Page 36 of Number 10 Affair

“My brother is a bit of a dick, so did you really knee him in the crotch?”

“I lost it when he told me we were trying to scam you because of your position,” she explained.

I chuckled. “So he deserved it, and I’ll make sure he stays out of my business from now on.”

“You don’t have to do that, Spencer. I can take care of myself,” she said with a faint smile. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need a drink.”

I followed her outside, practically like a lapdog. Bloody hell. My voice of reason kept telling me to forget about her, but I was already addicted to her wild response to my touch, and I wanted to have her in my bed.

Laura fitted into my complicated life perfectly, but only as long as I kept her at arm’s length, so this whole thing wouldn’t backfire.

I groaned inwardly at the thought.

Finally, around five, we sat at the huge table on the terrace where my father had brought out his famous roast beef. By that time, I was starving. Maja insisted on sitting between Laura and I, while Rupert, Andrew, and James sat across from us. The food was served, and the conversation flowed until my mother assumed the role of matchmaker.

My mother, unaware that Rupert couldn’t stand Laura, and with me not having the chance to talk to her before dinner was served, it annoyed me that she thought Laura was good enough for him but not for me.

“So, Laura, did you know Rupert is travelling with Spencer to Sicily this summer?” my mother asked.

Rupert almost choked on his beef. He glared at me, then at our mother.

“The plans aren’t finalised yet, Mum,” Rupert grumbled.

“Do you have any plans for the summer, Laura? I’m sure Spencer would pay you a lot more if you help him out with Maja during the school holidays,” my mother continued, staring at my nanny.

“Yeah, can Laura come with us on holiday? That would be so good!” my daughter shouted.

“Darling, what did I tell you? Don’t talk with your mouth full. You’re a lady,” my father reprimanded her.

Maja apologised.

I gave my mother a look, but she ignored me. I had only agreed for Rupert to come with me to Sicily because he wanted some quality time with his niece. After all, he claimed he was her favourite uncle, and they truly had a great connection.

“That’s a lot to take in,” Laura said. “I really don’t have any plans for the summer. I need to see how it will go with my mother. Knowing her, she would be too stubborn to agree to my help.”

“Oh dear, that’s terrible. I hope your mother gets the best doctors, but I know the NHS is in crisis,” Mum added. “Anyway, if you get things sorted and the situation improves, think about spending the summer in Italy. The way time flies, it won’t be long before the holidays are upon us.”

My younger brother looked like he’d swallowed a fly as he kept glaring at me. I already knew he wouldn’t come if Laura was joining us, but we still had a bit of time to warm up to this whole idea.

The dinner conversation flew once Maja teased Andrew about his latest movie, and then James chimed in. Apparently, all her friends were asking her about him.

The dinner was delicious, and Laura kept praising my father for his amazing cooking skills. That earned her some serious points with him.

I was glad, though, that this whole family dinner was over by around eight. I had to get Maja home because she was tired and she had school tomorrow.

“I want you to sleep in the apartment, Laura, even though it’s the weekend. I've missed you,” Maja said to her when we were all saying our goodbyes.

Meanwhile, Rupert was still staring at my nanny.

And my mother was already pushing me to get help for the summer, as if she didn’t trust me with Maja at all.

“All right, I’ll do that for you, sweetheart,” Laura replied.

My heart flipped. Maybe tonight I could finally talk to her.

“Just consider taking Laura with you. Maja will be delighted, and who knows, maybe she and Rupert—”

“Mum, Rupert isn't interested in Laura. He's interested in her roommate, Veronica, but you didn’t hear this from me, okay?” The idea of Rupert and Laura being together made me want to commit murder. I wanted her for myself, even though I couldn’t have her. No bloke out there was good enough for her. “Anyway, Jason is already in the car, so we need to go. Laura is staying over tonight, so she won’t have to travel in the morning.”

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