Chapter 21
What an excruciating evening, Tallulah thought as the door closed behind them. How had two people like Aiden’s parents produced him? They were completely humourless. No wonder he chose to live on the other side of the Atlantic.
“I hope you enjoyed yourself.” She buckled her seatbelt. “You owe me big for that.”
He placed one hand on his heart. “I know.”
“Francesca looked pretty miserable.” Tallulah gave him a quick glance.
“Not surprising,” Aiden said. “I don’t understand why Gareth would do that. Maybe I’m wrong. He’s independently wealthy. Or at least his family is. He’s very well paid as well.” He started the car and pulled out of the drive.
“Are you going to talk to him?”
“I think I have to. I don’t like him much, but he’s practically family. That’s why I called the auditors. Otherwise he might have tried to persuade me to let it go.”
“Would you have?”
“I couldn’t. At the very least, I couldn’t let Francesca marry someone who’s been stealing from her family and lying to her. Not without telling her about it. It would just lead to more misery for her in the long term. It would have been difficult though.”
“You’re a soft touch.” Tallulah wasn’t sure whether she was being sarcastic or not. Aiden was complicated, more so than she’d thought. She sneaked a glance at his long, slightly tanned fingers as they rested on the steering wheel and shivered as she remembered the feel of those fingers caressing her thigh during dinner. She knew she should say something, tell him to stop doing that sort of thing, but then she remembered what she had done in retaliation.
They drove through London in a companionable silence, although the tension escalated in Tallulah as they approached her street. She wondered if Kyle would be at home, or whether he would be out with Tanya.
“Can I come up?” Aiden turned towards her as he switched the engine off. “I need a coffee before driving to Tower Hill.”
Tallulah unfastened her seatbelt. “I suppose so. Kyle might be at home.”
“Are you telling me I need to behave?”
“Are you suggesting you won’t?”
He laughed and followed her into the building.
There were no lights on in Tallulah’s room, and no Kyle on the sofa. Tallulah picked up the kettle and headed for the door.
Aiden stepped in front of her and took the kettle from her hand. He placed it back on the table, and taking Tallulah’s hand, he pulled her towards the sofa. “I want to talk to you.”
“Talk?”
He kissed the tip of her nose and wrapped an arm around her shoulders as he drew her down beside him. The warmth of his hand penetrated the cotton of her skirt and spread into the rest of her body.
“There’s something good between us.” Aiden’s voice was cautious. “Don’t tell me you don’t feel it too, because you’re an awful liar.”
Tallulah didn’t reply for a few seconds. Her carefully thought-out life plan was about to veer off course. The question was: did she care? “I know. Are we going to do anything about it though?” What does he have in mind?
“I say yes.” Aiden’s arm slipped from her shoulders to her waist. “We probably need to talk, but not now.”
She closed her eyes. His fingers stroked the bare skin beneath her short blouse, and the touch short-circuited her thought processes. “Yes?”
“I think we should explore it.”
“Your family didn’t like me.”
“I don’t live my life for my family,” Aiden said. “I’ve come to London for their sake. I’m not living my personal life for them as well. Anyway, you’ve met them. Do you have much respect for their opinion?”
“No, but I don’t want to find myself pushed into marriage,” Tallulah said. “It’s not on my to-do list yet.”
“Let’s not be premature,” Aiden said. “Neither do I.”
There was something wrong with that statement. Surely he’s the one doing the pushing?
“Why on earth did you say you wanted to marry me?” Tallulah grumbled. “You must have known it was a completely stupid thing to say. You must have known that it would lead to complications.”
“Not until a second after I’d said it,” Aiden replied, “and by then I thought I’d just go with it. See where the idea took me. And it did get rid of Sasha.”
“I bet you were enjoying yourself.” Tallulah sighed. Aiden was even further off course than she was. “It was the most idiotic thing I’ve ever heard of.”
“Don’t you want to marry me?” His fingers splayed out over her ribs, the edge of his hand sliding against her breast.
She drew in a breath. “No. And you don’t want to marry me either.”
Aiden’s hand moved down to the waistband of her skirt. “Are you sure about that?” He pulled the bow undone. The skirt fell open, and his hand stroked down her hip to the top of her thigh.
