Substitute (17 page)

And there he was again, the gentleman. He was so confusing, Alexia’s head swam.

‘My stuff’s in the car,’ he explained.

‘Oh! OK, thank you,’ muttered Alexia and walked out of the lobby.

As they reached the entrance an immaculately dressed doorman opened the great oak door. She felt a wave of cold air hit her. Back to reality, she thought.

‘
Bon voyage
!’ chirruped Michelle from reception, ‘Enjoy your trip home!’

Alexia’s stomach somersaulted. Trip home? Two and a half hours with Nathan.

Chapter Eleven

The Jaguar pulled up in front of them as Nathan handed a bellhop Alexia’s bag. The boot opened with an expensive whisper and a valet stepped out from behind the wheel, handing the keys to Nathan as her bag was safely stored.

Alexia saw Nathan palm some money into the two men’s hands. He did it with ease and practice; they smiled appreciatively. He was smooth, very smooth, every inch the gentleman.

She went to the door but the valet was there before her, opening it and smiling. She wasn’t used to such attention.

‘May I take your coat,
madame
?’ Another French accent. He took it from her and laid it gently on the back seat.

‘
Au revoir,
madame
.’ He shut both doors. She was cocooned again.

He’d called her
madame
. Do they think I’m his wife? wondered Alexia. The idea sent a thrill through her as Nathan got in. She tried not to look as his long leg stepped in before he slid his body into the soft leather seat. She was still turned on, and now she was near the real object of her affection, and the need was worse, much worse.

As they buckled up, a red Maserati raced past them and roared away down the tree-lined avenue that led to the road. Alexia saw a familiar head of blond curls behind the wheel.

‘Is that Tony?’ Alexia spoke without thinking.

‘Daddy’s money. Some people get things handed to them on a plate.’

Alexia flushed. She’d very nearly handed herself to him on a plate. But Nathan had rescued her. And he didn’t even know it. Nathan stared down the drive after the red sports car. He didn’t look impressed.

‘You don’t like him, do you?’ Alexia surprised herself with the boldness of her question.

Nathan turned his head and looked at her for a moment. Those blue eyes sent a jolt through her again. Her pussy was still wet, and getting wetter.

He turned his head back to look through the windscreen. ‘No,’ he said coldly, as he fired the car into life, releasing the handbrake and pulling away.

They reached the road and pulled into the traffic. Nathan was silent. They travelled for a few miles and joined the motorway, speeding up to cruise their way back to London. The car seemed to settle in; this was its natural home.

Alexia couldn’t live without knowing what lay behind the simple “no” Nathan used to answer her question. She needed to understand; there was something between Nathan and Tony.

‘Why did you hire him if you don’t like him?’

Nathan thought for a moment.

‘You’re curious about him?’

She didn’t like the implication. Sonia’s words floated back. She’d told her that to get a man like Nathan you have to take a risk; that men like him don’t come along every day.

‘No … I’m curious about you.’

She thought he caught his breath slightly. She looked at his face, it gave nothing away. Had she gone too far?

‘His father was my colonel in the army. My mentor, really. Rich family, but he didn’t take his privilege for granted. Unlike his son. I gave Tony a job because his father asked me if I could use him. He loved sport, he was personable – or so his father thought. I guess parents are blind. They don’t see their kids as anything but kids, they don’t see who they are, who they really are, out in the world. He’s disappointed his father over and over again. He’s not a man who deserves that.’

Alexia could sense a deep bond that must have formed between the two men. Brothers in arms, she thought. There are few bonds stronger. Nathan’s sadness for the disappointment of his friend in his son was obvious.

‘But Tony is charming. He can manipulate pretty much anyone,’ added Nathan.

Alexia flushed again, ashamed at how easily she’d been manipulated by him. Nathan hadn’t finished.

‘It’s the perfect skill for this job, really, but he’s on his final warning now. I can’t put up with him much longer, I’m running a business.’

‘What’s he done?’ asked Alexia.

Nathan took a deep breath. ‘He likes to play the big “I am”, but doesn’t put the work in. Some of the stars like him, because he’s just like them – cocky, vain. But …’ He hesitated.

Here it comes, thought Alexia.

‘It’s the way he behaves with women.’

She knew it. Nathan might have seemed aloof but he was no fool.

‘I’m not really blaming the women … Well, some of them –’ he hesitated again ‘– but Tony should know better.’

