"All right. I'll be at the lifts waiting for you."
"I appreciate your concern, Officer Roderick. I really do," I say in a soft voice.
"You’re my first priority, madam."
"It would be a tragedy to let Ralph win. Don't you think?"
"You're right." Her answer doesn't come right away, but I'm glad we see eye to eye.
* * *
As I stand patiently in the long lunch-hour queue with one hand holding a basketful of everything my body needs to feel alive again, and the other scouring my Facebook newsfeed on my phone, I suddenly gasp when my eyes catch an outrageous headline, and I immediately understand why Charlie is missing in action before I even tap on the link.
Holy Jesus! One of her big celebrity clients is involved in a huge sex scandal. I mean the kind that would give any publicist cardiac arrest. Charlie's client is a teenybopper’s wet dream and he also happens to be one of the biggest pop stars in the world right now. I can't believe this. I'm so completely riveted by the story, that when it comes my turn, I absentmindedly mumble a quick ‘hello’ to the attendant, drop my basket on the belt, and tap my credit card to pay for my groceries when he tells me the total. I don't even look up. I can't. There are too many obscene details to take in. With my eyes glued to my screen, I hook my shopping bag on my forearm and make my way to the exit. I trail at a snail’s pace so that I can read the developing news. Charlie must be losing her mind. I'm vaguely aware of the sliding doors opening in front of me and stepping onto the pavement. When I double tap on the headline that reads, ‘BLIMEY: NINETEEN YEAR OLD JASON BELVEDERE’S WILD NIGHT OF SEXUAL DEBAUCHERY IN ATHENS’, I stop dead in my tracks at the jaw-dropping images.
"Oh my God!" I exclaim, dumbfounded before taking a step forward.
"Careful, madam," Officer Roderick warns behind me.
It’s too late.
"Watch out!" a man shouts right before I slam into him. Instinctively, I close my eyes shut as I lose my balance. Shit, shit, shit. I stumble, but he manages to stop my fall by pinning me between his brawny chest and equally muscular arm.
"Bollocks," I say. The word comes out muffled because my face is pressed against this stranger’s chest.
The next thing I know I'm involved in a circular dance that results in me being pressed even more tightly against this man's warm body.
"I got you," he says. “I won't let you fall," he adds. In a strange way, that brings me a great deal of comfort.
"Oh, gosh," I say, still held by this man's arm.
"You’re just a small little thing. I could've seriously hurt you," he scolds. Since my heartrate has gone down, I find my hearing again and I can distinctively make out an American accent. Hmmm, why does that voice sound familiar?
I’m mortified by what my inattention has caused.
"Are you okay, madam?" I hear the concern in Officer Roderick’s voice. I nod. "Sir, please take a step back," Officer Roderick commands.
I ignore my officer’s suggestion and so does the man still holding me. When I feel steady on my feet again, I peer open my eyes ready to plead my case. "I am so sorry," I offer. When I realize I'm talking to the stranger's chest, I decide to look him in the eye. That's the least I can do considering all this is my fault.
"Sir, I’d hate to have to repeat myself another time. This is the last warning.” Officer Roderick raises her voice. “Please take a step back. Now." My officer’s menacing words force my attention on her.
"It's okay. Please give me a minute to apologize. This is my own doing." That seems to appease her somewhat although her stance is still defensive. She’s not yet drawn her gun out, but the way her hands are hovering over her belt, I’d say, she’s close to causing a whole lot of drama on Kensington High Street.
I shift my eyes back to the man still embracing me. I look up, and up, and up before finally meeting his gaze. "How stupid of me. Clearly walking and—” Huh? I blink a few times incredulously. "Holden?"
He might be clad in a long-sleeve running shirt and sweatpants instead of a form-fitting and elegant tuxedo, but there's no way I'll ever forget that striking gorgeous face, that mane of thick blond hair, those piercing blue eyes or that warrior scar.
