When The Night Falls (The Night #1)

19 | just give it a thought

Because I’d had no idea what to wear, I had settled for a maroon-coloured Bardot dress that hugged my figure. I felt opulent in it – ready to seduce the night.

It was Friday now, and Ellie had begged me all week to go to a club with her, where we would meet Brian – her fiancé – after we’d had post-work drinks at Disrepute with our colleagues. That was why I had struggled with deciding what to wear tonight. It wasn’t easy to find a dress that would be suitable for a posh cocktail bar as well as a nightclub, but I was pleased with my choice.

I had felt a bit hesitant about returning to Disrepute. It was where I first met Will, so I was certain the surroundings would evoke the memory of his skilful hands sliding across my naked body.

And I was right. Aroused, I inhaled sharply, my eyes searching for his presence, but it was nowhere to be found. Nevertheless, I could have sworn I felt him within me right then, hard and forceful as he rammed deeper than any other man ever had.

I had just arrived and was sitting with Ellie when I sensed someone coming through the door. Because I hoped that every person who entered would be William, I refused to look; I didn’t want to betray my foolish expectation.

I had no idea if he would show up at all. Sometime after lunch, he had asked me whether I was coming today, and when I had confirmed that I was, he had fallen silent. I had asked whether he would come as well, but his reply hadn’t been definitive. All he had said was, ‘I’m not sure yet.’

Since it was only Lawrence who arrived, my heart sank with disappointment, but at least I could dare to look properly in his direction.

He wasn’t the tallest man. I had noted the first time we met that we were around the same height – five-foot-eight. Despite this, there was something about his general demeanour that made him easy to notice in a crowd anyway.

I had barely spoken to him, but I liked him so far. He was a quiet type with a powerfully brooding air. His eyes were such a dark brown that they verged on black, and his skin was paler than even mine. The dark circles around his eyes made him look constantly sleep-deprived, but somehow it suited him. He seemed more mysterious that way – and he was mysterious. He had hardly said a word to me since I started. It was Ellie who had informed me that he was thirty-five years old and married to a male nurse with whom he had two young children.

Ellie greeted him while I considered my situation.

It was weird to be back. Last time I was here, I had been swept away by William’s unconventional charm. My heart tingled at the memory. That night, he had nearly ruined my defences, and I still hadn’t managed to restore them to their original strength. If anything, I was weaker than ever, especially now that I knew he still had feelings for me.

We hadn’t talked about it since. The whole week, we had both been acting like his confession never happened, but I had seen in his gaze that he was wondering where things would lead from here, and I knew I had mirrored the same look back at him.

I was terribly conflicted. On the one hand, I was hopelessly infatuated with him, but on the other, he was still my boss and Jason’s brother. In other words, dating him would still be incredibly inappropriate – and risky.

I often wondered if he shared my concerns since he hadn’t made any advances. He kept treating me like I was merely a colleague to him and nothing more. But perhaps he was just waiting for me to give him the green light. In the end, he was my boss, so maybe he was worried about the power imbalance between us; maybe he wanted to be sure that, if I started dating him, it would be of my own volition, and not because I felt intimidated by his role as my superior – that he wouldn’t merely be getting a date with me because I was afraid to say no.

I was still thinking of him when he suddenly walked through the door. Commanding and magnetic, he exuded a boundless kind of strength that petrified those contesting it. He was unbearably elegant and alluringly self-assured. I could see it in his deportment. He carried himself with pride and grace, as if nothing could shake him.

While he put the whole place to shame on his way to the bar, his captivating eyes scanned the room. Browsing, browsing, and then they met mine.

My breath abandoned me. Searching for friction, I pressed my thighs together beneath the table. Merely with a glance, he had dampened my underwear.

Trapped under his spell, I blatantly ogled him from where I sat. He was wearing a shirt that matched the colour of my dress, and it made his eyes sparkle. Matching his trousers, a grey waistcoat encased his powerful torso, and the sight made me wet my lips.

He was such a vision. It wasn’t fair that he should be so tempting when he was both my boss and my best friend’s brother. I didn’t deserve to suffer like this.

Fingers snapped in front of my face, breaking me out of my trance. Blinking, I turned my head, and I was met with Ellie’s frown.

‘Shit!’ I squeezed my eyes shut. She had caught me again.

‘You’re hopeless.’

‘Sorry. Thank you for ... ’ I shook my head. ‘Helping me out.’ My lips protruded as I dragged my espresso martini to my mouth.

