The Girl on the Bus Read online

  Evernight Publishing

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2013 Raven McAllan

  ISBN: 978-1-77130-601-0

  Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

  Editor: Avril Ashton

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  To Paul with love

  THE GIRL ON THE BUS

  Romance on the Go

  Raven McAllan

  Copyright © 2013

  Chapter One

  Tay Mackinnon drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, unconsciously mimicking the beat of a popular TV motor racing program blasting out from the I Player. He loved hot hard and heavy music interspersed with softer gentler tunes. He admitted to being difficult to pigeonhole, and was unrepentantly pleased about the fact.

  Stuck behind the double-decker bus disgorging its passengers in the middle of the road rather than at the bus stop he refused to lose his temper. A man in a white van parked in the bus bay shrugged as he received the rough edge of the bus driver’s tongue. Even through they were several yards away, Tay got the gist of the conversation. Tay grinned. He was in no hurry to get to his destination. With great music and bright sunshine, he could afford the time.

  Though the roof of his sports car was down, he ignored the fumes and noises of the city. He remained as happy with that as the scents and sounds of the Scottish countryside where he lived whenever possible. Comfortable in his skin and his life, he refused to get upright because some ignoramus couldn't be bothered to read the road signs. An approaching traffic warden would sort him out.

  The bus moved off slowly. Tay let the clutch out and followed. The vehicle turned a corner, and Tay continued straight ahead until a profile of woman on the upper deck made him change his mind. He swapped lanes. The blaring horns were well deserved, but for once Tay couldn't give a monkeys.

  That profile … oh, that profile. Silver. It couldn't be, surely he kidded himself? One night five years ago. How on earth would he know for sure? But the hair, like silver silk shot with diamonds glittering and sparkling in the light. It was her hair, her profile … wasn't it?

  Get a grip, man. That was the other side of the country

  However, Tay was as certain as he could be. He'd been looking unconsciously for her all that time. So often he'd almost walked up to someone and called out her name, only to stop at the last moment before some unknown woman thought him a crazy stalker. Once, he'd almost lost his balls when a guy objected to Tay calling a woman that name. A woman Tay hadn't even realized accompanied the guy. He'd made his apologies and retreated as the smug bastard bragged about how big and tough he was, and that no one messed with him ever. The guy hadn’t even been a Dom, just a half pissed Glasgow Ned. Tay had been sorry, but no way could he give much credulence to a guy with a tattoo of Hello Kitty on his neck. In full color at that. Even so, Tay was a lot more wary of approaching anyone now. A writhing, crying, so-called macho man wouldn't go down well. He imagined the headlines…

  No, don't imagine them, just carry on and see if yet again your memory is playing games. And don't bloody crash. He slammed on his brakes as the bus stopped, and wrenched his mind back to the present.

  This time he overtook the vehicle to let the rest of the traffic move on. Once passed, he sent a mental apology to a mini driver who hovered, waiting for the occupant of a parking bay to drive away. With a mental shrug, Tay slotted into the newly vacant space the mini driver intended on taking, and sat there, his car engine idling as he waited for the bus to catch up. The other driver gave him the v sign. Tay waved and grinned.

  Yep, he was being an asshole, but needs must. He just hoped with his aviator sunglasses and baseball cap on he wasn't easily identifiable. Not a good move if the driver recognizes me.

  How many times had he been reminded he was a public figure and any, any misdemeanor would be spotted and filmed? An actor misbehaving became a sure fire investment for some person's five minutes of fame and the star's everlasting shame.

  Tay gave a mental shrug as he remembered his meeting. Really, a baseball cap and shades shouted look at me, look at me. With one eye open for anyone who might see through his pitiful disguise, tell him off or capture him in a photo breaking the law, he sent a quick text.

  Delayed, will phone, re schedule for three pm please.

  Laura would be furious, but Tay reckoned if the people waiting to meet him wanted him—really wanted him—they'd grit their teeth, mutter about male divas, and wait for him. His sister loved him, whatever anyone else thought.

