Scandal (Tainted #1) (19 page)

‘Bye.’

A few minutes later, she heard the door click closed behind him and she rolled onto her side, catching her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was mussed, but in a sexy bedhead kind of way. Her lips were red and puffy from the spine-tingling kisses and she swore her skin was glowing. Alicia grinned, thinking a little R&R with a notorious playboy had its advantages.

Her mood had only lightened since she saw the stories headlining the news. Sebastian was in the spotlight again, but for the right reasons this time. She’d collected every rag she could, took a long detour to the office to make sure no paparazzi followed, and spent the first half hour with her coffee going over all the spins on the ‘reformed tennis
player
’ articles.

Until Mr Maine arrived with a look that said she was in trouble. ‘Miss Simpson, can I have a word?’

This couldn’t be good, not when he was addressing her so formally. ‘Sure, er, yes. Come in.’

Mr Maine did, closing the door behind him. She smiled politely though her hands dampened and her stomach was all swishy. When he took the chair across from her desk, he glanced down at the papers with a frown.

Alicia decided a bit of good news might make what was coming easier to deal with. She turned a few of the newspapers around so he could read them. ‘I heard one of Collins’ sponsors dropped, so had a freelance photographer follow us to a club and leak these stories. The press seem to have bought it.’

He opened one of the nationals and flicked to a page she hadn’t read yet, then turned the thing around. There was a picture of her and Sebastian wrapped around each other on the middle of the club’s dance floor, lip locked like they were about to dry hump right there. Which, if the photographer had a video camera, would have been caught on tape.

Alicia waited for the blush to come, for some outward sign of her discomfort, then realised slightly trembling hands was all she had. Her mind fogged over remembering when she’d been in his arms, pressed against every delicious inch of him, and decided it was time to give up her father’s idea of what was right for her. She was an adult and they were doing nothing seedy or offending, but Mr Maine wasn’t worried about her virtue.

‘We had to make the whole thing look convincing.’ She shrugged, trying to look blasé over the most incredible night of her life. ‘There aren’t many pictures of us together, and we needed to get something out there before the launch of the charity later this week in case his sponsor pulling gets out first. And with the new feature Mai’s doing, this seemed like the only option.’

The frown Mr Maine sported smoothed a little. ‘These things should be run past me first. This could have gone either way.’

Sensing the storm had settled, she smiled. ‘Of course, next time I will if I can. It was a time-sensitive decision and the photographer needed something newsworthy.’

He studied her expression and she pulled on the cool, polite mask that had saved her before.

Nodding, he said, ‘It was a good idea, I just had to check you were both doing this for publicity.’

She smiled, even though her neck beaded with sweat having to lie to her boss. ‘Of course we are.’

Rising, he smiled back. ‘I honestly didn’t expect you to be able to do such a good job, but it seems you’re full of surprises.’

She froze, though the urge to squirm was strong. She didn’t deserve Mr Maine’s praise, not when she was going behind his back and risking her job. ‘Thank you.’

The second he left, she pulled her mobile out her handbag and sent a text to Sebastian.

Maine saw the picture of us dancing. Had to think fast. If Tony asks, we planned the whole night.

For the next hour, she organised everything, only stopping when her mobile rang. Seeing Sebastian’s name sent a thrill through her. She frowned at the device before answering. No way should she be this excited to speak to him. She had to remember this wasn’t a proper relationship, and that when he went to France she’d be single again.

Her good mood plummeted and she answered with less enthusiasm than she’d had calling her father after the news they were a couple broke. ‘Hi.’

‘What’s happened?’

Great, now she couldn’t even hide the glum from him. Forcing false enthusiasm into her voice, she lied. ‘Hmm, nothing. Sorry, I space out when I’m idea-bouncing.’

‘
OK
. I called to ask when we leave to visit your family. James is talking about slotting in extra hours before and after.’

Oh god, she’d almost forgotten he was coming. Rubbing her temples didn’t ease the tension making her brain swell. ‘Friday afternoon and the party’s on Saturday. We should be back by dinner time Sunday, but you really don’t have to go.’

‘Is that what’s bugging you? You don’t want me there?’

