LAD: A British Bad Boy Romance Novel (Bad Boys of London Book 1) (14 page)

Our tongues explored each other’s mouths. I wash awash with a sensation so primal, I wanted him to have his way with me on this concrete. And then, before I ever wanted it to stop, Felix hoisted me to my feet and propped me back against the wall. I caught his eye.

Then he was gone.
 

Poof!
 

Disoriented, alone, heart pounding in that tiny hallway, I had no choice but to wait it out for a few minutes.
 

“O, woe is me, To have seen what I have seen, see what I see!” said the distraught Ophelia. Her voice was soft and shaken now. She was spent, confused, alone, terrified. I listened to her words, still unable to move.
 

Then there were cheers and the audience began to pour through the exit doors, eager for an intermission refreshment. I stood there and let them pass me by. If only they could see what I see…

— 16 —
 

She couldn’t answer me, or rather she chose not to. I thought to catch Hayley off-guard half-way through her show would have her playing to my advantage— Opening up herself and how, like me, she wanted me to do be there.

I loved pinning her to the wall, the floor, inhaling her body. I’d wished we’d been somewhere more private so that I could completely have my way with her. But I knew that’s not all I needed from her. Sure, I wanted to fuck her dangerous curves while I pulled her hair but I enjoyed the chase and the challenge of solving her.
 

Following the Globe, I attended some casting calls then ended up back smoking and drinking in my room— Standard.
 

Swirling and watching the legs of whiskey form on the sides of my glass, I noticed I’d been changed. I put my tumbler back down and cross my leg over the other knee. Romance. Could I become the romantic that Hayley dreamed of? The ones from her books or her plays? I felt impressive to every woman but her. She seemed immune to me and my cocky seductions. Why the hell did I care? My foot kicked forward. I banished the argument in my mind altogether and hopped in the shower, where I could regain my mental composure.
 

The heavy, hot stream of water punished the muscle of my back on such a cold night.
 

Did she like diamonds? Gardenias?

Bloody hell, you twit.

I deplored thoughts like that that defiled everything I’d worked so hard to become. Maybe Hayley was right. Maybe I was imbalanced, the dam about to breach. A risk unto myself.

Let the madness take over then
, I thought. I hopped out of the shower, grabbed a towel and inspected the contents of my armoire.

There it was— The single respectable outfit I owned. It was given me as a gift after a D&G photo shoot. I never cared for this kind of look: Slim-fitted black slacks, white button-up shirt, skinny tie, black brogues. This was the kind of look my Uncle only prayed that I’d employ on visits down to the tea room. And as luck would have it, his presence materialized.

First, he knocked then walked right on in without an invitation. “Felix, are you in here, lad?”
 

He was going to get a kick out of this. I reentered from the bathroom. His chubby jaw damn near fell to the carpet.

“My God, man. What have you done?” He stared at my apparel in utter disbelief. “I…I…I mean, it’s splendid, really. But what calls for all this?”

“This old thing, Eddie?” I said with a laugh. “Tell me, dear Uncle, what events are happening in the private dining rooms tonight?” Surely there should be something that I and three guests could crash.
 

Still puzzled in shock, he took some time to answer then bumbled, “Well, there’s a wedding reception in the Ball Room, bridal shower in the Functions Room…” he scratched his head. “Let’s see here….The Bradley’s are having a family meal in the Piano Bar, and the British Arts Counsel are holding a formal dinner and art presentation in the Theatre Lounge.”

“I see.” I took a moment to study the options. “What’s involved in said ‘arts presentation’?”

“Uh, nothing you’d be too keen on, my body. Paintings on display, live classical music, a dance reception on the roof, bit of recitation from the Royal Shakespeare Company to attain funding for the autumn season, I believe. Haughty business that would bore you, I’m afraid. Perhaps the wedding would be more up your alley if you’ll promise to behave yourself. ”

“I have a friend in town, actually. A special friend. I believe she might prefer the former, actually. Any chance of acquiring four seats for the dinner?”

“Four? Good God, Felix. I’m not the Messiah.” The request had clearly stressed him further than he usually is. “I already tried to get your aunt into no avail.” With this, he threw his hands into the air.
 

“Now, back to the matter at hand— How is the new career search going for you?”

“I’m on it. You’d do well to trust me this time.” I buttoned up and readjusted my perfectly-tailored cuffs. “First, I need to know this— Who’s organizing the event?”

“Kathleen, of course. She does all these kinds of things.”
 

“Kathleen.” Problem solved. “Uncle, would you excuse me for a moment? There’s something I must attend to.”

And with that, I abruptly left the room. This was going to be easy. Washed-up Kathleen has had been begging for it for years now. Too bad her husband enjoyed frequent visits to check in on her during her work hours. But she’d get her wish this time. I needed something from her and I do whatever it took to get it.

Kathleen had a small office in the bowels of the building. I encountered her immediately, alone in her bright little cubicle, tapping away at her computer. She was a homely woman with dry, harsh black hair, medium build, mousy features and of interest to me.
 

“Felix,” she said through a pursed-lipped smile. “What a remarkable surprise. What’s the occasion?”
 

I secured my palm against her door frame, still sporting my Dolce and Gabbana ensemble. “Kathleen…” I kept my eyes glued to hers.
 