She had to speak, this might be her only chance. She had to tell him. Speak now, Alexia! She was shouting at herself in her head. Speak, girl, for God’s sake!

‘You mean like when you caught him having sex in your boardroom, the night of the party?’

Nathan didn’t move, didn’t speak. She could see the little muscles in his neck; he was working hard to stay stoic.

‘It wasn’t me!’ Alexia blurted.

He hesitated for a moment. She held her breath.

‘What?’

‘It wasn’t me. In the boardroom …’

‘But … I saw you,’ said Nathan, struggling to keep his composure.

‘Yes but it wasn’t me. I mean, it was, but it wasn’t …’

Nathan was confused. She saw his eyebrows knit and his mouth open slightly. No words came out. But then she wasn’t really making much sense.

‘I’d only been with you a couple of days; I didn’t know anyone in the party. I sneaked into your bathroom because the one downstairs –’ she stopped, not wanting to get the coke-snorting staff into trouble ‘– it was full. So I sneaked in – to your bathroom, that is – but once I got in there Tony came in. He didn’t know I was there and he was with …’ She stopped again.

What could she say? She couldn’t tell on Phillipa. She didn’t know the dynamic in the office; Phillipa was very senior. Nathan might not believe her.

‘Someone,’ Alexia continued. ‘He was with someone and they –’ she swallowed ‘– on your table!’ She hoped the meaning was clear enough.

Nathan’s jaw dropped, only slightly, but he was clearly having trouble getting his head round this one. She watched him, desperate for any clue about his reaction. Did he believe her?

‘It wasn’t you.’ His voice was almost a whisper, the intonation making it a question. ‘
It wasn’t – you?
’

‘No, it wasn’t me. But then she – the woman, that is – left. And –’ Alexia was gabbling now ‘– he found me. And you came in and then …’ Her voice trailed away.

‘And then I accused you and threw you out.’ His voice sounded flat, realisation hitting him.

Alexia almost collapsed with relief. ‘Yes. Yes! I wanted to say something but how could I …? I mean, I hardly know you. And I really didn’t know you then, I’d never met you before. And you’re my boss, and …’

His hand reached over and held hers. Her panicky breathing almost turned to a sob as she felt his fingers close over hers.

‘It’s OK …’ His voice was warm and reassuring.

They sat for a moment. His hand was so comforting she wanted him to pull the car over, to take her in his arms, to kiss her.

‘It’s OK,’ he repeated.

There. She’d said it, it was out. And he believed her. Joy flooded her, and she looked down at his hand, his long, elegant, strong hand, covering hers.

But he pulled his hand away and put it back on the steering wheel. She looked at him; he was unreadable again. Damn him! Was it just a professional touch, the way he’d held her hand; was he comforting a hysterical employee or was it more? She still didn’t know. This was agony.

‘And the stationery cupboard?’ asked Nathan.

Alexia’s stomach took a dip on the rollercoaster. No sooner did she think she’d got to the top than she was plunging straight down again.

‘He followed me in, he keeps following me. He keeps …’ Alexia faltered. What could she say?

Nathan’s voice was low. ‘I thought you two were …’

‘No!’ protested Alexia vehemently. ‘It’s not
him
I want!’

She realised too late what she had said, and its implication
. It’s not
him
I want.
That meant there was someone else she
did
want.

The sentence hung in the air between them. They both stared straight ahead, at the morning traffic cluttering the motorway. Alexia jammed her eyes shut. How could she have said that? How could she have been so stupid?

After what seemed like an eternity Nathan spoke.

‘If he’s harassing you then you must make a formal complaint.’

He was her boss again, personal curiosity tucked safely away, back in its box.

Make a complaint? Against Tony? How could she? Only an hour ago he’d been raking his tongue over her clit. How could she make a complaint against him? A complaint about what? That he made her wait too long before he fucked her so she went without?

‘No, I don’t … I’d rather not … I don’t want to make a fuss.’

‘Look, Alexia, this is quite serious. In a previous life, if my staff weren’t doing their job and looking after each other properly, people died. And I still take the wellbeing of my people very seriously.’

Alexia was panicking. ‘I – I know. But please, I just really don’t want to …’

She couldn’t finish her sentence.

Nathan sighed. ‘OK, OK. I understand.’ He looked over at Alexia; he could see her distress. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to bully you. Of course if you’re uncomfortable, you don’t have to do anything. It’s OK, really.’ His voice was tender and low. ‘Really.’

