Divorced, Free, and Single

by Rosemary Lynch

  “Hey, I am sure I can work on getting one in the next few months.”

  “Good, don’t forget you need to take me with you,” she joked, waggling a finger at him.

  “I would not dare not too, Jane,” he joked back.

  “I suppose I should get going,” she said.

  “Do you want me to drive you home?” he offered. She shook her head.

  “No, I will get the tube, thank you.” She stood, and he stood up with her. They picked up their plates and mugs and went back inside.

  “Do you want me to wash up?” she offered.

  “No, I will pop it all in the dishwasher,” he replied, and he opened it and began to stack the dishes.

  “I’ll go and get dressed,” she said. He looked over the counter and gave her a nod.

  “Are you sure you do not want me to get you a cab to the station?” he asked, an hour later as she stood at his door.

  “No, it’s fine, I will enjoy the walk. Thanks again, Alex, I had a great time,” she stood, standing squarely to him.

  “Me too, I will see you tomorrow,” he replied. He was not sure if he should kiss her or not, a peck on the cheek, or was that still too familiar for a boss to do. She smiled at him, and turned and walked away. He stood and watched her as she went down the first flight of stairs, and he closed the door and lent against it. A cold shower that was what he needed.

  Chapter Seven

  She got home about eleven thirty.

  “Michael, are you home?” she called, as she threw her keys and bags onto the hall table. Josh wandered out of the kitchen.

  “Nope, just me,” he said, with a beaming smile.

  “Oh, hi Josh,” she said, as she kicked off her Nikes.

  “So, good night was it?” he asked lifting an eyebrow at her.

  “Yes, thank you, it was.” She caught the look in his eyes.

  “Oh no, nothing happened, Josh, we got back late, and I slept in the spare room. He is my boss, who had a spare ticket, and that’s all,” she insisted, and she pushed passed him into the kitchen. She switched the kettle on, and turned around and he was standing right in front of her.

  “So,” he said, licking his lips. “He didn’t seduce you, and take you to his bed and make mad passionate love to you all night?” She gave a giggle and shook her head.

  “No, Josh, he did not.”

  “You sound disappointed.”

  “No I’m not,” she lied.

  “I bet he wanted too,” he said, and he did, that was for sure. She eked the last drop of milk out of the bottle into her mug and looked at him.

  “Why on earth would you think that,” she said, trying to put him off the scent.

  “Why, because you are super sexy, and if you were in an evening dress, I bet you looked amazing.” He touched her shoulder, and a shiver ran down Jane’s spine.

  “Josh, don’t start,” she warned, as she chucked a t-bag into her mug and poured on the water.

  “Don’t start what, Jane? I’m only here for a couple of weeks you should make use of me. If there is no one special in your life, what difference does it make?”

  “I thought you had someone special in your life, Josh,” she replied, trying to ignore the pulsating tingles that we building up between her legs

  “Well, I don’t know yet, I haven’t rung her,” he said. “So come on, how about it,” he asked. He pushed his body against her back, his hand reached around to her front, and he groped her breast.

  “Josh, no,” she said, although she was still a little wound up from last night. She had wanted so much for Alex to take her and make love to her.

  With his hand still on her breast, he swept her hair from her back and began to trail kisses up her neck, and across her shoulders.

  As much as she knew it was wrong, she really needed some release. He was using her for sex, but so was she, because there was certainly nothing else between them. He removed his hand from her breast, and slipped it up inside her t-shirt, and pushing her breast out of her bra, his fingers tweaked on her nipple.

  “Come on Jane, for fun, eh!” he pushed. She looked over her shoulder at him.

  “No strings, Josh,” she said. “This is for fun and that’s all,” she insisted. He gave a nod, and spun her around. His mouth was on hers, kissing her, his tongue probing her mouth, his hand squeezing her breast. Josh undid her jeans and slipped a couple of fingers inside, she groaned at his touch as he pushed them in and out teasingly. He pulled his fingers out, took her hand, and led her into her bedroom. Josh kicked the door shut. Jane pulled off her t-shirt, and took off her jeans. Josh did the same, he also took off his watch, and readying a condom, he put them both on the bedside table. He dived on her, ripping off her bra, he began to kiss and stroke every part of her.

