Mrs R (Mrs R & Mr V #1)

by Jessie Courts

  “I know what you did for her and whilst I cannot stand to think of it, I understand it.”

  “You do?” both Rachel and Luc asked in unison looking stunned. It was the last thing they had expected hear from Joe.

  “I do. But I don’t want to talk about it again. Ever. Do I make myself clear? And believe me boy, it will be a long time before we are friends.”

  Rachel walked over to Joe and kissed him on the cheek. “I love you” she whispered in his ear, then left the two of them alone returning to her guests before anyone came looking for them. It was still a secret and would remain that way.

  Luc being Luc just couldn’t let it drop though. “I know it’s hard for you Joe being reminded of her past but she’s worth it. Rachel is very special.”

  Joe’s eyes darkened and he took a step toward Luc who was now backed up flat up against the fridge.

  “What part of ‘not talking about it’ did you not understand?” he jabbed a finger into Luc’s shoulder to reinforce the point.

  “Shit! And what part of not laying your hands on me again, did you not understand?” Luc stepped forward and Joe gazed at the young man in front of him in wonder. He could have Luc on the floor out cold in seconds without breaking a sweat but it seemed the boy was fearless and Joe kind of respected him for that. He took a step back out of Luc’s space and sighed. In a less threatening tone he spoke directly to him.

  “I won’t apologise – you just need to acknowledge there are boundaries you can no longer cross. You’re still in love with her, I can see that, but she’s mine Luc. You need to move on.”

  Luc faltered. Joe was dead right; he was still in love with Rachel and up until he saw that ring on her finger, he still had a little bit of hope she would come back to him. Now it hit him hard that was never going to happen. Joe could see the realisation in Luc’s face the moment it dawned on him. The boy sagged back against the fridge momentarily poleaxed.

  “Joe…I’m sorry mate. I...” Luc stammered out a half apology and Joe finally started to feel sorry for him. In that instant, all the animosity and jealousy just flowed away.

  Placing a big hand gently on Luc’s shoulder in what he hoped was a sympathetic gesture, Joe said, “Listen; the twins make it so we are going to be around each other for many years to come. I need to trust you Luc; Rachel would never have gotten so close to you if you weren’t all the things she said you are. If you want to be my friend, don’t ever break that trust and you and I will get along just fine. You might even find me useful to know.” Joe clapped Luc on the cheek and walked away feeling pretty confident he’d gotten things under control enough to move forward. He could see Luc was a good guy; he just needed to move on from Rachel and Joe would be happy.

  Luc meanwhile, realised he was exceedingly lucky to have been given an opportunity to continue to be part of this family and even had a reason to suspect it would be to his benefit. Joe had the good grace to put in the effort to get past his affair with Rachel, and he finally understood why they called Joe Mason ‘mighty’.

  The twins and their mother returned to the kitchen. Jess looked a bit startled to find Luc staring at the fridge. “You ok Lulu?” she asked him.

  Luc’s head jerked up and he ran a hand through his fringe brushing it off his face. “Oh yeah. I’m cool Jess. Just came for some water.” He grabbed a bottle from the fridge; popped a kiss on both his friends’ cheeks and went to join the others inside.

  Lucy shook her head. “That boy – I swear he’s nuts. Anyway, Mummy, Jess and I want to tell you how happy we are for you and you shouldn’t worry about Daddy and how we feel about it. We only want you to have everything you deserve and Joe is too divine – honestly!” The three of them hugged and had a little cry and then the twins urged Rachel back in to join her guests.

  **********

  Luc plonked himself down at one end of the dining room table as Joe sat down at the head. Rachel slipped in to the seat beside him confident the twins were more than capable in the kitchen having forced their mother to socialise and have some fun. Joe leaned back in his chair and ran a hand though his hair then proceeded to fiddle with his beard until he caught Rachel staring at him looking worried. Grinning broadly he gave her a reassuring kiss leaving her panting and wishing they were alone.

