“Okay, I’m a complete fucking arsehole and I don’t deserve your support at all, yet alone your love, and I’m seriously hoping that you’ll forgive me. Is that working?”
Bastard. Yes, how could it not?
“You really are a shit. Your panty dropping smile won’t work on Conner, you know?” I narrow my eyes. He works me far too well. I have to try and work on that at some point.
“I know,” he replies as he stretches his fingers to my knees with a lick of his lips and chuckles. “It does appear to be working on you though.”
“It’s not funny,” I snap. I don’t know why I’m bothering with the façade of still being angry. I’m already imagining those fingers working higher. It makes me wonder how surprised I really was about the information in the first place because I should be utterly devastated and I’m really not. His apparent nasty side is yet another thing I’m in love with for some unknown reason, and the fact that he is clearly a deviant little shit and yet is trying to be better is frankly wonderful.
“Oh I know, not funny at all,” he replies with a smirk, dropping down onto his knees in front of me and pushing my legs apart so he can get in between them. My weak attempt at keeping them together really is pathetic.
“Don’t ever threaten me again.” His hands wrap behind my back and yank me toward him so abruptly that I actually squeal at the force of his strength. But as my core hits his warm body, I instantly feel like I’m home and safe again.
“I will never try that again, I promise. You have full permission to attack me if I do, or leave without hesitation,” he whispers into my neck, dragging his teeth along my collarbone. My head lulls back to give him access as all memories of arguments disappear and forgiveness kicks in with a vengeance. “Fuck, you smell good.”
“And how are you going to make it up to me?” I’m ridiculous. I’ll admit it because regardless of how much I’m trying to keep this going, I couldn’t care less as I grind into his hard stomach muscles. All I can think about is having these trousers pulled off me and possibly being carried up the stairs. Actually, I couldn’t care less. Right here on the floor would be great, too. In fact, as his hands begin to push me back further, I’m pretty sure we won’t be moving anywhere at all. His sudden halting and relaxing grip makes me sit back up and look at him. He’s frowning again. “Oh god, what are you going to tell me now?”
“This is not me being better,” he says as he backs away from me and stands up. Oh, it’s not? It felt a whole lot better to me if I’m honest. My core instantly stretches across the space to him as if it could pull him back all by itself somehow. Clearly it can’t but that’s how it feels nonetheless.
“It’s not?”
“No, that was me avoiding being a prick, so we’re going to scrap the damn party that you’re so averse to, drop them in a very large cheque as an apology and then I’m going to take you somewhere special. After that, you can get a good night’s sleep before your very important and very early job tomorrow.”
Right, I’m not sure that was what my thighs were hoping for, but as I watch him walk off out of the room, I have to admit I’m impressed. He’s certainly learning and that can only be a good thing. The fact that he’s left me here spread open for him, watching his perfect arse and panting like a sodding idiot is possibly not.
~
An hour and a refreshing shower later, he grabs my hand and leads me into the garage.
“Take your pick,” he says as he moves to the back of the space and punches some numbers into the keypad on the wall. A grey box emerges from the wall and reveals keys - lots of keys. I blankly look around at all the very sporty things and wonder which would be nice. To be honest, I quite fancy one of the bikes but given my dress and his probably Saville Row suit, it’s probably not going to work. It would have been nice to wrap myself around him and hold him close for a while to bring us back together again, though. He hasn’t touched me since he left me in the music room and I’m beginning to long for his hands on me again, to feel him on me normally so we can move on.
“You choose, I haven’t got a clue,” I reply, although the McLaren does twinkle at me rather vigorously. How the hell I’d get in it elegantly is quite another thing.
“McLaren it is then,” he says as he beeps something and the garage door opens.
“How did you...”
“Magic. You might want to have a word with those pesky fairies that keep hanging around. They keep telling me what you want,” he replies as he opens the door for me and I try as best I can to slide in gracefully. It doesn’t work and he ends up getting an eyeful of my lace top hold ups, possibly my laced covered crotch, too, as I eventually sit. “You’re not making it very easy for me to be a gentleman, you know?”
