Intrigued and Enchanted (3 page)

“All in good time Miss Pritchard.” This guy is infuriating. Just tell me your damn name! And what’s with the ‘Miss’ all the time.

“Where do you get off calling me ‘Miss’? It’s the 21st century, it’s polite to say ‘Ms’. For all you know I’m married.” He gives me a knowing smile.

“Now, now,
Miss
Pritchard. Do you think I would go to the trouble of finding out your address and
not
do my due diligence on your relationship status? Besides, I like the way it sounds and feels, caressing my tongue. I imagine you will feel just as good on my tongue…Miss Pritchard.”

Holy Shit. I want to jump a complete stranger. I decide silence is safer for the remainder of the short journey to my apartment. When we pull up to my building, I reach for the door, but I’m stopped by a firm hand on my arm.

“When will I see you again?” His voice is soft and he almost sounds nervous, but that can’t be it. This guy has more confidence than anyone I’ve ever met.

“How about never Mr Mysterious - ‘I won’t tell you my name’.” Again, with the laughing, really! He tells me to stay put and he jumps out of the car and comes round to open my door.

He barely gives me room to step out of the car, so that when I do, I’m pressed up against his chest. He is definitely built under his dress shirt, lean and toned and mouth-watering. I look up into his eyes, and he’s staring at me, his brow furrowed and his beautiful lips in a firm line.

“Why won’t you give me a chance Lily?”

All I can squeak out is “What is your name?”

He leans down so close that I can feel his breath on my face, minty with a hint of alcohol.

“It’s Brandon. Brandon Redgrave.”

Oh God. Even his name is sexy. I am so screwed (my choice of words is not lost on me).

“Why won’t you give me a chance Lily?”

“A chance for what?” My breath is betraying me now, I can’t get it under control and my voice sounds far too soft.

“To make you mine.” I think I've stop breathing. Yep, definitely not breathing.

“Breathe Lily, I’m not going to do anything you don’t want me to. And you will want me to.”

Holy. Shit. He takes my hand in his and leads me to the door of my building. My hand is buzzing, his hand is warm, rough and big, and feels so perfect holding mine. When we get to the door, he lets go of my hand and I immediately feel the loss. There are a thousand butterflies going all kinds of crazy in my stomach as I stand there, just staring at this gorgeous man. I don’t move as he leans in, the scruff on his face brushing my cheek. He gives me a ghost of a kiss and whispers in my ear before leaving.

“Until tomorrow Miss Pritchard.”

I can’t process what that means, I just stand, fixed to the spot watching Brandon walk back to his car. The way he moves is almost fluid, and sexy as hell. How have I gone from thinking he’s an ass-hat, to feeling sad that he’s walking away from me? I am beyond confused. I don’t know how long I stand there in a daze, only brought back to the now by a sultry voice calling from the car that’s still idling at the curb.

“Get yourself in the door sweetheart. I’m not leaving until I know you’re safe inside.” And with that, I stifle a goofy grin and make my way up to my apartment, the scent of him lingering on my cheek.

5

I awake to the sound of Jess talking to the doorman, signing for what I assume is a delivery for her. I pad down the hallway to get some coffee, when Jess closes the door and turns round with the most beautiful bouquet of roses I have ever laid eyes on. Long stem red roses, my favourite, dozens of them. Jess holds them out to me.

“These are for you Lil.”

What? That can’t be right. Jess is the one that has guys chasing after her all the time. The shock on my face at this point must be comedic. Wow, they’re heavy, already in a stunning glass vase with intricate pearls weaving through the foliage. I find a card nestled in the middle of the bouquet.

Dear Miss Pritchard

When I contact you today, please reply sweetheart. You will make my day if you do.

Brandon Redgrave

Ok. Maybe not so much of an ass-hat then. How is he getting under my skin? I know nothing about him. It would be rude to ignore him again if he contacts me though, right? I mean it’s just common courtesy after he returned my phone, gave me a ride home last night and sent me exquisite flowers today. Common courtesy my foot, my stomach is already in knots with anticipation to hear from him again. Jess practically knocks me over trying to read over my shoulder.

