Naughty or Nice by Rachael Stewart

Author:Rachael Stewart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-11T14:33:30+00:00

* * *

‘What is it, Nate?’

My temper is frayed. I feel oddly naked with my stockings stuffed inside my coat pocket. As if every Londoner can tell I’ve just run out on my lover and didn’t have the inclination to dress properly.

Your lover? Really, Eva.

‘What do you mean: what is it?’

I tune in to my brother’s scornful tone and take a breath before replying. It never pays to react in kind—especially with him.

‘If this is about Lucas again, I’m not interested,’ I say.

‘If?’

I weave through the heavy stream of pedestrians, their loaded bags making it more awkward than usual. I really need to start my own Christmas shopping, but it’s been at the back of mind, buried beneath work...and now him.

‘What else would it be about?’ asks Nate.

‘I don’t know—your issue with the wife of Mr Chan and her roaming fingers and the price hike they’re insisting on? Or how about your laundry going astray?’

Okay, so I’m not doing a great job of keeping a lid on my frustration. I blame it on the ice-cold air whipping up my skirt and the thought of the heated body I’d much rather be curled up against and had to bail on to make this call.

No, not to make this call—to avoid getting in too deep.

Honesty was supposed to help. Instead it’s opened me up...made me fall.

No. No. No. Not again.

‘You’re not funny, Eva.’

‘Funny?’ This really isn’t what I call ‘funny’. ‘I wasn’t trying to be.’

I look at the entrance to the Underground and decide against it. I can’t face being hemmed in—not like this.

‘Then quit the avoidance and tell me what you’re playing at, still talking to him.’

I pause and a laden pedestrian curses, right on my tail.

‘Sorry.’ I grimace, ducking out of her way.

‘Sorry?’

‘Not you.’ I scan the traffic, looking for a yellow taxi light. ‘I’m talking to him because he could be good for my business. He has everything I need.’

‘Need?’ Nate scoffs down the phone. ‘There are plenty of other suitable firms. What about Rosalie and Janus Industries? She’s flying in next week. I thought you were speaking to her?’

‘I am.’ I spy an available cab and hail it, moving to the edge of the kerb, careful to avoid being run down by either a person or a car. ‘We’re scheduled to meet on Tuesday.’

‘So wait for her.’

I shake my head incredulously. ‘Don’t be ridiculous, Nate. I’m doing my research—both Rosalie’s and Lucas’s are among the many companies I’m considering. I’m getting this right.’

The cab pulls up alongside me and I open the door, hopping in. ‘Jermyn Street, please.’

‘Sure thing.’

The driver scans me over his shoulder a second longer than feels necessary. Bare legs, middle of winter, that’s not normal.

I tug my skirt lower.

‘Still staying at Mum and Dad’s, then?’ asks Nate.

‘Until my place is ready—yeah.’

I look out of the window as the taxi pulls away, but I’m not really aware of the passing world or what I’m saying. My head is full of Lucas, of how he felt towards me, of what Nate did.

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