Chapter 11
Arianna
“Shit, shit, shit!” I curse as I fling the covers off and fly out of bed.
I’m late.
Well, not officially late, yet. I have to get to the boutique in half an hour, and I’m still half covered in chocolate from last night.
I fell asleep snuggled with Denham on the rooftop, and sometime during the night Denham carried me back downstairs, and into bed.
I haven’t slept so deeply in such a long time.
No dreams. No nightmares. Just real life tiredness, brought on from working, and sexy time with my man.
Denham turns over in bed, and some of the sheet falls away from his legs. The stark whiteness of the bed linen is a delicious contrast to his tan skin, and I admire him momentarily before I remember, I’m late for work, and the longer I stand here gawking at him, the later I’m going to be.
I half run into the bathroom, turning on the shower, and jumping in with a squeal as it hasn’t had time to warm up. I wash in record time, but my hair takes a little longer as there are strands that have dried chocolate in them.
No time for any preening today, once I’m out and dried, I run through the bedroom with my hair wrapped in a towel, flinging open wardrobe doors, and throwing the first skirt and blouse that I come to, on the bed.
“What’s the hurry, Stunner?” Denham groans in a husky, half asleep, deliciously sexy voice.
It does things to me. My insides involuntarily clench, and a pink flush spreads across my chest. Judging by the tent effect when Denham shifts in bed, I’d say his train of thought is on the same track as mine.
No! No time for this!
“I’m late. Late, late, late,” I mumble, ruffling the towel through my long hair, and deciding it’s going to have to be tied up in a tight, neat bun, without even being dried.
I pull some underwear out of the drawer and drop the towel on the floor before stepping into my panties and fumbling with the bra that is struggling to fit properly on my damp skin.
“Call Beth.”
“Why?” I question.
“Because, Stunner, I want you to peel those scant little strips of lace off your body, and I want you to do it real slow.” He props himself up on one elbow and smirks.
“There’s no way you’re going to make it to work in the next hour or so.
” His voice takes on an even huskier edge, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt so torn in my life.
I so badly want to strip for him. I want to take my time with him.
But this is only the second day at my new job, and whether Denham can wrap Beth around his little finger, is not the point.
Arriving late or calling in, due to an inability to control my lust, is very unprofessional.
So, despite the temptation, I pretend he didn’t just say that.
I whip my clothes off the bed, turn my back, and dress fully. But I do it fast, and just as I fasten the zip up the back of my pencil skirt, Denham clasps both my hands in his, and holds them securely in the small of my back.
“You didn’t think that was a good idea, Ari?” he whispers into the nape of my neck, right before he places light kisses down as far as my clothing will allow.
I almost fail to produce words as he pushes his hips into me, showing me just how much he wants me out of my underwear.
“I … I think it’s a really good idea. But I have to work. Please don’t make me choose, it would be impossible.” I groan dramatically, rolling my head back and resting it on his shoulder.
“Okay,” he chuckles. “But we’re only delaying it until you get back. Don’t make any plans after work.”
He releases my hands and brings them around my front with his, wrapping me tightly, before kissing my cheek. “I’ll call Jack and have him ready to take you.”
“Thanks. Will you be here when I get back?”
“Am I on a promise?”
“Yes,” I giggle.
“Well, then I’ll be here.”
“I think maybe you just want me for my body,” I joke, breaking away from him to finish getting ready for work.
“Nope, I want you for your mind too. You might think you have me fooled that you’re innocent, but underneath that sweet exterior, I’m convinced there’s a minx.”
“Oh really?” I raise my brow in his direction and focus on putting my mascara on while he calls Jack.
“You want me to call Beth and tell her you’re on your way?”
“Nope, it’s fine. I’m just about ready,” I say, pushing the final pin into my hair. “How do I look?”
“Edible,” he replies.
I roll my eyes and smirk. “Do I look good enough for the boutique?”
“Ari, you’ll knock ‘em dead,” he says seriously, which warms my heart.
Every word from his lips builds me up from the inside.
Every encouraging smile that he flashes my way, gives me a little more confidence and encourages me to be the best I can be, for myself.
It’s a world away from the way Jonny continually made me feel weak and worthless.
“Right. Good. Okay,” I chant to myself.
