The Hearts Series

by L.H. Cosway

  “I do. Do you?”

  “Yep. My dad taught me. We’d spend hours playing when I was growing up.”

  “Hmm, my grandfather was the one to teach me.” He paused, studying me for a moment, before he said, “If you’re not in a hurry to get back to your friends, would you like to stay and have a game?”

  I shrugged, trying to play it nonchalant when really I was delighted with the offer. My new boss was an interesting (and sexy) one, and I wasn’t going to turn down an opportunity to get to know him better.

  “Nah, I’m not in a hurry,” I said, shrugging off my jacket and laying it over the back of the couch. King’s gaze wandered to my chest for a moment as he took in my halter top, before shaking his head and muttering under his breath, “Such a pity.”

  “Huh?”

  “Would you like a glass of wine? I’ve already opened a bottle.”

  “Sure,” I answered, still wondering about his comment. Was he referring to me being a “lesbian”? Couldn’t be. Well, it could, but I was choosing to believe it wasn’t for the sake of my employment. I didn’t need to be having unprofessional thoughts about my intriguingly talented and handsome boss any more than I already was.

  King went to the kitchen to grab another glass. When he returned, he handed it to me before picking up an expensive looking bottle of red. I considered asking how much it cost, but I stopped myself. Expensive indulgences always made me feel wasteful, and I just wanted to enjoy myself.

  After pouring the wine, King began setting up the chessboard as I took several sips, and man, it was delicious. The rest of the bottle was in serious danger of being depleted by me if I kept this up. King’s attention was on the board when he started to speak, holding a pawn between his fingers, “You know” —a pause— “you’re not the usual sort of person who comes to work for me.”

  I wasn’t sure how to respond to that. Finally I went with, “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

  “Neither. It’s just a fact. Eleanor is strict. She steers me in the right direction when I might be about to make a bad decision. Gillian is a wonderful organiser, and she never fails to compliment me in some way when she greets me in the morning. It’s a nice little confidence boost.”

  I grinned at him, leant in, and mock-whispered, “Mr King, do you have a crush on Gillian?”

  He chuckled, and it was an attractive, masculine sort of sound. “Don’t be ridiculous. I simply enjoy her compliments.”

  I couldn’t help teasing him. “Well, I wouldn’t go getting a big head about it. That woman would marry a cup if it showed her enough attention.”

  “Alexis.” Now it was King’s turn to mock-whisper. “What a horrible thing to say.”

  Laughing, I replied, “It’s not horrible. It’s just the truth, and I’m not judging, but that Gillian is a flirt. You forget I’m the one who has to listen to her giggle to men over the phone all day long.”

  King winced. “Giggle? Really?”

  I nodded. “Uh-huh. You’re not the only one who gets the compliments. Jealous?”

  King shook his head and made his first move on the board. “No. And stop interrupting my train of thought. I was saying something, now, where was I? Oh, yes, Eleanor is my compass, and Gillian is my confidence-booster. Now that Eleanor’s poised to leave, do you think you can fill her shoes?”

  I bent forward to take in the board, then made a move. “Be your compass? I’ll try my best,” I answered, considering my strategy for the game.

  “Your best is all I would ever ask,” said King, a thread of seriousness coming into his voice. I glanced up at him for a moment, my eyes catching on a picture frame behind his head. It sat on a shelf beside a number of other pictures, and showed King with his arm around a good-looking woman with light brown hair. Since he thought I was gay, I felt relatively comfortable asking about her.

  I nodded to the picture. “Your girlfriend?”

  King turned to see what I was referring to. “My ex, actually. Mila and I broke up about three months ago.” He shrugged like it was no big deal.

  “I’m sorry to hear that. Breakups are tough.”

  “They can be, but not this one. Our parting was amicable. She wanted to get married and start a family, and right now I’m married to my job. There are things I want to achieve, and I’m quite single-minded about them. Mila is a career woman, too, so she wasn’t hurt by my decision.”

  “I can understand that,” I said. I could understand it, but I didn’t believe for one second that this Mila woman hadn’t been hurt. She’d probably just hidden it really well. I felt a bit sorry for King that he couldn’t see that, or maybe he just refused to see it.

