“Do you know everything?” she snapped. “We’re going to see my friend Chloe. I’m hoping she can look after Smokey for me while I’m away, because otherwise I’m not going anywhere.”
“Graham can come in and feed your cat,” Christian said.
She raised a hand to ring the bell, but paused. “Does Graham do everything you tell him?” She was curious as to the answer. Of all she’d learned tonight, the compulsion thing worried her the most. She had no intention of letting Christian have that sort of power over her.
“Yes,” he replied.
At least he wasn’t hiding it. Sighing, she pressed her finger to the bell. Nothing happened, and she leaned closer. Inside, she could hear music and someone moving about. A minute later, the door opened a crack, and Chloe peered through the gap.
”Hey, what’s going on?” She unlatched the chain on the door and opened it wider, only then noticing the man standing behind Tara. Her eyes widened, and she grabbed Tara’s jacket and pulled her inside, slamming the door behind them. Releasing her hold, she stared at the door as though expecting it to crash open.
“Tell me that is not Christian Roth,” she whispered.
“Well I could,” Tara said. “But unfortunately, I’d be lying.”
Chloe’s eyes narrowed. “Okay, then tell me you haven’t brought Christian Roth to my doorstep while I’m wearing plaid pajamas.”
Despite everything, Tara grinned. The usual Goth gear had disappeared, and Chloe wore a pair of red and black plaid flannel pajamas, and big, pink fluffy slippers. “Sorry,” Tara said. “I’d be lying again.”
“Oh my God, what am I supposed to do?”
“I just came to ask a favor.”
Chloe shook her head. “Right, I’m with you. My brain may have left for a moment, but it’s back now, honest. What do you need?”
Tara opened her mouth to speak but Chloe scurried around Tara and peered through the spy hole. “Yup, just checking, he’s still there. And Tara…” She put her eye to the hole. “…he’s huge.” She straightened. “Sorry, but honestly, it’s not often you have a hunky billionaire standing outside your door.” She glanced down at herself. “And I am just so not dressed for this.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Tara said. “Look, I have to go away for a few days—”
“You’re going away with him?” Chloe nodded in the direction of the door.
“Yes. I hired him again and we’re going up to Yorkshire, to my old house, to see if we can find something out up there. I wondered if you would care for Smokey while I’m away.”
“No problem, but are you sure you’re all right with this? You’ve only just met this guy, and now you’re going away with him. All alone.” She scrutinized Tara. “Are you okay, you look a little strained?”
“It’s just been a long night, but I’m fine, and Christian’s been a real gentleman. He just wants to help me find out about my past.”
“Hmm, I look at him and I’ve got to be honest, the word gentleman is not the one that springs to mind.”
Tara wanted to ask what word did spring to mind, but maybe she was better off not knowing. “Perhaps not, but appearances can be deceiving.”
“Does Jamie know about this?”
“No, we just decided tonight. But it doesn’t have anything to do with Jamie.”
“No, I suppose not. You know we’ve sort of been seeing each other. Jamie and me, I mean.”
“Really? That’s fantastic. I—”
A tap on the door interrupted her. Obviously Christian. Tara considered ignoring him, but the tap came again. Harder this time. “We’re coming,” she shouted. “Have a little bloody patience.”
Chloe raised an eyebrow. “I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you swear.”
“Probably the company I’m keeping,” Tara said darkly.
“I thought he was a gentleman?”
“He is. Now, are you going to come up so I can show you where everything is?”
“Hell, yes.” Chloe said. “I want to meet Christian Roth.” She gave her outfit one more disgusted glance and shrugged. “Let’s go.”
Tara opened the door. Christian was hovering just outside. “Back off,” she said.
He took a step back but smiled.
“Christian, this is Chloe, a friend. Chloe this is—”
“Christian Roth.” Chloe held out a hand. “I’ve read all about you, Mr. Roth.”
“I doubt that,” Tara said.
Christian took Chloe’s hand. “Please call me Christian. Any friend of Tara’s is a friend of mine.”
Tara rolled her eyes. How corny could you get? But Chloe seemed to lap it up. Leaving them holding hands, she headed up the stairs, let herself into the apartment, and called Smokey. He appeared out of the living room, purring and weaving between her legs. As she reached down to stroke him, he hissed and streaked away, disappearing back from where he’d come from. She turned to see Christian and Chloe standing in the open doorway.
“Are you going to invite us in?” he asked.
“Come in.”