by F. C. Clark
Then the front door opens again.
‘Oi… Princess Harper.’ I smile as Barney arrives.
After dinner, we sit around the kitchen table.
‘I bloody miss your cooking – can I tempt you to leave the palace and come back home? Not as my neighbour, but as my full-time cook?’ Barney asks.
‘Er – I was anyway, you never stayed in your own place… You were paying rent for nothing.’
‘True!’
‘Besides, Luke locks me up at night.’
‘Now there’s a thought! Sorry to run, but I need to work,’ Luke says.
‘Before Luke disappears to conquer the world…’ I flash him a cheeky smile. ‘We have some news. We’re going to throw you a birthday party at SGI.’ I clap with excitement. ‘Actually, Luke said we can have the VIP area.’
‘I don’t know what to say.’ Barney runs his hands through his hair. ‘Wow… cheers, Luke.’ He looks down at his glass. ‘My mum called today.’
‘Oh. What did she want?’ Family is Barney’s Achilles’ heel.
‘Nothing, really. My brother is having another baby. Other than that, fuck all… Except my card is in the post.’ He raises his glass. ‘Here’s to shit families.’
Luke watches closely. It’s a first for him to see Barney in a downcast mood. I move and place my arms over his shoulders.
‘You have us.’
He kisses my forearms.
‘Anyway, I have a surprise for your birthday.’ I re-take my seat.
‘She has a plan.’ At last Luke might understand why Barney needs me.
‘What sort of surprise?’ Barney asks.
I tap my nose. ‘You’ll have to wait. So you need to give me a guest list.’
‘Yeah – sure.’
‘Before I forget, we’ve all been invited to a charity ball. You’ll get to meet the super-bitch.’
‘I love bitch-slapping on the dance floor.’
‘My cue to leave.’ Luke stands, and kisses my cheek.
The kitchen is tidy. I take the stool next to Barney.
‘Cheer up – don’t let your mum upset you.’
‘It would be easier if she never called.’
‘You don’t mean that.’
‘Don’t I?’ He drinks his coffee.
‘You know she lives in a different world to you. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you.’
‘Thanks, babe, but her voice is always full of disappointment when she speaks to me. Anyhow, I hate talking about them. I see Mr Sutton is looking hot this evening… I can’t believe you’re going to marry him.’ He squeezes my hand. ‘Actually, he’s a lucky bastard getting you.’
‘I’m sure he would argue that point. I have – well, we have decided to get married in Venice. Dust down your passport, Mr Curtis.’
‘Where it all started? I love it, babe.’
The sun seeps through the shutters, highlighting Luke’s chiselled face and the undeniable signs that he’s just about to come.
‘Jesus, baby.’ I slam my body down on him for the last time.
He grabs my hips and holds me still. My head falls to his chest, and moves in time with his breathing. He strokes my hair.
‘I’ve met with your demands this morning, so I hope this means a peaceful day at the office?’ I hear the amusement behind his comment.
I slide off him and lie on my back. ‘We’ll see. Yesterday may have been a one-off… Besides, my period is due any day.’
He leans to kiss my lips. ‘It makes no difference to me. I told you, as long as you’re well, we can have sex.’
I sigh. ‘You’re a sex freak and you need some serious help! Besides, I’m just warning you.’ He stands up from the bed in all his glory.
‘Why are you warning me?’
‘You know what I’m like – hormonal serial killer will be on the loose!’
Even though we live together and I have watched him get dressed a thousand times, he still takes my breath away. As always, he looks masculine and hot in his black Jones Tailor suit, white shirt and black tie; simple yet captivating.
‘I have to leave for a breakfast meeting.’ He checks the time as he clasps his watch. ‘What time will you be at the office?’
‘Soon – I’m nervous about meeting Valerie and Maria.’
‘Don’t be… you’ll be fine.’ He delivers a quick kiss on the lips. ‘Stay out of trouble.’
Trouble! What trouble?
