My Weakness

by Alison Mello

  I shook my head. “Too much to do.”

  “Oh. I wanted us to have tea together.” She pulled a full-on pout. “I’ve got some news.”

  I raised an eyebrow, full well knowing she would tell me anyway.

  “We’ve set the date.” She clapped her hands together and squealed. “August thirtieth—make sure you book it off. And I want us to go dress shopping so book July seventh off too.”

  I sighed and nodded my agreement.

  She perched herself on the end of my desk, whispering as she asked me about Paul.

  Right on cue, he strode out of his office, flashing me a winning smile. His eyes fell on Molly and in an instant, his smile vanished and his twinkling blue eyes clouded over with a prickly darkness.

  Molly straightened her posture and twiddled her blonde hair round her finger. “Hi, Mr. Connors.”

  Paul said nothing to acknowledge her and sauntered out of the office in silence.

  I rolled my eyes at her typical flirt with me behaviour. “Molly, you’re getting married in a few weeks.”

  “Nothing wrong with window shopping.”

  With nothing left worthy of browsing, she left me in peace with my mountain of notes. I continued to plough my way through my work. It was only my growling stomach that made me glance up at the clock to see it was nearly seven. Muttering a curse as I surrendered to the fact I’d have to come in early, Paul strolled through the door with a mischievous grin.

  “Working late?”

  “I’m not going to even dignify that with an answer.”

  A smile curved his delightful mouth before he thrust his hand out towards me. “Come on.”

  I frowned. “What? I’m not in the mood for games, Paul.”

  “Stop worrying about it. He’s not going to sack you for handing him his minutes in late, and if he does, then he’ll have questions to answer. Come on, you need food.”

  “Paul…”

  “Shut up and get your cute little ass out that door.”

  Chapter Ten

  Paul manhandled me into his sleek car, ignoring my futile attempts to tell him work needed to be done.

  He sat in the driver’s seat, smiling. “Just shush. I know you need food so just indulge yourself.”

  I sighed as I tried to calm my mind from stressing too much. Whilst more than glad he was taking me away from work, I was panicking about facing Mr. Collins with an unmet deadline.

  I stared out the window as we trundled down the road. “Where are we going?”

  “There’s a little pub I often come to when I’m not busy. They serve good food and it’s private.”

  I grinned, watching the scenery fade from the hustle and bustle of town into winding back roads. After twenty minutes, he pulled into a gravel park sat round the back of a light green-coloured pub. A black wooden frame hung off the side of the building—‘The Dog and The Bone.’

  We walked in through a side door, its creaking hinges informing me of the aged setting I was about to step into. A roaring open fire warmed me from one side, old oil paintings hanging over its brick red breast. Red and gold wallpaper covered the walls, contrasting the aged floral carpet we stood on. A dark wooden bar to the right housed a stout, grey-haired man with a broad grin.

  “Paul, how lovely to see you. We missed you last week.”

  Paul smiled as he ambled over. “Hi, Phil. How are you doing? I was busy last week, sorry.”

  “No worries. Usual?”

  Paul nodded. “And a Tia Maria and Coke for my friend here, please.”

  “Do I not even get a choice in what I want to drink?”

  He grinned as he led us over to a table. “Stop being awkward.”

  We browsed through the menu in silence, placing our orders with Phil before he left us alone with our drinks.

  “Do you come here every week?” I asked.

  He hesitated before answering. “Yes. If I can.”

  “What do you mean if you can?”

  He pursed his lips. “I have a family business to take care of after I finish at Collins’s.”

  I raised my eyebrows, a mixture of surprise and intrigue pricking at me. “Oh. What kind of business?”

  He scratched the back of his head, licking his lips before he answered. “Um, it’s a little difficult to explain.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  He attempted a smile but his eyes held a blank stare. “It belongs to my parents but as they insist on handing the business down to me at some point, they kind of insist I’m as much a part of it as they are.”

  “That’s understandable. They’ve obviously spent a long time building it up for you.”

