by Nikki Ashton
Luke grinned lazily. “Oops, not so sure grabbing that will open anything for you.”
Martha clapped her hands over her eyes and groaned. “Oh God I’m so sorry your mum told me that this room would be free and that I could freshen up in here because I’ve been cooking and prepping all day and didn’t want to look too awful for your guests and…”
“Hey, take a breath,” Luke laughed, putting a hand on Martha’s shoulder.
“Argh,” she cried, startled by his touch.
“Christ, when was the last time you actually saw a naked man, or were even touched by a man?” Luke walked slowly over to the bed and grabbed the jeans than Noah had left there. He pulled them on and zipped them up.
“Okay, it’s safe to look now.”
Martha widened her fingers and peered through the gap. Once she was sure that Luke had covered himself, she dropped her hand from her face that was almost the colour of beetroot.
“Sorry.”
“No worries, it’s not the first time a strange woman has seen my family jewels.”
“I’m not strange,” Martha cried.
“Well, that’s not the reaction I normally get, I have to be honest. Seriously though, when was the last time you saw a naked man?” Luke joked, enjoying the fact that Martha was embarrassed.
“2006, Llandudno beach,” Martha replied without thinking.
She’d always been taught to tell the truth and unfortunately, that was the truth. She’d taken Betty on a little holiday and a drunken man had decided that the sun was in the sky, so he was going to streak all the way up the beach to the Great Orme – luckily the police caught him when he stopped to have his photograph taken.
Luke shook his head and laughed. She was crazy: last week she had more or less sexually assaulted him with her eyes, and now today she was acting like some virginal spinster who’d never seen a male member.
“You don’t have a twin sister do you?” he asked picking up his t-shirt.
Martha shook her head and then watched, trance like, as Luke pulled the t-shirt over his head. He looked, to quote Betty, totes amazing.
“I just wondered, because last week you didn’t seem shy about looking at my body, but today you look petrified.” He sat down on the bed and, still a little drunk, wobbled precariously as he pulled on his socks.
Martha couldn’t help but stare as the sight of his wet, uncombed, black hair sent shivers through her body. She had an overpowering desire to grab it in her hands while she kissed her way down his neck and along his shoulders.
“Are you okay?” Luke stood up and peered into Martha’s eyes.
She coughed to clear her throat. “Yes, I’m fine thank you. It was just a shock to see you…naked.”
“Look, if you seriously haven’t seen a man’s dick since 2006, then if you ever fancy a booty call one night, then you know, just pass me a note at dinner and I’ll be down that drive faster that a ferret up a drainpipe.” Luke started to laugh as Martha’s nostrils flared.
“I don’t think that’s appropriate, do you? I could sue you for sexual harassment.”
“I’m sure you could,” he replied trying not to giggle like a schoolboy. “Sorry, it was just a joke.”
When he was inebriated, Luke had a tendency to be naughty and rude, he couldn’t help it, but the look he was getting made him realise he’d perhaps gone a little too far. Martha, if he remembered her name correctly, was not only his employee but a neighbour too, and not some groupie trying to throw herself at him. But that’s what most women wanted from him: some dirty talk, nakedness and hopefully an orgasm; and it was just a little difficult to get out of the habit, even after almost four years of not performing.
“Well I’m sorry, Mr Sex God of Rock, I’m not like that. I came in here by accident, not to stalk you.” He hadn’t changed, Martha thought, in fact, he was probably even more arrogant than he was at school.
Luke lowered his head to hide his smile.
“I know,” he said, “and I’m sorry. Consider me suitably chastised. But, you were checking me out last week, and you were rather flustered when we talked.”
Martha felt her pulse quicken, and her nostrils flare even wider. God, he was a self-centred prat. He thought he was God’s gift when they were at school, and obviously nothing in the last eighteen years had done anything to make him think otherwise. He was infuriating, but Lord above he was sexy as hell with his stupid wet hair, and she couldn’t ignore the fact that he made her feel like she was fifteen again.
