Escape down under

by S. M Phillips

  I pick up my phone from the bedside unit to check the time and I'm shocked to see that it’s past three-thirty in the afternoon. Yes, I definitely must have needed that sleep. I notice a couple of messages on my phone. There's one from Jen just checking in to make sure I'm still alive and there is also one from Amelia. I open that one first as it has me worried instantly. My first thought is Mal, I hope everything's going okay at Stanton's. I pull it open and read:

  Jess, I am so sorry. I wanted to tell you as soon as I found out... I just didn't know how to tell you. I never meant for any of this to happen. I'm truly sorry for all the problems this has caused.

  Why's she apologising to me. It's one of those things. It's life. I know she's got a lot on her plate at the minute and I'm sure Mal's noticed and wants to make sure she has the support that she needs, not to mention ensuring that the client will be looked after properly. I'm pretty positive that once everything is sorted, Mal will be out here in no time.

  I type out a quick reply to her. The last thing I want is for her to be stressing out over this when there really isn't any need to.

  Hey you, please don't apologise. I completely understand and its fine, I promise. Stop beating yourself up about it and make sure you look after yourself.

  Speak soon. Jess x

  She really needs to stop worrying. So what if she can't handle a few accounts? That's what the other guys are there for. I really can't wait to speak to Jen. I have so much to tell her and a quick text just won't cut it. No, this will have to be a FaceTime moment. There is no way she can miss out on all of this beauty. I'm not up for FaceTime at the moment, plus she will probably still be asleep. I keep forgetting about the time difference. For now I settle on an email to fill her in on the basics.

  Jen you crazy bitch,

  How are you?

  You missing me yet?

  You staying out of trouble? If that's a no, please be careful.

  God I miss you so fucking much already and it's only been two days. Argh, what am I going to do without my wing woman? So far, you will be please to know that I have managed to avoid any awkward situations, but hey, there's still time. What can I tell you? This place is bloody gorgeous Jen. I wouldn't even be able to begin to describe it to you. No, you'll have to see it for yourself. What I will tell you is that I am actually sitting here, as I write this in a house that can only be described as a multi-million pound beauty. It’s surrounded by the ocean. Can you imagine waking up to that view every day? No? Well you best get saving and bring your arse to see me if you can.

  Jen, I'm actually practically living on a beach and it's bloody gorgeous. I'm like a big kid in a sweet shop.

  Oh Jen... I know I have already said it already but I miss your face so bloody much. Let me know when you're up so I can see that beautiful face of yours. I want all the gossip on you and Luke too, so don't think you can hold back on me. I hope your both still rocking each other's worlds. At least that way you'll be busy until I arrive back home. I can't wait to speak to you, be safe and remember I love you. xx

  I spot a folded piece of paper on the large oak dresser as I make my way to the en-suite to freshen up. So now that we're playing house, we're leaving little love notes around are we? I pick it up hesitantly, not sure if I want to see what's written there. Maybe this time he has walked out on me and left a note. Then again, why would he do that when it's his house? He's got quite need writing for a guy. Most men I have known or have worked with usually scribble along and hope for the best not really caring if people can read it. The writing here however, is sharp, beautiful and eye catching, much like the man that wrote it.

  I've gone for a quick surf, I won't be long. You looked far too peaceful to disturb, but believe me I wanted nothing more than to be deep inside you.

  Max

  Shit, the things that he does to me. He's not even here and his message alone has me desperate for his touch again. It looks like I have this huge house all to myself for a while. I wonder if I can finally complete the full tour of this beautiful place. With Max out, I don't have any delicious distractions preventing me from taking a look around like I did this morning. I begin to pull out my clothes from my case when a loud booming noise echoes around the house. It's that loud that I jump out of my skin when it booms again.

  Boom… Boom... Boom…

  What the fuck is that?

