“I come in peace…as a friend. Sorry about distracting you,” she apologized, feeling her palms grow clammy all over again while standing in his presence.
“You’re not sorry at all,” he hummed, looking her up and down in approval. He let his eyes linger over her curves and her legs before giving them a satisfactory nod. “I daresay you’re quite pleased with yourself. Whatever you spent on that ensemble was worth every last penny. Although, as a friend, I feel obliged to mention that it’s a bit too sexy for a Thursday afternoon. Do you not agree?”
“Nope. And even if it was too sexy, look at all the fucks I give.” She put her hands on her hips and drew one high heeled foot in front of the other, making sure to stand in a flattering pose. Feeling empowered by her figure, she glanced down at her waist and her rear, grinned, and then looked back at him. Her plan was too easy. “I think my outfit’s perfect for a Thursday afternoon.”
“Of course you do, you saucy girl.” He narrowed his eyes, tilted his head, and motioned for her to slowly turn around in a circle. Knowing it would only help reel him in further, she obliged. Her hands wandered from her waist up her body and alongside each of her breasts. She took the opportunity to accidentally push them together ever so slightly. Her hands reached behind her neck and grasped two handfuls of her long hair as she slowly turned her back to him. One red-feathered high heel stepped to the side, leaving her feet shoulder-width apart, and more importantly, leaving her legs slightly spread. She toyed with her hair before letting it tumble down her back, and grinned to herself when she heard him groan ever so slightly under his breath. She finally turned to face him again, noticing that his students had decided to take a well-timed water break of their own on the other side of the glass wall. Twenty pairs of eyes glanced at her in between drinks of water, but for all that Talvi seemed to care, he and Annika were the only two individuals that existed on the entire floor.
“I have to tell you, as a friend, of course, I’m getting mixed signals from you,” he said, letting his eyes linger over her body. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that you only wore that so you could waltz in here and try to turn me on. You must want something quite badly if you’re willing to stoop low enough to negotiate on my terms.”
“Maybe I do want something that bad from you,” she replied with a sultry grin. An even bigger smile unfurled across Talvi’s lips when he glanced down at his pants. He was most definitely not wearing an athletic cup.
“Well, now…I can’t deny that your manipulative scheme appears to be working. What would you like me to do for you? You mustn’t be shy about going into very explicit detail of exactly what you want.”
Annika’s eyes darted down to the partial erection visible through his pants and she grinned even wider. He was so predictable that she almost felt sorry for him. If things continued to go this easily for her, she might be headed back home with him the next day. She looked back up at him and saw a familiar gleam twinkling in his eyes.
“I want to know how much clout you have around here. Do you have enough to give me a hand pulling some strings?”
“That depends on the strings you wish for me to pull,” he mused. “Are they by any chance corset strings? I can’t tell if you’re wearing one.”
“No.”
Talvi frowned, but only for a second.
“No, as in you’re not wearing a corset, or no, as in you’re not going to tell me whether or not you are?”
“I’m not wearing a corset,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. Talvi’s eyes flashed with intrigue.
“You did that all on your own?” he asked, making no effort to stop admiring her narrow waist and firm, rounded rump.
“I did,” she said with a nod of pride. “It’s like, if you lay off the white flour and sugar and go jogging a few times a week, you can stay in decent shape…even when you’re on tour.”
“Yes, you certainly can.” He took one last leer at her ass before looking her in the eye. “Very well…what sort of strings would you like me to pull?”
“Guitar strings,” she announced, looking quite pleased with herself. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the band’s getting a lot of attention lately. The tracks that you played on are hands down everyone’s favorite. They’re actually my favorite, too. The thing is…” She trailed off and began to toy with a section of her hair. “I’m having a little trouble writing new material for the next album, so I want you to write the lyrics like you did before. I know how much you love being on stage, and I’ve told you before that you’re a better guitar player than I am. Maybe you could tour with us when it’s done.”
