A Matter of Trust: London Calling Book One (9 page)

Bennett’s eyes narrowed. He spread his hand on the table between them and grated, “I’m getting tired of your disrespect. And I’m wondering why you can’t answer a simple question about your family.”

Devon paled, but knew she mustn’t weaken. She had everything to lose if she revealed too much to his probing. He’d fire her in a heartbeat if he knew her father was a practiced grifter, adept at confidence games.
 

As was she.
 

It only proved what she’d known all along. He was not for her, could never be for someone like her. They were worlds apart.
 

There was no common ground between them. He would never, ever understand. Even now, she could see the distrust clouding his eyes. Already, he sneered with disbelief and was opening his mouth to continue.

She needed to stop this. Now. “No, you’re being disrespectful. You’re prying into my personal business when I’m clearly uncomfortable talking to you.” She watched as he rocked back with a quick shake of his head. A dull flush darkened his cheeks. She pressed on, ruthlessly driving her point. “You have to admit this is hardly a business dinner! There hasn’t been one speck—”

“Enough.” He smacked his palm down on the wood, alarming her. Several patrons looked their way. “
Enough,
” he hissed again before signaling for the tab and paying in angry silence. Grabbing her wrist, he marched her outside of the restaurant.

By this point, her shock wore off and she was smoldering. “Let go of me!”

Throwing her wrist away from him, he stalked away for a few paces before spinning back.
 

Devon took the opportunity to trudge off in the opposite direction, uncaring whether he followed. He quickly caught up, breathing deeply. She immediately laid into him.
 

“I can make my own way home. I don’t want you with me.”

She was confused when he huffed out a laugh, mumbling something about her
prissy voice.
She should ignore him. The man was clearly insane.

She increased her pace, further aggravated when he managed to easily accommodate her stride. She risked a glance and found him glaring back at her.

She stopped walking, disconcerted by his overt anger. “Would you please go away? I need a break from you. And it’s pretty clear you need a break from me.”

He jerked to a halt. He started to reach for her shoulders, but then let his hands drop. “Devon, I’m not going to leave you to walk home alone. This is non-negotiable. I have reached the end of my rope with you, so I’m going to have to politely ask you to
shut up and deal with it
.” As she opened her mouth to protest, he raised a finger to stop her. She closed her mouth. “The sooner we get walking, the sooner you get home. Can we get on with it?”

She said nothing, simply resumed walking at a furious pace. As usual, he caught up with her in moments. When his arm casually brushed hers, she shot him a deadly glare.

“Would it help if I stay on my side of the imaginary line?”
 

“You know, Bennett, I have two perfectly good shoes that would love to make your acquaintance.”

 
He snorted but she nearly laughed aloud when she caught him risking a glance toward her feet. Lucky for him, she’d chosen simple flats that day.

Hardly worth the effort.

CHAPTER SIX

D
EVON
STRODE
INTO
her office at Sterling International an hour before her usual time. She felt uncomfortable, uncertain where she stood after last night’s debacle with Bennett. And Devon wasn’t used to feeling unsure. So, she fell back on things that came naturally and automatically.
 

Intellect. Performance. Excellence.
 

She wouldn’t let him continue to charm her into blurring the boundaries between them. She’d relaxed her guard. And it wasn’t as though she were a stranger to charisma. She certainly had her own fair share and used it to effect while growing up when the situation demanded.
 

Besides, it wasn’t as though anything profoundly personal had happened since their kiss. And that was a relief, she convinced herself. She couldn’t fight the attraction he held for her. She ignored the slight ache in her stomach at the thought of him as she punched the elevator for the twentieth floor.
 

I must stop wanting Bennett Sterling. He could never accept my family, my background.

 
I can never have Bennett Sterling.

As she counted the floors going up, she repeated it to herself
.
The previous evening had been a timely and blunt reminder. If she’d felt stimulated and excited, it was only because he was so adept at seducing women. And she wasn’t used to spending time with such dynamic and attractive men. Not personal time anyway, thinking of the male colleagues she had blissfully ignored up to this point.
And Dom doesn’t count either.
 

But when she’d resisted his attempts to dig into her personal life, she’d glimpsed Bennett’s real opinion of her. And it wasn’t something she wanted. She couldn’t afford his attention or interest. It would only lead to distrust and anger, just the way last night had.
 

I can never have Bennett Sterling.

The elevator doors opened to find the subject of her thoughts sitting on the corner of Natalie’s desk outside his office. They spoke too softly for her to catch what was being said. But the familiarity she’d sensed from the first time she’d seen them together was back in force. Hearing the doors swish open, two sets of blue eyes swung toward her.
 

Her voice pitched higher than usual, Devon greeted them. “Good morning. You’re both early.”
 

Bennett remained seated, but straightened so he faced her. “Yes, we wanted to leave promptly for Manchester today. How are you this morning?”

His eyes searched hers, but Devon looked down in avoidance. “I’m good, glad I’m here then.” She waved a hand towards the hall. “I’ll drop my things so we can be off.” She frowned, seeing Natalie’s tiny smirk.
 

Bennett spoke, drawing the attention of both women. “Natalie, would you please mind getting us some coffee? I’d like to have a private word with Devon.” He waited for his PA to walk away before continuing, “Devon, you won’t be going as I no longer require your presence. Natalie will accompany me and you can remain here and catch up on your other projects.”

She blanched, feeling the lash of his professionalism. He sounded stilted, not at all like the man she’d grown used to over the past weeks. With an aching tightness in her throat, she swallowed. Blinking rapidly, she desperately tried to rally her earlier thoughts.
 

