The Honeymoon Period (The Austin Series)

by Fallowfield, C. J.

  ‘Says who?’

  ‘Gabe come on, you still have badly bruised ribs and your shoulder’s going to take weeks to heal.’

  ‘I don’t care Mia, I need to feel you next to me too. Come here, lean on my left side and just be gentle when you do it.’

  ‘Gabe.’

  ‘Mia please, I miss touching you, feeling you against me. I know we’ve gotten closer to each other this week in other ways, but physically I miss you and not just the sex, although that’s a bloody killer.’

  I smiled, he was right, not being able to have sex had meant that we had nothing to do but talk. We’d discussed my fears of relationships falling apart. He’d told me about his teens, getting into trouble and using sex as a way of dealing with the anger and guilt over his mum’s death. It had helped me feel more connected to him, as well as helping us understand each other’s insecurities a little better. I got up and walked over to him, gently tucked myself onto his left hip and put my arms around him, low on his waist and laid my head on his chest as he put his left arm around me tightly and let out a soft groan.

  ‘Are you ok?’ I tried to pull off him, but he wouldn’t let me go.

  ‘Yes, it just feels so good to feel your body against mine and your tits digging into me.’ He nosed my hair and kissed the top of my head.

  ‘God, you’re hard again aren’t you?’ I laughed.

  ‘Yes,’ he whispered almost apologetically.

  ‘Gabe Austin, I’ve lost track of the number of hand and blow jobs I’ve given you since Monday, you’re insatiable. Do we need to go to the bathroom now?’

  ‘I’d rather wait until we’re at yours or mine, where I can actually lie down and enjoy it without worrying about a nurse or doctor walking in. I promise I’m going to make it up to you baby.’

  ‘I’m not keeping score, Gabe.’

  ‘You haven’t let me touch you all week, Mia.’

  ‘Your recovery’s more important than me right now.’

  ‘Have you masturbated?’

  ‘No,’ I exclaimed. ‘Besides you told me you didn’t want me to without your permission.’

  ‘Good girl,’ he replied with a kiss to my hair. ‘But I don’t mind if you do while I’m like this baby, I won’t be offended.’

  ‘Thanks, but it’s not the same.’

  ‘As what?’

  ‘As having you do it,’ I mumbled, embarrassed.

  ‘Then you better pack some of those vibrators for me to use on you this weekend, Mia. I’m not sending you back to lectures all sexually frustrated, not when guys are lusting after you and I’m not there to protect you.’

  ‘I think I proved the other night I’m more than capable of protecting myself,’ I reminded him. I think I’d broken Adam’s nose when he’d been too aggressive in coming onto me the other Saturday.

  ‘I still want you to take self-defence classes Mia, these two murders have got me worried and I’m not going to be back for at least another five weeks to look out for you.’

  ‘I’ll look into it on Monday, ok? I’ve caught up on my studies and assignments while we’ve been sitting here, so I can go in my free time. I’ll drag Lexi along as well if it makes you feel better.’

  ‘It will, thank you. Now kiss me, please,’ he ordered. I let go of him and put my arms up and over his good shoulder and he turned his head to kiss me gently at first, then increasing in intensity. I ran my hand across the back of his neck as my tongue slipped in and out of his mouth and he groaned and pulled back. ‘Fuck, I want you so badly Mia,’ he whined.

  ‘Well you’re just going to have to be patient, like I’m being. You think it’s not hard for me too?’ I grabbed his hand and led him back to his bed and made him lie down. ‘You need to rest.’

  ‘Go and move your bed so you can tuck up next to me.’

  ‘No tucking, you’ll just get all aggravated and horny. Shut your eyes for me.’ I kissed his forehead and stroked his hair gently and he smiled at me and did as he was told. I examined his face and jaw, as they’d finally removed the dressings this morning. He’d some bruising and scabs still, as well as pink shiny patches where his face had been scuffed, but they’d told us those wouldn’t scar, unlike the gash over his eyebrow held together with those stitches. We’d been advised that scar would remain, but should fade considerably.

