Both boys continued to stare at Gwendoline, their faces in various states of shock - including hers. She hadn't expected those words to come pouring out of her mouth.
"I-I only meant, I know you don't have a place to stay, other than here, but maybe you could stay in London... it's closer to home, and... when Giles and I aren't busy, we can keep you company."
Giles quietly poured himself another glass of wine while Nikolaj blinked slowly at her.
"I don't want to be a bother, I know you two are very private about your home lives-"
"I offered for you to stay in London, not in our house." Gwen smiled a little, hoping to ease his tension. "You won't be in the way, you won't be intruding, and we won't even be home for a short while. We have quite the busy schedule."
Nik nodded, twiddling his thumbs in his lap. "I definitely wouldn't mind staying in London. I could maybe have a week with the girls."
Giles glanced up. "I heard Safina wanted to intern with me. Does she still want to?"
Nik's face lit up at the mention of his beloved daughter. "She doesn't want to admit it, but she does. She wants it more than anything. She's just a little worried it might be awkward with this situation... "
Gwen scoffed into her glass. "I don't think we could make it more awkward if we tried."
Giles raised his brows at her. "They could walk in on you two while Mr. Handsome over there is jack-hammering you into the mattress."
Nik gaped at him, his eyes wide and a rush of hot blood crawling up his neck. Gwen only rolled her eyes and grinned. "I told you we'd be using the hotel. I said come back if there was an emergency."
"There was an emergency, I had spilled wine on my pants!"
"Perhaps you should stop drinking red wine in white pants!" She countered.
" Perhaps you shouldn't get suspicious white stains on a black dress we have to return."
Gwen opened her mouth to speak but what came out was a cackle. A loud, boisterous cackle that rang throughout the gardens. "O-Okay, okay." She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. "You're right there. But," she calmed herself and shook her head. "I will not let Safina and Filippa catch us. I promise I won't even hold your hand in front of them if it would help things be less... strange."
Nik nodded, his voice sounding meek as it came through. "I would appreciate that. I don't know how they'll react being around you again." He paused. "Or me." Gwen reached for his hand and held it tightly.
At that, Giles cleared his throat and stood. "My apologies, but I have a rather steamy date with my ex and her husband."
Gwen glanced up at him. "Seeing Katie again? I didn't know she was in town."
"Only for a few more days. I told her the four of us would do dinner."
"Of course." She stood and kissed his cheek, then looped her arm through his as they walked inside.
"Gwennie-"
She gently smacked his arm and stared at him with that signature open-mouthed smile. "Giles Deacon, you are jealous." She spoke in a hushed tone. "I cannot believe you."
Giles sighed. "I told you to stay here with him. It's not like I'm jealous of him because he gets to stick his dick in you."
She made a face. "Thank you for making it sound as unsexy as possible." She walked him down the stairs to the front door.
