by Nikki Ashton
“She won’t, I told her she’s the only person who knows. So, if it got out it could only have come from her, and she won’t risk me dumping her arse for that.” Luke laughed emptily. “The worst part is she thinks I cheated on Martha with someone else.”
“What did you tell her that for?” Tom looked exasperated.
“There’s no way I was going to let her think Martha had given it to me,” Luke cried.
“You idiot, what if she tells Martha?” Jake shook his head. “Christ, and I’m supposed to be the stupid one.”
“Jake’s right, if she tells Martha that’s two things she’ll hate you for. And I’m guessing that getting the clap isn’t something that’s easy to forgive.”
“But I don’t really have it,” Luke cried throwing his hands into the air.
“Yes,” Jake said arching his eyebrows. “But Martha won’t know that will she, and I doubt she’ll ever speak to you again to give you an opportunity to explain, you idiot.”
Luke buried his face in his hands. “Oh shit, I never thought of that. Well, I’ll just have to hope Rachel doesn’t say anything.”
“Maybe she won’t, I doubt that she’ll want to rock the boat now she has you back in her claws.” Tom said as he scratched his head. “God Luke, why didn’t you talk to us, or Skins, first?”
“I don’t know, I just didn’t think.” Luke stood up and leaned against the pool table. His arms and shoulders tensed up as his fingers gripped the cushion of the table. “I just need her back,” he said quietly.
Jake sighed and slapped Luke gently on the back. “Okay, tell us where you’re up to with this grand plan of yours.”
Luke smiled at Jake and instinctively pulled him into a hug. He couldn’t explain the relief he felt that someone was finally starting to believe him. Now with his friends on board, he might actually succeed in getting Martha back, and just the thought made him feel lighter. Finally, there was something positive going on inside his head.
Chapter 34
A week after Betty’s departure and Martha was almost climbing the walls. She’d had little luck finding a job, although she was still waiting to hear back from her latest applications, but neither were what she really wanted. One was for the Head Housekeeper’s job at a hotel in York, and the other was at a hotel in Manchester, but was only for the Breakfast Chef role and didn’t pay very well. So, with no one other than Ernie to talk to, Martha had taken to jogging every day, carefully timing her runs until after Luke had done his, to avoid the possibility of literally running into him. “Morning, Pete,” Martha called as she ran past Pete on his morning rounds.
“Hey, you okay?” he shouted back, waving a handful of letters.
Martha gave him a smile and a thumbs up. “Not too bad, nothing a good run won’t solve.”
“Well, keep it up then, oh and be careful on Long Lane, the road’s flooded in the dip.”
“Okay, thanks,” she panted, waving as she carried on running past him.
A further mile along her route, Martha approached Long Lane with caution. Pete was right; she could see a bubbling fountain of water that was spouting up from the side of the road, creating a flood in the dip right by the public footpath through the field. Slowing down, Martha wondered how she could get through it without getting soaked. She realised that if she crossed over, facing the oncoming traffic, she could actually skirt the mass of water. Checking behind her for any cars coming, Martha jogged across the road. Just as she reached the other side, a car came thundering along the lane behind her, and crashed through the flood. Martha wasn’t sure what shocked her the most, how big the tidal wave of water was, or how cold it was.
“Shit!” Martha pulled up and tensed at the water took her breath away. “Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit,” she cried as the black four by four screeched to a halt a few yards ahead of her.
Martha jumped up and down on the spot, shaking her arms and gasping for breath as the murky brown water dripped down her face and soaked every piece of clothing - even her knickers were wet.
“Oh shit, I’m so sorry.” Luke, who was the perpetrator, had jumped out of his car to check if she was okay.
“What the hell did you think you were doing, going so fast?” Martha wiped a hand across her face and flicked some of the excess water from her fingers. “Didn’t you see the water in the road, you…you, idiot?” she shouted.
Luke’s mouth twitched into a smile as he looked a sodden Martha up and down. She was soaked, and her tight, neon pink, Lycra top was now clinging to her breasts. “The water’s cold I see,” Luke laughed as he nodded at her protruding nipples.
