Skin of the Night: Book One of The Night series

by Claire D. Bennett

  I sighed. Of course I forgave him. “I’m not one to stay angry. However, you can be sure I’ll be keeping a keen eye on you from here on out.”

  He grinned, and it was exhilarating to see him so relieved. It was evident that his conscience had truly weighed him down, and I appreciated seeing that, as it assured me he had one at all.

  “I won’t fuck up like that again,” he promised.

  “Please don’t.”

  “I won’t,” he stressed. “I swear.”

  I nodded. “Friends, then?”

  Wrinkles formed across his nose, and I could understand why, because the term didn’t suit us in the slightest. It was too poor a label to do our bond and chemistry justice.

  “Let’s just be us,” he proposed instead.

  I gave him a lopsided smile. “Us, then.”

  Without another word, he stepped aside to open the door for me. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Yeah. No schemes then, Will,” I reminded him strictly.

  “No schemes.”

  As I walked out, everything seemed bizarre. My body felt like a gooey mess, all because of his amorous declarations.

  Had he truly meant what he’d said?

  21

  JUST GIVE IT A THOUGHT

  Because I’d had no idea of what to wear, I’d settled for a maroon-coloured Bardot dress that hugged my curves. In it, I felt opulent – ready to seduce the night.

  It was Friday now, and Elisabeth had begged me all week to join her to meet her fiancé Brian at a club after we’d had a few drinks with our colleagues at Disrepute. That was why I had struggled to decide what to wear tonight. It wasn’t easy to find a dress that would be suitable for a posh cocktail bar, as well as on the dance floor, but I was pleased with my choice.

  However, since Disrepute also happened to be the place where I had first met William, returning there wasn’t something I had particularly looked forward to. I was certain the surroundings would evoke the memory of his skilful hands sliding across my body while he thrust powerfully into me – again, and again, and again.

  And I’d been right. Aroused, I inhaled sharply, eyes searching for his presence, but it was nowhere to be found. Nevertheless, I could have sworn I felt him within me then, hard and forceful while he reached deeper than any other man had, elevating me to a delirious state of pleasure.

  I had just arrived and was sitting with Elisabeth when Lawrence came through the doors. Because I hoped that every person who entered would be William, I had refused to look, and I had because I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of discovering my foolish expectation. However, I had no guarantee he’d show up at all. Sometime after lunch, he’d asked whether I was coming today, and once I’d confirmed that Elisabeth had persuaded me, he’d fallen silent. I’d asked whether he would come as well, but his reply hadn’t been definitive. All he’d said was, “I’m not sure yet.”

  Since it was only Lawrence who had arrived, my heart sank with disappointment, but at least I could dare to look properly in his direction.

  He wasn’t the tallest man. I’d noted the first time we’d met that we were around the same height – five-foot-eight. Despite that, there was something about his general demeanour that made him easy to notice in a crowd anyway.

  I’d barely spoken to him, but I liked him so far. He was a quiet type, always brooding, with eyes that were such a dark brown that they bordered on black, and his skin was paler than even mine. The dark circles around his eyes made him look constantly sleep-deprived, and yet somehow, it suited him. He seemed more mysterious that way – and he was mysterious. He’d hardly said a word to me since I started. It was Elisabeth who had informed me that he was thirty-five years old and married to a male nurse with whom he had two young children.

  Elisabeth called him over while I considered my situation.

  It was weird to be back. Last time I’d been here, I’d been swept away by William’s unconventional charm. My heart tingled at the memory. I’d wanted to strangle and praise him at the same time. That hadn’t changed. Odd how he managed to divide me like that. I liked to think I was a collected person, but William severed that notion apart. That night, he’d nearly ruined my defences, and I was still working on returning them to their original strength.

  Lately, he had made that job much easier for me, because after I’d confronted him about his inappropriate behaviour, he’d actually left me alone. Though he had continued to bring a cup of coffee for me in the mornings, it no longer carried inappropriate or cryptic messages. All that was written on it was my name. He had also made a point ever since of avoiding having lunch with Elisabeth and me. Even today, when Andy had decided to join us, he had kept his distance and had instead lunched with John. And whenever he talked to me, he kept it professional and discussed solely work.

