"Is that the line you're going to use on me? It won't work." I said, even though I was fighting every instinct that wanted to blush. I didn't want to show him I was interested, even though I was.
British men were hot, even my bodyguards. I had seen more hot men in the two weeks that I was there than I had ever seen in the U.S.
Perhaps it was the British accents they had that made them ten times more attractive than they were.
All I knew was that a boy my age was interested in me, and he wanted to spend all his money on me.
"It's not a line, love. You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, and I would like to show you how genuine I am."
I couldn't help but smile. He wasn't saying much, but he was making me swoon. He had his way with words, and I had to admit I was falling for it. Maybe it was the blue eyes. Either way, I was loving it.
Despite how amazing he seemed, I couldn't help myself. I was comparing him to Julian. While my stepfather never smiled, the one in front of me wasn't scared of doing it.
Julian was more manly, while the boy in front of me had boyish looks. Their bodies were different, too. Julian was all man, while the boy in front of me was very fit for his age.
One was full of happiness and youth, while the other was closed off and reserved.
"Okay. What do you have in mind? You can't buy my attention." I said, waving the black card in my hands.
"Does that mean I shouldn't buy you whatever you want?"
"I didn't say that…"
"Harry. Yours?"
"Kennedy."
"Do you care to join me for a stroll, Kennedy?"
"Do you mind if I look at a few necklaces first? You did say that you'd buy everything I laid my eyes on."
He chuckled and waved his hand. A woman walked forward and started speaking about the latest collections and what jewellery would look good on me, but I waved my hand to stop her.
"I'm a woman who knows what I want, Harry. I don't need someone to tell me what will look good on me because I already know."
I turned and looked at a few pieces before I decided I was done. Harry guided me away with his hand on the small of my back. His bodyguard was carrying the bags of jewellery. Once we were outside, Chris approached us, looking at Harry skeptically.
"You can put those bags in the car, Chris. Feel free to join us for a stroll."
"Mr. Thorne will not like this," he said.
"It's my job to worry about what he will and won't like. And do you know what's not part of your job description? Giving me advice I sure as hell don't need."
Chris closed and opened his mouth, finally deciding not to offend me in any way.
"Understood."
Harry led me down the street with a smile on his face.
"So, you're American?"
"Yes. I come from Los Angeles, home to most celebrities."
"What's it like over there at this time of year?"
"It's definitely not as cold as London. I didn't know what I expected, but it's certainly not this. I'm not used to the cold weather."
"Come on," Harry said as he grabbed my hand and led me to what looked like a luxury café.
I watched as he ordered me hot chocolate and handed it to me.
"This will keep you warm during our walk."
I didn't want to show interest at first, but I couldn't help but smile at the sweet gesture. I allowed him to put his hand on my waist as he led me to the park. We stopped at a lake that had swans. They were so beautiful that I couldn't help but snap a few pictures.
"What brings you to London?" He asked.
"Nothing good. Someone stabbed me in the back in Los Angeles, and I was forced to seek refuge here. I am yet to decide what to do to the person who did this, considering I don't even know who it is."
"I apologize for that, but I'm glad I could meet you. What do you plan on doing here?"
"Oxford. I'm going to be starting in two days, actually."
"No way. I go to Oxford. This has to be fate."
"I assume you'll show me around and help me adjust to the school, will you not?"
"I will," he said. Silence fell between us. I didn't know what to make of it, but I knew it was comfortable. "The man earlier said Mr. Thorne won't like that you went on a date. Was he referring to Julian Thorne Pembroke?"
My eyes snapped to his at the mention of the man I was trying my best to forget. I nodded my head slowly.
"I didn't know we were on a date, Harry," I remarked.
"We are. And it's one of many to come. That is if you agree, of course."
"We'll see."
"I didn't know Julian had any daughters," Harry said carefully.
"He doesn't. He's married to my mother, so technically I'm not his daughter."
"Interesting…"
"How so, Harry?"
"I'm going to have to work harder for you. I imagine Julian wouldn't let his stepdaughter be with a man who would treat her anything short of amazing."
"Does everyone in London know Harry?"
"Of course. He's the youngest and most successful man. Everyone respects him around here."
I nodded my head with a tight smile on my face. I didn't want to talk about Julian because I was already enjoying myself. Harry was romantic. The walk, the chocolate, the swans, and his hand on the small of my back were all indicators that he knew how to treat a girl correctly.
We were holding a conversation when Chris approached.
"Mr. Thorne wants you to go home. Now."
That was the end of the date, and it made me angry. I was bonding with Harry, but Julian just had to rain on my parade.
"Let me walk you back, Kennedy. Allow me to enjoy the pleasure of your company a little longer."
So, I let him walk me back, and he ended up buying me a rose on the way back to my car. I couldn't help but smile and keep smelling it. We exchanged numbers, and he opened the door for me.
"I look forward to seeing you again, Kennedy."
"Me too, Harry."
I watched him stand on the sidewalk until my car drove away.
When I arrived back at the estate, Julian was waiting for me in the living room. He was sitting on the couch staring into nothingness with a glass of an amber liquid I his hand, as though he was lost in thought.
I thought I would get away without speaking to him, so I tried to walk past him, but he spoke before I could get far.
"What did I say two weeks ago?"
"Excuse me?"
"I don't like repeating myself, Kennedy."
"I don't follow…"
"Who the fuck allowed you to go on a date with a boy?"