She returns her gaze to her newspaper. “I’ll have a little tuna, no spaghetti.”
I nod my head. “Are you going to get up and eat with us?”
She sniffs and points to an article in the paper. “It’s terrible, all this crime. Makes me afraid to leave the house.” She continues reading, so I take her response as a no.
When I get back to the lounge, Pia and Fay are in the middle of a conversation. “So, do you like him?” Pia asks.
“Yes. He doesn’t rock my world, but he looks good and he’s fun,” Fay says.
“Who are you talking about?” I ask.
Fay leans back in the chair and crosses her long legs at the ankles. “Your mate, Ash.”
“Oh, okay,” I say, as I head for the kitchen. He’s not really a friend, just someone I hang out with sometimes. Still, if he likes Fay, that’s good. Maybe he’ll stay away from Pia. I don’t like the way he looks at her. I pull the tuna steaks out of the fridge and mix up a marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, basil and some lemon zest. While the steaks are marinating I boil a pan of water and add the spaghetti. I hit the switch to turn on the garden lights. It’s warm enough to eat outside. It hits me that I’ve only got one more day with Pia before she goes back home. Time has flown by too fast. I don’t want her to go. I push the thought from my head. She’s here now. Focus on your cooking. I heat some oil in a pan and fry some cherry tomatoes. I add some fennel seeds.
“Something smells good,” I hear Pia call from the lounge.
“Hopefully it will taste as good as it smells. Do you want any wine?” I ask. We have a couple of bottles of Chardonnay, that should be enough. I add the cooked pasta to the tomatoes, and turn down the heat to keep it warm. I grill the tuna steaks and top the pasta off with some Parmesan. We sit around the garden table and I pour us some wine. Pia looks even more beautiful under the moonlight. I’m going to miss her so much. I take a large gulp of my wine.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Trey
I hum to myself as I unfold the sun lounger. The sun is warm on my skin. I tug my t-shirt off, and hook it in the waistband of my shorts. Pia spent the night in my bed, snuggled up to me, her head resting on my chest. We didn’t have sex because she didn’t want Fay to hear the sound of the bed springs from the next room. Somehow I doubt Fay would have been bothered, but I don’t care either way. I stayed awake for hours, stroking her hair and watching her sleep. When I finally closed my eyes I had the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a long time.
I watch as Pia carries a jug of cold lemonade and places it on the table. She’s wearing her red bikini, and her long hair is piled up on her head with some kind of bulldog clip. I stop what I’m doing to admire her, and adjust the bulge that has appeared in my shorts. Fay comes out holding a tray of glasses. She’s also wearing a tiny bikini. Hers is purple. She has a beach towel thrown over her shoulder. She bends and lays her towel out on the grass. She has a nice ass, but my Pia’s is better, more rounded.
“Why don’t you take a photo, it will last longer,” Pia says.
I snap my head around to look at her. “What? No, I wasn’t…”
I resume setting up the sun lounger. I can’t lie to her, I was looking. Just not for the reason that she thinks. Keeping my mouth shut is the best option, before I dig myself a deeper hole.
Fay flips the cap on her bottle of sun cream. “He’s a man, Pia. They can’t help themselves.”
“Not true,” I reply, as I set up a sun lounger next to mine, for Pia.
“Yes, okay Loverboy, we believe you,” Fay says. But she doesn’t.
Pia lies down on the lounger and puts on her sunglasses. They suit her, she looks good, but I prefer to see her eyes. “Are you done with the sun cream?” I ask Fay. She tosses it over to me and I perch on the edge of Pia’s lounger, being careful not to cause it to tip. I flip the cap, squirt some into my hands and rub my palms together. Starting at her feet, I smooth the lotion onto Pia’s skin. Her skin is pale, unlike mine. I don’t get to go out as often as I’d like, but I do spend a lot of time out here in the garden, and I tan easily. I’ve never needed to use sun cream; I never burn. As I smooth the lotion across her legs, I study the contrast between the brown skin on my hand, and the milky white skin on her leg. My nuts are starting to feel full and uncomfortable as I smooth the lotion across the top of her thigh.
“Have you got any music? Or shall I play some from my phone?” Fay asks.