  Jane’s body arched towards him, she closed her eyes, but in her mind, she did not see Josh, she saw Alex. He was kissing every inch of her body, his fingers delving into her dark, wet sex. She groaned as his mouth engulfed her nipples, first one, the other, nipping sucking and biting her hard.

  Josh pulled her knickers down and spread her legs open; he sheathed his cock and entered her. He did not want to play around, he had been watching porn the night before with his mates, and was desperate for it. When she had not come home last night, he had been disappointed. Now she was here, he wanted urgent, fast sex with his best mate’s mum.

  Jane lifted her hips to meet his thrusts, she moaned as she climaxed and as she came, she called his name.

  “Alex, oh god,” she groaned. Josh opened his eyes, and a smile edged his lips, as she did not realise what she had said. He thrust harder, until his release came, and he shuddered and fell on top of her. Jane opened her eyes and steadied her breathing.

  “My name is Josh, by the way,” he teased, as he looked at her.

  “I know that,” she said, giving him a shake of her head.

  “You called me Alex,” he said. She pulled her head back from him.

  “No, I didn’t,” she retorted.

  “Yes you did, you were like. Alex, oh god,” he said, mimicking her voice. She looked at him startled, and she realised he was right, she had called Alex’s name.

  “I’m so sorry,” she said, pulling away from him, and covering herself with her duvet.

  “Hey, it’s okay. Just for fun remember, I don’t care who you imagine is shagging you, it makes no difference to me.”

  They both jumped at the banging on the door.

  “Hey, Mum, are you in there, are you awake?”

  Sheer panic flooded her.

  “Michael?” she called, pushing Josh off her. Josh grabbed his clothes and rushed to hide. As he got to the door, Michael opened it. Jane’s heartbeat tripled as she glanced at Josh hiding behind the opened door with a used condom in his hand.

  “Sorry, did I wake you?” he asked.

  “No, no, I just went back to bed for a bit, I had a late night last night.”

  “Oh, right. Have you seen Josh?” he asked. She shook her head.

  “Erm Josh, no, he has probably gone for a run, he does that a lot,” she replied, giving him a nervous smile.

  “Yeah, I expect so,” he replied as he glanced at her, at the bed, and the bedside table.

  “Do you want a coffee?” he asked.

  “Yes, no, I mean we’ve run out of milk,” she replied.

  “Okay, I‘ll nip down and get some from the shop.”

  “Thanks, Michael, I’ll get up,” she said. He gave her a nod and closed her bedroom door. She threw her head back onto the pillow and let out a breath. Josh pulled on his pants.

  “Josh, we can’t do this anymore, I’m sorry.”

  He walked over to her and lifted his hand to her cheek.

  “I understand, Jane, you’ve fallen for your boss, haven’t you.” She was about to shake her head and deny it, but she could not, and she nodded.

  “I don’t like lying to Michael either,” she replied.

  “No worries, it was fun while it la
sted,” he said, and he gave her a kiss. “But if you change your mind,” he said with a grin.

  She shook her head, as she was sure she would not.

  “You had better go out first and make sure he has gone,” he suggested, nodding towards the door. She slipped out of bed and put on her robe. Jane opened her door, and looked down the hallway.

  “Michael,” she called, and she waited for him to answer, but he did not. She signalled to Josh, and he slipped out of her room.

  “I’ll go out and come back in,” he said.

  “Thank you,” she said, as he nipped into the bedroom to stick on his shorts and trainers. She went back into her bedroom to get dressed. As she sat at her dressing table, she stared at her reflection. Why had she done that, she did not love Josh, she did not even fancy him. It had been purely for the sex, which if she was honest, this time had not been so great. She brushed her hair, hardly able to believe that she had called Alex’s name. That had been so embarrassing, and the mere fact that it had not bothered Josh, showed her that what they were doing was not right. She tied her hair into a pony, having decided that she would not sleep with another man until she figured out her feelings for Alex. They were strong, really, strong, and she was worried that she was falling in love with him.