“Wow. This guy has it bad Lil.”

“I’m probably just a challenge Jess. You saw him, he can have anyone he wants, why would he want me?”

“WTF bestie?! I am the most awesome person you know, right? And therefore, it is only reasonable that my best friend in the whole world would be equally awesome! You’re also
knock out
gorgeous with a killer rack and an ass I would sink my teeth into, if I was that way inclined! So don’t give me any shit about this guy being out of your league, if anything, he would be damn lucky to get a single date with my bestie.” I love Jess. She’s clearly out of her mind crazy, but I love her all the more for it.

After her outburst, Jess and I sit and have coffee and pancakes, admiring my flowers and I fill her in on my conversation with Brandon last night. She tells me to give him a chance and I’m inclined to agree. I decide to send him a message to thank him for the flowers.

Me: Brandon, thank you for the exquisite flowers. I have never seen anything so beautiful,
and you picked my favourite flower. Lily x

I don’t expect to hear from him right away as he seems like one of those important business types, but two minutes later my phone beeps.

Mr E: I’m glad you liked the flowers Lily. I can think of something more beautiful than your
flowers, the woman they were delivered to. I have to go into a meeting just now, but I will be
in touch later today. Brandon x

Yep, that woke up the butterflies that seem to have taken up residence in my stomach. He keeps to his word, and contacts me later in the day to ask if I want to meet him on Friday.

Mr E: Hi sweetheart. How was your day? I was thinking late drinks tomorrow night?

Me: Hi Brandon. I had a lovely day thank you. It started off so well, I had a smile on my face
all day. I have plans with my roommate Jess tomorrow night. Maybe Saturday?

Mr E: If I can’t see you tomorrow, I insist you spend the entire day with me on Saturday.
Sound good?

Me: Sounds perfect. I look forward to it.

Mr E: I will pick you up at 10am on Saturday. Until then Lily x

Me: I’ll see you then Brandon x

It’s the first time I wish I wasn’t going out with Jess on a Friday night.

We decide to go for all out glamour for Paul’s party. He has always been a really good friend to me and Jess, and we don’t want to show him up amongst the VIP of NY. Jess has me starting to get ready at 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Excessive, yes, typical for Jess, also yes!

By the time we finish getting ready, I have to say, we’re looking pretty foxy! Jess has her hair straightened to perfection down her back, smoky makeup, skin buffed and a killer purple dress, strapless and fitted round the bodice with a tulip style skirt that’s pretty short looking on her mile high legs. She has great Jimmy Choos in a turquoise patent leather that sound sort of weird, but are amazing with the dress. She always knows how to rock the colour combinations.

I have broken out the styling wand for tonight and am sporting what look like effortless (I hope) golden curls cascading down my back, with my long choppy side sweep bangs sitting perfectly across my face. I’m wearing less make-up than Jess due to my pale complexion, but I have gone with really smoky eye make-up, grey with hints of silver. I’m lucky to have pretty pink lips, so I tone down the eyes with a clear hint of gloss on my lips.

My dress is silver with spaghetti straps, short and fun with loads of beads and sequins. A very, 1920s Charleston style dress. It’s one of my favourite feel good dresses. Sexy without being over the top. Paired with a killer pair of black heels, I’m feeling good, and ready to party.

We make our way to Paul’s restaurant, excited to see it for the first time. It’s an Italian restaurant, not classic Italian, more modern and from what I can gather, it will be catering to the financially blessed in Manhattan. As the cab pulls up on the Upper East Side, I’m filled with a rush of pride for our friend when I stare out at the façade of his new restaurant, La Catedrale. That’s The Cathedral to you and me. It looks spectacular from the outside, and I can’t wait to see the interior.

The place is already packed when we arrive, and the atmosphere is electric. This restaurant is going to make Paul famous in Manhattan.

Jess and I weave through the crowd, picking up some tasty looking cocktails from the waiters on our way to find Paul. Note to self – don’t overdo it on the drinks because I need to be presentable by 10am and not look like ass. Wow, this cocktail is good!

When we find Paul he’s surrounded by people eager to congratulate him. He deserves it, this place looks phenomenal. When we catch his eye he heads our way in a flash.

