Chasing Imperfection (Chasing Series 2)

by Pamela Ann

  Seeing the TCC boys would cheer definitely me up. They’re a crazy bunch but really fun to be around. “Whatever you say, boss.” I saluted him as I stood up from the couch, turned off the television and DVD player.

  I piled my hair high and donned a nude body-hugging halter-top dress. I limited my make up to tinted moisturizer, lip gloss, briskly lining my lower lash line with kohl and thick layers of mascara making my eyes even more noticeable. My eyes are my best feature I think. With my coloring, they simply stood out. I slipped on my teal colored ankle booties by Giuseppe Zanotti to complete my ensemble. Checking myself sideways on the mirror to inspect my bare back and finally smiled. I love dressing up. I’m such a hopeless slave to fashion.

  “Hell no, you’re not wearing that. I can see your nipples. Are you trying to make me suffer all night? Be kind baby. I don’t think I deserve that kind of cruel torture.” He stood leaning against the door opening.

  “Humor me. This dress is awesome and it goes perfectly with my shoes, so back off.” Kyle grunted and scratched his side stubble.

  He only wore a black wife-beater underneath the leather jacket and he looks really smoking hot. When did the cute surfer boy turn into a spanking new man oozing with sex appeal? Since Blake happened. The two are polar opposites and yet both are quite good-looking—I admit that Blake is exceptionally the better looking one but still Kyle can hold his own.

  I ran out of the breast tape but I can’t openly admit that to him. Some tidbits like this teeny secret shouldn’t be openly shared with men. Women have to keep a façade of looking polished and put-together without much effort. We go to extraordinary lengths to look pretty. I mean getting waxed down south is certainly not an enjoyable experience. But we do it to make it pretty neat and all in order down there. Wouldn’t it be ghastly when it’s all bush-whacked and a curly riot when you spread it open? I smiled thinking what would Blake think if I did that to him. His face would be priceless.

  Ooookay there…..that’s enough of Blake!

  I checked my phone for messages for the umpteenth time with weighing disappointment before inserting it into my purse. No messages. I took a deep breath and headed out the door with a lively looking Kyle.

  While in the cab, he was busy replying to emails and listening to his voicemails. Sigh, people in business…it doesn’t matter what industry—be it be finance, music, hotels, art or whatever…they’re all married to their phones.

  When Blake asked me earlier today if there was any chance of us getting back together, I honestly couldn’t answer him so I dodged it, with sex. I do want him with every fiber of my entire being but I can’t let myself. It was simply impossible to be with him when he’s surrounded with countless of gorgeous women. Also my trust died and frittered away the moment he admitted the engagement he so cautiously concealed from me.

  I mean look at him now—he’s out on a date with her for crying out loud! I bet the man has a battalion of floozies waiting and wanting his attention. Apart from the godlike dark handsome beauty, his wealth and prominent social stature combined are aphrodisiacs for most of his harem. Mix all three and it’s a corybantic dreamy concoction. He’s quite the dark lothario and a small part of me actually is glad that he and I aren’t together. Who can trust a Casanova? Well, I sadly did at one point.

  We had sex last night and this morning. Now he’s out with Camilla. Who does that? Clearly, one that knew what he wanted, knew what he’s capable of and his worth. Did he ever really love me? Or was it because we had such a great combustible bedroom chemistry that he thought he loved me?

  Go ask the damned man if you’re so curious, Sienna. I scolded my puzzling thoughts.

  Am I really going through with the sexual pact I made with him this morning? Ugh, you did throw yourself at him. Or have you forgotten that you stripped naked and basically begged him to touch you?

  I’m such an idiot. I’m drunk with wanting and lusting after Blake it’s vexing on my sanity especially after he threw that proposition during sexy time. He’s highly addictive and I thought then—why not indulge in a five-night all out sexual debauchery with him for the last time? Now I’m hesitant. How many last times are there going to be? One too many it seems.

  There are only two outcomes if I do decide to go. First, I would feel relieved, happy and so over him that I would be ecstatic prancing back to jolly England. Or I’ll be hurt and fall even more guilelessly in love with the very man himself and his Trojan horse lovemaking antics. I’m a tad convinced that the latter option would be the logical conclusion of the licentious holiday. Tricky situation this is. Could I postpone it and have a rain check when my emotions are in order and not treacherous?

