Chapter Fifteen

Eduardo drove us back along the wide, palm-tree-lined roads to the gated community. When he pulled up on his drive, I touched his leg. Would he want me to come inside, find his own release from the sexual tension that had built between us over lunch? I certainly wouldn't complain if he did.

But before I could speak, his phone alarm went off.

" Oui , it is time." He opened his car door.

"For what?"

"Wait there."

Again he scooted around and opened my door for me. He held out his hand.

"Time for what?" I asked again.

"It is the day I always call my mother. We are both awake, and she will have finished her evening class but not yet be asleep."

"Oh, okay."

He kissed my knuckles. "You understand?"

"Of course." I smiled and pushed down any disappointment that might have shown in my eyes.

"But if it would not upset her, know that I would take you to my bedroom and make long sweet love to you, ma choue ."

"Is that right?" I waggled my eyebrows.

" Oui , and you would be so exhausted afterwards I'd have to hold you tight all night long."

"I have my fair share of stamina."

"Ah, but have you ever been with a Frenchman before?"

"I…er, no."

"So you have no idea of the skills I have that will drain all the tension from you and fill you up with pleasure and satisfaction."

I remembered the orgasm he'd given me only minutes ago with just his fingertips. "Then I will look forward to the experience."

He grinned, and his eyes filled with desire. "It will be soon, that is my promise to you." He pressed a kiss to my cheek, his lips lingering on my skin.

After saying our goodbyes and Eduardo still clutching his phone, I wandered over to the brothers' house. Ben had given me a key, and I let myself in.

The place was quiet. A kit bag and pair of trainers had been dumped beside the table in the hallway.

For a moment I paused, the cool AC wrapping around me, and then I yawned and had a sudden wave of exhaustion.

I kicked off my sandals and headed up the stairs. I'd lie down for a while. A big meal, wine, and a sexy liaison with Eduardo had drained my energy.

When I reached the landing, I heard water flowing. A shower was running. Ben's bedroom door was open a little, and I guessed it was him.

With another yawn I went into my room, dropped my purse on the floor, then flopped onto the bed. I stretched with pointed toes and arms aloft and let out a sigh. Okay, so I wasn't in the Maldives with my groom, but I was at least in sunny Florida enjoying sexy dates and schmoozing with hockey heroes and country and western stars. It could be worse. I could be married to a cheat.

My eyes quickly became heavy, and I let sleep envelop me. Thoughts of things I needed to do like call Trevor and find myself my own place to stay left my mind. A delicious blackness wrapped around me and whisked me away to a heavy place of contentment.

"Hey, sleepyhead, you're not following the jetlag rules."

"Mmm?" I turned over and opened my eyes.

Ben stood there in just a pair of gray sweats that sat low on his hips. "I brought you tea. You won't sleep tonight if you don't wake up soon."

"Oh…yes, you're right." I pushed myself to sitting and took the mug that had a picture of Mickey Mouse on it. "Thanks."

"Did you have a nice time with Eduardo? He took you to Ciao! , right?"

"Yes, or should I say oui , I did, thank you." I took a sip of tea. "The food was incredible, and he clearly goes there a lot."

"Yeah, we all do. Benita is adorable."

"I agree." I nodded at the door. "Is Theo back yet? He wasn't at practice, was he?"

"No, he's not home, not yet." He stepped away. "I'll sort us out some food."

"No…don't do that. When I got the groceries I bought the ingredients for paella. I'll cook in a little while, once I've had a shower, woken up a bit."

"You don't have to cook for us, you know."

"You don't like my cooking?"

He laughed. "You're a great cook, from what I've sampled so far, but don't feel you have to earn your keep."

I shrugged. "I like cooking, I find it relaxing, and I like eating, too. So I'm happy to cook. It's nice to have a couple of strapping guys to make food for."

"Well, okay, if you insist." He turned.

I admired the muscles of his back, long thick ropes of strength that followed the gutter of his spine. The sun had kissed his wide shoulders, and he had a small crop of freckles at the base of his neck.

"Thanks again for the tea," I said. "I'll be down soon."