  Boom… Boom... Boom…

  Is that the door? The more I think about it, the more sense it makes. Whoever it is, is going to have to hang on as there is no way I'm answering the door without any clothes on. Why did Max decide to leave me home alone? I don't bloody know anyone.

  Boom… Boom... Boom...

  The knocking continues so it must be important. I jump up and down while I wiggle into my jeans and grab the first t-shirt my hands fall on. I Rush out of the bedroom and down the stairs hoping that I look slightly presentable. I don't even want to think what my hair looks like.

  "I'm coming, one minute." I shout as I get close to the double doors at the entrance of the house. I'm rushing that much in case I miss someone important, that I don't even check the peep-hole before swinging the door open wide.

  "And who are you?" I instantly panic on the inside as that screechy, high pitched voice comes back to haunt me. I knew I would bump into her eventually. What I didn't expect was for it to be so soon and right here at Max's house.

  Big brown Bambi eyes look at me suspiciously as she slowly removes her sunglasses from her face. She has shoulder length auburn hair and perfect high cheekbones. She's extremely pretty, but the jealousy inside of me as she stands before me makes me want to claw her eyeballs out. That and her attitude is far from attractive.

  "Um, hi. I'm Jess." I say, unsure of what her reaction will be after our brief phone call last week. She doesn't say a word to me, just storms right past me into the foyer. The only sounds in the room are her red sole heels as they click, click, click over along the marble tiles.

  "Where's Max?" She demands, once she realises he isn't here. She stands in front of me with her hands on her hips, lips pouted, waiting for me to reply.

  "He's not here. I'm not sure when he will be back either but I can let him know you called?" I flinch back a little when she throws her head back on a laugh. The sound is pure evil.

  "Jess is it?" A smug grin spreads across her face as she looks at me. "Why don't we start by you telling me why you're in my house when Max isn't around?"

  Her house? Oh fuck. I've well and truly landed in the shit now. I instantly dislike this bitch, Jen would have had her eyes out if she had of spoken to her like that. Instead I remain quiet, not wanting to give her the reaction that she is clearly after.

  "I'll ask you again, what are you doing in my house?" Her tone is laced with agitation as she waits my answer. She's bloody horrible.

  "Sorry, I thought this was Max's house." I try to keep the shock from showing in my voice as best as I can, and then it hits me. Of course this is Max's house, her house, their house. What an absolute bastard. How could he bring me to his family home and leave me here, knowing that I would eventually bump into her? Did he expect me to stay upstairs all day in the hope that she wouldn't see me? I can't believe I fell for it the second time around.

  Something suddenly triggers within me. If she lives here, why the sudden urge to get in? Why not use her keys? Do I really believe deep down that Max would stoop as low as parade me in front of his wife, girlfriend, whatever she is and vice versa? No, I actually don't think he would.

  "How come you never used your keys? You were knocking for some time." I try to sound dumb in the hope that she doesn't see past it.

  "I left them here this morning when I left, not that it's any of your business."

  Bingo. So, she's the one who's lying. What a vindictive little cow. "Well I'd leave you to it... Sorry I didn't catch your name?"

  "Stella." She replies as I take her hand in mine when she holds it out for me to take. It takes every ounce of strength in me
not to squeeze as tight as I would like to. I step closer to her and focus straight in her eyes and speak very clearly.

  "I'll be sure to tell Max that you stopped by Stella. I don't know how long he will be out, I'm sure it won't be too long though. Would you prefer to wait?"

  "What do you mean? Did you not hear a word that I just said? This is my house."

  I laugh at the thought of me believing this crazy woman. "Maybe you do. However, the fact that I was here last night and you weren't has me guessing that you’re full of bullshit. I'm pretty sure I'd notice if Max suddenly started calling me Stella when it's my body that's pleasuring him." I don't know where my balls have suddenly come from, but fucking hell is this woman pissing me off. I'd rather walk through shattered glass ten times over than have to look at her. She makes my skin crawl, and boy does she have issues. I wish I had a camera to capture the look on her face.

