TAILSPIN

  I tilt my head. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”

  With a serious expression, Ritchie says, “Be careful, Andi. Please.”

  I offer him a sincere smile. I love that Ritchie cares for my well-being. “Don’t worry. I will.”

  “Okay. Take care. Have a wonderful time sightseeing in New York—you bitch! I’ll speak to you later. Love you.”

  I laugh. “Okay. Love you, too.” I then motion with my finger. “Here comes the fingerrrr.” Hitting the END button, I sigh with a smile. I’m so glad I found Ritchie. He not only makes a great roommate, but also a fantastic friend. I would be lost without him.

  Checking the time, I see it’s almost nine. I don’t want to waste my morning stuck in this hotel room … especially if His Lordship is going to be here most of the day. I get dressed in some low-rise jeans and a red shirt, blow-dry my hair, put some make-up on, and then put my contacts in. I look at all my drab clothes from work, a sinister smile forming on my face. I know just what to do with them. With great delight, I pick up my horrible glasses and gather all the old lady clothes Devon makes me wear, throwing them in the bin. With a big smile, I grab my handbag. Looks like I have some shopping to do today.

  As luck would have it, I manage to escape without seeing Devon. I tell a hungover Mark that I’m going sightseeing and should be back by the afternoon.

  I go for a walk along Wall Street, taking in all the tall buildings. It is only the morning, but already hot. As instructed by Ritchie, I take lots of photographs, eventually ending up on the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. I am disappointed that I can’t purchase tickets to go inside, but at least I manage to get close. After that, I go to Ellis Island where I learn a lot about all the people who immigrated here, hoping for a new life.

  Once back, I hop into a taxi and go to Times Square, where I proceed to take more photos. With each bundle, I upload them to Facebook, laughing every time Ritchie comments, calling me a bitch before demanding more. I then go shopping for new, sexy, slinky dresses, skirts, and high heels. With each purchase, I feel like I’m sticking it to Devon. I also buy some very feminine glasses for the times I don’t feel like wearing my contacts.

  With what seems like a hundred bags, I hail a cab back to the hotel, dump all my things in my room, and then go down to the hotel bar for a quick drink. None of the lads were in their rooms, so I assumed they were out taking in the sights, too.

  As I sit down at the bar and order a drink, I check my watch. It’s just a little after five in the afternoon.

  “Excuse me for asking, but is that a British accent I detect?”

  Snapping my head to the voice, I see a young man, probably in his early thirties, wearing a nice burgundy polo shirt and jeans, sitting at the bar with a drink in his hand. His cropped hair is black, and his eyes are a nice shade of green. I can’t tell for sure, but he looks tall and in great shape. He also has one of the nicest smiles I have seen in a long time.

  When he spots my frown, he points to the bar. “When you ordered your drink just now, I thought I heard a British accent.”

  Shaking my head, I smile. “Yes, sorry. It’s been a long day. I think I may be a little jet-lagged.”

  The gentleman swivels in his chair a little to face me more. I’m not going to tell him this, but his own accent is pretty sexy.

  “When did you arrive?”

  “Yesterday. Today’s mostly been sightseeing and shopping.”

  “What did you get to see?” When he notices my wary expression, he laughs. “Sorry. I have this habit of asking lots of questions. Forgive me.”

  I lean onto the bar a little. “No, it’s okay. I guess I’m not used to being asked so many questions. I visited Wall Street, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Times Square.”

  “And the shops,” he says with a smirk.

  I smile back, noticing just how cute he is. “Yes. And the shops.”

  “Do you mind me asking what part of the UK you’re from?”

  “London.” The barman sets my gin and tonic down and I thank him.

  “I’ve only ever passed through London. I’ve always wanted to stay there for a bit, though.”

  I take a sip of my drink and turn to him. “Oh, you should. There’s lots to see there.”

  “So I’ve observed from the many photos and films I’ve seen. Maybe one day.” He raises one eyebrow. I can’t help but think how sexy that looks. I lick my lips, noticing when his eyes land there. Does he feel it, too?

