Somewhere in Sevenoakes (5 page)

”Can I walk you home?”

”I'd like that very much.”

Maddy's flat wasn't far from the station or the bar. It was within ten minutes walking distance but in a residential area. She liked the location and security it offered. Having reached her front door, Maddy was in a quandary as to what she was supposed to do next. If she didn't invite him in, James might think her rude or uninterested in him. If she did invite him in, he may think she was loose with her sexual favours. She fumbled in her bag, trying to grab her keys.

”I better let you go and get your beauty sleep,” said James, releasing her from having to decide what was the correct date etiquette.

Maddy's relief was short-lived as she then wondered whether or not they should kiss. They had, briefly in the pub, but apart from holding hands James hadn't initiated any further body contact.

”You're not going to change trains tomorrow morning are you?” asked James.

”No. Are you?”

”Absolutely not,” he stated firmly.

He bent his head and very lightly kissed her. His plump lips were soft and sweet, making the kiss sensuous. Maddy slid her hands inside his suit jacket to get closer to him. Underneath the silk of his shirt she could feel how ripped his torso was. The kisses became longer and wetter. Maddy pressed her tongue into his mouth and tentatively moved it around.

James groaned, he wanted to behave in a gentlemanly fashion and was fighting the urge not to get into the studio flat where he could take her properly; make love to her like she needed. He could feel Maddy's breasts pressed firmly against him. As the kisses became more fervoured, he went hard and his cock strained against his trousers. He knew Maddy would be able to feel it pressing on her belly.

Rather than step back, Maddy too was fighting her physical desires. She was debating on whether she should unlock the front door, get James in and drop to her knees to take care of the erection nestled on her stomach. The thought of being on her knees in front of him gave her a frisson and she felt a burst of wetness between her legs. She stepped back from James, tipping her head to the night sky to see if she could see any stars in the smoggy London night sky. As she regained a calmer disposition, all she could hear in her quiet street was James' heavy breathing.

”It got intense there. I'm sorry,” he grinned sheepishly.

”Not at all.”

Maddy looked up at him and stood on tip toes to snake an arm around his neck to bring him down for a kiss. Again the minute there was physical contact the two were unable to separate. Seeing the shape of his length tugging to escape his trousers, Maddy ran her hand over the shaft through the fabric of his pants.

”Maddy you're driving me insane,” he whispered.

”Is that a good or bad thing?” she asked.

”Both. I'm finding it very hard...”

”As am I,” teased Maddy, rubbing her hand on his hard-on.

”I'm finding it very hard to behave well here,” he continued, ”you aren't making this easy.”

”It's not easy for me either, but I think it's sensible to say goodnight for now.”

She heard the whisper of a curse from James.

”You're right. There'll be other chances?” he asked hopefully.

”There better be.”

He kissed her, said goodnight, then headed towards the train station. Maddy watched him walk off. Life was definitely becoming more interesting.

James stood in the shower, letting the hot water rain down on him. Last night had gone better than he had hoped. Maddy was beautiful, bright and engaging. He found her enigmatic. James was certain something had gone on in her past, something that had triggered her into becoming a dedicated career woman. His gut instinct was that if he could get Maddy to confide in him, he'd then have an idea as how best to pursue the relationship. Her trust in men had been smashed some time ago. His current predicament wouldn't help the situation. It was imperative he convey to Maddy he had a professional interest in her company before they'd met formally, to avoid her thinking their meeting was premeditated.

The minute she'd mentioned the name 'Yearwood, Angus and Port' his stomach had knotted. That particular firm of chartered surveyors was familiar to him. He was in the process of brokering a deal for a larger company to buy 'Yearwood, Angus and Port'. As far as he was aware, the major directors were near retiring age and wanted to sell the company they'd built up from scratch, carrying on as consultants until they were ready to retire permanently. Maddy hadn't exaggerated the company's financial success. It's what made the business stand-out as a viable investment option for the client he was contracted to.

Maddy's company had a strong portfolio. A company that could be acquired by his property development and management clients, R&C Property Ltd, would benefit their business. James was torn in half. He was obligated by his job to adhere to the legal professional privilege, forcing him to protect and keep confidential all his communications with his clients. The information couldn't be divulged, nor would he consider doing so. Maddy's career hopes and aspirations lay solely with her employers. It wouldn't be too long before that security was snatched away from her. She'd made it clear last night how devoted to work she was. James feared she wouldn't take it well when she discovered her company was being taken over by a larger organisation. Having done the majority of work, he knew staff cut-backs would have to be made when the deal was finalised. It was always a human resources nightmare with mergers and acquisitions. R&C Property Ltd had their own established, trustworthy staff ready to step in and run the business. They would only keep on a minimal number of original staff from Maddy's company to show them the ropes and fill in any staffing gaps.

