by L. P. Lovell
"You and your rules." He rolls his eyes dramatically. "But seriously Lill's, you can't hog all the yummy men." He laughs.
“How did your audition go?” I ask changing the subject quickly.
“Well I was fabulous of course, but I’ll know tomorrow whether or not they’re blind.”
My phone starts ringing in my handbag, interrupting George. I leap up to answer it.
My face breaks into a smile when I see the name on the display. “Harry!” I practically scream down the phone at him.
“Hey Lill’s. How are you? How’s the city life treating you?” His voice is a soft drawl that I’ve barely heard over the last six months. Harry is my brother, older than me by two years. We've always been very close. He’s been traveling the world for the past six months and god I’ve missed him.
“It’s great. Different from home, but I’m adjusting. How was travelling?” I’ve been so excited about him coming home. I can’t wait to hear about all his experiences.
“It was amazing. I’ve got some crazy shit to tell you. I’m flying home on Friday, I land at Heathrow at nine in the morning. Do you mind if I crash on your sofa for a couple of nights?”
I’m practically squealing with delight. “Of course. Oh my god, I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me neither. See you soon. Love you Lill’s.”
“Love you to.” He hangs up. I’m so excited that I’m going to see him, and he’ll finally get to see my new flat.
I turn to Molly and George. “Harry’s coming back, he’s staying for a couple of days. Is that OK?”
They both look at each other grinning. “Um, yes.” Molly says, looking at me as if I’m stupid. Molly and George both kind of have a thing for Harry. It’s one of those things that we do not discuss.
I roll my eyes at them. "I'm going to go have a shower."
When I arrive at the office the next morning its chaos. Josh is literally running around the office, whilst frantically arguing with various people over the phone. After about twenty minutes he pops his head around the glass partition.
“Lilly I’m having dramas with the Ellis buyout. The main shareholder has had an offer for his shares from another buyer. Unless we can agree and sign to a deal by tomorrow morning he’s going to sell and the entire sale will go down the drain.” He looks stressed and older than he did yesterday. “I’ve left a message with Mr Ellis’ PA to call me a.s.a.p. so we can get a decision, but he seems pretty set on this buyout so we’ll probably need to get him to sign today.”
I nod my head at him. “Okay.”
“I’ll keep you posted. Until then can you write the mortgage exclusion clause into the contract for me? Email it to me when you’re done and I’ll look it over.”
“Will do.” I reply.
“Thanks Lilly. You’re a gem.” He winks at me and retires back to his office.
I pull up the contract and start editing various clauses when the phone rings. I look up to see that josh is on the phone, so I pick up the receiver.
“Hello Josh Walkers Office, Lilly Parker speaking.”
“Hello Miss Parker.” Oh shit. His voice is deep and authorative, it makes my thighs clench just hearing it. Damn him.
“Mr Ellis.” I speak confidently. “Give me one moment and I’ll put you through to Mr Walker.”
“Thank you.” I can hear a smile in his voice. I place him on hold and signal to josh that he has a call waiting. Josh holds up his finger gesturing me to give him a minute. Oh great. I don’t want to have to tell Mr Arrogance that he has to wait. I take a deep breath and pick up the receiver.
“Mr Ellis, Mr Walker is still on the line speaking to the other party I believe. He’ll only be a moment.”
“I see, well in that case I'll wait.” I am just about to place him on hold again when he speaks. “Oh and Miss Parker, it was a pleasure to meet you yesterday... again. I look forward to our next meeting.” There is an unspoken promise in his words. My body heats with what? Excitement?
I remain completely professional with him. “Well, we’ll have a lot of business to sort out over the next week.”
I hear him chuckle quietly down the phone. "Oh, we most certainly do, you can be sure of it." His voice is deep and husky. My skin breaks out in goose bumps just from hearing it. Damn it, I walked right into that one.
Josh has put down his call, and before he has time to react I put him through to Josh’s office. I exhale and am a little bit relieved. Just speaking to him makes me want him and I do not want to want him. Even if I were remotely interested, which I'm not, I'm not! I would never demean myself by giving into him just because he’s good looking. I’d be following the same path as god knows how many stupid, naïve girls who have fallen for that face. He’s the sort of man who could make you want him with every fibre of your being. Dangerous…very dangerous.
