Scandal (Tainted #1) Read online

  ‘G’dnight, Blondie,’ he said.

  ‘Goodnight, Sebastian.’

  Alicia woke up alone. The sheets were cool behind her and something like panic gripped her throat. It was still dark in her room, but her curtains were thick. Surely he hadn’t left her in the middle of the night?

  But when she checked her alarm, it was nine. If yesterday was anything to go by he’d have left hours ago. Without saying goodbye?

  Her eyes stung and she squeezed them shut. ‘Stop it right now.’

  This was getting too much. Just remembering how easily Darrell had walked away when she needed him wasn’t enough to keep her heart safe from Sebastian. Then again, Sebastian wasn’t promising her more than a few weeks, months at most. She had him in her life until his reputation was squeaky clean – though after last night she doubted it would be for a while.

  Which reminded her. She had calls to make and favours to beg.

  Throwing the quilt back exposed her to the chilly air, but it didn’t stop her getting out of bed and darting to the living room. Her heart launched into her throat when she saw he’d taken his holdall. Still, there wasn’t time to dwell on that. She snatched her mobile off the coffee table and made her way to the kitchen.

  And froze. Sebastian had tidied up. The dishes she’d left to air dry the night before were gone, and there was a pot of coffee brewing in the machine. He’d even cleaned the burner on the cooker and taken the bin out. Was this his way of saying ‘thanks for a great night but I’ve had enough’?

  Again, not something she wanted to dwell on – there was too much to fix already. She poured a mug of steamy coffee then scrolled through her phone until she found the number she wanted.

  Daria sounded groggy when she answered, ‘Hi, sis.’

  Alicia was about to ask her question, but it would be rude to blurt it out and Daria didn’t know the full story. ‘How are wedding plans going?’

  Her sister sighed. ‘Father vetoed the dresses I designed. He wants some French designer who was clearly born in the sixteen hundreds to do them.’

  That made her smile. ‘Old-fashioned?’

  ‘An understatement. Be prepared for a shapeless, cleavageless monstrosity. Mother did try to change his mind, but he obviously doesn’t want his daughters to look like women on the day.’

  If they were anything like their mother’s wedding dress, they were all going to look like throwbacks from the Victorian era. She knew how much that would hurt Daria, but since it was their father paying for everything, she couldn’t really argue. ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘I’m tempted not to invite him and wear what I want.’ She sighed again. ‘It’s a nice thought but I’m not that brave.’

  Alicia laughed. ‘You’re braver than me. I wouldn’t have asked in the first place.’

  Hadn’t that been her problem all her life? She’d kept her mouth shut, not stood up for what she wanted, and had to suffer the consequences. She envied Daria and Sylvia. They spoke up when they felt passionate about something even if it meant rejection.

  ‘You’ve always been the wimp.’ Daria chuckled. ‘So what can I do for you, little sister? Or did you wake me up to find out about the wedding of the century?’

  Now for the hard part. Alicia took a sip of coffee, wishing it wasn’t too early for wine. How was she going to explain? Tell the truth first, or just come out with it? She didn’t want to lie to her family, but who knew what would leak if she told the truth? Daria wouldn’t drop her in it though she might mention it to Blair and …

  ‘Getting old here, Alicia,’ Daria said.

  ‘I need a favour.’ She cleared her throat. ‘Have you picked a magazine to cover the wedding yet?’

  There was a long pause, then, ‘No, I don’t really want one there. I was hoping to leave it so late that no one will be available, but Mother’s putting pressure on me to choose.’

  Guilt froze the request in her throat. Of course her sister would want a quiet, intimate wedding. Wouldn’t she when the time came? She couldn’t ask, she should be helping Daria get her way.

  But how else was she going to stop those pictures from coming out? If they did, she wouldn’t be allowed at the wedding. She probably wouldn’t be allowed to speak with her sisters.

  Her hand fisted around the mug until the heat got too much. ‘Do you want me to speak with Mother?’

  ‘No, it’s no use. Father wants coverage and you know what he’s like. What were you going to ask?’

