"Rob, like I said …" Andrea puffed. "Look, can we talk somewhere else? Next to the lifts isn't exactly the best place for a conversation."
"Let's go to the bar."
"Can I keep my luggage in your room first?" Andrea tried a pretty pout. "I'll look silly taking it with me to the bar."
He swore under his breath and pushed the up button to call the elevator. He'd have to help her find accommodation tonight so she didn't end up staying in his room. It was Jessa he wanted in there, not Andrea.
~~~~~~~
"We'll try another hotel," Rob persisted.
They had just been at the hotel reception to sort out Andrea's accommodation for the week. Unfortunately, there was an international technology conference happening at the nearby Sydney Convention Centre that coming weekend and most of the hotels around the area were fully booked until Monday.
"How could you not have arranged your accommodation before you left Melbourne?" He was pissed off at Andrea's lack of planning.
"I thought you'd be here for another week. And I planned to stay with you the whole time," she whined. "Maybe I can ask Will if I can stay at his place until Monday. He's the only one I know here. I'll be calling him anyway. What else am I going to do here by myself when you go tomorrow?"
"You can't stay with Will."
"Why not?"
"He's got a girlfriend. I don't think she'd appreciate it."
"Ooh, Will has a girlfriend? Too bad. Antoinette has it bad for him."
"You know your sister might as well had been flirting with a post when she flirted outrageously with Will on her birthday."
"Well, she hasn't given up on him yet. Anyway, why should Will's girlfriend mind if I stay with him? We can even become good friends!"
Oh, no, no, no. No way. He knew it was more likely that Clarise would warn Jessa against seeing him again if Andrea wormed herself into their lives. Will had cautioned him about how close Jessa and Clarise were.
"There must be an available room somewhere. Hey, how about you stay outside the city centre? Around Bondi Beach would be nice."
"Oh, that's not a bad idea. I love Bondi," Andrea answered.
CHAPTER FIVE
Jessa couldn't believe the time. She had already done her washing, vacuuming and tidying up and it was still only ten in the morning. She looked around, anxious for something else to do. She needed something physically tiring, something that would take her mind off Rob and his kisses, something that would help her ignore the ache in her chest.
She decided to go for a walk and have a late breakfast. She got herself ready and headed off for the five-minute trek to one of her favourite cafes in Crows Nest. Maybe she'd bump into Victor who lived a couple of blocks away. Should she call him for some company? But he was likely to be with Evan. It was Saturday morning and she didn't want to bother them.
Her phone vibrating in her pants pocket surprised her. Maybe one of her friends received her mental signal and decided to call her. When she saw who it was, she suddenly stopped dead on her tracks that the guy walking behind her bumped into her.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," she apologised.
The guy, who happened to be cute, showed his dimples. "No worries. It's not everyday I bump into a beautiful woman."
She gaped at him as he continued to smile at her. Who me? Her vibrating phone reminded her of the incoming call. She gave the cute guy a grateful smile and answered her phone, indicating to Mr. Dimples he was effectively dismissed.
"Hi, Rob." Suddenly her hands were clammy.
"Hi, Jess, how are you going?" His cheerfulness made her grin.
"I'm good, thanks. And you?"
"Good, thank you. Thought I'd call and hear your voice before I board the plane. There's not much to do here at the airport."
"Ahh, you're bored!"
"Yeah, and I thought what better way to chase away my boredom than to have a conversation with a very attractive lady."
She snickered. "It must be a little too early on a Saturday morning for you, Rob. That was very cheesy."
He laughed out loud. "Where are you? You sound like you're outdoors."
"I'm walking to one of my favourite cafes that serves all-day breakfast."
"Meeting anyone?"
"No. Just me and my lonesome." She wished with all her heart he was there with her.
"So what are you gonna have?"
"I don't know yet. I feel like something sweet so maybe I'll have pancakes with lots of maple syrup."
"You're already sweet enough without the syrup."
She giggled. "What is it about this morning that's making you men cheesy? Maybe I should consider having some cheese for breakfast."
