Page 60 of Falling Fast
Leif’s being a complete gentleman about it – the ball is in my court to make the first move. Which I will. Soon, because I want it too. I trust him, only … part of meisstill afraid of what might happen, that I might freeze up.
And if things are going to go wrong, I want to enjoy the way they are for a while longer yet.
‘Emika says you need me?’ I murmur to Vienna. She’s standing to one side, watching with a hand pressed to her forehead as a man in dark jeans and a black jacket shouts instructions.
‘Fuck, yes.’ She sounds like a woman at the end of her tether. ‘We need to do something about Leif.’
‘What’s the matter with him?’ I twist my head in his direction. Personally I can’t see anything wrong – he looks incredibly hot.
‘The director wants them to look casually elegant.Thatisn’t casual.’
‘Oh.’ Now that she mentions it, his expression does look a little … strained. Angry, in fact, like he’s channelling his Viking forebears and thinking about wrapping his tie around the director’s neck. The more the man talks, the deeper thefurrow between his brows is becoming. Yep, somebody really needs to step in before there’s actual bloodshed.
‘I’ve tried talking to him, but it’s no use.’ Vienna jerks her thumb. ‘You have a go.’
I jolt. ‘Why me?’
‘Because you’re the one who persuaded him to do social media. Clearly you have a knack.’ Her eyes narrow with a vengeful gleam. ‘Plus I need to tell Corey to stop smirking.’
‘Oh.’ I try not to sound too relieved. ‘OK, I’ll try.’
‘Good. Edward?’ she calls out to the director. ‘Why don’t we take a break?’
Everyone downs tools and heads for the refreshments table set up at the side of the room, while I head in the opposite direction, sidling past a giant silver reflector screen on my way to intercept Leif. He’s still glowering, though his expression softens as he sees me.
‘Are you all right?’ I take the opportunity to inspect his suit at close quarters. The grey tweed really brings out the blue in his eyes and it fits to perfection, defining every contour of his body. I have to fight the urge to reach out and stroke the fabric.
‘I don’t wear suits.’ He flexes his shoulders and the suit flexes with him.
‘You look good. Honestly.’
‘They keep telling me I look tense.’
‘Well …’ I scrunch my mouth up. ‘You do look a little uncomfortable.’
‘Because they also keep telling me to relax.’ His face darkens again. ‘Do you know hownotto get somebody to relax? Tell them they look tense.’
‘So ignore them. Ignore this.’ I gesture to the suit, allowing my fingers to brush lightly across the front of his waistcoat.Damn, it’s soft. ‘Think of something else. You told me you feel calm when you’re driving, right? So imagine you’re doing that. In a race suit.’
His expression wavers. ‘I could do that.’
‘Great!’ I sway closer. ‘And for the record, I think you should wear suits more often.’
He looks surprised. ‘Do you think I should keep it?’
‘I wouldn’t object.’ I make an impulsive decision. ‘Maybe you could wear it tonight? Come to my flat and I’ll make us dinner.’ I pause as my hand touches against his, sending a shockwave of electricity through me. ‘Then maybe I could wear something you like too?’
He doesn’t even pause to think. ‘Do you still have what you wore in Monaco?’
‘My black jumpsuit?’
‘Yes.’ His pupils swell. ‘I know I behaved badly that night, but I still thought you were the most gorgeous woman I’d ever seen.’
‘Hey, man.’ Corey interrupts before I can respond. ‘Vienna’s trying to talk them into a more dramatic concept. Then we can both look furious.’
‘It’s fine. I know what to do now.’ Leif flexes his neck from side to side, squares his shoulders, and then slides one hand into a pocket as his eyes take on a far-off expression. He looks instantly more relaxed.
‘I’ll leave you to it.’ I walk slowly backwards, ignoring Corey’s incredulous look. ‘Just remember, you’re on the last lap, you’re feeling completely calm and in control, all you’re thinking about is your car …’ I cough. ‘And that other detail we mentioned is definitely a go. I’ll text you with timings and … stuff.’
