Page 9

“Great. If you can assess the properties for a valuation, we can discreetly put out feelers in terms of sales then. As long as we’re satisfied you’ve actually attempted to sell the properties locally we’re happy to represent you to the parish council if any properties have to be sold elsewhere.”

“Thanks, Alaw. I really appreciate it.”

It wasn’t Alaw who replied but Alun. “Some of us really care for the town we grew up in.”

◆◆◆

I spent most of my day in the cafe, ordering coffee after coffee and feeling guiltier every time James wouldn’t let me pay.

Alaw and Alun’s words were heavy on my mind as I typed out templates which I could fill out later with information about the viability of each business and their value as a saleable asset.

It was 6pm and dark out when James finally kicked me out.

The walk home was especially cold and again I regretted not bringing a coat.

I wanted to call Prentis to ask him to drop me off at the garage but he still believed I was commuting in from Aberystwyth when I needed to.

It would be embarrassing if people knew I was selling because I was so desperate.

And it would make it easier to try to force me to sell.

Brian had always told me to keep my cards close to my chest. Even when fucking me — and fucking me over financially — he had certainly done that.

I could feel the stress building up in me and I didn’t have any of my usual outlets; usually the gym, yoga or having Brian pin me down and fuck me til I forgot my name. Without the above options, I didn’t know what I’d do to relieve stress.

The walk back to the garage felt lonely and frankly quite scary.

It was dark, and the hedges along the side of the road seemed to lean in over me and block the moonlight.

The only comfort when looking up was being able to see the stars.

In London, the light pollution stopped the stars being visible.

Just outside the tiny village the sky was so dark that I could see stars I’d never seen before.

They kept me company on my uncertain journey through the country lanes.

Finally, I saw the light of the garage up ahead. Alongside Macsen’s car in the yard was another I’d not seen before. It wasn’t usual for him to leave customer cars outside of the garage itself.

I let myself in through the side door and heard a woman’s laughter as I climbed the stairs. Did he have a friend over? Girlfriend?

When I got to the top of the stairs, I saw the source of the commotion.

Macsen was sat on the floor with his back leaning up against the sofa and there were two others in the room with him, one man and one woman both leaning up against the TV stand.

They each had a beer in hand and the man held a joint.

He took a deep drag before passing it over to Macsen.

I shook my head and walked over to the kitchen to make my cup of tea. Not my business who Macsen had over in his own home. I would have to just wait until they left. I took off my shoes and put them down in the corner of the kitchen.

“Who’s this, Mac?” the girl asked. I didn’t turn around, just let the kettle boil.

“This is…” Macsen clicked his fingers like he’d forgotten my name. “…my lodger. He’s sleeping on my sofa until he can get on his feet.”

“Didn’t know you were so charitable mate,” said the man. I could feel my stress level rising ever further and my cheeks and ears heated.

“Eh, he’s a bit of a prick but I don’t turn away the homeless.” Macsen laughed, and I turned toward him. I realised he was wearing my jacket. My very expensive Tom Ford jacket.

“Can you take that off?” I asked as calmly as I could. “It cost me a lot and I don’t want you getting ash on it.”

“Oh, like this?” Macsen held up the lapel to me where there was a very clear grey smudge. I was reminded again that I couldn’t even afford to get my own clothes dry-cleaned.

“Yes, like that. Now take it off.”

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Macsen smiled and stood up, holding an empty beer bottle up to the light. “I’m out. Either of you two want a drink?”

I could feel the rage building. I had no outlet, nowhere to go. And this jumped-up prick was making fun of me. He walked toward the kitchen and leaned down to grab a beer from the fridge. Just as he moved to go back to the living space I grabbed his sleeve with one hand.

“Take it off. Now.” I’d prided myself for years for professionalism in business and in hiding my emotions. But right now there was no way of me hiding anything.

“Take your fucking hands off me.” Macsen tried to move away, but I kept a firm grip on the sleeve.

The second he stopped trying to pull away I took another step closer, putting my hand to his lapel.

He was ever so slightly taller than me, and more muscular.

That would normally have intimidated me but for once whatever vestiges of alpha male remained in me were determined to make themselves heard.

“You take my jacket off right now you little prick.”