Martha glanced down and huffed. “Grow up Luke, it’s not like you’ve not seen them before.”
Luke felt a slight twitch in his jeans as he revelled in the memories of Martha’s nipples. “You have a habit of giving me my own Miss Wet T-shirt competition, don’t you?” he said recalling one of the times he caught her bathing Ernie.
“I’m bloody soaked,” Martha cried giving her legs a shake. “It’s bloody freezing and you’re a bloody pillock who just wants to talk about my nipples.”
“How was I to know that there was a flood, there’s no sign up?” Luke reached out a hand and wiped a drip off the end of Martha’s nose.
“Get off,” she said, swatting his hand away. “Don’t touch me.”
“Oh come on babe, it was an accident.” Luke started to smirk again. God, she was sexy when she was angry. “Let me take you home.”
“No!” Martha snapped. “I don’t need any help from you, thank you. Anyway, you must be in a rush to be somewhere, going that fast.”
“Not really, I was just off into Rickeby to pick Mamma up; she stayed over at an old neighbour’s house last night. Hey, you might remember them? Their daughter went to our school – Gemma Evans.”
Martha shook her head and sighed. “I’m standing here soaked to the skin, and now you’ve moved from my nipples to old schoolmates. And no, I don’t remember her, but I’m betting you do for other reasons than her being a neighbour.”
Luke frowned and crossed his arms firmly across his chest. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t know Luke, figure it out for yourself.” Martha sighed as she gathered the hem of her top and wrung it out.
“No, you tell me,” Luke said poking her gently in the shoulder. “What are you trying to say?”
“Don’t poke me.” Martha slapped her hand against Luke’s chest.
“Hah, that’s not what you used say.” Luke poked her again.
“Don’t be so disgusting, you pig.” Luke stumbled slightly as Martha pushed her palm against his hard chest. “You know what I mean; you probably had sex with her.”
Luke took his turn to poke Martha. “Didn’t actually. If you must know, she wasn’t my type.
“Why not Luke, she was breathing and had a vagina?” Martha’s push was slightly harder this time.
“Who’s being disgusting now, Martha?”
“Ow, that hurt.” Martha pressed her hand against her shoulder where Luke had prodded her again.
“Don’t be such a wimp, that couldn’t have hurt.” Luke shook his head and crossed his arms again.
Like a child having a temper tantrum, Martha stamped her foot, water squelching from her trainers as she did so.
“It bloody well did. How would you like it?”
“Ah diddums, did big bad Luke hurt little Miss Martha.” Luke’s eyes twinkled with humour as he saw the obvious anger on Martha’s face. “You know, despite being covered in muddy water, you aren’t half sexy when you’re mad.”
“Oh, get stuffed.” Martha wasn’t only annoyed at Luke, but herself too because that glint in his eyes was getting her all hot and bothered. How could one man be so infuriating and yet still be able to fill her with so much desire?
“Ooh, excellent comeback,” Luke laughed as he reached out to touch her cheek.
Martha was furious and with every bit of anger and strength that she
had, she pushed both of her hands against Luke’s chest, pushing him as hard as she could.
Caught off guard, Luke stumbled backwards a couple of steps. His legs somehow became tangled and with a yelp, he reached out for Martha to steady him. Martha, who could see what was about to happen, covered her eyes. Luke’s hands grasped at nothing, and he continued falling backwards, almost in slow motion, his arms wind milling in the air and his feet skidding all over the place as he tried to right himself. By the time Martha had taken her hands from her eyes, Luke was flat on his back in the pool of murky water.
“Oops, sorry,” she said with a hint of a smile.
“You did that on purpose,” Luke cried looking up at Martha with narrowed eyes.
Martha started to giggle. “Honestly Luke, I didn’t, I promise.”
“You are in so much trouble,” he growled. “Don’t think I won’t get you back.”
