Until I Met You (7 page)

“He can be a bit over protective.”

“Now she tells me,” Brad bellowed.  The laughter quickly followed again and soon the drinks and conversation were flowing.

It got to around one in the morning when we all started drooping a little from tiredness and alcohol consumption.  I held up an empty bottle and said, “Where has the rum gone?”

The giggles were soon back and it was hard to stop.  “Well—Captain Jack—we must be off,” Shelly sighed.

“Now that all my rum’s gone, you’re both off.  How treacherous you arrr.”

“Well, you know me, Angelina; it’s all about the rum.”  Brad winked at me and Shelly reluctantly stood up.

“You want to grab a cab, Brad?  Your place is near to me anyway, isn’t it?” 

We all stood, stretching our drunken bones and yawned.

“Yeah sure.  That’d be great.”

After they both thanked me for the rum, Shelly and Brad headed out to hail a cab.  I walked back into my kitchen/living area and wondered what to do next.  I decided it was best to let Jerry out for a bit—seeing as he didn’t get a chance to fly around much earlier—and proceeded with my nightly—getting ready for bed—rituals.

Once I was in a tank top and boxers, I thought it best for a pre-emptive strike on my hangover tomorrow.  I went into the kitchen to get myself a gallon of water and downed two Paracetamol.  I made sure Jerry was nicely tucked up in his cage with a blanket over to help him sleep, and I proceeded to my bedroom, where I could not—would not—dream of Seth the sexy asshole.

CHAPTER 5

I wasn’t feeling too bad this morning.  Everything seemed to smooth out quite well.  I woke up with no headache, or nausea.  I was actually feeling rather good about myself.  I took a long, hot shower—I made sure Jerry’s cage was clean and freshened with food—and I even managed to read a little before my working day had even started.

I had no appointments scheduled until my first one with Mr Jacobs, which was great considering I had some admin to catch up on.  I was at my desk with a cup of coffee and a smile on my face when Shelly and Brad walked in.  They both looked like they’d been dragged through a hedge backwards.  “Oh dear, did I help do that to you two?”  They both glared at me, nausea written all over their faces.

“Yes, I feel bloody awful,” Brad moaned.  “How come you look as fresh as a daisy?”

I shrugged my shoulders.  “I don’t know.  Maybe I’m just naturally gifted like that.”

“More like a natural bitch.  I hate you.  How can you not look sick?”  They both flopped down in the chairs, looking like they were ready to die any second.

“I believe I didn’t drink as much as you two did last night.  Besides, what happened after you left?  Did you carry on the party without me?”

“No!” they both shouted.  I couldn’t help but jump. 

Looking over at them both, I noticed something straight away.  They were nervous around each other.  I had to chuckle.  I think Shelly and I need to talk about that at some point.

Getting ready for my twelve o’clock appointment—I got my desk tidied up a little and grabbed my bag—just as Jonathan stood tall and lean above my desk.

“Your twelve o’clock is here,” he beamed.

“Okay, thanks Jona… oh hell no!” I screamed, making Jonathan jump.  It was him, Seth the Asshole.

“I’m sorry, am I missing something here, Angelina?” Jonathan asked.

“Angel,” Mr Asshole chimed smirking at me. 
That damn sexy, bastard smirk!

“My name is not Angel, it’s Angelina.  Please tell me this isn’t him, Jonathan?  He’s Mr Jacobs?” I huffed, not once trying to hide my annoyance at his presence.

“I get the feeling you two know each other?” he asked, frowning.

“I had the pleasure of meeting this lovely angel yesterday, Jonathan.  She really is rather rude though. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve such vicious treatment.”  He beamed, winking at me. 

The fucker winked at me!

“Angelina, care to explain?” Jonathan asked.

“I went out last night with Brad and Shelly, she’ll tell you,” I said pointing towards her.

Everyone looked at Shelly and she put her hands up.  “Don’t get me involved in this,” she said waving her arms. 

Shit, this wasn’t going well.

“Angel, Angel, Angel, me thinks thou doth protest too much,” Asshole said—purring the words.

I gave him a frustrated sigh.  “Oh great, first we think we’re a comedian and then we think we’re Shakespeare now?”

“Angelina, I think we’ve said enough.  Mr Jacobs, I apologise for Angelina’s behaviour.  If you would like another person to show you the penthouse, I would quite understand.”

