by SJ Molloy
The next day, Cameron opened his lunch box, fisted in the air shouting, “Yes!” pleased with whatever he got. I opened my lunch box, excited to see if I had another red apple. I smiled when I saw the red apple but wrinkled my nose when I saw a tuna mayo sub wrapped in cellophane. This was another food I was encouraged to try. I sighed because I thought I’d be left hungry. I wanted to give Angel my apple, but I didn’t like the smell of my sub and I wouldn’t be allowed the treat until I ate my lunch.
The treat was always a surprise. Grandpa kept it in his backpack, sometimes he even brought extra that Granny didn’t know about because he liked to spoil us, but the condition was that we ate lunch first. That was never an issue for Cameron; he would have eaten his hand given a chance. I was a little fussier. I think this is why I liked to give Angel an extra treat. I cared for her the same way Grandpa cared for us. Or I thought it was the same at the time.
Pouring some freshly squeezed lemonade for us, Grandpa sat back and looked in his Tupperwear tub. He asked why I wasn’t eating. I dropped my head and told him I wasn’t sure about the tuna. Cameron was already half way through his by this point, like a typical ravenous thirteen year old boy, making grunting noises and wiping his mouth across his T-shirt.
Grandpa gave me his cheese wrap, and he ate my tuna sub and said it was our secret. He then said if I ate my red apple, I would get my treat. I wanted the treat but I also wanted to give Angel my apple so I chewed the inside of my cheek and worried about it.
“Lex, if you don’t eat that apple I’m going to eat it,” Cameron teased.
“No way, you’ve had yours,” I retaliated. I didn’t know what to do because Grandpa was already rummaging in his backpack and I knew Cameron would be getting his treat.
It was clotted cream fudge. Yummy. Grandpa laid the box on the wooden table; I stared at it, thinking how much I liked fudge the last time he had given it to us. It was soft and creamy and tasted like heaven. Grandpa wouldn’t tease us, so I wondered why he was laying it out in front of me. Cameron then moaned and told me to hurry up and eat my apple so we could open the fudge.
I did.
I took massive bites of the juicy apple, practically swallowing it whole. Satisfied, Grandpa allowed us to rip the confectionary box open and devour the fudge while he smiled and poured tea from his flask. Once the fudge was finished, I shifted restlessly on the bench. All I could think about was poor Angel missing out on her apple for two days running.
Cameron grabbed his ball and started kicking it around the field; I sat quietly with a full stomach but worried about Angel. I knew what it was like to feel hungry. What if Mr. Murdock forgot to feed her and she felt hungry? The thought made me restless.
“Alexis, I have something for you, an extra treat,” Grandpa said, clearing up the bench. When my big chocolate eyes flicked up, he held another red apple in front of me. “This one is for Angel, let’s go and give it to her.” I jumped up and wrapped my arms around his neck and told him thank you about a million times. “Hey, come on now, kid, it’s only an apple and from now on, you and Angel will have your own at lunchtime. Alexis you are a very special little girl, so thoughtful and considerate, and your Granny and I couldn’t be prouder. I knew you were feeling guilty about the apple. I love you, kid, in fact you are the apple of my eye.” He sobbed because I was so appreciative and held him so tightly. It’s a memory I will always cherish.
I smiled all afternoon that day and couldn’t wait to tell Mum all about it. Of course a plain old green apple would still be sufficient for Angel, but I wanted her to have the same as me. It tasted better and she was my friend, after all, and Grandpa knew that. From that day forward Grandpa has called me Apple … his Apple.
Lucca is adamant I’m not getting up on a horse today. He’s fearful I’ll harm the baby or injure myself. I comply only because I’m happy enough just to spend time with Angel and have no desire to be running off with her when I have Lucca right here. I even brought a few red apples for her from Granny’s fruit bowl.
“If we have a daughter, I’d love her to take lessons and ride,” I say, following the contour of Angel’s glossy muscles with my palms.
He kisses my head and runs his fingers down my braid.
“I’d like that too. Maybe we need to upsize and invest in stables.”