I’m glad for the distraction. I was about ready to take Pia right here on the lounger. “I’ve got an ipod dock; I’ll fetch it in a moment.”
“Bring your guitar out too, you can play for me,” Pia says as she takes the sun cream from my hand. She starts applying the cream herself, her hands touching places I want my hands to be touching. I draw in a breath and go to fetch my guitar.
I set up my amp just inside the door to the garden. It would have been easier to play my acoustic, but I prefer the sound of my electric. The leads are long enough for me to sit out in the garden while I play. As I tune up, I watch Pia sprawled out on the lounger. I can’t help but smile, just being near her makes me happy and more at peace somehow. Will she still be mine when she goes to uni? I close my eyes. My fingers seem to have a life of their own as they pick at my guitar strings. I begin to sing, ‘Help Me Through the Day.’ I can really feel the lyrics because they are true, her loving does make everything alright and I do want her to be my woman. Keeping my eyes shut, I block out everything except the music.
When I finish singing, I slowly open my eyes, squinting from the sun. Pia is sitting up, gazing at me.
Fay claps her hands together. “You’re good, Loverboy. I’m impressed.”
It’s not Fay I want to impress. I reach out and stroke my fingers across Pia’s cheek. “It is beautiful. It makes me think of you.”
I hear the doorbell ring, and I frown. Fay jumps up. “That’ll be Ash,” she says, as she heads towards the house. “I invited him along, I hope you don’t mind.”
I do, but it’s too late now. “Thanks for letting me know,” I call out, but she’s already gone inside the house.
Pia shrugs her shoulders. “She probably didn’t want to be the third wheel.”
I slide my guitar strap off my shoulders, rest my guitar on the grass and clasp her hand. I stroke my thumb across her fingers. “They don’t have to stay here. They can go out and we can have some time alone together.” I glance down at her small hand in my big one.
“Hey, Pia.”
I look up to see Ash smiling at her. He places the cans of beer he was holding onto the grass, and his gaze returns to Pia. I recognise the look in his eyes, and I don’t like it.
“You can share my towel.” Fay loops her arm through his and he finally tears his eyes away from Pia.
I look down at my clenched fists and try to relax. I don’t trust him not to make a move on her, and he’s being downright disrespectful to me. Fay is sitting crossed legged on the towel. She flicks her hair and laughs at something Ash has said. My lip curls up. If he had his way he’d fuck both of them. I guess I’m no better; I’d have done that not so long ago. I feel Pia tug on my arm. “Is something wrong?”
Yeah. I’m jealous of my mate and scared of losing you. “Nah, I’m good. Do you want a beer?” I crack open a can and hand it to her. She takes a sip and then passes it back to me. I take a long swig, liking that my lips are touching something her lips have touched. How pathetic is that?
I hear the sound of the doorbell, again. I look across at Fay. “Did you invite anyone else?”
She shakes her head.
When I open the door I’m surprised to see my neighbour standing there. Maybe Mum invited her over. I smile at her. “Have you come to see my mum?”
“No, I want a word with you.” Her arms are folded across her chest and she looks annoyed.
“Did we disturb you? Were we making too much noise?” She isn’t usually bothered by my guitar playing; maybe she has a headache today.
<
br /> “Don’t play innocent with me.”
I shake my head, and frown. “What have I done?”
She makes a huffing sound as she blows air out of her nose. “I won’t be lied to. Next time you decide to go off gallivanting, you can find another sitter.”
Gallivanting. My mouth goes dry. She knows I was at the beach, and not getting my car serviced. How?
“Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem spending time with your mother, poor woman. But I won’t be made a fool of.” She turns and walks back down the pathway, then stops and looks back over her shoulder. “It’s the last time I do you a favour. You’re not the only one who has a life.”
I nod my head as I watch her walk towards her house. I wish I did have a life.
I’m still frowning when I go back to join the others. How did she know? The only people who knew I’d lied were Liam, Coll and Ash. Did one of them grass on me? Pia is sitting on the edge of the lounger, stretching her arms above her head. She stops when she sees the look on my face. “What happened? Bad news?”
