Plus One Is a Lucky Number

by Teresa F. Morgan

  When had she become so superstitious?

  “Careful,” she said, placing her hands on his chest, bending back so his mouth couldn’t touch hers but her hips pressed against his, feeling the stir in his groin. “You’ll be late for your nine o’clock.” She twisted and pointed at the screen, and he looked. “See?”

  He let her go, moaning sexily. His gaze smouldered as he watched her straightening and regaining her composure. Yes, she'd need a lot of determination to keep this to the not-on-the-first-date-rule. He was number one in seduction and she was only human.

  Finding her legs still worked, albeit slightly wobbly, she walked around the oval meeting table to safety – it really would not be appropriate to be caught snogging by his secretary – as he sat behind his desk.

  “I’ll have to remember to lock my office door in future – when alone with you.” His voice was provocative.

  She giggled, reining in her excitement. “I’ll see you at seven.”

  ***

  “Are you all right?” Adam said, looking over his menu at Sophie.

  She’d been gazing at the menu but with her brain worrying, she might as well have stared at a blank page. Was this where Adam Reid Thomas wined and dined all his girlfriends?

  “I’m a little nervous.”

  Sophie had totally forgotten to ask what to wear, floundering in front of the mirror, wondering whether the electric-blue satin dress was suitable - its length, resting above the knee, showed off her legs. It was another posh frock bought on a shopping trip with Cassie. But the doorbell rang, spot on time, so she didn’t have time to change.

  Adam’s appreciative smile had comforted her decision on the dress. His grey, tailor-made suit, with a silk dress shirt, reassured her she wasn’t overdressed either. She’d swallowed, struck by how handsome he looked. She’d nearly said there and then, sod the not-on-the-first-date-rule.

  Sophie focused on the present, nervously looking around the restaurant. It was elegant and chic, and only a low hum of voices and waiters walking back and forth broke the peaceful ambience. Candles flickered on the table. The restaurant had several private nooks and crannies, and Adam had a table in one of those hidey-holes.

  This too-good-to-be-true feeling kept creeping over her. She wanted to pinch herself. She loved him. Did he feel it too?

  “Why are you nervous?” His forehead creased with a frown.

  “I know it’s ridiculous. I mean, we’ve spent a whole weekend with one another.” She rubbed her upper arm. The restaurant was warm, but she still had goose bumps. “Everything you’re doing, saying … feels so great. When we were pretending it was like it came from a script … now I’m improvising, worried I’m going to say or do something wrong.”

  He took her hand into both of his – hands Sophie never stopped admiring, knowing what they could do to her, and hoping they’d touch her again.

  “Sophie, when I think about it, everything I did with you then, I enjoyed. It wasn’t a lie. Okay, so we were pretending to be a couple, but the kissing and the touching, I wanted to do. I wanted to make love to you.”

  Breathe, Sophie. At this rate, she’d be breaking that rule!

  She used the menu to gently fan herself. “I enjoyed it too. I wasn’t sure you were.”

  Adam’s response was interrupted by a waiter appearing.

  “Good evening, Mr Thomas,” he said, “and good evening, Miss.” Sophie detected the little surprise in the waiter’s expression upon seeing her sitting at the table, too.

  After the waiter had taken their order and disappeared, Adam said, “I usually dine here alone.”

  “Oh, so I’m not one of many then,” she said, teasing gently, but a sense of relief waved over her. No girlfriends before, therefore no expectations. No one would be judging her. Would she be Adam’s first love, last girlfriend?

  “No, I never bring a girlfriend here. This place is my sanctuary.”

  “I feel privileged.”

  “I want to share everything with you. In fact, I don’t really like calling you my girlfriend. Maybe I’ll have to change it to fiancée?”

  Sophie blushed again, heat rose up her neck. She gulped her water, wishing the waiter hadn’t taken the menu so she had something to hind behind. “Look, let’s take it one step at a time. I don’t want to rush anything.” She’d been rushed into everything with Simon, and look how it had ended.

