by Kristen Echo
“Meaning what?” she asked, sitting up with a sea of pillows between her legs. Her hips inadvertently swiveled.
“I’m glad you’re back; in the city and in my home. You have no idea how badly—”
“Don’t you have a meeting to attend,” she said, cutting him off.
Based on the deep gravel timber of his voice, she imagined their conversation was headed completely out of the friendship zone. Or maybe it was only her mind in the gutter. Either way, she needed to end the call before things turned naughty.
“I do,” he sighed. “We probably won’t get to chat much if at all while I’m away. But I want you to know I’m thinking of you. I hope you have a good day.”
“You too. See you tomorrow.” She hung up and buried her face in the pillows.
Gwen pushed the pile to the ground. “Get a grip woman! He’s your ex for a reason. A very good reason. So, you’re not allowed to have the hots for him again. You’re definitely not allowed to picture him naked under you as you dry hump his pillows.”
She shuddered and jumped from the bed as if snakes had slithered across the sheets. “No more thinking of him.”
Her mission failed. Living in his house, made it impossible not to think of Spencer. His pictures and his personality covered every inch of his home. By the time noon rolled around, she was wound beyond tight.
The job at the drop-in center was still up in the air. She’d received no other calls from potential employers and sent out only a handful of new resumes. It was looking as though her brief stint at the Northcote’s might not be as short lived as she’d hoped. She returned to her room and flopped onto the bed face first.
A while later, Westlyn knocked at her door, opening it but not entering. She chewed her lip and shuffled her feet, avoiding eye contact. “Do you mind if I head downtown for a bit?”
“Want me to come? I wouldn’t mind getting out of here for a while,” she said, rolling onto her side.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” she answered, not looking up from the floor.
Gwen moved into a seated position. “Why not?”
“If I meet up with Aunty Cherie would you be mad?”
Gwen peered at her daughter and dangled her legs over the side of the bed. “Not at all. Do you have plans to meet Cherie?”
“I told her we were still in town and she offered to buy me lunch. I won’t go if it bothers you.”
Gwen sighed. “It makes me happy to know you and Cherie are seeing each other. I worried our issues would spill over to you, so I’m glad she’s not… I’m happy for you.” Her daily calls and text messages had gone unanswered, but this gave her hope.
Wes smiled. “Cool. I’m going to kick it then.”
Gwen slid off the bed. “I’m going to go with you. Not to stay, but to let Cherie know I’m here whenever she’s ready to talk to me again. I’m not disappearing.”
Her comment earned an eye roll, but Wes let her tag along. Spencer had a massive garage full of cars, but she didn’t feel comfortable taking one. They grabbed their purses and took the bus to the city center. They arrived at the restaurant less than an hour later.
Wes opened the double glass doors, and they walked into the bright bistro. The air-conditioned room was a welcome greeting from the sweltering June sun. A massive chalkboard lined the far wall with the daily specials. The aroma of deli meats and mustard tempted her taste buds. Gwen spotted her sister seated at a table for four near the kitchen. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun and her makeup was flawless. As usual, she looked amazing and her face lit up when she saw Westlyn. Then fell as she spotted Gwen.
Trying not to take the grimace personally, she grinned and walked towards the table. “She’s by the kitchen,” she said to her daughter. This was a bad idea, but it was too late to turn back.
Once they reached the table, Cherie stood. “Hello.” She hugged Wes and provided a curt nod towards Gwen. “Are you joining us?”
The question didn’t sound like an invitation. “No,” she sighed. As much as she would have loved to join them, she wouldn’t. Based on Cherie’s ramrod straight posture, Gwen’s presence wasn’t welcome. “I’ll let you two dine and catch up.”
So much needed to be said, but it wasn’t the right time. She gripped the back of the wooden chair and gathered her strength. She wanted to build a relationship with her sister, and she was willing to put in the effort. Baby steps, she reminded herself.
“I told my mom about lunch and she offered to take the bus with me,” Wes explained.
