Chapter Four #3
He took it and she fled before she could make a complete fool of herself.
Had he noticed how she’d been gazing up at him wishing he would put his mouth on hers?
She cringed as she undressed and washed her face.
She was still cringing minutes later as she dived under the bed covers and curled up into a ball as if that might block out the memory of how he’d suddenly turned icy.
Hope vowed not to let her mouth run away with itself any more. Politics and religion would be safer topics than his family or brother.
* * *
Axel went into the main living space and headed straight for the liquor cabinet, helping himself to a generous shot of whiskey. He downed it, hoping that it might quench the sudden fire that had gripped him when he’d had Hope under his hands, her face tipped up to his, her body pressed against him.
It had acted like an incendiary straight to his bloodstream.
Right at that moment he couldn’t remember why on earth it might be a bad idea to take her to bed and fuck her. He’d never held back when there was this kind of chemistry with a woman. Not that he’d felt this kind of chemistry in a long time. If ever.
He could still see her turning away, the dress moving like liquid gold around her body. Skin soft, silky, glowing.
He poured another shot and downed it too. But the inferno still raged. And yet he didn’t put down the glass and go to her. She wasn’t here for this. They had a contract. She was his employee. And he never mixed business with pleasure.
He had to keep his eye on the prize of securing Drakos Solutions a place on the global stage. That was what was important. He’d been groomed his whole life to do this. He had no right to fail when his brother had been sacrificed. That, more than anything else, bound Axel to his fate.
He’d never been able to articulate to his brother the pain of having let him down so badly.
Of not speaking up for him when their parents had dismissed him as useless because of his academic challenges.
Of not being able to save him that day of the kidnapping.
And afterwards, for not being able to help him overcome the trauma.
No one knew of Axel’s inner turmoil when it came to his brother but Hope had seen it. Another reason to not push the boundaries. She had a more important role here than listening to him overshare, or satisfying his lust. He had to remember that.
On an impulse, knowing he’d revealed more in one night than he ever normally would with anyone, he took out his phone and called Michalis. With no preamble he said, ‘Hope Smith. Dig a little deeper into her background. I want to be assured there’s nothing we’re missing.’
They’d already done a check and nothing startling had come back. Her past had shown up pretty much as she’d already revealed it to Axel.
Michalis desisted from his usual smart reply, as if sensing Axel’s mood. He just said, ‘Of course.’
Finally, the inferno inside Axel abated a little and he pushed down the niggle of his conscience when he thought of Hope’s wide guileless blue eyes.
* * *
The next evening, back in London, Hope looked at herself in the dressing-room mirror, taking in the light blue silk dress.
She’d spent the day shopping with the stylist, and her feet ached.
She’d never been a huge fan of shopping at the best of times, but frequenting almost every major and minor designer store on Bond Street had been an eye-popping experience.
She’d given up looking at the price tags—when they’d had price tags—after the first one had almost given her a heart attack.
They’d returned to the house and staff had put all the clothes away while Hope had been served a late lunch. She’d seen Axel briefly as he’d been conducting meetings in his study—the thought that he was still working from home out of consideration for her made her feel far too warm inside.
He’d informed her they would be attending a film premiere that evening. She’d felt excited. ‘Oh, what film?’
But he’d just said, ‘No idea. It’s in aid of charity. The glam team will help you get ready. There’ll be more press interest now after appearing together.’
‘I… OK—’ But before she could ask him anything else one of his staff had approached and Axel had disappeared again.
And now she was ready for this mystery movie premiere. The dress had a wide strap going over one shoulder. It cut low across her chest, revealing the swells of her breasts and far too much skin, in her eyes. But the stylist had assured her it was well within the realms of acceptability.
The dress hugged her waist and then ended mid-thigh.
It had a train extending from her waist and down to the ground.
It was quirky and modern and in spite of her insecurities Hope loved it.
She never really dressed up that much to go out, preferring to stay in.
Loving when she had the flat to herself.
Enjoying the silence after years of relative chaos moving around other people’s homes.
Or, she had loved that until she’d met Axel and had suddenly become aware that she could feel lonely. She shook her head at herself. She was being ridiculous.
She was reclaiming a bit of her youth. She felt excited at the thought of seeing Axel even though she knew it wasn’t appropriate. She liked it far too much when they had to touch in public.
The stylist had given her a diamond necklace and matching bracelet and earrings.
And even though they were on the discreet side, Hope still felt as if she were blinging like a Christmas tree.
But now Axel was waiting and she had to leave.
She took a deep breath and made her way to the entrance hall like an unsteady foal in the vertiginous silver strappy sandals.