The morning passes quickly, and before I know it lunch comes around. I pop my head into josh’s office.
“I’m going to pop out and grab a sandwich. Would you like anything?” I ask him.
“If you could grab me a sandwich you’d be a star.”
“Sure.” I grab my coat and handbag and head out.
I arrive back twenty minutes later and open the door to Josh’s office. “Here’s your… ” I pause and have to do a double take. Sat opposite Josh is Theodore Ellis, he’s wearing a blue shirt that matches his cobalt blue eyes, with black trousers, no tie. He looks every bit as hot as he did the last time I saw him. They both look up when I enter.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” I stumble, embarrassed.
Josh smiles at me, clearly sensing my discomfort. “Thank you Lilly. Please could you grab those contracts for me? Mr Ellis has come to sign them.”
“Um, yes of course.” I realise that I’m still holding his sandwich. I step inside and place it on the desk, as I do I cannot help but glance at Ellis who’s fixed gaze steadily meets mine, an amused smirk on his face.
“Lilly?” Josh pulls me from my trance. Stupid, Lilly, sort yourself out. Jesus. You are strong, do not let him render you weak. Men like him can smell weakness like a shark smells blood in the water.
I turn on my heel and head out of the room to my desk. I take a few seconds longer than necessary to gather the papers whilst I calm myself. The phone rings giving me some extra time.
“Hello Mr Walker’s office, Lilly Parker speaking.”
“Lilly, it’s Anya. Mr Simmons would like to see Mr Walker. They had an appointment scheduled for ten minutes ago.”
“Oh. He’s with a client at the moment. Can you give him ten minutes?”
“It’s urgent, and his appointments are already tight today.” She sounds apologetic.
“Ok, I’ll see what I can do.”
I walk back into Josh’s office determined not to be disarmed by Ellis again.
“Josh, Anya just called and said you had an appointment with Mr Simmons, you were supposed to be there ten minutes ago.” I say apologetically.
“Oh god yes. Um, can you phone her back and apologise profusely for me. Tell her I’ll have to reschedule.”
“Of course.”
I turn to leave. “Well it’s only a few papers. I’m sure Lilly is capable of watching me sign them.” Ellis’ commanding tone does strange things to me. I turn and he looks straight at me, a small smile playing on his lips. Great.
Josh looks at me. “Are you happy getting these signed Lilly?” No.
“Yes of course.” I smile politely whilst gritting my teeth.
“Alright then. I am terribly sorry about this Mr Ellis.”
“Not at all, I did drop by on very short notice. Lilly and I will manage.” He turns to me and looks at me in a way that makes every muscle in my body tense in anticipation. Oh god.
“Thank you for your understanding.” Josh stands and strides out, giving me one last look before he leaves. What was that pity? A warning? I can’t be sure. He closes the door behind him and I am left alone with Theodore Ellis.
�
�Right, here are the contracts that you need to sign.” I pick up the papers and in an attempt not to stand too close to him I lean across the desk to place them in front of him. As I lean across our eyes meet and he fixes me in that gripping gaze, his lips pulled up at one side. I'm suddenly hot everywhere. He sits with that amused smirk on his perfect lips, but otherwise makes no move. He exudes an arrogance that can only come from someone who is completely self-assured. He just watches me. As I stare back at him I notice his eyes flicker down very briefly. He lifts one eyebrow and smiles wickedly at me; it's so hot, so carnal that I swear my womb just physically contracted.
“Very nice Miss Parker.” He has a dangerous gleam in his eye. I suddenly realise that I am being wholly inappropriate, bent over the desk right in front of him, the cowl neck of my dress leaving everything on show. I straighten and roll my eyes at him.
“Pervert.” I mutter.
"Don't move on my account." A small smile plays on his lips as he cocks an eyebrow at me. He’s so calm and collected, well aware of his effect. He leans back in his chair slightly and folds his hands behind his head, the image of cocky arseholeness. Okay, I am done with this. I'm not that girl, I never have been. If it's games he wants, I'll happily show him how it's done. I know how to work a man like putty in my hand. This will be a piece of cake.
