Holy crap, I caught sight of myself in the mirror. If my behaviour hadn’t been enough to send Alaric running for the hills, then my appearance would certainly have done the trick. Streaks of mascara tornadoed around my eyes, my hair stuck out in all directions, and it seemed that at some point, I’d tried to refresh my lipstick and missed my mouth entirely. Demented clown, reporting for duty. I was still wearing last night’s dress, and when I screwed my eyes shut and thought really hard, I vaguely recalled Alaric carrying me up the stairs and depositing me under the duvet.
What did one buy a man as an apology gift? Aftershave? Too personal. Candy? Too thoughtless. A book? I had no idea what he liked to read. A bottle of wine? Don’t you remember what landed us in this mess in the first place, dumbass? Okay, so definitely not wine.
Think logically, Beth.
First, I’d have a shower. Then I’d go to see Chaucer and use the trip to brainstorm the best way to grovel. When I got back, I’d buy an appropriate gift, and then I’d call Alaric. If he felt anything like I did this morning, he’d want a lie-in, and by the afternoon, hopefully he’d be nice and calm. Yes, that would work.
Or at least, it might have done with any other man.
The first phase of operations went well. I swallowed two paracetamol tablets, shaved my legs, and took a shower. Wrapped my hair in a towel turban. Brushed my teeth. Put on moisturiser. Walked back into my bedroom.
Then screamed.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
Alaric was sitting in the armchair by the window, ankles crossed as he sipped something delicious-smelling from a to-go cup.
“I was worried about you. First you didn’t answer your phone, and then you didn’t answer the door either.”
“I was in the freaking shower!”
He looked me up and down, a slow perusal before he caught himself and snapped his soft brown eyes back to my tired ones.
“Yes, I heard the water, but if I’d gone away and come back again, your coffee would’ve gotten cold.”
“Wait, wait…” I gave my head a shake as if that would somehow dislodge a cotton wool ball or two. “You’re in my house. You’re in my bedroom. How did you get through the door? Doors. There are two doors.”
“Peggy let me in the outer door.”
“Peggy? Who the hell is Peggy?”
“Your neighbour on the second floor. You don’t know her?”
“No, this is London. Nobody talks to each other.”
“You should. Peggy’s a doll. She’s gonna bring you a marmalade cake later this week.”
“I can’t even… It’s too early for this, and my head hurts.”
“Have you taken painkillers?”
“They’re no match for you.” I was on the verge of an Alaric-induced migraine. “What about the inner door? It was locked. I’m sure it was locked.”
“Your lock’s a piece of crap. Yeah, that’s got to go. And you need a door chain. I’ll send Ravi over.”
“No. No, no, no, no, no. It’s not even nine o’clock. I’m wearing a towel. I can’t deal with this right now.”
“Want me to pick up breakfast?”
“I feel sick.”
“Hangover?”
“No. Yes. Maybe. I don’t know. I don’t know anything anymore.”
Except what an utter fool I’d made out of myself last night. That was pretty clear. And now Alaric was sitting in front of me, calm and unruffled, and how did he look so good anyway? No bloodshot eyes, no dark circles, and he’d even managed to coordinate his navy-blue cashmere V-neck with his loafers.
I sank onto the bed, head in my hands.
“I didn’t know whether you took cream or not, so I got your coffee black.”
“Coffee? I can’t even think about coffee.”
“You need to stay hydrated.”
“At this precise moment, withering away and dying seems like an attractive option. How can you act so normal? Do you not remember anything about last night?”
“I do.” Alaric’s tone went from kind to serious. “And I’m sorry. So, so sorry, Beth. I let things go further than they should have, and I took advantage of you, and… All I can do is apologise and promise that it won’t happen again.”
“What? You took advantage of me? I was the one who got drunk and…and…you know. In front of my freaking ex. Do you think Piers saw us? Did he realise what we were doing?”
“You were in his line of sight as you came. He saw your face.”
“I’m not sure that would’ve helped—I faked it every single time with him, so he has no clue what a real orgasm looks like.” Dammit all to hell, what was I even saying? “Could you just forget you heard that part?”
“Forget? Not exactly, but I can bury it deep.” Now it was Alaric’s turn to look horrified. “That came out wrong. It wasn’t meant to be an innuendo, I swear.”
“Listen to us. Just listen to us. This must be the most embarrassing, cringeworthy start to a new job ever. Uh, do I still have a job?”
“I was worried you’d quit before you even started.”
“I need the money.”
“Right.” He got to his feet, five inches taller than me now that my Louboutins were lined up neatly in front of the wardrobe. How had they got to that spot? Had he put them there? “I should go. Now that I know you’re okay.”
And because I was still wearing a flipping towel. I tugged the bottom edge towards my knees and squeezed my thighs together tighter, not that it did much to curb the ache between them.
“So, uh, where should I go tomorrow morning? What time do I start? Is there a dress code?”
“Do you remember where Judd’s place is? I pointed it out in passing, but…”
“I remember.”
“You’d better meet him. Wear a nun’s habit or a burka.”
“And what if I don’t own either of those?”
“Jeans. Flat shoes. A sweater that buttons right up to your chin.”
“Is Judd really that much of a womaniser?”
“For some unknown reason, they seem to find him irresistible.”
Yet it had been Alaric who made me melt yesterday. And not just me. I’d seen the way the other women in the room gazed at him. Andromeda had practically rolled out her tongue like a drool-covered red carpet.
“I’ll resist him.”
“You haven’t met him yet.”
“Do you trust me?”
Alaric had asked the same question last night, before he delivered in the most spectacular way possible. And I hadn’t lied in my answer. I did trust him. I might have only met him a few days ago, but he… I… I couldn’t explain it. Alaric was a rock, an anchor, and he held me steady. And also frustrated the crap out of me.
He nodded. Reached a hand towards me, then realised what he was doing and hastily shoved it into his pocket.
“I trust you.”
“Then know that I’m not interested in being Judd’s latest plaything. From tomorrow, I’ll be the consummate professional.”
Alaric gave a faint smile. “I should let you get dressed. Are you still okay to travel this week?”