I grin. “Yeah, it was more awkward for me, thank you! Standing there in my camisole which Mom thought was a top!”
“Um…I don’t think so. I was hiding my hard-on with a cushion, remember?”
We both crack up thinking about it.
“That seems like such a long time ago,” I say. I can’t believe how nervous I’d been around him that evening.
“The night of the dreaded lovecake.” He sniggers.
I punch him hard in his side.
“Okay, you’ll pay for that.” He lunges for me, but I’m too quick for him. I evade his hands, roll of the bed and end up falling on the floor. He looks down at me from the edge of the bed. “Are you all right?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? I’m just going to do some push-ups,” I say and start doing some push-ups.
He is still laughing as I pull on some leggings and a T-shirt. He stops though, when I tell him I can feel his cum running out of me.
I quickly run across to my place where Draco is eager to see me. “I know. I know. I’ve been leaving you alone too much. All that is going to stop now and I’m going to take you with me all the time now.”
As if he understands he starts waging his tail furiously and making that almost purring sound he makes when he is very, very happy. I take him to the kitchen.
“Good boy, Draco,” I coo, stroking his head, as he wolfs down his food. I’m glad his appetite is finally coming back after the op.
Then I give him his medication, grab his blanket, and take him back to Jackson’s, from where delicious smells of bacon and eggs cooking waft into our noses. Draco’s nose twitches away and I think maybe, he’ll be allowed a tiny bit of bacon.
Just this once.
Chapter Forty-One
Jackson
“Bye Mrs. Appleton. It was great to see you again.” I smile, closing the door behind her.
“I hope that wasn’t a sigh of relief,” Lauren teases.
“Nah, your Mom’s sweet in her own way,” I say. “She talks a lot, though.”
“You’re going to think I had an ulterior motive for inviting her over here for afternoon tea,” I tell her, kissing her on the forehead.
“Oh?” she says, narrowing her eyes. “Why’s that?”
“Do you have any plans Saturday?”
“Why?” she asks, looking so suspicious it makes me laugh.
“It’s nothing too awful, I promise! It’s the annual Architect’s ball. I have to go. It’s a charity thing and it’s going to be pretty dull, but it’ll be a lot better if you came…”
“You want to take you with me?” she asks, a smile growing on her sweet lips.
“Yeah, I do.”
The smile becomes full-blown. “I promised I’d help Danny out with some painting during the day, but I’m not doing anything in the evening so sure, I’d love to.”
“Good. The food is always amazing and there’s an open bar.”
“Sounds great. What’s the catch?”
“Well, we’ll be sitting with my parents at dinner… and there’ll be rather a lot of boring speeches and awards.”
“I think I can handle that.” She smiles. “Especially, if since say your Dad’s been a bit more chill recently too.”
“It’s quite a fancy affair so you’ll have to dress up. I don’t know if you have anything like that but I’m happy to take you shopping if you don’t?”
She smiles at me and touches my arm. “It’s so sweet of you to offer, but you don’t need to do that. I think I have just the thing… it’s pretty sexy, though.”
I’m curious now. “How so?”
“Well it’s long, red, a little sparkly, it has a slit to somewhere in the middle of my left thigh, and its strapless.” Suddenly, she looks unsure. “I hope your parents won’t think it’s too much?”
“Two things. A: It’s sounds absolutely stunning. B: You’re my girl, not my parent’s.” Then I start unbuttoning her blouse. “Did I hear you mention something about your left thigh?”
“I might have. Why?”
“Because my cock is already hard.”
Chapter Forty-Two
Lauren
“Nina isn’t here yet?” I ask, giving Pam a big hug. She’s wearing a long floaty skirt with a baby blue cashmere roll neck sweater, her shiny auburn hair skimming her shoulders. I take off my coat and slip into the seat next to her.
“No, I just got here. Managed to grab a table. I didn’t realize how busy it gets in here. On a Monday, as well!”
“You’ve forgotten what city life is like, haven’t you?” I tease.
She laughs. “Yeah, maybe you’re right. It is a bit of a culture shock being back. Just seems so loud and so crowded here after being in such a remote place for so long.”
“It must have been amazing,” I say. “I’ve always wished I could see more of the world. And you’ve done it and managed to help out in the community there as well!”
“You have to come and visit,” she says excitedly, putting her hand on mine. “David and I are planning to go back as soon as we can. You really feel like you’re making a difference out there. And the people are so warm and lovely.”
“See if you can stop me from coming to visit.”
“Bring Jackson too, of course,” she says. “I’m so glad you’ve found someone special.”
I smile. “Yeah, I know, he is pretty beautiful isn’t he! I was surprised he even noticed me, let alone wanted to go out with me.”
“Lolly, stop that!” she scolds. “You’re every inch as beautiful as he is. More if you ask me.”
“I’ve missed you,” I tell her. “And I can’t believe you’re getting married.”
“I know!” she says, her eyes shining.
“So, when do we get to meet him? I mean, it’s quite ridiculous that we haven’t already.”
“I know, I’m sorry. He’s just so busy with work and stuff. We’ve actually not spent much time together recently, at all. He’s been back and forth trying to sort out his business. And he’s got his bachelor party this weekend even though the wedding’s not for another two months!