  As Michael climbed the stairs back up to his flat he came face to face with Josh coming down them, and for a second they stared at each other.

  “What have you been doing?” Michael asked, as he was already suspicious that his mum had someone in her bedroom, and for a moment, he thought perhaps it was her boss. As he spotted Josh’s watch on her bedside table, his stomach had turned over sickeningly.

  “Hi, Mate,” he said, in reply.

  “Don’t mate me, Josh, are you fucking my mother?” he asked, coming straight to the point.

  “Jesus, Michael, are you feeling all right?” he retorted, with a shake of his head.

  “Josh, answer me, you said she was hot, are you fucking my mother?”

  “No, of course I’m not, yes she’s hot, but fuck Michael, your mum?”

  “So why are you coming down the stairs from the flat, and why is your watch, on her bedside table?” he questioned.

  “I’m coming back down, because I ran up, almost got to the front door and remembered I had used up all the milk this morning, and your mum gets pretty pissed if she has no milk for her tea. She was out all last night, and I have not even seen her this morning. Why my watch is by her bed, I have no idea mate,” he replied, “I left it in the bathroom,” he added, staring straight at Michael. Michael studied him for a moment, not sure if he believed him or not, but the thought of him making out with his mother, made him want to puke, so he accepted his answer.

  “Sorry,” Michael said. “Don’t worry about the milk, I’ve got some,” he added, and he continued up the stairs.

  “Hey, no worries,” Josh replied, rolling his eyes in relief as he followed Michael back up the stairs. Josh slipped his phone out of his pocket, and sent Jane a text.

  Michael walked into the kitchen and stuck the kettle on. He glanced at Josh, still not convinced that he was telling the truth. Josh was a ladies man, and with his good looks and strong physic most women took to his bed quite eagerly.

  “Oh, hi boys,” Jane said, as she walked into the kitchen. “Oh, Josh, you left your watch in the bathroom yesterday. Sorry I forgot to give it to you. I didn’t want it to get damp.” She gave it to him.

  “Oh, thanks, Jane, did you have a good time at the ballet” he asked, as he took it from her.

  “Yes, thanks. So, who wants a cup of tea?” she asked, taking the milk out of Michael’s hand and ignoring his suspicious glare.

  “No, I’m good thanks, going to take a shower, I’m a little sweaty from my run,” Josh lied, and he left the kitchen.

  “Coffee, please,” Michael replied. “Josh said you were out all night with your boss?” he remarked, as he stuck some bread into the toaster.

  “Yes, I was. He had tickets to see a ballet, the Nutcracker. He was supposed to take his mum but she could not go, so he asked me.”

  “Enjoy yourself?” he asked.

  “Yes, I did, it was lovely.” Jane, glanced at her son, and he was biting his lower lip.

  “You stayed over,” he said. Jane took a breath and banged her mug on the table.

  “Michael is there something bothering you?” she asked. “Yes I went to a ballet with my boss, and yes I stayed over in his spare room. It didn’t finish until late and he didn’t want me travelling home alone. I didn’t sleep with him if that’s what you are concerned about,” she bit.

  “What? No it doesn’t bother me what you do,” he said, as he took the butter out of the fridge.

  “Good,” she replied. “Because I’m a single woman now, so what I do, and who I do it with is neither your concern, nor your brothers.”

  “Mum, I’m sorry. I love you, that’s all and I don’t want you to get hurt.” She smiled at him.

  “I am fine, don’t worry about me. Alex is a great boss, and he would never take advantage of me okay. And I admit I do like him, but, well, he is my boss so that is that.”

  “I want to see you happy mum,” he said, and he pulled her into his arms and gave her hug.

  “I am, Michael,” she replied, hugging him back. “Anyway how was it at your dads, and how’s Jack?”

  “Jack’s great, dad’s a shit and was in a stinking foul mood, usual stuff,” he said, and he began to butter his toast. Jane, frowned, and suspected that Sam was in a foul mood because of what had happened with her.

  “What are you boys doing today?” she asked.

  “Don’t know about Josh, but I’ve nothing planned, why?”

