by Brenna Darcy
Flic climbed back into bed.
Dave took his jacket off and slung it over a chair, removed his shoes and lay next to her on top of the covers.
She glared at him. The last place she wanted him was in her bed.
“Oh come on, you don’t expect me to sit in one of those uncomfortable looking chairs do you? I promise I won’t try anything.”
“Whatever.”
Dave smiled. “You’re not going to make this easy on me are you?”
“What do you want from me? Things have been awkward since that first night at your house—last night made it worse.”
“Do you want to talk about last night?”
“No.”
“Neither do I. I’m not popular with any of the ladies in town at the moment.”
“So you figure go to the source of the problem and they might forgive you?”
“No I thought if I go to the only one I want forgiveness from, and get it, I’d be content. I honestly don’t care what any of them think of me. But, you matter.”
The doorbell rang.
“Want me to get it?”
Flic nodded. She didn’t want the town talking about them, but given the tiny nightie she was wearing, it certainly didn’t look innocent.
She sat up in bed, whilst Dave answered the door. In walked three people, two carrying large bouquets of assorted blooms, and the other a tray with food and coffee. Setting the flowers around the room and the tray on the table, they left, closing the door behind them.
“Why so many flowers?”
“I didn’t know which were your favourite, so instead of making a decision I got a variety.” Dave poured coffee and carried both mugs to the bed. He passed Flic one and then set the other on the bedside table. Then went back for the food, which he placed in the middle of the bed, before settling beside her again.
“Tulips.”
“What?”
“Tulips are my favourite flower.”
Dave nodded.
“Thank you, they’re beautiful.” Flic leaned over and kissed him on the mouth. His response was hesitant, but gentle.
He hadn’t done anything wrong. He’d been concerned and overreacted a little—she overreacted a lot. His story was closer to her past than he could know. Most women would’ve told him to mind his own business, or else they’d be flattered because he cared enough to worry. In many ways she owed him an apology.
“Are you hungry?” Dave lifted the lid covering the tray to reveal mini croissants with ham and cheese, little pastries and fruit salad.
“Not really.”
Dave replaced the lid and carried the tray back to the table. “Are you okay with me being here?”
“I guess so, but you’ve probably got work to do.”
“It can wait.” He smiled and returned to the bed.
They talked awhile, about his writing, growing up in town, and how it’d changed over the years. Flic shared stories of her surfie days and how she missed the beach, but didn’t realise until she returned to the area.
“Maybe we could go surfing sometime. I’m far from good, but it’d be worth a laugh,” Dave suggested.
“Kite surfing looks like fun.”
“Now, that I can do. I have a kite, I’ll teach you.”
Flic imagined he’d be a good teacher, and despite not wanting to think about how he’d look in a wetsuit her imagination kicked in. She wasn’t disappointed.
He was a risk, the previous night proved him to be high maintenance, with insecurity issues concerning women’s safety. His obsession about her and Lacey not walking through town was ridiculous. The most popular means of transport in the area was by foot, why they had to be any different she didn’t understand. He was a puzzle she’d solve eventually, but did she want a challenge like Dave in her life so soon?
“I’d like you to teach me.” Flic glanced up through her lashes and smiled at him.
He reached out to touch her cheek, then stopped.
“You can break your promises sometimes and I won’t be annoyed.”
Granting him permission, he pushed the hair from her face, and then cupped her cheeks in both of his hands and kissed her gently. Kneeling, he angled toward her. Flic rose to her knees and met his body with hers. She gripped his shoulders and kissed him back. His arms encircled her waist; pulling her against him he ran his hands down her back and continued lower to grip the flesh of her ass through satin. Flic caressed his shoulders and tilted her hips to meet his. As she leaned back the strap of her nightie slipped from one shoulder, exposing the flesh at the top of her left breast. Dave released a low moan. Grinding his hips against hers he trailed kisses along her neck and down to meet the fabric still covering her. Nudging it down further he claimed her with his mouth, whilst he continued the smooth rhythmic motion with his hips. Flic moaned. Slipping the other strap down he offered the same attention to the right side as he nipped and sucked her nipple, rolling it with his tongue until her breathing quickened.
Laying down, Dave took Flic with him until her body was stretched the length of his. His mouth back on hers, he kissed her a long time as his hands explored her body.
Falling asleep wrapped in his arms, Flic felt peaceful. She didn’t dream, nor cry out, just slept.
DAVE WOKE TO THE SOUND of his stomach protesting for lack of food since the previous night. The soft rhythmic sound of Flic’s breathe indicating she was still asleep, her face turned away. He caught a glimpse of the time on the alarm clock on her bedside table. After one o’clock, it wasn’t any surprise hunger had crept up on him, having skipped breakfast and slept through lunch.
Not wanting to disturb her, but knowing she started work in a few hours, Dave kissed Flic lightly on the exposed skin of her shoulder, and draped his arm around her waist, his body like a protective barrier to her vulnerability. She was damaged. Of this he was certain, and he didn’t need details before he’d convinced himself to help her, to fix her, if she was willing.