  He was so lucky that he’d had quick enough reflexes to throw himself out of the way of the car and landed on the kerb instead, even though his shoulder took most of the impact. All he could remember was that it was a silver car and having examined the road, the police seemed to think it may have been at a standstill and had accelerated, nearly hitting him as he was crossing. The thought that someone may have done this deliberately to him made my blood boil.

  The only people we could come up with as having any potential grudge against him were Julie, who Gabe insisted wouldn’t do such a thing, Kai, who had an alibi and Adam. Police were still trying to track him down from CCTV footage and the testaments of the bar staff that he’d been a regular, along with my observation that he was possibly also a regular at Peppers strip club. They said it was feasible, but highly unlikely that he’d followed us home that night and waited. Even though I’d assaulted him, I was convinced it was him. Gabe was convinced it was an accident and that the driver had panicked and left the scene.

  I smiled when I realised he’d gone to sleep. His full, perfectly formed lips were slightly parted and I couldn’t resist giving them a gentle kiss. I pulled a blanket over him and went to lay on down on my bed and sent Robert a text in New York, to let him know Gabe was being discharged and I closed my eyes. I was exhausted myself, I stayed awake when he was, so I could watch over him to make sure I could stop him from doing anything he shouldn’t. He wasn’t the most patient of patients and I was determined he wouldn’t set himself back by trying to use his arm, which needed to stay in the sling for another four to six weeks. I was even finding it hard to have a decent night’s sleep. I’d learned to try and sleep when he slept, but even then I’d become hyper-vigilant, every time he made a noise I would sit up to make sure he was ok, so I took the opportunity to curl up and close my own eyes.

  I was woken up by a gentle knock on the door and looked up to see one of the younger nurses with some bags of medication. She ignored me and stood looking at Gabe who was still asleep. I smiled, I was getting used to the effect he had on all the nurses, even when he wasn’t awake. I got off my bed and walked over to her.

  ‘Are those our prescriptions?’ I asked quietly.

  ‘O yes, sorry, Gabe’s free to go. Dr. Hancock will send him a letter for his follow up in the post and he’ll also get a letter regarding his Physio appointments. Until advised otherwise he needs to keep the sling in place, even sleeping, quick breaks for a shower and back on.’ I took the bags off her and smiled as she lingered. ‘Would you say goodbye to him for me, Mia?’

  ‘Of course I will. Thanks again, you’ve all been very good with us.’ I took a step forward to show her to the door and she looked at him again, sighed and left and I quietly closed the door.

  ‘Were you protecting me from man eating nurses, Miss Page?’ came Gabe’s voice. I turned to see him smiling at me, both eyes wide open.

  ‘That was mean, she only wanted to say goodbye and good luck.’

  ‘If it’s the one that always does this time shift, she’s been fawning over me all bloody week.’

  ‘Can’t say I blame her. Despite the amount of times I’ve made you come, you’re giving off some very strong male pheromones. Even old Agnes is feeling it,’ I teased.

  ‘If I could throw a pillow at you I would,’ he grinned. ‘Please tell me we can get out of here?’

  ‘I’ll get your trainers and we’re good to go.’

  ‘I’ll ask for help with the bags to the car.’

  ‘Gabe, I’m fine.’

  ‘Mia. You only had surgery yourself a little over a week ago, you aren’t supposed to be lifting,’ he said giving me a frown.

&
nbsp; ‘Well that’s all very well until we get back to yours. How do we get the cases out of the car on our own genius?’

  ‘Shit, I didn’t think of that. Ok when we’re ready to leave yours I’ll ring Doug and ask him to meet us at home and help. Come on, get my trainers on and lace them wench, I need to get out of here.’

  ‘I’ll give you bloody wench,’ I laughed as I bent down and put his converse on and tied them for him. He took the opportunity to fondle my bottom making me laugh even more.

  Nurses were fighting over who was going to come and help with the bags when I asked, so I just left them to it and took Gabe’s hand as we left the room. Neither of us looked back, I hoped we wouldn’t have to see it again for a long time, if ever. They loaded up the boot for us and I climbed into the driver’s side as they passed the seat belt under his left arm and over his waist and I carefully plugged it in. I saw him bite his lip and quickly close his eyes, so I ran my fingers through his hair and kissed his forehead to soothe him as they closed the door. They stood in the main doorway, all nudging each other and giggling and I shook my head in amusement while I positioned myself. I took a deep breath before I started the engine and it purred to life. It was a bit different to Mum’s VW Beetle that I’d learned to drive in, bigger and with so much more under the hood. I adjusted my mirrors and looked over at him to see he had a smile on his face.