  I groaned in misery.

  Tonight, I promise I won’t think of Blake or thoughts of him together with “the very one” Camilla. I will not give him the power to hurt me, not anymore.

  “We’re here! Come on Foxytrot!” I rolled my eyes at him. Since, the boys from TCC started calling me foxy, he put my love of dancing and came up with the nickname. Foxy and foxtrot put together equals Foxytrot. Lame really, but he’s adorable for being a lame dork.

  We were ushered in a private lift and when the doors opened, the party was just getting started. The penthouse occupied the entire floor with a private terrace and a big Jacuzzi sitting in the far right corner. “I had to make a special request for that to be brought in. I wanted the guys to have a blast. They’re picking up good momentum with fans and I need them to be happy before they start recording next week.”

  “I don’t doubt they’ll have a blast.” The terrace had black outdoor rattan setting and the interior inside was contemporary chic. A lot of golden and neutral hues and dark furniture, the outcome was luxurious, posh and sophisticated without going for overkill.

  “The band isn’t here yet—but as you can see some guests arrived already. They’re on their way and should be here soon. Let’s go put your purse somewhere safe.” He guided me through doors and stopped at the double doors. He pulled out a key and opened it. The room imitated the hues from the rest of the theme outside but the bathroom was all black marble tiles.

  “This is a beautiful suite, Kyle. Are you sure it’s okay to leave my things here?” I asked and sat on the bed. So soft…gosh, I don’t want to leave the room and party. I’m so tempted to order room service and go through their movie selection.

  “This room’s for me. The guys can take the rest of the rooms. Feel free to leave your belongings anywhere. This room is secured.” He strolled over to me and handed me a card key. “Here, just in case it gets crazy tonight and you can’t find me and you want to rest, puke or if you feel tired. I want you to be safe.”

  “That’s very thoughtful but we have a problem. As you saw earlier, I’m not wearing a bra. Where do you suppose I put that? Tuck it in my underwear?”His eyes darkened and he cleared his throat.

  “Gotcha—good point. Just hunt me down then in any case?”

  “Suuure. You make it sound like there’s going to be an uproar. Dude, it’s just a party, calm down.”

  He grinned, “You haven’t partied rock and roll style haven’t you? You’ll see.” He took off his leather jacket and flung it on the nearest chair.

  My stomach growled loudly. I laughed my embarrassment off. I seriously forgot to eat dinner.

  “Did you have dinner?” I shook my head. “What the hell! I bet you’d skip it too if I didn’t come over and drag you out. Let’s go outside. The hotel staff has prepared food in the kitchen.” His angered tone helped sink my party mood.

  Oh, boo!

  I stuck a tongue at him and simmered some more. “Sienna—you shouldn’t skip meals. It doesn’t matter if you’re depressed because he’s out with another girl. You should always put your needs first.” It’s easier said than done, buster.

  Upon entering the kitchen, the staff accommodated my famished state. Kyle ordered for them to place the food on the kitchen counter because the entire penthouse was starting to get packed. H
e didn’t want me to be distracted while eating and people floated around. They served different types of sandwiches, cheeses, fruits, selection of antipasti, mouth-watering cakes, and lastly cute embellished mini burgers.. Yum, those posh burgers looked divine, I thought fervently as a friendly waitress named Molly placed a bottle of magnum Rosé Cristal, two champagne flutes and a pot of coffee beside me. I quirked my eyebrow and whispered to Kyle “You serve two thousand dollar champagne to all these people?”

  He smiled. “Nah—I have a stack reserved for you and me. We’re serving them hard liquor and beer from what the band requested.”

  The man can be uber sweet. “Geez a stack of champagne, do I look like an alcoholic?”

  He kissed the tip of my nose. “No—you look deliciously perfect.” He picked up a sandwich, and held it to my mouth and I took a good bite. He literally fed me the entire time.

  Sipping the glorious bubbles of the decadent champagne, I looked at him through my lashes. “Trying to score points tonight, aren’t we?”