The sly grin had faded from Talvi’s face and morphed into a look of cautious curiosity.
“I see…” he hummed as he mulled the idea over in his head. “Does this mean that you’re planning to relocate yourself and James and Charlie and all of your equipment to somewhere in the London area for this particular collaboration?”
“No,” Annika blurted out before she’d had time to process his question. Why would he ask such a thing? Was he really that dense? Knowing him, anything was possible. It was probably the sheer impact of her outfit that still had him not thinking too clearly. He was most likely preoccupied with calculating how many minutes it would take until he could get her alone and get his hands up her skirt. She tried to read his thoughts, but all she got back from him was a quizzical shrug. Hoping to remind him of what was at stake, her fingers reached up and began to twirl another long lock of red hair. “I’m not moving here. You’d have to come home with me,” she explained in a flirtatious tone. “To Portland. That’s where the band lives.”
Talvi nodded thoughtfully, although he didn’t reply right away. The anticlimactic nature of his reaction was starting to rattle his wife.
“That’s going to be a problem, seeing as how I live here and work here. Not to mention that I work very long hours here. Even if I had access to a proper studio here and sent my tracks to you there, my schedule doesn’t allow for much recreational time. I’m leaving for my next assignment in a matter of hours, not days, so I highly doubt that I would be able to contribute in the way you’re asking me to. I’m flattered that you thought of me, though. Truly, I am.”
Annika stopped twirling her hair as her hand fell to her side, right along with her hopes. This was not how her grand scheme was supposed to play out. Her heart began to beat a little faster as she struggled to formulate an emergency backup plan on the fly. To her sheer frustration, nothing came to mind. She found herself desperately waiting for Talvi to run his fingers through his hair, which was a sure sign that he was lying. All he did was give her a less than apologetic shrug.
“Surely you didn’t make all this effort to drag yourself and Tripp and Adams across the Atlantic just to ask me to play a few chords on a song or two,” he remarked, which only added insult to her injury. “There must be something far more important that you came to see me about.”
Her blue eyes widened as she took a breath to speak. Her hand grasped that same lock of hair; this time twirling it more nervously than before. She wanted to kick herself for not being better prepared.
“I, um…I did have something else to talk to you about, but I…I’ve lost my train of thought,” she said, fumbling over her words.
“Pity. Hopefully you can find it before your flight home,” Talvi replied, trying not to gloat. “I did arrange to leave my schedule open this evening, what with your unexpected visit. Shall we discuss whatever else you came to speak to me about over dinner? I won’t need long to make myself presentable. You can wait for me in the atrium in the meantime. Just take the elevator down to the main floor and make yourself comfortable.”
Annika gave him a frosty nod and turned on her heel. She was so utterly floored by Talvi’s lack of enthusiasm that she forgot all about sashaying away to make the most of her exit. She glanced over her shoulder, hoping to catch him staring at her, and was even more annoyed to see him busy with his phone. The mom
ent her red feathered heels stepped into the elevator she jammed her small fist against the button for the main floor. Then she crossed her arms while leaning against one of the glass walls. She wasn’t finished with Talvi, but she needed to get away from him fast enough and long enough to recoup her mental sharpness. As if fate was poking fun at her, the elevator took forever and a day to make its way down each floor to the atrium. Worse still, when it finally arrived she could hear muffled whispers and giggles coming from every corner of the room. Once her mental eavesdropping confirmed that they were indeed rumors about her, she found the nearest corner and sank into the nearest chair. Then she pulled her phone out of her purse. Trying to ignore the gossip, she took a deep breath and opened up the app for Candy Crush. After twenty minutes or so, a timid female voice spoke up from overhead.
“Are you Annika Brisby?”
She craned her neck upwards and saw two women standing in front of her. One of them was clutching a small stack of books in her arms.
“The one and only.”
The woman holding the books nearly dropped them on the floor, and her eyes grew as big as her smile. She looked like she had a lot to say but was afraid to say a word. Thankfully, her friend stepped forward and spoke for her.
