by Aimee Duffy
Sebastian gritted his teeth. ‘Take ten. I need to speak to Alicia.’
James grunted something under his breath, then headed out through the door Alicia had walked through, his T-shirt in one hand and water bottle in the other.
He waited until his trainer was out of earshot, then rubbed his eyes to make sure this wasn’t a dream. The adrenaline hadn’t eased up, and now it was spurred by something different, almost predatory.
Kind of sexual. Most likely dangerous.
What the hell was Miss Prim playing at?
Alicia tried really hard to hold on to some form of annoyance as she closed the distance between them. She’d spent hours raking her wardrobe for an outfit that Sebastian Collins’ girlfriend would wear, but it was seriously lacking – something she’d never cared about until now. She had to dip into the clothes Sylvia had left at her flat just to find something with colour, which was just depressing, really. And he had the cheek to look at her like she had a screw loose?
But the emotion didn’t stick. His body was tanned, rippling with lean muscles, and the tribal tattoo covering his back and upper arm made her mouth water. There wasn’t much hair on his chest, but as her gaze took an intrusive trip down his abs, she noted the darker trail arrowing south from his navel.
‘Why are you dressed like that?’ he asked, and for the first time she heard something other than humour in his voice.
She snapped her gaze to his and forced a frown. It was hard, especially when the image of the sweaty indentation of his hips was still burned into her brain.
‘What’s wrong with my clothes? Would you rather I turned up in a suit? That would give us away.’
‘They’re not you,’ he said, placing the shake down on the bench and picking up a towel. ‘They’re a bit –’
‘Don’t you dare say what I think you’re going to say.’ They were not slutty, just a smidgen small.
His grin was easy and the annoyance seemed to fizzle out of his tone. ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’
Sebastian proceeded to wipe his face dry with the towel, then he went to work on his chest. She had to fist her hands to keep from hauling the cotton out of his reach. She liked him sweaty – his scent was delicious and musky and made her heart hammer against her ribs.
Shaking away the thought, she conceded any woman would want to ogle all that powerful male flesh while inhaling what must be pheromones. And that was why she was here, because Sebastian Collins couldn’t resist the female attention thrown, or came, his way.
Not that she’d given him any indication she wanted him to kiss her.
‘Sit down. We have to go over the rules.’ She probably should too, since her knees were about to give out watching him assume a casual position on the bench, but she had to get the upper ground for this.
His gaze dropped to her stomach, and she tugged the material down. Last time she’d slipped into Sylvia’s clothes, she’d had more wiggle room than this.
‘Rules?’ he asked, his voice thick with something she chose to ignore. He didn’t rush to meet her eyes, instead he paid too much attention to the bits in between her stomach and face. ‘Why do you think you need rules?’
She folded her arms and went for a serious expression. ‘I don’t need rules. They’re for you.’
The quirk of his lips scrambled her thoughts. ‘What makes you think I’ll follow them?’
Finally, an answer she’d anticipated. After the horrific phone call with her father, she threw herself into her three rules for him, preparing for any protest he might have. It was either that or wallow in the anger and condemnation her father had slung at her.
She smirked. ‘Because like you said before, you care about your career.’
A career he was good at, if the five minutes she spent watching him were anything to go by. They’d clearly been training all morning, but Sebastian had moved lightning fast, playing with so much focus he hadn’t realised he was being watched. She’d briefly wondered if he put that much effort into everything he did, especially with all those women he’d bedded, and had to pull her thoughts out of the gutter as a flush swept over her body.
He leaned back, resting an elbow on the higher bench behind him and giving her a very unwanted and unobstructed view of his sensational torso. ‘Let’s hear them.’
Careful to keep her attention on his eyes, she laid out the rules, ticking them off on her fingers. ‘One, no kissing. Two, no sleeping with any women during this farce. Three, no talking to the press or anyone else about our relationship unless you’ve OK’d it with me first.’
