Coming awake slowly, Charley felt deliciously exhausted. Drowsy, she blinked at the curtain moving slightly in the early morning breeze, the plain dark blue velvet outlining the fine, white lace - Wait. Dark blue?
Blinking, she stared at the window. Her curtains were pale blue with a tiny yellow flower print, not plain dark blue. In fact, this room was distinctly male in its heavy furnishings and…
She gulped. The warmth at her back… The heavy arm draped across her waist beneath the sheet… The hard thighs tucked behind hers… Oh boy.
Turning her head slowly, she saw the brawny shoulder in her vision, the muscled pecs partially covered by the sheet.
Oh God.
Oh God, she was in Blue’s bed. His naked body was curled around hers.
She was being spooned by Blue Wells!
Along with that knowledge was the realisation of just how she’d ended up so deliciously exhausted. That made her flush both hot and cold in turn. But mostly hot. The memory of him seeing all her - well, all of her - made her heart stutter and a blush steal through her cheeks.
Oh cripes.
Okay, there was no need to panic. No need at all. She was an adult, he was an adult, they’d been intimate. That was all. She was his girlfriend, he was her boyfriend and - oh boy. She didn’t do this kind of thing, not so soon.
The arm around her tightened fractionally, the heavy thigh shifting behind hers as Blue sighed and resettled. She only relaxed when he kept sleeping.
Now what? Did she slip from the bed and hope he didn’t stir? Could she slip from the bed and not wake him? For sure, she really wanted some alone time to think.
A little head peered around the bedroom door, followed by a tabby and white body. Kitty gave a happy mrrp upon seeing that Charley was awake. Tail in the air, she trotted across the carpet to jump up onto the bottom of the bed and quickly disappear behind Blue’s back.
No worrying about how she was going to slip from the bed unnoticed, it was too late because Kitty trod along the top of the pillows, making them dip.
Charley cringed a little as Blue gave a humph, shifted, then he yawned loudly in her ear before rolling onto his back, his heavy arm shifting from her waist as he sat up. “Hey, girl.”
Kitty meowed.
The mattress dipped a little, silence settling in, and she wondered if he was looking at her or the fluff ball that had just foiled her escape.
“Come on, Kitty, let’s get you some breakfast.” The mattress dipped and rolled again as he got out.
Maybe she should say something instead of lying doggo. Coward.
“While I get you food, Charley can run for her room to hide.” There was definitely amusement in the deep tone.
Before she could do more than come up on one elbow while clutching the sheet to her naked bosom, a heavy hand smacked her bum lightly. “Hey!”
“’Morning, Sunflower.” Blue strode around the bottom of the bed clad in boxers and nothing else, Kitty tucked under one arm. He winked at Charley. “Feel free to do a runner.”
Feigning nonchalance, she sat up and drew her knees to her chest. “I wasn’t thinking any such thing.”
“That’d sound better if you hadn’t been pretending to be asleep.” He continued to the door.
“Wasn’t,” she mumbled.
“And you’re all red-cheeked.” Going through the doorway, he stuck his head back in to leer. “You look mighty fine lying naked in my bed. If you’re still there after I’ve fed Kitty, I’m coming back to join you.”
No sooner had he withdrawn than Charley was out of the bed, yanking on her discarded nightie and hurrying from the room.
“I heard that!” Blue yelled from the kitchen. “Chicken!”
“You can’t see this,” she retorted, “but I’m giving you a rude gesture!”
“Charming.”
Grabbing fresh clothes, she ran into the bathroom, shutting the door and breathing a sigh of relief. Regarding her reflection with the messy hair and sleepy eyes, she groaned. “You don’t look loved-up. You look wrecked.”
The warm water was a balm for her thighs, the muscles of which were twinging a little. No doubt from the unaccustomed position. She both blushed and shivered in remembered pleasure.
After shampooing and soaping, she rinsed and lingered a little under the water before finally turning it off. Sooner or later she had to face Blue, stop being a nong, and try not to go too red when she looked into his eyes.
Finally, dressed in a floaty pair of shorts that danced around her knees and a t-shirt, feet bare, hair already starting to dry in the rising heat of the summer day, Charley left the bathroom, folded the nightie under her pillow and marched determinedly into the kitchen with her head held high.
Standing on the other side of the kitchen counter sipping from a cup of steaming tea, Blue noted her entrance with a raised eyebrow and a distinctly amused grin flirting around his firm lips.
Determined not to blush and stammer, she walked over to the ‘fridge, took out a tin of Diet Coke, popped the tab, turned to face him and took several swallows while watching him over the rim.
She almost choked when his gaze slid over her in appreciation, but managed to breathe evenly and return his gaze coolly. She hoped.
“Okay,” he said. “I don’t know whether to kiss you or bow.”
“Huh?”
“Last night I made love to a hot little firecracker, this morning I awoke to a soft little cuddle-bun that froze up, and right now I just watched an elegant woman sweep in with her head held high and a challenge on her face.”
“Really?” She blinked. “Elegant? Me?”
“No, not really. Sorry. I was just trying to make you feel better.” He grinned. “It did resemble more of a desperate challenge.”
“Desperate?”
“How about we stick with elegant? We can do elegant.”
After staring at the teasing twinkle in his eyes for several seconds, she sighed. “Am I that obvious?”
“Which part? The firecracker in the bed? The cuddle-bun that froze? Or the desperate challenge?” He laughed outright when her shoulders slumped.
“Bugger.”
“Poor baby.” Placing his mug on the counter, Blue strode over to her, sliding his arms around her waist and tugging her into him, dropping a kiss on top of her head. “Come here, Sunflower. Hide your poor flushed little face against my manly chest.”
Now that sounded good. Charley rested her forehead against said chest and sighed again.
