Intrigued and Enchanted (21 page)

“None taken. I know I’m stealing your girl away for the best part of a week so this was the least I could do.” He sets down my bags and takes my hand, leading me out towards the elevator. He sweeps my hair out of the way, cupping my face gently in his warm callused palms.

“I’ll miss you tonight. Call me later?” As soon as I say yes, his lips capture mine in a tender but intense kiss. His tongue teasing mine in a gentle rhythm. I run my hands up his back, losing myself to the sensation of his soft lips, his delicious tongue and his muscles rippling under my fingertips; his scent surrounding me. I feel bereft when the elevator arrives and he steps inside. He holds my gaze, his stunning ice blue eyes never leaving mine as the doors come between us. When they finally close and I can’t see him anymore, I just stand there like an idiot, staring at the doors. Jess comes out and throws her arms around my neck from behind.

“You’ve got it bad Lilliput. Dang girl, he must be phenomenal in bed.” We burst out laughing and head back into our apartment to have a night of wine, Chinese food, and some rubbish chick flicks that have us rolling around on the floor laughing at just how dire they are. We have a great time, and Jess even mentions her night with Simon.

“Okay. I’m going to choke this out, so don’t be an ass-hat about it. You were right.” Oh. Holy. Mother. Of. Pearl. That is the first time…ever…that Jess has admitted I’m right about anything. I’ll be damned if I’m not going to milk it for all it’s worth.

“What was that? I didn’t quite hear you Jester. Please…
Please
…tell me again.”

“Ass-hat it is then. YOU WERE RIGHT, you loser. I was punishing Simon for Gavin’s mistakes and he didn’t deserve it. He stayed last night, and we’re planning to go out tomorrow night on our first proper date. You happy now?” I can tell she’s excited at the prospect of going on a date with him, her eyes are sparkling and her cheeks are glowing just mentioning it.

“Of course I’m happy…for you. I don’t what that douche Gavin wasting any more of your time. Simon is
nothing
like him, and he’s obviously into you. Did you have a good night last night?” Her sly siren smile creeps onto her face. Oh damn, I’ve just opened myself up to hear every last detail of their sexcapades. Jess doesn’t disappoint. I hear a play by play of all the places I will need to disinfect in this apartment because they’ve apparently had sex everywhere. Where do these boys learn their stamina from, it’s ridiculous.

We stay up talking into the small hours of the morning. Gladly, at some point during our nonsense we moved to my room and Jess helped me pack for London.

“I can’t believe he’s taking you to London. What a flashy bastard.” I know she’s just kidding around but I still feel the need to defend him.

“He’s not a flashy bastard Jess. He’s just really generous with what he has. And I’m not just talking about his money.” I say wiggling my eyebrows. That has both of us in a wine induced laughing stupor for a good fifteen minutes. It must be after 3am before we actually get my packing finished and we both just collapse on my bed and zonk out immediately.

I wake in the morning to Jess’s hand on my face. Then I remember our late night and copious amounts of alcohol. I glance at the clock to see that it’s already 11am. I am in dire need of coffee. I grab my cell off the sofa and start making a pot of coffee. As I wait for the coffee machine to supply me with my much needed hit, I check my phone. Oh crap. I was supposed to call Brandon last night. I have a missed call from him and quite a few texts.

12.01

Mr E: Hey sweetheart. Haven’t heard from you. Tried calling. Call me when you get this. Miss
you. X

12.59

Mr E: Did you forget about me Miss Pritchard.

3.23

Mr E: I don’t like being ignored Lily.

Shit. I immediately dial his number. He answers on the fourth ring.

“Brandon Redgrave.” Wow he’s mad. He knows it’s me.

“Hi Brandon. It’s Lily.”

“Remembered me did you?” I feel bad. I obviously hurt his feelings. I would feel the same if he had said he would call me and didn’t bother.

“I’m sorry honey. I lost track of time with Jess and we ended up collapsing on my bed after packing for our trip.” Silence. That can’t be good.

“If you’re looking to get back into my good books by giving me a mental image of you and Jess in bed together…It’s working.” Okay, maybe he’s not so mad.

“Not like that you pervert. We were exhausted.” He’s chuckling now.

“Can’t blame a guy for dreaming baby.”

