by Nana Malone
He groaned and held me still. “Sweetheart, I’m holding on by a thread here. You start kissing me again, and I’m going to explode.”
“But you didn’t…” I tried again. “I didn’t get to…”
He caught on quick to my meaning. “That’s not what this is about. You let me touch you. That alone felt like Christmas and my birthday wrapped into one. There’s no rush.”
“But—”
He kissed my forehead. “But nothing.”
I sat up a little. “But I want to touch you.” It was true. I was curious. I wanted to drive him crazy. Wanted to explore his body. Have fun playing. I’d never really reveled in someone’s body before.
He squeezed his eyes shut and lay his head back on the pillows. “And believe me when I say, I want you to touch me. But I’d like to take some care with you. You matter to me. And I don’t want to cock it up by moving too fast. Do you understand?”
I nodded slowly. Where the hell had he come from? “I understand.”
“Good.” He settled me back against him, tucking my head under his as he held me. “Now maybe you can go ahead and tell me what kind of twat your ex was that he never made you come.”
Heat crept over my skin. I’d known I’d have to answer this question eventually. I had just planned on having more clothes to do it. “I-uh, I’ve only had one serious boyfriend since I was sixteen.”
His brows shot up. “Just the one?”
I sucked in my bottom lip and raked it with my teeth. “Yeah.”
There was a beat of silence. “Were you ever with anybody before him?”
I shook my head. “No. I figured I was the problem. I even went to see a doctor about it. I told me it was perfectly normal, that lots of women couldn’t. I guess it turns out that I can.”
I could feel him nodding. “Yes. Yes you can.” I heard the smile in his voice, and I swatted his arm.
“Modest, aren’t you?”
“Nope. Not even a little bit. And to be clear—I would very much like to see you come again and again…And—”
I giggled. “Yeah. I get the picture.” Her heart did a happy flip, even though my brain tried to quell it. No need to get ahead of myself. No matter how hot Alexi was, I still didn’t know him very well. But know him or not, I knew how he made her feel. And I liked it.
“Good. As long as I’m clear.” He was silent for several minutes before asking, “So, do you have any plans on Saturday?”
Her heart went from slumberous thudding to galloping, in seconds. “Probably getting some shots. Why?”
“That photo op I mentioned in Brixton, it’s on Saturday.”
Like a date? “Photo op?” I couldn’t make my brain work properly.
“Yeah it’s a party for the rich and bored.” He examined one of my braids closely. “C’mon. I want to see you. You need to work. We’ll kill two birds with one stone. What do you say?”
Hell yes. But I hesitated. Could I really do a London society thing? It was one thing to flit about the nightlife. It was a whole other thing to stroll in to a garden party as a guest. “I’m not sure. Not really my kind of crowd. Pretty sure I’d stick out like an elephant in a herd of gazelles.”
He kissed my nose. “You’ll be my guest. Don’t worry about everyone else.”
I liked the idea of being his guest, but still. I’d never fit in with Evan’s friends. I’d always felt like the imposter. He is not Evan. “Sure. I’ll come.”
“Brilliant. Then after, we can go out to dinner. I can show you my London.”
I tucked my head and kissed his chest. Was it bad that the only part of London I wanted to see was him? “Sounds like a plan.” And because I couldn’t help myself, I kissed him again.
“Woman, didn’t I tell you that you’re killing me.”
I grinned. “Sorry.” Was this me? Lying in bed with a man, enjoying myself and not praying for him to drop off so I could finally relax enough to sleep myself? I liked the new me. This I could certainly get used to.
Alexi spent the next hour kissing me and asking me questions about my childhood until the gray light of dawn broke through the shadows of the night. He groaned. “I really don’t want to leave you.”
I didn’t want him to go either. “St—”
He interrupted me by kissing me. “Don’t say it. You tell me to stay, and I will. And that would mean a whole bunch of nosy questions. And I frankly would like to keep you to myself for a bit, if that’s okay with you.”