I looked at Jonathan, a little annoyed.  I know Seth’s a big client, and one that makes Jonathan lots of money, but there would be a reason for my outburst.  I would never normally treat people this way, and he should know that.

“No, that’s fine Jonathan.  I’m quite looking forward to Miss…?”

“Bradshaw,” Jonathan blurted.

“Miss Bradshaw showing me around the place.”

“Are you a masochist?” I asked defiantly.

“Angelina!” Jonathan shouted.

I quickly realised my mistake when Seth’s smile grew wider.  He was really enjoying this and I was playing right into the fucker’s hands.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Seth purred.

Oh great, now he’s flirting, and I’ve made the biggest cock-up by encouraging it in the first place.

Jonathan looked at Seth and then looked at me.  He was about to say something, but quickly shut up.  He shook his head and that was my queue to grab my bag.  If he still wanted me to show him around, I would, but I wanted it over and done with as soon as possible.

“Shall we go?” I asked reluctantly.

“Of course,” Seth said, clearing a way for me to pass.

My feet somehow managed to find movement as I stepped forward.  Grabbing my arm, Jonathan held me back a second and looked at me.

“When you get back, I think we need to talk.”

Oh boy, not only was I having to spend some of my company with this asshole for the next half an hour or so, I’m in big trouble with the boss.  Can this day get any better?!

I looked up at Seth and his intent stare was on Jonathan’s hand around my arm.  Jonathan noticed and let go, releasing me quickly.

I don’t know how, but I managed to put one foot in front of the other, making my way out into the cool breeze.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves, and was gently directed towards a chauffeur holding the door to a black Rolls Royce.  The driver smiled and ushered me in.  I looked back at Seth and he motioned me inside.

“Phantom?” I asked. 

That damn sexy eyebrow of his perked up as he answered.  “You know your cars.”  He looked impressed.

“My dad’s a car salesman.  He loves luxury cars and I spent a lot of time with him at work as I was growing up.  I learnt a thing of two along the way,” I said, dipping my head down to the seat and thanking the driver.  Turning my attention back to Seth, I sighed.  “Why don’t you drive?”

“I do, but London is big city.  It’s just easier and quicker to get around this way.”

He smiled, making my heart skip a beat.  I tried to remember last night and his arrogance.  I can’t let him see that he affects me.  That would just get his already massive-sized ego another boost he doesn’t deserve.  I decided it was best to just try and ignore him as much as I could, and only answer when asked.  I had a job to do.

We made the journey in less than ten minutes.  It would have actually been quicker if we walked it there, but for some reason Seth wanted to use the car.  I did notice a few times in the corner of my eye that Seth was checking my legs out.  When I fidgeted, he smiled—making me want to punch his lights out even more.  I don’t think I have ever had this kind of reaction to man before.  Ever.

We eventually got to the main entrance, where I keyed in the security code as he held the door open for me.  He smiled, making me hate him that little bit more as I thanked him.  It wasn’t the most gracious of thank yous, but it would have to do.

Calling the lift, I pressed the key in for the penthouse suite.  “I’ve been told this is not something you normally go for.  It’s more the projects you like to take on rather than the finished product, is that right?”

“Yes, I do like to turn something unloved, tired, and miserable into something beautiful, sexy, and enticing,” he said, edging a little bit closer.

I knew what he was doing, I wasn’t stupid.  He was talking about me.  Unloved, tired, and miserable my arse!  And I’m not—nor will I ever be—his project.

“Having said that, I know buying off plain is profitable and sometimes I have to put my business head on, as it is just that.”

“Well, as you know, it is still unfinished so you will have to see past all the mess.”

“Oh, I always see past all the mess,” he said seductively.

I traded one foot for the other in a bid to stop the throbbing downstairs.  It was no use, and it just made me look like I wanted to pee.  Luckily for me, the lift came to a halt and we were now walking inside the humongous penthouse.  There were builders everywhere, which made me feel somewhat safer around Seth.  Not that I thought he was a psycho or anything, I just didn’t want us alone together.  That would be trouble with a capital T.

“This is the hallway,” I said, starting my rambling.

“I gathered that,” he said cheekily.  I turned to him scowling and he winced.  “You really don’t like me, do you?  This is going to be more of a challenge than I thought.  But I do like a challenge.”

Now I was beyond mad.  “Excuse me?”

“You know, you really are rather sexy when you’re angry.  I could do all sorts with that anger, challenge it into something a bit more… beneficial,” he said after a brief pause.

“You know, you really are something else,” I said, agitated.