I stand in front of the large French mirror and wonder if my reflection will cause trouble. Luke’s black shirt looks good on me, with a wide black leather belt. Not only that, but it’s a Jones Tailor’s shirt; I hope it will bring me some much-needed luck. Though a four-leaf clover may be more appropriate…
I have straightened my hair, and applied simple makeup. I decide to wear a classic shoe boot with a heel. I bend a little just to confirm that my black opaque lace-top hold-ups aren’t visible.
Max and I head for the lift at Sutton Global. His arms are full of fashion editorial books and mine with cakes that I made last night. We reach Sutton Global and take our usual path towards Stella and my new office.
‘Morning,’ I almost sing, as Max walks past me and enters my office.
Stella meets my gaze. ‘Morning, Kate.’ As ever, she beams when I arrive. ‘Luke said you have some visitors today.’
‘To be honest, Stella, I am excited, but bloody nervous. I don’t do business; this is all a bit bizarre.’
‘You’ll be fine, and I agree it is exciting.’
‘I hope some of Luke’s confidence has rubbed off on me.’
Stella’s phone rings, and I wander into my lovely new office.
‘Kate,’ Stella calls after me. I peer from the doorway. ‘Luke asked if you could go in to see him? He has some clients with him.’
‘Oh, OK.’ Cakes or no cakes?
I open Luke’s office door. He sits at the boardroom table with two unfamiliar men. I walk towards them, armed with cakes.
‘Gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to my fiancée, Kate Harper.’ Luke stands, placing his hand on the small of my back. ‘Kate, this is Alistair McGowan and Donald Kennedy.’
I place the boxes on the table. ‘Pleased to meet you.’
‘Good morning,’ they respond in broad Scottish accents, as their eyes fall to my boxes.
‘Would anyone like some fruit cake or scones?’
I turn to Luke, who looks pleased, but not surprised. I think I’m the pawn in his meeting.
‘I apologise; my fiancée insists on feeding everyone she meets.’
‘I wouldn’t say no.’ The larger man of the two replies. ‘Cakes are a pleasant change from shipping.’
‘I agree.’ Although I have no idea about shipping!
Luke calls Stella, who arrives with coffee and tea plates.
‘Kate, join us.’
‘OK.’ I walk to the sofa and remove my black riding coat. I return to the table, and watch Luke’s dark eyes bore into mine as he holds a chair for me. I follow his gaze, which moves from my feet to my neck, stopping at his shirt.
I take to my chair, as the men begin to make idle chitchat. Business discussions seem to have ended, and they ask me questions regarding our upcoming wedding. They seem friendly enough; still, Luke remains fairly quiet.
He places his hand on my leg, which I move further up my thigh, allowing him to feel the lace of my hold-ups. His touch becomes firm. There is tension in his fingertips. Trouble has arrived; that’s my cue to leave.
I stand.
‘It’s been a pleasure to meet you, but I have a meeting soon.’ I collect my cake boxes and place a tender kiss on Luke’s cheek.
The men stand as I collect my coat and exit Luke’s office.
The remainder of the morning disappears as Tany
a and I discuss additional Bagrov and Cooper mergers. I also ask her to be present for the lunch meeting. With time to kill and no more business to conduct, I think it’s acceptable to paint Tanya’s nails.
I hear the door open and close. I smell the Sutton scent before I turn my head.
‘Hi.’ I say as I paint the last of Tanya’s nails. ‘Let them dry. Although it says sixty seconds, I think you should allow a bit longer.’ I sense Tanya’s uneasiness as Luke walks towards us.
‘I see you are busy.’ He’s tone is direct.
I look at him. ‘Time to kill.’
‘Tanya, would you give us a moment?’ Luke says.
‘Of course.’ Tanya stands and makes her way to the door.
‘Luke, open the door, please – wet nails and door handles don’t go well together.’ He opens the door and refrains from looking at her – he saves his penetrating glare for me.
‘I take it your meeting has finished? The men seemed quite nice.’