I rub my hand over my hair and stare down at my feet. “It was my neighbour. She’s got a job, so she can’t watch over my mum anymore.” As I glance up, my gaze meets Ash’s. He rubs his hand over his nose and looks away. The son of a bitch! Was it him? I jump as I feel Pia’s arms slide around my shoulders. She nuzzles her head into my chest. I wrap my arms around her and rest my cheek against her hair. She smells of coconut sun lotion. I peer over the top of Pia’s head. Ash is rubbing lotion on Fay. If I find out it was him, our friendship is over.
We’re hanging out in the kitchen, after spending most of the day in the garden. I can hear the TV in the lounge, so I guess Mum must be out of bed. I cook some chicken, and Pia helps me by preparing the salad. Ash must be tickling Fay judging by the giggles and squeals I can hear. Pia nudges my arm and whispers, “Those two seem to be getting along well.”
I grab a sharp knife to slice the chicken. “Hmm. Tell Fay not to take it too seriously. He’s the love them and leave them type.”
Pia giggles. “He said the same thing about you.”
My head snaps up. “He said what?”
“Ouch.” I look down at the blood oozing from my finger. I hold my finger under running water and examine the cut, luckily it isn’t too deep. I grab a pack of band-aids from the drawer.
“Can I have my chicken without the blood sauce?” Ash is leaning against the kitchen cupboards with a smirk on his face.
Fay places her hand over her mouth and snorts. “You’re so funny.”
It’s his fault that Pia doesn’t trust me. I wonder if she’ll think it so funny when I slit his damn throat.
Pia clasps my hand. “Let me put a band-aid on that.”
I watch her as she dresses my finger. She trusts me now, right? I’ll let Ash stay; it gives Fay someone to hang out with. But after today, we’re done.
We take our food through to the lounge. Mum is curled up on the sofa, covered with a blanket and surrounded by cushions. Bisley is curled up in a ball on her lap, purring. I glance at the TV, she’s watching some detective series. I place her plate of chicken salad on the coffee table, and pull it closer to her. I’m pleased when she sits up and starts to eat. Pia sits at the other end of the sofa. Fay is sitting in the armchair and Ash is perched beside her on the arm of the chair. I sit down on the floor in front of Pia. She reaches out and ruffles her fingers through my hair, and I almost purr, like Bisley. We eat in silence, none of us wanting to disturb Mum from her TV show. When we’re done, Pia helps me clear away the plates. Mum’s eaten half of hers, she must be feeling good today.
Mum’s show ends. She picks up the remote and begins channel hopping. “You haven’t got to stay in here with me. You can take your friends to your room.”
Fay jumps up. “Yeah, let’s go hang out in your room.”
I realise just how cramped my room is when there are four of us in here. I squeeze through the door and close it behind me. Now I’m stuck here by the door because Pia, Fay and Ash are standing on the only spots on the floor that are not covered with piles of books. I briefly consider putting the books outside my room, in the hallway, but I don’t want to risk Mum tripping over them. Fay and Ash negotiate the obstacle course to sit on my bed. I log into Netflix, and Pia and Fay choose a movie for us to watch. I perch on the end of my bed, next to Pia. The springs in my mattress squeak as I sit down.
I’m not really watching the movie, or paying any attention to what Fay and Ash may be up to. In fact, I’m trying to forget they’re here. Pia is snuggled into me. I stroke my fingers through her silky hair as she rests her head on my shoulder. Tomorrow she’ll be gone. My arm tightens around her as I wrack my brain, trying to think of a reason to convince her to stay. There isn’t one. I can’t expect her to give up her university place to be with me. I wouldn’t want her to do that.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
Trey
Ash has finally gone, and Fay is in the spare room. I’ve just come back from checking on Mum. Pia is already in my bed, my duvet pulled up to her chest, ear buds in and listening to her ipod. She looks so beautiful with her hair splayed out across my pillow. My breath catches in my throat. She pulls out her ear buds and smiles at me.
“Come here, I’ve got a song I want you to listen to.”
I climb into bed beside her and slide my arm around her waist, feeling her soft, smooth skin beneath my fingertips. She reaches over and pops the ear buds into my ears.
“This song is for you. It’s called Nocturne. It’s something to remind you of me when I’m gone.”