“Look, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get washed up and sort my hair out. Haven’t you got guests to greet?”
A shadow passed over Luke’s face as he shrugged on his jacket and grunted.
“I better had get down there before my mother throws an epic tantrum.”
“Well it’s your party and they are your guests.” Martha folded her arms tightly across her chest.
“Okay, now you sound like my mother. I’m going, don’t worry. I hope your food is up to standard by the way.” Luke laughed as he moved towards the door.
“I think you’ll find it’s excellent,” Martha called over her shoulder. “You only have to ask your mum what her meals have been like this week.”
“That’s good, because I wouldn’t want to have to put you over my knee and spank you now would I?”
Martha let out a little squeak and ran quickly to the bathroom, locking the door behind her. She leaned against it, breathing heavily, and wondered whether agreeing to work for Luke had been a huge mistake.
Chapter 4
At the top of the stairs, Luke took a deep breath and stared down at his guests milling around in the grand hallway. Why the hell was he doing this, he asked himself? He didn’t know half these people personally, they were just important in the music industry and he’d promised the guys that he’d try and show some interest in reforming the band. They’d been making plans for the last eighteen months, but Luke had been dragging his feet. Still, he felt like he owed them, especially Skins, and he did want to start making music again.
“Luke, baby,” a loud, deep voice called from the bottom of the stairs.
Luke looked down and smiled at the sight of his best friend, Skins, grinning up at him, with his arm draped around the shoulder of his wife, Stacey. Like Luke, in fact like the rest of the band, he was covered in tattoos. His shaved head shone under the crystal chandelier and made Luke smile; Skins was evidently still keeping up with his moisturising regime. Luke was pleased to see him looking so healthy. There’d been a time there when he thought he may lose his best friend.
“Hey dude; Stacey.” Luke waved and made his way down the stairs, into the huge arms of Skins.
Skins Ballard was the group’s drummer, and he had been the reason that they’d split four years ago – officially anyway. The real reason, which the band had agreed to keep a secret, was the crippling stage fright that Luke developed after Skins collapsed on stage.
“You’re looking good; it’s so great to see you, I can’t believe it’s three months since we last got together.” With a struggle, Luke pulled out of Skins’ bear hug, and took Stacey into his arms. “Stace, babe. How are you doing?”
Stacey’s eyes shone as she glanced at Skins over Luke’s shoulder. “I’m good Luke; we’re really good, brilliant in fact.”
“Tell him,” Skins prompted, nudging Stacey with his elbow.
“What’s this?” asked Luke.
“Well, shit man, I can’t keep this to myself any longer. Can I tell him babe?” Skins looked at his wife, wide eyed, as he bounced on the spot.
“Go on then.”
“We’re having a baby! How cool is that?”
Luke pulled them both into his arms and squeezed tightly.
“Dude, that’s amazing. I am so happy for both of you. You deserve it.”
Luke’s heart swelled at the news. When Skins had gone into rehab, he and Stacey had only been married a few months, and it had nearly torn them apart. The drink and d
rugs had turned him into a crazy man, and a weaker person than Stacey would definitely have kicked him out But, she hadn’t, she’d stuck by him, and with the rest of the band’s help they’d got Skins back on track and he was now four years clean and sober. Skins was a lucky man having Stacey, and if he was being honest with himself, Luke would admit to being just a little jealous that he didn’t have someone like her looking out for him.
“Thanks Luke, but you do know you’re going to have to be roped in for babysitting duty.” Stacey cradled his face with her palm. “This baby is going to love its Uncle Luke.”
Luke dropped his eyes, a blush appearing at his cheeks. “I’d be honoured to look after your kid, Stace.”
“Hey, there’s your mum, Luke. I’m just going to have a quick chat with her.” Stacey pecked Skins on the cheek and left the two friends alone.
As he watched her leave, Skins turned to Luke with concern on his face. “So, how’ve you really been?”
