by Alexa Davis
I sheepishly looked around the living room and thought about how maybe what I was doing was simply justifying my own desire to have an affair with Austin. There was no doubt in my mind that he was attracted to me and that I was incredibly attracted to him. He was handsome, smart, down-to-earth – and being incredibly wealthy didn't hurt matters. I liked him a lot and I felt incredibly drawn to him. There was something about him that felt so familiar and comforting, while also sparking the attention of all of the nerve endings in my body.
When I was near him, all I wanted to do was touch him and get closer, but I held back because I knew that I wasn't in a place where I could make a logical rational decision about the whole thing, and I was scared of being swept up in feelings that I couldn't make sense of or follow through on. I had to figure out what to do about Tommy before I could start something new with Austin, but I needed back up, so I texted Trish.
Em_Flies: Hey you, what's up?
RedBird: Princess! Where R U?
Em_Flies: Wouldn't believe if I told U.
RedBird: Tell me anyway.
Em_Flies: His mansion.
RedBird: Mansion, mansion?
Em_Flies: Yep. Call you later?
RedBird: Call now
Em_Flies: Can't. Going to have a massage.
RedBird: Posh Princess, very posh. Call me when ur done!
I walked down the stairs to the massage room where a man with muscles larger than my thighs waited with a warm towel and a bottle of massage oil.
"Hi, I'm Emily," I said quietly so as not to disturb the calm in the room.
"Hello, Emily, I'm RJ," he said as he offered his hand. "I'll be your masseuse today. If you'd like to step into the bathroom and change out of your suit and wrap this towel around you, I'll set up the room and then we can get started."
"Okay," I said and stepped into the bathroom. I took off my suit and hung it over the bar next to the shower and wrapped a fluffy white towel around myself before stepping back out into the room.
"Come on over and lay face down." RJ smiled as he gestured to the table. I did as he instructed and soon he was rubbing the warm oil into my skin as he worked out the knots in my muscles. I listened to the quiet music playing and let myself drift on a wave of relaxation as I felt the tension leaving my body. When RJ was done, he helped me up off the table and walked me to the sauna where I lay on the bench feeling the heat leech the rest of my stress out of my body. When the timer went off, RJ appeared and led me to the cool tub where I hopped in and felt the refreshing water make my skin tingle before hopping back out and slipping into the robe that RJ had left hanging on a hook next to the tub. I thanked him and climbed the stairs back up to the second level where I peeked in the blue room and saw that Austin had not only filled it with beautiful dresses, but also a wide array of things designed to entertain and delight me.
I laughed as I picked up an iPad that had a note on it that said, "In case you get bored, you can always escape here!" On the dresser, there was an array of cosmetics and perfume and jewelry that shimmered and sparkled. I picked up containers and smelled the fragrances before trying on some of the sparkling jewels that called my name. It was like being inside a department store that had been curated just for me. Everything was designed to excite my senses and I felt a deep appreciation for Austin's ability to think ahead and choose what he thought I would like best. It was thoughtful and it told me that he was paying attention to me.
I ran back to the living room and grabbed my phone, dialing Trish as I ran back up the stairs to my room.
"Hey, Princess!" she greeted me warmly. "What's up?"
"You're not going to believe where I am," I said.
"You already told me – the mansion," she replied, laughing.
"No, I know, but where in the mansion I am!" I said excitedly. "He created a whole room just for me!"
"Okay, wait a second, Princess," Trish said with an edgy tone in her voice. "That's starting to sound a little bit like a creepy horror flick."
"No, no! It's not like that at all," I laughed, but the comment lingered as I looked at the room through fresh eyes. "Okay, maybe a tiny bit. But, Trish, he's got a room full of stuff for me! Dresses, shoes, jewelry, and an iPad that has a note telling me if I need to...escape I can do it with the pad."
"Emily," Trish's voice sounded worried. "Are you sure this is all okay? I mean, from an outsider's perspective it sounds weird, but then I know I'm not there, so..." she trailed off waiting for my response.
"Trish, it's really okay," I said, thinking about the boat trip and lunch on the beach and how warm his hand felt in mine. "He's a good guy. Seriously."
"Okay, if you say so, then I have no choice but to believe you," she said. "You're a big girl."
"I like him, Trish," I told her quietly. "I really like him. A lot. I feel comfortable around him, I can talk to him, and..."
"And he's a total hottie," she finished triumphantly.
"There's that, too," I said smiling into the phone. "I'm trying not to let that seep into things, though. He understands that I have to work things out with Tommy before I can make any other plans or promises."
"Sure, sure," Trish said. "Look, the two of you have something, it's obvious to me. You just need to dump that loser of a husband and move on with your life!"
"Trish, he's not a loser, he's going through a rough time," I said with a warning note in my voice. "I don't just walk away from people that I love because they're having a difficult time. Besides, isn't that what marriage is all about? Sticking it out through the rough times?"
"Look, I'm not sure who fed you that line of crap," Trish said, sounding like she was trying to lecture me and comfort me at the same time. "But here's the deal: you are married to a man who is an alcoholic and who is not doing anything to shake the monkey off his back. He is dragging you down with his drinking and his attempt at running a business that costs you money. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, he's not holding up his end of the bargain. Heck, for all you know, he's got another woman on the side!"
