Love, International Style

by Alexia Adams

  “Do you think she’s been possessed?” Olivia asked as Hannah flipped over onto her stomach and added her fists to the punishment the floor was already taking from her feet.

  “My mother would probably say she’s being a Davis. Is this the first time she’s done this?”

  Hannah opened one eye as if checking to see the effect her demonstration was having. As he and Olivia continued to stare, she upped the volume. Delightful.

  “She’s said ‘no’ before but I’ve always been able to reason with her or distract her into doing what she’s supposed to. What do you think set her off?”

  “Jealousy? Maybe she didn’t like me kissing you longer than I kissed her?”

  “Could be. I guess you’d better not kiss me anymore.”

  “No.” He crossed his arms and stuck out his bottom lip.

  Olivia’s laugh flowed over him, and the pressure in his chest lifted. Maybe she wouldn’t leave. “If you throw yourself on the floor and start screaming, I am definitely out of here.”

  “I have a better way of getting what I want,” he said and waggled his eyebrows again.

  She laughed for a second time and even Hannah stopped screaming. “As I seem to be the enemy at the moment, I think I’ll retreat from the battlefield and leave you two to sort out the crayons. Let me know if the zoo is a go or not.”

  She rose and glided toward the door. He was still admiring the sway of her hips when Hannah launched herself at him. Her face was blotchy and two big fat tears slowly inched down her cheeks. He knew he should be stern and talk to her about her bad behavior. But his heart wrenched at seeing her so distressed. He opened his arms and she snuggled into his chest.

  “Hannah, Daddy loves you very much. But you can’t scream and kick when you don’t get your way. Once you’ve calmed down, we’ll put the crayons away. Then maybe, if you’re good, we can still go out. Okay?”

  “’Kay,” she said, followed by a huge hiccup.

  He hugged her tighter and stroked her silky hair until her breathing settled. He loved his daughter more than he thought possible. He’d never be able to send her up to Yorkshire for his mother to raise. If Olivia left, he’d find some way to keep Hannah with him. He’d hire as many people as it took.

  Three months ago, he’d never have been able to contemplate the joy one smile from his daughter could give him. And that had nothing on the thrill of Olivia’s laugh. He’d come a long way in that time. But was it far enough to risk his heart again? And on a model?

  • • •

  Five hours later, he calculated the exact likelihood that he had actually lost his mind. Not wanting to risk a repeat performance of the morning’s meltdown, he’d been careful to keep his lips and hands off Olivia. But as she bent over to wipe the ice cream off his daughter’s face, he was presented with a vision of her shapely, firm buttocks. He stripped off his jacket as his internal temperature rose in proportion to his libido.

  There was a seventy-five percent chance that he was, in fact, insane. One hundred percent chance that if he didn’t do something soon he’d explode from frustrated desire. He needed to work to his strengths. Maybe if he ran a series of tests and analyses, he could get his answer as to whether a future with Olivia was worth investing in. Because he had a hell of a lot of stock he wanted to sink into her.

  Olivia straightened after wiping Hannah’s hands and smiled at him. His heartbeat quickened and an answering smile creased his lips. God, he hoped it worked out for them. She was becoming an obsession and even if she failed all the tests, he wasn’t sure he’d have the strength to let her go.

  His phone buzzed with an incoming text and for once he welcomed the intrusion. It seemed test number one—his family—was about to start. If she could cope with them, it would be the first hurdle passed. Celeste had failed, never gotten on with any of his siblings. He should have known right then that their relationship was doomed. But he’d been too infatuated to see the signs. This time he’d seek outside counsel and listen to his family’s opinion.

  “My sister Stephanie has invited you to her wedding next weekend.” He held his breath. He’d sent the photo of the three of them wearing the plastic tiaras to his mother. She’d obviously shown it to the rest of the family because he’d had various texts, emails, and voicemail messages asking who the woman in the photo with him was. His reply of “Olivia” hadn’t cut the mustard and he’d been bombarded with further questions that he’d ignored. But he couldn’t keep her to himself forever.