  ‘What?’

  ‘You look so hot behind the wheel baby.’

  ‘Now you know how I feel every time you drive, I just want to mount you right there.’ I put it in reverse and pulled out of the space, waving goodbye to the giggling nurses and pulled up to the junction. Nothing was coming so I put my foot down and the car zoomed out so fast I shot back in my seat.

  ‘Fuck Mia, gently,’ he groaned, wincing.

  ‘Sorry, it’s more powerful than it looks. It felt like g-force on my cheeks,’ I giggled as I made my way down the main road towards the dual carriageway and opened up the throttle a bit.

  ‘I haven’t seen you this excited since our date last Saturday,’ he observed.

  ‘It’s fun, I’ve missed driving. It’s even better with a fast car and the knowledge that it’s a minimum six weeks before you can drive again. What a drag that I’m going to have to be your personal chauffueress,’ I smiled.

  ‘Is there such a word?’

  ‘There should be. You’d better give me directions, this city’s still new to me.’

  He guided me back to the apartment and looked impressed when I came to a gentle stop, parking perfectly in my car park space. ‘Nicely done, Mia.’

  ‘Why thank you, Sir. Stay here and close your eyes, I won’t be long.’

  ‘No way, I’m coming up with you.’

  ‘Gabe,’ I sighed.

  ‘I’ve missed your place. Besides, Doug won’t be back until five-thirty to help unload, so why don’t we chill here for a few hours?’

  ‘You’ve missed my place? With all the space, games and the cinema at yours?’

  ‘Yours is cosy and it reminds me of you. I love being here,’ he replied with a smile. I looked at him wondering if he was trying to bring up the unresolved question I’d asked, but his expression gave nothing away. I wasn’t asking it again, not after the way it went the first time. I got out and went and opened his door and had to carefully straddle him to release the belt and make sure I caught it to guide it back without hurting his shoulder. I gasped as he buried his head in my chest and nipped my breast through my cardigan.

  ‘If you think we’re having a re-run of sex in the passenger seat, think again.’

  ‘Dr. Hancock said as soon as I felt ready. I feel ready.’

  ‘Gabriel Austin, I can’t believe you just lied to me. I spoke to Dr. Hancock myself while you were sleeping on Thursday and he said to avoid it for at least four weeks and then only with you lying down and me doing all the work,’ I scolded.

  ‘I didn’t technically lie, he said four weeks or when I felt ready. I feel ready now, Mia.’

  ‘No, your cock feels ready now, trust me, you aren’t. You were wincing walking down the hospital steps and while I was driving. You set yourself back any longer for one quick fuck and then it’s off the cards for a lot longer. I’m happy to take the edge off anytime you like, but no penetration, Gabe.’

  ‘Fuck. I hate this,’ he muttered with a sulky face.

  ‘Well suck it up, I am and you’ve no idea how sexy that scar looks on your brow, you’re like some kind of bad boy now.’

  ‘I’ve always been a bad boy baby, you just didn’t know me then,’ he replied with a wink. I smiled, kissed him and climbed out.

  ‘Ok, take my hand if you’re getting out.’

  We walked around to the front of the building and I noticed a big sold sign on the wall. Gabe had mentioned flat six was for sale when he picked up some of my things last Saturday. Lexi and I’d never met our current neighbours, but I could only hope the new ones would be as tolerant of the noise we made. It took us twice as long to make it up the stairs, with Gabe finding it hurt to breathe with each step. By the time we were in the hall he’d gone pale and I could see he was in considerable pain.

