Cocky Carpenter: A Hero Club Novel

by Maggie Mundy

  Chapter Eleven

  Autumn was packing to go to Sydney. It was Wednesday and she was presenting tomorrow. Brett had said he would drive down on Friday night after he finished work. So that was an added incentive and something to look forward to. She had presented once before, back in the UK, and had been nervous, but this time she was excited. It was yet to be seen if she would dry up when she stood on the podium.

  Her sex life over the past months had been the best in her life and she put some of that down to her newfound confidence. Self-belief should be your own responsibility. But having someone make your body feel like a temple of delight certainly put an extra pep in your step.

  Brett stayed over at least three nights a week and Bluey saw both cottages as his personal kingdoms. It was strange to think someone else would be living in her cottage in the future. She had decided to extend the lease for the full year. But her return home was seven months away so for now she was going to ignore it. Autumn had a deal with Brett for the year unless he got bored, and he was showing no signs of that.

  Before she left home today, she was going to pop over to see Dorothy. Over the months they had shared the odd cup of tea and more cake, but Autumn always kept the conversation away from Brett. Autumn wasn’t telling Simon or Dorothy anything, though Dorothy clearly knew her neighbor was staying over a lot.

  Autumn put her suitcase in her car and headed across the road.

  Soon they were settled on the front patio, as usual, where Dorothy watched the world go by.

  “So, you are going to Sydney for your conference. Is Brett going to join you?”

  Autumn shook her head with a smile. Dorothy was never going to give up. “Yes, he is, on Friday. I also have some friends here from America. A doctor I trained with and his family.”

  “You and Brett seem to be spending a lot of time together.”

  “We’re good friends.”

  “I’ve been around long enough to know you’re more than good friends. You said it was what you wanted. Grab a bit of fun while you can, I say. If I was fifty years younger, I would have gone after that young man a long time ago myself.”

  “I’m not saying anything, Dorothy, and don’t be so cheeky as to ask.” Autumn smirked. “Now, how is your arthritis in your hands? You said they were improving at your last appointment.”

  “It is so much better since I’ve been doing the physiotherapy and taking those tablets you gave me. The garden is coming along well. I’ve entered the local horticultural competition again but it’s getting harder to win these days. It took me so long to fill out the entry form because I forgot my password for the page.”

  “I’m the same. I keep them all in a little book beside my bed. Though I probably shouldn’t have told you that,” Autumn said.

  “Your secret is safe with me. Mine are in a book in my purse.”

  “You know you could always bribe the judges of the gardens with your delicious carrot cake.”

  “That’s a wonderful idea. Now you should go. You have a drive ahead of you.”

  Autumn headed off to Sydney. She was staying in a hotel near the bridge and Simon, Bridget, and Brendan would arrive Friday lunchtime. Autumn was dreading driving in Sydney but she had coped with London so it shouldn’t be too bad.

  Autumn got to the hotel and threw her suitcase on the bed. She would unpack later because she wanted to see some of Sydney. It would be nice to have Brett here but for now she was glad to be on her own.

  She headed out of the hotel and walked around the harborside to the Sydney Opera House. It loomed, beautiful and majestic above her. The tiles glowed white in the early afternoon sun as people wandered about. It seemed too surreal to be here. Peering across at the bridge, she considered she must have been mad to agree to climb it. Too late now. Brett had booked and paid for it.

  Autumn did the inside tour of the Opera House and soaked up all the history. When it was finished, she headed back to Circular Quay and stopped at one of the cafés to have a glass of wine. She did the obligatory selfie with the Opera House in the background. To make them jealous, she sent a copy to Brett and Simon. She hated photographs of herself but this one looked okay. It was wonderful to not worry about anything for a while. Life was going great.

  Autumn gave a big sigh as she relaxed. It was fun to watch people going by, taking pictures and eating ice cream.