He rubbed her back comfortingly. “Want to tell me about it?”
“What, you can’t guess?”
“Well, you’re obviously a little shy this morning.”
“Yes. No. Maybe.”
“And decisive. Definitely decisive.”
Without removing her forehead from his chest, she held up one hand and flipped up her middle finger.
His chest shook with his bark of laughter.
“Let’s just say I’m not used to waking up in a man’s bed.”
“Duly noted.”
“Don’t you mean ‘noticed’?”
“Well, yes, that too.”
“Let’s just stay like this for a few minutes.”
“Because you like being in my arms?”
“So my red face can cool off. And stop laughing at me.”
That only made him laugh harder.
Grinning ruefully, she slung her arms around his lean waist to link her hands together at the base of his spine. “Just give me a minute. I’ll sort myself out.”
“It’s all good, Sunflower.” His chin rested atop her head. “I have a plan to distract you.”
“And that is?”
“Let’s go for a walk.”
“A walk?” She tipped her head back to survey him.
He smiled down at her. “A walk. We’ll wander over to the café a few streets away and I’ll buy you breakfast.”
That actually sounded like a good plan. She nodded. “Okay. But I’ll buy you breakfast.”
“I had first dibs.”
“That has nothing-”
“You can buy the next box of condoms.” At her dumbfounded expression followed swiftly by scarlet cheeks, he laughed again. “You are so easy, Charley.”
Her mouth fell open.
“Not that kind of easy, either, so don’t take offence. Now, I’m going to have a quick shower and then we’ll go.” He smacked her bum lightly, released her, side-stepped and strode out of the room.
“Hey!” she called. “What’s with the bum smacking?”
“It’s a delectable bum,” he called back. “You’re lucky I don’t take a bite out of it.”
Feeling immensely better and definitely not so self-conscious, Charley looked at Kitty giving her face a post-brekkie wash near the back door. “I think you have a plan, too.” Charley picked her up, snuggled her close. “Was that your plan, Kitty? To get Blue and me together?”
Kitty purred.
“Because I think it was a good plan.” She kissed the top of the cat’s head. “A great plan. But don’t tell Blue.”
Ears pricking up alertly, Kitty glanced past her out the security screen. Charley spotted the bird standing on the veranda rail. “Yeah, sorry Kitty-cat, no birds for you.”
Paws on Charley’s shoulder, Kitty stretched her neck to see better, her pupils dilating.
“I reckon that’s probably what my eyes looked like when I saw how yummy Blue was,” Charley whispered with a grin. “But back to you. I promise I’ll make it up to you with some chicken tonight, okay?”
She left Kitty making chittering noises while staring longingly out the screen door at the bird.
She was just finishing the Diet Coke when Blue reappeared in his usual summer casual attire of cargo shorts, t-shirt and thongs. On his head he had a cap with ‘World’s Sexiest Bloke’ printed across the front.
“Seriously?” she asked.
“Absolutely. I’m the sexiest.”
“And the most modest.”
He winked. “You’ve noticed. Awesome.” Tucking his wallet into the front pocket, he jerked a thumb in the direction of the front door while slipping on dark sunglasses. “You ready?”
“I’ll just get some thongs on.” Tossing the empty soft drink tin into the bin, she passed behind him.
Acting on a sudden urge, she smacked his bum as she passed, only to shoot off with a squeal when he rounded on her with a “You’ll pay for that, missy!” His rumble of amusement followed her right to her bedroom.
Grinning, she quickly put her hair up into a ponytail, slung the strap of her small bag across her shoulder, slid her feet into a pair of thongs and plucked up a small white straw hat with a yellow flower stuck in the band. Plopping it onto her head, she slid on her own sunglasses while returning to the kitchen, only to stop in the hallway when she heard Blue talking.
“In gratitude for unwittingly helping me get Charley into my bed, I’m going to give you a big feed of chicken tonight, Kitty. Yes I am.” She half expected him to start baby-talking, but instead he added, “I had no friggin’ idea when the right time was, or how to know, or how to broach it without scaring her off, so you did me a huge favour. I’m repaying that favour with the biggest chook you can think of. Maybe a turkey.”
Looked like Kitty was going to have more chicken than a cat could handle at one time.
Hearing Blue’s thongs slap across the lino floor, Charley quickly ducked to the front door, pretending she was checking her bag when he appeared. “Ready?”
“Yep.” He eyed the hat. “Cute.”
“You think?”
“Loving the flower.”
“Too much?” She fiddled with it.
He opened the door. “You and flowers go together perfectly.”
“Aw, you say the sweetest things.” She waited on the veranda while he locked the doors.
“I know, right?”
“Did you take lessons in being a gentleman?”
“Dad drummed it into us pretty good.”
Hand-in-hand, they walked down the pathway onto the street. He shortened his stride so Charley could keep up.
“Your family is really close,” she observed.
“Yep.”
“You’re lucky.”
Your family isn’t close?”
“Oh, we’re close all right. We’re just kind of scattered.”
“We’ve never spoken about your family.” He was openly curious. “Tell me.”
“Well, there’s Mum and Dad, she’s a receptionist and dad’s a dentist. I have one older sister who is an accountant and a younger brother who is a pharmacist and married with two kids.”
“They live where?”
“Rob’s in Wongan Hills, Bec works in Eucla, and Mum and Dad live in Warburton.”
“Wow. That is scattered.”
“Yep.”
“Do you see your family much?”
“I try to see Mum and Dad a couple of times a year. It depends.” She shrugged. “Sometimes they come here. Sometimes Bec and Rob come.”
Several minutes passed in contented silence as they left the street, turning onto the footpath along another street heading for the highway.
“So you don’t mind being alone?” Blue queried.
