“I just thought it would be romantic,” Cole grinned at him in what she hoped was an appealing fashion. “You know, like Bogart and Bacall, Davis and Henreid, Grant and Scott. I mean, unless you think I’ll set your face on fire or something?” He didn’t think she would set his face on fire. He took the packet of cigarettes she’d brought him, drew one out of the foil, and put it to his lips. And, obviously, smoking was bad and everyone knew it was bad…but he looked so sexy. Half naked, stretched out in bed, still languid with post-orgasmic sensuality: this perfect embodiment of old Hollywood glamour, except nobody had to pretend they were straight. She fumbled a match out of the box. “I should light one for me too, and then we could put the tips together and do it that way.” “I’m not letting you smoke.” “Um, is it up to you?” “Since they’re my cigarettes, yes.” But then he smiled unexpectedly. “Besides,
Cole’s body had apparently given up on time zones because when she next woke up, it was still far too early, especially for a Saturday. To her slight surprise, Aiden was beside her, as close as he could get without them actually touching. God, he must have been exhausted because he was out. And, whereas when Cole was asleep she looked like a concussed bunny, drooling and twitching and snuffling her nose (she knew because Harper had been kind enough to record her), even after last night Aiden looked beautiful. Like he belonged in an arty black ‘n’ white photo series. He was lying on his stomach, head turned to the side, one arm flung across the pillow, the other curled neatly beside him. The covers had slipped down, exposing his shoulders and the long sweep of his spine. And the teeniest hint of buttock curve. His hair was an adorable ruffle across his brow, and his eyelashes were infuriating. She meant, did he need them that thick and dark a
Cole tipped her head, already breathless. “Y-yes.” “Good. Now, then. Shall we see what you deserve today?” Apparently what she deserved was to beg and moan a lot. To get covered in bites and bruises. To be sweaty and mindless and helpless. And, finally, when she was literally crying, to come like the end of the fucking universe. Leaving her used and abused and sated and happy. ***** Aiden had to fly to New York on Sunday. But—apart from the time Cole spent on the phone, first to her folks, who were thrilled for her, and then to Harper, who’d got a first, of course—he was all hers for Saturday. Remembering how much he’d enjoyed their family game night, and facing up to the fact that she was never, ever, ever going to be remotely interested in learning how not to suck at chess (even from Aiden), she took him down to a board game shop in Seven Dials. He wanted to call a car, but she insisted they
Cole had intended to be delightful when Aiden left, sending him across the ocean with the sweetness of her kisses lingering on his lips. Unfortunately, their parting took place at 4 a.m., leaving her mainly half asleep, mumbly, and pathetic. Despite her sleepy state, she tried to convey her message by wrapping her arms around his leg and refusing to let go. “I’ll be back next Saturday,” he said, attempting to sound exasperated but ultimately laughing. “Please let go. I don’t want to be late.” “No. I’m keeping you.” “Cole.” She whimpered tragically. “Promise you’ll come and see me straight away? As soon as you land?” “It’s Eleanor’s birthday. Have you forgotten?” Oh shit. Where had August gone? “Only technically.” “How about…” He gently peeled her hand off his knee and gave it a squeeze. “I pick you up, and we go together?” That startled her almost awake. “You want to take me to…um…a family thing?”
Fifty minutes later, Cole emerged flayed, dazed, giddy, and job-having.Junior Assistant Editor. She was a junior assistant editor.Truthfully, she was still a bit shaky on what that actually involved. But, whatever it was, it was a real thing and she was going to be paid for it. Not, y’know, much. But she’d never been paid for anything before. Unless you counted that time Aiden had established a scholarship in her name after she’d given him a blow job. She lurched past one of the Pitts and into Hanover Square. Slumped onto a bench, amid the swirling green, and messaged everyone she knew with shaking fingers. Aiden first, of course. And he was the first to get back to her, signing his congratulations off with an x, which was incredibly effusive for him, squeaking in before her family, who sang to her as follows: They knew she could do it / Just call it a hunch / Ardy’s delicious & nutritious / For dinner, breakfast, and lunch. Rabbie an
Oh God. Cole was dying. An eyelid peeled open, and the immediate regret washed over her as light lanced straight through her skull. What had happened? Had she been attacked? Wait, no. She had spent the evening with Ellery. And now she felt broken. The best course of action, Cole decided, was to lie very still and pretend she didn’t exist. Yes, that would work. The sound of a door opening and closing reverberated through her senses like a stampede of raging wildebeests. Must have been the cleaners. She twitched her fingers in the direction of the pillow and mashed it protectively against her face. “Cole?” Wait, that voice. It was Aiden’s voice. Cole struggled to bring herself back to consciousness. She forced her eyes to work, followed by her brain. A human-shaped figure stood in the doorway. Yes, it was definitely Aiden. Not a hallucination. But a vision, nonetheless, dressed in a chocolate brown pinstriped sui
“Get dressed. I’ll take you out.” “Um. No? Thank you. I needs to”—Cole made a helpless gesture—“be by myself for a bit. I might go for a swim?” Aiden had become a stranger. Regarding her considerately. “I see. Would you like me to wait?” “Would you like to?” Or maybe they had both become strangers, marooned on islands of courtesy. “I’ll wait.” Cole dug out her towel and a dressing gown, and changed into her trunks. Drank about a million gallons of water, grabbed her phone, and got the hell out of the apartment. Say this for complete psychological devastation: it really put a hangover in perspective. The pool was as serene as ever, the silvery light soothing her gritty eyes. Slumping down onto one of the fancy lounger things, she rang Ellery.No answer. Of course not. She rang again. And again. And again. And again. Until at last, Ellery answered. “Hi, Mum.” “No, it’s me, Ard—oh wait, I see what you did there. A
“Then that’s enough for me,” Cole caught his wrist and bestowed a fleeting kiss upon his palm. “But you have to do better with Ellery, okay?” He pulled away slightly. “I’m not sure I know how to.” “Oh come on, Aiden,” Cole sat back on her heels. “You’re not a robot or a monster. You know what you did and why it was awful. And I get you were upset, but that’s no excuse.” “Cole is different with you. She never responds well to me.” “That doesn’t mean you get to be… like almost willfully nasty to her.” He sighed. “I have spent my life hurting my sister. I don’t think either of us is prepared for that to change now.” “I think maybe you’re not prepared.” “Shouting at me about all the damage I’ve caused is hardly an effective way to open a dialogue.” “Actually… it could be. You’re the one who’s refusing to listen.” “Cole, you know what kind of man I am. You’ve always known.” “Yes,” Cole gazed at him steadily. “I do. I know how kind you are, for a start. And I know you don