LAD: A British Bad Boy Romance Novel (Bad Boys of London Book 1) (10 page)

Numerous buses came and went by the drop-off point, none of them carrying my Hayley.
 

At 12:04, I’d finished my tea and I decided I wouldn’t allow her to keep me waiting. But as soon as I stood, another bus arrived. I’d wait for this one.

They were there, spilling out of the doors behind the other passengers. Hayley had her pulled back into a clean braid again, which pleased me. A yellow button-up sweater and high-waisted shorts revealed her curves and complemented her skin tone. I grit my teeth, admiring her shapely legs and arse. Then I noticed something more pleasing: My leather jacket slung through the strap of her bag. That settled any concern I had for her being chilly on this overcast summer day. Why the fuck did she make me give a damn about her comfort level like that? I wouldn’t let her turn me into this soggy bastard. I had to remember to hold control at any cost.

The three girls looked lively, smiley, and were, of course, taking copious photographs with their selfie stick. But Hayley didn’t seem bothered about finding me. She kept her attention on her friends or on the sights around her. The brunette girl, hidden behind unnecessary sunglasses for this type of weather, led them to a kiosk and back over to the almost-empty queue. I had an in.

In my drunken haze last night, I’d made a plan for how I’d approach them. But since then, not only had I finished whatever that punk from last night had in his baggie, but I’d also fucked some random bird I met at a convenience store for some relief then followed it up with finishing my stash of whiskey in my wet bar. Suffice to say, my brain wasn’t thinking straight. But I remember the part about the hour of the day, the day of the week, and expected weather being ideal for carrying out this ultimate seduction.

The girls proceeded through the queue and I followed fast behind. Finally, I caught Hayley examining her surroundings in a forced nonchalant way that cued me to knowing she’d be looking for me. Had I lied to her yesterday when I said to meet me here? Had I forgotten? She forced a smile to her friends as I moved in behind them. She was completely unaware of my close proximity to her. My beautiful prey.
 

Once in the loading area, the girls showed their tickets to the attendant and were escorted towards the cars. Here was my chance. As the first two stepped inside the doors, I snatched Hayley’s hand before she could take another step. Forcibly guiding her with me by her smell waist, I redirected her to the capsule immediately following without the other two so much as suspecting that their friend had been taken.

“Oh my God,” she said. “Wait!”

There were no bumbling, overweight tourists behind us and we began our ascent, making it too late for her to get help from her friends. Thirty minutes of confinement, and nowhere for her to be but right here with me.

The doors closed behind us. Hayley’s face frowned. The reality of what I’d done caught up with her. She ran up to the other window to look up at her friends in the car ahead. They waved down, the brunette one looking in amused shock at the sight of me in the car with her. Her phone beeped with what I guess must be a text message from her worried Asian friend.

“Fine,” she started, breathless. “I am scared of you.”

I gave her space, deciding to rest back on the other window. “Thought so.”

“So, this is why you told me to be here? To trap me?”

“Don’t you want to remember this holiday as the one where some crazy, no good Brit chased you around town the whole time?” I kept my eyes directly on her.
 

She regained some confidence and took some steps in my direction, “This is nothing I want. When I made the decision to meet you today, I didn’t want it to be like this. I make my own decisions on where I wanna be.”

 
“You can’t always get what you want. Although, I think you did. Because I’m what you want,” I said plainly. I stepped towards her this time and her pupils dilated.
 

“You have your claws in me…Miss Frost…” I awaited her reaction, but she gave me none. “Now you’ll have a hard time getting away from me.”

She softened and carefully contemplated her next words. “Do I have reason to feel this afraid of you?” She gave another step towards me and crossed her arms over her chest.

“Have I given you a reason?”

“Not exactly.”

“I saw you. You intrigued me. You pulled me in somehow.” We orbited one another in a slow walk, taking the occasional glance out the window at the view. “So, forgive me to wanting to have a little fun.”

“That is what this is, huh? A little game for you. ‘Let’s play with the naïve tourist, fuck with her head a bit. What does it matter, she’s leaving anyway.” She took her backpack from her shoulders. “You’re like a cat playing with a mouse. But I promise you that a mouse isn’t in my acting wheelhouse, unfortunately,” she said with growing confidence. Fiery Hayley was back, and she made the game all the more enjoyable.
 

“You don’t have to play any part in this. You don’t have to do a thing,” I said with a Cheshire grin. “Leave that all on me.” She pushed her shoulders back and sat against the railing, eyeing me up and down, plotting her next tactic.

“I don’t see anything in it for me. Having you following me around like this.”

“Think of me as your doting tour guide.” I lit my cigarette and she exhaled a breathy laugh.
 

“You are unbelievable. A rare breed, Mr. Cartwright.”

“As are you, Hayley.” I gave her a look brimming with earnest sincerity. Whether she took it as such, I couldn’t tell. Regardless, I enjoyed complimenting her.

We stopped circling and stood still for a moment. The room crested a point where we were getting a good view of the skyline. Hayley spun to gaze out on the miniature city she’d so dream about.
 
I observed her magnificent profile, her ski-sloped nose, her lips…

“You take pleasure in following me around like this, catching me off guard?”

“Yes.” She nailed it perfectly. Smart girl.
 

“Why?” She didn’t look at me.
 

I stepped in closer to her. My warm rasp entered her ear. “Because I can’t help myself.” Baby hairs prickled on the back of her bare neck. At that moment I couldn't help but put my hand on the small of her back, to feel the slight curvature there. I gently stroked her with my fingers, feeling all the various indentures until I moved my palms to feel along the skin of her belly beneath her top.
 

