“Course. I’m not going to go into a shared venture with someone who hasn’t got a decent track record. You’re welcome to see my accounts when you want.” There was something rather odd talking about finances while lounging in a thermal pool under a grey sky.
“I will. Possibly tomorrow.” She half closed her eyes.
The water trembled and something in the air simmered. I smelled a familiar perfume, or one that had become familiar this morning.
“Leif! You’re here! I thought we could hang. Get our vibe going before we started making beautiful music tomorrow!”
There was a noise from Sophie that sounded suspiciously like a choke.
I didn’t respond, kind of hoping that if I said nothing, it might turn out to be a bad dream.
“Have you been thinking about themes for what we’re writing? I thought something about a holiday romance might be a start.”
Roisin’s arm pressed against mine. I didn’t dare look at Sophie. Maybe there’d be jealously on her face, or more likely just amusement. I just knew as soon as I did Roisin would be my second biggest problem.
“We need angst. Pain. Something to balance the sweet of what you’ve got already.”
“You think I’m sweet?”
For fuck’s sake. I moved my arms away and shifted. This time I did look at Sophie. We were about to pretend that we were getting married for the sake of a building. A little bit of acting now would seriously help me out.
“Liam, just before I forget, did you speak with the Park Lane venue to tell them we weren’t interested?” Sophie’s words pierced the air and for the first time Roisin became aware that someone else was in the pool.
“Hi,” Roisin said, looking at Sophie.
I raised my eyes across the pool and let myself look at Sophie, dropping my arms from the crossed stance they’d been in.
She surprised me, leaving her side of the pool and swimming a couple of strokes over to me. Her arm went round my waist and I felt her warmth press against me.
“Hi,” Sophie said, giving Roisin a huge smile. “I’m Sophie, Liam’s fiancée.”
Roisin shifted back and I felt myself relax.
The next thing I felt was Sophie's hand. A hand that was resting on the top of my thigh, close to my dick that was getting a little too happy.
“I didn’t realise you were engaged.” Roisin looked at me, her eyes widening. “I haven’t read about that in any of the press.”
“We’ve kept it quiet.” I almost choked on the words as Sophie’s hand cupped my balls. Revenge was the only thing I could think of, so I wrapped an arm around her waist and dipped my hand into her bikini bottoms, cupping her ass and squeezing.
There was no response. The woman had a complete poker face.
“I get that. You only show off the life you want them to think you have.”
It was like Roisin had been taught how to speak in clichés.
“So when’s the big day?” She smiled again, staring only at me.
Sophie’s hand started to move. My dick was fully hard now, totally expectant that something more was going to come of it, even though my brain was fully aware that nothing was going to happen. I moved my hand lower, cupping between her ass cheeks, knowing that I was on ice so thin.
“We haven’t decided yet but we won’t be waiting too long.” Sophie sounded far too relaxed. I probably should’ve been concerned about how easy she was finding it to lie. “How about you? Anyone waiting for you to get home?”
Roisin relaxed against the side, her smile made her look as if she was an untalented actress who had never quite understood the meaning of subtly.
“My ex. Who apparently wasn’t the sort of amazing boyfriend I know I deserve. Leif was telling me about what he got up to.” She gave me a smile I realised she thought was seductive, then her stare flew to Sophie. “You’ve picked an amazing man. How on earth did you manage that?”
Sophie’s hand grasped round my cock and I pressed my lips together. I thought about my finger delving a little further between her legs, but then thinking became too difficult. If it had been anyone else besides Roisin there, I was convinced they’d know exactly what was going on under the water.
“Do you mind giving us a little privacy, Roisin?”
