Rock Stars Don't Like Big Knickers

by Nikki Ashton

“Well I hope I’m still having it when I’m in my thirties.” Noah reached across for her hand, and brought it to his lips. “Let’s just be happy for them, and if your mum is distracted by my uncle then we might be able to wangle some extra time together.”

  “Ooh I never thought of that,” Betty said wiggling her eyebrows.

  “I’ll tell you something else as well.”

  “Hmm, what’s that?”

  “I couldn’t see much, but from what I did see your mum looks pretty hot for her age.”

  “Noah!”

  Chapter 24

  A week after they arrived back from Italy, Luke and Martha were even more besotted with each other. Love hadn’t been mentioned again, but they both saw it in each other’s eyes, so for now Martha was happy to leave the subject alone, and Luke was happy to try and come to terms with the strange emotion that he’d never felt before.

  Luke had kept to his word and didn’t distract Martha during working hours, except for one occasion when she’d been bent over mopping the kitchen floor and he couldn’t help but drag her into the utility room for some amazing sex on top of the washing machine. It wasn’t his fault that her peach of a backside looked so delectable in her tight jeans – he was a red blooded man with needs and a penis that needed regular exercise, plus it was a shame to waste a good spin cycle.

  They were really happy and enjoying the first throes of a new relationship, and the only blight on it all was Valerie from the village shop, who had evidently been spreading gossip about Martha and Luke. Every time Martha set foot in the village she got strange looks or people asking her if she could cater a party or some other such event for them. Martha was now obviously famous by her mere association with Luke.

  “Surely you don’t really want to pay me to make a plate of sandwiches and six cupcakes?” Martha asked Miriam Brewer, a rather red faced, plump, woman with unfortunate dentistry who had accosted Martha in the shop. “Anyway, I don’t do outside catering, I never have.”

  Miriam nodded and grinned.

  “But it would be an extra string to your bow,” she gasped. “You could bring Mr Mahoney to help you.”

  Martha looked over at Valerie, who was now pretending to tidy up the magazines.

  “Excuse me a moment, would you?” Martha touched the woman’s elbow and moved across to Valerie. “Will you stop telling everyone about Luke,” she hissed.

  “What? I can’t imagine what you’re talking about.” Valerie looked up at Martha with frown. “I just mentioned that he lived in the village.”

  “Oh and that I was going out with him too, am I right?”

  “Noooo, that’s your business, Martha. It’s nothing to do with me who you do the horizontal tango with. But as we’re on the subject of Mr Mahoney, can I give you some advice?”

  Martha crossed her arms across her chest, wondering what snippet of wisdom she was about to impart. “Not really, but I have a feeling that you’re going to anyway.”

  “Well obviously you both seem very happy with each other, I saw you out walking Ernie together last week, hand in hand I might add, then I saw him leaving your house early on Thursday morning last week, and you were in the pub together on Tuesday evening and…”

  “Okay Valerie, yes we’re happy, so what’s your point?”

  “Well as a woman who has been married for almost forty years, three of which were very happy, can I just say don’t let your standards slip.” Valerie inclined her head and smiled at Martha.

  “In what way?” Martha asked barely able to stifle a giggle.

  “For starters, the underwear department. I’m pretty sure rock stars don’t like big knickers.”

  “Valerie!”

  “Martha?”

  “Ladies.”

  Both Martha and Valerie swung around to see that Luke had sauntered into the shop, looking sexier than any man should be allowed to. He was wearing dark blue jeans that showed off his perfect backside, and a tailored, short-sleeved, blue checked shirt that hugged his slim torso and defined his biceps. The bottom two buttons of the shirt had come undone giving a glimpse of his tanned, flat stomach and the thin treasure trail of hair, leading down into his jeans.

  Even though she saw him every day, in various stages of undress, Martha gazed at him and smiled as he took off his sunglasses and hooked them into the front pocket of his shirt.

  Luke leaned in and kissed Martha’s cheek. “Fancy seeing you here.”

