The Pact

by Brenna Darcy

  Flic could feel him firm against her lower back. She ached for him, but thoughts overruled, deciding resistance was best. Climbing onto the bed and lying down, Dave followed, tucking himself around and cocooning her with his body.

  Together they fell asleep.

  FLIC WAS EMBARRASSED when she woke the next morning to see Dave already awake. She was on her back, and he was propped on his side watching over her like her own private protector.

  “Hey, Sleeping Beauty.”

  Flic smiled. She liked waking up to him. So lovely and warm was his skin on hers. “Good morning,” she replied, looking to her alarm clock for confirmation it was in fact morning. She felt like she’d just fronted a sand storm, eyes gritty from crying so much the day before, there would be nothing beautiful about her this morning. She felt dreadful, as if hung-over.

  It was after eight. She was relieved to have a day off, although given that she hadn’t worked the day before, she’d call in after lunch to see if Lacey needed help with anything.

  “Good morning—”

  A knock at the door interrupted Dave midsentence.

  “Oh no, what if that’s Lacey checking up on me. I’ll never live this down.” Flic shook her head, not wanting to ignore her, but not wanting to hear her teasing either. She did have it bad.

  “Relax, I ordered breakfast from the café around the corner.” Dave got out of bed, pulled on his shorts and let the delivery guy in to deposit a large tray on the table.

  How he managed to call in so many food favours always surprised her. The fame and money thing obviously came in handy when wanting special treatment.

  Flic pulled the covers a little higher to ensure she was covered. Tempted to hide underneath them, but not wanting to offend Dave, she resisted the urge. The town could gossip all they wanted, they were both single adults, and didn’t need to explain their relationship to anyone. She certainly wasn’t embarrassed, or ashamed about it, but didn’t want it flaunted for all to witness.

  After paying him, Dave picked up the tray and placed it between them on the bed. The smell of freshly brewed coffee was appealing and overpowered the scent of pancakes drowned in maple syrup. They looked delicious, as did the platter of freshly sliced fruit on the tray beside it.

  Picking up a mug he poured coffee and handed it to her. “You hungry?”

  “A little, thanks.”

  “You’re not much of a breakfast person are you?”

  “Not as much as you, that’s for sure.”

  “It’s sometimes my only meal until dinner time. I get caught up in my work and forget to eat, so I make a point of having a big breakfast.”

  “Good thinking.” Flic wanted to ask him about his work and how he was going with it, but didn’t in case it stirred an adverse reaction. Their relationship was too fragile yet for the touchy subjects.

  “Do you have plans for today?”

  “I was going into the shop to see Lacey and Ty after lunch, and Mim asked if I could help her out tonight, she’s heavily booked and Rachel can’t come in. What about you?”

  “Not sure yet.”

  Dave could be the easiest person to talk to, or the hardest, depending on his mood. He seemed to be happy enough, but got so caught up in the hyper activity of his mind to bother communicating his thoughts aloud.

  Besides one pancake and the few pieces of fruit Flic ate, Dave polished off the rest. Helping herself to another cup of coffee and pouring some for Dave, Flic picked up the tray and carried it to the table, fully aware of Dave’s eyes on her the whole time. Then she wandered to the bathroom, feeling a little self-conscious and wanting to grab her robe, and brush her teeth. Walking away from him wearing nothing but her knickers didn’t bother her, but walking back and looking him in the eye made her a little nervous.

  When she came out of the bathroom he was on her bed, as she’d left him. He smiled, “I like the other outfit much better.”

  “Do you just?”

  “Well actually that’s quite cute, maybe you’ll have to refresh my memory—I may change my mind.”

  “Ha-ha, good try.”

  “I’m serious, I have a thing for big fluffy polar bears, didn’t you know.” Dave laughed, but stopped when Flic dropped the robe.

  She’d taken him by surprise, and she knew it. Walking over to the bed, she stood at the end. “Well?”