“Not really, no.” She admired a flower-laden garden as they passed it. “I have my life, they have theirs. Life is what you make it. I don’t need a lot of family and friends around all the time to entertain me. As long as I see my family now and again, I’m happy.”
“I noticed that apart from seeing Mikki and Izzy now and again, you don’t seem to have a lot of friends.”
She glanced up to find him watching her curiously. “That worries you?”
“No.”
“You think I’m a hermit?”
He regarded her thoughtfully. “I think you’re a homebody who likes her own space.”
“Does that worry you?”
“No.”
“You know,” she said casually, “you don’t seem to have a lot of friends, either.”
He shrugged, big shoulders moving easily beneath the soft material of the t-shirt. “Well, I’m away a lot. The friends I had in school, we kind of lost touch over the years. I have my family when I’m home.”
“And what about when you’re at work?”
“I have friends. My squad. Some others in the platoon.”
“I guess being under such extreme conditions will bring out a mateship.”
Blue smiled slightly. “Some friends, some arseholes.”
“Friendly arseholes?”
He laughed. “Them, too.”
“But you like it regardless?”
He was quiet, walking steadily, his hand firm around hers even though the heat of the day was starting to make her fingers a little sweaty.
Letting him muse, she patiently walked beside him.
“I joined the Army to serve my country,” he finally said. “I saw what was happening, the terror in other countries, the threat to our own, innocent people caught up in bad things. I wanted to do something more than just sit at home and swear about it. So I joined up.”
Gently, she bumped his arm with hers. “You still believe in it?”
“Yes.” His answer was direct. “Yes, I do.” He glanced down at her. “You?”
“The military has my full support. If it weren’t for people like you to protect us, where would we be? Military personnel put their lives in danger to stop the horrors we see from happening here. I understand why you do it, I admire it.”
Halting, Blue pulled her into the shade of a tree. “I’m not asking for admiration, Charley.” His expression was serious. “I’m not a hero. I’m a man doing what I feel is right.”
“I know.” She nodded. “I do understand that.”
His hands slid down to her wrists before he linked his fingers between hers, his gaze following the movement.
Silence fell between them, until finally she asked quietly, “What’s wrong?”
Slowly, he removed the sunglasses to reveal his eyes, the piercing blue irises framed by black eyelashes almost startling. In the daylight, the blue almost rivalled the sky.
At first she didn’t think he was going to answer, but then he said quietly, “I’ve seen some of my mates killed by enemy fire, by home-made bombs. We’ve laughed, we’ve talked, and we’ve sat and drank while unwinding. But I’ve never forgotten my family back here. Knowing my family is here - my brothers, my cousin, my aunt, and my sisters-in-law - they keep me going. They’re my sanity when things get dark, they’re my hope when things get stressful. They mean the world to me.”
She nodded.
“They understand me, my need to do what I do, why I do it.”
“They accept you, Blue, and everything you do.”
“Yes.” His thumbs rubbed the backs of her hands. “Do you, Charley? Do you accept it all?”
Now she understood what he was trying to say. Without him putting it into words, she knew.
Moving forward until they were toe-to-toe, she freed one of her hands only long enough to remove her own sunglasses, sliding the crooked arm into the neck of her t-shirt so she could meet his eyes directly, so he could see into her very soul while she answered with complete honesty. “I don’t pretend to know half of what you do over there on missions, or what you go through. I have an idea from what I see on TV, on documentaries and in the news, and from whatever you are free to tell me. I understand there are things you aren’t allowed to tell me, and I accept that. I know there are things that happen that you don’t want me to know, for whatever reason be it personal or military allowability, and I accept that. I know you’re wondering if I can take it, having a boyfriend that goes overseas for months at a time, having a boyfriend that isn’t around as often as everyone thinks he should be for a successful relationship.”
Silently he waited, and she could swear she felt the inner turmoil inside him, the concern, the need for her support. His caring for her feelings.
It made her fall just a little bit more in love with him.
Reaching up, she cupped his cheek. “Blue, you don’t have to worry about me like that. I accept you, I accept your job and all the conditions that come with it. I’m not about to walk away because you can’t be here all the time. I’m okay. I have my job, my life. You have your job, your life. And when we’re together, we’ll have our life.”
A muscle jumped in his jaw then he swallowed, though his gaze didn’t waver. But his fingers tightened around hers.
“I can wait,” she said. “When you’re gone, I will wait for you to come back. Can you?”
“I can.” Emotion made his voice husky. “I will wait. Charley, for you I’d wait for eternity.” His arm slid around her, drew her close as he took her hat off and dropped it to the grass, his cap following it before he could lean down to kiss her gently on the lips. He drew apart only a fraction of an inch, just enough to whisper, “Thank you.”
Then he kissed her, and this time it was slow, sweet, everything he was feeling poured into it.
In his arms she felt safe, loved, cherished almost, and all she could do was kiss him back.
By the time the kiss broke, both were breathing a little heavily.
Blue leaned his forehead against hers, looked deeply into her eyes. “I didn’t mean to have this profound conversation just yet.”
“Ah well.” She smiled a little. “I guess it had to be broached sooner or later.”
“It should have been later. This was quick.”
“Sometimes things happen sooner for a reason.”
“Yeah.” His eyes crinkled a little at the corners. “So I guess I didn’t scare you off.”
“Takes a lot to do that.” She dimpled up at him. “My obsession with flowers and the colour yellow didn’t scare you off, so you know, tit-for-tat.”
The crinkles deepened with amusement.
“Plus you saw me at my worst and still date me.”
“You mean your bed-head?”
With a gasp and a giggle, she smacked his bicep. “You’re awful! No!”
“The sleepy eyes?” The seriousness was being replaced with his usual light humour.
“I meant my bad taste in men and bawling my eyes out.”