  Not wanting to go there, I clear my throat. I have enough to deal with at the moment with Devon. Adding yet someone else into the equation would be like throwing fuel on the fire.

  “Are you from around here?”

  He shakes his head. “Not originally. I’m from South Carolina. I moved up here because of business.”

  “Do you miss it?”

  He gives me a sideways glance. “Home?” I nod. “Yes, I do, but I get to visit as often as I can. My old man and I live here, but my mom lives back in South Carolina. I haven’t visited in a while, but I hope to remedy that for the 4th of July weekend.”

  I bite my lip. “I would love to be in America for the July 4th holidays. I hear the fireworks are fantastic.”

  He smiles. “They are. They’re spectacular in New York, but there’s nothing like watching them over the lake with a beer in one hand and some s’mores in the other.”

  I frown. “Come again?”

  He laughs. “You don’t know what s’mores are?” I shake my head. “You roast a marshmallow over a campfire, then put that and a piece of chocolate between two graham crackers.”

  Lifting my shoulders, I close my eyes. “Hmm, sounds wonderful.”

  “Have you never camped out before?”

  I nod. “Oh yeah, but never with beer and,” I lean closer to him, “s’mores?” Grinning, he nods. I pull myself back up. “I have been missing out. Also, watching fireworks by the lake sounds pretty awesome to me.”

  I watch as he sips his drink. He looks so casual and sure of himself. There’s nothing more sexy than a man who knows how to carry himself.

  “I take it you’re only visiting a short while?” I nod. “That’s a pity. I could have offered you the chance to see those lake fireworks.” He gives me a cheeky look before concentrating on his drink again. I should tell him that I only met him ten minutes ago, but the words don’t come out. For some reason, I already feel totally relaxed with this man. I don’t know whether that’s a good or bad thing.

  “So what else do you plan to visit while you’re out here?”

  Taking a sip of my drink, I start playing with the coaster. “I’m here for work, but I really want to go see Central Park and catch a show. Ooh, and the Empire State Building is also a must.” I shake my head a little.

  “What is it?” he asks, noticing my reflective mood.

  I shake my head and laugh. “No, it’s silly.” I feel my cheeks flush.

  He nudges my arm. “Oh, come on. We’re friends here. I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

  I sigh before looking at him. His eyes are quite dazzling. For a moment, I can’t quite look away. “Okay, considering I don’t know you, what harm could there be? It’s silly, but I always thought I would visit the Empire State Building with—”

  “Someone you love?” I turn to him with a smile and nod. “You shouldn’t feel embarrassed by that. Lots of women feel the same. It’s one of the most romantic buildings in the world. I can’t tell you how many proposals have been made up there.”

  I scrunch my shoulders, thinking how romantic that sounds. “Oh, I bet.”

  “I take that to mean it’s never happened to you?” I widen my eyes. “Forgive me again, but I couldn’t help noticing that you don’t have a ring on your finger.”

  Turning toward him again, I offer him a cheeky grin. “Are you flirting with me?”

  He leans over, lowering his voice. “It depends.”

  “On what?”

  “If it’s working.”

&nb
sp; I can’t help the laughter that erupts. I don’t know him, yet I feel like we’ve been talking for hours.

  I point to his left hand. “I don’t see one on yours, either.”

  He raises that sexy eyebrow again. “So it wasn’t just me looking.”

  I smirk and take a sip of my drink. “Yep, single in New York.”

  He points toward me. “That would make an excellent song.”

  “Single in New York?” he nods. I shrug. “Yeah, I guess it would.”

  Knowing if we carry on like this I will probably kiss the guy, I decide to change the subject. “So, how long have you lived in New York?”

  Looking more serious, he clears his throat. “About five years now.”

  “Not long then. What did you do in South Carolina?”

  He leans toward me again, touching my shoulder as he does. It’s intimate, but I certainly don’t mind it.

  I really am quite the tart.

  “And I thought I asked a lot of questions.”

  “Sorry,” I offer, smirking.

  “Don’t be. It’s okay. I flew F-16s in the United States Air Force for ten years.”