  He nodded.

  “So what is it exactly?”

  He chewed his lip for a second. “They’re in the leisure and entertainment industry.”

  Thinking of cabarets on cruise ships, my eyes lit up. “That sounds fun. Like holidays and stuff?”

  “Yes, that kind of thing.”

  “Oh, I see. So you come here for a night off or something?”

  He nodded. “Wednesdays are the only nights when I’m not really needed so I tend to make the most of my free time and come here for decent food and peace and quiet.”

  I nodded, understanding his situation.

  Taking a sip of my drink, I began to think of my ideal holiday. It used to be between the Maldives and going to a horse ranch to learn to rope cows. My ideal spot had been Texas whilst dad had always wanted to visit Colorado. I would go one day, in honour of him. For now, my dream was ruined as my mother had shacked up with a young rancher in Texas. It was a sore spot and we hadn’t spoken for months.

  Before I could pry further on his business, our food turned up on two huge oval plates. There was so much of it that it spilled over the edges.

  My mouth dropped open. “I’m never going to eat all of this.”

  He grinned. “Get your fill.”

  I laughed before tucking into the delicious meal before me. It was nothing fancy, just a home cooked lasagna, but it was delightful.

  Paul smiled as I groaned in pleasure. “Good?”

  I nodded. “Almost as good as you.”

  ***

  After a quiet ending to our evening last night with nothing more than a simple kiss before we parted ways, I arrived at work a little before seven in the morning feeling rather rested and relaxed. Being the only one in the building, the eerie silence sent chills down my spine. My solitary footsteps echoed up the empty staircase, making me check behind me every few seconds as paranoia began to creep in.

  I walked into my office and dumped my bag on my desk with a defeated sigh. I glanced at the stack of paperwork on top of my keyboard; a bright yellow post-it note sported a heart stopping message:

  Thought I’d give you a helping hand. XXX

  I picked the papers up and scanned through them. My jaw fell open in shock. They were the minutes from the directors’ meeting—complete. My scrawled notes were stacked in my filing tray. Had he really done this? I was gobsmacked to say the least—and now annoyed that I’d gotten up early for no reason.

  I frowned, deciding I’d just bag the time up and use it on another day when I was a bit quieter. I made a cup of tea before settling at my desk, looking through the minutes for errors and typos. It was all perfect. I actually couldn’t have done a better job myself. How on earth he’d read my terrible notes I had no idea.

  Just after eight, in strode my Greek god. “Hello, you,” he said.

  “Morning,” I said, giving him a sly smirk. “You could have told me you were doing this. I wouldn’t have bothered coming in at seven otherwise.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest and raised his eyebrows as he mimicked a high-pitched voice. “Oh, thank you, Paul, for helping me. That was so nice of you. I really appreciate it. What can I possibly do to thank you?”

  I gave him an exasperated look that clearly said for fuck’s sake.

  He put his tongue in his cheek. “Well, seeing as you’re offeri
ng to thank me…”

  I snorted. “I don’t think so. Thank you, though. I am grateful.”

  “You’re very welcome. I didn’t want you stressing and I couldn’t be doing with politics from Collins if you were late with them.”

  I frowned, not quite understanding his comment but let it go. “I need July seventh off. Dress shopping with Molly.”

  “She’s actually going through with it, then?”

  I nodded.

  “That guy needs a medal.”

  “Hey, she’s my best friend, you know.”

  “Sweetie, I think a lot of people would call her that. Namely men.”

  “Paul!”

  He laughed. “Yes, okay. Fine. Put it on your holiday sheet. If you get my drift.”

  I frowned, not quite catching on. “Are you saying…?”

  “Yes. Now shush about it and make me one of your lovely teas. Please.”

  I relaxed back in my chair, soaking in the fact he was giving me a day off for free. I couldn’t help the grin folding over my face. Sleeping with a director seemed to be full of perks.