  "Don't think you can just turn up here and start calling the shots. You're nothing but a cheap little whore like the rest of them. Don't think for a second that you are anything special - trust me, you'll be gone soon enough."

  "It sure was a pleasure to meet you Stella." I say with as much acid in my voice that I can manage. I open the door and walk towards her so that she is forced to walk backwards. It's not long before she has crossed over the threshold and I slam the door in here face.

  What a fucking psycho. Wow, seriously, what a head fuck. It's no wonder Max hasn't wanted a relationship with someone as mental as that knocking around. I take a deep breath and feel at ease now that I know she definitely doesn't live here. If she did, it would be pretty awkward when Max arrives back home. Let's hope that's the last I will be seeing of her while I'm here.

  I take it upon myself to pass some time while Max is away. Maybe it's about time that I learnt how to use that coffee machine. If I'm going to be staying here then that's one necessity that I won't be living without.

  "Hello dear, can I help you?" I turn, surprised to see a middle aged woman sat at the island flicking through a glossy magazine. Oh god, I pray to myself that this isn't another Max obsessed psycho. A warm smile spreads across her friendly face as she says "I'm Martha dear, and you are?"

  "Jess." I reply, a little apprehensively. "I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone was here."

  "I've only just come in. I've been in the laundry room, more shirts than he will ever where that man." The love that fills her voice as she refers to Max is more of a maternal affection rather than lust. "Then I thought I would stroll the beach and soak up some vitamin D before coming back to the daily chores. Come sit down and let me get you a drink dear. What do you fancy?"

  "I could kill for a white coffee with two sugars please." I instantly feel at ease around her.

  "So what time did you two get back?" I'm shocked that she actually sounds interested about our travel rather than wondering why a stranger is stood in the kitchen, alone when Max isn't here.

  "I can't really remember. It was sometime late last night. My heads still a little hazy when it comes to the details from being awake for so long."

  "Oh I can understand that dear. I usually tend to stay out of Max's way for a few days whenever he's travelled long haul. Terrible temper at times that man. You must be a brave girl." She shakes her head as she tells me this while messing with the coffee machine. Really? I think to myself. He's been perfectly fine since we set off from London. I have experienced Max's demands, but touch wood; he hadn't been horrible towards me... yet. That may change when he finds out that I through someone he knows out of his house. He's obviously quite close to Martha to express his feelings to no matter what they are, and she clearly knows him well enough to give him his space. I wonder how long she has known him for. She sits opposite me and passes me my coffee.

  "Drink up." Her face is pretty. She looks tired but I'm guessing that's because she keeps herself busy. Her hair is pulled back from her face into a bun and she wears an apron. She must be his housekeeper. Either that or a kinky maid. The latter I don't really want to think about.

  "Have you eaten? Would you like something to eat? I can whip you up a sandwich if you feel like it?"

  "Thank you, but I'm okay, honest. I haven't been up long and I need to give myself a few hours before I can bring myself to eat anything."

  "So Jess." She tests my name out on her tongue. "What brings you to Australia? You're accent tells me you're British?"

  "Yes." I smile back at her. I'm amazed at how welcoming she is being towards me, a strange girl sat across from her. I could be a mass murderer for all she knows. "I'm here for the new development that Max is working on."

  "Ah yes. You must work for Mal then? Max has got a lot of time for that man. He'd be there for him in a heartbeat if he ever needed him."

  "Yes, Mal’s great, he really is one of a kind. He should have been flying with us but an unexpected issue came up at Stanton's, so he thought it was best to stay behind to make sure everything was okay. Actually that reminds me. I better give him a call to find out what's happening and make sure everything is alright."

  "Girly, I'm sure everything will work out fine. Life has a funny way of doing that you know." I get the sudden urge to hug her. I'm nothing more than a stranger to her and here she sits giving me advise and treating me like I am practically part of the furniture.