I can never have Bennett Sterling.

Natalie returned, coffees in hand. Turning to Devon, she said, “I never asked, but I hope you like it strong. Personally, I have no taste for anything weak.”
 

Devon met her sharp stare. Thankful for the reminder, she straightened to her full height, taking the coffee. “I’m sure it’s perfect. I’ll wish you both bon voyage as I have work to do. Good day.”

She walked away, steel in her spine. She never looked back even though she felt Bennett’s gaze boring into her.
 

He was not for her.

***

“Where the hell is she?” Bennett paced in front of Natalie’s desk, having waited for Devon to return to her office for the last fifteen minutes.
 

Natalie looked up through her lashes. “I don’t know. I didn’t know ten minutes ago. I still don’t.”

He stopped. Tucking his hands in his pockets, he leaned over her. “Make an effort, dammit. Find her.” Turning on his heel, he went into his office, slamming the door behind him.

Weeks had passed since he’d stopped traveling and working so closely with Devon. And he missed her, unbearably. He’d found himself in her office on some semblance of catching up over coffee when she failed to appear. He panicked, worried she’d left the business again.

Natalie breezed into his office. “She’s stepped out for a bit with Aidan. They’ve been working together on projects, and she’s been downstairs quite a lot, apparently. They expect them to be back soon.”

Turning, she walked back to the door. Over her shoulder, she tossed, “Is there anything else?”

“Call a meeting. Ten minutes with me, Aidan and Devon. Boardroom.”

Natalie stopped to look at him fully. “And how are they supposed to know about this meeting if they’re not here?”

Bennett eyed her steadily. “They have phones. They should be checking them.” He waited until she’d reached the door before continuing. “Oh and Natalie?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t forget about the gallery tonight. I’ll pick you up by six.” She brightened at his reminder. “Let’s go out for a drink after. I need to talk to you.”

She nodded, her smile fading a little.
 

Bennett waited until she was gone before spinning his chair to look out across the London skyline to the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral. He’d bought tickets for this evening’s art exhibition months ago as a gift to her. He could see no point in canceling now, but would use the evening for a long overdue discussion.

He hadn’t missed the churlish looks Natalie had been giving Devon since she arrived months ago. He was certain Devon had picked up on her behavior and jumped to all kinds of wrong conclusions for it.

He hadn’t decided yet what he wanted from Devon, what he wanted them to be. But he knew Natalie and what he
didn’t
want with her. It was past time he made sure she knew too.

***

Meanwhile, on a break cheated from work, Devon ran through the wrought iron gates of St. Dunstan in the East to immediately stop in wonder. The entrance opened onto a stately tower, tall and gothic, mildewed by time. The steeple looked deceptively fragile, but she knew from her research it was strong. It had survived the fires both man and nature launched. She grinned at the man beside her.

“We’ll have to practically run through it so we’re not gone too long.” Grabbing Aidan’s hand, she set off, laughing into the cloudless bright blue of the autumn sky.
 

All around, working professionals from the City of London were milling about, either sitting on benches or casually walking through the park. Some were grabbing a quick coffee or snack while others spoke to colleagues in hushed tones, likely discussing whatever was keeping them busy that day.
 

The grounds of the park at St. Dunstan included an old church that had stood on the property since 1100 AD. Over the centuries, it gained additions, and then lost them, when fire or attacking enemies decided to raze its sacred halls. The proud tower, added over three hundred years ago by Sir Christopher Wren, still commanded a piece of the busy financial district’s skyline. She was grateful for it.
 

Rounding a corner, they emerged onto ruins that were overgrown with creeping vines and lush greenery. Devon stopped, letting the hushed stillness fill her.
 

She squeezed Aidan’s hand, prompting him to listen with her. “Shh. So we can hear.”

He paused, looking around the park with puzzled eyes. “What do you hear, Devon?”

“Peace. Hundreds, thousands of souls have walked here before us. They whisper in the leaves, sigh on the wind. And yet it’s so peaceful, Aidan.” Letting her gaze swing around the scene back to the man beside her, she said, “I’m sorry. I get imaginative in old places.” She laughed a little. “You should see me in cemeteries, I’m practically fanciful.”

“No, you sounded sad. Are you?”

Sighing, she looked around once more, wistful eyes lingering on the haunting wildness around her. Frowning, she said, “I’m not. This reminds me a little of Savannah, Georgia, back in the States. It’s a special place to me. I spent time there growing up. It’s not nearly as old, but there’s a timelessness to both that draws me in.” She looked back at Aidan with earnest eyes. “People don’t stay, but I guess I’m comforted by the buildings and places that do.”
 

His eyebrows drew together. “Devon, some people
do
stay, you know.”

“Of course. I didn’t mean to suggest they didn’t.” She spoke quickly, changing the subject. She didn’t look at him, but at her watch instead. “We should get back. Even though it’s Friday afternoon, we don’t want to be missed. But thank you so much for bringing me.” She risked a glance and decided she didn’t care for the pained concern staring back at her from Aidan’s eyes. “Does Jane like it here?”

Jane was Aidan’s girlfriend of more than two years. Devon met her on a recent weekend where the three of them had accidentally run into each other at an art fair in Hyde Park. The two women hit it off right away and Devon considered her a fast friend. Aidan was crazy for Jane and never missed an opportunity to talk about her.

“She does,” he exclaimed. “We meet here for lunch sometimes and she always enjoys it. Janie has a taste for the spirit of a place, like you.” They were walking fast and had reached the gates again by the time he finished talking.