Skin of the Night: Book One of The Night series

by Claire D. Bennett

  “No doubt due to your excellent marks. For how long, though?” Aaron queried.

  “Three months.”

  “Three months!” Olivia echoed, astonished. “That’s amazing! That’s bound to be a positive contribution to your resume, Cara.”

  “I know. I’d be a fool not to take the offer.”

  “You’ve got to take it,” Aaron urged.

  “I will, I will,” I assured him with a smile. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to write back.”

  “Well, there go our plans for the summer,” Olivia murmured. “Can’t say I’m upset about it, though.”

  I chuckled. “Me neither.”

  § § §

  It was nearing time for dinner when Olivia decided she’d revised enough for the day. Shortly after she’d left, Aaron leaned back in his chair, and I sensed his eyes on me.

  “Have you heard back from Day & Night yet?” he asked after another while.

  Looking up from my computer screen, I met his eyes and nodded. “Yeah. I’ve got to sign a new contract, so I’m stopping by on Monday next week at ten.”

  “I’m very happy for you, Cara. This is big.”

  “It is, and I wouldn’t have managed it without you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  I arched a brow. “You know what.” I focused on my screen again. “My marks wouldn’t be half as good without your help.”

  “You’re giving me too much credit. You’re helping me just as much.”

  “Our brains were made for each other.”

  “They were,” he agreed, and his tone was conspicuously fond.

  I’d thought our conversation was over, but since I sensed him continuing to observe me, I asked, “What?”

  “Have you got any plans tonight?”

  My blood slowed in my veins. Since I knew where he was going with this, I kept my eyes on my computer screen.

  For the first time in my life, I dreaded sleeping with him again, and it wasn’t because I felt like I was keeping him in the dark. I had faced him the day after sleeping with someone else several times before, and it had never posed a problem. Not once had my conscience suffered. Besides, for all I knew, he could have scored last weekend as well.

  The truth was that I dreaded sleeping with him again because William had left a lasting impression. I hadn’t yet recovered from the power of his attention. Because of that, a quick fix with Aaron wasn’t something I had the mind for. Moreover, I didn’t want to ruin my experience of Aaron’s talents in bed. However, if we slept together so soon, it would inevitably result in that.

  “I’m just not feeling up to it today. I’m sorry,” I declined.

  “Fair enough,” he replied with a nod and focused on his textbook again.

  Even though I knew I could only delay it for so long, I puffed out a quiet breath of relief.

  § § §

  Finally, it was Monday the 22nd of April, which meant I was about to sign my new contract. I was tense as I waited for Ms Ainsley in the grand reception area of the Day & Night building on Cannon street, but to my surprise, she wasn’t the one to collect me. Instead, a middle-aged man exited the lift and called my name.

  “Ms Darby?”

  “Yes?”

  His piercing light blue eyes – which were the first thing I noticed about him – locked with mine, and something about them struck me as familiar.

  As he made his way across the floor, I admired his elegance, as well as the power of his strides. He had a level of class I could only dream of managing. Scattered throughout his otherwise dark brown hair were silver strands. Neatly shaven, he looked years younger than he was. Physically speaking, he was one of those men who made age his friend. Mirroring his grin, I wondered who he was.

  “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’ve heard great things,” he said just as he halted in front of me. He extended his hand, and I was quick to take it. His grip was firm, and I appreciated that.

  “Have you?”

  “Indeed.” He chuckled. “You must be wondering who I am.”

  “Well, we’ve not met before, have we?”

  “No, I’m afraid not. I’m John Night, Jason’s father,” he declared.

  Awestruck, I gaped. Was I really looking upon the legend himself? To what did I owe this honour? In fact, was it normal for a CMD to welcome insignificant trainees like this? I was well aware that my purpose here wouldn’t be to serve directly under him. So, why the special treatment? Was it because I was his son’s flatmate?

  “It’s an honour to meet you, sir,” I immediately said.