  Chapter Eleven

  By the time I finished work on Friday, I was buzzing with excitement for my weekend with my brother. I packed up my desk, running for the door at dead on four when Paul appeared, smiling.

  “Where are you going in such a rush?”

  “I’m going to London with Ash.”

  He raised his eyebrows as he walked towards me, settling his hands on my waist. “You going all weekend?”

  I nodded. “You said you were busy so I made plans.”

  “Oh. Well, have a good time. Do you mind if I call when I can?”

  I shook my head. “No, of course not.”

  He smiled. “You make sure you stay safe. If you get in the wrong place at the wrong time—”

  “I’ll be fine. We’ll be hitting gay bars anyway.”

  He grinned, cocking his head to one side. “Which will have lesbians in as well.”

  I smirked, brushing my hands across his groin. “Well, maybe that’s something I’m not immune to.”

  “Are you being serious?”

  I gave him a cheeky grin. “Well, I have always been slightly curious…”

  He started laughing. “Interesting.”

  “Isn’t it just?”

  He pressed his lips to mine, parting my lips with his tongue as he massaged me into a bubble of hot surges and tingles I never wanted to leave. He broke our kiss with a smile. “Go and have fun. I’ll speak to you later.”

  ***

  Ash picked me up from work, my luggage already in his car. He was almost bouncing out of his seat with excitement as we made the three-hour trip down to London. We pulled up outside of a Premier Inn in the depths of Covent Garden.

  Ash bounded up the stairs after we checked in, unlocking my door and throwing my bags on the huge bed. He turned round, grabbing my shoulders as his dark eyes danced with joy.

  “I want you showered and changed in an hour.”

  He charged past me to his room next door as I stood there groaning at his kid-like energy.

  Nevertheless, I got myself showered and proceeded to poke through my bags for a dress to wear. I pulled out my favourite red lace number and a pair of black high heels to go with it. Pinning my hair to the side, I curled a few random pieces before attacking myself with hairspray.

  Just as I finished my makeup, Ash burst through the door. He let out a low whistle and nodded his approval of my outfit. “Check you out.”

  I wrinkled my nose up at his overpowering aftershave. “Are you wearing Joop again?” He knew I hated that stuff.

  He ignored me, rubbing his hands together. “So, what’s going on with you and Mr. Hot Stuff?”

  I smirked, shrugging my shoulders. “It’s just sex.”

  “Sis, don’t lie to me. I know you.”

  I ushered him out the door. “Ash, it’s barely been a week. We’ve had more sex than conversations. That’s all it is.”

  He held his hands up in a surrender sign, grinning. “So, if he suddenly appeared and declared his undying love for you, what would you say?”

  I grinned. “You should be asking what I would do.”

  He laughed. “Okay, okay. But in all seriousness, taking him out of the equation, don’t you ever want to settle down? I am waiting to be fun Uncle Ash.”

  I sighed as we made our way down the corridor. “Ash, I’m only thirty, not fifty. I’m not going to tie myself down to someone just for the sake of it. It has to be right.”

  It suddenly dawned on me that even if I had a child now, I would be fifty before they left home. That was a scary thought. Why hadn’t I settled down before now? A cold realisation hit me that, actually, I really did need to take this seriously if I wanted that normal life I craved yet was too afraid to commit to.

  “I get that, sis, I really do, but when are you going to stop being so afraid? Fear is in all of us but you’re letting it rule you.”

  I thought about his words for a moment. He was right, but I wasn’t going to tell him that. My stubborn streak emerged, batting away his good sense. “If I get desperate for kids, I’ll go to a sperm bank.”

  Ash burst out laughing, shaking his head. “You’re impossible.”

  I ignored him, changing the subject. “Right, where are we going?”

  He grinned, grabbing my hand and squeezing my bones into a sickening crunch. “We’re going to a beautiful little club called The Tiger’s Eye. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

  I instantly knew he’d found a boyfriend. I couldn’t wait to meet him—this was a first for Ash, introducing me to one of his partners.

