Down Under Complete Trilogy Box Set

by S. M Phillips

  The rest of the evening passes by without any further drama, thank god. Both Mal and Daisy seem to have enjoyed everyone's company immensely and they now sit out on the patio hand in hand looking happier than I have ever seen them.

  “Hey." Melissa whispers as she sneaks up behind me, a little bit merry from the alcohol that she's consumed over the last few hours.

  “Hey yourself." I whisper back to her. "Why are we whispering?"

  “I have no idea. Me and Heath are gonna head off soon." A megawatt smile brightens her whole face at the mention of his name.

  “Jeez, you've got it so bad. Go, go, get out of here then, you animal."

  “Awesome. One last thing. Could you let Heath know that I'll wait for him down the road, the last thing we want is Mr Moody catching us and ruining our fun."

  “No way will Max overreact as much as you think he will. He's gonna be more pissed that you both kept it from him."

  “Jess, I fucking love you. Really, really love you." Her hands grab my face as she kisses me on the lips. Slowly she pulls back to look at me, worry written all over her face. "I'm not ready for him to find out yet, okay? Please don't tell him and ruin this for me."

  “Go on then, quickly before he comes over." I get that she's having the time of her life right now, but I don't like lies. If everyone was completely honest with each other, then people wouldn't get hurt as often as they do.

  “You're amazing, Jess." I'm still laughing at her as she staggers to the door, while slurring her goodbyes to everyone, when I feel a strong, dominant presence behind me. I force myself to stay focused, but fucking hell it's hard.

  Whenever he is near me I melt. His voice alone is hypnotic. His hand rests just over the curve of my backside as he leans in close to me.

  “It makes me so fucking happy that you two get on so well."

  “Yeah, she's a gem. I guess I've found my Jen away from home." I tilt my head slightly and look up to see him examining me with his eyes. His eyebrows hitch up a little, when he finally registers what I have just said. Without warning his head goes back on a laugh.

  “Yeah, I can see it now. It's uncanny how familiar they are." His face turns softer as he bends his head down towards me. "Jess. It makes me happy to see you happy."

  “What did Stella want, earlier?" The words fly out of my mouth before I have a chance to stop them. Me and my big fat gob, me and my big fat gob mixed with alcohol. Way to go Jess. Max's eyes darken and a frown creases his forehead very briefly and then a smile finds itself on his face again, as he looks at me.

  “It was nothing important, angel."

  “Oh." I reply, deeply disappointed with his answer. His tone sounded final and I decide not to press the issue any further. I just don't get why he won't tell me. I know that it's absolutely none of my business, but the other part of me is screaming to find out what that manipulating bitch is up to.

  “Stella is definitely going to be an issue for me while I'm here you know?" There, I've said it a few times. Now it's up to him to decide how he plays this. I don't expect him to actually fire her, but I'd fucking love it if he did. My head is swiftly pulled up so that I am forced to look directly at him, his finger and thumb securely holding my chin in place so that I can't pull away.

  “It wasn't important angel, okay? Stella isn't important. Shit, no one is important to me, not the way you are. Do you understand?"

  Shitting hell. When he looks at me like that my head goes fuzzy and I lose all sense of everything completely, aside from the two of us in this little bubble.

  "I said okay?" Max repeats his question while eagerly waiting for me to reply.

  “Okay." Is all I manage to get out before his lips come crashing down against mine. Automatically the outside world separates itself from me and Max, as we search each other desperately, both of us wanting and needing more. His hand presses harder against the base of my spine, pulling me into him as close as he can get. My body is on fire once again, as I feel him harden against me. It takes every ounce of strength that I have to pull away as I remember our surroundings.

  Fuck

  I can't believe I have just allowed that to happen, at Mal's house of all places. As I slowly peel myself out of his arms a loud round of applause erupts around us.

  “About bloody time too, I say." My eyes rest on Max, before I turn my head to the left to see both Mal and Daisy beaming at us with delight. Talk about embarrassing and I suddenly feel about twelve.