  They ate and shared a bottle of wine and conversation. Sophie told Adam about her stay with Cassie mainly, as they hadn’t properly talked since she’d returned. Sophie couldn’t wait to see his mother again, although they’d agreed to keep the lies they’d told between them, for the time being.

  “The lie might be a good story for the best man speech,” Adam said, chuckling.

  Sophie dabbed her mouth with her napkin. “Will you stop talking about marriage,” she said, her tone light. “At this rate you’ll be beating James to it.”

  “Good point. Let the man have his day. But you’re right. I don’t want to be far behind him.”

  “Adam, please, you’re moving this too fast.” She chewed her lip. “Of course I want a future with you, but I’m realistic. I want to enjoy the early stage, the getting to know you, not rush into it. Simon –”

  “I’m not like Simon. I make a promise and I’ll keep it.”

  The end of the evening came with a taxi ride home. Adam and Sophie stood outside her front door kissing.

  “Do you want to –?”

  “Nope. First date.” He shook his head determinedly. “I would love to come in, but we know it won’t be just coffee. Are you free tomorrow? I can pick you up at seven again.”

  “Oh, heavens, I’m running out of dresses.”

  Adam laughed, seeing the panic in her expression. “Wear jeans. I’ll take you to a place where they do great pub grub. I know you’ll appreciate it.” He brushed her hair, and cupped her face, kissing her again.

  Finally, he pulled out of the kiss. “Oh, this is murder leaving you,” he said, his arms sweeping around her back and holding her close. She rested her head on his shoulder.

  Willpower.

  Then, finding it, she stepped back as he released her, found her key and unlocked the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  ***

  Thursday evening wasn’t too dissimilar to Wednesday. They were sitting in a cosy pub eating again. She pushed her plate away, leaning back and resting her hand on her stomach. At this rate, Sophie would need to get herself down the gym with the amount of calories she'd consumed.

  “Was it okay?” Adam studied the plate, and some of the food Sophie had left and then up at her, frowning.

  “I can’t eat another thing.”

  “Not even dessert?”

  She shook her head. “If I keep eating like this I’ll be the size of a house – and then you’ll hardly find me attractive.” She giggled, trying to make a joke of an insecurity she didn’t realise she had. Adam’s girlfriends before her had probably been waif like, tall and thin. She didn’t see her keeping her figure if she carried on eating out like this.

  “What I love about you is that I can come to somewhere like this and you’ll appreciate the food.” Adam put his cutlery together, also finishing and pushed the plate to one side so he could lean towards Sophie. “I made the mistake of bringing someone here, and she turned her nose up. Never did it again. A complete waste. I might have money, but I don’t like to throw it away. Or good food.”

  “Okay, fine, but we can’t do this every night. I’m going to need to join a gym or something.”

  “I can think of the perfect exercise.”

  “I bet you can.” Sophie’s whole body sizzled internally, it wouldn’t surprise her if she glowed beetroot red at this particular moment.

  “I like taking you out, and showing you off. I like spoiling you.” Adam stood, picking up their drinks. “Let’s sit outside.”

  They chose a picnic table with an umbrella and watched the boats, large and small, sail
past on the River Thames, sending small waves lapping to the water’s edge. Ducks quacked and swans glided past on the water with their cygnets following. July’s warm, light evenings let them sit out, soaking it all up, talking, touching and kissing, until the sun disappeared and the crickets started singing.

  Sophie felt consumed in her own bubble, unaware of and deaf to the rest of the patrons around her. Lost in Adam’s world. The blue of his eyes kept her mesmerised, her heart light. Nothing else mattered at this moment in time. She kept pushing away that small voice of doubt.

  “Come on, I better take you home,” Adam said, taking her hand. “I’ve got to think of something special for the third date. Are you free tomorrow?”

  “Oh, I promised James I’d go over to The White Lion with him. You’re more than welcome to join us.”

  “Okay, I’ll meet you over there. Mustn’t exclude friends.”

