His hand slips under the sheet and I groan as his warm fingers slide down my back. It’s so long since I’ve been touched like that. He massages the top of my bottom and his fingers slid lower as my breath catches in my throat, while—
The shrill tone of my phone interrupts us and I jump. We break apart and I let out an enormous sigh as I scramble from the bed.
“Shit, sorry. I have to get that. No one calls in the middle of the night.” I run out to the lounge room and dig around in my bag, aware that I’m standing naked as Everett moves into the doorway and watches me answer the phone. “Hello? What? Already? Okay, yes I can.” I glance at the gorgeous man waiting patiently and my heart sinks.
Tonight just was not meant to be.
Chapter Eleven - Everett
“Thanks for taking me.” Jill stares out the window, her words barely audible.
“It’s no trouble. Might as well make use of the car since Sayer went to the trouble to bring it over. Besides, were you going to walk home?”
She chuckles. “I could have called a taxi.”
“I know. I want to take you though. I had fun tonight, even if it didn’t end quite how we planned.”
“This is not what I expected to be doing at this very moment.” She finally looks at me and we both laugh. “I’m wearing a lot more clothing than I thought I’d be, for one thing.”
She points to her house and I pull into the driveway behind a big white van. “Is that the van you told me about?”
“Yeah. It fits everything Jack needs for outings. We’re lucky mum was staying with Peter or they might have had to organise special transport to get home.”
“Well, they’re here now.” I try to make my voice sound cheery. How can you begrudge a kid an early reunion with his mum who he hasn’t seen for three months? I know how much I hated long months at boarding school once my mother fell apart.
The silence fills the car as I stare at the house, knowing this is it for us. We didn’t pretend tonight was anything more than a casual fling—in fact, I made sure I couldn’t prolong it by having a flip out somewhere between the green beer and the phone call that took her away. After my speech there’s no way to invite her to try again next week. I don’t have a clue how to stop this from being anything but what it is. A disaster.
Jill surprises me as she gets out. “Do you want to come inside and meet Jack?”
“Yes.” I surprise myself with my immediate answer. I do want to meet him. I also want another few minutes to convince myself this woman is not for me. I laugh to myself in the darkness as I lock the car. Meeting Jill’s son is not going to do that for me. I’m sure of it.
After just a few steps the front door opens and a man stands in the doorway, light spilling onto the grass as he peers into the darkness.
“Peter!” Jill flies forward, embracing her brother, him doing the same. They laugh and talk all at once, then she pulls away and turns to me. “I don’t know if you remember—”
“Everett Porter?” Peter laughs and thrusts his hand forward. “What are you doing here?”
“Sorry.” I hold up my hands and make sure my bandages show in the light. “No hand shaking for me tonight, but it’s nice to see you again Peter. Jill and I flew home on the same plane from the Territory.”
He looks from me to her, then back to my hands. His mouth says, “Wow, what a coincidence. Come in, come in,” as he backs away, encouraging us to enter. His eyes say, ‘what kind of a fool do you two think I am? It’s nearly three in the morning. What have you really been up to?’
I feel obliged to make some kind of excuse, but we’re saved by a voice from the hallway.
“Is she here?” He says, then a second later a boy appears, his face bright with anticipation.
Jill bursts into tears and kneels down, engulfing him in a tight hug. They both start talking at once, laughing—Jill crying—and when it’s over they both suck in the deepest of breaths.
They’re so alike, I can’t help but smile.
Jack has her nose and her eyes, and even her laugh. They have similar mannerisms and it’s eerie to see. When Jill finally stands up, her hand resting on her son’s shoulder, she frowns at me staring directly at her. “What?”
I have a smile plastered to my face, something I can’t seem to shake. Watching the two of them together is a happy sight. I glance at Peter and he’s smiling, too, the two of us grinning like idiots. “I just realized. You two are Jack and Jill.”