‘Nothing’s bugging me. I told you, I’m working.’ Her stomach was uneasy, like she’d eaten something too acidic. Either that or all this lying had given her an ulcer, but how could she tell him she was down because they’d be over soon when they weren’t really together? She couldn’t. It would ruin what time they had or worse, end it sooner.

‘You’re forgetting I’ve heard you lie, Blondie. You suck at it. Now spill.’

‘It’s nothing, really, and I’d prefer it if you didn’t meet my family. They’re so … stuffy and strict. We’d have to be on our best behaviour and I wouldn’t be surprised if my father makes us sleep in separate wings.’

His laugh coaxed a smile out of her. ‘There are ways of getting around that. And I’ll be with you – my fresh air so I can breathe.’

Alicia snorted. ‘That’s cheesy.’

‘But true.’ She could picture his grin, mischievous and wicked while he feigned innocence.

She rolled her eyes. ‘Goodbye, Sebastian. I’ll see you later.’

‘Wait. I’m putting in a few extra hours here just to make up the time I’ll lose. We could have a quiet night instead.’

His tone suggested it wouldn’t all be quiet, and her heart sped in anticipation. Enough to quell the slither of disappointment that they wouldn’t be going out, but what did she expect? She was having a fling with someone who put as much time into his work as she did. ‘Can’t wait.’

Chapter Fourteen

Sebastian hadn’t exactly lied to Alicia. He
had
put more hours into training and it was late afternoon when he called it a day. And even though he wanted nothing more than to go to Alicia’s flat and fall into her warmth, he had to do something he should have done a long time ago.

It was harder than it should have been to open the gate of the white picket fence, and walk up the cobble stone path which, last year, had been lined with shrubs and brightly coloured flowers. Now that he’d taken away the funding for a gardener, weeds had grown out, but he wasn’t surprised Mai had let them – she’d always cared more about manicures than getting her hands dirty.

This wasn’t just his old home, it was his
dream
. Everything he’d thought he could never have, right there in brick and stone. A base for his life, a woman who would love him, and a future set out so differently from his past.

That dream had been shattered into a million sharp and pointy pieces months ago – but it was only now he realised Mai wasn’t the reason. He could have done more to hold on to everything, could have given her more than he did, but he’d followed in the footsteps of his father and put his career before everything else.

But that was OK, the sport was his life now and he accepted that. He was good at what he did. Hell, he even loved it most of the time. Tennis was all he’d ever known. But leading Mai on with promises he didn’t know how to keep hadn’t been fair.

Despite the fact she’d almost ruined his career, reading the first part of the feature made him realise she wasn’t just angry, she was upset. Maybe even broken. He’d done that, and he had to make it right. Even if it meant facing the bastard she’d jumped into bed with the day after he lost her at Wimbledon.

A glance around the street showed there wasn’t anyone around who looked suspicious. All the cars were in their garages apart from a red Chevy that pulled into the street, but the guy drove on to the end of the road and out of sight. Convinced he hadn’t been followed, Sebastian knocked the door.

Heavy footsteps sounded from the house and he almost groaned when he guessed who they belonged to. His suspicions were confirmed when a dark-haired, scrawny guy opened the door and scowled at him.

‘What the fuck do you want?’ Jack asked, his hands curling into fists.

‘Relax.’ He held his hands up and tried his best to keep his tone civil, though it grated his throat on the way out. ‘I just want to speak to Mai.’

Jack stepped outside and slammed the door behind him. ‘You’re not getting anywhere near her, so go back to your new girl and keep your hands off my woman!’

Did this waste of space actually think he’d take Mai back, or that she’d have anything to do with him? ‘Trust me, my hands won’t be anywhere near her. Is she here?’

Jack pulled back a fist, but before he took the swing Sebastian said, ‘Remember what happened last time you tried that shit? I see the hospital fucked up the set on your nose. You’re looking a little crooked.’

Though Jack lowered his arm, he shook all over with the rage that twisted his face. ‘Get off my property or I’m calling the press.’

Sebastian wasn’t surprised Jack was as much a media whore as his other half, and he couldn’t resist reminding him, ‘A property that I paid for. Now are you going to tell me where she is or do I have to hire someone to track her down?’

