Page 159 of Original Sin

‘That was a joint,’ growled Wendell. ‘This is murder.’

Her hand stopped moving and her fingers tightened on his cock just a fraction.

‘It was suicide,’ she said firmly, ‘or an accident. Fuck, maybe Olivia is still alive, who knows. There was never a body.’

Suddenly Wendell stood up and, facing away from her, zipped himself back up. ‘I don’t think this is a good idea today.’

She looked at him fiercely. ‘I guess not.’

Sliding out of bed, she strode into the bathroom, still smarting, her body denied its pleasure. Putting her black trouser suit back on she splashed water onto her face and stared at her pale reflection in the mirror. Calm down, Liz, remember the big picture, she told herself. Control your story. Manage him.

When she reappeared, to Liz’s surprise, Wendell had a sheepish look on his face.

‘Liz I’m sorry. I just have a lot on my mind,’ he said, holding out his hand. She allowed him to pull her in.

‘I’m sorry too,’ she said, not used to hearing Wendell apologizing. ‘It’s just that this is my father.’

‘And this is my son.’

He kissed the soft fold of her ear lobe and it felt good. She stroked his neck, feeling his body become less tense.

‘I’m busy with work all week, but how about we come back to this next Tuesday or Wednesday?’ she asked, caressing his cheek. ‘There are lots of Christmas parties you could pretend to be at.’

‘Let’s do that,’ he said softly. He took her hand and put her fingertips in his mouth, sucking them.

Smiling, Liz gently pulled away. ‘Now, I think I should get back to the office. I’ll check out.’

Picking up her clutch bag and the room key, she stepped out into the ghostly quiet corridor and pushed the elevator button. They rarely met anywhere other than Wendell’s suite but, when they did, they made sure to take precautions, especially when it came to leaving and entering hotels separately. Once, they had spent the whole afternoon at Belcourt, fucking in the stables, by the boathouse and, most thrillingly, in the bed he shared with Rose, such abandon made possible by Wendell’s generous instruction to the staff to take the whole day off.

Liz pulled out her Black American Express card and paid her bill as quickly as she could. She was just striding across the lobby when she felt a tap on the shoulder.

‘Liz. What a nice surprise.’

She turned to see Robert Billington, buttoning his overcoat and smiling thinly at her. ‘What are you doing here?’ he asked with his usual sly smile.

Her heart started fluttering wildly, wondering if he had seen her at reception.

‘I’ve been staying here the last few days. My bathroom is being renovated.’

Robert nodded. ‘Not moved in with that Indian? I heard it was all hot and heavy with you two.’

You are just horrible, thought Liz, narrowing her eyes.

‘I’m the independent sort,’ she said as mildly as she could, ‘I thought you knew that about me, Robert.’

She heard the elevator behind her ping. Instinctively she turned and saw Wendell walking past them. Shit.

‘Father?’

Liz glanced at Robert and could see a look of confusion turn to gleeful triumph as he realized he had caught his father out. Wendell, however, did not even flinch, walking over to them with open arms.

‘Robert. Liz. What are you two doing here?’ He tapped Robert on the arm jokily. ‘You two aren’t arriving together, are you?’ he said with mock suspicion. Liz almost laughed out loud at his brazen performance. He was so consummate and slick it made her feel amateur by comparison.

‘Where did you just come from?’ asked Robert, looking momentarily thrown.

‘I’m having a late lunch with Ty Connor. Did you see him in there?’ he said, nodding towards the restaurant. ‘Only just got here and needed the bathroom.’

Robert examined his father cautiously. ‘No, I didn’t see him … ’