I pick up the papers, never taking my eyes off of his. I walk around the desk slowly, trailing one finger along it as I move. His gaze holds mine other than to briefly flicker down to my finger on the desk and then back up, he swallows and parts his lips a little. His eyes fix mine as they darken into a look so savagely sexual it leaves goose bumps over my body. I pull my glasses off of my head, gently running my fingers through my hair where they had been and flicking it over one shoulder. I place my glasses on my face.
When I reach him I stand behind him and lean over his shoulder, my right breast lightly brushes his left arm. I place the papers on the desk in front of him, he doesn’t move.
“If you could please sign here.” I lean down and whisper with my lips just inches from his ear. His breath quickens.
I stand and turn, leaning against the desk facing him. I take my glasses off and place one arm against my bottom lip in a seemingly absent minded gesture. He looks up and the look in his eyes is so heated, so dangerous and intense it makes me shiver. His eyes travel down my body, taking me in like a man starved.
Abruptly he stands and takes a step forward leaning over me. I inch back so that I’m sitting on the desk. He places his hands on either side of my hips so that his face is just inches from mine. His blue eyes bare into me. I stretch my arms out behind me to support my weight. He leans in even closer until we are nose to nose. I can smell the rich masculine scent of him, taste his breath on my tongue. Electricity crackles between our close bodies. I can feel the heat from his chest, and god doesn't it make me want to rip open that shirt and explore that body.
My senses are over whelmed, his intoxicating scent engulfs me and I ache to touch the thick muscles which strain against his shirt. My heart feels as though it is trying to escape from my chest. I know he wants to kiss me and I have an almost painful desire to feel his lips on mine. He raises an eyebrow slightly at me and flashes a shit eating grin. Damn he's good. One point to Ellis.
“The papers Mr Ellis.” I raise an eyebrow at him.
“Are you trying to unhinge me Miss Parker?” His breath caresses my lips as he speaks. His eyes are burning into me as his lips remain in that amused smirk. His proximity does funny things to me, my skin flushes and my nipples become sensitive against the lace of my bra. It takes everything I have not to just lean in that last inch and kiss him, run my tongue across his stubble and sink my teeth into his neck, chest, stomach... The hardest part is that I know he wants it every bit as much as I do. His whole body is demanding my attention. The very fact that he wants it is the reason that I won't.
"I just need you to sign.” I incline my head towards the paperwork on the desk. He shakes his head, takes a deep breath and stands up, putting some distance between us. He closes his eyes for a moment and when he opens them again he looks amused.
“Well Miss Parker, it would appear I underestimated you.” He looks confused and slightly dazed.
I shrug. "Never underestimate. You should know that, surely?"
He smiles. His eyes trail down my body and an all too familiar longing appears on his face. "I do. I'm not one to beat around the bush Lilly, so I'll be blunt. I want you, badly, but you already know that. You're not one to underestimate." Well that was very blunt.
“What part of our first meeting did you miss Mr Ellis? I distinctly remember telling you that I'm not interested."
He flashes that heart stopping smile that makes everything south of my belly button tighten. Damn him and his insane sex appeal. "If this is you not being interested, hell I’d like to see you when you are." He raises an eyebrow. I'm too flustered to respond. "But you see sugar; we both know you're lying to yourself. I'm Theodore Ellis... of course you're interested. No matter how much you don't want to, you want me between your legs." Jesus, love yourself much? What an arse! How is it that I can be so infuriated yet so unbelievably turned on by him at exactly the same time. Images flash through my mind; him buried inside me as I throw my head back and claw at his back. My fingers in that oh so fuckable hair as he makes me come. Damn him. Enough. Shut him down Lilly.
"And that is your mistake." I fix him with a cool stare.
"What do I have to do to get you in my bed?" He asks shamelessly.
"Let me see. Shit gold." I smile wryly.
