Say Hello, Kiss Goodbye, page 23
Tarquin scoffed. “Waxy celebs? That’s a must-see?”
She stuffed her hands in her pockets. “I know it’s tacky and cheesy, but it’s fun.”
“Creepy, more like!” He laughed.
“Fine, party pooper! I’ll check out that bridge instead!” She stuck out her tongue and took off toward the stairs.
Tarquin set off after her and caught up, joining her climb step by step. “You’ll just have to come back, then.”
“Yeah, one day,” she said, voice a little breathy as the soles of her flats met the top step. “This trip is my one last hurrah before I settle down with Frill-Seekers.”
She’s not coming back. A heaviness pinched Tarquin’s heart. This is goodbye. For real.
The day’s non-stop frenzy of selfie-snapping tourists on Tower Bridge was long gone and only a few vehicles revved past, crossing the river. They strolled along the walkway, and Leia leaned over the west side’s parapet, gazing down at the murky Thames. “Jeez, that looks cold.”
Not cold enough to make my hard-on go away… Tarquin reached into his coat and tugged at his trousers, discreetly adjusting himself.
She glanced over her shoulder, catching Tarquin’s hand fleeing from his coat. A giggle left her lips. “I saw that!” Her eyebrow rose.
“That, young lady, is your fault.”
“Hmm.” Eyes narrowing, Leia took off her gloves and stashed them in her pocket. She stole a sneaky glance to her left, then her right, and pulled him in. “There’s no one here, only a few cars. Maybe we should do something about that…” She slipped a hand between the buttons of his coat, rubbing the firm bulge in his trousers.
Ooh! Is she serious? A sneaky hand job?! Tarquin matched her devilish grin. “Maybe we should.”
Her fingers curved around him.
Fuck yes! Staring into her eyes, Tarquin sucked in a slow breath, his focus fuzzy, heavy with want.
Leia leaned in, her whisper so close its warmth teased his parted lips. “Want to do me here?”
Whoa! A chuckle of surprise slipped from Tarquin’s throat, his arousal tight and throbbing within her grasp. I didn’t expect that! “You really want—here? Now?” He tilted his head back toward the eastern side of the bridge. “You know, my flat is right there…”
“I know, but this London experience is one we’ll both never forget!” She grinned, her thumb stroking up and down his hard length with intent.
Oh! God! She’s killing me.
“But we can’t get caught.” Keeping still, Leia’s eyes darted down the bridge’s walkway. “A mug shot wouldn’t be a good look.”
Tarquin smirked. “Well, you’ve already got the first rule of public sex down pat—no sudden movements.”
“Hey, my back still aches from last night. I won’t be making any sudden movements!”
“Good. If we’re quiet, we’ll just look like a couple kissing on the security cameras.” She might be gung-ho, but… uh, what about condoms? Might be a dealbreaker. “There’s just one problem—protection. I don’t have any on me. I know you’re on birth control, but…”
“Just this once will be fine,” she answered quickly, biting back her smile. “Come on, let’s do it.” She growled. “I’m so horny I could scream. But don’t worry—I won’t!”
I can’t believe this! “Just let me…” Tarquin wrapped his arms around her, concealing Leia’s body beneath his long coat. “You’ll have to do most of the work so I can keep what we’re up to hidden.” He hugged her tightly, his erection poking hard into her stomach.
“This is so naughty!” She giggled, locking her free arm around his waist. “Okay, so I guess I’ll lean back against the bridge and then free you from your pants…”
Tarquin ducked his head to meet her eyes. “But are you wet enough for…? I wish I could feel you.”
“You will in a sec.” Leia fumbled underneath their coats. “Sorry!” She snickered. “This is tough one-handed.” She twisted her lips like she was figuring out a difficult math problem. “I’m just moving my panties aside…”
Kill. Me. Now! “I can’t believe we’re doing this.” Tarquin felt his zipper tug downward. She is such a firecracker. I love it! “Leia, just so you know, I don’t think I’ll last lon—”
Leia claimed his lips and kissed him slowly and deeply, her right leg hooking around his right knee as she freed him from his underwear.
