Rules are Made to be Broken Ch. 07

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[A/N THANK YOU for all your feedback so far – I’m so pleased you’re enjoying getting to know Jessica )

Enjoy!

Eliza x ]

Chapter Seven…

This morning has passed me by in a total blur. I keep drifting in and out of daydreams involving picnic rugs and vanilla ice cream, and some much, much less wholesome activities.

Damnit Jessica, he’s a client! No more, no less.

Well. Maybe a little bit more.

Apparently, we’re friends now too? I wonder how long that will last after he’s settled back into city life? Or maybe that’s unfair? Maybe it was fate that threw us together and we are destined to forge some bizarrely founded friendship?

Oh, stop this nonsense, Jessica! I scold myself and turn my attention back to the same stack of books I’ve been trying to shelf since I got here.

I hear the bells of the door chime and turn to see a delivery man with a small cardboard box.

‘Hello Miss, are you Amber Hardy?’ Huh? I smile inwardly. Now he’s given me an imaginary last name? And what happened to the over-the-top bouquets of flowers?

‘Yes, that’s me.’ I smile, and scribble a brand-new fake signature on the delivery notes.

As he leaves, I sit down at the cash desk and clear some space in the clutter. On opening the box, I find a square package, beautifully wrapped in grey tissue paper with a small white envelope on top. I open it and the beautifully handwritten card reads:

Thank you for last night; it was exactly what I needed.

I hope this will be the only version you ever need when you’re with me.

S x

Confused, I unwrap the tissue paper. Inside is a first edition copy of Tess of the D’Urbervilles.

‘Holy Shit’. I whisper out loud. I’m completely taken aback. Of course, it must be worth a small fortune, but mostly I’m totally blown away by how thoughtful and meaningful the gift is. I’m fingering the delicate pages in awe and bemusement as the phone beside me rings.

‘Anderson’s Antique Books, how can I help you?’ I answer on auto pilot.

‘Hello Beautiful,’ Sam’s voice is like melted chocolate on the other end of the line.

‘Sam!’ I say a little too loudly, completely caught off guard

‘Glad to hear you recognise my voice. Do you like your gift?’ I can tell he’s smiling at the other end.

‘Like it? I adore it. But it’s really too much. You didn’t need to do that.’

‘I wanted to do it.’ He cuts me off.

‘Well thank you, it’s wonderful, it really is.’

‘I’m glad you like it. I can’t talk for long, unfortunately, I’m surrounded by people demanding my attention, but I wanted to make sure you’d received it okay.’

‘I did. And again, kusadasiescortlarim.com thank you, it’s an amazing gift.’ I can hear impatient voices in the background so reluctantly I add ‘I can hear you’re in demand, so I’ll let you go crack the whip.’ I choose my words deliberately and I hear him stifle a laugh.

‘I’ll do just that, be good practice. Speak soon Beautiful.’

And he’s gone. I close my eyes and picture him at the hub of his renovation project, barking orders and making demands; every inch the powerful dominant. My pussy tightens at the image. I shake myself out of my daydream, tuck Sam’s gorgeous gift into my bag and try to concentrate on work.

* * * * *

Later that evening, I’m lounging on the sofa at home, contemplating phoning for Chinese takeout, but painfully aware of my brother’s voice in my head, teasing me about never cooking for myself, when my phone rings. I see Ruby’s name on the display and answer with a smile

‘Hey you! What are you up to?’

‘Amber! I n—– help!’

Shit. The line is dreadful, but I got the gist and I’m immediately on full alert.

‘Rubes, calm down, you’re breaking up, where are you?’

‘Hospit — come — accident —-help!’

The reception is horrific, but I’m already on the move, slipping on trainers and grabbing my keys and bag as I reply

‘Ruby, I can hardly hear you, but I’m on my way, okay?’

The line goes dead. I hit redial as I’m rushing out and locking the door but Ruby’s phone goes straight to voicemail, making me swear as I race to the high street, hoping and praying for a conveniently timed taxi.

As I round the corner, I see a black cab dropping a couple off outside a wine bar, I shout to get his attention but he’s driven off before I can get there. I swear again, scanning the street fruitlessly for other options.

‘Amber!’

I turn when I hear my name and assume I must be seeing things, a few metres away, Sam Byron is getting out of a black Mercedes and striding towards me

‘Amber, what’s wrong, are you okay?’ his hands are on my shoulders and his face is full of concern

‘I need to go the hospital’ I reply, trying to catch my breath, his eyes widen

‘What’s wrong, are you hurt?’ his right hand goes to my face, sweeping my hair back, checking me over, I catch it in my own without thinking and ignore the rush that comes from his touch

‘No, I’m fine, it’s Ruby’ he lets out a breath, and takes me by the hand,

‘Get in the car, I’ll take you.’ I’m far too relieved to argue and gladly let him guide me in to the back seat.

As I fumble with my seatbelt, he tells kuşadası eve gelen escort Harvey where to go and sits back to look at me, taking my hand gently.

‘It’s okay, I’ve got you. Just breathe, okay?’ his voice is so soothing ‘What’s happened to Ruby?’

