Cocktails in Chelsea (3 page)

'This,' he tapped her smart phone, lifting one straight black eyebrow, 'isn't more important than your health and safety, surely?'

Trying to calm her zinging body, she forced the shyness away with an effort. 'I suppose it depends on the phone call,' she joked unevenly.

'What is it then? A national emergency?' he quizzed dryly. 'Contact from the Queen? Or maybe it’s a playboy lounging around on a boat waiting for you somewhere?'

'Don't be silly,' she said in a playful tone, her nipples peaking inside her bra at his closeness. 'He wouldn't be on a
boat
.' She could do this. She could talk to him, it wasn’t so hard.

'No? Is seasickness an issue for you, Princess?' His hands tightened on her waist.'I meant it wouldn't be a mere boat,' she prayed her voice wasn't shaking, 'he'd be on a super yacht, a Sunseeker, worth tens of millions. And he wouldn't be lounging; he'd be preparing a lobster dinner and warming up the hot tub on the upper deck for me.' She'd seen one like it moored up at Poole Quay once. It had been awesome. In fact she had a picture. Scrolling through the gallery on her phone she held it up to his face. 'Look at that. Nice, yes?'

He released her. 'Sure,' he said flatly, 'if you like that kind of thing.' Stepping away, he moved further into the bar, 'Catch you later.'

'I was-,’
only joking
. She finished silently. What was his deal? Stepping out onto the street, she slouched against the front of the building and closed her eyes. Her hormones were rocketing around like they were jet-fuelled. Talk about pure, instant lust. There was a distinct chance that if he touched her again she'd jump him, whether he liked her or not. Not a great idea, and not like her at all.

'Issy.' She said when her sister answered the phone. 'Everything okay?'

'Everything's fine.' Her older sister laughed. 'I just wondered how you were getting on with Tori and Little Miss Queen of the World. They driving you mad yet?'

Sofia grinned. 'Not quite. You know Tori, she's actually quite nice. Christie's had a few moments though.'

'Have you told her where to go yet?'

She snorted. ‘You know Mum will go ape if I argue with her.'

'Yes, but still don't let Her Majesty walk all over you. You're pretty straight up with your surfing buddies, you should just be the same with her. Unless you’re scared of her that is,’ she teased.

'Ha ha. Don’t be silly. I’m just trying to keep the peace.'

'You're too nice, Sofia.'

'Now you sound like Christie.'

'Argh, no! Don't say things like that.' Isobel let out a pretend sob. 'So, any hot guys there?'

'Beautiful.' It just fell right out of her mouth.
Nathan.

'Oh, yeah? Anyone in particular?'

She paused for an instant too long before answering. 'Erm-'

'That means yes. Tell me, tell me now,' Issy urged.

'Just a guy in the bar we go to.' She grimaced, going red. 'I don't think he likes me much though.'

'Knowing you, you're over-thinking it. So how hot is he? Oven warm? Summer's day sunshine? Or volcanic?'

'Hotter.'

'Wow. Hotter than Rob?'

'I-,' that was a hard one. She'd been mooning on and off over Rob for years, even though nothing had every happened between them romantically, and he'd once heartbreakingly told her he thought of her like a little sister.

'Please don't tell me you're still hung up on him?' Issy sounded exasperated.

'No, I’m not,’ she answered instinctively, ‘and this guy's much hotter. Tall, dark haired, gorgeous brown eyes, smart looking. All he needs is a pair of those trendy glasses and he'd be perfect.'

'Wow, the Rob-haze has finally lifted. Funny how the slightly geeky look is your thing these days, given what a total surf bum Rob was.'

'Yeah, funny.' Sofia echoed, while it dawned on her that she really didn’t feel that way about Rob anymore. Her infatuation had become a comfortable habit, like wearing a favourite pair of joggers, but she couldn’t feel that away about him if Nathan, a virtual stranger, inspired such a strong reaction. A tiny knot of tension unfurled in her chest, and she smiled, feeling lighter somehow.

'So…what are you going to do about it?' Issy demanded.

'Do? About what?'

'Duh, the hot guy.'

'Nothing.' Sofia stared at the leafy trees across the wide, busy King’s Road, and then counted the black cabs going past, their paintwork gleaming under the street light opposite. Somewhere a horn blared and there was a shouted response.

Issy blew out a frustrated breath. 'I don't get you little sis. How can we be related? Live a little, get a sense of adventure.'