  She eventually headed back to the hotel to prepare for the conference. During the next couple of hours, she went over her presentation until she could do no more. Simon sent a text confirming they would be flying in from Cairns the day after tomorrow. Autumn couldn’t wait to see him again, even if he was going to grill her about Brett.

  The next day at the conference flew past, and her presentation went better than she could have possibly imagined. She loved her job in the Blue Mountains and could keep in touch with the medical community online, but talking to doctors with similar interests in real life had stimulated her to do more research.

  When she had been married to Jonathan, he had always made her feel less because she hadn’t chosen surgery. For a while, she had even believed him. She told herself she didn’t care what he was doing or how his engagement to his new partner was going. It didn’t matter. She was in Australia, living the life, and currently enjoying all the famous sights Sydney had to offer.

  It was ten o’clock the next day when she got the text to say her visitors were in the lobby. Autumn could not keep the grin off her face as she hugged them all.

  “We can dump our bags and go for a stroll,” Simon said. “Sydney looks amazing.”

  Autumn wanted to share the city with them as if it was her own. She had only been in Australia a few months, but it felt so right. Or maybe it was the hunky carpenter making her life perfect. “I booked us all a boat trip around the harbor. Then I thought we could go to Luna Park. I think Brendan will love it.”

  “I love amusement parks. I think Simon is a bit scared of some of the rides,” Bridget said.

  “Me too. Though I am getting better. I’ve been doing more adventurous things since I got here.”

  “Good. You were spending too much time in that stuffy old apartment of yours,” Simon said.

  The three of them headed down to the boat and settled onboard. Sydney Harbor was beautiful and she envied some of the owners of their harbor-front properties. Then again, her mountain cottage was just as nice.

  They even went past a nudist beach and saw a few people lazing around. Brendan thought it funny and couldn’t stop giggling. The waiter brought them glasses of champagne and nibbles as they continued the trip.

  Simon took the last sip of his champagne and continued regaling her with his tales of their adventures. Autumn guessed he would bring up Brett soon.

  “The reef was amazing. We flew out in a helicopter and did some snorkeling and went in a glass-bottom boat. You have to visit before you go back to England,” Simon said.

  “We visited an island and they had turtles and crocodiles. It was so cool,” Brendan said in between licks of an ice cream.

  “I think you have convinced me. I’ll go. I wanted to do the glass-bottom boat thing anyway.”

  “So, when are we going to meet your neighbor, Brett?” Simon said with a wicked grin.

  “He’s coming later tonight after he finishes work, and then we can all do the bridge climb tomorrow.”

  Brendan ran over to the window near the front of the boat to watch everything. His face lit up when they sailed past Luna Park knowing he was going there later.

  “I think it’s great to see you moving on from the past. So, is it serious?” Simon asked. “Or do I need to go in and beat him up for messing about with my friend.”

  “Simon, leave her alone. It’s none of our business.” Bridget gave him the evil eye.

  “It’s fair enough. You have had to pick up some of the pieces in the past, and a soggy shoulder from my tears more than once. We’re just friends,” Autumn replied.

  “With benefits.”


  “Simon!” This time, Bridget thumped him on the arm.

  Autumn didn’t want to say anything but could not keep the big smile off her face.

  “I knew I was right. The guy walked behind her in his briefs early in the morning. I know they were babysitting a sick dog, but still. I’m a guy and I would have used the mutt to my best advantage.”

  “We have come to an arrangement for the year while I share the cottage.”

  Simon gave her a high-five. “Good on you. From the quick flash I saw of him, the guy is well built so if you wobble on that pirate leg, he can pick you up. And being a mercenary, it’s always useful to know someone who’s a tradesperson.”

  Bridget laughed. “Simon can take out your appendix but don’t ask him to fix a leaking tap. He is okay at painting, though.”

  “I chose the wrong profession. Plumbers and carpenters get paid well and don’t have to do all the mad hours and deal with crazy patients.” He hugged her again. “I’m really happy for you, Autumn, and think you should just live life.”

  Autumn didn’t need their approval, and they hadn’t even met Brett yet, but she wanted it. She would take Simon’s advice as a good omen and keep living in the moment.

