‘You don’t mind if I borrow it, do you?’ she asks, smoothing the material against her thighs.
‘Would it matter if I said yes?’ I remonstrate.
‘You wouldn’t because you’re a darling and I love you for it.’
‘And you’re the bitch who stole all the hot water. Again.’
Laughing, Flo murmurs something about it not being her fault the boiler was old, and that she’d mention it to her father. I decide not to point out she already had, spending the money on a long weekend in Marbella becauseshe longed to feel the sun again.
‘Well, I’m off,’ Flo says, sliding her clutch from the console table. ‘You’re sure I can’t tempt you to a couple of glasses of pinot noir in the company of a cute venture capitalist?’
‘You know he’s likelyinvestingin a quick fuck later on, right?’
‘That’s what I’m counting on, sweets,’ she responds, her words followed by a tinkling laugh. ‘And he has a friend.’
‘Feel free to pass on my heartiest congratulations. And no,’ I reiterate as she looks about to speak again. ‘Money men have no soul.’
‘No, but they have plenty of coinage,’ she replies, rubbing her index finger and thumb together to emphasise her point. Flo spends her life perpetually overspent, even working full time and receiving an allowance from her dear old dad. She’s the essence of high maintenance. ‘Lou?’ she questions.
‘Please don’t call me that. It makes me sound like a public convenience.’
‘Fine.Louise.Please don’t tell me you’re going to spend your evening staring at work reports?’
‘Then don’t ask.’
‘How about I—’
‘Oh, no thanks,’ I retort as quick as a flash. ‘Not after last time.’
‘What? Is it a crime to ask one’s friend if she’d like to see some penis pictures? It’s what I look at when I’m bored. Anyway,’ she adds, pretending to be annoyed. ‘I was only going to loan you that book I told you about.’
‘The book of dicks? Not thanks. I’ll be fine.’ I make a shooing motion with my hand. I don’t need to borrow literature. My Kindle is kind of heavy with a very specific kind. ‘Get gone.’
‘Fine,’ she responds, sticking out her tongue. ‘Some people just refuse to be helped.’ She giggles, ducking as the scatter cushion I throw narrowly misses her head. ‘Ciao, darling. Don’t wait up for me!’
I return to the row of numbers, trying to find my place again. I’ve never taken Flora up on her offer of arranged dates, but for once, I feel a little out of place. But I’d promised myself this year in England would be one of focus—of culture and promise—not about me. Yet my mind can’t help but return to one man in particular. A man of good looks and urbane charm. A man with a dominant streak that called to me.
And I hadn’t even asked him his name.
I’d hoped last night would help not hinder how I’ve felt lately. I’d expected to feel unwound rather than the other way around. Taking off my glasses, I rub my eyes and sigh. What was it he—my stranger—had said?
There’s freedom in a little bondage. Sometimes, a person needs to be tied to feel free.
Must be wonderful to allow yourself, I find myself thinking. And remembering how freeing it had been.
Chapter Three
LOUISE
The last thing I want to do is hurt you.
Friday afternoon. The week has passed so quickly, the days blurring like scenery viewed from a travelling car. I tried to put the events of last weekend behind me as best I could, but the memories are like waves that rise suddenly, engulfing me. Leaving me breathless and even a little wet. Even now, in this professional setting in a room full of my peers, my mind wanders back down that track. The meeting turns to inconsequence, and my thoughts return to his bed, though come back abruptly as my phone buzzes with a text. I stare at my phone for a beat as the meeting carries on around me, the message not making sense. A misdialled number? A threat meant for someone else? My mind is still working on delay as the text is followed immediately by another.
Though I’ll get to it eventually.
My heart scarcely has time to flutter before the arrival of the third. I slip the phone under the table, almost sure I’d set it to silent, not vibrate. As I lay it against my thigh, it vibrates again.
Dinner first. You’ll need the energy.