“I have all the time, money, and other vices in the world, but none of them make me feel as good as you do when I’m around you.” I took her braid gently between my fingers and tugged downward. I could see her breath fogging up the window in front of us.

“Oh, sweet Lord,” she breathed.
 

“You have plenty enough women in your life.” Her hand slipped me off from her, leaving me and my semi-hard cock unsatisfied. “So, why do I get the feeling you’ve given this speech has been said before?” She turned to me and pressed her palms against my chest to back me away from her. “I know your type. My friend, Kristen, has not only dated but warned me enough times about people like you. You’re sick. And unloved. And nothing I want.”

“Then why are you so afraid of me?”

Her gaze scolded. She stood firm.
 

I put my finger under her chin as I did before our first and only kiss. “I don’t know anyone like you.”

Her hand slapped me away. “Stop it.” I tried again, with a dismissive laugh. She pushed me back harder. “You scare me because even after saying all of this, you still persist as though you know what I want.”

“I know exactly what you want.” I reached around and tugged at her ponytail again, this time guiding it so she revealed her throat to me. I bent into it, exhaling softly against the delicate skin, my lips barely touching her.

“You won’t leave my head.” Her words made me crumble.

“Let me play this game with you then.”

“But where does it lead?” she asked before I had a chance to finish.

“Dinner.” I moved away from her again. I didn’t need consent in this hunt. She’d agree to join me with whatever opportunity I presented her with to spend time with me. I lavished it.

“Dinner? That’s your big game plan? Is dinner?” Her nipples had grown pert beneath the fabric of her shirt. I came further undone.

“Dinner is so you don’t fear me so much,” I said. “The games will commence afterward.”
 

Our trip was about to conclude.

“So, you’re going to take me on a respectful date to placate me so that you can then comfortable revert back to stalker mode with my consent?”

I smiled wickedly. “I need an answer.” I could tell that the idea intrigued her, against her better judgment. Should she decline, I don’t know what I would’ve done.

She picked up her backpack, silently. Our ride had only moments left. Her friends were already waiting on the platform for her.

“Kiss me again,” she asked. I took no time to oblige her and, this time, kissed her with every force I’d intended. I pressed my weight against her, holding my hands against her arse, feeling her writhing as her hands combed through my hair. Her height, her limbs, her lips— Everything about her fit perfectly with me. I stirred in my jeans, and wished to God we weren’t in this tourist trap but, instead, back at my room. Is savored her tongue, her scent, her skill. The things that I fought to do with her in this moment gripped me.

The doors opened. The attendant looked slightly bewildered. “Le Gran Poisson, eight-thirty.” Her cheeks flushed, but she managed a small nod to me.

I’d already made it down the stairs when her sweet accent shouted after me. “Wait! No! I can’t tonight. ” She tried to catch up to me, but her friend’s were blocking her way.

I knew she would be there no matter what.

I was left alone with my devilish thoughts again. I began to contemplate the evening ahead. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a respectable date with a girl. They bored me— The shallow conversation, the awkward silences, the well-to-do company. But I had to do it to show her I wasn’t some maniac. I’d listen to her discuss her parents, her upbringing, that whole introductory monologue that never describes who a person is, glossing over all the interesting parts of someone like their shortcomings, their kinks, their humanly wickedness.

But enduring the hackneyed pastime meant that I could follow her, wherever she goes in the city. I could keep her safe from afar. It would be our little secret to share. She’d never know when I might be watching her. A sweet young girl like herself taking an innocent holiday in London, her heart unable to beat quietly at the knowledge I might be close-by.

— 11 —
 

“Confess.” Ako took my elbow as we descended the Eye’s stairs.

I looked back up at the moving pods, reveling in the sexiness of what went down. I wanted to bottle this. I wanted it on tap whenever I felt like shit. He brought me to life. I felt clear-headed, electric from his touch. I stopped fighting the feelings. I’d be seeing him for dinner tonight. I’d sell my show ticket to see Matilda and meet up with him and that thought didn’t bother me. But how could I persuade the girls that I hadn’t become reckless and careless thanks to a guy? I had to make it clear that we had a magnetism toward each other, the kind from romance novels, the kind you don’t walk away from until you see where it leads.

“I got cut off from you guys, I guess.”

“That was him, right? Felix?”

“Yes.”

“How did he know you were here?”

“I, uh…I don’t know. Coincidence?”

“Bullshit,” Kristen said. “You planned this. ‘Aw, guys, we gotta go at twelve so Ako doesn’t throw up her lunch’. Yeah right!”

I’d been caught.

“You did seem a little more sensitive to my weak stomach than usual.” Ako pat the grass beside where she sad. “So, we caught you. Time to talk. How was it? What’s he like?”

“We don’t need to talk about him, guys. Did you like the view?”

“I guess. But I bet yours was better.”
 

“We’ll have to come back and do it again together next time,” I said. “I didn’t know he’d snatch me away like that.”

“Aw, he snatched you away?” Ako gave me puppy dog eyes.

“Well, yeah. I had no idea he was even there.”

“That’s so romantic. But, girl, I no way I am going on that thing again. One time was definitely enough.”

“Agreed. It was boring.” Kirsten tapped excitedly on my knee. “Come on, I want all the goss.”

“There’s…There’s nothing more to say. He saw me there, we chatted, looked at the view. That was it.”

“You’re no fun.”

I poked my tongue out to her. “Where’s lunch, Ako? I bet you’ve made us a reservation already.”

“Probably pre-ordered it for us too, huh?”

“Firstly, fuck you both. Secondly, we’re going to Zen China. It overlooks the river, it’s not crazy prices and it's Imperial Beijing cuisine.”
 

“The food of your people,” Kristen added, awaiting a reaction out of Japanese-blooded Ako who gave a playful stern look in return.