CHAPTER 33
Leo
‘Please excuse me, I’m going to the bathroom.’ I get up, placing my napkin on the table. George nods, but his mother and Gordon carry on, paying me no notice.
I take a big breath and slowly exhale as I walk away. I can do this. I’ve dealt with women like this before. That voice pops up, ‘But never when you’re falling for their son.’ I shake my head. This is not the time.
I’m walking out of the bathroom when a figure steps out, blocking my way.
‘Gordon. Everything OK?’ I retreat a touch, he’s too close.
‘Perfect. Ignore Mother.’ He moves into the space I’ve just vacated. ‘You look very beautiful tonight, Miss James.’
My skin crawls. He might have the same genes as George, but his whole demeanour is worlds apart. I don’t feel safe in his presence, and my instincts are usually correct. A member touches my arm a little too frequently, eyes linger a little too long, they ask to meet at home or a hotel room.
I’m used to it unfortunately, always alert. It’s best to ignore it.
‘Apologies for the restaurant. I thought you wanted something similar to L’Avenue, otherwise I would have arranged it instead.’
‘No matter. She always complains wherever we go. You’re not special.’ He doesn’t say it kindly.
‘Right. Well, I’ll get back to my seat, our food will be arriving shortly.’ I look him straight in the eye, not backing down. He looks at my lips and I wish I hadn’t applied more balm. His eyes travel further down but he says nothing.
‘Excuse me,’ I say politely, trying to get past.
He grabs my arm. ‘Be careful, Miss James. You’re not the only one Cece asks for updates.’
I pull it out of his grasp, calmly but firmly. ‘Thank you, Gordon.’ I look him in the eye. ‘I’ll be sure to mention everything,’ I say pointedly before walking off, my heart racing, hands shaking slightly at my sides.
George notices something’s up as soon as I sit down, his face breaking into concern. ‘Leo, are you OK?’
‘She’s fine.’ Gordon appears, sitting down. ‘Little too much champagne, too quickly perhaps?’ He clicks for the waiter. ‘Some water please for Miss James.’
George is still looking at me. ‘I’m fine, thank you, George.’ I can’t disrupt anything before his first match, and nothing really happened anyway, just Gordon throwing his weight around.
I take a breath and attempt to turn this dinner around. ‘Lady Hampden, I hear you’ve been in Switzerland?’
‘Yes, I have.’ She turns back to George, dismissing me. ‘So this tennis game. How do I come and see you? Clarissa says you’re actually quite good; how funny!’
I see George’s face turn to stone, his mouth a straight line. ‘I can ask for some family tickets. I have a few left.’
‘Is it a special box? Can Clarissa and her husband come too?’ She’s interested now she can show off. Eurgh.
‘I only have two tickets left. The team have the rest,’ George replies, almost in a monotone.
‘Well, they don’t need to be there surely? They see enough of you.’ She pouts. It’s disturbing. ‘I barely get to see my little boy.’
‘Mother, I can give you two, but the team need to be there for me.’ He glances at me. She catches it.
She gestures to me. ‘Is she going?’ She claps her hands. ‘Well, that’s the spare. There’s no need for her to attend over your family, Georgy.’
‘Clarissa and her husband aren’t my family.’ His teeth are gritted. ‘Leo has been supportive of me the last few weeks. I would like her there.’
‘Nonsense.’ She looks incredulous. ‘Shall we invite the gardener and housekeeper too? Perhaps that little scholarship boy you insist on bringing over – Jacob?’
I have to stop my mouth from hanging open. This woman!
‘Jack.’ George is totally closed now. He’s the George I met that first night. I suddenly feel worried.
I go to take his hand but stop myself. ‘George, if you need to give away my ticket, I can always come to another match.’
‘There you go! She doesn’t mind.’ She waves a hand. ‘She probably has work to do anyway, although I’m still unsure of your function.’
I go to speak, but my frustration threatens to take over. It’s safer if I stay quiet. The waiter refills my water and I sip it slowly, looking at my empty plate. We haven’t even had starters yet. Fucking hell.
‘Mother, I am not giving you tickets over Leo.’ George’s voice is steady, low. ‘I don’t give a shit if Clarissa or her husband want to sit in a better seat. I am not here for you to use to show off to your friends. If you want to see me play, then you can come. Without them.’
I glance up. His eyes are fiery, alive. He’s not closed at all, but in control, his power thrumming under the surface.
‘And Leo has not only been incredibly supportive of me and helpful during my time here, she actually loves tennis. Unlike you.’
He rises to leave. ‘She’s also extremely good at her job and has worked hard to achieve her position.’ Unlike you. It’s unsaid, but it’s there, hanging in the silence.
‘Leo, thank you for booking this restaurant, but I appear to have lost my appetite. Would you mind if we went elsewhere?’ He offers a hand.