  “Especially as he’s the one who gave us both the push we needed.”

  Adam looked at her puzzled.

  “Haven’t you worked it out? James has been meddling from the start, wanting to set you up with his idea of the right woman.” She licked her bottom lip, watching for a reaction. “Whether I am that woman, well, time will tell.”

  “I’ve no doubt you’re the right woman.”

  ***

  Sitting in his office, Adam had his arms behind his head, smiling to himself, remembering every detail of the night before. Sophie, gorgeous, with her dark brown eyes, dimples when she smiled, intelligent – she wasn’t called Thomas Robotics’ best engineer for nothing - and a grounded, down to earth attitude. Nothing materialistic, uninterested in his money. She was easy going, but lacked a little in self-confidence, which charmed him. It meant he could shower her with compliments, make her blush the perfect pink, and, more importantly, witness her regain her confidence.

  Last night Adam had dropped Sophie off and, like the night before, tore himself away, resolute he wouldn’t enter her flat. He wanted to take this slowly for Sophie. They could have quite easily have jumped into bed with one another by now. He wanted to wait a little longer. Their passion bubbled below the surface, and he wanted to do things properly for her. He got the impression Simon had rushed her, even the sex.

  Concentrate.

  Adam’s priority for the morning was to browse through his emails before his first meeting. Scrolling down, he noticed one from Nick Sallico, Jerrisons. This would get his attention first. His brow knitted together as he read, making him sit forward. Cursing, he hit the print button.

  He walked outside his office to his secretary’s desk. Joan had worked for his father and would now continue to work for Adam. She was extremely experienced, and felt more like a family friend than an employee, she’d worked so long for the company.

  “Joan, please can you call Sophie Trewyn to my office as soon as she arrives.” He looked up at the clock; it was eight-thirty. She might not be in, yet.

  “Certainly. Anything else?”

  Adam shook his head. “No thanks, I’ll call you if I need you. When Sophie comes, don’t let us be disturbed.” Joan nodded and he went back to his desk to continue reading his emails. Ten minutes later, Sophie knocked and entered.

  “Summoned by your secretary now. Whatever next?” she said, smiling. Unfortunately, Adam wasn’t in the mood to appreciate her light sense of humour.

  “Sit down, Sophie,” he said. “Have you had a chance to grab a coffee?”

  She shook her head, sobered by his tone, and he poured two cups of coffee from his filter jug. He joined Sophie at the oval table in the middle of his office.

  “I’ve got some good news and some bad news, I’m afraid.”

  “Oh. Are we talking business … or personal?”

  “Both.” He pushed the printed email towards Sophie, letting her read it for herself. “Nick’s sent this email, this morning. We’ve won the contract, on the proviso you are seconded up to Manchester for six months.”

  ***

  “It’s my fault, isn’t it?” Sophie finally broke the silence.

  “He may have come up with it all on his own eventually, but you did put the idea in his head.”

  “I’m sorry.” Sophie swallowed. Everything really had been running too smoothly, hadn’t it?

  “I’m sorry. If I hadn’t been such a prat, you’d never have made the suggestion. Shit!” Adam slammed his hand down on the desk and Sophie jumped. “Sorry.” He placed a hand over hers, squeezing it. “I can’t screw this bloody contract up. My first one, and we need this contract. My father won’t hand over the company if he thinks I’m incapable of making a bloody decision.”

  “Adam, I’ll go. Of course. It does make perfect sense as. I understand your commitment to this business and I wouldn’t expect any less of you. I’ll do it for you and Thomas Robotics.”

  His expression didn’t soften, he only nodded his acknowledgement. “How long do you think it will take you to actually get the designs finished?”

  “I wasn’t going to admit this in the meeting, but I don’t actually think they’ll take six months. It’s a design modification to the existing QB20 and if I put extra time in – I mean, what will I do up there on my own, other than work?” She smiled at him. “I reckon I could have it done within three months.”