  Genuine laughter rumbled out of him. “Please, call me John.”

  “Then you must call me Cara.”

  “Cara,” he echoed, delighted. “Theresa told me you were coming in today, so I gathered I ought to welcome you myself. It’s a shame we haven’t met till now. I know Jason’s very fond of you.”

  I grinned. “Well, I’m rather fond of him too.”

  “I’m happy to hear that. Anyway, thanks for being motivated to move things around on such short notice. I hope you didn’t have to cancel any plans for the summer.”

  “I’d happily cancel my entire social life for this opportunity, John.”

  He laughed. “Then you’ll make an excellent solicitor when the day comes. Are you anxious to start?” he asked and ushered me towards the lifts.

  “Definitely.”

  He chuckled and gently landed his hand on my back. “You’ll fit in perfectly, I’m sure.”

  “I hope so.” I hadn’t had colleagues since I’d quit my job at Starbucks three years ago to focus on my degree.

  “How was my son this morning?” John asked while he ushered me into the lift and pressed the button for the tenth floor.

  The mention made me smile. “Groggy, but grateful for the breakfast I served him in bed.”

  “He has mentioned that you’re an excellent chef.”

  “Has he?” I queried, surprised.

  “Indeed. Hasn’t he told you?”

  I was grinning while I shook my head. “Must have slipped his mind.”

  “I’m sure he was just too busy devouring your cooking to think of commenting on it,” John responded, amused. “Wherever he lost his manners, I don’t know, but I’m sure my parenting is free of any blame.”

  I laughed wholeheartedly and was grateful to learn that John was obviously a witty man with a great sense of humour.

  “My office is on the top floor,” he said, “but yours will be on the tenth floor, with the M&A department. That’s where the solicitor you’ll be aiding has got his. If ever there’s anything at all, don’t hesitate to stop by.”

  I nodded.

  “You’ll be shadowing my eldest son during your time here, so he’ll be in charge of overseeing your work. He’s a good man, I like to think, and one hell of a solicitor. I couldn’t be prouder of his achievements. Hopefully, you’ll learn a great deal from him.”

  My eyebrows climbed up my forehead. I’d be shadowing Jason’s elder brother? I hadn’t expected that. Though Jason had mentioned him several times, and always with a tone of brotherly affection, I’d never met him.

  “If he’s your son, I’m sure I will,” I replied sincerely.

  The lift halted on our floor and the doors parted. Presented to me was the view of an open-plan office which closed offices surrounded. Lush and light shades of seemingly expensive interior beckoned.

  Placing his hand on my back again, John guided me out of the lift, past the curious faces of a few future colleagues of mine, and then further towards the dark brown door of an office that seemed to be rooted in the corner of the building. I wondered what the view from it was like. In a few seconds, I’d find out.

  While raising his hand to give the door three gentle knocks, John sent me a wink. “He may bark
, but he never bites.”

  A short, nervous laugh escaped me.

  Then, an eerily familiar voice called from inside, “Come in.”

  Upon hearing it, I frowned. I was certain I’d heard it before, but where? Opening the door, John stepped through first and brought me along with him. The sight that met me rendered me paralysed, overcome with emotion. Confusion, despair, as well as fear and unbelievable joy seeped through my heart all at once, causing it to twist rather painfully.

  With parted lips, I watched him lift his gaze from his desktop Mac and onto my figure beside his father. Upon recognising me, his eyebrows climbed up his forehead while his eyes widened beneath them.

  Seemingly speechless, William – erotica in the flesh – stared back at me.

  7

  HAVE WE MET?

  For a moment, all I saw was his naked body, both on top of and within me, while he pleasured me into the celestial.

  I could hardly believe my eyes.

  This was why I’d thought he’d looked so familiar back then; he was Jason’s elder brother! How had I not connected the dots? Jason had even mentioned him several times, but never in my wildest dreams would I have thought them to be one and the same.

