“Banana and pomegranate,” she replied, seating herself at the head of my bed. “They’re both foods said to heighten the sex drive,” she informed, innocently sipping.
“Christ, I don’t think mine needs any help,” I laughed, sitting next to her.
She smirked at my cheeky comment and proceeded to drink. “Right then. Who first?” she asked, making herself content in a cross-legged position.
“You first,” I insisted, copying her movements in getting myself comfortable. “I wanna hear all about what you’ve been getting up to and don’t skimp on the details.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Coincidence?
With each of my locks lightly curled and my body wrapped tightly in a dress that, dare I say, did wonders for my figure, I looked just about ready to smash today’s interview. Though on the inside, felt only capable of shitting bricks.
“God I can’t stop shaking,” I told Luke, who had been nothing short of amazing in my preparation.
Practice interviews, extensive research. You name it; he made me do it all.
“Don’t be nervous. You know everything about the company and you look great,” he insisted, dragging his gaze along the length of my legs.
Sasha had taken me shopping, stating I couldn’t turn up to an interview at a fashion firm looking like a sack of shit (her words, not mine) and made sure I was kitted out in all the relevant gear. She assured me the red heels with the orange platforms looked amazing paired with my black and white skater dress, which fell nicely to my knees. Its zigzag pattern offered the overall design a jazzy vibe and the thick, red belt that held tightly in place at my waist gave the rather straight cut number added shape.
“You sure it’s not too much? The shoes don’t look stupid, do they?”
“No baby, you look just the right amount of sexy and cute,” he ensured, moving from his position to land a kiss on my nose, not wanting to smudge my lipstick.
I twisted to face the full-length mirror and decided that I did indeed look good and needed to stop fussing over my appearance and focus more on what I was going to say.
“What are my weaknesses again?” I questioned, popping the essentials in my bag; keys, phone, polos.
“That whilst working under pressure is a vital skill to have, you don’t often get stressed and therefore others working alongside you may not apply the correct amount of urgency to the task at hand.”
“Right. Yeah, got it,” I replied, turning to face my gorgeous man. “I think I’m ready.”
“Your carriage awaits.”
Luke had offered to drive me, meaning I didn’t have to attempt the London underground with monstrosities on my feet. Battling the tubes was a nightmare at best. Adding five-inch heels to the mix was a recipe for disaster.
Luckily, traffic was light and although likely paying an arm and a leg for congestion charge, I must admit, doing so by car was a much easier way to travel.
“I’ll meet you back here in about an hour, okay?” he smiled, planting a sweet kiss on my cheek. “You’ve got this, sweetheart. Knock 'em dead,” he winked, pulling away shortly after I stepped out.
I watched him carefully manoeuvre his Ford around Berkley Square and once I was assured I had my breathing patterns back to normal, twisted in my stance in order to make my grand entrance. Unfortunately, I didn’t watch where I was going and as I was slammed into a nearby body, I immediately began my apologies, fearful I’d hurt someone in the collision.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry, I’m such a-”
My sentence faltered in the back of my throat as I found myself face-to-face with Mr grey eyes; his sickening smirk and greedy gaze telling me his abrupt presence was anything but coincidental.
“Watch where you’re going, pretty girl. You never know who’s right behind you,” he sniggered, gaining joy from my horrified expression.
His ugly neck tattoos moved as he threw his head back and laughed, the very sound making me recoil in fear. I simply bypassed his looming stance and rushed my way to the double glass doors, on the verge of actual tears.
Don’t cry. Do not cry!
“Hi, Maya Crofton. I have an interview at eleven,” I gushed to the receptionist, checking behind me to make sure he hadn’t followed.
He hadn’t.
“Brilliant. Take a seat Maya, and Francesca will be out shortly. Can I get you a coffee?” she replied; pearly white teeth on show.
“Water would be great, thanks,” I smiled, desperate for a drop to moisten my dry mouth.
