by Lulu Taylor
On the ground floor was the reception area, cloakroom and club offices, and storage area. In the basement were the gym and eight luxurious bedroom suites for members who were up in town for the evening, or for those who found themselves a little too tired to make it home. They could only be booked for the entire night; Allegra had wanted to make them available in two-hour chunks so that women members could have somewhere nice and private to get ready for their night out, but Adam had pointed out the potential for abuse.
‘We don’t want people bringing prostitutes here – or treating the place like a knocking shop. That’s a reputation we don’t need. Decent rooms at a high enough price will discourage it, I think.’
Allegra could see he was right.
Tonight, all their hard work had finally paid off. The club was finished and it looked amazing. The place was thronged with new members. Allegra and Adam had picked carefully: there were some celebrity faces in the crowd, but also a lot of influential people who weren’t as famous as the stars but well-known in their fields: musicians, writers, scientists, producers, architects, designers … Above all, the crowd felt youthful and vibrant. The dress code was so relaxed as to be non-existent, but tonight everyone had made an effort: boys in sharp, sixties-style suits mingled with girls in gorgeous party dresses with killer make-up and shoes.
Allegra herself had made a special effort with a petrol-blue asymmetric mini-dress by Preen. A wide strap came over one shoulder to join the bodice, which was pleated in a bandage effect, while the thigh-skimming skirt was layered, with a bubble skirt over a body-contour underskirt. She teamed this with Stella McCartney high sandals in a nude mesh and the look showcased her magnificent legs. A row of chunky golden bracelets ornamented one arm almost to the elbow, and a gold slave collar was wrapped round her neck. She looked different now that she’d had her long blonde hair cut down to a choppy bob that ended just below her chin: she had done it soon after Xander’s death and it seemed to symbolise the fact that she had grown up.
‘You look amazing,’ Adam murmured as he brought her a glass of champagne.
‘Thank you. You look pretty good yourself,’ she said with a smile, admiring the handmade suit by Armani and Paul Smith shirt. He looked handsome tonight, she thought. I’ve never noticed how long his eyelashes are … She glanced at her glass. ‘I mustn’t drink too much of this. I need to stay on the ball. We’ve got so many journalists here covering the party and I need to sweet talk all of them.’
‘You’re already doing a magnificent job. I saw you bowling over that hairy little man from The Times.’
‘He was raving about the canapés. Said they were the best he’d ever had.’
‘I should think so – we never settle for less.’
They smiled at each other. They’d agonised over every detail of this night and had worked tirelessly together to get it completely right.
‘Of course, you know that this is just the beginning, don’t you?’ Allegra said, making a face. ‘We’ve proved we can do it best – and now we’ve got to keep doing it. Our standards have to be this high every night. That’s what we already do at Colette’s, and that’s what we have to do here. I can tell you, it’s very hard work.’
‘I’m up for it,’ Adam said, raising his eyebrows. Then he caught sight of someone coming in and said, ‘See you later. Got to go and be nice to someone important.’
Allegra watched him go. The two of them had grown very close over the last few months. They’d always worked well together – she appreciated his calm approach and habit of doing immediately what he’d said he would do – but the trauma of Xander’s death had brought them closer. She felt that now they really were friends. She’d always respected his professional abilities and the way he understood the world of clubs; now she found she was looking forward to seeing him every day, and that often their late nights meant they would have dinner together, chatting over their meal and a glass of wine. They never referred to their previous encounter in her flat, and it should have been long forgotten, but lately she’d begun to find that it played through her mind more and more.
She shook the memory away. She had achieved her aims and Adam had helped her. Now they ought to part ways, but somehow she couldn’t bring herself to think about it.
There’s the new project anyway, she told herself firmly. I’ll need his help for that. I don’t want to do Astor House on my own. Astor House was her next venture. She had secured a Palladian-style property in Hampshire and her plan was to transform it into a luxurious hotel and spa, the perfect retreat for members craving some country quiet.