  “A family wedding. I’m not sure I qualify. I’m just the nanny. But if you need me to look after Hannah … ”

  “You haven’t been invited to look after Hannah. Between my brother and sisters, nieces and nephews, her little feet probably won’t touch the floor for the entire weekend. You’re invited as my girlfriend.” Jonathan turned the full force of his gaze on her.

  “Your girlfriend? Are you sure we’re at the stage where you introduce me to your whole family?” Her voice sounded like she’d just sprinted half a mile.

  “We’re living together. I think we’re well past the stage where I introduce you to my family.”

  She fussed with Hannah’s hat and didn’t look at him. “We’re not living together in the common understanding of the term.”

  “I’m more than willing to bow to convention and rectify the deficiency in our relationship.” He put his hand over hers on the stroller handle.

  “I’m not sure I’m ready to meet all your family. What if they share your opinion about models?”

  He deserved that. “I haven’t told them your profession. And they’re pretty open-minded. They didn’t like Celeste, but I think that was more her personality than her career. Besides, don’t you think it’s time we had a proper date? You know, that thing most normal single people do. Enjoy the company of someone they’re attracted to, share a meal, hold hands … ”

  “Is that all it will be—dinner and handholding?” She looked skeptical and he didn’t blame her.

  “I’m making no promise, especially one I don’t want to keep. The only thing I will say is that we will be surrounded by family. Getting you alone is going to be my most difficult job.” And one he relished. Weddings were supposed to put a woman in the mood for romance. This could work to his advantage.

  “All right, I’ll come,” she replied softly.

  He didn’t analyze the thrill that shot through him at her words. His mobile phone rang before he could sneak a quick kiss while Hannah was watching the monkeys. This time he did resent the intrusion. Before he could cancel the call, however, he checked the caller display. “It’s my mother.”

  Olivia slipped her hand out from under his and knelt next to Hannah, pointing out some of the monkeys’ antics. He tried to concentrate on his mother’s voice and not the gap in Olivia’s jacket that gave an occasional glimpse at the swell of her breasts.

  She glanced up at him as he re-pocketed his phone. “Things okay with your mother?” He could understand her confusion as his side of the conversation had consisted of, “Yes, Mum. No, Mum.”

  “She and Stephanie are coming to London tomorrow. Evidently my sister can’t find the perfect going away outfit, whatever that is. They’re catching the first train down from Leeds so they should be here sometime after nine. If you want to go shopping with them, they would love to have you join them. But if you don’t want to go, that’s fine, too.” He paused, his eyes searching hers. “There is another bonus to my mother coming tomorrow,” he continued.

  “Aside from a day shopping?”

  He smiled. “I figured you’d like the shopping. My bank is sponsoring an art exhibition at the Tate, which opens tomorrow night. I wasn’t going to attend the gala, but as Mum is here to look after Hannah, we could both go.” He tried to be casual with the invitation but the thought of an evening without their jealous chaperone was very tempting.

  “Two dates in two weeks? Watch out, all this romancing might go to my head,” she warned with an odd laugh.

/>   I’d settle for it leading to your bed.

  Chapter 13

  “Can I make a suggestion?” Olivia asked as the shopping trio took a break to enjoy a cup of tea and a sandwich at a small café on the Strand.

  “Of course, Olivia,” Stephanie answered. “I’d love your advice.”

  “I don’t know you very well, but you haven’t liked anything we’ve seen so far. How about something entirely different?”

  “What do you have in mind?” Jonathan’s sister leaned in as if they were discussing a state secret or an illicit assignation.

  “I have a friend who owns a vintage dress store in Victoria. She has clothes you won’t find anywhere else. If you don’t mind secondhand, you could find something stunning there.” She held her breath. Some women hated the thought of wearing used clothes. But throughout the morning’s shopping, Stephanie had come across as down-to-earth and not the least bit pretentious. Olivia liked her very much.