Luke laughed and punched Skins gently on the arm. “Don’t worry, I haven’t arranged to see a counsellor, therapist, or whatever you want to call them yet, but I will. I made a promise to you guys and I mean to keep it.”
“Yeah, but you’ve been drinking this morning, right?”
Luke sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Well....yeah but...”
“Luke, it’s getting worse. How are we supposed to get back to performing if even a party sends you in a spin?” Skins sighed and laid a heavy hand on his friends shoulder, pulling him in closer. “Why did you invite this many people anyway? Wouldn’t it have been better to just ease yourself in gently?”
“I thought it would be okay,” Luke said. “We’re not performing so I didn’t think it would be a problem.”
“This isn’t just stage fright dude. If you can’t handle mixing with more than a dozen people without having a drink, then you have a bigger problem than that. Luke, we’re your friends and we love you, but we need to start performing again. It’s not just the money, which is great, we have plenty of that, but we all need that buzz again.”
“I know and I will sort it, I just feel such a dick about it.”
Skins shook his head. “No need, no need at all. You were there for me when I had a problem, and we’ll all be there for you now. But, I gotta tell you dude, I’m bored shitless at the farm now I’ve got a Farm Manager, and I know Tom and Jake are itching to get back, sunbathing in LA and bedding lots of women is getting a little boring apparently.” Tom Davies and Jake Hughes were the bassist and lead guitarist respectively in the band, and had both ‘retired’ to Lala land, as Luke called it.
Luke dragged his hand through his hair. He knew that he had to resolve his issues. It had all started when Skins collapsed on stage. They were just finishing their set at Glastonbury, where they were headlining on the last night. The crowd were manic and screaming for more as Luke had wound them up into a frenzy with his hot, sexy stage presence and deep throaty vocals. He had turned around to tell the other guys to do one more song when Skins’ eyes rolled into the back of his head and he fell backwards off his drum stool.
Slowly the crowd began to realise something was wrong, and fell quiet as everyone rushed around trying to get Skins’ heart working again. Everyone, that is, apart from Luke who had walked off the stage in a trance and found some random groupie to have sex with while his best friend fought for his life. After a short stay in hospital Skins went into rehab and the band never performed again. The whole incident had broken something inside Luke. He couldn’t find his voice, and standing on a stage, even in rehearsals, made him break out in a cold sweat and, more often than not, vomit with nerves.
Skins shook Luke, breaking his thoughts.
“Hey don’t beat yourself up about it. I’m sorry; I shouldn’t be putting pressure on you. If you do try and get more help, then do it for yourself, not us. Okay?”
Luke smiled and nodded, determined that he would get the help he needed, and this time he wouldn’t stop until he found someone who could help resolve his problems.
Betty watched as Noah chatted animatedly to a girl that she recognised as the winner of a recent TV Talent show. She was supposed to be checking if any more food was needed to be added to the already groaning tables, but gazing at the tall, slim, dark haired Noah was far more preferable. His hair was messy, and he looked so hot in his skinny jeans and checked shirt with rolled up sleeves, his long lashes and high cheekbones. Betty was mesmerised. She thought he was beautiful.
“Are you wetting your knickers again?” Ruby whispered into her ear.
Betty’s hand flew to her chest. “Shit Rubes, I thought you were my mum. He’s just amazing isn’t he?” Betty let out a little sigh.
“Hmm if you like the haunted look.”
“He’s not haunted, he’s gorgeous. Where is my mum by the way?” Betty’s eyes flicked around the dining room. Martha had given her another lecture when she’d come back from the bathroom. Something had put her in a foul mood and she’d threatened to ground Betty if she didn’t stop gossiping about boys and get on with some work.
“She’s buttering French bread. I left Em bending her ear about Liam, again.”
“Ah, okay. Rubes cover for me; I’m going to talk to him.”
Ruby’s mouth dropped open. “Martha will kill you.”
