Unlikely Love

by M. J. Perry

  I took a breath and looked at James to see him grinning so big I can see all his teeth.

  “What is so funny?” I glared.

  “You’re adorable.” He chuckled, totally unaffected by my anger.

  “Newsflash, no one wants to be told they’re adorable, and they especially don’t want to be called it when they’re angry.”

  James was unrepentant. His grin stayed although it dimmed slightly.

  “I’m going to ring him and give him a piece of my mind.” I picked up the phone, but James took it out of my hand before I even dialled when I glanced up at him with my eyebrows raised he shook his head.

  “You’re not ringing him. That’s what he wants babe. Even if you’re ringing to shout at him he’s still getting a response so just ignore him.”

  “Shouting at him will make me feel better, though.” I pouted.

  “Yes, but he’ll use the chance to try to talk you round which will only piss you off more.”

  “You’re right.” I sighed. He was right. Mike would keep going on and on and I’d probably agree to meet him just to shut him up. I’m in no danger of taking him back, even if I still loved him, and I don’t, I had too much pride. He doesn’t know that though. He obviously knew nothing about me if he honestly thought I’d give him a second chance. It was weird though and just didn’t make sense that he’d ring after so long.

  “It’s been known to happen.” James laughed.

  I didn’t laugh back; I was too busy trying to understand why Mike would ring me now. “It doesn’t make sense James.”

  “What doesn’t sweetheart?” Ah, sweetheart, I liked that.

  “Why is he calling now? It’s been a long time. Why would it take him so long to realise he still loved me?” I asked.

  “I don’t know. Perhaps he’s a slow learner; we already know he’s a dick.”

  “Mike cheated on me. He didn’t love me in the first place if he could do that to me and why would he decide now, he is still in love with me when he didn’t bother with me after we split up other than the odd phone call and flowers he sent for a week afterwards. I think it’s a bit strange that he’s suddenly popped up again now when everything else is going on. He’s up to something. I feel it in my gut.”

  “I’ll ring Matt and get him to look into Mike. Don’t contact him and if he rings don’t answer, we’ll keep him clear of you until we find out what he’s up to. Maybe he’s just had a change of heart and it’s all innocent but you’re right about the timing. We’ll go with your gut and check him out. Ok?”

  I nodded pleased he didn’t dismiss my fears. “Ok. Ready?”

  James took my hand, and I took that as a yes. We left mine to go to his house. I went straight to the kitchen to put the kettle on and James rang Matt. He told him about the jewellery and Mike’s message. From what I could hear through the phone he was angry. He must have asked if I was ok because James caught my eyes with his.

  “She’s fine. She’s pissed off, but she’s not upset.”

  There was a pause. “Yes honestly.”

  Another pause, “I know. Bye.”

  “You know what?” I asked referring to his answer to whatever Matt had asked.

  “Matt worried you would be in the same state you were last time. He said that you sobbing your heart out like that will stay with him for a long time.”

  Oh my god how sweet but I felt guilty. I didn’t want him to worry that I’m going to break down again.

  “This time I didn’t care about the stuff she stole and to be honest I wasn’t surprised that she’d done it again. The first time I couldn’t believe she would be so horrible. It shocked me that was why I fell apart.” I said.

  James was studying my face and I guess he was looking for any lingering hurt, but there was none. Ruby had done me a favour in a way. She’d taken the last reminders I had left of Mike and it felt good. I felt free. James smiled and grabbed my hand to tug me to the sofa. He sat down and I found myself on his lap.

  “One good thing about my thieving sister is at least we know she’s still alive.”

  “Yeah, it is good news. I’m pleased you’re happy. Now, why don’t we forget all about your sister and make it end on the high like I said it would.”

  My breathing sped up.

  “You like that idea?” All I could do was nod as he brought his mouth down to mine and kissed me hard. It was delicious. We couldn’t get enough of each other. I ended up riding him with his fingers digging into my hips so hard I knew I would have bruises, but I couldn’t find it in me to care. When we both reached completion, I felt shattered. He picked me up and carried me to his room placing me onto his bed. I felt him move away. I didn’t have the energy to keep my eyes open, so I’m surprised when I feel a warm cloth between my legs cleaning me. He chucked the cloth on to the side and climbed into bed. His arms came around me and my head went to his chest.