"What do you mean us men? Don't I have the sole privilege of being the cheesy one?" Rob asked with mock indignation.
She chuckled. "No, you don't have the sole privilege."
"What? Who else could be so cheesy to you at this time of the day?"
"Mr. Dimples."
"Who?"
"The guy that bumped into me earlier."
"How cheesy was he?" Rob growled.
"Hmm. I must admit he probably wasn't as cheesy as you. So, okay, you can take the prize for being the cheesiest before eleven in the morning."
"So what exactly did he say?"
"Um," she tried to remember what the guy with the dimples said. "I think he said it's not everyday he bumps into a beautiful woman." She squashed her face in skepticism, still not believing a total stranger would call her beautiful.
"Oh. What does he look like? Is he good-looking?"
She raised an eyebrow at the tone of his voice. Is he jealous? Her heart galloped at the thought. "Yeah, he was."
"Really? So he was … attractive?"
"Well, I do find guys with dimples extra cute."
"Cute? As in little-teddy-bear cute?"
"No. Not this one. He was more like hot-cute."
Silence.
"Rob? Are you there?"
"So where does this guy live?" Rob asked ominously.
"How should I know?" Her voice carried her amusement. "If he's a local then I'm likely to bump into him again. I'll find out then."
Another long silence. Then she heard an announcement in the background.
"We're boarding," Rob said flatly.
"Already?"
"Yeah." Rob exhaled loudly. "I'll call you next week, Jess. I'll let you know when I'm coming back after I've confirmed a couple of things at work."
"Okay. That'll be good."
"Until then, keep your diary free for me, okay?"
"Okay."
"See you soon." Rob said softly.
"See you, Rob."
Jessa trundled to the cafe. It was fun pretending that Rob cared about her like a jealous boyfriend. But that wasn't reality. The reality was he wanted her for her body and they hadn't ended up in bed yet. He was still in seduction mode, that was all. She wasn't stupid enough to think that Rob's sweet and even jealous attention could mean anything more than strong physical desire.
The dull ache in her chest was back. Thankfully, she was getting very good at ignoring it and its meaning. She patted herself on the back for having her brain in the right place.
~~~~~~~
Rob looked outside the airplane window pensively. He wondered if Jessa got what he meant when he asked her to keep her diary free for him. He wanted to say something more straight to the point like 'tell Mr. Fucking Dimples to leave you alone' but he knew he didn't have the right to say that.
He knew he was being jealous but he couldn't help it. Jessa should've had woken up next to him that morning and they could have had breakfast together. She shouldn't have been out and about bumping into some flirty, dimpled idiot.
He rubbed his face with his hands, perplexed by his alien feelings. Since when had he become so jealous of other men? Sure he had a very competitive nature but he was feeling so downright possessive of Jessa it was bordering on insane.
I know why. It's because Jessa is
so damn sexy I want nothing more than to take her to bed. And. We. Just. Can't. Get. There. It's sexual frustration, pure and simple.
His rationalisation relaxed him and he closed his tired eyes. He got less than three hours sleep last night. He successfully got Andrea out of his hair and in a hotel in Bondi but that left him alone and thinking of - no, make that longing for - Jessa.
I just have to have her soon and have sex with her until I have my fill. Then I could go back to my old, uncomplicated life - the life I want. This is just too tiring and distracting.
~~~~~~~
Andrea breathed the fresh sea air as she watched a couple of surfers ride the wave. She wasn't usually an early riser, especially on a weekend, but the shining sun and the sparkling ocean tempted her enough to drag herself out of bed and walk the short distance to Bondi Beach. The breeze was cool, but the sun was delicious.
There was a benefit to ending up here rather than in the city, she thought. She eyed several shirtless, hunky men out for a run on the sand and a swim in the ocean. Maybe one of them would pay her some attention and soothe her injured female pride at Rob's snub yesterday. She fumed as she remembered how he couldn't wait to get rid of her last night. They didn't even talk about their relationship. He said since she wasn't staying in the city, it was preferable that she settled herself in her new hotel as it was getting late. He got her in a taxi and waved goodbye.
