‘Never underestimate a woman,’ I murmur as I pass. ‘You of all people should know we’re way more devious than we appear.’ As I reach the front door, I turn my head and ask, ‘How long do we have to wait for the cab?’
Chapter Twenty-Nine
DAN
I’m not sure what had been said at Charles’s door, but I’m pretty sure Louise had benefitted from some kind of satisfaction on its threshold. There was something about her posture as she stepped into the well-timed arrival of our cab, her back—always straight—was just a touch more so, and her chin a fraction higher held. I guess Louise’s response had been more than Belle bargained for. And at least a little, I hope, of what she deserved.
From feeling as though I watched my future walk away, I’d held my breath as she’d reached the end of the garden path. Anything had to be better than watching her climb into her car. I’d been intrigued and hopeful as Hal had almost shot past me as I stood not moving yet feeling adrift. Almost catching the boy’s shoulder as he hopped onto the grass to avoid crashing into my legs, I’d asked in a voice that sounded almost calm, ‘Where did Louise go, son?’
‘TalkingtoMummy,’ Hal called in his haste as he tried to dodge my grasp. ‘She bought me Legos from America. She says I can go get the box from her bag.’ Hal halted at the open front door, his expression suddenly solemn. ‘Can we take her to Legoland when we go next month? She’s so cool.’
Taken aback, I’d nodded dully. Legoland was supposed to be boys only;no women allowed.Two days of rides, burgers, and questionable hygiene practises at the behest of one six-year-old. No girls allowed for our days out. That had been the rule, even when I’d still been married to Belle.
Hal had disappeared through the front door, almost tripping over the cat who seemed to glare balefully back at me. Could it be he wasn’t the only one smitten with this girl?Not girl, woman, I’d reminded myself. Intelligent, beautiful, and incredibly brave. Yet I’d remained paralysed in my indecision and progress, frozen to the gravel of the path.
To follow Louise to her undoubted confrontation with Belle could only add oil to the incendiary situation. This, I felt, was absolute. I was screwed either way. Defend Louise and my ex would react in ways I didn’t care to think about. To encourage Louise to be the bigger person, to rise above Belle’s fucked-up ways would surely have the same effect, the parties reversed. A delighted ex, a pissed-off Louise. A leaving Louise, my fuck-up absolute.
Her finger grazes mine, and I’m suddenly back in the cab. All had turned out well. For now. And I’m thankful. I have no idea what had been said, but a definite air of triumph exists in the darkened vehicle, even if it’s accompanied by my underlying sense of unease. I know from experince Belle will be far from done. But Louise had called it astutely: I’m the toy Belle didn’t want anyone else playing with.
The irony was far from fucking lost on me.
The cab pulled to a stop.
‘Are you all set?’ Her voice sounds almost too loud, too exuberant, yet her gaze falls short of mine, her free hand nervously twisting the garnet-studded cuff. Smiling, I hope, I tighten my grip on her other hand.
‘To meet the masses?’ I murmur, relieved for the distraction. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll behave.’
‘Oh, I know you will.’Louise tilts her head, narrowing her eyes at me.
‘Or else?’I ask, raising an enquiring brow.
‘You’d just better,’ she responds with a frown.
My smile falls, but I try to salvage the situation, directing her back. ‘Sounds promising. In fact, that sounds decidedly like the promise of a spanking.’
Perhaps, against her better judgment, she laughs.
‘Yeah, any shenanigans from you, and I’ll totally put you over my knee.’
I watch her eyes flick rapidly to the mirror, further catching the cabbie’s gaze. I sense more than see her disconcertion then delightedly watched the resulting blush crawl across her chest.
‘I like bare hands best as far as implements go,’ I state a little loudly, hoping to keep her focus on something else. She opens her mouth to stutter an answer when I tilt my head and add, ‘Though the hairbrush was quite successful that time.’
Her eyes dart around the cab—anywhere other than look at me or the mirror again. As she clears her throat, it brings my attention to the vein throbbing there. A tattoo of discomfort, and yes, lust, too.
‘Yes, w-well, enough of that,’ she stutters, adding unnecessarily, ‘look, we’re here.
~*~
The hotel is some way out of the city in a country park that seems vaguely familiar. Louise straightens her dress, smoothing her hair with her free hand, her other still tightly held in mine.
‘Louise.’ I pull her back from the entrance, threading both hands around her waist. ‘Thank you. For not leaving. For believing me.’ She nods once but doesn’t answer, her eyes studying me carefully.
‘She’s a piece of work,’ she says frowning, her gaze sliding from mine. ‘I don’t know where this is going, but—’
I smile, placing my finger against her lips. ‘Darling, if it’s up to me, this is going all the way.’ Her lips curve beneath my finger, but as I lower my hand, her smile falters.
‘Just don’t... do anything in there tonight. The people—’