“Anyway. I am sorry I didn’t call. I actually really missed you last night. What did you do last night?”

“I hung out with Si. We played some pool, drank some beer. Guy stuff. We didn’t collapse in bed together in case you’re wondering.” I took a moment to create that visual in my head. Two gorgeous men in Brandon’s bed. Mmmmmm.

“Thanks for the mental picture. I’ll treasure it.”

“You better not be thinking about anyone in a bed other than me Lily. I mean it.” He’s actually jealous of me making a joke. I love him.

“You’re so funny. You’re jealous.”

“Fucking right I’m jealous. I don’t want you thinking about any man other than me like that. Especially not Si. I would hate to have to kick his ass.” I let out an all-out belly laugh at that.

“You’re not serious? You would punch your best friend if
I
thought about him in a sexual way?”

“Fucking right I would. Let’s stop talking about this, because I want to punch him right now, just because of this conversation.” He sounds genuinely upset by it.

“You’re so adorable honey.”

“I like it when you call me that.”

“Good. Honey. What time are we going to your parents’ house for dinner? I need time to make myself beautiful.”

“Without seeing you I can tell you, you are already stunning.” Such a smooth talker.

“I’ll pick you up at 3 if that’s okay for you?”

“That’s great. I can’t wait to see you.”

“Me too baby. I better go get some work done before we go. See you at 3.”

“See you then…honey.” I’m already excited and counting the hours until he’s at my door.

I fuss and deliberate for at least an hour about what to wear to meet Brandon’s parents. I go with a nice pair of ¾ length grey dress trousers, sleeveless ruffle and lace cream shirt and cream strappy heels. I use my magic curling wand to transform my hair into something fabulous. I keep my make-up minimal, I don’t want his mom to think I’m trashy.

The time flies by and before I know it Brandon is standing in my doorway looking sexy as all get out. Crisp white shirt rolled up sleeves, blue jeans and his mussed up sex hair. I could lick him all over.

“Keep looking at me like that baby. You can explain to my mom why we’re late for dinner.” How can he make me blush within two minutes of arriving? He’s not even set foot inside the door yet. He leans in and places a chaste kiss on my lips.

“I missed the taste of you last night.” I kiss him back.

“Hi honey. I missed you too. I’m kinda used to you now.” He deepens the kiss, unleashing the butterflies in my stomach.

“Good, cause you’re stuck with me.”

Jess pipes up behind us, “I think I just got diabetes watching the two of you.”

“Oh be quiet Jester. You’ll be the same with Simon tonight so don’t give me any of your crap.” Brandon has a boyish grin on his face.

“I was hanging with him last night. He has quite the night planned for the two of you. Of course I can’t tell you anything because he’d kill me. I’m just saying…be prepared.” He thinks he’s funny winding her up.

“Leave her alone Brandon. It took this long to get her on a date with him. Don’t mess it up or you’ll be dealing with me.”

“Oh baby. That’s not a threat. I’ll
deal
with you any time, any place sweet girl.”

“Right let’s go and leave Jess to get ready for what I’m sure will be a lovely evening.” I hug her goodbye while Brandon grabs my bag for London.

“Call me as soon as you land so I don’t worry.” I give her an extra squeeze.

“Of course I will. Love you bestie. See you next week.”

“Look after my bestie Brandon or you’ll be sorry.” Brandon smiles at her.

“Of course. Precious cargo. I’m well aware. Have a good night, and be nice to
my
best friend. He’s a good guy.” With that we head down to Brandon’s car. I’m surprised to see there is no Angus today.

We’re going to his parents house in his Ferrari. Nice. Brandon just manages to get my case in the car before opening my door to let me slide into the luxurious interior. The car roars to life and we set off to see his parents. I’m going to meet Brandon’s parents. Shit.

19

The drive to Brandon’s parents doesn’t take too long, especially the way he drives this car. I try to take my mind off how nervous I am by asking Brandon how he met Simon. Turns out they have been friends their whole lives. Brandon’s dad owns a very successful law firm with Simon’s dad. Their families have always been close so Simon is more like a brother to Brandon than a best friend.

It’s nice to hear him talk about when they were growing up together and all the fun stuff they’ve done together. They went to Columbia together, which led to the answer to my question “Why were you on campus the day we met?”

