I've had to bail Jake out a couple of times with the bar in Crete, but that's okay. He's got a young family now and I can't let him go under.
She'll report to Amanda and I'll just keep an overview of the situation.
Amanda did a great job of arranging the day on Sunday. I just mentioned going out for a touristy time, that I might like to revisit Oxford, and left it to her to come up with the ideas and book everything in advance. She's a good PA, intelligent, hard-working and attractive. Sometimes I get a bit distracted when she's leaning over my desk to talk to me, but I make it a rule not to mix business with pleasure. Mostly. I'll make sure she gets a bonus next month.
Surprisingly, in Oxford, I found Leah good company. She was lively, interested in everything, ready to enjoy the day, a refreshing change from most girls, who can easily get bored unless you’re spending money on them. The picnic hamper was an unexpected hit, too.
I remember, she was sitting opposite me, on the wooden seat, and she took off her jacket and stretched – the shape of her under a sort of lacy top left quite an impression. And when she moved around I could see a little bit up her skirt. I thought I should warn her about how she might appear when she drinks too much, like on the night of the wedding, and she called me pompous. Me!
I pretended I was going to throw her in the river and grabbed her, and then I kissed her instead.
From that moment it was obvious what was going to happen. We both felt it. I found a hotel on the outskirts of Oxford, and we hardly made it to the bed. It was overwhelming, quick and urgent.
Later, she seemed a bit shy about her gorgeous, curvy body and I took my time to seduce her, slowly, gently until she lost all her inhibitions. Exhaustingly satisfying. I was up for staying the night, but she said she had to get up really early the next day for the flower market in Covent Garden. So I drove her home, gave her a quick hug and that was it.
We didn't exchange phone numbers or make any further arrangements. She's not a young girl, probably in her late twenties. She must know the score – it was just a one off; a day out followed by a great afternoon of sex.
And if we happen to meet again, through Sam and Lucy or something, we'll just be polite and adult about it, maybe even friendly. And of course, the offer of the loan still stands.
She must realise that's how things are.
CHAPTER TEN
Leah was relieved that Emma had gone out when she arrived back from Oxford. She wanted some time to herself, to go over all the unexpected, exciting events that had happened. Her body was serenely, satisfyingly exhausted, but her mind was still in turmoil. It was all too much to take in. What a tremendous day! It all seemed unbelievable to her now.
The offer of a loan had come out of the blue, just when she was thinking that all he was going to do was to criticise her inexperience and the lack of a business plan for the shop. It was such a great opportunity, an amazing once in a lifetime chance. She was eager to speak to Charlie about it, and she knew he would know what to advise.
She’d suggest that they go out for a meal one evening, as soon as possible, away from the shop, and discuss the whole thing. There would be no interruptions, no telephone calls or customers coming through the door. They could talk everything over, and hopefully plan the future, with money to spend, for a change. She was almost sure he would tell her to take on the loan and agree to her taking on more responsibility. It made sense, and Charlie was a pretty smart guy as far as the business was concerned. They could definitely make it work together, it was such an unexpected opportunity.
But then her thoughts flipped around: the surprise day in Oxford, what a good choice for a day out. Of course the icing on the cake during the morning had been the fabulous punting! Something she had always wanted to do. She’d felt like a heroine from an Edwardian novel, imagining herself in a long dress and holding a frilly parasol, being punted down the river. James must have really given the day a lot of thought, with the picnic and everything. He certainly had hidden depths.
She’d expected lunch at a country pub, but nothing like the unexpected boating. He had seemed to relax a little after the picnic, becoming more approachable, and telling her about great times he he'd had when he was a student in Oxford: the parties, the pubs and bars, the crazy horsing around. It sounded as though he’d been part of a large group of popular students, all wealthy, with big family houses or estates in the country to visit at weekends, a far cry from Leah’s little student room at Sheffield.
She wondered if that was why she felt a bit intimidated by him. Was it the background, the privileged lifestyle, his obvious wealth and success? After all, Leah wasn’t used to moving in such circles.
Then, just when they were getting on so well, he'd started on another of his lectures. This time about her drinking, which she’d tried to forget. She was about to ask him to drop the subject, when she knew, in a flash, who he reminded her of ...
Mr Darcy.
How many times had she read Pride and Prejudice? And watched the DVD of the television series, especially the unforgettable part when the hero, the perfect Colin Firth, came out of the lake in his wet shirt.
And there was James, just as uptight, sitting opposite her and telling her about his ‘mixed feelings’ when he’d found her on his bed. She just hadn't been able to control herself as she told him what she was laughing at.
Then, he’d threatened to throw her in the river, but instead he had grabbed her and kissed her. The day melted around her, the river, the meadows, there was nothing in the world but his urgent lips on hers and the rising, uncontrollable lust – no other word for it.
Leah could hardly remember getting back to Magdalen Bridge and the car. She’d remained in the front seat, nervous as a teenager on her first date.