“I don’t understand you.” If I relax my guard for a second, I might find myself living in New York with two mini-Aidens and no career.
“I’m pretty simple.” His hands slid over her hips. “What are you smiling at?”
“Nothing, and we can’t do this here.” She squirmed away from him. “Suppose Kyle comes in?”
“I’m keeping my ears open. I’ll know if he comes.” His other hand slid under her top and stroked the skin under her breasts. “Is that the only thing stopping you?”
Her breathing became a little ragged. “Aiden—”
“Kiss me?”
She met the deep brown of his eyes before the lids dropped, hiding his expression. His lips parted, and she leaned towards him, unable to stop herself. His mouth was beautiful, and he let her touch it with hers, draw back, and then return before he pulled her closer, turning the kiss into something hot and hungry. She closed her eyes as he moved his hand to her breast and circled her nipple with his thumb.
His mouth slid away, trailing to her chin and throat, before he licked her ear and whispered in it. “I love your breasts. They are so perfect, symmetrical, aesthetically pleasing.” He squeezed, and she arched under him.
“I want to touch you.” She twisted round and stroked the silk of his tee-shirt. He was still completely dressed, so she slid her hand under the bottom and caressed his flat, muscular stomach. “Take it off.”
He blinked at her in a brief moment of confusion, before pulling the garment over his head. He had a perfect chest. The muscles moved as he lifted his arms, untangling them from the folds of material. His skin was lightly tanned, and just enough dark hair arrowed down to the waistband of his linen trousers.
She reached out to stroke one finger down the centre of his body. “Nice.”
“Glad you approve.” Aiden was a little breathless.
She definitely approved. He had an awesome body for someone who worked mainly at a desk. She flattened her palm on his warm skin. “Keep doing those gym visits.”
“Take your shirt off?” Aiden leaned back, eyes half-closed, letting her explore his chest. “Fair’s fair.”
Tallulah considered the suggestion for a moment, before pulling the shirt over her head. She buried the pang of concern in the depths of her mind, along with the little voice that asked her what she was doing.
This is your boss, it said. He’s too much man for a fling, it said. What about your life plan, it said. He’ll leave, and you’ll be devastated, it said.
“Oh, shut up,” she mumbled.
Aiden opened his eyes. “What?”
“Nothing.” Maybe the voice is right, but Aiden’s still only a temporary boss and only a temporary fiancé. She could indulge herself a little with him. The voice could just shut up and keep its opinions to itself. The devastation was something else, and she’d deal with that when the time came.
She stood up, her skirt falling away to leave her covered only by a white lacy thong.
Aiden blew out a long breath. “You’re perfect. Tiny and perfect.”
“If you call me Tinkerbelle—”
“You’ll do what, Tinkerbelle?” He stood up and traced the line from her shoulder to her nipple with his forefinger.
“Come on.” She reached over and laced her fingers through his, scooping up her skirt and matching shirt with the other hand. “I’ll show you.”
She led him behind the painted screen. Her bed was a low futon, and she sank down onto it, stretching out and watching the light in his eyes turn to heat.
He moved closer to the bed.
She held up one hand. “Clothes off.”
He stripped off his linen trousers, taking his boxers with them and stood for her inspection.
“Come here.” She was enjoying ordering him about.
He lowered himself over her, resting on his elbows, his breath mingling with hers. “Are you sure?”
“Do I look as if I’m having doubts?”
He kissed her, his mouth fierce and hot, and lowered his body so that his chest brushed against the tips of her breasts.
Tallulah wrapped her arms round his shoulders and pulled him close, arching her body so she pressed against him, sweetness consuming her skin where they touched.
He rubbed his face down over her breasts. “Christ, Tinkerbelle, you’re an inferno.” His mouth dipped down to lick at her nipple. “A fire fairy.”
“You’re pretty good yourself.” She widened her legs and wrapped them round his hips, urging him on. “I want you.”
He kissed her other breast. “I know.”
“Hurry up then.” She wanted him in her, wanted to feel his heat inside her, fuelling her own. She’d wanted it since he’d stroked her thigh during dinner, and much longer than that.
