Skin of the Night: Book One of The Night series

by Claire D. Bennett

  First published by Claire D. Bennett 2021

  Copyright © 2021 by Claire D. Bennett

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

  Claire D. Bennett asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

  Claire D. Bennett has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

  Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

  First edition

  Ebook ISBN: 9788269235937

  Paperback ISBN: 9788269235906

  Editing by Natalie Bolderston

  Artwork by Caracolla

  https://clairedbennett.com

  Instagram: @claired.bennett

  Chapters

  1. GOOD TERMS

  2. THAT’S MORE LIKE IT

  3. WON’T YOU COME IN?

  4. SATISFIED?

  5. AGAINST YOUR BETTER JUDGMENT

  6. SOUNDS LIKE YOUR TYPE

  7. HAVE WE MET?

  8. MOMENTARY LOVER

  9. THE WAY OF THE WORLD

  10. HUNT OF A LIFETIME

  11. FRIENDS

  12. LIVERPOOL’S IN THE LEAD

  13. DEEP SEA

  14. BITS AND PIECES

  15. IF YOU DON’T PLAY, YOU’LL NEVER WIN

  16. SMOOTH, BUT POWERFUL, JUST LIKE YOU

  17. CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT

  18. HAVE YOU EVER

  19. IN MISERY

  20. ALL THE BEST ONES ARE

  21. JUST GIVE IT A THOUGHT

  22. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

  23. SWEET DREAMS

  24. WEAPON

  25. NAIL IN THE COFFIN

  26. GUILTY AS CHARGED

  27. SKIN OF THE NIGHT

  28. I LIKE THIS

  29. STRONG POINT

  30. INTO THE NIGHT

  A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

  ABOUT THE COVER

  SEQUEL: INTO THE NIGHT

  To C., for your support, and so much more.

  I know we’re cool.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  In light of how you will always come first in my life (in all areas apart from one), I would first and foremost like to give a special thanks to you, A., my beloved boyfriend, for your continuous and invaluable support, and for being willing to wake up in the middle of the night to listen to my, supposedly, pressing ideas only so that I might – finally – be able to find sleep myself. Health and fitness freak that you are, I know how precious those eight hours of sleep are to you, so I truly don’t take it for granted. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.

  I am also so grateful to you, my dear family members, who are not allowed to read this series for obvious reasons. You’ll get a better acknowledgement in the next instalment.

  When it comes to you, my dear readers, words fall short. I am so grateful to you for joining and supporting me on this journey, some of you since the very beginning, from the very first chapter I uploaded of Skin of the Night. In terms of writing, I would be nowhere without you guys. You’re the ones who showed me that I can actually do this – if not for me, then for you. Your feedback has been invaluable and has taught me so much.

  I’d also like to thank you for your kindness towards each other. Truly, I’m astounded by what a constructive and positive community we are. You are all so kind, not just to me, but to each other – your debates in the comment sections have always been remarkably constructive and respectful. Instead of attacking each other, you try to understand each other’s perspective, and that’s been such a moving thing to witness. I know Will & Cara have a knack for lighting the fuse and starting debates in the comments, but I am so impressed with how you’ve handled them.

  I really am so humbled by your attention and support, and most of all by your patience. It’s been a bumpy ride, but finally, I have taken the necessary steps to give you my characters once and for all. Now, they are yours to keep, for as long as you’ll have them.

  I love you all so much. I am extremely honoured to have you as my readers.

  Thank you, author Darla Cassic, for inspiring and helping me in more ways than one. You are an incredible writer in your own right, and I cannot wait to see where your works will take you in the future. You have quickly become my closest confidante in bringing The Night series to life. I am so humbled and grateful for your astute feedback and insights (as well as humour), but most of all, I am grateful for your friendship. While it bloomed under peculiar and unexpected circumstances, getting to know you has been an intense and rewarding experience. You are such a precious individual, and I am so glad to have stumbled upon you (as well as your Romance works). I cannot wait to continue completing each other’s sentences for years to come, and I promise I’ll stop converting you into a nocturnal creature like myself. That office is looking more and more promising, though.

  (Check out https://darlacassic.com to find out where you can read Darla’s books.)

  To you, Natalie Bolderston, I want to give a massive thanks for bringing Skin of the Night to the next level. You’ve helped me make it the best version it could ever be. Your talent with words is outstanding, and I am so glad you wanted to bless my work with it. You are such a sweet soul, and it’s been an honour to work with you. Thanks for taking part in bringing this dream of mine to life.

  There is always some madness in love.

  But there is also always some reason in madness.

  – Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

  April 12th, 2019

  1

  GOOD TERMS

  “It should be here,” I told Olivia as I turned left, into a small alley, to find the secluded bar. Looking up, I saw a white and gold sign that was shaped like a hexagonal prism, though cut in half, which overhung a green door. Disrepute, it said. It was a members’ club, but I was aware it welcomed walk-ins. Still, to be on the safe side, I had booked a table a few days in advance.

  When I halted in front of the entrance, Olivia and I were greeted by a polite doorman who opened the door for us. Walking in, we journeyed down a narrow staircase leading into an underground cavern with a barrel-vaulted ceiling. Since it was still relatively early on a Friday night, there weren’t that many people here yet. Our arrival attracted a few glances, but none of them lingered. I considered that to be a positive thing, as it meant we didn’t stand out.

  After we had stored our coats in the cloakroom, the staff showed us to our table and handed us the cocktail menu. Sinking onto the settee, I gazed around. The interior was remi
niscent of the sixties, with plush colours and lots of velvet furniture. Comfortable and electronic lounge music played in the background.

  Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the average age of the clientele was a little older than we were used to. Most of the people present looked like they were well-established men and women in their thirties and forties, so I doubted that students frequently went here.

  Taking a seat beside me, Olivia wrinkled her small nose. Her plump, light pink lips formed an uncertain line.

  “Was this the place Jason recommended?” She was referring to the man I considered to be my very best friend, and who had – just a few days ago – also become my flatmate.

  “Yes.”

  She leaned closer to murmur, “It’s very posh, isn’t it?”

  “You sound surprised.”

  “Well, I’m worried I’ll stand out.”

  I studied her from head to toe. In her deep red dress, Olivia resembled a magnificent rose. She was truly a gorgeous young woman. If anything would make her stand out, it was her beauty, and that alone.

  “I wouldn’t worry if I were you. You definitely look like you belong.”

  A heartfelt smile spread across her face. “Really?”

  “Absolutely. You look stunning.”

  Touched by my compliment, she placed her hand on her ample bosom. “Thank you, Cara,” she said, “but so do you.”

  I shrugged and reached for the deep green menu on the small table in front of us. The velvet material was adorned with the letters D.R.P. in gold. “Should we have a look at the menu?”

  Olivia scanned our surroundings once more before she leaned closer again. “Well, are you absolutely sure that lawyers frequent this place?”

  “Judging by the look of it, I’m positive.”

  “It’s just that I’d hate to waste my time here if it isn’t the case.”

  “Well, this was Jason’s recommendation, and since his father established a law firm, I took his word for it. Mentioned something about his brother favouring this place as well, and he’s a solicitor, too, from what I’ve gathered.”

  I had yet to meet a single one of Jason’s family members. Since he no longer lived with them, the opportunity simply hadn’t presented itself yet. I was vaguely aware that they were filthy rich, thanks to Jason’s father being the founder of Day & Night LLP – a firm offering legal services – and that they were a busy bunch, since each individual had a demanding job that took up most of their time. But that was as far as my knowledge about them went. In fact, aside from his father, who was called John, I didn’t even remember their names.

  However, now that I had secured a vacation scheme at Day & Night to be completed over the summer, and had moved into Jason’s flat in Notting Hill, that reality was about to change. Eager to meet the new tenant and upcoming trainee, his father had already invited me for dinner on Sunday two weeks from now, and I was sincerely looking forward to it.

  As I returned from my thoughts, I saw that Olivia was on the fence, so I continued, “If you’re having second thoughts, we can always find a new place, but perhaps we should give this one a chance first?”

  She brushed a lock of her angelically blonde hair behind her ear while she continued to assess our sumptuous surroundings. Since her hesitation was blatant, I sighed.

  Olivia could be quite impossible to deal with. If she didn’t get her way, she transformed into a whiny brat that I couldn’t be bothered to babysit. It didn’t help that I was already beginning to suffer from a guilty conscience at the constant thought of my neglected coursework. Seeing as I was a law student in my third year at UCL, it was not a matter that I took lightly. Besides, my reasons for being here were purely selfless. I wasn’t the one that had wanted to go out tonight. She was. So, if she was going to be a pain in the arse, I’d leave her to prowl on her own. However, I had already warned her of said fact, so she had been surprisingly compliant today.

  Upon hearing my sigh, Olivia returned her attention to me. “Fine. Let’s give it a chance.”

  I released a groan. “Took you long enough.”

  “Yeah, sorry. It’s just been so long since we’ve had a girls’ night out that I want everything to be perfect.”

  My lips twisted with amusement. “Like you’re actually here to spend quality time with me,” I replied with a note of sarcasm.

  “Hey, I’m here for that, too,” she argued. “It’s just that, ever since I broke up with Colin, I haven’t had sex.”

  I couldn’t help grinning. “What – so you’ve had a dry spell for three months? Poor you.”

