Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8
F reya had expected her mother to invite a lot of people, but as they walked around to the back of the house, it looked like at least half the town had turned up.
“The meat tray was big,” Justin said just loudly enough for her to hear, “but it wasn't that big.”
She brushed his arm with her own, unable to avoid touching him for more than a few minutes. The look he shot her told her that he felt the same.
“Wow, this place is great,” Felicity exclaimed beside her. “Justin, if you'd inherited a place like this, there is no way I'd let you give it up.”
He chuckled at his sister's enthusiasm.
“There's Greer. I'll introduce you.” Freya led them towards her sister and introduced Felicity.
“Freya told me you're an amazing chef. I love cooking, but I don't think I'm very good at it,” Felicity said.
"I spent so many years studying and travelling. I’ve worked in restaurants in lots of different cities, trying the local dishes and learning about the produce. I’d be happy to help you out if you’re ever interested in learning more,” Greer said kindly.
“I'd love that.” Felicity beamed at Greer.
Where Justin was reserved and introverted, Felicity was assertive and self-confident but his love for his sister was evident in the proud smiles he bestowed on her.
Mark joined them, handing Justin a bottle of beer. “How did the packing go today?”
Justin's reply was polite and friendly as usual. “I got a lot done, thanks to these helpers.” He motioned to Freya and Felicity. "Thanks for the boxes.”
“That was all Freya; she knows where everything is around this place,” her father replied. “If I can steal you away from these lovely ladies, there are some people who would like to meet you.”
Justin turned and glanced at Freya, as though hoping for a cue as to his next move. She gave him her permission with a smile and nod.
For a few seconds, he held her stare, before breaking away to follow her father.
“He'll be okay.” Greer leaned in close. “You can't have them all to yourself, all the time.”
Freya was about to admonish her sister for saying such things in front of Felicity when she realised Felicity wasn't there anymore. She glanced around anxiously.
Greer gestured to where Justin's sister was now talking animatedly to Nina. “That Felicity is quite a character.”
“She sure is. Certainly less reserved than her brother.”
“You really like him.”
Freya felt her cheeks reddening. “Is it that obvious?”
“It is to me. Then again, I know you better than anyone.”
"I've never felt like this before.”
“Really? Ever?”
“No. This time it’s different.”
“He seems very nice. Genuine. I just don't want you to get your heart broken when he goes back to the city.”
“I know, but Brisbane’s not that far. Maybe it could work.”
Greer shrugged. “I do think he's attracted to you. I mean, look at the way he keeps glancing over here.”
Freya turned towards him and their eyes connected. It was only for a moment, but it felt significant.
“You know I’ll always tell you to follow your heart. If you can find someone you want to be with, then that's great, and you should try to make it work.”
“It's not too late for you, Greer. You'll find someone.” Freya hugged her sister and sent up a silent prayer that she would find happiness soon.
“I know. I just hope that when I finally meet the man of my dreams my ovaries won't have shrunken entirely. Did you know a woman's fertility decreases significantly after the age of twenty-eight?”
“No. But thanks for the biology lesson. Now I need a drink. What about you?”
Greer shook her head and disappeared to restock the cheese platters.
With no sun left, the air temperature was dropping fast, the cold tickling her lungs. Freya headed over to a table full of beer bottles, wine, and a various array of premixed spirits. She chose a can of Coke and opened the top. Seeing Justin still deep in conversation with her father, she decided to leave them to it. She wandered around the edge of the group and found her favourite spot. A large fig tree sat at the top of an incline, which had a beautiful view of the sloping hills. Many years ago, her father had built a bench seat, so people could sit and take in the landscape. She sat there now and breathed in deeply, savouring the cool night air.
With the chatter of the guests creating a backdrop, she leaned back in the chair, and let her thoughts return to Justin. Her skin goose pimpled as she thought of all the things she wanted to do to him, how much she wanted his touch on her skin, his lips on her mouth. Just thinking about the way he stood talking to her father made her want him.
Everything about him made her want him.
As if he had been summoned by the force of her thoughts, he appeared next to her. “Mind if I sit next to you?” His voice was full of something—desire?
“Please do.”
He sat next to her. Closer than he needed to. Close enough to touch.
“You and my father were talking for a while.”
He sipped his beer before looking at her. “He’s a great guy. I didn't think we would have much in common, but we really do.”
She smiled. "He has a way of finding things in common with everyone."
“I wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. If it wasn’t for you, I would have gone home by now. I hadn’t even planned on coming up for the funeral, but I'm so glad I did. Not only have I learnt more about Boyd, but I also got to meet so many unique people. And I'm so thankful to you, and your family, for your generosity and kindness.”
His words were so heartfelt, and said with such passion, she felt her eyes moisten. “You don't have to thank us. We like you; we want to help you.”
“You like me?” He raised a brow and his mouth curved up.
She felt her pulse quicken and her mouth go dry.
She started to speak but he silenced her, covering her mouth with his.
Fireworks shot through her veins the moment their lips connected. The heat of his body, his arms around her. She parted her lips for him, angling her head and letting him take the kiss deep.
She had never been kissed like this before. By a man who acted like he was starving for her. And she had never felt like she was starving for a man before either. It was completely intoxicating.
When they finally broke apart for air, he brushed a light kiss on her lips and dropped his hands.
"I've been wanting to do that for a while," he breathed into her hair.
Desire quivered in her stomach. "Me too."
She turned toward him again and rubbed her hand over his rough cheek, then lowered her mouth to his. Her hands explored his chest and arms while her tongue explored his mouth. She couldn't get enough. She wanted him. All of him.
And he wanted her. She could feel his desire as he pulled her against him. He groaned as though reading her thoughts.
“We should go back to the party.” His voice was deep, smooth, and so damned sexy.
“They won't miss us,” she murmured, not wanting the moment to end.
“Freya, I want you more than you can possibly imagine. But this is neither the time or place He disentangled himself and looked her in the eyes. "I want our first time to be special. And I don’t want to risk being interrupted.” The certainty of his tone was almost her undoing.
She would have been perfectly happy making love to him on top of a hay bale in the shed, but she appreciated him wanting to take it slow.
He kissed her again, nibbling gently on her lip, before lifting her up and placing her on her feet. "Let's go get some food before it's all gone," he said, and took her hand in his.