Mr. London: A Novel

by Margot Scott

  He takes another gulp of water and walks to the living room, looks out at the night sky. Alex knew why he couldn’t sleep. It was Katherine. He was……well, he didn’t even want to form the words in his mind. It scared him to know he could feel so deeply for someone. Scared him and excited him at the same time.

  Alex knew Katherine was the right woman for him. Kind, intelligent, and gorgeous all wrapped up in a sexy Southern package. He was ready for a real relationship. The one night stands, the flings, the skirt chasing – it was all a thing of the past.

  Katherine was the center of his world now. He thought about his past, about MI-5, Michelle, his years wandering and drifting around, and how lost he felt. Alex knew he needed to tell Katherine everything, and he would. They would finish the Cosmo, return to his countryside home, and he would bear his heart and soul to her.

  Alex, feeling more settled now, returns to bed, quietly crawling in beside Katherine. She was still sound asleep, breathing deeply. Alex turns to his side, spooning Katherine. Soon Alex drifts off, his mind at ease, ready to let go of his past, dreaming of his future.

  Chapter 28

  Nick boarded the 7:00 am flight to Paris, France. It was a short flight, only an hour long. Nick sat in his seat, patiently waiting for take-off. A pretty brunette flight attendant walked by, smiling brightly, while assisting passengers. Nick stared when he saw the flight attendant – she had a striking resemblance to Nicole. Nick’s heart beat faster, his breathing shallow. Was she……..Nicole? Suddenly, he could feel the airplane getting smaller, crushing in on him.

  No, Nick reassured himself. He had done his homework. She couldn’t possibly be Nicole. Nicole now lives in Paris, working at some fancy art gallery on the Rue de Seine.

  The flight attendant walked down the aisle, passing Nick on her way. Abruptly, Nick reached out, grabbed her hand.

  “Yes, sir? May I help you?” the flight attendant asked, attempting to pull away from Nick’s grasp.

  “Uhh…..” Nick stuttered, unsure of what to say. He stared at the flight attendant, studying her features, trying to distinguish this woman from Nicole.

  “Are you okay, sir?” The flight attendant bent down a little closer to Nick, a mixture of concern and caution on her face. The last thing she wanted to deal with was some weirdo passenger – it was too early for that, she thought.

  Nick blinked rapidly a couple of times, his eyes focusing on the flight attendant, her face becoming clearer. No. She was definitely not Nicole – Nicole was much prettier than this woman. Nick, certain of this, released her hand.

  “Yes, I’m fine. I just need some water, please.” Nick plastered a smile on his face, slowed his breathing.

  “Certainly, sir.” The flight attendant hurried off, glad to be away from the passenger. Something about him gave her the creeps.

  Nick sipped his water, while he looked out of the airplane window, flying over the English Channel. Soon he would be in Paris. He was looking forward to getting reacquainted with Nicole.

  * * *

  Nicole slipped her key into the front door, grateful to hear the click of the deadbolt sliding. It had been a long day at the gallery. She had been busy assisting a well-known, and very temperamental artist set up his upcoming exhibition for the following evening. It was to be a showing of his latest works of art, a collection of vibrant paintings of the City of Light. Nicole and the rest of the team at the gallery expected a huge turnout.

  Nicole pours herself a glass of wine before going to her bedroom. Slipping out of her heels, she stretches out on her bed, relaxing.

  She hears a buzz and reaches for her phone. A text from Jacques, her French boyfriend. Nicole smiles while reading his text, letting her know he would be stopping by after work. She and Jacques had been seeing each other for almost a year, having met after Jacques bought a piece of artwork from Nicole. Jacques was very charming, very French, and Nicole was very much in love with him.

  Nicole turns on the water, ready for a long, hot shower. She strips down, turns on some music, and steps inside. Nicole takes her time lathering up, the steamy, hot water helping to release the tension in her shoulders, while she sings along with the music.

  After a relaxing thirty minutes, Nicole steps out of the shower, wrapping a towel around her wet body. She hears a slight creaking noise coming from the kitchen.

  “Jacques,” Nicole calls out. “Is that you?”