“Lyn’s a huge fan of yours,” she explained. Her friend immediately blushed bright red. “She wants to know if she can get your autograph.”
“Of course,” Annika said in surprise and stood up. “Do you have a pen?”
Lyn looked at her like a deer in the headlights. Just then, Tripp appeared out of nowhere and handed Annika a black marker. He was good at that; at appearing out of nowhere. He’d most likely been waiting for Annika down by the elevator all along. Lyn gave him a thankful grin and eagerly thrust her books into her friend’s arms. She took a thin booklet from the top of the stack, which appeared to be an employee manual.
“I’m sorry…it’s all I had,” she gushed, handing it over. Annika snickered and invited her to sit down with her.
“You gotta work with what you’ve got,” she grinned while flipping through the manual. “I usually have a little notebook handy, but I’ve written music on a cloth napkin before. You never know when inspiration’s going to strike.”
“I knew it!” Lyn exclaimed. “I saw you play live in London last October. I could tell that your music comes from the heart. Singing isn’t a job for you—it’s a passion—and that’s the kind of music I love to listen to. I want to go on the journey with the people in the songs, and experience those thoughts and emotions like they’re my own. I want to feel it, if that makes sense.”
“That totally makes sense,” Annika agreed. A warm burst of joy flooded into her heart. “It’s so amazing to hear you say that, because that’s exactly what I’m going for when I write my songs. I’m trying the best way I know how to bring you along with me.”
Lyn nodded enthusiastically.
“I can tell! Even when I’m listening with my earbuds, the way you sing captures it perfectly and I can’t wait to hear more of the journey. Please tell me you’ve got another album coming out soon.”
Annika was a little stunned at the level of Lyn’s level of sincerity. It was one thing to hear Charlie and James report what their fans were saying about the music, but it was completely different to hear that praise firsthand.
“I’m working on it…I promise,” she grinned, and finally signed the front cover of the manual.
“Do you know when it’ll be out?”
Annika gave a little shrug just as her wedding band began to warm up. She instinctively turned towards the elevator and watched as the golden doors parted and Talvi stepped out. His workout clothes had been replaced with dark-rinsed, broken-in jeans that fit him just as well as his t-shirt did. He’d topped off his unruly ensemble with a perfectly tailored maroon dinner jacket. The sleeves had been pushed up to lend him the perfect amount of classy nonchalance…he’d made quite an effort without making much effort at all.
“I guess it depends if I can get my lead guitarist on board or not,” she said, and pointed an accusatory thumb at Talvi. He’d picked up just enough information to respond with a smirk as he walked up to the trio of women.
“Oh, yes…I see,” Lyn said as she stood up to join her friend. She took a long look at Talvi and then winked at Annika. “I hope it works out with him, because I absolutely love your music. Just remember—work with what you’ve got!”
Talvi waited politely until the women left before turning to Annika. There was a deviant gleam in his eyes.
“Was that a private joke, or did you give her a look at the black lace thong you’re working with tonight?” A flush of scarlet crept across the tanager’s cheeks.
“How would you know whether or not that’s what I’m wearing?”
“After riding up and down in a glass elevator wearing that scrap of fabric which you call a dress, I believe half the staff now knows what you’re wearing underneath it.” He touched her gently on the shoulder to coax her along, and stooped down to speak into her ear. “As for me, I think we both know that I’m well aware of exactly what you’re working with.”
Annika was accustomed to being driven around in sleek black cars by Tripp and Adams, but it was unsettling to have Talvi sitting beside her after all their time apart. She hadn’t been this close to him since the night of the murder, and the last time she’d seen his face, it was dripping with blood. Part of her trembled at the thought of being next to someone so vicious, while another part of her couldn’t help revisiting the memory of how he’d absolved her of her sins and lured her back into his bed. So many things were confessed and forgiven in the hopes of starting over again, and she actually believed they might have a fighting chance…but that was the calm before the storm. It had been six months. Most of that time had been spent hating him or trying to forget him.
