Just a Little Fling (Landscape Lovers Book 1) Page 16

  It’s dark by the time we get inside, it’s only 8:45pm, but it’s been one of the best evenings I think I’ve ever had. We shower together, getting both dirty and clean and fall into her bed.

  We’re both so tired that she falls asleep almost right away. I listen to her breathing, our fingers entwined between us and I drift off not long after.

  When morning comes, she wakes me with kisses to my chest and palms my morning wood. She straddles me and leans over to her nightstand to grab a condom.

  We’re near silent, except for our tortured moans. She rubs herself on my bare cock a few times before sliding back enough to roll the condom on.

  I kind of want to toss the condom away and take her bare. I’ve never done that with anyone. But at least one of us is thinking sensibly.

  She still says nothing, and is clearly in no hurry, when she lines herself up and impales herself on my cock. She rides me slowly and torturously getting what she needs.

  It’s such a sight that it’s taking all my power not to blow too soon. I want to set the pace, but this is perfect, lazy morning sex and she’s clamping around me so good that it’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I reach up to roll my thumbs around her nipples and cup her breasts.

  “Don’t stop, Blake. Never stop!” She whispers.

  Her wish is my command. I continue with my lazy circles and it’s not long until we’re coming together. It’s the most intense thing I’ve ever experienced. She collapses on my chest with me still inside her.

  Complete perfection.

  THIRTY-TWO

  CATE

  After a lazy early morning together, Blake is in my kitchen making us both breakfast whilst I shower and get ready for a busy day.

  I’m running my very first trial class tomorrow and I’m nervous as hell.

  He’s singing to the 90s Aussie Rock playlist he found, whilst he flips the omelettes that he’s making.

  After the fish and chips last night, I’m not surprised that Mr Healthy has found something more in his wheelhouse to make.

  I’m a bad food influence on him. Naughty, Cate!

  I’m sitting at the table looking at an empty notebook page and feeling overwhelmed. I grab my phone as a distraction and realise that I haven’t checked it since I walked to the tram stop to meet him last night.

  Whoops!

  There’s a few texts from Lottie.

  Shit!

  Lottie: Hey lovely! It’s been a while! How are you?

  Lottie: Want to come out tonight? It’s been forever.

  Lottie: Where are you?

  Lottie: Are you ignoring me?

  Lottie: Earth to Cate??

  I’m a bad friend. It’s been 12 hours, but I think replying is better than leaving it. Maybe?

  Cate: Hey!! Sorry, I missed your messages last night. My phone was in the bottom of my bag and I only just checked it now.

  Cate: Forgive me!!

  Cate: I have a good excuse. I promise!

  Cate: I’m going to be free more often in two weeks’ time. Then you can have all the Cate-time you want. Sorry I’m a flake.

  Blake places a plate of food in front of me and takes the seat opposite. He hands me cutlery and says, “Eat up, gorgeous!”

  I put my phone on the table, screen down, and smile at him. He grins back. He’s still the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. It’s like a dream having him here, really.

  “Thank you! This looks delicious!”

  “You’re welcome, babe! We have lots of work to do today. Gotta make sure your energy levels are up!” He winks. “Where do you want to start?”

  “I think I want to run through my plan for the session first and see if it sounds like it will flow.

  “Then I want to check I have all the supplies that I’ll need and later I want to pack everything up so that I know it’s ready to go for tomorrow. What do you think?”

  “Sounds perfect. How can I help?”

  “Well, you can be my person to bounce my ideas off and later…” he raises an eyebrow suggestively and I roll my eyes at him, “Later, I’ll get you to troubleshoot with me, for what might go wrong.”

  “Test subject at your service!” He takes the dishes to the sink and he fills the sink with water. Over the counter he says, “So what’s the plan for the session. How does it start?”

  I open my notebook to where I wrote out a basic timeline and read it to him. As he washes the dishes and cleans my kitchen, he asks me questions about each step.

