‘Then I’ll look forward to learning Gabe, but if that’s all you’ve rung me for then you’re out of luck. I’ve boiling spaghetti to watch, Bolognese to microwave and a date with a very handsome man and a monkey.’
‘Firstly is it safe to let you near the hob? I hope you knew to take the spaghetti out of the packet first?’
‘Hey,’ I protested.
‘And seriously, Bradley Cooper?’
‘You do know your films. Well he’s quite sexy with his mop of blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.’
‘Well I’m pleased to know that you’re at least consistent with the men you’re attracted too.’
‘He’s on my famous person, allowed to have sex with list.’
‘Really? Who else is on there?’
‘Well Gabriel Macht from Suits is my absolute number one. I know he’s old enough to be my dad, but he just exudes masculinity and confidence as Harvey and when he smiles, wow. You know Lexi thinks you like a younger version of him, I’ll be very happy if you look like him at that age.’
‘Suits is awesome, but as for Gabriel, I’m going to try to only focus on the fact that you’re thinking about being with me when we’re in our forties, rather than you getting off on his smile. It’s also nice that we have the same name.’
‘Your name’s Gabriel too?’ I asked astonished.
‘Yes,’ he laughed.
‘Well you call yourself Gabe, I’d no idea. It’s not that funny, it’s not like you know what my name stands for.’
‘I do Mianna.’
‘How the hell did you know that?’ I exclaimed and I could hear his smile down the phone.
‘I got hold of your timetable and it’s printed on it.’
‘You’re such a stalker Gabe Austin.’
‘I love your full name, why don’t you use it?’
‘I don’t know, most of my family and friends have always called me Mia and it just stuck.’
‘You don’t think about him when we’re fucking do you?’
‘Who?’
‘Gabriel Macht.’
‘Gabe of course not. Why would I when I’ve my very own delicious Gabriel to fantasise about?’
‘So who are the other ones on your list?’
‘Narrowed to a top three, the other two are Stephen Amell from Arrow, you both have fantastic bodies and Jensen Ackles from Supernatural, he’s very yummy and funny too.’
‘Setting aside the serious older man theme going on here, I love your taste in shows.’
‘Older guys are just so much more confident and I like that in a man. You’re an exception Gabe Austin, you’ve got that going on at 19 and it’s very sexy. So what about you? Who’s on your list?’
‘You.’
‘I’m not famous. Come on who?’
‘I like Emilia Clarke from Game of Thrones and I guess Nina Dobrev from Vampire Diaries.’
‘That’s two.’
‘I don’t have a third.’
‘Then it’s not a top three, it’s a top two and that’s not a thing. I’ve never heard anyone say who’s on your top two list.’
‘It’s a never going to happen in your wildest dreams list, what’s the big deal?’
‘I’ve shared mine with you. I’m interested to know who you find attractive.’
‘I think you know the answer to that question, I can’t keep my hands off you.’
‘Shit. Hang on a second the pasta’s boiling over.’ I turned off the ceramic hob but water was everywhere, sizzling and turning brown. ‘Shit Gabe I’m sorry I’ve got to go, the hob’s a mess, I’ve dinner to cook and Lexi needs me tonight.’
‘Is she still sick? What’s wrong?’
‘She’s just off colour and doesn’t do being ill very well. Listen I really need to go, I’ll see you in the morning at nine.’
‘Nice try Mia, but we agreed eight thirty, so be ready. God I can’t wait to you see you again.’
‘Night Gabe,’ I said with a big grin on my face at his declaration.
‘Night baby, sweet dreams.’
I sighed as I put the phone down. I didn’t like lying but Lexi would kill me if I told him what was really wrong. I wiped up the burning sticky water off the hob with a damp cloth before draining the pasta and microwaving the Bolognese for a couple of minutes. By the time I plated up I was quite impressed at how good it looked. I really needed to learn actually cook instead of just heating meals. I loaded up a tray and put a glass of water on and took it into Lexi.
‘How you doing?’
‘Fine, I was wondering where you’d got to.’