  “Hey, don’t judge—whatever helps.” I was about to reply when we heard loud booming noises coming outside the kitchen door. Loud music from The Cure played through the speakers. “They’re here. Let me go say hi really quick and I’ll be back.” Kyle gave me a quick kiss on the lips and left the kitchen.

  “Your boyfriend loves you very much and he’s drop-dead handsome to boot,” Molly sighed dreamily.

  “Yeah….Kyle does love me very much….” My voice trailed off. And I can’t help but stare at his arms. Damn him for walking around with a tight wife-beater on making him look like a smoking hot pistol. Thank goodness he left for a bit!

  I don’t mind being left alone. I needed to savor these exquisite looking cakes. I took a forkful of the rich chocolate cake and moaned “Delish.” Another mouthful and I died from the heavenly taste of the hazelnut mousse cake. I took a refreshing long sip of the bubbly and continued on my cake banquet.

  “God, Sienna—do you have to make eating….so sexual?”

  I darted him a dirty look. “Don’t get me wrong, you sounded hot as hell but I don’t think the waiters appreciated that,” I retorted to his biting comment.

  “We don’t mind her making sexy sounds.” An entertained chap butted in and a few “yeahs” came behind me. In normal circumstances, I would’ve been mortified, but the happy bubbles worked their magic and I simply giggled. I’m feeling great and I want to revel in it for the time being. I took the champagne bottle and got up.

  “Let’s go rock the party lover boy!” I strutted and called out over my shoulder to an amused Kyle.

  11

  Blake

  “Hi. Don’t bother leaving a message. I won’t check them. Bye.” Sienna’s phone went directly to her voicemail. Where the hell is she?

  I went over to their apartment at nine in the morning and found out she wasn’t home or never came home last night. Neither Toby nor Lucy can confirm anything since they both were so out of it when they got back last night. I demanded they call me as soon as she walks through the door.

  I’m in the office on a Sunday afternoon and I’m supposed to go over the counter proposal for the Australian mining company I wanted to buyout but my brain isn’t functioning. Instead, I opted to nurse a snifter of cognac and stared at the view of the River Thames below me.

  The night with Camilla was rather out of the ordinary. She surprised me by taking me to her mother’s fundraiser in their country estate in Surrey. I’m almost sure that I saw the invitation somewhere in the office but I didn’t bother opening it. I never minded going to these types of functions but The Clayworths are a different matter. Cam looked radiantly statuesque and regal in a shimmering gold strapless gown that accentuated her slender figure. I can just imagine the tittle-tattle of the scandalmonger’s tonight when they see me and Cam together. Those bored airless bimbos never disappoint. The minute we entered the foyer, the chitchat died and the deafening sound of whispers took over.

  When Albert came over to greet us, his beaming smile made it a tad awkward for me. Surely, he doesn’t see this as a reconciliation of some sort? I’m merely obliging his daughter.

  The entire time Cam only left my side to freshen up in the powder room. After the long eventful dinner, we danced. I can only envisage what the onlookers were thinking. Cam and I did look like we belonged together and at one time, I thought we were well-matched. She was quite discreet with her intentions with me the entire night. But they were cautiously brushed off. I’m not going to lead her on when I still have Sienna even if it was only for a short period of time. A big part of me still longs for her to change her mind and announce that she doesn’t want to let me go after this whole plan I had for her in Marbella.

  When I took Camilla back to her place, she clung and kissed me goodnight. “Thank you for coming through tonight. You made me very happy and I just want you to know that—when this phase of yours is over and done with—I’ll be waiting right here.”

  Wait she would, but I know that what I feel for Sienna will forever be with me. It’s a part of me now and I must accept it fully, with or without her in my life.

  Striding back to my desk, I went back to work. I need to get done tonight and have the proposal ready by tomorrow morning. The mining company would be a great asset to acquire for Knightly Industries. I can see the vast potential if the company is run efficiently—it literally is a gold mine. I can’t slack on work even if I’m mad with jealousy and want to forage and ransack Kyle’s home in Hampstead.