She chuckled. ‘That’s what I’m here for, love. And I don’t blame you. He’s been keeping a keen eye on you ever since you started. Honestly, I feel bad for you. Had I not been happily in love with Brian, I would have drooled after him all day long too, especially if he gave me that sort of attention.’

Her words held comfort. I could always count on Ellie to offer sympathy. She might be a fan of gossip, but there was no doubt that she was an endearing sweetheart in spite of it. It just meant that I had to be careful with what I told her, but I could live with that, because she made up for it with her genuine kindness. Besides, it had become obvious to me that when she gossiped, she was simply trying to bond with the person she spoke to, which was why I forgave it. She never had ill intent.

That said, it was a shame that she didn’t seem to realise that, by gossiping, she could come across as someone who wasn’t trustworthy, which could ultimately make some people reluctant to confide in her the way a true friend would. In that way, her bonding technique was a bit counterproductive.

‘Ladies,’ Andy greeted us. ‘You look ravishing,’ he said and grabbed the seat next to mine. With a playful gleam in his warm brown eyes, he turned toward me. ‘ Cara ,’ he emphasised. ‘You look like you frequent this place.’

My eyes widened at his unexpected quip. What impeccably slick humour.

‘That colour on you should be illegal,’ he flattered, probably to conceal his inexplicit poke. ‘William will be jealous – you suit it better.’

I chuckled. ‘As if.’

‘Why wasn’t I told about your plans to wear matching outfits?’ he asked and gestured to me. ‘I’m made to feel like an outcast.’

Ellie laughed while I studied his own choice of colours. Wearing white, grey and beige, he looked enticing.

‘You look dreamy just the way you are, Andy, don’t worry,’ Ellie said and cocked her head slightly to one side. ‘Still single? Or has that changed since last?’

‘Semi-single.’

What was that supposed to mean?

‘Elaborate,’ Ellie said.

Andy sighed and leaned back. ‘Chloe’s difficult. She wants children, but I’m not ready for that yet. So, because we’re not on the same wavelength, she’s told me to make up my mind. Either I have to let her go or go all the way with her. So, while I make up my mind, we’re on a version of a break.’

I gaped with sympathy. What an ultimatum.

‘You’ve been together for a decade.’ Ellie shrugged. ‘It’s not surprising she’s reached that point.’

Andy looked displeased as he stared at her for a beat. ‘Well, when she puts it that way, I feel like my only purpose is to get her pregnant. It’s not romantic. I don’t feel seen, let alone heard. I just feel like a bag of sperm she desperately wants. And I’ve always been scared of babies. I’m not ready to change nappies and clean up spew, and I am definitely not ready to sleep three hours a night. I’m building my career, Ellie. Children will have to wait till I’ve reached a stable point in it.’

I was surprised to discover that I had so much in common with Andy. Suddenly I liked him much more, because he was finally starting to make sense to me. We were similar. I was certain I would have reacted precisely the same way if my partner had demanded we conceive when I didn’t feel ready.

Ellie rested her cheek in her hand and continued to regard him patiently. ‘Well, do you think she’ll change her mind?’

A sigh left Andy’s mouth, and I could hear that it had come from his heart. ‘I’m negotiating it with her. I’m trying to make her give me a few more years. I started with seven, but she drives a hard bargain, so I’m down to five at the moment. She keeps going on about female fertility depreciation, and saying that our children are more likely to have biological problems the longer we wait, things like that.’

‘But do you love her?’ Ellie brought herself to ask.

He stiffened, and from his furrowed brows, I could tell he found her question ridiculous. ‘Of course I love her. I can’t imagine my life without her. We’ve been together for ten years, Ellie. I’ve forgotten what it feels like not to love her.’

‘Well, at least you’re sure about that,’ she said, visibly charmed.

From behind, William’s voice rang through me. ‘Give her the damn baby, Andy. Hire an au pair if time’s becoming a problem. You’ve got the money.’

I froze completely. How close was he?

I had my answer when he leaned over my shoulder and placed a gin and tonic in front of me. Then he relocated his hand to my naked shoulder. His touch burned like fire, sending a delicious torrent of heat through my body. Hyperaware of his hand on me, I didn’t dare to face him. I was much too overwhelmed.

Andy bent his neck and looked up at him as he stood behind us. ‘I’ve already heard your opinion, Will – ten thousand times. Give it a rest already. It won’t be your baby to deal with.’

William gave him a smirk. ‘No. But if I were in your shoes, I’d give her the baby. Andy, last time you and Chloe hit a bump in the road, you lost the plot. You can’t manage without her. If you let her go, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.’