  “Make sure you treat her properly Maxwell, otherwise it will be me that you'll be dealing with, you hear?"

  “Maxwell?" I ask with a shy grin creeping across my face. Maybe I should call him Maxwell from now on. Judging from the discomfort written across his face I think I could have endless amounts of fun with it. Max's arms embrace me as I'm pulled in close. All I want right now is for the world to open up and swallow me whole, anything to stop my flustered face being watched by speculating eyes.

  “Well I think it's lovely, dear and it's good that the two of you have made up. Just remember to let him know who's boss and you should be fine." Daisy's comment causes a laugh to break free, easing my embarrassment, a little.

  “Oh, you can most definitely count on it." I smile as I take in the wonderful people around me and wonder just how long this feeling of euphoria will last.

  "Are you ready to go?" I'm seated on the lounge chair discussing business with Mal, when Max interrupts me mid conversation.

  “Go where?" I ask, slightly confused while his eyebrows shoot up as if to say, “tell me you're not being serious?"

  “Come on. It's time for me to take you home." My hand is taken within his as I am pulled out of the chair and settled into his warm embrace. His manly smell that is so unique to him, is intoxicating. I don't truly think I will ever get my fill of him. I manage to say goodbye to Mal and Daisy just before Max begins ushering me down the driveway. He's bloody one dominating man, but I guess that's just Max and he is who he is, and in all honesty, I wouldn’t change him for the world.

  We walk in silence for a while, neither of us sober enough to drive. It's not an awkward silence, more of a we're comfortable just stealing shy glances at each other kind of silence, and it's nice. My hand is entwined within Max's and that contact alone has my skin breaking out in a heated glow.

  “Where are we going?" I ask after sometime. Everywhere is still completely new to me, but at least Max is by my side leading the way.

  “Always questions, angel." My heart flutters as his face shines brightly against the moonlight. He is absolute perfection. "Try and trust me just once?" His eyes plead for me to trust him and my heart smiles at that perfect, beautiful face of his. I'd love nothing more than to trust him fully, but he and I both know that I've been burnt too many times for that to happen.

  After a few more minutes we stop at a path leading out to the ocean.

  “Where are we?" I ask, me and my curious mind never stops.

  “This is one of my favourite places. I usually come here when I need to think, or take a time out."

  “So you spend a lot of time here, then?" His shoulders are set, his facial expression hard and serious. I remain silent as his mouth opens and closes a few times as if he wants to say something, but each time he decides against it.

  “It's so beautiful here." I'm envious that Max gets to experience this every day. I think if I were to live here permanently, there would be no way that I'd be able to get everything done that I needed to with all these gorgeous distractions.

  “What happens next?"

  “Hmm?" I'm barely listening as I imprint these breath taking images into my mind for an eternity.

  “You and me angel. Where do we go from here? I can't and won't lose you again, no matter what. Fuck, I'm trying here Jess, but I told you I'm no fucking good at this shit."

  My loveable rogue walks away from me with his hands running through his hair in frustration. I begin to walk towards him when he suddenly spins on his heels and turns back to
me.

  “Stay." It comes out more of a painful plea, than a question. Stay? What does he mean? I'm already at Melissa's and I'm happy there for now.

  “I'm okay at Melissa's. Plus, she loves having another female around apparently. We’ve already been through how much your sister loves me." I laugh, a little bit tipsy from the alcohol that I’ve consumed. Max stalks forward towards me looking like a man on a mission. He gently places both hands on my face tenderly, before placing a chaste kiss on my lips and then onto my forehead.

  “I mean... Fuck. Stay with me. Stay here permanently, goddamit."

  “Max..." I begin but have no idea how I am going to end that sentence. What the hell does he expect me to say to that?

  “I don't care what it takes, Jess. I need you. Fucking hell, even my home doesn't feel like home when you're not there. That's now much you affect me, how much you have changed me. I don't care how; all I know is that I need you with me."