I’ll never forget this. Savoring her mouth, Tarquin closed his eyes, feeling her wetness, her hand guiding him inside. Oh, sweet lord! Pushing into her tightness, hot and slick, Tarquin moaned into their kiss. He rocked slowly with her, feeling her determined finger slip between them.
He snuck a peek down the bridge. Fuck! He abruptly left her lips. “Leia,” he whispered, nuzzling into her hair, “coppers on the approach…”
“You came in, what, three minutes?” Wearing nothing but his boxer briefs and the scent of sex, Tarquin placed his Rolex on his nightstand. “You sure you’re not having me on? Because that didn’t feel like your first time in public.”
“In my head, it wasn’t.” Leia popped the front clasp on her black satin bra and shrugged it off her shoulders, dropping it on a chair where her dress lay, neatly folded. “I’ve fantasized about it a lot!” She crossed Tarquin’s bedroom. “With you.”
Bring those flirty black panties and that gorgeous ass back here. His thoughts of sliding the delicate satin down her hips and taking her from behind blazed a torrent of heat in his boxers. “You didn’t even flinch when that cop car zoomed past.” He strolled back to his en suite and dropped a pinky-white bath bomb into the water rising in his soaker tub. It spun and fizzed, releasing swirls of rosy bubbles. “Or when those tourists stood nearby. They were posting on Instagram like mad.”
“Well, you did say not to make sudden movements.” Leia unwound her bun, letting her blonde waves tumble over her naked shoulders. She combed it quickly with her fingers and opened his bedroom door.
“Where you going?” He walked back into the room, adjusting himself. “Can’t be far, dressed like that.”
She peered down the hall. “I thought I heard a scratch. Mrs. Chuzzlewit…”
“Ah, I knew she’d wrap you around her little paw. She’s probably up in the gallery, attacking her stuffed mousie.”
“Mousie?” Leia giggled. “Or enjoying some private time”—she gave him a playful smirk—“away from her fans. I saw her Instagram.”
Yeah. Cheers for that, Simon. Fucker.
“Oh, Tarquin—”
“I know! It’s daft.”
“NO! It’s fantastic! And hilariously cute.” She stepped over her discarded flats and climbed onto his bed. “The fact that you love her so much says a lot about you, Han Solo.”
“So, you’ll still shag the catstagrammer, then?” His eyes trailed down to her breasts and back up again.
“Like you have to ask! I’m half-naked, waiting to straddle you in that oversized tub.”
Cannot wait! He bit his bottom lip and grinned, fighting to carry on the conversation despite the growing distraction in his pants. “So, why don’t you have an account? You could show off your travels, nights out, your dresses?” And keep me in the Leia loop. I hate the thought of wondering how you are.
“Trust me, my life is not that interesting. Who cares what I have for breakfast?”
“I do! I’m still hoping to find out…”
Leia smiled demurely and broke eye contact, her hands bunching up the duvet. “Maybe we should do something about that.”
Ooh, I like the sound of this. “So, who’s the rule breaker now, Ginger!”
She gazed up at him. “Well, if we can’t break them on our last night…” A subtle shrug lifted her shoulders.
First dinner, now breakfast. Will she put the ‘no relationship’ rule to bed, too? Tarquin’s smile grew. “I’ll gladly make you breakfast. What would you like?”
“Pancakes! But”—she let out a ragged breath—“what I really want is to wake up with you, hold you until it’s time to say our goodbyes. I mean, if that’s okay.”
Tarquin’s heart hammered against his ribs. “Leia, like you have to ask.”
She grinned, snatching one of his bed’s pillows. “You better have maple syrup for breakfast and…other things.”
This is perfect. “What Leia wants…” Tarquin glanced over his shoulder, expecting a mountain of bubbles cresting the curved sides of his tub, but murky pink water rose instead. Bollocks! It’s a dud? His forehead tensed. “Uh, just a—” He dashed into his en suite and whipped open one of the vanity’s many doors. A box of sensually-scented delights drew his impatient hands. I need bubbles—now. Tonight needs to be memorable.
“But you’re right about Instagram and Frill-Seekers,” said Leia, her words nearly drowned out by the roaring water. “I hired a social media company to manage my account, so I can focus on designing.”
“Smart.” Tarquin raised his voice above the din. “Social media is time-consuming, but it’s a necessary evil.” He twisted the taps, reducing the flow of water and the noise. “Will you photograph your dresses in a studio or around the city?”
