Chapter 7 The Pursuit
The Pursuit
LANIE
Things went quiet after Baz was called to a job site.
He declared he needed to leave so he could make a meeting.
My heart sank. I wanted to bait him and make Caleb jealous.
Still, it didn’t take much to play into Caleb’s feeling that he ran Baz off after our encounter.
Caleb ran the party as if it were his house and he fucked me like I was a glittering trophy later.
I focused on the next day when Baz would return. Satisfied with my reorientation as a sexual vigilante, I attended brunch on day three with a focus on my charm offensive. To my grave disappointment, Baz was nowhere to be found.
“Is Baz just… gone?” I asked. “Has he ditched us?”
Baz’s associate, Warner, responded. “He went to check on a job in Bath. He said not to wait for him, and he’d be back to shoot in the afternoon. He wanted to get an early start this morning—hence the evening departure.”
“Are you sad to miss him?” Caleb sounded a little threatened.
I squeezed Caleb’s knee, “No. I just feel bad since it’s his house and we’ve barely seen him. Doesn’t that bother him?”
“No,” the others answered.
“He is that way,” Caleb explained. “Business before all else. He never stops.”
Except for me. He’d do anything to fuck me.
Torture could wait. And either way, we were having fun, weren’t we? A leisurely breakfast was served as we waited for our host’s return, but I suspected we’d go without Baz.
As I was in the library reading a beautifully gilded copy of Wuthering Heights, Caleb appeared.
“Baz is back. If you want to change, now’s the time.”
“Sure,” I said.
I went upstairs to our room and found a neatly wrapped box on the dresser with a note emblazoned “Lanie”.
I opened the card.
Ms. Day,
You are much agreeable. Please take this as a token of my greatest apology for my bad behavior.
-B
Baz gave me a gift? What the hell?
I undid the ribbon and peeled back the paper to reveal a jewelry box.
I opened the clamshell to reveal a necklace.
Suspended on a white gold chain was a beautiful emerald.
I gasped. This would have been at least five grand in the States.
I touched the dazzling teardrop and thought about how I could wear it.
He’d done well, but I hated him for it. Had he paid for this in blood money?
I contemplated sending it back in protest, then stopped.
If it was worn on my skin, wasn’t I reclaiming it?
BAZ
“So, do you want to explain why a gift was left for Lanie in my room?” Caleb asked.
I couldn’t tell if he was upset with me. Given that they’d been in their room making as much noise as possible this morning, I didn’t think he had room to complain. I decided to play another game while I skipped out to Bath with a shaky work excuse.
“Who says it was me?”
“I’m not an idiot, Baz. It was your handwriting.”
I sighed, “Look, it’s to smooth it over with her. That’s all. I feel I offended her.”
“I don’t. She’s quite alright,” Caleb said.
“But I’ve offended you, Caleb?”
“No. I get the feeling this has run its course and that she’s interested in neither of us.”
I suspected he was hurt but played it off so I’d stop pursuing her. Unfortunately, I was better at strategy than Caleb.
“Is Lanie joining us?” I changed the subject.
“She can shoot, so she says,” Caleb said, as if doubting her capabilities.
I turned to see Lanie walking out in a light jacket unfit for the British weather.
“It might rain,” I said. “You will want to add something more substantial than that.”
“Sorry. I didn’t realize it was going to be thick as pea soup. I didn’t pack anything more,” she replied.
“Come with me,” I said.
I led her to the back entry’s hall wardrobe that housed extra clothes. I knew we had a coat or two that would probably work. Lanie followed and picked through the options.
“You have very well-heeled leftovers, Baz,” she said. “Not that I am surprised.”
She held up an older Burberry coat and compared it to her own stature in the mirror behind the door.
I gently took it from her and held it so she could slip inside.
Lanie quietly obliged, leaving me staring back at her in the mirror.
She met my gaze with a hungry expression.
I couldn’t manage to step away. Nor could I bring myself to do what I wanted.
I longed to kiss her neck and breathe in her scent.
Saying nothing, Lanie spun.
“The necklace was nice. You did well, but you shouldn’t have gotten it for me. Caleb is jealous.”
“I don’t care if Caleb is cross. I wanted to spoil you, so I did. Wear it tonight for dinner,” I said.
She shook her head. “You don’t own me. You realize that, right?”
Her scowl and biting words cut me. Had I overstepped? My intent was genuine. Caleb’s discussion of his plans to dissolve everything only supported my desire to make her feel special. Was her act a game or did she hate the gift?
“If it bothers you, I can return it,” I assured,
Lanie’s face softened and she dropped my gaze momentarily. “I appreciated the gesture. It’s beautiful. However, you haven’t won me. I’m not yours.”
I said softly, “I know. I wish you were.”
She met my gaze again, mouth agape, she searched for a snappy comeback. Her resolve weakened.
“I know you’re here with Caleb. I’m not about to dream otherwise,” I said. “But if you’re still in London for a bit, I’d like to take you out properly.”
“I should say no,” she said. “But do something to wow me. Don’t bore me.”
I grinned. “I have an idea, yeah.”
“Good.”
She snapped the jacket and proceeded outside where a staff member herded people into cars. I watched her board a Range Rover with Caleb, but I knew I’d have her, either way. When we finally landed on the shooting grounds, I assessed her behavior with a rifle. Caleb doubted her, but I didn’t.
Even with a fine mist and poor visibility, she confidently called, “Pull!”
The pigeon shot into the air and she nailed it. She called a second time, again killing it. Without acknowledging her victory, she adeptly broke the shotgun open to toss the spent shells.
“Your move.” She nodded at Caleb.
He’d never best her. Nor would I—more than likely.
“Who taught you to shoot?” I asked as she reloaded.
“My father and grandfather,” she answered. “I grew up in Michigan and my grandfather liked to hunt. I know how to shoot. I’d wager I am probably the best of my siblings—minus my older brother who is in the Air Force.”
“I am impressed,” I said as Caleb missed his second shot.
“She kicked your arse,” I razzed.
“Yeah, yeah. She’s good,” Caleb said. “I’ll concede.”
Lanie was very good. She was never what I expected, but she left me wanting more.