by Lily Harlem
Dad tapped his fingers on the desk, a frown creasing his forehead. “Mmm, I can well imagine. It’s certainly not pleasant in these places from what I’ve heard.”
“So you will look into his case, sir?” Ty asked.
Dad nodded. “Yes, I will discuss it personally with Kasit Yong, who,” he paused and glanced at his watch, “I am supposed to be meeting in twenty minutes.”
He stood and Hans, Ty and Phil also got to their feet. I remained seated. I didn’t trust myself to talk, let alone move.
“Thank you, thank you very much, sir,” Ty said in earnest. “It would mean a lot to his family to get James back home.”
“It would mean a lot to me too.” Dad rested his hand on my shoulder. “But for different reasons.” He paused. “Actually you might be able to shed some light on something for me.”
“Yes sir.”
“Is anyone in James’ family called Peter—anyone he knows?”
Ty shook his head. “Not that I know of.”
“Mmm.” Dad rubbed his temple with his index finger. “Maybe he’s not called Peter, but he’s an older man, forties with gray hair, English accent. Does that ring a bell?”
Ty glanced at the floor. “No sir.”
“Someone you both met perhaps, on your travels?”
“I really can’t recall anyone who fits that description, sir. Most of the guys we hung out with were our age, taking gap years, just bumming around. No one older and of that description.”
Dad sighed. “Okay, it was worth checking.”
I rubbed the pearls on my necklace and tore my gaze from Ty.
“Do you want any of these statements or evidence reports for your meeting?” Hans asked.
“Sure, they could come in handy.”
Hans stacked them neatly and pushed the folder toward Dad. “Good luck. Mr. Yong isn’t renowned for giving away favors.”
“I have a few tricks up my sleeve,” Dad said. “Thanks for all you’re doing though, Mr. Richmond.”
“My pleasure. I’ll wait to hear from you. Any snippet of leniency could be all it takes for us to make headway.”
“Yes, yes of course.”
The two men shook hands then Hans left the room, his leather shoes clacking on the tiled floor.
Dad turned to Ty and extended his hand. “Mr. Winters, thanks for the extra information and the photographs. It makes dealing with these cases more personal. I’m sure they’ll come in useful.”
“Sir, with all due respect, behind each one of these cases is a person.” Ty took Dad’s hand and shook it.
I couldn’t drag my gaze away from his neat nails and long fingers. Fingers that knew just how and where to touch me and make me beg for more. I suppressed a shiver of longing. If only we could be together again, just once. But whatever Ty was doing in this room with Dad and Phil, it was one foolish game. Why couldn’t he have just left this bit to me? One wrong word, one slip-up and this could all explode in our faces.
“Of course, I understand that,” Dad was saying. “And if this all goes well, who knows, perhaps I could get more involved with other cases. It could be the start of something big between Kasit Yong and I.”
Ty grinned. “That would indeed be amazing. There are lots of people who could do with high-level help. Thai law is antiquated when it comes to Class C drugs and holding foreign nationals.”
Dad studied Ty for a minute. “Are you in law yourself, son?”
“No, no, not at all.”
“Oh, I just wondered. You sound pretty knowledgeable, doesn’t he, Penny?” Dad looked down at me. “Penny here is studying law at Oxford.”
Ty connected his gaze with mine and smiled politely. “Very impressive, Miss Tipping. I wish you luck.”
“Thank you.” I knotted my fingers in my lap and drifted into his hypnotic gaze.
Oh, he was good all right, good at pretending he hadn’t been to Oxford, sliced off my hair and tortured my pussy with his tongue.
“Yes, she’s in her first year, romping ahead with her studies,” Dad said, puffing up his chest proudly. “So what is it you do for bread and butter, Mr. Winters?”
“I have a degree in sport science. I intend to do my teacher training qualification so I can work in senior schools and colleges.”
“Excellent, that sounds just excellent.”
Ty pushed his hands into the pockets of his pants and took a step toward the door. There was a little glow of perspiration on his temple.
“Are you holidaying here with friends or family?” Dad asked.
