Forever & an Engine (The Austin Series)

by C. J. Fallowfield

  ‘O god, you better not be making idle threats,’ I said as he grinned and walked out. I made myself some toast and sat down at the table and got loads done by the time he returned with some groceries at nearly 1 p.m. He had a few bits of mail for me and a letter for Lexi and announced that the apartment next to mine was up for sale. I opened my mail, mainly bills, but one was from the hospital asking me to go and see Dr Wells next Friday at 11 a.m.

  ‘Gabe, what time do you normally get home on a Friday?’

  ‘About 1.30 p.m. Why?’

  ‘I’ve had my appointment through with Dr Wells and I’d like you to come with me.’

  ‘You want me to come?’ he asked surprised.

  ‘Yes, but don’t go getting all excited. I had a long chat with Lexi and she’s convinced me that I need to understand what my fertility options are, in case I change my mind in the future about having children.’

  ‘O Mia.’ He came and sat next to me and picked up my hand and kissed it.

  ‘Gabe it’s information only. I’ve been clear from the start that children were never in my future. I’m just leaving the door open in case I change my mind, but I don’t expect any pressure from you at any time or we’ll have a problem. Am I clear?’

  ‘Perfectly clear Mia. Thank you, that’s all I wanted, for you to listen to your options. It’s your choice if you follow any of them.’

  ‘Well first I need to see if I can rearrange it to the afternoon when you’re free, but letting you come makes me feel like we’re facing it together, instead of it just being all about me and my needs.’

  ‘Does this mean you’re thinking about us being together long term?’ he asked, the hope evident in his voice.

  ‘Yes, I don’t think I’ll ever find anyone I can love as easily as I love you, so I’m not planning on letting you go. You’re stuck with me.’ I felt my cheeks flush.

  ‘There’s no one else I’d rather be stuck with Mia Page, you’re my forever and I’m never letting you go.’ I looked at his face, he was so adorable when he was all excited. He reached over and ran his fingers down my hairline and along my jaw tilting my face up to his and the hairs stood up on the back of my neck. I heard the kitchen door swing open and sighed, interrupted again.

  ‘Morning dude, morning Mia.’

  Doug? Doug was still here? I looked around with my mouth open.

  ‘Afternoon Doug,’ corrected Gabe as he ran a frustrated hand through his hair. ‘Didn’t know you were stopping over.’

  ‘Yes sorry, kind of a last minute thing. Just grabbing a coffee and will be out of your way,’ Doug replied.

  Lexi came in and avoided eye contact with either of us. The kitchen remained silent as Doug made his coffee and kissed Lexi on the lips and walked out. Lexi started fiddling with the coffee machine, so I went and hip bumped her out of the way and started to make her one.

  ‘So, Doug stayed over eh?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Which room?’

  ‘Mine, but it was a sleep over only. First time I’ve ever slept with a guy without, you know, sleeping with a guy.’

  ‘O my god Lexi you’re actually dating. I’m so proud.’

  ‘Sod off and give me my coffee,’ she smiled blushing.

  ‘You’ve got some mail.’ I went and got it and grinned at Gabe, who sat pretending to be buried in my notes.

  ‘Shit, it’s my abortion appointment for next week. I better ring them. Can I borrow the phone Gabe?’

  ‘Sure it’s in the hall, if you can bring it back here when you’re done, Mia has a call to make as well.’

  Lexi disappeared and I made Gabe and I another coffee and sat back at the table.

  ‘Sorry about us getting interrupted again,’ he sighed.

  ‘It’s ok, we’ll be alone together tonight.’

  ‘Do you mind if I go and get my notes and work down here with you?’

  ‘Of course not, see you in a minute.’

  He stood up and kissed the top of my head and walked out as Lexi came back in with the phone and handed it to me.

  ‘We’re in the games room carrying on with our game if you want to join us?’

  ‘No we’re good, we have catch up to do. When are you going to do yours Lex? You don’t want to get behind again.’

  ‘Sorry mom. I’ll do my homework tomorrow like a good little girl. Doug’s going out to do a McDonalds run if you two fancy anything?’

  ‘I’ll ask Gabe when he gets down and he can let you know.’

