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Caradoc? Was he back?
She pushed out of bed and wrapped herself in one of his luxurious terry towelling robes in one movement, then pulled his bedroom door inwards.
A gorgeous blonde stood across the living space, her face set in a serious mask, her eyes scanning the room.
“Oh!” She startled, her cheeks blushing pink.
Finn’s eyes narrowed as she took another moment to survey the woman’s appearance.
Whoever she was, she had a key to Caradoc’s apartment, and she was stunning.
Tall, skinny as a rake, with a dark tan, bright blue eyes, lips that looked cosmetically enhanced and hair that fell in soft waves halfway down her back.
And she was in Caradoc’s apartment.
“I’m so sorry!” Her accent was English, just like Finn’s. No, not just like Finn’s, she amended crossly. Finn’s voice was not polished and fancy like this woman’s. Finn’s voice was normal. This woman was clearly from an exalted background, just like Caradoc. “I didn’t know you were here. I should have called before hand. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” Finn found herself soothing the other woman’s worries away, despite her own.
“I’m Alexi,” the woman said, moving towards Finn, her smile unquestionably loaded with regret. “Cara asked me to grab some files he forgot.”
“Oh, did he?” She murmured, thinking back to their morning, understanding exactly why he’d forgotten the papers in the first instance. Cara? As in short for Caradoc? Who exactly felt comfortable enough with Caradoc Moore to call him by a nickname?
“You must be Seraphina.”
Finn arched a brow. She wasn’t trying to be standoffish, but she was truly lost for words.
“I’m not being nosy. I organised the gown. And the … umm… other stuff.”
The gown? Did she refer to the exquisite dress Finn had worn to Sasha Moore’s party? And the lingerie? The gifts? They had all been arranged by this woman?
“You have excellent taste,” she murmured, her smile forced.
“Well, you know. Cara has excellent taste. I just place the orders.” She shrugged awkwardly. “Only the best for him.”
Finn swallowed. The comfort with which the woman referred to this aspect of her job was sending enormous warning bells ringing in Finn’s head. “Do you do that kind of thing often then? Buy lingerie for his lovers?”
Alexi winced. “I didn’t mean that.”
“Perhaps not,” Finn nodded slowly. “But it’s still what you said.”
“Right.” Alexi was obviously uncomfortable now. Finn felt a jab of compunction but her own confusion was greater. She needed clarity. To understand what Caradoc wanted from her beyond just her body. Surely there was more too. “I just need a moment in the study. Excuse me.”
Finn’s voice was surprisingly regal. “This is normal for him?” She said, refusing to let the other woman go without getting an answer to her questions.
Alexi squirmed visibly. “It’s not really my place …”
“He made it your place by getting you to do his bidding.” She softened the harsh pronouncement with another tight smile. “Just tell me please, how many women like me have you bought expensive gifts for?”
Alexi shook her head. “I …”
“Ten? Twenty?” Finn closed her eyes. “More?”
“I really don’t want to get involved,” Alexi apologised, her eyes darting towards the office. “Excuse me.” Her tongue darted out and licked her plumped up lips. Perhaps taking pity on the obviously lovelorn image of Seraphina, Alexi said softly, “He’s someone who likes … company.”
Their eyes met and comprehension passed between them, before Alexi turned and moved through the apartment. She went quickly and Finn fought off any temptation to follow. After all, it wasn’t Alexi’s fault that Finn had fallen head over heels with a serious womaniser. And he was that.
She felt sick to the stomach to think of the power she’d allowed him to wield. Yes, it was a power, and he could wield it utterly, but only because she’d allowed him to. She had armed him with what he needed, and she had lain at his feet waiting for the blow to strike.