  Dave leaned back, the look on his face indicated he was trying to make a decision. Moving forward slowly, before quickly snatching her around the waist, and pulling her to him. “Like this you stimulate all the senses.”

  “Is that so?” Leaning down she kissed him gently on the mouth, then lifted her head to look at him. “I’m sorry I freaked out yesterday.”

  “No, you responded to me freaking out. I ruined a beautiful night and morning and I’m the one who’s sorry.”

  “The day was horrible, but I remember the night and some of the morning being okay.”

  “Just okay huh? I’d say your memory’s tainted, and in desperate need of clarity.” Dave’s smile broadened, as Flic laughed, but didn’t object.

  Drawing her onto the bed, he proceeded to remind her of a night she knew she would never forget.

  AFTER DAVE LEFT TO get some work done, Flic walked over to see Lacey at the shop.

  “You’ll stay for tea won’t you? I’m bored, it’s so quiet, and there’s nothing left to do except sit around and watch dust settle. I guess that was the plan to stop me from doing too much.

  Maybe she’d over done it, leaving Lacey too much time to sit around and dwell. She hadn’t thought of the down side. Given the cooler weather the town was quieter, as was the influx of customers, the type of distraction Flic had hoped for and been counting on.

  Ty was colouring the book Flic had bought him, pirates still the favourite subject for the moment.

  “Mum can we have a pirate ship and sell pirate stuff in here too?”

  Flic looked at Lacey who raised an eyebrow and laughed. “And where would we put it?”

  Flic looked around, she was right, the shop was pretty full. “There’s always the shop next door,” she whispered, hoping Ty wouldn’t hear.

  “That’d be good,” he said, not lifting his eyes from the creation in front of him.

  She’d forgotten how intuitive children were. Even when you thought they weren’t listening, they didn’t miss a beat.

  Lacey rolled her eyes. “It would be good, wouldn’t it? Catering for boys and girls.”

  Flic nodded enthusiastically. “We could even have a fairy and pirates room built into the bottom of the ship for birthday parties.”

  Ty dropped his pencil and jumped up. “Yeah, that would be so cool.”

  Lacey and Flic laughed.

  “We’ll see,” Lacey used the ultimate mother line, and Ty settled back down to continue colouring his picture.

  “There is so much we could do,” Lacey sighed. “But it all comes down to time and money.”

  Flic nodded. There would be no we in the pirate ship project unless it was started and completed soon, and that wouldn’t be fair. None of them knew for how long Lacey’s current state of health would remain, deterioration the only guarantee. Expanding the shop was of little importance when put into perspective. The uncertainty of how much time Lacey had left enhanced the need to focus on spending quality time with her whilst they were still able.

  “Anyway, changing the subject, what’s made you so happy today? You look better than I’ve ever seen you. Maybe I was wrong—staying away from my brother is better for you than I thought.”

  Flic felt the heat rise in her cheeks as she looked away from Lacey’s inquisitive gaze.

  Lacey raised one eyebrow. “Providing you did stay away.”

  “I stayed at the hotel last night, you know that.”

  “Yes, but were you alone?” Lacey grinned. “It’s okay, you don’t have to tell me.”

  “I don’t have anything to hide from you.”

  “Well, then what happy pil
ls are you taking?”

  “Happy pills, cool, can we sell some of those too,” Ty exclaimed, as though that was the best idea he’d heard so far.

  “Hey, mister, close your ears.”

  Ty rolled his eyes. He was use to the gossip his mother and Flic indulged in, it was harmless and they talked in code so most went over his head, but happy pills would undoubtedly sound appealing to any child.

  “Do you want another cup of tea?” Flic leaned over to fill Lacey’s cup again.

  “No, just spill.”

  “As I said, I stayed at the hotel last night and after you and Ty left, I called to thank him for the flowers.”

  “And where was he?”

  Flic rolled her eyes. “You were right, out drinking with Tim.”

  “Huh, he’s so predictable. So what, did he call in for a chat on his way home?”

