by Sue MacKay
‘Well, if he does turn up, the good news is he’s a seriously good-looking dude and definitely sexy.’ Didn’t set her hormones dancing but plenty of women drooled over him.
No, her hormones got a kick out of a certain doctor living here on the island. She had to get a grip, put any stupid concerns behind her and get the job done. Three weeks to go. Twenty-one days. Couldn’t be too hard to have some fun and not get involved with the source of that fun. Face it, Flynn no more wanted or needed anything more connected than she did. He definitely wouldn’t want Adam getting too attached to her, and she felt exactly the same. More than anything, she couldn’t abide hurting that cute wee boy because she understood more than most what it was like to be left behind or shunted on. And she certainly would never be moving into their home and becoming super-mum.
‘You still with me?’ Lilia interrupted her musings.
‘All ears. When are you coming down to Melbourne next?’
After Lilia hung up, Ally went to tug on her running shoes and shorts. A good hard pounding of the pavement would help what ailed her and put everything back into perspective.
‘You’ve got a busy morning stacked up,’ Flynn greeted her the moment she walked into the medical centre the next morning. ‘Seems word’s out that we’ve got a great new midwife and everyone who’s pregnant wants to meet you.’ His smile was friendly, but there was caution in his eyes. Did he think she might start considering staying on?
Returning his smile, she shrugged. ‘I won’t be delivering most of them. Kat will be back before long.’
His smile dipped. ‘The islanders are friendly, that’s all it’s about. Bet you get an invitation or two for a meal before the morning’s out.’
‘Cool. But I’m all booked up—most nights anyway.’ She locked eyes with Flynn. He hadn’t changed his mind on her joining him and Adam for dinners, had he? Of course, she should be backing off a little, but how when right this moment her body was bending in his direction in anticipation of being woken up again? Back off. Easy to say, hard to do.
‘So you’ll come to dinner tonight. I’m glad.’ At last the caution disappeared. His smile widened, brought a different kind of warmth to her.
A warmth that touched her deep inside in that place she went when alone. A warmth she hadn’t realised she’d needed until she’d walked in and seen him. She’d missed him overnight. Had reached out to hug him and come up empty-handed—empty-hearted as well. ‘Babies withstanding, I’ll be there at six. Is that okay?’
He leaned close, whispered, ‘Bring your toothbrush.’
That warmth turned to heat, firing colour into her chilled cheeks and tightening her stomach. ‘Think I’ll buy a spare,’ she whispered back, before entering the office to collect the notes in her tray.
Megan winked at her. ‘Have a good weekend?’
How much had she heard? Ally bit back a retort. She and Flynn would have to learn to be far more careful. ‘I went to San Remo.’
Megan laughed. ‘Was that you I saw out running late yesterday?’
‘Running?’ Flynn looked surprised.
‘As in putting one foot in front of the other at a fast pace.’
‘That explains…’ He spluttered to a stop as Megan’s eyes widened. ‘A lot,’ he added lamely. ‘Come on, meeting time.’
As she led the way to the staffroom, she wanted to turn around and wrap her arms around him. She wanted to feel his body against hers, his chest against her cheek, his shoulder muscles under her palms. She kept walking, facing directly ahead. She wouldn’t be distracted by Flynn at work. She wouldn’t. It was all very well for the others to know they’d had a meal out together, might even be aware they’d spent hours doing things over the weekend, but she couldn’t show how her body craved his.
‘Meeting’s cancelled.’ Faye barrelled out of her office. ‘Flynn, we’re needed at the school. Two kids on bikes have been hit by a car. Where’s Toby?’
‘Do you need me to come along?’ Ally asked.
‘No, we’re sorted.’ Faye sped to the back door and the car park, her medical bag in one hand.
Flynn glanced around, quickly dropped a kiss on Ally’s mouth. ‘See you later.’ And he was gone.
Leaving her with her finger pressing her lips, holding that kiss in place. Yeah, she really had missed him all night. But she’d be seeing him tonight. The knot in her tummy loosened as she headed to her room and prepared for her first mum of the day.
