by Cathryn Hein
Jack pressed his forehead against Elsa’s. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘Don’t you dare be sorry.’ She stroked the back of his head. ‘Anyway, I started it.’
‘And I should have stopped it. This is your place of business.’
‘Yes, the operative words being my place of business. If I want to get down and dirty on the counter with my favourite male client, then I will.’
‘You will, huh? Something you do often?’
She smoothed his collar. ‘Only with people called Jack.’
The chanty music that he hadn’t realised was still playing suddenly changed. Elsa’s nose wrinkled cutely then she threw her head back and gave a big belly laugh. She was so wobbly with mirth it was like trying to hold a bubble.
‘What?’
‘This song!’
He listened to a few bars. Twangy American country. Not Jack’s thing. ‘Yeah, what about it?’
‘You don’t know what it is?’
‘Nope.’ He didn’t care either. When Elsa laughed, all he wanted to do was drag her close so he could kiss her happiness inside himself.
Elsa looked at him, biting her lip. ‘It’s a song by American country duo Big & Rich called “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy).”’
‘Subtle.’
‘That’s our Serenity.’
She glanced at the clock and began to wriggle her skirt back down. Jack stepped from between her legs and surreptitiously adjusted himself, then lifted her off the counter and helped smooth her clothes while really copping a last feel. In their enthusiasm, they’d scattered a product display. Tubes of stuff were rolled over the counter and floor. Jack attempted to tidy them, but Elsa stayed his hand.
‘I’ll look after those.’
He stood awkwardly, hard-on still throbbing, unsure what to do now that the madness had passed, but overloaded with want. ‘Can I see you tonight?’
‘I’m sorry, tonight’s out. It’s our first Smart Ladies’ Supper Club meeting of the year.’
‘Smart Ladies’ Supper Club?’
‘It’s a regular thing I host here with my girlfriends. We drink wine, pamper each other. Talk business. Offer advice and support.’
‘And,’ yelled Serenity from the back, ‘where we’ll be discussing you, Jack Hargreaves, in great detail!’
He raised a brow at Elsa.
‘Ignore her.’
‘Only telling the truth!’
‘Go exfoliate your elbows or something, Serenity. And stop eavesdropping.’
Serenity retaliated by turning up the chorus of “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” even louder.
‘What about after?’ Jack asked.
She shook her head. ‘Ladies’ Club usually goes until late.’
‘Tuesday then? You could come to Strathroy for dinner.’ Jack smiled. ‘Come for breakfast, if you want.’ He’d go crazy if he didn’t see her again soon. He was crazy now. ‘I don’t care, as long as I see you.’
The corner of her mouth twitched. She tucked a stray hair behind her ear and ran her fingers around the neck of her T-shirt in a deliberately provocative gesture. ‘Just “see” me?’
‘Yeah,’ he said, stepping close and looking down at her. ‘All of you.’ His hand cupped her jaw, his face lowering again to hers, his voice a hoarse whisper. ‘And when I’ve seen everything, I’m going to “do.” I hope you’re ready.’
Chapter Thirteen
If Jack thought waiting for Monday morning had been torture, it had nothing on the agony of waiting for Elsa to turn up on Tuesday night.
After leaving the salon, he spent the rest of the morning cleaning the house and rearranging furniture, followed by an afternoon shopping in Ararat. Compared to the homeliness of Elsa’s parents’ house, Strathroy felt barren. He hated the thought that Elsa might read that as lonely bachelordom. He was a bachelor, sure, and sometimes Jack was lonely. That didn’t mean he wanted her to know it. And he sure as hell didn’t want any pity.
It was a useless exercise though. There was no masking years of neglect and indifference in an afternoon. Most of the house looked like a seventies relic—dowdy, shag carpets, lurid tiles and walnut veneer. Some of the older furniture was good though. The dining room table and sideboard were quality antiques, and beeswax and elbow grease had soon brought out their lustre. Jack discovered some Royal Doulton china in the cabinet too, along with a set of crystal wineglasses and a silver cutlery set so tarnished it took the whole of Monday evening to clean. He hadn’t minded. It kept his hands occupied while he fantasised over Elsa.