“Oh. Well, I fixed your bad taste in men, you now have excellent taste.” He winked. “And the bawling? I can handle it.” Sliding his glasses back on, he chucked her under the chin with an air of immense satisfaction.
Sliding her own sunglasses back on, she sniffed haughtily. “You, Mr Wells, have a major problem.”
“I know,” he said. “But you love me anyway.” Laughing at her eye roll, he scooped up her hat to place it gently on her head, plopped his cap back on, tugged the brim down a little then slid his arm around her waist. “Come on, Sunflower, let’s get breakfast. I’m starving.”
“By the way.” She fell into step beside him. “I’ve just decided that you will pay after all.”
“That was never in question.”
“I’m ordering big.”
“Good.”
“Huge.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Massive.”
“Righto.”
“I’m gonna make your wallet cry.”
Hooking his thumb in the waistband of her shorts just under her t-shirt, Blue flicked the small of her back, making her go a little hot. “Eat massively, Sunflower, because you’re going to need your strength.”
“For what?” She spotted the café up ahead, trying to keep her mind off the teasing caress on her skin.
“Because I have the afternoon planned for some arduous workout sessions.”
She grinned. “On your own?”
He leered.
“On your own.”
“Trust me, honey, you are so in those workout sessions.”
“Trust me, honey, I so am not.”
“Oh yeah, you are.”
“Want to bet?”
“Sure.”
“You’ll lose.”
“No I won’t. Trust me, you will be doing some very nefarious things with me.”
“Bet you a movie night with a movie of my choice that I won’t.”
“So sure of yourself, Sunflower?”
“So sure of yourself, Blue?”
“I’ll take that bet.” His thumb unhooked, slid down to cup her bottom. “Yes.”
“Then you lose.” Taking his hand, she set it back at her waist. “Because I have to work this afternoon, remember?”
“What?” Mouth falling open, he stopped walking. “You do? Since when?”
“Since I told you after you tackled me and we ended up lying on the grass the day before yesterday. Oh look.” She opened the café door with immense satisfaction. “I win.”
Following her into the café, he glowered as they sat at one of the corner booths.
Humming happily, she plucked up a menu and regarded it with fake interest while Blue looked narrowly at her from across the table.
“This had better be a bloody good movie,” he growled.
“Oh yes.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him over the edge of the menu. “‘Resident Evil: The Final Chapter’ is out on DVD. Guess what we’re seeing?”
He groaned. “A horror movie? Really?”
“Uh-huh. Horror. I get a little scared at times when watching horror movies.” Laughing silently, she pursed her lips as she surveyed the menu. “I won’t be able to sleep alone after that, I’ll be much too scared.” She gave him wide, innocent eyes. “Whatever will I do? Whoever will keep me company all night?”
“Well, what do you know.” A slow, wicked grin curved his mouth. “Suddenly I’m liking this idea a whole lot more.”
“Thought you would,” she said dryly.
“How about you call in sick and we watch it tonight?”
“Blue!”
“Just a suggestion.”
~*~
The days passed quickly. Too quickly for Charley, aware that every day was a day closer to Blue leaving. But she was determined to enjoy the time they had, and adjust to having a boyfriend that went away for long periods at a time.
Going into the staff room to collect her handbag, she was accosted by Bev.
“Oh my God!” Her workmate’s eyes were huge. “Is that your new boyfriend?”
“Huh?”
“In reception there’s a hunk of a bloke, says he’s your boyfriend and he’s here to pick you up.”
“Oh.” Charley couldn’t help the ripple of pleasure that went through her. “Yes. That’s Blue.”
“Introduce me.”
“Why? So you can flaunt your boobs at him?’.”
“You’re right. I need to undo a few buttons. Hang five.”
Laughing, Charley left the staff room.
“Hey!” Bev called after her. “Where’d you find him?”
“Did I mention he’s my landlord?”
“Oh boy. Next shift we’re on together, I want all the details.”
Entering the reception area, Charley found no sign of Blue. She did, however, find the receptionist and the accounts lady lurking at the window, peeking out between the curtains.
“He’s here for you.” Hilary shook both hands. “He is hot.”
“Better not let the old dears see him,” Jess added. “If he’s almost giving me a heart attack, imagine what he’ll give them.”
Amused, Charley left to find Blue waiting in the parking lot. Her smile faded as soon as she took in the big monstrosity he was leaning back against. “Oh no.”
Hey.” Straightening, he closed the gap between them to drop a kiss on her lips.
“When you said you were picking me up to go to your Dad’s house, I thought you meant in the car.”
“Too nice a day to be cooped up in a car.” He held out the spare helmet.
“I’m in my uniform,” she excused feebly.
“You were going to be in your uniform in the car.”
“I’m not dressed for a motorbike.” Making no attempt to take the helmet, she eyed the big motorcycle in dismay.
His eyes twinkled as he slid the helmet over her head. “You’re wearing long pants and filled-in shoes, perfect for riding.”
“But-”
“You haven’t been back on this since the first ride,” he cajoled. “I watched your movie. I went to the mall with you.”
“You had to buy some new undies anyway, so that doesn’t count.”
Swinging a leg over the motorcycle, he started the engine, the powerful throb of it filling the air.
Yeah, no doubt about it, he did look hot, real bad boy bikie in fact with his dark hair, muscular legs in jeans, leather jacket stretched taunt over his brawny shoulders, boots. But the bike bit… She eyed it dubiously.
Blue slapped the seat behind him. “Come on, Sunflower, hop on.” When she wrinkled her nose, he added, “I would never put you in danger.”
Man, he just had to say that, didn’t he? She frowned. “Dirty play.”
“Trust me.”
“Still dirty play.”
He gave her an injured look. “How about people will see you refusing to get on the bike with me and they’ll all think I’m a bad person and I’ll be all embarrassed and stuff?”