I made my way towards the velvet couch and contemplated how best to sit. Did I go stiff and risk looking nervous, or did I attempt casual, where I might have come across as uninterested? In the end, my legs gave way and I sat as though I had just been confronted by my stalker outside. It couldn’t be by chance that he’d shown up three times in my everyday life and his sick ability to enjoy scaring the shit out of me only added to my fear. Fuck! If I got this job, he’d know where I worked and show up more often. Maybe I should’ve told Luke or the police? Perhaps Jace could’ve helped? Sasha told me he volunteered as a special through the week, so his knowledge about how best to address the issue beat mine, hands down.
“Maya Crofton?”
My head snapped up at the mention of my name and as I was forced to engage in a handshake with who I assumed was Francesca, I decided to forget all about that moron and focus on what was important - The job.
“Hi, lovely to meet you. You must be Francesca?”
~~~
A little over an hour later, I found myself leaving the building with the biggest smile on my face; feeling like the interview couldn’t have gone any better. Francesca had been lovely in her interrogation and never once made me feel inferior. We discussed important matters like fashion marketing before moving on to what-would-be my daily tasks if I were to be successful. It all sounded amazing and although biased in my opinion, I could honestly see myself fitting in perfectly.
“Hey you, how’d it go?”
Luke’s voice pulled me from my thoughts, and as I was pleasantly brought to the attention of the purple tulips resting in his arms, I ran towards him with open arms.
“Amazing! It was perfect, Luke. I told her all about my degree and we chatted about London fashion week for ages,” I gushed, struggling to get it all out. “Oh, and if I get the job, I go to New York at least once a year to meet the team over there!”
“New York? Really? That’s great,” he grinned, removing himself from my rather public display to hand me the flowers. “These are for you, by the way. To say well done and I’m taking you out for lunch,” he added, pulling me into his side as he began walking us down the busy street.
“We don’t have to do lunch. You’re currently out of work and I’m still a waitress, remember?” I insisted, wary of my surroundings.
I checked over my shoulder to see if Mr grey-eyes was still hanging around and was relieved when I didn’t meet his sinister stare.
“Nonsense, my girl deserves a treat. Besides, I won’t be out of work for long. I’m already looking.”
Having eventually received a phone call from his HR department, Luke was officially ‘let go’ and asked not to return to the premises, thus beginning his intense search for a new job. Katlyn had also called to explain what went down after we left. According to her, another intern with a ruthless attitude was given the job, meaning she too, was left in the lurch. People attending the event seemed to sweep the encounter with Luke under the rug and as far as we were concerned, Garret was taking no further legal action with regards to being clocked in the face. Not that this had surprised me. He could hardly go running to the police, given he was the bastard in the wrong. One look at the CCTV footage from that night would suffice to my unwillingness and I just hoped that Luke’s punch was enough to shake some sense into him. He shouldn’t go around pressuring women like that.
“Anything promising come up?” I asked, interested in his findings.
“A few but le
t’s not talk about work right now. Let’s talk about how sexy you look in today’s dress,” he smirked, pulling me towards Oxford Street.
“I bet I’ll look sexier out of it,” I smiled, unknowing as to what prompted me to say such a thing.
I wasn’t usually so forward.
“I bet you do, sweetheart,” he agreed, lightly kissing my cheek and lingering there for a moment. “In fact, I say we put it to the test.”
~~~
Saturday came hurdling by and whilst helping Sasha prepare the mother of all banquets, the pair of us got well acquainted with Jamie Oliver’s spare ribs, though ‘spare’ was perhaps being too presumptuous.
“Bloody hell, Sash! They’ve shrunk!” I cried, peaking my head through the oven door.
“Yeah, it said they would. That’s why I’ve done salad and potatoes to go with it,” she ensured, chopping up a spring onion.
“And I suppose we have the chocolate fudge cake to fill us up afterwards,” I reminded her, certainly not missing her disgust.