“Ari, I …” He pauses and it’s like the air stands still.
He’s wrapped a towel around his waist but is still standing in front of me in pretty much nothing, giving me a look.
I think he’s about to say those three little words.
Words I think he feels, but that I’m not ready to hear yet.
Not by a long mile, even if it’s the way we are heading “I know you’ll be great. ”
I release the breath I was holding and reward him with a smile. I’m relieved he didn’t say it. I don’t want him to. Not yet. I don’t want to ruin the way things are and those words, well, they’re not needed to express how we feel.
“Okay, I’m going.” I pick up my clutch and press my lips tenderly to his cheek. “Is Jack downstairs? “
“Yes, he’s waiting in the lobby. Adam will escort you down, and Dan will be with you at the boutique.”
“Oh, yes. The commandos. I forgot about them. Can’t you just let them have the time off while I’m at work?”
“Arianna,” he says on a sigh. “We’ve been through this. He won’t be visible. He’s not going to be glued to your side or making your job difficult. He’ll be outside just keeping an eye on things. Please. For me?” He eyes me hopefully, and I can’t say no.
He sees me into the safe hands of Adam, who in turn passes me over to Jack. We exit the building, and Dan follows close behind.
“Miss Fraser, the car is just over there, if you’d like to follow me.” Jack announces formally.
“Jack, please call me Arianna.”
“Very well, miss.” He stutters as he corrects himself. “Arianna.”
I smile and shake my head at him. He’s so formal.
So accommodating, and from what I’ve seen, he’s so patient with Denham.
There seems to be an odd affection between the two of them, and I make it my mission to crack Jack open just a little bit to find out some funny stories about Denham.
I bet he has loads. He smiles back politely and continues to walk toward the car.
A black Mercedes with blacked out windows approaches at speed, just as Jack opens the door for me to enter his ride. We all turn to look, and commando jumps next to me. Blocking me with his whole body.
The back passenger door of the Mercedes flings open, and a girl falls out on to the street. She has wild dirty blond curls tumbling around her and looks to be wearing what I would guess are last night’s clothes. A black dress that looks dirty and tights that are ripped and laddered.
She really does look a mess.
As soon as she’s clear from the car, her purse is tossed out, and the door is slammed shut. The Mercedes flies off as fast as it pulled up.
The girl tries to get up but stumbles, and falls back down, grazing her elbow.
I’m unsure if she’s still drunk as she doesn’t look very coordinated.
But not one person has stopped to help her.
I push commando guy out of the way to go to help her.
He grabs my upper arm hard and fast, and I wince before shooting him a warning glare and snatching my arm out of his grip.
I rush over to the girl, who’s now sitting with both legs at different angles, and her head hanging limply down, almost as though it’s too much effort to hold up. When I crouch and pull back the curtain of matted curls, I gasp.
It’s Tara.
“Shit.” I yell, “Jack! Get Denham. NOW.”
She looks up at me, her muscles are uncoordinated and her head rolls from one shoulder to another while she tries to focus.
She tries to blink but finds it too much of an effort and her heavy lids open slowly, but she’s not really seeing a thing.
Her makeup is smudged down her cheeks, and it makes me want to cry to see her like this.
“What have you done, Tara? Tell me. Is it drugs? What drugs?” I ask her anxiously, stroking her hair from her face. She’s unable to answer, her coordination doesn’t allow her to form speech, and I’m not even sure if she recognizes me.
Jack and commando pick her up carefully, and try to set her on her feet, but she’s too unsteady so Jack scoops her into his arms.
I grab her purse from the ground and follow them hurriedly back into the foyer. Jack marches through everyone, using his shoulder to move past the crowd of people as he strides on, not faltering or pausing for anything until he gets to the elevator.
“Shit, is she okay, is she gonna be okay?” I ask Jack, as we ride up to the penthouses.
“She’s fine. She’ll be fine,” Jack answers, trying to keep his face neutral but the deep crevice in his forehead, and the pain in his eyes gives his true emotions away.
He’s worried. Really worried. And that worries me.
I don’t really know much about the aftereffects of drugs, but I know enough to know that Tara has had more of something than she should have, and her body is struggling to deal with it.
“I think we should have gone to a hospital instead,” I suggest quietly.