All good.
She looked down at him in silence and he knew. He just knew. Slowly, he climbed the steps until he stood level with her, his gaze now searching her eyes.
“I got a job today,” she said.
“I heard.” He laid a hand on the veranda post above hers, kept their gazes locked.
Jesus, she smelled sweet, all floral and light and so damned yummy he could lick her all over. “I also heard that you told Grant that you were my girlfriend.” He leaned a little closer.
There was a definite blush in those sweet little apple cheeks. Those long lashes swept down a little. “I might have done.”
Ahhh. Pleasure seeped through him. He leaned closer. “Is that right?”
“Possibly.”
Humour danced inside him, along with a healthy dose of happiness and a very strong streak of lust and heat combined. Reaching out, he rested his other hand on the generous curve of her hip. “Might? Possibly?”
“Mmm.” She peeked up at him, answering humour on her face but also a hint of apprehension.
Couldn’t have that.
His hand on her hip tugged her closer, his blood surging when she obeyed instantly, swaying nearer. In turn he shifted forward, their bodies so close now, their faces just inches apart, their breaths a mingled warmth between them. “So is that a ‘yes’ to us?”
Elissa met his gaze unflinchingly. “Yes.”
It was all he needed. Simon closed the last few inches between them, pressing his lips lightly to hers, savouring the softness that opened so welcomingly to him. His hand left the post to grip her other hip, hauling her up against him, wanting her body as much as her mouth, all that softness, moistness and warmth.
She tasted as sweet as she smelled. His kiss deepened, taking control as he relished the mix of Elissa’s personal bouquet - her taste as she kissed him deeply in return, her touch as she clung to him, her scent as she shifted against him, her softness as she leaned into him. Everything that was her.
He could have kissed her forever, tasted her for an eternity, held her until the moon fell, but she braced her hands on his chest and pulled back a little to break their kiss.
It was good to know that she was as affected as he, her breathing a touch ragged.
Simon leaned his forehead against hers as they both sucked in air. “Jesus,” he whispered huskily, “you make me burn, Lis.”
Her laugh was a trifle shaky.
He gave her a squeeze.
“Simon?” She lifted her head.
“Yeah?” He could see the way she studied him, the hesitation once more in her voice. That she wanted to talk was more than obvious. To be truthful, he wanted to just continue kissing her, maybe go a little further - hell, scratch that, go a whole lot further - but he knew that pushing aside any concerns she had was definitely not the way to do things. So he manfully pushed his carnal urges aside. Man, he deserved a medal. “Talk to me, sweetheart. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just wanted to tell you something.”
“Okay.”
“I’ve been thinking about what you said.”
He waited.
Reaching up, she fiddled with the button on his shirt, took a deep breath. “I’ve had time to think about what you said, what I said, what I want. I know I don’t want to have my parent’s actions affect my life so much that I’ll push away people who genuinely care about me. I know you won’t suffocate me, or try to control my life. I like you.” She cleared her throat, dimpled a little shyly at him. “A lot more than like, actually.”
He smiled. “Good to know.”
“I like you as more than a friend. I feel comfortable with you, but you also make me…” She glanced away, glanced back, but there was no doubting the banked heat in her eyes. “Anyway, this is a new life for me, a new start, and I want you to be a part of it.”
“Even better to know.” Man, he just wanted to yank her into his arms and kiss her breathless. He deserved an award for just standing there exuding calm when his blood was surging thick and hot.
“So, you know, I’d like to give us a go.” She looked at him, waiting.
Oh boy. “Lis?”
“Yes?”
“I’m more a man of action than words, so I’ll just say ‘hell yeah’ and go with the action.” And he went with his instinct.
Elissa simply melted into him when he drew her up against him, angled her head for him, let him in, and God, the kiss this time was so hot, so decadent that he was almost ready to back her to the railing and take this to the next level. The next very hot level.
He’d have done so, too, if they were alone, but he was conscious of Scott and Ash being in the house, so he had to content himself with a very long, passionate kiss that left him with an aching boner and Elissa all pliant and soft in his arms.
Lifting his head, he looked into her hot eyes and growled, “Arthur comes home tomorrow night.”
“Yes.” She blinked, a little disorientated, still aroused, and a little puzzled.
“You’re coming with me to settle him in.”
“I am?”
“Yeah.” His hands slid down to cup the generous globes of her bottom. “You’re staying late, too.”
“I am?” This time her reply was breathy, but there was no doubting the sudden knowing twinkle that sparkled in her eyes.
“Oh, hell yeah.”
~*~
Life was good.
Slinging the strap of her small bag over her shoulder, she stuck her head through the door leading out to the back room and called, “I’m off. See you tomorrow.”
Tish looked up from where she was putting drops into a dog’s ear. “Have a great night lined up?” She winked. “As in a hot one?”
“I’m thinking you’re referring to the fireman thing?”
“Honey, I’m definitely referring to the fireman thing.”
“Are you related to Del and Dee by any chance?”
“Second cousin.”
“Ah.” Elissa nodded. That explained that.
“You realise all the girls in town hate you, right?”
“Let me guess. Because Simon is off the market?”