  ‘See you later, SWOT,’ she grinned and padded out.

  I dialled the hospital and was able to rearrange my appointment for 2 p.m. I updated Gabe when he came down and he programmed it into his phone and went to give Lexi our lunch order before returning and sitting opposite me to work. Doug came in and dropped off a big mac and fries for Gabe and a cheeseburger, fries and an apple pie for me and a small package that had come in the mail.

  ‘What’s that all about you getting mail here? You moved in permanently?’ Gabe asked as he took a bite from his burger.

  ‘No it’s another present for you. I need to wrap it and you can have it with your other ones later,’ I said as I picked at my fries.

  ‘Why do I have another present?’

  ‘For looking after me and just because,’ I shrugged.

  ‘Just because?’

  ‘Because I love you and I like getting you things.’

  ‘Ditto.’

  We smiled at each other and ate as we carried on with our work.

  At five I stretched out and groaned. ‘Ok I’m done for the day. You better go and have your shave and shower as I need to get ready, I plan on a nice long relaxation bath that’s well overdue.’

  ‘Ok, come up with me,’ he stood and held out his hand and ordered me to leave the mess on the table until tomorrow. We went up and he disappeared into the bathroom smiling as he shut the door. I quickly opened the parcel and sat on the bed and wrapped it, along with some of the other items I’d got him and put them all by his side of the bed. He opened the door to the bedroom and I stared at my second favourite view of him, damp and muscular with that tiny towel around his waist. The only thing better was seeing him damp without the towel.

  ‘Nice view baby?’ he asked with a chuckle when he saw me drooling over him.

  ‘The best, you’re so hot. How did I get so lucky?’

  ‘I think the same about you every day.’ He leaned in and kissed me. ‘Bathroom’s all yours.’ I stood up and found I couldn’t take my eyes of his stomach muscles rippling as he breathed. ‘Mia go. We’ve all night and all day tomorrow for you to look at me like that and I fully intend on making the most of it, so don’t worry you’re not going to miss out.’

  I pouted making him laugh and headed into the bathroom. I put on a peel off face masque as I ran the bath and decided not to wash my hair, but curl it tighter later and put it up. It always worked better when it wasn’t too soft. I climbed in and enjoyed relaxing, it was my first bath in days. It was an effort to be bent over for so long to shave my legs, so I took my time to make sure I got no nicks.

  When I finally got up and out and dried myself I realised I’d accidentally soaked off most of my stitches and the ones left were hanging off. I gently peeled them off and examined the scabs on the three incisions. I was still bruised, but they seemed to be holding together fine. Gabe knocked on the door to let me know he was heading downstairs. I peeled off my masque and washed my face, moisturised and wrapped a towel around my chest and headed into the bedroom.

  I gasped as I looked at the items he’d put on the bed for me. I went to take a closer look and held the slinky sleeveless jet black maxi dress up against me. It had a plunging neckline and the most exquisite crystal embellished straps and waist band that glittered like real diamonds. It had a slit up the right hand side nearly to the top of my thigh and the back plunged down to the waist with another crystal band where my bra would show, I couldn’t wait to try it on. I opened one of the two boxes on the bed
and found a black satin clutch bag with a matching crystal buckle. When I opened the other box I had to sit down, I was in love with this pair of shoes. They were silver sandals, about 5 inches high with a crystal band across the toe and upper foot which then spiralled up on its own. I put them next to my leg, they’d come up to nearly my knee, I made a little squeal of happiness, they were absolutely gorgeous, but he was so naughty spending all this money on me, this outfit must have set him back a load.

  I decided to do my makeup first and did jet black smoky eyes with thick black liner above and below and put a dash of silver in the inner corners. I applied a sheer gloss with crystal sparkles and put my spiral silver bicep cuff on my left arm, along with my silver watch and kept my bangle from Gabe on the right wrist with a large silver cocktail ring and some dangling silver drop earrings. I rummaged in my new lingerie bag and picked out the black sparkly crotchless knickers and quarter cup bra and put them on along with the black garter. I was determined that we were going to have sex again tonight, I didn’t even care if it was slow, gentle or over really quickly sex, I just needed him inside me, four days had been too long, again. I sent Lexi a text.