“Next weekend?” I say, “That’s funny, Jackson was meant to be going to Tahoe on a bachelor party then too, but he can’t go now.”
“Well, I was going to suggest we get away for a kind of bachelorette thing…” she suggests, “I don’t want anything crazy. Just the four of us girls and maybe a couple of my old work friends.”
“Count me in!” I say. “But you’re not talking about this weekend, are you?”
“I figured you guys would probably be busy at such late notice,” she says. “I’m sorry I didn’t get in touch more regularly. But the internet is so flaky out there. We’re lucky even to have power sometimes!”
“That’s ok,” I grin. “I totally understand. And let me organize something for you. Please?”
“Would you really?” she asks me, looking all coy.
“Where do you want to go?” I ask.
“I don’t know… I was thinking maybe a nice spa place around Napa, so we can go wine tasting too.”
“Sounds awesome.”
“And don’t worry about the money,” she continues. “David wants to treat us! I think he feels bad about keeping me away from you guys for so long!”
“Hey! Sorry I’m late you guys!” Nina yells, hugging Pam, then me and sitting down with us.
We catch up on her most recent date, who turns out to be lacking in several departments according to Nina, and then turn to talk of the spa weekend away.
“Oh my God, this is going to be so much fun!” Nina squeals. “But why don’t we go this weekend when David’s away too?”
“I can’t,” I say. “I’m sorry. I already said I’d go to this architect ball thing with Jackson and his folks.”
“Ooh, things are getting serious with you two, Lolly.” Nina grins.
I tell her to shut up. “How about the weekend after instead?” I suggest. “I’ll text Andrea.”
&nb
sp; “Yeah, where is she, anyway?” Pam asks.
“Probably with Ricardo!” I reply. “They seem to be seeing a lot of each other recently.”
“Ugh. Everyone’s loved up except me!” Nina complains. “It’s not fair!”
“Aw, there’ll be someone for you!” Pam reassures her.
And suddenly, I have an idea.
Chapter Forty-Three
Jackson
When I inform Joe that I’m not going to the Tahoe weekend and he finally got it that I wasn’t going, he really blew his cool. Accusing me of choosing a woman over the guy’s, saying that ever since I met Lauren I have had even less time to spend with the guys. He even hung up on me.
I decide to walk back to my place from work to calm down. I’m striding up and down streets, marching out my aggression. What the hell, Joe? When are you ever going to grow the hell up?
I notice a figure up ahead and I recognize him immediately. That idiot from Lauren’s work. The image of his hand on the small of Lauren’s back flashes in my head. That wasn’t a man taking his colleague out to dinner, that was a man on the hunt.
Almost instantly, I feel the blood rushing to my brain. My fists curl and tighten into ball hammers of pure fury. I know men like him. They don’t respect boundaries and I don’t buy that bullshit story he sold Lauren about being cheated by his ex. Men, like him. They do the cheating. Despite the red haze in my brain, I would have walked past him and not said anything, but as luck would have it, he is a psychopath who has to have his pound of flesh.
He’s quite well built, but I’m bigger and I’m pretty sure stronger than him. He picked the wrong guy to play his games with.
“Don’t I know you?” he asks, a self-satisfied smirk on his face that I am dying to punch out.
“No, and you don’t want to know me,” I tell him, aggressively.
“Chill man. It’s a beautiful day.”
Yeah, the perfect day to knock your lights out. “Keep away from Lauren. Or you’ll regret it.”
His eyes widen as he realizes how he knows me. “Are you threatening me?” he asks.
I can see he’s no longer sure of himself. I’m wearing a suit, but inside I’m all caveman. He didn’t expect that. “Yeah, I am. Do you understand?”
I’m towering over him, glowering at him. I can see he’s intimidated.
I keep on staring him down and unconsciously he starts backing away. “Yeah sure. Sorry. We just work together. It was nothing,” he mumbles.
“It better be nothing. I see you touch her again and I’ll break your hand,” I threaten menacingly.
“Yeah, man. Sure.”
I watch the little coward walking hurriedly away from me, glancing back a few times. It is a long time before my fists uncurl and my breathing returns to normal. Lauren is mine and the sooner everybody understands that, the better life will be for them.
Chapter Forty-Four
Lauren
“Hey, Matthew,” I greet cheerfully, as I get into the office. No matter what time I get in, he always seems to be there before me.
“Hey,” he replies, not looking up from his computer.
“Everything all right?” I ask him.
He just nods and continues typing.
Okay. I shrug and settle into my new desk. I’m loving my new position already. I log on to my computer and check what’s on the schedule for today. I can’t believe how much my life has transformed in the last couple of weeks, but while my career advancement has put a spring in my step, it’s Jackson who’s made my heart sing. I smile just thinking about him, but then I get a nervous twist in my stomach when I think of the big architect’s ball coming up on Saturday. I just hope I don’t let him down.
“Lauren, have you finished the prep for the site visit tomorrow?” Matthew asks sternly.
I look up at him, confused. “I only just got in… I’ll get it done straight away.”
“Make sure you do,” he says, and wanders off.
