Chapter 3: A Bone to Pick

If I had any reason to run, it would be the tall, built man that was following me. I knew Father was too up his own backside and my security would be taken seriously, but I wanted nothing to do with him or his protective detail anymore. Not today. Not after spending two and a half days stuck with my father. I was angry at Nolan. He’d left without warning. I slipped out from under Mr Slip-Up’s nose. He’d been with me until yesterday morning, but he had the rest of the day off and was re-assigned at nine o’clock this morning. Sorry, Mr Corey Slip-Up. He was probably going to lose his future assignments for this rookie mistake.

I weaved through the crowd of people and walked fast-paced into a bar on the corner of Mayfair. Surely there wouldn’t be a bunch of lunatics in there and I could have a drink without being bombarded by anyone. Bonus points if the stalker who was following me would stay hell away. Boy, was I wrong. I scanned the bar and eyed a handsome man, sitting elegantly on a stool. Three days into the new year and he was already drinking as if he’d worked a decade into the ground. My chance to escape Mr Stalker. I’d take it.

I walked up to Mr Handsome and without giving him the chance to see me – because if he did, he’d probably run a mile – I wrapped my arms around his waist and greeted him. “Oh my god! Hey! I’m so sorry I’m late!” I said, glancing at the door where Mr Stalker stood.

“Can I help you?” Mr Handsome said, visibly confused. I wasn’t great at reading people, but this one was obvious, even to me.

“I know you’re mad at me because I’ve not seen you in for… ever.” Not all of that was a lie. I had never seen this man. So, technically, not having seen him for, well, ever, was true. But wow, had I been missing out! I scanned his hand as he got up and he didn’t have a ring. How was a handsome man like this still single? Or was he trying to pick women up and secretly had a wife and two kids hidden somewhere offshore?

“Never.” Mr Handsome said, placing his hands on my shoulders and pushing me away at arm’s length. He looked me up and down and the corners of his mouth twitched. I couldn’t place that look. Maybe it was a cross between ‘oh my god you look like the walking version of Ursula without the tentacles’, or ’did I used to know you before you put on so much weight’ – oh how I wished I wasn’t so conscious about my appearance.

“Yes, never is almost the same as forever! Hey, can you get him what he’s having and me a Pornstar Martini please.” I said to the bartender as she came our way. I glanced at Mr Stalker who was standing on the inside of the door, keeping his distance. Mr Handsome followed my gaze and I could see Mr Stalker scrutinising every move Mr Handsome made. As soon as Mr Handsome sat back down, Mr Stalker left the pub. Our drinks had been placed in front and I downed the Pornstar Martini in one gulp.

“Thanks, miss.” I handed my card to the bartender and turned to face Mr Handsome. “Thanks for playing along. I was being followed by that man. Stalker. He followed me from a few streets back and I just really needed to get rid of him.” Not anything I said was a lie, but my insides were on fire from anticipation.

“So, you’ve seen me on the news?” Mr Handsome said.

“Nope. I don’t watch the news.” I replied. Why would Mr Handsome have been on the news? “Why? Are you a serial killer or something?” He wasn’t. I could bet my life on that. There was no way I would be within ten meters, let alone ten centimetres of a known serial killer. Every radar on every screen of every one of Father’s assigned security guards would have started singing like canaries to alert them. Nolan made sure of that. Additionally, the way Mr Handsome was speaking, he must have done something decent to be on the news, not something decadent.

“You must have read about me then.” Mr Handsome said ignoring me and taking a swig of his – I looked at the receipt – Dalmore 1263 KA III Whisky!

Hell, I was broke before this! And now? “No, I don’t read the news either. Um, sorry, your drink… I didn’t realise you were drinking something that costs 35 quid for a single! Any chance I could have half the money back?”

“You’re kidding right?” Mr Handsome laughed.

“Sure…” I said, not in the slightest bit sincerely.

“Who was following you?” Mr Handsome asked, waving over the bartender. She was totally flirting with Mr Handsome. Smiling at him and winking at him and puffing out her chest at him. I only ever had the confidence to flirt with one person. I knew he didn’t even like me and we couldn’t date, so that made it 100 percent easy to practice my unskilful seduction games on him.