I look up at him with a smirk, pulling my black dress down again slowly.
“What on earth gave you the impression that I was after that, Mr. White?” His growl of self restraint as he shuts the door and walks around the car at least lets me know he’s thinking about it. Maybe I should just push him further and get us back in the house quickly. I scan the interior of the car. There isn’t a chance in hell we’ll be doing anything in this cramped space, which instantly reminds me of the fact that I’ve never actually had sex in a vehicle, or on one for that matter. My mouth quirks up as the idea takes hold. This fantasy of mine could be lived out by the end of the evening.
About forty minutes later we’re pulling though a set of very ornate wrought iron gates that appear to lead to an extremely large house set back along a winding driveway. I’m not entirely sure how I’ve survived the drive without being killed. Alex may well be a good driver but it appears sports cars and wet London roads are not to be messed with. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop him throwing it around every corner available. My inner slut shrivelled up and died about ten minutes into the journey as she held on for dear life and tried to breathe her way through the fear. Strangely, she also revived herself at some point in the last ten minutes in a completely different state of mind. All she seems to be able to think about is kneeling and begging.
“That was not the nicest journey I’ve ever been on,” I state as he laces his fingers in mine and walks me to the entrance of the building, which screams eighteenth century elegance at me. Ten steps lead up to a black front door that is flanked by two men in royal blue livery, top hats and the works. He turns back to me and abruptly pulls me to his mouth.
“No, but that fear’s got you ready for me, baby, hasn’t it? Your eyes are dilated, your lips flushed and full. I bet your pussy’s dripping with arousal and you’d do anything I ask as soon as I asked it. Shall we just do it here on the steps? Or maybe on top of the car? Perhaps the other diners would like to watch. What do you think?” he replies with an arrogantly raised brow and a smirk. Arsehole.
“Actually, I’m dry as a bone.” I roll my eyes and keep walking. I will not allow him to be completely in control even if he undoubtedly is. “And that is the least gentlemanly thing I’ve ever heard.”
He chuckles behind me and firmly swats my backside just as we reach the door, making me yelp in shock. The doorman coughs uncomfortably then smiles at me. Alex glares at him so I roll my eyes again and keep walking then stop immediately as I hit the foyer. I have no idea why he’s brought me here but language like that and my little black dress have absolutely no right to be entering the space at all. It’s a sodding palace.
I quickly swing my astounded eyes back to his. His soft smile greets me as he takes my hand again and leads us across the vast marble floor towards another set of opulent doors, each step of his dominantly possessing the ground as he somehow casually owns the space around him. I tug on my dress and glance around to see if anyone’s noticed that I’m not in designer clothes, all the time chastising myself for not picking out one of the expensive ones Alex bought for me. Several couples are loitering around and staring at us with their eyebrows raised, probably questioning who the ugly one with Alexander White is.
“Sto
p fidgeting,” he says as he turns back to me before his hand opens the door. My eyes fly to the ground. Shit, this is too much.
“Sorry,” I mumble in response. “Alex, I... God, why didn’t you say something? I would have worn someth-”
He cuts me off. “Head up,” he says as he lifts my chin tenderly. “Elizabeth, you are stunning, and the only one who holds my love so remember how much you’re worth and stand by my side. Those are your numbers on my back. They are there for a reason. There is nothing in here that you can’t handle with ease.”
“But, I...” I don’t even know what to say. I also don’t know why I’m suddenly so nervous. I’ve done this sort of thing before with him and I managed okay. He leans in close enough to my ear to send quivers of desire coursing through me again.
“Shall I take you in caveman style? Throw you over my shoulder and bite your arse to let them know whom you belong to before we eat off the table like civilised humans? Will that remind you who you are?” His arm wraps around my back and I know he means it. Not going to happen. I shrug away from him and raise my chin with an amused smile. “Good girl. Though I was quite enjoying the thought actually.”
“Don’t even think about it.” My glare comes rushing back as I notice a unfairly gorgeous dark haired woman flashing her eyes at Alex and making her way over. His chuckle softens it straight away.
