Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97229 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97229 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“A bar?” I asked. “Do you have one in mind?”
The thought of being at his side in public again was very attractive. I’d be buzzing through every second to be on his arm.
“I do have one in mind,” he replied. “Shall we avoid the spoilers on that topic as well? How about that? A night full of surprises?”
“Sounds amazing. I’ll stop with the quizzing.”
I glugged down another large glass of water when I was done with my toast and candies, then picked out another of my dresses from the drawing room. I went for a classic black number this time. This one was fitted tight, with a high neck and long sleeves. It was definitely the best choice for hiding bite marks.
I gestured to my shoe collection when Hans appeared in the doorway.
“Will I need to run across London again?” I joked. “If so, I’ll go in sneakers.”
He laughed back. “We’ll give you a break from the chase this evening. There will be more than enough to thrill you.”
I went for a pair of black heels, nicely high but not towering enough to risk tumbling on cobblestones. Not tonight.
Hans got ready in another stunning tailored suit as I did my hair and makeup in the ensuite. We looked each other up and down before we left the bedroom, and the heat was there between us in full force as we descended the stairs. It was so intense, it felt like I was plugged into him, together as one. It uplifted me, made me feel proud as well as horny.
“Time to go, which is lucky,” he said, offering me his arm as we neared the front door. “If we hang around here much longer, I’m going to have to tear that dress off you and sink my teeth in.”
“Don’t tempt me,” I said. “If we hang around here much longer, I’ll be doing it for you.”
There was a cab ready for us outside. Hans helped me into the back seat before he got in alongside me, and I waited with bated breath for him to reveal the destination. Maybe another Westminster trip, or somewhere gothic in Camden, or one of the bustling bars in Soho…
I did a double take when he gave the driver our destination.
“Regency Gentlemen’s Club. Southall.”
“But, wait,” I said. “I’m not a member.”
“Pah,” Hans scoffed. “They can call it a gentlemen’s club all they like, but it’s so outdated it’s ridiculous and they know it. You’ll be most welcome there at my side. The regulars all think you are incredible, even though you were only working there a few short weeks.”
It made me feel so good to hear that. I’d seen them as clients, not contemplating for a second that they’d have seen me as anything more than a girl pouring drinks for them.
“No,” Hans said. “You definitely made an impression.”
I squeezed his knee in silent thanks for his revelation.
“I hope they recognise me with my hair out of a bun.”
“Oh, they will. You’re a very distinctive girl.”
It was odd when the cab dropped us outside the main entrance of Regency. I’d only ever used the staff door around the back.
“Ready?” Hans took my hand in his.
I thought I was prepared for it until I saw the eyes fix on us as we walked through the club. There was so much shock and surprise on people’s faces as Hans offered me a stool alongside Frederick at the bar and sat right next to me.
“Katherine,” Frederick greeted with a nod, as though we were great friends. “Lovely to see you.”
I grinned at him, as though I was living in a conspiracy movie.
“Thanks for my things, and for the jam, too,” I whispered. “Oh, and the bat sweets.”
He winked and raised his glass of merlot.
“You’re very welcome.”
Eliza stared at me when she saw us there, open mouthed as she approached.
“Hey,” I said, with my fingers twisting in my lap, expecting a confrontation at my sudden departure. But none came.
“Wow, you look incredible,” she told me. “And congratulations! The management told me you’d be moving on to a great opportunity.”
Hans took my hand visibly, squeezing my fingers on the bar top.
“Katherine is a superstar,” he told Eliza. “Both personally and professionally. It’s an honour to steal her from Regency, but my apologies for taking an such asset from you.”
I swear she sighed as she smiled at him. “She deserves it.”
I got another lovely glow at the flattery. This emerging self-worth was a world away from how I’d felt about myself through my years back home.
“A merlot for both of you?” she asked, and Hans looked at me.
“Yes, please,” I said.
A look passed between Frederick and Hans before Frederick excused himself for a bathroom break.
“I’ll be back in a moment,” he told me, and for once, up close, I realised he was taking his glass with him.