He found photographs as well. A jumbled box of bittersweet snapshots. Him and Jesse, when they were boys and still friends with each other. Nan and Pa Hargreaves. Photos of dogs they’d loved. Snaps of Kate as a cute little girl and, later, a gangly, pretty teenager and then as loving mum with her boys. Images that tore at Jack’s heart and made him shove the box away. One day he’d bring it out again, but not yet.
For his room, Jack made do with a new doona and sheet set. Ararat had been out of his way, but he was stuffed if he’d give the gossipmongers more fodder by buying condoms in Wirralong. Or new sheets and expensive champagne. Or the bottle of massage oil he’d picked up on a whim because it reminded him of Elsa, and gave him ideas of repaying her favours.
On Tuesday, after he’d washed the sheets and doona cover and hung them in the morning air so they smelled fresh for Elsa, he headed into Wirralong to buy food. Jack wasn’t much of a cook. He could grill a steak well enough, mash spuds, chop vegetables and salad ingredients, but the only hunger he had was for Elsa. Jumping her on arrival wouldn’t give the right impression though. Elsa might get the wrong idea and think all he wanted from her was sex. Yeah, he wanted sex, but for the first time in his life Jack wanted everything else too.
It was too hot to steam vegetables, so he settled on an easy chicken and salad meal Simone had taught him how to make. He grabbed spinach, red onion, cucumber, a sweet potato and a can of chickpeas, along with some yoghurt and lemon for a dressing. Then some chicken marylands that he’d sprinkle with Mediterranean seasoning and roast. Not gourmet food by any standard, but not bad for a bloke whose usual repertoire was spag bol or meat and veg.
Unable to help himself, Jack ducked into Hair Affair on the dodgy pretence of needing shampoo. Elsa was setting rollers in the hair of one of her old ladies, which left him at the mercy of Serenity. The beautician kept grouching about wet patches while wiping the counter with a eucalyptus scented cleaner so strong it made Jack’s eyes water even more than her orange hair.
He was about to leave when Elsa walked over, grabbed the front of his shirt and kissed him so squarely on the mouth Jack nearly dropped his shampoo.
‘See you around seven?’ she said.
‘Ah, yeah.’ He blinked dazed eyes, then cleared his throat. ‘Earlier, if you want.’
‘Love to, but I won’t finish until after six here, and I want to go home for a quick shower and change.’
‘Okay, sure. Whatever you need. I’m not going anywhere.’
Serenity rolled her eyes and muttered, ‘Except to bed.’
Elsa elbowed her and added a glare for good measure before beaming at Jack. ‘I’ll see you tonight.’
He stood on the footpath, groggy with love and lust and completely flummoxed as to what he was meant to be doing. Spotting the florist, he crossed the road, scanned the window display and entered. Ten minutes later he emerged with a large bouquet of mixed blooms and feeling pretty damn pleased with himself, only to cop a heckle from Serenity who was bobbing around the front of Hair Affair like an orange shipping beacon.
‘Hope you’re buying some decent chocolates to go with those!’
If she’d been a bloke and the street wasn’t full of nosy parkers, Jack would have given her the finger. Instead he did his usual thing and said nothing. He strode for his car with his chin held high and his skin prickling from the stares of locals whose attention had been drawn by Serenity’s jibe.
Laughing, Sere
nity made a pistol shape with her finger and shot him with a bang and a wink. Then, breaking into the chorus of that stupid cowboy riding song, she sauntered back inside, leaving Jack alone with his burning embarrassment, and a new anxiety about chocolates.
*
The sound of a car engine alerted Jack to Elsa’s arrival. He tore off the plastic wrap he was securing over the salad and quickly stuck the bowl in the fridge along with the dressing, then wiped his hands and hurried outside.
Daisy was on her haunches looking up at the driver’s side door of Elsa’s car, not a hackle in sight, not even a growl. Anyone else and she’d be barking her head off.
‘Some guard dog you are,’ he grumped, before concentrating on his visitor.
Elsa alighted wearing a gorgeous smile, a short, spaghetti-strapped dress and carrying a bulging tote. ‘I made it!’
‘You did.’ Jack kissed her quickly. If he let himself linger, they’d never get inside. ‘Christ,’ he said, taking the tote. ‘Did you bring bricks?’
