by Brenna Darcy
Once she’d finished loading the dishwasher, Flic escaped to the kitchen. The need to put some distance between her and the nightmare waiting to happen in the restaurant, increased. Leaning her forehead against the cold metal door of the cool room, hoping to relieve the throb of the headache she talked herself in to developing.
“There you are.” Mim startled her. “Oh sorry. Dave and Lacey are taking Ty home, they want to say goodnight.”
“Yes, of course, sorry.”
“You don’t look so good, you need to go home.”
“No way Mim, you’ve seen how busy it is tonight.”
“Nonsense. The rush is over and besides, I’ve managed on my own for years. I suppose you walked?”
Flic nodded knowing in future she wouldn’t risk being stranded without her car.
“Dave can drive you, he’s leaving anyway.”
“I don’t want to bother him, I can call a taxi.”
Mim snorted. “You’re not in the city, come on let’s not keep them waiting.”
Flic had no choice but to do as she was told. Mim was like having a mother around, only warmer and a little less demanding than her own.
“Dave did you come together?” She gestured to Lacey and Ty.
“No, Miss Independent won’t allow me to drive the few kilometres out of my way to pick her up, we’re lucky she didn’t insist on walking.”
Lacey stuck her tongue out at him, which amused Flic more than anything she’d seen all night. A grown woman sticking her tongue out at her brother seemed so innocent yet out of place given their age and Dave’s seemingly serious nature.
“Good, you can drive Flic home, she did insist on walking.” Mim glared at her, “but now she has a headache and should be in bed, not at work. If she’s coming down with something I don’t want Ty to catch any nasty bugs.”
Dave nodded, his scowl returned.
“Lacey you can call Flic on the weekend, you should get Ty home, it’s late.” Lacey rolled her eyes, but did as she was told.
“I hope you feel better, Flic. Good night.”
Ty waved as he followed his mum, who reached behind and took his hand, in the other he clutched a pink bunny.
Dave was as brisk and bossy as Mim. After he fixed the bill he and Flic left together.
Flic couldn’t help but look over her shoulder to make sure Ross didn’t see her leaving with Dave. Still sitting with his back to the door, she needn’t worry.
Dave glanced down at her then followed her gaze to the couple at the back of the restaurant, sitting at the table he’d delivered drinks to earlier.
The cool night air was a relief after being in the stuffy restaurant as Dave led her to a rather impressive looking car parked in the parking lot.
“Nice car, you willing to drive a sick person home in it?”
“I’ll risk it.” The scowl on his face remained.
“Have I done something to annoy you?” Flic challenged. She’d prefer to walk than inconvenience him.
“No, what makes you think that?”
“The look on your face when Mim said I was unwell, your usual scowl replaced the foreign smile and it’s been there ever since.” Flic raised her eyebrows and tilted her head to the side, awaiting his response.
“It’s nothing, now are you coming?” Opening the passenger door for her Flic had no choice but to get in, or risked looking like a spoilt child.
Dave walked around the car, and moments later he was seated beside her. The engine purred to life with the push of a button.
“So are you going to tell me what’s really up with you, because I’m not buying the sick act?”
Flic stared at him, trying to figure out what he was referring to. She’d caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror in the restaurant and she knew her colour was off and she didn’t look her best.
“I’m not accusing you of lying, I believe you don’t feel great, but you’re not sick. What’s up with the guy, an ex-boyfriend or something?”
“What guy?” Flic decided denial to be her only option, how could she tell him she was married to a mad man and the guy he was referring to was the mad man’s mate.
“Fair enough, it’s none of my business, but Flic know this, whatever we run away from generally catches up with us at some point in our lives, sometimes it’s best to face your demons, or else you’ll always be looking over your shoulder.”
“Who says I’m running from anything?”
“Whatever, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“What are you running from?”
Dave’s scowl broke and he grinned. His moods were hard to keep up with, dark and broody one minute, cheeky and young the next.
“I’m not running from anything, I’m a people watcher. I recognise the symptoms.”
“How can you analyse others if you have no firsthand experience?”
Dave laughed. “Okay, I’m running from reality.”
“Occupational hazard?”
“You guessed it.”
“Then we’re not so different. Maybe I’m destined to be a writer after all.” Flic laughed, she was feeling much better already.
Dave glanced at her and smiled before pulling into a driveway that wasn’t her hotel.
“Um, wrong hotel, I don’t live here.” She giggled.
“I know. I do. Come, I’ll make you a cup of tea.”
Flic didn’t argue. Dave certainly was moody, and wrote a very convincing crime novel, but he wasn’t dangerous, or at least she didn’t think so.
“You’re not into role play are you?” Flic walked around the car to catch up with him as he wandered up the garden path to the huge house that was his home.
“That’s a bit personal don’t you think, but what did you have in mind?” He grinned mischievously down at her.
Flic hadn’t noticed how tall he was before.
“Not like that, I meant research for your novels.”
Dave laughed again. He certainly was in a good mood, all traces of his scowl gone. Flic couldn’t help but wonder how much he’d had to drink. She’d spent most of the night stressing over Ross to notice anything else.