Hearing her words, I burst into sobs. Trish frantically tried to calm me from the other end.
"Em, Em! Emily!" she yelled into the phone. "What is going on?"
I tearfully told her about the call I made before I met Austin for the boat tour and how I thought she was probably right. Then I told her how I'd thrown myself at Austin, and how he'd backed off and told me to take my time and figure things out.
"Wow, that's some serious restraint," she said quietly. "I mean, he could've taken advantage of that right then and there. But he didn't?"
"No, he didn't," I said. "And, I can feel how attracted we are to each other, but he keeps backing off and giving me space. I like him, Trish. I really do."
"I can tell, Princess," she said and I could hear the relief in her voice. "You deserve someone who will be good to you."
"Thanks, Trish," I said in a small voice. "I needed that."
"Alright, now go pick out a pretty dress and some gorgeous shoes and get all prettied up for him!" she laughed. "And, don't forget to take a few selfies for me!"
"I will," I laughed, feeling relieved and happy that she'd given me her blessing to follow my heart.
After we hung up, I went over to the closet where there were a number of dresses on padded hangers. I pulled each one out, held it up to my body as I looked in the full-length mirror, and tried to decide which one would look best on me. I wondered which one Austin would like best, but then decided he would probably like the one I liked best because I'd feel the most comfortable in it.
I settled on a diaphanous maxi dress that had been dip-dyed ombre from midnight blue at the hem to the lightest shade of robin's egg at the top. It was made from a jersey material that clung in all the right places and made me feel like a million bucks. I chose a pair of t-strap sandals in midnight blue and chose a simple strand of brightly-colored Ippolita stones set in sterling silver and matching drop earrings as the only adornments.
I went
into the bathroom and ran a tub full of water adding some of the fragrant bubble bath to the water. I sunk into it and closed my eyes, replaying the day in my mind. The moments that were most memorable were the ones where Austin and I were touching each other, and I went back over each one of them in detail, wondering what it would have been like had we taken it further. I immediately felt guilty about thinking of Austin that way, before remembering that my husband was cheating on me, and suddenly things didn’t seem so bad. I was free to do as I pleased and if fantasizing about Austin was what pleased me, then I was going to do it,
The more I fantasized about what might have happened, the more I wanted Austin to return home. I wanted to be around him. And when I was honest with myself, I admitted that I wanted him. My thoughts about Austin had started my blood flowing and as I sunk deeper into the bath, I resisted the urge to let my hands wander down below the surface.
He was certainly having an effect on me. All of me.
Chapter Forty-Five
Austin
I thought about Emily on the flight, even though I knew I should be focusing all of my attention on resolving the conflict with the crew. I couldn't help it, though. The image of Emily curled up on the couch sipping wine and nibbling on bread and cheese made me smile, and when I replayed the events of the day in my mind, I couldn't help but remember the way her hand had felt tucked in mine, how warm her fingers felt on my skin, and how much I had wanted to bring my other hand up and caress her face as I leaned in and...no, I needed to focus.
"How long before we arrive?" I yelled into the mic.
"Just a couple of minutes, Mr. Marks," yelled the pilot. "We're almost there."
I looked down at my phone again, hoping that Bax had finished the contract and that when I landed, I could go straight to Buck and tell him what we were offering. Nothing appeared, so I tucked the phone in my pocket and watched as we descended down to the construction site. It looked like the men were gathering around a couple of guys holding picket signs, but I couldn't be sure from a distance. I wasn't about to let Daniel have the upper hand in this one.
The helicopter set down with the blades whirling and the pilot yelled, "Keep your head down as you exit, Mr. Marks!" I nodded and ducked as I got out of the copter and headed for the site. The pilot lifted off and took back to the skies to circle until we were done meeting. I waved once I'd cleared the space and headed into Buck's office.
"Mr. Tucker," I said extending my hand as I walked through the door of the office. "I'm sorry, good to see you Buck."
"And it's good to see you, too, Austin," he grinned, shaking my hand warmly. "I'm sorry that you have to come out here again for this nonsense."
"It happens," I waved him off as I looked around. The office had nothing but a computer, a phone, a printer, and a coffee maker tucked in one corner. "What's going on? Do you have any idea what happened?"
"I honestly have no idea," he said, shaking his head as he reached up and pulled off his hard hat and scratched his head. "We were fine until about three days ago, when he rumors started running like wildfire through the crew. No one knows where they started or who said what."
"I have an idea of what happened," I said as I rubbed my cheek with one hand. "But I don't know how it happened."
"Austin, I've never worked on a crew that had so many problems before," he said. "I'm not sure why this is happening or how to stop it, but if you have any good oil, now would be the time to speak up, mate. If we can figure it out, she'll be right."
Just then, my phone vibrated, letting me know that Bax had sent the contract. I looked over at Buck and said, "Check your messages."
He looked down at the computer screen and saw one from Bax, clicked on it, and at the same time, we read through the contract. When Buck looked up, a smile stretched all the way from ear to ear as he nodded. "I'll be stuffed! The boys are going to be stoked about this! Let's go tell 'em the good news, mate!"