  Alicia bit her lip.

  ‘Come on, Alicia. You can ask me anything.’

  She took a deep breath then said, ‘Can you give the contract to Taylor Made?’

  There was another long pause, no doubt while Daria thought through the request. ‘Do you think they’ll pull the story Sebastian’s ex is running if they do?’

  ‘It’s too late for that,’ she said. ‘But … I want to make sure they don’t print anything else.’

  ‘Licia, the press print what they want, you know that. What makes you think somewhere else won’t take Mai on?’

  Her sister’s voice was soft, just like it had been that night when she got back from the hospital. Alicia knew then that her sister believed the stories as much as anyone else – though why she’d encouraged the fake relationship was a mystery. Still, she pushed those thoughts aside and thought of a way to explain that wouldn’t give away her secret.

  ‘There’s more. Mai fixed him up yesterday. Taylor Made have a contract with her that means she can’t talk to anyone else while the feature’s running. He’s really trying to be better and is training all the time. Another scandal isn’t something he needs right now. He’s already lost his biggest sponsor.’

  ‘Tell me something. Are you working for him?’ she asked.

  Alicia hesitated. Had Daria figured it out? She didn’t want to lie, so skirted around the truth a little. ‘How can I not help him? I’m a publicist and he needs a PR clean up.’

  ‘You can talk to me, Licia. You know that, don’t you?’

  She took a bigger gulp of coffee this time, trying to rid the lump in her throat. ‘I know, and I will. It’s just …’

  ‘You can’t now.’ Daria didn’t sound cross, which was a relief.

  ‘No, not now.’

  ‘OK, hire Taylor Made for my wedding on whatever condition you want. Blair and I don’t want any money for it.’

  ‘Thank you, Daria,’ she said, with her throat all choked up.

  ‘Anytime. Just promise me one thing. Take care of yourself.’

  ‘I will, I promise.’ Another reminder that she shouldn’t get close to Sebastian – like she needed it.

  ‘See you on Friday!’ Daria said, a little cheerier than before.

  Alicia wasn’t feeling as enthusiastic. How could she when she and Sebastian would be under her father’s watch every second of every day they were there?

  Chapter Seventeen

  ‘Something on your mind, pretty boy?’ James asked as Sebastian missed the ball.

  Again.

  He wasn’t exhausted, but since he’d left the warmth of Alicia’s bed the consequences of the day before had come back to haunt him. If this latest story got out, not only would his sponsors be even more likely to pull, but Alicia would be publicly humiliated.

  So he’d made a decision. When the story came out he was going to deny it with everything he had and tell the world the truth – that he’d read the article Mai sold and wanted to apologise. At least then there would be two sides and people would see Alicia standing by him. Maybe they’d wonder if any of what Mai said was true.

  But it wasn’t part of Alicia’s master plan to save his career, and wondering how she’d react to the news was making him lose focus today.

  ‘How about we come back in a few hours?’ he suggested.

  After all, he still had to get home and get a change of clothes. He liked going back to her place after training and today he’d head straight there. No more stupid ideas for him.

  ‘Fine, b
ut get your head back in the game. The French Opens are coming up fast and you need to give it your all,’ James said.

  The reminder was timely. He shouldn’t be worrying about what the press were saying or wondering if what little time he had with Alicia would be enough. He should be researching his opponents, finding out their handicaps, and getting ready to whip their arses on the court.

  All good in theory, but practice was more difficult. ‘I get it. See you in a few.’

  After packing up his racket, he headed for his car. A red Chevy parked down the street caught his eye and he frowned. Wasn’t that the car he saw yesterday outside Mai’s? He ditched his bag on the backseat and crossed the road. Before he got close enough to make out the driver the thing pulled away. As the car turned, the early afternoon sun shone through the window and he saw a glint of gold hair.

  He remembered Alicia saying she had seen a blond-haired man outside the party just as he had arrived. If it was any other time in his life it would be crazy to put the coincidences together. After what had happened the day before, Sebastian wasn’t so sure.

  When he was back in his car he pulled out his mobile and called Alicia.