“You took the last eligible bachelor in town.” Tish paused. “Well, there are other bachelors, but he was the last of the hot ones.”
“I’d say I’m sorry but that would be a big, fat lie.” Elissa gave her a wave. “Anyway, I’m off. Have fun.”
Leaving the vet clinic, she swung onto the footpath and started walking. Man, she felt good. A job she liked and was sure she’d continue to, a hot boyfriend, friends, and a future that looked brighter than ever. No demands, just doing what she wanted for a change. She felt so free, happier than she could ever remember.
There was, however, still one person she hadn’t told and it was time she did.
Crossing the street, she went into the café, greeting Cheryl and Ernie before taking a booth near the window.
“What’ll it be, honey?” Cheryl appeared beside the table.
“I’ll have a glass of your iced chocolate, thanks.” Elissa grinned. “Been good for so long, I feel the need for some sugar.”
“Everyone needs something sweet now and again,” Cheryl agreed. “One iced chocolate coming right up.”
Pulling out the new mobile she’d bought from Dee’s newsagency the day before, Elissa started to press in the number, only to be interrupted by sirens sounding. Looking up, she saw the cop car go past, lights on, closely followed by the ambulance. That could not be good.
Ernie went to the door to stare after them, only to turn and shrug. “Must be out of town somewhere.”
Hoping whoever it was, was okay, Elissa thumbed in the last of the phone number and listened to it ringing. After the third ring, the phone was picked up on the other end, a gravely voice saying, “Hello.”
“Moz?”
“Hey, Lis. Long time, no hear.”
“Well, it’s really only been a week and a half.”
“Like I s
aid.”
She laughed. “How’s it going?”
“Same old, same old. Crunching numbers, doing my head in.”
“Maybe you need a holiday.”
“Been thinking about that. I’m able to get there for Ash’s wedding after all.”
“Really?” Elissa brightened. “That’d be awesome. She’ll be so happy.”
“She is, I spoke to her this morning. She wanted me to stay with you all, but I spoke to this Julia Preston, Scott’s mother, and when she found out I was your brother she let me rent a room from her for awhile.”
“That’s great.” She paused. “Um…Moz, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Okay.”
“I’ve got a job here.”
“A job?”
“Yeah. Receptionist at the local vet clinic.”
There was silence for several seconds before he stated, “So you’re not coming back.”
No question, just a statement.
“No, I’m not.” She fiddled with a napkin. “I mean, I’ll have to come back and pack my flat up, turn in the key, get my stuff. Sort things out.”
“See Mum and Dad?”
“Maybe.” She crunched up the napkin. “I’ll see.”
“Okay,” he repeated. “And?”
“What makes you think there’s anything else?”
“Because Ash was really thrilled. Thrilled about you. I got the feeling she was thrilled about something else, too. Spill it.”
“Huh.” Placing the napkin on the table, she smoothed it out. “Well, it’s kind of unexpected.”
“Uh huh.”
Cheryl appeared with the glass of iced chocolate, placing a spoon beside the little plate the glass rested on. Elissa thanked her, watching absentmindedly as she walked back to the counter.
The sound of a siren shattered the air again and she looked through the window to see the fire tanker pass on the road beyond, Simon at the steering wheel and what looked to be Laz, one of the volunteers, beside him. Scott and Ash were back from their weekend away, but Scott was also officially on holidays for the upcoming wedding in just two days.
Sobering thought. It meant she was going out with Simon after only being here a week and a half. Cripes, she found it hard enough to believe. When she thought about the time it was fast, way faster than she’d ever taken up with a bloke before, yet looking back to when she’d first arrived in Gully’s Fall it somehow seemed a long time as well. Cripes, how could she possibly even try to explain it to Moz? Her brother wouldn’t understand. She was only just getting used to the idea.
“Lis?” Moz’s deep rumble came through the phone. “What’s going on?”
“Oh, nothing, just a fire truck passing.” She fiddled with the spoon. “I think there’s been an accident somewhere, the ambo and cops also went out.”
“Not good.” He paused expectantly.
She could just imagine him waiting, his gaze on the window in front of his desk, sitting still. Waiting. Really good at waiting.
“Yes, well.” She managed a laugh. “So, you’re coming to the wedding.”
“Yes. And you were going to tell me about the unexpected.”
Think fast, think fast. “Well, I…” Her eye caught the newspaper sitting on the next table. “I’m thinking of buying a house.”
That got his attention. “Buy? Already?”
“Well, you know, I’ve got a job and all.”
There was silence for several seconds, then, “And all?”
Curses. He was quick. “Made new friends.”
“Uh huh.”
“That’s it. New job, new friends,” she said brightly. “Thinking of getting my own house.”
“That’s a little quick, isn’t it? You’ve only been there over a week.” Yep, there was definite suspicion in his deep tone.
Damn it. “You think so?”
“I don’t think you’re telling me everything.”
Screwing up her nose, she contemplated the iced chocolate. Double damn.
“Lis, I’m coming there anyway so I’ll find out. You can either tell me now, and if I do my nut you’ll have a few days for me to cool off before I get there, or you can wait for me to discover it when I get there. I won’t cool off fast.”