While she didn't expect Rob to jump for joy at her following him in Sydney, she also didn't expect his level of annoyance. She'd hoped he would have been excited and relieved that she wanted to continue their relationship on his terms - no long-term commitments, no strings, just taking each day as it came. Yes, she was fine with those as long as they remained exclusive like they'd previously agreed.
She realised her mistake when Rob broke up with her three weeks ago. Her timing was wrong. She already got Rob to agree to exclusivity but she demanded too early, too quickly. She scared him off. She had to play her cards right this time. If she did, sooner or later, he'd want her in his life permanently.
She also couldn't stand her father butting into her life again when he learnt she and Rob had broken up. She couldn't believe it when her dad forced her to go out with the son of one of his friends. It wouldn't have been too bad if the stuffed shirt she went out with three times had a fun bone in his body. Clearly he didn't have even one. All he could talk about was how good he was at running the family business. Business, business, business. Blah, blah, blah. She couldn't even entice him to go dancing with her. Boring! But the worst part was when he made it clear he wouldn't tolerate her going out to bars and clubs without him if they ended up together. Well, if he didn't want to go, how the hell would she have her fun? It was then she really missed Rob.
They partied a lot - well, she partied more than Rob but he didn't stop her. And their sex life was fantastic. Rob was the best lover she had ever had. The only thing missing was his commitment. Sure, theirs was a relationship of convenience but she wanted more. She wanted a ring on her finger. She was twenty-seven and she didn't want people to think she couldn't snare her man.
Her father blamed her mother for spoiling and indulging their two daughters too much while he was out making millions for the family. Well, just because her father was still financing her lifestyle and her fledgling fashion business didn't mean he could just order her around. But she didn't have any leverage. At least when she was with Rob, her dad believed she had settled down. As Rob had built a successful business on his own, her dad concluded Rob had his priorities right. And he thought Rob kept her from going out and partying, that he was helping her take her business more seriously. Of course, part of her arrangement with Rob was to make her parents assume just that. In return, he was able to develop relationships with influential people that were in her life because of her family name. It worked very well for them. Until she made the mistake of mentioning that dreaded word Rob avoided most of all - commitment.
She just had to get him back. They had the perfect arrangement and he was the perfect man for her. Her lifestyle and sanity depended on it, not to mention Rob being the hottest guy she knew.
If there was anything she, Andrea Lyons, knew she would really, really work hard for, it was getting Rob back. She wouldn't let anything get in her way.
She pulled out her phone from her new beach bag to start the process. She knew Rob held Will's opinion in high regard so she was willing to go to great lengths for the opportunity to sway Will to her side. Given time, she was confident enough to think she could influence him. She believed she was one of those women who had power over men when she turned on her charm. She had her looks, her family's money and her mother's coaching to thank for that.
CHAPTER SIX
A phone was ringing and Will distractedly realised it was his. It was Saturday morning but it could be the important phone call he was expecting from a business acquaintance in the US. Only, there was no way in the world he was going to answer it.
"Your … phone, baby … ohhh," Clarise moaned.
"I don't care," he ground out through gritted teeth as he continued to move inside Clarise. He'd die first before he would even contemplate stopping their lovemaking. He was buried in too deep inside her and he was too far gone to stop. Instead, he increased his pace and felt Clarise's legs tighten around his waist as she whimpered her approval.
He had to call on all his self-control to stop himself from coming then and there. "Come with me, sweetheart … come with me," he gasped in her ear as he strained to keep his pace and hold on for her.
"Oh, baby…" Clarise moaned, tensing as she neared her climax. She clutched his shoulders and arched her hips closer to his, wanting to do exactly as he had asked her. "Oh, Will!" she cried as her body shuddered in an intense orgasm.
At that same moment, he let go and came hard inside her with a loud groan.