‘I’m with Will on this one,’ Ellie said.

I remained silent, pretending not to exist. This was not a discussion I wanted to get involved in. I knew too little to be able to form an opinion, but from the little I knew, I was honestly inclined to support Andy.

‘How about you, Cara? Are you with me?’ William asked and successfully ruined my effort to evade the topic.

Bending my neck, I met his smouldering eyes. I wanted to submerge myself in them, swim in the sensual pleasures they whispered of. Bewitched, I watched him, and forgot all about his question.

Andy laughed softly when I failed to respond. ‘I think you’ve dazzled her.’

His comment dragged me back. Straightening my neck, I looked toward the toilets. I had to escape William’s presence somehow. He looked nothing short of devastating, and I was absolutely susceptible to his allure.

‘I’m not dazzled,’ I lied. ‘I’d just rather not comment on something that is absolutely none of my business. I think we should let Andy decide for himself. Anyway, excuse me,’ I said and pushed my chair out.

‘Thanks, Cara,’ Andy said, and the affection in his voice made me give him a smile.

As I approached the ladies’ room, I felt William’s stare burning into my back. I escaped it as I walked in. Looking at an empty stall, I decided that I might as well relieve myself. I needed a minute to muster my strength before I could dare to go outside again. Being in the presence of William was like high-intensity interval training – quick breaks to regain my strength before I would push myself to the limit again, and with each interval, my overall strength declined.

‘Fuck,’ I muttered and shook my head as I walked out of the stall to wash my hands. Violet was there, leaning over a basin and drawing on a thin layer of nude lipstick while she studied her plump lips in the mirror. In the reflection, I saw her brown eyes swivel sideways.

‘Cara,’ she cooed. ‘You look lovely.’

I studied her from head to toe. She was wearing a beautiful black dress that clung to her curvaceous figure. She had such a beautiful bum, full and perky, and it was pointing straight at me. Between her incredible body and keen intellect, Phoebe would have lost her mind over Violet, and, frankly, my bi-curious side was too.

‘Thanks, Vi, but so do you,’ I said and approached the basin right beside her.

‘How have you found your first weeks with us?’ She put her lipstick in her purse.

‘Amazing,’ I said as I collected soap in my hand.

‘I’m glad. I’ve come across some of your work. The NDA you drafted for Clifford Paints was excellent. I was impressed.’ A sweet smile curved her lips.

She intrigued me. Did she like me, or did she not? I really couldn’t tell. All I knew was that she didn’t come across as a person who cared much about men. My impression of her was that she was not the type to grow bitter and petty just because I often interacted with her past lover. On the contrary, I found her integrity rather apparent.

‘Well, you’ve impressed me during every meeting,’ I said as I washed my hands.

‘Have I?’ She smirked. ‘Has Will impressed you as well? I think he wants to.’

I froze. Was she jealous? When I gazed at her, she gave me a knowing look.

‘Listen,’ she said and brushed a lock of her raven tresses away from her face. ‘He told me you know about us.’

My lips parted. Why had he done that?

‘It’s not my business,’ I squeaked and avoided her eyes.

She grabbed my arm. ‘Cara, don’t worry. I just need you to listen for a second.’

I met her eyes, my throat feeling tight.

She sighed and shook her head. ‘I can’t believe I’m doing this,’ she murmured.

Doing what?

‘Just ... ’ Her eyebrows curved downward. ‘Please, give him a chance. He’s completely besotted with you, I can tell. Aside from Andy and John, I know him better than anyone else in this firm, and I’ve never seen him like this.’

I stared at her with shock, my face prickling as fresh colour emerged on my cheeks. ‘I...I appreciate your sentiment, but Will’s my boss and—’

‘I know, and I’m sorry for meddling.’ She smiled embarrassedly. ‘I just can’t help but think you’re making a mistake. If you actually have feelings for him, giving him a chance is the best thing you can do. I swear you’ll be rewarded tenfold.’

A half-suppressed laugh escaped me. I was just so shocked. ‘I hadn’t expected you to be so supportive.’

She chuckled. ‘Did you think I’d be bitter?’

‘Not really, but I definitely hadn’t expected this .’

‘Well, he’s all yours. I’ve never had feelings for him. Only respect and a friendly fondness.’ Was William to her what Aaron was to me? ‘And maybe a little lust, but honestly, he’s a bloody gorgeous man, so who could blame me?’ She shrugged. ‘Anyway, I’ll stay away from now on. I hope you’re not angry with me for sleeping with him. ’

‘Vi, I’m not remotely angry with you. He’s not...mine, for lack of a better word.’