  Silence. Probably just my imagination, Nicole thought. She quickly puts on a pair of pants and a tee-shirt, and walks to the bedroom to get her phone.

  Nicole scans her bed, looks under the pillows, unable to locate her phone. Not on the bedside table, she looks in the drawer, thinking she must have put it there. She bends down and looks under the bed. No phone. Frowning, Nicole stands back up, and suddenly freezes. It feels like all of the air has been sucked out of the room. Nicole catches her breath, goosebumps prickling her skin.

  She can feel someone else in the room, can feel their presence. Spinning around, Nicole’s eyes widen in panic. She is unable to move, sheer terror overwhelming her body.

  “Looking for this?” Nick sneers, holding up her phone, a lunatic’s grin on his face.

  “Nick!” Nicole gasps, her hand covering her mouth, her face turning white as a sheet. She felt like she had just seen a ghost.

  Nicole lunges towards the door, in a desperate attempt to escape. Nick quickly grabs hold of her, pinning her arm behind her back, roughly jerking her towards him. She begins to scream, a piercing cry for help. Nick quickly puts his cold black leather gloved hand over her mouth, stifling her screams.

  “Aren’t you happy to see me, baby?” Nick whispers in Nicole’s ear, his voice full of venom. He spins her around, facing him, his hands firmly clamped around her throat, squeezing tighter and tighter. The fear in her eyes made Nick feel powerful, in control. It was everything he had been fantasizing about and more.

  “Please……..” Nicole choked, tears streaming down, eyes bulging, her face turning a sickly blue.

  Nicole’s body slumped to the floor, death by strangulation.

  Nick hurriedly left Nicole’s apartment, quietly closing the door behind him. He looks around, making sure no one notices him. He keeps his head down as he walks across the street, wanting to keep a low profile. No one appears to notice Nick - people busily going about their evening. He hails a taxi, making his way back to Charles de Gaulle Airport.

  Four hours later, Nick Stone is on flight #452, returning to London, his thoughts now focused on Sergio Rossi.

  Chapter 29

  Caprice sips a glass of Dom Perignon champagne, her long, slender fingers wrapped around the glass flute. She glances at Sergio who was busy talking on the phone, or rather, barking orders into the phone, presumably to one of his men.

  She sighs inwardly, and looks out of the window. Caprice and Sergio were flying to London, attending to whatever “business” Sergio needed to attend to. Caprice raises an eyebrow, taps her glass. She felt edgy, the two and half hour flight feeling more like two and half days. At least they were using Sergio’s private jet.

  Sergio got off the phone, much to Caprice’s relief. She downed her champagne, the alcohol helping to taking the edge off. The flight attendant quickly produced another glass, as well as one for Sergio.

  Caprice hands him his glass of champagne. “Here, bell’umo. You sound like you need this.”

  After a couple of glasses of bubbly each, they were both feeling more relaxed. Caprice knew what would help even more.

  “Let’s go the bedroom,” Caprice purred. Sergio didn’t need any further persuasion.

  They made their way to the back of the jet, Caprice giggling from the champagne. She flung herself onto the queen size bed. Lying on her back, she hiked her leopard printed Roberto Cavalli skirt up around her waist, bending her knees and opening her legs.

  Sergio bent down, burying his face in Caprice’s shaved pussy, licking and sucking. She l
ets out a moan, throwing her head back. There was nothing like getting eaten out at 30,000 feet in the air, Caprice thought with a sigh of pleasure.

  Caprice found her release, a moan of pleasure escaping her lips, Sergio’s tongue working its magic. After a few moments to recover, she then drops to her knees, while Sergio rips her shirt off, the sight of her beautiful breasts making his cock even harder.

  It was Caprice’s turn to work her magic on Sergio, her tongue and mouth licking and sucking, her head bobbing up and down. Sergio looked out of the airplane window. There was nothing like getting your cock sucked at 30,000 feet in the air, Sergio thought with a satisfied groan.

  * * *

  Sergio and Caprice landed at Heathrow Airport on time, a chaffured limo waiting for them after exiting customs. Caprice sauntered through Heathrow, enjoying the admiring looks from various men, while Sergio possessively wrapped his arm around her waist.