Jeez, I wonder what’s up with him. I quickly open the file he’s talking about and start reading through the documents.
Lunchtime comes and goes and I’m still working on it, munching on a sandwich at my desk. Finally, I think it’s done and I sigh with relief and leave it on Matthew’s desk for him to look over before I take it my team to start working on it.
Going to my table, I sip on my green juice and open the browser on my computer to search for spa hotels around Napa. I cringe at some of the prices and wonder how much this fiancée of Pam’s is willing to spend on us. He’s already shelling out for all our bridesmaid’s dresses, hair, and makeup on the day. What a guy!
“That doesn’t look like work,” Matthew tuts as he walks past my desk.
“Oh, sorry!” I say, surprised that he would say something. Maybe I should have brought my Do Not Disturb sign with me, I think to myself. “I worked through my lunch to get that site survey prep done so I didn’t think it would be a problem. The report is on your desk.”
He walks off without a reply.
Chapter Forty-Five
Lauren
“I just don’t understand,” I wail to Andrea. “Things were going so well!”
“I don’t understand, either.” She frowns. “But you need to talk to him about it. It’s not fair on you. You at least deserve an explanation.”
“He told me I’m not fulfilling my responsibilities. That maybe I’m not ready for the role. He’s going to suggest to Mr. Montfort that one of the other members of the team might be more suitable to lead.”
“That’s ridiculous,” she snorts. “You’re one of the most intelligent women I know. You told me you’re working your ass off there and I believe you. I have no doubt that you’re doing great.”
“Thanks,” I mutter. “What would you do if you were me?”
She considers this for a moment and then says, “Could there be any other reason? Do you think it’s because you rejected him?”
“I wouldn’t say I rejected him. I just said made it clear I wanted to keep our relationship purely professional. It didn’t seem to bother him at all.” I think back to that night and sincerely hope I’m remembering it correctly. Could he have been expecting us to become more than friends? But that didn’t make sense because he had literally turned cold overnight.
“Men can be strange creatures,” Andrea eventually says, sipping on her soy chai latte, and then glancing at her phone for about the seventh time that evening.
“Are you waiting to hear from someone?” I ask, narrowing my eyes. This behavior was most unlike ice queen Andrea. “Ricardo not texting you?”
She glowers at me and refutes the idea immediately. “As if,” she huffs, then nonchalantly throws her phone in her bag.
I know better than to delve so I move on quickly, “So anyway, before Matthew got all weird the last couple of days, I was actually thinking about setting him up with Nina.”
“Wouldn’t that be a bit off, given your history?” she asks, accusingly.
“For goodness sake, nothing happened between us. Mathew and I had dinner together after working flat out for a whole afternoon. End of story.”
She smirks. “I know, Laurie. As if you’d do anything so exciting!”
I lower my head. “Laugh all you want, but at that time I had already fallen for Jackson. I was even scared about liking him too much so doing anything with Mathew or any other man didn’t even cross my mind,” I admit.
“Why should you be scared about liking someone?” she asks curiously.
I look up at her. “For the same reason you’re scared of liking Ricardo too much.”
She looks away. I don’t speak and after a while, she turns her face back to me. “Ricardo’s not answering my texts,” she says, her voice quivering slightly.
“Oh, babe,” I say, my heart sinking for her. “He’ll be in touch soon. I cannot believe he won’t. You are such a catch. When has any man dropped you?”
She bites her lip. “There’s always the first time.
And of course, it would have to happened with a guy I really like.”
“When did you last hear from him?”
“Monday,” she whispered. Her eyes glaze over for a second and then she focuses on me again. “We went to yoga, dropped in to see Danny, then had an amazing dinner at this new rooftop place his friend owns. Amazing sex in the hot tub too afterwards… and then nothing.”
“It doesn’t sound like you have anything to worry about,” I say, feeling more envy than pity for her. Sex in a hot tub, wow.
“I sent him a text the next morning, but I haven’t heard anything back.”
“You haven’t messaged him since then?”
She shakes her head and I’m amazed at her will power.
“Anyway,” she says, sitting up straight. “It’s only what I’ve done to so many men in the past. So, I suppose it serves me right!” She grins. “And where the hell is Nina?” she asks, looking around. “We need to get this bachelorette party organized!”
“She’ll be here soon, you know she’s always late! And anyway, I want to hear more about this hot tub.”
Chapter Forty-Six
Jackson
I hear the knock on the door and jump up to let her in.
“How was dinner, gorgeous?” I ask her. And she does look gorgeous. Mind-blowingly gorgeous. Her skin fresh and natural, without make-up. Her hair pulled back in a braid, with loose strands framing her beautiful face.
“Great,” she says, hugging me tight and kissing me. “What did you get up to tonight?”
“Just work, the usual shit. But anyway. You’re here now.” I pick her up and lay her down on the sofa. She’s giggling as I do.
“Drink?” I could do with one tonight.”
“I think I’ll just have a cup of a tea, actually. I need to get an early night. I don’t know what I’ve done but Matthew is making my life hell at the moment. Everything I do isn’t good enough and he got funny with me for being on the internet on my lunch break.”
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