Her relaxed mood stayed in place all day, and when she knocked on Flynn’s door that night, she didn’t hold back on her smiles.
‘Ally, you came,’ Adam swung the door wide, inadvertently letting Sheba out.
‘Sheba, no,’ Ally made a grab for her collar. ‘Inside, you big lump.’
Sheba replied with a tongue swipe on her hand.
‘Now the woman insults my dog.’ Flynn stood behind Adam, grinning at her.
Were they both as happy to see her as she was them? Stepping inside, she closed the door behind her, shutting off the world and entering the cosy cocoon that was the Reynolds home. ‘Sheba knows I think she’s awesome.’ Then she had a brainwave. ‘I could take her with me when I go running.’
Flynn’s eyebrows rose. ‘She’d probably have a heart attack. Walks are one thing, but a run?’
‘I’m not very quick. More of a snail.’ She followed Flynn and Adam into the kitchen, suddenly very aware that by making that suggestion she’d committed herself to this little family for the rest of her stay. As she had that morning when she’d said she would be here for dinners. Nothing wrong with that, as long as she kept everything in perspective. As long as Adam didn’t get too close and miss her when she left.
Flynn said, ‘See how you go. You might find you just want to get on the beat and not have to swing by to collect her.’
Was he having second thoughts, too?
‘Can I run, too?’ Adam asked hopefully.
‘No,’ Flynn said emphatically.
As his little face began to crumple, Ally explained. ‘It’s usually very early when I go.’
‘It’s not fair.’
‘Adam, you can’t do everything just because you want to. Ally’s told you why you can’t go with her so leave it at that.’ Worry filtered into Flynn’s eyes as he watched his son stomp away. When Adam turned on the TV, Flynn growled. ‘Turn it off, please.’
Ally glanced from Flynn to his boy’s sulky face. ‘Has he been naughty?’
‘He’s not allowed to watch TV often. Anna was against it.’
Ah, Anna’s rules. ‘Surely a little time watching kids’ programmes can’t hurt?’ Mind your own business. ‘Other kids don’t turn out as delinquents because of it.’ Shut up.
Flynn stared at Adam, not her. ‘It’s hard to let go. You know?’
No, she didn’t. ‘Fair enough. But Adam needs to fit in with his peers at times.’
‘You have a point, I guess.’ Then he changed the subject. ‘How was your day? Angela called me, full of praise for the way you’ve handled Chrissie’s crisis. She doesn’t want you leaving before the baby’s born.’
Sliding onto a stool and propping her elbows on the bench, she shook her head. ‘Chrissie will be fine with Kat.’
Flynn nodded. ‘Sure she will. It’s just that with Chrissie being so young and this not being a planned pregnancy, she’s taken a shine to you and won’t be keen to start over. But it’ll work out.’
‘It has to.’
‘It does, doesn’t it?’
Ally stared at him. What did that mean exactly? ‘I was never going to be here any longer than the month Kat’s away.’
He locked his eyes with hers. ‘I know. But sometimes I find myself wishing you were.’
Pow. That hit right in the solar plexus, and knocked her heart. Never in a million years would she have thought he’d say something like that. ‘A month’s long enough for a fling. Any longer and we’d have to start wondering just what we were doing.’
‘You ever had a
long-term relationship?’ He picked up a wooden spoon and stirred the gravy so hard a glob flicked out onto the stovetop.
‘No.’ She reached for a cloth to wipe up the gravy.
‘Never?’
‘Never. I go for short flings. Makes leaving the job easier.’ Don’t ask me any more.
‘Surely you haven’t always moved around as much as you currently seem to do?’ He’d stopped stirring, instead studying her as though she was an alien.
Compared to him and his normal family life, she probably was different to the point of being weird. ‘I spent two years in Sydney while I went to school, then moved to Melbourne for the years it took to get my degree.’ Which had seemed like for ever at the time. She wouldn’t mention how often she’d moved flats during those years.
Reaching across to put her hand on his, she pushed the spoon around the pot. ‘You’re burning the gravy.’ His hand was warm under hers, and she squeezed it gently. This was so intimate—in a way she’d never known before—that tears threatened. Tugging her hand away, she stood up and went to set the table.