His large hands curved round her body to cup her bottom, their warmth sliding seductively over her skin. “Patience, Tink.” His voice rumbled against her throat.
“Aiden. Now.” She wriggled under him. “Stop messing about, or I might change my mind. Come on.”
He took a deep breath and entered her with one thrust, pausing to meet her eyes. “Like that?” He pulled back and thrust again.
She arched her neck and grabbed his shoulders. “Mmm. That’ll do.” The sweetness pooled between her thighs. The need had been building for a while, and she began to move with him. The climax, when it came, was short and fierce and followed almost immediately by his. He collapsed onto her, before rolling to his back and pulling her with him. She groaned as a second wave of contractions hit her.
Aiden’s arms tightened around her back. “You all right, Tinkerbelle?”
Raising a weak hand, she stroked his cheek. “Not Tinkerbelle.” She closed her eyes.
A familiar sound reached Tallulah’s ears and, half-asleep, she strained to work out what it was. The front door had opened. It was a Saturday night, so it could be anyone coming back from a club or a party. She rolled off Aiden and sat up.
“What’s wrong?” Aiden turned on his side and rested on one elbow.
“I think Kyle’s come back.” She scrambled off the futon and grabbed a heavy cotton robe off the hook on the side of the wardrobe. “You said you’d listen for him.”
“I was distracted.”
“Get dressed.” She picked his clothes up and thrust them at him.
The scratching of a key in the door of the room proved that it was definitely Kyle.
She tightened the belt on her robe. “Hurry up.”
“He’s going to know what we’ve been doing,” Aiden grumbled. He sat on the edge of the futon and rubbed his face.
“I don’t care. He’s my little brother.”
A voice sounded from the other side of the room. “What’s this?”
Oh no, she thought. Who’s Kyle talking to? He’s brought someone back.
“Looks like a tee-shirt.” A girl’s voice.
“Well it’s not mine,” Kyle said. “And it’s far too big for Tallulah. I wonder if she’s come home.”
“I thought you said she was away today and tonight.”
“That’s what I thought.” Footsteps drew near, and Kyle’s head peered cautiously round the screen. “Tallulah?”
She pulled her robe around her body as his eyes drifted past her to her companion, who fortunately was at least half dressed. She glanced at him. His chest was still bare.
“Kyle?” She drew his attention back to herself. “Have you got Tanya with you?”
“We were at a club,” he said. “It was easier to come back here. Mr Marlowe? Nice to see you.”
Aiden smiled, completely at ease, which was more than Tallulah could say for herself. A movement drew her eyes to Tanya who’d appeared round the edge of the screen.
“Hi.” The girl gave a small wave. “Sorry to intrude. We thought there’d be no one here. Hello, Mr Marlowe.”
“Hello,” Aiden looked puzzled. “Do I know you?”
“I work at Marlowe’s, in the post room. It’s my gap year. Congratulations on your engagement.”
“We’re not . . . Oh, never mind.” Tallulah didn’t have the energy to explain anything. “Aiden? Perhaps you’d better go. You only came for coffee after all.”
Kyle sniggered.
Aiden glared at him but walked round the screen to the main part of the room.
Tallulah followed, watching him pull on the blue tee-shirt with a sense of regret. “I’ll see you on Monday,” she said.
He walked over to her, pulled her into his arms, and gave her a brief, fierce kiss. “I thought we were doing military fitness at seven tomorrow morning. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He left without waiting for a response.
“Military fitness? You?” Kyle shook his head. “Sorry we interrupted.”
“You didn’t interrupt anything. And if you say anything else, you’ll be doing press-ups tomorrow as well.”
Tallulah didn’t sleep well on the sofa. She’d made up her own bed for Kyle and Tanya as there didn’t seem to be any way they could both sleep on the sofa. Not comfortably at any rate. When Tanya tried to protest, Tallulah politely suggested she do as she was told, and the girl subsided into silence. It had been nearly three o’clock before Tallulah lay down on the sofa, and despite the day’s rain, the heat was oppressive again. Even a thin sheet felt like too much cover, and her skin twitched with hypersensitivity.