  Adam nodded, pulled a pen out of his inside pocket and scribbled some notes. “I’ll get an adjustment made to the contract. We’ll agree to six months maximum – just in case things go wrong along the way – but if you finish sooner you can return.”

  Sophie drank her coffee, cupping it with both hands, and fidgeted, watching Adam make his notes. He looked up, obviously sensing her attention was on him. “What?”

  “What about us?” She sounded needy, and hated it. Was she about to lose the one thing she’d wanted so much? Had it all been too good to be true?

  He took the cup out of her hand and rubbed his thumb in her palm. “Nothing changes about us.”

  “I’d understand if you wanted to put us on hold. Start over when I got back.”

  “If I have to travel up the M40 every single weekend to see you, that’s what I’ll do.”

  “I don’t expect you to.”

  “I’ll work it out. Let me think about it. At the moment I’m pissed at Nick for suggesting this, but my brain will clear and I’ll think of a solution.”

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Sophie sat in The White Lion's beer garden, feeling glum. Her stomach knotted and it felt like the whole world rested upon her shoulders. James tried to cheer her up, but the thought of moving up to Manchester horrified her.

  You made your bed; you have to lie in it.

  “Six months will fly,” James said, clinking his glass against hers.

  “Yeah, I know. It’s my fault. I put the stupid idea into Nick’s head.” She finished her wine. She really needed to take it easy, otherwise she’d be a drunken mess by the time Adam arrived.

  “Want another one?” James stood up, finishing his pint.

  “Yeah, all right.” No, no, no.

  “Sorry, James, but do you mind if I steal Sophie away from you early?” Adam strolled up to their table, still wearing his work suit, though with tie removed and his collar open. Sophie’s innards became weightless. “I’ve got a table booked at seven-thirty.”

  “I said no more restaurants,” Sophie said.

  “This one is special.”

  “Have I got time to go home and change?”

  “No, you look fine as you are.” He squeezed her shoulder, reassuringly.

  James smiled agreeably. “All right, just this once. But remember - Friday’s she’s my drinking partner.”

  “Hey, just this once, I promise.” Adam clasped James’ hand and shook it. “And as long as we keep our games night.”

  James grinned. “Remember Wednesday night, okay?”

  “Why Wednesday?” Adam frowned.

  The way the corner of his mouth twitched, wanting to smile, Sophie saw Adam was teasin
g, but James couldn’t. She playfully slapped his arm. “Stop pulling his leg. You know it’s Kate’s birthday Wednesday.”

  “Yeah, and I’ve got the week off so I can’t nag you,” James said. “Remember it’s at Rendezvous at seven, right?”

  “Got it,” Adam said, tapping his temple, then took Sophie’s arm, helping her as she stood from the picnic bench, being the perfect gentleman. Sophie would never get used to this. “We’ll be there, James.”

  ***

  “So, where are we going?”

  Adam grinned at Sophie, pulling down a side road. They were in Virginia Water. On either side of the road stood large houses with metal gates closing off their huge driveways.

  “I’m taking you to my house.” He stopped in front of a pair of tall wrought iron gates and took a remote from the glovebox. As the gates opened, revealing his home, Sophie’s mouth became that wonderful ‘Oh’ shape. He wanted to kiss her perfect mouth, but instead, smiling, he drove into the sweeping gravel driveway, and parked.

  The house wasn’t that old, only ten years at the most, but built in Georgian style of sandstone with a slate roof and white sash windows.

  He opened the front door, and Sophie gasped as she stepped inside.

  “Wow, how the other half lives,” she said, admiring the magnificent staircase climbing up the centre of the house, the hallway leading off either side. Like the rest of the house, cream walls and wood flooring gave it a spacious and bright feel. The outside of his house may appear old, but the inside had an uncluttered modern style – a bachelor pad. Maybe one day Sophie would get to add her touch, add some womanly warmth to the place.

  “Come on, I’ll give you a tour later.” He grabbed her hand and walked her through the house to the kitchen; the sweet smell of potatoes baking made her turn to face him.

  “We’re having dinner here?”