  Paling where I stood, I recoiled a step, struck by the overwhelming power of his presence. By now, I had almost managed to tuck my adventure with him into the depths of my memory. These days, I hardly ever gave him a thought because I was sure I’d never see him again. Yet, here he was, in the flesh, regarding me as though he’d just been punched in the gut. The odds of this happening were astronomical, and it made me question my own convictions. Did coincidences truly exist, or was everything written in the stars? If so, what tales did they hold of my future? And why on earth had they included him?

  I was still trying to comprehend the truth of my circumstance when John started speaking. “Will, this is Cara Jane Darby, the new trainee. She’s also Jason’s flatmate, so be good to her. I’ve spoken highly of you, and I wouldn’t like to be disproved.”

  Paralysed, William continued to stare at me. I didn’t blame him for struggling so hard to compose himself. Not only had I arrived like lightning from a clear blue sky, but I was also being introduced under an entirely different name. However, when John cleared his throat, seemingly puzzled by his son’s behaviour, William charged up from his seat.

  Marvelling at the beauteous view of him, I blinked twice as he made his graceful approach. For the life of me, I couldn’t locate my lungs or my tongue, so out of breath, I watched him draw nearer. Only he could hypnotise me like this. I simply could not look away.

  “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Darby. I’m William, but you may call me Will like everyone else. I’m looking forward to working with you. I hear your marks are impeccable. I’ll personally ensure that you’ll get to put theory into practice during your time with us,” he said and extended his hand to me.

  The same moment his voice addressed me, it dawned on me that I had actually missed it. Deep, authoritative, and oddly soothing, it whispered of sensual pleasures. How strange it was, to find myself having missed a person I’d only encountered once before.

  A crimson blush painted my cheeks when I directed my gaze to his waiting hand. Staring at it, I remembered how it had completely dominated me. A particular memory, of when he’d used his grip on my arms to balance the weight of his powerful thrusts, flashed through my mind.

  This was outrageous. What was I supposed to do? I couldn’t work here, under the leadership of a man who had fucked me into oblivion. How was I supposed to look him in the eye without being reminded of that? How were we supposed to take each other seriously, as professionals, when our current acquaintanceship was composed of carnal indulgence? Would we be able to overlook it? Start anew?

  I found I wanted to cry. This was the worst possible thing that could have happened. I’d worked so hard to prove myself eligible for this work experience placement, and now I’d quite literally fucked my chance at it.

  ‘Murphy’s law,’ Dad’s voice chimed in my head. ‘Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. In other words, whatever can happen, will happen.’ Well, I was currently witnessing evidence of that theory. Lesson learnt, Dad, albeit too late.

  “Y-yeah,” I stammered and, while breaking contact with his striking eyes, grabbed his familiar hand. His grip was firm around my own, as if he was worried I’d disappear if ever he let go.

  “Well, I’ll leave you to it, then,” John said with a sigh. “I’ve got a meeting in less than two minutes. If there’s anything I can help you with, Cara, do let me know, but I expect my son will take good care of you.”

  “Of course,” William assured him, and there was a gleam in his eye when he finally released my hand.

  After giving my shoulder a supportive squeeze, John headed for the door and closed it behind him. The sound made me jump.

  “Well, then, Cara,” William said, emphasising my real name, and strode away to find a seat on his matte black desk. After folding his hands above the crotch of his light grey trousers, he studied me with the same crooked smile that I had worked so hard to forget.

  “Have we met?” he asked and successfully knocked all the air out of me. The bastard was using my own words against me. How dare he toss that line at me at a time like this?

  “I’m quite sure we have,” he continued and narrowed his eyes. “I could have sworn I’ve seen you before. Have you been on telly? In newspapers?” Not a hint of sympathy was present in his piercingly blue eyes. Lost for words, I couldn’t dodge even an ounce of his wrath, so instead, I merely gawked.

