“Yes it does, but I like that. It’s also nice to come here and unwind. I certainly feel very calm and refreshed now.” His cheerful face made me smile.
“That’s great to hear. We always aim to please.” I gave him a cheeky wink.
“You’ve certainly got a lucrative business here. You should be very proud of yourself.”
“Thank you. I’ve worked hard to get here now, and I must say I’m happy with the way things have turned out.”
“And so you should be. If ever you need my advice, please do not hesitate to call me.” He swiftly took his drink and downed it in one go.
“That’s very kind, and it’s very much appreciated.”
Jeffrey nodded. “Well, I better be off. I have an urgent merger that needs my attention. I was getting quite stressed about it earlier as the client is a right bastard. Now though, I think I can just about take anybody on.” He smiled sweetly and held out his hand. “I’ll be seeing you soon, no doubt.”
I swivelled my legs around on the barstool to face him and took his hand. “I’ll look forward to it.”
Jeffery was soon gone, and I was left flabbergasted at how strong his handshake was. What a different person he was compared to his earlier demeanour.
I was still musing over this when Matthew Broadmore approached the bar with Melinda draped on his arm.
“Clara,” he said with a beaming smile, “where have you been hiding this wonderful woman?”
“Oh, I must admit, I’ve been keeping her all to myself until now,” I said, jokingly. “I thought it was time I wasn’t so selfish and let other people enjoy her company.”
“Quite! Well, Melinda, it’s been a pleasure to meet you. Your company was truly enthralling.” Melinda giggled, which Matthew seemed to adore.
“Thank you. I enjoyed every bit of it, too. I’ll look forward to seeing you soon… I hope?”
“Ah, there’s no doubt about that, my dear.” Clasping her hand in his, he turned to me. “Clara, get yourself and this wonderful lady a drink from me.” He planted a fifty pound note on the bar and leaned in to kiss me on the cheek.
“Thank you, Matthew. That’s very kind.” I squeezed his hand tenderly and Melinda gave him a light kiss on the lips.
“See you later, handsome,” she purred.
He rewarded her with a little pat on the bottom, which caused her to yelp a little. “Enjoy, ladies, and I shall see you very soon.” He blew a kiss and then off he went.
“I think he’s a little bit intoxicated.” I knew Matthew was a bit eccentric, but he was playing it up even more so after a couple of glasses of whiskey.
“He’s harmless.” Melinda giggled and stroked her luscious hair behind her back. “Something’s bothering me, though.” She had a little crinkle in her forehead as she frowned.
I frowned. “What’s that?”
“I’ve heard his name before, but I can’t place where.”
I regarded her with a knowing smile and squeezed her arm. “That’s because he’s our local MP.”
Her eyes widened. “Shit, you’re kidding me?”
“I kid you not, my dear Melinda.”
“Fuck a stoat; I never saw that one coming.”
“Yes, but I bet you saw him coming.” I couldn’t help that one. It just had to be said.
“Oh, yes,” Melinda laughed. “That I saw a couple of times. The first one was a bit quick. I think he was rather excited. He thought that was it, but I insisted we go again. I soon got him worked up enough for round two.”
I threw my head back slightly and laughed. “I bet you did, Melinda.”
I woke up the next morning in my little tower. I called it that because I had a huge room at the top of my castle. It sported its own kitchen and dining area with a separate bathroom. It was a big studio apartment in a very big mansion. Whatever it could be called, it was my sanctuary. A place to escape the trials and tribulations of the day/evening.
Thinking about yesterday, I judged that, overall, it had gone well—despite Luca Belatoni’s attempts to spoil it. In my sleepy haze, I found myself thinking about him and wondering why I hadn’t heard a thing from him since our last conversation. I was disappointed in a sense, and I was also disappointed in myself for being disappointed in the first place. He was like an itch that needed scratching. He was also a thorn in my side and a pain in the fucking arse.
And yet, I was lying in bed fantasising about gripping his hair in my hands and pulling him into me like the tigress I felt I was. I wanted to run my fingers along the prickly hairs on his chin, and I wanted to feel his body pressed against mine as he fucked me with his caramel-coloured eyes staring into mine. At the same time, I wanted to punch his lights out!