Page 53 of Duchess Material

“Why didn’t you tell George about us?”

“I knew Dad would frighten Georgie off.” Lucy shrugged. “And… somehow… I knew Winston could handle it. George would have been terrified to find out I was raised Catholic let alone know my dad was a bumbling piece of shit who would try to punch him in the face over defending me. George is… different than Winston. Winston is unshakable. He’s a better match for me, I think. I need someone less neurotic than I am not someone I have to manage. I do enough of that for Natalie.”

Francie snickered. “How can you work for them still?”

“His mother was as much a mother as anyone has ever been to me, Francie. And working for her gave me purpose. Natalie has been one of my closest friends since I landed in London, okay? Work is my safe place. I was offered a golden parachute, mind you. I just didn’t take it. I doubled down.”

Francie grinned. “Chandler girls don’t run off.”

“Damn straight. What about this one?”

“Girl, your tits in that… love that for you.” Francie nodded. “Try it on you.”

Winston happened upon them as they browsed another set of racks.

“I ran into your cousin,” Lucy said. “And no, I did not give up your current location.”

“Shit, really?”

“Correct. He was here with Patrick buying gloves. It was fine.”

“Eesh. We need to have a conversation. I will have that conversation,” Winston said. “What did we find?”

“Minidresses,” Lucy said. “Hers is impossibly short. I can’t bring myself to go shorter.”

“She should, though, right?” Francie giggled.

“She should. She has great legs.” Winston smiled.

“She thinks she has the legs of a cow—her words.”

“No way.” Winston gave Lucy a quick kiss. “She has lovely legs.”

Lucy could only think about them being wrapped around his hips earlier. God, they had had fantastic sex that morning. As awkward as the situation was with George, now all Lucy could do was fantasise about what she’d do with Winston later and luxuriate in his affections. He was adoring. She couldn’t have asked for better. Winston was the end all be all now. He was the standard which she was measuring it all against.

This was the best feeling! There was something wonderful, but sneaky about it. However, she was Winston’s and unapologetically so now. He was going to come clean, and they would be above board on all fronts. He was picking her. He needed her. Lucy wanted everything with Winston now. She wasn’t sure what happened next, but she knew she wanted it with him.

11

THE CHRISTMAS RUSH

Natalie glanced at the clock, wondering how long she had before her staff would bang on her door, reminding her that Lucy was waiting outside. Natalie’s bags were packed. However, in a moment of weakness or simply true abandonment, she pulled Ed back into bed with her because he swore to go down on her relentlessly as a send-off.

She pulled his hair and arched her back. Natalie was about to lose it.

“Don’t stop. Don’t stop.”

Ed, being the good boy he was, continued. Face flushed, she let out a loud “fuck!” before her legs became spaghetti. Ed, pleased with himself, journeyed northward and decisively pulled her towards him, legs now up on his shoulders as he thrust inside her. The beginning always felt so good. Natalie was beyond help.

“How is it you look so good? God, you are… I can’t even. I don’t want to spend four days without you.”

“I will miss this,” Ed panted. “Especially this vision of your tits nearly smacking you in the face. It is… so good.”

He wasn’t going to last. They had been all over one another that morning. It started with her last run-through over clothes in the wardrobe. Then, they’d fucked in the shower. After the shower, he was supposed to leave but she didn’t want him to. They were barely on the bed, but made it work.

“I’d rather have you than be in the Cotswolds,” Ed told her. “Any day.”

Natalie bit her lip. Ed went for broke, pushing her head down. The pillows obscured her face. She batted them back, staring up at Ed again. He grunted, panted, and shook his head.

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