  “Really – is that necessary at the table?” Karen teased any remaining tension was broken as laugher and conversation flowed freely. The twins started to heap the table with more and more food until there was no space left and everyone tucked into Rachel’s deliciously prepared Christmas meal. She wasn’t all that traditional but there was turkey and potatoes and a variety of different dishes to go with and everyone seemed happy to stuff their faces. Rachel was off the scale euphoric. She wondered briefly about the occasional strange looks that passed between Joe and Luc but the more everyone drank the more relaxed the atmosphere became.

  “Baby – you’ve done so well. This is all fantastic.” Joe murmured into her neck; the bristles on his chin tickled her skin just as he knew she loved. “Can we escape for a bit though; I’m so hard for you.”

  Rachel giggled which caught Luc’s attention. From his seat at the end of the table he watched as Joe lavished affection on the woman they both loved, but this time Luc was mesmerised by the image of them together. He could see they were deeply connected and he had been foolish to think that at his age he would have been enough for a woman like Rachel. It was time to grow up, and move on from being heart broken over what he knew he could never have. Luc nodded at Joe; raised his glass of wine and drank a silent toast to their happiness.

  **********

  “That’s the last of them gone.” Rachel called out to Joe having put the twins in a cab with Luc. It felt a bit odd that they were all going back to Joe’s apartment, but both men were adamant that they would not be sleeping under the same roof tonight. Rachel was dying to know what they had discussed after their little confrontation in the kitchen earlier, but she would have to wait until Joe was ready to tell her. She was just grateful they seemed to be getting on better as part of her acknowledged she didn’t want Luc out of her life for good.

  “C’mon, Joe – let’s get this cleared away and then we need to go to bed. There should be enough time to pack tomorrow, as the flight’s not till late. Joe?” There was no response so Rachel went on the hunt for her man finding him sprawled out on the sofa in the den snoring his head off. She chuckled to herself, “typical bloke after all Joe Mason” and set about loading the dishwasher and clearing the table. When everything was neat and tidy she went to wake him up and drag him up to bed.

  “Hey Sleepy Joe – take me to bed my gorgeous fiancé.” She tugged on his hand and he reluctantly heaved himself off the couch.

  “Best fucking day ever Mrs Mason to be” he drawled hauling her into his arms and carrying her effortlessly up the stairs to their bed.

  Kissing him full on the mouth Rachel replied “Best fucking life ever, Mr Mason.”

  Hugging his woman close to his chest he agreed. “It will be sweetheart; it will be.”

  THE END

  Acknowledgements

  Thanks go to our beloved family for putting up with too many overheard inappropriate conversations. Especially our kids who have had to suffer through their middle aged mothers giggling and groaning over the telephone to each other for hours.

  Since we started this amazing journey, our husbands have been nothing but supportive and indulgent and we’re not ashamed to say there’s a little bit of Nate, Luc and Joe in both of them. Ahem!

  To our fabulous friends who read the story first and had the good grace not to be too shocked! K, K, S – you know who you are…. We love that you loved Mrs R and your feedback was invaluable.

  Jessie Courts is our pen name. More than anything she has given us the freedom to share our words with you. In real life we are two best friends who have been together for 30 years setting the world to rights and sharing our deepest secrets and desires. It’s the type of frie
ndship where we finish each other’s sentences and know exactly what we’re thinking with just one look! Perfect writing partnership material we remarked one day and that’s all it took for Rachel, Luc and Joe to come spilling out of our imaginations and in to print.

  Thanks must also go to the amazing authors who have inspired us. Our Kindles are literally bursting with fantastic books we just can’t get enough of.

  And lastly of course to you; the reader; the person who we’ve done this all for.

  Thanks for buying Mrs R – we hope you enjoyed it – let us know….

  Find us on Facebook – Jessie Courts or email us at JessieRcourts@gmail.com

  Coming soon…..

  MR V

  What’s in store for Luc? The boy man god is sent to New York on a work assignment and while he is there finds distraction in the arms of a beautiful blonde.

  Back in England, Luc attends Rachel and Joe’s wedding reception where he is shocked to discover his all American girl is there too…and she’s moved to London. They pick up where they left off and embark on a passionate and intense relationship…. but who is she really and will her true identity destroy any hope Luc ever had for his own happy ever after?