Page 3 of Untether

‘Please fuck off.’

‘And when you sayhold her hand, you mean…’

She rolls her eyes. ‘Obviously, I mean fuck her senseless and show her what she’s been missing with her crusty old husband, but I assumed you weren’t obtuse enough to need it spelt out for you.’

Jeeeesus.

I certainly didn’t expect my day to kick off with an invitation from Gen to fuck Aida Russell’s brains out and discuss it on camera.

When it comes to women, my standards are sky high but varied. They have to be stunning, but I don’t have a particular type. Unless you consider the fact that the vast majority of them think the sun shines out of my arse.

Yeah.

I like my women adoring.

Not that I’d necessarily admit that out loud.

But Aida Russell—it seems impossible to think of her on first-name terms only—is a fucking institution. She’s aproper grownup, a serious power player with equally serious clout.

What the hell would I talk about with a woman who pulls all-nighters to cover every US general election for the BBC with terrifyingly astute political commentary for hours on end without breaking a sweat?

She wouldn’t want to hear my thoughts on how the Red Bull team is faring onDrive to Survive, that’s for sure.

‘Cal.’ Gen’s voice cuts through my reverie, crisp and melodic. ‘Stop spiralling. I’m assuming you find her attractive?’

‘Everyone with a pulse finds her attractive,’ I mutter. I feel like a schoolboy with an impossible crush on my most impressive teacher.

‘Exactly. I sat down with her a couple of months ago, and—’

‘A couple ofmonthsago?’

‘It was right before Cannes, and I was in the middle of that fight with Anton. I haven’t had a chance to talk to you till now.’

‘Fair enough.’ We launched our seasonal pop-up sex-club in Cannes at the beginning of the summer through a JV with Wolff Leisure, one of Anton’s businesses. It was an unqualified success, thanks to Gen.

‘Anyway, she’s warm and gorgeous and hilarious. I think you two would have a lot of fun together.’

‘She’s scary.’

‘She’s an incredibly cerebral human being who also has a great personality. She’s had a really shitty time of it, and I for one would love nothing more than to give her that boost she deserves while also helping her spread her message to other women who need to hear it. How about you?’

‘Yeah.’ I nod. I don’t know why I’ve got cold feet. Myknee-jerk reaction when Gen said her name was one of utter carnality. I’d fuck that woman six ways to Sunday.

But this is a partnership that Gen’s proposing.

And it would be on camera.

I’m the fun one. The one who’s bloody good at the marketing and promos side of our business. I’m the good-time guy who knows how to use his dick, but I don’t think anyone would accuse me of having gravitas.

And Aida Russell has a fuck-tonne of it.

‘Cal.’ She lays a hand on my arm. ‘Hon. We all adore you. You’re exactly what she needs. Just have fun with this, and make sure she does too. That’s all I ask. The rest is details. What do you think?’

3

AIDA

“Awake, arise, or be forever fallen!”

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