‘Allegra, Allegra!’ David was pushing his way through the crowd towards her. He was perfectly turned out as usual in a loud double-breasted pinstripe suit in dark blue with big lapels. With his bright red tie and red silk handkerchief, he was obviously channelling the eighties in some way.
‘David!’ Allegra kissed him as he drew level with her. ‘Are you having a good time? Do you like the club?’’
‘Taste this!’ he said furiously and handed her his cocktail glass.
She sipped it. It tasted like a perfectly fine gin Martini to her – Tanqueray gin, she suspected. ‘What’s wrong with it?’
‘What’s wrong? It tastes bloody filthy, that’s what!’ David looked angry, his cheeks high with colour. ‘That’s what happens when you don’t have Sinbad here. Call that a vodka Martini? I don’t think so! You must sack the barman at once.’
‘It’s gin, isn’t it?’ asked Allegra, frowning.
‘Is it?’ David looked confused. ‘No … no … it’s vodka.’
Allegra sipped again. ‘Definitely gin. He’s made a mistake. I’ll get you another one.’
‘Oh, don’t worry,’ her uncle said sulkily. ‘I can’t be bothered now. I’ll have a glass of champagne, I suppose.’
Allegra beckoned over a waitress, put the rejected Martini on her tray and took a glass of Krug for David.
‘How do you like the club?’
He glanced about. ‘You’ve made it look very nice – but it’s so bloody big! It’s not like Colette’s, where you feel like you’re at a wonderful and very exclusive party.’
‘No – but this isn’t Colette’s. Nothing else ever could be,’ Allegra said reasonably. ‘We’re attracting a different crowd.’
‘I’ll say.’ David looked about, a little snootily. ‘I don’t recognise anyone in here at all, and that is quite unusual for me.’
‘No one?’ Allegra said surprised. Among the crowd were quite a few society figures whose parents had surely known David in his time, and who must have visited Colette’s.
‘No. Except …’ he scrunched up his face in distaste ‘… some celebrities. I don’t like it, Allegra, I really don’t. And photographers outside! And journalists in here! I’ve seen them, poking around nosily with their horrid little pads, taking notes. I don’t like it at all.’
‘We’ve been through this before. You know that this is the way the world works now …’
‘Doesn’t mean I have to damn’ well like it!’ David said, and marched off, leaving Allegra sighing behind him.
The party was a great success. Dozens of bottles of champagne were drunk along with hundreds of cocktails, delicious canapés were hoovered up, and the dance floor throbbed with people; although it was a cool autumn evening the roof was open so that they were dancing under the stars. It was closed at one a.m., in accordance with the noise restrictions placed on them, but the party went on.
At four o’clock, Allegra saw that only stragglers were left. She caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror as she passed. Her eyes were still smoky and well defined, her cheeks sparkled with glittery pale blusher, and her lips were dark pink now that her red lipstick had faded a little. I don’t look that bad, considering, she told herself. What a night!
Adam was in the main bar, helping one of the staff clear up. ‘There you are,’ he said with a smile when he saw her come in. ‘I wondered if you’d gone.’
‘Just about to. Nasser says he’s going to lock up for us.’ Nasser was the club’s manager, lured away from the Groucho to join their team. Allegra and Adam had gone on a manhunt, pinpointing the best staff at the very best places in town, and then luring them to Oscar’s. Very few people had been able to resist them, and their team was already highly effective and brilliantly professional. She sighed. ‘I could do with going home.’
‘Me too. Let’s go together. We’ll have to take a taxi, I can’t drive for another few hours. I can drop you off on my way.’
‘All right.’
They went down the stairs and out on to the street. A black cab with a glowing yellow light soon came past. They hailed it then collapsed on to the wide leather seat. They turned to one another as they both sank back, exhausted.
‘We did it,’ she said softly.
‘We did,’ he answered, and they stared at each other. Instantly the atmosphere in the cab was transformed: crackling with tension. The next moment Adam reached for her and they were kissing passionately.
When it happened Allegra felt no surprise. Yes, this was supposed to happen. This is what I want. His kiss sent thrills through her body. She couldn’t think of anything but the delicious taste of him and that she wanted as much of him as possible.