“No idea.” I lied.

“Right.” Mr Handsome said sarcastically.

“I’m serious!” I said, smiling as little as possible. Could he tell I was lying? I knew I sucked at lying but I had been practicing.

“What brings you here, Miss…?” Mr Handsome asked, probably trying to elicit a name from me.

“You. I knew you’d be here and I wanted to spend some time with you.” It was obvious I was joking and if he didn’t understand that, then we would have some serious trouble.

“Tracy, can you get me another and a Pornstar Martini for my guest.”

“No, thanks. I must go. Thanks so much though.” I said, placing my hand on his and pulling back immediately as a fire burned between us at our touch. I turned away, trying to ignore that weird feeling. Maybe the single Pornstar Martini had already gotten to me considering my empty stomach wasn’t too happy that I missed lunch. I wasn’t about to get drunk with this handsome man. No food and one drink was enough to get me tipsy. I was surprised I hadn’t already tried kissing this guy.

“Wait. I don’t get to see you again?” Mr Handsome said, standing up from the stool. The drinks came just as he got up and the bartender, whom I now knew as Tracy, handed Mr Handsome his card back.

“You want to see me?” I was genuinely shocked. People either never wanted to see me or were stuck to me like glitter. So bloody annoying. No happy medium. Was Mr Handsome about to become glitter?

“Well, you can’t leave it for another for… ever!” He smiled. Shit! That smile. Had he not smiled since I walked in? How could I have missed that? I immediately flushed red. My pale skin was nothing if not a mirror of exactly how I felt inside. And now it was bright red from a mixture of embarrassment, anticipation and lust.

“You’re right. If it’s meant to be, I’ll walk into another bar in Mayfair and bump into you.” I said, turning back around and making my way to the door.

“You know, I don’t come to bars regularly. So actually, you won’t.” Mr Handsome said, gliding ahead of me until he was standing a few steps in front of my trajectory.

“Well then it’s not meant to be.” I smiled and walked another three steps until I was standing right in front of him.

“Wait! Where are you going? What if that stalker guy is waiting outside for you?” Mr Handsome said with a mischievous smile. Was he in on this? Did he know who Mr Stalker was?

“Fine. What’s your plan?” I played along. Was he part of the security detail that Father had assigned to me?

He pulled out a premium quality business card from his wallet. “You walk out, here’s my card.” Mr Handsome leaned in and whispered into my neck. “If anything happens, call me.”

The feel of his breath on my neck woke goosebumps from their hibernation. A sizzle of something happened between my legs and I clenched my thighs together in shock and concern.

“Property developer?” I snickered, looking at the card from this handsome man, apparently named Declan Waters of Waters Developments. I’m sure my flushed skin revealed more to him than the sarcastic words that came out of my mouth. But clearly, he was in on this. I loved my father but hated everything to do with him, and his game seemed to have gotten better. “What if the details on here are fake?” I tried to catch him out and push aside the clear physical attraction I had towards this hot, hot man.

“How many people have given you fake business cards?” Mr Declan Handsome Waters said, taking my elbow and bringing me back to the bar with our drinks.

“You might run into a lot of people that you need to hide your true identity from.” Which was true. He couldn’t go around telling everyone he was my security agent, now, could he?

“How many crazy people do you think I meet in a day to have the need of carrying an entire wallet of fake business cards?” He said, pulling out his wallet and showing me that all his business cards were in fact identical to the one he’d given me.

“I don’t know. You look like the kind to attract crazy.” I laughed, and then realised I had downed my second Pornstar Martini. Shit, that was going to hurt.

“You’re right. I attracted you. Clearly.” Mr Handsome said, downing his drink and indicating to Tracy for another.

“Exactly.” I took the stool next to him. If I stood, I’d fall. I looked at the menu and asked Tracy for a bowl of chips and a burger. “On my host, thanks, Tracy.” I smiled at Mr Handsome. That drink of his was too expensive. My two Pornstar Martinis and the burger and chips in total cost less than his single malt shot.

