Spoilt

by Joanne Ellis

  She blushed again, almost provoking him to throw caution to the wind. Almost.

  “I don’t mind. I’m a good listener. Part of the job criteria.”

  “I don’t see them as often as I should or want to. Our busy lives seem to get in the way.”

  “I completely understand. I work too much too.”

  He watched her as she finished dinner and served up. His heart threatened to leap from his chest. He just wanted to touch her again.

  She poured herself a wine and refreshed his drink and, once they were seated, asked him about his family. At first his face went blank, then a look of utter sorrow passed over it so that she deeply regretted asking.

  She makes me want to tell her. I need to tell her.

  “My parents are both dead and my sister lives about half an hour out of the city,” he said in a flat tone, not looking up.

  She gasped. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s ok. It was a long time ago. It’s part of the reason I became a cop actually.” He brought his eyes to hers and found himself telling her the rest, without even thinking. The words just poured out.

  “I was seventeen when it happened. I was ... at a friend’s and was going to the electronics store my parents owned afterwards, to help my Dad with his stock take.” He cleared his throat but the hurt was still in his voice, in his eyes.

  “I called out to them as I came in the back door but there was no reply. I felt something sticky on the floor and that is when I saw the blood...” He trailed off and dropped his eyes.

  “You don’t have to tell me any more,” she said in a whisper, touching his hand.

  “I want to.” He was surprised by how much he wanted to. “I saw my Dad’s feet sticking out from behind a box and, as I walked around, well I was never going to be prepared for what I saw. Both he and my mother had had their throats cut for one day’s takings and some electrical goods.”

  He stopped. She dropped her fork.

  “They never caught who did it. Carrie, my older sister, and I moved into a small apartment. I joined the force; she started a hairdressing business and got married.” He looked up to discover tears running down her face. “Oh God, I’m so insensitive. How could I tell you that today?”

  “I’m not crying about Elle, Lucas. I’m crying for you.”

  She reached across the table a second time and put her hand onto his clenched fist, leaving it there this time.

  He liked the feel of her soft hand on his. “It’s okay. Like I said it was a long time ago. My sister has always been my rock and she has two beautiful kids, who I adore.” He smiled and the hurt from his eyes vanished. He unclenched his fists. “It’s ok. Please don’t cry.”

  “I just couldn’t imagine …”

  “I guess that is why I have been so …”

  “Curt?”

  “Putting it nicely. This investigation has got to me some.” His lips thinned.

  “Well,” she said, trying to brighten the mood. “I think today calls for chocolate cake.”

  “You have some?” His nose crinkled delectably.

  “Well of course. I bought it yesterday in case Elle came home ...”

  “I’m so sorry, Chelsea. If I had listened to you ...”

  “It’s not your fault. There was probably nothing you could have done anyway. Come on, let’s have some cake on the balcony. You thought the view was good during the day.”

  * * *

  They sat in comfortable silence admiring the view while Lucas sneaked glances at her when he thought she wasn’t looking. Little did he know that not only had she noticed, but she was doing the same.

  After he had finished his dessert, Lucas placed his plate on the table, looked at his watch and stood up abruptly.

  “It’s late. I should go.”

  They went downstairs and stood at the door, neither in any hurry to end the evening. He pulled out a business card and gave it to her.

  “If you need anything, ring me, anytime. Thanks for dinner.” He turned to leave.

  “I think I like this Lucas much better,” she said quietly and he almost didn’t hear her.

  He turned to her as she stood on her tip toes to offer him a brief kiss on the cheek. He groaned. All his composure shattered like glass on a tiled floor.

  In one swift motion he scooped her up into a powerful embrace and devoured her mouth, his tongue teasing hers. One hand dove into her hair to stop and cup her head, to pull her in closer. The other circled her waist to clasp her tight against his body. He deepened the kiss, pouring all his desire and passion from his mouth to hers.

  Her body tingled all over as she reached up to touch his face before running her fingers through his hair. She wrapped her legs around his waist and buried her hands deeper in his waves, clasping it now, drawing him closer.

  Having her legs wrapped round him was almost too much for him to endure. If he didn’t stop now, he never would. Feeling her body tight against his made him dizzy. He pulled his head back but didn’t put her down.

  “If we don’t stop, I will not be responsible for what happens next,” he said hoarsely.

  “Me neither,” she purred.

  “Chelsea, as much as it pains me to say this, I think we should stop. I don’t want rush in, do anything too soon ... not with you.”

  And suddenly he knew he meant it. This usually ended differently but he didn’t want it to go this way. His desire-filled mind couldn’t make sense of it all.

  Chelsea looked into his eyes and saw the truth there. She did want him to stay but it was too soon and she’d gotten carried away. She unwound her legs and he gently lowered her down without removing his hand from her face. He bent down to kiss her tenderly.

  “Good night,” he whispered.

  He left quickly before he could change his mind.

  After he’d gone, Chelsea leant against the door and sighed. She knew she’d seen the real Lucas tonight and he wasn’t the tough guy he made himself out to be. What was she going to do now?