Rolling my eyes, I shake my head, but I’m thinking he might actually be serious.
Lloyd and Devon are not too far behind and waiting patiently in the SUV at the end of the road. Lucca is leaning against a gate inside the indoor stables, watching me bend over to brush Angel’s legs.
“I know you’re looking at my ass,” I say, looking over my shoulder and catching his sexy dimple, his lips curling up at one end.
“Hmmm, your ass is pretty amazing in those cock-teasing, denim shorts. What do you expect when you bend over wearing hot fucking shit like that?”
Smiling, I ignore him until I feel him pull me back into his denim-clad erection, pressing against said denim shorts, causing me to drop the paddle brush. He turns me around and picks me up in a swift move so I’m straddling his waist. Angel neighs, nodding her head but doesn’t flinch her body.
Gripping my ass and slipping his tongue into my mouth with fervent desire, he strides backwards, carrying me to the very back of the stables where there is a dark empty stall. He shoves my back up against the timber wall and assaults my mouth then pops the buttons on my chequered shirt to free my red lace bra.
“Jesus, I have not seen this one before,” he rasps.
I thrust my hips forward to meet his hard cock, hoping the friction from the denim presses onto my throbbing sweet spot and gives me some relief.
“Looks as if you are getting that ride after all,” he groans into my mouth then places me on my feet. He unbuttons my shorts and slides them down over my boots and off my legs in one fluid motion, leaving me breathless in only riding boots, red bra, and a matching thong, my long braid hanging over my shoulder.
“Lexi, Christ … you are every man’s fucking fantasy standing there like that. You are my fantasy, and I want to fuck you senseless right here, right now.”
I grab his shirt to pull him back towards me. “Take me,” I beg.
Fast.
Hard.
Now.
He pauses for a moment, admiring me, his lustful eyes burning my body.
“You have no idea how sexy you look right now. God, you are beautiful.” He slides his belt off, unbuttons his jeans, then lowers them with his boxers, freeing his impeccable cock. I grab his T-shirt, pulling him to my chest, and he picks me back up to straddle his waist.
I squeeze tightly around him with one arm around his neck and the other on his ass. He holds me firmly against the wall then uses one hand to move the tiny red lace material from my wet folds. He slams into me, riding me zealously until my eyes water and I bite down on his shoulder, crying his name in pleasure.
Fast.
Hard.
Furious.
He grips my braid and pushes me further up the wall as he comes deep inside me, wildly shouting my name and spilling his release until I come hard and desperate around him.
After showering and changing back at the house, we go to the Boat Hotel for some late lunch. I’m surprised to find Aunt Eva, my mum’s younger sister by two years and her husband, Uncle Jim. My eighteen-year-old twin cousins, Hayley and Hayden, are also waiting for us in the private dining area.
“Oh my goodness,” I scream excitedly and greet them.
It’s been so long since I’ve last seen them. Mum must have planned this surprise. Lucca is introduced and we spend forty minutes hugging and catching up before actually sitting down to look at the menu. Mum and Aunt Eva look alike, but Aunt Eva’s hair is auburn—wavy, and stylishly short.
Hayden is Cameron’s younger image; he looks very much like him, and he too has the boy band persona. I suspect he’s going to have females flocking around him everywhere he goes if he doesn’t have a girlfriend already
.
Hayden’s twin Hayley is gorgeous. She’s slim but curvy, has massive blue eyes, and her light brown, highlighted hair is piled on top of her head in a messy bun, similar to how I like to wear mine. She wears a slinky, green maxi dress which hugs her curvy figure. Her eyes blaze when she admires how handsome and attractive Lucca is, and of course, he has charmed both her and Aunt Eva.
Bloody flirt.
Lunch has been lovely and it has been nice catching up with the family and hearing all about Hayley’s escapades at Dundee University. She’s such a free spirit, and I admire her confidence and footloose qualities. She’s very intelligent and studying to be an optometrist.
Hayden’s apprenticeship is going well. Lucca has offered him permanent work with the contractors for Osurac Industries, which blows him away. Hayden’s so much more laid-back than Hayley, to the point he’s horizontal. It’s endearing to witness them mature into young adults. They are both so grown up now.