  It was like night and day. Finally, he was respecting my boundaries, like I’d demanded – like I was merely a colleague to him and nothing more. Judging from his recent behaviour, he had at last decided to stow our sensual night together into oblivion – our past forgotten. Staying true to his word, it was apparent that he intended to respect my wishes, and while I mainly appreciated it, a small part of me did wonder now and then whether rejecting him had been the right choice. After all, I couldn’t deny that I was attracted to him, but this seemed like the best – if not only – solution.

  However, when he walked through the door half an hour later, my beliefs were put on trial. Powerful and magnetic, he exuded a will that petrified those contesting it. He was unbearably elegant and alluringly self-assured. I could see it in his strides. He carried himself with pride and grace, as if nothing could shake him.

  While he put the whole place to shame on his way to the bar, his magnificent eyes scanned the room – browsing, browsing, and then they met mine.

  My breath abandoned me as I pressed my thighs together beneath the table. Merely with a glance, he had soaked my underwear. Damn it. What was my body doing, getting all hot and bothered under his attention? It wasn’t being particularly cooperative.

  Trapped under his seemingly unbreakable spell, I blatantly ogled him from where I sat. He was wearing a shirt that matched the colour of my dress, and it made his eyes sparkle. A grey waistcoat encased his powerful chest and torso, and the sight made me wet my lips. Below the red material, grey trousers matched his vest.

  He was quite the vision. It wasn’t fair that he should be so well endowed when he was both my boss and my flatmate’s brother. I didn’t deserve to suffer like this.

  Suddenly, fingers snapped in front of my face, breaking me out of my trance. Blinking, I turned my head to find Elisabeth’s frown.

  “Shit!” I squeezed my eyes shut, wildly embarrassed. She’d caught me again.

  “You’re hopeless,” she scolded me, albeit amusedly.

  “Sorry. Thank you for—” I paused—“helping me out,” I continued with a pout and dragged my espresso martini back to my mouth.

  She tossed her head back as she laughed. “That’s what I’m here for, love. And I don’t blame you. He’s been keeping a keen eye on you ever since you started. Honestly, I feel bad for you. Had I not been happily in love with Brian, I would have drooled after him all day long, too – especially if he handed me that sort of attention.”

  Her words held comfort. Then again, I could always count on Elisabeth to offer a sympathetic shoulder.

  “Ladies,” Andy greeted from our side then. “You look dashing,” he continued and chose the seat next to mine. With a playful gleam in his kind brown eyes, he turned towards me. “Cara,” he emphasised. “You look like you frequent this place.” My eyes widened at his unexpected insinuation. What impeccably slick humour. “That colour on you should be illegal,” he continued to flatter to conceal his surreptitious poke.

  I arched my brow at him and proceeded to study his own choice of colours. Wearing
white, grey and beige, he looked positively edible.

  “You look rather good yourself, Andy,” Elisabeth pointed out and tilted her head. “Still single? Or has that changed since last?”

  “Semi-single.” What was that supposed to mean?

  “Elaborate,” Elisabeth requested.

  He sighed and leaned his back against the chair he’d grabbed. “Chloe’s difficult. She wants children. I’m not ready for that yet. Because we’re not on the same wavelength, she’s told me to make up my mind. Either I have to let her go or go all the way with her. So, while I make up my mind, we’re on a version of a break.”

  Sympathising with his distress, I gaped. What an ultimatum.

  “You’ve been together for a decade, Andy,” Elisabeth murmured. “It’s not surprising she’s reached that point.”

  He looked displeased as he stared at her for a beat. “Well, when she puts it like that, I feel like my only purpose is to impregnate her. It’s not romantic. I don’t feel seen. I just feel like a bag of sperm she desperately wants. And I’ve always been scared of babies. I’m not ready to change nappies and clean up spew, and I am definitely not ready to sleep three hours a night. I’m building my career, Ellie. Children will have to wait until I’ve reached a stable point in it.”

