And I’m about to tell Julia to just cancel or reschedule the damn meeting, when I remember all over again just how fuckingimportantMalchovic is, not to mention how muchworkI put in convincing him to have this dinner meeting with me in the first place.
“Thank you Julia,” I sigh. “Is that everything?”
She nods and turns, heading out of the office and leaving me once more alone with my thoughts – thoughts which immediately flash back to Jennifer.
But I need to be careful here.
I need to make sure I don’t let myself fall any deeper for this girl.
I need to remember to just take what I want from her and then ...
I snatch up the phone on my desk and dial through to the house.
“Hello, Whitelaw residence?” comes Helena’s crisp clear voice.
“Helena, it’s me,” I say. “Listen, I’m not going to be able to make it home for dinner tonight, but I’d like you to pass on a message to Jennifer ...”
“Certainly, Sir,” Helena replies.
I smile to myself.
I know I can trust Helena to relay this message ...
Thirteen
Jennifer
As I strollalong the endless rack of dresses, letting my fingers run over them, I wonderwhich oneof these amazing garments I’ll choose for dinner with Marcus ... Maybe this slinky black number? Or perhaps this beautiful sequined ball gown?
But just then I hear a soft knock on the door. My heart leaps, and I race over to the door.
It’s Helena.
“Ah, Madam,” she smiles. “I’ve just come to let you know that Mr Whitelaw shall be working in the city until rather late this evening, and dining there too, and so I’m afraid you shall be eating alone tonight. I could set the table for you in the Livingstone Suite if you want, or if you would prefer I could have something brought up to your room?”
“Sure,” I say, trying to force a polite smile, “brought to the room would be great. Thanks, Helena.”
But she must be able to tell by the way my face falls slightly that I’m perhaps a little disappointed, because she adds with a cheerfulthat-isn’t-allgrin, “However, I amalsoto let you know that Mr Whitelaw has requested your company for cocktails in his bedroom as soon as he returns home.”
And with that she gives me a little wink, before letting the door fall closed, leaving me there, head spinning, unable to work out whether the sudden new feeling that flashing through me is excitement or nerves ... or maybe both.
Fourteen
Jennifer
I pausefor a moment outside the door to Marcus’s room, dressed in a long black cocktail dress. Every single hair on my body feels like it’s standing on end in anticipation of what’s to come – because tonight, I have a feeling we’re about to go a little bit further than we did last night, maybe evenall the way...
I reach out timidly, then knock gently on the door.
“Come in,” he says, his voice as low and assured as always, sending a rippling charge of excitement roaring through me.
I push open the door and there he is, siting on the edge of the bed. He stands as I enter the room, then plucks two frosted martini glasses from a little side table and approaches, handing one to me.
I take a sip of the mysterious cloudy liquid.
Wow.
It’s strong, but tastes amazing – just like everything else in this place.