Holden takes a step back. His mouth gapes open as his eyes widen in disbelief just before he yanks the earbuds from his ears. He squints like I’m an apparition. "Amelia?" My name comes out in a labored breath. “I’m so sorry! Are you okay?” I nod vehemently. “Did I hurt you?” I shake my head with even more zeal. “We have to stop bumping into each other like this.” He flashes me that arresting smile lined with perfect white teeth that almost made me pass out last night.
“This is so embarrassing. I was lost in my own little world," I offer in an attempt to correct my wrongdoing.
“Bad news?” he points to my phone.
“Oh, no, nothing like that. It’s just something that affects my best friend.”
“Is she okay?” he asks.
“Yes, she is. It’s work related. The world of PR is never dull,” I joke.
"Good.” That devastating smile again.
Aren’t people supposed to look like crap when they exercise? I know I do. Clearly, Holden didn’t get that particular memo. Although sweat is trickling down his forehead and the front of his shirt, he still looks incredibly hot. “It’s good to see you,” he says, pulling me out of my drool fest moment.
Earth to Amelia. “Same here.”
He uses the back of his arm to wipe sweat off. I follow his every move seemingly riveted. I guess he notices me staring and says, “Sorry. I didn’t expect to be involved in a conversation. I must look like a mess.” Not in the slightest. “I didn’t bring a towel with me,” he explains further.
“That’s okay. You don’t need to apologize.” Trust me, I’m enjoying the show.
“I hate to admit this, but I'm very happy you weren't watching where you were going," he winks.
We both laugh.
"Miss Cavendish, do you know this gentleman?" Officer Roderick asks cautiously.
"Yes. I do," I smile at her. Finally, she softens her stance. I return my attention to Holden. "If memory serves me correctly, this is the third time this gentleman has come to my rescue in the last couple of weeks. At this point I should just hire him as my full-time knight and be done with it."
"It would be an honor to serve you, my lady," he says just before slightly bowing his head.
I bite my lower lip, amused. "The tragedy is, I barely know him and I wasn’t even able to properly thank him and his friend for the heroism they showed last night. That's a crying shame... but I digress.” Holden rewards my comment with a huge grin. "Officer Roderick, I'd like to introduce you to Chief Petty Officer Barclay—”
"Of course. My superior, Chief Officer Barthelme, has told us what you and Petty Officer Buckingham did for Miss Cavendish. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir." She extends her hand and Holden shakes it. "Last night was a series of misfortunes that opened the door for an unscrupulous man to take advantage of the situation. Thank you so much for being there for her."
"I just wish I could've prevented any of it from happening." Holden’s sincere eyes meet mine. "I'm sorry that idiot disrespected you like he did. I wish I could teach him a lesson—one he’d never forget for the rest of his natural life." His voice is grave. “How are you holding up?” Concern is painted across his face. "I hated watching you leave without knowing how you were doing."
"Thank you for saying that. That's so sweet."
"I appreciate the sentiment, but it has nothing to do with wanting to be sweet, Amelia. Brandon and I were really troubled by what that creep did to you. I have no doubt your security team made sure you got home safely, but it would've been great to talk to you before you left last night. I wanted to go to you—we both did—but neither Brandon nor I wanted to go against your father's instructions. We’ve been worrying about you since you left last night."
My heart races in my chest. His revelation moves me.
I close the gap between us and tilt my head back. I squint. I was so enthralled by Jason Belvedere's story that I didn’t even bother lowering my sunglasses. "You’re taking too much on your shoulders, Chief Petty Officer Barclay. I was just joking earlier. Knights don’t rescue damsels in distress anymore. The system failed last night. Thank you and Brandon for playing the role of saviors.”
Holden’s gaze bores into mine as passersby rush by us. For a few long seconds, it's just the two of us. I don't even think of the fact that Officer Roderick is standing right next to us. It takes a while before Holden speaks again. “I'll say it again, I wish I could’ve intervened earlier."