  My eyes widen. “Wow. That must have been quite a job.” Hell, he’s a US version of Devon. A much nicer US version of Devon.

  He smiles. “It certainly was.”

  “What made you leave?”

  He’s about to answer when my phone rings. “Excuse me,” I say, looking down. My dad. I look up at the stranger, reminding myself to ask for his name after I hang up. “Sorry. It’s my dad. I have to take this.”

  He waves his hand. “Of course. Go ahead.”

  I get up from my stool and answer with a smile on my face that I hope is in my voice as well. “Hey, Dad.”

  “Hi, sweetheart. How are you? Have you seen much today?”

  I notice the reception isn’t very good, so I walk out onto the street. It’s nosier out here, but at least he doesn’t sound robotic. “I’m fine. I saw the Statue of Liberty today. You would have loved that.” I feel a little pang in my gut again. It’s his birthday on Tuesday and I’m going to miss it.

  “I’m sure I would. Maybe you and I can see it together one day.”

  I smile. “That would be nice.”

  “Is Devon treating you okay?”

  I almost roll my eyes, but plaster a smile on my face instead. Maybe it’s because I feel guilty for the lie that’s about to leave my lips. “Of course. I have the best room with a fantastic view of the Empire State Building. I’m a lucky girl.” I remember looking out at it briefly this morning, thinking how much I would love to go there. Maybe I’ll get a chance on Monday or Tuesday after the meetings Devon’s planning.

  “I’m so glad, honey. Charlie and I are just sitting here watching the game.”

  His favourite team, Chelsea, is playing tonight. “Oh yeah? How’s it going?”

  “They’re winning two goals to nil.” I hear the smile in his voice. Suddenly, I hear a cheer in the background. “Make that three.”

  I laugh, then a taxi starts honking his horn, making it hard to hear.

  “What’s that?” my dad asks.

  “An impatient taxi driver.”

  “Speaking of which, you be careful. I hear they drive like maniacs out there.”

  I had heard that, too, but the one this morning was fine. “I’ll be sure to do that.” The taxi driver honks his horn again, making me cringe. “Listen, Dad, I’d better go. Give my love to Charlie, and I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “Okay, sweetheart. Love you.”

  I smile. “Love you, too, Dad.”

  Feeling a little teary, I hang up. I turn, noticing the taxi driver’s stopped honking now that his fare has arrived. Before going back into the hotel, I blow out some air. I walk to the toilets to freshen up before going back to whomever I was speaking with. I really must ask him his name.

  With a slight spring in my step, I walk back to the bar, seeing the stranger’s gone. My shoulders instantly sag in disappointment. I wonder if I should sit down and order another drink in the hopes he’s just gone to the toilet, but the barman’s getting pretty busy with people now and I don’t want it to seem desperate. I glance around the bar, but I don’t see him anywhere.

  Deciding I’m too tired to stay down here, I walk to the lift and take it up to our floor. Stepping into the suite, I see no one around, which I welcome. I make myself a cup of coffee and start going through all my shopping bags, hanging the clothes up and placing the shoes at the bottom of the wardrobe. Once all is put away, I gather the bags, place them in the bin, and sit down on my bed.

  Job well done, I think to myself. No more long, boring skirts, frilly blouses, and stupid round glasses for me. I don’t care what Devon has to say about it.

  As I lie on my bed, my eyes start to grow heavy. Then I hear voices, doors opening and closing, the sound of a woman giggling. I hear Devon shout, “Don’t disturb me for a while!” When I hear his door shut and the sound of a woman’s laughter again, my stomach coils. It’s been less than twenty-four hours since he fucked me, but he’s already showing me how much he’s gotten over it by inviting some floozy over.

  When I hear murmurs, I decide to get up. I don’t want to hear Devon and this random chick having sex. I refuse to put myself in that position. I walk into the bathroom and shut the door. I don’t hear as much in here. Once I turn on the tap to run a bath, that’s all I hear. I smile at the blissful ignorance.