She laughed and stroked his arm. ‘Wine.’ Then her expression turned coy. ‘And perhaps a few other things.’
Jack’s mouth dried at the way she said ‘other things’ but, before he could comment, Elsa crouched in front of Daisy and held out her fingers for the dog to sniff.
‘Hello, Daisy Dog. Nice to meet you at last.’ Having let the dog scent her, Elsa ruffled her ears. ‘I have a present for you as thanks for looking after Jack.’
She straightened and, winking at Jack, dug into the bag and pulled out a rawhide dog chew. Daisy’s ears immediately perked.
‘You sit,’ he warned, before addressing Elsa. ‘Seducing my dog as well as me, huh?’
‘Just making friends,’ replied Elsa as she removed the packaging, causing Daisy to lick her chops. ‘You were the one who said Daisy was the best people.’ She crouched again and held out the chew, then frowned when Daisy didn’t move. ‘Come on, Daise. It’s yummy beef.’
Daisy cast Jack a plaintive look.
‘Go on,’ he said, nodding. ‘But no snatching.’
With a last lick of her chops, Daisy delicately took the chew from Elsa’s hand and with it hanging from her mouth like a misshapen cigarette, trotted off to a patch of shade and settled in for a good long gnaw.
‘So,’ said Elsa, ‘what now?’
‘I don’t know. Depends what you want to do.’ He indicated the paddocks. ‘I could show you around. Act the proud gentleman farmer over my cattle.’
‘You could. Or you could kiss me. Properly this time. I was nice to your dog.’
‘I could.’
She toyed with the buttons on his shirt. Jack wished she wouldn’t. Her revealing dress and lack of bra strap had already given him a hard-on. ‘Is that a big “but” I’m hearing, Jack Hargreaves?’
‘You know what’ll happen.’
‘Maybe that’s the plan.’
Jack raked a hand through his hair. ‘Jesus, Elsa. I’m trying to be a good bloke here.’
‘Ah, but that’s where you’re going wrong. I don’t want a good bloke. I want you.’
With a pull on his shirt, she dragged Jack towards her. He didn’t resist. He couldn’t have even if he’d wanted to. She was too gorgeous and he was too gone, and she smelled amazing—like the purest of days. Except Elsa was acting far from pure. She smoked with seduction and sin, and Jack loved it.
He loved her.
The kiss started slow, simmering like the heat that surrounded them, before exploding into uncontrolled release. Momentum took them against the car. Elsa’s fingers were on his hair, on his neck, his belly, under his shirt. Jack was just as bad, unable to touch everywhere he wanted to quick enough. The dress made access easy. Within seconds, his fingers were curled around the globes of her taut bum and sliding lower.
‘We should …’ Jack groaned as Elsa’s shuddery pants caressed his ear and shot an electric current straight to his groin, and he forget what he was going to say.
‘Go inside?’
‘Yeah.’ Otherwise he was likely to do her right on the bonnet of her car, and Jack wasn’t into audiences, even if it was only his dog and Strathroy’s wildlife. Besides, the bonnet would be scorching and his stock of condoms was inside.
‘Okay.’
Except Elsa didn’t let up kissing him, which made thinking difficult.
He crept a finger under the elastic of her pants and touched dampness. Christ on a bicycle.
‘Jack …’
‘Mm.’
‘Bed.’ She sucked on his earlobe, then pulled apart to look at him. ‘Now.’
‘Right.’ He kissed her nose and ordered her to grab his neck. With a swift hoist, he had Elsa secure against him, skirt rucked up and those beautiful long legs knotted around his waist.
The shoulder strap of her dress had slid down, confirming her braless state. He couldn’t wait to get it all off, suck on those amazing peaked nipples. Suck on everything.
‘Hold on, little lioness.’
He carried her to the back door, getting off on the way the movement made her groin jiggle against his erection. The rapidly spreading flush over her cheeks and neck that told him Elsa enjoyed it too.
He paused in the kitchen and faked a serious expression. ‘You sure you don’t want dinner first? I made salad.’
‘Jack!’
He laughed and kissed her, and didn’t stop until she was on his bed and he was far too occupied pleasuring her for jokes.