“No, I’m not a psychopathic serial killer if that’s what you’re asking, but role play—” He didn’t finish, glancing down at her before unlocking the front door.
This man had more on his mind than just tea, Flic thought as he held the door open for her to go inside.
Stepping into darkness she waited for him to turn on the light. Flicking a switch the entry came into focus. The inside was bigger, grander, if possible than the outside.
“Some place you have here.”
“Thanks. Would you like tea, coffee, wine, or whiskey?”
“Tea would be great, thanks.”
“Come through. You can hang out in the kitchen and watch me make it, that is if you don’t trust me not to drug or poison you, or you can make yourself comfortable in here.” He turned on the light to reveal a tastefully decorated lounge room.
“That’s okay. I’ll wait here—I think I can trust you.”
“Dangerous words.” He turned and walked away.
What was that supposed to mean? He wasn’t the most predictable guy she’d ever met.
She glanced around the room. It was beautifully decorated, cosy almost, and she now understood Lacey’s comparison to her hotel room. The color palette and warmth was where the similarities stopped. Dave’s house so spacious and elegant like a bachelor pad used to lure women, or else owned by drug lords.
Why had he brought her here? His intensions, whatever they might be, put her on edge. Had Lacey mentioned their earlier conversation about him, as she had her writing? Flic paced the room, too wound up to sit and be still on the sprawling cream leather lounge like froth atop a cappuccino. There was no doubting Dave Raddin indulged in the fineries off limits to most budgets. She clearly didn’t belong.
On first impressions she’d labelled him. But, she now realised, as some of the many layers of this man
were peeled back, proved she didn’t have him figured out at all. Their relationship had moved too quickly from verbal sparring matches, prior to the meditation class, to drinking tea in his too elaborate home.
Flic gave up and sat on the couch she’d avoided for fear of falling asleep wrapped in luxury. Lost in her world of Dave dilemmas, she closed her eyes and tried to calm her thoughts, before Dave came back into the room.
“Sorry I took so long.”
Flic jumped, again. Her heart was getting a workout. If she hadn’t had a heart attack already, then she was in perfect health.
“So jumpy tonight. You sure you don’t want to talk about it?”
Flic shook her head.
“Okay.” He set a tray with two cups, a teapot and plate of biscuits down on a side table next to the door, before pouring the tea. “Milk and sugar?”
“No thanks.”
“Too easy,” he said, handing her the cup and going back for his own.
“So tell me about your writing.” Dave settled on the couch opposite her.
Flic almost spilled her tea, as she was about to take a sip. His line of conversation took her by surprise.
“Mim or Lacey, whoever told you, was exaggerating. I don’t write really, just dabble, is all.”
“In a notebook, with a pen?”
“I prefer pencil actually, but yes in a notebook.” Flic could hardly class herself a serious writer when she didn’t type her work and opted for the primitive ways.
“Well technically, even done in pencil, it’s still classed as writing.”
“Do you write?” Flic knew the best way to get the subject off her was by turning the focus to him.
“Yes I write, pencil my choice of tool too.”
“So you don’t start typing straight up?”
“Nope, I’m a planner. I like structure and direction, and although I’m flexible enough to see where a storyline may lead, I like an orderly, predetermined result.”
Flic nodded. She would’ve liked to quiz him further about his writing, but didn’t want him to think she was interviewing him, so sipped her tea instead.
Standing, Dave crossed the room to get the plate of biscuits he’d left on the tray. “Lacey baked these this morning.” He set them on the table in front of Flic and sat beside her rather than returning to the armchair. Taking the cup from her, he placed it on the table alongside the biscuits. “I’m probably going to embarrass myself.” Leaning forward, he cupped her cheek in his hand and pressed his lips gently to hers.
He drew back, enough to look her directly in the eye, awaiting her protest. She didn’t move, or break eye contact, only willed him to kiss her again.
“Or maybe not.” Leaning in, his mouth met hers, more confident and demanding than the first time. Lifting his free hand he unclipped her hair and let the curls spill down her back. She shivered, as the hair tickled her bare neck. Moving closer he wrapped his arms around her, pulled her to him and kissed her as she couldn’t remember being kissed before.
His tongue traced the line of her lower lip. He slid his hand up her back and twined his fingers through her hair.
Her own response scared her, as she leaned into him like a deprived puppy desperate for attention. Parting her lips she allowed access to what he was seeking, as his mouth claimed hers. Her breathing deepened as he pulled her on top to straddle him. Leaning back into the couch, her body lined his. He trailed a path down her neck and nipped at the delicate skin above her breast. She could feel his desire pressed firm against her. She’d never known the wanting of a man the way her body longed for his. The sensation of his touch, the warmth of his skin radiating through her clothes, as his mouth followed its path back to hers.
Securing his arms around her he leaned forward taking her body with him, as he switched places so she was beneath him, stretched out on the couch.
As much as she didn’t want him to stop, things were moving too fast. Placing both hands on his chest and turning her face from his, Dave got the message. Propping himself on his elbow he traced strands of hair down the side of her face.
“I’m sorry, I got carried away.”
“Yep, completely your fault.”
He smiled. “I take full responsibility, of course.”