Two and three were a must, or her father would never speak to her again. She’d spent the entire conversation trying to convince him Collins had turned over a new leaf. Her father wasn’t, but she’d managed to get him to agree to give Sebastian time to prove himself.
One because … well, she couldn’t kiss him and not want what he gave so freely to every other woman in the world. Which was one of the many reasons that wasn’t happening.
‘About rule one.’ He frowned and she had to hide her surprise. She thought he’d be more concerned about the second rule. ‘How are we supposed to convince people we’re together if no one sees us kissing?’
‘That’s the point, Collins. The fact people don’t see us kissing will mean you respect me enough to keep intimate times private.’
He didn’t look convinced, and neither was she, but kissing was not an option.
‘I better let you get back to training. I’ll write a press release to announce our “relationship” this afternoon and we can go out to dinner tonight to let the world get used to the idea we’re together.’
Alicia turned to leave but he caught her hand and pulled her closer. His chin was inches away from her breasts and heat crept up her neck, even though his gaze never left hers. He grabbed her hips, his thumbs skimming her bared stomach, making her shiver and her breath hitch.
‘There are more important things to do this afternoon. Meet me in the coffee shop at the top of Oxford Street at three.’
‘OK.’ She’d agree to anything just so he would release her.
He stood up. His big, sweaty body way too close and distracting. She wanted to slide her hands up his arms, feel the muscle flex beneath her fingers. Hell, she wanted to lick the beads of moisture from the indentation in his collarbone.
‘And Alicia, wear something a little less scandalous.’
‘What do you mean?’ She was in jeans and a long-sleeved top, for goodness’ sake. She wasn’t wearing a skirt that flashed her knickers.
He stood and leaned close to her ear, his breath tickling her neck, right above her racing pulse. ‘Look down at yourself.’
She did, her attention snagged instantly by her nipples straining against the too small top. A flare of heat set her face on fire.
Avoiding his eyes, she turned and rushed toward the exit, her forearm covering her crazy reaction.
‘Oh, and Blondie, don’t be late!’ he called.
She had no comeback, not with mortification carrying her out the door faster than she’d ever moved.
There were a million things Alicia would rather be doing at the moment. Pushing her way through the crowds in the busiest street in London to face a man who’d seen how hard her nipples could get in his presence didn’t even make her shortlist. The burn in her face told her she had a long way to go before the embarrassment eased.
Her mobile chimed and she scrambled in her handbag for it. As soon as she saw Daria’s name on the screen, she hit answer.
‘Where have you been? I’ve left you messages!’ All night, before and after the conversation with their father.
‘I’m in Paris – I had a show last night. Guess what?’ Daria squealed.
Alicia dodged a commuter, then ducked into a wide shop front so she didn’t crash into anyone. ‘What?’ she asked, letting her annoyance shine through.
‘I’m engaged!’ Daria screamed.
Her chin almost hit the pav
ement. ‘You’re kidding? Daria, you’ve only been dating Blair a month.’
‘I know, isn’t it romantic? He popped the question when we got back last night. The room was full of pink roses and illuminated with candles.’
Ignoring the dreamy tone her big sister used, Alicia tried to get her head around it. ‘You barely see each other – you both travel the world for work!’ She couldn’t imagine having a relationship with someone she had to schedule time with. How could her older sister, the level-headed one in the family? ‘Do you even love him?’
‘What’s not to love? He’s the perfect match.’
‘For who, you or Father?’ she asked, hating that she sounded bitter.
Daria deserved to be happy and Alicia worried she tried to be in a way that made their father proud. Just like Alicia had tried to for years, though she never would. Not after …
The scar in her heart that had never fully healed threatened to split. She refocused on the conversation and buried that awful memory.
‘For me, silly. He travels a lot, sure. But so do I. We love the arts and his company is endorsing my designs. We make sense.’
Daria sounded too excited for what she’d just said. To Alicia, she was describing a logical business deal. Not a marriage filled with love like they’d all craved as children.