‘Oh, but he’s made it very clear that he is,’ she said with a shrewd smile. ‘Give it a thought, Cara. You’re just a trainee. It won’t get in the way of you being hired later. People marry their colleagues all the time. As long as you conduct your relationship in an appropriate manner, nobody’s going to care. Besides, I’m sure John would be delighted to have you on board regardless of you and Will. You’re a clever girl. You’d be an asset without a doubt.’ She folded her arms.

‘And I’d love to see you make him happy,’ she went on. ‘I’ve had a few cocktails already, so excuse me for speaking out of turn about all this, but you know as well as I do that he is exceptional in bed. Why settle for any less when you can have him?’ She sounded baffled. ‘So yes, he’s a bit of a challenge on certain fronts, but overall, he compensates for that with his intellect and personality. Honestly, he’ll make you feel like a goddess if you just give him a chance.’

I could scarcely believe how candid she was being with me; I barely knew her. But I did appreciate it. She was authentic, real, and clearly a bit drunk, but at least her heart was in the right place.

‘Just give it a thought,’ she repeated and gave me a wink as she went to the door. When she opened it, she eyed me over her shoulder. ‘Oh, and this conversation never happened. He’d break my neck.’

I swallowed the massive lump that had gathered in my throat and nodded. As soon as the door closed, I propped my hip against the basin and released a pent-up breath. She and William really were remarkably similar. Perhaps that was why I found myself slightly attracted to her as well.

Turning toward the mirror, I studied my reflection. I had gone for smokier eye make-up than usual, but it looked good. I hadn’t overdone it. According to Jason, it didn’t look like somebody had tried to punch me to death, which he had said as he drooled after my figure sauntering toward the front door. Like his brother, Jason was terrific at giving compliments – his body language even more so. I had felt like a million quid when I left our flat today, confident in my strut.

When another woman came in, I was dragged back to reality. It was time to step outside again. I was quite sure that a certain someone had been counting the seconds I had spent in here. So, with my chin raised, I returned to the bar, where I saw that a group of men had replaced William and Andy, and they were all chatting with Ellie .

Glancing around, I eventually spotted William and Andy at the bar. A herd of women surrounded them, circling the two lads like vultures. There were six of them, and they looked slightly older than me.

William’s eyes caught mine across the room but I quickly looked away. After Violet’s speech, I was more conflicted than ever, so I didn’t feel like interacting with him right then.

My gaze settled on Ellie, and I decided to come to her aid. Surrounded by three strangers, she was visibly uncomfortable. I was certain she had already told them she was engaged, but not everyone respected boundaries.

‘Hi,’ I said when one of the men looked over. He wasn’t particularly handsome. He had a pointed nose and mouse eyes, with thin lips and a narrow head, but his gawk made up for it because it boosted my ego.

Turning my attention to Ellie’s desperate eyes, I gave her a fond smile. ‘Gorgeous girls only or am I allowed?’ I asked and gestured to the only vacant seat.

The lad that had noticed me first immediately stood up and pulled out the chair for me.

‘Please,’ he said and jerked his ginger head toward the seat. I smiled at him as I sat down.

‘I’m Lewis,’ he said as he descended beside me. ‘Those things over there are James and Francis, but they’re not worth your attention.’

‘What the hell, mate?’ James frowned. ‘Killing the competition already, are you?’

‘Like a true capitalist.’

‘Fuck you, then,’ Francis said.

I giggled.

‘Can I buy you a drink?’ Lewis asked me, brown eyes intense, like he wanted to suck out my soul.

‘She’s already got one,’ Ellie intervened and pushed a gin and tonic toward me, which I recognised as the one William had put on the table earlier. He had bought it for me?

‘All right, then. I’ll still be here for the refill, hopefully,’ Lewis said amusedly.

I gave him a lopsided smile as I raised the drink to my lips.

‘So what’s your name?’ he asked.

‘Jessica,’ I lied. It was just so amusing. I couldn’t shake off the habit. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ellie struggle to suppress a smile.

‘And how was work, Jessica? Do you work? ’

‘Does it look like I don’t?’

‘You look like luxury, so you tell me.’

Slick.

‘Got a taste for the finer things in life, have you?’ I teased back.

His thin lips tucked up into a smug smile while a ravenous gleam entered his eyes. ‘There’s not a doubt in my mind.’