He laughs. "You will end up in my bed Lilly. Maybe not today or even tomorrow, but you will." This guy thinks he's God’s gift to women. Oh, I am going to enjoy rejecting him. I step closer to him until my lips are only a few inches from his.
I lean up to whisper in his ear. "You just sealed your own failure. I hate arrogance, and I hate assumption even more. You assume I'll sleep with you. My eyes flick confidently down his body. "Never. Going. To happen."
He smiles brilliantly as he leans in close to me and whispers against my neck. "You can pretend Sugar, but I see it in your eyes. You want me." His eyes smoulder making my insides clench. His smile is smug to the point of infuriating. Okay, time to wipe that smile off his face and enlighten him to the fact that whatever strange challenge he thinks this is, he will never win. He's a player, so I'll talk his language.
I move so that my lips are almost against his, our eyes lock. I whisper against his lips. "You see the thing is... you just showed your hand way to soon." I smirk at him. "I distinctly remember telling you to step up your game, but now you just ruined the game." I feign a sad look before fixing my face into a mask of indifference. "You're out of your league and wasting your time Mr Ellis." I say coldly.
He only smiles wryly. "Well I do love a challenge." He whispers, his breath lightly touches my lips. He traces his fingers along my neck, making me shiver. He presses his lips just below my ear, sending my heart into a spluttering sprint. His lips leave my skin too soon. He smiles at my reaction before turning and striding out the door, leaving me hot and breathless.
God he is such an arrogant self-obsessed bastard, and fuck, if he isn't the hottest man I’ve ever seen. This is not how this is supposed to work. I’m stronger than this. I want him and I hate myself for it.
Chapter 5 – Theo
The music pulses through the house, filling the room and all its guests with a chaotic energy. I'm sat on my couch with my friend Henry and Will, Hugo's younger brother. A brunette girl I don't know is on one side of me and Sarah- a model and former conquest- is sat on the arm of the sofa with her long bare legs stretched over my lap. I'm already pretty wasted, the alcohol numbing my mind and senses. Music is blaring and the booze is flowing. The sofa has been pushed up against the wall making an improvised dance floor in the middle of the living room. Bodies are packed together dancing drunkenly. Two girls are dancing on the coffee table in the middle o
f the room. One seems to have lost her top and is wearing just her bra. This is a standard Friday night in my house. Yes, I could go to a club, but why not make the most of the fact that I have an enormous house in Central London, a bed just a few steps away and the opportunity to invite only the hottest women. Plus, most clubs wouldn’t allow the shit that goes on at these parties.
Hugo appears across the sea of bodies. He waves at me before navigating the swarming crowd. He has his usual entourage of women with him. He’s dressed in skinny jeans, a white vest with a black suit jacket over the top and a trilby. It’s a look only Hugo can pull off without looking like a total douche.
"Dude." He touches a fist to mine. "It is rammed up here." He flicks his eyes to the topless girl on the coffee table. "Apparently with drunk and loose moraled women, my favourite type." He laughs devilishly.
I raise an eyebrow at him. "I'm not sure you need any more women. Most people just bring beer." I gesture to the horde behind him.
He holds his hands out. "Do I ever let you down?" He grins at me. "Ladies let me introduce you to the infamous Theodore Ellis." He announces with his typical theatrical flair. They all giggle and look away. They're Hugo's predictable type. Tall, skinny and half naked.
"This is Charlotte." He motions to a blonde whose waist he has his arm wrapped around and slaps her arse. She turns to me and I see that familiar blush that is almost always inevitable, her lips part a little and I can visibly see her breathing accelerate. She's wearing a silver halter neck dress, it’s very fitted, but does her no favours. It only serves to point out what little curves she has, however it is very short and reveals her obscenely long legs. She wears stilettos with silver straps that wind up her ankles. Her blonde hair is cut in a sharp bob. I stand and greet her, kissing her cheek. She turns a serious shade of scarlet.
"It’s okay sweetheart, he sets most women’s panties on fire." Hugo laughs, then mutters. "Prick.” I laugh. “This is Suzie, Anna, and Ariel." Hugo points out the girls. Before introducing them to Will and Henry.