Leaning back into her chair, Leah blew out a long breath. “I don’t have that many friends,” she confessed. “Since moving down, I’ve spent my time either working or at my sister’s. I’ve never been a social butterfly. Even when I was a kid, I spent most of my time in my room. Maggie was the popular one. She used to call me ‘Bookworm’.”
“At least you can attract men like Ty.”
Leah laughed. “You’ve probably slept with more men than I have! Ty told me all about the Christmas party.”
“Don’t believe everything you hear. My bedpost is still firmly intact. Not enough notches to cause a scratch, never mind break it.” Rainie pushed a few stray hairs behind her ear before shoving her glasses up her nose.
“Then that’s something we have in common. My exes, my ex,” she corrected herself, “wasn’t that great. Ty is a breath of fresh air compared to the garbage I’ve had to deal with. I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize that.”
“Then why are you here with me and not with him? If I had a man like Ty, I wouldn’t let him out of my sights.”
“What about Lance?”
“He’s kind enough, and fantastic in bed, but who am I kidding? Look at me. Why would he want more than a one-night stand with someone who looks like they belong in a cake factory?”
“You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. I’m going to grab something to eat, do you want another coffee?”
“Thank you.” Rainie nodded and watched as Leah made her way to the counter.
Leah nudged a coffee across the table, settling her own next to a plastic tub of salad and couscous with a thick slab of crusty bread on a separate plate. Even shoveling forkfuls of lettuce and cucumber into her mouth, Leah looked refined and elegant.
“Congratulations on being an aunty, by the way.”
“Thank you.” Leah picked up the bread and began slathering it with butter. Real butter.
“Are you doing anything tonight?”
“Ty’s taking me out for a meal.”
“Oh. That’ll be nice.”
“Maybe we can all double date one day.”
“I don’t know… I’m not sure Lance and I are anything more than a one-night thing.”
“Has he called you?”
“No,” she said quietly, hiding in her coffee mug.
“Have you called him?”
“Have you thought about what you’re going to do in September?” Rainie asked, changing the subject. “I mean, Mrs. Davis isn’t going to be thrilled about one of her teachers dating the caretaker—her nephew.”
Silence hung between them like a heavy weight, the only sound coming from the counter as the barista clunked mugs and cups together, stacking them in the dishwasher.
“How much do you know about Ty?” Leah asked, pushing her empty tub aside.
“A fair amount. He’s one of the only members of staff who talks to me about anything apart from parents and students.” She paused. “I’m sorry for the things I said. It wasn’t my place to tell you his secrets.”
“I’m glad you did. We talked a lot.”
“Good,” Rainie said, taking another sip of her coffee. “That’s good.”
Leah looked at her colleague, her friend. “What do you think I should do?” She had thought about September, how they were going to deal with their relationship—if that’s what it was—once they were back at school, but hadn’t thought about Hilary specifically. Questions began to race through her mind. Would she fire Ty? Would she fire her? What were the rules on dating colleagues? She wondered where she’d put the staff handbook. In a box somewhere, probably back at Maggie and Neil’s.
“Be honest,” Rainie offered. “She’s Ty’s aunt, he must know how to get hold of her. Maybe talk to her before we go back? That way she’s got a few weeks to get her head around it. Or don’t. Keep it secret.”
“Not helpful,” Leah muttered, finishing her coffee. She grabbed her phone and checked the time. “Sorry,” she said, shaking her head as she realized how rude she must have sounded. “It’s my problem, not yours.” She looked up. “You won’t tell anyone, will you?”
“Who am I going to tell? I have to go.” Rainie grabbed her oversize bag, slinging it over her shoulder. “I need to ring Lance. At least then I’ll know if it’s more than a fling.”
“Of course. Sorry. You have your own relationship issues, you don’t need me adding to it all.”
“It’s not that.” Rainie sighed. “I’m glad you asked me to meet you. It’s nice to know that somebody wants to talk to me. I hope that we can stay friends.”