  Whoa. Where is all this coming from? As much as I would love to, I just can't give up my life back home for him at the click of his fingers, not matter how beautiful and imperfect he is.

  “I can't just drop everything that I have ever known Max, not just like that."

  “Why not?" His face remains impassive, while searching mine and his serious deep blue’s burn right into me, pleading for me to give him the one answer that I can't.

  “You're being deadly serious, aren't you?" Oh, fucking hell he is as well. I haven’t got a clue where this is all coming from. He’s going back and forth like a bloody yo-yo and I can’t keep up with him.

  “I've never been more serious about anything in my whole entire life, Jess. Fuck, I'll move back to London if that's what it takes."

  “Don't be so stupid Max. There is no way that you're coming back to London, ever. Mal's finally settled here and I thought that's what you wanted."

  “It was, it is. Shit, I just don't know any more, Jess. All I know is that I need to be with you, wherever you are. I just can't bear the thought of you walking out of my life, never to return again."

  His hands are still cupping my face and I'm rendered speechless. For all of his beauty, he clearly has no fucking brains. I highly doubt he even knows what he's saying right now.

  “You haven't known me long enough to drop everything Max. One day you will wake up and realise that it was the biggest mistake that you have ever made."

  “No day with you could ever be a mistake, angel. Only the ones that I spend without you by my side."

  Jess

  I look over at the clock on my bedside table and see that it's just past midnight. No matter how hard I try, I just can't settle. The anxiety that has been eating away at me since the afternoon has me on edge and I have no idea why. Admitting defeat I slowly put my feet down on the floor and pull myself out of bed. Coffee. Coffee solves everything, so I make my way in that direction to the kitchen. Judging by the clothes that are scattered here and there, I think it's safe to say that Heath is currently occupying Melissa's bedroom. The kinky bitch.

  As much as I wanted to stay with Max last night and as much as he pleaded for me to do so, I surprised myself by staying strong and just about resisted his charm. After his sudden declaration and proposition, all I wanted to do was clear my head and there would be no chance of that if I had taken him up on his very tempting offer. I also didn't want to jump back into us again with my eyes closed. Instead I quite proudly told him, "if you want this to work, we need baby steps. One day at a time and we'll see what happens." Needless to say, in true Max style, he didn't take it very well at all. It took half an hour of me pleading with him, to see my reasons behind it until he finally stopped spitting his dummy out.

  If Max is going to be with me, then he needs to get used to hearing the word no. I know it's not going to be easy, but I guess nothing really is. The bloody stubborn man. In a way I've done nothing but punish myself really, because had I not have been so stubborn myself, I know that right now I would be either having hot wild sex, or deep in a slumber from said hot wild sex. As soon as I finish my coffee, I go back to my room and await the sleep that I need to overtake me.

  There's no sign of Melissa as I finally come waltzing into the living area just after midday. There is also no living proof that Heath was here either. I'll give it to them both, they know how to clean up after themselves. Before I leave, one thing is for certain. If Melissa and Heath are as into each other as they make out, then she's going to have to tell Max. It's not fair for them to keep this from him. Maybe if they're upfront with him, he won't fly of the handle as much when they tell him. If Heath makes her happy, then I really don't see the problem. We're all adults here.

  Men.

  I don't think we will ever really understand them, but with that being said, do we really want to?

  As soon as my coffee is freshly brewed I pull up at the island and pull out my phone hoping to see a message from Jen or George to relieve me from feeling so homesick. Swiping over the screen, all I see are my apps. No missed calls, no emails, Nothing. She's probably a little occupied with Luke, still I decide to send her an email. Maybe she can read it when she's not attached to his man piece.

  Hey bitch,How are you? I'm missing you like crazy here and you can't even be bothered to call or send me a quick text. Paradise just kind of turned perfect. Me and Max are going to give it another go and see what happens. Baby steps, definitely baby steps this time. He explained what happened with that psycho wench, yes I know, I know, I actually allowed him to talk. I'm still shocked at my kindness too.