The first time, in the hotel, they were so up for it, they hardly managed to fall onto the bed. And later, he went to the bathroom and when he came back he was naked. It was breath-taking. He’d leaned over her and murmured, "Let's get you out of the rest of these clothes."
And she had suddenly wanted to hide her full body from him; afraid that he would find her larger than expected. But he slowly undressed her, kissing her and exploring, making her feel so wanted and desirable.
It was mind-blowing.
Much later, among the tangled sheets, he’d suggested staying the night. She wished that she could have agreed: a whole night with James would have been wonderful, but she had to get to the wholesale flower market in the early hours of Monday morning. So he drove her back to London.
Leah could hardly bear to think about the rest. His casual, barely there hug as she got out of the car, and that quick goodbye, with no mention of getting in touch again.
Of course, he knew where she lived and where she worked, but he hadn't suggested swapping phone numbers. A knot of anxiety began to grow in the pit of her stomach, as she wondered if she’d been too eager, too easy. Why would he need to contact her again, unless he just fancied another quickie in some anonymous hotel?
She should have been more restrained, but she just couldn't help herself. It had been some time since she'd been involved with anyone, and he had blown her away. He was out of her league, and now he would be back to his wealthy background and expensive women no doubt.
At least there was still the loan, she reminded herself. She must concentrate on that; make plans, make a real success of it. She knew she wouldn't get such a chance again. She remembered that he’d told her to make all contacts through Amanda, his PA, so there didn't seem to be any chance of discussing details directly with him. It was such a small sum for him, he probably wouldn't give it a second thought. Like placing a bet on a horse, he'd said.
She wished she could just borrow the money and put him out of her mind. But how could she? He'd disrupted her life, swept away any sense of reasonable behaviour, and left her shaken. She needed to try and get things back under control.
§
Later, Emma returned from the wine bar, explaining that Lu
cy and Sam had invited her out.
"Well, how did it go?" Emma asked.
For just a few seconds, Leah thought about making up a different version of the day, one where she was ladylike, elegant and restrained. But she found that she couldn't do it. She needed to confide in her friend, and she needed Emma's sensible advice.
Emma was incredulous when Leah told her about the offer of a loan, excited about the punting, but went a bit quiet when Leah finally confessed about their dash to the hotel.
"Oh, Leah," she said. "You've done all the wrong things. He's investing money in you. It really doesn't work out to mix business and pleasure. And going to the hotel, for sex at the first opportunity! Why?"
Leah was quiet for a few moments. She knew she had to tell Emma the truth, no holds barred.
"Because I couldn't stop myself,” she replied. “I wanted him so much.”
Leah couldn't get to sleep that night. In spite of her total physical exhaustion, and the fact that she needed to get up in the early hours next morning to get to the flower market, she just tossed and turned.
She pictured James in his bedroom in the large house in Belsize Park. Would he give her a second thought, she wondered, or was she already just another number added to his list of one-off, casual sex conquests?
Again, she pictured that expensive, sheer robe hanging on his bathroom door. Maybe the owner was already with him, drenched in Chanel perfume, holding him.
Leah tried to blot out the image. She must pull herself together. She’d made a big mistake ...
CHAPTER ELEVEN
"Like the shirt, Charlie," Leah grinned.
"Purple? You think it suits me?" Charlie asked.
They were in the Taverna that they sometimes used. Leah had managed to get him to agree to an early meal, just after they’d closed the shop on Wednesday.
"What's this all about, Leah?” Charlie asked. “You've been on edge this week, you're not going to tell me you're leaving? Please don’t say that."
Charlie sat back, sipping his wine and watching Leah.
She shook her head.
"Just the opposite,” she told him. “I want to be more involved. I want to invest in the shop."
"What with? You're always broke," Charlie replied, raising his eyebrows.
"That's the big surprise. I've been offered a loan."
"Oh God. Don't get into something you can't pay back,” he groaned. “These loan sharks charge terrible interest. Don't take any risks."
Leah could tell that Charlie was worried and decided to put him out of his misery.
"It’s almost interest free, Charlie. Fifty thousand pounds. And I don't start paying it back for two years either. I mean, how great is that?"
Charlie was speechless as Leah told him all about the terms of the loan, assured him it was genuine. Then she went on to explain that if she put money into the shop, she wanted to be taking on some more responsibility, too: making some of the decisions, becoming more involved in any changes.
"This is James Willoughby from Centrax? Why is he doing this?" he asked, puzzled.
Carefully, very carefully, not disclosing the whole truth about her first meeting with James on the night of the wedding and definitely nothing about how the last, fateful day in Oxford ended at the hotel, Leah took Charlie through a heavily edited version of what had happened.
"He just came out with the offer? But what's in it for him?" Charlie was still finding it difficult to understand.
"Well, if I can't start making the repayments after two years, he'll take over my interest in the shop, and I'll be working for him."
"That's a bit harsh!" Charlie exclaimed.
"Oh, he's a hard business man, alright. We mustn't underestimate him."
