Page 7 of Love Spell (Witches of London #3)
For the first time in his life, Noah thought of calling in sick when he wasn’t sick.
He wasn’t the kind of person who called in sick even when he was if he could possibly still get the work done.
Going into work on Tuesday morning, though, head aching and mouth dry on the Tube with a mild hangover, his pulse raced before he was anywhere near the office.
By the time he used his passkey on the elevator, his breaths were also rapid.
What was he going to say or do? Ignore it. Totally ignore it and hope that Timo’s meds were sorted and last evening had been a bad dream.
The trouble with ignoring Timo was that it was as likely as ignoring an earthquake.
He stalked around the office like a panther.
He cursed traders he disagreed with. He leaned over your shoulder to point out things you’d missed on your screens or dropped into your chair while you were on your feet so you couldn’t have it back until he moved on.
The man was a menace even on a good day and even when he mostly ignored Noah. But now? Now … what?
Shit — Noah should have called in.
His palms were soaked in sweat by the time he reached his desk and veered off, needing the kitchen first — wash hands, rinse his cottonmouth, take a painkiller for his head, see who was already in and ready for the coffee run.
Maybe Timo wasn’t even here yet. He was always running or biking in company, unpredictable, often the first in but occasionally the last. Or maybe he was home in bed sick?
His own insanity having taken its toll? Or he might have been out for bike laps this morning and been run over by a black cab at Hyde Park Corner — such a dangerous place.
Yes, that could happen. It didn’t make Noah a bad person to recognise that anything could happen. Not as if he was silently cheering for the cab. It just, well, it could happen. Of course Noah would respectfully attend the funeral.
“So then he gets up —”
“Who?”
“Noah.”
Just outside the kitchen, Noah froze. Dave and Arthur?
“Does a runner?”
“But Timmy went after him.”
“You bet he did.”
No, it was Dave and Chandler, that prick with the fuchsia ties, newly a senior, built like Jack in The Nightmare Before Christmas .
Chandler was the kind of condescending, elitist, gay man who tarnished the whole identity.
The kind of person who’d vote Tory without a qualm if it suited his financial interests.
Noah would take a crude, slap-you-on-the-back, thinks-he’s-funny frat boy like Dave any day over a snake in the grass like Chandler.
Noah had been relieved Chandler couldn’t be at the boy’s night yesterday. Now, though, it meant Dave had the satisfaction of recounting all the sordid details.
“Making a dash for the toilets,” Dave went on.
“And it wasn’t for a piss. How long were they out of sight?”
“More than five minutes. I’d say close to ten.”
Chandler whistled softly.
“Right?” Dave laughed.
“So who was doing what on next sighting? Red faces? Tucking in shirttails?”
“Noah ran from the hall and beelined it out the front door. Jacket buttoned, but face like a boiled lobster.”
“Dusty knees? Scuffed?”
“Damn, I didn’t notice. Ask Arthur. He watches for that kind of thing. He’s the one who figured out Timmy was fucking AAM’s solicitor.”
That acronym apparently stood for Anunnaki Asset Management, and rumour had it their boss was into Ancient Aliens kind of stuff, not real archaeology.
“Everyone knew that.” Chandler’s tone was dismissive, exasperated with Dave’s obtuseness, as Chandler was perpetually exasperated by everyone’s obtuseness. “Even AAM eventually, or he’d still be around. Then what happened? Timo follows him?”
“Nope. Took a few minutes before Timmy emerged and joined us at the table.”
“Looking?”
“Normal. Neat as a pin.”
“Acting like nothing happened?”
“No … That was the funny thing. He kept looking at the door. Didn’t say a lot, had another drink, but I don’t think he ate anything. Maybe a few bites of appetisers.”
“You don’t say? That almost sounds … serious.” He drew out the word with malicious relish.
“That’s what Arthur said. I’d say it was a simple case of blue balls.”
“When’s the next family night? I’ll be sure not to miss it.” Chandler’s tone held the silken swish of a tiger crouching in long grass.
“Friday probably — but do you think the Yank will show?”
“Why not?”
“I’m telling you, he didn’t look happy. About sprinted out of there. Not all guys want to irrigate their tonsils with another guy’s dick, you know.”
“You’re so old-fashioned, Dave. That kid will want the attention, you mark my words. Does it matter which way he swings if he’s serious about this game? And what simpler way is there into any business than sleeping with the boss?”
Dave huffed out a breath. “Better him than me. When are we going to get some women in this business?”
“Because a sexual harassment suit would help your trading prospects?”
“Sometimes I think you buggers have all the fun.”
“Sometimes you’re right.”
“What I want to know is where did this come from?”
“What?”
“Timmy all over Noah — as of yesterday. Rivals? Sure. Opposition’s solicitor? No problem. But a new junior? Who knew old Timmy would fuck anyone with net assets of under ten million?”
“Standards are slipping everywhere these days,” Chandler said contemptuously. “Perhaps he started having a thing for Yanks after the last New York trip and he’s fresh out of other options for a baseball fan with a stupid accent.”
“I can’t wait to ask Noah how it went talking about his career advancement with Timmy yesterday.” Dave was laughing. “That’s what Arthur told him Timmy was interested in.”
“No one’s that gullible, surely — not even an American.”
“Don’t you bet on it. The look on his face? I wish we had a video. We kept watching him at the bar while Timmy was laying on the charm.”
“Oh God …” Chandler groaned.
“Fucking priceless.” Dave’s voice was moving as he approached the open door. “Noah looked like a nun waking up in Las Vegas. I just wish I’d thought to take a look at those knees.”
Dave was still laughing as he stepped through the doorway into Noah.
“How about a closeup now, Dave?” Noah said and Dave’s eyes widened. He had no time for any more response at the sight of Noah facing him before Noah’s knee made contact with his balls and Dave hit the floor screaming — like a nun waking up in Las Vegas.