Leah couldn’t help but feel sorry for her, wishing that other people would look past the dowdy mask that Rainie wore. “Definitely.” She stood up and gave her friend a tight hug. “Please let me know how it goes with Lance.”
“I will.” She made to leave, stopping midstride and turning back to face Leah. “You know, I’m almost glad that what happened happened. I wish I’d listened to you about Jerry before.”
Leah gave a small shrug. “I’ve known men like him before.”
Rainie left, and Leah not long after, heading back to Maggie and Neil’s for the remainder of her belongings.
Chapter Thirty
Ty swiped his thumb over the red icon on his phone. He felt like slamming the mobile into the steering wheel. Jerry was determined to make life difficult for him. Had he honestly thought that they were going to live like that forever, constantly sharing and swapping women as if they were magazines or clothes? His cheek muscle ticked as anger built inside him.
He took a deep breath, blowing out the rage. Jerry had agreed to move out and collect his meager possessions in a couple of days, but it hadn’t stopped him from having a dig about Leah, about how she didn’t know the real Ty, and if she did, she’d run a mile.
He got out of the car and unlocked the boot, taking out the heavy bags of shopping. He’d promised to take her out, their first proper date, but he’d left it too late to book a table and hoped that she’d be happy to settle for a home-cooked meal instead.
Bags trying to break his fingers, he wrestled with the key to unlock the front door, but it wouldn’t twist. Using his elbow to weigh down the handle, the door creaked open enough for him to step over the threshold.
The hall was littered with boxes and bags and suitcases. Treading around them, he made his way into the kitchen and left the shopping on the side. Confused, he went to the bottom of the stairs, leaning on the banister. “Leah?” he called.
She popped her head around the doorframe to his bedroom. “Oh, hi. I wasn’t expecting you back yet.”
“How’d you get in?”
“Lance let me in. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Mind? Of course not, but I thought you said… Never mind. I have some bad news.”
Leah stepped onto the small landing at the top of the stairs and frowned.
“Everywhere is fully booked tonight.”
She screwed her lips to one side. “Okay. Maybe another night.”
“But I got steak.” He looked over his shoulder, at all the stuff that was clogging his hall. “Sooo… Does this mean that I’ve earned you moving in?”
“It’s not all mine.” She smiled, walking down the stairs. “Lance started boxing some of Jerry’s stuff up.”
“I didn’t even realize Lance was still here. I thought he left this morning.”
“He’s not. He’s gone out now. He was meeting Rainie. I think Jerry gave him his key.” She reached the bottom step, flinging her arms around his neck. “I get the feeling that he doesn’t want to see you. Can’t think why…” Leah pressed her lips against his. He kissed her back, opening his mouth slightly and using his tongue to part her lips, tasting coffee and warmth. Placing his hands on her hips, he gave her a sharp tug so that she could feel the stirring within his jeans. He put his palms over the curve of her backside and squeezed gently. She murmured in response, and he felt her tighten against him.
“I could take you right
here, right now,” he said, his voice low and filled with intent.
“You could… Or you could start cooking that steak while I have a shower and get changed. Lugging boxes and suitcases around has made me hot and sweaty.” She kissed him again before struggling out of his grasp and jogging back upstairs.
“I don’t mind hot and sweaty, you know,” he called after her. “You’re only going to end up that way later anyway.” Ty shook his head and laughed, steering around the boxes and back into the kitchen.
* * * *
Ty had set the table to be as romantic as he could—chip-free plates, polished cutlery and a single candle in the center. He wished he’d bought a tablecloth and napkins, or more candles maybe.
“It looks amazing,” Leah said, appearing in the doorway.
He took her in. Her hair had been styled into soft golden waves that hugged her naked shoulders. She’d kept her makeup neutral, emphasizing her natural beauty. It was a look that complemented that strapless, figure-hugging dress with its black and flesh tone flowers, all finished with a pair of black courts that had heels high enough so that she almost equaled his height. “Fuck me,” he exhaled.