  ‘Hi,’ she answered cautiously.

  Distracted, he asked, ‘Is everything OK?’

  ‘I was about to ask you the same thing.’

  His first thought was that the story was out already. But then Taylor Made didn’t release daily. Still, they could have sold the story to someone else. ‘Are the pictures out?’

  ‘No, I meant … you left.’

  The last part was said so quietly he wasn’t sure if he heard her properly. But he grinned. ‘You were snoring so hard you didn’t pause when I tried to wake you up.’

  ‘I don’t snore!’ Her voice was stronger now, filled with annoyance and it made him chuckle.

  ‘It’s a cute snore. Girlie.’

  ‘Sebastian!’

  ‘Chill, Blondie. I think it’s adorable. Anyway, teasing aside there’s something I wanted to ask you. That man you saw at the party, did he have wavy blond hair?’

  ‘I think so. Why are you asking?’

  He sat back in the seat, thudding his skull against the headrest. Shit. ‘I think he’s following me. Unless the photographer you hired has a partner?’

  She didn’t answer for so long he knew the answer. ‘No. I told Sam I’d get in touch when we had something worth printing.’

  Shit, shit, shit. ‘Taylor Made or someone else?’

  The guy in the park yesterday was dark-haired, which meant it had to be someone else. Christ, could he not go five fucking minutes without someone wanting enough scandal to destroy him?

  ‘Definitely not Taylor Made. I just got off the phone with them. They’ve agreed to give me all the photographs taken yesterday,’ she said.

  ‘How did you pull that off?’ he asked, and if there was awe in his voice he didn’t care. She’d done the impossible, and he thought Dynamo was good.

  ‘My sister. She agreed to let me make the deal. Taylor Made get full coverage of Daria’s wedding if I get the photographs and a promise from them they won’t print anything bad about you again. Well, after the month feature, anyway.’

  She didn’t sound happy, which meant there was a catch. ‘Did you tell her the truth?’

  Alicia sighed. ‘I didn’t lie, but I wasn’t completely honest either.’

  He realised then why she wasn’t thrilled. Alicia was honest and sweet. She’d probably never had to keep secrets from her family before. Just one more tick in her favour. If he’d met Alicia before Mai …

  Sebastian stopped that thought dead. He’d have hurt her, like he hurt every woman who got close to him.

  Changing gears, he asked, ‘Why did they agree? I mean, your father is newsworthy but scandal versus a squeaky clean wedding?’

  ‘Squeaky clean, yes. But Daria’s marrying Blair Roberts. His father is retiring this year, which makes Blair the sole director of Roberts Industries.’

  OK, now he got it. The company had a hand in everything from alcohol to sponsoring up-and-coming sports brands and designers. A Simpson daughter marrying into a multi-billion pound family would definitely rank higher than a kiss between exes.

  It also meant Alicia had to rely more on the family connection she’d been so freaked out about using in the beginning. All to save his arse. He didn’t have words to express how grateful he was. ‘I don’t know what to say.’

  She laughed a little. ‘You don’t have to say anything. I’m just doing my job.’

  Was she, though? Part of him was beginning to wonder, and playing on her emotions to save his career wasn’t fair. ‘I really appreciate it, I do. But I don’t want you to have to bring your family into this.’

  ‘I’m not going to. You can thank me by behaving yourself from now on.’

  He smiled at the bossy, prissy tone. ‘Yes, ma’am.’

  He relaxed back against the seat and all the tension drained from his muscles as he listened to her breathing on the other end of the line. He should say goodbye, hang up, but he couldn’t force the words out.

  ‘So, are you … er …?’ She didn’t say anything else.

  ‘Am I …?’ he asked.

  She whispered, ‘Coming over later?’

  Closing his eyes, he wondered if she was wary about saying it because she’d rather he didn’t. He didn’t want to look too closely at why her rejection hurt like a bitch.

  ‘Not if you don’t want me to.’

  ‘I do,’ she said too quickly.

  He sighed with relief. ‘Then I will. I’m going home to get a change of clothes first.’

