Page 25 of Pervade London
He studied the scrawled numbers on the side…1757. “Must be a mistake.” He licked his bottom lip as he looked up at me. “I’m sure it tastes fine.”
“You have this place looking amazing.”
“You’re amazing, Em. I’m impossible to catch. Yet here you are drinking my wine.”
“I’m sure it’s delicious, too.”
“My work is everything.” He handed me a glass. “Just so you know.”
I held the glass by the stem. “I’m just as passionate about music.”
“I love that about you.” He strolled over to a door that led to a pantry. Inside was enough food to feed a family, with cheese, tubs of caviar, and heaps of cereal boxes. He brought out a packet of chocolate biscuits, opened it, and poured them onto a plate.
“You’re well stocked up.”
“I’m about to go balls deep into a project.” He widened his eyes. “Sorry.”
“I get it.” I gave him a kind smile. “Everything is okay now?”
“Yes.” He gestured around him. “As you can see, I’m settled. Good to go on work and play.” He bit his lower lip suggestively.
I took a sip of red wine to hide my flushed cheeks. The vintage tasted of rich blackberries with a hint of flowers. I couldn’t taste the alcohol, though, and that meant it was a good wine.
He smiled. “Let it breathe.”
I set it down. “Are you from London?”
“Buckinghamshire.”
“Are your parents still alive?”
“Mum is, yes.”
“Do you get to see her a lot?”
“Not as much as I should. How about you?”
“I owe Mum a visit. Haven’t been home to Devon in a couple of months.”
“She must be proud of you.”
“She doesn’t know I busk, though.” I gave a shrug.
“She has nothing to worry about with you.”
I cringed. “She kind of does, obviously.”
I mean, an hour ago he’d been banging me in one of the Underground’s tunnels.
As though reading my mind, he said, “Best sex I ever had.” His comment lightened the moment.
I cleared my throat. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Why were you sleeping rough?”
He considered his answer. “I was…avoiding someone.”