  As I take my soak, I block everything out and think about what happened today. I don’t know who that man was, but I’m a little disappointed he didn’t at least leave me a number, especially considering how easily Devon’s moved on. I can’t help but feel used by him, but then again, I have only myself to blame. I shouldn’t have given in so easily. I can’t help but think he’s going to make my life more miserable than ever now.

  Choosing to put the radio on, I slink back and close my eyes as “Close” by Nick Jonas comes on. Once that ends, Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” starts, making me think of Ben. I haven’t heard from him in a while. I can hazard a guess as to why. Relationships never quite take off whenever my brother is around. No doubt he gave him the pep talk about going away to a dangerous country and leaving me behind to worry. Even though Ben and I aren’t in a relationship, I still worry.

  As I slip into a comatose state, all thoughts of Devon entertaining yet another woman leave my mind. Instead, I fall into a state of bliss.

  “Andi! Andi!” I hear faintly, wondering if I’m dreaming. “Andi, for fuck’s sake, are you trying to get yourself killed? Andi!” I feel someone shove my shoulder, which makes my eyes snap open. “What the fuck are you doing?”

  I cover myself up with my hands. I’m still in the bath, but it’s a little cooler than I remember it being when I first stepped in. It’s then I remember that I’m naked and—yet again—Devon has invaded my personal space. What is up with that?

  “What are you doing in here?”

  He rudely comes into my bathroom, but he’s the one who has the cheek to look pissed off?

  “You weren’t answering your door, so I came into your room. When I saw you weren’t there, I knocked on your bathroom door, but you still didn’t answer.”

  Pulling my knees up, trying to cover my modesty as much as possible, I glare at him. “So you thought that would give you every right to come barging in.”

  “You should be fucking glad I did. Don’t you realise how dangerous it is to fall asleep in the bath? Fuck knows what would have happened if I didn’t walk in when I did.”

  Feeling childish, I reply, “Why do you care so much?”

  Running his hands through his hair, he lets out a frustrated breath. “If anything happened to you, Charlie and your father would kill me.”

  “So that’s all this is about?”

  “Yes,” he bites out. “I don’t care what you do, Andi, but don’t you ever fucking fall asleep in the bath again. You got me?” He points at me to emphasise his point
. He looks so angry that instead of biting back, I nod. “Good. Just do one thing you’re told for a change.” He sighs again, then stares at me. “You don’t pull stunts like that back home, do you?”

  “I thought you only cared because of my bro—”

  “Don’t smart mouth me and answer the question.”

  I shake my head. “Not normally. I must still be jet-lagged.”

  He looks away a moment, but doesn’t say anything. He still looks pissed off. What the hell is his problem?

  “Why were you looking for me anyway?” I want to add that I thought he was entertaining a guest, but I bite my tongue. I can’t give him any indication that I care.

  He shakes his head, as if in annoyance, before answering. “I just wanted to make sure you got some sleep tonight because I want you ready at eight tomorrow to make sure we have all the notes and files we need.”

  Putting my business face back on, I nod. “Of course. I can do that for you. No problem.”

  Devon’s eyes trail to mine before looking down my body and back up again. A small shiver runs up my spine, bringing goosebumps to my skin. I swear I see a faint smile on his face, but it soon disappears.

  He turns to leave, opening the bathroom door. “Good. Eight o’clock sharp. If you’re not ready, Andi,” he turns back around to face me, “I will come looking for you. And I don’t care,” he makes a sweep of my body again, “whether or not you’re dressed.” When he hears my intake of breath, he smirks and shuts the door.

  What in the hell was that?

  “Mr Sutherland, meet my lawyer, Mark Reins, my accountant, Anthony Broadchurch, and my PA, Andi Bellingham.”

  One by one, Mr Sutherland shakes our hands before motioning us to sit. “Do forgive me,” he says, sitting down at the head of the table. “My son is supposed to be here, but an impromptu meeting downtown has held him up.”

  Devon offers Mr Sutherland a bright smile. You would hardly recognise the beast inside him when he smiles like that. I, for one, know there’s something hidden behind that smile. He’s a man with a wealth of personalities—most I do not want to know.