They are coming back to the cottage with us to stay the evening. The boys are away in the fields clay pigeon shooting with Doris. Mum, Aunt Eva, Granny, Hayley, and I go to the Hilton Coylumbridge in Aviemore for facials and some wine and drinks in the bar—mine being a decaf coffee—with Lloyd and Devon.
They choose to sit at a table next to us. Aunt Eva is aware that Michael Parks is in the UK. Mum called and told her, but they’ve kept that information from Hayley and Hayden for now. I suppose they don’t need their minds warped with this. Although they are adults now and should be made aware, they will find out soon enough when they discover the room that’s being used by the security team. It’s only a matter of time before they ask about our Men in Black.
It sometimes feels as if we’re walking on eggshells as we very rarely bring it up or talk about it—forbidden discussion. I don’t think it’s just me in denial. It’s a family trait. I guess they’re trying to protect our feelings. Distraction works but my thoughts always go back to the matter at hand, as does Mum’s. It never truly goes away.
Lucca calls no less than four times to check on me, and I tell him that I’m fine every time. Granny, Mum, and Aunt Eva go with Lloyd an hour or so before Hayley and I are ready to travel back with Devon. It gives Hayley and me a chance to have a girl talk, alone.
“Oh no, I’ve left my purse, shit. I’ll just be a minute.” Hayley panics once we are seated in the back of the SUV. I think she’s a little tipsy with the four glasses of wine she consumed and the two blue concoctions. God knows what was in that. Conveniently, she waited until Aunt Eva left before she ordered them. She throws the door open and quickly runs back inside to the bar before I get the chance to say I’ll come with her.
While I’m waiting I check my emails and text messages, sending a quick one off to Lucy asking how her hot date went with Marco. Getting impatient, I think it’s been at least ten minutes since Hayley’s left. Surely it can’t take that long, unless she’s waiting on management to check if anything has been handed in. I do hope she finds it. I mention to Devon we need to go in and check on her if she’s not back in ten minutes. He agrees and says we both need to go as I’m not to be left alone.
I call her phone but it rings out.
After ten minutes, she still isn’t back and I have an awful feeling in my stomach.
“I’m worried about her. I’m going to get her.” I open the car door.
Devon calls Lloyd but disconnects when a tipsy Hayley tripping towards us, giggling from the front door of the hotel, holding her wedge shoes in her hands. Dear Lord, she’s properly drunk now. Pissed, no less.
She comes to a halt, staggering backwards, when a burgundy car nearly runs her over. I jump out and storm over to her and help her into the back of the car.
“What were you thinking? You nearly got yourself killed there. What took you so long?” I snap.
“Chill out. My purse wasn’t there, so I asked management to check while I waited at the bar and a guy bought me a drink. In fact, he bought me a couple of shots which, of course, I threw back.” She giggles.
“Are you insane? Taking drinks from a stranger? Hayley, Jesus, you should be more careful.”
“Oh relax! I saw the bartender pour them in front of me. It’s all good. Please, don’t tell my mum. She’s been yapping on about my party lifestyle, but I’m an adult. I can do what I like.” She slouches across the backseat of the car.
I fasten her seat belt. “Well, start acting like one and don’t you do that again. And stop talking to strangers you have no idea how risky that is,” I yell. I’m so angry with her because I love her and I’m only looking out for her. How could she be so irresponsible? Then again, she doesn’t know why I’m on edge but it doesn’t excuse her carelessness.
“Stop shouting at me, Lexi, you sound worse than Mum, just cover for me and I’ll owe you. Anyway, he had the sexiest accent.” I sigh and start to tell her the reason I’m being extra cautious but she falls sound asleep. I protectively cuddle her into my side until we reach home. I call Lucca and tell him about it because Devon will tell him anyway.
Devon lifts Hayley up and puts her in my mum’s bed. I’m so embarrassed by her antics today. I thank Devon profusely but ask him to keep it to himself. She mumbles and thanks me. I kiss her head leave her some water.