I sighed. “You’re right. You should go.”
Thanks to more kissing that nearly got out of hand, it took him another ten minutes to leave. But when he finally slipped from my bed, I wished I’d had the courage to tell him to stay.
***
Lex…
I relaxed only marginally as Abbie retreated. Fury nearly blinded me when I’d rounded the corner of the garden and seen this prick’s hands on her. My first instinct was to give in to the violent rage that simmered just below the surface. The rage that had saved my life all those years ago. The rage I’d promised to never lose control of again.
But if I’d done that, I would have scared the hell out of Abbie. She would never look at me with trust again, and I didn’t want that. Getting her the hell away from the arse was the only solution. She’d sounded hurt, but that couldn’t be helped right now.
I stepped in Sir Richard Wembly’s path as I started after Abbie. “I think we’ve all had enough disagreements for one day. Wouldn't you agree?” The idea of this piece of shit going after Abbie made me want to kill something. And with my Jiu Jitsu training I would probably do some serious damage.
Rage clouded the older man’s eyes as he shifted his focus from her retreating form to me. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay out of my way.”
I forced my body into a relaxed pose, though I was anything but. I’d seen the bruises on Emily Wembly. I doubted that Sir Richard would physically attack me, but as the man had physically assaulted his wife and just tried to go after Abbie, I stayed alert.
My family had known the Wemblys all my life. Not once had I ever had any inclination that Sir Richard was anything other than the refined member of Parliament that I appeared to be. Until now.
The look I had given Abbie had said it all. The refined politician was the mask. This was the real man, and I was no better than a schoolyard bully. If I hadn’t come when I had, Richard would have hurt Abbie, would have continued hurting my wife. The angry savage inside reminded I how good it would feel to give this fool my comeuppance.
“I’m not staying out of your way. You are clearly having a problem controlling your anger.”
“Where do you get off, you little shit? Just because I’ve known your family for a long time doesn’t give you the right to be so familiar with me.”
I let icy menace slide into my voice as I spoke. “Sir Richard, if I were you, I would listen very closely. Just because you sit on Parliament doesn’t mean you control the world.” I stepped into the older man’s physical space and squared my shoulders. “Nick Wexler is a very good friend of mine. I seem to recall him saying you lack a way with cards. I’m sure you would hate for that to become public knowledge. After all, news like that would endanger your political career. You know the public hates a scandal.”
The older man blanched, then backed up a step. “No one would believe a pissy little upstart like you. One word to your father, and you’re done. Cut off.”
I let all menace I felt bubble to the surface. “I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors about me and my brother.”
The older man went pale.
I continued, projecting a calm I didn’t feel. “I’m sure you wouldn’t want to find out if they were true or not.” It cost me a sliver of my soul to bring those early memories to the forefront, but I needed to make a point. “If I see your wife looking a little worse for wear ever again, or I find out you bothered my friend, you might meet the same fate as Sila
s McMahon.”
I didn’t bother to see how the older man reacted. Instead, I turned on my heel and went after Abbie.
Chapter 24
Abbie…
I fidgeted with my camera as I waited outside the estate. The home was set on a sprawling lush lawn, complete with a garden maze. This was the stuff fairytales were made of. Right. Fairytales for other people. This did not look like my kind of party at all.
You are here for work. To make actual money, so suck it up.
Xander wanted me to photograph love. Easier said than done.
I snapped a few pictures, but nothing depicting love. Though I might be able to use some for later assignments.
I’d spotted Alexi as soon as I’d arrived, but he’d been engaged in conversation with a striking brunette, and from the angle of both their heads, it looked like an intimate conversation. When Alexi’s hand rested on the brunette’s waist, my stomach knotted.
I was just about to turn around when he looked up and beamed at me. “There you are.”
I plastered a smile on my face through gritted teeth as he approached with the same gorgeous brunette. Though surprisingly, the brunette smiled at me warmly.