  Eyeing his side of the chess board, I could already tell he was going to be a tough opponent and I was probably going to lose the game. We played for a couple of minutes in thoughtful silence before King spoke up.

  “What about you? Any special lady in your life right now?”

  His question and curious tone took me off guard, and I was answering before I had time to think it through. “Yes.”

  King rose an eyebrow. “Really? How long have you two been together?”

  “Not long. It’s pretty new.”

  “Do you think she’s a keeper?”

  Jesus, what was with all the questions? I felt like I was under interrogation. Needing to lighten the mood, I answered, “Who knows. For now I’m keeping my options open. I mean, just ’cause I’m tied to the fence, doesn’t mean I can’t bark at the cars.”

  He chuckled softly. “I’ve never had a lesbian for a friend before. I quite like it. It’s pleasant talking to a woman who’s essentially a man.”

  “Hey!” I protested.

  He raised his hands. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way.”

  I scowled at him. “Whatever. Besides, I’m not exactly your friend. I’m your employee.”

  King feigned a sad expression, like I’d just hurt his feelings. “You can be both.”

  I shot him a grin. “Well, all right, then. Let’s try that. And since we’re being friends, you won’t mind me openly kicking your arse at chess.”

  His answering grin was wicked, and combined with his handsome face and tousled blond hair, gave me some distinctly un-lesbian feelings down below. What, oh what, was I getting myself into?

  “Bring it on,” said King.

  Four

  My mind was on my boss again as Karla and I walked to the nearby supermarket to do our weekly shopping. I’d stayed at King’s place for another hour the night before, drinking wine and finishing our game of chess. I really enjoyed talking to him. I mean, he was so unlike the usual sort of men I’d grown up with. King was sophisticated and urbane, and he represented a world I knew virtually nothing about. And, as expected, he was the one to kick my arse at chess. I had to hand it to him — he was an excellent player.

  In order to preserve my job, I left before I got too drunk, and told him I’d see him on Monday. It was only Saturday, and already Monday felt too far off. There was something about being in his presence and talking to him that I craved.

  “Oi oi,” I heard someone call as Karla and I were passing by a betting shop.

  Talk about the sort of men I was used to. I turned my head to see Lee Cross, my ex Stu’s younger brother, standing in the doorway, wearing a cocky smile. Lee was a handsome little shit, and he knew it. He was about twenty-five, and was one of four brothers that made up the notorious Cross family. Despite being younger than Stu, Lee was the brains of the operation, and I was fairly sure the garage he ran was also a chop shop. He held a toothpick to his mouth, still grinning, as he took in me and Karla.

  “Haven’t seen you around in a while, Clarky,” he said, stepping outside and walking toward us. “What happened?”

  “Stu and I broke up,” I said, and remembrance lit in his eyes.

  “Oh, yeah, I think I heard something about that,” he said, glancing over his shoulder and back inside the bookies. That glance told me all I needed to know. Stu w
as inside, and I had the sudden urge to flee. I definitely didn’t want a run-in with my ex right now, especially since the last time I’d seen him, he was being arrested for stealing cars. So yeah, their garage was most definitely of the dodgy variety. Lee’s attention wandered to Karla, his gaze skimming lazily over her body and then back up to her face. By the glint in his eyes, I thought he definitely liked what he saw.

  “All right, Gingersnap,” he said, giving her a flirtatious wink.

  Karla frowned and tried to hide a blush before looking at me. Although she’d met Stu a few times before, she’d never met Lee. And as I said, Lee was attractive in a bad boy sort of way. He had light brown hair, blue eyes, a muscled physique, and a perennially cheeky grin that promised pure naughtiness.

  The supermarket was right next door to the bookies, and Karla sounded a little perplexed as she said, “I’m, uh, going to go inside and make a start. I’ll see you in a minute.”

  And then she left, leaving me alone with the sexier, grown-up version of the Artful Dodger. Lee didn’t even try to hide the fact he was checking out her arse as she went. He also didn’t look away until she’d completely disappeared inside the supermarket, and that was when his attention returned to me.