“You are such a child.” With an exasperated puff of air, she slung her leg over the seat and settled behind him, looping her arms tightly around his waist.
“Yeah,” he said over his shoulder, “but I’m a child who gets my way.”
“This time,” she threatened. “Wait until we get home.”
“You gonna smack me? Kinky.”
It was impossible to stay annoyed. “Just get us to your Dad’s house in one piece, Blue, before I put my foot up your bum for doing this to me.”
“Still kinky, but I’m not into the boot part.” With a laugh, he put the motorcycle in gear and pulled away from the nursing home.
As the motorcycle went down the wide, curving driveway, she yelled, “I’m telling your Dad.”
His wide shoulders shook with laughter.
“Don’t laugh!” She grabbed him tighter around the waist. “You’ll tip us.”
“Never, Sunflower,” he vowed.
Slowing at the entrance, he checked while she closed her eyes and muttered a quick prayer, keeping her eyes closed tight as he throttled the bike, pulled onto the road and opened the engine right up.
Well, it felt like he opened it right up, but knowing Blue, he kept to the speed limit. He wasn’t a man to take rash risks. She had to admit that even though she wasn’t a fan of motorcycles, he handled the big monstrosity with expertise.
Opening her eyes, she concentrated on the houses and businesses flashing by, comforted by his body in front of her.
By the time they pulled up in Mr Wells’s driveway she was more relaxed, but the motorcycle still remained her least favourite mode of transport.
“Cars,” she informed him as she pulled the helmet off and handed it to him, “are the only way to travel.”
“What about airplanes?”
“I mean on the road, doofus.”
“Ooh, strong language, Sunflower. Don’t let Dad hear you, you know what he’s like about swearing.” Slinging an arm around her neck, Blue pulled her against him to nuzzle her temple as they walked up the path to the veranda. “Be nice to me and I won’t tell him.”
“You so owe me.”
His grin was a sudden, wicked flash of white teeth.
“And you’re not paying me back like that.”
“Wicked and wanton? But it’s my favourite way.”
“Which is why you don’t get to pay me back like that.”
“I could convince you.” He winked.
“You’re incorrigible.” As the front door opened and Mr Wells appeared, she added, “Your son made me ride the motorcycle here even though he knows I don’t like it.”
Mr Wells raised one eyebrow at Blue.
“Geez,” Blue said as he followed her inside, “I didn’t think you meant it when you said you were dobbing me in to Dad.”
Charley smirked over her shoulder. “Yeah, well you obviously don’t know me that well.”
His wicked gaze travelled down her length and back up. “Hidden depths. Mmm-mmm. Yummy.”
A deep throat-clearing sounded and he grinned faintly as he stepped aside to allow his father to go ahead of them.
“Did I hear that you forced that poor girl to go on your motorbike?” Aunt Lora demanded, coming out of the kitchen wiping her hands on a tea towel.
“I didn’t force her, per say,” Blue replied.
“Such a bad boy.” His aunt shook her head.
“Told you so,” Charley said.
Blue pointed a finger at her. “You’ll keep. You can’t hide behind my family forever.”
“Shoo with you.” Aunt Lora flapped the tea towel at him. “Come into the lounge, dear, we’ll leave the boys to their manly talk while we discuss grown-up things.”
Hearing the familiar male voices coming from the kitchen, Charley wasn’t surprised to see Shea sitting on the sofa, but the sight of Elspeth Arkwell perched on one of the big old armchairs was unexpected.
Aunt Lora sat Charley down beside Shea while she took the other armchair.
“I’m glad to see you,” Elspeth said. “It saves me calling around.”
“Oh?” Charley asked politely.
“This Saturday night I’m holding a party, a little charity do. Everyone is invited, including you. Especially now you’re family.”
“Well, thank you.” That was a surprise. “I’m honoured. Though I’m not sure if Blue-”
“Blue’s coming, of course. I’ll tell him.”
Charley shot Shea a glance to find her watching in amusement, so she switched her attention back to Elspeth. “Okay.”
“I know Blue, dear. I know all the Wells family.” Elspeth touched a slender finger to her wispy up-do, smoothing an artfully loose curl back into place. “I met them first through Mikki haranguing Luke about his landscaping and convincing me to hire her boyfriend of the time who, might I add, made a complete balls-up of it.”
‘Balls up’. Astonished, Charley blinked. Had Elspeth really said ‘balls-up’? But a quick check of the other women didn’t reveal any surprise, so maybe she had misheard.
“Luke made Mikki beg him to fix the job, you know,” Elspeth continued. “I tell you, I could see the sparks flying between them even then, but the silly buggers didn’t know it.”
Oh yeah, she’d definitely said ‘buggers’ that time.
“Took the pair one week to fall for each other once they were in the same place day in and day out,” Elspeth announced with satisfaction. “Short time when it happened, yes, but I can tell you it took them awhile to get to that point.” A smile played around her lips. “But I knew way back.”
“Wow.” Charley couldn’t help but be astonished. “A week?”
“Yes, sweetie.” Elspeth’s smile widened. “Just like you and Blue, except yours was about two weeks.”
Aunt Lora groaned. “Elspeth.”
“What? It’s the truth.” She waved one elegant hand. “The boy’s mad for her, anyone can see it.” The dainty woman winked. “And the girl’s mad for him.”
“I do believe that’s their business, don’t you?”
“No.”
“Elspeth!”
“Yes.” She sighed. “Fine.”
Charley’s cheeks were a little pink but she simply shrugged. “I’m not ashamed of it.”
Elspeth immediately pounced. “There you go! Well done, sweetie.” She switched her delighted gaze to Shea. “Written in the stars, just like you said.”