Flic frowned. “That’s hardly fair.” She reached up to brush his cheek, as she slid her legs around his. Lifting her head, her lips met his as she raked her fingers through his hair and pulled him to her.
Gently rocking her hips, it was her turn to trail kisses down his neck, as she teased his body. He moaned as he mimicked her movement. Claiming her mouth he kissed her until she was breathless, then stopped.
Standing up he ran his hands through his hair and walked away, releasing a long deep breath.
Flic sat up and pushed her hair back, letting it fall in a wild mane around her face.
“I’m sorry, it wasn’t my intention to bring you here for that.”
When she didn’t respond, he turned to look at her.
“Damn.” He turned away again. “I make a habit of messing things up.”
Flic frowned, guessing this was one of those moments he was referring to. “So you make a habit of bringing women home and moving too fast?”
“No you’re the first woman I’ve ever brought here.”
“That’s nice to know, so how have you messed things up then?”
Dave turned around, his gaze intense. “By wanting you.”
Flic wanted him too, but there was no way she was going to admit it. “That is completely messed up, you poor bastard.”
Dave grinned. His whole face changed when he smiled—sexy, carefree and approachable.
“I should show you why I brought you here before we get carried away.” Pulling her to a standing position, he brushed a strand of hair from her face, and kissed her before jerking his head for her to follow.
“You know, I’m feeling a little uncertain about where you’re taking me. Your actions and mind seem to travel in different directions, and from what you said before, even you don’t know what could happen next.”
“Ahh yes, but remember the result is always the same, it’s only the pathways that are ever changing.” Taking her hand he led her through the house, each room as impressive and tastefully decorated as the next. “We just got side tracked for a while.”
“I had no idea I was even coming here, so technically you got side tracked.”
Stopping to open a door, Dave pulled her close and leaned down to kiss her. As his lips were about to touch hers he straightened, then grinned. “You’re right, now follow me before it happens again.”
Flic laughed. Playful-Dave was addictive. At the end of a long passageway they stopped in front of a large set of glass panelled wooden doors. Dropping her hand Dave walked over to a control panel mounted on the wall, and punched in a code to unlock them.
Flic gazed around. She didn’t think she’d ever been in a house so extravagant.
Holding one door open, Flic stepped outside into a courtyard. Stopping to take it all in before Dave gave her hand a gentle tug, indicating he was ready to continue. Like stepping into the rainforest she visited daily to write, it was spectacular, and not unlike Lacey’s shop feature.
“Your place is amazing.”
“Thanks, I like it. Lacey thinks it’s over the top, but I don’t agree.”
“I do. Don’t get me wrong, I love it.” The look of hurt showed on Dave’s face, so Flic attempted to explain. “It’s overwhelming and over the top—I’d find it hard to concentrate for wanting to be in so many areas at once.”
Dave shrugged. “As with anything new, it’s a distraction until it becomes a home.”
“You become complacent you mean?”
“Or content knowing you’ll find a more convenient time to indulge. I have things around me I enjoy, because I can. I’m appreciative, but I work damn hard for what I have.”
“I don’t doubt it. I suppose I haven’t been in your position, so I don’t thin
k about having more.” Flic had always been happy with simple. Even the extravagant gifts her father had showered her with, before the divorce, were never as exciting as the time spent together as a family. Those were the memories Flic surrounded herself with, and not the Italian leather recliner that meant nothing more to her than the cause of an argument.
Aware of Dave’s gaze on her, she angled her head to look at him.
“So what do you think?” He gestured beyond the gate.
Flic hadn’t been taking much notice of where they were heading, as they stopped at an iron gate. Beyond, the darkness distorted and blended the view with night. She shuddered, the screech of a bird like that of a child’s cry, sent tingles rippling up her arms and down her spine. “Can you give me a hint, what am I supposed to be looking at again?” Flic felt silly having to ask, but nothing stood out as impressive on the other side of the gate as the rainforest behind her.
“The cottage, can’t you see it? I know it’s little in comparison to my house, but—” Dave didn’t finish, instead swung the gate open and walked the path to the front door.
Flic followed.
Taking a set of keys from his pocket, he unlocked it. Sliding his hand along the wall inside to find the light switch. He flipped it on and stepped back to let Flic enter first. His old fashioned gentlemanly manners made her smile.
Inside was beautiful, polished floorboards and high ceilings with decorative roses, encircling period light fittings. Dave led her into a lounge room, which had a large open fireplace at one end and comfortable, yet elegant, looking furniture surrounding it. The colour scheme was neutral and inviting.
Flic couldn’t figure out the purpose of the tour. “This isn’t where you start role playing is it?” She pretended to swallow in fear, as she’d seen done in budget movies.
“We can if you’d like.” Dave pulled her into his arms and kissed her long and deep. Flic relaxed against his chest, kissing him back.
Moments later he stepped away, running his hands roughly through his hair. “Mim mentioned you were looking for a place, and it so happens I have a spare house.”
Flic nodded slowly, what else had Mim discussed with him? “It’s really beautiful, Dave, but considering what happened, don’t you think it’d be a bit awkward if I move in here.”
