Sapphire (18 page)

God, he was fit, especially with that accent! She could feel her self-control wavering. They stayed in the bar for a couple of Mojitos, which went straight to Sapphire’s head as she hadn’t been able to eat all day. It was good being somewhere anonymous – not like Brighton where there was a strong chance that someone they knew would see them together and jump to the wrong conclusion. But was it the wrong conclusion? Sapphire was feeling more and more attracted to Ryan. She loved the rush that being with him gave her – the delicious, flirtatious, giddy feeling. Yes, she found Jay very attractive but there was something extra about being with Ryan – something dangerous, exciting, and unpredictable – something that appealed to Sapphire’s thrill-seeking side.

Just after midnight they hit the club. It was already packed – Sapphire spotted at least eight ex-reality show contestants desperately clinging on to the last nanosecond of their fifteen minutes of fame. They seemed a pretty pathetic bunch to her – the girls in the most revealing outfits possible, short of actually being naked, the blokes pumped and fak-tanned up to the eyeballs. Sapphire had always wanted to succeed in business and been driven by her ambition and desire to make something of herself. She didn’t get the appeal of being famous just for appearing on a reality show. Especially now it seemed that people had to behave in more and more extreme ways to get themselves noticed. She smiled to herself as one of the girls shimmied past her in a minuscule pair of hot pants. She seemed so desperate for attention you could almost smell it in the air.

Ryan was on the guest list and he led Sapphire through to the VIP area. Sapphire was secretly hoping they could just carry on with their flirting but Ryan spotted someone he knew. ‘That’s the club owner over there; I might have to talk business with him for a while.’

Sapphire followed him over to where a thickly built man in an expensive-looking suit was sitting. Ryan introduced her to Markov, a Ukrainian in his mid-forties. Sapphire didn’t warm to Markov one little bit, he had the coldest pale grey eyes she had ever seen and she didn’t like the predatory way he looked at her. His hair was dyed white-blond, which looked strange against his dark skin and eyebrows. He made a big show of taking Sapphire’s hand and kissing it, plus he was wearing so much aftershave, a strong, sickly sweet smell that got right up Sapphire’s nose.

‘Sapphire!’ he exclaimed in strongly accented English. ‘What a beautiful name, but it is perfect for a beautiful
woman like you. Would you like champagne? I have vintage Cristal or Laurent Perrier. Whatever you want, I will get for you.’

‘Cristal would be lovely,’ Sapphire tried to be polite but she felt Markov was a right creep.

‘I just need to borrow Ryan to talk business for a few minutes, Sapphire. You don’t mind do you? I promise we won’t be long. You can talk to Alina,’ he gestured at a stunning blonde with sculpted cheekbones and green eyes who had been sitting next to him and then turned away and started talking quietly to Ryan.

Sapphire felt as if she was being treated like some bimbo trophy girlfriend. She didn’t like it at all. She tried to make conversation with Alina then gave up as she seemed strung out, from drink or drugs Sapphire couldn’t tell. She sat back on the gold leather sofa and tapped her foot on the floor in irritation, while the beautiful blonde texted on a crystal-encrusted phone. She was a fool to have come here with Ryan – she could have been chilling with her best friends and having a laugh. Ten minutes went by, Markov and Ryan continuing to whisper conspiratorially. Then Markov turned to Sapphire. ‘So Ryan tells me you are quite the businesswoman. I am impressed. Only twenty-seven and already you have a successful business. Beauty and brains – what a combination, eh Ryan?’

He put his arm round Ryan as if they were best buddies. Ryan appeared as if he was forcing a smile. Sapphire was about to reply when Alina knocked over her glass, spilling champagne all over Sapphire’s dress.

Instantly a change came over Markov – gone was the smile and buddy act. He looked absolutely furious and fired off something in Ukrainian that had Alina cowering back on the sofa. Then Markov stood up and gestured at the men sitting at the neighbouring table. Two men built like wrestlers, their heads shaved and wearing identical
black suits came over. One of them reached out and took Alina’s arm, forcing her to stand up and before Sapphire could say anything he led her away while the other one handed Sapphire a napkin. Then he picked up Alina’s bag and phone and left.

‘There is nothing worse than a drunk woman,’ Markov said in disgust. Sapphire shot Ryan a WTF look, but he just shrugged.