  Sorry to interrupt your game, but I want to put some black polish on my toes and can’t bend down that far for that long. You got ten minutes free?

  I sat on the bed leaning back on the pillows and made a start on my finger nails, dripping the fast dry drops as I went and heard a knock on the door.

  ‘Come in.’

  ‘Holy shit Mia you could’ve warned me,’ Lexi said as she came in and closed the door covering her eyes.

  ‘About what?’

  ‘Your bra, if you can call it that, your nips are showing and put your thighs together your knickers have a huge hole in them.’

  ‘Sorry,’ I laughed. ‘Pass me the towel off the end of the bed and I’ll cover up the most offensive bit for you.’ I rolled it up pressing it between my thighs and passed her the base coat. She sat at the edge of the bed and started to do my toenails as I did my second coat of black gloss. She looked at the dress on the bed footer and the shoes on the floor.

  ‘Wow you’re blowing your allowance with those,’ she said nodding at them.

  ‘They were a gift, along with the bag and the underwear.’

  ‘You lucky bugger, you need to ask for a refund on the underwear though, half of it’s bloody missing.’

  ‘You’re telling me you don’t have crotchless knickers for a night out?’ I laughed. There was no point mentioning the bra, she was so flat chested she had a bit of a complex about not being able to find one small enough and having to go without.

  ‘Well yeah, but they’re just called no knickers, far cheaper and less laundry.’

  ‘You’re so considerate Lex, but I shall have to remember where not to put my hands when I rummage your stuff out of the laundry, which you have still not learned how to do.’

  ‘That’s unfair, every time I go to empty the laundry bin it’s already empty and I check it a lot.’

  ‘And it’s empty because you wait until you hear the bloody washing machine rumbling that’s why. That’s the only time you remember you were on laundry duties and it’s too bloody late because I’ve got pissed off and done it for you. Christ Lex what would you do if I wasn’t around?’

  ‘I’d have to get the train and go and see Mrs P with a big bag full and you know how I hate trains.’

  ‘You’d rather get on train and have an 8 hour return journey, not including waiting time for washing and drying than learn how to use the machine yourself? Christ Lex, I’m going to do you a step by step guide and laminate it and put it up in the utility room for you. It’s our first job together when we go home next week.’

  Whatever, bloody nagger,’ she sighed with a quick grin at me. ‘Gabe seriously got you all this stuff for your date tonight?’

  ‘He did, he’s so sweet Lexi. Anyway tell me how this Doug thing happened?’

  ‘We’ve been getting on really well and I don’t know … we were just in the kitchen, bumped into each other and he held my hips to steady me. I just got the urge to kiss him, so I did.’

  ‘You made the first move, nice. So?’

  ‘Pretty damn great kisser,’ she smiled with a hint of a blush. ‘I’ve had to put some foundation on as I’ve got a bit of stubble rash.’

  ‘First base down.’

  ‘And second, a bit of over the clothes groping in bed, but that was as far as it went.’

  ‘You didn’t help him out by performing either kind of job for him?’

  ‘No,’ she said quietly and looked down.

  ‘Are you lying to me Lexi Clarke!’

  ‘No, I’m just embarrassed to say I didn’t do either that’s all.’

  ‘You’re so backwards,’ I giggled. ‘I’ve never heard anyone be embarrassed that they didn’t tackle a guys todger on a first date.’

  ‘Todger? Christ if you’re fucking you really need to use an adult word Mia, it’s cock. Say it for me, cock, cock, cock big throbbing cock.’

  ‘Lex, stop it. You’re making me shake while I try to put my last coat on.’

  ‘Please tell me you at least use the word dick or cock with Gabe during sex.’

  ‘I’m getting there, I’m sure I’ll be able to say it to you soon without feeling embarrassed.’

  ‘Right we’re going to make a deal. While you teach me laundry, I’ll teach you to get your mouth around “cock” ok?’

  ‘Been there, done that, got the stretched lips and need an “I suck big cock” t-shirt. There you are, happy now?’ I laughed.