A moment later he pulled away and stared at her. ‘Allegra,’ he said in a soft voice.
‘Shhhh.’ She put a finger to his lips. ‘Let’s not talk about it. Not yet.’ She pulled his head back to hers and kissed him again. He responded fiercely
The taxi driver discreetly ignored them until he came to a halt outside the house. Allegra had moved over the summer from her beloved Marylebone flat to a large Georgian double-fronted mansion on the edge of Regent’s Park. The taxi stood outside for quite a while before the driver said, ‘S’cuse me, mate, we’re at your address!’
Adam pulled reluctantly away from Allegra, brushing her hair down with a gentle hand. ‘Shall I come in?’ he asked breathlessly.
‘No,’ she said. ‘Imogen’s asleep inside. I don’t want to wake her.’ There was a pause. ‘Can I come to your place?’
He laughed with relief. ‘Of course you can!’
They sat in silence as the taxi headed north towards Kentish Town. The early-morning buses were already starting their routes, the delivery trucks were taking the city’s supplies to its clubs, restaurants, hotels, schools and hospitals. The night was almost over but Allegra sensed that the most important part of it for her was yet to come. She felt oddly calm but very happy with Adam’s hand wrapped tightly around hers.
Less than ten minutes later the cab drew up in front of a large mansion block. Adam led her in through the front door and up to his second-floor flat. The minute they were through the door, he was pressing her up against the wall as he kissed her. She reached for his jacket, pushing it over his shoulders and forcing it off, then started unbuttoning his shirt. He had one arm round her slender waist, pulling her close to him, as he ran his other hand over her body.
He pulled away from her mouth and panted, ‘How do you undo this dress?’
Allegra laughed and said, ‘You’d better let me do it.’
She stepped away from him and, in the dim light of the hall, unzipped the side fastening of her dress, slipped off the shoulder strap and let it fall to the floor, so that she was standing there in her pale pink bra, tiny lacy pants and high-heeled shoes.
‘Christ,’ said Adam hoarsely. ‘You’re so beautiful. I can’t believe it.’
She moved towards him, walking like a catwalk model, swinging her hips. She felt suddenly amazingly sexy, overcome with lust for him. She hadn’t ever felt like that about someone she’d already slept with. He could only stare at her in wonder as she snaked her arms round his neck and pulled him close, pushing her tongue into his mouth and kissing him deeply. He hastily finished unbuttoning his shirt, then she pushed it back off his shoulders, revealing his firm, toned chest and stomach, and it fell to the floor as well. As they kissed, she undid his trousers deftly and then slid his boxer shorts down, putting her hands on his round, hard buttocks. He pushed in towards her and she felt the hot iron rod of his prick pressing against the scratchy lace of her pants.
‘I want you, Allegra,’ he said, kissing her neck, her ears, her chin. ‘You’ve been driving me mad for so long … Do you know how difficult it’s been working with you, knowing what you look like naked, what you feel like, what you taste like?’ He pulled back and stared into her eyes. ‘You do want me too?’ he asked quietly.
‘Yes,’ she said, almost as a sigh. She buried her fingers in his hair and pulled him close to her so that they could devour each other’s mouths again. He lifted her up, she wrapped her legs round his waist, and he carried her into the bedroom, laying her down on the soft smooth silk blanket. He lay down beside her, stroking her body continuously as he kissed her, as though unable to keep his hands off the beauty of her shoulders, breasts, belly and thighs.
She wondered when the little voice was going to come and spoil everything. She waited for it as she and Adam kissed, rolling round the bed. When she slid her lacy knickers down her thighs and off, she expected to hear it mocking her, as usual, even while Adam drew in his breath in excitement as he saw her bush of light blonde hair, and the coral lips of her pussy. She listened for it as he pushed his cock into her and they moved sweetly together.
But it didn’t come. There was no little voice, it was silenced.