  "My two favourite ladies in the same room. What more can a guy ask for?" My head instantly turns to the sound of his voice. I can't help the blush that covers my cheeks when he looks at me. He has no shame, practically undressing me with his eyes, oblivious to Martha watching our interactions with a soft smile on her lips.

  "I sure hope you've been looking after our special guest." He doesn't take his eyes from me as he talks to Martha while pulling a stool out from the island to sit next to me. My heart rate picks up instantly when he takes my hand in his.

  "Of course, it's been an absolute pleasure getting to know you better dear. What are you two doing for dinner?"

  "I kind of got bombarded by Melissa at the beach and she practically hounded me into dinner this evening. I couldn't really say no to her. I've been an arse to her since I left for London and I guess I should make it up to her." Max looks from me to Martha and back again. "You don't mind do you?"

  "Sure, of course not." Why would I mind, and more importantly who the fuck's Melissa? I don't think my heart can take any more surprises. The green eyed monster is making an appearance and I don't like it one little bit. I have never been a jealous person. Well, not until Max anyway.

  "I imagine she's missed you Max. It’s always hard for her when you go away." Martha says with a sympathetic smile as she rubs down her apron. "I'll whip something up for you if you like? Really it's no trouble."

  "Nah, we'll be fine, we’ll order takeout or something. Why don't you get off? Give yourself a break for a change?"

  He's like a little boy when he talks to her. The love in his eyes is pretty damn evident and it makes me warm inside. He might like to think he’s some big arrogant, selfish arsehole; but really he cares a lot about the people close to him.

  "Such a good man, and thoughtful too." She looks directly at me and winks. "It was lovely to meet you Jess. I'll be back in the morning."

  "I think she likes you." I look up and search Max's face. He looks relaxed and happy and it’s great to see.

  "Of course she does. I'm pretty fucking awesome, didn’t you know?." I reach out and pull his face to mine, parting my lips to welcome his. Oh I have missed this, even though it's only been a few hours. I have missed this much more than I would like to admit.

  "Sorry I was so long."

  "It's okay. You didn't miss much really, other than me lying naked in your bed for most of the day. Maybe next time you'll remember back and come back quicker."

  A growl grumbles deep in his chest. "I'm pretty sure I could put you back there, but with me by your side pleasuring every inch of you until you're begging me to stop."

  Now he's talking my kind of language. "We
ll, what did you get up to today? I think I slept for most of it." I'm still I'm two minds whether I should tell him about Stella's more than colourful arrival. Maybe if I did, it would be one way to gage his reaction to see what kind of history they share. Oh what the hell, he'll find out soon enough and when he does I want him to hear the true story from me before that psych crazed bitch can make me out to be some money grabbing whore.

  "A woman stopped by while you were out." I pop a grape from the fruit bowl on the counter into my mouth as I wait for his reply.

  "Oh yeah?" His tone is pretty even so I can't be sure if he was expecting her to not.

  "Her name was Stella I think."

  "What did she want? I meant to call her before actually." Oh he did? Fuck, what if she actually does live here, as a roomie or something? He's still looking at me like I'm the only woman that he has really seen and it eases my nerves slightly.

  "She didn't really say." I'm too chicken to tell him exactly what happened. Maybe he'd throw me out just like I did her. As long as I don't have to cross paths with her while I'm here, I'll be a happy lady.

  "I'm glad you're here angel. It feels... Nice."

  He's going to destroy my heart so bad. How can I not fall for him when he makes me feel this good? When he says thinks like this that make me feel wanted? His one liners give me hope that we could have anything if we really wanted it. These words won't dry my tears when I'm an emotional wreck and doing a big ugly cry into my pillow back home.

  "There's me thinking you weren't a romantic?"

  "I'm not Jess, I don't know how to be. I've never done this before. It's an unknown territory for me. Caring about someone isn't how I was programmed to be. Thinking of myself and satisfying my needs only? Now that I can ace hands down, but keeping hold of something special? That's the hard part, especially when I have never experienced it before."