Delectable (Gold Coast Nights Book 1)

by Ann Grech

  But the blankets she had folded on the armrest weren’t enough to keep her warm. Desperately trying to reach for another of Levi’s polo shirts in the pile of folded laundry on the floor, Katy let out a frustrated cry when she couldn’t get it. The move sent another jolt of pain through her head, radiating through every inch of her body. She curled in on herself and let the tears fall. She needed painkillers, but she couldn’t get up to get them. And another blanket. She needed her man, but her phone was sitting in her backpack near the front door.

  The bang of the screen door closing had Katy letting out a shuddering breath, thanking the stars for answering her pleading. “Lee, babe, I need you.” Her voice was husky, damaged from the barking cough that had slammed her.

  “No, Cupcake, it’s me. What’s wrong?” Con asked, the thump of his footsteps quickly announcing his approach.

  Katy steeled herself against the agony of moving and wiped her eyes. Con didn’t need to worry about her. He had his own girl to care for; there was no way Katy was going to be a burden on him. She’d manage herself. Hell, she’d been sick before—this was no different. “Never mind, I’m fine.”

  Another shudder rocked her, and Katy clamped down her groan, biting down on her tongue to stop it escaping.

  “Katy, you’re sick.” Con lay his cool hand across her forehead, and she sighed. She wanted to melt into his touch, let him soothe her. No, no I can’t. He’s got his own priorities. And he left us. He doesn’t need us anymore. I shouldn’t need him. Unreasonable as it was, it hurt that he hadn’t even made time to call and let them know he was staying at Miranda’s for a while. He’d barely even bothered answering their texts. It wasn’t like they were his keepers, but Katy had thought they were friends. And friends didn’t just disappear.

  “I’m fine, don’t worry about me,” Katy croaked, forcing the words past her throat. Every swallow was like knives shredding her oesophagus. Talking only made it worse. “Get what you came for and go back to Miranda’s.”

  “Shut up, Katy,” he chastised her. “You’re burning up. You need to get this fever down or you’ll do some damage.”

  Katy moaned, the ache intensifying to screaming pain when she tried to push his hand off her and sit up. “I’ll be okay, Connor.”

  Con gently removed the tie from her hair, his hands caressing her face. His lips pressed against her forehead in a gentle kiss had Katy breathing him in, all spice and man. She relaxed back onto the cushions, no longer fighting him. His murmured words were quiet, just like the rest of the room had become, as he soothed her. His slow movements kept her from jerking too much, even as he peeled away the blankets she’d wrapped around herself. “You’re so damn beautiful,” he whispered, before kissing her temple softly. Katy closed her eyes and sighed, wishing just for a minute that he was hers to love.

  “Does Lee know you’re sick?”

  “No,” she croaked. “He’s filming all day.”

  “You’re too sick to be by yourself, Cupcake. Why didn’t you call me?” Con ran his fingers through her hair, his gaze holding so much warmth, but at the same time, sadness.

  “You left.” Katy closed her eyes, trying to hide the tears welling in them. “I didn’t think you wanted to see us anymore.” It’d hurt when he’d moved out, especially because of the way he did it. She was pissed with him, but mostly he’d broken her heart. Knowing that he didn’t want them anymore had flayed her. But she’d forced herself to put up a strong front—Levi was hurting too and he needed her.

  “I’m sorry,” he murmured, leaning down to press his lips to her forehead once more, kissing across to her temple. “I’m here now. Let me help you.”

  Katy was too weak to argue with him, to question why he was being almost intimate with her when he’d been with Miranda. She started shaking violently. “Shit, you need something to get rid of this fever.”

  He laid her down gently, moving ever so slowly until she was stretched out again. Katy let her eyes drift closed as Con stepped away. She heard rummaging around, water running and then two tablets were dropped into her palm. The crack of the lid from a bottle sounded, and Katy forced her eyes open. Struggling to swallow the pills down, she winced, a pained groan escaping her lips.

