Page 35 of Knotting Hill
“Ah,” Cheryl says. “You’re thinking about sex with him now, aren’t you?
I snicker and feel my cheeks heat up. “Maybe.”
We go quiet as Angela comes into the office. She ignores me completely and has hushed words with Sadie before leaving again.
By that time, Cheryl is already engrossed in her filing, and I’ve got a stack of invoices that won’t pay themselves.
Later that night, dressed to bowl Franco over in a pink dress with thin straps, a low cleavage and a waterfall skirt, I head out for the short walk to the bar, armed with a purse stuffed with condoms – can’t be too careful – and an anxiety level that is practically shooting off into space. I change my mind three timesbefore I force myself to walk past the coffee shop with the bar in question in my sight.
Pushing the door open, the sounds of a packed bar whoosh out, sending my nerves into a tailspin. But I soldier on now that I’m here. I spot Franco by the bar and roll my eyes. He is talking to a pretty, petite blonde who is looking up at him with doe eyes. She is young and stupid. She’s already fallen for him like a ton of bricks. I know that this is nothing, just a bit of fun, and I’m pretty sure I’m only here to get Josh’s kiss imprint off my mouth. It’s been there for days, taunting me.
If one thing is clear after my conversation with Cheryl, it’s that I can’t be mooning over the St. Luc beta. He comes as a package and with baggage in the form of his rep. Although, who doesn’t have baggage? Well, me, for a start. I’m fairly baggage free—no serious boyfriends who broke my heart or unrequited loves. Nope, just me doing my thing and enjoying myself, waiting for the ones who will sweep me off my feet in a gesture worthy of Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. I have no doubts in my mind that I want a pack, not just one alpha, although both are socially acceptable. But I want to be surrounded by love and feelings that fulfil my every want and need.
I gulp and realise that maybe I’m more ready for something serious than I thought. Watching Franco flirt with the blonde, I know that being here is a waste of time. I’m about to turn and leave when he looks up, and his eyes light up. He smiles that sultry, sexy smile that has swayed a thousand women, probably more. He abandons the blonde, who glares at me with a furious expression, and weaves his way through the crowds to greet me with an air kiss on both cheeks.
“You are beautiful,” he murmurs.
He’s not so bad himself. He’s dressed all in black, with a tight tee and sexy jeans.
Ah, fuck it.
Tomorrow I can worry about the future. Tonight, I want a hot alpha, who does indeed smell like the richest coffee beans, between my legs as I ride him into the dawn.
Twenty-Two
JP
“Where the fuck have you been?”
Stepping through the front door that I’ve literally just opened, I pause. “Excuse me?”
Russell and Josh are standing in the entrance hall, glaring at me, arms folded.
“I was with my dad in the city, remember, we talked about this…the terms for my full trust when I turn thirty? Any of this ring a bell?”
“Shut the fuck up and listen,” Josh growls.
“Whoa, tiger, who bit you on the balls?” I ask with a laugh at his stinky attitude. I’m in a rather good mood. I managed to foil my father’s plans to delay my trust, and I’m feeling really happy about that. Not only did I stick it to him, but I will also get the rest of the trust fund, ensuring that I can take care of Storm and my pack for the rest of my life and theirs. Should she come around and see that we aren’t walking dicks, of course. Which, granted, may take some convincing. I frown as Josh punches me on the shoulder.
“What?” I snarl.
“Did you hear a word I just said?”
“No,” I admit.
“Fuck’s sake!” Russell roars. “We need to move. NOW!”
Startled by the aggression from my pack mates, I turn around as they march out of the house, fully expecting me to follow it seems.
“Will someone tell me what is going on, please?” I ask, following them like a lost puppy. What the fuck is that all about? I gather my wits and shove past them on the pavement, hauling them both to a halt to glare at them in annoyance.
“Storm is currently on a date with Franco, the hot Italian barista,” Josh snaps. “So, unless you want him to have his cock inside her for the rest of the evening, I suggest we get a move on to stop that cluster fuck before it even starts.”
“Wait. What? Franco? Where the fuck did this come from?”
“I overheard them making the date this morning,” Russell says.
“And you didn’t think to stop it?” I roar, suddenly getting in on the urgency.