“Well how about you put your number in here and I’ll send you a sweet text so you know I’m not lying.” He said, taking my hand and placing his phone into my palm.

“No dick pics.” I said, raising my eyebrows at him. I put in my number and quickly dialled myself. My number hadn’t already been saved. That was strange. Surely, Father would have given him my number. I saved myself on his contacts list and handed his phone back, smiling. This guy was going to be trouble. I wondered if he had memorised my number and the code for today.

“No unsolicited dick pics.” He said, smiling.

“I’m not ever asking for one from you, trust me.” Father would kill him and I kind of liked this one’s energy. Maybe I could toy with him for a while?

“Okay. I’m slightly offended but I don’t believe you, so we’re good. Are you being followed by the mafia?” He said, tracing his finger along my now empty palm.

“Ha! No.” I laughed. He had to be kidding me. Paparazzi and a bunch of glittery people. Not the mafia, I hoped!

“So, what do I call you?” He asked. He obviously knew my name.

“Three guesses.” I would have to start toying with him already.

“Well, it starts with F.” He ran his finger delicately on my neck, tracing the fragile chain of my necklace down to the pendant that sported a fancy, cursive ‘F’. His fingers lingered and gently caressed the skin above the top of my sternum. This man would lose his job with one wrong move. But was that even possible? A wrong move? Why did everything in this moment seem so right? I was sure my heart rate had elevated.

“Yes.” I breathed a little deeper and his hand recoiled.

“Okay.” He said, choking a little then smiling. “Something crazy. Like, Frankenstein.”

“Ha, ha!” I said sarcastically.

“Something realistic. Felicia?” He mocked. Obviously, he knew what my name was. What a player.

“Nope. Last try.” I said, tauntingly.

“Hmm. Well regardless of what your name is, I have one name on my mind that I’m going to be screaming while fucking you.” He said, matter-of-factly.

My eyes widened at his audacity. “You seem overconfident.” I laughed. He was not getting anywhere near me. Was he not concerned about his job at all? Father would have his head. Father’s security detail would never say anything like this to me. What a daring man! Also, very refreshing.

“Felicity.” Mr Handsome said, just as the food arrived.

“Woo-hoo. How did you know?” I said, sarcastically. Father told him, that’s how.

“I’m psychic and I know I’m going to come to your place with you tonight and we’re going to do wild things to each other.” He said.

“What? No!” Was this man serious? I could barely deal with him following me while I was out and about, but no one was coming to my house. Rule number three wasn’t going to be broken.

“Yes. Why not? You approached me and brought me a really expensive single shot of something. I owe you a good time.” He said.

It struck me just then. My father wouldn’t let anyone on his payroll drink while on the job and this man had at least two shots while I was here. Shit! Maybe Declan Waters was genuinely a property developer. Then how did he know who I was? “How do you know my name?”

“Felicity. Such a sexy name.” Declan stood up and inched closer to me as I sat awfully still on my stool. “You, my darling, put it in my phone.” He whispered in my ear.

“I’m such an idiot.” I said, literally facepalming myself.

“No, you’re fucking good. Playing a man like this.” Declan said.

I started to speak. “I’m not playing…”

 “Do I get to know your last name before taking you home?” Declan interrupted. He sat back down and downed his third single malt since I arrived. Definitely not on Father’s payroll. Good thing too. I was horny like hell and desperate to see him make his moves on me.

“No.” If he didn’t know who I was, then it was better to keep it that way.

“Mystery. Okay.” He pushed my burger to me and left the chips in the middle, helping himself to a couple.

“There are too many rules.” I said. Firstly, he’d judge me. Second, he’d judge me. Third… you get the point. There were so many things in my life that I would be judged on. And I hated being judged. I had rules in place for that reason.

“Rules? How about just getting out of here?” Mr Handsome said. “I’d really like to kiss you but things will escalate if I do that here!”

“I can’t. Like I said, too many rules prevent me from agreeing to what you’re implying.” I wanted to get out of there. If Declan genuinely didn’t know me, I could slip out of the bar with him and hopefully evade Mr Stalker who was definitely still waiting outside for me.

