The water is bloody freezing and I my skin feels like it's being attacked by a thousand needles as soon the impact hits my body. I feel something grab my hip and I scream out in a panic. Fuck what if it's a shark? Oh god, I’m going to die.
"It's me." The sound of Max's voice calms me a little but I'm still a little shaken.
"You little fucker. Don't ever do that again. I thought it was a shark about to eat me alive.”
"You're the crazy loon who decided to fucking jump in without warning." He laughs. If we weren't in cold water and I didn't feel like I had to hold onto him I'd wipe that cocky smirk off his bloody face, but I think he’s fully aware that I need him right now. Before I know what's happening I'm being taken back to the yacht as I hold onto him as tight as I can. As soon as we reach our destination I'm pinned up against the ladders as Max takes full control over my body. It pointless fighting it, I've been holding back for too long and it's too exhausting so now, I finally allow my body to react and submit to his touch. I've never been intimate with anyone in the ocean before so this is definitely a first for me.
"I've missed feeling you against me Jess. So fucking much." A soft moan escapes my lips as I feel him press against me just where I need him to be. I try to pull him in closer to me but as soon as I do he pulls back and looks at me with a knowing smirk on his face.
"I'd love nothing more than to take you right here, right now but I promised you a romantic snorkelling trip and I’d hate to break my promise to you." The bastard. He knows exactly what he's doing, working me up into a frenzy to then leave me hanging on.
"Max you can't do this to me. That's just cruel."
"Good things come to those who wait angel." I wait for the punch line that doesn't come. Shit he's actually being serious. Well two can play that game, I think to myself as I reluctantly take the mask and snorkel from him. Good things definitely do come to those who wait and Max wild is going to find he will be waiting for longer than he thought possible. Who am I kidding, I’d be a fool to think that I could resist him.
I must admit that I actually enjoyed snorkelling with Max. He stayed by my side throughout it all and even though he must have seen all of this in its beautiful glory a million times before he took an interest and joined in my excitement every time I found something wonderful and new and I’ll always be grateful to him for that.
"Are you hungry?" Max walks over to me in just a towel as I stand drying myself off. Why does he have to look so goddamn hot all of the time? How is a girl supposed to think around here with such a beautiful distraction?
"A little bit. I'm sure I can wait until we arrive back though."
"Throw this on and follow me." His demand is plain and simple followed by a look that dares me to argue with him. After the effort that he's put into all of this today, who am I to argue? Now that he's mentioned food my stomach grumbles in agreement that it would like to be fed. I look at the garment that Max has just thrown to me and I'm surprised to see it’s a basketball shirt. I'm thankful for the size as it's long enough to cover my secret parts and look like a dress. I leave my hair down, still slightly damp and follow Max out of the room. As soon as I arrive back on the deck I see that a picnic has been placed before us. Max waits for me, now he has replaced his towel with some more shorts. He looks fresh from a cover shoot and I have to pinch myself that I'm actually here with him.
"Do you use this often?" I ask, signalling my surroundings. If I had a yacht, Jen would be inviting the whole of England to come and party on it weekly if not every other night. She's going to freak when I fill her in on this little tidbit of information.
"Not as often as I used to, or as often as I would like. Why'd you ask?"
"I just wondered since you have clothes and toiletries on board."
"Everywhere I go Jess, I always have a spare toothbrush and a change of clothes." He says vaguely as he digs around in the basket for our feast.
"Oh." Is all I say and my mind whips back to when he pulled out a night bag from his car when he stayed over at mine. Obviously this must have been his little love boat and old habits die hard I guess. I try not to let it bother me. I have no right to be bothered about anyone before me as I didn't even know him back then, but it still niggles away at me.
"What's wrong Jess?" He must sense the change in my mood. I can't tell him that I'm suddenly overcome with jealousy at the thought of him with other women and that I'm pissed off that he would bring me to somewhere he uses for casual stuff.
I try my best to smile at him but he sees straight through it. "Nothing, I'm fine."