I peek at the others as I take it. Gordon’s face is thunderous, the most emotion I’ve ever seen. His mother’s face has turned cold, unfeeling. It reminds me of George when he’s lost in himself. I loosely wonder if she suffers too. But it’s short-lived.
She’s been a real bitch tonight. And I hate saying that about women.
‘Of course . . .’ I stand, grabbing my bag. ‘I’ll go and ask for the car.’
I feel warm inside as I walk away. I’ve witnessed George standing up to his family. From their reactions, it seems that it doesn’t happen that often. I’m proud of him.
He comes up behind me, now out of sight of their table, tucked in by the dark entrance. He puts his hands on my waist. ‘Let’s get the fuck out of here.’
I look behind and he smiles. ‘You’re fucking phenomenal at your job, by the way. Even I couldn’t take one more moment of that.’
I smile back. ‘That? She’s nothing, I’ve had far worse.’ I turn fully and sneak a kiss. ‘None I can think of right now, but . . .’
His head drops to my forehead. ‘I’m sorry, Leo. My family are fucked.’
I pull back and look him in the eye, taking his face in my hands. I still can’t really believe I get to touch him like this. He’s beautiful, but sad. I want to kiss it away. ‘I’m so proud of you for standing up to her. It means a lot to me.’ I kiss him fully, slowly. ‘You did brilliantly.’
He blinds me with a full smile. ‘It’s just you.’ He links his fingers through mine, placing a quick kiss to my knuckles. ‘I felt stronger knowing you were there. Thank you.’
‘Excusez-moi?’ He drops my hand and we turn. ‘Your car is here, Monsieur Hampden.’
We nod in thanks and leave, together but separately, as I duck around the lingering photographers, entering the car from the other side.
George jumps in. ‘I’m fucking starving, any recommendations?’
I know just the place.
——
We’re in our suite devouring steak baguettes with fries. I’m back in my pyjamas, he’s in the grey sweatpants. It’s starting to feel like home. He feels like home.
Don’t overthink.
‘These are insane! I could eat twenty.’ I look over and laugh as George leans back, eyes closed, groaning. He has a blob of sauce in the corner of his lips. I reach over and dab it away and he pretends to bite my finger. He’s playful again. I can’t believe the 360 of this evening.
‘The original restaurant has been open for decades, but they opened this just for takeaway during Covid. They only serve one dish: steak, unlimited fries and their special sauce.’ I lift mine up. ‘And now all the above in a baguette.’
He leans over and takes a bite. ‘Oi!’ I bat him away and he grins.
‘I’m not even going to say sorry. It’s so good.’ He licks his fingers and my gaze is drawn to his mouth. His perfect mouth.
I’m suddenly not hungry. I put down the little I have left and pounce, crushing my lips to his. He’s surprised for a second before relaxing, his lips parting as my tongue pushes in. He tastes so good.
‘Mmm,’ he murmurs. ‘You taste great.’ He smiles, pulling me over onto his lap. His hands brace my waist as I settle into him, straddling his muscular thighs.
I kiss him again and his hands move to my behind, gripping almost painfully.
He groans again and it makes me giggle. ‘This will be the death of me,’ he murmurs against my lips.
‘Especially in these silky things.’ He rubs his hands up my thighs.
‘So soft.’ He kisses me again, deeper, more urgently as I feel him hardening beneath me.
‘George,’ I’m breathless already. He kisses my neck and I moan loudly as he hits the perfect spot below my ear. ‘George!’ I pull away. ‘Your match tomorrow!’
He looks at me, eyebrow raised. ‘My match?’
‘Yes, remember, pretty important match. Nilsson. Grand Slam. Clay. Balls.’
‘Nope.’ He starts kissing my neck again. ‘Nothing rings a bell.’
I giggle, pulling away again. I take him in. He’s absolutely beaming, his face slightly flushed, eyes sparkling. He’s radiant, exuding power, no longer dimmed. I realize this is him totally relaxed. Happy.
‘You’re staring.’
I blush. ‘Sorry. You’re just . . .’ I decide to be brave. ‘You’re beautiful, George. Inside and out. I can’t believe I get to be here, sharing things with you. Kissing you.’
His smile grows softer, his eyes serious. ‘Like I said before. It’s you, Leo.’ He takes my hand, bringing it to his cheek, leaning in. ‘I feel the same. You’re making me happier than I’ve been in a long time.’ He kisses the palm of my hand. ‘I think happier than I’ve probably ever been.’
A small tear escapes without me even realizing that I was welling up and he gently wipes it away with his thumb. ‘You’re the beautiful one. Everything about you.’ He takes my face, kissing me softly, full of emotion. ‘You’re really special, Leo.’
I tuck my head to his chest and he kisses my forehead, stroking my hair. I feel complete contentment.
We sit for a long while, taking in the evening, the past few days, the declarations we’ve just made.