‘And Father approves,’ she grumbled.
‘Of course he does, and that’s why I’m calling. Mother’s throwing us an engagement party in two weeks at home, and you have to bring your new boyfriend. Father wants to meet him.’
She bet he did. Her heart took off and sweat beaded at her nape. She couldn’t let her father meet Sebastian. He’d already driven her brother away to God knows where and she suspected her mother was miserable being trapped in that house with him. One meeting with Sebastian and who knew what would happen.
Going by past experience, she’d lose everything that mattered to her. And then some. ‘Daria –’
‘No excuses. You’re both coming. I want to know how you scored the bad boy tennis player.’
The tease in her sister’s voice didn’t loosen the knot in her stomach.
Daria went on before she could get a word in. ‘I think you’ll need help convincing Dad that Sebastian is the one for you.’
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell Daria he was most definitely not the man for her, when Collins appeared in front of her with one of his tummy-flipping grins.
‘There you are. Come on, we haven’t got all day.’ He tugged her arm and her tongue froze.
‘Is that him?’ Daria whispered in her ear.
‘I’ll phone you later.’ Alicia ended the call and dropped the phone in her bag.
His smile got brighter and raised her suspicions.
‘What’s the rush?’ she asked.
‘We only have a few hours and this is important.’
He didn’t elaborate, just entwined his fingers with hers and tugged her back onto the street. Wearing a baseball cap and sports jacket, he didn’t look half as good as he did shirtless and sweaty, but the connection humming through their clasped hands told her that didn’t matter. Her hardening nipples remembered only too well.
‘Sebastian, what are you doing?’
Looking down at her without missing a stride, he winked. ‘I’m taking you shopping.’
Chapter Five
Alicia tugged his arm so hard the overused muscles in his shoulders groaned in protest.
Sebastian stopped and turned to look at her. She hadn’t changed her clothes, but she’d put on a frumpy raincoat, hiding those curves that had nearly driven him over the edge earlier. Especially when he’d witnessed the proof of her attraction to him. It would’ve been impossible for her to hide it in that top, even if his eyes hadn’t been level with her breasts.
‘You’re not taking me shopping,’ she said. Affront was clear in her gaping mouth.
‘Why? It’s not like I’m breaking any of the rules.’ Yet.
‘You’re not buying me clothes.’ Her tone was firm, final.
Like that would stop him. ‘It’s for work purposes; besides, Maine’s chipping in.’
He tugged her hand again to get them moving, but she didn’t budge. ‘Who you’re paying a fee to, so technically, you are paying.’
OK, so his diversion didn’t work as well as he’d hoped. Blondie was smart, he shouldn’t forget that. ‘Let me rephrase. We need to look like the perfect, respectable couple. Elegant, stylish, maybe even care a little about our appearances. Wouldn’t you agree?’
A cute line formed between her brows. ‘What do you mean “we”?’
She’d like this part. ‘Now I’m officially dating the daughter of an earl, I need to look honourable.’
Alicia burst out laughing. All the seriousness was wiped clean from her expression and the prim woman who drove him nuts disappeared. His heart thrummed as his smile widened.
‘Something funny?’ he asked.
‘You.’ She covered her mouth with her hand, trying to reign in the fits of giggles. ‘I can’t picture you in stuffy, boring clothes or a suit.’
‘I look handsome in a suit,’ he said, feigning a hurt expression. ‘My mum said it makes me look dashing.’
The giggles continued. ‘It’s a mother’s job to lie to her children.’
‘I should make you pay for that.’ Sebastian eyed her lips, curved up into a grin, and a few ideas on how to punish her flashed through his mind. All he’d have to do was lean in, kiss her into a frenzy, then pull away just as she hit desperate.
But heat burned low in his groin at the thought of kissing her and he figured doing that would punish them both.