Knowing full-well by this time that Shea wasn’t a psychic but instead a woman who could read people’s expressions and body language like a book, Charley asked dryly, “Written in the stars?”
“Hey,” Shea replied, “I’m not telling the story.”
“There isn’t a story to tell.”
“Nonsense,” Elspeth said briskly. “There’s a wonderful story. My only concern, dear, is when Blue goes away.”
“There’s nothing to worry about,” Charley replied a little coolly. “I will wait for him.”
“Oh fie, don’t go all off in a fluff.”
Oh fie? In a fluff? The woman had the weirdest sayings.
“I’m simply saying that Blue has had girlfriends dump him because of his job and lifestyle. I don’t want to see him hurt, or you.”
“We’ve already had this discussion,” Charley said. “Between him and I.”
“Excellent.” Elspeth either didn’t get the hint or chose to totally disregard it. “As long as you know we’re all here for you. It’s hard for a woman when her man goes away for long periods of time. Isn’t it, Shea?”
“Oh look,” Shea said. “My turn.”
Aunt Lora pinched the bridge of her nose. “You really need a gag sometimes, Elspeth.”
“It’s just the truth. Sometimes Aaron has to go away for several weeks at a time, so Shea knows what it’s like. But Blue will be going for months at a time. I just want Charley to know that while he’s away we’re here for her.” Elspeth gave a sniff. “Goodness, I’m just extending the hand of sisterhood and friendship.”
Okay, so she wasn’t going to be grilled about the fast tracking of her relationship with Blue, and Elspeth was genuinely trying to be nice, so Charley responded in kind. “Thank you, it’s really nice to know. I appreciate your support.” She glanced around. “Everyone’s support.”
Shea smiled. “Welcome to the family, though you’ve been welcome a long time. It’s just since you two started dating we get to see more of you.”
“I’m a bit of a hermit.”
“I know. Nothing wrong with that, either.”
From the time Charley had spent with the woman since dating Blue, which really had meant getting to know his family more as he was so family-orientated, she wasn’t surprised that Shea did know. The woman was a perfect match for Aaron, who seemed to eerily know things before anyone else did.
Maybe she was a little psychic after all.
As if Shea knew exactly what she was thinking, she winked.
Ookkkay…
“Now that that’s out of the way,” Aunt Lora said with relief, “I bet Blue hasn’t shown you his Army photos of him in uniform.”
“Actually, no.” Charley shook her head. “He hasn’t.”
“That’s because the boy doesn’t like to think he’s boasting.” Getting up, Aunt Lora went to the big bookcase and took down an album, coming back to sit between Charley and Shea, flipping open the cover. “Here’s a little trip down memory lane.”
Coming over to lean on the back of the sofa, Elspeth watched with equal interest.
It was an entertaining time, Aunt Lora starting out with the various photos taken of Blue when he’d first entered the Army, the proud Dad with his son, Blue with his bags, then the few photos of Blue with his Army mates, pictures of him standing besides tanks, with his military weapon resting on one shoulder, with goggles and a scarf over his mouth and nose in what looked to be a sand storm.
In fact, unless it was an up-close and personal photo, it was hard to distinguish the uniformed men and women from a distance or when they faced away. But Aunt Lora was able to point out Blue in every one.
In a way it was sobering. Yes, he was handsome in his uniform, yes, he looked tough and capable, yes, he looked a total roguish bad boy in one cheeky photo of him winking and grinning, but it was also a reminder of the dangers he faced daily. Even more sobering, she knew that some of the men he was photographed with could very possibly be the mates who had died.
Men and women, she thought, needed to know their husbands, wives, girlfriends, boyfriends, family and friends waited for them at home, anchored them in the storm, were a constant in their lives. The love and support they needed so much. It might be hard to fully understand, she’d probably only know part of what he did and felt and went through, but she sure as hell was going to be there for him when he got back, when he needed to talk, even if he needed to cry. Whatever Blue needed, she’d be there for him.
Later, when the afternoon sun was going into evening and she was standing by the motorcycle, she looked seriously at Blue as he fastened the helmet chin strap for her.
“All right?” he queried.
“Just want you to know if you ever want to talk, I’m here.”
That surprised him. He paused before slowly resuming fastening the strap. “What’s this about?”
“I just want you to know.”
“Okay.”
“I’m here for you.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll do almost anything for you.”
His eyes gleamed. “Almost?”
“This bloody motorcycle isn’t one of them.”
He laughed.
Okay, she had to admit it was a bit exhilarating zipping along the road with nothing between the air and herself but her clothes and the helmet, but her legs were still a bit wobbly by the time she got off it back at the house.
Leaving Blue to put the motorcycle away in the garage, Charley went inside, fed Kitty and strode through to the bathroom, looking forward to a shower which she normally had as soon as she got home from work.
By the time she came out of the shower dressed in a summer nightie and dressing gown, Blue was flopped in an armchair with a remote control in his hand, contentedly flipping through the channels.
Dropping face first onto the sofa, she moaned. “Oh geez, I could stay like this forever.”
Blue observed the way she sprawled with one leg hanging over the edge of the sofa. “Did we wear you out?”
“Not really. I think the motorbike ride scared me so much I’m wrung out.”
“Poor baby,” he said sympathetically, tossing the remote onto the coffee table. “If you really hate it that much, I won’t make you ride it again.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Are you serious?”
“Absolutely. I won’t push you into doing things you don’t like. I just hadn’t realised how much you hated the bike.”
Blowing out a breath, she came up onto her elbows. “I don’t hate it that much.”
“But you do hate it.”
“Hate is such a strong word.”
Blue crossed to the sofa to sit by her hip. Resting a hand on the small of her back, he gave her a gentle rub. “It was mean of me to pick you up on the bike, I’m sorry.”