  The rest of the boat trip went by without any more enquiries. They grabbed some lunch on Circular Quay where they had to fight off the seagulls. One of them even dive-bombed Bridget and stole one of her chips.

  A large cruise ship had pulled in across the quay from them. Autumn had never been on a cruise before. She had seen jobs for doctors on cruise ships, and maybe she could do that when the year was up instead of going home.

  The four of them headed off to Luna Park, which included another ferry ride, and Brendan loved it. Seeing him have so much fun made her hope a child was somewhere in her future. If no partner came along, then she could always go in vitro. Or maybe Brett might be willing to be a donor. It would be cheaper and more fun. Hell, she didn’t know what she wanted. Her brain was all over the place.

  Later that day, they all sat in Simon and Bridget’s suite. Autumn was getting nervous at the thought of Brett turning up. She didn’t want him to run a mile after a grilling from Simon. Then the text came through.

  Brett: I’m in the lobby. Looking forward to seeing you.

  Autumn: I’ll be down in five minutes.

  Her heart was beating fast as the lift doors opened. It was like being a teenager all over again.

  There he was, standing as tall and as handsome as ever. She had only been here a few days and missed him, missed his touch and his funny attitude. The way he smiled when he saw her made her feel that bit more complete.

  Brett put his arms around her waist, picked her up, and swung her around. She laughed as he put her down. Some people shook their heads while others smiled.

  “Let’s drop your bag in my room and then you can meet my friends.”

  “Do I need to put on a bulletproof vest or iron jocks?” Brett asked.

  “They will be fine. I copped it with Chance and Aubrey, and you are big and tough. I promise they won’t bite. Simon can just be a little protective.”

  “That makes two of us then.”

  Back in Simon and Bridget’s suite, the two men shook hands and eyed each other off. She wanted to laugh and Bridget shook her head as well. The men were as tall as each other and needed to put their alpha strengths elsewhere for now.

  “I bought some Australian beer and a nice red to break the ice,” Brett said. “I feel like I’m meeting the family.”

  “The beer sounds great and you’re right. Autumn is like the little sister I never had.”

  “I might be shorter but we’re the same age. Stop being a pain,” Autumn said.

  “Have you noticed how bossy she is?” Simon replied.

  “I have, but have also considered it’s one of her most endearing traits.”

  “That’s it. I’m a doctor—you must be sick,” Simon said as he sat next to Bridget. Autumn walked past and tapped him on the head.

  They ordered in pizza and along with more wine and beer, it broke the ice. Brendan watched cartoons until he yawned and headed to bed. The conversation stayed in the safe areas of work and Australia. All Autumn wanted to do was get back to their room and get naked with Brett.

  Eventually, they said their goodnights and headed off.

  Once in their room, Brett wrestled her into his arms so her legs wrapped around his body. She had seen couples do it in the movies but thought she would never be able to with her prosthesis. The way he supported her butt with his hands made it easy. The hardness of his erection pressed against her pussy. She craved his touch.

  His mouth was on hers as he moved and held her against the wall. His tongue played a game of passion with hers. It was as if he had flicked a switch that sent messages straight to her breasts and then down between her legs. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he ground against her. His passion was so guttural it sent her over the edge. Brett carried her across the room and placed her on the end of the bed.

  “Strip.” That was all he said as he started to remove his own clothes. She pulled off her top and bra and threw them on the floor. Brett’s clothes were coming off at a similar rate until he stood before her in all his naked glory. She wanted him inside her. Autumn ached with an overpowering need for him. She removed her jeans, and panties and stared up at him. The look in his eyes was pure lust. Autumn would do whatever he wanted at this moment.

  Brett pushed her back on the bed as he knelt on the floor between her knees. She was spread open beneath his adoring gaze and his cool breath was on her most sensitive parts. Then the heat of his tongue scorched her as he licked up her labia. He flattened his tongue against her clitoris as he inserted his fingers inside her. He stopped for a second and mumbled, “You’re so hot and wet for me, I want to fuck you all night long.”