“Around the city, next month. Hopefully, most of the snow will be gone by then.” A sigh escaped her emerging frown. “Just the thought of the slush, the minus twenty-degree windchills, my ex being everywhere.”
Now’s your chance. Say it. It’s been on the tip of your tongue all night. Adrenaline sizzled through Tarquin’s body. He leaned against the doorjamb, admiring Leia at home on his bed hugging the pillow. “So, why don’t you stay? For another week…or longer?”
“I’ve thought about it. I mean, what am I going back for right now? The snow? Hardly. A part-time job where I’ll watch some socialite’s daughter snatch the full-time position I was told was mine?!” She huffed. “If they’re not honoring their promise, maybe I should tell them where they can shove their job!”
That’s what I would do. “You know, if you did stay, you’d be here for the Dior exhibit.”
“Sarah mentioned that! It’s at the V&A, right? God, I’d love to see it, all the sketches, the dresses. When’s it on?”
“Early February.” Tarquin returned to the bathroom and rifled through his bath bombs, choosing a pink and purple sphere embedded with a small sculpted rose made of soap. He dropped the bubble-maker into his tub, giving it an encouraging nudge. “You could do all the London things you’ve missed out on—visit the markets, take in the view from the Shard, go for afternoon tea at Fortnum’s. You could even hit up the wax museum, ya weirdo!”
Leia nodded slowly like she was checking off her to-do list. “And still fly back in time for Shantelle’s gown fittings.” She craned her neck, watching Tarquin wipe bubbles off his hands with a plush towel. “And if you’re not sick of me, maybe we could…”
He strode toward her with a confident smile. “I’m the opposite of sick of you.”
“Great!” Leia tossed the pillow aside. “Well, it’s decided, then! I’m calling Violetta right now.” Her sunny expression soured. “Tell her I quit!” Jaw clenched, she leaned off the side of the bed and pulled her dainty drawstring bag off the floor. “I know my worth, and I refuse to be screwed over again!”
Blimey, she’s serious. Tarquin’s grin faltered as alarm bells rang in his head. And I get it, but hasty, emotional decisions don’t often end well. I should know. What if after the exhilarating rush of jacking it all in, she’s miserable? Or can’t pay her bills? What if it ruins her career?
Lips tight and brow creased with determination, Leia looked like she was practicing in her head what she’d say to her boss.
Tarquin scratched his temple. I have to be the voice of reason even if it puts her on that plane home in two days’ time. He sat beside her. “You know, I’m all for telling people who screw me over in business where to stick it, but you said it yourself, this part-time job is more than just a paycheck—it inspires you, gives you access to connections for Frill-Seekers…”
“Uh, yeah…” She slouched, pausing for a beat. “But this hurts, Tarquin. They promised. It was mine this time.”
“I know.” He swept a strand of hair from her eyes. “It sucks when someone’s word means nothing, but I don’t think you should be too hasty. You need to think about all the repercussions because once you quit…”
Leia untwisted her lips, letting out a heavy exhale. “There’s no going back.” She played with the drawstrings of her purse, winding them around her hand. “I guess I don’t have to do anything right this second. I’m not scheduled to work for another two and a half weeks. I could move my flight and think about it.”
“Well, there you go!” said Tarquin. “No quitting necessary, at least not tonight.”
A smile snuck up on her cheeks. “So…two more weeks. Think you can handle it—handle me?”
She’s so into me! “With pleasure!”
Her face shone with happiness. “You know, Tarquin, I’m not sleeping with anyone else…in case, you know…you were wondering.”
Oh YES! He couldn’t hide his grin. “Neither am I.”
“Good, ’cause I hate to share.” Leia giggled.
He laughed. “Ah, it’s going to be smashing having you here longer. We’ll definitely need more maple syrup for all those breakfasts!”
“Yes! I’ll steal some from Sar—” Her face fell. “Shit! I forgot to call her back.” Leia dug in her bag. “She’s working late…she should be up…” With a huff, her shoulders dropped. “Shoot! Do you remember seeing my phone? I thought it was in here, but it’s not.”
