Page 2 of Midnight Sun
Rose sends Bev a reassuring smile. Obviously, not even his tough-as-nails cousin is immune to Bev’s charm. “You shouldn’t take this lightly, James.”
“Fine.” Jamie takes a deep breath. If that’s how Bev wants to play, he can play, too. Maybe it’s time to start staging their publicity-boosting breakup, anyway.
“How about I call for a bodyguard to come over here, and you can stay and get a good night of beauty sleep before your plane leaves tomorrow?”
Bev chews his words over. Her persona of the bubbly starlet drops for a second, revealing something that almost looks like concern. The display of genuine feelings worries Jamie far more than the scrawled threats he has been receiving for months.
“I really don’t think you should be going, least of all alone,” she tries again.
Is she getting attached? They were clear that their relationship was based on mutual interests and sufficient physical attraction. Jamie never thought of her as the type to form emotional bonds.
“No need to be worried, honey. I won’t leave until the bodyguard gets here.”
Rose sends him an incredulous glare, surely a furious retort on the tip of her tongue. But Jamie is already turning away and heading towards the bathroom.
“Peter!” he calls into the apartment. He knows his PA is within earshot most of the time in case he’s needed. “Call for a bodyguard to come over and look after Bev. I’m heading out later.”
Peter immediately pokes his head out of the guest room he occupies when they’re in London. His dedication to the job is convenient for Jamie, but sometimes he can’t help getting irrationally annoyed at Peter’s eagerness to please him.
“I’m on it, sir!” Peter trails after him as Jamie retreats to the bathroom, putting a stop to further arguments.
“Do you want me to put out some clothes for you, sir?”
“Sure.”
Peter covers for Jamie’s stylist when she isn’t traveling with them. He dropped out of his fashion degree, but Jamie is satisfied with his choices most of the time.
It takes another two hours till Jamie is dressed and has everything organized for his departure in the morning. With one last look into the mirror in the hall, he pecks Bev on the cheek.
Rose opened the door for the bodyguard half an hour ago, giving the man a short briefing, and excused herself. It’s only Peter who follows Jamie into the elevator to accompany him this evening.
“I ordered a driver to wait for us, sir.”
Jamie nods absentmindedly. He doesn’t feel the usual buzz at going out. He isn’t even in the mood to play. But he needs the distraction. He’s been tired lately, but for the new project he has to be on top of his game. If he plays his cards right and the movie is a success, he may get cast as the next Bond.
The Worshipis bustling with partying kinksters enjoying the gothic atmosphere of the old church building the club is situated in. Jamie’s gaze travels over the crowd, but his interest isn’t sparked. A part of him would rather be somewhere else, but the thought of spending a night in his apartment feels even more oppressive.
Peter shows him to his reserved table near the main stage and scurries off to fetch some drinks. Jamie leans back against the green velvet of the couch and sighs. He’s already bored out of his mind. No sub catches his attention and the demonstration on the stage is dull. He knows his judgment is most likely unfair, but he doesn’t care. Jamie wishes he could relieve some pressure, but playing doesn’t seem like the right outlet. He isn’t in the right headspace to look after a submissive.
Jamie is pulled out of his sour musings when someone slips into the seat in front of him. His hackles rise immediately as he glares atThe Worship’sinfamous owner. First Rose, and now Jareth. Jamie isn’t in the mood to deal with him.
“What a pleasure to welcome you to my humble club, James. I thought you wouldn’t stay in London long enough to go out and play.” Jareth examines him as if he were something floating in a petri dish, his heterochromatic eyes lending his expression something demonic.
“Did Rose tell you that?” Jamie has no clue why his otherwise uptight cousin tolerates Jareth in her inner circle of friends. Jamie would never admit it, but he thinks Jareth is creepy. Who starts his career as a pathologist and ends up as the owner of a BDSM club?
But Jamie is too used to handling psychopaths to let his unease show. Instead, he flashes Jareth his fakest smile.
“I have an overnight stay in London before I start filming in Iceland. But how are you doing? Have theyfinallystopped these outrageous murder investigations against you?”
Something unpleasant twists in Jareth’s face. He makes a dismissive hand gesture.
“You’re not up on your gossip, James. They already dropped all charges.”
His gaze falls on someone in the crowd, and his interest in Jamie seems to dwindle. Jareth’s disconcerting stare never leaves the crowd.
“Well, I hope you’ll enjoy the shows tonight. Especially the next one. It could be eye-opening. Have fun!”
Jareth rises and sends him one last toothy grin, before he disappears into the sea of moving bodies to prowl for another prey. Jamie tries to shake off the lingering feeling of discomfort talking to Jareth evokes.