LAD: A British Bad Boy Romance Novel (Bad Boys of London Book 1) by Emilia Holland Page A

observation capsules that riders stepped-into would be the perfect setting for what was to take place next between Hayley and me.  

    I sipped tea patiently at the cafe, knowing she’d be here any minute. I had every faith that we were now on the same page when it came to matters of infatuation with one another. I took a look at the non-smoking sign and promptly lit a cigarette. I was outside on the terrace, after all. They could deal with it.  

    My watch read 11:56. I wondered how long I’d put up waiting for her if she were late. I wanted to hold the power and the only way to do that would be possible would be if I left soon after I’d ordered her to be here.

    Numerous buses came and went by the drop-off point, none of them carrying my Hayley.  

    At 12:04, I’d finished my tea and I decided I wouldn’t allow her to keep me waiting. But as soon as I stood, another bus arrived. I’d wait for this one.

    They were there, spilling out of the doors behind the other passengers. Hayley had her pulled back into a clean braid again, which pleased me. A yellow button-up sweater and high-waisted shorts revealed her curves and complemented her skin tone. I grit my teeth, admiring her shapely legs and arse. Then I noticed something more pleasing: My leather jacket slung through the strap of her bag. That settled any concern I had for her being chilly on this overcast summer day. Why the fuck did she make me give a damn about her comfort level like that? I wouldn’t let her turn me into this soggy bastard. I had to remember to hold control at any cost.

    The three girls looked lively, smiley, and were, of course, taking copious photographs with their selfie stick. But Hayley didn’t seem bothered about finding me. She kept her attention on her friends or on the sights around her. The brunette girl, hidden behind unnecessary sunglasses for this type of weather, led them to a kiosk and back over to the almost-empty queue. I had an in.

    In my drunken haze last night, I’d made a plan for how I’d approach them. But since then, not only had I finished whatever that punk from last night had in his baggie, but I’d also fucked some random bird I met at a convenience store for some relief then followed it up with finishing my stash of whiskey in my wet bar. Suffice to say, my brain wasn’t thinking straight. But I remember the part about the hour of the day, the day of the week, and expected weather being ideal for carrying out this ultimate seduction.

    The girls proceeded through the queue and I followed fast behind. Finally, I caught Hayley examining her surroundings in a forced nonchalant way that cued me to knowing she’d be looking for me. Had I lied to her yesterday when I said to meet me here? Had I forgotten? She forced a smile to her friends as I moved in behind them. She was completely unaware of my close proximity to her. My beautiful prey.  

    Once in the loading area, the girls showed their tickets to the attendant and were escorted towards the cars. Here was my chance. As the first two stepped inside the doors, I snatched Hayley’s hand before she could take another step. Forcibly guiding her with me by her smell waist, I redirected her to the capsule immediately following without the other two so much as suspecting that their friend had been taken.

    “Oh my God,” she said. “Wait!”

    There were no bumbling, overweight tourists behind us and we began our ascent, making it too late for her to get help from her friends. Thirty minutes of confinement, and nowhere for her to be but right here with me.

    The doors closed behind us. Hayley’s face frowned. The reality of what I’d done caught up with her. She ran up to the other window to look up at her friends in the car ahead. They waved down, the brunette one looking in amused shock at the sight of me in the car with her. Her phone beeped with what I guess must be a text message from her worried Asian friend.

    “Fine,” she started, breathless. “I