Page 33 of The Naughty Week

“Fake blood capsule. I’m supposed to hide it under my tongue once I’ve broken it with my teeth. But somehow it went down my throat, probably because I was breathing too hard after the chase.”

“That was scary,” I say.

“Indeed,” Heath says. “Quite ironic that Polly saved me.”

It’s mad that I feel jealous of Polly – or Katie.

“Yeah, well done, Polly,” I say.

We watch the rest of the outtakes, and I’m laughing afresh by the end, clapping my hands as Katie really fluffs up a village store scene as Polly. She doubles up, pissing herself laughing with asorry, ARGH!

It’s a shame to see the reel ending. I could watch this stuff for days.

Heath’s smirk is back on his face when the lights come on in the room.

“So, would you still enjoy being Polly, owned by the Count now that you have seen the bloopers?” he asks me.

Fuck, Heath’s eyes bore into mine, and IamPolly, staring into his vampire beauty.

“That’s another ridiculous question from you,Count.”

“Yes, and another one where I want to hear your enthusiasm.”

I twist towards him. “I’d love to be Polly, even for just one millisecond. It would be absolutely fucking amazing. AMAZING.”

“Good to hear, since you may just get the chance,” he says, and drops an envelope in my lap.

The proposal envelope…

“Josh may have had a spoiler or two about this one,” Heath says, and winks at my boyfriend.

I look between the two of them – two conspiratorial fuck buddies, beyond irresistible in their suits. Heath’s sizing must fit Josh perfectly, because Josh definitely didn’t have that garb in his suitcase when we left London.

“Go on,” Josh says, smirking as dirtily as Heath. “Open the envelope,curva.The Count controls your destiny too, after all.”

Yes, he does.

Heath Mason controls every scrap of my destiny with this envelope in my hands.

He’s welcome to it.

CHAPTERNINE

TUESDAY

Nighttime Whispers doesn’t need to be limited to the TV screen this evening, sweet curva. The Count is in my blood now, as I’ve played the character for so long.

And the Count knows how to chase and terrify his victims.

Tonight, I will be lucky enough to have an extremely skilled assistant. Someone who can also run, chase and capture. I’m sure we’ll both be trying our very best to win the game of hide and seek.

Once we catch you, you will be at the mercy of the Count.

Finally, Ella, you will have the chance to be Polly Anna, and your ‘fate’ will belong to me.

Proposal duration – three hours.

Reward – some more competition time for Joshua tomorrow. I know you love a good squash game, darling. You’ll have earnt it.