I took my time with the tea, then seeing it was nearly six p.m., I got up and showered. I put on a floaty white skirt and tight blue vest top, an outfit I'd imagined wearing for evening strolls along the beach. I'd pictured myself hand in hand with Steven, the azure water lapping at our ankles and the sun setting on the horizon.

"Asshole," I muttered and blew out a breath. "But I won't let you get me down. You're history and so is Cheryl."

I applied a little perfume and lip gloss, set down my shoulders, and headed down the wide staircase. There was still only one set of trainers at the front door.

"Theo still not here?" I asked Ben as I walked into the kitchen.

He was sitting on a barstool scrolling on his phone. "He will be soon."

"Where has he been all day?"

The front door opened, and the sudden sharp clicks of shoes on marble echoed toward us.

Dylan appeared, his cheeks red and his eyes narrowed. "What the hell is this?"

"What is what?" Ben frowned.

"This? And where the fuck is Eduardo?"

"What is it…oh…?" I clasped my hand over my mouth. Was I seeing right? How could it be? And…oh fuck if I was. "Give me that."

I grabbed Dylan's phone and stared at the image of Eduardo and I in a steamy embrace up against the wall of Ciao! It was every bit as passion-infused and erotic as the photographs of Steven and Cheryl outside Ecclestone church. My mouth dried, and my heart rate ramped up. "How…and…shit, is this…is this the only one?"

"Why, could there be more?" Dylan folded his arms, his knuckles pushing on his biceps and making them seem even bigger than they already were. "Photos that are more…more…invasive or intimate."

"It is invasive! An invasion of privacy." Ben was at my side, his hand on the hollow of my back. "And who is or are Orlando, the Eyes and Ears ?"

"Some small-time blogger who wants to be press."

"So it's not in the press?" I asked.

"No, it's just on this guy's blog. He must have taken the shot, today, I'm presuming." Dylan's jaw tensed. "Could there be more? What else did you do? You look like you're ready to fuck hard and fast against that wall."

I swallowed, and my knees felt a little weak. I leaned onto Ben, glad of his solidity.

"It'll be okay," Ben said softly. "Honestly it will. It's just a kiss."

"We went to his car," I said, quietly.

"And you fucked, in his car?" Dylan rolled his eyes. "I thought the guy had more class."

"No, we didn't fuck, we…we kissed a bit and…"

"You made out," Ben said, "that's okay, Pippa, but where was the car parked?"

"Round the back of the restaurant. It was private, there was no one else there, Eduardo checked."

"He had a raging hard-on, he'd have said anything." Dylan shook his head.

"Why are you so mad?" I asked him. Was he jealous? Was Dylan staking a claim on me?

"Because you have been through enough, Pip." He unfolded his arms and scrubbed his hand over his short hair. "This sort of shit messes with people's heads, I know it does."

"I agree it's not ideal, but I'm okay," I paused. "And thank you for your concern, Dylan." I stepped away from Ben and up to him, rested my hand on his forearm. "I appreciate it, I really do, and I'm glad I know about it, that you spotted it, because now I can call Trevor and he can put a lid on the story, or try to."

"Yeah, good idea." Dylan's eyes searched mine. "You sure you're okay?"

"I will be." I forced a smile despite dreading the conversation with Trevor. "And I'm making paella if you want some."

The front door went again, the doorbell ringing with it as though for dramatic effect. " Ma choue, where are you? My heart misses you so."

Eduardo walked into the room. His black t-shirt hugged his chest, and his beige shorts were tight on his wide thighs. He was grinning broadly.

Theo was with him. He wore a Tommy fleece and faded jeans and paused to take in the room. "What's going on?" He directed his question at Ben.

"You okay?" Ben asked him.

"I will be when you tell me why Dylan looks like a bull who's just been shown a red rag, and why Pippa is so pale." Theo studied me with a frown.

"This." I flashed the pap shot at first Theo and then Eduardo.

Eduardo snatched the phone from my hand, his grin slipping instantly. " Merde!"

"We were seen," I said. "And by some guy with a blog, he's posted it online."

"I am so sorry." Eduardo set the phone on the island and took my hands. "I am so sorry, I would never do anything to hurt you, to make your perilous situation even worse for you."

