Page 18 of Forever Mr Black

“If you’d let me get a word in, I was actually going to suggest getting agency cover.”

“You’re definitely softening up.”

“Maybe.” He smiles. “If I am, it’s because of you.”

His arms slide back around me, and I’m back onto his lap in a heartbeat. I curl my arms around his neck as he rests his forehead to mine.

“I’m not sure I like the idea of you working here late though.”

I roll my eyes at his overprotectiveness. “Relax. I’ll hardly be on my own. The other staff will be here.”

“I’d work late with you if I could, but I need to go to the club on Saturday.” He pauses, as if considering something. “In fact, there’s something I want to discuss with you. It’s about Dark Desires.”

This sounds serious.

I draw my head back slightly and look at him. “You’ve got my undivided attention.”

His phone rings on the coffee table. “Ash Calling” flashes on the display.

My stomach drops.What does she want?There are only so many times I can say I don’t trust her, and there are only so many times he can tell me I’ve got nothing to worry about. I bite back the urge to tell him to answer it. I don’t want to sound as if I were giving him permission to speak to her. He might be irrationally jealous, but I’m not that person. Am I?

He keeps his eyes on me as he reaches forward and picks up the phone. “Hi, Ash.”

I twirl a strand of hair around my finger and try very hard to act as though this isn’t bothering me. I can just about hear her voice on the other end of the phone but can’t make out what she’s saying. I hear her laugh, and my stomach twists in irritation.

Chill out, Soph.

“I’m not sure. I’ll see if I’ve got a number. If I do, I’ll forward it to you. Okay. Bye.”

Short and sweet.

He ends the call and puts the phone back on the table. “She was calling to ask whether I know any good conveyancing solicitors,” he says, reading my mind.

I nonchalantly nod my head, acting like I’m totally fine.

I’m not sure whether he buys it, but I’m grateful when he carries on, “Now, as I was saying. The club. I’m thinking of transferring the ownership over to Big Steve.”

“What?”

“When I say I’m thinking about it, I’ve thought about it, and it’s what I want to do.”

I must admit, I won’t be sad that my fiancé will no longer own a strip club, but I don’t understand the reason for his change of heart. “Why have you suddenly decided this?”

“It’s time to move on. The club is part of my old life. I’m not the same guy who used to go to Savage or who bought Dark Desires. I’ve changed, and more importantly, I know you’ve never been comfortable with me owning it.”

I appreciate him doing this but know it runs deeper. “But you bought it because of your birth mother.”

He nods slowly. “Yes, I did, partly, but that’s also part of my past. I’m ready to move on and look to the future. Our future. It feels like the right step.”

“I’ll feel better once you’ve got rid of it,” I admit. “Not just because of the obvious, but I don’t like the sound of what’s been going on there. I don’t like the thought of you getting caught up with drug dealers.”

A look of determination glints in his dark eyes as he looks at me. “Not for much longer, brown eyes. Their days are numbered.”

Five

Isweep a scrutinising gaze around the Orangery to check all the customers have left and the empties have been collected before closing the doors behind me. A couple of women are still chatting on a table in the corner of the bar. There are always a few who refuse to listen to last orders and try to draw the night out until the very end. But I’m exhausted. My feet are burning in protest from being squeezed in black patent heels all day. They need to drink up. We’ve got homes to go to.

I give them my most professional smile. “Excuse me, ladies. Last orders were called twenty minutes ago, and we’re closing up now. Could you finish your drinks and be on your way, please?”

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