  “Something like that.” Flic confessed. There was no point dragging out what she was going to tell her eventually anyway.

  “You are such a push over where he’s concerned, you know that. He was supposed to be learning a lesson.”

  “I know, but I can’t help myself. I really like him.”

  “Good answer, and the one I was hoping for, but only because he’s my brother and I know he’s a good guy. Plus you must really like him to forgive so quickly. He deserved you being angry for a while.”

  “I wasn’t really angry. I was hurt, and still am I guess, but I know he feels terrible about it. I have to say I won’t be so forgiving if it happens again though.”

  “You better not be, or you’ll have me to deal with too.” Lacey picked up her cup of tea. Tears welled in her eyes. “I wish I could be there if you guys get married someday.”

  Flic reached over and took Lacey’s hand in hers and gave a gentle squeeze. She wanted to respond and reassure her there was still a chance she might be, but couldn’t bring herself to speak the words she didn’t believe to be true. Flic and Dave could very well end up married, but that wouldn’t be for a long time. There was no way Lacey would be there to witness it, and along with realisation, an overwhelming sadness engulfed her.

  The afternoon saw a steady flow of customers for which Flic was grateful. Holiday goers and their bubbly children lightened the mood. Lacey was back to her usual light and cheery self, but the sadness still reflected in her eyes and although it was a different sort of grieving, Flic was left feeling heavier than when she arrived.

  Staying longer than planned with Lacey, she had time for a quick shower before heading over to Mim’s. When she entered the restaurant, Mim was there to greet her.

  “You’ve been spending too much time with Dave, his frown’s rubbing off.”

  Flic smiled. “It’s hard to avoid I guess.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “I know you do, it shows on your face too.”

  As she suspected Dave came in for dinner, only later than usual.

  “Are you coming home tonight?”

  “I booked two nights at the hotel, maybe tomorrow.”

  “I can always cancel for you and help take your stuff back to the cottage.”

  “Or I could wait until the morning.” Flic left him to serve another table their drinks.

  “But if we do it tonight you can sleep in tomorrow morning,” he insisted, as she walked past.

  “Or, I could go back to the hotel because there’s a beautiful big spa I was planning to utilise once my shift is over.”

  “I have one of those at home.”

  “I’m sure you do, but I don’t.”

  “You could use mine anytime you want, besides mine comes with special features the hotel one doesn’t have.”

  “Like what?” As long as it heated and bubbled, Flic didn’t need fancy features she wouldn’t know how to use.

  “Me.”

  “Huh, that’s easy, all I have to do is invite you over and mine would have that too.”

  “What if I didn’t come?”

  “Your choice.” Flic was finished with the flirtation. She had work to do. The quicker she did it the sooner she could go back to her room and relax.

  Rushing around to get everything done, Flic almost forgot Dave was still there, watching whilst she worked, until a pretty young woman walked up to his table to ask if she could join him. Flic, stocking the fridge behind the bar, overheard him tell her that she was welcome to ask his girlfriend, gesturing to Flic, if she would mind.

  The woman threw Flic a death stare and walked back to her table, one of the few not showing any signs of leaving soon.

  Walking up from behind, Mim startled her. “Please take your boyfriend home before he scares off my customers. I can finish up.”

  “I don’t mind hanging around.”

  “I know you don’t, but I mind the love sick puppy occupying my table, as a place to feast his eyes on my staff, now go, get it out of his system and don’t let him come back till you do.”

  “Ok, I can take a hint, and thanks, Mim.” Flic turned and gave her a hug.

  Mim rubbed her on the back, “I’m glad he has you,” she said, before stepping away and heading for the kitchen.

  Undoing her apron was enough of an indication she was leaving. Dave was out of his seat and by her side in a flash. “Are we leaving?”

  “I thought you were waiting for your girlfriend.”

  Dave grinned, and kissed her quickly on the mouth before grabbing her hand and all but dragging her to the door. “Were you jealous?”

