Page 15 of Tainted Love

Paddy throws his head back on a laugh and Gregory rolls his jaw, the ghost of a smile on his face.

‘God, I’ve missed you,’ he whispers. His words knot a rope in my stomach.

‘Don’t, Gregory. I came here to talk, that’s all.’

He nods. ‘Let’s have your drink brought up to my room.’

‘Ryans, you can think again if you think?—’

‘Scarlett, I’ve promised to tell you everything but I’m not sharing with the world. I’ve arranged for dinner in my room. I’m not suggesting you stay; I just don’t want to do this here.’

He leans over the bar and relays the message to Paddy, then he’s back by my side, smelling truly divine. He leans into me so I can feel his breath, an intoxicating blast of hormones on my neck. ‘You look stunning in this dress.’

I clear my dry throat. ‘Thank you.’

He gestures to the exit of the bar. ‘Shall we?’

I start to walk and falter when the flesh of his palm grazes my bare back. ‘Please, Gregory, don’t fuck with my head.’

I’m grateful for the group of four men and women who ride the lift with us. ‘Flutterflies,’ I almost inhale to myself, hands containing what threatens to fly right out of my torso.

‘Flutterflies?’ Gregory asks on a whisper.

I let out a short nervous laugh. ‘Fluttering butterflies. Witty, huh?’

‘Took the words right out of my mouth.’

We ride the final three floors alone, the lift’s arrival ping breaking the palpable tension between us.

He gestures for me to exit first. He swipes his key card at the large double doors of his room – the only one on the floor – and holds one open for me.

‘Naturally, you have a penthouse suite,’ I say, stepping into the vast lounge.

‘High and fast, baby.’

I turn my head quickly back and see his startled face. It’s scary how right it feels to hear him call me baby.Dangerous.

‘This is nice.’ I wander the mock marble tiles onto a soft cream carpet, the stem of my heels dipping into the floor.

An L-shape sofa sits in the middle of the lounge in front of an electric fire. Heatless flames are alight in a deep red feature wall. The room is warm and luxurious in every way: the fabrics, the colours, the outstanding view across the city and out to sea.

‘The dining room is this way.’ Gregory moves through an archway into a separate area backing onto the lounge.

In the middle of the space, there’s a table large enough for six suede chairs. Abstract art decorates the walls and makes the whole room feel contemporary. The table is set for two: one setting at the head of the table, the other to the side of the table.Too close.

A butler appears as if by magic. ‘Miss Heath,’ he says with a dip of the head, before pulling out the chair at the top of the table. ‘My name is Roshan and I will look after you tonight.’

‘Thank you.’ I offer a soft smile as he pushes me in and places a napkin across my legs with gloved hands.

As he makes a similar fuss for Gregory, I enjoy the panoramic view.

We sit in silence as Roshan makes quick work of pouring water, filling our white wine glasses with the Sancerre Gregory has picked for our first course, and placing fresh bread rolls on our side plates.

‘Are you ready for your appetiser, sir?’

‘Yes, thank you.’

With another dip of his head, Roshan leaves us in our awkwardness, his movement causing the intricate table lanterns to flicker. The soft light dances across Gregory’s face and knots the rope in my stomach tighter.