  ‘You can bring a few if you want to stay until we leave for Cumbria,’ she said.

  His smile got wider. ‘Better shift all those vibrators to make room for my shoes.’

  Alicia laughed and it was the loveliest sound he’d heard all day. ‘I’ve a feeling I won’t need any.’

  ‘Nope, not one.’ Well, maybe one. But he didn’t think now was the time to bring that up. ‘See you later, Blondie.’

  ‘Not if I see you first, Collins.’

  He ended the call, grin still in place and feeling a lot lighter than he had earlier. Now there was no chance of taking her down with him, his stress levels could return to normal. Tonight he’d make it up to her, but now he could give it his all on the court. Which, he reminded himself, was what he should be focusing on instead of all the ways he’d thank Alicia later.

  The week had gone by too quickly for Sebastian and the buzz he’d been running on after practice every day had almost fizzled out. Even the cameras flashing in his face and the constant fire of questions the media reps kept up didn’t stop him yawning.

  Alicia stood next to him and his arm around her shoulders was practically holding him up. A late-night press conference on a Thursday drew swarms of those responsible for stressing him out the last few months. But that wasn’t why exhaustion was creeping in.

  Training was getting intense and though he was shattered by the time he got to her flat each night, he couldn’t keep his hands off her. Not that there were any more twice in one night performances, and he’d yet to make things up to her properly after the deal she’d struck with Taylor Made, but he tried to make up for it in other ways and hid his fatigue as best he could.

  One of the reporters from a national newspaper asked him something about the charity, but he couldn’t quite make it out. Literally dead on his feet was not the best side of him to bring to a press conference, but if he hadn’t insisted on going with her tomorrow to her family home, he’d have finished training earlier and wouldn’t be so exhausted.

  Alicia answered, saving him again. ‘Sebastian was really keen to set this up. As you know, his grandfather worked two jobs to keep a home for his grandmother and father. They didn’t have much and his dedication to his family meant Sebastian’s father could do what he loved, and it paid off. If it wasn’t for a kind older man’s help, he’d never have got that far. The Collins
Trust means kids who can’t afford it will get professional help and support for free.’

  That set off another round of questions and Sebastian wondered how she found out about his grandfather. It was long before he came along and his father didn’t talk much about his upbringing.

  Alicia amazed him every day, and feeling crappy about the lack of attention he’d been paying her after his promises of unlimited endurance, he wanted to give her something for her. Credit was a good place to start.

  ‘Actually, if it wasn’t for Alicia, the Collins Trust wouldn’t be here. With me training morning, noon, and evening, she’s been a lifesaver.’ He pressed a kiss against her temple, only then registering how rigid she was.

  Her trademark calm expression was back, but there was tension in her body. ‘What did I say?’ he whispered low enough so only she heard.

  She smiled at him, but he caught a flash of fear in her eyes. ‘Later,’ she breathed.

  His mind shot to high alert like he’d been injected with caffeine, even though the rest of the conference dragged. On the ride home he waited for her to say something, but she kept quiet and he had the crazy sensation that she’d shoved something invisible between them. A line he couldn’t cross, which only made him more determined.

  ‘What went on back there?’ he asked, glancing at her briefly before returning his concentration to the road. She stared out the passenger side window. Her spine was too straight and her expression was fixed in that mask he hated.

  ‘You shouldn’t have said I was involved. Remember rule three? Don’t talk to the press unless you run it by me first.’

  What the …? ‘Alicia, are you pissed because I broke one of your rules? For Christ’s sake, we’ve already tossed the first two. What’s one more?’

  He felt her glare, but kept his attention on the road in front of them.

  ‘I think the rules are moot. What I’m talking about is telling the world I’m pretty much running the charity for you. What happens when we officially split? It’s just going to make you look worse because I helped you set everything up.’

  He turned into her street, conceding she had a point. ‘We can figure something out, make it look amicable and we stayed friends. Tony’s going to scout around for new sponsors and when the money rolls in for that I’ll hire someone to take care of the charity.’