  Jonathan’s mother, Patricia, was great, too. Although petite, like Stephanie, she was a force to be reckoned with. As soon as the grandmother had seen Hannah, she’d picked her up, ignoring the toddler’s pleas for “Bibya.” Within an hour, Hannah contentedly snuggled with her nanna while Stephanie searched each store for the elusive outfit.

  “That sounds like exactly what I want. Let’s go there right after lunch.” Stephanie’s renewed vigor elicited a groan from her mother.

  “I’ll take Hannah back home for a nap. To be honest, I’m worn out as well,” Patricia said. “You and Olivia go and have fun.”

  “Are you sure?” Olivia hesitated. After all, Jonathan paid her to look after his daughter.

  “Absolutely. And I trust your taste; you won’t let Stephanie choose anything outlandish.”

  “Mother, as if I would … ” Stephanie protested.

  Three hours later, Olivia wished she’d been the one to take Hannah home for a nap. She was exhausted after another sleepless night battling her desire for Jonathan and worrying what his colleagues would think of him bringing his nanny-girlfriend to a work function. What if all they talked about was banking? She’d studied up about art so she didn’t come across as a complete ignoramus. But banking was beyond her. Jonathan had once spent ten minutes explaining the derivatives market and she hadn’t understood a word. And she didn’t trust her acting ability to hide her complete lack of interest. Of course, she could spend the evening remembering a naked Jonathan emerging from the pool. Although her drool may give her away.

  A shriek of joy startled her out of her thoughts.

  “This is it! This is exactly it!” Stephanie jumped up and down in the small changing area of Dress Again, the secondhand clothes store. The pale blue wool suit had a knee-length pencil skirt and a jacket with a wide collar. The color brought out Stephanie’s eyes and highlighted her fair hair. “And it’s less than half of what I budgeted!” she exclaimed after looking at the price tag.

  “Thank goodness.” Olivia released an exaggerated sigh of relief. “I think you’ve tried on everything in the store in your size.” Despite her worries about meeting Jonathan’s family, she’d had a fun day with his sister. Stephanie was bubbly and bright with a quick sense of humor. And she had a generous dose of spontaneity that her overly analytical brother was missing.

  “This shop is absolutely amazing. I am coming here every time I visit London from now on, which hopefully will be more often now that Jonathan is back. And he has a big house to stay in—without his nasty wife in residence.”

  Stephanie handed several other outfits that still hung in the changing cubicle, which was a curtain stuck on a shower rail in a corner of the shop, to the owner. “I’ll take these as well. They’re not for the wedding, but I’ll find an opportunity to wear them.” After she changed back into her jeans and top, Stephanie declared, “Now we just have to find something for Olivia.”

  “Something for me?” Olivia asked, stunned.

  “Of course. You’re coming to the wedding. We need something that will knock my brother’s socks off. Actually, knocking all his clothes off, I imagine, would be the desired result.” Stephanie started sorting through a rack of evening gowns. Olivia could feel heat radiating from her cheeks. Had she done something to indicate she’d been picturing Jonathan naked?

  “I have a couple of dresses that came in yesterday,” the owner offered. “I’ve had them cleaned but haven’t put them out yet. They might be perfect. The original wearer was a tall woman so they need someone of Olivia’s height to carry them off. They’re in the back—wait here.” She popped through a door hidden at the rear of the shop to return a few minutes later, holding a couple of garment bags over her arm.

  “Try them on, Olivia. I can’t wait to see you in them. If you don’t want them, can I take a photo of you wearing them to put on my website?”

  Olivia dutifully went into the cubicle to change. She didn’t want to argue and spoil Stephanie’s day of shopping. Plus, she had no idea what to wear to a family wedding. Perhaps Stephanie could give her the head’s up.

  “I can’t wear this in public,” she declared a moment later, still standing behind the curtain.

  “I think we should be the judge of that,” Stephanie said as she pulled the curtain aside. “Oh. My. God.” Her jaw dropped to the floor. “It looks like it was made for you.” The champagne-colored satin and chiffon fitted dress was cut low in the front, and a slit up the middle revealed almost all of Olivia’s leg when she moved. She looked like she’d been poured into it. “You have to buy it,” Stephanie announced. “But you can’t wear it to my wedding. I have to be the most beautiful woman there and with you in that,” she indicated the dress, “not a single person will look at me.”