“So, you must be, Abbie. I'm Gemma. Lex's been telling me all about you and your photography. It would be lovely to have some candids of the party.”
I had to look away from her startling beauty, and I fought not to stare at my shoes. I tried hard to swallow the bitter bile of jealousy, but it still stung to see Alexi with another woman. Considering how he’d made me feel two nights ago.
“Of course. I appreciate the opportunity.” I hoped that didn’t sound as wooden to them as it did to me. It must have, because Lex frowned. I ignored his downturned features. “So where do I start?”
Gemma led the way. “We'll have you go in through the side entrance. Mother will have a cow if you go in through the front and aren’t a guest who will get into OK magazine.”
I ground my teeth. So I was expected to shuffle in through the back like the help. Why the fuck had I agreed to this? I didn’t belong here.
Because at the time Lex asked, I'd been in a hazy stupor of lust that I hadn’t understood. Now I realized I wasn’t exactly here as Lex's date. Of course not. I only briefly met his impassive gaze.
Gemma led me through the side entrance, chattering the whole way about the accessible areas of the mansion, the kinds of photos I wanted, and who the most important guests were.
When Gemma excused herself, Lex drew me into the library. “What's the matter?”
I shook my head. “Nothing. Everything is fine.” I’d misunderstood and that was my mistake.
He frowned and studied me. “No, it’s not fine. I can see by how your shoulders have crept up near your ears. You’re vibrating. Just look at me and tell me what’s wrong.”
What the hell was I supposed to say? That I was jealous? That I’d seen the way Gemma touched him like I was all too familiar with him and it was driving me nuts? Or that, I knew we were miles apart in status. That he belonged here in the country estate and I, well, I did not. The bite of jealousy surprised me, and I didn’t like it. “Please don’t. I'm here to work. And like I said, I appreciate the oppor—”
“Don’t do that,” he muttered under his breath with a chaser of ice and heat. I inwardly recoiled and braced myself. But nothing happened. He was angry and still made no aggressive move toward me. “Don’t do that prim and coolly pissed off thing. It’s not you. I thought we....” His voice trailed.
I ducked my head and fingered my camera lens. “Alexi, it's fine. You should go talk to Gemma. She looks like she needs you.”
“I’m sure she can handle herself. Right now, I’m more concerned with you. I’m not sure what I did, but last time I saw you, we were good, right?” His voice pitched even lower. “Better than good, I recall.”
Oh God, did he have to bring it up? I was acting like a jealous brat, and I knew it. He didn’t deserve it. It wasn’t his fault. I inhaled then let out a long slow breath. “I’m sorry. I’m just tense. I want this assignment to go well. And I saw…Never mind.”
He frowned as he studied me. “Why won’t you talk to me?”
“I have work to do,” I whispered.
“Fine, but I’m not letting this go. You’ll have to talk to me eventually.”
***
Abbie…
For the next two hours, I snapped photos of revelers. Old men chasing around pretty young things. Old women doing the same. And all the while, my eyes were drawn to Alexi like a magnet. Every time he walked into the room they would disobey the command to not look at him.
This was pathetic. I’d just decided to leave when I caught sight of him with an older gentleman who looked like he might in thirty years. Given his crossed arms and lack of expression, and the way his body leaned slightly away from the older man, it wasn’t a pleasant conversation. On autopilot, I snapped the picture. Lex's beautiful face turned toward me, and in that moment, I saw pain and resentment and…longing.
Yeah okay. Time to go. He wasn't longing for me; that was for sure.
I fought the tide of people as we all headed into the center courtyard for an announcement. The lady of the house—who someone had pointed out as Gemma’s mother—stood and addressed her guests. I only half-listened as I shoved a canapé in my mouth and took a quick sip of champagne. I was pretty sure it was frowned upon for the help to eat at this little soiree, but what the hell did I care? These were not my people.
