Chapter 31 #2
‘Sophie makes stuff up. You are not a sap. You have busted your ass pulling weeds all week up at that big house, and don’t think I haven’t noticed the progress you are making on the land around the hut.
Plus, you’ve been working really hard with me on being a convincing couple, as well as sorting out an exceptional menu for tonight.
’ He put a finger into the buttercream around the cake and licked it, as she swiped at his hand.
‘That tastes OK but, if you need more eggs, I can pop into town for them. And if the food sucks and the councillor chokes on cheap plonk, then at least we tried.’
A wave of gratefulness flooded though her.
She knew Justin would have had a meltdown over something like this.
He had been precise to the point of pedantic and used to criticise her sloppiness all the time.
It was so clear to her now that he was never what she wanted.
She’d rather eat Tiger’s food than make dinner for him again.
‘I’ll have another go at the icing,’ she said, her head in the fridge scouting for ingredients. ‘Oh, and you have loads of eggs.’
When she heard the front door slam, she concluded he mustn’t have heard her.
That was fine – if he picked up some more, she could make omelettes for breakfast tomorrow.
She nipped into the garage and grabbed one of the empty bottles, heading back into the kitchen to compare it with a full one.
Well, the labels were a similar colour, and the name wasn’t that different, she thought, as she took a closer look, accidentally splashing wine down her front.
Cursing loudly and wishing she hadn’t discarded the apron so soon, she wiped at her favourite top with her fingers and then a cloth.
Then, knowing Nic was out getting eggs, she stripped down, popped her clothes in the washing machine and ran for the bathroom.
Grabbing a handful of Nic’s products from the cabinet, she turned on the shower and walked into the waterfall.
Aria scrubbed herself clean with his sumptuous soap, and coated her hair in his creamy shampoo and conditioner before stepping out and looking around for a bath towel.
‘Damn.’ He’d either used them already or Sophie had furnished the room exclusively with hand towels.
Would anything go right today? Aria tentatively picked one from the rail.
Next to her generous body, she was essentially left with a flannel.
Using creative licence, she positioned the small towel across her chest, clamping it in place with her armpits.
Next, she held a second towel below it with her palm.
If she moved too fast, she’d feel a draft, but with a bit of luck she’d be back in her own bedroom in two seconds.
Unlocking the bathroom door, Aria peered out to see if the coast was clear.
She carefully placed one wet foot in front of the other as she left the bathroom – the last thing she needed was a fall.
As the door swung closed behind her, Tiger scampered around the corner following a biscuit that bounced onto the wood floor.
Oh God, no. Someone had thrown that treat.
Someone close by. Someone she could now hear speaking into his phone.
‘No, no, no,’ she whispered, willing the dog to turn around and go back in the direction he came in.
She quietly shooed him away as he gobbled up the biscuit.
Another one appeared and he bounded for it, bringing Nic’s voice closer.
A further doggy treat skidded into the wall and dropped to the floor.
Adjusting the towelling on her boobs, she stood dithering like an escaped sheep before taking a step backwards, feeling the cold wood on her buttocks, which highlighted the inadequate cover on her bum.
Realising the corridor to her bedroom would be blocked at any moment, she concluded she had to go headlong into Nic or back into the bathroom.
Wiggling her back against the handle, Aria attempted to pull it down without letting go of the towels.
When this didn’t work, and the steps grew closer, she spread one hand across both as she reached for the handle.
‘We’re definitely not about asset-stripping—’ Nic turned the corner, leaving the person at the other end of the line hanging.
His eyes widened, making her worried that the upper towel had gone astray.
His hand tightened on his phone as his eyes darted to her chest and his voice went up a notch.
‘Can I reassure you we’re not about plundering or pillaging in any way…
’ When she yanked the towel back up a little to make sure there was some boob coverage, she felt a light breeze between her legs.
She didn’t look down to see what her shifted grip on the lower towel had exposed.
The answer was all over his face. ‘We are not that kind of…’ He paused again mid-sentence, his shocked gaze flitting to the apex of her thighs.
‘…girl,’ she whispered, closing her eyes and hoping she would wake from this bad dream.
She bent her body slightly, encouraging the towel down her thighs and praying her nipples were still concealed.
His Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat, and he didn’t seem to know where to look, which told her she was definitely boobs-akimbo.
There was a stalemate for a moment, before he backed himself against the hall wall to let her pass, which she did sideways like a crab, holding on to as much cloth in as many places as she could.
‘So, we will not be taking advantage of the situation,’ he finished, the catch in his voice accentuating his lack of conviction.