he added with a wink.
“Well, of course! You need help from your inner circle to get to where you’re going. That’s why I’m so happy to have found Eugenie.”
“Is that your flat mate?”
She nodded. “We’ve been friends for ages, but when I kicked my ex out for cheating, she moved in. For a second, we were concerned that our friendship couldn’t deal with constantly being in each other’s space. That didn’t last long. I love that woman way too much. Besides, she’s the only one I can binge Indian food with and not feel totally judged for my absolute love of chicken tikka masala.”
He was smirking at her. “Indian food, huh?”
“It’s the best.”
“Remind me to take you to the best little spot in Little India. The owner is a lifelong friend of mine.”
“Lifelong as in…”
London chuckled. “He’s a dragon shifter like me. He owns and operates chains of hotels and restaurants, but that tiny little hole in the wall is his favorite. He met his mate there a few decades ago. They run it together now, and his son runs his business.”
“That’s lovely. They get to work where they met. It’s a sweet story.”
“They’re a sweet couple.”
Silence fell for a few moments. Bethany was still contemplating the strength of the shifters and their bonds with their mates.
“The tattoo on your chest. The one with the roman numerals, what does it mean?” What was with her? Bethany wanted to kick herself in the shin for asking such a personal question.
London rubbed at the spot over his shirt. His handsome face had lost its flirty and seductive edge. His eyebrows were pulled together in a frown that made his eyes lose their magnetic pull.
“Twenty-six. It’s the day of my dad’s birthday.”
Oh. Bethany couldn’t believe he had told her. “I’m sorry I asked. You didn’t have to answer.”
He shook his head. “No. It’s fine.” He rubbed at the tattoo again. “I like remembering him. He was a good man. The kind that is hard to emulate.”
Bethany nodded, but she was at a loss for words. She understood the heaviness that grief brought to even the most benign moments. She gave him time to compose himself. He shuffled in his seat, cleared his throat, and nodded as if he had come to some kind of decision.
“So how about two nights from now?”
She shook her head, confused by his question. “What?”
“How about I take you out on a date in three days. I’ll bring you to Orinder’s restaurant.”
“A date?” She bit down on her lip. She wanted to say yes, but she knew it was a terrible idea. She was already playing with fire by being in his apartment this late at night. “I don’t think this is appropriate,” Bethany said. “We have to keep working together until the benefit and let’s not forget that you have to be on your best behavior. I’m a PR rep your mother hired to make sure your image was cleaned up. That’s why I’m here.”
London’s eyes darkened. The depths were moody, and there was a hint of anger there. “But you will gladly play my girlfriend out in public.”
“No, not quite. We discussed this, London.” She allowed herself a deep sigh. “We’re just going to be seen planning the benefit together. That, coupled with the fact that you won’t be photographed in clubs or with a string of women leaving your apartment, and the fact that I will be your date for the benefit will allude to a relationship between us. That doesn’t mean that we have to pretend to be in a relationship.”
“Alluding to it is enough for you,” he bit out. There was hurt and anger in his tone.
Bethany bit down on her lower lip. “You know that a relationship between us is just not possible. For many reasons. Must I list them?” Bethany was aware that her words were harsh, but she didn’t like this line of conversation, and she needed to make an escape and quick.
London left his seat on the sofa, and he prowled toward her. He framed her into the armchair, one arm on each side of her. Bethany was breathless. The very little air she did take in was scented with London’s subtle cologne. It made her dizzy, making it hard for her to concentrate on the fact that she was trying very hard to resist him.
She was doomed to fail. She knew that.
“If you will recall,” London licked his lips. His voice was deep and raspy. It reminded her of