‘Sorry Gabe was getting panicky that I hadn’t replied to his texts and left a message saying he was coming to check on me, so I rang and put him off.’
‘Shit you didn’t tell him did you?’ She shot me a frown.
‘Of course not, how could you ask me that?’ I asked insulted.
‘Sorry, it’s just personal you know. I don’t want anyone else to know.’
‘What about your mum?’
‘What about her. She’s never given a shit about me up until now, besides she’s never sober long enough to understand or remember anything you tell her anyway. Anyway I don’t need anyone else, I’ve got you.’
‘You’ll always have me, BFF’s remember.’
‘BFF’s,’ she nodded.
I smiled as she swallowed fork after fork of dinner, at least her appetite was back.
‘God this is good, I didn’t realised how hungry I was. Are you just going to sit there watching me? It’s a bit creepy,’ she said as she tucked in.
‘Sorry, I’ll go and get mine, are we on for Hangover II if I load it?’
‘Yes, I was just flicking through the channels while I waiting for you. Hurry up then.’
It was nearly nine by the time the second film finished.
‘God I just love Mr Chow, he’s even better in this than the first. He should have his own film.’
‘You wanna fuck on me?’ said Lexi with her best Chinese accent.
‘That’s from the first film.’
‘No it’s not.’
‘Yes it is, we just watched them back to back. “Wanna Fuck on Me”, “funny fat guy fall on face, it’s funny coz he’s fat” and “toodle-oo motherfuckers” are our three favourite Mr Chow quotes from the first film.’
‘Shit you’re right, I’m so off my game.’
‘Well you have other things on your mind don’t you. Have you thought about what you want to do?’
‘Well I’m not exactly the ideal candidate to become a bloody mother am I?’
‘Don’t say that.’
‘So what? You’re really saying you think it’s a good idea for me to keep it?’ she asked with an incredulous look on her face.
‘Lexi that has to be your decision and I’m going to be here for you whichever way you go. I’m just saying don’t put yourself down, under that tough exterior you’re a big softie. I think that if and when you decide the time’s right to have a baby, you’re going to make an amazing mother.’
‘I’ve hardly had the best role model.’
‘And you know how hard that was for you growing up, so I think you’ll be the exact opposite, you’d make sure no kid ever goes through what you did.’
‘You really think so?’
‘I know so, but if the time’s not right for you now, then that’s ok too.’
‘I’m 18 Mia, I’m not ready for this. I came here to have fun and hopefully get a decent qualification. I don’t have the money to support myself, let alone a baby and if I had to work full time I’d have to drop out. Would you be happy having me and a screaming baby living here? Plus I don’t even know who the fucking father is.’
‘So you’re saying you’re thinking of having an abortion?’
‘I don’t see that I’ve got a choice Mia. What life could I offer a kid at the moment? Plus if I kept it I’d probably end up resenting it for everything I’ve had to give up.’
‘Well you have some
time, we’ll see the doctor on Thursday and can have a chat about your options, plus we have our therapy session tomorrow, maybe that will help.’
‘I’m not going to change my mind, it’s seriously bad timing.’
‘Ok, then just talk about how it may affect you if you go through it. Just make sure you’re 100% Lexi, before you make it final.’
‘I know and thanks for not being all judgemental and telling me “I told you so” which you have every right to do.’
‘Well what would that achieve? Bit late now. I just need you to know that I’m here for you to listen, to talk, to do whatever you need. Ok?’
‘Right now I think I need to go to bed, I’m exhausted.’
‘Me too, I think I’ll turn in as well.’
‘Mia?’
‘Yeah?’
‘Can I sleep with you tonight? I don’t want to be on my own.’
‘Of course you can,’ I smiled. She looked like that lost 11 year old I first saw dangling off a swing in the playground at Rowleys all those years ago. ‘Before you ask they’re clean fresh sheets, I put them on while you were sleeping.’
‘Thank god, just tell me you still have pyjamas? I draw the line at sleeping with you naked. You roll over and one of those tits will have my eye out.’
‘Bloody cheek,’ I giggled giving her a playful punch on the arm. ‘Like I’m not going to have to spend the night clinging to the edge of my mattress to avoid you and your bloody six foot arms and legs thrashing around.’