Markov then smiled at Sapphire. ‘I’m so sorry for your dress. You will let me know how much it was and I will replace it.’

‘There is no need,’ Sapphire said. ‘Please. I didn’t want Alina to have to leave. It was just an accident.’

‘She needs to go home – she will be fine.’

Sapphire suddenly felt as if she needed to get away – Markov made her feel claustrophobic, and muttering something about wanting to find the bathroom she stood up and walked quickly away from the table.

She paused at the bar on her way back and ordered herself a vodka. She was in no hurry to return to the men. What had happened to Alina? God, she hoped she was okay.

She looked round the club. Markov clearly had a thing about gold – there were gold pillars, gold walls and gold chandeliers. The black-and-gold wallpaper behind the bar caught her eye, and she realised the pattern was of couples shagging in different positions – classy.

Ryan appeared at her side, ‘I’m so sorry, Sapphire, we had some business to discuss, I couldn’t get out of it. Markov’s a hard man to pin down; I had to take my chance when I could.’

‘So I noticed,’ Sapphire said feeling more than a little put out. She hadn’t come to the club to feel like she was just something pretty for Ryan to show off or to meet a creep like Markov.

It was crowded by the bar; Ryan frowned as someone
knocked into him. ‘Come back to the VIP area, we can’t talk here.’

Sapphire remained standing where she was – she didn’t want to go anywhere near Markov again. She folded her arms. ‘How well do you know Markov? I really didn’t like how he treated Alina.’

Ryan sighed, ‘I need him for business. And don’t worry about Alina, I’ve just seen her, she’s going home. She had a bit too much Cristal is all. I know Markov seemed harsh but he’s been trying to help her.’

‘Really?’ Markov didn’t seem to want to help Alina; punish her, more like.

‘Really,’ Ryan replied. He moved closer to Sapphire and gave her the full benefit of his stunning green eyes as he lowered his voice. ‘Please come back, I want to make it up to you.’

‘Promise I don’t have to see that Markov again?’

‘I promise,’ Ryan replied, putting his arm lightly round her and steering her back to the VIP area.

As they sat on the sofa together Ryan kept his arm round her. ‘Friends again?’ he murmured.

‘Possibly,’ Sapphire replied, arching one of her eyebrows flirtatiously.

Now Markov had gone, her mood improved dramatically.

Ryan moved closer still, and whispered in her ear, ‘But I think we both know we’d like to be more than just friends.’ His voice sounded husky with longing. ‘I still can’t stop thinking about you, Sapphire. You don’t know what you do to me.’

He was so close, Sapphire could feel the warmth of his body, could feel his breath against her skin, could smell his musky aftershave. Her mind said no but her treacherous body longed for his touch. She was finding the look of desire in his eyes such a turn-on. Rational thought went out of the window. He moved closer still
and now his lips were on hers and they were kissing. His lips were soft and firm, different to Jay’s, not better, just different. She liked the novelty. Now he was sliding one of his hands along her thigh, a knowing hand, that tantalised her skin, made her long for his caress to go higher.

He pulled away from the kiss to gaze at her. ‘Beautiful Sapphire, we could be so good together. We belong together.’

Sapphire stared back at him, her body fizzing with lust, but she could not do this to Jay. No way. This was wrong. She had to go. She got up abruptly but Ryan seized her hand, ‘You’re not going anywhere.’ She was about to reply that oh yes she was when Ryan caught sight of someone behind her and instantly his face clouded over. ‘Shit,’ he muttered, abruptly letting go of her hand. Sapphire turned round and came face to face with Simone. She was smiling at the couple but it was a smile that didn’t reach her hazel eyes.

‘Simone!’ Ryan exclaimed, standing up, while Sapphire stepped away from him. Please let Simone not have seen the kiss!

‘How did the filming go?’ Ryan went on. He had quickly regained his composure and Sapphire was slightly put off by the way he slipped so effortlessly into the role of Simone’s boyfriend, kissing her and, stroking her arm. Sapphire just prayed she couldn’t detect her perfume on Ryan.

‘We finished early so I thought I’d surprise you, babe,’ Simone said smoothly, but there was a definite edge to her voice.

She must have seen the kiss, Sapphire thought. Now she felt even worse. Much as she disliked Simone, she didn’t want to do the dirty on her; she really wasn’t that kind of person. And she knew how dangerous Simone would be when she was hurt. She reached for her bag and
tried to appear casual, even though she was sure she was sending out guilty signals like a distress beacon. ‘Well I’m off, thanks for inviting me, Ryan,’ she couldn’t bring herself to look at him.