  I was surprised to learn I had so much in common with Andy. Suddenly, I liked him much more, because he was finally starting to make sense to me. We were similar. I was certain I would have reacted precisely the same way if my partner had demanded we conceive.

  Elisabeth rested her cheek in her hand while patience emitted from her eyes. “Well, do you think she’ll change her mind?”

  A sigh left Andy’s mouth, and I could hear that it had come from his heart. “I’m negotiating it with her. I’m trying to make her give me a few more years. I started with five, but she drives a hard bargain, so I’m down to three at the moment. She keeps going on about female fertility depreciation, and saying that our children are more likely to have biological problems the longer we wait, things like that.”

  I pursed my lips because I found this information somewhat hilarious. True to his title as a solicitor, he was treating it like a case.

  “But do you love her?” Elisabeth brought herself to ask.

  He stiffened, and from his frown, I could tell her question had offended him. “Of course I love her. I can’t imagine my life without her in it. We’ve been together for ten years, Ellie. I’ve forgotten what it feels like not to love her.”

  “Well, at least you’re certain about that,” she responded, visibly charmed.

  From behind, William’s voice rang through me. “Give her the bloody baby, Andy. Hire an au pair if time’s becoming a problem. You’ve got the money.”

  I froze when I felt the heat of his body radiate against my own. How close was he?

  I had my answer when he leaned across my shoulder to place a gin and tonic in front of me. Afterwards, he relocated his hand to my naked shoulder. His touch burnt like wildfire and sent delicious electricity throughout my body. Hyperaware of his hand on me, I didn’t dare to face him. I was much too overwhelmed.

  Andy bent his neck to look up at him as he stood behind us. “I’ve already heard your opinion, Will – ten thousand times. Give it a rest already. It won’t be your baby to deal with.”

  William sent him a smirk. “No. But if I were in your shoes, I’d give her the baby. Andy, last time you and Chloe hit a bump in the road, you lost the plot. You can’t manage without her. If you let her go, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”

  “I’m with Will on this one,” Elisabeth chimed in.

  I remained completely silent, pretending not to exist. This was not a discussion I wanted to get involved in. I knew too little to be able to form an opinion, but from the little I knew, I was honestly inclined to support Andy.

  “What about you, Cara? Are you with me?” William asked and successfully ruined my efforts to evade the topic. Bending my neck slightly backwards, I met his smouldering eyes. I wanted to submerge myself in them, swim in the sensual pleasures they whispered of. Bewitched, I watched him – and forgot all about his question.

  “I think you’ve dazzled her,” Andy laughed softly when I failed to respond. His comment dragged me back. Whipping my head forward again, I looked towards the toilets. I had to escape William’s attention somehow. He looked nothing short of devastating, and I was clearly still susceptible to his allures.

  “I’m not dazzled,” I lied. “I’d just rather not comment on something that is absolutely none of my business. I think we should let Andy decide for himself. Anyway, excuse me,” I said and pushed my seat out.

  “Thanks, Cara,” Andy replied, and the affection in his voice made me give him a smile.

  As I approached the ladies’ room, I sensed William’s stare burning into my back the entire time.

  Though it hadn’t been urgent, I decided that I might as well relieve my bladder. I required a minute to muster my strength before I could dare go outside again. Being in the presence of William was like high-intensity interval training: quick breaks to regain my strength before I’d push myself to the limit again, and with each interval, my overall strength declined.

  “Fuck,” I muttered and was shaking my head to myself when I eventually headed out of the stall to wash my hands. That was when Violet’s presence startled me. She was leaning over the basins, drawing on a thin layer of nude lipstick while she studied her plump lips in the mirror. In the reflection, I saw her brown eyes swivel sideways when she heard my exit.

  “Cara,” she greeted me with a smile. “You look lovely.”

  I batted my lashes before I studied her from head to toe. She was wearing a beautiful black dress that clung to her curvaceous figure. She had such a beautiful bum, full and perky, and it was pointing straight at me. Between her incredible body and keen intellect, Phoebe would have lost her mind over Violet, and frankly, my bi-curious side was, too.

  “Thank you, Violet. So do you,” I finally replied and approached the basin by her side.