“I’m so glad you guys could make it. Wow, you girls look hot tonight, you might just turn me!”

“Let’s not get ridiculous Paul.” I tease, before offering up my praise.

“Congratulations bud. This place looks amazing. We are
so
proud of you.”

“Thanks ladies. There are a few people I want to introduce you to, investors that helped me turn this idea into a reality. Follow me.”

Jess has a massive grin on her face. I know what she's thinking – investors equals money.

My girl is definitely on the prowl tonight. We follow Paul towards the bar where there are a few guys chatting and having a laugh, standing with their backs to us. Paul walks over to the tallest of the men and gives him a friendly nudge. Before he turns round, the butterflies are alerting me to the familiar black hair and lean body that I was not expecting to see tonight.

Sure enough, seconds later my eyes are fixed with the ice blue gaze I have been dreaming about all this week. He breaks my gaze and the heat rises in my body as I watch his eyes take in the length of me, lingering for a long moment on my legs. When his eyes finally meet mine again, my breath is shallow and I’m practically panting. I can feel my cheeks flush just being close to him. The sound of Paul's voice pulls me back to the room.

“This is my friend and investor Brandon Redgrave. You’ve probably heard of Redgrave Enterprises? That’s this charmer. These are a few of his partners in crime, Simon and Nate. Nate and I go way back. That’s how I got introduced to this band of brothers.”

Wow. It’s like an Adonis Anonymous meeting in here. Each one of these guys is completely stunning, each in different ways. I’m probably biased, but Brandon is definitely King Adonis. While checking out the handsome buffet in front of me, I don’t even register Paul telling me what they do for a living. When I look back to Brandon his fists are clenched at his sides and the look he’s giving me is glacial.

“Miss Pritchard, how nice to see you again” his tone is cold and he seems upset to see me.

At this point, it becomes obvious to the entire group that we know each other. I’m expecting to explain to everyone about my embarrassing moment earlier in the week when Brandon grabs my arm and asks to speak to me in private for a moment. As we walk down the hallway towards the restrooms Brandon tightens his hold on my arm.

He stops me when we’re far enough away from the crowd and presses me up against the wall. Every nerve ending in my body is burning with his proximity.

“Did you like what you saw back there Miss Pritchard?”

“What do you mean?” I whisper, confused.

“My friends Miss Pritchard, I saw the way you were looking at them. Do you want me to put in a good word for you?” His tone is cold and unforgiving.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Brandon.”

“I don’t appreciate lying Miss Pritchard, and I don’t share.” That’s got my back up, I am not a liar.

“If you must know Mr Redgrave - I did notice that your friends are good looking, because I am not dead. And if you didn’t have such a huge ego, I would tell you that I was also thinking that none of them even come close to how beautiful you are. Also, and more importantly - I am not your possession to share or keep to yourself.”

“What’s wrong Mr Redgrave, cat got your tongue?” He just stands there, staring at me, the beginnings of a smirk lifting the corners of his delicious looking lips.

“Far from it, Miss Pritchard, I’m just thinking about your naughty little tongue, and how nice it’s going to taste, and the things you’re going to do to me with it.”

He’s so close, everything inside me is screaming, begging for him to kiss me. The smell of him invading my senses, the look in his eyes making my knees weak. The man can read my mind.

“I know what you’re thinking Miss Pritchard, but not here. The first time I kiss you is not going to happen in a restaurant full of people, next to a restroom.” With that, he laces his fingers with mine and pulls me back into the restaurant. This guy is so damn full of himself, and I don’t know why, but I find it sexy as hell.

When we return to our friends, they all notice us holding hands, but no one mentions it. Brandon is obviously not a man to be messed with. Jess is busy flirting outrageously with Brandon’s friends, but notices our hands and gives me a sly wink and a smile. She approves.

I’m not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing!

We have a lovely evening chatting with everyone. Brandon and I don’t talk much, but he keeps me close to his side, and his hand in mine all night. Every now and then he leans in close, so that only I can hear, and compliments me.

“That dress should be illegal you know.”

“Your legs are killing me right now sweetheart. So sexy.”