  “Of your girlfriend? Not at all.”

  “No, my admirer.”

  “Should I be?”

  “No.”

  “Well there’s your answer, being referred to as your girlfriend may be something we need to address.”

  “We can sort that out in the spa.”

  “So you’re coming back to the hotel?”

  Reaching the car park Dave slowed to a stop. “Please tell me someone has stolen your car.”

  “What? I didn’t bring my—oh no—they must have.” Flic knew how Dave felt about her and Lacey walking around the town alone at night, and knew she was in for a lecture.

  “Honestly Flic, you and Lacey need a good spanking, the pair of you, it’s dangerous walking around on your own at night, it’s not safe.”

  “You know Dave spanking your sister may be considered a bit inappropriate in our culture, I’d rethink that if I were you.”

  Dave smirked. “Oh really, I think I should spank you just for suggesting it.”

  “Honestly, Mr Raddin, you shouldn’t say things like that.” Flic fluttered her eyelashes.

  Dave laughed, as they walked over to his car.

  “I THINK I MAY HAVE to stay the night, Flic, you’ll need help with your bags in the morning.”

  “I carried the single bag I brought without any help, I’m sure I can manage.”

  “You don’t want me to stay?” He looked disappointed.

  “I’m fine about you staying, it’s just that—” Flic struggled to find the right words. She had no interest in offending him, especially when their relationship seemed to have hit a turning point for the better.

  “Just say it already, you don’t have to tiptoe around me.”

  “It’s strange I suppose. I came here to get away from you, and you’ve spent more time with me than you did when I was at the cottage.”

  “I guess I have. I’m sorry, I can give you some space if you’d prefer.”

  “Not at all, I now know how to get your attention though.”

  “Huh, so you think you have me worked out? I know your plan now, so you should have kept that one to yourself.”

  Flic laughed. “That’s okay, I’m not one for manipulative tactics so my secrets safe. I just hope when I come home things won’t be awkward again.”

  “It won’t, you’ll see. How about that spa you promised, or I might have to go home after all.”

  Dave opened champagne he’d bought from the restaurant whilst he waited for Flic to prepare the spa. N
othing was ever simple when he was around. Life stepped up a notch to an elegance she’d never been lavished with before. He enjoyed having a touch of extravagance in everything he did. Flic didn’t feel it necessary, but if he enjoyed it she wasn’t complaining. She was more like Lacey in her views, and maybe the reason Dave liked her, although she hoped there was more to it than that. She didn’t want him to see her as someone to replace the void of losing his sister, but kept that to herself, knowing the thoughts were self-conscious attacks of sabotage.

  Sharing a spa was incredibly intimate, the expanse of water the only thing between their nakedness. Flic had no intension of seducing him, enjoying the tension created by the uncertainty of the situation. How easy it would have been to put her glass of champagne aside and offer herself to him, goodness knows she was tempted, but wanted him to pursue her instead. The anticipation increased her desire making it difficult to concentrate on what he was saying. His attempt at small talked sounded as though he too was trying to distract himself from the situation before him.

  Eventually he gave up, tipped his head back and drained the contents of his glass. Sliding around closer to her, he leaned over and placed his glass on the bench behind him. “You finished with that?”

  Following his lead Flic drained the contents and handed over her glass, which he placed next to his.

  Scooping her up in his arms, he kissed her, dragging her body close to his. He didn’t speak, but communicated his intensions perfectly, as his desire matched hers. He entered her only moments after taking her in his arms.

  Flic’s gasp turned groan as he drew her upper body from the water and stooped to take possession of her nipple in his mouth, his hands tucked under the top of each leg gripping the flesh at the inner back of her thighs, opening her up, he buried himself deep inside her, rolling his hips to stimulate her until she was panting, and moaning with her release that threatened. He didn’t stop until long after tipping her over the edge of desire to sheer bliss more than once. Even when he could hold off no longer he didn’t let her go, feeding from her mouth with equal eagerness, until he hardened again.