Never had he wanted a woman as he did Flic. She made him smile through his frown, to look forward to something other than the words on his computer screen, and had him longing to share more than the intimacy of her kiss. He wanted her in every sense of the word and was willing to do what it took for her to feel the same.
“Flic,” he shook her gently. “Flic.” He kissed her shoulder again and trailed a path up her neck and along her jawline. “This is your extremely late wake up call.” He ran his hand along the contour of her body. “I’m going to kiss you all over if you don’t wake up, starting with your eyelids.”
Flic giggled.
“Ahh you are awake, and to think I was going to give away all those kisses.”
“Well, you can be my alarm anytime.”
“Deal, so long as it’s not too early, ultimately I’m a night creature and leave the early morning for the keen surfers in town.”
“Hence the need for a kite.”
“Exactly. You catch on quick.” Dave kissed her on the cheek, as she rolled toward him. “Are we okay now?”
“I don’t know what we are,” Flic admitted.
“Do we need a label, or are you happy to see where things go?”
“No need to label, but awkward doesn’t work well for me, either.”
“I agree. Shall we discuss it over brunch, because I need to eat?”
“I don’t think your pastries will be appetising now. I wasn’t aware room service was available here.”
“The bakery made a special delivery. I’d arrange for another, but considering how long I’ve been here I’m not sure they’d keep to the PG rating we’ve maintained.”
Flic laughed.
“What? It’s true. Gossip can be damaging, and believe me I’d prefer to experience the upped rating before they do.”
“Ok-ay, they’re going to talk regardless of whether we leave together, or if we stay, so what do you suggest we do?”
Dave smirked. “Up the rating?”
Flic arched her eyebrows. “
Good try, I was being serious.”
“And you think I was joking?” Dave gave her a quick kiss on the mouth, and then stood up. “We need a plan.”
“I’ll get dressed and we’ll walk into town and find you some food.”
“Sounds good, you get dressed.” The slightest smile touched the corners of his mouth.
Flic walked over to her suitcase and pulled a sundress and fresh underwear from it. With bathroom walls of glass, she suspected the smirk accompanied curious thoughts about how she’d respond to the challenge in a room offering no privacy. She was damned if she was going to give him the satisfaction of appearing flustered.
With heart racing, she willed herself not to break eye contact. Flic dragged her knickers down, stepped out of them and then reversed the action with fresh ones. Dave’s smirk faded. Slipping her strapless bra through the armholes of her nightie she clasped it in place, still fully dressed. His gaze was intimidating and daring. Picking up her dress, she placed it over her head, releasing the straps of one garment only to be replaced by those of the other. The satin pooled at her feet, stepping over it, she walked to Dave, cupped his cheek in her hand and stood on her toes to kiss a trail along his jaw to his ear.
“Will you do me up, please?”
He cleared his throat, she turned in front of him to reveal the flesh of her back, and slowly he drew the zip up to cover the skin she longed for him to caress.
“Thank you.” Flic leaned back. He folded his arms around her and kissed her neck with obvious desire.
“That was one of the most erotic moments of my life, so far.”
“Good. Are you ready to go?”
“Can I have a few moments, or else we’ll really give the townies something to talk about.”
“Nonsense, it’ll confirm the PG rating.” Flic burst into inconsolable giggles and Dave smirked.
“You’re wicked.”
Chapter Ten
AS FLIC DRESSED FOR work she played the events of the past twenty-four hours over, again. She’d overreacted and created a scene she wasn’t proud of, and dreaded the gossip being spread about her. Being the focus of everyone’s attention was never her aim in life.
Running a brush through her hair she gathered the masses and secured an elastic tie in the middle of her head. Had she been too eager to put aside Dave’s overprotective behaviour? Or was moving forward a mature way to handle the situation? Flic shook her head. Why couldn’t she accept what came naturally instead of second guessing every step? She didn’t want any hostility with anyone in town, least of all Dave, especially considering she was to move in to his cottage the following day.
She’d been tempted to tell him about Jason and the fact she was still married, but didn’t know how to explain without revealing everything of her past. It bothered her to keep so much from him, especially when Dave suggested the only stipulation for their relationship be that they were exclusive. Guilt began to build and she knew she’d have to speak to him soon. Every day that she avoided revealing the truth made her initial belief of having the right to her own privacy fester into a deceitful secret.
Flic arrived at work right on time.
“How are you today?”
“I’m okay, a little embarrassed I suppose.”
“Nothing to be embarrassed about. If Dave comes in tonight, leave him to me.”
“Mim, please don’t blame him completely, I didn’t exactly react in a rational way either.”
Dave asked her to hold off sharing the state of their relationship with Mim, as he wanted to speak with her. She had been like a mother to him and Lacey since their own parents died when Dave was seventeen.
The busy holiday season was coming to an end, and although the restaurant crowd remained steady, the rate of drop in customers was a relief from the usual weekend chaos. Dave arrived before Lacey. Mim cut him off as he headed toward Flic, and redirected him to his table, dismissing his attempt to explain.
Tim rang the order bell and Flic followed Mim to the kitchen. She didn’t realise Dave was right behind her until he grabbed her around the waist. She gasped and turned, as did Mim, just in time to witness Dave’s mouth meet Flic’s as he pulled her into a show-stopping kiss.