“Maybe later. You haven’t earned that yet.” She stepped forward and he pulled a chair out, waiting for her to sit before edging it to the table. “Mmm… It smells delicious.”
He poured out two glasses of red wine before taking his own seat. “I would have done chips, but thought a salad might be less filling.”
“You trying to say I’m fat?” she asked, one eyebrow raised and amusement sparkling in her blue eyes. He didn’t reply, instead taking a large mouthful of steak, savoring the meaty juices that saturated his tongue. She laughed and started eating her own meal.
They talked and laughed throughout the meal, avoiding the subjects of work, who was living where and unwanted friends. But all the time, each topic nagged at his subconscious. He was still trying to figure her out. One minute she was living with him then she wasn’t, then his hall was filled with her boxes.
“I’m sorry it’s not a proper date,” he said.
“It’s fine.” He wasn’t sure if she was just trying to appease him or if she meant it. She placed her knife and fork down on the plate, flicking her gaze to meet his. “We don’t have to go looking for some seedy alley this way.”
“What if I’ve created a masterpiece of a dessert?”
“We’ll eat it afterward,” she said, shoving herself away from the table and walking into the hallway. He didn’t follow her immediately, caught off guard by her brazenness and the way that it had affected him. His cock, straining at his jeans, begged him to run after her.
He found her on his bed, naked apart from a black thong and the heels, leaning against the pillows.
“Fuck…me…” he said, almost breathing out each word.
“Oh, that’s exactly what I plan to do.” Her lips curved into a wicked smile.
She wasn’t sure if it was the talk with Rainie that had left her with a very clear mind, or the wine that had fogged her brain, but something had sparked her confidence. Ty had obviously been pleased with her decision to move in. She’d felt his arousal thick and hot against her pelvis when he’d pulled her into a hug earlier. And the mouthwatering dinner he’d prepared only added to his perfection
He looked as yummy as the meal, which didn’t help. Dark jeans and a pale shirt that stretched over what she knew was well-defined muscle. Whatever the reason, she’d been overcome with a desperate need to thank him.
She’d considered going to the wardrobe and giving him a range of toys to use on her, maybe even letting him use the riding crop on her naked backside. Once she’d gotten into the bedroom, though, she’d made her mind up. She wasn’t going to let him do all the work. In fact, she wasn’t going to let him do any of it. She was going to show him exactly what she’d learned since being with him.
He stood at the end of the bed, and she knew there was going to be a power struggle. The look in his dark green eyes told her what he wanted to do, and none of it involved her being able to move. She sucked on her bottom lip, contemplating her next move. Before she could say anything he was kneeling between her legs, hands braced on her thighs, forcing them apart.
Playfully, she fought him, hooking her ankles beneath his ass “For as long as we’ve been doing this, I’ve been the student,” she said. Ty let go of her legs and started to undo the buttons of his shirt. She brought one of her feet round and pressed the stiletto heel into his chest, wagging a finger at him. “Not yet,” she scolded.
Ty grabbed her ankle, lifting her foot toward his mouth. He kissed the shiny toe of her shoe, trailing up to the sensitive flesh of her foot. She stifled a laugh as he tickled her with his kisses.
“You’ll ruin the mood if I kick you in the face,” she said, pulling out of his grip, landing her foot a bit too close to his crotch. She gazed at the bulge between his legs, centimeters from her toe, and let out a hum of delight. “And I want to show you what I’ve learned.”
“You think you’re ready for that?” A bemused smile tweaked his lips.
“I’ve been through your cupboard of intrigue.” She threw a nod to the wardrobe at the end of the room.
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “You really haven’t.” Ty dropped over her, bracing his hands either side of her arms. “There is so much more that I could show you.”