  After what seemed ages, the bus trundled past, and Tay took up position behind it again. He drummed his fingers to a song about a pencil full of lead. How apt with his cock hard and ready. He smiled grimly. One bloody profile and he was raring to go. Why after all this time was she the only one wanted to play with?

  Oh, he went through the motions—always masked of course. He could imagine the furor if it got out what Taylor Mack as his fans—those who didn't think he really was Harry Finney, the hero of his TV series—called him, really got up to when he wasn't in the public eye. If he'd been plain Tay MacKinnon, no one would give a rat’s arse. Tay accepted it was the way of the world.

  That aside, his heart never engaged. He did everything proper, and not one sub ever realized his inner self wasn't part of what he did. Yes, he'd scene, and no sub ever left unsatisfied. After all, many considered his wax play second to none. However never ever did he engage in a sexual way. Tay might have a screwed set of personal rules, but they were his and he kept to them. No false promises, no untrue declarations, but no one unsatisfied … except, perhaps him.

  For five years it had been that way. It could well be the same for another five. Until he discovered why the one person he hoped might become important to him left without explanation. Was he now going to get his answer and find out?

  It seemed not. As the bus turned yet another corner, he looked to where she'd sat. To see the profile of a shaven headed, tattooed bloke.

  Tay nearly ran into a bollard.

  Fuck, shit and bollocks. When had that happened?

  ****

  Julia Farrar hummed as she got off the bus, and crossed the road to the offices of Maddock, Milligan and McLucky, Writers and Solicitors. The last day before her unpaid leave, and she hadn’t yet decided whether or not to leave their regular employment. But she had to try.

  For so long—okay, five years, three months, one week, two days and say around twelve hours, give or take— she'd done what she had to. Now she’d do what she wanted to. Write a book. The notes and research in various documents needed to be written into a story.

  As she opened her office door, a batch of fluorescent good luck balloons waved at her, and she grinned.

  "Belle, you're nuts, but I love it."

  Belle Chisholm got up from where she'd perched on the end of Julia's desk.

  "Good, because I tell ya, hon, I'm so gonna miss you. Could you not just take your leave of absence and get it out of your system? Then do the writing in the attic in the wee small hours and come back here to keep me sane?" Belle rolled her eyes and crossed them at the same time she stretched her mouth, and poked her tongue between her lips.

  Julia laughed and hung her jacket over the back of her chair. Why she'd brought it with her, she had no id
ea. Unless it had something to do with the treat Belle insisted they were going to have that night. Armor, maybe? Julia sniggered at her thoughts. She knew Belle, and she’d well be right to wonder what she’d lined up for them.

  "Here." Julia held up a cardboard box with the name of a famous Glasgow bakery scribed on the side, giggling as Belle pretended to jump for it. "Perfect gluten-free goodies, and if you think they taste anything other than scrumptious I give up. You can go buy yourself a deep fried chocolate bar."

  Bell took the box and opened it. "Ohh yay, these look fab. Do we have to share them with the others?"

  "Greedy." Julia rolled her eyes. "It's okay, I have others for the partners. These are ours. Now shove off and let me get everything sorted for the new girl, whoever she may be." Whether they'd hoped to persuade her to stay on, she didn't know. Maybe the partners still hoped against hope she'd change her mind, because no replacement had been announced.

  She wouldn't change her mind, not yet. It might have taken her a while to decided to bite the bullet and go for it, but decision made she intended to stick to it. She'd promised herself a year, and a year she intended to take. Ever since she'd been old enough to hold a pencil, she’d loved writing. As she began to decipher letters, and read stories, she knew one day she'd make up her own. Now it was that day. Even though there might not be a job waiting for her at the end if she needed it. She hoped she wouldn't.