  By the time I finished with work, it was ten at night and Sienna was still unreachable. I knocked on their door and Toby instantly opened the door. “You look like you’re at the death’s door mate. Want some lager to take the edge off?”

  “Sure”

  Her door was open as I followed Toby into the kitchen. “She’s not here. If you want to contact her that badly, why don’t you call Kyle?”

  Hearing his smug voice would set me ablaze. I’d rather wait for the lass to explain why she’s been MIA for about twenty-four hours now.

  “How was your mum’s birthday festivity?” I sent Luke, my assistant, to search for a present for Evelyn Watson in one of the jewelers on Old Bond Street. I’m not fond of her or her husband, Rupert. They’re both the selfish lot and only cared about money and appearances. I’m befuddled how they have two sons who were exceptional and grounded.

  “You know how these things go.” He sighed, “Grandmother and my mother took Luce in the study to chat. Luce was not the same after that but she won’t tell me what happened. I asked my mother but she assured me that everything’s great.”

  I smirked, I’m sure she did. Poor Luce she never stood a chance when faced with Evelyn and Toby’s grandmother, Florence. Those two are a force to be reckoned with and the soddy Rupert Watson can’t be blamed for his gambling addiction.

  Luce took the cue and entered the kitchen glumly. She got herself a can of fizz, brownies from M & S and plopped next to me on the barstool. “Drop the rubbish subject, will you? It’s bloody fucking taxing!”

  “Well, why don’t you just spill the details then? I’m twisted about this whole bloody mess!” Toby was getting riled up.

  Certainly, I’m not the only one with shiteload of problems.

  Luce released an exasperated sound, slid off the stool and left the room. “What a bloody disaster!”

  Finishing off my lager, “Give her time mate—she’ll eventually tell you.”

  “I may be a patient man compared to you—but I don’t have that much when chosen the subject pertains of Lucy.”

  “You and me both—pathetic pricks that we are.”

  We laughed and his humor died when Luce called out. “I’m going out. Don’t wait up for me.”

  “Fuck! Bloody fuck!” he screamed. He took hold of his phone and started dialing her but cursed again when she didn’t pick up. He texted her several times but Luce ignored it.

  “Heavens help me! I’m going bonkers!” I n
odded in agreement.

  Women…bizarre and peculiar creatures they are.

  “Hear hear.”

  He threw me a disgusted glare. “Piss off Knightly! You find this comical?”

  “Oh shut it, you sad bastard! You of all people saw my appalling state with Sienna. After that momentous night we had—I’m quite convinced that I’d rather hound after her than not have her at all.”

  “Blake Knightly finally fell on his knees. Oh, how the mighty have fallen! We’re quite the pathetic lot mate,” Toby declared with haughty smile, “Though I don’t blame you after that crazed brutish bonking you two had! Holy fuck! I heard you bloody growl like a bloody blasted animal.”

  My throat dried thinking about how Sienna was that night, she had claws alright. But once tamed, she was compliant, submissive and fucking perfect! She makes the beast in me come out and she loves it that way. She wants me begging and maniacal with need for her.

  “Yeah—she brings out the Neanderthal in me. I wasn’t a possessive bloke until she came along. She brings men to their knees. Who can blame me if I become domineering and territorial?”

  “Luce is quite the catch. She’s beautiful to be sure and I love her to distraction but with a woman like Sienna….” He paused and looked thoughtful a moment, “you have more than a battle mate. Women like her caused wars in the old days. You’ve met your match dear ole friend.”

  After another hour drinking a few beers, Toby was sloshed and the man needs to report to office come morning.

  Being in Sienna’s room without her in it brought small comfort to me. At least I was surrounded by her belongings and her smell. I picked up her iPod and turned it on. Clare de Lune played by Juliam Bream. The sound of baroque music strung in a guitar salved my stormy emotions.

  These are one of the things we had in common, our love of music played on guitars. Andres Segovia and Francisco Tarrega were both favorites. Songs played in Spanish guitars add more depth, soul and meaning.

  Now the barmy wanker Kyle did know how to play a guitar. He won’t give her up. He had an advantage that I didn’t have. They’ve known each other for a long time. He knows what makes her tick and their bond is quite strong.