Page 27 of Mayfair Madame
“You don’t need to. I wanted you here to celebrate with me.”
Fuck.
“Oh, God. I didn’t even get you a card.” I mentally slapped myself. How could I forget?
“At the risk of sounding cheesy, your being here is enough. It’s been a long time since I’ve wanted to spend time with someone. And anyway, it’s technically not my birthday until Thursday.” Her hand rested on mine, soft and warm.
“I don’t remember the last time I went out.” Words I rarely uttered tumbled from my lips.
“There’s so much about you I want to learn. You know, the first night we met, I thought you had the kindest heart.” She looked down at our clasped hands.
“You’d just been assaulted. You were vulnerable.”
“That’s exactly what Melinda said, but it was more than that. It wasn’t just your kindness. I thought you were the sexiest woman I’d seen in a long while.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I snorted, most unladylike.
“Why is that so hard to believe? I mean, look at you. You’re beautiful. You have the perfect figure.”
I covered my face with my hands, unused to such compliments.
“Hey, look at me.” She took my hands in hers. I tried to pull them away, but she held on tighter and refused to let go. “Don’t you dare do that, Ellie Sharpe.”
“I’m just not used to anyone talking to me like that. I’m hardly attractive.”
She widened her eyes. “Seriously, then whoever you’ve been with were blind or stupid.”
I looked down at our joined hands. Mine were small with short, practical nails; hers were long and elegant, the nails perfectly manicured.
The difference between us was stark. I was the rough to her smooth, the grumpy to her sunshine. But didn’t they always say that opposites attract?
And boy, did she attract me. In a rare show of confidence, I spoke up.
“If I’m beautiful, as you say, then you are exquisite. The moment I saw you, I was blown away by your elegance and natural beauty. I don’t know the exact whys and wherefores of why you dropped the case against Godfrey, but I’m glad you did.”
“I can explain…."
“You don’t have to. Not right now.” But at some point, I wanted an explanation. Tonight, it would only spoil the mood, the chemistry building between us, and I could wait a little longer.
“What is it you’re doing to me?” She gazed deep into my eyes and brushed the hair from my face. “What spell do you have me under? We met literally only a week ago, yet you’re all I’ve been able to think about. I’ve never in my life been nervous about inviting someone out, but you’re different.”
I laughed. “It’s like you read my mind. Relationships are not usually my thing. Not that this is what this is,” I added quickly. “God, I’m fucking it up all over again.”
“Who says it isn’t a relationship?”
“We barely know each other.”
“So, let’s put that right.” She held onto my hand and looked me straight in the eyes. “Hi, I’m Naomi Reeves. I’m almost thirty-five years old, and I’m a madame. And yes, that means what you think it does. I’ve only lived in London for five years. Before that, I lived on the East Coast in a little seaside town.”
She looked at me expectantly and nodded. My turn.
“Hi,” I said hesitantly. “I’m Eleanor Sharpe, but people call me Ellie. I’m thirty-two years old, and until five months ago, I lived in Chester. Prior to that, I lived in the West Midlands. I have a sister called Lucy, two nieces, and my ex, Kate, left me for another woman.”
Naomi narrowed her eyes. “What a bitch.”
“It was my fault. I worked long hours, didn’t pay her enough attention, so she found someone who would.”
“That’s bullshit. I hate to say it, but if she loved you, it wouldn’t matter. I’m assuming she knew what job you did before getting into a relationship with her.”