“Nah, it’s all good.” She looked at him over her shoulder. “I don’t mind it that much that I won’t ever go on it again with you.”
“Charley, you don’t have to do it to please me.”
“I’m not. Well, I do, but I don’t hate it. I just…” She searched for the right words. “I don’t like it, but I’ll be okay to go on it with you now and again.”
“Doesn’t seem fair.”
“Just give me some warning first. Wait!” She frowned. “No, no warning. Otherwise I won’t do it.”
Blue rolled his eyes. “Because that makes me feel so much better.”
“Listen, Blue, I want to do things with you. I know that monstrosity of a machine is your pride and joy. I get that. So I’m okay to go on the odd - very odd - ride with you.”
“Really? You mean that?” He was pleased. “Because I love having you with me on the bike.”
“In return, you watch horror movies with me.”
“Ugh.” His upper lip curled.
“Fair’s fair. I like horror movies, you like me on your bike. For every ride I do with you, you have to watch a horror movie with me. Deal?” She awkwardly held out a hand.
“Deal.” He sighed, shook her hand. “You drive a hard bargain, Sunflower.”
“Not everything comes easy.”
He smiled at her.
She smiled back.
Then his smile slowly turned wicked, his hand shifting on her back, fingers spreading out as he drew his hand down her bottom to rest right over the cleft. “Wearing panties?”
Her mouth fell open. “What?”
“Never mind. I owe you, remember? And I always pay my debts.”
“Oh boy.” Her heart picked up pace, a hot flush tingling through her at just the anticipation.
He patted her bum. “Wait here.”
Nonplussed, she watched him walk away. Wondering just what he was doing, she folded her hands atop each other under her chin and tried to relax.
Kind of hard to do when he obviously had nefarious thoughts.
When he returned, he sat down beside her hips again.
“You’re dressed.” She couldn’t hide the disappointment.
“Patience, Sunflower.” Placing his hands on her shoulders, he started massaging.
Almost immediately, she groaned blissfully. “Massage!”
“Prefer this to sex?”
“Just do me, please.”
“Oh baby. That has so many possibilities.”
“I mean massage me. Get those fingers in.” She almost melted into the cushions as he worked his fingertips into her muscles.
“Kinky.”
“Get your mind out of the gutter and keep rubbing.”
“Against the table leg like a dog?”
“I can’t talk.” Ignoring his chuckle, she closed her eyes.
Little moans escaped her as he firmly worked the muscles in her shoulders, strong fingers kneading down each side of her spine without causing pain but definitely working on little knots of tension she hadn’t been aware of, big hands sliding down to press and rub the base of her spine and lower.
She was floating on a sea of pleasure when she felt him stand. Too relaxed to even protest, she was almost ready to simply go to sleep.
Until she felt his hands slide under her nightie, strong fingers hooking into the waistband of her panties to draw them down her legs.
“Hey!” Instantly alert, she came up onto her elbows, swivelling slightly to look back at him as the panties dropped to the floor.
Her heart did another jump, every bit of lethargy disappearing at the wicked look in his eyes.
The heaviness, the promise, the pure seduction...the heat.
“Just settle down right there, Sunflower.” His eyes glittered. “Let me do the work.”
Oh boy. She blinked. “Umm…”
“Look ahead, babe.”
What could she do but obey? Swallowing, she turned and stared at the arm rest, every nerve tingling, waiting for his next move.
The silence stretched until she was actually starting to curl her fingers into the cushion, biting her lip, wondering if he was just looking at her.
The suddenness of calloused fingertips sliding up the backs of her thighs had her jumping.
Blue said nothing, just continued trailing his fingertips up her thighs, higher to the curve of her buttocks, over the curves to spread his fingers out, thumbs meeting above the cleft to drag down gently, parting the globes the very slightest with the edges of his thumbs.
Her heart jack-hammered at just the sensation.
The silence.
The anticipation.
Hard palms smoothed down to rest at the base of her buttocks, thumbs working downwards between her thighs.
Automatically she parted her thighs a little, giving him room, unsure how much to part.
A sudden unwelcome thought hit her - he could see her dimpled flesh. She hadn’t felt self-conscious the whole time they’d been together since that first night in his bed, but now, with the silence, her position-
Her breath caught, her head jerking upward as those invading thumbs angled to probe the tender flesh between her thighs, finding her perineum to press and release, press and release.
Heaviness flooded her loins, a stirring in her secrets, a lazy swirl of heat spiralling low in her belly.
Her fingers clutched the cushion.
His thumbs disappeared, leaving her feeling strangely bereft, her grip slowly unclenching though the heat didn’t dissipate.
The sofa dipped as he moved, then his arm went under her hips to lift her with astonishing ease as he slipped a cushion beneath her hips, her eyes widening when another joined it to effectively angle her bottom higher than her head.
“Oh, Blue, I’m not sure-” she began, only to be stopped by a big hand coming over her mouth to smother her protest.
It was the weirdest feeling, the sensation of him fully clothed leaning partially over her, her raised hips making her feel so exposed regardless that she was still wearing her nightie and she could feel the hem of it below where her thighs met her buttocks. The silence was freaking…scary. Titillating.
With just his hand in a gentle cup over her mouth, he demanded silence.
When she didn’t protest or struggle, he removed his hand.
Charley’s breathing was definitely coming faster as she strained to hear what he was doing, what he planned.
The unknown was certainly a scary turn-on.
Big palms landed on the backs of her thighs again, slid up, this time taking the nightie and light dressing gown with the movement, pushing them relentlessly up and over her bottom until the light material pooled around her waist.
Gulping, she gripped the cushion beneath her, trying to centre herself through tangible stability.
Big palms cupped her buttocks, gently eased them apart slightly, enough to make her stomach lurch before disappearing once more.