  “One time we’ll manage to go slow.” He teased.

  “Well, we’ve managed it once so far so there’s hope.”

  “Yeah, but that was before I knew what it felt like to be inside you. Now I know, I’m too impatient to wait.”

  Oh sweet. “One day you’ll get used to it.”

  “I don’t think I will babe.”

  Oh, my god. I’ve seen his sweet side more lately, but his bossy side was definitely growing on me. In fact, I loved every side of him.

  “Night, beautiful girl,” his lips brushed my shoulder, and I felt him settle onto the pillows.

  “Night,” I managed before I relaxed. It probably took all of two minutes before I fell asleep.

  Chapter Twelve

  Scarlett

  The last couple of weeks have gone by without a lot of excitement. James went to Harrison’s in the day, but he was always home for tea and we spent the evenings together. I worked in the day while he was at work. It surprised me that I was able to concentrate, but I managed it, I even changed my website around a bit too. I took care of his house, tidied up all his post that he always dumped on the kitchen counter; I dusted, hovered and even did his washing. Living for free which I essentially was doing wasn’t something I was comfortable with, but I haven’t tried to give him money because he wouldn’t take it and it would piss him off so instead I cooked tea and did the food shopping when someone was available to go with me. Going out on my own still wasn’t allowed because Ruby was still in the wind. How on earth my sister has managed to keep herself off the radar of police and the assholes after her I don’t know. I’ve stopped worrying as much because I knew she was ok. I’d had a text message telling me so.

  Well, actually the message said–Scarlett. Just in case you’re bothered. I’m alive!

  At least I knew she was safe.

  Sarah came to see me at the weekends; she came here to me at James’ house as she worried something would happen to me if I stepped outside. With James and Matt being in the same frame of mind it was just easier to do as they ordered.

  Sarah was having a hard time at work as her boss was being an absolute dick to her. He shouted at her over things that weren’t her fault and she’d had enough. She is a strong woman, but her boss and his attitude was grating on her. He was constantly mean to her and she would catch him glaring at her quite often. She didn’t know what to do. I thought he might be attracted to her because she said she caught him staring at her legs when she sat in his office taking notes one day. He’d noticed her clock him and she swore he’d grinned as he turned away. She didn’t believe he could like her though. She thought I was imagining it because I wanted her to be happy like me.

  Then there was Matt. Sarah was shy around him. She also always changed the subject if I brought him up. I didn’t get it, but I thought something might have happened between them. James told me to butt out and leave them to it, and I promised I would try.

  Another addition to my life was Tag. Tag works for James at Harrison’s and is such a great guy. He’s on ‘Scarlett duty’ as I called it quite a bit. He’s b
lond, blue eyed and gorgeous and he knows this and uses it to his advantage a lot, he’s a shameless flirt, even with me. I worried James would get jealous like he did with Matt, but he was fine and I relaxed around Tag. I wouldn’t know what to do without him now. He’s a great friend always making me laugh and our banter apparently kept the customers at Harrison’s in fits of giggles when they heard us. I’ve yet to invite Sarah to meet him properly, though. He’s a player and if they hit it off, I worried she’d get hurt. I liked him a lot, but I loved Sarah and he wouldn’t be able to give her the romance and commitment she needed, two words that Tag avoided.

  The nights were the best because they were filled with chick flicks, action films and explosive sex. We hadn’t managed to go slow since the first time we’d made love, but I was definitely not complaining. We fell asleep together always wrapped up in each other’s arms and I’ve never felt more content in my life.

  I always slept on my side of the bed with Mike. We’d never once slept cuddled up, and I always thought it was because I liked my own space when I slept, but James proved I didn’t. Yet another reason I had to add to the list of why Mike and I hadn’t been right together.