What was I thinking? Sleeping with Aiden was the most unprofessional thing she’d ever done. And she’d only known him about a month. Am I turning into my mother? She’d never had sex with anyone before until she’d known them at least six months. Am I as promiscuous as she was? She didn’t want to fall into the cycle of self-destruction Ellie Becks had tumbled into. He’d been amazing though.
Aiden phoned at nine o’clock to tell her that she’d missed the military fitness. “I’m just about to get breakfast,” he said. “Do you want to join me?”
She stared at the phone. “Really? You’ve been out doing squats and lunges and things.”
“Things. I needed it to cool me down after last night. I wanted to wake up with you.”
Tallulah shook her head, forgetting he couldn’t see her. “I’m meeting the writer of this graphic novel we’re doing, at eleven.”
“Where at?”
“A café in Islington.”
“Okay,” he said. “We can have coffee in Islington.”
Tallulah considered. She really wanted to, and that frightened her a little. She had no desire to become needy. He would be going back to New York eventually.
“Tallulah?”
“Okay. Café Italia. It’s just off Upper Street.” She slid off the sofa still clad in her robe. There was no sound from the couple behind the screen. “I’ll see you in forty minutes.”
She showered quickly, dressed in denim cut-off overalls, and grabbed her folder of drawings, before heading for Upper Street.
Aiden had a table when she arrived and was staring out the window. He looked as though he’d had plenty of sleep, although if he’d been telling the truth about the morning’s exercise, he’d had less than she had.
I bet he was spinning me a tale. She narrowed her eyes as she analysed his appearance.
“You were lying to me.” She pointed a forefinger at him.
“Me?” He shook his head, sadly.
“Military fitness indeed.”
He stood up, leaning across to capture her mouth in a short, hard kiss. “I got you some coffee.”
She picked up the mug and sat down opposite him. He was freshly shaved and dressed in jeans again, with a white linen shirt.
“Seriously? Military fitness? Looks good on you.”
He laughed.
“You are such a fantasist.”
“So you’ve met my family.” He leaned his elbows on the table. “What did you think of them?”
Tallulah considered. Not much. She definitely hadn’t liked Mrs Marlowe, and she hadn’t warmed to William either, but she needed to be diplomatic. “I don’t think they liked me much.”
Aiden shrugged. “My father would like anyone who’d keep me in the country, and my mother doesn’t like anybody, so you needn’t think you’re special.”
Tallulah took another sip from her cup.
“I’m pretty sure I love them, but we get on much better from opposite sides of the Atlantic.” Aiden picked up his own cup. “So, when do I meet your sisters?”
Tallulah put her cup down. “Aiden? We aren’t really engaged. You do know that, don’t you?”
“Of course I know it,” he said. “But we’re definitely something. Last night was special, wasn’t it, Tinkerbelle? You can’t tell me you do that with just anyone.” He raised a questioning eyebrow.
“I suppose so.” Tallulah stared down at the table.
“Don’t look for problems. Just because I want to meet your sisters doesn’t mean I’m picking out curtains.”
“I’m not,” she protested. “Anyway, I don’t have to look too hard. It’s just—”
“Don’t you like me?” He leaned across the table. “I got the distinct impression last night that you did.”
Tallulah’s face warmed, but she couldn’t help smiling. “I do. I like you a lot.”
“Shall we just see where it goes then?” Aiden smiled back at her.
“I work for you,” she mumbled. “It’s just so unprofessional. I have a reputation for professional behaviour, and I don’t want to lose it. My agency wouldn’t give me my pick of jobs if they thought I was using them as a dating opportunity.”
Aiden raised his eyebrows.
Tallulah glared. “And you’re leaving. I don’t want to get attached.”
“Come on,” he said. “No one’s perfect. And I think you’ve moved way beyond unprofessional. We’ve passed that. Besides, I think I’m already attached.”
She blew out a heavy sigh. “We could go out for pizza with my sisters next week. They’re dying to meet you after Kyle told them about you.”
Aiden smiled. “Great. Come on. Let’s get some food before you have to go.”
“I’m meeting Katy here,” she said. “She’s the writer. We’re going to go over some images and then have lunch.”
“Okay.”