“Neither, I’m alone, just passing through on my way home, but I wanted to help James’ case so I arranged to meet up with Mr. Richmond today.” He smiled, and because I knew some of his smiles now I knew this to be a smug one. “And I have to say it’s a very fortuitous coincidence that you’re here today too, Mr. Foreign Secretary. The fact that we’ve managed to meet is hopefully advantageous to the situation.”
“Yes, absolutely, couldn’t agree more. The extra bit of information you gave me will be invaluable in negotiations, especially when the dreaded interpreter is involved.”
Ty pursed his lips and nodded.
Dad glanced down at me. “I don’t suppose.” He looked back at Ty. “That perhaps Mr. Winters—”
“Ty. Please, call me Ty.”
“That perhaps, Ty, you would like to join me and my family for dinner tonight. If, of course, you don’t have other arrangements. That would be okay, wouldn’t it, Penny?”
“I, er, well.” Oh my god. I couldn’t take much more. My heart was about to give out. Ty, joining us for dinner. Ty, my kidnapper, my secret lover, sitting at a table eating a meal with my parents as though everything was normal in my life.
“Penny?” Dad said, a slight tightness in his tone.
“Well, yes, of course it would be okay, but we are only eating in the hotel tonight. We have an early flight to Beijing, remember?”
“Yes, I know, but it is the Mandarin, darling, and I’m sure the food will be quite palatable.”
“I would love to join you,” Ty said, his eyes not leaving mine. “It’s very kind of you to invite me.”
“Great, do you know where the Mandarin Oriental is?” Dad asked.
Ty nodded. “Yes, I think I’ve wandered past it when I’ve been out and about. What time are you eating?”
Dad looked at me again.
“Eight,” I said, folding my arms and setting Ty with a bemused stare. “We are eating at eight in Le Normandie.”
Ty nodded. “It’s been lovely to meet you, Miss Tipping, and I look forward to hearing all about Oxford and law school this evening.” He nodded at Dad. “Sir.” Then he slipped from the room, leaving behind the slight scent of citrus and sea breeze.
“What a charming young fellow,” Dad said, pushing his chair in beneath the table. “Really got his head screwed on and obviously a good friend to have around in a crisis.”
*
The trip to the Emerald Buddha temple was excruciating. The sun glared down and the crowded walkways were oppressive. The Buddha himself was much smaller than I anticipated although the actual temple was enormous. All I could think of was Ty. Ty touching me, kissing me, being inside me. My mind whirred with thoughts of the evening ahead. How could I possibly be expected to sit and eat a meal with him and my parents and act as though he didn’t know the intimate details of my body? How would I be able to be near him and not touch him, not melt into his arms? Not let the world see that I was in love with him.
Despite my distraction, my parents seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. In the car on the way there I’d asked Dad how his meeting had gone with Kasit Yong. He’d said he didn’t want to talk about work on this special family afternoon.
Mum clicked away with her camera, shot after shot of the tall roof and high walls. She especially liked the flower garlands and the rows of candles that burned on the steps. I pasted a smile on my face whenever she ordered me into her shots.
Ad
justing the pink-and-lilac silk scarf lying over my shoulders to keep off the burning rays, I poked the toe of my sandal into the gravel outside the gift shop. Impatience was gnawing my guts.
I wanted to see Ty.
I was terrified of seeing Ty.
What if Dad didn’t bear good news about his afternoon with Kasit Yong? If the death sentence was still high on the cards, I didn’t think Ty would be able to continue with his good boy charade.
All hell could break loose.
Finally, Mum declared she’d had enough and Dad called for our driver. Phil, who’d dragged around with us all afternoon, gave a not so discreet sigh as he mopped his brow with a handkerchief. I could only imagine that he’d found the whole experience torturous. The heat, the crowds and Dad’s insistence that we act like a “normal” family were pretty wearing on him at times.
*
The arctic cool of my hotel room was a welcome relief. The maid had straightened up the bedcovers. The pillows no longer displayed the dents of lovers’ heads, the twisted sheets no longer evidence of tangled bodies.
After a cup of tea I started checking out my wardrobe. What to wear?
