Cocky Carpenter: A Hero Club Novel

by Maggie Mundy

  Maggie Mundy

  Cocky Carpenter

  A Cocky Hero Club Creation

  Maggie Mundy

  Copyright 2020 Maggie Mundy

  All Rights Reserved

  This book is a work of fiction. Any references to real events, real people, and real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, organizations, or places is entirely coincidental.

  All rights are reserved. This book is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the express written permission of the author. All songs, song titles, and lyrics contained in this book are the property of the respective songwriters and copyright holders.

  Editing by Lauren Clarke at Creating Ink

  Proofing by Swish Design & Editing

  Book design by Swish Design & Editing

  Cover design by Najla Qamber of Najla Qamber Designs

  Cover Image Copyright 2020

  All Rights Reserved

  Cocky Carpenter is a standalone story inspired by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward’s Cocky Bastard. It’s published as part of the Cocky Hero Club world, a series of original works, written by various authors, and inspired by Keeland and Ward’s New York Times bestselling series.

  A year in Australia working as a doctor sounds like a great idea to Autumn. She can escape the cold English weather, her ex-husband, and a stalker.

  A year to get her life back together without any romantic involvements.

  ‘Love them and leave them wanting’ is Brett’s motto. That is until he sees Doctor Autumn Blake. This lady might just get through the tough layer he has built around himself.

  Can the sexual chemistry they feel be just that, or could it be more?

  Is one year long enough for these two people to forget their pasts and grab onto a chance of love or lose it forever.

  For my husband, Alan, and my daughters, Jenny and Rachel, who are my greatest fans.

  For my wonderful sister, Nora, and my mum, Eileen, who is no longer with me.

  This book contains euphemisms and slang words that form part of the Australian spoken word, which is the basis and setting of this book. Please remember that the words are not misspelled, they are slang terms and are part of the everyday Australian lifestyle.

  If you would like further explanation, or to discuss the translation or meaning of a particular word, please do not hesitate to contact the author – contact details have been provided, for your convenience, at the end of this book.

  Blurb

  Dedication

  Note To The Reader

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  More Books to Check Out

  Acknowledgments

  Connect With Me Online

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  “Shit, sorry, Autumn. I keep forgetting you pirates with one leg can fall over,” Simon said with a smirk as he spun her around. She almost lost her balance as her feet touched the ground.

  “I hate you too, Simon. If it was anyone else who’d said that, I’d be giving them a good punch.”

  He blew her a fake kiss. “I know you’ll never believe in violence, no matter how annoying I can be.”

  “It’s sad but true. But being a doctor, I might put a laxative in your coffee, though. Now introduce me to your lovely lady.”

  “This is Bridget, her son, Brendan, and the twins are at Mum and Dad’s.”

  “I’m so glad to meet you at last,” Autumn said as she hugged the gorgeous blonde with the lovely smile who had brought happiness to Simon’s life.

  “I have heard lots of wonderful things about you, Autumn.”

  “Likewise. I’ll just grab my purse from the bedroom.”

  Autumn took one last look in the full-length mirror. It was amazing how quickly you could get used to sourcing clothes that hid a disability. This pantsuit did the job perfectly. It was a dark red color that showed off her wavy black hair as it hung around her shoulders.

  The pants were long and wide but curved over her hips. She might not have two feet but she had a good butt and her ex, Jonathan, could cry about what he had lost. Now they needed to head off or they would be late.

  The venue for the reunion was one of London’s smart hotels. Her hands went clammy as she followed Simon and Bridget into the ballroom. She glanced around, steeling herself for the evening.

  Bridget touched her arm. “You okay? You look like a mouse waiting for a cat to pounce.”

  “I’m sorry. It’s just, I haven’t seen Jonathan since the divorce court, and I have a way of choosing incredibly good-looking men who cheat on me. It’s a knack.”

  “Okay, let me stop you right there. You do realize that you’re an amazing-looking woman? He didn’t appreciate what he had.” Bridget wagged a finger at her.

  “I just need to toughen up,” Autumn said as they sat.

  “I’m not being kind. It’s the truth. Ask Simon. I say what I mean.”

  “Is that true, Simon? She gives you what-for?”

  “Bridget and the girls have me wrapped around their fingers. That being said, from the minute we met, that great butt of my darling woman won me over.”

  “There’s definitely a story here that I need to get out of you two,” Autumn said.

  “I want all the gossip about what Simon was like at medical school when you were training as well.”

  “Don’t tell her anything, Autumn. What happens at medical school stays at medical school.”

  “Autumn.”

  She did not need to turn around to know that deep voice. Jonathan had tempted her from the first day they had met all those years ago. Now, that voice had no effect on her at all.

