Page 29 of Mayfair Madame
With my escape foiled, I let her lead me to a space. She pulled me closer, put her arms around me, and linked her hands behind my back. I slid mine around her slim waist, feeling more unsure than I had in an age.
Had I died and gone to heaven?
Chapter Nine
Naomi
Trying to stay calm and not show Ellie how nervous I felt had been almost impossible. My hands shook from the moment I’d seen her at the table, but as the night had progressed, they’d settled until I felt I’d known her all my life.
That sounded ridiculous even to me, but the tenderness she’d shown me on the night we’d met remained. But the more we talked, the more I noticed her insecurities.
The way she constantly pulled at her shirt, fiddled with the buttons, crossed her arms in front of her chest. All unconscioustells. And when she told me about her ex, I knew Ellie thought their breaking up was due to more than the demands of her job.
She needed to know how attractive she was. She’d applied a little make-up, some mascara and eyeliner, and a bright red lipstick that matched her shirt. It was perfect against her pale skin.
I knew she wanted to know more about how I became a madame. Everyone did, but now wasn’t the time to go into it. There was so much more surrounding the story, it would take longer than an evening to unpack it all.
So for now, we would enjoy ourselves with alcohol and dancing. I’d spied her trying to leave, but before I could get to her, Oscar had stepped in, sending her back in my direction.
And now, here we were, slow dancing, her arms wrapped around my waist, my mouth tasting the soft flesh of her neck.
But it wasn’t enough. I wanted more, wanted to taste more. I ached to touch her, to undress her and find out what she was hiding beneath the clothes.
Her low-cut shirt had treated me to a tantalising glimpse of cleavage, and I definitely wanted to see more. She thought she was nothing special, but to me, she was perfect.
How did I make her see that? A lot of praise and adulation. I’d learned what low self-esteem could do to a person. Hell, I’d been there myself more than a few times. I vowed to make Ellie see her worth, to know that I wanted her as much as I know she wanted me.
Rushing it wasn’t the answer. The lady needed to be wooed and told time and time again that she was worth something, especially to me.
The song ended, and we made our way back to the table. Oscar was telling a story about some client he’d styled. His stories went on forever, and he never failed to make me laugh.
Marco, on the other hand, was quieter than usual. His eyes never left the bar where Sam was serving. Was there something going on? Sam was married to Julian, and I would kick Marco’s arse from here to kingdom come if he dared to interfere. Sam had been through enough already.
There were always interesting stories to tell about Mayfair Heights, but it was my home, the same as it was theirs. We were an eclectic mix from all walks of life converging in the building. Our own little world I loved.
As much as I wanted to know what was going on with Marco, Ellie was my priority. She was the one who mattered this evening. I’d not rush her and take her to my bed as much as I wanted to, but hopefully, I’d at least geta kiss.
Start slowly, Naomi. The rest will come.
I watched as she laughed along with everyone else, her eyes lighting up, soft laughter lines bringing life to her face.
Every time I saw her, I noticed something new. The shine of her hair, the blue of her eyes, the fullness of her lips, the sound of her laughter.
“You like her a lot,” Melinda whispered in my ear. “You’ve not taken your eyes off her all night.”
“She’s like no one I’ve seen before, and she doesn’t realise how sensual she is. I want her so much, but if I make a move, she’ll run. When we danced, her body was so tense, as if she was trying not to press against me. I don’t know why, but I will find out.”
“I know you will. You’re a determined woman, Naomi. Just don’t let her get too far under your skin.”
Yeah, too late for that. I’d done nothing but think about her for days, ever since she’d said yes, wondering how the night would go.
As much as I loved my friends and their company, I desperately wanted to get Ellie alone for my selfish reasons, but for the moment, I contented myself watching her.
Another round of drinks appeared, and Ellie sipped a dark-coloured drink.
“What are you drinking now?” I asked.
“Just a soft drink. I’m not a huge drinker. One or two beers is my limit, and I’ve already had three this evening. I should go soon anyway and leave you with your friends.”