Earlier, in Asda, I’d demanded a pudding of sorts and whilst vetoing the idea of fruit salad, I’d picked up the richest, most chocolate-iest cake there was and proceeded to pop it in our trolley with so much pride, I felt like bursting.
“I can’t believe I let you get that thing. You could’ve at least got an apple pie or something,” she moaned, interrupted by our flat’s buzzer.
It was Luke on the other end and already anticipating his need for one, I cracked open a beer and slid it along the counter for him.
“Smells good in here,” he announced, accepting his beer with a light kiss. “I brought wine.”
I smiled my appreciation and gently placed the bottle of white in the fridge, priding my boyfriend on his good taste. He always brought over the good stuff and certainly didn’t allow being unemployed to negatively impact his spending habits. Although, Luke had always been careful with regards to his finances and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if he had a secret savings account hidden away somewhere.
“Babe,” interrupted Sasha, forcing my attention on her. “Jace has just text. Can you buzz him up? He’s about to leave his car and says he’ll have his hands full.”
“Yeah, sure.” I smiled, already bouncing my way over.
I did the honours and soon joined them back in the kitchen; Luke’s appreciation for ‘real food’ being the main choice in topic.
“What does Jace drink, Sash?” I asked, taking this opportunity to be the perfect host.
“He’ll have a beer too.”
“Hello?”
“In here, babe!” she shouted, alerting her boyfriend of our whereabouts.
The front door closed behind him and in strode the sexy beast; flowers in one hand, wine in the other. His combination of dark jeans and a navy blue shirt was certainly a gift in its own right and although not as yummy as my Luke, he was certainly a sight to behold.
“This is Luke and Maya; the besties. Guys, this is Jace,” introduced Sasha, stealing a quick kiss from his lips.
"Hey man, how's it going?" offered Luke, smile in tow.
Jace quickly dumped the items in his hands and turned to Luke, happy to engage in a manly shake.
“Good, yourself?” he replied, revealing a strong cockney accent in doing so.
I hadn’t noticed it back at Hoes & Bros, though I supposed the deafening music was responsible for that.
“Not bad. Sasha’s told us a lot about you.”
“Only good, I hope,” he laughed; mischievous eyes flicking over to hers.
The term ‘A girls gotta eat’ came springing to mind but I just about managed to choke down the urge to share my thoughts, understanding that it may have been too soon for that. I barely knew the bloke.
“Of course.”
I watched as Luke turned his attention to me; his wide eyes and cheeky smile certainly resembling that of a man up to no good.
“This is Maya,” he introduced, offering my body a gentle touch in the form of his hand on my lower back. “My girlfriend.”
“The one and only,” winked Sasha, throwing me a cheeky smile.
I went to embrace Jace and found I was met with a brick wall in doing so. His muscles were what could only be described as rock solid and his hands were huge as they came to a rest at the base of my back.
“It’s lovely to finally meet you,” I greeted, discovering a genuine smile upon my return.
“Likewise and thanks for finally slipping me this one’s number. Even if I did text her boss first,” he stated, prompting the beginnings of yet another laughing fit regarding that matter. I still couldn’t believe he did that.
“Right then!” began Sasha, back to business. “We’re almost done in here. Why don’t you two gents get comfortable in the living room and we’ll be right out with canapes.”
“Fucking hell, canapes? You two are pushing the boat out, aren’t you?” laughed Luke, gaining the approval of Jace.
“Hey, don’t knock it, mate. Free food.”
The pair got nothing but rolled eyes from Sasha and me and whilst doing as they were told, proceeded to leave the vicinity of our small kitchen before receiving canapes to the face.
“He seems really nice, Sash!” I whispered, once I was happy in the knowledge they couldn’t hear us.
“He is. I can’t believe how lucky I am.” she grinned, quite frankly from ear to ear.
Her reaction was met with a glowing smile and just like that, I knew my friend had it bad. She was in love and I wasn’t far behind her.
