A Matter of Trust: London Calling Book One by Kat Faitour Page A

Aidan’s eyes. “Does Jane like it here?”
    Jane was Aidan’s girlfriend of more than two years. Devon met her on a recent weekend where the three of them had accidentally run into each other at an art fair in Hyde Park. The two women hit it off right away and Devon considered her a fast friend. Aidan was crazy for Jane and never missed an opportunity to talk about her.
    “She does,” he exclaimed. “We meet here for lunch sometimes and she always enjoys it. Janie has a taste for the spirit of a place, like you.” They were walking fast and had reached the gates again by the time he finished talking.  
    “See, Aidan? That’s why I like her. Jane and I are kindred spirits. Which is all the more reason for you to marry her.” She poked him in the ribs, impishly prodding him while uttering the joke she’d been repeating after meeting his girlfriend. Since befriending Aidan, she revealed more of herself than usual. No longer just the serious young woman from months ago, she easily slipped into the role of mischievous matchmaker.
    He smiled. “If you must know, I am asking her to marry me.” Devon stopped walking for a second, unaccountably pleased. He continued, “This weekend. So stop harassing me and wish me luck instead.”
    Swamping him in a spontaneous hug, Devon wished him the best and assured him he had nothing to worry about. “She’s nuts for you. And I don’t know of two people more perfect for each other.”  
    “Thank you,” he said while flushing a little. “Maybe we can convince you that some people do stick.”
    ***
    “Next time we go out, I’ll take you to Bunhill Fields Burial Ground. Since you have a thing for cemeteries, you’ll love that place. It’s free too, and right here in the City of London, so you’re squaring up to be a perfect date.” Aidan tossed Devon a bottled water as he teased her while lounging on the corner of her desk. Both of them were still flushed from hurrying back from St. Dunstan. She laughed, uncapping the bottle to take a long drink.  
    Neither saw the brooding man in the doorway watching both of them with dark intensity.
    “Next time you go out , I’ll thank you to be back in time for scheduled meetings.” Bennett spoke harshly, startling them both. “In fact, Aidan, I’m not sure you should be going out with fellow staffers at all. Aren’t you engaged? Jane, isn’t it?”
    Devon interjected, trying to help. “Actually he’s not.” She fumbled, “I mean, he’s about to be, but he isn’t. Yet. Well…” She stopped, swallowing nervously.
    Aidan spoke up. “I’m sorry, but what scheduled meeting?”  
    Bennett swung his glare back to the other man. “You’re both late for a meeting I called in the boardroom. I expect you to check your messages, even when you’re out.” His gaze raked them both, top to bottom. “Of course, I hardly thought you’d be out taking postage stamp tours on company time.” He turned on his heel, pulling open Devon’s door. “Now both of you, get your things together and meet me in five. As requested .”
    By the time Bennett was in the elevator, his jaw ached from grinding his teeth together. Planting his feet wide, he stabbed the button for the correct floor and took several deep breaths.  
    He was being an overbearing, pompous ass.  
    But seeing Devon happy with another man had thrown him. He hadn’t expected the sudden constriction of his lungs, the inability to breathe when he’d seen her laughing with Aidan. Possessiveness, swift and primal, erupted within him. The asinine notions he’d harbored for resisting her faded.  
    Was his grandfather right? Was he essentially punishing Devon for something Olivia did so long ago?
    Bennett exited the elevator with unusual restlessness. He had a lot to think about, but this wasn’t the time. Aidan and Devon looked up expectantly as he entered the boardroom. They quickly looked back down again, murmuring over the shared data they viewed on their laptops.