  “How have you found your first weeks with us?” she queried while she searched through her purse for her blush.

  “Exciting,” I answered as I collected soap in my hand.

  “Good. I’ve come across some of your work. The NDA you drafted for Clifford Paints was excellent. I was impressed.” A sweet smile presented itself on her lips.

  She intrigued me. Did she like me, or did she not? I couldn’t be sure. Then again, she didn’t strike me as the sort of woman who bothered much about men. My impression of her was that she was not the type to grow bitter and petty solely because I often interacted with her past plaything. On the contrary, I found her integrity rather apparent.

  “Well, you’ve impressed me during every meeting,” I replied as I cleaned my hands under the tap.

  “Have I?” She smirked. “Has Will impressed you as well? I think he wants to.”

  Startled by her insinuation, I froze beside her. Was she jealous? When I looked over, she sent me a knowing look.

  “Listen,” she murmured and brushed a few strands of her hair away. “He told me you know about us.”

  My face paled. Why had he done that? “It’s not my business,” I squeaked and avoided her eyes.

  She reached forward to grab my arm. “Cara, don’t worry. I’m not angry with you at all. I know you didn’t ask him to end things – he’s told me that. I just need you to listen for a second.”

  To assess her sincerity, I met her eyes, and when convinced, my shoulders relaxed.

  She sighed and shook her head to herself while muttering under her breath, “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

  Doing what? I was about to ask when she raised her finger at me.

  “Though he’s easily misunderstood, Will is in fact a remarkably good man, and he’s an outstanding solicitor
– one of the best of his generation. In many ways, he’s the spitting image of John.” Well, I could agree with that. “They have this unique assertiveness about them. They don’t waste time getting things done, and they don’t stop until they’ve reached their goals. But unfortunately, Will’s brilliance doesn’t always extend to women. Because of his assertive character, he can come across as a tad too calculating and aggressive.”

  A gap formed between my lips. He’d told her? How close were they?

  “But just—” she sighed—“please, cut him some slack. He’s trying very hard with you. I can tell. Aside from Andy and his father, I know him better than anyone else in this firm. I truly wish for him to see his efforts pay off. I’ve never seen him like this.”

  Well, I surely hadn’t foreseen that. “I… I appreciate the sentiment, Violet, but Will and I have already talked about this.”

  She gave me an embarrassed smile. “I know, and I’m sorry for meddling. I just can’t help but think you’re making a mistake. If you’ve actually got feelings for him, giving him a chance is the best thing you can do. I swear you’ll be rewarded tenfold.”

  Unsure of how to react, a titter escaped me. “I hadn’t expected you to be so supportive.”

  She chuckled. “Did you think I’d be bitter?”

  “Perhaps slightly more bitter than this, but not much,” I admitted.

  “Well, I’m not at all. He’s all yours. I’ve never had feelings for him – only respect and a friendly fondness.” Was William to her what Aaron was to me? “And perhaps a little lust, but honestly, he’s a bloody gorgeous man, so who could blame me? Anyway, I’ll stay away from now on. I hope you’re not angry with me for sleeping with him.”

  I looked to the heavens for aid, utterly despairing. Why did everybody seem to think that William was mine? “Violet, I’m not remotely angry with you. He’s not… mine, for lack of a better word. I don’t understand where all of this is coming from.”

  “He could be, if you wanted,” she countered with a shrewd smile. “Give it a thought, Cara. You’re just a trainee. You can reciprocate his flirting. It won’t get in the way of you getting hired later. People marry their colleagues all the time. As long as you conduct your affair appropriately, no one’s going to care. Besides, I’m sure John would be delighted to have you on board, regardless of you and Will. You’re a clever girl. You’d be an asset without a doubt.” She folded her arms before she continued, “And I’d love to see you make him happy. I’ve had a few cocktails already, so excuse me for speaking out of turn about all this, but you know as well as I do that he is exceptional in bed. Why settle for any less when you can have him?” She sounded baffled. “So yes, he’s a bit of a challenge on certain fronts, but overall, he compensates for that with his intellect and personality. Honestly, he’ll make you feel like a goddess if you just give him a chance.”