“Which is why you have to cover for me. I have to have that boy, he’s far too delish to let slip through my fingers.” With that Betty picked up a tray of mini burgers and waltzed off in the direction of Noah.
Chapter 5
By 11 p.m., Martha was washing up the last of the dishes while the girls cleaned up the kitchen. It had been a long, but apparently quite successful day. She’d even been asked by a music producer, and his fiancée to make their wedding cake. According to them her lemon and chocolate cake was the best they’d ever tasted,
Martha had been pleasantly surprised by the party, and more so by its guests. She’d expected them to be rude, overbearing celebrities but instead found that everyone had been perfectly pleasant and charming. Throughout the party, Martha had avoided eye contact with Luke, not that she’d had much of a chance to leave the kitchen, but when she did she couldn’t bear to look at him knowing what was underneath his clothing. He didn’t appear to notice her anyway, and spent most of his time with Skins Ballard and his wife, and Gabriella and her husband.
“Can we go now, Mum?”
Betty leaned against the cupboard next to where Martha was washing up, inspecting her hair for split ends.
“Yes I think so. There are no more dishes to be brought in here are there?” Martha sighed, feeling a twinge in her lower back.
“No, everything is cleared up. Why don’t you just put it all in the dishwasher anyway?”
“Because I’m not working tomorrow, and I don’t want to leave them for Mrs Mahoney to sort out.”
Suddenly Betty dropped her hair from her fingers and looked up with bright eyes. “I could always come back and finish up for you.”
Martha frowned and shook her head. “How stupid do you think I am? You just want an excuse to talk to Noah, and that is not happening. We’ve had this conversation, Betty. You’ve got to concentrate on your A-levels.”
“Okay, okay, but when I get to university you won’t be able to keep an eye on me, so I might just have a different boy every night.”
Martha gave her a look. “Not funny,” she said. “Oh and when you get home, just ring Uncle Graham and check that Ernie has been okay with him today. He ate Uncle Graham’s underpants last time he looked after him.”
Betty scrunched up her nose in disgust. “That’s gross,” she said, “but yeah I’ll call.” She leaned across and pecked Martha on the cheek. “Don’t be too long, you look shattered.”
“I’ll be half an hour tops, so get the kettle on.”
When Betty had left, Martha let out a sigh; peace dawning as the only sound now was the ticking of the large kitchen clock. She added more hot water to the bowl and
started to wash yet another dish.
“You still here?”
Martha froze, leaving her hands in hot water a little too long.
“Ouch,” she cried pulling them out and shaking them.
She turned to see Luke leaning against the large, scrubbed wooden table. His jacket had been removed, revealing his muscular tattooed arms, and he looked even more delectable than earlier.
“I’m just finishing up. I’ll be out of your way soon.” She turned back to the sink and carried on washing up.
“No problem,” Luke said appearing at her side with a tea-towel in his hand.
“You don’t have to do that.” She edged to the left, acutely aware that his arm was brushing against her own.
Her heart was pounding and she was feeling hot all over, and there was definitely something going on down below. It had been almost two years since her last brief fumble - over the clothes boob feeling by Glen Kingdom, aged 31 from Chester, Computer Technician, loves socialising and going to the theatre – so it was no surprise to find herself getting all het up just by being in the same air space as Luke.
“Thanks for the food, it was great, unfortunately.” Luke elbowed her gently.
“Unfortunately, why?” Martha asked, glancing at him sideways.
“Well it means I can’t put you over my knee and spank you now and,” he said leaning back to look at Martha’s bottom, “it would be a very nice arse to spank.”
Martha blew a breath upwards, trying to cool down her sweaty forehead. Not daring to speak, as she knew it would come out as a squawk, she tutted, and passed a dish to Luke.
He laughed. “Do I make you uncomfortable?” he asked, enjoying playing with her.
“No, not really. It’s just a little inappropriate to talk to the hired help like that, but I guess that’s how you normally talk to women.”