  Three months without sex? I’d be going insane. No wonder she had been so eager about this night.

  She gave me a scowl. “Yeah, well, unlike you, I haven’t got a fuck friend, Cara. I need to satisfy my libido somehow.”

  “Vibrator not doing the job?”

  “Not even close. I need a man.”

  “And preferably one with a heavy wallet at that.” I couldn’t help myself.

  A chortle escaped her upon my playful remark. “Hey, you know I’m not like that. I just thought it would be nice to find a lawyer, since I’m a law student and all that. We’d have something in common.”

  “Aside from sexual desperation, you mean.”

  She slapped my arm, gently. “Stop teasing me.”

  “Sorry, love. I couldn’t help myself.” I released a sadistic laugh. “Anyway, we’re in the right place, then.” I shook my head. “I still don’t understand how you managed to persuade me into joining this.”

  Olivia snorted. “Cara, even though you may come across as aloof, you’ve actually got a fairly warm and large heart in there – that’s how I managed to persuade you. A heartbroken best friend isn’t something you have the capacity to ignore.”

  “Lesser of two evils, perhaps.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” she replied, bewildered.

  I smirked. “Perhaps tending to your needs is my way of making you shut up sooner.”

  Olivia scoffed. “If that’s your attitude, you’ll make a rubbish parent.”

  Humoured, I allowed my eyes to wander around the space. “I suppose it’s a good thing I don’t want children, then.”

  Did I want children? I’d always said I didn’t, but Mum always told me that the right man would change my mind. Because I was one for keeping an open mind, I didn’t argue with her on that. She had wisdom in her years that I could only dream of. My perspective today was no guarantee of tomorrow’s.

  “Have you settled into your new flat yet?” Olivia asked. Steering my attention back to her, I saw that her eyes were the ones wandering now, and it amused me. She surely wasn’t wasting her time locating a target, and I appreciated that. As soon as she sealed the deal with someone, I’d be heading home.

  “Not yet. I’ve been so busy with coursework that I’ve hardly had time to unpack just the essentials. I mean, I had to search for an entire hour before I found the dress that I’m wearing tonight.” I gazed down at the purple material. It was my favourite cocktail dress because it clung to my slim and curvaceous figure like glue. In it, I felt opulent.

  I continued, “But I’ve booked a date with Jason tomorrow to finish unpacking.”

  Jason and I had met at a pub three years ago, where a live band had been performing songs by Arctic Monkeys, which was among my favourite bands. Our encounter had been perfectly coincidental and, in retrospect, rather comical. I had been returning from the bar with a new round of drinks for my younger sister Phoebe and myself when a drunken idiot had bumped into me, and the impact had made me spill the pints I was holding over Jason, who had been walking past me just then.

  I had been mortified, but thankfully, Jason hadn’t failed to notice that it hadn’t been my fault. After telling off the lad that had bumped into me, he had offered to buy me a new round. I’d been so char
med by him at that moment that I had struck up a conversation with him, and soon enough, I’d learnt that he also studied at UCL, although he wasn’t on my course. Instead, he was about to finish his first year of studying medicine back then.

  After a few minutes of effortless and invigorating conversation, I had invited him to join my sister and me. Since he was there with a couple of mates, he brought them along, and ever since that fateful moment, we had formed an irreplaceable and platonic friendship. These days, he was much like an elder brother to me. I’d always wanted a brother, even if I did adore my sister Phoebe.

  So, when Jason’s previous flatmate had decided to move in with his girlfriend instead, Jason had asked me to take his place, and I hadn’t hesitated to accept.

  The memory made me smile to myself. I was still wearing it when I eventually lifted my eyes to regard Olivia again, but it faded as soon as I recognised the look on her face. Already?

  Looking in the direction of her gaze, I saw the profiles of two men seated by the bar, and since they were frowning rather angrily at one another while they spoke, they looked to be in a heated debate about something.

  The next thing I noticed was how attractive they were. Late twenties, perhaps? Early thirties? Both had neatly trimmed stubble and short hair that was immaculately groomed. The man I found most comely was brown-haired, and the other dirty blonde, like Jason. However, I’d always had a kink for dark and tall.

  “Which one?” I inquired.

  “Brown-haired.”

  “Let’s head over then, shall we? I’ll mind his friend,” I proposed and ascended from my seat to approach them, confident. I always had been.

  Hesitant, Olivia said, “Cara, maybe not. They don’t look like they want to be disturbed.”

  I scoffed. “So what? You won’t know unless you try, Livy – and I can handle rejection. Can’t you?”

  Her warm brown Bambi eyes turned towards me, and they were filled with a vulnerability that I hated to witness. Colin had really done her in, hadn’t he? When he cheated on her time and again?