For a moment, as she spoke, Leah herself became uncertain. It was true that James was a very high-flying business man, and she knew that he would expect the terms of the loan to be exact. There would be no room for sentiment or error; things would have to be done on a professional basis. Leah would have to put aside her personal feelings, if this was to be a business loan, a chance of a better future, and James was the person providing the opportunity.
"So, fifty thousand. What plans would you have? Let's play around with it," Charlie said and Leah could have hugged him.
He was on board! Now they just needed to sort out the details. She went through all her ideas as he listened intently.
"James has asked for a proper business plan, with all the costs, and I suppose he'll want to have figures from the shop, average takings, overheads and so on. Would you be happy to let him have those?"
There was a pause as Charlie thought about the whole scheme. He certainly wanted to make a success of the shop and he was realistic enough to know that it needed lots of money spent on it before things really started to pick up.
"I suppose I'll have to work out some figures, but will you do the rest? A business plan isn’t quite my thing. I haven’t the head for it."
"Of course," Leah smiled back, before leaning across the small table to give him a hug.
"We'll probably have to include our bank details, or mine anyway, and I'm to send it all to his PA."
"The amazing Amanda," Charlie mused.
"That's her."
"I still don't get what made him offer this money," Charlie said, shaking his head.
"Well," Leah hesitated, unsure herself of the true reason, "just look at it this way. He has more millions than he knows what to do with. It's just an amusement for him, a fun idea, and he can't really lose, because he'll still finish up with a share in the shop if I don't repay. So, let's do it, get it right and prove him wrong!"
"Either you have issues with this man, or you're madly in love with him," Charlie said out of nowhere. He was very shrewd and far nearer the truth than Leah wanted to admit.
There was a pause in their conversation, both of them thinking over the possible future.
"Oh, Charlie," Leah said. "I know we can do this. I need to have something positive in my life. Look at me. I’m twenty nine, living in a tiny rented house-share in Clapham, no man in my life, overweight ..."
"Stop right there," he said, waving his wine glass at her. "You're clever, hard working, attractive, and cuddly. You'll meet someone, but just be careful. Make sure it's the right one. I don't want to see you getting hurt."
Leah picked up her glass and clinked it against his.
"I'll drink to that," she said
§
Emma was making herself a cup of hot chocolate when Leah let herself into the house.
"Want some?" she asked, then added, "hey, you look excited, what's happened?"
"Charlie went for it! The whole scheme," Leah replied. She’d told Emma all about the loan and her hopes for the shop.
"Great! So what happens next?" Emma asked.
"I prepare the plan and send it to Amanda. I'm going to stay in for the next few nights to work on it. I don't want James to change his mind if it doesn't look professional enough."
"Have you spoken to Lucy at all lately?"
"No," Leah answered. "Why?"
"Well, Sam’s a family friend of James and also married to Lucy. With this arrangement, maybe you should just be careful not to mention it at the moment. James may not want it discussed ..."
It was a new thought, one Leah hadn’t considered. Lucy didn't know about the night of the wedding, or the day in Oxford, or the offer of a loan.
"I don't really like keeping secrets from Lucy," Leah stated. "You know what it’s like. We usually tell each other everything."
"Not this time, wait and see how things go." Emma advised. "This James sounds a pretty tough character. You don't want to get on the wrong side of him. Remember, this is business, Leah."
§
Leah spent as much time as she could working on the business plan, getting estimates for the work she wanted done, the new window and shelving, as well as renovation. Charlie was open to any ideas, and by the end of the week, they thought
they had a proper document to e-mail to Amanda. Leah felt excited and nervous at the same time. To have so much money to spend would be wonderful, but also a responsibility, and they waited anxiously for a response.
Amanda sent a brief message acknowledging the plan, stating that it would be ‘forwarded to Mr Willoughby for his approval.’
Leah tried to picture James at his desk, reading the figures on his screen, examining costs, but all she could see was James coming out of the bathroom, naked, at the hotel in Oxford. Ready to seduce her. Surely that's what it had been the second time, as she had suddenly felt self-conscious and overwhelmed about how the day had turned out.
"What are you thinking about? You're in a world of your own," Charlie asked, moving a huge bucket of cream lilies. "You should be over the moon."
Leah shook herself. "I am, really I am," she replied, trying to get back to reality.
§
Two days later a courier brought some papers for Leah and Charlie to sign, and waited as they read them through. The plan was all approved, and the money would hopefully be transferred soon.
They signed, gave the papers back to the courier and waited.
It was there! In her back account: fifty thousand pounds. Leah could hardly believe it. So soon, no problems, no meetings or awkward questions. They could start spending it whenever they wanted. Her life was changing for the better and Leah decided she was going to grab the opportunity with both hands.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Leah was busier than she had ever been, making plans, contacting workmen, helping in the shop and on top of all that, still doing the deliveries. They had decided that they might be able to afford a new van, and she wanted to have it customised – green with gold writing for the name of the shop. Something eye catching; a good image.
Obsessed (BBW Billionaire Light Romance) Page 5