“Little? You’re one to talk.” Macsen pushed me back against the kitchen counter but I kept my grip. He grabbed my wrist with his hand and squeezed until I had to let go, then grabbed my collar. I didn’t know if he wanted to hit me or strangle me.

“You fucking twat,” I said.

“We’re…just going to go,” said the man who’d been leaning up against the TV. He and the woman had made their way to the door already. They scarpered out before Macsen could say anything.

“Arsehole,” he muttered, letting go of me and walking several paces away. “This is my house, my living space, and you just went and scared off my mates. You said you’d respect my property and here you are, pissing all over it like it’s your own.”

“It is my own. I could have turfed you out the second I found out you were living here,” I said. I opened the fridge and grabbed a beer to make a point. I looked around and realised I didn’t have any way to open it. Macsen had been opening them with his teeth since I got here.

He laughed quietly and walked over to the sofa, slumping down.

“Talking of my property, you’re still wearing my jacket,” I said. Macsen laughed lightly again though I could only see the back of his head. I stalked over to the living area and stood in front of the TV.

“It was going to come off in a few minutes anyway, I only put it on to give myself an advantage.” Macsen gestured to the coffee table between us.

There was a poker set laid down and a bottle of vodka to the side of it.

“They were here for games night. Strip poker was Ffion’s choice, and I was only wearing a vest and jeans. ”

“Oh. OK.” I didn’t know what to say. Had I walked in ten minutes later might I have caught them all naked? I felt dirty for undressing Macsen with my mind, but I’d been doing that for almost a week already anyway.

“Fancy a game?” Macsen asked. He held a hand out for my beer and I reluctantly passed it over. He pulled the cap off with his teeth and passed it back to me.

I snorted. “No way. I’m all good thanks.”

“Why not? Scared of getting naked?” Macsen looked me up and down with beer-glazed eyes and his tongue poked out from between his lips, tracing the edge of his beard.

Fuck . “No, just can’t play poker.”

“You work in investment and don’t even gamble? What the fuck are you?” Macsen was taunting me, I knew it. He might’ve been spoiling for a fight after we’d almost come to blows, but I was tired.

“The market is enough of a gamble for me,” I said with a shrug. A gamble I had lost . But Macsen didn’t know that.

“Fine.” Macsen leaned forward and swept the whole poker set off the coffee table and onto the floor.

I winced. I had only swept the floor the day before and now it was covered in poker chips.

“How about Truth or Dare? You refuse an answer or a dare, you remove one item of clothing. And take a swig of vodka.”

My mouth seemed to have gone dry in seconds. “I don’t do dares,” I choked out.

“Fine. Truths.”

It seemed he would not leave the sofa either way. I sat cross-legged on the floor opposite him, so that he had to look down at me and I had to crane my neck to look up at his face. “Fine. I’ll ask first. What’s your favourite colour?”

Macsen chuckled. “What are we, twelve? Red.” He took a swig of his beer and thought for a moment. “Boxers or briefs?”

“Boxer briefs,” I said. I knew what he wore from the very first night I’d seen him leaving his bedroom. “Fine, if you want to do it that way. Sexuality?”

“Anything with a postcode,” said Macsen with a laugh. “Nah. I like boys and girls. I was kind of hoping tonight would turn into a threesome had you not turned up.”

Something growled in my chest and I felt slightly sick. “You were going to have a threesome with the knowledge I was coming back here?”

“My house, remember? I can do what I like. And I think that’s another question. So I’ll have two for you. Top or bottom?”

“As you said, a bit of either,” I replied and took a big swig of my beer, feigning confidence. “Easy. Next question.”

“When did you last fuck?”

I felt something move in my pants and willed him not to look down. “That’s too personal.”

“Fine.” Macsen leaned forward to push the vodka to my side of the table. I reached forward and took a tiny sip from the bottle. It was cheap and burned the back of my throat as it went down.

“My turn. Why did you…” I started but Macsen waggled a finger at me before I could continue the question.

“Take off an item of clothing,” he said.

“Fine.” I took off one sock and held it up.

“C’mon, you’ve got to take off both of them.” Macsen grinned evilly.

“Nope, not in the rules. One item of clothing.” I dropped the sock to the floor. “Why did you move in here?”