  “Right, it’s coming back to me now,” he said, nodding to himself. “I know where I’ve seen you. It was in my bed, wasn’t it? While I fucked you senseless? Yes, I believe so. Now that I think about it, how could I forget? Must have been your lies that have got me all confused.”

  Overwhelmed, I took in a sharp breath and looked away. Stringing together a single coherent thought proved impossible. I’d never been this shocked.

  “Please, have a seat,” he said and gestured towards one of the two black chairs in front of his desk. As I fixed my gaze on them, I noted that his office was rather big. Against the wall to my right stood a white leather sofa, along with a coffee table made of transparent glass. Behind him, London revealed itself.

  Incapable of ministering any muscle of my body, I remained in the same place. Seemingly impatient, he leaned back to fetch a document from his desk.

  “I gather you’re here to sign the contract establishing your temporary role here.”

  My gaze dashed towards him again. His composure bewildered me. Was he feigning nonchalance? Of course he was. We both knew what we’d done to each other, naked and lusting.

  I swallowed a huge lump in my throat. It might have been my heart. However, since it was currently thundering like a bloody orchestra within my chest, perhaps not.

  “I…” Averting my eyes, I adjusted my purse on my shoulder.

  “You?” he prompted, audibly amused.

  “This is… I’m sorry, I’m just…”

  “Shocked?” he filled in the blanks. Since I still couldn’t bring myself to look at him, I only nodded. Frankly, the mere sight of him was unbearable.

  “Cara, take a seat,” he ordered, reminding me of his domineering attitude. Obeying – because I didn’t know what else to do – I approached the chair that stood furthest away from him. As I went, I sensed him watch me with interest.

  I was about to sit when he slid off his desk to descend into the chair beside mine. Freezing, I met his eyes and watched him recline into it. He smirked up at me and gestured towards my chair again, inspiring me to mentally curse his confidence.

  After I’d slowly found my seat, he turned his chair towards me and queried somewhat bitterly, “Is it Cara? Or do you prefer going by Sandra?”

  I
pursed my lips. “I didn’t think I’d be seeing you again.”

  “I realise that, and yet, here we are.”

  I grimaced and begged my heart to calm down. From the speed of its beats, I had to be shortening my lifespan. “I don’t quite think that this is a good idea.”

  He was quiet for a second. “What? The placement?”

  I nodded.

  He scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s far too late to apply for a spot somewhere else. I can guarantee you won’t get it. The competition is intense. This isn’t an opportunity you should cast aside merely because you’ve coincidentally fucked your boss.”

  My breath hitched at his blunt phrasing. I’d nearly forgotten about his vulgar tongue, but not quite. Beside him, I blushed blood red.

  He leaned forward, towards me, and it perturbed me. The tension between us was thick and dense in the air, and it made me feel like I was suffocating. Having him so close wreaked havoc on my emotions. Suddenly, I made no sense to myself. All I knew was that I wished he would back away so that I might be able to think clearly.

  His eyes zoomed in on my blank facial expression. “I seem to recall you having a dreadfully sharp tongue. Have you lost your bravado?”

  “Are you at all able to be quiet for longer than a second? I need to think!” I snapped, growing increasingly annoyed with his scrutiny. I was trapped in a clusterfuck of a situation, and he wasn’t allowing me any mental room to sort it out.

  “I honestly can’t believe you’re Jason’s flatmate. All along, you’ve been within my reach. I’m furious. Had I known, I’d have hunted you down,” he declared momentously.

  Horribly uncomfortable, I tensed in my seat. At the very best, this was wildly inappropriate. If he was still adamant about getting me into bed with him, things were going to end in chaos.

  He sighed and tossed the contract onto his desk. “When Theresa told me whom she’d hired for the position, she mentioned a girl named Cara, studying law. Not Sandra, studying medicine, in fucking Edinburgh.” He leaned back. “At least I’ve got your number now.”

  “What do you want me to say?” I retorted defensively.