  “Give it a few minutes. They’ll kick in soon.” He placed a cool, wet cloth on her forehead, and it was like heaven. The headache sending stabbing pain through her temples immediately lessened. A shudder tore through her and Con set to work on her clothes, unbuttoning her chef’s jacket and pulling her white pants down her legs. “Sit up, Katy. I need to get this uniform off you. You need to cool down.”

  She wanted to cry. She already was. Swiping angrily at the tears tracking down her cheeks, Katy struggled to sit upright. But Con wrapped strong arms around her and pulled her into his embrace. Burying her face in the crook of his neck, Katy cried. Yes, she was sick and hurting, but that wasn’t the worst part. He’d left her, left them, and she missed him. He didn’t know it, but he’d broken her heart, and she wanted her friend back. Lee hadn’t said anything, but she knew he wanted Con with them too. He belonged with them, dammit. They could make him happy.

  “Have you eaten anything?”

  “No,” she mumbled into his chest, not wanting to let him go. He was warm and solid, and there. God, she’d missed him.

  “I’ll make you something. Lee’s mum used to make the best chicken soup. You think you’re up for that?” Katy hummed her agreement before yawning, and Con replied, “Lie down and rest. I’ll get started.”

  He held her hair back as she rested her head on the armrest. Dressed only in a tee and her underwear, Katy curled into a ball, wrapping her arms around her chest to keep warm. She was cold, but the thin cotton blanket Con laid over her moments later helped. The medicine she’d taken must have started to take the edge off her fever. Katy sighed as the cool material hit her skin, warming her up, and she snuggled into the couch. The sounds of Con working in the kitchen faded as sleep began to take over. Eyelids heavy, exhaustion coaxed her into relaxation, pulling her towards slumber.

  Katy startled, every muscle in her body tensing as a loud bang tore through the quiet of the room. The breeze flowing through the open doors at either end of the house was warm on her face, the only part of her uncovered.

  “Sugar, baby, are you okay?”

  Katy didn’t have the chance to respond to Levi’s question as Con shushed him as he raced down the hall. “Mate! She’s asleep.”

  She managed to croak out a response, sounding more like a hoarse whisper than the volume she’d intended. “I’m awake.”

  “Why didn’t you call me?” Levi knelt before her and ran his fingers gently through her hair. Katy turned into his touch, nuzzling against his hand. Featherlight kisses rained down on her temple as he caressed her.

  “You were filming. I didn’t want to interrupt.”

  “Next time, interrupt. You’re more important than filming. If you needed me, I would have been here.” Levi rested his forehead against hers and whispered, “I can’t lose you, too.”

  “You won’t. Ever.” Katy closed her hands around Levi’s shirt and held him close. She didn’t realize how much she’d needed the reassurance that they were solid until Levi had voiced his own worries. He had nothing to fear—she loved Levi. Needed him like the earth needed the sun to sustain life.

  “Rest, sugar. I’ve got you.” The couch shifted, and the heat from Levi’s solid body moved away. Katy didn’t want him to leave, but she knew he needed to speak with Con. She hated intruding on their conversation, but her head still pounded every time she moved. They’d be picking her arse off the floor if she tried to give them some space.

  “So?” Levi asked, almost petulantly. Katy opened her eyes again, craning her neck to see into the kitchen. Levi was crowding him into the corner. He may have been a few inches shorter than Con, but their height difference didn’t matter then. Levi was using his bulk. “What’s goin’ on?”

  “I, um….” Con looked away,
his shoulders dropping.

  “What? You’re moving in with her?”

  “Yeah, um, something like that,” Con muttered, still not meeting Levi’s eyes. Levi was defensive, hurt. Chest to chest with his best friend, his fists clenched, his body language screamed aggression, but Katy knew him better. He was all bluster, and once the wind went out of his sails, he’d be broken inside unless Con treaded carefully. “I’m here to pick up some stuff.”

  Levi grasped Con’s shirt in his fists and shook him. “What?” The shock and incredulity were obvious in his tone. “Last week you didn’t even want to get serious with her, and now you’re movin’ in together?”

  Con pushed Levi’s hands away. They fell easily when he sidestepped Levi’s grip. “It isn’t really your problem though, is it?”