  No, that was not true. You never forgot someone who meant something to you. Sometimes you just had to protect yourself from them.

  Autumn put on her best smile as she faced him. He had a beautiful redhead holding onto his arm.

  “Jonathan. Hello.”

  He leaned in and kissed her cheek.

  She remembered his smell. Damn him.

  “Autumn, you look great. Let me introduce my fiancée, Geraldine.”

  Jonathan rambled on about his promotion and how he was now living on a country estate that Geraldine’s first husband had left her after he died. Geraldine seemed lovely and Jonathan was a good doctor, even if he was a shit husband. She wanted to hate him but she couldn’t.

  It was not in her nature to detest people. Even Kevin, who had stalked her. She considered him to be mentally ill, not evil, and could not bring herself hate him. That aside, she was glad to be going abroad soon.

  As they drove home later she wanted to have a quiet moment to talk.

  “How are you going?” Simon asked.

  As always, her friend could see through her smiles. Darn him.

  �
�I’m good. I’m glad you made me go. It was fun catching up with people, and I think I needed to see Jonathan so I could move on.” She took a deep breath before speaking again, “I wanted to tell you earlier . . . I’ve taken a job in Australia.”

  “That’s amazing. When do you leave?” Bridget asked.

  “Two weeks. And for the first time in ages, I feel really excited. I would never have contemplated doing something like this if not for you, Simon. Seeing what you’ve done gave me strength. By the way, I really hope you’ll visit.”

  “We will,” Bridget said and squeezed her hand.

  “I think I’m a bit mad. Do you know they have twenty-one of the world’s top twenty-five most venomous snakes in Australia? Let’s hope if one ever goes for me it will bite my fake foot.”

  “I’m sure I saw a conference on in Sydney that I’d like to attend. I’ll let you know when I’ve checked it out,” Simon said.

  “That would mean a lot to me if you did come.”

  “It’s the least we can do. I always felt bad I couldn’t come back when you had the accident and then that stalker business.”

  “You had your hands full with your own family. I’m a big girl and can look after myself.”

  “Of that I have no doubt.”

  Simon pulled up at her flat and they all hugged each other goodbye.

  Autumn was ready to move on.

  Australia here I come.

  Chapter Two

  Okay, it was time. Brett had been playing the field for long enough without a checkup. He hated going to the doctor for anything. He was an Aussie, and tough. Okay, that was cocky bullshit. He might have shed an odd tear over some sad movie, but he would usually claim he had dust in his eyes, like any bloke would. Who wanted to hire a carpenter who cried if he hit his thumb with a hammer? The idea of a sick dick, though? That was something he did not want to contemplate. Sometimes you just had to bite the bullet.

  Brett did not feel that tough at the moment. He felt nauseous as his stomach churned. It was a simple well-known fact that men did not like it when people messed about with their junk. That was not completely true. He was quite happy a lot of the time if some lovely lady was willing to play with his privates. Going to the doctor was another thing altogether.

  At least he had known Doctor Wilson for the four years he had been living in the Blue Mountains. He was a rusty old codger. Brett even had the old prostate test a while back. If he could cope with a digit up the butt, he could cope with this.

  Brett sat in his pickup out the front of the doctor’s surgery. His appointment was in three minutes and he would need to ring now if he was going to back out. But he had never backed out of anything. Not even when his mate Chance had dared him to run naked across the footy oval when they were sixteen. The pair of them were on cleanup duty for ages after that. They had both lost their virginity that month as well. So some of the girls must have liked what they saw?

  Brett could not see any perks coming from today’s events. Well, at least he would be able to tell the ladies he had a clean bill of health and they could get down and dirty.

  He could not deny his younger days had been pretty wild. Chance even went on to make money as an underwear model. Brett considered he should do some weights and get his own butt in better shape.

  As he got out of his pickup Brett looked back. His ass was fine. Chance had just been lucky. Maybe he could send a picture of his butt to a modeling agency and make a shit ton of money. For now, he needed to concentrate on the job in hand.

  Why was this so hard? He wanted some peace of mind, so he should just get on with it.

  Brett walked through the door of the surgery and headed to the reception counter. “I’ve an appointment with Doctor Wilson.”

  The receptionist peered at him as if he was some strange being asking her an impossible question. “Doctor Wilson had to leave for an emergency. We can rebook your appointment or Doctor Blake is available.”

  What the hell?

  It had taken everything he had to get in the door. If he left now, he would not come back. Well, not for a while anyway. The thought of his dick dropping off was not a good one. He hoped this Doctor Blake had warm hands.

  “Yep. I’ll see Doctor Blake.”