“Like, not knowing your last name, and how you targeted me, and who is following you?” He said, taking a couple more chips.

“I haven’t targeted you.” I said, between bites.

“What’s your last name?” He asked.

“Baker. Felicity Baker.” I said. Shit! The alcohol. I wasn’t meant to tell him!

“As in, Felicity Baker, daughter of Vincent Baker, founder of Baker and Lowe?” He asked.

“Yes. No. No.” I denied. But it was obvious I was one in the same.

“Well! Why would a billionaire want to target me?” He said. I wasn’t great at reading people, but Declan looked genuinely intrigued.

“I’m not a billionaire.” I said, bitterly, then in a hushed voice, through gritted teeth I spoke again. “My father is.” I hated being defined by Father’s money. It wasn’t me and I had nothing to do with it since turning 22. I didn’t even want his money.

“No, you’re just a spoilt hedge fund girl.” He said, taking a few more chips. “You really want the £17.50 back?” He laughed.

“You’re wrong. I am not spoilt, Declan Waters.” I said, standing up from the stool and pushing the burger towards him.

“Say that again.” Declan stood up and got closer to me.

“You’re wrong.” I said nervously.

“No, the bit after.” He growled.

“I’m not spoilt.” I said, almost shivering.

“The bit after that.” His low, deep voice sent chills through me.

“Declan Waters.” I whispered and then gulped.

“Fuck. Let’s get out of here.” Declan said, grabbing his suit jacket and squinting his eyes at me.

“What? Why?” I asked, now scared. Was I in danger? He had to have pretended to drink those shots, right?

“Because the way you say my name turns me the fuck on and I’m struggling to keep my cock in my pants.” Declan said too quickly and too desperately.

His need and urgency sent an equal want through me. I was as turned on as the lights on every Christmas Tree on Christmas day. But there were rules I couldn’t break. I breathed heavily. “Too. Many.”

“Rules. I know. But if I don’t knock each of your rules out of the park, you can scream someone else’s name when you cum.” Declan said, taking my elbow again and guiding me to the door.

“I should go.” I said, letting him lead me out.

“The guy’s still out there.” Declan said, correctly hypothesising the outcome.

“No! He’s not.” I lied. I knew Mr Stalker wouldn’t leave.

“He is. I should walk you home, or to a taxi, or something.” Declan said, breathlessly. I knew he was turned on and I was feeling the heat indoors. Good thing the outside was a mere three degrees.

“Underground.” I corrected him.

“Underground? A billionaire using the underground?” He said as if he were taunting me.

“I told you, I’m not a billionaire.” I whispered.

“Really?” Declan said sarcastically.

“I barely earn minimum wage.” I said, this time audibly and annoyed.

“Really?” Declan chuckled.

“I teach English at a community centre for underprivileged foreign children.”

“Doesn’t your dad run that foundation?” Declan asked.

“No. I do. And I don’t get paid for what I do there. I work at a nursery part time. And that’s my source of income.” I said, pulling my elbow away from his hand.

“With kids?” He asked, holding the door open for me.

“No. Plants.” I said, as seriously as I could.

“Oh, I assumed… Sorry!” Declan said, and a part of me realised that this man actually believed I worked at a garden centre.

“Yes, with kids.” I laughed.

“Oh! Wow. You are good.” Declan said.

“I’m leaving.” I said, turning left out of the bar.

“I’m coming with you.” Declan followed.

“No, you’re not.” I said looking at Mr Stalker, who was standing a few meters behind Declan.

“Felicity, I’m coming with you. At least until you get into a crowded tube. I’m not having anything on my conscience. And also, the more time I spend with you, the more you’ll see how much you want me. And the higher my chance of not needing to go home alone and sit with my dick in my hand.”

“You seem over…”

“…confident. I know. Any rules for me walking next to you?” Declan said, before turning around and following my line of sight to Mr Stalker. “Hey, you got a problem?” Declan asked, taking my hand in his.

“No.” Mr Stalker said in an attractively deep voice. “Just doing my job.”

“Yeah? What? Stalking?” Declan retorted.

