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“Hey, over here!” Francine all but bellowed across the room.

Morgan smiled in that way English people did so well when they felt somewhat embarrassed by another’s behaviour. “And there they are.”

The waiter smiled back, an equally British response that said,I understand. He led them over to the table and seated them alongside Francine and a man Morgan didn’t know.

“Your waiter will be over soon to take any orders,” he said before backing away and leaving them all to it.

Morgan instantly reached for the jug of water and poured Alex a glass, passing it to her before she’d even taken a seat. Alex smiled gratefully and mouthed a silentthank you.

“Cecil, I didn’t know you’d be joining us today,” Alex said once she’d finished drinking. She pulled the napkin into her lap and spread it out.

“Alexandra, darling.” His accent belied his physical image. He certainly did not look like a posh boy from Oxford or Cambridge. “It was a last-minute change of plans, thought I’d pop in and see how things were going. Francine tells me we’re all on track.” His line of sight moved beyond Alex to land on Morgan, watching her intently as she took a seat finally. “And you are?” His grin turned lascivious.

Morgan turned her attention to him. His dyed black hair receding at the front and grown longer around the back and side did nothing to counteract the fact he was aging. He half stood and grinned with crooked, stained teeth, and Morgan instantly thought of the child catcher inChitty Chitty Bang Bang.

“This is Dr Morgan Kelly,” Alex explained, quickly dampening any ideas he might have had. “She’s my…companion.” With that, Alex moved her hand under the table to land firmly upon Morgan’s knee.

Morgan got the distinct impression that Alex was making a very loud point with this man, rather than any real pretence of romance for her own benefit. He gave Morgan the creeps. The stereotypical music Lothario, she thought to herself as she leaned in closer and played along with Alex, her arm slinking around the back of the chair Alex sat in.

Francine looked back and forth between the pair with a knowing look on her face.

“A companion, huh?” His grin grew wider as he imagined what that might entail. “And a doctor? Smart and pretty.”

“That’s right,” Alex agreed, turning slightly to smile lovingly at herpartner, not realising quite how face to face they now were. “She is incredibly smart, and beautiful.” Their gaze held and she began to drown in those eyes. “And very much off limits.”

“Noted,” Cecil said, picking up his glass and sipping. “Francine tells me you’re working on something new.”

Something new that she was struggling to find motivation for.

Alex finally turned away from Morgan to give Cecil her attention, but her hand remained in place, slowly caressing the firm thigh beneath it.

“I am, yes. It’s very early days though, so don’t go getting excited,” Alex said to him.

It took everything in Morgan to keep her breathing steady and focus on the conversation. She imagined the palm moving higher still, her thighs parting and creating the space for Alex to let her fingers slide against her aching need.

Where had that come from?

She needed to get a grip of herself. Staring at Cecil, she listened intently as he spoke. Forced herself to focus on him rather than the wanton need building inside of her to just grab Alex’s hand and pull it closer.

“Well, make sure to keep me in the loop. Us promotors like to be in the know with these kinds of things. I can guarantee another sellout tour with a new album.” He winked, and Morgan felt like she needed a shower, it was so slimy.

Francine leaned forward. “You know we will absolutely do that, when the time comes. Right now though we need to get through this tour, right? Right?” She laughed and held her drink up. “Cheers to that.”

“Shall we eat?” Cecil said once they’d all raised their glasses.

“Yes, let’s do that,” Alex replied. She finally moved her palm from Morgan’s leg.

Morgan was unsure what she wanted more: to grab the hand and put it back, or breathe a sigh of relief that she could focus again. She was grateful when Alex offered her a menu to look at, something tangible to focus on.

“Thank you,” she whispered, and Alex leaned closer, a move that would look intimate should anyone be paying attention.

“Order anything you want, alright?”

“Sure.” Morgan smiled. Catching Cecil eyeing them both, she reached her own hand up and gently stroked Alex’s cheek. “Thank you.”

For a moment, Alex looked perplexed, conflicted, as though she might actually lean forward and kiss her. And then she glanced behind her and understood. She sat back and picked up her menu, and Morgan realised that this was not going to be as easy as she thought it would.

Alex Montgomery was making her feel things.