“Bus. Why would you need to bus it?” Cherie raised an eyebrow.
“Cause it’s way too far to walk,” Wes replied as she sat in one of the free chairs.
“Your text message the other day mentioned you were staying at that motel not far from here.” Cherie turned her attention to Gwen. “That’s why I picked this restaurant. You should have told me you’ve found a different place to live.”
If she’d answered any of the dozen calls, she’d know. Instead of pointing that out, Gwen shrugged her shoulders. “Sorry. Since we left your place, things have been a little up in the air. But I had a great interview and I have a—”
“So typical. You never stay in one place for long,” Cherie said, sitting back down.
Gwen’s grip on the chair tightened. Over the years, her residence had changed frequently. Sometimes, it was due to financial problems, but most of their moves were work related. She often worked on projects in different areas throughout BC. Wherever her help was needed most. “We’ll be here for a while. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Where are you staying? It has to be better than—”
“I have to pee,” Wes interrupted. “Do you know where the facilities are?”
Cherie pointed to the opposite side of the bistro. “If the waiter comes by, do you want me to order you a drink?”
Wes stood and shuffled her steps from side to side. “Water is fine. Oh, man… I don’t have a key to the house. Do you think I need one? Since you’re not staying, we need to make plans to meet back up. Mom don’t go till I get back,” she pleaded.
“I’ll wait,” Gwen chuckled, watching her daughter do the pee-pee dance. “Go!”
“Thanks.” Wes took off, leaving Gwen alone with her less than pleased sister.
“For whatever it’s worth, I’m glad you’re out of the motel. That area isn’t suitable for young women to roam at night. You never should have brought her there.” Cherie said.
Perhaps the silent treatment wasn’t so bad. “Duly noted. So, how’s your day going?”
“Where are you staying?” Cherie asked again.
It wasn’t a secret, but she doubted her sister would approve. “At Spencer’s. He offered for us to stay—”
“You’re living at Spencer Northcote’s.” Her eyes narrowed, and her cheeks turned rosy. “Are you kidding me? He never mentioned anything. How are you two even chatting?”
“He sent us phones. When he learned about the motel, he… I mean, we just got there last night. It’s not ideal. But, I’m not too proud to take help when it’s offered.”
“I can’t believe you,” Cherie’s hands balled into fists and her entire face turned red. Her sister seemed furious about them staying with Spencer. Only she couldn’t understand why. “You say you’re here for me, but you… you need to find a different place to live.”
“Don’t you think I would if I could? My options are rather limited,” she shot back.
“Find another place. You’re here for ten seconds and you cling to my… to the generosity of others. You’re resourceful and I’m sure you can figure out an alternative.” Cherie smoothed her hair even though there were none out of place. She acted as if it was that easy to find cheap accommodations.
“It’s complicated.”
“Spencer is a generous man, but it would be a mistake to get close to him again. Leave the past behind. Take responsibility for yourself and stop accepting handouts. Don’t make things co
mplicated.”
“You make it seem like I’m choosing to do things the hard way. As if—”
“Thanks for waiting.” Wes rubbed between Gwen’s shoulder blades. “Sounds like you two are at each other’s throats. Didn’t take long.”
Cherie flattened her hands on the table. “I’ve said my piece. If your mother cares about me, she’ll do the right thing and stop mooching off others. Whether or not she actually does will remain to be seen.”
Wes looked between them but said nothing. The tension hung in the air. Gwen’s heart was beating a mile a minute. Making progress with her sister was more stressful than she’d anticipated. Any hope of rebuilding bridges seemed unlikely. Her sister held onto a grudge larger than the moon. Gwen doubted she’d ever be able to chip it away, but she was determined to try.
Biting her lip, she took a calming breath and released the back of the chair. “I’m sorry for intruding on your lunch. Have fun and don’t worry about keys, I’ll be at the bus stop waiting for you.”
“Feel free to go about your day. I’ll drive her back. Spencer and I need to discuss a few things,” Cherie said.