‘OK, we’ll shop.’ The look in her eyes and flush on her face said she knew exactly how he’d wanted to punish her.
What he didn’t expect was the disappointment he felt at her going along with him to stop him catching her in a lip lock. Though what did he expect after she’d given him rules to follow and the no mouth to mouth action had been at the top?
Instead of commenting, Sebastian took her hand and led her through the crowds. ‘First, let’s get us something for dates.’
Seven shops and twelve carriers later, Alicia had a whole new wardrobe. She hadn’t meant to get so carried away, but for the most part, everything she bought was from the high street. Well, other than the few dresses with designer price tags. Still, she had made a huge dent in her savings account. But hopefully, with the commission from landing Collins, she’d get a massive bonus.
After all she was doing to save his rep, she better.
They were in Jenners’ men’s department now, Sebastian promising they were almost done after he picked up a few shirts. She wondered if she should broach the engagement party with him, in case she couldn’t find a way out of it, but figured she had lots of time to try. Plus, watching him pick up shirts and stand in front of the mirror with a screwed-up expression was kind of fun.
‘Try that one,’ she said, nodding to a shirt on the rail above him.
He shook his head. ‘I’m not that desperate to fit the ideal.’
She giggled again. Actually giggled. It’d been so long since she’d felt this carefree. It was a lovely distraction from everything that had happened that day. She’d worry about Daria later. Or maybe never. Her sister was twenty-seven and sounded happy. Why couldn’t Alicia be happy for her too?
‘This, I can work with.’ Sebastian pulled a black shirt off the hanger that looked far too small. Without disappearing upstairs to the privacy of the dressing room, he removed his jacket and then pulled his white polo shirt over his head, exposing his ripped stomach.
‘What are you doing?’ she whispered, turning her back to him as heat flushed into her cheeks. She caught the gaping eyes of the other customers. ‘You’re supposed to be acting low-key.’
‘I’m trying on a shirt,’ he said, his tone suggesting what he was doing constituted reasonable behaviour.
‘People can see.’ The whole shop could, and A
licia was sure the sales assistant in the far corner had drool on her chin.
‘So what? They’ve seen it all before if they saw me at Wimbledon last year.’
She whirled on him, ignoring the tanned flesh on display as he buttoned up the shirt. ‘You’re not playing tennis and, in case you hadn’t noticed, people use the changing rooms to try on clothes.’
He rolled his eyes. Actually rolled his eyes at her.
‘Relax, you’re too uptight. No one here cares where I try on the shirt.’
‘You should! You should care about what people think, how your actions speak for you. It isn’t just your reputation on the line now, Sebastian.’
‘I know,’ he said, focusing on buttoning the cuffs. ‘But the only one causing a scene here is you. You’re totally overreacting.’
There was absolutely no talking to the man. She gritted her teeth as annoyance burned into something else. Something that made her want to raise her voice and really cause a scene. She knew he was going to be hard work, had known from the second he riled her at the pitch, but the new Alicia could handle him. She just had to figure out how.
‘So,’ he said, holding his arms out for inspection. ‘What do you think?’
With an orange cap from one of his sponsors, the too-tight shirt that clung to every delicious inch of his torso, and a pair of well-worn jeans, there was only one word she could use to describe him.
‘You look ridiculous.’ But still sexy, dammit.
His grin was swift and dragged out hers. He winked. ‘Perfect.’
He started unbuttoning the shirt but she dove forward and grabbed his wrists. She could smell his expensive cologne mixed with the unique hint of him that had made her body react at the gym. The effect was no different now, but she pushed on past the haze her mind was suddenly clouded in.
‘Please use the dressing room, Sebastian. I’ve told my father you’ve turned over a new leaf, and he’s already mad that I’m dating you. Pictures in the papers tomorrow of you trying on shirts in the storefront will make this a hundred times worse.’
His hands wound around her wrists until her pulse hammered out a mamba. ‘He’s mad at you for dating me?’