Oh my God, am I finally free? she wondered as he moved deep inside her and she wrapped her arms around him, tightening her thighs round his waist. Am I allowed to enjoy this? She felt a rush of joy and moaned with pleasure as he stiffened and arched back, his eyes closed tightly as he rushed to his orgasm. Then he fell back on the pillow beside her.
‘Did you come?’ he asked anxiously. ‘I wasn’t sure, I tried to wait.’
‘No,’ she said, ‘but believe me, I had a wonderful time.’
‘Really?’ He looked doubtful. He wrapped his arms round her.
‘I mean it.’ She ran a finger down his face, smiling at the look in his eyes. ‘I’m glad you care. I’ll tell you more another time.’
‘All right.’ He dropped a kiss on the end of her nose. ‘I’ll never rush you. Whenever you’re ready. Are you sure I can’t do something?’ He brushed a hand lightly over her bush.
‘Not now, darling.’ She sighed happily. ‘There’s plenty of time for all that. I’m sleepy.’ She rolled into his chest, nestling close to him. ‘Night-night.’
‘Good night.’ He rested his head on top of hers and the next moment they were both asleep.
She woke to a delicious sensation, warm waves of pleasure rolling out from her pussy. She groaned almost without knowing why and put her hand down to her groin. Adam’s hand was already there, his index and middle finger rubbing gently over her clitoris, sometimes dipping down to her pussy to stroke the entrance to her hole, smoothing her juices back up to her clit so that he could carry on rolling smoothly over it, pushing its small hood back and pressing on its sensitive tip.
She gasped, almost unable to bear the electric sensation, the extraordinary tingling in her entire groin that was verging on painful.
He pushed into her neck, kissing her softly and nuzzling her, moving towards her mouth. The combined sensation of his mouth on her neck and his fingers twirling and twirling over her clit was extraordinary. The feeling built and built until she wondered what on earth could happen next, and then she felt a rush of pleasure as though she were taking off; she grabbed him, digging her nails into his arm as she convulsed, the orgasm taking hold of her and keeping her in its grip for what felt like minutes.
When she fell back on the pillow, her breathless panting turned to laughter.
‘What?’ he asked with a gentle smile. ‘Was that funny?’
‘No … no … it was lovely. I’ve never been woken up like that before.’ She gazed into his eyes. ‘Thank you. That was … gorgeous.’
‘Was
it?’
‘Yes. More than you know.’
Chapter 49
London
September 2009
‘MUM, I DON’T need you yet, honestly,’ Imogen said into the telephone, jigging up and down. ‘Now I’ve got to go … really, I must. I’m desperate for the loo. The baby’s pressing right on my bladder.’
This was enough to get her mother off the phone and she dashed to the lavatory, as fast she could with an enormous bump to carry with her. She was vast now and constantly floored by tiredness. She hadn’t been able to go to the party at Oscar’s the previous night because she felt like an elephant and couldn’t keep her eyes open after eight p.m.
She went downstairs, slow and ponderous, and into the kitchen. There was no sign of Allegra but that was not surprising: it had probably been a late one last night and she was no doubt exhausted after all the hard work of getting Oscar’s launch party ready. It was extraordinary how, on top of that workload, she’d also found time to locate and buy Astor House, and start planning all that as well.
Who would have thought that flighty, lazy, feckless Allegra, who had so loved scandalous partying, would now be carving out a career for herself in the world of exclusive nightclubs? Everyone would have marked out Imogen as the career girl, and Allegra as no more than a wastrel.
But look at me now! I’m the one who’s abandoned my promising career: pregnant, single and no way of looking after myself. Well, thank God for friends, that’s all. It had been Allegra’s idea that Imogen should share her large Regent’s Park house, where there was plenty of room for two women and a baby.
She made herself a cup of tea and then waddled back out into the hall with it. She would take it up to bed and try to relax for a little longer. The door, she noticed, had not been chained. Even though it was dead bolted in three places, Allegra always liked to put the chain on the door when she came in. And there was no sign of her coat, bag or shoes. Usually, when she came in after a late night, she would drop her things on the floor and kick off her heels, leaving them where they lay.