I look her over, the same way she’s looking at me. I may be standing barefoot in a Duffer T-shirt that’s ten sizes too big and a pair of Calvin Klein boxers that I’ve rolled over three times at the top so I can keep them up, and she may be standing in her beautifully tailored Versace dress, but I refuse to be intimidated by her. She actually looks older than me, now that I can see her more clearly, and she has a lot of makeup on. Her striking green eyes are narrowed and on me. I turn and smile back at the older woman.
“I’m Georgia. No, you didn’t wake me up.” She tilts her head as I’m talking.
“Well, good morning, Georgia. I’m Marian and you are absolutely stunning, darling. Come and sit down. Would you like some coffee?”
“Thank you, and yes, I would love a coffee.”
I walk around the breakfast bar, refusing to feel self-conscious and take the stool furthest away from Ms Let’s-put-our-makeup-on-with-a-trowel-today, but I smile at her sweetly as I sit.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name,” I say politely.
“That would be because I didn’t give it.”
I shrug and smile. “Fair enough,” I reply, as Marian puts a coffee down in front of me. I thank her and turn towards the hallway that leads from the front door as I hear Cam’s voice approaching.
“She’s fine. She’s still sleeping. No, she doesn’t know. I’ll tell her when she’s awake.”
He steps into the room and his eyes are instantly on me. He looks me up and down, his tongue flicks out and over his top lip as he looks at my bare legs and I almost moan out loud. His eyes meet mine again, and he knows, he fucking knows what he’s just done to me and he winks; the fucker winks while I struggle not to combust.
“Gotta go,” he says into his phone and ends the call. He’s wearing shorts and a vest and he’s dripping in sweat, which for some reason is making my mouth water. He pauses for a moment, still looking at me.
“You woke up, Kitten.”
“Sure did, Tiger. All alone in that big ol’ bed of yours.” He walks towards me with a slight smile on his lips.
“Some of us have to work for a living. I had business to attend to and thought I’d have a run on the treadmill while I made some calls.” He leans in without touching me with anything but his lips and kisses me softly. “You’ve used my toothbrush again.”
“I have. Is that a problem?”
“Fuck no. I like that you want my… belongings in your mouth.”
Ohhhh, God.
“Eat some breakfast while I shower. Morning, Marian. Louise, why are you here? We didn’t have a meeting planned.”
“I thought you might like to catch up, after being away, sir.” He stops and looks at her for a few seconds. She blushes. She’s affected by him, most women probably are, but he’s obviously her boss and I don’t like that she fancies him. Our relationship is already complicated enough with the Tamara situation, I don’t want to be worrying about Ms Max Factor throwing herself at him, too.
“I’ve emailed you what I need doing this week. I won’t be back in the office for the next few days. You can reach me on my mobile if there’s anything urgent.” He looks briefly at me then back to her. “Make sure all the staff have their ID with them. There’s some extra security I’ve set in place that will be in operation from this morning. I’ve emailed every one, but I’m just giving you the heads up before you get to the office.” He looks at his watch as if to let her know that it’s time for her to go.
He turns and heads up the stairs as Louise says, “Yes, sir, I’ll get right onto that as soon as I get in.” He keeps walking and doesn’t answer.
Marian puts a plate in front of me with two slices of toast and a huge pile of scrambled eggs on it and I say, “Thank you,” as I watch Louise pack her stuff away.
“Bye, Marian, nice to see you again.” Was that to let me know she’s been here before I wonder? She turns and totally ignores me as she heads towards the door.
“Bye, Louise, lovely meeting you,” I call out, but get no reply.
Marian leans on the breakfast bar in front of me and says, “Well, that’ll put the cat amongst the pigeons and it would’ve put her nose right out of joint as well.”
“Why’s that?” I ask innocently.
“Well, she’s bound to go back to the office and tell everyone you were here. Cameron never has anyone stay over, apart from his mates and family, never,” she shakes her head and looks me over. “Never any young ladies. That one, she’s had her sights set on him for ages. Not that it’s got her anywhere, mind.”
I smile at Marian. I think I’m going to like her and I hope that I’ve found a friend and hopefully an ally too. I have a feeling I’m going to need one around here.
Cam comes padding down the stairs. His hair is wet and pushed off his face. He’s wearing joggers and a T-shirt and his feet are bare. I smell him before he reaches me and it makes my eyes close.
“Your eggs are bloody cold now, Cameron. You took longer than you said you’d be.” I smile slightly as I wait for Cam’s response for being told off and I’m amazed when it comes.
“Sorry. I had a lot to sort out. Just put my eggs in the microwave for a few seconds. They’ll be fine.” He looks at me; my mouth must be open. I’ve never heard anyone rebuke Cam before and he just took it. It makes me wonder what the relationship is between him and Marian.
“Kitten, look, there’s stories and pictures all over the papers about us this morning, and some of it’s not very nice. I’ve spoken with Lennon and Bailey. Lennon’s doing what he can from a PR point of view. Bailey just wants to know you’re okay. I’ve organised some security for you, but at the end of the day, it’s up to you how you wanna handle this.” He starts eating the reheated eggs that are placed in front of him. “We can make a statement or we can just let them get on with printing whatever they’re gonna print.” He reaches out and takes my hand. “I don’t want you reading any of that shit. I don’t want you getting upset by any of this, but I don’t think they’re gonna leave you alone until we confirm or deny that we’re together at least.”
I let out a long breath and put my fork down, my appetite has gone now. I just feel hot and anxious. I don’t understand this. I really don’t understand what the interest is in me. I’m not famous. I’ve never been famous. I was married to someone who was but why are people so interested in me and my life now that my husband’s dead. Why can’t they just leave me the fuck alone?
“Why’re the newspapers interested in you two?” Marian asks and I wonder where her accent is from. It’s definitely not from London. “Bloody hell, Georgia, oh, my love, I’ve just realised who you are. Oh, darling, I am so very sorry for your loss.” I don’t know what to say, and without even thinking, I reach back out for Cam’s hand and feel grateful when he laces his fingers through mine.
“Thank you, Marian.” I stare down at my now cold eggs, too scared to look up in case I cry. I do okay most of the time; it’s when people are nice, or when they ask me if I’m okay, that’s when I fall apart. Well actually, that’s a lie; I fall apart a lot, but generally it’s not in front of people I’ve never met before.
“You better bloody look after this girl. No one should have to go through what she has.” A tear catches on my eyelash. “Oh, darling, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” I shake my head. I want to cry, but Cam’s here. How can I cry for my dead husband in front of the man I now claim to be in love with. I’m so torn, and then his big hand is around my jaw, raising my face so I have to look at him.
“Let it out, Kitten. If you need to cry, then just go for it, baby. Don’t be ashamed. Don’t ever be ashamed to cry for what you lost.” He stands and turns my stool around so I’m facing him and wraps his big arms around me, just holding me and letting me cry. I can hear Marian sniffing and blowing her nose behind me. I look up at Cam. I know he’ll moan if I say sorry so I whisper, “Thank you,” and give him the best smile I can manage.