking very sternly, even when he's not saying proper words.

"So, uh…" Oh God. I feel so foolish, sitting here, opposite this gorgeous man, in his own bed no less, dressed only in my tee shirt and underwear.

As I realise this, I blush and dart an embarrassed look at Theo. He undressed me?

"Tea?" he asks, proffering a large mug towards me.

"Sure. T-thanks." I take the steaming mug of drink – mainly for something to do with my hands, which are known for wandering when empty.

I'm still blushing, trying to make sure my whole body is covered by the thick silky quilt.

Theo looks up from his own cup of tea, not moving his head, just those beautiful eyes, and he too seems to be blushing. His face scrunches up as he sees what I'm trying to do, and he sets his mug down, looks at me, then stands up and walks towards the dresser on the other side of the spacious room. He opens the top drawer and, from behind, I see a pair of trousers and socks in his hands. My clothes.

"Here, Miss Dove… Luna. Your clothes." He turns around and walks swiftly towards the bed, dropping the clothes on the bed before exiting the room, closing the door with a soft click.

I'm left alone, and I find I don't like it. I want him here, with me. I feel lost and anxious in this house I don't know, and so I'm craving the presence of something I know, and all I can think of that fits that category, is Theodore Layton.

As I'm left alone, I take the time to absorb my surroundings: a large wardrobe opposite the king sized bed I'm currently sitting in, a mahogany chest of draws and dressing table at the other end of the room, and a large black cow skin chair at the side of the bed. Not to mention the window seat which appears to overlook a private garden, with it's own maze and vegetable patches, along with tens of different bizarre looking flowers, plants and trees.

There's a knock at the door and I jump as I turn towards it. "Yes?" I call.

"Are you dressed now, young lady?" calls a familiar voice. He's checking on me, and it's only been like two minutes since he left the room. 'More than enough time to get dressed', my subconscious admonishes.

"Not yet. I'll be with you in a second!" I then proceed to try and pull my trousers on and shimmy my hips in all under the covers. The socks I don't mind putting on afterwards, as I swing my – now covered – legs over the side of the bed and stick them on my feet.

I jump down from the mattress and tiptoe to the door, opening it and finding myself face to face with the most beautiful man I've ever seen.

"Ready now?" Theo asks, offering me his hand.

Ready for what? I ask myself as I nod and take the hand, which I again notice is very warm and… possessive.

"Good girl."

A tingle runs down my spine at those words. It's so demeaning, but so… soft? Rewarding? Like how a father would praise his daughter after she had done something clever.

I smile, letting it cover my face, and I feel a spring enter my step as we descend the spiralling staircase towards what seems to be a living room.

Standing within the room were four people I'd never set eyes on in my life. All very attractive people, but people I didn't know, nonetheless.

I feel my hand tighten around Theo's, and find myself feeling marginally better when he squeezes back reassuringly.

"Luna, meet my mother, father, sister and brother. Mother, father, Kathy and Stanley, meet Luna Dove, my new… friend."

I watch as Theo's mother and father share a look, a look I cannot fathom. Panic? Or excitement?

"Pleased to meet you, Luna dear," his mother approaches me, holding out her small hand, much the same way Theo did. "I'm Lucinda. You may call me Lucy, if it makes you feel more comfortable." She looks at Theo disapprovingly before walking steadily back to the rest of her family.

Her husband's coming towards me now, again with a hand stuck out for me to shake. "Arthur Layton, of Layton's Hotel. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Dove." He gives my hand one single, firm shake, looking directly into my eyes with his own soft brown orbs, then turns and approaches his wife and two other children.

The other man is taking my hand firmly now, saying how his name is Stanley Layton, he's Theo's older brother, and that he is a math's teacher at North Priory Secondary. He's also, apparently, very pleased to meet such a beautiful young lady, and saying how he just knows I'll fit in well with the rest of the family,

Last up is Katherine – Kathy – Layton, a 21 year old zookeeper, who works with tigers. Now I could get along with her! Only one year older than me and she works with my favourite animal? Awesome!

I turn to face Theo, another smile spreading over my face as I see him already looking at me.

Ruff! Ruff ruff!

I swing around suddenly, unlocking my gaze from Theo's, only to find myself staring into the eyes of two huge black Newfoundlands, and three slightly smaller versions of them.

"Ah," Theo laughs. "Hello Storm, Lucien. How're your babies today?" He kneels down, stroking each of the shaggy dogs in turn. "Luna, meet my dogs. They've recently had three puppies - two dogs and a bitch - Mason, Roman and Pepper. Which would you like?"