“Bye.” Wes hugged her mother, sat down and picked up the menu off the table. “Thanks Aunty.”
“Okay. That’s nice of you to drive her back. Spencer is out of town, but you’re welcome to come in if you have time.” No response came. “I love you both,” Gwen added and left.
When she stepped outside, she plastered her back against the side of the building and shed a few tears. Her sister’s animosity was warranted. Cherie thought Gwen took the easy road and had things handed to her when that wasn’t the case. At least not all the time. Sure, she’d had a few advantages and messed things up, but she wasn’t a freeloader.
After a short pity party, she pushed off the brick building and hiked to the drop-in center. Her fingers were crossed as she walked in, hoping for an answer about the job. Unfortunately, Reba was out. Given it was a school day, Gwen was surprised by the amount of kids using the gym. The age range varied from pre-teen to late twenties. She stayed and chatted. One of the counselors flagged her down, and they discussed the kids and current programming. Gwen left feeling like she belonged. As much as she wanted to apply at other places, in her heart this is where she was meant to be next.
Time had slipped away, and she arrived at the Northcote’s moments before Wes. Cherie opted not to come in. Gwen watched her drive away and shoved the rejection aside. By the time she entered the house, Connie had returned home from school. After a brief search, she found the two girls in the kitchen snacking.
Gwen snatched a piece of cheese from her daughter’s hand. “What should we do ladies?”
“After school I do laps in the indoor pool,” Connie said. “You could do them too.”
“Cool,” Wes and Gwen said in unison.
The three of them spent the rest of the afternoon together. Connie let them tag along through her routine. Spencer’s daughter was an amazing little girl with one of the best laughs. Gwen was in stitches all throughout dinner. Being around her was exactly what she needed after the lashing she took from Cherie. The evening nanny helped Connie get ready for bed, and Wes paid attention to the way things worked.
An hour later, Cherie returned to pick up Wes for a late movie and a sleepover. She never got out of her car. Wes kissed Gwen’s cheek and bounced down the stairs. The lunch had gone well, and it was great to see them bonding. It would have been nice to be invited, but she understood. Her sister needed time. Gwen sat on the steps and waved as they drove off.
Alone with her thoughts wasn’t always the best. She checked her phone and there was nothing. No calls from Reba or Spencer. After a few minutes of staring at the empty driveway, Gwen went inside and headed straight for the fridge.
The leftover lasagna and salad held zero appeal, but the bottle of white wine caught her eye. She poured a half glass and headed for the backyard. A lazy stroll around the grounds offered no solutions to her dilemmas. She needed a paycheck and a place to live. Staying with Spencer was temporary. Her shoulders ached, and her glass was empty.
She returned inside and topped up her glass. Looking through the window, the hot tub looked extremely appealing. She rolled her shoulders. A soak would be perfect. Connie was in bed and she had the place to herself. If she stepped foot near her bed, she would have gone straight to sleep. Rather than getting her bathing suit, she grabbed the bottle of wine and stepped back outside.
The evening was warm with a mild breeze to make it bearable. The stars shone brightly in the half-moon sky. Stepping next to the tub, she set her glass and bottle down along the edge. Gwen glanced around, confirming she was alone before removing her shirt. She stripped, leaving her clothes in a neat pile on the chair. The hot water felt amazing as she sank into the tub.
She closed her eyes and relaxed. The steady hum and pounding of the jets soothed her muscles and calmed her. Gwen almost fell asleep, but then music played from the speakers. The soft rock music wasn’t loud, but she hadn’t turned it on. She shut off the jets and heard footsteps. Her heart raced as she covered her naked torso with her arms. She was no longer alone. Bare feet slapped against the stone accompanied by a gentle hypnotic whistle.
Spencer was home and headed her way.
CHAPTER EIGHT
S pencer wasn’t supposed to be home. He sure as hell wasn’t supposed to find her naked in his hot tub. Gwen searched for options to hide and came up blank. Her clothes were out of arm’s reach and she hadn’t brought a towel or anything to use as a cover-up. As his footsteps neared, panic set in.