  ‘Come on, you’re getting into my bed. I’ll get you a glass of water so you can take some painkillers, then you’re having a sleep.’ I led him into my bedroom, which I’d not seen in eleven days and I dropped his hand and covered my mouth in shock. I felt tears in my eyes as I looked at him and he just smiled. I walked over to my chest of drawers and reached up and touched the new white box frame on the wall, containing the chocolate heart with our names on, the one he’d given me the night before my operation. I then ran over to my bed and climbed onto it to look at the wide piece of art hanging above it. It was by my favourite artist Doug Hyde, with his smiley character holding a small heart on the left, medium in the middle and a huge heart on the right. It was called “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” and was in hues of purple and red with a white frame. I traced my fingers over the words, they echoed how I felt about him.

  ‘Gabe. How did you … when did you do this?’

  ‘I picked them both up the Saturday after your operation and asked Doug to come and put them up for me this week. I hope that was ok?’ he asked and I nodded. ‘Do you like them?’

  ‘No. I love them. I love you,’ I jumped off the bed and leaned on his side and kissed him.

  ‘I do, you know,’ he smiled.

  ‘What?’

  ‘Love you more than yesterday. Every day I think I couldn’t love you more, yet I do. I’ve got one more present for you.’

  ‘Gabe, you’ve given me enough. That picture alone would have cost you a fortune.’

  ‘I don’t care, you’re worth it, Mia. It’s the most I’ve seen you smile all week, other than when you were just driving.’

  ‘Well before any presents let me get the bedding changed, it’s all dusty. Then I’ll get you out of your trainers and jeans and into bed, you need to rest.’

  ‘Ok, but then you’re coming to sit with me for the other present.’

  I changed the bedding while he sat on my dressing table stool and watched. Then I got him undressed and refused to attend to his erection for the first time all week, as I decided he was too tired, which he had a sulk about. I grabbed him a glass of water, gave him his painkillers and helped him shuffle down until he was flat on his back under the duvet. I pulled off my jeans and cardigan and carefully climbed into my side of the bed and lay next to him.

  ‘Ok, hold my phone up for me to tap into,’ he asked as he passed it to me.

  ‘Gabe, you need to sleep.’

  ‘Mia please. Do this and I promise to rest, ok?’ He gave me one look with his big blue eyes and a slight pout, who could resist him like that? I sighed and held it in front of him as he used his left hand to do whatever he was doing. ‘Ok. Ask me again, Mia.’

  ‘Ask you what?’

  ‘You asked me something on Sunday morning, before all this happened.’ My mouth went dry and my heart st
arted pounding as I looked at him. Five days and not a mention of it, why now?

  ‘It was a mistake Gabe, I should never have bought it up so soon.’

  ‘Mia, you want to be with me all the time, you spend the whole week in hospital with me, when you had every right to bale on this relationship, we’ve only had four nights apart since we met and now you’re taking it back?’

  ‘I love being with you and I hate it when we’re apart, but it’s crazy. We’ve only been dating four weeks.’

  ‘Didn’t we once agree that it didn’t matter what other people thought, it’s what makes us happy?’

  ‘You’re saying you want to do it? You want to live with me here? I don’t understand. You said no on Sunday, what’s changed?’ I asked feeling confused.

  ‘Mia I never said no, I just didn’t answer you. It wouldn’t be fair to Lexi to move in with you here, it’s her home too. I left you asleep that Sunday morning to run off and do something. Something I already wanted to do, but I thought it would scare you off. So when you asked me first, I was so shocked.’

  ‘When I asked you first? You mean you wanted to ask me to live with you?’

  ‘Yes, but I thought you’d run. I thought it was too soon for you so I didn’t say anything, and then you blurt it out while we’re having sex …’ he shook his head still stunned.

  ‘Sorry, I know,’ I groaned. ‘It’s just I just feel so close to you when we’re having sex and when I tried to talk to you about it the night before, we were interrupted.’

  ‘Well I went out and did what I wanted to do in the first place. I was on my way back to tell you when the accident happened.’

  ‘What did you do?’ I asked and he turned his phone around and I looked at the webpage confused. ‘This is my neighbour’s apartment.’

  ‘No, it’s my apartment.’

  ‘What?’ I sat up abruptly making him wince.

  ‘I made a cash offer on the Sunday morning and it was accepted. It’s mine, or will be in a few weeks once all the paperwork’s completed. I was on my way back on Sunday to ask you to move in with me next door.’

  ‘Gabe, that’s crazy,’ I said as I studied his face, but my heart raced all the same.