Dylan parked next to a Ferrari. “Okay? Let’s go.”
Sarah opened her mouth to ask what they were doing here, but Dylan was already climbing out, so she and Natalia followed.
Sarah slammed her door. “Who lives here, Dylan?”
He put his arm around her, ignoring Natalia as they strolled towards the house. He spoke quietly so Natalia couldn’t hear. “My brother Adam’s renting this place. Remember him?”
“Oh. Adam. How could I forget?”
Dylan nodded. “He’s just arrived in London – cut his vacation short to give me some fraternal support. We can lie low here.”
“Lie low? Dylan, I need to get back to work.”
“Alright. You can call a cab when we get inside.”
Dylan rang the doorbell and a curvy blonde woman answered. Just Adam’s type as far as Sarah could remember. The woman grinned, then spoke with an English accent. “Hey, Dylan! How are those Russians? Still giving you a hard time?”
“Hi, Amy.” Dylan glanced at Natalia. “Hopefully not anymore. Can we come in?”
“Of course.”
Amy stepped back to let them in, and they all loitered in the echoey hallway, feeling hot in the oppressive summer humidity. Dylan opened his mouth to do the introductions, but Adam appeared, and they greeted each other with a boisterous hug. Sarah realised they hadn’t seen each other for a while.
“Thanks for coming over to help,” Dylan said. “Sorry I ruined your vacation. And congratulations on your engagement!”
Dylan threw Amy a grin and Sarah’s insides surged with desire. Urgh – there it was; that grin! Sarah hadn’t seen it in full force for years, and even though she wasn’t its target, it bounced off the floorboards and thrust itself deep between her thighs.
Sarah pulled herself together and listened as Dylan joked with Amy. “I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into marrying my little brother!”
She chuckled. “I do!”
Adam put his arms around her from behind and hugged her tight. “Hopefully it won’t be long until I hear you say ‘I do’ for real!”
Sarah cleared her throat. It was all very well them having a family reunion, but she needed to get back to her hotel.
Adam glanced over. “Hey, don’t I know you?”
Dylan laughed theatrically and put his arm around Sarah, causing electric lust to fizzle through her body. “Adam, you’re such a joker. We all know Sarah. My wife. Right?”
Dylan darted his eyes towards Natalia, who – Sarah realised – looked incredibly young and innocent now she’d ditched all the make-up. Dylan raised an eyebrow at Adam, who luckily got the hint.
“Ah, yes, your wife,” Adam said. “Great to see you… er… Sarah.”
Sarah glared at Adam. He’d been a cocky little shit back in college and they hadn’t exactly gotten on. But from the way he was holding Amy, Sarah could see he’d changed for the better. Love had conquered him.
“And this is Natalia,” Dylan said, still clutching Sarah tight. “Orlov’s wife. She and I had a liaison, as I think I might’ve mentioned. But now, of course, me and Sarah are getting back together, and I think Natalia is going to leave us to it. Right, Natalia?”
Natalia shrugged. “I cannot come between a loving marriage, can I?”
“No, exactly.”
Amy smiled. “Why don’t we all go through to the living room? I’ll make some coffee. Or perhaps something stronger. A nightcap.”
“Good idea,” Dylan said, releasing Sarah from his tantalising grip. She realised she’d been holding her breath in an attempt to harden herself against him. She exhaled and relaxed her muscles, trying to keep control.
Sarah opened her mouth to say she was leaving, but Dylan had now struck up a conversation with Adam and Amy. “Hey, is Joseph here?” he asked. “He said he might stay with you two while his band was on tour in London.”
Amy nodded. “Yeah, we actually all travelled over in Adam’s private jet. But Joseph’s at a gig tonight. He’ll be back quite late.”