Mrs. Eastmoore addressed the crowd, thanked them for attending the party, and encouraged everyone to continue to enjoy the food and announced that dancing would start shortly. Certainly not any kind of dancing that me or my friends would be into. I snorted and several guests turned to glare at me. Time to blow this pop stand.
Quickly, I checked the pictures I’d taken, praying some of them would suffice. The majority were lackluster. But I could use some from last week in a pinch. I wasn’t going to squeeze any love out of this crowd.
Of their own volition, my eyes scanned the grounds for Alexi, and once again found him talking animatedly with Gemma. Pain knotted my belly. I’d told him I didn’t want to talk to him, but that didn’t mean it didn’t sting to see him obviously so comfortable with Gemma.
Turning a circle in the wide hallway, I decided it was probably best to go out the way I’d come in before I got lost and trapped in this cross between Downton Abbey and British Stepford hell.
With my camera bag slung over my shoulder, I shuffled out the side door without anyone seeing me. Her mind had already turned to the long hot bath I needed when I heard the shouting.
“How could you be so stupid? Do you understand how you made me look?”
My skin prickled as a chill settled around me. A fear and anxiety cocktail made a roiling boiling science project out of my stomach. “Mind your business, Abbie,” I mumbled to myself.
But as I bypassed the side garden, my feet rooted to the grass. When I saw the contorted features of a hulking man as he screamed in the face of a barely five-foot-five redhead, adrenaline coursed through my veins.
Over the years, I’d never told anyone how Evan had treated me because I was too embarrassed that he’d hit me. I could have been one of those statistics if I hadn’t finally had enough. But what if I’d had someone to step in when I needed it? He might never have hit me in the first place.
He’s bigger than you, and this time you’re not brandishing a weapon.
I shook off the doubt demon that climbed onto my back. This was the right thing to do. It didn’t matter that fear and doubt were like two sets of chains holding me back, begging me to turn away and mind my own business.
When I spoke, my voice wobbled. “Hey, are you all right?”
The redhead didn’t even look at me, just mutely nodded. The man though, he glared. With all his fury directed at me, my steps faltered. “Just remember, he’s a coward at heart,” I mumbled t
o myself. Yeah, easier said than done.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing? Aren’t you the help? Mind your fucking business,” he snarled.
Anger had me cocking my head. Her voice was steadier now. “You see, I would love to mind my own fucking business, but you’re out here bullying a woman half your size and screaming the house down, so you’ve made it my business.” Without taking my eyes off the man, I asked the woman again, “Are you okay? You don’t have to stay here with him. We can go to my car, and I can drop you anywhere you like.”
I desperately hoped this douchebag wasn’t the woman’s husband or something. Even as beads of sweat ran rivulets down my back, still, I inched closer. “My friends are inside, and they’ll take care of you too if you want.” I prayed Alexi would fulfill that promise, I just knew I had to get this woman away from this man.
“N-no, it’s okay. I’m okay. It was my fault really, I—”
Echoes of my own life flashed in my head.
I took another step until I stood next to the woman, close enough to shove me out of the way of a fist, if one came. The man backed up, but his face was beet-red, and the vein in his forehead had started to throb.
I licked my lips. “Look, why don’t you take a minute to think this through. In the meantime, I’ll go in the house.” Call the cops. “We’ll have a drink.” Escape out the front door. “Then you two can talk this out.” Yeah, with your sorry ass behind bars.
His words came out clipped and extra crisp with his accent. “Who the fuck do you think you are? Do you have any idea who I am? I will ruin you. You have no business butting into an argument between me and my wife.”
Oh hell. She was married to this douche? In that moment, I knew this woman wasn’t going to run away or call the police or do anything that she should. She was going to go on pretending everything was okay. Like I did.
“Consider me a Good Samaritan, making sure she was okay. You’re nothing more than a bully.”
Tendrils of fear snaked out and wrapped themselves around my spine as the man snapped a meaty hand around my upper arm. I winced inwardly as he applied pressure. Outwardly, I schooled my features to read disdain.