"It's not perilous, it is what it is. And besides." Again I managed a smile. "It takes two to tango."

Dylan huffed at this and went to the refrigerator. He found a beer and popped the lid which scuttled along the countertop. "Let's hope there are no photographs of you guys in your car, Eduardo."

"My car." Eduardo shook his head. "No, there are no pictures of us in the car, we were alone, I was keeping watch."

"How good you were at that task remains to be seen." Ben set a serious stare on Eduardo.

"You took a risk, buddy," Theo said, setting his butt on a barstool and reaching for a banana. "And you got caught, which happens." He nodded at me. "But you took that risk with Pippa, and that is not okay, not by a long shot."

"Hey, guys!" Eduardo held up his hands in surrender. "We were caught up in the moment, our desires, our bodies crying out for each other and—"

"Oh, shut the fuck up," Dylan said then took a long drink.

"The damage is done." Ben was close beside me again, a steadying presence. "But like Pippa said, she has a plan. She'll call her agent, and he can slap this guy with some order or whatever it is agents do to keep lids on stories." He gently stroked a strand of hair from my cheek. "Why don't you go and do that now and I'll make a start chopping veg and pour you a glass of wine. Then you can put it from your mind for the evening."

His calmness was reassuring, and I nodded. "What time will it be in London?"

Theo glanced at the clock. "Lunchtime, you're all good."

"Thanks. I'll go…" I gestured to the door. "Call Trevor then."

They were silent when I left the kitchen, but when I was halfway up the stairs I could hear voices again. I hoped they wouldn't be too mad at Eduardo. It really wasn't all his fault. I'd wanted him as much as he'd wanted me.

Trevor picked up after three rings, and I quickly explained what had happened.

"Wow, you got back in the saddle quick. He must be gorgeous, this Eduardo."

"He is, and French, and you know how romantic and seductive those guys can be."

"And persuasive, sweet pea. Paris Fashion week is torture for me these days, I have to say no to them all now that I am married, but before that…oh la la, the good times I had."

"So what shall we do?" I asked before he could continue reminiscing.

"You will do nothing other than keep your head down."

"I can do that."

"Mmm, well, I thought you were doing that and clearly you're not."

I felt scolded. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry won't fix this, but I will. Send me the link, and I'll set some lawyers on him. These photos were taken without consent, published without consent, etcetera, etcetera. We'll scare him away from the story or from selling them on."

"Fuck, I hadn't thought of that. What if a big—?"

"We'll stop him in his tracks, don't worry."

"I'll try not to." I paused. "Oh, there is something else?"

"Pray tell."

"I met Mae French today and—"

"Mae French! The country and western singer? Are you kidding me?"

"Yes, I mean no, I'm not kidding you. I met her."

"Oh, sweet Jesus, she is divine, I'm totally in love with her. Where did you meet her? Don't tell me you just bumped into her in a restaurant."

"No, she's married to one of the Viper players. I was at the rink, and we got chatting."

"Mmm. Go on…"

"She's launching a clothing range. She was planning on modelling the range herself but she's six months pregnant. She asked if I'd help out."

"Nice gig, but one big question…has she got the budget for you?"

"I'll do it at whatever she wants to offer, or for free if necessary. Half the profits go to charity, a children's charity. I'm more than happy to give up time for that and put my face to it."

He was quiet for a moment, his business mind ticking over. "And where is the shoot?"

"Here in Orlando, very soon by the sound of it, so it's not out of my way at all, I'm here and have free days."

"Okay…and are you sure you want to do it?"

"Yes, I liked her, a lot, and it sounds fun. And as I said, it's charitable, good karma and all that."

"And boy do you need fun and good karma in your life after what Steven and Cheryl have done…though to be honest, this Eduardo sounds like fun."

I didn't want to mention that Eduardo was one of a set of four hockey players who were all fun and distracting. "So you'll contact her people, yeah?"

"Of course, and I'll be in touch with the deets. But you go now and have a nice evening, forget about all your worries, Uncle Trevor is here to sort it out."

"Thank you, I appreciate it. Love you."

"Love you, too, sweet pea."