Page 34 of My Lord

“I know, but why be angry? It’s a waste of emotion, isn’t it, Alex?” she said, smiling over her shoulder at me. I got the impression that she was trying to calm and diffuse.

“I don’t know, I think I’d like to get my hands on him too.” I knew I hadn’t helped so I tried to make light of it. “I’m well versed in the Queensbury Rules,” I added.

Mackenzie chuckled. “Did you box much?” he asked.

“We had no choice, it was part of our school sports programme. I left that place unbeaten. I could have been a contender,” I said, using my bestRockyimpression.

“Why didn’t you?” Gabriella said.

“A posh Eton boy, a Lord in the ring? I’d be eaten alive.” I shuddered dramatically and received a tinkle of laughter, followed by a wince, from Gabriella.

“Well, I’m glad. Fighting is never the answer, is it Mackenzie?” she asked, pointedly.

He didn’t respond but did laugh and the atmosphere changed from tense to a happier one.

Mackenzie pulled up outside the block and left the engine running while climbing out and pulling his seat forward for me to exit.

I creaked as I straightened up. “Fuck two door cars,” I grumbled.

He grabbed her bags while I helped her from the car. “Are you coming in?” I asked him, wondering why the car was still running.

“No, I’ll let you get settled. I’ll call later, though.” He hugged Gabriella and kissed her cheek so gently. He patted my shoulder and left.

“Are you okay to walk?” I asked.

Gabriella laughed. “I ache, I will confess, and I’m sure I have a large bruise on my hip, but I’m not completely incapacitated.”

“Don’t be sassy, I’m worried,” I said.

“You love my sass, now open that door for me,” she said. Again, my heart stopped at the L word.

I held her elbow and guided her across the lobby. The security guard jumped up from his chair and rushed over.

“Lord Duchoveny, is everything okay with your guest?”

She turned and smiled to him. “I was mugged, and I fell. I’m sure I’ll be fine, but thank you for your concern.”

Her southern charm nearly floored him, and I sighed. He was like a lap dog with his tongue lolling and fussing around to press for the lift and hold the door open while we walked in.

“Does that happen all the time?” I asked, as the doors closed.

“Yes, get used to it. As I’ve already said, I love that little jealous streak of yours. I saw your stare, your face is very transparent, Alex.”

By the time we entered the flat I could see she was in pain. I ordered her to sit on the end of the bed while I ran the bath. I poured in whatever I could find lying around to make bubbles and give a nice, soothing aroma. I then helped to pull her top over her head, guiding it away from the gash.

“Bollocks,” I whispered.

“What?” she asked.

“I put bubbles in the bath, but you need to wash your hair,” I said.

“Do you have a shower?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll wash my hair first and then soak in the tub.”

She sat there, topless apart from her lacy bra while I slid off her shoes, and then she stood and removed her trousers. I could do nothing but stare at her.