Chapter Fourteen
Elsa stretched and rolled over to snuggle against Jack’s broad back and found only cold sheet. She sat up, blinking, and rubbed her eyes.
A faint glow shone from somewhere deeper inside the house. Assuming he was in the bathroom, she flopped back down and stared at the ceiling with her hands folded on her chest. Then, suddenly overcome with a fit of glee, she pounded her heels against the bed and performed a shimmy.
Sex with Jack had been unreal.
Elsa grinned inanely, wishing he’d hurry back so they could play again.
‘Jack?’ she called out.
She listened to the house, for the creak of a floorboard, the sound of water, and heard nothing.
Elsa shucked down the sheet and climbed out. Enough moonlight spilled through the window for her to avoid tripping on their discarded clothes. Spotting Jack’s shirt, she snatched it up and threaded her arms through the sleeves, but left it unbuttoned in case Jack wanted easy access. She hoped so. The man had magic hands.
Magic everything.
‘Jack?’ she called again from the doorway and, when there was still no answer, headed towards the light.
She found him at a desk in one of the other rooms, with a circular lamp directed on a tray of stones.
‘Hey,’ she said, leaning against the jamb. ‘I missed you.’
He smiled. ‘I’ve only been gone a couple of minutes.’
‘I can miss you in minutes.’
He stared at her for a long moment, then pushed his finger through the collection of stones.
Elsa moved closer. ‘What are they?’
‘Sapphires.’
Her eyes widened. ‘Strathroy’s sapphires?’ There had to be twenty gemstones in the tray. More.
Jack shook his head. ‘Strathroy’s yes, but not the ones of the legend.’ He chose one and held it to the light, which she saw now was an illuminated magnifying glass. ‘Poor colour saturation, too many inclusions. Commercial grade at best.’
‘Okay, so why are you looking at sapphires in the middle of the night when you could be cuddling me?’
‘I thought there might be a good one I could give to you.’
Elsa smiled and moved to press her breasts against his naked back and smooth her hands down his arms. She nuzzled his neck, loving the way he shivered under her touch. ‘I don’t need sapphires. I need you.’
He moved his head to kiss her, long and lingeringly, his lips as delicious as the rest of him. Everything Jack did made her tingle. He rested his forehead a
gainst hers and cupped her cheek. ‘Aren’t you hungry?’
Now that he mentioned it, Elsa was. They’d been so preoccupied since her arrival they’d forgotten to eat.
‘Come on,’ he said, rising and taking her hand. ‘I’ll make you a toastie.’
He buttered bread and sliced cheese and ham, while Elsa sat on the kitchen table dangling her legs backwards and forwards, and occasionally spreading them to tease him, loving the way he’d stop and stare with his mouth half open.
‘Are you always like this?’ he asked when the sandwiches were locked inside the toaster.
Elsa giggled. ‘Why? Don’t you like it?’
He placed his hands either side of her thighs and leaned close. ‘I like everything you do.’
‘Really?’
‘Uh huh.’
‘What about this?’ she said, tracing a finger from his throat slowly downward until it encountered his tented cotton boxer shorts.
‘Yeah,’ he said, voice husky.
‘And this?’ Smiling slyly, she made a circle over the peak of fabric.
‘Elsa, if you don’t stop …’
‘Jack,’ she said, kissing him while broadening her exploration. ‘I’m not going to.’
If it weren’t for the smell of burning bread and cheese, Elsa would have let Jack have her on the table. Which wasn’t a bad thing, given the condoms were in the bedroom.
Jack carried their burnt dinner outside. ‘Even Daisy didn’t want to eat them,’ he said on return. ‘Guess I’d better make some more.’
He looked funny standing in the kitchen with his hands on his hips and an erection jutting his shorts. Funny but sexy. Only a man of Jack’s build could look good like that.
Elsa sighed in appreciation. All man and all hers. ‘I’ll never get tired of seeing you naked.’
‘I’ll never get tired of you.’ His gaze dropped to her breasts and his lashes immediately lowered. ‘You’re perfect.’
‘Jack?’
‘What?’
Elsa bit her bottom lip coyly and swung her legs. ‘I’m not hungry for food anymore.’