“I take that as a compliment.”

“It wasn’t meant to be one.”

“Are you this rude to all your clients, Angel?”

“My name’s not Angel,” I spat.  “And no, only ones who have humongous chips on their shoulders.  Now, can I show you around, or are you going to stand here and argue with me all day?”  He looked at me, raising an eyebrow and a cheeky grin.  “On second thoughts, don’t answer that,” I replied stepping forward.

We walked around the expanse of the hallway and into the kitchen/come diner.  The kitchen had yet to be fitted and the walls plastered, but you could already tell this was going to be one spectacular apartment.  To the left hand side was a magnificent view of London, which was helped by the wall-to-wall windows lined up toward the oversized patio.  On the patio, I noticed there was a Jacuzzi.  That was obviously put there on purpose to help sell it that bit more.  Not that it needed it.

I took him further through, showing him the four bedrooms and five bathrooms this flat had to offer.  It also sported a cinema room with bar attached to the corner.  This was definitely a millionaire’s playboy pad.

“So, how many are left in total in this block?” Seth asked, pulling me from my daydream.

“Well, as you know the original buyer for this pulled out, so you were lucky to have a viewing.  I have another two lined up this afternoon to see it.  Apart from this one, there are only three others left.”

Seth nodded his head.  “What floor are they on?”

“One is on the first floor, one on the fifth floor, and the other on the eighth floor, all three bedrooms.”

I regarded him as he pursed his lips a little in thought.  “Do you have the keys for those by any chance?”

“Yes, I always keep all the keys just in case anyone wants to see the others.”

“Hmm, not just a pretty face,” he sighed, smiling.

Why did he have to be so irritating?  “That was nowhere near condescending at all.”

“It wasn’t meant to be.  Angel, I think I’ve seen enough of this apartment.  I know what I want when I see it.  I’ll take this one and will also take the ones on the fifth and eighth floor, if they’re to my liking.”

My head snapped up in shock.  “What, just like that?”

“Yep,” he quipped.  “Just like that.  I don’t dilly dally, Miss Bradshaw.  I take what I want, when I want it.”

I walked away and muttered “Conceited little prick” under my breath.

“I heard that,” he said amused.

Swinging my heels round, I faced him.  “Oh, so we have x-ray hearing now do we?”

“I don’t know why you’re fighting this, my angel.  It’s going to happen one day.”

This guy really got under my skin.  “Number one, I’m not your angel—and two—one day will happen when hell freezes over!”

Most of the builders within earshot stopped the hammering and looked over to me.  A couple of them smiled and one of them winked.  Seth saw this and smiled himself.

“I’m getting out of here before I drown in too much testosterone.”

Seth followed, laughing, although I didn’t find any of this funny whatsoever.  And did he also have to be so damn sexy when he laughed, too?

“You are just too cute; do you know that, Angel?”

“Will you stop calling me Angel?”  I got in the lift, practically pounding my fist on the number eight button.

“Have you ever thought of taking Anger Management classes at all?”

I took a few calming deep breaths.  I knew he was trying to get a rise out of me, and I also knew he was enjoying every minute of it.  I was determined not to give him the satisfaction.

“Oh, we’ve lost our voice.  That must be a first for you,” he said laughing.

I opened my mouth to bite—I very nearly did—but again, I wasn’t giving in to him.

I showed him around the apartment, which was about half the size of the penthouse, but still very big nonetheless.  The views weren’t as spectacular, but it was still impressive.

Once finished, I began looking at my watch as it was getting closer to one, and I knew I had another viewing at two.

“Am I keeping you, my angel?”

“No, I have those other appointments in just over an hour.”

“You mean the ones coming here to see the penthouse?”

“Yes,” I answered.

“Well, I’ll soon deal with that.  Be back in a bit.”  Within a flash he made his way out onto the patio and shut the door.

As he stood outside I watched him with distasteful interest.  Who am I kidding, I watched him like I was a bitch on heat.  Not a lot of men tend to look like sex-on-legs in a suit, but this guy oozed it.  He must have his suits custom-made as it just fitted to his body perfectly.  I watched in interest as he shifted and then bent over the balcony in rapt conversation.  His pert bottom, sticking out now as he hunched over, was begging to be touched—caressed even.  I stared, biting my lip as he turned to look at me.  His expression was one of mild amusement as mine turned from lustful to hateful in a tenth of a second.  He winked at me and I turned away from him.  I had to, so as not to give myself away.