Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Jules
S weat trickles under my armpits as I complete my reverse park. Mick offered to drop Riley off today, but it’s not like me to hide. Besides, school holidays have spared me from seeing Taylor’s ugly mug for two weeks. Time to woman up and face the bitch. Assuming she makes an appearance.
And there she is.
My heart kicks up a notch as the woman who abandoned me in the nightclub struts away from the front gate in gym tights and a crop top that exposes her midriff. She’s earlier than normal. Does that mean she was trying to avoid me?
“Mummy, are we getting out of the car?”
I release my death grip on the steering wheel. I’ve been staring at Taylor like a crazy stalker. Perhaps I’m not as cool about meeting her again as I thought.
I give Riley a winning smile and open the door. Sunlight warms my already heated cheeks. I knew seeing my so-called friend would be tough, but I hadn’t appreciated just how much it would affect me. My entire body is wound tighter than Mick when he’s buried in his spreadsheets.
Taylor passes us, looking straight through me as if I don’t exist. So, that’s how she’s going to play it. I should have known a coward like her would go with the ‘ignore each other’ game.
“What’s wrong with Shane’s mum?” asks Riley.
I squeeze her hand to reassure her everything’s fine. Even though it isn’t. “She must have a lot on her mind.”
I kiss my daughter goodbye and watch her skip into the playground. She spots a couple of girls and breaks into a jog. Thank goodness she has other friends because who knows what reception she’ll get from Taylor’s son.
“I’m surprised you turned up today.”
I pivot at the caustic tone. Taylor must have retraced her steps. She leans against the fence, hands on her hips and an ugly sneer testing the limits of her Botox.
I toss my hair over my shoulder. Game on. “Not as surprised as I am that you showed your skanky face.”
She stalks towards me. “I’m not the one who made up some story about being drugged to cover the fact you were flirting with other men.”
What the hell? “I wasn’t flirting.” I shove trembling hands into my jean pockets. My clothes might not be designer label, but they’re in good condition and clean. “And friends don’t leave friends behind without checking on them.”
“You’re just jealous I ended up with two hot guys while you puked your guts up in the toilets.” She rakes her gaze over me. “I’d expect someone like you to hold your liquor better.”
How dare she! I felt sorry for her when her husband cheated on her. Listened to her whine about it for hours. All for nothing. I dig my hands further into my pockets so I don’t do something I’ll regret. I’ve never hit anyone before, but there’s always a first.
“Ladies, is everything alright?”
I flinch at the sound of Mr Campbell’s lilting voice. His posture is relaxed, but his gaze swivels between us like he can tell we’re one word away from getting physical. How much did he hear?
I step back from Taylor and cross my arms over my chest. “Yep. It’s all peachy.”
For once, she doesn’t linger to chat up the teacher. Instead, she gives him a small wave and strides off.
Mr Campbell clears his throat. “Are you sure you’re okay, Mrs Williams?”
“Yeah. Just a minor disagreement.” A major fucking one, but it doesn’t matter. Taylor doesn’t matter. At least, that’s what I tell myself.
Taylor’s massive SUV skids away from the kerb, burnt rubber polluting the air. Disappointment pools in my stomach. A part of me hoped there’d been a misunderstanding and she’d apologise for deserting me at the nightclub. But that’s clearly not going to happen.
I return to my car. I’ve got more than enough time to get home, change and arrive at the café in time for my shift. The James Bond theme blasts through the speakers as my mobile lights up. Warmth curls inside my belly. “Hey there, 007.”
“What?”
I cover my mouth with my hand and laugh into it. I changed the ringtone for Mick’s number when he started working at the station. It’s cute. Although, I’m not sure he’d agree if he knew. “Nothing. What’s wrong?”
“I was just checking to see how drop-off went.” His voice is soft and warm, yet with a hint of steel beneath. Like he’s ready to go to battle on my behalf if I ask. Not that I need him to defend me. All I’ve ever wanted is to have him beside me.
“Taylor was unrepentant. But I stopped myself from smacking her. So, all in all, I’d say it turned out pretty alright.”
Mick’s deep-throated laugh tickles my ears and warms me up in all the good places. “I’m glad.”
“Well, I can’t promise I won’t deck her if I see her at pick- up this afternoon.” Especially if she spews more lies out of those bloated lips of hers.
There’s no response, just the laughter of children running past on the street.
“Are you there, Mick?”
“Yeah, I was thinking.”
“About?”
“What if I promise to spank you if you behave?”
I straighten in my seat. Luckily, I’m not driving. Words like that could have a girl veering off the road. “Did you say what I think you said?”
“Yep.”
I squeeze my inner thighs together. We haven’t talked dirty over the phone in … forever. “Then I guess you’ve given me a big incentive to keep my hands to myself.”
