Chapter Thirteen Gemma
Chapter Thirteen
Gemma
Well, that turned out to be a complete disaster.
Tim arrived, and while he was perfectly pleasant, I couldn’t go through with it. I took one look at his underwhelming cock, zipped him back up, and called it a day.
His profile claimed he was a “size king,” but that was clearly false advertising. I felt robbed. If I was going to forget my problems for an evening, it’d take a lot more than a mediocre cock and a nice personality to get the job done.
I need a proper seeing to. A penis that’s going to pierce through my uterus and tickle my brain. I’m a woman with needs, and tonight they weren’t met, no thanks to Max.
Now I’m just horny and frustrated.
All that effort—shaving, applying lotion, fluffing about with my hair and makeup—wasted.
Then again, how was poor Tim supposed to compete with the likes of Max Fucking Browne?
After seeing him tonight, of course I wasn’t going to be able to focus on another man.
Knowing Max is a member of Ruby Lounge sends a thrill through me. The thought of him shedding his stiff, corporate exterior to seek the same kind of pleasures that I do…
No.
I need to feel nothing but irritation toward Max. Not this dangerous excitement that makes me wonder what else we have in common.
What he likes. How he likes it.
He’s the kind of man I imagine thrives on taking charge. I can see it in how he conducts himself. He’s the type who would dominate every inch of a woman’s body. I bet he’d take his time, pushing limits, and denying pleasure until all composure is replaced with desperate need.
He’d reduce you to nothing but a writhing, begging mess.
Stop it, Gemma. You can’t go there.
God, I could practically smell sex appeal oozing from his pores tonight.
All silky voice and dangerous presence. He looked at me like he wanted to eat me.
And damn if I didn’t want him to. I got wet at the mere sight of him in those perfectly tailored trousers and black shirt that stretched across his strong shoulders.
I was so close to buying into his smooth words, but Anna’s voice sliced through my lust-filled haze.
Anna is like the sister I never had, and the threat of losing her trust and potentially destroying our friendship absolutely terrifies me.
I need to put mind over vagina.
That, and the chance of derailing my career. If we keep the account, HR will be breathing down my neck after my and Henry’s meeting with Chadwick. I can’t throw away everything I’ve worked so hard for because Max Browne looks at me like he wants to ruin me.
Even if part of me wants him to.
Warm sunlight filters through the curtains and I slowly open my eyes. My hand skates over my bedside table until I find my wire-framed glasses. I slide them onto the bridge of my nose and peel myself out of bed.
It’s Saturday, and I’m meeting Anna and April to go bridesmaid dress shopping in Mayfair. I’m so excited—trying on dresses, drinking champagne, and enjoying some much-needed girl time. I think this will be the perfect thing to get my mind off the man currently occupying it.
I figure I can use the trip to my advantage—scout out the area to see if anything sparks creative ideas. Something I can add to the Gray Hotel campaign to give the project a fresh edge and me an advantage to stay on the account.
I make myself a coffee, frothing the milk and pouring it into my mug, creating a little foam penis. I smile at my latte art and take unhurried sips while I get ready for the day.
I arrive in Mayfair, spotting Anna outside a fancy boutique April selected on New Bond Street, waving excitedly when she sees me approach.
Anna greets me with a warm hug, and when she pulls away her brows pinch as she assesses me. “I say this with love. You look tired.”
I sigh. “I slept like crap. I need another coffee.”
Just then, April sneaks up behind us, draping her arms over our shoulders. “Eep! I’m so excited!”
“And I’m freezing my tits off. Let’s get inside,” Anna says.
We file into the boutique, sifting through the array of expensive dresses.
Anna leans in close, her voice a hushed whisper. “Holy shit, this dress costs a thousand pounds!”
April breezes by, flicking her long, auburn hair dramatically over her shoulder. “These are on me, by the way.”
I turn to her, surprised. “What? No. We can’t let you pay for our dresses. You’re already paying for the wedding! We can find somewhere else to look. There are plenty of great places around.”
April fixes me with an exasperated look. “My fiancé is rich. I’m buying the bloody dresses, end of story.”
Anna raises an eyebrow. “Who are you, and what have you done with my sweet, modest April?”
April shrugs, biting back a smile.
“Well, in that case.” Anna snatches the dress off the rack, slings it over her shoulder, and marches to the dressing room like a woman on a mission.
I step closer to April, lowering my voice. “Hey, I forgot to ask the other night—how did Lucas take the news about your engagement?”
She rolls her eyes. “He hasn’t said anything. James has tried calling him a few times, but he’s just sending him straight to voicemail.”
Classic Lucas. When he and April broke up, he disappeared without a word—blocking her number and wiping her from all social media as if their relationship never happened.
Then months later, he popped up out of nowhere, begging her to take him back.
So it’s no surprise he’s handling this like a sulking man-child.
I hold a hand to my chest. “Lucas? Ghosting? How shocking,” I joke. “How’s James handling it?”
“He’s doing all right,” she says, shrugging.
“It’s a bit of an odd situation, though.
I honestly don’t know if Lucas will even come to the wedding—not that I’m complaining.
But James made peace with the reality that they were never going to be close a long time ago.
We knew what we were getting into when we chose to be together.
Besides, James’s parents were over the moon about our engagement, and that’s what really matters. ”
I nod along. “Right. Just because someone’s family doesn’t mean you have to like them.”
“Exactly,” she says, shooting me a small smile.
We continue to peruse the beautiful fabrics. Turns out Anna’s dress was one of the cheapest in the entire store. My fingers skim over liquid silk, satin, tulle, and chiffon.