  They were escorted to their suite at the Bulgari Hotel, in the heart of London. The suite, which included butler service, offered sweeping views of Hyde Park. The butler took Caprice’s lunch order, desperately trying not to stare at Caprice. Sergio, taking no notice of the view or the butler, locked himself away in the study, apparently his mind on business.

  Bored, Caprice walks to the study, placing her ear up to the door, trying to hear Sergio’s conversation.

  “We will meet tomorrow,” Sergio said. “Yes…..we can discuss then……….” Sergio’s voice trailed off. Caprice couldn’t make out anything else. Not that she really wanted to know what was going on anyway. Caprice had her mind on her own business affairs. Before she and Sergio left, Caprice took it upon herself to contact Maxie Shepard. She spoke with Maxie’s assistant, who asked Caprice to send in some photographs and a biography, and would pass Caprice’s information on to Maxie for review. Caprice decided she would wait and tell Sergio after they returned to Naples.

  A soft knock. Caprice bounds to the door, looking out of the peephole. It was the butler with lunch.

  Caprice opens the door for the butler as he pushes the linen covered table into the room, glancing at Caprice. He quickly casts his eyes down, his face flushing red, her beauty, her sexy body too much for him to handle.

  Caprice sat outside on the terrace overlooking the city, dining on shrimp salad and sipping a glass of sparkling water. The sun was shining brightly, and a light breeze blew gently.

  London wasn’t so bad after all, thought Caprice.

  Chapter 30

  The Cosmopolitan Hotel is almost complete. To my amazement, the process has flown by, seeming as though we had only just begun. The hotel was scheduled for its grand opening celebration in two weeks.

  I stood in my office, filing a stack of reports, reminding myself to update Alex’s calendar. The interior designer had called to reschedule a meeting regarding a last minute change in the suite furnishings which needed Alex’s stamp of approval.

  I knock on Alex’s door. “Come in.”

  He glances away from his computer when he sees me and stops what he’s doing. “Hey, you,” he says, smiling warmly.

  “Hello to you, too. I didn’t mean to interrupt you. Just need to update your meetings calendar.”

  “You know you never interrupt me. I can always make time for you.” His voice is full of sincerity.

  “Well, thank you, Mr. McCall,” I respond, a hint of teasing in my voice.

  “Come here,” Alex says, laughing. He pulls me close, his touch causing my nerve endings to tingle with delight.

  I wrap my arms around his neck. “You know, Mr. McCall, we shouldn’t be doing this here,” I tell him, trying to keep a straight face.

  “Yes, you’re probably right, Miss Harris. But…….I don’t care.” And with that, he kisses me, his tongue parting my lips, exploring my mouth.

  Our lips part and we stand in front of his desk, holding each other. “I’ve been thinking about you all morning,” Alex says.

  “I’ve been thinking about you, too,” I reply, smiling.

  Alex pulls back from me, holding my hands. “You know the Cosmo Hotel is only two weeks away from completion.”

  I nod. “Yes, I was just thinking about that earlier. It seems like we just started on the project,” I reply, feeling relieved the project has turned out so well.

  “Yes, time certainly flies when you’re having fun,” he says, distractedly. He picks up a pen, drops it back down on his desk.

  I frown, sensing something is on his mind. “Is everything okay, Alex?”

  He looks up, his gorgeous blue eyes penetrating into me. “Yes, I’m fine, Katherine.” He pauses before continuing. “It’s just……well……” He trails off, walking to the windows overlooking the city.

  “It’s just what, Alex. You can tell me.” I grip the pen in my hand, suddenly feeling slightly alarmed. Alex is always so in control of himself. I haven’t seen this side to him before. He turns around, facing me, running his hand through his hair, a look of apprehension on his face.

  “After the hotel is completed, I want you…. us….. to return to my country home. And not just for a long weekend either. I want us to stay there for awhile, just you and me. I suppose you could call it an extended holiday.” He looks at me, anticipating my response.

  “An extended holiday?” I repeat. “For how long? What about work? What will people say?” I ask, firing off one question after another.