Their smiles widen and Jack says, “No one ever works that out straight away. We’re a living, breathing nursery rhyme. I even look like I fell down and broke my crown.”
That pulls a laugh from deep in my chest and Jack grins, pleased with his joke. I get the impression he’s told it dozens of times and maybe not had the reaction he thought it deserved. I hope I’ve fixed that for him.
“Jack, this is my friend Everett. We knew each other back in school.”
“Wow. So, you’re pretty old, then?”
I laugh again. “Enough of the old, thanks. I’m only twenty-nine.”
“Hmm.” Jack puts a finger to his chin. “I’ll be twenty nine in, oh, nineteen years.” His words have us all laughing and then he turns back to Jill. “We came early. For a surprise!” Jack is so excited to see his mother, he’s almost bouncing in his chair.
“Well, you sure surprised me. I had no idea you were coming.”
Peter’s eyes still shout everything he doesn’t voice in front of Jack. He can’t help himself, though, so he goes all cryptic. “I can see it was an excellent surprise. You weren’t even home, that’s how surprised you were.” He looks from her to me, and back again. I’m not about to say a single word. If Jill wants to fill him in later she’s more than welcome.
Instead, I use the timeless excuse that gets everyone out of an awkward situation. “Could I use your bathroom before I go?”
Jack insists on leading the way down the short hallway and I follow him. I comment on the stockers plastered all over his chair. “I collect them. Then I stick them on my chair for decoration.”
“I could send you some from the army. I think I have some at home.”
“That’d be cool. I don’t suppose you have a camouflage jacket you’re not using?”
“I might. Are you in the market for one?” Talking to this kid makes me forget it will be light soon. He’s a crack up.
“I’d really like a jacket or a shirt. Everything mum has is for girls.” He sighs and points to the door. “That’s the bathroom.”
“Thanks. I’ll see what I can do about a jacket.” We smile at each other before I close the door. I can hear the faint whir of his chair as he moves away. I wash my hands and splash a little cold water on my face, leaning on the basin and staring into the mirror. “What are you doing here, Everett? It’s the middle of the night and you’re meeting a ten year old who just wants stickers and his mother. You need to get out of here before you do something silly. You know where the door is. Get out of this bathroom, make your excuses and get yourself back to the hotel where it’s safe.”
Safe. I’m in the defence forces and I need to keep myself safe from a woman and her child. It’s absolute crazy talk.
I sigh and lean heavily on the basin. A loud crack splits the quiet night and I look down to see the unit has come away from the wall. Shit! Now I’m tearing up her house!
When I open the door, Peter is standing outside. I point behind me. “Sorry. I was daydreaming and I leaned too hard on the basin.”
“Don’t worry. Mum is always complaining about that thing. I think they’ve had it fixed three or four times now. The plaster is probably due to be replaced before it falls off the wall.”
“Still. I’d like to pay for the damage. It won’t be cheap to call someone out.”
“No, really, it’s fine. They’ve got some kind of home cover where you pay a yearly fee and tradesman come and fix stuff.”
“Okay, if you’re sure. Jill has my number if it’s more than that
. Please make her call me.” Not just for the basin.
“You swapped numbers on the plane? That was handy.” He closes the bathroom door and follows me down the hall. His question seems innocent enough, but he’s her brother. Experience tells me, there are no innocent questions from brothers in their sister’s houses at three on a Friday morning.
“It was. We had dinner and got talking.”
“Hmm. Good chat it must have been.”
I laugh and shake my head. I absolutely will not discuss this with him. Where have Jill and Jack gone? I need to be rescued. Swearing emanates from the kitchen and I follow the sound. Jill is fiddling with the kitchen tap as it swings loosely left and right. She jiggles it and then turns it off with a deep sigh.
“I can fix that for you.”
“It’s fine. I’ll call someone tomorrow. I always seem to be calling someone about this house.”
