A Very Corporate Affair book 3 (The Corporate series) (23 page)

"It's all moved quite fast, but we've both hinted at the word 'love'," she added, "he's just so...what can I say? Gentlemanly, sexy, clever, kind..."

"Rich, powerful.."I said, we both giggled.

"Yeah, that as well. We are definitely compatible in the bedroom."
Really Luce? Blimey.
"You and Ivan look happy together. He's incredibly good looking isn't he? I bet you have to fight other women off, not many men are that.." she struggled for the word, "pretty. I bet he's a sex god too."

"Oh yes. Definitely a sex god. It's going really well. I'm happy. I think he's happy with me, and we're extremely compatible. I feel comfortable with him."

"Elle, can I ask, why did you and Oscar split?"

"Just wasn't the right chemistry," I lied smoothly, "he's better with you."

"Yeah, that's what he told me too. His mother liked you though?"

"Eventually. Can I give you a tip? Type up her church newsletter, and set it out nicely in word. Check the spelling of anything the dozy vicar writes, and she'll think you're wonderful. She's actually lovely, and a real blast. I really enjoy her company now."

"Good advice, I'll do that," she smiled.

  The butler interrupted us with glasses of cold, freshly squeezed orange juice, and icy cold flannels to refresh us. We chatted about Spain, and the hotel I'd stayed in, until the men returned. I watched as Oscar leaned over to give Lucy a soft kiss, his hand resting gently on her shoulder, as if he needed to be touching her at all times. They looked impossibly good together. I also saw Ivan watching.
What if he goes for Lucy now to rip her away from Oscar? It's what he did with me.

"Are you ok baby? Not too hot?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine thanks, although that pool looks rather inviting.”

We had a super afternoon and evening. Oscar and Ivan were both on good form, and I watched their interactions with rapt fascination. They were both powerful, alpha males, but seemed at ease together, and not as competitive as I would have expected. We talked about Ivan's villa in France, which he described as 'modest', until I laughed, and told Lucy it was enormous, bloody gorgeous, and had a view to die for.

That night, we lay in bed talking about Oscar and Lucy. "Are you surprised?" Ivan asked.

"No, funny enough, I thought they'd get on well. She's very much his type, and she's a little aristocratic too. I never met her ex, so I had no idea whether or not Oscar would be her ideal man, but they seem to have hit it off."

"He's very loved up. I can tell. Does that bother you?"

I looked up at him, "Not at all. I'm delighted for him, I'm more worried about you."

He frowned, "in what way?"

I took a deep breath, "because of the things you said to Paul. You only wanted me in order to piss Oscar off. I'm worried that now he doesn't want me anymore, neither will you."
There, I've said it.

Ivan drew me into his arms, "Were you honestly worried? Baby, none of that was true, I've told you many times. How I feel about you has nothing to do with how Oscar felt about you, he was just a rival, nothing more, nothing less. Did you think I'd chase after Lucy now?"

"It crossed my mind," I admitted.

"She's a nice girl, but she's not you. She doesn't have your amazing mind, nor your pretty face. She doesn't have your iron backbone, and she most certainly wouldn't understand my hangups about my background. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. My heart belongs solely to you. I worry more about other men stealing you away because I'm a rubbish boyfriend."

"Don't keep saying that. You're not always a rubbish boyfriend, sometimes you're wonderful."

"I try. I'm learning. I was pleased you didn't go topless in Spain. I was worried," he said, changing the subject.

"For your eyes only. I figured you wouldn't like it, so I kept them covered Mr Caveman." He cupped my left breast with his hand, holding it gently.

"See, that's why I love you. You understand me perfectly. Other women wouldn't have given it a second thought. Ya lublu tebia ee hotchu zhenitsia na tebe."

I prodded him in the ribs, "Don't talk Russian. What does that mean?"

"I'll tell you soon," he said, before kissing me softly. We made love slowly that night, mindful that we were in someone else's house.