Brandon keeps in touch with one of his professors.

“I was going to meet an old professor of mine. I try to meet up with him once every few months. That’s where I was going when you came crashing into my life.”

I’m so glad I did. I can’t image my life without Brandon in it now. I ponder that as we make our way to Staten Island in the Ferrari. I’ve decided to call it the Red Devil. Brandon disagrees. He thinks
she
deserves a sexy girl’s name. Why am I still jealous of a car? I’m officially crazy. Brandon has his iPod playing in the car – Bruno Mars. I don’t think he realises that he’s singing along, so I stay quiet to listen to his voice.

‘Billionaire’ is the next track that comes on. I’ve always thought it’s pretty sexy when Bruno sings “I wanna be a billionaire, so
fucking
bad.” Little did I know that hearing Brandon sing that line is infinitely more sexy. He has a nice voice, deep, breathy, and sinfully sexy. I think I just came a little. Oh. My. Word. I have a stupidly goofy grin on my face when Brandon sneaks a glance in my direction.

“Are you laughing at me woman? Is my voice that bad?” He’s playing with me. He knows exactly how he affects me.

“Definitely not. I’ve always thought that song was kinda sexy and you singing it has most definitely secured it as the sexiest song of all time.” I thought he was going to be the one laughing at me after that comment, but he doesn’t. He simply keeps singing. I watch and listen, captivated by his voice as he sings the full song, the very last line dripping with sex. I feel like I’ve just been seduced.

I need to get my mind off of Brandon and the word ‘fucking’ before I meet his mother. I sit for a moment, letting him know that his singing has had the desired effect. When I can’t stand the buzzing feeling between my legs any longer, I break the silence.

“Is that song your theme tune? Seems fitting.” That gets a laugh from him.

“Ha ha. A – I’m not a billionaire, I’m a multi-millionaire.”

“Poor you. You’re only a multi-millionaire.” I like to tease him.

“Not what I meant and you know it Miss Pritchard.” He squeezes my thigh, sending a jolt of electricity straight to my already throbbing sex.

“And B – I never wanted for anything growing up. My dad is pretty successful and I’ve always had money available to me. I guess I’m just driven. I didn’t want to live off my dad. I wanted to make my own mark. I'm not being big headed when I say, I’m very good at what I do and I’ve put in a lot of hard work to get where I am now. I enjoy the game, the risk, the gamble. Plus, it’s nice to be able to share the wealth, you know? I’ve been able to set up charities and invest in projects that gives less fortunate kids that don’t have what I had, a chance to make something of themselves and the support to achieve it.”

Could he get any more perfect? It’s actually sickening. Every time I find out something new about him, it adds more depth to his character, it intrigues me further; I find myself feeling things I’ve never felt before.

“It’s even more impressive that you didn’t need to be this driven. You could have lived off your dad’s money but you didn’t. It’s really amazing Brandon.”

“Thanks Lily. What about you? You live in a rather nice apartment on the Upper West Side. What’s your story?”

“Well, I don’t come from mega-money if that’s what you’re asking. When my dad died and my mom sold the ranch, she kept the money and the insurance policy pay out and put it into trust for me and my sisters. My mom is a pretty successful book editor in Manhattan’s biggest publishing house so she was able to raise us more than comfortably on her salary.

I decided to use my inheritance to go to Columbia, and I get to stay in a nice apartment with Jess because her parents are
very
well off and they pay half the rent. I was reluctant to accept their offer, but they wanted to make sure that Jess and I lived in a good area, close to campus. Jess and I split the other half of the rent between us. It has been amazing to be able to focus on my studies without worrying about getting a job during term time. I still worked summers and topped up my funds but I’m well aware that they won’t last forever so I won’t be living on the Upper East Side for too much longer. I want to be self-sufficient after I graduate – get a little place of my own that I can afford.”

“Here’s a question for you. If your mom is so well connected in the industry you want to be a part of, couldn’t you give your manuscript to her to submit?” I give him a disapproving look.

“You of all people should understand that I want to do it on my own merits. My job at B Magazine will allow me to make my own contacts and learn how the industry works. When I have a finished manuscript it will be going to someone that I choose, and if they like it, it will be because it’s good.” His grin is huge right now as he looks at me.