But ‘clipped’ keeps people out.
‘Clipped’ says ‘don’t get familiar’.
‘Clipped’ doesn’t let anyone in close enough to get hurt. Or made a fool of.
Beth stands, flanking my side ready for a battle. ‘There’s nothing in Mr Callaghan’s diary.’
‘She says it’s personal.’ Elena squirms, looking anywhere but at me.
Oh fuck. If Teagan’s out there now causing a scene, I will escort her out of this five story Georgian building myself. Beth and I exchange a knowing look.
‘Who is it?’ I adjust my collar and straighten my spine, readying myself for confrontation.
‘Dark haired. Huge hazel eyes. Impeccable dress sense, and a figure most women would kill for,’ Elena blurts. ‘She says she’s your girlfriend.’
My head rolls back against the chair. ‘For fuck’s sake.’
It can only be Ava.
She said she’d be in touch, not that she’d rock up to my office and set every tongue within a mile radius talking.
‘You kept that quiet, boss.’ Beth is the only one of my staff brave enough to tease me. Another reason I have so much respect for her.
‘Not as quiet as I’d have liked apparently.’ I groan. ‘Send her up, Elena.’
Three minutes later, Ava Jackson struts into my office with a smile the size of Africa. Gold-flecked eyes glint with mischief, and her cheeks glow rosy from the cold. She’s wearing a camel-coloured coat that caresses her curves. The hemline stops gracefully just above her knees revealing toned calves propped up by six-inch patent stilettos.
Is she wearing tights or stockings under there?
What? I’m only human. Just because I choose to abstain from dating, that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a good-looking woman when I see one.
‘Hello, sexy.’ She leans across my desk and plants a kiss on my cheek, much to the amusement of Beth, who’s ‘filing paperwork’ in the corner. Any excuse to watch the show.
‘You could have called. Or emailed. Or text.’ Anything but show up here looking so damn delicious. Mind you, she’d have to look good enough to eat to persuade anyone that knows me that she’s my girlfriend. The world and his wife know I don’t date. I’ve made sure of it. I’ve had to brush off more than one unwanted advance from clients. Neighbours. Mothers at the school gate. Married ones too.
‘Where’s the fun in that?’ Ava beams. ‘Did that lipstick come off your collar last night?’ She runs her finger over the same spot she pressed her lips against only hours earlier. My dick twitches in my pants at the memory of her breasts brushing against my chest. Her feminine scent. The sensuality of her fleeting kiss.
Oh god. It’s been too long since I got laid.
Ava Jackson is everything I avoid in a woman: openly affectionate and romantically delusional. But there’s no denying she is smoking hot, and apparently committed to the deal we made.
‘It stayed long enough to make a difference.’ Teagan was livid. So much so, that she stormed out the second I got home. I’m under no illusion that’s the end of it though. She’s one of the most competitive people I know, and this new competition will drive her over the edge.
Ava’s smile widens, revealing naturally white teeth fit for a Colgate ad. ‘Good. I was hoping today, you might return the favour.’
Beth clears her throat from the corner of the room. ‘Hi. I’m Beth, Cillian’s long-suffering PA.’
‘I’m Ava.’ She’s sporting a full-on grin now. ‘Lovely to meet you.’
Surely the woman’s face has to hurt from smiling all the damn time? I’m exhausted even thinking about it.
‘Ditto.’ Both curiosity and amusement flash across Beth’s features.
Ava turns her attention back to me. ‘I thought I’d drop by and see if my man is free to take me for lunch.’
‘I’m not.’
‘He is, of course,’ Beth gushes.
