All In
Page 34She just smiled at me and said nothing in that mysterious way of hers. I wished we were alone.
Gabrielle was a devoted friend from what I could tell, and fiercely protective of Brynne. We had an understanding that was workable as long as she saw me as friend and not foe—I’d passed the test so far. Beautiful too in her own right, just not my flavor of female. Her long brown hair, with just the faintest hint of dark red glinting through, combined with very green eyes, was striking. Nice figure too even if she wasn’t my flavor, I still had eyes in my head and wasn’t dead.
The color of her eyes reminded me of Ivan’s eyes. Same green. I wondered what he would think of her when he got a look, the womanizer that he was. I bet he would like her very much. I had to stifle a laugh. Gabrielle would probably tell him to sod off to his face and he would lick his lips and ask her to join him without a hitch. Would be a riot to watch if he ever got his arse here.
Brynne’s roommate was another American living in London, studying art at university, and making her way…away from home. Her dad was a British citizen though. London Met Pol—one Robert Hargreave, Chief Inspector, New Scotland Yard. I’d looked him up, and from all accounts he looked solid, a respected detective on the force. I supposed I should set up a meet with him at some point too. Although things had been very quiet on the Senator Oakley front. No news was good news…I hoped.
“What color is your amazing dress that will make me mad with jealousy when men drool over you wearing it?” I asked Brynne.
“It’s periwinkle.” She smiled again. “Aunt Marie met us there and we had so much fun with her. She really does have the eye for fashion.”
“You should have brought her along for lunch with you.”
“I would have loved for her to come with us, but she was off to a ladies luncheon with her book club. She said to tell you how much she’s looking forward to meeting you.” Brynne blushed again as if the idea of our people meeting together made her shy.
She had a shyness to her that was charming in public, but didn’t carry over into the bedroom with me. Nope. My girl wasn’t shy with me like that, and it was all good. I thought about how many more hours until tonight when I could get her back into my bedroom and she could show me her un-shy side some more.
“You’ll love Marie, Ethan,” Gabrielle said distractedly, still checking her messages and interrupting my erotic musings. I needed to rearrange my c**k but forced a smile at both of them instead.
I had yet to meet the adored Aunt Marie, but was about to very soon. We had decided it was time to bring the family together in a dinner at my place. My dad, Brynne’s aunt, Gabrielle, Clarkson, Neil and Elaina made up the short list. We’d discussed and felt it was time to get everyone on board with what was happening with us and the possible threats to Brynne. Everyone was principal enough that they needed to know what might be in play. Brynne was too important to me to take a risk at this point, and everyone involved already knew her background anyway.
“Well I cannot wait to meet her. She sounds like she dotes on you.” I checked my watch again. “I can’t believe Ivan, just not showing like this. So rude.”
“Why don’t you call him?” Brynne suggested.
“That would be a total waste of my time. He never answers his mobile. I doubt he even turns the damn thing on,” I answered dryly.
“Oh, man!” Gabrielle looked up from her messages. “I’m going to have to get over to the university. Trouble with a painting. An accident involving solvent getting dumped on a rare, get this, Brynne—Abigail Wainwright.” Gabrielle looked absolutely horrified, stood up abruptly, and gathered her bags. “Not a good combination.”
“No, that’s not good at all,” Brynne said, shaking her head, “the solvent will eat through the canvas if they don’t neutralize…”
I tried to keep up with the art geek stuff they talked about but it wasn’t easy for me. I don’t think I have an artistic bone in my body. I can appreciate it though. Brynne’s portrait was the epitome of art in my opinion.
“No, that’s okay. I’ll get a cab—it’ll be faster. I need to go right now, but thanks. I’ll see you at your place tomorrow night, Ethan. Enjoy your lunch, you two.”
“Let me know how it works out,” Brynne told her. “If anyone can fix the mess, it’s you, Gaby!”
Gabrielle hugged Brynne, waved off and left, her tall curvy form attracting plenty of looks from appreciative males as she made her way out of Gladstone’s.
I smiled at Brynne and took both of her hands. “So I get you all to myself for lunch after all.” I whispered the rest. “Too bad we’re in public.”
“I know. We never get to do this.” She squeezed my hands a little. “You’ve had so much work lately and I can only imagine with the Olympics. God, that’s huge, Ethan. All those people.” She grinned. “William and Kate!”
I nodded. “Yes. They will be there for events. Prince Harry too. He’s good fun.”
“You know him?” she asked incredulously.
I nodded again. “I can try to get an introduction if you like…as long as you don’t have a thing for princes with ginger hair.”
Who had turned on the blast furnace? I actually looked around the room for an exit. If there was a door marked ‘private’ I swear I’d have had her behind it and naked in two seconds flat.
“You are so very cruel, Miss Bennett.”
She looked very pleased with herself sitting there across from me in the restaurant. So pleased in fact, she made me think fondly of the spanking I’d given her over the sink. God she was a sexy thing, bent upon driving me mad…
“So back to your job. You are doing VIP security for the flippin Olympics, Ethan!” Her excitement brought me out of my head. Probably a damn good thing right now.
“Well, I’m not complaining, it’s good for business but I could do without the stress. I just want everything to run smooth. No plots or crazies with an axe to grind for their bullshit cause, no bombs, or embarrassments and I can breathe. Happy clients kept safe and I’ll be pleased.” I reached for my wine. “Let’s order, I don’t think Ivan’s going to show…always bloody late for everything!” I grumbled, opening my menu.