What if he didn’t remember their conversation from that horrible night? What if he did? Was he still willing to overlook all that had happened? She crossed her legs to keep her knees from shaking, and more importantly, to keep them from touching his. She glanced over at him to see if he’d stolen a glance at her thighs, but he was preoccupied with his phone. Was he really that important that he couldn’t bother making conversation? Was he truly only interested in being her friend? Or was this just another example of him getting under her skin? She forced herself to stare out the windows instead of sneaking a glimpse of his gorgeous, deadly profile. She knew if she wasn’t careful, her plan wouldn’t simply fail.
It would backfire.
21
West End Girls
Talvi hadn’t told Annika where they were going aside from a place that had a decent wine list. When Tripp opened the door, Annika stepped onto the sidewalk and took in the sight of a quaint little restaurant in Covent Garden. It was weathered, yet charming, like so much of what she’d seen of the city. A cheerful red awning and matching red planters filled with topiaries set it apart from London’s dark grey early evening light. As always, Adams went to park the vehicle while Tripp followed Annika and Talvi into the narrow hall.
She was led through the small bar, where built-in oak shelves were filled with tawny ports, cognac, and other expensive liquors. She passed under an arch of greenery that led to a small dining room. Paintings and drawings peeked out from among more of the dainty leaves, giving the impression that an art gallery was in competition with an English garden for much of the wall space. A few short steps led her underneath a second arch of tightly-knit leaves, and then a gorgeous sight blinded her in the last room.
Thousands of branches twisted their way up the walls and had been woven through a trellis that stretched across the glass ceiling. The pale light from outside filtered down through all of those branches, which were covered in hundreds of delicate white blossoms and just as many tiny white fairy lights. The sight was enough to make Annika wonder if she’d stepped into a completely different world. It seemed impossible for a place like this to exist in the heart of
the city, yet there she stood, gazing in wonder at her surreal surroundings.
“Here you are, miss,” said the host, who had pulled out a chair for her at a table near a rustic whitewashed fireplace. Suddenly the white table linens and silverware returned to her field of vision, and she sat down as gracefully as she could while continuing to visually absorb all the details in the ethereal little room. She was vaguely aware of Talvi placing a drink order with their server while Tripp and Adams were seated together at another cozy little table in the opposite corner. There was no way the two of them would’ve chosen to dine together at the most romantic restaurant in London. The sight of the two burly men acting as if this was their intention all along made her snicker to herself. Talvi raised a curious eyebrow at her once the server was gone.
“What’s so amusing?”
“Tripp and Adams,” she replied, nodding to where they were seated. “I don’t think they’re nearly as happy to be here as I am.”
An incredulous fire danced in Talvi’s eyes.
“You don’t think they’re happy? Why, they ought to be pleased as punch. The food here is exquisite. Besides…I don’t pay them to be happy,” he replied, and returned his attention back down to the menu. “I pay them to keep you safe.”
Yet again, he’d managed to throw Annika for a loop. Her grin faded away as she stared across the room at her bodyguards. Then she stared across the table at her husband, wondering what other secrets and tricks he had up his dark red jacket sleeve.
“You mean, you as an Estellian tax-payer are helping to pay for them,” she suggested. “You’re not paying for them out of your own pocket, are you?”
Talvi was amused, yet his eyes continued to scan the menu.
“I most certainly am paying for them out of my own pockets. How else was I to know you were safe whilst facing the possibility of life in prison, if not worse?” he replied, and set the menu down. When she had no response, he gave a weary sigh. “I hope this isn’t the point in the evening where we have a row over my financial contribution to your well-being. I did it for my own peace of mind as well. It was completely self-serving. And technically speaking, taxes within the Empire do cover a portion of the costs associated with your continuous protection. I only pay sixty-eight percent.”
The Darkest of Dreams Page 30