I feel my chest tightening again and then his thumb, tracing soft but firm circles on my palm makes me breathe deeper,

‘I don’t know! She called, and the line was terrible, and she said something about an accident, the hospital — her phone’s gone dead, but she needs my help — I’, I don’t realise I’m sobbing until I feel Sam lightly brush a tear off my cheek.

‘Hey, it’s okay, it’ll be okay,’ he soothes gently, pulling me in to him. I let my head fall onto his chest as he wraps his arms around me and I try to gather my thoughts.

Sudden panic hits me and I sit up, grabbing my bag, pulling things out as I root through frantically,

‘Amber, what’s wrong?’ Sam asks beside me, his arm still around my shoulders

‘It’s an agency thing’ I reply, distracted ‘Fake ID’ I add quietly, then ‘It makes Ruby and I sisters, in case of emergency, in case y’know, they’ll only speak to next of kin…’ I trail off, glancing at him guiltily from the corner of my eye. He’s unphased though,

‘I see. Do you have what you need? I can get Harvey to take you home first if not?’ he adds as I continue rummaging through my bag.

Oh, thank God, I breathe a sigh of relief as I find the small plastic wallet.

‘No, it’s fine. Thank you, got it.’ I answer sheepishly. He pulls me closer again and kisses the top of my head, it’s such an unexpected and tender gesture, it totally blind sides me.

‘Good.’ He breathes into my hair, ‘We’ll be there any minute, okay?’ I nod against his chest and try to breathe deeply.

As Harvey pulls up outside the A I didn’t even need to use the fake ID.’

‘Impressive.’ She replies. Yes, he is, I think to myself.

‘Hang on, you told him about the fake ID?’ she continues, panicked,

‘Not exactly, he caught me rummaging in my bag looking for it — I was in panic mode Rubes! And it’s fine, he was totally unfazed. I mean he’s a client, so not exactly in a position to judge, right?’ She nods reluctantly, then looking just past me says

‘Oh! Here comes my dreamy doctor! — Hello Doctor Deacon’, she practically purrs.

Sure enough, the same doctor who showed me up is now at the foot of her bed, scribbling on a clipboard.

‘Hello Miss Smith — and, Miss Smith’, he adds awkwardly, in my direction, ‘Your tests are all looking clear and now that you’ve got someone kuşadası genç escort to escort you home, I’m happy to discharge you. Any questions?’ he smiles,

‘Will I need to come back for any further check-ups or-‘ Ruby trails off, pouting shamelessly,

‘I shouldn’t think so, no. Just stay off the twisted ankle for a day or two, take paracetamol if you need pain relief, otherwise, you’ve been very lucky Miss Smith.’, he smiles back.

‘Thank you, Doctor Deacon’, I cut in before Ruby can request a quick sponge bath, ‘I’ll make sure she gets home in one piece.’ And with a smile and a nod, he’s on his way.

‘Now who’s cock blocking’ Ruby grumbles petulantly. I roll my eyes at her

‘Do you want my help getting out of here or not?’

‘Yes please.’ She concedes with a huff.

* * * * *

As I wheel Ruby back into the A&E waiting area, Sam’s on his feet immediately, crossing to meet us.

‘How’s the patient?’ he asks with a smile

‘A complete drama queen with a twisted ankle’ I reply, teasing her, ‘Apparently the wheelchair is standard hospital practice, but I’m sure she’s milking it!’

‘Uh, I’m right here Amber!’ she pouts, then ‘Thank you, Mr Byron, for getting my oh so sympathetic friend here so quickly.’

‘No problem at all, and it’s Sam, please.’ he replies, ‘Shall we get you home?’

‘Oh Sam, that’s really not necessary, I’ll call a cab’, I cut in

‘Amber, it’s after 10 on a Saturday night, you’ll be waiting for hours, Harvey will be here in five minutes.’ He replies flatly, and I know he’s right.

Walking out of Ruby’s building after I’ve safely deposited her on her sofa with a large mug of tea and half a packet of biscuits, I cross to the Mercedes that’s still waiting outside. Sam had offered to carry Ruby up to her flat on the third floor, but, much to her disapproval, I had pointed out there was a lift, and we’d be fine.

Sam’s out before I get there and stands in front of me with his hands casually in his suit trouser pockets,

‘All good?’ he asks with a smile, and I nod.

‘Thank you, again, really.’ I reply with a smile. He waves a hand dismissively

‘Happy to help, really. And to take you home too, if you’re ready?’ he cocks his head to one side.

‘That’s very kind, but I think I should probably stay with Ruby, just in case.’ I answer. He nods,

‘Of course. Well.’ He fixes me in his gaze and I haven’t the faintest idea what to say next. I’ve completely overdone the word thank you. Before I can overthink it, I close the small space between us and simply say

‘Goodnight Mr Byron’, planting a gentle kiss on his mouth.

In a flash, he pulls me to him and kisses me back, his hands firm on my waist. My head swims, but it’s over much too soon as he corrects himself, pulling away and holding me at arm’s length, breathing hard.

‘Goodnight Amber. Go take care of your friend.’ He smiles, and I return it, then head back inside before I change my mind and leave Ruby to fend for herself.