“No, really, It’s a ten second fix. Look.” I open the cupboard under the sink and reach in to feel for the hose. There’s a small nut sliding down the hose and I push it up hard against the underside of the sink, then screw it tightly to the hose. After a few turns it settles in place and I straighten. I turn the tap and Jill’s eyes light up. “There you go. No more loose faucets.”
“You’re real handy. Or, should I say handsy, with my sister?” We turn as one to stare at Peter, relief washing through me as I see the grin on his face. He crosses his eyes at his sister, then looks at me. “Man, your face,” he laughs. “Chill. I’m not in charge of who Jill spends her time with. I just feel guilty for bringing Jack early.”
“I was dying to see him. I appreciate you giving us the extra weekend together. Tomorrow I’ll take him to see Mum. She’ll be so relieved to know he’s home.” Jill pats his brother’s arm. “Thank you.”
He grins and gives her a quick hug and I spot my cue to leave.
“Nice to see you again, Peter. I’ve got to go. Big day tomorrow.”
Peter nods and disappears down the hallways, making some excuse about checking his phone while Jill follows me to the door. I want to turn around and take her in my arms, give her a quick, secretive kiss before I’m out the door, but instead I walk right through it onto the grass before I turn back. “Jack seems like a great kid.”
Jill smiles. “He is great. He makes me laugh every single day.”
“That’s good. Enjoy your weekend with him.”
She stares at me for a few seconds before she says, “Thanks, I will.” I know she wants to say more. It’s written all over her face. Probably all over mine, too. We both have responsibilities, though. Hers to her son, and to her sick mother.
Mine… heck, who am I responsible to? I can do anything I please and I don’t have to explain myself to anyone. For as long as I can remember it’s been this way and I’ve always wanted exactly that. Now? That’s a discussion for the drive home.
“I’m sorry about how tonight turned out. This wasn’t my intention.” She’s staring at me still. I want to believe her eyes are filled with longing but that seems a bit dramatic.
So, I step backward and give a small wave. “Me too. Some things just aren’t meant to be.”
Chapter Twelve - Jillian
I groan, my fingertips feeling around the side table for my phone. The sun is up but it feels way too early to be receiving phone calls. A shiver of fear runs over me as my mind jumps to possible callers. What if it’s the hospital?
That gets me sitting upright and grabbing the phone from the charger. “Hello.”
“Hi, it’s Everett.”
His voice brings back delicious memories of last night. Me, naked in his arms, his lips reminding me of our kiss fourteen years ago. I enjoyed that kiss. I clung to it once I was in bed, cursing my luck that I was alone. I rub my eyes and pull the phone from my ear to check the time. 9 am. Not early by most standards but torture to someone who didn’t go to bed until after four. “Hi. Is something wrong?”
“No, why?”
“It’s early. I thought you’d still be asleep. I wish I was still asleep.”
“I’m sorry. I assumed you’d be up with Jack.”
“Normally I would but he’s still in bed after the late night.”
“Do you want me to call back?”
I shake my head, then realize he can’t see me. “I’m awake now. What’s up?”
“I have some things for Jack. I promised him some stickers. Can I drop them over?”
My pulse quickens. I thought last night was it for us, but here he is on my phone not six hours later. I don’t want to read anything into it, though. He was clear—this is nothing more than a fling for him.
“Sure. When did you have in mind?”
“Soon. I already picked them up from Cross. He looks after my stuff while I’m away. We could take Jack out for breakfast if you like.”
“Okay. See you soon?”
I hang up and flop back onto the bed. What exactly does this mean? Everett sounded odd on the phone. Breathless. Kind of excited. That’s not the kind of response I’d expect after dropping off a few stickers.
Jack is awake when I peek into his room. “Hey, want to get breakfast with me and Everett?”
“I wanted to go next door to see Kitty. She doesn’t know I’m home.”
“Kitty Finnigan?”
“Yes, she moved back to her mum’s last month.”