  “She single?”

  I couldn’t help it; I sputtered a laugh. Lee’s eyebrows drew together as he chewed on the toothpick. “What’s so funny?”

  “My friend’s name is Karla. My friend is also a cop.”

  Now Lee’s eyebrows practically shot right up into his forehead. “For real? She’s Old Bill?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  He let out a low whistle. “Well, fuck me.”

  “Yep. She’s also too old for you.”

  He flashed me a dangerous smile. “All the better. I like a woman with experience.” Well, that statement was definitely wrong, because if what I’d heard on the grapevine was true, Lee had far more experience than Karla, even if she was three years his senior. He looked back inside the supermarket, and I could tell by his expression that his interest had been piqued. I clicked my fingers in his face.

  “Hey, don’t go getting any ideas.”

  He turned back to me, grinning again. “What? I didn’t say anything.”

  “Your face said it all.”

  The look he gave me next had mischief written all over it. He rummaged in his pocket, coming up empty. “Oh, would you look at that, I’m all out of smokes. Think I’ll just mosey on inside and buy a pack.”

  I tried to grab his arm, my voice low and threatening as I hissed, “Don’t you dare,” but he was already gone. I was about to hurry after him when another voice drew my attention.

  “Lex,” said Stu, stepping outside. He always called me Lex, and though it was nice to be given an affectionate nickname, it really just made me think of baldy old Lex Luther.

  Drawing in a deep breath, I turned to face Stu. I could do this. Slowly bringing my gaze to his, I took in his appearance. Tall, built, with brown hair and hazel eyes, Stu’s looks had never been a problem in our relationship. In fact, his looks, combined with his finesse in the bedroom, were the foundation on which our relationship was built. He might not have had much going on upstairs, but that dirty mouth of his always managed to make me forget my senses. The night he got arrested was the kick up the arse I needed to finally end things.

  “Stuart,” I said, giving him a nod. He smirked at my use of his full name and took a step toward me. Clenching one hand into a fist, I summoned my reserves of willpower. If the look he was giving me was anything to go by, he was about to lay the moves on thick and heavy, and I had no intention of succumbing to them.

  “Missed ya,” he said, now standing directly before me and looking down. His breath hit my cheeks, smelling of cigarettes and beer, which just said it all, given it was only eleven-thirty in the morning.

  “Hmm, steal any cars lately?” I asked, my voice coming out clipped.

  He laughed before his mouth formed a hard line. “That was all a big misunderstanding. I told you. My mate forgot he let me borrow his car.”

  I folded my arms and rolled my eyes. Did he think I was born yesterday? A moment of quiet passed, then a low, seductive murmur, “You look good.”

  I stepped backward to put some space between us, but he only advanced on me. My back hit the wall, and Stu crowded me in. Leaning down, his lips brushed my ear. “Fuck, but I’ve been dreaming about your pussy. Come back to me, Lex.”

  Okay, so I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel a little flushed right then. Sex with Stu had been spectacular, and life in my bedroom was decidedly dull since I’d handed him his marching orders. Still, giving in to him wouldn’t be a good idea. Rekindling a relationship with a criminal was not something smart women did. And rekindling a relationship with a dumb criminal was definitely not something smart women did. I liked to think I was a smart woman. My vagina, on the other hand, was the equivalent of a dumb blonde. And that blonde wanted what she wanted.

  “Piss off,” I said, placing my hands on his chest and pushing him back. He didn’t fight me, and instead chuckled, giving me a lascivious grin as I walked away.

  He mimicked holding a phone to his ear. “I’m always available for booty calls, babe. Don’t forget.”

  I flipped him off, which only solicited more chuckling, and stepped inside the supermarket. I searched through the aisles for Karla and finally found her idling by the breakfast cereals. There was a trolley in front of her containing a couple of items.

  There was also a Lee Cross in front of her, and he looked determined. I caught the tail end of what he was saying.

  “…fucking love this hair. You’re gorgeous. Let me take you out.”

  “No, thank you,” Karla replied stiffly before her eyes rose to mine and relief etched itself over her features.