  "Oh, Laura Milligan's ten o'clock has been changed to three," Belle said as she walked to the door. "So once she's got rid of him, you and I can go and get ready. I've booked a room." She waggled her fingers and disappeared before Julia got her brain around the statement.

  A room? Why do we need a room? I live in the west end, and Belle lives in Milngavie, we don't need a room. Something smelt fishy.

  Fishy or not, Belle wasn't saying, and even on her last day, Julia had enough work to keep her busy. A surprise buffet laid on by the partners was a welcome break, and the well-known make of gorgeous silver and diamond watch they presented her got her all choked up. As did the offer of a job if she ever needed one.

  "See?" Belle handed her a box of tissues once the partners left. "They love you. That watch is classy. It reminds me of your hair. I knew Laura had upmarket tastes, she oozes it, and you've reaped the benefits, eh?"

  Julia agreed. As they made their way from the conference room back to their offices, she glanced at her wrist. Not something she'd wear to a Glasgow Friday pub crawl, but definitely something beautiful for a special occasion.

  "Oh, shit." Belle looked at her own watch. "Laura's client will be here soon. I'd better make sure I have the stuff she needs. It'll be good when it's you getting them to check over a contract for yourself, eh? I'll be able to brag about my amazing friend, the bestselling author."

  "I wish. Who is it coming in anyway? I've been so busy I forgot to ask." Julia wasn’t really interested, but she felt more than a bit shameful she'd got to only tidy out her desk, while Belle took notes in what she'd told Julia was evidently hush-hush, top secret and sensitive. "Oh, damn. I forgot it's on a need to know basis."

  Belle rolled her eyes. "Yeah, even I don't know. They've just called him Mr. River, and Laura sniggers. I'm so sure that's not his name. Hell, I've got to take notes, and I don't even know what about yet."

  "You don't need to." Laura walked up to them without either one noticing. "And can we have coffee, do you think?"

  "Yeah, sorry." Belle didn't sound it and Julia bit back a smile. Laura might be easy going, but when she blew, she blew big time, and Belle was pushing it. It seemed she realized because she backed away. "Shall I bring it in?"

  Laura nodded. "Please. In my room, and then as soon as T… Er, Mr. River is here, we'll get started.

  "See?" Belle burst out as soon as Laura disappeared out of earshot. "So not his name."

  "Yeah, okay." Julia agreed with Belle's assumption. Laura never hesitated like that. "Go make the coffee before you find yourself leaving along with me." Julia gave her a push on the bum.

  Belle giggled. "If it wasn't you doing that, I’d be a lot more bratty to see what happened next." She disappeared before Julia formulated an answer.

  Belle? Does she mean what I think she means? It wasn't an easy thing to ask, so it was as well Belle was no longer about. Oh and so you're a sub, eh? So was I. Any preferences? Mine was wax play. No, Julia didn't think that would be an easy scenario. It brought up way too many questions, most of which she didn't have an answer for. She carried on filling a canvas shopping bag with the debris that seemed to have accumulated in her desk drawers.

  A short scream made her jump. She put down the cards and box she held and rushed to the kitchen. Laura appeared from her office, hard on Julia's heels.

  Belle stood over the sink with the cold tap on full, and her right hand held under the stream of water. "Shit, shit, and oh hell, it hurts." She chanted the words, eyes full of tears. "Bloody steam and stupid me, and oh lordy, I feel sick." Her voice petered out and she sobbed.

  Laura, as the registered first-aider, took over. Julia moved the kettle out of the way. It automatically switched off, but stayed hot to the touch.

  "I know I like pain, but not this pain." Belle blabbered on. Her friend would be mortified later when she realized what secrets she shared.

  "I'll remember that, Belle," Laura said in a hard tone.

  Julia blinked. Where was the firm but fair boss she knew? This Laura took on a whole new persona.

  "Now stop it, and keep that hand under the water until I say different."

  "Okay, yes sorry." Belle's voice grew stronger with every word. "Oh, Laura, your meeting."