Triple damn. Her nose screwed up more.
“Stop pulling faces and tell me.” He knew her too well.
“Okay. Fine.” She tapped her fingers on the table. “I’m seeing someone.”
“You’re seeing someone.”
“He’s really sweet.”
“And this is why you’re thinking of buying a house?”
“I just said that to try and throw you off the scent.”
“Do I need to be thrown off the scent?”
“Do you?”
“Do you think you’re in the right head space to be starting a relationship?” His voice deepened, dropped to a growl. “This bastard better not be taking advantage of you.”
“Moz, I’m not an idiot.”
“You’re vulnerable.”
“Simon knows that.”
“Simon, huh?”
“He’s a fireman.” When that didn’t get an appreciative response, she added, “Ash really likes him. Her fiancée is one of his friends, too.”
The growing silence was telling.
Elissa sighed. “Moz, please. We’re taking this slowly, no rushing. I have a job, I need to find a place to rent later, and I’m seeing a really nice bloke. It’s no biggie.”
“No biggie?” She heard something tick in the background and knew her brother was flicking pencils at the pencil container he kept on his desk for his pencil-throwing phases, which meant he was trying to figure out what, exactly, to do or say without upsetting her. “Is he going to be at the wedding?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
That didn’t sound promising. In fact, Elissa knew exactly what he meant to do. “Don’t you come here with the intention of sorting Simon out, Moz. You try and I will kick your arse.”
“Just going to meet the bloke, size him up.”
“Read him the Moz’s Set of Rules?”
“Heh heh.”
“It’s not funny,” she said sharply.
“Sis, I’m your brother. It’s my job to check out the bloke dating my sister.”
“Don’t make me hurt you.”
“Looking forward to arriving, even more so now.”
She rolled her eyes.
“I’ll go easy on him for you,” Moz assured her. “Just pound him into the ground a little.”
“No pounding. You’ll come, be polite, be my sweet brother.”
“I’m your sweet brother?”
“You will be.”
“Don’t fret. I’ll be good.”
Geez. “I’m holding you to that.”
“You do that. So, Mum and Dad have both been on the phone blowing shit about you. You really know how to stir that hornet’s nest, don’t you?”
“Did you forget to screen the calls?”
“I didn’t want them turning up on the doorstep, so I kind of had to answer eventually.”
“So what do you think?” She spooned a bit of cream up, licked it off the spoon. Yum.
“I think you’ve done the right thing. Not keen on the idea that you’re on the other side of the country and looking to live there, but air travel makes the country smaller.”
“Gully’s Fall is really quaint. Very old world.” She waved through the window to Jill, the owner of the bookstore, as she passed. “Very friendly.”
“Just what you need. Get away from the rat race, the demands, find yourself.”
“I think I found myself already.”
“Lis.” His voice gentled, which was pretty good considering his behemoth size. “You’ve only been there just over a week. Take it slow.”
“Don’t worry.” She spooned up some shaved chocolate. “I have Ash, remember?”
“Yeah.”
“And Simon.”
Laughing, she exchanged light conversation with him before ringing off.
Placing the mobile down, she drew the glass of iced chocolate closer to her, sipping on the iced drink through the straw. It was amazing the difference such a short time had made in her life. New friends, a new job, a new future.
Simon loomed large in her future, she wasn’t sure how large, but he was definitely there. Forever? It was too soon to know, time would tell. There was no hurry, no pressure. That was just so relaxing and amazing all rolled into one.
Going home, she met Ash sitting on the front veranda reading a book. She looked up at Elissa. “How’s work?”
“Good. Loving sorting everything out, in fact.” Elissa dropped down in the chair beside her. “Grant’s giving me control of the reception. As long as I keep him informed of how I’m doing everything and he has input, he’s happy for me to arrange things.” Stretching, she leaned back in the chair. “I can’t believe this is all happening.”
“Hmm, you mean boyfriend and job?” Ash grinned. “And let’s not forget boyfriend’s cranky cat. How is Arthur doing?”
“Arthur.” Elissa laughed. “Arthur thinks he owns Simon’s house. Hid under the spare room bed for a couple of days, just hissing at poor old Simon, but now he’s claimed the top of the bed and limps through the house like he owns it. Simon was sitting on the sofa last night and Arthur jumped up and settled beside him. Thought Simon was going to cry, he got all cow-eyed at Arthur.”
“’Cow-eyed’. I bet he liked that description.”
“He didn’t care.” Swinging up her legs, Elissa crossed her ankles and settled her heels on the rail. “That’s the thing with Simon, he doesn’t care what people think. He does his own thing, goes his own way and enjoys life.” She looked out at the front yard. “He’s happy to be happy.”
“That’s our Simon.”
Elissa glanced at Ash. “He’s not lazy, you know. He works on that house. Yesterday arvo he was painting the roof in the laundry.”
“You have to admit he does know how to relax though.”
“Oh, no doubting that. When I saw him kicked back in that hammock with his cap over his head, it looked like he’d taken root there. The man didn’t move all afternoon.”
“That’s our Simon,” Ash repeated.
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