“Better. Now, are you ready?” he asks as he cocks his head at the door.
“I think so,” I reply with a wry grin.
“Yes, I think you are, too,” he says as he pushes the handle down and opens it.
The gorgeous woman follows behind us and stands a little too close for comfort as she sashays very beautifully alongside me and winks. I’m not entirely sure what I’m supposed to do with that so I smile back in the hope that it was the correct response. Given that it’s Alex who’s bought me here, I don’t even know where I’m being led. This could be yet another sex thing.
“Cecily,” Alex says in acknowledgement as she winks at him and lengthens her stride. I watch her black hair swinging along her spine seductively in her open backed dress and sigh. This world of his is very definitely filled with the most dazzling people. Really I’m no match at all, but I keep my head up and try for casually elegant.
“And she is?” I ask as she reaches another set of doors. He frowns a little. Oh God, he’s had her too. There really isn’t anyone he hasn’t slept with, is there? My head droops again. I really haven’t got a hope. Every time I pull myself back up, he hits me with another crappy thing or another stunning woman to deal with.
“Cecily Winchester, mistress of Aiden Phillips,” he replies as he squeezes my hand tighter. Oh, I’ve heard of the man, some big time crook that’s heavily into drugs - well, selling them anyway from what I know. I’m sure there was a thing about him in the news last year.
“How do you know her?” I ask, desperately hoping that he’ll tell me some other reason why she’s winking at him. Having said that, she winked at me and I haven’t slept with her. He pulls my hand to his mouth and kisses it.
“Same circles I suppose, wealth mixes with wealth in London. And no, Elizabeth, contrary to your beliefs, I haven’t fucked everything that moves,” he replies with a small chuckle as we catch up. Her head swings back to him and I swear her smile lights up the room.
“Alexander, tell her the truth. You simply wouldn’t dare, would you?”
“Stop it, Cecily. Remember who you’re damn well talking to,” he replies quietly with a snarl. It’s oddly malicious given her flirtation.
“Oh, Alexander, your threats don’t bother me in the slightest. You should know that by now. They never did,” she says as she pats his chest and swirls her dress towards the door again. “Have you come to see him?”
Him? Who’s him? Is she talking about Aiden Phillips? Why would he know that man?
His past comes rushing back into my head at full force. Oh holy cow, a very bad boy, that’s what he said, wasn’t it? But he couldn’t mean that sort of shit, could he?
Balls, I’ve entered the sodding mafia zone, yet another little place that Alexander White socialises in it seems. Get your game face on, Beth.
“No, I didn’t know he was here. And I assumed he would be with Amira on a Saturday, not with his little after thought.” My lips twitch at the comment. He’s a snide bastard I’ll give him that. Her face is a picture of irritation.
“What the hell are you looking at?” she says as she suddenly turns on me with a very unfriendly face. The winking moment has apparently gone. I can’t help but follow Alex’s lead because the woman’s head is far too far up her own arse, regardless of her beauty.
“I’m really not at all sure,” I reply scathingly as I let my eyes glance over her slowly. Unfortunately, there isn’t an imperfection anywhere. Bitch.
“She’s sweet. I’m loving the innocent look, Alexander. Does she know what you really are?”
Oh, and now she’s pissed me off because no I don’t. I only know what he allows me to know, but I damn well know him better than her. I know his pain and no one but me knows that. She can fuck off if she thinks she’s taking that away from me.
“Honey, there’s nothing innocent here, so please remove your fake arse tits from my face before I rip them off for you,” I seethe as gracefully as I can while moving a step towards her and letting go of his hand. Evelyn and Belle would truly be in awe of my performance because she actually steps back a bit as her eyes widen. Clearly no one normally pisses on Aiden Phillip’s mistress. I’m not even sure I should have if I’m honest, but I continue my irritated glare anyway and hope for the best.