“Really,” she mused, wriggling her arms free. She lifted her hands and let her fingers tangle at the back of his head. “Well, why don’t you give me an assessment now, and then show me how I could improve later?”
Ty laughed. “Do I get to grade you?”
“Maybe…” Leah leaned forward and crushed her lips to his, parting her mouth and allowing him to swipe his tongue over hers. Letting go of his head, she pressed a palm to his chest, toying with the buttons until she could feel the warmth of his skin beneath her touch.
Ty pulled away, kneeling back between her thighs. He hooked his fingers in the waistband of her thong and twanged it. “I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that I’m not a huge fan of you wearing underwear. It gets in the way.”
“It’s hardly in the way,” she said, widening her thighs so that he could see exactly how little flesh the thin piece of material was hiding. Tugging at the elastic, he pulled the thong down her legs and dropped it by the side of the bed. Leah frowned. “Am I getting those back?”
“What do you think?”
“That you have a serious underwear fetish, and that I can’t afford to keep replacing the pairs you steal.”
“Then don’t.” He kissed her knee, holding on to her ankle, his fingers teasing across the heel of her shoe. “But these can stay.”
She let out a gasp as Ty grabbed her waist, rolling and flipping them over until he was beneath her. He folded his arms under his head and grinned at her. “Go on then,” he urged. “Impress me.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Leah sat on his thighs, her fingers lightly playing with the button of his jeans. She enjoyed looking at him—there was something seductive about the way he was watching her, lying on the bed with the top three buttons of his shirt undone, showing off the bare, tan skin underneath.
Carefully she undid his waistband, gently pulling the zip down before reaching in and holding her palm over his boxer shorts, reveling in the heat that pulsated from his hard cock. She felt it twitch and wondered if he was aching for her as much as she was for him. She delved into his boxers and released the velvet of his shaft into her hand, wrapping her fingers around him. He groaned, closing his eyes in a long, slow blink, as she ran her hand up and down, running her thumb over the vein that traced from root to tip.
“This isn’t fair, you know. Yet again, you’re wearing more clothes than me.”
“What’s your point?” He looked her in the eye and smirked. She raised an eyebrow in response, letting go of his cock and moving off the bed. “Hey,” he cooed. “Get back here.”
Turning her b
ack on him, she walked over to the wardrobe, opened the doors and removed the silk ties. For a brief moment she scanned over the rest of the items and wondered what was hiding in the drawers that she hadn’t looked in yet. She swallowed down the lump of apprehension, forced a smile and turned back to face him.
“What are you doing with those?”
“Well…” She strode toward him. “You like to tie me up, do what you want to me… I want to see what it’s like to be in complete control.”
“Do you know what you’re doing?” he asked as she began to wrap an end around one of his wrists. It struck her that she didn’t have a clue. He’d told her that there were specific ways to tie the knots, so that if there were any problems she’d be able to break free.
“Not really,” she admitted, tying the free end around the metal bar of the bed.
“There’s safety scissors in the bedside table,” he said, and nodded. “In case you need them.”
“Scissors?” She pulled at the top drawer, and sure enough there was a pair of scissors in there—the kind that paramedics used, with a blunt end. “I’m not sure if I should be concerned.”
“Safety is paramount.” He smiled. “But please, continue…” He held his other wrist out to her, allowing her to wrap the silk ribbon around him.
“Are you sure?”
“If you want to be in control, you have to be confident that you know I’m safe.”
“You’re laughing at me,” she said with a pout.
“I trust you.” He chuckled. “I’m also grading you, remember?”
She knelt over his waist, her free breasts hanging inches from his face. He leaned forward and took a nipple into his mouth, rolling his tongue over the erect flesh and eliciting a cry from her. She didn’t pull away as he continued to suck on her as she tied his other wrist to the bed. Leah moved out of his reach and ran her fingers around his wrists, checking that she wasn’t cutting off his circulation.
Taking Care Of Leah Page 15