  * * *

  As he drove home, Lucas attempted to bring himself back under control. He nearly turned the car around, but he talked himself out of it. How had he stopped himself from taking her as she wrapped herself around him? Why did he stop? What made her so different?

  He decided a good night’s sleep would improve his focus but, once in bed, sleep was unattainable. She kept sliding sensuously into his mind.

  He couldn’t believe he’d stopped and not taken the next step. He’d been a one night kind of guy, no strings attached. He didn’t want one night with Chelsea; he wanted more, much more. For the first time ever, he saw a woman as more than a pretty face, a conquest, someone to warm his bed for the evening, to stave off his loneliness. He did not just want this from her; he wanted everything. She’d felt so comforting when he’d poured his heart out to her and when she cried for him before touching his hand.

  He was totally dumbfounded by how he had managed to stop himself from leaping across the table and taking her there and then.

  He could barely keep his hands to himself whenever he was around her, yet he had managed to do just that the entire evening. Then her kiss to his cheek, so affectionate, so trusting somehow and her adorable face gazing up at him were almost his undoing. He knew at that moment he had to slow things down, to play for higher stakes.

  He lay with his arm over his face in an attempt to block out her floating image so he could get some sleep.

  Big question - would she still want him once she knew how many women he had slept with? The thought made him feel insecure, even panic briefly in a rare moment of shame, and he knew it would be best for them both if he stayed away from her for a while, got over her. That was what he should do, now could he do it?

  That night, instead of death haunting his dreams, it was milky skin, emerald eyes, kissable lips, and her small hips pressing against him. The nightmares were gone again.

  * * *

  What’s this, Princess, having dinner with the
detective now, are we? Well you are full of surprises. Don’t get too comfortable. Soon I will be coming for you. Tomorrow we will speak. I need to hear your voice and to let you know that soon you will taste the bitterness of one more loss. Losing your friend is just the beginning.

  Chapter 12

  Family

  Friday

  Sitting around thinking about Elle was not going to bring her back. The pain threatened to overwhelm Chelsea as she pottered around the house, busying herself with mundane tasks. Nothing took her mind off the fact that her best friend was gone.

  Chelsea decided to open Bloom to escape the silence and constant reminders. Elle wouldn’t have wanted Chelsea to put her life on hold and it would take her mind off things.

  As she headed out the door, the phone rang. She rushed to answer it.

  “Hello.”

  “I’ll be coming for you soon,” a strangely metallic voice threatened before hanging up.

  Her heart dropped but she pushed away the fear, almost convincing herself that it was a prank call, someone’s idea of a sick joke.

  * * *

  When Chelsea entered the back of her shop an instant comfort of aromas and colours washed all over her. She was pleased to see Gavin had delivered the flowers along with the arrangements for display she’d purchased, allowing her to get a start on her orders.

  The next hour passed quickly and, before she knew it, opening time arrived. Next to Saturday, Friday was her busiest day and she appreciated that the morning would go quickly. Sarah and Charlotte were arriving at lunchtime and she was eager to see them.

  She closed for lunch and headed home to greet her family. The moment she walked in the front door, the phone rang once again. Dropping her bag and keys on the table, she ran to answer it.

  “Hello.”

  “Soon it will be your turn.” Again that metallic voice.

  She put the phone down, hard. This time she couldn’t shrug off her growing anxiety so easily. Was this threat real? It certainly sounded it. No, of course not, she told herself, but she failed to convince herself. Underneath she knew she wasn’t being paranoid.

  The voice sounded cold, harsh and very serious. Inhuman, in fact. She stood frozen, her heart thudding. The hairs on her neck bristled. As goose bumps spread down her arms, she rubbed her hands over them and tried to shake off the mounting terror.

  She thought for a moment about picking up the phone again and calling Lucas. Perhaps the calls could help with his investigation. No, surely it wasn’t the killer. Why would he call her? She thought it would be nice to call Lucas and this could be a reason to. A slight smile touched her lips as she remembered their evening, their kiss. She brought a hand to her lips as she remembered how they felt against hers.

  When the phone shrilled again, she jumped and she let out an involuntary cry. As she picked it up, apprehension crept into her chest. Taking a deep breath she summoned some bravado.

  “What?”

  “Chelsea?”

  Relief dispelled the trepidation at the sound of a familiar voice.

  “Yes.”

  “This is Clare Sheridan.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry for sounding rude, Mrs. Sheridan. I’ve just been receiving some nuisance calls.”

  “Are you sure they are nuisance calls, dear and not something more serious? Please tell me you will be careful. And it’s Clare.”

  “Ok, Clare, please don’t worry I’m sure it’s nothing.” Chelsea reassured her, not won’t to cause her any further distress. “How are you doing?”

  “Not so good, honey. I’ve lost my baby and I don’t know how I’ll get through it.” Her voice caught.

  “I miss her too.”

  “I called to find out whether you would mind ... if my daughter, Megan, can come around on Monday to collect ... Elle’s things.” Her voice broke and she paused a moment. “I can have her do it sooner if ...”

  “No Monday is fine, Clare. There’s no hurry.”