"Ralph said vulgar things about my father that will ring in my ears forever. He also took liberties... I had to subject myself to three scorching showers last night in an attempt to wash his stink off of me. Needless to say, my dress will be going to the cleaner’s. Without my father’s words of advice last night, I’d still be perturbed this morning. I'm not going to shrug it off and say it was nothing, but I'm not going to let a small-minded man with an even smaller appendage paralyze me."
Officer Roderick sniggers. Holden smiles. "You’re sure you're okay then?"
"I'm far tougher than I look, Holden," I smile.
"I bet you are." The veil of worry lifts from his eyes. "I guess that would explain the combat fatigues.” His eyes sweep up and down the length of my body, causing my cheeks to burn up. “Obviously, your version is far more stylish and a whole lot more attractive than anything I've ever seen before on the battlefield.”
“You think?” His reaction is hilarious.
Honestly, I didn’t put that much effort in my wardrobe before I ran out. It’s a nice June afternoon, but it’s still not hot—it’s London, after all. I opted for a fitted khaki jacket, a simple gray tank top, a pair of skinny white jeans that are fashionably ripped at the knee… and heels, of course. I didn’t even bother with my hair. It’s up in a high ponytail. I’m only wearing lip gloss and mascara. I didn’t expect to be standing in front of one of the two hot American men I’m dying to get to know better.
“Definitely. Especially those killer heels. Very. Lethal." There’s playfulness in his words.
My eyes drop to my khaki Christian Louboutin heels for a beat before looking up again. When I notice his lower lip quiver, I laugh. The look on his face at the sound of my laughter is magnetizing. I saw it last night. A few times actually. I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Now I do. Damn. "You’re impossible," I scold.
"You don't know the half of it," he volleys. For some reason, I believe him.
“What a coincidence to literally bump into you like this." I change the subject before this gets any more awkward between us. Officer Roderick is still standing right there. "Obviously, you're exercising," I wave a finger at him. "What brings you to this neighborhood?"
"I live a few blocks away. We nixed the office in favor of working from home today. After a very long and intense morning, I decided I needed a midday run. And you?"
“I live not far as well. I’m suffering from jetlag. It’s brutal. After struggling all morning with only caffeine as my ally, I came here,” I point behind me, “for a supply of drugs,” I say, lifting my Whole Foods bag of groceries.
“Greens?”
“Yeah. The hard stuff is potent.”
He laughs. “You’re just a junkie.”
“Guilty as charged,” I laugh.
“Are you headed back to your place or do you have more errands to run?” he asks. “Beet juice maybe?”
“I’ll have you know that I’ve already stocked up on that. It’s part of the whole hard drug cocktail thing,” I tease back.
“Right.”
“To answer your question, I'm also working from home today.”
"What a coincidence." He borrows my words.
"Indeed it is," I smile.
"Do you work for your father? Other than being the top dog in the country, I know he has a fleet of international companies.”
"Nope. I run my own ship, sir," I reveal proudly.
He tilts his head to the side. "Really?"
"Indeed. Are you surprised?"
"Did I say that?"
"I can read it in your eyes," I match his lightheartedness.
"Trust me, what you read in my eyes is more admiration than anything else." Did Mother Nature just crank up the temperature or something? "You have to tell me what you do for a living. I'm still in the dark, while I'm an open book to you,” he laughs.
"I could, but I’d have to kill you," I joke.
"Fair enough. I understand war strategies far too well. What if I offer to feed you? Would you consider revealing your secret to me and more importantly, do I get to live?" Holden's witty repartee brings a huge grin to my face.
Since I sauntered out of the store, this is the first time Officer Roderick takes a huge step back. She clears her throat and pretends to be particularly fascinated by a Porsche in a flashy turquoise color parked to her right. She distances herself just enough to give Holden and I some privacy.
I offer him a one-shoulder shrug. "That might work."
"In that case, I only have one request."
"Oh, a man who pleads for his life has conditions now?"
"Just one, my lady."
I cross my arms over my chest and tap my foot theatrically. "Let's hear it. I'll take it under advisement," I say.
"If you accept my dinner invitation, it’ll be three of us. I was thinking of having you over at my place. Brandon is my roommate and I think he’ll take it personally if I kick him out." Maybe I read them wrong.
