Page 52 of Arrogant Heir

My assistant calls and interrupts my obsessing. She updates me on the charity ball and asks me to confirm my personal guest list.

It’s like a kick in the gut as I remember Jamie said she would come with me. Didn’t she? It’s a bit of a daze, and between my bleary, tired mind and my aching balls, I don’t know for sure. Either way, it’s a shitshow.

Evening is drawing in and I walk onto the covered terrace and gaze out at the Thames and the twinkling London skyline. Westminster is lit up and Big Ben glows in the distance, but even this world-famous view does nothing to lift my spirits. I realise I’ve been feeling so much lighter and happier since I’ve been working with Jamie, and it’s given me something to look forward to each day. Now the future stretches before me, and I don’t want to think about slumping back into my non-stop work routine in London. Without Jamie.

Caspian texted me to tell me he’s set up a meeting with the first fake girlfriend candidate. It seemed like the perfect solution when we first discussed it, but now it fills me with dread. I don’t want to make meaningless conversation with a woman who only wants me for financial gain. The arrangement is supposed to be convenient for me too, so how come it doesn’t feel like it?

Caspian asked if I’d like to take one of them to the ball to kick things off. He said it would be the ideal scenario to see if we’re suited and if she’s up to the task. And he’s right, but I know the only fake date I want to take to the ball is Jamie and so I do something very out of character for me. I text her.

My heart’s thumping as I type the words and I feel like a schoolboy asking his first crush out. But if there’s one thing I do in other areas of my life, it’s take risks. For the first time in years, I’m going to take a risk in my personal life too. My insides feel like water, but I do it anyway.

Red. Are you okay? I’m sorry for being out of order this morning and making things awkward. I hope you can forgive me. D

I fire off the message and then swiftly type another before I lose my nerve, and I send that too.

I would still love you to accompany me to the ball next Saturday for reasons previously discussed. Please RSVP soonest. (This ‘notorious playboy’ needs your help and will be forever grateful!)

My heart’s still thumping after I send the texts. I hope the combination of business and self-deprecating humour will hit the spot and she’ll say yes. There’s no one else I want to take, and Grandfather frowns upon us attending the annual ball without a date. He says it’s tacky, like we’re up for auction.

I take a shower and use my right hand to pump the tension from my hard length as I visualise myself fucking Jamie on the table in my suite. Her full, perky tits are to die for, and the thought of her shapely arse in those jeans has me exploding beneath my fingers in minutes. I’ve been wanting to be inside her for weeks, but even as I come, I’m still not satisfied. There’s an ache in my chest that won’t go away no matter how much I wank myself off. Believe me, I’ve tried. I want to feel her body against mine and slide in and out of her until she screams in ecstasy and comes on my cock.

Get a grip, Rochester. You can have any woman you want. It’s time to move on, even if it must be with a fake relationship and not the woman you want.

I promise myself I’ll see her one last time at the ball and then she’ll go back to her fiancé and that will be the end of this craziness.

It’s warm in the penthouse with the underfloor heating, so I pull on some light training pants in case my housekeeper hasn’t left yet. I pour myself a glass of Chateau Margaux red wine and let the classical music wash over me.

I’m sitting on the sofa feeling sorry for myself when my phone pings. I don’t read the text for a few minutes, not wanting to feel the disappointment if she says no, or it’s a dull message from someone else.

D. I’m fine. Let’s forget it happened. I said I’d be your date for the ball, so count me in. Always dreamt of being a fake date! What more could a woman want? I will wear a pair of the fabulous new shoes from the store. What time and where do we meet? J

I take a gulp of wine and then reply:

Great. I’ll have my assistant confirm details with you. Thanks.

She sounds fine, so I must be reading more into what she said about wanting me. It was so hot between us I find it difficult to believe she doesn’t feel something special for me, but perhaps my arrogance is getting the better of me. It wouldn’t be the first time.

I text Caspian and tell him to put the fake girlfriends on hold for now. I’m horny as hell and I’m feeling feelings I haven’t let myself feel in years. But unfortunately, I only want Jamie…

CHAPTER34

Jamie

Marian and Arthur invited me for Sunday lunch, and it’s helping me get through the afternoon. Greystone isn’t the same without Damian. I keep expecting him to pop in and say something controversial, as is his way.

We’re discussing the book, now Arthur has read the manuscript. I tell him it only needs a few more revisions, which I’ll complete this week, and he agrees to let me know if he wants any minor changes.

‘You’ve done a brilliant job and I can’t thank you enough,’ he says.

Marian interjects, ‘And it’s so good of you to attend the charity ball with Damian, especially after those awful headlines. Your fiancé can’t have been too impressed. Unfortunately, I can’t go this year as I have a launch and will be working late.’

Arthur raises his eyes from his plate. ‘I used to love the annual ball but I’m too old for all that now.’

‘Nonsense,’ says Marian.

Arthur continues, ‘I imagine your fiancé will be happy to have you back home in London. Have you set a date for the wedding?’

I shake my head and my red ponytail flicks to one side. It’s time to come clean. ‘No, actually we called off the wedding. Well, to be more accurate, my fiancé—ex fiancé—called off the wedding.’

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