  “Thank you and also the ... funeral is Tuesday. Megan can give you the details on Monday, when it will all be finalised.”

  Clare sobbed quietly, her composure barely holding.

  “Thank you for letting me know, and if you need anything else, please call, anytime.”

  “Thank you, dear.” Then she was gone.

  Chelsea experienced a sense of dread and sadness. Tears which threatened during her call with Clare escaped now. She would actually have to say goodbye to her beautiful friend. Chelsea wasn’t sure how she was going to manage this. She couldn’t understand why life took such a wonderful person like Elle. Leaning against the counter, she wiped away the tears and took a shaky breath.

  Trying to put Elle and the calls out of her mind for the moment, she walked to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

  With perfect timing, just as she’d finished, the front door opened and Charlotte breezed through with Sarah following close behind. She ran to greet them and was enclosed by a Summerville hug, Charlotte from behind and Sarah in the front. Sarah pulled back and cupped her face.

  “How are you holding up, sweetheart?”

  “Ok,” she squeaked.

  “Well, we’re here now so you don’t have to worry about anything. What time do you need us to head over to Bloom?” she continued in her no fuss way.

  “In about half an hour.”

  “Well let’s eat, then,” Charlotte decided.

  They caught up on lighter subjects over lunch. As they prepared to leave, the phone rang again.

  “This phone has not stopped,” she said with exasperation.

  “Hello.”

  “You head off to your little shop now, Chelsea. I’ll see you soon.”

  This time Chelsea hung up.

  “Who was that?” Charlotte asked.

  “No-one, just a prank call.”

  “How many have you had?” Sarah asked.

  “A few.”

  “What did they say?” Charlotte said.

  “He would see me soon and that he was coming for me, that kind of thing, nothing serious. It’s probably some kids who have seen the news and know Elle was murdered.”

  Chelsea was still hoping against hope that this was actually the case, although her rapid pulse and the prickles of cold fingering her spine, told her otherwise. He knew her name.

  “How would they know where she lived?” Sarah asked.

  “I don’t know. I’m sure it’s nothing.” Chelsea shoved her shaking hands in her jacket pockets to hide their betrayal of her words.

  “It doesn’t sound like nothing to me,” Sarah said, just getting started now.

  “Mum, it’s okay, really.”

  “Drop the bravado, Chelsea. I can tell from your face that the call bothered you.”

  “He said my name.”

  “What? You have to tell the police.”

  “I don’t know if that’s really necessary.” She wished it wasn’t.

  “Yes, it is.”

  “Can I call Lucas later, when we get home from Bloom?” she asked. Chelsea instantly realised her mistake once the words left her mouth.

  “Who’s Lucas?” Charlotte asked with one eyebrow raised.

  “He’s a detective working on Elle’s investigation.”

  Chelsea attempted to keep her face straight, hoping to deter further questions. However, with Charlotte, this would be unavoidable. Her sister was far too inquisitive. Chelsea wasn’t ready to share Lucas with anyone yet. Besides she wasn’t really sure what was happening anyway.

  “You like him.”

  “He’s nice.”

  “Is there something going on?” she asked, her voice laced with excitement.

  “I don’t know.”

  “What do you mean you don’t know?”

  “Exactly that, I don’t know. We had dinner last night, nothing serious.” She shrugged trying to appear nonchalant.

  “Chelsea’s got a boyfriend,” she teased.

  “No, I haven’t. How old are you anyway? Six?” she said a
little too fiercely. “Now we have to get going and open Bloom, so I can make a living.”

  Chelsea promptly stormed out the door. Charlotte and Sarah exchanged looks and shared a secret grin before following Chelsea.

  There was much to do. Chelsea completed all the bouquets required for the next morning out the back and away from her sister’s questioning looks. Sarah manned the phones and took orders, while Charlotte served and flirted with her customers. By the time they’d helped the last of them and shut the door, they were exhausted.

  “How do you do this every day by yourself?” Charlotte asked throwing herself dramatically into a nearby chair.

  “I don’t do it by myself. On busy days, like today, I have Lauren to help me,” replied Chelsea, referring to the part-time student who worked for her.

  “Oops, did we steal her job today?”

  “No, she had exams today which, by the way, shouldn’t you be doing?”

  “No, I only had two and they’re done.”

  “Good. I wouldn’t be happy if I took you away from your studies.”

  “Well you haven’t,” she stated standing up. “Can we go now? I have a craving for a glass of cold wine.”

  Once the day’s takings were counted and all the flowers put safely in the fridges, they headed home. As they walked in the front door, the phone rang again. Chelsea looked at Sarah and Charlotte.

  “Should I answer it?”

  “Yes and then I think you should write down every phone call,” Sarah told her.

  “Yes,” she answered the phone.

  “Not long now.” The phone went dead.

  “What did he say?” Sarah asked.

  “Not long now.”

  “Write all the calls down now, so you don’t forget.”

  “Ok, I am really worried now. The calls only happen when I’m home,” she said, frowning. “See there are no messages on my machine. It’s like he knows when I’m here.”