Chapter 14

The next morning I woke early as usual, and went downstairs in search of coffee. I found the kitchen, complete with a tiny Italian woman making breakfast pastries. She waved me off to sit on the terrace, promising to make me a latte, (in pidgin English). I sat outside, looking at the beautiful view, and five minutes later she appeared with both a latte, and a tea tray with teapot, accoutrements, and a milk jug set in a bowl of crushed ice. I drank the latte first, then poured out a tea. After about half an hour, Oscar wandered out.

"Morning, sleep well?" he enquired.

"Very well thank you. It's a very comfortable bed." The tiny woman reappeared with another tray, and took the first one away. I poured myself another tea, while Oscar sipped his latte.

"It's working out well with you and Lucy by the sounds of it?" I asked.

He beamed. "She's lovely. I didn't think I'd meet anyone who would measure up to you, but she does, and I'm genuinely happy."

"I'm glad for you. You deserve to be loved, and be happy. Do you think she might be 'the one'?" I watched as he pinked up slightly.

"It's early days, but yes, I think she is. She's bright and clever, but not fiercely intellectual, beautiful, but not overdone, and she loves my dirty talk."

"Sounds like a match made in heaven," I said, smiling at him. "The two of you look great together, and she doesn't seem at all intimidated by your wealth."

"Her family is well off, so yes, she's comfortable around money. It's not been an issue." He paused. "You and Ivan seem very relaxed with each other. He seems to smile when you're around. I think the two of you fit together very well, although it pains me to say it." He grinned to show me he was teasing.

"Yeah, we're good. He's trying hard."

Breakfast was quite a lavish affair, with lovely pastries, rich cheeses, and fresh bread served alongside the usual bacon and eggs. "I said I'd feed you up a bit," said Oscar, as I reached for another pastry.

"She doesn't eat enough. I keep telling her she gets too thin," agreed Ivan. I patted my rather round tummy, and sat back in the chair, smiling, as Ivan squeezed my hand.

"I know what I meant to ask you," said Oscar, "what happened to Mrs Smith from Derwent Engineering? Has it gone to court yet?"

"Yes, she pleaded guilty. She only got six months though, because of her age. The hearing was last week."

"I didn't know. How come I wasn't asked to testify?" I asked.

Ivan shrugged, "She pleaded guilty, so there was no trial. It was only a sentencing hearing. I didn't have to go either."

"Mother was asking, there were lots of rumours flying round the village, so I promised her I'd ask you."

"Anything else happen last week?" I asked, looking at Ivan.

"Not really. Lassiter came up with some potential execs who I'm meeting this week, and Andrei found someone to rent the Windsor house. A sheik I think, wants it for his son for a few years. It's got to be ready by the end of August. Apart from that, it's all been fairly quiet."

"Any word from Natalya?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Not yet. I have a meeting with her tomorrow. I'll know more then."

We finished breakfast, and I went up to the room to change into a bikini and sarong. I threw some sun lotion and my kindle into my bag, along with my phone and sunglasses, and went back down to the pool. I was swimming lengths with Lucy, when I heard my phone ring. I asked Ivan to get it while I swam to the edge. "Claire Plant wants to speak to you," he said, handing me the phone.

"Hi Elle, it's Claire," I said 'hello' back, "just to let you know that we're ready to exchange contracts. All the paperwork's in good order, and the funds are all in place. Do you want me to wait until you're back or go ahead now?"

"If you're happy, then go ahead now," I said, a little plume of excitement rising in my tummy.

"Ok, will do. I'll do the exchange now, and it'll complete before three this afternoon. Congratulations. Are you having a nice time?"

"Lovely thanks. I'm in Tuscany with Lucy right now. Do you want to say hello?" I handed the phone to Lucy who chatted to Claire for a few minutes, before handing it back to me.

"Hi Elle, just to let you know that you exchanged about a minute ago. Would you like me to call you when it's complete? Only I know that you can't exactly go and get the keys."

"No, but can you let the estate agents know for me please, and explain that I'm away?"

"Will do, and I hope you're really happy in your new apartment."

We said our goodbyes, and I ended the call. "I exchanged on the flat, completing this afternoon. I'm so excited," I squealed. Oscar smiled indulgently, and asked the butler to fetch a bottle of champagne. Ivan gave me a hug and a kiss, and Lucy chattered about interior designers that she knew.