  “No, of course not.” Levi leaned against the kitchen cupboards looking defeated. He wore his heart on his sleeve and Con was breaking it all over again. “But mates look out for each other, don’t they?”

  “Yeah. Yeah, they do.” Con nodded, running his hand through his hair. “Sorry, man, I’ve been a bit stressed out about this. It’s a big decision.”

  Levi reached out, this time gripping Con’s arm, spinning the other man away from Katy. “Why don’t you take things a little slower if it’s worrying you?”

  Con shrugged out of Levi’s grip but reached up to squeeze his shoulder. “Soup’s ready, mate. Don’t leave Katy waiting. She hasn’t eaten anything all day.” He spun and walked to the front of the house, but even Katy could see the unshed tears in his eyes. Con was hurting too. She just didn’t understand why.

  “Suit yourself then. Don’t talk,” Levi snapped. Slamming down a bowl, Katy was surprised it didn’t shatter. Fists resting on the benchtop, he stood there, breathing hard. Katy moved, tentatively standing up and walking towards him. Lightheaded, she gripped onto the furniture as she silently padded over, the timber floors warm under her bare feet.

  Katy reached out for Levi, but as she did, Con came back in. He wasn’t carrying anything, but that didn’t mean anything—he probably had his bags stacked at the front door.

  “Guys, I’m gonna go.”

  “Con,” she pleaded, “please think about this. We don’t want to see you get hurt. We love you.”

  “I love you, too. But I need to do this. Please understand,” he replied, cupping her face in his hands.

  “We’ll stand by you, whatever you decide. And our door is always open for you to come home. Just don’t shut us out, please.” Katy’s eyes welled with tears. She didn’t want to lose him again, but Con was slipping from her grasp. Levi’s strong arms wrapped around her, his big body behind her. Her man gave her strength, but knowing Con was going to walk away tore her heart out.

  “Don’t worry about me, Cupcake. Don’t get upset. I need to do this. I’m not ready to talk about it yet, but I need to do it.”

  “I’ll call you soon.” Katy slipped her arms around his waist. Levi still had a hold of her. It was like he couldn’t let her go either. “Thanks for looking after me.”

  “Anytime, Cupcake.”

  Con flashed a weak smile at Levi. His eyes were expressive, often revealing much more than Con thought he did. This time she saw so much emotion in them, none of it good. If he was moving in with Miranda and he was happy about it, why did he look so damn sad? Resignation, misery, and heartbreak were written all over Con’s face. The dark rings under his eyes suddenly looked more like sleeplessness rather than nights being in a lover’s arms. Watching him turn away, hands in his pockets, his gaze focussed on the floor, Con looked broken. Why was he doing this? Why was he leaving again?

  “Babe,” she gasped, her tears falling freely. Levi sheltered her in his arms while she cried, tucking her against his body and holding her close. His shuddering breaths left her in no doubt he was struggling too. Watching Con walk away the second time was easily as bad as the first.

  *****

  “Hi Miranda,” Katy greeted her friend when she picked up her mobile. “How are you, sweetie?” She’d been as quiet as Con over the last week, and now that Katy was feeling better, she was determined she was going to catch up with her friends again. She and Levi needed to get back the balance they had in their friendship with Con, and now, with his girlfriend. As much as it pained Katy, seeing him with Miranda was better than not having him in her life at all.

  “Fine,” Miranda responded sharply. Katy’s eyebrows hiked up, and she pulled the phone away from her ear looking at it as if it would shed some light on her friend’s murderous tone.

  “Is Con there?” Katy asked tentatively. “I told him I’d call him, but he’s not answering his mobile. I thought maybe we could catch up.”

  Miranda huffed out a laugh but it didn’t sound happy. “He didn’t tell you, did he? Fucking coward.”

  “Tell me what?” Confusion laced her tone, and she frowned. What in the hell was her friend talking about?

  “Ask the arsehole yourself,” she growled before adding, “He hasn’t been here since I kicked him out.” When there was no further explanation, Katy pulled the phone away from her ear again. Miranda had hung up, the line between them dead. What the hell just happened? Tell me what?