It was killing her. “Blue-”
He moved fast. Somehow, he moved fast enough that his finger was across her lips before she had even finished getting his name out. But his finger was just as firm as his hand had been, the expectation of obedience in the gesture.
She nodded, swallowing her nerves.
For several seconds he leaned slightly down onto her back, letting her feel his strength, his warmth, a reassuring acknowledgement of her nerves.
Then he was gone again.
Oh God, she wasn’t going to survive this. No way could she-
She stiffened with a jerk, eyes widening when his hand slid between her thighs to lay flat against her secrets, cupping her womanhood in his palm, holding her. Just holding her.
Then he started undulating his palm, a ripple of movement that pressed erotically against her secrets, making her so aware of her defencelessness, the fact that he literally held her in the palm of his hand.
The action fired up the heat simmering inside her, made her hips shift in a vain attempt to ease the delicious torture of the constant kneading, but his other hand clamped on her hip in a silent order to stay.
Blue was in charge, and Charley knew it. He was leading this foray into her body, this experience, this exploration, and all she could do was let him.
Let him because she wanted this, wanted him, trusted him. Needed him.
And because even though her nerves were jitter-bugging, it was combined with growing heat, the mixture proving an intoxicating mix.
His middle finger slid down to rest against the seam of her body, the firmness massaging the sensitive area, brushing over the entrance to her body that was starting to weep with desire.
Her heart pounded, her blood moving with slow heat, tension coiling low in her belly to sprinkle outwards in a thousand licking tongues of desire.
The tip of his finger entered her, rimmed the delicate opening, the sensation sending a spark of sheer passion scouring through her, making her arch her hips, press into his hand, wanting it - him - release, anything, just wanting.
His hand on her hip slid over to the small of her back, holding her firmly in place, an unspoken leash to her movements.
Charley actually whimpered, squeezing her eyes shut and biting her lip when that long finger slid into her, turned - and then she bucked beneath him with a low keen as he rubbed right over the magical spot inside her, finding it unerringly and pressing, nudging, rubbing, throwing her into a writhing body of heat and desire, waves of ardour just tipping the hot fiery embers of concupiscence.
Before she could start to race up the beckoning slope of so much more hedonistic sensation, Blue’s finger withdrew.
“Nooo…” She whispered it on a low moan of disappointment, only to jolt again, arch, part her thighs more as he played the tiny nub sheltering between the slick protection of her labia. “Oh God…Blue…”
Aching pleasure that quickly swelled to sharp stabs of fiery need under his expert touch, that shafted through her with carnal prurience, sizzling through her blood, knotting her nerves to screaming point, pushing her up the heaving slope only to withdraw once more, leaving her gritting her teeth, whimpering as she came up onto her elbows, trying to find release from the decadent torture that was searing through her.
She wasn’t even aware of movement behind her, heard nothing as she battled the hot, so very hot desire claiming her yet hovering out of reach, leaving her trembling on a pinnacle of unfulfilled need.
Suddenly he was over her, strong arms coming each side of her, big hands landing on the cushion beside her shoulders. Rough material abraded her thighs, a hot, blunt head nudging her opening, muscled abdomen pressing against her back.
And then he was inside her, one hard thrust, a taking of her body, an invasion of her weeping secrets, his shaft so thick and long shoving through her spasming sheath to lodge deep inside her.
She cried out, head throwing back at the erotic sensation of being so full.
So close.
So very close.
Almost there.
Held back by the stillness of the man pinning her to the sofa, the man who had mounted her and now had his mouth against her cheek, breath hot, the lips tracing down her throat hot, that silken, firm heat brushing her ear as she whimpered.
Pleaded. Begged.
He breathed, just breathed, a little ragged but steady nevertheless.
A tiny nudge of his body that had her nerves splintering.
A tiny rock that shuddered through her like a volcano getting ready to explode.
A slow, dragging withdrawal of that thick shaft that had her sheath clasping desperately, her thighs trying to close to keep him inside her, a keening coming from her as she gripped the cushions, turned her head, didn’t know which damned way to go, how to get what she needed, so at the mercy of the man who had brought her to this beautiful despair of waiting, forced to bend to his will, forced to-
He shoved hard, tunnelling through her sheath ruthlessly, and this time he didn’t stop.
Blue set up a steady pace, hard, deliberate, hips rocking powerfully, the strength in his body surrounding her, in her, every strong thrust of his thighs and hips controlling her, pushing her, forcing her without mercy to race up the splintering high of fragmenting desire, the ardour pouring through her to snap behind her eyes with sparks of carnal heat, unbridled lust, craving that final sliver of erotic fire.
He changed angle, shifted, stabbed deep, hitting that magical spot, pegging it pitilessly, not giving her a chance to adjust to the new fire ripping through her.
With a hoarse scream she shattered, the orgasm exploding through her, ripping her senses apart to send her out into a vortex of mindless voracity.
**
She didn’t know when she finally came to, but Blue was slumped atop her, his face buried in the crook of her shoulder and neck. His weight was pressing her into the sofa cushions.
As she stirred, so too did he, moving to kiss her throat before lifting his head to meet her gaze when she turned her head to see him.
Did she look as thoroughly sated as he did? Going by the satisfied expression that crept across his handsome face, she certainly did.
“Okay, Sunflower?” he murmured.
“Oh yeah,” she said with dreamy huskiness. “Oh, babe, you can owe me anytime.”
“My pleasure.” His chuckle was a little rough. “Give me a little time to recover and we can go for round two.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
“Sure. Let’s set the alarm for a couple of hours time.”
She giggled.
Still laughing, he wrapped his arms around her and buried his face back in the crook of her neck.
Not minding his weight, perfectly content to be wrapped in his arms, feeling both cherished and protected, Charley closed her eyes and let the lazy aftermath of pleasure drift her away.