"Jess, one thing that's gonna piss me off real quick is if you start lying to me. If you want to say something then say it. I can't fucking read your mind."
"Did you used to bring other women here?"
"What? Where's that suddenly come from?"
"I don't know." I whisper suddenly feeling like a scolded child. "I just thought I would ask. I’m curious I guess."
"I would never bring you to a place that I have shared with another woman Jess. You mean far too much to me to do that to you."
"What about the clothes? The toiletries."
"I told you. I always carry spares." He looks at me as if I have suddenly grown two heads, completely unaware of what I am getting at.
"But why? Why would you carry 'spares' all the time? Do you just go out and if it happens it happens?" I can't help myself now. My backs up and there's no bringing it back down until I get an answer, no matter what it may be.
"You think I carry spares in case I get off with someone? Shit Jess no. That's not what it is at all. I've always carried spare clothes on me since me and Liss were young. We never knew where we would end up from one day to the next. We moved around... A lot. Sometimes we had nowhere to go and that's when the supplies came in handy. I've never took a single day for granted since and I guess it's my comforter to know that I have it if ever I should need it again then I have the essentials to get me through."
Wow. Well now I feel like a complete heartless bitch that jumps to conclusions that couldn't be any further from the truth. I knew something must have happened to him when he was younger, I just didn't know that it was bad enough to leave such deep scars. "Max I'm sorry I shouldn't have pried into your personal business...”
"Don't apologise for something you don't know about Jess. I'm good it's just habit that’s all and like they say, old habbits die hard. Now if you've finished with your questions for at least half an hour maybe we could eat?"
"Perfect, sounds like a plan to me." I crawl over to him to prevent any void from taking place after that little discussion. Today has been perfect so far and I’d hate to cause any issues that don’t need to be there.
The sun is still out and it’s a nice temperature with a subtle breeze, where I lie sunbathing. All that swimming has completely worn me out. As soon as Max begins to rub oil into my shoulder I feel that relaxed that I could quite easily take a nap. Max slowly and gently kneads the muscles in my back and then slowly brings them around down the side of my breast in delicate circular motions. Almost instantly I can feel a dull ache begin to build up in my core. Unable to take the pressure, I push back against the palm of his other hand that is busy kneading my arse and try and ease the ache. I roll over onto my back so Max gets better access to my front and where I really need him to be.”
“If you stayed we could spend most days like this together. Just you and me, secluded where no one else could interrupt us.”
“I like the sound of that.” I’m unable to concentrate as Max expertly explores beneath my bikini bottoms, teasing and rubbing me in a perfect rhythm. My hips begin to move as he picks up the pace and just as I can feel my release getting closer and closer, his warm mouth closes around me as he stokes me on the inside and teases me with his mouth and tongue on the outside. My legs stiffen around him as I feel the assault of ecstasy take over my body and I begin to pant his name while gripping tightly onto his hair. Shitting hell this man is utterly
perfect in every possible way.
When he finally comes back up and looks at me, he slowly leans down against me and I curl into him, holding onto him as tight as I can and silently thank him for such a perfect day.
Jess
We arrive back at Melissa's shortly after six and I'm still beaming from the perfect day that I've had with Max. I've seen the softer side to him previously but today was like nothing that I'd ever experienced before. He so tentative and caring and nothing was ever too much for him.
"Oh and the love birds finally return. Did you have fun?" Melissa chimes to life as soon as we walk through the door.
"It was perfect." A massive grin spreads across my face as Max gives my hand a little squeeze.
"Well it's alright for some I suppose. I've been bored shitless."
"Really? I somehow find that hard to believe, you've always got something stuffed up your sleeve." I wonder if Heath has been hanging around while the coast has been clear. Just as I'm about to plonk my arse on the barstool my phone chimes to life in my bag. As soon as I see the caller I.D panic begins to swirl within my chest. I answer it instantly and hold my hand up to Liss and Max to quieten down a minute.