‘We need to talk.’ He strides towards me and guides me to the pink sofa. He sits close, but there’s a chill in the air.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘Where do I begin?’ He runs his hand down his shirt. ‘I think here is a good place to start. There must be a reason you’re wearing my shirt.’
‘It’s a Jones shirt, and I thought it might bring me luck.’
‘My beautiful Kate, don’t feed me bullshit. I deal with poker-faced businessmen on a daily basis; we both know your plan was to push my buttons – and what about these? This excuse I have to hear.’ His hand glides up my leg.
‘I think they look nice, and so does your shirt.’ My hand reaches for his jaw. Instantly I’m met with a firm grip.
‘Kate, please don’t tease me at work. This won’t work if you do.’
‘The office or us, Luke?’ I pull my hand away and stand, moving towards the large windows.
‘What? The office.’ He stands to join me. ‘Why would you think I was referring to us?’
I shrug, gazing into the distance. Luke turns me to face him.
‘Is there a problem you want to share?’
I shake my head and lower my gaze. Luke pulls my chin. ‘Don’t lie to me.’
I take a deep breath. ‘I know I push your buttons.’
‘I can’t argue with that. Is this the reason for the shirt and stockings?’
‘I guess.’ I move away from him. ‘Luke, you forget the empire you have and the control that comes with it… I know we’re engaged, but you could have any woman you wanted – a powerful woman like your ex, Maddy, or Alexis the super-bitch, they have more in common with you than I do.’ I look at him wistfully. ‘Bloody hell, I was just painting Tanya’s nails – not very entrepreneurial of me.’
He moves closer and reaches for my cheek. ‘Maddy! Christ, Kate, that was a long time ago… I asked you to spend the rest of your life with me.’
‘I know, but it’s not the first time you’ve asked someone to be your wife – suppose she hadn’t had a fling with Matthew Williams? Then you’d be hitched.’ God, I feel sick just thinking about it.
‘Lucky escape.’
‘But…’ I look away, feeling despondent.
‘I only deal with the present: if I think of your past, I would be in prison. Us, right now, is my life – you’re my present and my future.’
I drink in his words, which are full of sincerity.
‘Kate, I don’t understand where this is coming from.’
‘It’s never left me. You can have anyone, I’ve always thought that. Ever since we got together I have wondered why you want me.’ I wrap my arms around my body. ‘I push your buttons because it’s the only part of your life that I can control. It makes me feel that you’re mine; no one else can touch you.’ My face glows with my confession.
‘Is that what you think? Testing me is the only control you have over me.’
I nod.
‘Jesus, Kate, you’ve literally wiped the floor with me. This,’ he gestures with his hand, ‘us, you have me, all of me. Christ, baby, I love you.’
He pulls me into his arms.
‘There will never be anyone else for me. No one can touch what we have… what you do to me.’ He kisses the top of my head. ‘Explain to me: are you feeling hormonal or do your emotions have a deeper meaning?’
‘Both.’ I hold on to him, feeling safe and secure. ‘So, you’re not loving the shirt?’
Luke pulls away, flashing me his one-sided Sutton smile.
‘No… I want to rip it off and fuck you. Is that what you want, because you know that’s what happens when you push me?’ He rubs his nose along mine. ‘Please, never compare yourself to anyone. I’ve told you what you give to me: honesty and a reason to question myself, in life and business.’
‘I did warn you the hormonal serial killer would be on the loose.’ I smile, and at the same time there’s a knock at the door. ‘Come in.’
Tanya appears. ‘Kate, they’re here.’
I take a deep breath. ‘Crap, I’m nervous. Please stay and have lunch.’ I hold his hands for a dose of Sutton confidence.
‘You don’t need me; you can do this on your own. Besides, clothes and fabric – they’re not for me. But I do want to hear all about it when you’re finished – then I will fuck you and show you just how much I intend to never let you go.’
Perfect…
‘So, that’s pretty much it. Go away and think about it. There’s no rush to give me an answer.’ I try to assess the faces staring at me from across the table.