It didn’t take long for the novelty of me being home to wear off for Jack. I try not to be too hurt by that information.
“I’ll be here. You go get your breakfast. You must have a huge appetite after that last night.” Peter winks at me as heads for the kitchen and I feel my face warm. A retort will only prolong his teasing. Instead I slip into the bathroom and start a nice hot shower.
“I have a proposition for you.”
“Oh?” My eyebrows lift. Everett looks serious and I have no idea what he might be about to say. I thought we were going to eat bacon and eggs, I’d take the stickers, maybe he’d suggest another day to catch up and I’d go home happier than I ended last night. His serious look fills me with anxiety.
To make it worse, he clears his throat before he speaks, like he’s making an important announcement. “I want to help you with Jack.” He stops, a look of worry crossing his face.
I blink and put down my smoothie. “What?”
“You said there was an awesome chair Jack could use, and I could see there are improvements you could use at the house.”
My eyes will not stop blinking. I feel like the connection between my brain and my mouth has been severed. I stare at him, my mouth hanging open, the incessant blinking going on and on.
“Say something.” His words are quiet as he watches me. I can just imagine what I look like. Shock has a way of making you resemble a fish caught out of water.
“Uhh.” An awkward silence stretches between us. I push my unfinished plate away and he frowns at it, as though the plate of food has a lot to answer for. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Would you let me help? Get that new chair if we can find one in stock?”
“That chair, with customisations, is nearly thirty thousand dollars, Everett.” Has he lost his mind? Who gives someone a thirty thousand dollar gift?
He nods and pulls out his phone. “I know. I checked the name you mentioned the other day and I’ve found two places. I couldn’t order it without you telling me what you need, but they have them.” He looks pleased with himself, but I feel sick. Is this what he sees when he looks at me? A mother who needs financial aid for her son?
Another thought pops into my head and I want to run for the bathrooms. Anywhere to get away from his enthusiastic gaze.
Does he think I was going to sleep with him because I hoped he’d spend some of his money on Jack?
I can feel the blood draining from my face as I turn this over in my head. We did discuss winning the lotto, and I did mention how he probably doesn’t need the money. He can’t possibly have turned that around to put us he
re. Could he?
Who are you kidding, Jill? Of course he could. You don’t know this man. Now you’ve got yourself into a situation.
“Don’t take this as me being ungrateful, Everett. But I don’t need to be saved. By you or anyone else. I don’t need you to save Jack. We’re doing perfectly fine. He doesn’t need that chair. The one he has is more than appropriate.”
“Yes, but I’ve researched, and—”
“He's not a project to be researched.” I try to keep the bite out of my words, but I know it’s there. If he can’t hear it, he should be able to feel it emanating across the table. Heat bubbles inside my chest. If I was a volcano, I’d be ready to blow.
How dare he come here suggesting all the ways he can swoop in and save us. The great hero Everett Porter saves the day. How grand for him. Everyone give him a medal so we can pin it to his puffed up chest. Maybe he can fix the payment I’m behind on the mortgage, too.
“I’m not trying to save you. Or swoop in and get any kind of reward. I don’t need any medals, I was just trying to help.”
Oh crap. In my fury the words in my head leaked out of my mouth. It doesn’t matter, I can’t stay here another minute. “I need to go home. My appetite is gone.”
“Let’s get married, then. That way the money would be yours and you wouldn’t feel like I’m trying to be a hero.” The words rush out of his mouth so quickly that for a second I think I misheard. Then the realisation hits as I stare at him—he looks as shocked as I feel. If I was in any danger of accepting such an off the cuff proposal, one look at his face says he didn’t mean it and he fervently wishes to take it back.
The insane blinking is back. My chair falls over as I stand and back away. “I have to go.” I leap forward to grab my phone off the table, then I take two steps backward and turn and flee the restaurant.
The Billionaire's Luck (Secret Billionaire's Club Book 2) Page 5
