Chapter 26
This stuff is incredible. I gaze around at the mountain of unopened bags and boxes still to explore and can’t believe this is happening to me. The delivery was taken to the master suite where there is a huge dressing room, but I’m almost positive it’s too small for all this stuff.
Inside every piece of tissue paper is a beautiful garment of superior quality that I never imagined I would wear. It’s too much to comprehend, and I am drowning in unexpected delight.
It takes me two hours to open a mere quarter of what was delivered and yet I can’t contain my excitement, as every purchase reveals something so gorgeous my heart dances with joy. Valentin has impeccable taste, and I never imagined some of these styles would suit me, but even holding them against me as I stare into the mirror reveals they complement my complexion perfectly.
I am so absorbed in my task I’m surprised when my phone rings. It’s unusual because I have a small circle of friends who usually WhatsApp me.
As I lift the phone, I don’t recognize the number and answer with a curious, “Polly speaking, how may I help you?”
“Polly, darling.”
The woman that answers me has an American accent and says kindly, “It’s Marsha Steele, your aunt’s friend. You may remember the card I sent you.”
“Of course. Thank you for your kind wishes.”
I take a seat on the padded bench and my heart beats furiously as I speak, because I am already wary of the woman purely due to what Valentin told me.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, but fate had brought me to London, and I hoped we could meet up. Say lunch at Selfridges’ roof garden, tomorrow at two o’clock.”
“Oh, um–” I don’t really know what to say because I’m positive Valentin would have something to say about this and she interrupts my hesitation by saying in a low voice, “Please make the time, darling. I have a business proposition for you, as well as information you will really want to know.”
“Okay.”
I’m guarded but curious, and her voice lifts as she says with satisfaction. “I will look forward to meeting you. Save my number to your contacts and call me when you arrive. “
“Okay. Um, thank you.”
‘’I’ll see you tomorrow, Polly. You won’t regret it.”
As she cuts the call, I stare at the blank screen for a while, wondering what she wants.
A business proposition.
What on earth could that involve? And what is the information she has? A stirring of excitement lights deep inside me and I stare around the dressing room, wondering about this world I have fallen into. A couple of days ago I was Polly Scott-Stanley. Copywriter from home who struggled to meet anyone. Now I’m living a life that has espionage written all over it and have shamelessly given myself to a man who heats my blood and shatters my principles. Now I’m about to meet a woman who may have the answers Valentin seeks and yet in discovering them, it may bring an end to this fantasy, which I know I’m not ready for.
I’m conflicted. I want to go, but I don’t want Valentin to go. Things are just getting interesting and yet he’s made it perfectly clear he is here on borrowed time.
I have mixed feelings indeed about this lunch date tomorrow and vow that just for tonight, I will keep it to myself.
Exactly two hoursand twenty minutes later, I make my way to the front door to meet my prince, feeling like a princess. I’ve had so much fun transforming myself from Polly, an ordinary girl, into the date of a billionaire. It’s definitely how I think of him, and I doubt I’m wrong.
I selected a white dress that swirls around my ankles and moves like flowing milk as I walk. The silver court shoes are encrusted in crystals and the lingerie underneath is soft and caressing my body like an ardent lover would.
I am wearing a white fur wrap over my shoulders and there is a delicate diamond necklace gracing my cleavage with a matching bracelet on my wrist. The white clutch bag in my hand holds my phone and a tube of lipstick and my hair is curled and messy on top of my head, secured with a diamond clip.
I waft down the stairs, trailing the scent that I could drip in for the rest of my life, and when I see the man waiting for me, I almost stumble.
He is immaculately dressed in a dark suit with a white shirt, open as usual revealing the ink on his muscled skin. His dark hair gleams but nowhere near as much as his eyes as he stares at me walking toward him with the look of a predator. I gaze in awe at the man who commands attention because of the aura of confidence and power that sits well on his shoulders and as I approach, his appreciative gaze slides across my body and I detect the lust burning brightly in his eyes.
He reaches out his hand and I note the gold Rolex on his tanned wrist and, as his tattooed hand closes around mine, he whispers, “You are beautiful, Polly.”
“So are you.” I smile as I compliment him and his low laugh makes me smile.
“I’ll take that.” He rolls his eyes with amusement and nods toward the door.
“After you.”
The door opens automatically, courtesy of one of his men, and as we walk past him, he hands Valentin the keys to a silver Maserati.
“Is this yours?”
My eyes widen as I take in the sleek lines of a supercar and Valentin nods. “One of my collection.”
“One of what?” I stare at him wide-eyed, and he shrugs as if it’s of no consequence.
“I have several. It’s just a car, Polly.”
“If you say so.”
I slide into the seat with an excited squeal as I take in the polished interior and the black leather seats. This car is as magnificent as the man who will be driving it, and I would be happy to forego the meal and spend the evening driving around London instead.
The noise from the engine rumbles through my entire body, and I hold my breath as Valentin expertly moves away from the curb.
As we pull out into the London traffic, I note the awe on the faces of the passers-by and feel exactly the same. I am definitely living the dream right now and I stare starry eyed out of the window, wondering when my life became so exciting.
Sadly, it doesn’t take long to reach our destination and we stop outside the Savoy and Valentin cuts the engine.
“You can’t park here.” I say in astonishment, and he shakes his head.
“Yes. I can.”
He exits the car and a small crowd forms as they stare at the spectacle in front of them. I hear the murmurs from the crowd and the flash of cameras almost blinds me as he helps me from the car into the waiting crowd.
For some reason, they keep a wide berth, gazing at us with astonished awe, and as Valentin takes my hand, I feel like visiting royalty on the arm of the most handsome man I have ever seen.
“What about the car?”
“What about it?” He replies as he guides me through the revolving doors of the exclusive hotel.
“It could be damaged, stolen even.”
“I doubt that.” He chuckles softly and I turn and gaze out of the window and note the car is now surrounded by his men.
“Where did they come from?”
“They followed us.”
His low chuckle reminds me my mouth has dropped, and he leans in and whispers, “I protect the things I love. No harm ever comes to them because I take steps to prevent it from happening.”
The way his eyes gleam as he stares deep into mine causes a delicious shiver to pass through my body. If only he considered me that way and not as a temporary plaything, my life would be complete.