"Hi Tim. How are you?" I try to listen to his panic stricken voice on the other end of the line but he's taking way to fast and I can't understand him. "Okay, calm down. Start right from the beginning and slowly so that I can try to understand you."
"Where to start Jess, where to fucking start. Everything's gone tits up. I wanted to call you sooner really I did but what with Mal's ill health, I didn't want to cause any more drama but enough is enough. I can’t take it anymore."
"What's happened? What do you mean everything's gone tits up?"
"Stanton's. Something has happened to one of the backup files for one of the major clients. I haven't got a fucking clue how it fix it. The phones are ringing off the hook as all the designs are lost too. Someone from that business is threatening to go to the press for breach of data protection."
"How?" I am hearing everything that he’s saying but none of it is making any sense whatsoever.
"Someone somewhere has removed the file and it has all of their sensitive information on it. I don't know how but it's managed to get back to some of them and now the shit has well and hit the fan. Oh Jess we’re screwed. What the fuck am I supposed to do?"
"Fuck. Right let me see what I can try and find out and I'll come back to you ASAP okay?"
"Thanks. I'm so sorry to drop this on you."
"Don't worry about it; I'll speak to you soon. Try not to panic, we’ll sort it if we can." I say to him when all I am doing is panicking on the inside. Why can nothing ever go right, just once? Shit, shit, shit. How the hell has this happened? Mal's going to hit the roof. He can't find out the extent of this otherwise he'll definitely end up back in hospital.
"Jess what's going on? You've gone white." I look at Melissa but I can't seem to get the words out. Instead I just stand in front of Liss and Max waiting for a resolution to pop out thin air, but I know that I’ll be waiting for a bloody long time if without anyone’s help.
"Jess, what did he say?"
"It's... It's Stanton's. They're in deep shit."
I relay the information Tim has passed onto me to Max and wish I hadn't. He looks furious, deadly even. Melissa looks like she understands but I actually don't think she does to be honest. "What am I going to do?"
"Mal mustn't find out. From any of us, am I clear?" Both me and Melissa nod in sync to Max's demand. "You won't be doing anything, we - me and you together will sort this okay? Don't get yourself worked up over it. There's not much we can do right one anyway, not until we have more information on it."
"Are you kidding me? I need to go back and sort this mess that they've suddenly found themselves in. How on earth have they managed to lose this super sensitive file?” "Trust me Jess, that's the first thing that I'll be finding out. Believe me."
"Maybe it could have been hacked?" Melissa chimes in and she actually has a valid point. Max is soon quick to shoot it down though.
"It's a possibility, but a very slim one. Me and Mal have been using the same security for years and it's the most secure that there is."
I really don't like the sound of this one bit. We bloody leave the office for a few weeks and all hell breaks loose. I try to call Amelia to see what has been happening since I have been gone but it just goes to voicemail. Why is no one answering them when I bloody need them to the most.
"Hey Tim, it's Jess." I say as he answers on the first ring.
"That was quick, can it be fixed? Please god tell me it can be fixed."
"I really wish I could Tim. I've got Max in on it from this end. I need you to think back and tell me everyone who has access to the main drives. I'm going to need dates and times so we can see if there has been any dodgy activity on any of the accounts."
"Sure. I should be able to get that for you. What else do you need me to do?"
"Book me a flight out back to Heathrow tomorrow. I don't care what time, we just need to get this mess sorted ASAP."
"Okay, will do. I'll email you the flight confirmations as soon as I have them."
"Brilliant. One last thing before I go, could you get Amelia to call me. All I keep getting is voicemail and I need to speak to her urgently."
"That might be a bit tricky seeing as though she has been off sick since Mal flew out." Honestly could this mess get any worse?
"Okay well if you speak to her before I do, get her to call me please. Okay, thanks. Bye Tim.”
I put the phone down to be greeted with two sets of eyes burning holes into me. "What?" I say suddenly conscious I have something unsightly on my face.
"You are not going back home Jess. This isn't your mess to fix."
"Of course it is. I work there and I have built most of these clients up on my own Max. I'm leaving tomorrow and that's final."