  I felt so close to James, our relationship felt rock solid, and I was no longer worrying something would go wrong. Embracing the feelings I have for him was surprisingly easy. I know he’ll always have my back, and it’s amazing to feel that. The only other person I’d felt like that with was Sarah.

  I knew Matt was still looking for Ruby. He hadn’t been to see me much. Maybe a couple of times and it wasn’t for long. James told me Matt was really busy with his other cases as well as Ruby’s and not to take it personally which was easier said than done. I felt he was avoiding me and I really didn’t like that. It hurt me because he’d become important to me and I missed him.

  Now it’s Saturday, and I’m at the bar waiting for Matt to come in so I can question him on his avoidance of me. I’m wearing my light blue jeans skirt and my red blouse with lace around the neckline. I felt sexy, especially when James eyed me up like he wanted to strip me naked and take me over the bar. Harrison’s was busy. James and Tag were busy serving, so they put me at the end of the bar where they could both keep an eye on me easier. James hadn’t wanted me to come, but I’d reassured him I’d be fine and he given in even if he still wasn’t happy with the idea. I had to get out of the house and besides I couldn’t imagine anybody being stupid enough to try anything in a place so busy. There were too many witnesses, surely.

  I sipped my JD and lemonade and watched James move around the bar. Even when he’s pulling pints he’s attractive, he’s very different to Mike, and I pondered this while I had the time. Mike was the complete opposite of James where James was tall and built; Mike was a bit weedy and only a couple of inches taller than me. James was serious in a bad-ass sexy way and really protective of me. He opened doors for me and made me hot chocolate. Mike didn’t do anything like that, not even when we first started out. How did I not realise what a tool he was? He didn’t treat me well at all yet I did so much for him.

  A hand came to my shoulder making me jump, I turned round expecting to see Matt, but I was wrong, very wrong. I nearly came off my stool but righted myself at the last minute.

  “Mike,” I said in shock. Shit. Did my thinking bring him here?

  “Scarlett. Can we talk, please?”

  “Nope, I’ve got nothing to say to you.” I looked round for James or Tag, but Mike decided he’d had enough and just dragged me off my stool making me stumble. I tried to break his hold on me but his hand wrapped tightly around my bicep and then suddenly I found myself outside and pushed up against the very wall Sketch had used weeks before.

  “What on earth are you doing?” I asked. Instead of answering he leaned in and took my lips with his. Shock didn’t cover how I felt. I shifted my head sideways away from him, but he trapped my head with his hands and came back for more. I’d always enjoyed Mike’s kisses before, but now I wanted to be sick. His tongue rubbed against mine and I felt violated. When he’d got his fill, he leant his head against mine, our noses touching.

  “God, I’ve missed you.” He groaned.

  I’m too pissed off to answer. He’d cheated on me, messed up what we had and he had the nerve to tell me he missed me and stick his tongue in my mouth. Oh hell no.

  I’d thought we were it, that we’d spend the rest of our lives together. I even pictured what our children would look like. The pain I’d felt when I’d caught him cheating was unbearable. It made me feel like I wasn’t good enough for him, like I was less of a woman somehow as I couldn’t keep him from straying. I wasn’t interested in anyone after him; I couldn’t even look at men anymore because I always judged them as cheaters before they’d even spoken one word. Sarah had dragged me to clubs to help me meet men and gain my confidence again and even though I got chatted up I just couldn’t take that step.

  Funnily enough now he’s stood right in front of me I feel nothing. The pain I’d expected at seeing him again wasn’t there. The only thing I felt was anger. I pushed against his chest to make him step back and he took half a step. At least that was something.

  “What do you want Mike?” I asked and I’m pleased my voice sounded cold.

  “I need you to tell me where Ruby is?”

  Bloody hell, I knew it! I knew he was up to something. “Why?”

  “Have you heard from her? Has she told you where she is?”

  I shook my head. I wasn’t telling him anything.

  “You’re saying you haven’t? That you don’t know? Do you think I’m stupid? I know you, Scarlett. I know when Ruby fucks up you’re always there to bail her out.” He said angrily.

