Page 39 of Inside the Maelstrom: Part One
Thank fuck for that. I felt like I was bipolar around these guys.
In the morning, I woke up clear-headed, determined to get through this trip without succumbing to the insane sexual attraction I felt for them. But the longer I was in their presence, the more I wanted to throw caution to the wind and bang them all into next week.
Not one of them was safe. It should be illegal to have three hot friends.
The smell of coffee dragged me from the bed, and I threw on my oversized hoodie. Despite not being a designer brand, I loved it. It was roomy and comfortable. I felt like me in it.
Jonathan the butler was in the kitchen when I emerged. “Good morning, miss. Would you like a coffee or tea? Some pastries?”
My hangover made me squint at his loud voice. “Yes. Please. Coffee.”
Jonathan managed to contain his mirth and whispered, “Your companions are on the East Terrace. I shall bring you out your beverage momentarily.”
Now I kind of wished I’d put on pants, but at least this hoodie hit me mid-thigh. I walked through to the furthest door that opened onto the terrace. The guys were all sitting out there, drinking coffee and talking quietly.
Otto noticed me first. “Morning, Viva.”
I smiled as much as I could without giving myself a pounding headache. “Morning.”
He pushed a glass of water toward me, with cucumber and lemon slices floating in it, and I drank it down gratefully. They all watched me like predators, and I knew something had shifted in our dynamic.
Jonathan hustled out, breaking the tension, placing a coffee and some pastries in front of me. The first sip of coffee was like an orgasm. So freaking good.
Sampson cleared his throat. “The former owner of the bookstore has agreed to meet us there at eleven. You have fifty-seven minutes to be ready.”
Hendrick had insinuated that Sampson had a ‘thing’ about being on time. I guess he hadn’t been exaggerating.
“Okay.” I tried a scone with strawberry jam and cream, and moaned. Delicious.
The guys fell into easy conversation, while I looked out over Hyde Park. It was weird being up here, seeing such an iconic part of London spread out before me like it was my backyard.
Taking another sip of coffee, I turned back to them. “Sorry I was so weird about the hotel yesterday.”
Hendrick waved a hand. “Don’t worry about it. We’re used to you being weird now.”
Otto elbowed him but I couldn’t keep the grin from my face. “Asshole,” I teased back. “But, I’d appreciate it if we didn’t, um, stay anywhere this…” I gestured around the suite, trying to describe everything without words.
“Ostentatious? Over the top? Ridiculous?” Otto supplied helpfully, and Sampson snorted.
I nodded. “Yes. I appreciate it, but it makes me feel wrong.”
Hendrick rolled his eyes. “Otto explained about your middle class guilt, Viva. Don’t worry, the next place we stay will be the size of a cardboard box and only have one bed.” He grinned. “Just to keep you happy. I don’t have an ulterior motive or anything.” He wiggled his eyebrows, and I laughed.
“Sure.”
Otto popped a strawberry into his mouth. “I’m in charge of accommodation now. It’ll be fine, Aviva. I’ll balance us all.”
Once my stomach had settled from full-on revolt to mere grumblings of discontent, I hurried through my routine, not only to meet Sampson’s deadline, but because I wanted to see the bookstore. Wanted to see if Nemo had left me another note.
I pulled out my copy ofTwenty Thousand Leaguesfrom beneath my pillow. It was beginning to look well-thumbed and a little tatty already. I let my eyes wander over the cursive strokes of Nemo’s handwriting.
Love, it’s a wild force. Ferocious and cruel, or a soothing savior. It’s always a gamble, but it’s a wager between God and the Devil to which side the coin will land.
What had Nemo been through? Was he like me, just desperately searching for something to give his life meaning, to draw him out of the numbness of existing?
“Let’s go, Good Girl,” came Sampson’s voice, and I slipped on my sneakers, pushing the book back under my pillow. I knew that Nemo wouldn’t be at the Iron Nautilus now, but what if he had arrived at the Iron Nautilus and it had been closed? How would I find where he went next?
So many fucking questions.