We toasted my new flat with champagne. In truth, I wanted to fly home there and then, and just go and sit in my new flat. For the first time in my life, I had somewhere I could truly call home, that didn't belong to the council, or somebody else. I realised at that moment, that I had somewhere I belonged, and somebody I belonged to. It was a heady feeling. All the dreams I'd had, felt as though they were coming true. I thought back to the day I'd moved into James' place, feeling as though I'd 'arrived', with my new job, and sophisticated apartment share. This was ten times better.

"I bet you wish you were at home now, don't you?" Lucy said, accurately reading my thoughts.

"Well, yes. I wouldn't be rude enough to rush off though." I admitted.

"Elle, if you want to go and see to your new flat, I will understand," said Oscar, "I know just how much this means to you. I won't be offended." I looked at him sitting with his arm around Lucy's waist, and realised that not only would he not mind, but he could crack on with shagging her in every possible way, without me to worry about. I was going to be a bit of a gooseberry.

"If you truly don't mind... It does feel as though I'm being rather rude and ungrateful," I murmured.

"Not at all. Fly home with Ivan tonight, Lucy and I will be fine, I promise, and have the rest of the week sorting out your new place." Oscar said, smiling at my excitement. Ivan squeezed my shoulder, and kissed my cheek.

"I can take some time, and we can shop for your new place, plus we need to visit Windsor, organise the clearance there. Saves spending our weekend doing it. We still have all afternoon and evening to enjoy Oscar's beautiful home, and hospitality. We don't leave until eight."

I beamed at the two men that I loved, who both tried their best to ease my passage through life, and felt a surge of gratitude towards them. I spent the afternoon chatting excitedly to Lucy about furniture and interior design, showing her a couple of the magazines I'd bought at Gatwick, with some ideas for colour schemes, and the latest styles of sofas.

We had the most amazing dinner that evening, eating early, outside on the terrace, as the sun began to set. Oscar explained that a lot of the food was grown on the estate itself, by the farmers who leased the land from him. Almost as soon as we had eaten, it was time to go. The guards took care of our bags, and I hugged Lucy, and told her how happy I was for her. When I said goodbye to Oscar, I hugged him hard. "Thank you for everything. You have no idea how much you've done for me. Be good to Lucy yeah?"

"I will, and you have no idea how much you did for me too. I owe you, not the other way round."

"Come on Elle, your new flats waiting," Ivan called out from the car. I hopped in, and waved goodbye as we set off down the winding driveway.

It only took around two hours before we were back in London. Roger was there to meet us, and took us straight back to Ivan's, where Bella and Tania were waiting to greet us, beyond excited that their daddy was home. We sat up for a while, chatting about our holiday, the food at Oscar's place, and the possibility of James and Lynzi becoming an item. By midnight, I was asleep on my feet, and Ivan led me to bed, and slipped in beside me, pulling me into his arms.

"Sleep baby, you have a busy day tomorrow."

I bounced out of bed at half five the next morning, and after a quick cup of tea, used Ivan's home gym to do a workout before he was even up. I was buzzing with excitement at the prospect of walking into my first ever home, in the purest sense of the word, and was antsy and nervous.

Ivan had to go in to work at around half eight, so promised to drop me at the estate agents to get the keys. From there, it was only a two minute walk to St Saviours dock. He would be free around lunchtime, and would come and see it. Depending on his schedule, he would possibly be able to get the afternoon off to take me shopping. If not, Roger would be at my disposal.

I kissed him goodbye before getting out of the car at the estate agents office, and waved as he drove off. I stepped inside, and saw the agent who had taken me for the viewing. "Ms Reynolds, I thought you were away this week. Your solicitor called us yesterday with the news of your completion, but said you weren't expected back."

"Came home early. I was too excited about this to stay away." He smiled indulgently, and went to a little cabinet to retrieve the keys, found a file with the alarm codes, and handed it all to me.

"I'll take you over there, and show you how the alarm works, and where everything is," he said. We chatted about my holiday on the way over, and stopped at the entrance. He showed me the code to get into the foyer, and I introduced myself to the concierge, who was a jolly looking middle aged man called John. We stepped into the lift, and I pressed the button for the top floor.