London Falling (23 page)

Heat rushed to her face. Could this situation get any worse? It was bad enough that Simon knew she sucked at sex, but now she’d been discovered sneaking out of Simon’s room with her underwear balled up in her hands by his stepmom no less!

The woman looked behind her, as if hoping for a black hole to come swallow her up and save her from this situation. “I, uh I apologize. I didn’t realize Simon had a guest.”

Wishing she had an invisible machine, Aimee walked down the steps and made sure she tucked the arm with her underwear behind her back. There was nothing she could do about her hair, however. It had to be a rat’s nest of tangles and snarls.

His stepmom didn’t look any better, however. Her gray hair was mashed in on one side and stuck straight up on the other. She only wore one gold earring. And her coat was buttoned wrong. Someone else had been getting some nooky tonight, but then that would mean that Simon’s dad was here too. This night couldn’t get any better.

“Are you the only one here?” Aimee asked.

His stepmom looked behind her, as if fearing someone had followed her in the door. “Of course I am. Why would you ask that?”

“Your husband isn’t with you?” Aimee asked, before she could stop herself. Great. Not only was she getting caught by his stepmom, but now she was accusing her of sleeping around on Simon’s dad.

His stepmom’s mouth opened in a silent ‘o.’ “That would be a feat.” She glared at Aimee. “Since he’s been dead for over a year.”

Had Simon lied to her? “But Simon told me he sees him every day at the bank.”

His stepmom narrowed her eyes at Aimee. “Who do you think I am?”

“Simon’s stepmom?” As soon as she said it, she knew it was wrong.

The woman wrinkled her eyes. “Simon’s father is still single.” She held out her hand. “I’m Simon’s Aunt. Dottie.” Dottie looked at her hand like she hadn’t even realized she’d put it out there.

Aimee pulled her arm out from behind her back, only to realize at the last second that she held her underwear in her hand. And her other hand held her boots. She shoved her underwear back behind her back, but not before Dottie’s eyes focused on her striped dime-store panties. “I’m … uh …

Aimee.”

Dottie pulled her hand back to her side.

Aimee nodded her head. “What are you … ah … doing here?”

“Simon lets me stay here when I’m visiting town.”

“Oh.”

There was nothing to say after that.

Dottie cleared her throat. “Well. Okay then.”

What did one say to someone who just caught you sleeping with her nephew? “Goodnight,” Aimee said. She hurried past Dottie, and circled around to the kitchen stairs.

“You’re not leaving?” Dottie leaned over the stairwell post to stare at Aimee.

“No, I …” What was she supposed to say? Simon obviously hadn’t told his Aunt about her, and he didn’t want anyone thinking he hired her. “I’m staying here. I’m a friend of Blake’s.”

Dottie looked at her, looked up the stairs, and then glanced at her again.

“Does Blake know you’re sleeping with his brother?”

“What? No. I’m not that kind of friend. Blake and I are completely platonic.” So platonic they hadn’t even met.

“So you’re staying here?”

“Yes.” Hadn’t she already said that?

“Well then.” Dottie looked down at her coat and seemed shocked to realize it was buttoned incorrectly. Did her face turn red? It was too hard to tell in the dark. “Why don’t we just keep this between the two of us?”

Strangely enough, she understood Dottie’s embarrassment. “Does Simon know you’re here?”

“I have a key. But, yes, he knows.”

Hmm. Somehow, Aimee didn’t think so, because there was no way Simon would have done what he’d done tonight if he’d been expecting company. Or at least she hoped so.

But she was willing to do anything to keep her own embarrassment to a minimum. Besides, she wasn’t exactly going to be spending time with Simon anytime soon if she could help it. “I won’t say anything.”

Dottie slowly let out her breath. “Thank you.” She smiled at her, yet Aimee had the distinct impression that she hadn’t made any friends that night.

Simon’s gut churned and it wasn’t because he was hungry. Last night, he’d royally cocked up. He slammed his fist into the mattress. Could he have given a worse performance last night? It had been a while since he was last with a woman, but not that long. He’d performed like a teenager out for his first sexual experience! What was he thinking?

As if his brain had anything to do with it.