"Over my fucking dead body. If I have to keep you here I will do. You've got work to do here."
"Excuse me?" I can't believe he has just thrown that line on me. "Yes I may work here for now Max but Stanton's is my career and where my priorities lie. I will not sit back and watch all of Mal's hard work crumble and collapse around him. I thought you would have felt the same."
"Okay guys, maybe we should calm down a little. All of this shouting isn't going to solve the situation is it?" As much as I hate to admit it, Melissa has a point. I stare at Max head on adamant in my plans. "I will leave tomorrow and I don't want to hear another word about it."
Max
I stand and watch the lights flicker before me. I love it when the house is all lit up ready for Christmas. I hear his voice first and instantly feel bile begin to rise in my throat. What is he doing here? He shouldn't be here anymore, not after what he did. My first thought goes straight to Melissa. Shit I hope she's not here. Please let her be anywhere but here. That's when my blood suddenly runs colds and turns to ice. Jess' laugh sounds out in the distance. Please no, not Jess. Don't let him near my Jess. I try to run towards the sound of her voice but my legs won't move fast enough. With each step that I take her voice seems to get farther and farther away.
"Jess, Jess where are you?" I cry out, desperate for her to reply. She doesn't answer me. Why isn't she answering me? All I can hear is her laugh but she doesn't say anything. I round the hallway and stop in the living room and that's when I see him. He stands, just like he used to, still wearing the same battered tartan shirt and smelling of sweat and alcohol.
"Jess." I call out again but she doesn't turn. Instead all I see is him as he turns slowly to face me.
"So good to see you again Max. My, my how you have grown." His greasy hair is combed back and his grin causes chills of dread to shiver down my spine. This can’t be happening. How the hell has he got here?
"What are you doing here? You know you shouldn't have come back, not after last time." Anger fills up inside me and the memories suddenly resurface from the very last time tha
t I saw him. I swear if he touches a single hair on her head I'll make sure I do what I should have fucking done years ago without a moments fucking hesitation. This time he won’t walk away without paying for his actions.
"That's no way to greet your old man now is it son?"
"I'm not your son. Don’t you ever call me your son you murdering bastard." His right arm swiftly curves around Jess' neck and I hear a click. A whimper escapes her lips as she suddenly realises what's about to happen, my eyes zoning in on the gun that's been placed at her temple.
"You're just like her you know. Right down to your fucking arrogance and stubbornness. Only she knew when to fucking keep quiet." He looks at Jess and reaches out to touch her hair. "She's a bit too pretty for you isn't she Max? It's a shame it's all going to go to waste." I hear another click and scream out as the gunshot sounds around the room, penetrating my mind to remind me what happens when I become weak.
"Nooooooo.... Jess!" I try to scream but the words freeze on my lips.
My eyes shoot open and all I can see is darkness around me. I'm covered in sweat and the sheets cling to my cold damp body. I try to regulate my breathing but all I can see in my mind is Jess on the floor in a heap while the life is drained completely from her body. "It's just a dream, just a fucked up fucking dream." I repeat over and over but it felt so real and everything thing was laid out just like last time, only now he had Jess as his victim. Leaning out to grab my phone I see that it's just gone 3am. I don't think twice about the time, I just need to hear her voice and to make sure that she's okay. The call goes straight to voicemail. What are you doing Max? She'll be asleep. Knowing full well that sleep is not going to happen I lower my feet to the floor and try to compose myself.
"I can get there for ten. Yeah that's fine, I'll see you then." I still can't shift the image of Jess lying before me out of my mind. I need to get these nightmares under control. I've been for a surf and ran a couple of miles on the treadmill and nothing is easing up the fear that is niggling away at me. The fear of losing another person that I care about at the hands of that evil bastard. I have no idea why he is suddenly penetrating my dreams after all this time but I don't fucking like it. I try Jess again, the sudden need to speak to her driving me insane. It still goes to fucking voicemail so I call Melissa instead.
Fallen Down Under (Down Under #2) Page 9