  They should be annoying, but he’s asking to make sure that I know why things are in the order I’ve set. It’s actually really helpful.

  He offers me a few “What about…” suggestions around the order of things. By the time I’ve gone through the whole plan with him, I’m feeling much more confident about it.

  I take on some of his suggestions and others I’m able to back up my reasoning for why I want the order I chose.

  “This sounds fantastic, babe. There aren’t too many activities, but you’ve got something for them to do when you work with each kiddo one-on-one with the machines.

  “I think they’re going to love it. I kind of want to have a go now! What can I make?”

  He sits back down opposite me and grins with that boyish charm that is so irresistible.

  “What would you like to make?”

  “Something cool!”

  “Could you be more specific? We could make a star poster with your name in it like Maya’s? Does Blake need his name on a star?”

  He rubs his chin thoughtfully. “Maybe? But I was thinking more like a rocket card?” His eyes light up like he’s five again.

  “Okay, big boy. We can make a rocket card.” I pat his hand.

  “Hey, did you notice that was buzzing before?” He changes the subject and points at my phone.

  “Was it?” I flip it over and see three texts from Lottie.

  Shit, I forgot her again.

  Lottie: What IS your excuse?

  Lottie: What do you mean you’ll have more time in two weeks?? Why are you being so vague?

  Lottie: I know you have that trial tomorrow so I’m coming over to help you now. Then you can explain what the hell is going on!!

  Argh! That text was 20 minutes ago. That means she’ll be here any minute. And Blake is here. Shit!

  I look up at him and am about to tell him that Lottie is on her way, but at that exact moment, there’s a fist hammering on my door.

  She’s nothing if not dramatic!

  “Let me in, bad friend! Why have you abandoned meeee?” She shouts through the door.

  Blake stands up, as though to defend a threat, the second she starts banging. I pat his arm.

  “It’s for me. Sorry, she’s a brute!” I roll my eyes and stand on my tip-toes to give him a peck on the lips. “Get ready!”

  “All right trouble maker. I’m coming! Stop banging before someone calls the cops on you.”

  I pull the door open and tilt my head to the side at her. “Must you be such a drama queen?”

  She pushes her way past me into the apartment. “Well, yes! Surely you know me by now. Where on earth have you been and why have you been so—”

  She stops mid-sentence when she spots Blake’s large frame sitting at my not-so-large table. Her eyes bug out and she swings her gaze back to me and then to Blake again.

  “Lottie, this is Blake.” I point an open hand at him. “And Blake, this is Lottie, my best friend and part-time drama queen.”

  “Full-time drama queen, thank you very much!” Lottie replies to me before taking my seat at the table and turning her attention to Blake.

  She narrows her eyes at him, “You’re the reason for my girl’s radio silence, aren’t you?”

  “Guilty as charged. Sorry about that! I’m sure you know how easy it is to be around her.” He tilts his head to me.

  I’m just standing here, at the end of the table, in between them. Feeling completely out of place.

  He returns his attention to
Lottie and shrugs, “I couldn’t help monopolising her time.”

  “I hope you’ve been nothing but exceptional to her?” Lottie looks to me for confirmation. I give a small nod. I’m not sure if there’s space for me in this conversation they’re having about me.

  “I try to be. She deserves nothing less.”

  The tension in the room is thick. It’s like a war is being waged with their eyes. Over me.

  This is too much.

  Lottie begins to speak again, but I stand next to Blake and put my hand up to stop her.

  “That’s enough of the interrogating for now, thanks love. Blake has been amazing.” He wraps his arm around my waist and gives me a squeeze. “And I’m sorry that I got sidetracked with him. You know what flings are like, Lottie. You’ve lost yourself in your share.”

  Blake stiffens at the word fling and Lottie’s eyes go wide, like she can’t believe I just said that out loud with him present.

  Lottie’s whole demeanour changes, she softens and holds her hand out over the table for Blake to shake. “Nice to meet you, Blake. I’m Lottie Garrison.”