"W-what?" Which would I like? He's giving me one of his dogs? They're so expensive, too. I couldn't.

"Which would you like?" he intones again, patiently.

"I couldn't possibly –"

"Of course you could, dear," Theo's mother now. "You're part of this family now. Please choose one." And there's an edge in her smooth voice. I have to, I realise.

"Um. I'll have Roman, if that's okay?" I look shyly to Theo, who nods his head and plucks one of the pups from the little litter. He hands my chosen puppy to me, and I take him in my arms. They're 10 weeks old, just small enough to hold.

"Welcome to the family, Luna."

I look towards Arthur, who's just spoken, with a confused frown. "What do you mean, sir?"

At that, I hear a growl, not from one of the dogs, but Theo.

"You're only to call me that, Miss Dove. Nobody else, are we clear?"

I'm taken aback by the possessiveness thrumming through his body and voice, and I nod meekly, stuttering a weak "yes s-sir".

"Very good." He stands, calling Lucien towards him, and leady me back up the stairs, back to his room.

"I've already had Destiny, my housekeeper, place a puppy bed in our room –" our room? " – so Roman should be very comfortable here. Obviously he'll still have free roam of the house; this will just be where he sleeps, so he knows to be by your side when you're at your most vulnerable. Is that okay, Luna?"

'Am I to be vulnerable so often?' I think to myself as I take in all he has said. "I think so," is all I say in response, bewildered.

"I'm very glad. It would have been a great disappointment if you had said 'no', my dear."

Wow. He values my opinions and responses? Better than my last boyfriend already. Wait… boyfriend? Is that what he is? I've only known him for two days, but he's treating me so well; it would be rude to think otherwise when he seems so sure.

Theo turns back to me after having taken Roman from my arms, instead placing the medium sized hound in it's bed.

A bell rungs in the near distance, which is apparently a sign that breakfast is ready, as my hand is again grasped by Theo, and I'm being lead back downstairs, Roman in tow. 'A rather pointless exercise, all that' I think, wondering why we'd gone all the way upstairs, just to return downstairs moments later.

"Breakfast is at 8:30am sharp every weekday, and 9:30am on weekends. Lunch is at 1:00pm daily, and dinner at 6:00. Supper is at 9:00pm and bedtime, on weekdays, is 10 o'clock. Weekends, it's 11, unless I say otherwise. Understood?"

"Got it." I nod to myself as I let this new information sink in. Bedtime? That's novel. I haven't had a bedtime for nearly ten years, but it's welcome, I suppose, having someone else take control for once. After living on my own with only a friend for three years, I've become complacent with my routine.

He looks at me, mouth twitching upward, and gives my hand a pull, ushering me towards the kitchen and it's table, which is laden with food.

"Wow," I whisper, taking in all the smells and colours, and the crystals that throw multi-coloured light around the room from a chandelier hanging high above the white wood table.

His eyes sparkle, from the light or endearment, I don't know, and he asks – and I can tell he's genuinely curious – if there is anything here I fancy.

And there is. There are pancakes and scones, cereal and toast, jams, eggs, bacon and mushrooms, not to mention the copious amounts of fresh fruit.

It all looks so delicious, but all I grab is a shiny red apple and a handful of grapes, not really having too much of an appetite.

"Anything else, Luna?" asks Arthur, heaping sausages and eggs onto his own plate.

"No thank you s-… Mr. Layton," I stutter, stopping myself just in time as I shoot a look towards Theo – Sir.

"Come, Luna," scolds Theo, placing a warm, American style pancake on my plate, along with strawberries and some Greek yoghurt.

"Really, I-…" my mouth shuts with an audible 'snap' as I spot him glancing skyward, appearing frustrated. "Sorry."

"No need to apologise, child," Theo's mother, Lucy – I remember – chips in, sending an angry look towards the man in question, who mirrors the look stoically back at her with a sardonically raised, perfectly sculpted eyebrow.

"Mother…" grounds Theo through clenched teeth. "Luna," he says in a softer voice towards me, "you must eat. Please." He looks imploringly at me with those stunning green eyes, and all I can say is – you got it – 'yes. Sorry, sir'.

"Not a problem, my love." I can see him watching me from the corner of his eye, gauging my reaction to the new pet name.

I flush, swallowing a grape, before smiling at him, which appears to bolster his confidence that I approve.

To be honest, I quite like it. 'My love' makes me feel, well… loved, I guess.

He leans towards me, pulling my soft brown hair behind the shell of my ear and softly murmuring into it, "good girl. Thank you."

I melt okay? I absolutely, fucking melt.

It's the second time he's called me that, and I find I adore it. I'm in love with it – in love with him.