They laid wrapped in each other for long minutes, exchanging sweet kisses and gentle caresses, sated and satisfied - at least for now.
"Baby, I forgot to check my phone. Could you see who called me, please?" Will asked from the en suite bathroom.
Clarise languidly reached for Will's phone on his bedside table and checked it. "It was an unknown caller. Whoever it was left a message."
"Could you check my voicemail, please? It could be important."
Warmth flowed through Clarise. She knew Will was expecting an important business call but he didn't bother picking up his ringing phone when they were making love. She bit her bottom lip to stop her happy giggle.
Her smile was replaced by a deep frown as she listened to an overly friendly female voice.
'Hi, Will. It's Andrea Lyons from Melbourne. Remember me? I'm in Sydney at the moment, at Bondi Beach to be exact, taking advantage of the sunshine in my new bathing suit. It's fantastic here! Hey, you're the only one I know from around here and I'm really hoping we could catch up. So, I'll wait for your call, okay? See you later, Will."
Who the hell are you? Clarise got out of Will's bed and walked naked to the bathroom. She trusted Will implicitly but whoever this woman was, instinct told her she couldn't trust her.
Will had almost finished shaving as she leaned against the frame of the open bathroom door. His hand stilled as he gawked at her through the mirror with burning eyes. She knew that look. Even after a very satisfying morning sex, it looked like Will wanted her again.
She smiled at him, reminding herself he was hers. She loved him so. For a second, she forgot about the annoying flirt on the phone.
"Who called, sweetheart?"
"Oh, yes. Some woman named Andrea something," she answered, her face registering disapproval. She reached behind the bathroom door for her bath robe.
"Andrea Something?"
"Yeah. Here, listen." She played back the voice message on speaker as she put on her robe.
"That's Rob's ex-girlfriend!" Will said in surprise.
"Rob's ex-girlfriend?" She was shocked. Oh, no. Jessa! And what did she
want with my Will?
"What's she doing here?"
"I don't know," Will answered with a frown. "Rob didn't mention anything about Andrea when we spoke on the phone yesterday. All I know was he had a date with Jess."
"I'm calling Jess and see how she is."
Will's phone rang again in her hand, startling them both.
"It must be Andrea again. It's an unknown caller." She held the phone out to Will.
Will tossed the towel he patted his face with on the vanity and took three short, purposeful steps towards her. "Ignore it," he said as he reached into her robe, thumbed her nipples and started kissing her neck. "I'm still catching up from being away from you for one whole week."
"Honey, no," she pleaded even as her nipples hardened in attention. Her body never failed to respond to Will but she really wanted him to take this call. "I want to know what Rob's ex-girlfriend wants."
Will sighed and took the ringing phone from her.
"Put her on speaker," she asked.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Will. It's Andrea Lyons."
"Hi, Andrea. This is a surprise."
"Yes, did you get my earlier message?"
"Yes, I just got it. What are you doing here in Sydney?"
"You wouldn't believe this but I thought Rob would still be here for another week. I wanted to surprise him, you see. Unfortunately, last night was the only night I was able to spend with him. I thought I'd look you up as you're the only person I know here in Sydney. Isn't that pathetic? I'm such a social butterfly in Melbourne and I only know one soul in Sydney," Andrea said with a flirty little laugh.
Will's expression told Clarise he was thinking what she was thinking. If Andrea spent the night with Rob, what happened to Jessa?
"Will? Are you there?"
She nodded her head, indicating to Will she wanted to find out what was really going on and wanted him to extract it out of Andrea.
"Yes, I'm here. What did you have in mind, Andrea?"
"Well, I thought we might catch up over coffee or something. You can bring your girlfriend, too. Rob told me about her. Mind you, Antoinette would be crying for days when she hears you're taken. You know my sister's still crazy about you. She's still as hot for you now as she was during her birthday party. She said she'll kill me if I don't make you call her. Anyway, I don't want to talk about her. So, when can we meet?"
Heart Robber (Lifestyle by Design Book 2) Page 4