Mum and Granny start preparing dinner, my stomach taking a turn for the worse after lunch with pregnancy sickness and nerves over Hayley’s drama. I sip a camomile tea, leaning against the counter talking to Aunt Eva.
“Where’s Hayley?” Aunt Eva asks.
“In bed. She’s feeling poorly. We need to talk.”
“Oh, I hope she’s okay,” Aunt Eva replies.
“She’s sleeping it off,” I say.
Mum looks at me curiously, hoping Hayley doesn’t have the pregnancy bug as well. I lift my hand to my mouth, tilting an imaginary glass of wine when Aunt Eva turns to roll out the pastry for Granny. Mum understands nodding her head discreetly.
I tell them about her carelessness today, because while we’re all walking on eggshells, she’s being idiotic and it’s not safe to behave in that way, especially given the circumstances we are in. She needs a good talking too, but it’s Aunt Eva’s place to do it. I asked her to wait until Hayley’s sobered up to speak with her. I don’t want Hayley thinking I’m going behind her back, but it’s for her own good. I have her best interests at heart.
The boys return and we have a cosy night with a homemade steak pie dinner, sharing lots of old stories, minus an intoxicated Hayley, and Hayden who has gone away to Kingussie to meet an old friend. Lucca tells me he’s really gone to meet an old flame from the ski school and had Nate drive him. At least someone will be with him.
Avoiding the steak pie, I have parmesan chicken and some salad and say I’m trying to build my appetite back up. It’s hard as Granny makes an amazing homemade steak pie, but the smell of the meat curls my toes.
Mr. Carlin has retired to bed, feeling exhausted after his outdoor walk today. Lucca informs me that he never actually walked that far, but it’s still good exercise and the fresh air is great for him.
After dinner Lucca makes some calls to the specialist and CID for updates and other business calls. Then we decide to have an early night. It’s been a long day.
Checking on Hayley, I place some water and painkillers down next to her and a bowl in the event she’s is sick. Aunt Eva and mum have both checked on her, but she has been sleeping soundly. Hayley will be getting a good telling to in the morning.
In the shower, I update Lucca on her antics this afternoon. He knows I care deeply for her and is concerned with her careless behaviour as well in our current situation, but he doesn’t challenge the conversation any further. His mind is elsewhere. Distant.
I shampoo his hair, massaging his scalp to try and relieve his tension. It seems to relax him until his phone vibrates on the vanity shelf. He leaves me in the shower so he can check his messages. I switch the shower off, towel dry, and apply my body butter cream.
&n
bsp; Lucca is sitting at the dressing table with his towel around his waist, using his laptop and phone at the same time.
I walk around him and lightly skim my fingers across his upper back as I place a soft kiss on his shoulder to let him know I’m here. He drops his shoulders under my touch then lifts my hand and kisses it. He needs five minutes so I use the time to read a magazine in bed.
He seems very irate and anxious as he runs his hands through his hair while checking emails. He pinches his forehead after a phone conversation with Omari. The defined muscles in his back flex, showing just how brawny his body actually is, not that I’m complaining about that view, but I know he’s tense. I ask if it’s regarding Kimberley, to which he comes over to the bed kisses my nose and tells me it’s nothing to worry about, just business that he needs to address.
I hate seeing him stressed. His face reveals a thousand worries, but he’s still magnificently beautiful. I need to relax and distract his mind because this tension is not good for either of us right now. We have enough to deal with, like a crazed lunatic on the run likely trying to track me down.
“You still have not read those documents Omari gave you,” he says.
“No, sorry. I’ve been distracted, but I’ll do it tomorrow. I promise. Is that why you’re so tense?”
“No, of course not. I just remembered when I spoke to him tonight. I am sorry, I do not want you to be uptight because I am tense. It is nothing I cannot take care of, so please do not worry.” His voice softens when he notices me picking the skin on my palms and biting my inside cheek.
I’m sitting propped up against the headboard naked, allowing the cream to absorb into my skin, as I look through a pregnancy magazine that Mum secretly bought me at the store. We change the subject and talk about the baby and our future. I’m hoping this will distract and relax him.