'Uh, hang on. I have a creative job which I travel for, I've tried most extreme sports and I spend most of my spare time throwing myself around ramps and into waves. What's not adventurous about that?'

'You know I wasn't talking about that stuff.' Issy paused. 'I meant you should try taking a few risks in your personal life. You don't really date. There’s been no serious relationship in two years. You’re twenty-three and in danger of turning into a lonely old cat-lady.’

‘Hardly, I have loads of friends, and-,’

‘You're in the city for the weekend,’ Issy talked over her sister’s protestations, ‘and you've met a guy you want to do things to, so why not go for it?'

‘Issy-,’

'No-one need ever know, other than you and him. As long as you're careful-'

'Isobel, stop. You might be my older sister, but please,' she dropped her voice to a whisper, '
please
don't give me the safe sex talk.'

'Fine. But just think about it. You might really enjoy it.'

'Okay, that's it,' Sofia said, 'now I’m putting the phone down. Take care, Sis.'

'Scaredy-cat.’ Issy laughed, ‘Fine. Love you, have fun.'

'Love you more. Bye.' Sofia answered automatically, but was frowning as she ended the call and wrapped her arms around herself. The April evening was getting chilly.

Was Issy right? Was she playing it safe, not giving men any time in her life? She was so used to being slotted neatly into the friend-zone by her male friends that maybe she’d stopped trying, because it was easier. After all, rejection wasn’t a possibility if you didn’t put yourself out there. The truth was, Rob had made her feel crap as a woman, and her last relationship had been a disappointment. Six months with the same guy and they’d had no fun together and nothing to talk about. He’d been shitty about her hobbies and didn’t rate her career much either, so she’d packed it in when he suggested they take a break (translation: he’d started seeing someone else). She hadn’t been sorry and there hadn’t been anyone since.

What her sister said was true. Sofia had never been into casual sex. However, the thought of pinning a guy she could hardly take her eyes off - aka Nathan - up against a wall and doing naughty things to him was incredibly appealing.

But she wasn't confident or experienced enough, not when it came to guys, to do something like that. Traipsing back into the bar and feeling a little sad at the thought, she slung her purse on the table. 'Sorry I took so long.'

Tori looked up, cheeks flushed, ‘That’s all right. I ordered another Cosmo.’

Christie wasn’t as gracious. ‘You took forever. What were you doing, trying to resolve world peace?'

‘That would be pretty much impossible with you around,’ Sofia replied sweetly, before swinging away, ‘I’ll be back in a minute, I’m going to the Ladies.’

Leaving Christie gaping open-mouthed behind her, Sofia stalked across the room and down the corridor. She shouldn’t have made that comment to Christie, but the girl was relentless. Careening off one wall, Sofia came to a halt. Nathan was sitting on a couple of stacked crates staring out of the open fire door a few feet away.

The look on his face was fierce and no doubt she should leave him to his own thoughts, but the words erupted anyway. 'Taking a break?' The sentence came out breathless as she stepped toward him. Which was how he left her as he swung his gaze to her and frowned, big dark eyes intense.

'Something like that,' he muttered.

'Okay.' Obviously not in the mood for chat then. Brushing past him, she tripped slightly, surprised at the intensity of the hot lust that scorched through her, along with the heat coming off his body. 'Sorry,' she mumbled, rushing to the toilets. Staring at her reflection in the round, bulb-lit mirror, she was shocked by her pink cheeks and sparkling eyes. God, if her work colleagues could see her now… Good old Sofia in the sexy, tight outfit, looking excited and on an adrenalin-high like she'd just surfed out of the biggest tube imaginable. They'd either wet themselves laughing and take the piss out of her, or ask who the heck she was.

She had to be careful around Nathan, it could lead to epic embarrassment otherwise.

Expecting him to be gone when she came out, her heart bump-bumped against her ribs when he was still sat in the same position, though this time with his head resting against the wall. Clicking toward him on the stilettos, her nose twitched at the gorgeous aftershave drifting off him. She moved closer, eyes fixed on the stubble under his jaw. She wasn’t the type of girl to swoon, but he had her pretty close.

When he rolled his head forward and looked at her through slitted eyes, she realised she'd stopped right beside him.

'Can I help you with something?' he asked.

'No. I mean, yes, what time do you close tonight?' She really was getting the hang of this upper class accent. Except posh girls were probably subtle enough not to drool over guys, and her gaze had dropped to the open neck of his shirt, tracking the shadow of his perfect collarbone. She swallowed.