  “Blake Thompson, it’s great to finally meet you too. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  I try to hide my surprise at realising that we’ve spent nearly a month together and I’ve just learned his last name.

  Does he know mine? It didn’t seem important when it was a one night stand! Whoops.

  “All lies, I assure you!” She replies with a laugh.

  He chuckles at that.

  “All right,” I say. “Now we’ve got the introductions out of the way, I really need to get back on track with planning this trial class tomorrow. Time is catching up with me!”

  Blake hears the panic in my voice and gives my waist another squeeze. “You sit here, gorgeous. I’ll make us all some lunch.” He kisses me on the forehead and takes himself off to the kitchen.

  I collapse on to the chair in front of Lottie.

  Her mouth is open like a fish. She whisper hisses to me, “What the hell was that? Are you sure this is ‘just a fling’?” she does the air quotes with her hands.

  “It is what it is. I’ll tell you about it later.” I whisper hiss back.

  “You ladies have any lunch preferences?” Blake asks from the kitchen.

  “Something good.” Lottie replies. I roll my eyes.

  “Everything you make is delicious so surprise us.” I add.

  “Chicken Caesar Salad it is!” He says in a TV chef voice.

  I just laugh and Lottie looks impressed.

  “He can cook?”

  “Oh yeah. He’s actually great at it. I’m pretty sure he bought those ingredients too, because I don’t think I had those here before?” I frown, thinking.

  Lottie mutters something under her breath, about it not being a fling, but I pretend not to hear.

  I tell Lottie the plan for the trial and Blake brings out a large serving bowl of the salad, plus three smaller bowls and the dressing in an unmarked jam jar.

  I think he’s made the dressing from scratch!

  Whoever he ends up with is sure getting a catch!

  Lottie mouths “boyfriend material” at me and I shake my head.

  It’s not meant-to-be for me and him.

  He pulls up spare chair next to me, it’s a small table and we’re very close, but I find I’m more comfortable with him there. All three of us chat about the trial class and they help to keep my nerves at bay.

  Lottie has a work event so she can’t make it tomorrow, but assures me that Maya is ‘Team Cate’ and she and her friends can’t wait.

  Blake reveals that he’ll be there and so will his sister, Ella. She teaches 5-year-olds and was the contact that helped me find the space at the last minute. Blake says she wanted to be there to help out if the kid-wrangling gets overwhelming. Which is super sweet of someone I’ve never met.

  The afternoon goes surprisingly well, with both Blake and Lottie here. I end up using them as test subjects and going through how to make the projects. Both claim that they’re horrible at crafts, so it’s fun to help walk them through their creations.

  Blake makes his blue and red rocket card with the words ‘Out of this World’ above it and is ridiculously pleased with himself with how it turned out.

  Such a kid on the inside!

  Lottie makes a poster with a large gold crown and her name underneath in rose gold. The two of them argue playfully about who made the better design. I just laugh.

  “Tomorrow’s going to be great, babe.” Blake says, looking over at me. “You’re so ready!”

  “Yes. This is your time, lovely! You’ve so got this!” Lottie adds, standing. “I’m going to head home now. But don’t you worry about tomorrow. It’s going to be fantastic. The girls are going to love it and love you!”

  She gives me a big squeezing hug, and looks at Blake, “Look after her. She’ll get super nervous tonight, but don’t let her. It’s going to be awesome.” She squeezes me again and he nods as though to say ‘of course’.

  After she leaves, Blake disappears into the kitchen again. “Want some lasagne leftovers for dinner, sweet cheeks?”

  “Yes, please. But you don’t have to do that. You’re my guest and you already made two meals!”

  “Nah. You know I love it. Pack your stuff for tomorrow so you feel ready.” I can hear him setting the oven. “We’re done with work for the day and you’re all mine tonight.”

  I get a little thrill and blush at that even though he can’t see me. I pack everything I can think of and double check my list that I’ve got everything on it.