I soon realised I had become Ellie’s entertainment for the night. She laughed nonstop while I teased the men accompanying us, and as though my attention was in short supply, they fought for it until they nearly surrendered their dignity. I knew the only reason they found me more interesting than Ellie was that I seemed available while she had a huge diamond on her finger, but I was having too much fun bantering with them to care about their intentions. For a good two hours, I kept them on their toes while they ordered round after round for Ellie and me.

I had almost forgotten about William when he suddenly grabbed my attention by putting his big hands on my bare shoulders. Startled, I nearly choked on my sip. Only one touch could make me feel this way, so I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. Besides, after a glance at his hands, I had enough proof to be sure. Those beautiful long fingers had once caressed my naked body, and they had done it so well that I couldn’t ever forget their appearance, let alone the pleasure they had provided.

I tipped my head back and looked up at him, but he didn’t meet my gaze. Instead, his eyes resembled two blue flames as he glared at the men around me.

‘Gentlemen, I’m afraid I’ll have to steal this one away from you. Considering how many drinks you’ve bought her, I doubt she can walk in a straight line anymore,’ he said, voice composed, and squeezed my shoulders.

He did have a point. I felt quite drunk by now, but I wasn’t completely off my face either. I doubted that I could walk in a straight line, but I could probably make some fancy zigzag pattern for him.

Lewis frowned up at him. ‘I wasn’t aware she had a boyfriend.’

‘You don’t strike me as being aware in general,’ William riposted and pulled my chair back with surprising force.

I gasped at his insolent comment, shocked. Ellie pursed her lips so as not to laugh, but when James and Francis started guffawing, she lost control. Her laughter rumbled out of her until she snorted, and it made me giggle, so much so that I barely noticed William’s hand around mine while he dragged me away.

He didn’t stop until we had reached the bar, where Andy stood waiting. He released my hand and glowered down at me, but he said nothing.

Drunk as I was, I swayed a little under his stare. ‘What?’

‘Cara, not in front of me. Please.’

Andy sighed and shook his head while William clenched his teeth. Was he suppressing his anger? It looked like it.

My heart throbbed upon hearing his fears. Was that why he had been unsure about whether to show up tonight? Had he been afraid that he might witness me go home with a stranger?

‘What? I wasn’t even thinking of it. I was only trying to help Ellie out.’

Andy summoned the bartender’s attention and asked, ‘Sorry, could I have a bottle of still water, please?’

William kept staring at me. Why wasn’t he taking his eyes off me? It unsettled me. Folding my arms, I leaned against the counter and turned my side to him.

‘Thank you,’ Andy said and walked to stand between William and me. After unscrewing the cap, he handed me the bottle. ‘Drink. You’ve had more than a barrel of gin by now. It’s going to hit you any moment.’

I scoffed. ‘Christ, Andy, I’m not a child. I can manage my intake. But thanks, anyway.’

As I raised the bottle to my mouth, he gave me an affectionate smile and then turned to William.

‘Calm down, Will. She’s fine,’ he said, patting his shoulder.

William shot him a glare, his Adam’s apple ascending and falling. It dawned on me then that I had read him wrong. He wasn’t angry. He was anxious, maybe even worried – about me. But why? Because I was intoxicated?

‘Cara!’ Ellie called then. I looked over. She had left the table and was beckoning to me.

Right. The club.

I had barely moved a pace when William clasped my arm.

‘Where are you going?’

I gazed up at him. ‘Ellie and I are meeting Brian at a club.’

His eyes flickered in Ellie’s direction. Then they landed on mine again. ‘There’s not even a slim chance I’ll let you go to a club right now. When the drinks kick in, you’ll be up for grabs. ’

‘Excuse me? You are not my boss,’ I said. ‘Fuck,’ I mumbled as soon as I heard what I had said.

His eyebrows arched, his head tilting as some amusement twinkled in his eyes. ‘Actually, Cara, I am.’

‘That’s not what I meant. I meant you don’t get to decide that.’

His chest expanded with his deep inhalation. ‘Fine,’ he said. ‘But then I’m coming with you. Andy?’

Andy shrugged and tucked his hands in his pockets. ‘Sure. But we aren’t appropriately dressed for that.’

‘I’m sure they’ve got a cloakroom,’ William said and started toward Ellie, his hand on my back.

She blinked confusedly once we reached her, and it made me sigh. She wasn’t an idiot. If William kept acting this way, it was only a matter of time before she would realise the true nature of our relationship.

‘Mind if we join you, Ellie?’ Andy asked.

A grin took over her mouth. ‘Of course not!’

Always so cheerful. I wished she had said No. Then again, I doubted that William would have listened.