‘You’re from Upstate New York Chastity said?’
I nod and take a sip of my wine. It’s cold but kind of vinegary. Or maybe that’s just my mood. It’s not Troy’s fault—and he seems like a decent guy. But he’s notmyguy. Not that I’m suggesting Keir is mine, but I can only concentrate on one man at a time. Hard enough trying to talk and text two men.
You’re working on a Saturday?
People have been known to have sex on a Saturday, I type back, giving Troy an apologetic smile. No doubt he thinks I’m talking to Chas. Under normal circumstances, I might be. But it’s hard to convey anger via text satisfactorily.Some might suggest they do their best work on the weekends.
Really?comes his immediate response.I thought Friday nights were perfect. Certainly enough to see you through, given the way you looked when you left the hotel this morning.
I bite back a smile. I thought he was sleeping.He wasn’t, and he still let you go. A niggling voice echoes inside my head even as much lower pulses with remembrance of the evening. I looked well and truly fucked. Because I had been—right into the early hours. But at least I’d taken clean clothes.I’ve learned since our first Friday together.I might leave looking well rode, but I’m also usually well dressed.Matching shoes and everything.
I’m not having sex today, just pointing out the industry I work in.
Troy engages me once more in conversation, asking polite questions which I try to concentrate on. But as my phone burns a hole in my skirt with its incessant buzzing, I’m finding it hard. Keir really is going to town with his texts.
When Troy excuses himself to visit the bathroom, I quickly unlock my phone. My heart sinks.
You’re sure you’re working?
You’re not, say, sat at a hotel bar?
Talking to some nerd
In a sweater
A nerd who wouldn’t know the first fucking thing to do with you
My heart beats like hooves pounding in my chest, my shoulders rolling inward as though their shadow could deny the evidence of his words. I almost don’t want to look behind me for fear of what I’ll find. But I know I don’t have much time before Troy comes back. He doesn’t deserve this. Neither does Keir. Neither do I!
Chastity. What the hell have you done?
It’s not what it looks like, I text without turning.
Look at me, comes his response.Turn around and look at me.
I turn slowly in my seat. He’s easy to spot, sitting ramrod straight, his expression so fucked off, his eyes burning bright.And not in a good way.
My phone dings again.
Your date is on his way back to the table, and the man who’s fucking you wants to know what the hell is going on
Please understand, this isn’t what it looks like, I type back. Give me five minutes.
I don’t look at my phone as it chimes again.
‘Troy, I’m so sorry. I’ve got to go. I-I’ve just had a text from Chastity. She has’—a death wish—‘some kind of emergency.’
‘How awful.’ As I stand and gather my jacket and bag, Troy also stands. ‘Let me walk you to—’
‘No!’ In a much saner tone, I add, ‘There really is no need. Thank you for the wine. I-I’ll be in touch.’Sometime never.
I don’t shake his hand or do the European two-cheeked kissing thing that Londoners are so fond of. In fact, I’m pretty sure I must look like the hounds of hell are chasing me as I hightail it out of the bar and into the hotel reception.
Keir follows. I don’t know how I know, but I do.Or maybe it’s just wishful thinking at this point.
The Bawdy House isn’t a large venue. More a boutique kind of hotel. There’s no marble reception or high-powered elevator, but rather the space looks like it could have been lifted from a BBC period drama. A grand sweeping staircase dominates the reception, the walls lined walled with oil paintings ranging from portraits of severe faced matrons to those a touch more erotic. I pause as the toe of my shoe touches the worn Oriental carpet at the base of the staircase, realising I still have the keys to the rooms Chastity booked.
Then I spot him. Keir. Maybe a dozen steps behind me as I turn to the staircase. A mixture of anticipation and excitement and, yes, fear fill my chest cavity as I place my feet one after another to climb.