It had to be stress. With the benefit tomorrow night and the royal business on the line, not to mention the lurgy, he was exhausted and couldn’t control his body as well as he was used to.

But he hadn’t been tired last night. Crikey, he’d felt like he could run a marathon, and then have enough energy left over to swim the English Channel. Since the moment she’d thrown his mobile at him, he’d known she was different. She was beautiful and intelligent and full-on sexy. And the strongest woman he’d ever met.

He’d known she kept her control on a tight leash and would need to be coaxed into relaxing. The few times he’d been able to produce that result had been awe inspiring. And when she touched him, the look of fierce concentration and wonder on her face almost made him explode with wanting. He practically did explode. He hadn’t given such a piss-poor performance since he was in his teens. What the hell was he thinking telling Aimee to just relax, as if anyone could let go when someone was pressuring them to relax? Why couldn’t he have simply slowed down? Why couldn’t he have waited for her?

He wanted her too damn much, and Aimee suffered the consequences.

For sure, she hadn’t enjoyed his lovemaking. No wonder Aimee snuck out of his room as if she never wanted to see him again.

Now, every time she thought about him, she’d think about what a terrible lover he was. He scrunched up his pillow and threw it against the wall. He was a fantastic lover, and he had to prove it to her, because he couldn’t have her walking around thinking that that was his best effort.

He needed a do-over.

And this time, it would be perfect. He brushed his teeth and shaved so she wouldn’t get razor burn. He threw on a pair of khakis and a t-shirt, not bothering with shoes and socks. If he were successful, he wouldn’t need them anyway.

Outside the kitchen, he smelled sausage flying. He wondered how long it would keep, because he was going to keep her distracted for the next several hours. His stomach tightened in anticipation. But when he stepped into the warmth and light of the kitchen, someone with short, gray hair was standing at the hob making breakfast. What the … ?

She turned around. “Good morning, Simon.”

Aunt Dot. Simon took a large step back. He’d forgotten about her plans.

Was last night the night she’d slept here? He’d been so focused on Aimee that he’d forgotten to ling and tell her she couldn’t stay at his house. Double bugger and blast!

What did she know?

Dottie turned to face her nephew. He avoided her gaze. Hmmph, he should be embarrassed. Sleeping with that woman while his only Aunt slept upstairs.

Of course, he didn’t know that she hadn’t been upstairs until early this morning.

“Do you want breakfast? I made extra,” she asked.

He crinkled his brow in indecision. After glancing at the eggs and sausage in the pan, he looked to the doorway behind her. Ah, he wanted to go see that American woman. “I believe I heard the water running a short while ago. I’m sure she’ll be out shortly.”

Simon swung a surprised gaze to her. “You met Aimee?”

“Yes.” There. That was pretty innocuous. There was no way Simon would guess that she had been out snogging William Elkington until three in the morning. But Simon looked at her with a question in his eyes, and Dottie got the impression that he could see right through her. “Would you care for some breakfast?”

He glanced once more at the door, but he sat down at the counter and nodded. Good. She did not want to be here when her nephew was sleeping with some strange woman, especially someone who knew her embarrassing secret. She dished out their food and settled in across from him at the island.

Simon cut a piece of sausage. “What brought you into town?” he asked, before biting into the sausage.

“Friends,” Dottie blurted out. “Dinner with friends.”

She was saved from his dreadful level of curiosity by the pitter-patter of tiny little feet. A Scottish terrier that couldn’t have been more than a few months old slid into the kitchen, trying desperately to gain traction on the hard tile floor. The puppy raced between Simon and her, jumping up to gain their attention. Dottie was a cat person by nature, but who could resist a cute little puppy?

She slid off her stool, and scratched it behind the ears. “Who do we have here?” The puppy licked her wrist as she petted it. “Aren’t you a cutie.”

Simon looked down. “That’s Cupcake.”

“I didn’t know you had got a dog.”

He shook his head and swallowed his food. “He’s Aimee’s. I mean, he’s a stray and she’s watching him until we find the real …” Simon wasn’t looking at the puppy. “owners.” He was staring at the door with such naked emotion, reminding her of a five year old giving a gift to his favorite teacher and wanting the teacher to like it, but not sure the teacher even cared. When Dottie rose, she saw Aimee standing in the doorway with her hair still damp from her bath. Dear Lord, he really liked this woman.

The doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” Dottie said, needing to get out of the room and feeling like a third wheel.

“No. I can get it. You sit and eat your breakfast. I was on my way out anyway,” Aimee said.

Simon gave her a quelling look and said, “It’s my house. I’ll get it.”

Aimee raised her chin and crossed her arms. And Dottie thought her love life was in a pickle! At least she didn’t have to see William ever again. She took a huge bite of eggs so she wouldn’t have to talk to Aimee, because the last thing she needed were any more reminders of last night.

Unfortunately, when Simon walked back into the kitchen, William followed directly behind him. Dottie dropped her fork on the floor. She crouched down to get it, and then stood up so fast she cracked her head on the counter. “Mother of pearl!” Closing her eyes, she rubbed her head to stop the pain.

“Are you okay?” She opened her eyes to see William standing in front of her, a look of concern on his face.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

He placed his hands on her head and massaged the spot where she hit it.

His hands were warm and strong and comforting. She pulled away. Simon stared at them as though he’d never seen William before in his life, except she knew William’s company was one of Simon’s largest customers.

William cleared his throat. “I thought you might like a lift home. I’m headed out that way this morning.”

Had she not made herself clear last night when she said she couldn’t see him again?

He looked so distinguished this morning, with black slacks and a grey, v-neck jumper. It was hard to imagine this was the same person who had driven her wild with his mouth last night. Or that she’d let him! She hadn’t made out in a car since she was a teenager.

She hated that he’d surprised her last night. Hated that he made her limbs go weak with desire. Hated that she stopped thinking when he trailed his lips along her shoulder. Hated that he drove her home without finishing what he started.

But he was from a world that she never wanted to be a part of again. It was too confining in its structure and rules and expected you to act a certain way. She wouldn’t be a society hostess ever again. Although she had loved Gordy with all her heart, she had hated the life she led as his wife, because she’d given up her own hopes and dreams to help him fulfill his own, and she wouldn’t do that again.

Besides, it wasn’t right to be attracted to anyone else so soon after Gordy’s death. It had only been a year.

“No, thank you. I have some errands to run before I head home.” Dottie turned around to face the back of the kitchen. Aimee was standing there, pretending she knew nothing, but it was clear she knew that William was the man who had kept Dottie out late last night. Dottie glared at her. She couldn’t wait to get home, but she’d be damned if she’d let William drive her.

The puppy growled and barked at something behind her. And her brother walked through the door. Right. Was every person on the planet going to witness her lack of judgment last evening?

Simon didn’t look thrilled to see his father either. In fact, he looked as if he wanted to bolt for the door. “What are you doing here?” Simon asked.

“Does everyone on the planet have a key to this place?” Aimee asked quietly.

Ervine shook hands with William, greeted Simon and Dottie and then stopped in front of Aimee. “Who are you?”

Aimee lifted her chin. “Aimee. And who are you?”

Ervine put his hands on his hips. “I’m Simon’s father. Are you the housekeeper?” he asked, eyeing Aimee’s inappropriately damp hair.

Aimee’s face turned bright red. She glanced at Simon, and then looked beseechingly at Dottie.

Blast it all. She wasn’t going to get in the middle of this. She didn’t want her own secret to come out. “I think I will take that ride home, William.”

Hopping off the stool, she kissed her brother and Simon and then high-tailed it out of the kitchen.

Simon wanted to stamp his feet on the floor like a four year old. Aimee was right there in front of him, thinking he was the worst lover in the world, and he could do nothing about it, because everyone on the entire planet had decided to invade his privacy this morning. His manhood was at stake!

His father turned to him. “Who is she?”

And now his father was about to discover the whole sad situation he was in, because he certainly couldn’t tell him that she was his housekeeper. The Blake story would never hold up–his father could easily check it. And with her hair still wet from her bath, it was clear she had spent the night. He was just going to have to tell the truth.

He cleaned it up as much as he could for his father.