“Oh come on, it was an accident.” Martha took a tentative step towards him. He didn’t look angry, but he was sitting in dirty water in what looked like an expensive pair of jeans, and leather Chelsea boots that were now scuffed and wet. “Here give me your hand.” She held her hand out to help him up.
“Schoolgirl error Miss Bright, schoolgirl error.”
“Eh?”
As she saw the plan form in Luke’s eyes, Martha snatched her hand away, but Luke was too quick for her. He grabbed her arm and pulled her down towards him.
“Luke!” she cried, already on her way down. “Don’t.”
She landed in a heap on top of him, with Luke holding onto her arms to brace her fall. Then with one swift move, he rolled her over into the water. Martha was flat on her back, with Luke now on top, staring down at her with eyes full of mischief.
“Oh dear, I’m so sorry.” Luke lowered his head and whispered into her ear. “Am I okay on top or do you want to be?” he asked.
Martha gulped as electric spasms of desire pulled at her stomach. “Get off me,” she said turning her head to avoid his gaze afraid that he would glamour her, or whatever it was they did in those Vampire shows.
Luke took hold of Martha’s chin and turned her face towards him. They were inches apart, their eyes pinned to each other, their heavy breaths intermingling and their lips almost touching.
“This feels good,” Luke said. “Like it should be.” He gently ran a finger down Martha’s jaw, under her chin, and down her neck, stopping at the top of her breasts that were covered by the rounded neck of her top.
Martha opened her mouth to protest, but no words came out. All she could do was take in a shuddering breath and then imitate a guppy.
Luke gently kissed the tip of her nose, sending a current of excitement to every part of her body. Then as Luke kissed the hollow of her neck, Martha felt her hips buck involuntarily.
“Luke,” she moaned breathily as adrenalin pumped throughout her body.
“Sorry,” Luke said as he quickly pushed himself off her. “I’d better go and pick Mamma up. You okay to get back home?” he asked, a mischievous grin plastered across his handsome face.
“What?” Martha gasped instantly feeling bereft at the loss of his body on top of hers.
“Gotta go, babe,” he said pulling her up by her hand.
“Oh, okay.”
Luke smiled, aware of the disappointment on her face. “Make sure you get a hot bath or shower when you get in,” he called over his shoulder as he walked back towards his car.
“Oh, okay,” Martha repeated.
“See ya soon babe.”
As Luke pulled the car door shut, he couldn’t help but laugh. It had taken all his willpower not to pick her up, throw her into his car and take her to a secluded spot and make love to her until she screamed his name, but that couldn’t happen today. First of all he had to get Rachel to admit the truth, otherwise Martha would always wonder what the truth was, because there was no way he could go ahead with his plan if they were back together. For one Martha wouldn’t want him spending time with Rachel, and for two he wouldn’t want to spend time with Rachel when it was time that he could be with Martha. No, for now he’d just carry on making her realise how much she missed him, and then when the time was right and he had his proof, Martha would have no doubt in her mind that she wanted him back. With that in mind, Luke thrust the car into gear and sped off along the back lane that skirted the village and took him back to his house from the opposite direction – pleased that watching Martha’s movements all week had paid off, he was sure Mamma would have lunch ready by now.
A little over three hours later, Martha was reading her Kindle when there was a knock at the door. Heaving herself up from the sofa with a sigh, she padded to the front door and pulled it open. Standing in front of her was Luke, holding the biggest bouquet that she’d ever seen. It was beautiful, and made up of sunflowers, purple irises and fern. A lump formed in Martha’s throat as she stared at the sunflowers, reminding her of happier times in Luke’s Italian garden – the place where they’d first got together.
“For you, obviously,” Luke said holding the flowers forward. “To say sorry for splashing you. I hope you like them, I remember you saying how much you loved the ones at the house in Italy.”
Martha gulped back a gasp that he’d remembered.
“They’re beautiful,” she replied. “Thank you, but you didn’t need to. I did get you wet too.”
Luke smiled and tilted his head to one side as he looked at Martha.
“Let’s just say it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in a pool of muddy water,” he said. “Particularly as I shared it with you.”