‘I don’t thrash.’
‘Yes you do. Last time we shared I ended up with a massive bruise on my leg where you kicked me.’
‘Well you snore,’ she retorted.
‘O god, Gabe said I did. I thought he was joking. Why haven’t you ever said something? Is it really bad?’
‘No, it’s really cute, more like contended gentle breathing. Used to help me drop off to sleep in the dorm,’ she grinned.
We sorted ourselves out in the bathroom and Lexi went to get changed as I pulled out my pyjamas sighing. I felt so constricted in them, but she needed me tonight. We climbed into bed and I grabbed my phone and sent Gabe a quick text.
Dear Gabriel. I thought I’d better keep you updated in case you panic, which I’ve noticed you tend to do, I’ve just climbed into bed. See you in the morning. Sweet dreams, of me I hope!
I set the alarm on my phone for seven forty five and before I’d even lain down it vibrated.
Thank you, I do worry about you and like to know you’re safe. As for my dreams, I’ve dreamt of nothing else since I first saw you. I miss you already. YOUR Gabriel x
I smiled and turned off the light.
Wednesday
‘What the hell’s that noise?’ groaned Lexi as my alarm woke us both up.
‘Sorry, Gabe’s meeting me for a run this morning.’
‘What time is it?’
‘7.45.’
‘You’re getting up at 7.45 on a day you have the morning off? Jesus it must be love.’
I hit her with my pillow. ‘Lust Lexi. It’s serious lust. I’m going to get some coffee to wake me up, do you want some?’
‘Noooo, I want to go back to sleep. Can I stay here I’m all cosy.’
‘Of course you can. Let me grab my clothes and I’ll get out of the way. I should be back by ten.’ I groaned as I stood up, my arms and thighs were killing me. I pulled my black hipster yoga pants out of the drawer and peaked out behind my blind. It looked like it was going to stay dry, but didn’t look very warm so I decided to layer up. I put on my black sports bra, with my red crop sleeveless sports top and grabbed my red zipped hoodie and my trainers.
I headed into the bathroom to get changed and brush my teeth, brushed my hair back into a high ponytail and went to the kitchen to make a coffee. I felt tense and gently moved my neck and shoulders back and forth. I was trying to be all calm, considerate and supportive over this thing with Lexi, but I was so furious at her for having been so stupid. Now she was going to have to make a really tough decision that could affect her for the rest of her life.
It was going to take a lot of self-control to not give her a lecture. I’d be better off in the gym with a punching bag to get out some aggression rather than bloody running. I looked into my room at her and she’d gone back to sleep, so I figured I’d go and wait outside to save the intercom waking her up. I quietly shut the front door and zipped up my house keys in my pocket and headed down the stairs, as I opened the lower door I nearly fell over him sitting on the step.
‘Jesus Gabe, you’re bloody early again,’ I snapped. ‘You’d better not have buzzed, Lexi’s still asleep.’
‘Well good morning to you too and no, you said 8.30, I was waiting until then to buzz,’ he said as he stood up and looked at me puzzled.
‘God you’re so bloody perfect aren’t you?’ I scowled.
‘Ok, obviously someone’s got out of bed the wrong side. What have I done to upset you?’
‘Contrary to what you may think, not everything in my life’s about you Gabe.’ The words tumbled out of my mouth without me thinking and I saw the hurt look on his face, which he quickly tried to conceal. ‘God I’m sorry Gabe, I just have a lot on my mind. I shouldn’t take it out on you, it has absolutely nothing to do with you.’
‘Do you want to talk about it?’
‘Honestly? I really don’t thanks. Can we just get going? Some fresh air will do me good.’
‘Apology accepted, but I’m not going anywhere until I’ve had a kiss, I’ve not seen you in over twenty hours.’
He pulled me into him by the waist and held the back of my head as he kissed me slowly and deeply. It was just what I needed to melt away some of my frustrations. God, he could make me forget my own name the way he kissed. I responded as I moulded into his body and wrapped my arms around his neck. It was only the sound of a passer-by hollering ‘Get a room’ that roused us from our embrace. I blushed and he laughed.