  “I needed a couple of things and…”

  “Aaah.”

  Martha was interrupted by a loud sigh behind her. She turned around to see Valerie and Miriam staring at Luke. Their mouths were open and both had a hand clutched to their breast.

  “Valerie, are you drooling?” Martha asked, poking Valerie in the arm.

  Valerie didn’t respond but continued to gaze at Luke, who was now sporting a wide grin. His confidence knew no bounds when it came to his effect on females, and he was well aware that with one smile women could fall in love with him. He used to use that smile up to a hundred times a day, but recently it had been reserved for just Martha. Luke winked at Valerie and her customer, and then pulled Martha to him, dropping a kiss on her nose. God she smelled gorgeous and felt even better.

  Martha nudged him sharply in the ribs with her elbow. “Luke,” she hissed. “Stop with the knicker dropping grin. They’re both old enough to be your mother.”

  “What? I can’t help it if women find me irresistible, but don’t you worry my little sex bomb, there’s only one woman for me.” Luke pulled Martha closer and kissed her hard and passionately, not caring that they had an audience.

  After a couple of minutes, Luke pulled away leaving Martha with her eyes half closed, her lips slightly parted and a moan drawing softly from the back of her throat.

  Luke laughed and poked Martha in the shoulder. “Hey, do you want to take that look off your face, because if you don’t,” he leaned down to whisper into her ear, “I might have to have you over the counter, in full view of Valerie.”

  Martha dragged herself away from the pictures being played in her head, and smacked Luke against the chest.

  “Stop it, you did that on purpose.”

  “Did what, babe?” Luke started to laugh and looked around at the three women in front of him.

  Martha was looking hot and sexy, and Valerie and the bigger lady were standing like zombies, gazing at Luke with memories of bygone, lusty days dancing around in their brains. Luke grinned.

  Martha looked at his happy face and knew she couldn’t be mad with him, he was so bloody adorable.

  “Anyway, where did you go so early this morning?” She leaned into Luke and coiled her arms around his neck, no longer caring what anyone thought.

  Luke unfurled Martha’s arms and took her elbow and guided her away from prying eyes and ears.

  “My cousin, Tino, you know I mentioned him, he plays for City,” he whispered.

  “Oh yes, what about him?”

  “Well he wanted to ask me something, a favour or something for his girlfriend’s sister’s wedding. She’s marrying Joe Bennett. You must have read about them in the papers, her ex kidnapped her and beat her up.”

  “Oh God yes, I remember. Wow, you really do mix in famous circles don’t you? So, what’s the favour?” Martha reached up and brushed a strand of hair from Luke’s eyes.

  “He wants us to perform at their wedding,” Luke sighed. “I’m going to ring Skins and see what he thinks.”

  “You could’ve told him about your ‘vocal cord nodules’.” Martha said, referring to the excuse that Luke had used in Italy.

  Luke blew out his cheeks and shook his head.

  “I know, but I didn’t. Like a dick I said I’d ask the guys, but it would probably be okay.”

  “Do you think you’re ready? If you’re not you don’t have to do it just because he’s your cousin,” Martha whispered.

  Luke shrugged. “I have to do it sometime,” he said, not looking at Martha as he spoke, “an
d this might be a good opportunity to test things out.”

  “As long as you’re sure it’s what you want to do. Are you sure, really?”

  He looked at Martha with fear in his eyes. “I don’t know babe, I felt okay about it when I spoke to Tino but on the drive home I just...I don’t know.” He looked down and started playing with the beads on his leather bracelet

  Martha cupped his face with her hand. “You can change your mind if you want to, but something inside you made you say it would be okay, so maybe it’s time.”

  “Do you think?” Luke said. “What if I get up there and freeze in front of all those people.”

  “Perhaps you should see your therapist first and get her advice.” Luke had already had two therapy sessions that week, and seemed to be making progress already, actually getting on a stage and singing – albeit without an audience, but it was headway.

  “Yeah,” Luke said. “Maybe that’s the best idea. But, what do I say to Tino if she says it’s not a good idea?”