Martha coughed and averted her eyes from Luke’s knicker dropping grin. He had her tied up in knots again and he bloody well knew it. If she didn’t get a grip she’d have him over the threshold and up the stairs before the door even had chance to slam shut.
“Well, thank you, anyway,” Martha said still not daring to look at Luke.
As she reached for the flowers, her fingers lightly brushed Luke’s. She almost snatched her hand away as the jolt from his touch travelled up her arm and settled on her heart, making it pump faster.
Feeling the same thunderbolt, Luke’s smile faded and his eyes drank in the beautiful woman standing in front of him. It was still there, that connection between them, and even if they never got back together he would always want her.
“Erm, I hope Pete doesn’t mind me buying them for you,” Luke stammered not really sure how he’d managed to put a sentence together. All he could think about was getting her naked.
Martha’s brow furrowed. “Pete?”
“Well, he’s your boyfriend, right?” Luke looked down at the floor and kicked at the step.
Martha paused, wondering whether to keep up the pretence that she and Pete had started in the pub. But what was the point? Luke would soon find out the truth, and anyway she wasn’t a teenager playing games anymore.
“Pete isn’t my boyfriend, we’re just friends,” Martha finally replied.
Luke’s head snapped up and a beautiful smile spread across his face.
“Really?”
“Yes, really. We decided that we were best just as friends.” Martha returned Luke’s smile with a small one of her own.
“Oh, right, okay.” Luke let out a long breath. “Well, I hope that you like them.”
“I do Luke, they’re beautiful.” Martha brought the flowers to her nose and smelled them. “Look,” she said with a small tremor in her voice, “do you want to come in for a cuppa?”
Luke grinned but shook his head. “I’d love to, but I can’t sweetheart, maybe another time.”
The disappointment made Martha’s heart drop like a stone.
“Okay no problem, another time.”
“Yes, another time definitely.”
As Luke walked away, Martha leaned against the doorframe, watching him, feeling the familiar flutter in her stomach. She knew at that moment that he had ruined her for any other man. No one would ever live up t
o Luke Mahoney, and that was a really scary thought.
Chapter 35
Luke threw his hands up in the air and kicked out at the leg of his desk. He had been seeing Rachel for almost four weeks, and she was nowhere near to admitting to anything, plus she was asking far too many questions about his ‘medical issue’.
“Luke, calm down,” Tom said, giving Luke’s shoulder a squeeze. “She’ll crack eventually.
“Yeah, but when the hell is eventually? Next year, ten years?” Luke picked up a pen and threw it across the room. “I need her to admit it now. I can’t be without Martha for any longer, it’s killing me.”
“I hate to be the one to spoil the party,” Jake said. “But Martha may not want you back, even if you do get Rachel to spill.”
Luke glared at Jake and pushed him against his shoulder. “Well thanks buddy; you’re supposed to be keeping me positive.”
“Luke, we’ve been friends far too long for me to piss on your boots and tell you it’s raining.” Jake bent down to pick up the pen that Luke had thrown, and placed it back on the desk. “I’m not saying that she won’t, but you need to be realistic. That doesn’t mean that I won’t move hell and high water to help you get her back though.”
“I know, and I do appreciate your support guys, but I’m running out of ideas and time.” Luke blew out his cheeks and flopped down onto the leather office chair. “The longer this goes on she’s going to move further away from me. She’ll get used to being without me.”
“You don’t know that. You were getting on better this last week,” Tom replied. “You said yourself that she actually stopped to talk to you when you saw her in the garden yesterday.”
“Yeah, I guess she could’ve gone inside when she saw me running past.”
“Exactly,” Jake cried. “So just keep turning on the charm, all I’m saying is, don’t get your hopes up.”
Luke nodded and smiled weakly, knowing that Jake was right. Okay, Martha wasn’t with the postman, but that didn’t mean someone else might not come along and push all the right buttons. Luke’s heart knocked at his chest as he thought about how it would feel to see Martha with someone else. He felt anxious; panicking that time was running out. He knotted his hands together and tried to slow his breathing.