Buck and I walked out of the office and headed toward the place where the crew was gathering. When we walked up to them, I could see that there were several men with picket signs that said, "Marks Enterprises steals jobs!" I shook my head, wondering how they'd managed to get signs printed up so quickly and wondering who Daniel was funneling money through to fund this protest.
"Boys, listen up! Mr. Marks has a bonzer proposal that is a bloody beaut!" called Buck.
"Rack off!" came the response from a couple of outliers holding signs. "We've heard your bodgy promises before!"
"Yeah, rack off, mate!" yelled another man holding a sign.
"Well, at least, listen to what I have to say," I raised my voice above the protests. "And if after you've heard my offer, you still don't like it, then I'll let you do what you want and not interfere."
The men quieted down and one of them yelled, "Well, get on with it, then!"
"Men, I understand that someone has been spreading rumors that we're going to start importing foreign labor to help with this project. I understand why this is of concern, and while I thought we'd worked it out last time I was here, it's obvious to me that you still have doubts as to whether or not you can trust Marks Enterprises."
"Yeah, you dunny rats are all alike!" yelled a man in the back. "Why should we trust you?"
"Well, I can't make you trust me, but I can offer you something that will make it a little easier to do so," I continued calmly. "I've given Mr. Tucker a contract here that guarantees Marks Enterprises will only employ local labor on this project. It guarantees that there will be no foreign labor brought in and that all workers on the project will receive a bonus of two percent of their annual pay if the project is completed on time." A murmur ran through the crowd as the men discussed the proposal among themselves.
"And, that's including any overtime earned on the project, so all bonuses will be calculated using the added overtime," I added. The leaders of the protest looked to Buck for affirmation and when he nodded his head a cheer went up. The men pounded each other on the back, and then came to me and Buck to shake our hands and pound us on the back. I smiled and assured every one of them that I intended to make good on my word, and they thanked me for doing the right thing.
When we had finished shaking the last hand, Buck and I went back to his office and we both signed the contract. I sent a copy of it back to Bax and Buck filed a copy in the cabinet next to his computer.
"Well, mate, it looks like you did the right thing," Buck smiled.
"I want this to go smoothly, but it's of utmost importance that we do this right," I said very seriously. "I don't want anyone to feel that they are expendable. If that means spending a little extra money to ensure that sense of security, I'll do it."
"You certainly bottle your blood's worth, Austin Marks," Buck said as he again offered his hand. I shook it and smiled.
"You know, someday you're going to have to interpret all of these Aussie words for me, my friend," I laughed. "I've got an inkling of what you guys are saying, but sometimes, I feel like I'm listening to a foreign language!"
Buck let out a long loud laugh and said, "Let's just say that it all points to you being a damn good bloke, Marks."
"Now, that I get!" I laughed with him. "Right back at you, Buck."
I picked up my phone and texted the copter pilot that I was ready for pickup, and as he was setting down on the landing area, I looked at Buck and said, "If you need anything at all, don't hesitate to let me know, okay? I don't care how big or small it is. I just want to ensure that this project runs smoothly and that you have what you need to make it happen."
"Aye, aye, Captain," Buck said with a twinkle in his eye and a loose salute. I laughed and made my way back to the helicopter. Once safely inside and on the way up, I shouted, "Now back to the house, I've got an important dinner date with a very nice lady!"
"Gotcha, boss," the pilot shouted into his mic before tilting the copter sideways and heading back to Palm Beach where Emily was waiting for me.
Chapter Forty-Six
> Austin
As the helicopter landed on the roof, I could see that it was dusk and the sun had sunk in the western horizon leaving behind a trace of light that was beginning to morph into darkness. The waters in the cove were calm and I could hear the night birds beginning to stir. As the copter took off and headed back to Sydney, I stood and watched a peregrine falcon come in and swiftly pick off a smaller bird in mid-flight. It was beautifully brutal and it reminded me that in the wild, only the strong survive, but in the human world, it took more than just brute force to win.
I walked down the stairs to the door that led to the interior of the house and paused before turning the knob and walking into the entryway. The whole house was bathed in the soft glow of evening, and as I entered the living room I saw her standing at the window looking out over the water. I inhaled sharply as she turned and smiled at me.
"You look...wow," I exhaled as I looked at her. Emily was wearing the dress that was my favorite. Its midnight blue hemline touched the floor and then bled into lighter shades of blue as it moved higher, finishing at the neck with a light robin's egg shade that highlighted her tan skin. But it was her face that mesmerized me. She'd pulled her hair up and tucked it loosely into a messy pile on her head that made me want to run my fingers through it and bring it cascading down around her shoulders like she'd worn it while we were swimming. Around her neck was a long delicate chain of brightly-colored stones that fell between her breasts and sparkled when she moved.
"Well, thank you very much," she said with a warm smile as she turned in place. "You made it all possible!"
"No, I just asked them to pick out pretty dresses," I said, still staring at her. She looked like an angel floating across the carpet, and I wanted to pull her into my arms and hold her close to me.