He put his head in his hands. His biggest concern was that R&C Property Ltd had their own team of accountants. It was anticipated the financial director of 'Yearwood, Angus and Port', a guy called Geoff Angus, would stay on as financial consultant. These two facts made it highly likely Maddy's position would become redundant. The longevity she valued at work would be stripped from her without her having any input whatsoever. James would love to have given her a heads up, advised her to start searching for work elsewhere, but it wasn't his place to. It would be career suicide if he confided any information regarding the business transaction to Maddy.

James would have sworn on Monday with Maddy's handbag spilling inside the train that the universe was bringing the two together, but when he'd heard who her employers were last night, he would've placed money on fate intervening to tear them apart.

Maddy was already winning his heart, but he was determined to keep a professional business head. He couldn't afford to jeopardise the deal for his clients. They had been with him for years and he'd habitually bought them the best financially flourishing companies to join their portfolio. It was possibly the first time in his career that he appreciated how difficult it was on the employees who never had an idea of what was going on until after the paperwork was signed off.

His heart was heavy when he bordered the train. He wasn't sure whether he should greet Maddy with a kiss or the truth about his current work project. Deciding not to risk his job or a slap in the face, he opted to kiss her forehead before taking his seat and stretching his legs.

”Are you okay?” Maddy mouthed at him.

Her brown eyes were full of concern. He felt like a cheat and a liar. James knew he was neither of those, but it was a hard feeling to push aside. He'd spoken about rescuing her last night, when what he'd be doing over the course of the next eight hours would be endangering the life she'd built herself.

Girding his loins, he flashed a brief smile at her.

”I'm fine,” he said.

James knew he should say more; give something to Maddy, but he was lost for words. Reverting to type, he retrieved his phone to check for emails. It was more of a tactic to distract him from Maddy, but it was failing to work. She didn't hound him or ask further questions, but James knew she didn't deserve the silent treatment. When he heard his stop announced, he took his suitcase to prepare for a swift departure.

Maddy's eyes searched him intently. He could see only pain and rejection in her eyes. She deserved better than this. It was wrong of him to internalise everything. The doors opened.

”Will you be on the normal time train tonight?” asked James.

Her expression was one of relief.

”Absolutely.”

”Great. Maybe we can catch up properly. I've had some work-related stuff crop up. It's been playing on my mind this morning.”

”I'm sorry to hear that. Do you think you'll be able to fix it?”

He made a face. Maddy thought he looked fetching when he was stressed.

”I don't know, but I'm not going to let it impose on the good things in my life. One of the main ones being you. Would you do me a favour?”

”Sure, whatever I can do to help.”

”On your way home this evening, get off at London Bridge. I'll wait for you on the platform. I thought we might try something new tonight.”

Hastily he kissed her. His fingers chucked her under her chin to lighten the mood. When he saw her face sweetly soften he instantly felt better. At the end of the day he was the middleman, there was little he could do about the situation. Work was work, but it didn't mean he couldn't lend an ear or offer a shoulder to Maddy during the fall-out of the acquisition. She may not even find out he was involved with the deal. Behaving offishly though was out of order on his part. He was keen to make it up to her and decided a treat was in order.

”See you tonight,” he said, thankful a late-comer desperate to make the train had thrown his body between the doors preventing them from jamming shut. As the barriers sprung open, James leapt off as the other man squeezed himself into the crowd of harassed people caught in the rush-hour throng.

As Maddy walked to her office, she paid no attention to the famous landmarks that littered her route to the office. St Martin's Crypt, Nelson's Column, and Trafalgar Square were a blur, as she tried to untangle James' odd behaviour in her mind. She'd thought last night had been a resounding success. He'd seemed sincere in conversation and the kind of man looking to settle down. That he'd been open and honest appealed to her gentle soul, but this morning he'd behaved – she hated using the word – but frosty. Distant was a more appropriate description. It was as if he had spent the entire journey struggling to make eye contact with her, let alone engaging in general chit chat.

Last night she was certain there was a definite promise of something more to come. However, now she was questioning whether she'd misinterpreted the entire date. A little guidance from someone more familiar with the dating scene would be helpful, but Maddy wasn't sure whether she was ready for the onslaught of well-intentioned friends and family determined to assist her disastrous love life.