  How are things with Luke? You've been a bit quiet lately, so you're either constantly at it, or something has happened that you're keeping from me. I swear to god it better not be the latter because you know I will hunt you down.Well, call me when you can.

  Love you xx

  "I love how you look when you've just woken up, but it should be my bed where I first see you." My head snaps up at that voice instantly. The voice that can cause feelings within me that no other can.

  “You shouldn't be here. We've been through this already and I thought that you had agreed." I point at him, yet secretly pleased that he has turned up out of the blue. I just pray that he doesn't decide to have a strop again. I don't think I can cope with two in twenty-four hours.

  “If I remember correctly, I agreed to whatever made you happy and right now, I'd say your face looks pretty fucking happy."

  “I'm happy..." I begin but I'm swiftly cut off as his mouth reaches mine, his stubble lightly grazing over my skin as he devours me whole and consumes me in every way. Mind, body and soul. He tastes of sun, coffee and Max which is a lethal combination and has me hungry for more, almost instantly. I pull back remembering my words from last night and I push half-heartedly against his chest, which in turn causes his hands to tighten within my hair a little bit harder.

  “I've missed you, angel."

  “You need to stop doing this." I whisper as soon as I pull myself fully out of his grasp. A frown forms across his face as he tries to figure out my meaning. "Trying to overrule everything I say."

  “But angel, that's what I do. You say one thing and you know that I'm going to do the complete opposite. It’s who I am."

  Max

  My eyes trail her every move as she steps around the kitchen. I'm not going anywhere without her no matter what she says, so I have made myself comfortable on the barstool. I can wait all day if I have too. She knows I'm not leaving until she is ready and she's taking her sweet arse time about it too. Who am I to complain with a view that fucking good? She really is something else and I fucking love the effect I have over her. Fuck, if only she knew what kind of effect she had over me. I have to push myself down to ease the fucking throb that she's caused by prancing around in shorter than short pants and her nipples fully erect through her skin tight vest top. I feel like I'm about to combust just from fucking looking at her. It's no good, I'm left with no choice but to try and re-arrange myself as she teasingly walk
s past me. Reaching out I grab hold of her waist and draw her in so that I can feel her perfect warm flesh against me.

  “Don't even try to persuade me, Max." She laughs as I hold her tighter. I grab her hand and place it firmly on my crotch.

  “You see how you fucking affect me, woman? You drive me fucking crazy and if I wanted to persuade you angel, you'd never have a chance to get away."

  “Jeez. Leave the poor girl alone, Max. I'm all for a bit of PDA but I don't need bodily fluids all over my kitchen, guys." I instantly feel Jess try to pull away at Melissa's words, but I keep a firm hold on her.

  “Calm down, Liss. Anyone would think you were a prude." The snort that comes from Jess at my words is so fucking cute. What the hell is this woman doing to me? I'm well and truly fucked?

  “Okay, okay, let me go so I can get dressed. You happy now?" She asks as she turns to glare at me.

  “Very." More than you will ever know Miss Townsend, I think to myself. “Be sure to pack your bikini.” I shout after her.

  "What's with the secrecy?"

  “Hey?" I ask knowing full well what she means.

  “Don't play dumb with me, Wild, where are you taking me?" Her perfect button nose wrinkles from the brightness of the sun and she looks so god damn good. I need to convince her and myself that this is what we need and we can do this, as long as we are in this together.

  “Patience, angel. You'll soon see." I lean in and kiss her edible lips, lips that I could never tire of kissing and savouring. I can tell she's distressed, her posture is stiff and a scowl passes over her face. I've worked out that she hates the unknown, but with me that's something she's going to have to get used to and pretty fast. I don’t do things by the book. Never have and never will. We walk for another fifteen minutes or so down the beach until we finally reach our destination. I cannot wait to see her face when she finds out what we'll be doing. You can't possibly come to the gold coast without experiencing this.