Page 45 of The Devil's Detail
My mind blanks out. Bonney, after five months. It’s bloody August. The man certainly knows how to play a game. So unpredictable. Maybe he’s just back in LA and wants a rematch?
“He’d like to meet tomorrow,” the administrator advises me. “I know it’s short notice, but if you’re free, he’d very much like to see you again. The same arrangements as before. But we can’t accommodate you here at the club,” he states, as if he’s reading from a script. “I’ll be there atTwenty Oneto get all the paperwork signed and then show you up to the room.”
I can hardly breathe. Bonney, after all this time. And on the back of Carter’s almost marriage proposal. My mind dithers, but then I remember what it felt like with him. How amazing it was. Oh, fuck it. I haven’t agreed to anything with Carter. Maybe I ought to go and put Bonney to bed good and proper. I smirk at my own pun.
“Yes. I’ll meet him. I know the hotel. What time?” I’m all business. Full of confidence.
“Come at eleven in the morning. The paperwork may take a while.” He sounds happy. Probably on a commission.
“See you then.” I hang up. What the hell. How can this happen? On the day Carter Maywood asks me out, my past comes and clobbers me. But what a past, and what a clobbering. But Carter?—
I need Jonno.
I don’t care about the time difference to Ireland. I dial him.
“This better be good, brother. Do you know what fucking time it is?” His groggy voice means I’ve woken him.
“I’ve had a proposal,” I say casually.
“Well I hope it was a fucking indecent one. Any other sort is just not worth it.” I feel the smile in the words. “FaceTime me, I need to see your face.” He’s weird at times, but I hang up and redial the phone. “Ahh, there you are. Fuck me, it really was indecent.” He grins. “Spill, brother.”
“Carter wants to date me.” I look directly into the camera. His face doesn’t change. Then he starts to laugh.
“You, date? Has he lost his mind?” He shakes his head, and I nod in amazement.
“I know, I just wanted to fuck. But he wants candlelight dinners for two, walks on the beach at sunset. Whole nine yards. Just us.” I’m giving him mock incredulity.
“Exclusive, like just you two?” His brows are getting a serious work out. I nod. “Wow, the man's deranged. Does he even knowyou? Or have you just shown him fluffy Jackson?” He smirks now.
“I’ve been nice. No need to scare the man to death.” I smirk back. “He was serious about the exclusive. He’s all in.”
“Is he, though? It’s his speciality making everyone feel special. You’ve seen him in action. He can’t help himself.” Jonno is on point as usual.
“Well, he better help himself. ‘Cos if I say yes, then he’s touching up other men, they’ll be… Well…” Carter is a lot to consider for anyone. “I wouldn’t be happy, let's put it that way.”
“Have you told him that?”
I nod. “Yeah, he knows it would just be us. But I’ve watched him enough to see how he operates. He’s like a heat seeking missile. Zeroes in on your likes, and runs the fuck away with them.” I know I’m smiling now. “You like chocolate, he’ll whisk you off to Switzerland for the best there is. You like flowers, you’ll be jetting to Amsterdam with him. He’s so generous, with himself, money and time.” I know I’m gushing about his personality. And Jonno can see it.
“Jackson, what’s the problem really? If you told him to tone down the flirting with guys, he would. He just likes the attention, nothing serious. If he’s getting it from you, he’ll have no reason to look for it elsewhere.” As usual, he’s spot on.
“I know he would. Most of it is just an act, the same as Kell and Xan. They all have to put on a show. Carter has to be Carter Fucking Maywood. A-list Hollywood heart throb,” I say resignedly.
“Exactly. Carter in public is not Carter at home. So again, what’s the issue?”
I acknowledge that truth, but I sigh. “He wants me by his side. Right in the thick of the action. He wants me totally involved.” I can hardly believe he wanted that. I shake my head. “It’s unbelievable, really. I was only looking for a hookup.” I startto laugh. “Men are proving more hassle than women. I’ve got one, who is full-on in the glare of publicity, wants me to come and stand next to him, kiss him on the red carpet for all to see. And the other one is hiding behind blindfolds and NDAs.”
There’s silence on the line as he watches my face.
“He’s contacted you, hasn’t he? Bonney.”
I nod solemnly. “Just tonight. Fucking hell. Not one indecent proposal, but two.” My voice rises slightly. I can’t believe it.
“You said you’d go, didn’t you?”
I nod again, slower this time.
He sighs, and it’s a big one. “Fuck, Jackson, you’ve got some serious thinking to do. If you go meet Bonney, you’ll end up in a full-on fucking session. You know it, and so does he.” He looks up at the ceiling. “Is he still on your mind, Bonney? Is that why you don’t want to go exclusive with Carter, in case you like what Bonney offers?”