“Do you remember our chat at the Christmas party?” She stood up, readjusted her skirt and moved to sit at the front of her desk. Her pencil skirt rode high enough so I could see a peak of her pink pants beneath her pantyhose.
 

“What do you need from me, Felix?” She was clearly catching on and her dark eye-shadowed eyes narrowed to me.
 

“You know what I need.”

This time, she stood and walked toward me in her heels. Her fingertips wrapped around my tie and she tugged downward. “Right here, in my office, huh? What a bad boy you are.”

“I was thinking we do it right on your desk.”

“Oh yeah.” Her stained lips were inches from mine. She closed her eyes and inhaled me seductively.

Then her hand cupped my balls. I flinched and choked out a sound. “Just as I’d expected…” She pushed me away and returned to sit at her desk. “You’re as soft as a salmon. I’m no spring chicken, Felix. I know you want something from me that isn’t my out-of-shape figure so if you need something from me, bloody well ask.”

— 17 —
 

It was the best production of Hamlet I had ever seen. Once everyone had died and the actors came out to take their bows, I couldn’t hold it in any longer— The tears, that is. I wept into Kristen’s shoulder and she held me and Ako tightly. I’d managed to find them both again during intermission, using the excuse I wanted to use the restroom before the crowd let out. They knew well of my public bathroom phobias so the story made sense. It seemed London was turning me into a pretty good liar but if that’s who new Hayley was becoming, I wasn’t sure I was happy about it.

The second half of the play held my attention as best as anything could given the circumstances. This was his intention, of course. That’s why I managed to vow to myself, some time during the grave digging scene, that I wasn’t going to let him get under my skin. That’s what this whole game of his was about. I focused heavily on what lay before me: The actors, the stage, the magic and history of the place and became lost in the world on stage.

Once the play had concluded, I felt purged, in a way. Hamlet’s struggle had been put to rest, and my struggle to try to understand Felix was also going to be put to rest. I didn’t have the energy to keep up with his crazy. For all I still knew, he could be dangerous. Time to spend time with my friends, enjoy my damn holiday, and not think about — what I’d newly decided to call — the F-word
.
 

“Could Hayley Frost please come to the information booth?” Us girls lifted our heads. “Hayley Frost, to the information booth.”
 

“Did you lose something?” Ako asked.

My face fell flat knowing who was the cause of this. “My mind, maybe. We don’t have to go.”

“What do you mean? What if there’s an emergency? I send my mom our daily itinerary. Our parents would know we’re here. She dashed off toward the entrance before I could stop her.

“Is there a problem?” Ako asked.

“Are you Miss Frost?”
 

“No, I am.”
 

“Hello there. I’m a representative of the theatre here. I’ve been advised to inform you that your presence is requested at an event tonight. You and your two friends apparently.” He handed over an envelope with my name written on it in fancy calligraphy.

“What kind of event?”

“The British Arts Counsel Summer Celebration. Unfortunately, I don’t know much more. It is to be held at the Chateau Le Grande at seven this evening.”

“Right.”

Kristen squeaked with excitement.

“Was this Felix Cartwright?”

“I don’t know who offered the invitation, Miss Frost. I was merely instructed by the consultant for the event to give this to you.” He nodded and went back to his own work. “I do hope you enjoy the event.”
 

“Hayley, this is crazy. What is this?” Ako asked, taking the envelope from my hands.
 

“Felix.”
 

“What the hell are we going to
wear
?” Kristen asked.
 

“Damn, I didn’t even think about that. We don’t have this kind of attire,” Ako added. “God, Hayley. This thing is happening in two hours. There’s no way!”

“Wait, you guys. We’re not going. We have plans tonight.”

“Hey!” Ako said. “I implied I
wanna
go this time.”

“But what if I don’t.”

“Um, have you idiots ever heard of a little place called Top Shop?” Kristen asked while rolling her eyes. “They’ll have something for us, for sure. Relax.” She snatched my arm, an occurrence that seemed to be happening more than I wished of late. “Hayley, my stunning beautiful friend, you
will
be joining us at this event because we are pond scum who’ve been invited to rub shoulders with London’s money. You have Felix. Now it’s our turn to find a wealthy man to sweep us off our feet.”

“God, this trip is getting expensive,” Ako noted wearily.
 

Kristen then took out her father’s credit card and held it up in the air with pride. “Shh, the both of you.”

Lush, every part of it— Lush and nowhere three Ventura residents deserved to be. The ornate curtains, fine china table settings, and overflowing displays of fruits and flowers would have been fit for Marie Antoinette.
 

One step into the ballroom, I knew that we had chosen appropriate dresses. I’d initially believed them to be too fancy but, aside from our age, we mostly blended in. Mine was an emerald colored dress with flower embroidery around the neck and long sleeves. Ako chose a very simple black dress with a tulle skirt that flared out to her knees. The top of the dress featured a little white Peter Pan collar, which was very well-suited to her cute style. Kristen was wearing a royal purple sequined dress that stood her out from a crowd. Her selection might have been the only one that was a little festive but she did those kinds of things on purpose.
 

It was intimidating at first, not knowing anyone in the room, and not even knowing why we were there to begin with. The adjacent salon to the dining room was filled with floor to ceiling pieces of art; paintings, sculpture, photography, folk art— Everything cultural. It was dazzling to see such an eclectic mix of pieces in one room.