I won’t need reminding, there’s no way I’m going to forget her. Beautiful, haunting music and a soft, female voice fill my ears. Pia gazes into my eyes as I listen to the lyrics telling me that when I’m ready for sleep, she’ll be waiting for me in my dreams, to share my desires. I swallow the lump in my throat. It’s the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard. When the song is over, I pull out the ear buds and cup her cheeks in my palms. Her eyes widen and she parts her lips. I have an overwhelming urge to kiss her. I dip my head, but then pull back. There’s something I have to tell her first. I use my thumbs to tuck her hair behind her ears, then I gently stroke her ear lobes. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, before opening them again to gaze into hers.
“Pee Aitch. I love you. I fucking love you.” I rattle on, giving her no chance to respond. “I’ve wanted you from the first time I saw you.” I stroke my fingers across her cheek. “Just looking at you makes me happy. When I’m with you, I can believe everything is going to be okay. You give me hope.” I plant a kiss on the tip of her nose.
“Trey, I-”
I place my finger to her lips. “Shush. I know you don’t love me…yet, maybe never. And that’s okay. Just please, stay in touch with me. We can skype, we can phone each other. I’ll find a way to come up and see you, or you can come here.” I rub my nose against hers. “Don’t let the distance come between us.”
She’s just staring at me, wide eyed. My mouth has gone dry. Just say something. Anything. Please. She props herself up on her elbow, them slides her body across mine, so that she’s lying on my chest.
“Can I say something now?” she asks.
I can’t speak. I nod my head.
“When I first met you, I thought you were arrogant and irritating. I couldn’t wait to get rid of you.”
My stomach lurches. This don’t sound good.
“I thought you were just using me for sex. I didn’t trust you.”
This is it. Here comes the Dear John. My heart is pounding, it feels like it’s about to come out of my chest.
“Pia, Ash was lying when-”
It’s her turn to place her fingers over my lips. “Shush.”
Her hair has fallen into her face and across my shoulders. She reaches up and flicks it back over her shoulder.
“Trey, I still think you’re arrogant.” She smiles down at me. “But you’re also fun, you make me laugh.” She runs
her soft hands across my shoulders, and I shiver. “You’re caring and romantic.”
Okay. This is more like it.
“You’re talented, and I’m learning to trust you.”
My lips curve into a smile.
“You can trust me. I don’t ever want to hurt you,” I tell her.
She licks her lips, and jeez, my dick instantly springs to life. I move my hands to rest on her butt.
“So yes,” she whispers in her low, sexy voice, “we will stay in touch.”
She doesn’t get chance to say anything else because I clasp her head, and pull her face down towards mine. My lips cover hers, and my tongue explores the inside of her mouth. She trusts me. I make her laugh. She thinks I’m romantic. Damn, if that doesn’t turn me on even more.
I run my hands down her back and my fingers squeeze her plump ass. I rub my hardness against her. Dammit, I need to get out of these shorts. I wriggle out from under her, yank off my shorts and toss them onto the floor. My dick is standing to attention, loud and proud. Pia moves to kneel between my legs. She dips her head. I tense, and moan loudly as I feel her run her tongue along my length. Fuck. I pant as I watch her head bob up and down as her lips work their magic. Her long hair is covering her face. I reach out and brush her hair out of the way. I want to watch her. She looks up at me, and holds my gaze as her beautiful lips slide up and down my dick. Up and down.
“Oh fuck,” I moan as my hand fists in her hair. My legs are trembling. “You’re so hot. Beautiful.” Motherfucker, she so is, with her lips stretched around my dick. I bite down on my lip and try to control the urge to slam my dick into her face. My free hand fists into the sheet. My back arches. “Oh God, you’re good. Make me come, Precious.”
She works faster and I about lose my fucking mind. My muscles become rigid, and a low growl escapes my lips. I need to warn her; she may want me to pull out. “I’m going to come.”
She doesn’t stop. She keeps fucking going. My hands move to hold the back of her head, as I release into her waiting mouth. I gaze down at her. I’m breathing like I’ve run a bloody marathon, and my muscles feel like jelly. Her lips are red, and some of my come dribbles out of the corner of her mouth. I sink to the floor, cup her face in my hands, and lick my come from her lips. Then I kiss her, softly.
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