Lockout (The Alpha Group 2)

He laughed. "How can I argue with that?"

They disappeared into his pocket. He ran his eyes over my now naked sex. "God, this is going to drive me crazy."

I knew the feeling. Now I'd be conscious of the fact that I was naked for him all evening.

As he began fastening his buttons, my eyes fell upon his tattoo once more. Despite my best efforts, I hadn't been able to stop thinking about the man on the news. I knew it was stupid, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to it. I couldn't ask Sebastian about it directly of course. That would be opening a whole other can of crazy. But that didn't mean I couldn't fish for a little info.

"You know, I've been thinking recently about getting a tattoo," I said.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. I've been planning to for a few years. I mean, I like the idea of it, but I keep putting it off because I can't pick a design. It's going to be on my body forever, so I want it to be something I love."

"That's fair enough."

I glanced casually at his chest. "How'd you pick yours?"

He laughed and looked a little sheepish. "Honestly? It was just one of the pre-made ones they have in-store."

"Really? That doesn't seem like you."

"What can I say? I wasn't always the pinnacle of sound judgement that I am now. In retrospect, I wish I'd had your foresight, but at the time it just seemed like something fun to do."

His regret sounded genuine. See, Sophia, just a coincidence. Now can you stop trying to ruin this for yourself and forget about it?

We hopped out of the car. "Go and get some dinner, Joe," Sebastian said. "I'll call you when we're done."

"Of course, sir." He didn't display any hint of embarrassment at what had happened, but perhaps he was simply used to that kind of behaviour. Business as usual. That thought brought me back down to earth a bit.

With that same gentle pressure as before, Sebastian guided me into the lobby. A girl buzzed us through and we took the lift up.

Much like Sebastian's apartment, this one was spacious, elegant, and masculine. The entire far wall was sheet glass from floor to ceiling, offering a stunning view out over Hyde Park, and it opened on hinges to one side, leading to a softly lit balcony, complete with its own outdoor bar. There were people milling everywhere, all dressed like they'd just committed a group robbery of the Harrods designer section. "Low key, hey?" I asked.

He grinned. "Do you remember the last party of ours you were at? It's all relative."

"Fair point." This certainly wasn't as overwhelming as that first night. More casual richness than unbridled decadence.

Several pairs of eyes turned to us as we entered.

"There he is," said an energetic looking man who broke off from a group near the door. Like most of the men in the room he was handsome and well groomed, with closely cropped golden hair and a strong jaw. In many other circumstances, I'd probably have found him attractive, but watching he and Sebastian shake hands just emphasised how gorgeous my date was. With him in the room, every other man was relegated to second fiddle.

"Thomas, sorry we're late. We had a little car trouble."

I blushed, suddenly very aware that less than ten minutes earlier I'd been having wild, rough, explosive sex in the middle of a crowded road. I ran a hand through my hair, making sure everything was in place. Could Thomas tell? Sebastian had fucked me so thoroughly it felt like it should be obvious.

"This is my friend, Sophia," Sebastian continued.

"Lovely to meet you," Thomas said, extending a hand.

"You too," I replied.

He clapped. "So, what are you two drinking?"

"I'll get something in a minute," said Sebastian, scanning the room. "I want to have a word with Gabriel. Do you mind?" He gave me an apologetic smile.

"It's fine, go play businessman." He nodded thanks, turned and disappeared into the crowd.

"Well, what about you, Sophia?" Thomas asked. "Drink?"

"I wouldn't say no to a glass of red."

"I have just the thing. Come with me."

I attracted more than a few appraising glances as we headed for the balcony. Although everyone appeared to be having a good time, there was a certain cattiness in the air that the men seemed largely oblivious to. I could see it in the girls' postures and smiles and the way they sized each other up when they thought nobody was looking. It was the same vibe I had felt that first night in the bar, that this was all a competition and they were fighting tooth and nail for the best position. Anyone new was a threat. It made me feel decidedly uncomfortable.

"So, you and Sebastian work together?" I asked, trying my best to distract myself.

He nodded. "Locky and I started at Fraiser around the same time."

I snorted. "Locky?" I couldn't imagine anyone addressing Sebastian like that. He didn't seem like the sort of man who people made nicknames for.

Thomas grinned. "Yeah, an old joke from way back when. He hates it, so I save it for special occasions. Use it well."

I laughed. "I'll do that."

I strolled over to the balcony edge while he poured the wine. "You have a beautiful place here. The view is amazing."

He came over to join me, two glasses in hand. "Thanks. I've been lucky. Fraiser Capital has been good to me."

"It seems like it's been good to all of its staff," I replied, gazing around. "No offence, it's just all a bit surreal."

Thomas laughed. "Believe me, I know what you mean. You kind of just get numb to it after a while. To be honest I barely come out here anymore. I know it makes me look like an asshole, but at some point you just start taking it all for granted."

I decided that I liked him. His self-deprecating humour was refreshingly different from the sort of stuffy, self-important conversation I'd been expecting. He felt like the sort of guy who'd be more at home in a local bar than a ritzy penthouse apartment.

"I don't think you're an asshole," I replied. "It's just hard to get your head around, you know?"

He nodded. "I know. When I first started actually making real money, it took me a solid year to adjust. I spent the first six months living off spaghetti and toasted sandwiches like I always had. I couldn't believe that people lived like this. Sometimes I actually think it might all be too much. Then again," he held up his glass, "it does have its perks.

I took a sip of my own wine and swished it lightly in my mouth. It was delicious, a cavalcade of flavours I didn't have the vocabulary or palate to identify. I had to agree; I wouldn't be complaining.