‘Trust me when I say you’re the last bastard she wants to speak to,’ Jack said.

‘She seemed happy enough to start an argument with me yesterday. Just text her, give her the choice.’ He wasn’t going to beg. If he had to he’d come back, but with training doubling up and with Alicia in his life he wanted to get this over with.

He would have said something yesterday if he hadn’t just found out his biggest sponsor had been dropped, not to mention the row with Alicia. And Mai hadn’t exactly been in the mood for civil conversation.

Jack’s scowl didn’t ease up as he tapped out a text to Mai, or so Sebastian assumed.

‘You know, Collins, with your new blonde piece of arse, why do you even give a shit about her?’

Sebastian had to grit his teeth and stick his fists into his pocket in case he did something he might regret. Eventually. Alicia wasn’t a piece of arse, never had been, but he didn’t need to go there with Jack.

After a deep breath to calm himself, he said, ‘I’m not going to fuck this relationship up. I told you, I only want to speak to Mai.’

A mocking laugh was all he got in reply.

He should turn around and walk away, but there was something he’d always wondered about and if he was ever going to get a chance to ask, this was it. ‘I can’t understand why you’re sitting back and letting Mai sell all these stories. Why would you want the world thinking she still cares about how much I hurt her when you’re with her?’

Jack’s smirk made him think there was something he was missing. Before he could ask anything else, the other guy’s phone beeped. ‘Looks like you’re in luck. She says she’ll meet you at the boat hire shop in Hyde Park.’

Sebastian didn’t say he’d rather cut off his own ear than meet up with her at the place they’d had their first date, but it was tempting. Still, he had things he needed to discuss, and if Mai wanted to meet him there he could give her that. It was the least he could do. ‘When?’

Jack told him and he headed back to his car. He wanted to get this over with as quickly as he could, knowing that made him a jerk. But Alicia would be waiting for him and he wanted nothing more than to hold her, make her hot and ready for him. Maybe even show her all the things she’d been missing out on trying to be someone she wasn’t.

The perfect thing about Alicia was she didn’t have Mai’s expectations. She accepted their relationship for what it was, and more importantly, he wouldn’t break her when their time together was over.

It was amazing what one could get done in an hour, Mai thought as she made her way through the park to Serpentine Boat Hire. Ever since she’d signed with
Taylor Made
, she’d had to keep her mouth shut. She wasn’t allowed to give exclusives on her relationship with Sebastian to anyone else, which meant she should have to suffer through this mystery meeting with Collins without the monetary gain.

But she’d had an idea since getting Jack’s text, and had sent out a few texts of her own. She didn’t doubt Sebastian had called this meeting to tell her off for yesterday – that wasn’t an opportunity for more work she could let pass.

And it was brilliant. She couldn’t have thought of something better if she’d tried. When she’d bumped into him in the street after a horrible morning with a grouchy Jack, she couldn’t help screaming at him. All the anger at her lover had boiled over until vengeance made her want to hurt Sebastian – after all, he was the reason Jack was distant. All these interviews and having to drag up the past just to get by couldn’t be fun for him to watch. Words were the only arsenal she had, and she’d used a few choice ones with Sebastian.

But for this meeting, she’d had time to think and an hour to form a plan that would screw him over so hard he might even lose his latest squeeze. Mai didn’t care about the posh girl’s feelings. She was too chubby for him anyway, and he’d no doubt get caught with his dick in another woman. She was just speeding up the inevitable.

She saw him on the bench where they’d shared a few steamy kisses on their first proper date. He’d then taken her out onto the lake and she could remember how happy she’d been – how much he’d made her laugh. The tales he’d told her from his travels had engrossed her, but when a sad wistfulness entered his tone when he talked about the people he’d left behind, she’d shed a few tears for him.

Mai dragged her mind back from the past. After all, she didn’t ask him to come to the lake to revisit memories she was brutally trying to forget. He was here because what better place to get the best story than where they’d had their first date?

As she neared, Sebastian looked up at her. He was in a hoodie and a baseball cap, probably to avoid being seen with her, but it didn’t make him look any less striking. He was still well-built, still had hair she could hold onto when he sunk into her over and over.