  The place said they had supplies if I ran out of anything. That’s really reassuring. Just in case I need a backup.

  While the food is heating he brings us water to go with our meal. Once he’s put them on the coffee table, he pulls me to him by the hips and plants a hot kiss on my mouth.

  “God, I’ve wanted to do that all day. You’re so talented and I love seeing you taking a chance on this. Tomorrow is going to be great.”

  He kisses me again. Slower this time.

  The buzzer goes off in the kitchen and he taps my bum playfully before extracting himself so he can bring us our food. It’s the same lasagne as the other night. The one we made together and froze for later.

  We watch a movie, curled up together, on the couch. Then he carries me to bed and we talk about nothing and everything, him the big spoon and me the little, until I drift off.

  I vaguely hear him tell me that he’s set my alarm, but I sleep the rested kind of sleep that I only seem to manage when he’s here with me.

  I’ll worry about what that means later.

  THIRTY-THREE

  BLAKE

  Sunday morning is a flurry of her nerves and excitement.

  She tries on and discards three different dresses before choosing one with a cloud pattern and a belt, that makes me want to grab her by it and pull her close. So I do.

  I whisper in her ear, “You’re going to be great. The kiddos will love you and they will have fun. Take a deep breath and relax.”

  She follows my instructions and she melts after breathing out. I can’t resist and I kiss her deeply.

  I don’t mean to make it about me, but I’m trying to distract her and this is the easiest way I know how.

  “Let’s get you some breakfast and then we’ll head over so you can get set up. How do pancakes sound?”

  “That all sounds perfect.” She kisses my cheek and moves away. “I’m going to finish getting ready whilst you make some magic in the kitchen.”

  She giggles to herself and walks into her bathroom.

  Early this morning I took her keys and snuck home to get a change of clothes for myself and get my car.

  We could take the tram to the venue today, but it will be easier to have everything in the ute. I’ve got a clean, lockable metal container that we can stash all her stuff in, that sits on the tray.

  I only took her keys so I could lock the door be
hind me and get back in. She was still asleep when I returned, so I removed my clothes and climbed back in behind her. She didn’t stir until her alarm went off.

  She’s even adorable when she’s half asleep and it’s just not right.

  Surely there’s a time when I don’t want her?

  I make greek yoghurt protein pancakes for us both. The class doesn’t finish until 1:30pm, so I want to make sure that she’s not going to get hungry mid-way through. I care that today goes well and this is one way that I can help. It’s not much, but hopefully it’s something.

  Damn it. This is more than a fling, but how do I convince her?

  She comes out of the bedroom as I’m plating the food. She looks stunning as usual, but also approachable for little kids. She’s wearing a rainbow coloured bead necklace and her hair is up in a high ponytail with a dark pink bow.

  “Oh, you spoil me!” She says with a sweet smile, as I hand her a plate of pancakes.

  “Only the best for my woman.” I reply. She giggles and raises an eyebrow before turning to take a seat at the table.

  Fuck. Did I just call her ‘my woman’ out loud? To her face?

  She thankfully changes the subject and we do a run through of the set up and how she can cope if it starts to go pear-shaped. Better the devil you know and all that.

  “Is this everything?” I point at her pile of stuff.

  “Yep. It shouldn’t be too tricky on the tram.”

  I swing my keychain around my finger, “Never mind that, my car is outside. Let me pack all this in the back and we’ll be good to go. You pack that mammoth thing, you call a handbag whilst I’m gone.”

  I kiss her on the cheek and take as much downstairs in one go as I can carry.

  When I’m ready for the final trip she locks the door behind us and mutters something about no turning back now. She sees that I’ve got a container just for her things and she can’t help but smile.

  “When did you go and get the ute?”

  “When you were sleeping this morning. I got fresh clothes too.” I point at my outfit.

  “You’re a sneaky devil.” She mutters, shaking her head and laughing.