‘Stay for another drink,’ he replied, seemingly guilt free.

‘No thanks, I really have to go.’

Sapphire walked briskly through the club but just as she was about to reach the exit she walked straight into Markov. ‘Going already, beautiful? But the night is so young.’ God, could he only talk in clichés? ‘Come drink some more champagne with me.’

He put a proprietorial hand on her arm and his sleeve fell back revealing a completely hairless arm, which freaked Sapphire out. His hand felt moist and fleshy against her bare skin. Sapphire shook her head and suppressed a shudder. ‘Thanks but I’ve really got to go.’

Mercifully Markov let go of her. ‘We should talk. I’m very interested in expanding in Brighton.’ He reached into his pocket and pulled out his card and handed it to her. She noticed a huge diamond ring on his finger, which looked like the real deal. Markov clearly was loaded, but that didn’t mean she wanted anything to do with him. Reluctantly Sapphire took the card.

‘And can I have yours?’ It was more an order than a request.

She scrambled in her clutch bag for her business card and handed it over, eager to get away. Markov looked at it intently, ‘“Something For The Weekend”, I like it. I’ll be in touch, Sapphire Jones. I really think we could do business together to both our advantage. I imagine you are always on the look-out for new investors and in these times it must be worrying to be a small business – you never know when the banks are going to, how do you say it – plug the pull.’ He smiled at her, showing off brilliantly white teeth.

‘Pull the plug,’ Sapphire muttered her correction, but
she had a feeling Markov knew perfectly well what he should have said. ‘I really must go,’ she repeated and practically ran out of the club, not wanting to spend another second in his company.

It was freezing outside and she shivered in her black leather jacket and thin dress as she waited to hail a taxi. In her desperation to get away she hadn’t even thought about how she was going to get home. By the time she reached Victoria station it was after three in the morning – she had nearly an hour to kill before the next train. All the cafés and bars were closed and Sapphire had to keep walking around to keep warm, even though her feet were killing her in her heels. She felt very conspicuous in her revealing dress and bitterly regretted the night.

She was just going through the ticket barrier when a familiar and not at all welcome voice said, ‘Hi, Sapphire, had a big night out?’

Shit! It was Luke, travelling back on the same train as her. His eyes skimmed over her, taking in the short dress. ‘You must be cold.’

‘I’m fine,’ Sapphire replied, trying desperately to stop her teeth from chattering. ‘I went to the opening of a new club. It was useful for business.’

Luke walked beside her to the train. He looked amused as he replied, ‘Do you always dress like that for business events? Isn’t it hard to be taken seriously?’

He was clearly determined to needle her yet again, but no way was Sapphire going to have him in her face all the way back to Brighton.

‘I’m just going to find the loo,’ she lied and walked ahead of him. When she thought she’d lost him she found a carriage with other people in it and curled up on one of the seats, hoping that Luke wouldn’t find her.

She checked her mobile; there was another message from Jay saying he would be back in the morning and
what time should they meet up. Great, now she’d have to tell him about the trip to London. The question was, could she get away with not telling him about Ryan?

Jay was so loving when she met up with him again that she felt even more guilty. He wanted to take her straight to bed but Sapphire insisted that she had something to tell him. She couldn’t believe that Luke would have missed an opportunity to let Jay know what she’d been up to and put some nasty little spin on it but apparently he hadn’t as Jay looked surprised when Sapphire said she’d seen him. ‘Alfie’s business partner invited me to this club launch, and I thought I may as well go.’

Jay frowned, ‘What, that flash one who fancies himself, the one we saw in the restaurant?’

‘Yep, he was there with his girlfriend Simone.’ Sapphire busied herself pouring them each a glass of wine, and turned away from him as she continued, ‘Yeah, I hardly saw them, but it was useful, I guess, to see the new club and I met a few people.’

Even as she lied so convincingly the memory of the kiss with Ryan flared up inside her mind. It had been so good. Sapphire couldn’t help loving those early flirtatious encounters with a man, they were so addictive, the surge of adrenalin and lust so compelling. It made her feel so alive. Jay was a fantastic lover, but their time together was sometimes just a little bit safe.