  “Hey, time to skedaddle,” I said, and gave Lee a cheeky slap on the arse. His posture grew still, and I immediately wondered if that had been a good idea. Me and my trigger-happy arse-slapping hand. When he glanced at me, he wasn’t wearing his cheeky grin anymore, and he was clearly pissed I was interrupting his attempt to woo my best friend…also, the arse slapping. Yeah, I already knew that despite his carefree, piss-taker attitude, beneath the surface lay a man not to be messed with. It was worrying that he’d set his sights on Karla. Nothing about that would lead anywhere good, and that was before you even factored in her profession.

  He held up a finger to me, then turned back to the object of his affections. “One date. Come on. What’s the worst that could happen?”

  I resisted the urge to snort. Then Karla let out a small laugh. “I’m sorry, but no. Now, could you please move? I have groceries to shop for.”

  Lee stared at her for several seconds before leaning in and whispering something in her ear. I couldn’t hear what he said from where I was standing, but I did see Karla swallow nervously. Giving her one final heated smile, he strode off with that confident swagger.

  I let out a long breath. “Sorry about that.”

  She shrugged me off. “It’s no problem. Was Stu out there?”

  “Uh-huh.” I let my eyes wander to the shelves as I scanned the items.

  “How’d that go?”

  “As aggravating as expected. What did Lee whisper to you?”

  Karla looked away, embarrassed, before replying quietly, “Something a little too risqué for this time of the morning.”

  I finally decided on a box of cereal and picked it up before tossing it in the trolley. “Yep. Those Cross boys have some dirty mouths on them.”

  “Hmm,” said Karla, and I didn’t like the contemplative look on her face.

  “Don’t even think about it,” I warned, wagging a finger at her. “Lee might be a hot little slice, but believe me, he’s not worth it.” I didn’t mention that I was ninety-nine-percent positive he was involved in some pretty dodgy dealings. I didn’t need to. Karla had been in her line of work long enough to recognise a criminal when she saw one. Don’t get me wrong, Lee h
ad a heart of gold. In fact, alongside Stu, he’d cared for his younger brothers from the time he was fourteen and his parents died. So yeah, he had a good head on his shoulders. Unfortunately, his circumstances in life had pushed him to channel his brains in the wrong direction.

  Karla scoffed, but I could tell by the brief expression that crossed her face that she had been tempted, even if she’d never allow herself to admit it. “I’m not stupid, Lexie. I wouldn’t touch that boy with a ten-foot bargepole. And I shudder to think what my dad would say if I did.”

  I gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Karla’s father was a superintendent and had raised her hard. It was where she got her tough side from. In any case, she was right when she said he’d disapprove. In fact, he’d see right through Lee the second he met him. Not that it was ever going to happen. Unless, of course he was arresting him for something.

  The rest of the weekend passed, and before I knew it, I was waking up on Monday morning for work. I’d just slipped into a black pencil skirt and a purple blouse when my phone began ringing. Seeing it was Eleanor, I picked it up.

  “Alexis, I’m glad I caught you before you left for the office. I won’t be around today. Keith and I are seeing our estate agent about the house we’re buying in France. You know Mr King’s morning schedule well enough by now, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” I said, nodding even though she couldn’t see me. “I’ve got this. Don’t worry about me.” I had to use a little of my confidence-faking skills for that one. Sure, I knew King’s routine, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to mess it up.

  Eleanor let out a relieved breath. “Great. I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

  “See you tomorrow,” I said, and hung up.

  Rubbing my suddenly sweaty palms on my skirt, I began quickly throwing everything I needed into my bag. My hair looked a bit wild, so I twisted it into a bun and off I went. I managed to make it to the office a half-hour early, grabbed the credit card Eleanor used for office expenses, and then dashed out to the nearest newsagents. And okay, I might have gotten a little distracted chatting with the portly old fellow who was working the counter. It’s a problem. When people start talking to me, I tend to get sucked in. This was why I took longer than planned to get the papers. I had ten of them tucked under my arm as I dashed into the elevator, only to be met with the icy blue gaze of Oliver King.