I had a pretty pale-blue sundress, my little black number and a more daring, red satin dress I’d brought to wear to dinner in Beijing. It was spray-on tight, had a small stand-up collar and was embroidered with silver dragons and feathery fronds. A row of buttons up the front were covered with the same material and there was a split up the right side, perhaps a little higher than mid-thigh. It was Oriental, dead sexy and I knew it looked damn hot with my high silver heels. I bypassed the other dresses, took it from its hanger and laid it on the bed.
As my bath ran I looked at the dress again. It wasn’t a first-date dress, but this wasn’t exactly a first date. But the evening could almost be construed as that. It would be the first time we’d been out together in public, the first bite of food shared. Okay, so playing the game of not knowing each other and being careful not to slip up would be hard, more than hard, it would be an extreme test of will, but I could do it. I knew I could.
After bathing, I slipped my hot, thoroughly moisturized body into the dress and embraced a new positivity about the evening. It would be all right. It had to be.
“Penny,” Mum called through my door.
“Come in, I’m nearly ready.”
The door opened and she smiled her approval of the dress. “You look lovely.”
“Thanks.” I slotted in a pair of long, silver earrings, thin strands that touched my scalloped collar.
“Your father tells me we have company for dinner. A charming young man you met today at the embassy.”
“Yes.” I delved into my suitcase for my red clutch bag. “That’s right.”
“Well, I’m sure he will be utterly mesmerized by you in that dress.”
“Mm, thanks.”
That is the plan.
“What is his name? Jay?” Mum asked.
“Um, no, Ty, I believe.”
“Ty, what a nice name, and he’s Australian, wants to be a sports teacher, Dad said.”
I dropped a lipstick into my bag and ruffled my fingers through my carefully mussed crop of hair, tried to pull it over my bald patch, but quickly gave up. “I don’t really know, Mum. I wasn’t taking much notice.”
“Oh, but from what Dad said he was taking notice of you. Couldn’t take his eyes off you throughout the whole meeting.”
“Mum, no, I’m sure that wasn’t the case.” That hadn’t been true, had it? He’d been businesslike and efficient in the way he’d offered information about James. Barely acknowledged me at all.
Mum linked her arm with mine and tipped her head to my ear. She smelled of honeysuckle and wisteria, the ingredients in her favorite floral perfume. “Perhaps you should think about dating a nice young man. You haven’t had a boyfriend for a long time now. Not since before you went off on your gap year.”
“I haven’t really got time, I’m so busy with study and—”
“I think it would do you good to have some romance in your life. Take your mind off all the awful things that happened with that evil brute. You can’t let him put you off men forever, you know.” She led me to the door and we stepped into the corridor.
I managed a strained smile at Dad and Phil. If only she knew, that “evil brute” had hardly put me off men. He’d turned me into a lusty, sex-crazed wanton and allowed me to explore one of my fantasies. He’d made me throw common sense and caution to the wind when it came to protecting my heart and now, now he was accompanying us to dinner.
We took the elevator to the ground floor. Dad chatted to Phil about arrangements for when we arrived in Beijing and I fiddled with the clasp on my little bag.
As the brass doors to the lobby slid open, my gaze immediately settled on Ty.
He stood with his back to us, staring out the enormous hotel windows at the darkening terrace. A lump grew in my throat and my stomach tightened. It was a precious, unguarded moment. Him unaware of my presence, me seeing him first for once. It was a moment I would cherish for as long as I lived and, as I devoured his tall outline, I felt my heart swell with a roller coaster of delicious, forbidden emotions.
His suit jacket accentuated the broadness of his shoulders and was temptingly lifted halfway up his pert butt because of the way he’d casually shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants. His long legs were slightly spread. I could make out licks of his blond hair brushing the back of the collar.
“I do believe that’s Mr. Winters already here,” Dad said.
We stepped out of the elevator and as it pinged shut, Ty turned.
It was all I could do not to crumple in a heap of longing. Instead of getting used to his smile, every time I saw it anew, I was bowled over. It was such a sinful mix of charm and danger, poise and unpredictability. Everything I knew I shouldn’t want but had to have.