Tim cheered him on.
Releasing her, he grinned at Mim. “What? I wanted to say hello, but you stopped me. I figured this to be a more appropriate place anyway. Besides, the other customers would want a kiss too and she doesn’t share.”
“Get out of my kitchen.” Mim pointed toward the restaurant, and picking up a tea towel she tried to whip him.
“Okay, I’m going.” Dave laughed as he left the kitchen.
Mim frowned at Flic. “I guess everything is fine now?”
Flic sighed. “I didn’t tell him anything, but all else seems okay.” She picked up the plates still cluttering Tim’s kitchen.
“He’ll understand. He hasn’t been this happy since—well, in a long time.”
“Order’s up Dracula’s Bride,” Tim teased.
Flic raised her eyebrows and grinned. “Little too soon for that comment.”
“Won’t be long,” Tim jeered.
Flic picked up the plates, rolled her eyes, and left to deliver the meals.
Ty raced up to Flic as soon as he and Lacey arrived, wrapped his arms around her waist and gave her a hug. “I hope you feel better.”
Flic squatted to meet his height. “I feel heaps better, thank you.”
“Are you mad at Uncle Dave?”
“No, I’m not.”
“She’s not mad, Mum.” The, I told you so was evident in his tone. He skipped over to join Dave, pick rabbit dragging on the ground behind him, and she overheard him announcing it was okay to stay because Flic wasn’t angry with him for making her so sad.
Flic smiled and turned to Lacey.
“Dave’s not frowning,” she said.
Flic looked over at him and he winked.
“You’ve forgiven him already? Honestly you two have got it bad. You may as well get married and make the old ladies happy.”
“Hmm, just one problem.”
“Oh yeah, you already are. Have you told him yet?”
“I want to, and I will, but first I’ll see how things go after I move in.”
Lacey nodded. “Fair enough, you have time Flic, the right moment will come along.”
“I know. I just hope he doesn’t hate me once I’ve told him. There will be no taking it back once it’s out.”
“He won’t—give him a little credit.”
Flic walked over to the table, with Lacey, to take their order.
SUNDAY WAS AN EXCITING day for Flic, finally moving into the cottage she could leave the holiday life for the tourists and start living like a local. She’d shopped the day before and filled the fridge with all her favourite things to cook and ingredients to bake cookies and cakes too. She planned to put the oven to use the following afternoon, although Dave had other plans and insisted Ty wanted to throw her a welcome-to-the-cottage lunch.
Dave helped with her last few bags containing a few clothes, toiletries and pictures of Ellie. They were the first things she unpacked at the other end.
Dave watched her. “She means a lot to you, huh?”
“Yes she does.”
“Do you miss her?”
Flic turned to him, wondering if he suspected who she was. “So much, I can’t begin to describe.”
“I couldn’t imagine going a day without seeing Ty, he’s the best. You should invite your family down some time, I’ve got plenty of spare rooms.”
Flic blinked back the tears. He thought Ellie was her niece? “I’d like that, thank you.”
Now wasn’t the right time, but Flic prayed conversation didn’t lead to questions of siblings as the assumption Ellie was her niece wouldn’t hold up if he discovered she was an only child.
“Hey, I was wondering if you’d go out to dinner with me tomorrow night.”
“I thought I was having lunch with you today.
”
“You are, but I want to take you to Mim’s for dinner. You know, like a first date.”
Flic smiled. “The town will be talking.”
“We can’t avoid them forever and I’d really like to spend time with you.”
“I’d like that too.”
“Good, I’ll pick you up at seven shall I?” Dave walked over to stand in front of her.
“Seven’s good.”
Bending his head, his lips met with hers in a long slow kiss that left her wanting. Wrapping her arms around his neck she pulled him to her.
“Oh for goodness sakes, get a room,” Lacey said, as she walked in with Ty.
Flic let her arms drop and she stepped back. Dave put his arm around her waist and pulled her close to his side.
“This is for you,” Lacey announced, handing her a beautifully wrapped box.
“It’s not my birthday.”
Lacey rolled her eyes and Ty laughed. “Housewarming.”
“Oh, thank you, but you shouldn’t have.”
“It’s not much.”
Dave led her to the lounge room where she set the gift on the coffee table. Flic knelt on the rug whilst everyone else sat on the couch.
Careful not to tear the paper, Flic unwrapped the gift to find a teapot with two matching cups and saucers, so delicate and pretty.
“Oh Lacey I love it, thank you.” She stood and gave Lacey a hug.
“You’re welcome.”
“I made you a picture for your fridge.” Ty held out a sheet of paper decorated with a brightly coloured pirate ship. “You know, I’m going to be a pirate when I grow up.”
“I didn’t know, thank you for my picture. I love it. Would you like to help me decide where it looks best?”
“Yep.” Ty took her hand and together they went to hang his masterpiece.
Flic’s eyes welled with tears. The picture, so typically childlike, the innocence of his gift was so overwhelming.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
“Don’t you like it?” Ty whispered.
Flic bent to meet his height, wiping the tear from her face. “Sometimes when people are so happy they cry.”