  Katy dialled Con’s phone again and left yet another message. Then she waited. And waited. She had a partially decorated cake sitting in the cool room waiting for her, but there was no way she could concentrate on it with her current mood. Stripping out of her chef’s whites, she hung the jacket on the hook behind her office door and sat in front of her computer, attempting to get her mind around the mountain of paperwork sitting in her in-tray. An hour later she was pacing, walking back and forth across the length of her small office. It was quiet, so still that she could hear the ticking of her watch as the seconds crawled by.

  The shrill ring of her mobile cut through the air and startled her so much that Katy fumbled, dropping it despite the death grip she’d had on it. Skittering under the desk, Katy was down on her knees in a flash, reaching for it.

  “Hi, Con,” she said, sitting up and smashing her head on the desk. Rubbing the spot at the back of her crown, she complained, “Ow, shit that hurt.”

  “You okay, Cupcake?” he asked, concerned.

  “Yeah, I smashed my head on the desk. Why haven’t you been answering?”

  “Cut to the chase next time.” He laughed nervously.

  Katy was confused and downright frustrated at his evasiveness. Her tone was cutting. “Don’t change the subject.”

  “Okay, okay. I’m on a lunchbreak at the moment. I have to finish off this part of Lee’s bike I’m working on. Why don’t I come over tonight and we can talk?”

  “Or we could come over to wherever you’re staying.” From Con’s intake of breath, Katy knew she’d hit a sore spot. “Where is that by the way?”

  The extended pause on the line had Katy wondering whether he’d answer, but his quiet response shocked her. “Nick and Emma’s.”

  Nick and Emma’s? Katy blinked, her jaw slack before the indignation set in. Far louder than she should have for her business, she accused, “You’re staying at my cousin’s house and you didn’t even bother to fucking tell me. What the hell, Connor?”

  “I needed some time to think. I’m sorry. For everything. I’ll come over tonight and explain.”

  Clenching her teeth together to stop herself from saying something she’d regret, Katy ground out, “I’ll be home by six tonight. Make sure your arse is there.”

  “Okay,” he responded quietly before hanging up. Fury and devastation warred for the top spot in her psyche. Why did he go to Nick’s rather than come home to us? What did we do to drive him away? All the ups and downs she and Levi had been through over the past week, going back to that place they were in—that limbo—when he was enlisted, was for nothing. A part of her heart had been missing, and Levi had spent the whole week on edge, constantly checking his phone for a missed call or text and hovering over his email account. And for what?
So Con could enjoy a beach holiday rather than coming home to them?

  Katy shot off a text to Levi. Six o’clock couldn’t come soon enough.

  SEVEN

  Levi

  S omething was up, but whatever it was, Katy wasn’t talking. She’d sent him a cryptic message about making sure he was home by six because Connor would be there. Like he was a damn teenaged girl at a One Direction concert—or whoever the teeny boppers were listening too now that they’d split up (and Levi wouldn’t admit to liking any of Louis, Harry, Zayne, Niall or Liam’s songs)—giddy excitement had filled him at the news. But for some reason, Katy wasn’t happy.

  The knock on the door had his girlfriend stomping down the hall to answer it. “Hey,” he heard Connor greet her. He couldn’t hear Katy’s response, but from her mood, he could just imagine her standing at the door, arms crossed with a scowl on her face and motioning with a tilt of her head for Connor to come in. Levi grinned. His girl was a firecracker.

  “How are you feeling?” Connor asked tentatively as they entered the room. Sure enough, Katy wore a scowl and still had her arms crossed over her chest, but his eyes were drawn to the man behind her. The shackles around his heart loosened a little. Seeing him, being in the same room as Connor had Levi desperate to go to him. Relief and something a lot stronger flooded through him, the butterflies in his belly taking flight. Levi had the crazy urge to trace his fingertips along the beard his friend had grown, to smell his scent again, to just be close to him. He’d never wanted to touch another man so much.

  Katy sighed and answered. “I’m fine.” She gave him a small smile. “It didn’t take long to feel better once I got rid of the fever.”

  “Good, I’m glad.” Their conversation was strained, and Levi was clueless as to why. He hated being on the outside, but considering the tension, he was glad he was.