“I’ll ring it,” said Tarquin, stretching toward his bedside table. “Just let me grab—” The Spice Girls sang out, fighting to be heard beneath Leia’s folded dress. “Ah. Sarah beat me to it.” He scooped up his own phone, watching Leia scramble half-naked over to the chair. “I’ll finish running the bath.”
“Add extra ducks for me!” She giggled, lifting her dress and rescuing her phone.
“Sounds good!”
Staring at the screen, Leia’s face tensed.
“Go on, answer it. I’m sure she’s not miffed—much.” Tarquin returned to the en suite. “Say hi for me.”
Hitting accept, Leia killed the Spice Girls mid-chorus. “Hey!” Her tone walked a thin line between cautious and sunny. She flashed a smile Tarquin’s way and sat on the edge of his bed.
Give her privacy. Tarquin pulled the door partially closed and dimmed the lights. The second bath bomb fizzed and bubbled, creating a sensual oasis of foamy, jasmine-scented bliss. He streamed music from his phone to the room’s built-in speakers, placed a stack of fluffy cotton towels on the tub’s edge, and lit several balsam-infused candles, creating a sexy, ski chalet vibe. Sitting on the bench in his bathroom, he smiled to himself. Every last detail… perfect. Leia’s really opening up, starting to trust me. Who knows? Maybe our fling will turn into forever.
A few minutes later, she slipped into the bathroom, head down and hair up in a messy topknot.
“Come here.” Standing up, Tarquin held out his arms. “Did you wake her? Was she cross?” He drew her in, kissing the freckles on the bridge of her nose.
“It wasn’t Saz.” With a tentative smile, Leia blinked up at him. “It was Violetta.”
Seventeen
“Start over, my darling. Be brave enough to find the life you want and courageous enough to chase it.”
Madalyn Beck
LEIA
The next afternoon
Sarah unzipped the lilac-colored garment bag adorned with ‘Desjardins’ in an elegant French vanilla swirl font and gasped. “He gave you this?”
“Isn’t it gorgeous?” Leia hung her parka by the front door beside a pair of white garment bags: one protecting Shantelle’s almost-finished red carpet gown, the other, the prom dress. “I went in early thinking I’d do a bit of sewing and pick up my stuff, but then Simon walked in with this—for me.” She rubbed her slightly puffy, makeup-free eyes, then removed Simon’s going-away gift from the bag on her sister’s lap. Holding it aloft, she admired the emerald cocktail dress’s flattering silhouette and sparkly sequined tulle. “I’ve been drooling over it for weeks.”
“It’ll look even more incredible with your red hair. It’s the perfect middle finger to Tyler. Look what you’re missing, asshole!” Sarah reached out, touching the intricate sequin work. “It feels as decadent as it looks!”
“I couldn’t thank Simon enough.” Leia hugged the dress against her sweater and jeans, and swayed her hips. The sequins caught a midafternoon sunbeam sneaking through Sarah’s front window and threw a kaleidoscope of dappled green dots across the wall. “So, I made him promise he’ll let me treat him to dinner next time he’s in New York.”
“Yeah, with your full-time paycheck. Congratulations, Ley!”
“Thanks. I still can’t believe I got it.”
“I squealed so loud when I read your message, I woke Jordan.” Sarah chuckled. “He sends his congrats, too, by the way. Did you call Dad?”
“Yeah, last night on my way here. He’s happy, said he’ll visit me this spring and we’ll celebrate.”
“Lucky,” said Sarah pulling out a small purple packet of British chocolate from beneath the garment bag on her lap. “So, how did last night go?”
It’s been twelve hours and I can still picture Tarquin’s face.
Leia’s brief happy dance deflated under her sister’s question, a wave of angst smothering the burst of giddiness in her chest. “It was incredible. The meal—to die for. We laughed and talked for ages about art and pets and family.” She took the garment bag from Sarah and slowly slipped her dress inside. “Then, we strolled along the river and kissed…” Her mind stalled, returning to the bridge. Our breaths shallow, hips shaking, my gasps muffled in his coat. She eased the garment bag’s zipper closed, careful not to snag any sequins along its upward journey. “Back at his, Tarquin went all out. He had chocolate, fresh strawberries, and sparkling apple cider from Borough Market, and he drew us a candlelit bubble bath. It was cozy and romantic—”