‘Kate, it sounds exciting. I’m just blown away you’ve asked me. Mr Jones, these drawings are stunning.’
I reach out and touch Maria’s hand.
‘Honestly, something about this has just got my blood pumping. I’m in… I’ll have to work my notice, though.’
‘Look, go home and really give it some thought… Obviously, I would love to steal you from your jobs, but I know it’s a big decision.’
I look at Valerie, who remains reflective.
‘I agree with Maria – it is incredibly exciting, but I have worked really hard to get a good client list – with your help, Kate.’ I appreciate her honesty.
‘I totally understand. Look, I’ll take you part-time, whatever suits you. Just so we’re clear, the outcome has no bearing on our friendship. But I want Harper Jones to run as a family, a team I can count on.’
Mr Jones places his hand over mine. I know I have said as much as I can.
The women continue to look at the design books and chat, weighing up their options.
A few hours later, I approach Stella’s desk. ‘Is Luke alone?’
She checks her watch. ‘He does have an appointment shortly.’
‘I won’t keep him.’
I open the door, to see the love of my life at his desk. He looks up, flashing the smile that stops my world from rotating.
Without conscious thought, my legs carry me to his chair and I plant myself on his lap.
‘How did it go?’
I rest my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
‘I’m hopeful. I’ll just have to wait until next week.’ My fingers glide up and down his silk tie.
‘How are you feeling?’
‘Guilty that I pushed your buttons.’ I sit up to look at his face. ‘I’m sorry, and I understand there’s a time and a place, just not here.’
‘It’s early days; we’ll find a way to make it work.’
‘It’s your fault – you’ve made me need you this way.’
He laughs. ‘And your period?’
‘It arrived this afternoon, what a treat… Especially with skiing in a few days, although I should be nearly finished by then.’
He tightens his hold. God, I feel safe.
‘Go home,
have a hot bath, and I’ll bring some dinner back with me.’
‘No hard sex?’ His previous request races through my head.
‘No hard sex.’ He laughs. ‘However, I will take you, and when I do you’ll remember never to wear my shirt again, only at home, over your delectable naked body. Now, tell me your plans for the rest of the day.’
‘Stella said you had another meeting. I thought I’d catch up with Harry – she’s just got back. Will you be late?’
‘No.’ He tenderly kisses me, but there’s always passion lurking under the tenderness. ‘Kate, please don’t question me about us – ever.’
I tap on the door of Harry and Raymond’s rooftop apartment. It’s in a converted warehouse, very arty and very Raymond. The door opens to reveal a happy Harry.
‘Hello, Mrs Leclair.’
‘Kate.’ She pulls me into her arms, crushing the lilies I bought for the newlyweds.
She pulls away, and takes my hand. ‘Coffee?’
‘Yeah. I want to hear all about the honeymoon – well, most of it – not the naked painting by numbers.’ Harry turns to look at me as we walk through to the open-plan kitchen.
‘Very funny! Have you told anyone?’ She fills the kettle as I sit on a stool at the breakfast bar.
‘No, only Luke, and he said you’re married to an artist.’ I shrug. I guess Mr Know-It-All Sutton has a point.
‘Forget about my honeymoon; let me see the ring.’
I hold it up. ‘I’m still in shock. Shit, how the bloody hell did this happen? You’re married to a French bloke and now I’m engaged to a controlling gazillionaire.’
‘I know… It’s mad. So, tell me, did he go down on his knees?’ Harry raises her brows at her ambiguous comment.
‘Harry Harper, you cheeky cow. Always, babe.’ We both laugh. ‘Actually, he proposed on the beach.’
‘The beach? Oh my God, your surprise – the house you texted me about.’
‘It’s stunning. Apparently Luke bought the plot when we first met.’
‘I can’t wait to see it.’ She passes me my cup of coffee. ‘So…. on the beach and on his knees, Mr Romantic.’
‘Midnight, pissing down with rain, we were both soaked. Anyway, he asked me to press a button… The car’s headlights lit up and I could see the car’s number plate: it said “marry me”.’