  Martha shrugged her shoulders and smiled. “You could always mime.”

  “Hey,” Luke laughed quietly. “That’s not such a bad idea. Although, when I tell the guys he wants us to wear a tux, they’ll probably say no anyway.”

  “A tux eh? Now that I would love to see.”

  “Shit, I don’t know if I’ve done the right thing,” Luke groaned rubbing his hand across his face as he followed Martha back to the counter.

  “Listen,” Martha replied before dropping a kiss on his forehead. “Why don’t you come over tonight and I’ll make you feel better.” She winked seductively at Luke.

  “Lucky bitch.”

  As Martha and Luke swung around, Valerie smacked a hand to her mouth.

  “Ooh sorry,” she replied. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

  Chapter 25

  “I don’t want to go,” Luke groaned as he pulled Martha closer to him.

  “You have to,” Martha said. “You’ll go to that meeting with the record company and show them that Dirty Riches are ready to get back out there.”

  “But that’s it babe, we’re not, I’m not.”

  “Yes you are, you know you are.”

  Neil, the band’s manager, had started the ball rolling for their comeback with their old record company, arranging a series of meetings with them and possible tour sponsors.

  Luke had been having therapy for almost three weeks, and was making more progress with each session. His therapist had given him some coping methods and he’d even managed to sing, on a stage, in front of the theatre staff. They were all thrilled and shocked when they realised that Luke Mahoney was going to be singing for them. They’d all been told that he’d had a throat operation so wanted to test his voice out – they didn’t really care why he was doing it, they were just happy he was.

  Today was the day that Luke was leaving for three days, and he and Martha were struggling with the thought of spending the time apart. Their relationship had become more intense and they were spending more and more time together.

  It was their last morning in bed together before Luke was to be picked up by a car that would take he and Skins to a hotel in London. There they would meet up with Jake and Tom, who were flying in from LA.

  “I’m going to miss you,” Luke said, his stubble rubbing against Martha’s neck as he kissed her.

  Martha giggled and grabbed his face, landing a hard kiss on his lips.

  “Stop it,” she protested. “It tickles.”

  “I was trying to leave my mark on you, so that while I’m away other men will know that you’re mine.” Luke raised his eyebrows and grinned.

  “What, like a Tom Cat?” Martha laughed.

  “Yeah, I suppose so,” Luke shrugged. “Just like a Tom Cat.”

  “That’s disgusting Mr Mahoney. I’d hoped you respected me more than that.” Martha reached up and smoothed Luke’s hair back from his face so she could see his eyes.

  “I do respect you,” Luke said. “Every bit of you and your scorching little body.”

  Luke’s gaze was so intense that Martha felt as though he was actually touching her. He had lavished attention on every single inch of her body in the last hour, sending her mind and body humming, and she knew the next few days were going to feel like a lifetime.

  “Martha,” Luke said quietly.

  “Hmm.”

  His eyes were wary as they searched Martha’s face. “I erm, well…I love you.”

  Martha gasped and stared back at him wide eyed. Her heart thudded so hard she thought it was working its way out of her chest.

  “Say something,” Luke said with a look of fear on his face.

  “I love you too,” she whispered.

  Luke blew out a breath and started to laugh. “Thank God for that, I thought I’d just made a tit of myself.”

  Martha slapped her hand against his chest. “Luke, that’s not a very romantic thing to say at such a momentous moment.”

  “Telling you I love you could have been the last thing you wanted to hear. And, I’m sorry but if it was, then there’s no doubt I’d have made a tit of myself. ”

  “God, I’m going to miss you,” Martha said with a mile wide grin. “It’s going to be horrible without you.”

  The late afternoon sunlight dappled the ground with shadows of the trees, as a gentle breeze caused Martha to shiver despite the jacket that she had pulled tightly around her. She was standing on the drive, next to a black limousine, ready to wave Luke off. Lucia and Noah, had said their goodbyes and gone back into the house, leaving Martha to bid a tearful farewell.