He looked at her again, to make sure she knew he was sincere. He turned back to the road. ‘But I won’t tolerate bad behaviour. He’s done enough to be on a final warning. I’ll be watching him closely from now on.’

Alexia felt a flood of relief. She breathed out heavily and they settled into silence.

The car ate up the miles and Alexia thought about her encounter with Nathan that morning, about Blondie. Their conversation in the car was difficult but it was honest, most of it. But how could she ask about the model? She was just a casual hook-up, that was clear, but why? Did he play around after all? Perhaps he was just better at hiding it than most. But he wasn’t hiding it all that well last night in the booth at the reception. And had he realised she’d seen Blondie this morning? Would he care?

She was subconsciously biting her lip as the questions churned inside her. Nathan had turned to look at her. She had been too absorbed in her misery to notice.

‘Alexia?’

His voice jolted her.

‘Are you OK?’

‘Oh, I’m sorry … I was just thinking …’

‘About this morning? In my suite?’

She was stunned. He’d been thinking the same thing. Had he been wondering whether she’d seen the model leaving his suite? Or was he thinking about the shower, how she’d stood there looking at him, admiring his naked body.

‘Um …’ Alexia struggled, desperate for something to say that didn’t involve his complete nakedness, or his previous night’s conquest. ‘I was just … Your scars …’

Nathan blew out. It was old news to him.

‘Yeah,’ he said, resigned. ‘Iraq. Sniper.’

‘Oh my God!’ Alexia gasped at the idea that someone could have aimed at Nathan, could have tried with singular determination to take his life.

‘Don’t worry, he wasn’t very good.’

‘He wasn’t?’ asked Alexia.

Nathan gave a snort, his face cracked into a cynical smile. ‘Well, I imagine he was aiming at my head!’

Alexia realised her mistake and laughed a nervous little hiccup of a laugh.

‘Oh yes … I see what you mean.’

They fell into silence again. He concentrated on the road. This conversation, this journey was agonising, like a stop/start dance. One step forward, two steps back. She had to keep it going.

‘I’m glad he missed – your head, that is. He obviously didn’t miss you completely … But, you know …’

Nathan looked at her and smiled. ‘Yeah, I know …’

‘That was … It must have been hard …’

Nathan was pensive. ‘All war is hard, for everyone.’

‘It must have been difficult to – you know – adjust when you came back?’

She knew she was in dangerous territory, but she had to push. Nathan’s face darkened.

‘Well, not everyone understands. Some people can’t – won’t – understand.’

The deliberate change of word demonstrated his anger was still near the surface. He was still hurt by his girlfriend’s betrayal, the way she’d abandoned him. She understood his mistrust of women. How could he trust?

They fell silent again. Alexia looked up to see they were coming into London. Nathan concentrated on negotiating the traffic. It was easier not to speak now; he had reason to be silent.

After a while she realised they weren’t going to the office. She looked around. Nathan sensed her confusion.

‘I’m taking you home,’ he said.

‘But … Why aren’t we going to the office?’

‘You’ve worked hard over the last couple of days, so I think you should relax and come in tomorrow. If Romy is still ill then I’ll need you at the tennis event. It’s only a day thing, in Wimbledon. You don’t really have to do much, just be there.’

‘The tennis?’

‘Yes just to make sure anyone who approaches Jim Brooker comes through me.’

Jim Brooker was the rising British tennis star, only 19 but already hitting the magazine covers.

‘Oh yes … OK …’

Alexia thought for a moment. ‘But you don’t know where I live.’

Nathan was silent for a moment as he navigated a busy junction. ‘I know where you live,’ he said quietly, and moved into the next street.

Alexia kept completely quiet for the next 20 minutes. He knows where I live, she thought. This trip had given her as many questions as it had answers.

She sat with her hands in her lap, adrenaline and tension flooding her body. Nathan turned the car into her street and pulled up right outside the door. She had never seen a parking space free before. But for him everything seemed to be easy. Even the traffic seemed to part for him.

He turned off the engine. She was about to thank him for the lift when he got out, pressing the boot door button on his fob. She climbed out of the car, retrieving her coat, and watched him as he pulled her bag out of the boot.

He slammed it shut. ‘Which door is it?’ he asked.

‘Er – the red one,’ said Alexia, watching him as he strode towards the entrance.