  ‘You are coming out of your sexual shell Prudie Page,’ she laughed looking impressed.

  ‘You don’t know the half of it Lex. I took Gabe to third base on the back row last night while you were watching Iron Man.’ I handed her my polish and drying drops and grabbed my top coat off the side.

  ‘You never?’ she exclaimed looking at me shocked.

  ‘You really had no idea?’

  ‘NO.’

  ‘We started off smooching, then petting and I was giving him a hand job and figured why ruin his jeans and the throw, so I bent down and did the deed.’

  ‘Seriously? While we were sitting in front of you?’

  ‘Yes,’ I giggled.

  ‘God I’d no idea you were so kinky.’

  ‘It’s not the first time. He likes to play with me in public, while being careful that it’s not too obvious. In the club last week he had his fingers in me at the bar and in the booth that first night, both times you were talking to us.’

  ‘I thought you looked flushed. You dirty bugger, I wish I could claim credit for all this adventurousness but we’ve hardly ever talked about sex before you met him as I figured you were embarrassed about it as you didn’t want to do it yet.’

  ‘I was then, I’m more than fine us talking about it now.’

  ‘So where else have you been at it? I thought to begin with as a virgin you’d have been sticking to a nice safe bed, but you’ve already surprised me with your roof terrace and in the car adventures.’

  ‘I told you I still feel a bit inadequate given his experience, so I’m trying to be extra adventurous. Where else … O on his car, on the pool table, lounge floor, in the swimming pool, the sauna, on the kitchen island, in the bath …’

  ‘I’m so jealous right now,’ she interrupted. ‘You’ve gone wild Mia Page. He must have some serious stamina and mad skills in the sack.’ I grinned happily at her as I passed her the top coat and took my dry drops back.

  ‘Well I’ve nothing to compare it too do I? But we can’t keep our hands off each other, it’s like this constant need for each other. I’m so happy Lex, he’s amazing in the way he makes sure I’m satisfied before he is. God, I never thought I’d say this, but I’m so in love with him, it even hurts when we’re apart.’

  ‘Mia I’m so happy for you. You make a really good couple, I think he’d go to the ends of the earth for you and you’re obviously very sexually co
mpatible. So why be apart? Spend every night together.’

  ‘That’s crazy Lexi, it’s on a par with living together.’

  ‘So? You’re virtually doing it anyway and if you’re both happy that’s all that matters. You don’t have to tell anyone and if you become unhappy I’ll nag you.’

  ‘What are you saying? You think he should move in with me?’

  ‘Well he already virtually lives there anyway, or you move here with him or split your time between the two places.’

  ‘It is a bit unfair the way I expect him to stay at ours every night. This is his home, but it does seem mad us going day by day asking what our plans are for the night when we both don’t want to be apart … but moving in? Christ that’s a big step Lex.’

  ‘It’s just merging of clothes and toiletries Mia, you get pissed off one of you packs a case and you both go back to day by day. What’s the big dealio?’

  ‘It’s a massive step from three weeks ago I was a single virgin with a heart of ice and now we’re talking about me living with a guy Lex.’ I put a hand to my chest and took a deep breath as I felt my pulse racing. What was wrong with me? Was it the Gabe effect, or was it me having these crazy irrational thoughts so soon in.

  ‘You never had a heart of ice Mia, you’d just left the fridge temp on too high and it needed to be adjusted a bit and he’s the one that did it for you. You’re starting to panic, your chest has gone all red so end of discussion. I’m going to bore you with what a great tongue Doug has in my mouth.’

  ‘Right now you can tell me anything to distract me, carte blanche.’

  ‘Right well first your toes are done. Happy?’

  ‘Yes they look great, thanks Lex.’

  ‘What are you doing with your hair?’

  ‘I was going to curl it and pin sections up.’

  ‘Do you want me to do it for you?’

  ‘I don’t want to keep you from your game. Or Doug and his tantalising tongue,’ I smiled.

  ‘Don’t worry I’ll take full advantage of it later, with a layer of protective Vaseline on my face if he hasn’t shaved again. I think the boys need time to talk and chill. Gabe’s spent so much time with you this week it’ll do them good.’