Flynn watched Ally banging down cutlery on the table. She was hiding something. The answer hit him hard. More of her past. What was so bad that she couldn’t talk about it? He wouldn’t judge her, but maybe he could help her. From what little she’d disclosed about being abandoned, he’d surmised that she’d grown up in the welfare system. Had she gone off the rails as a teen? Asking her outright wouldn’t get him any answers, more likely her usual blunt response of no or yes. Those tight shoulders showed the chance of learning anything tonight was less than winning the lottery and he never bought tickets.
He’d told her about Anna. You call all of about five sentences spilling your guts? He hadn’t said he and Anna had been in love from the first day they’d met at university or all the promises he’d made about Adam at her funeral.
‘When’s dinner? I’m hungry.’
‘Now, there’s a surprise.’ He saw Ally wink at his son and then Adam started showing off to her.
Yeah, Adam definitely liked her a lot. So did he. Enough to want more than this affair she was adamant was going nowhere? He began dishing up, thinking how he’d never once considered he might feel something for another woman. Anna had been his everything. Hard to believe he might want a second chance at love.
The pot banged onto the stove top. Love? Get outta here. No way. Too soon, too involved, too impossible.
‘You all right?’ Ally stood in front of him, studying him carefully.
Swallowing hard, he nodded. ‘Of course. Here…’ He handed her a plate and was shocked to see his hand shaking.
‘You sure?’ Her gaze had dropped to his hand. ‘Flynn?’
‘It’s nothing,’ he growled. ‘Adam, sit up.’
Ally did that irritating shrug of hers and picked up Adam’s plate just as he reached for it. Rather than play tug of war, Flynn backed off and headed for his seat at the table. As he gulped his water he struggled to calm down. It wasn’t Ally’s fault he’d just had a brain melt. But love? Not likely. He needed some space to think about this. How soon could he ask her to go home for the night? Guess she’d want to eat dinner first, though the way she was pushing the food around with her fork she wasn’t so keen any more. ‘Chicken not your favourite food?’
‘I eat more chicken than anything.’ She finally took a mouthful, but instead of her eyes lighting up she was thoughtful as she chewed. Swallowing, she asked, ‘Do we have a problem? Would you like me to leave?’
Yes. No. ‘Not really.’ Damn it. ‘Sorry. Please stay. For a while at least. I’d like to get to know you better and I can’t do that if you’re back at Kat’s flat.’ He’d taken a risk, but he had to learn more about her. Had to.
Her smile was wobbly. ‘You want to know more about me? You are hard up for entertainment.’
Another diverting answer, but he wasn’t going to be fobbed off any more. He’d start with something innocuous. ‘What sort of books do you read?’
‘Suspense and thrillers. The darker the better. You?’
‘I’m more into autobiographies, especially of people who battle the odds to achieve their goals. Solo round-the-world sailors, mountain climbers, those kinds of people.’ Definitely not dark, but it was staggering what a person could achieve if he was determined enough.
Her mouth curved deliciously. ‘You’re not a suppressed endurance man who wants to battle the odds, are you?’
He shuddered. ‘Definitely not. I’ve got too much respect for my limbs to go off doing something that crazy. Quite happy to read about others’ exploits, but that’s as far as I go.’
‘That’s a relief. For a moment there I got worried. Think of that guy who recently tried to kayak from Australia to New Zealand. It must’ve been incredibly hard for his wife to have to wait for him to make it safe and sound.’
But you’re not my partner, so why would you be worried? ‘That’s why I won’t be letting Adam do anything remotely dangerous until he’s old and decrepit.’
He leaned back in his chair as the tension eased out of him. They were back on safe ground and suddenly he didn’t want to ask even about the weather in case he put her on edge again. He enjoyed her company too much to chance her leaving early.
‘Good luck with that.’ She chuckled.
Unfortunately, Ally was referring to Adam. Or so he thought until Ally came around to stand by him, putting a finger on his chin, pressuring him to look at her. She bent to kiss him, softly, sweetly, and still the passion came through fiery and urgent.