"You know, you don't have to sugarcoat anything on my behalf."
He furrows his brow. "What do you mean?"
"Two adult men living together... It’s okay...” I let my words hang. “I'm not one to judge.” I might be slightly disappointed, but hey, easy come, easy go.
"You’re so dead wrong in your assumptions, princess." He glances furtively in Officer Roderick’s direction before bringing his attention back to me. With one step he closes the gap between us. Even in the outdoors like this, Holden’s masculine scent is all around me. Thank God Officer Roderick has her back to us and she’s still transfixed by that sports car. "Brandon and I are as straight as arrows."
“Duly noted,” I tell him.
I didn't think I said that aloud, but his answer proves me wrong. “Good. We’re on the same page, then.” That devastatingly charming smile again. I nod. "He's the only family I have and vice versa. As you know, we’re both single so this arrangement is perfect for us. We work together. We live together," he explains further.
"Do you do everything together?"
Something outrageously wicked flashes in his eyes. I’m talking about the kind of look laced with lascivious impudence that can melt the panties off of a girl’s butt. I didn't mean anything by my question, but his heavy gaze and that cocksure side grin makes me suddenly aware of what just flew out of my mouth. My cheeks flame up so fast, I'm certain I'm beet red. I'm going to blame being severely jetlagged for that mishap. "You said you weren't able to properly thank us last night, this is your chance. We could go out to a restaurant, but Brandon and I have a kick-ass view of the city from our large deck. I’d love to share that with you."
"In that case, I accept graciously," I laugh. From the corner of my eye I notice Officer Roderick take another step away. If she keeps at it, she’ll soon step off the pavement and onto the street.
"Brandon and I already have a dinner date tonight with Sir Bennington to talk business—”
"Of course, he’s the perfect client for your App," I exclaim.
"He is. We’re looking forward to it. It should be a very good meeting. If your schedule permits, what about tomorrow, Friday? Let's say seven p.m. Does that work for you?"
Without even checking my calendar, I say, "It does." I've never been one to play games with guys.
When you’re single, your evenings are fairly predictable. Cha
nces are Charlie would’ve ended up being my date. Given the shit that just dropped in her lap, I doubt she’ll be available. Dinner with two extremely handsome men who fascinate me is too sweet to pass up.
"Excellent. I'll come and pick you up. Let’s swap numbers.” He unstraps the black armband that carries his iPhone, pulls out his phone and hands it to me. I grab it. “It’ll make it easier for us to coordinate our schedules tomorrow." His hand is already extended for mine. I oblige. It goes without saying that I hand him my personal phone.
A few seconds later, Holden’s number is safely secured in my iPhone. Lucky me.
“Do I have to invite her?” Holden’s gaze shifts to the officer determined to make herself as incognito as possible.
“No. I think you’re good when it comes to security and all. She might hang out in front of your home. But you don’t have to set an extra plate,” I laugh.
“Phew.” Real relief drips off of him. “That would’ve been weird.”
“In more ways than you can imagine. It’s incredible how having an officer following you everywhere can quickly kill the mood. I know. I should be used to it by now,” I concede.
"I know I’m stating the obvious, but it’s for your own protection.”
“I get it. I don't want to sound ungrateful, it's just that sometimes I just want to be...”
"Normal?"
“Yeah."
“If I promise to treat you like any other person, does that help?"
I laugh at that. "Yes, it does."
"Good. Now that we’ve settled that, there's nothing remotely special about you, can I walk you back to your place or is that frowned upon? Would I be breaking any security code?"
“No, it’s okay,” I bite on my lower lip to contain my excitement. "You're in the clear, sir. Since you attended a formal ceremony, you've already been vetted by my father's office."
His blue eyes sparkle and the corners of his mouth twitch into another smile. "Then you have nothing to worry about."
"Something tells me that's not quite true."
"You're right, but let's have dinner first before I reveal my true colors." His grin is as wide as mine.
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