  “I can barely breathe.” Olivia stared at her reflection in the chipped mirror. She’d worn dresses like this when she was working, but they’d always been for a show or a photo shoot; she never thought of taking them home or wearing them out in public.

  “That only seems fair,” Stephanie laughed. “Any man who sees you in it will barely be able to breathe, either. Jonathan will probably faint,” she added gleefully.

  “I have the shoes to go with it as well. I was going to keep them for myself but it would be a shame to separate them from the perfect dress. You are lucky, my friend, that we have the same size feet.” The store owner handed her a pair of strappy, gold-heeled sandals.

  “Where am I going to wear it? Taking Hannah for walks around the park?” Olivia tried to think practically, although the beautiful dress held her mesmerized. She’d denied herself Jonathan. Didn’t she deserve some treat for her abstinence?

  “Aren’t you supposed to be going to that art opening with my brother tonight? He said it was a formal event. Wear it there,” Stephanie replied.

  “Tonight! Oh my goodness, I lost track of time. Good grief, it’s almost six thirty,” she said, looking at her watch. “We were supposed to leave at seven thirty. There’s no way I’ll make it home in time to get ready.”

  “Don’t go home, then,” Stephanie said. “Finish getting ready here and meet Jonathan at the party. I’ll give him a call and let him know you’ll meet him there. I can take the rest of our purchases back to his place.” Stephanie was already calling Jonathan on her mobile. “There, that’s sorted,” she announced, shutting her phone. “He’ll wait for you at the entrance at seven forty-five. Now we just have to get you ready.”

  • • •

  Jonathan stared into the dark night. The street lamps hugged the light to themselves in the chilly air. He forced himself not to glance at his watch again. But he couldn’t stop from shifting his weight from one foot to the other. What if she didn’t come? He’d already been seen by several of his colleagues so he couldn’t go home without putting in at least a brief appearance. But he had no desire to be there without Olivia.

  “Sorry I’m a bit late,” Olivia apologized, her voice breathless as she hurried toward him. With only a scarf protecting him against the chill in the
wind, he’d been cold. Until he’d spotted her. Then the heat hit him like an oven opening. Would there ever come a time when his body didn’t respond to her? Maybe when I’m dead … maybe.

  “I don’t think eight minutes counts as late,” he replied smoothly, his voice, thankfully, remaining even.

  “Your sister wouldn’t let me leave until everything was perfect, in her opinion.” She fidgeted with the clasp of her bag. Was she nervous? Surely she’d attended hundreds of these types of events in her career. He’d been to enough of them with Celeste.

  “I’m sure the effort is well worth it.” He held out his hand to her, pleased when she placed her cold hand in his. The evening suddenly held more promise of enjoyment than he’d thought.

  He listened as Olivia told him about her afternoon with his sister. Stephanie had called him twenty minutes ago to say she’d had a fantastic day and warned him not to cock this one up. Then she’d rung off with a particularly wicked laugh, which had made him a little wary about the evening.

  Whatever they’d found for Olivia to wear, it was something, because her face was animated. At the moment she had on a black cape coat with a fur-trimmed hood covering her hair. The coat fell almost to the ground. And the only thing Jonathan could tell about her dress was that it was light-gold and a satiny material. Her shoes clicked across the concrete as they made their way through the nearly empty building. After a minute Olivia pulled back the hood to reveal her elaborately styled hair falling in cascading curls down her back.

  He led the way to the East Room with its stunning views across the river to St. Paul’s Cathedral. A coat check clerk offered to take her cloak. Slowly Olivia unbuttoned the toggles. “Oh … wow,” he managed to get out at last. “It’s a good thing we met here. If you had come downstairs wearing that, I wouldn’t have let you out of the house,” he whispered into her ear from behind.