  "Julia can take notes, and you can rest until you stop shaking and feeling sick. Then maybe you'll be okay for your night out." To Julia's amazement, Laura winked at Belle. "You don't want to miss it, do you?"

  "Hell, no," Belle's said fervently. "I'm so looking forward to it, and showing Julia the ropes." She gave a half-hearted giggle. "I'll be fine now. I'll do the whole ten minute under the tap thing, I promise."

  Julia put a cup of tea she'd made down on the work surface next to Belle. "Builders tea, just as you like it. Three sugars and you can stand the spoon up in it. How on earth you stay at nine stone with all that crap going into you, I've no idea."

  Belle smirked. "I lead a pure and healthy life."

  Julia didn't believe that for one minute. She wasn't buttoned up the back.

  "Right, well I need to go get ready for our client." Laura sounded flustered. "Julia, will you bring the coffee and get ready to sit in?"

  Julia nodded. Why were spiders crawling over her skin? Her stomach felt hollow.

  It was a meeting. Okay hush-hush and what not, but all she had to do was take notes when asked. She had shorthand and there would be a digital recorder as well. So why did she feel as if the axe hung above her about to fall? There was no rhyme or reason to feelings, and she didn't try to fathom hers out. Instead, she filled a cafetiere and added milk, sugar, and shortbread to a tray. After making sure Belle was okay, and agreeing all the redness had vanished from Belle's fingers, Julia picked up the tray and made her way along the corridor.

  As she got to Laura's partially open door, voices reached her from inside the room.

  She nearly dropped the tray. The deep, hot chocolate, and commanding voice was one she'd never forget.

  Chapter Two

  "I still wonder if this is the right thing to do," Laura sounded worried.

  "Why?" Tay asked her. He made sure he sounded as if he hadn't a care in the world. He loved his sister, and caused her enough worry without compounding it. He’d thought long and hard before deciding the time was right to move on, and be open and honest about his life. "Hey, if anyone else got the job, we could all bitch and say it wasn't true to life and how the hell could they think it was. At least with me, we'll know it is. And if it gets out I really do know what's what, so be it. I hadn't intended to keep it a secret anyway, it just happened. Now I'm stopp
ing soon, so who cares? Oh, I'll not shove it in people's faces, but it's me. Just like you are you, Mistress Laura and sub Laura, depending on your mood. I'm Master T. Speaking of which, have you put Linsey out of her misery yet?"

  Tay leaned back in the chair, lifting it onto the back legs, and put his right ankle on his left knee. The action tightened his jeans over his body, but as his cock resumed its normal uninterested state, nothing looked untoward. He stretched his arms above his head and winced. "Shit, I'm sore. I'm too old for all this lark. So you? Linsey? Dommisimma? Yes?"

  "No, and stop changing the subject." Laura smacked him on the shoulder.

  Tay gave a theatrical wince. "Ouchy."

  "Stop hamming it up. How on earth so many people worship at your feet, I've no idea. Are you really sure you're ready to give it all up? Not the Master bit, but the rest? All that macho posturing, and those handsome hero action roles. You'd be good for years, you know."

  Tay grinned. "Believe me, I get told that on an almost daily basis, but I have things I want to do. How would you trace someone whose name you don't really know, and who you thought you saw in profile on a bus?"

  "You wouldn't. Well, unless you put up wanted notices."

  The knock on the open door made them both swing round.

  A woman entered, tray in hand, head bent as she focused on the floor. Tay crashed the chair back down onto four legs.

  It can't be. Damn it, woman, lift your head this way. Why didn't she? No need to be a sub, not yet. He needed to know.

  "Thanks, Julia." If Linsey noticed the way he tensed up, or the girl—Julia—nodded and walked to the back of the room without once looking his way, she chose not to say anything. Laura waited until Julia brought a chair forward and sat behind Tay, out of his line of vision. He was having none of it. If she was his Silver, he needed to know. He turned in his chair until he stared at her.