At last they’d moved past that earlier little conundrum. The last thing he wanted was to watch Ally walk out the front door tonight. The only place he wanted to be with her was in his bed, making love, tangling the sheets around their legs and holding her so close they’d be as one. He returned her kiss, hard and fierce, trying to convey his need for her.
When she stepped back her eyes were slumberous and that hazel colour had darkened. How soon could he insist Adam go to bed? Because they’d be heading down the hall the moment his son closed his eyes.
Tonight he’d make up for sleeping alone last night. He’d pleasure Ally so much she’d never contemplate a night without him again while she was on the island. Hopefully then this crazy, wonderful desire for her might calm down enough for him to make rational decisions about where they were going with their fling. Ally’s word, not his.
Though maybe a fling was still all he needed, and the fact that sex had become alien to him over the last two years could be the answer to why he was reacting like a teenager who’d finally discovered sex.
Ally nudged him in his side. ‘Can I read Adam’s stories tonight?’
Adam shrieked, ‘Yes.’
Flynn spanked her gently on the bottom. ‘Anything to get out of doing the dishes.’
She wriggled her butt under his hand. ‘Just speeding up the process.’
Of course, Adam had no intention of settling down and going to sleep after only one story. He must’ve caught the vibes playing between Flynn and Ally because he was wide-awake. ‘He’s hyper. Unusual for him,’ Flynn muttered to Ally when he looked in to see what the delay was.
‘It’s all right. We’re having fun.’
‘I’ll make coffee, then.’ Go to sleep, Adam. Please, please. Oh, damn it, just go to sleep. I’m going to explode with need any minute.
He listened as Ally read on, and on, and on. And told himself off for wanting to deny Adam his time with her. Adam came first. First.
Finally, an hour later than he’d hoped, Flynn swung Ally up into his arms and carried her to his bedroom, locking the door behind them. He stood her on her feet and leaned in to kiss that mouth that had been teasing him all night. ‘At last.’
Ally already had her shirt over her head, and was pushing those magnificent breasts into his hands. ‘You talk too much.’
So he shut up and showed her how much he wanted her, and gave her everything he had.
CHAPTER EIGHT
THE DAYS FLEW by but the nights went even faster. Ally had never known a placement to be so engaging. Was that entirely down to Flynn? Yes, if she was being honest, Flynn owned it—made her dizzy with excitement, warmed her with everyday fun and laughter, distracted her to the point she caught herself wondering how hard it would be to stop in one place for ever.
These heady days hinted at what her childhood dreams had been made of—someone to love her unconditionally for the rest of her life, someone she could give her heart to and not have it returned when the gloss rubbed off. But reality had taught her differently. The only difference now was that she chose where she moved to, and not some overworked, underpaid bleeding heart sitting behind a desk in a dimly lit welfare office. She was no longer a charity case.
Unfortunately, a reality check didn’t slow her enthusiasm for all things Flynn. Her body ached in every muscle, her lips were sore from smiling too much, her eyes were heavy from lack of sleep. But would she wish for quiet nights at Kat’s flat with only her music and a book for company? No. Not even knowing that the day of reckoning was approaching made her want to change a thing. The complete opposite, in fact. She found herself needing to grab at more and more time with Flynn.
‘Hey,’ Flynn called as he walked past the medical storeroom. Then he was in there with her, sucking up all the oxygen and leaving her light-headed. When he traced her chin with his forefinger she caught it and licked the tip, delighting in the sound of his quickly indrawn breath. ‘This room’s never been so exciting.’
‘Are we all set for tonight?’ she asked.
‘The table’s booked at the restaurant. The babysitter’s organised. The warning’s gone out that no one on Phillip Island is to have an accident.’ He ticked the points off his fingers. ‘I’ve put clean sheets on the bed and bought more condoms since we must’ve used up your supply.’
Her giggle was immature, but that’s how she reacted these days. She was always laughing or coming out with mixed-up, stupid things. ‘I go to the supermarket on a regular basis.’
‘I was beginning to wonder why you had so many.’ He grinned, looking as loony as she felt.