Page 61 of Knowing You
‘I could ask you the same. What happened with Beatrix the other night?’ I tell him that I almost bumped into her after leaving. I mention the underwear. Make up a story about how I’d seen her once shopping in Victoria’s Secret.
‘You think I’ve slept with her?’
‘I’m just protecting my feelings. You can understand that.’
‘You’ve been hurt in the past?’
‘Haven’t we all?’
‘Nothing happened, Vi. Oh, she tried it on.’ He covers his face with one hand and shakes his head.
‘What?’
‘I’m a gentleman. I shouldn’t really say.’
I don’t reply and finish my drink, acting as if I’m about to get to my feet.
‘We’re not teenagers, Casey. I’m not interested in playing games.’
He removes his fingers. ‘Look, okay. She asked to use the bathroom and when she came out had stripped to her underwear. It was like something out of a B movie. She’s got guts, I’ll give her that. I didn’t know where to look. I told her to stop but she slipped out of those pants and threw them behind her. For once I was speechless.’
Me too.
‘Don’t get me wrong. I find lots to admire in naked women. But it felt downright sleazy. Ambition can take people to strange places. I was good friends with a male hairdresser once. Or so I thought. He’d pop into the salon for a chat. Over time I worked out he had been trying to poach my customers. My feelings had been worth nothing. His goals had made him so blinkered.’
I grimaced.
‘And as people, Beatrix and I have nothing in common. When she first arrived she made a point of saying that my lounge was only slightly bigger than her shoe closet and a deal with Alpaca would mean I could buy a proper place to live. Beatrix is all about labels and one-upmanship, which couldn’t be further from where I’m at.’ He kisses my fingers. ‘It’s the emotional connection that interests me.’
I truly believe that after readingAlien Hearts.
‘Why did her pants end up in the dirty linen bin?’
‘She left them behind and I didn’t know what to do with them.’ He grimaces. ‘Out of sight out of mind.’
They didn’t sleep together. Mostly, it’s a relief for my heart, but also for my head.
Casey is curious about my flatmate. I tell him about her spa job and her exercise and juicing tips. Briefly we fight over the bill. I win so he insists on taking me to the cinema during the week.
I hesitate because I can tell he is keen. It’s hard, trying to manipulate. It’s not something I’m used to – partly because I’ve never had the necessary tools before.
I stand up. ‘Lunch has been great. Thanks for the cinema invitation, but I’ll have to say no. I’ve got a full-on week ahead at the office with preparations for next Saturday. I’ve got goody bags to fill and Irfan and I are working on a presentation. In fact, that reminds me to check the projector. I also need to check in with the interns who are decorating the room side by side with the hotel. Most nights I’m going to have to work late.’
We head outside.
‘So when will I see you again?’
Tonight. Please. Us skin to skin.
‘Perhaps next week. I’ll be too tired Sunday after the celebrations. It’s going to be champagne on tap and a jazz band has been hired. We’ll be dancing until midnight.’ I reach up to kiss him on the cheek but Casey turns and my eyes close as our mouths meet. Despite all my resolutions, it’s impossible to resist.
Eventually his lips brush my neck. Sultry air warms my ear as he speaks in a husky voice.
‘Then I guess the only way I’m going to see enough of you is to come to this party – as your very own personal guest. I guess it can’t harm. No promises on the book front, though…’
A heady sense of power infuses me.
Holding hands, we hurry back to his flat.