My eyes are drawn to an exquisite purple halter dress with a shimmering overlay that catches the light. I smooth my hand over the fabric, hearts in my eyes.
“Try it on,” April says.
I look at her. “No, I couldn’t. It’s too much.”
She places her hand on my shoulder affectionately. “Please, try it on. It’s beautiful.”
When Anna and I emerge from our dressing rooms, April gasps.
“I can’t tell if that’s good or you’re horrified,” Anna says.
April’s eyes water. “You both look amazing!”
“Oh, this is lush. But bloody hell, it’s tight,” Anna mutters, twisting her arms behind her back, struggling with the zipper. She wobbles on her tiptoes as she attempts to drag the zip down.
She takes a large step forward and the dress surrenders with a horrific ripping sound. We all gasp as the back of the dress splits open and Anna stumbles, trying desperately to hold the fabric together. “Crap! I’m totally naked underneath!”
I reach out to catch her, but she’s falling too fast. She topples into a mannequin, which sets off a domino effect.
The mannequin crashes into a rack of expensive dresses, which then tumbles into another row of display mannequins positioned in the boutique’s front window.
We watch, frozen, as each mannequin goes down with a thunderous bang.
“No, no, no!” The shop assistant bolts toward the front of the store, as if she can somehow stop the disaster from unfolding.
Anna rights herself and finally finds her footing, but in her panicked state, she steps on the inner hem of her long skirt.
The fabric pulls down, revealing her breasts and vag in all their uncovered glory.
She stands, naked as the day she was born, exposed to the street outside, where a growing crowd of onlookers gapes through the window, witnessing the entire mortifying spectacle.
A group of girls erupt into laughter as a mother covers her son’s eyes, and I swear I hear someone wolf-whistle.
My hands fly to my mouth.
We stand in silence for what feels like an eternity before Anna closes her eyes in horror and clears her throat. “Ladies. I’m about to bend over to pick up this dress, and I’d really appreciate it if you both averted your eyes.”
Crack out, she slowly bends down, snatching up the dress and covering herself with as much dignity as she can muster before shuffling back into the dressing room.
Of course, I say the only thing that springs to mind. “You’ve got a great set for a good tit-wank.”
Safe to say we didn’t buy the dresses.
Aside from Anna being totally humiliated, the shop assistant looked as though she was about to murder us.
We stop for a delicious and much-needed boozy lunch at a seafood bar by the Ritz Carlton. I throw back an oyster and take a long pull of bubbly.
“Why didn’t you wear any knickers if you knew we’d be trying on dresses?” April asks Anna.
“I like to let it breathe,” Anna says.
I choke. “Sorry. What?”
She shrugs. “Sometimes I forgo underwear to let my fanny breathe.”
“Well, at least you weren’t trying on trousers,” I say.
April scrunches her nose. “Ew.”
“Don’t knock it till you try it,” Anna says, raising her champagne in salute.
“Moving on… Are you guys free in two Saturdays’ time? James and I want to host a little engagement dinner at ours,” April says. “And before either of you say we’re moving too fast, we’re just so excited, we don’t want to wait another minute.”
“Considering my plans only ever involve the two of you, yes, I am free in two Saturdays’ time,” Anna says.
“Me too,” I say.
“Oh Gemma, I’ve been meaning to ask—what happened at work?” Anna asks.
I launch into the details of my workweek from hell, detailing my disastrous meeting with The CEO and how Louise and her little minion Theo are trying to take the account from Henry and me.
“It’s turned into a corporate showdown for the account!” I finish.
Anna tilts her head. “So, let me get this straight. My brother is the one deciding between Louise and Theo… and you and Henry?”
“Yup,” I say, popping the P.
Her eyes narrow. “It might be time to pay my dear old brother a visit.”
April laughs, waggling her eyebrows. “Ooh, I’ve always wanted to say something that dramatic. It’s very soap opera. Should we get you a trench coat and dark sunglasses? Maybe a fedora?”
My spine snaps straight. “You don’t need to do anything. This is my mess. I’m confident Henry and I have what it takes to keep this account. It’s just frustrating, that’s all.”
I don’t need Anna weighing in. Max saw right through my pathetic attempt to play it cool last night, so he knows exactly how much he affects me. I can already picture his smug satisfaction when we’re back at work on Monday. If Anna gets involved for my benefit, it’ll only fuel his ego more.
I lean forward. “Promise you won’t say anything to him? I don’t think he needs another reason to be pissed off with me.”
The last part slips out before I can catch it, and my mind scrambles for damage control.
Shit.
“What do you mean ‘another reason to be pissed off’ with you?” Anna asks, confused.
“After spilling the coffee and the button,” I blurt, trying to make it sound obvious.
“Oh, right,” she says, sipping her bubbles.
I keep the details of my night at Ruby Lounge to myself. The girls know me far too well—I don’t turn down penis on a platter without a damn good reason. They’d immediately become suspicious.
My shoulders sag with relief when Anna and April dive into a conversation about floral arrangements, and I nod along. Meanwhile, a battle rages inside me. I keep recounting the way Max’s lips brushed against my ear last night.
I haven’t even touched the man and I already feel like I’ve committed a forbidden sin.
The worst part? I think I want to.
I pass London’s new Gallery of Contemporary Art on my way home.
I peer through the window, catching a glimpse of canvases hung on stark white walls, splashed with a kaleidoscope of bold colors and abstract shapes.
Sculptures, from small to massive and imposing, bring the space to life.
The pieces make a statement and command my attention the moment I see them.
And just like that, an idea strikes me. One that could take Gray Hotel to an entirely new level.