  “I really don’t know where she is Mike.” I snapped.

  He leant closer to look in my eyes. “I meant what I said, Scarlett. I missed you and I want you back.”

  “We haven’t seen each other in a long time and you expect me to believe that you suddenly want me back? I’m not stupid Mike, no matter what you think.”

  “I told you, I missed you baby.”

  Still no words of apology. I needed to get past this bull and find out what he wanted

  “It’s no coincidence you’ve appeared just as I’m dealing with all Ruby’s drama is it?”

  He closed his eyes and sighed; when they opened, I caught the look of fear before he blanked them.

  “Sketch said if I found Ruby and took her to him he’d let me off the money I owe him.” He confessed.

  I swallowed down the pain of his second betrayal. I’d deal with that later.

  “What did you think? I’d take you back just like that?” I clicked my fingers in front of his face. “Then after that I’d give up the whereabouts of my sister so you could hand her over to pay off your debts like she means nothing at all. Like a human sacrifice or something!” I laughed then and even I could hear the hysteria in it. He ignored my words completely. Something I realise now he’d always done.

  “If you tell me where she is I promise I’ll keep you out of it. I’ll keep you safe. I just need to hand Ruby over and it will all be fine.”

  Oh, my god, he was serious. He truly thought I’d help him and it would all work out.

  “Are you nuts?” I screeched. “You want me to give up my sister so you can pay off your debts. They’ll hurt her, likely kill her but you don’t care you just don’t want to owe them anymore? Who are you? The Mike I knew would never do anything like this; he would never ask something like this of me.”

  My Mike was straight laced and never even got a parking ticket when I was with him. When I got my third ticket, he blew his top. That was not fun. I’m not perfect; I can’t help it if I forget what time was on my parking tickets sometimes.

  “I’m desperate Scar; I owe a lot of money. When you kicked me out, it gutted me. I started drinking and one day I joined a poker game. It all went downhill from there.”

  “So it’s my fault? You cheated on me with the neighbourhood slut I
might add. Now you’ve got yourself into debt, but still the blame is mine and you’re the victim?” I shouted.

  What a stupid shit, I can’t believe the nerve of him. He grabbed me roughly by my shoulders and pushed me into the wall again. His face got closer to mine, never once had I felt fear with him but I felt it now. I tensed, waiting.

  “It is your fault. I loved you and you kicked me out. I missed you and you wouldn’t return my calls. You wouldn’t meet me to let me explain.”

  How could he stand there saying this?

  “You broke my heart, Mike,” I whispered, and he flinched.

  “I’m sorry.” He whispered back, and it shocked me. That was the first time he’d ever said it and he meant it.

  “When I saw you with her in our bed, I didn’t need an explanation. I spent too much time and energy bailing Ruby out. Wasn’t that what you said?”

  “We hadn’t had sex in nearly two weeks and I was horny.”

  Huh, so much for being sorry.

  “You jerk.” I pushed against him, but he didn’t move so I hit him with my fists instead. I only got a couple of hits in before he grabbed my wrists and pinned them at my sides.

  “You weren’t supposed to find out. It was a one-time thing.”

  I’d always wondered if he’d been carrying on with her for a while but I’d decided not to ask.

  “That makes it ok then?” I asked him.

  “It doesn’t matter now. If you won’t take me back willingly, I’ll just have to keep you with me until your sister gets in touch with you. I can use the time with you to change your mind about us.”

  Ok bat shit crazy didn’t cover it. He didn’t wait for a reply he just grabbed my bicep in a hurtful grip and started walking. Deja vu washed over me. With how busy the bar was I didn’t think James would be out here to save me this time so I had to stall Mike somehow, I racked my brain until what he said sank in and I pulled my arm to get his attention. I grimaced when he tightened his grip it was going to leave a bruise for sure.

  “I don’t have my phone. Ruby can’t ring me if I don’t have it.” He stopped and turned to face me. He stared at me before patting my body down looking to see if I was lying to him.