There’s a murmur of voices in the background. “Sorry, Jules, I’ve got to go. Be good.” Mick hangs up but not before I hear Jake barking orders. My ears burn. I hope he didn’t overhear our conversation.
I turn on the ignition and manoeuvre onto the road, my body tingling with memories of how firm Mick’s hand can be on my bare arse—the bloody tease. The traffic is thick with morning commuters, and my libido ratchets higher with each red light. If I don’t get some relief soon, I’ll combust.
I edge my way into the right lane and take the next turn. It’s a longer route home, but with the congestion on the main road, it’ll be quicker. Besides, I have an emergency between my legs that needs attention. Pronto.
The car hums along at a steady pace of fifty kilometres an hour. The street is straight. And devoid of traffic.
Do I need to wait?
Nah. I couldn’t.
Could I?
I take one hand off the wheel and place it on the waistband of my jeans. Flick the button and slide the zipper down. This is so wicked. But no one can see what I’m doing, not with the tinted windows shielding my profile.
It takes some wriggling, but I finally slip my fingers inside my underwear. Unfortunately, I don’t have time to congratulate myself because a pedestrian darts out in front of me and I hit the brake. I’d beep the horn at the idiot as well, except it’s tricky when I’ve got my hand down my pants.
My heart races at the near miss. That was reckless, even for me.
I yank my hand out of my underwear, flick on the indicator, and pull over to the side of the road outside a massive two-story home. A hedge shields me from the occupants, and the street is clear of pedestrians.
Should I continue what I started?
Mick’s husky promise to spank me reverberates in my ears.
Yes, yes I should.
I adjust my jeans to give me better access. It’s so much easier now I have both hands free. My middle finger dips between my legs and wetness coats the surface. It seems ‘won’t take long’ has become my standard mantra. I circle my clit, warmth fanning out in concentric circles. The drone of a lawnmower accompanies the soft sighs spilling from my lips as my fingers work their magic. Images of me naked over Mick’s lap, the sting of him slapping my bare skin, the firmness of his erection against my belly, are all it takes. My hips buck and my eyes flutter shut as the pulsating fire consumes me.
I remove my hand from my jeans and gulp in ragged breaths. That was unexpected, but oh, so delicious. The distant drone of the lawnmower continues as if I hadn’t just rocked my own world. Then again, it was Mick. All Mick. My libido has been on overdrive ever since we re-established our physical connection.
My eyes snap open to a tap tap on the roof of the car. A dark blue shadow looms at my window. Uh oh. Fire swoops across my face. How long has he been there? I fumble with the controls and finally lower the glass.
“Officer.” I look in the vicinity of the man’s neck and attempt a smile. My cheeks must be redder than a ripe tomato.
“You’re in a No Parking zone.” He points to the sign in front of the car.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realise.”
He glances at my lap where my zipper remains undone.
Kill. Me. Now.
This could be a sexy fantasy come to life if the man was Mick. But he isn’t.
“Are you unwell?”
I hang my head and rub my thighs. What do I say? I was so horny I couldn’t wait another ten minutes to drive home and had to stop and get myself off? That’s a guaranteed fine right there.
“Ma’am?”
I swallow and lick my lips. Force myself to stare at his neck again. “I was feeling nauseous, but I’m okay now.” I risk raising my head. The officer has a military haircut and striking green eyes that twinkle in the sunlight. Or is he laughing at me?
“Very sensible of you to pull over.” His gaze dips again to my open jeans. The fire in my cheeks reaches incinerator levels. “Since you’re feeling better, I suggest you move along.”
“Thank you.” I give him my brightest smile.
He returns it with a twitch of his lips that tells me he doesn’t believe my story, but he walks away and climbs back inside the police car parked behind me. The station is big, isn’t it? There’s no way Mick and Jake will hear about it …
My phone dings. My tingling lady bits, because, yeah, they’re still buzzing even after being caught half commando, tingle some more when I see it’s a text from Mick. He’s never been one for sexting, but there’s always a first time. Like me getting myself off in the car.
I open the message expecting a continuation of dirty talk. Instead, there’s a photo of a beach.
Mick: How about we go away for a few days? Just you and me.
That’s a nice surprise. It warms my heart in a way my fingers never could. Our last minibreak was a long weekend in Melbourne two years back. We spent our days making love and the nights dining out and listening to pub bands. It feels like a lifetime ago now.
What prompted Mick’s suggestion? The counselling? The nightclub incident?
Whatever the reason, I’m glad he’s putting in a genuine effort to get closer. Escaping the demands of everyday life sounds like a perfect jump start for our marriage.
There’s a short whoop whoop of a siren behind me. Oops. I quickly zip up my jeans and hit the ignition button. I’d better hurry home before the officer decides to fine me after all. With a little wave out the window, I take off.