“Surveying.” Mr Stalker said.

“No, you’re not. You better stay away or I’m going to make sure you never survey anything again.” Declan wrapped his arm around me and started walking me in the opposite direction. My heart sank. There was going to be trouble. I contemplated playing along. But I felt the presence of Mr Stalker a few meters behind. I glanced and saw that he continued following us at a distance. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on or are you keen to see a fight?” Declan said, with a serious voice. “I’m a little tipsy so I’m not sure if it will go in my favour.”

“Fine.” I surrendered, flinging myself out of his arms. I turned around and looked at the tall henchman then back to Declan. “It was nice knowing you, Mr Declan Waters.” I walked towards the now frozen, suspicious looking man, that had been following me since I left the Boutique on Saville Row and slipped under Mr Slip-Up’s protection. Once I reached a couple feet in front of him, I turned back to Declan, who was looking at us, confused. I shrugged my shoulders at him and turned back to Mr Stalker and muttered under my breath in defeat. “Let’s go, Nolan Stalker.”

Nolan walked me to his black Range Rover, parked outside the bar, and opened the door for me.

“Hang on.” Declan said, coming to the car and standing between Stalker and me. He eyed me suspiciously.

“I didn’t mean to get you involved, I’m sorry.” I said, before getting into the car. I wondered if this was it with Mr Handsome. More often than not, I’d been alone and unsatisfied. This man looked like he was going to break my bad luck spell and take me to another world.

“Your bodyguard, I assume?” Declan said, looking between Nolan and me.

“My father’s security detail.” I sighed. That was a lie. Nolan Stalker was more mine than he would ever be my father’s. Whilst Declan was a complete stranger, and as much as I wanted to get to know him more, I knew all these rules I had to follow meant I couldn’t go out with him. At least not without Stalker being a third wheel.

“Guess I was right.” Declan snarled.

“About?” He had no rights to make assumptions about me. That made me angry.

“The spoilt thing.” Declan said.

“Hey!” I jumped out of the car and pushed against Declan’s pecks in a futile attempt to show my frustration. “Don’t you dare call me spoilt.” I saw from my peripheral vision that Mr Stalker stepped back, letting whatever I was doing play out.

“Goodbye, Miss Baker.” Declan turned to Nolan. “Mate, sorry. She told me you were following her.”

“I believe you, Mr Waters.” Nolan’s face and voice remained as serious as always, but he laughed internally. I could tell. He was the one person in this world that I could read. Only because I had spent almost every day for the past 10 years with him, except for the last two and a half days. I had a bone to pick with him about that, later.

“You know my name?” Declan said, shocked.

“It’s my business to know everything about anything that’s within 10 meters of Miss Baker.” Nolan said, mechanically.

“Of course! It was nice to meet you, Mr?” Declan asked, as if he’d get an honourable response from Nolan.

“Nolan Stalker.” Nolan said, nodding and shaking Declan’s hand. Was this the guy he gave out his name to? Not Simon Cute-Hair turned Never-Gonna-See-Again. Nope! Mr Handsome was the one Nolan Stalker shared his given name with.

“Really? Your actual name is Stalker?” Declan chuckled.

“Yes, Mr Waters.” Nolan said, serious face, internal laughter.

“Wow! Okay! Well, um, good luck with this one.” Declan said, nodding his head towards me in some sort of ‘it’s a shame you have to deal with this woman’ kind of way.

“Get over yourself.” I said to the back of Mr Handsome as he walked off.

“Me?” Declan said, turning back to face me.

“Yes. I wouldn’t have gone anywhere with you.” I glowered, with slightly squinting eyes at him.

“Good. I won’t go anywhere with you.” He said, turning and walking off. “Spoilt.”

“Argh!” I climbed back into the car as he walked towards the taxi stand. I thought he looked perplexed, but I didn’t read people well. I knew I was as frustrated as I could be. He’d gotten under my skin, for sure.

Nolan got into the car and started the engine. “Where to, Miss Baker?” I sighed and shuffled about in protest, rocking the car. “Nolan, who is this Declan Waters guy and why does he think I’m spoilt?”