  “I know, I know,” says Alex. He takes me in his arms, his strong arms calming me. “I just want to get away for awhile, spend some time with you, and only you. As far as the business, I won’t be taking on any new hotel projects while we’re gone. Harold can contact me if he needs my input. In the meantime, the rest of the team can handle the day-to-day operations.”

  Before I have a chance to respond, Sandra buzzes in. “Alex?”

  “Yes, Sandra,” Alex says impatiently, glancing back at me.

  “Your four o’clock conference call is on line three.”

  “Thank you, Sandra.”

  Alex turns back to me. “I must take this call. Just think about it, Katherine. We’ll talk about it more later, okay?” He leans in to kiss me, a light peck on the lips, turning his attention to the call.

  I nod in response, leaving him to get back to work. I walk back to my own office, feeling slightly dazed. Not that Alex asking me to take an extended holiday with him was a bad thing. It was a very tempting offer. I just wondered if it was the right thing to do, right now.

  Just think about it, Katherine. Alex’s words played over in my mind. He certainly has given me something to think about.

  You should go with him, I thought, returning to my desk. You know you want to.

  Of course I wanted to go. What woman wouldn’t want to? The idea of Alex whisking me away to his romantic countryside estate for a couple of months most definitely made my heart skip a beat. And my pussy tingle with desire.

  We would wrap up the Cosmo Hotel, celebrate its opening, and I would take off with Alex, I decided. No second thoughts, no questioning, nothing, I told myself firmly.

  Besides, deep down, I knew I couldn’t say no to Alex. What was happening between us was too good to say no to.

  Chapter 31

  Nick sat on his tattered brown couch, the only piece of furniture in his flat. The couch served multiple functions – Nick used it to sit on, sleep in, sat on it while he ate. He liked having no material possessions around him – it made him feel free, unburdened. Uncluttered space meant an uncluttered mind.

  He watched a cockroach crawl across the floor, then disappear into a crack in the corner of the room. Nick got up and turned all the lights off, closed the blinds. He needed to rest. Nick had returned from Paris only hours before, even though it seemed liked a lifetime ago.

  He sat back down and laid his head back, rubbed his tired eyes. Images of Nicole flitted through his mind, like scenes from a movie reel. Nick pushed the images out of his mind. Nicole wa
s of the past now.

  Nick had other priorities. Things to do. Other people to handle. Like Sergio Rossi.

  He had spoken to Sergio briefly, before he left for Paris. Nick knew that he was now in London. Nick didn’t ask Sergio where he was staying, for fear that might alarm Sergio. So, instead, Nick did an internet search of the top three most expensive, lavish hotels in London. He then hacked into each hotel’s computer database, searching for Sergio’s name. Nick found Sergio listed in the current resident database of the second hotel he hacked into, the Bulgari Hotel.

  Of course, Nick thought, shaking his head. Only the best. One thing you could count on with Sergio was that he was predictable.

  Chapter 32

  The massage therapist’s hands glide over Caprice’s thigh, then down to her calf and back up.

  “That feels wonderful,” Caprice murmurs appreciatively in her Italian accent, half asleep.

  This is exactly what she needed – a relaxing massage after a long day of traveling. Sergio had finally finished his business calls, and then promptly stated he was exhausted and needed to rest. He collapsed into the hotel bed, and was asleep within five minutes, snoring loudly.

  Caprice decided to partake of the hotel’s spa amenities, scheduling an hour long massage, followed by a manicure and pedicure. She considered throwing in a facial, but thought it would take too much time – she and Sergio had reservations at B’jou, an upscale French restaurant, later that evening – and Caprice hated being rushed.

  Caprice rolls over onto her stomach, the massage therapist expertly kneading the knots out of her neck and shoulders. She saw her own masseuse in Naples weekly, but since she was in London with nothing else to do, she thought she would treat herself.

  She relaxed into the massage table, letting her mind drift. One more day in London, then they would be returning to Naples. Hopefully, Sergio would take care of business quickly. She looked forward to returning home, ready to move full-steam ahead on her acting career. Caprice just knew Maxie would take her on as a client. Maxie would be crazy not to, Caprice thought confidently. She had it all – beauty, brains, and the most gorgeous breasts ever.