  Autumn wanted to say she wouldn’t stop him but couldn’t speak as she flung her head from side to side at the sensations flowing through her. He pushed his finger back into her and she gasped as he flicked his tongue back and forth over her clit. His other hand slid over her abdomen and squeezed her breast. He moved his tongue so he rubbed against the taut string of muscle that ran from her clit to her opening while his finger searched for that special spot inside her. She couldn’t hold back as her orgasm wafted over her, only to build again and again. The ecstasy was almost too much. If anyone told her the G-spot did not exist, she would call them a liar.

  Brett stood and stared down at her with a cheeky grin. “I want you to stand and bend over.”

  Just him saying the words made her heat up again, and she had hardly stopped pulsing. Never before had a man spoken to her like this and she loved it.

  “You’re being very bossy.”

  “Do you want me to stop?”

  “No.”

  “It can be your turn next time to be in charge.”

  Her mind was already ticking over with ideas at what they could do.

  Autumn did what she was told and leaned on the end of the bed. Brett’s reflection in the mirror across the room showed him standing behind her as she bent over. She was incredibly vulnerable and yet she felt safe.

  Brett moved closer and pressed his cock against her opening, and then plunged in. It took her breath away to be filled by him so completely, and then he withdrew and plunged again.

  “Oh God, Brett. Don’t stop. Don’t ever stop.” She braced herself against the bed as he pounded her, and loved each moment. She wanted him to explode and fill every part of her. Her feet were almost leaving the floor with each thrust and she still wanted more.

  He withdrew. “Kneel,” Brett ordered and she moved so she was kneeling halfway up the bed and he climbed on behind her.

  Again, he thrust into her as he bent over her back and his hand came around to touch her clit. The sensations started to build again and this time he joined her as they both yelled their release.

  She loved hearing him groan as he shuddered his
seed into her. Their breath slowed with their movements until she reclaimed a sense of normality. Then two of them collapsed onto their sides, still joined together. She had never felt so connected to someone in her life.

  Brett eased out of her but ran his fingers up and down her side and kissed the back of her neck. “I’ll run a bath for us in a minute. For now, I want you to know something.”

  Autumn swallowed. What was he was going to say? How would she deal with it if he said he cared?

  “I know your friends worry about you. I promise I will never hurt you, Autumn.”

  She turned to look at him. “Thank you.” She wanted to say, ‘I think I’m in love with you, Brett,’ but didn’t. He had given her a so much more confidence but that little voice inside her still feared rejection.

  Chapter Twelve

  Bluey was going to howl when Autumn returned to the United Kingdom. His owner might join in too. From the minute he had seen her in the lobby, Brett had wanted to get his hands all over her. He had been worried that talking with Simon and his partner might have changed her mind about him. From the kiss she gave him, he was pretty sure he was still okay.

  When he’d walked in the room, Simon had stood to shake his hand.

  Brett wanted to say, ‘You have no problem, friend. I know when something amazing has come into my life and I’m not going to mess with it.’ But he couldn’t say that out loud. He had a deal with Autumn—it was just for the year. Nothing else had been promised.

  Fuck. Why had he agreed to that? You are a carpenter and she is a doctor. You’ve fucked up when you’ve tried a serious relationship in the past. Who would want to take him on anyway, with his family? Keep it simple.

  Truth was that nothing was ever simple.

  Simon had chilled a bit as the evening went on but Brett just wanted Autumn alone so he could show her how much she affected him.

  Once they were back in their room, he had needed her and he’d let her know. A part of him had expected her to say, ‘get fucked.’ She wasn’t used to someone telling her what she should do. She hadn’t, and damn but it made him admire her beyond anything he had felt before. The more he had asked, the more she gave. As they’d lain next to each other, he had just wanted to enjoy the moment. He had always lived each connection with a woman in the past on a day-to-day basis.