  “Fancy running me down to B&Q so I can get some paint for the kitchen?”

  “Sure, do you want a hand painting it then?”

  “Of course!” she said, and she pinched a piece of his toast. He growled at her, and she laughed.

  Chapter Eight

  Monday

  He ran his hands through his hair, tidying it as he heard her come into the office.

  “Morning, Alex,” she said, popping her head into his office. He glanced up.

  “Morning, Jane,” he replied, giving her a smile.

  “Coffee?” she asked.

  “Yes, please.” She gave him a nod and went to her desk. She unlocked it, popped her handbag into her bottom drawer, and took off her suit jacket. As was the normal routine each morning, she grabbed their coffee, and her note pad, and sat with him to go through the day’s work, and the diary.

  “So how did the painting go, I cannot see any paint in your hair?” he asked, as she finished writing her jobs for today.

  “No,” she laughed. “Michael helped, so I now have a lovely green kitchen. I’ll show it to you on Saturday if you like,” she offered.

  “Okay,” he said, “Have you ever been on the London Eye?” he asked. She shook her head.

  “No, why?” she asked.

  “Do you fancy going at lunchtime?” Her eyes lifted to his, and Alex’s heart flipped, as she smiled.

  “I would love too,” she said.

  “Great,” he replied.

  She spent the morning buried in a pile of papers, sorting out new contracts and doing a few audio tapes. She loved listening to his husky voice, it was the sexiest thing ever, and when she had finished, she replayed it, just to listen to him again. Alex had gone for a meeting, and he arrived back at lunchtime.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  “Yep,” she replied, and she took her handbag from her drawer. They locked up the office, got in the lift and headed down and out of the building.

  “I have booked the tickets,” he said, as they approached the London Eye.

  “Really, when did you do that?”

  “This morning, come on we can fast track this lot,” he said, moving passed the line of tourists. Alex had booked a Champagne experience capsule, and they were soon in their capsule, glass in hand
taking in the view over London. Jane held onto the rail.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Yes, it’s an amazing view, and the champagne is great, but I admit my legs are a little like jelly,” she said, with a laugh. He slipped his arm around her waist and held her. Jane’s insides tremble at his touch, and she fought against her feelings for him. She glanced at him, and he grinned.

  “In case you faint,” he said, with a cheeky grin, “then I can catch you before you hit the floor. After all, I cannot have you taking the afternoon off sick now, can I?”

  “Oh, right of course not,” she said, giving him a smile, and she looked back out of the window. They had a leisurely lunch at Skylon and returned to the office two hours later.

  “I hope you are not going to doc my wages for the extra, long lunch break,” she said, as she settled back at her desk.

  “No, of course not, business lunch, right?” he said, and she laughed.

  “If you say so, you’re the boss,” she replied.

  “So where do you fancy going for lunch tomorrow?” he asked, leaning against her desk. She looked up at him.

  “I can’t tomorrow I am having lunch with Louise on reception, sorry,” she said, and she sounded disappointed that she had to turn him down.

  “Okay, Wednesday?”

  “You have a lunch meeting,” she said, flicking through his diary. He bit on his lower lip in thought. He was out all day on Thursday, in Birmingham.

  “Friday?” She shook her head.

  “We have a conference meeting all day, and a working lunch,” she said. He shrugged and pushed himself off her desk.

  “Well, I guess it will have to wait. Maybe next week, we could pop into Madam Tussauds, have you ever been?”

  “No, I haven’t.”

  “Me neither, great, we will sort it out tomorrow, plan it in the diary.”

  “Okay, I enjoyed today, Alex, it was fun, thank you.”

  “Yes it was. Well, I had better get on with some work I suppose,” he said, and he walked into his office and closed the door.

  Alex sat down at his desk, and looked at his phone. He smiled at the picture of her, naked, apart from a sheet covering her lower half. Her arm was discreetly covering her breasts, and her long, dark hair spilled over most of her face. He longed to share that moment again, he longed to lie beside her in bed, snuggle up to her, and hold her close. Alex locked his phone, and picked up his pile of paperwork, although for the first time in his life, he had lost his enthusiasm for work.