  Brett sat down and was just about to take out his cell phone when someone called his name. It was a female voice with an English accent and it did not sound like an old granny.

  Brett could do this. After all, he could get his junk out in front of a woman. He had done it more times than he could remember. Difference was, this woman was not expecting prowess in the bedroom. She was checking if he had some dreaded disease or the crabs. He had not been itchy, so he didn’t think it was that. Shit, he was no good at this.

  A woman with black hair pulled back in a bun at the nape of her neck stood before him. He tried to ignore the fact that despite the severe look, she was stunning. That was a good thing because he could tell a woman like this would be way out of his league.

  Brett tried to imagine she was a strict school teacher. That didn’t work at all.

  He would let her smack him with a ruler anytime. Stop being a dick.

  Brett followed her down the corridor to the consulting room. Doctor Blake looked about his age, around thirty. She limped, not much but he picked it up. Brett noticed stuff. It was a knack, but one that had not helped him in any way. He always made perfect joints with his woodwork. Did that count? This doc would probably not appreciate the fact he was staring at her legs right now. His gaze moved up. She had a good ass too.

  He sat and took a deep breath. Fuck it. Too late to run. He was going to vomit. Doctors were cool with that, right?

  Doctor Blake sat down and peered at him. “So, how can I help you today?” She smiled and briefly looked at her computer and his profile.

  All doctors said that statement about helping you. Were they taught at medical school to have that as an opening line? I want you to check out my dick was most likely not the response she would expect.

  “I was . . . I mean . . .” He ran his finger around the neck of his shirt even though it was not tight. Fuck.

  “If you want to talk about something personal, it will be in complete confidence.”

  Was he that obvious?

  “I need to get my junk checked out.” As usual, his mouth had run away before his mind was in gear. There was a slight curl of her lip as she almost sniggered. Maybe she was not so straight laced under that veneer. Don’t go there.

  “Is there any reason why you would like a sexual health check at this time? Do you have any current symptoms that are concerning you?”

  Again, with the smile. How did doctors do that? They could ask questions about something like sex or your privates and it came out as if they were asking if you wanted sugar in your coffee.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to say it like that. Bit nervous, I guess. I haven’t got any symptoms but thought it might be a good idea. Try and be a bit responsible and all.”

  “That’s very admirable and I wish everyone thought that way. Let’s start with taking your blood pressure and you can tell me a bit about your sexual history.”

  The gorgeous Doctor Blake took his blood pressure. He could cope with this.

  “Well, let’s see, I suppose I’ve had about twenty sex partners over the years. It isn’t that many, is it?” Perhaps he should not be asking her that. He might not like the answer. Some of his mates had had less but some had had more, a lot more. He was in about the middle.

  She typed into the computer and he was tempted to take a peek. Maybe she had put down ‘randy bastard.’ Nah, that would be unprofessional and she looked like a stickler for the rules being correct.

  “I think I have all the information I need. I’ll let you get undressed, so we can do the examination.”

  She left him behind the curtain to strip off and get on the examination table so she could take a swab. The idea of her staring at his dick didn’t worry him but sticking a swab up the end
was another thing altogether. This shit was not normal. He covered his middle with the paper sheet she had given him.

  Doctor Blake pulled back the curtain. She had gloves on. This was getting serious. He laid back and shut his eyes. Brett would have been happy with a blindfold at this point. But that would have been a bit kinky and he needed to be sensible. This woman was going to have his privates in her hands. He did not want to annoy her.

  “This won’t take long . . . all I need to do is take a swab from the end of your penis.” She smiled at him. “You know, it’s a good idea if you keep breathing. I don’t want to have to call an ambulance.”

  Brett opened his eyes and sucked in a gulp of air. The lovely doctor had a bit of a smirk on her face again. She probably thought he was being a big kid, which was true.

  He could just see the death certificate. Patient died because he held his breath while swab was taken from his dick.

  One big inhale and five seconds later, it was done. It had made his eyes water a bit but his imagination had been a lot worse. His visions in his head had been of a red-hot poker for some reason. She examined his balls and then covered him up.

  “I’ll give you a form for a urine and blood test. That way we are checking for all the common sexually transmitted diseases. Doctor Wilson will give you a call when he gets the results back. I’ll let you get dressed.”

  Brett had never gotten dressed so quickly. Now the deed was done, he wanted to be on his way even if Doctor Blake was attractive. He sat and fidgeted as she typed up her final notes.

  “Is there anything else you would like me to help with?”

  “Nope, I’m good. I’ll be honest—I hate doctors. Nothing against you. Had a habit of getting into a lot of scrapes as a kid and spent more than my fair time in emergency departments. My brother and I drove my mother mad.”

  “I won’t take it personally. It was nice to meet you.”