‘So, are you ready? Trust me baby, once the endorphins kick in you’ll feel so much better.’
‘I already feel better,’ I smiled as he smoothed a strand of hair behind my ear.
‘Where’s your water?’
‘I haven’t got any.’
‘Please tell me you’ve at least had a decent breakfast?’
‘I had a coffee does that count?’
‘Mia,’ he chastised. ‘You need to start looking after yourself better. Right we’re going to warm up with a fast walk to the newsagents to get you a bottle of water and a banana. Then we can stretch and run around the park and I’ll take you for a coffee and a muffin at Starbucks. How does that sound?’
‘Will we still have time for sex after all that?’
‘Trust me, I’ll always make time for sex with you Mia Page, you never need to worry about that. Come on let’s go before I change my mind and drag you back to bed now.’
He wasn’t wrong about a fast walk, this was my idea of jogging. By the time we got to the newsagents I could feel the glow on my cheeks. Gabe hadn’t even broken into a sweat. I leaned on the wall to catch my breath as he went inside. He came out a few minutes later with a water sports bottle for me and a banana as promised and made me eat it.
‘O god,’ he groaned.
‘What?’ I mumbled with my mouthful.
‘The way you’re eating that, you’re turning me on.’
‘Is there anything that doesn’t turn you on?’ I exclaimed.
‘Nothing where you’re concerned baby,’ he smiled taking my hand. We walked around the corner and through the black park gates and found a bench just inside the entrance.
‘Right, follow my lead,’ he said as he went through a series of calf, thigh and arms stretches culminating in bending over to grasp his ankles. This time it was my turn to groan, I hadn’t seen him bending over like that since the first Monday.
‘What?’
‘Now you’re turning me on waving that delicious backside of yours in my face. Can we please run befor
e I drag you into the bushes?’
He grinned and we started running along the pathway that followed the river through the park. It was nice to feel the cool breeze in my face and to hear the sounds of running water and chirping birds. I started to relax as we ran side by side silently. We’d been running for about 20 minutes when I really started to feel it. Sweat was trickling down my back and between my breasts and my fringe felt all damp. I could tell that Gabe wasn’t running at his normal pace, he’d slowed down to mine and I felt bad.
‘Stop a minute, stop,’ I gasped as I reached out and grabbed a large oak tree for support. I unzipped my hoodie, removed it and tied it round my waist and leaned back against the tree as I caught my breath. ‘God I’m sorry, I’m slowing you down, I just need a few minutes and then I can go again. Why don’t you go on without me?’
‘No way. I’m not leaving you behind.’
‘You were going to run for an hour, so go another ten, fifteen minutes without me before turning back. When I meet you coming back we can do the last leg home together.’
‘I’m not going without you,’ he moved up to me until his hips were touching mine and kissed me.
‘Gabe don’t I’m all hot and sweaty.’
‘I like you hot and sweat, you look sexy as hell,’ he replied as his finger traced the beads of sweat running down my throat and cleavage. His other hand was on my hip, his thumb stroking the side of my bare stomach.
‘I know that look. You have an erection don’t you?’
‘Yes,’ he grinned, grinding his pelvis into mine to prove it. ‘I can’t possibly run any further until it’s gone down. So what can we do to kill time?’ he asked as he slid a hand into my knickers.
‘Gabe stop, people are everywhere.’
‘So, just kiss me. We’ll look like two people snogging against a tree, they’ll never know what I’m doing to you.’ His fingers reached my clit and began to stroke me as I looked around me in horror. There were other runners out and a few people strolling past with dogs or prams, but the more I looked at them going about their business while Gabe’s fingers worked on me, the more turned on I got.
‘Good, you’re already swollen and wet, this won’t take long,’ he murmured in my ear. I grabbed his shoulders as I pushed my lower back off the tree towards him and spread my legs a bit further apart, he immediately pushed his fingers up into me and I groaned loudly.
New Leaves, No Strings (Austin Erotic Romance Series) Page 28