  Luke looked at Martha, and his heart flipped. Leaving her was like someone giving him a punch to the stomach, with a quick follow up to his heart. “Shit baby,” he said as he wrapped his arms around her. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

  Martha threw her arms around his neck, and pushed her cheek against his chest, breathing in his scent. Unable to stop herself, despite a vow not to make it any harder for Luke than it already was, Martha started to cry.

  “Sweetheart, please don’t cry,” he said. “It’s only three days.” He pulled himself away from her, and lifted her chin with his finger. “Come on, let’s see that beautiful smile before I go.”

  Martha smiled weakly as tears slowly crawled down her cheeks. “I’m being stupid, I know, but I don’t want you to go.”

  Luke kissed Martha tenderly and stroked her cheek. “I love you,” he whispered.

  “I love you too.” Martha suddenly flung herself at Luke, jumping up and wrapping her legs around his waist.

  Steadying himself, Luke grabbed hold of her bottom and pulled her further up his body as his mouth found hers for a deep kiss. Martha’s arms wound around his neck tightly as she responded to his kisses, moaning with desire against his mouth. One of Luke’s hands cupped her buttock, while the other snaked up her back and into her hair, pulling it gently.

  “Shit,” he groaned, as he eventually pulled away from her. “How am I going to survive without you for even one night, never mind three?” He leaned his forehead against Martha’s and sighed. “I need to go baby.”

  Martha nodded. “I know.” She lowered herself to the ground and dropped a kiss on Luke’s mouth.

  Luke wiped her cheeks with his thumb, and smiled. “I’ll ring you when I get there.”

  Martha laced her fingers with Luke’s and they walked towards the car. After another couple of minutes of farewell kisses, Luke climbed into the car and then was suddenly gone, leaving Martha waving until the gates closed behind him.

  Chapter 26

  When Martha woke the day after Luke left, she was convinced that she’d been frowning all night. Luke hadn’t called and his phone had gone straight to voicemail when she’d tried to call him. Getting herself some cereal, Martha sat down with the newspaper that had been delivered earlier. As she reached the gossip page her stomach dropped and her heart stopped. There, in full colour, was a picture of Luke and Rachel sitting at a
bar, there were drinks in front of them and Rachel’s hand was resting on Luke’s shoulder, while his rested on her thigh. The caption read, “Together again, and this time it’s serious.”

  Martha held a hand to her mouth, worried that she was going to vomit. With shaking hands she held the newspaper as she scanned the article. She read how Luke and Rachel were seen in their hotel bar last night, and looked very happy together, laughing and joking, until finally leaving arm in arm and disappearing into the lift.

  Silent tears ran down her cheeks as she cursed her own stupidity. She’d known that this would happen, but she just think it would happen after only one night apart. He’d lulled her with his charm and words of love and was now discarding her – just as he’d always done with every woman he’d ever been with. Martha’s throat constricted as a sob tried to work its way out, but she suppressed it and drew in a deep breath, scrubbing the wetness from her face, determined not to cry. Thank God that Betty was over at Ruby’s so she didn’t have to face her. She just hoped that Ruby’s parents didn’t have the newspaper delivered.

  Suddenly her phone shrilled into life. She glanced at the screen. It was Stacey. Martha declined the call and dropped her phone as though it had burned her hand. Within seconds it rang out again, she declined four calls from Stacey until she eventually answered.

  “Martha, are you okay?” Stacey asked cautiously.

  “I’ve seen it Stacey,” Martha answered dully.

  “Well it might not be what it looks like.”

  Martha sighed, wishing she’d just switched her phone off, but part of her was hoping that Luke would call, just so she could call him a tosser if nothing else.

  “Let’s face it she’s been desperate to get her claws back into him, so of course it’s what it looks like.”

  “Have you spoken to Luke?”

  There was that cautious tone again, Stacey knew something.

  “No, why have you?” The line was silent. “Stacey what’s going on?”

  “No one can get hold of him. Skins has been ringing his room number as well, but nothing.”