~~~
The conversation continued to flow whilst we all feasted on the food and upon learning of Jace’ desires to train with the metropolitan police; Luke practically worshipped the guy and couldn’t have been any more in his element. It went without saying that the pair shared a common interest in law and although working at Hoes & Bros to simply make ends meet, it was obvious where Jace’s true passions were.
“I think Luke fancies your boyfriend, Sash,” I teased, whispering to her sat opposite.
"Please, I think my boyfriend fancies Luke. Have you ever seen a pair look so smitten?" she replied, shooting what I took to be an amused smirk.
We continued to watch on as both men spilled their guts over codes of conduct and the right to remain silent, though remain silent, they did not. They proceeded to chat for what felt like hours before it was time to dish out dessert and once I revealed the grand cake, we were finally consumed by a respectful silence.
“What’s that?” asked Luke, looking nothing short of transfixed.
“Triple chocolate fudge cake,” I proudly announced, popping the cream down in the centre of the table.
“Because double wasn’t enough, right?” added Jace, making me smile.
“Double wasn’t enough,” I confirmed, gifting him his spoon.
The cake was heavenly and by the time all the plates were cleared away (and I felt just about ready to sleep for eight years), Sasha and Jace excused themselves for the evening, vacating to the bedroom where I heard, and I quote, “Oh god, don’t stop!”
“Are those two-”
“Yep.”
“And they’re-”
“Oh, yeah.”
Luke looked at me as though I’d grown another head before rather insistently pulling on my arm to drag me towards the bedroom.
“What are you doing?”
I was harshly backed up against the door and in doing so, giggled against his insistence to use me as his own personal plaything.
“Giving the neighbours something to complain about,” he stated, mischievously so.
I was picked up and thrown over his shoulder; the angle in which I found myself proving really rather thrilling. Biting through those jeans of his and nibbling on his bum saw Luke let slip a gleeful yelp; his insistence to smack my arse whenever I did so every inch the turn on.
“You’ll pay for that,” he warned, laying me down on the bed.
“I’m counting on it.”
&n
bsp; My clothes were off within seconds and disposed of quicker than I could say triple chocolate fudge cake. His skill set was really rather impressive and if I wasn’t so worryingly aroused, I’d have congratulated him on his ability.
“Don’t forget.”
“I know. Eyes open,” I replied, grabbing at each bum cheek as he slowly slid his latex covered self into me.
I managed to suppress my moans at first but with Luke’s ever impressive rhythm, I soon lost control. I hoped that in doing so, my walls had the capability to become suddenly soundproof. If not, there wasn’t much I could do but apologise to Sasha and Jace, alongside any other neighbours that may have been prone to hearing. Nothing and no one could stop me once I got going and even if I had the means to, I still wouldn’t.
Sorry, not sorry!
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Calling Home
Being forcefully dragged into a bone-crunching embrace felt like every ounce of oxygen was being sucked out of my lungs. I wrapped my hands tightly around the arms of my sleeping partner and relished the smells of his natural scent.
“Why do you smell so good all the time?” I asked, needing to know more behind his big secret.
“I wasn’t aware I did,” responded Luke, gently biting my bare shoulder from behind.
“You do. Like vanilla and lavender.”
His stilled movements momentarily became a worry before he continued with his hot kisses, each one leaving a burning trail behind.
“It’s the body wash Mum used to buy in. I still like to use it,” he admitted, quietly so.
Christmas would mark ten years since the accident which, coincidently, was also around about the same time Luke admitted he started having feelings for me. It was no secret he still mourned for his Mum and in a way, so did I. Claire had been my Mum’s best friend at the time of her death and part of the reason why Luke and I remained so close whilst growing up. They were always together and wherever they went, Luke and I weren’t too far behind.
“That’s nice. I bet it makes you feel closer to her,” I replied, turning from my spooning position as to better view him.
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