  The club was only a ten-minute walk from the hotel. As I revelled in the fact I was out on a night out, which I’d not had for ages, my phone vibrated.

  Paul: Hope you’re enjoying yourself. Let me know whether she’s a blonde or a redhead. I’m already sorted for a brunette. ;-) xx

  Me: I’ll let you know once I’m finished with her. ;-) xx

  Paul: Take some pics or a video for me. ;-) xx

  Me: Sorry, I’ll be too busy. I’m sure your imagination can come up with something better. ;-) xx

  The club had three levels to it. I raised my eyebrows at Ash as he described each level as more risqué than the one before. He instructed me under no circumstances to go to the third floor. A shot of dread ran through me as I pushed unwelcome thoughts from my mind.

  We left the ground floor with its black marble floor and quiet music, climbing a set of white marble stairs that curled round in a loose spiral. We came to a wide landing, a plush red carpet spread out over the floor leading us to a set of double doors. Bright lights and thumping music streamed out to us as we approached our destination.

  Opening the doors, we were greeted with an incredibly sized dance hall. The same black marble spanned the floor in here with a huge bar the length of the room to the left and a line of red velvet booths to the right, each lit with a hanging chandelier. The DJ pumped out his awesome tunes to the crowd of bodies all upon each other, hands and feet mingling into one giant mass.

  Everywhere I looked there were girls on girls, guys on guys, and guys on girls. It seemed like anything went in here—if it had a pulse and you fancied it, then away you go.

  We ordered our drinks before I turned round, scanning across the room. “So where is he?”

  He grinned like a school kid and pointed to the DJ booth.

  “Really?”

  He nodded, throwing me a wink. “And he bangs as well as his tunes.”

  I choked on my drink, spluttering as he laughed next to me.

  He patted me on the shoulder. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  I watched his broad back disappear into the crowd, trying to hide my awkwardness at standing in a strange place on my own. Not only was it an unfamiliar place but somewhere full of predators searching out their next prey.

  “Hey.”

  I turned round at the sound of the
silky smooth voice to be greeted with a fantastic-looking redheaded woman. A couple of inches taller than me with a perfect hourglass figure, she was simply stunning. Her green eyes glittered with intrigue as she stood next to me, scanning over my face. Dressed in a simple black halterneck dress, it contrasted her soft, pale skin to perfection.

  I smiled, finding myself unable to take my eyes off her. Something about her just captivated me.

  She held a hand out, her nails long and perfectly manicured. “Tessa.”

  I took her hand, ignoring my racing heart. “Kyra.”

  “I’ve not seen you before?”

  I wondered how often she was in here to warrant a question like that. “I’m just here for the weekend with my brother.”

  “Where is he?”

  I pointed to the DJ booth.

  “Your brother is Ben’s new beau? Wow. I’ve heard he’s quite something. Ashley, isn’t it?”

  I nodded as I began to wonder how on earth he’d met this guy in the first place.

  “So, what are you doing here? Other than your brother? You can’t possibly be single.”

  I smiled. “It’s complicated.”

  She nodded. “So, where is he? Or she?”

  “He is doing family stuff this weekend.”

  “So how is it complicated?”

  I was slightly taken aback at her forward approach but maybe speaking to another female, an outside point of view, would do me some good.

  “He’s my boss. We’ve had more sex than conversations. It won’t go anywhere.”

  “Ah.” She curled her fingers around my arm, causing me to jump in surprise. “Never mix business and pleasure. It always ends in tears. Is he hot?”

  I grinned. “Like you wouldn’t believe.”

  “Well, the way I see it, you’re just enjoying him for sex.” She trailed her nails up and down my arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in her wake. “Which means…”

  My heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t deny she was alluring to say the least. Hell, I was a woman and even I found myself attracted to her. As much as I had always been curious about being with a girl, I knew for a fact if I did it, I would regret it afterwards. I knew I would feel dirty and wish it hadn’t happened. However, I couldn’t ignore the fact that the curiosity was there.