“I think this conversation is finished, Cecily,” Alex cuts in as she regains her poker face and opens her mouth. “Elizabeth, shall we?” he continues as he extends a hand in front of him and I walk through the door with a smile, not bothering with a last glance at her. His smirk of amusement is enough for me to know I did okay as she huffs behind us and clips off back the way she came. I think I just won a battle again, or maybe annoyed a mob boss’s plaything, which instantly has me questioning what the hell I’ve just done. Mind you, she deserved it.
“Feisty.” He chuckles as he places a hand on my back and kisses my cheek. “I think I’ve created a monster. You’ve definitely found your voice, haven’t you?”
“Well what a bitch. I can’t believe you have to socialise with these people. How do you know Aiden Phillips anyway? It’s like the bloody twilight zone this world of yours, sex clubs, secret societies and now London’s equivalent of the sodding mafia. Honestly, Alex, you could scare a girl off. It’s all quite unnerving. I could really do without this shit. I mean, what the hell are you going to throw at me next? Is there some diabolical secret in your past that might send us all to jail or something?” I reply as I stride onwards, firmly entrenched in my annoyance. I’m really quite disturbed by this strange existence that he resides in, which I’m now clearly part of, and while I’m not entirely sure what I thought I was signing up for when I fell for him, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t this.
I suddenly realise I’m on my own when I reach another door. How many sodding doors are there anyway? and where on earth are we going? I turn round to find him standing about fifteen feet behind me, looking extremely brooding in all his masculinity, dark blue eyes staring at me and jaw twitching in... possibly nervousness? What the fuck now? Haven’t got a clue.
“What?” I ask, because I really haven’t got time for this shit. I am suddenly on a roll of irritation. This day just gets better and better. Arguments, ex lovers, bastard boyfriends and now crooked acquaintances and mistresses - yep, what a lovely Saturday.
“You said it didn’t matter,” he mutters quietly. Oh god, he is nervous.
My heart almost shatters at his lonesome look, that little boy in the rain, peeping through his outward appearance just for me to see. To every other person here he’s still Alexander White, mogul, six foot four with hands made for butchery, but to me, in t
his tiny second, he’s lost, worried and looking to me for absolution of some sort.
I smile softly and wander back towards him with my hand reaching for his throat, my throat. Caressing it gently, I nuzzle my head on his chest and blow out a much needed breath. How I’m finding the strength for any of this is beyond me but one touch of his body and I relax a little again.
“It doesn’t. None of it will ever matter. I’m sorry, it’s just been a long day.” His arm wraps around me and pulls me into him.
“No, I’m sorry. This was supposed to be a nice night for you and my shit just got in the way again. Look, shall we just go home instead and have a take out? I could even cook for you if you want, massage maybe? In fact, can you swim?” What?
“Random, but yes,” I reply as I gaze up at his concerned face while he scans the area around us with narrowed eyes. It appears he’s now looking for a threat of some sort.
“Good, let’s go and get you wet then.”
Chapter 23
Elizabeth
I can’t move any muscle on any part of my body. It’s eight in the evening and I’ve done nothing but run my backside round for the entire day. The fact that he exhausted me all night in his damn swimming pool - yes, swimming pool. It appears the Victorian summer house is actually a twenty five metre swimming pool and jacuzzi come sauna type of building - really hasn’t helped.
Two hours of varying positions and some very interesting inspiration from Alex later and I was very ready for bed. He carried me back to the house in a bathrobe and dropped me onto the bed to sleep before today. I woke up feeling more tired than I did the night before. No amount of pressure for me to go back to his this evening worked because I seriously need some sleep, in my own bed, without him and all his tempting ideas or his body.
And what a bloody day. A profitable one, yes, but oh my god I’m so tired I could sleep for a week. While the day has been flawless and the birthday celebrations for one of London’s wealthiest bachelorettes went off to perfection, I seriously need some help. Given that James couldn’t work today and I had to work with a small team of people I hardly knew, I barely survived the experience without major disaster. Belle was, of course, incredible and managed to scatter her brilliance over every potential nightmare, which thankfully meant no one was any the wiser. She was a very happy bunny by the end of the day with several new contacts for future events. I’m so glad we have a bigger kitchen coming.
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