“He looks delightful,” Mum whispered.
“Mmm,” I managed.
Delightfully bad.
“Mr. Winters,” Dad said as we drew up in front of Ty.
“Foreign Secretary.” Ty offered his hand and widened his smile. “Thank you again for inviting me to join you for dinner. It really is very kind of you.”
Dad took his hand. “Not at all, can’t have you eating alone now, can we. Please allow me to introduce my wife, Sarah.” He gestured to Mum. “Sarah, this is Ty Winters.”
Mum inclined her head with a smile.
“Lovely to meet you, Mrs. Tipping,” Ty said.
Dad’s eyes sparkled as he turned my way. “And you remember Penny from this morning.”
“Of course.” Ty reached out, cupped my fingers in his palm and drew the back of my hand to his lips. One side of his mouth twitched and a muscle flexed in his cheek as his gaze locked on mine. “And I must say, Miss Tipping, you look exquisite in that dress.” He brushed his soft lips over my knuckles, never once taking his gaze off mine.
Coherent thought escaped me. The touch was like an electric current. It seared through my nerve endings, tugging my clit and my nipples. A rush of heat spread over my chest and heated me to my core.
“Thank you,” I managed, dragging my gaze away from his perceptive eyes.
Damn it, the man knows exactly what he does to me.
“Shall we?” Dad asked, nodding toward the restaurant.
I tugged my hand from Ty’s grasp, turned and led the way to Le Normandie. I heard Dad invite Phil to join us for dinner rather than dining at a separate table.
Chapter Ten
We were seated at a large round table looking out over the Chao Phraya River. Ty sat on one side of me, Mum on the other.
“Did you get a chance to see any of the sights today?” Ty directed at Mum.
“Oh yes, we went to the Emerald Buddha temple, it was quite lovely,” Mum said, spreading her napkin over her lap.
“A little crowded,” Dad added, “but that was to be expected.”
“Did you enjoy it, Miss Tippin
g?” Ty asked.
“Please, call me Penny,” I said, opening the menu set before me.
“Did you enjoy the Emerald Buddha temple…Penny?” Ty repeated.
“Yes, it was everything I’d hoped it would be.”
He sat back and rested his hands on the lip of the table. Once again I couldn’t help but stare at them. Neat, square nails, a broad span of knuckles and a haze of blond hair emerging from the cuff of his jacket. They were strong hands, hands that didn’t fiddle, hands that could kill a snake at twenty feet and bring me such delicious sensations that just the memory made it hard to breathe.
Phil made a comment about the menu, Dad responded, then Ty settled his gaze on Dad. “Would it be rude of me to ask how your meeting with Kasit Yong went?”
“Not at all,” Dad said, leaning forward and creasing his forehead into a frown. “Though, of course, I’m anticipating that whatever is said around this table is in the strictest of confidence.” He paused. “Can I trust you with that vitally important detail?”
“Yes sir, absolutely, sir.” Ty knotted his fingers and settled them on his lap.
“Jolly good,” Dad said, relaxing his frown.
I glanced at Phil. As was his usual habit, every few minutes, he was scanning the room.
“Well,” Dad said, folding his arms, “obviously no matter how much I feel I can trust you, I can’t give details of a government meeting, but what I will say is that Mr. Yong is hoping for a couple of favors from the UK which has put us in a very good position. Also the interpreter wasn’t needed because of Mr. Yong’s excellent English and I managed to speak for several minutes about James’ case.”
“That’s great news,” Ty said. He fidgeted in his chair. I could just imagine the amount of adrenaline spurting into his system right now. It must be taking a colossal effort to remain seated.
“It’s good news and I called Hans immediately afterwards. He too was hopeful for the outcome of the retrial the week after next.”
“Retrial?” asked Mum.
“Yes,” Ty said, his jaw tight and his shoulders tense. “They’re trying to switch James’ life imprisonment to the death sentence. It’s nuts. Not only does the crime of carrying one joint not match up to such severe punishments but he’s already been through one trial. How they can retry and increase the penalty, in this case to the ultimate penalty, is beyond comprehension.”