“Don’t come any closer,” she bellowed.
A soft chuckle followed as the footsteps drew closer. “I thought I might find you out here. Great minds think alike.”
“I don’t know about that,” she countered, sinking deeper into the water.
“A soak is exactly what I need after the day I’ve had, and you thought ahead,” he said from directly behind her.
She refused to turn around. Her cheeks were no doubt bright red. “What do you mean?”
“You brought a bottle of wine.” His hand entered her line of sight as he tapped his crystal glass against hers.
She heard him swallow. He was too close. His nearness made her shiver. “You’re welcome to it. I should get out, but I need you to turn around.”
He set his empty glass down next to hers and his hands pressed against her shoulders. “Stay a while longer and keep me company. I’ve been racing the clock to get back to you. I’m glad you’re still awake.”
The smooth timber of his voice caused her nipples to pucker and her stomach to do cartwheels. She pressed her thighs together as his fingers rubbed her bare shoulders. Rather than shying away, she melted into his touch and moaned.
He kneaded her knots and massaged her neck. His hands covered every inch of exposed skin. “Do you have a strapless suit on?” he asked as his fingers dipped into the water, searching for straps that didn’t exist.
“No,” she replied breathlessly, tightening her arms around her chest. “This is so embarrassing. I… thought I was alone. I’m sorry. Please turn around while I get out.”
Spencer growled under his breath. If he wasn’t so close, she might have missed it. He removed his hands, and she shivered from the loss of heat. As much as she wanted to dive under the water and disappear, she wanted to see him. She slid across the water and sat facing him.
The moonlight and LED blue hue from the tub made him look incredibly sexy. Powerful. His eyes were hooded and focused on her. His tie hung open around his neck and the collar of his white shirt was unbuttoned, giving a hint of the magnificent chest beneath.
“Had I known you’d be waiting for me like this, I’d have made my pilot push it even faster.” With each word, he undid a button. Slow and seductive.
Gwen bit her lip as she feasted on the rows of muscles lining his body.
“You have nothing to be sorry about. I’m glad you’re getting comfo
rtable,” he said as he removed his shirt and tie.
He tossed them next to her pile of clothes on the chair. His hands moved lower, and he unbuckled his belt. The clanking of metal heightened the anticipation. With only her head out of the water, she watched him undress. She couldn’t take her eyes off him.
“I’m going to get comfortable and join you. Don’t move.” He cocked an eyebrow and smirked.
The sound of his zipper lowering made her squirm. She couldn’t see below his waist because he was standing too close to the tub. At this point, she should have told him to go away, but she didn’t. Her ex was shedding his clothes about to find her naked and she said nothing and did nothing to stop him.
Hypnotized by his eyes and the desire reflected, she waited. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He dipped out of sight and she scrambled further away from the steps. As long as she kept her distance, he wouldn’t see anything. It was dark outside and the lights in the tub didn’t provide a view under the water. She breathed a sigh of relief.
“Can you fill our glasses?”
The bottle was next to the steps. Dammit. “Um… yeah.”
As she moved towards the steps, he climbed them. Her breasts bobbed to the surface as she reached for the bottle and then halted. Inch by inch his body came into view until he stood gloriously naked at the top. Try as she may, her eyes fixed on the massive appendage between his legs. She’d forgotten how big his cock was and how great it felt inside her.
She tore her eyes off him and focused on filling the empty glasses. Gwen tilted her body to the side to hide the blush on her cheeks and her nakedness. He stepped into the water and moved beside her.
“Thank you,” he said, taking a glass from her hand.
“You’re welcome,” she whispered.
The heat from his body was hotter than the water. Steam rose from the surface. His fingers danced across her forearm, leaving a trail of goose-bumps. She filled her glass to the brim and set the empty bottle down. Using her arm to cover her chest, she turned towards him.
