Page 2 of Groom Gamble

I adore him, old-school ways and all. And I love that he relies on me, his assistant.

I wish he’d lose that cool and take my virginity over his desk.

Sometimes, when I’m lying in my bed at night, and I can’t sleep for longing to be back at work and have Mr Streatham rumble, “Good girl” and give me a slight smile when I’ve pleased him, I reach between my legs and imagine what it would be like to have my boss’ weight on top of me. What he’d feel like inside me.

And I will never know that, because I am going to get married to a stranger who probably has a boring job, medium height, unremarkable eyes, a sensible tolerance for failure, and a desire for children.

I add “rich” to the list, because if I’m putting Mr Streatham’s physical details in here, I might as well go all the way.

Likes me.

Good hygiene.

I cross that out and writeperfecthygiene. Because my boss always smells amazing. Like black pepper and cardamom with an undertone of smoky leather. And if I have to compromise and not have a nosegasm, I at least don’t want BO.

It’s weird, but I think better on paper these days. I used to make notes on my phone or a computer, but since working for Mr Streatham, I’ve picked up on his paper addiction. He loves books as much as I do, and his office is lined with special editions of the crime novels he likes, and non-fiction books, mainly about murders and spies. I’d find it creepy, but he’s a mafia boss. I guess it’s like market research.

I add to my list.

Educated.

Loves books.

Then I think for a moment. Perhaps I’ll edit this before I send it toLondon MatchMakers. I’ll need to type it up into an email anyway. This could be a fantasy list of my ideal husband, and I’ll reduce it to something realistic afterwards. But given I’m going to compromise on my choice of life partner, perhaps I should allow myself to dream?

Powerful.

Kind.

You wouldn’t think a mafia boss would be kind, but Mr Streatham is good to me, in his own gruff way. He’s a member of the London Mafia Syndicate too, and the rumour is that they are behind some of the changes for the better in London. And he always pauses to stroke the stray cat that likes to hang out in the entrance hall.

Good with animals.