'Four in the morning.' His voice was iced-over Thames cold.

'I see. Thank you.'

'Anything else? Only I've got another five minutes of my break left.' He put his head back against the wall and shut his eyes again.

'No. Thank you.'

'Good.'

Go, now.
Her brain ordered, but her feet refused to budge.

‘I can feel you watching me.’ A tiny smile tugged at his mouth.

‘I’m going.’ But still she didn’t move. Her mouth fell open as she took in his broad shoulders, and the muscles of his long thighs in the fitted black trousers. Her breathing got quicker and sharper and she gulped, swaying closer. He smelled so good, looked so good.

Before she knew it she'd stepped between his legs, bent down and planted a kiss on him. Hooking her hands into his thick messy hair, she gently bit his bottom lip. For a brief, delicious moment he returned the kiss, head tilting further back, hands sliding around her hips. Then he pushed her away.

'What the hell are you doing?' Shooting up, he shoved his hands in his pockets.

'I- I'm sorry.' Oh shit, mortification 101. Why had she done that?

'You can't just kiss someone without their permission. I could have a wife, a girlfriend, anything.'

'Bloody hell, have you?' she gasped, abandoning the posh accent.

'No as it happens, but that's not the point.' He said sharply, 'You think that because you're some rich Chelsea Princess you're entitled to do what you want?'

'Of course not.' She flung back, all traces of upper crust girl completely gone. This was
so bad
. 'Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, honestly. And I'm not one of those rich girls, I'm just a normal girl from Bournemouth who’s up here for the weekend. I'm nothing special at all.'

Why had she said that last bit? Talk about revealing.

Nathan looked confused. ‘You what? You’re not even from London? You lied?’ he asked quietly. ‘Put on the accent, and talked the talk?’

‘I- I wasn’t lying, I just wanted to fit in.’ But that wasn’t the whole truth was it? She’d wanted to be someone else, a girl who men looked at and wanted. ‘Anyway,’ she said defensively, ‘what does it matter to you? Why do you care?’

‘It doesn’t matter.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘I’m only bothered because I don’t like dishonesty. Or people pretending to be something they’re not. And it’s a bit weird. You must be in your twenties at least; you’re not a little kid.’

She flinched. When it came to some things, like men, she may as well be a child. ‘Well it must be nice to be so perfect,’ a blush swept up over her face, tears scorching her eyes, ‘you’ll have to let me in on your secret one day. Until then, I’m sorry again for kissing you. It was a big mistake, obviously.’

His face softened, ‘Sofia, wait-,’

Swinging around, she bolted, not even registering that he’d called her by name. She’d made a total arse of herself and embarrassment didn’t even begin to cover it.

Pleading a headache with Tori and Christie, she insisted on leaving and they were too polite as hostesses not to accompany her back home, chatting about some summer ball while Sofia stared silently out of the cab window, unable to believe what a mess she’d made of things.

Her face was still burning with humiliation as she curled up in bed half an hour later, but not as much as her mouth was burning from that unbearably sexy moment when Nathan’s tongue had met hers. She'd never been kissed like that before.

Saturday

Despite how the previous night had ended, Sofia had an amazing Saturday. After a late lie-in, Christie had departed the house, immaculately dressed for a prior commitment, leaving Tori and Sofia alone. Sofia, missing her daily swim in the sea, did twenty laps in the luxurious basement pool and went looking for Tori. She needed a distraction from last night’s disastrous run-in with Nathan.

‘Hi.’ Sofia peeked around the side of Tori’s bedroom door, expecting her to still be languishing in bed, but her friend was fully dressed in a tasteful white dress, frowning at the mirror while trying to clip her hair up.

‘Morning Sof, did you sleep well?’ she turned on the padded stool to look at her. ‘Has your headache gone?’

‘Headache? Oh,’ Sofia blushed at the lie, ‘um, yes thanks. I think I was just a bit knackered. I was wondering,’ she mooched over to the bed and sat down on the edge, ‘if you’d be up for a little adventure?’

Tori’s eyes widened. ‘What did you have in mind?’

‘I kind of wanted to do the touristy thing; wander around Westminster, see Big Ben, take a ride on the London Eye, have lunch, maybe go to Borough Market.’ There was nothing for it, the last bit of available credit on her Visa card was going to get hammered. ‘What do you think? Are you up for it? I know it’s not your usual style, but-,’