Just a Little Fling (Landscape Lovers Book 1) Page 3

  Why is she still on my mind?

  Those curves of hers drove me mad. I’ve never had someone as luscious as that and that giggle, it drove me wild. She was intoxicating. I didn’t have enough to drink for it to be beer goggles. It was all her.

  I start to pace then stop abruptly.

  I march into my bedroom, looking for divine intervention or some shit. I flick on the light and walk over to the blind to close it with a grunt. I take a swig of my beer and turn back to scan the room.

  Something catches my eye. I keep this space almost too clean, so anything out of place—at all—will stick out like a sore thumb.

  Green lace.

  It’s peeking out from behind the dresser. Last night, I neatly folded all of Cate’s clothes for her. All except her underwear.

  By the time I got to her undies, I was too worked up and I just tossed them behind me without a care about where they landed. I did the same later with her bra, but I know she found that this morning.

  Not the undies though.

  I can’t help but smirk when I grab them from where they’ve wedged in the small space. It must be a one in a million chance that they landed in this spot. A thought instantly crosses my mind. I smirk at the brilliance of it.

  I feel like a man on a mission now. I have a reason to find her again. I remember her mumbling about these being her favourites.

  Can’t leave a girl without those. No. That would be wrong.

  I’ll figure out how to give them back to her and maybe then I’ll get the closure I need to get her out of my brain.

  Yes! This is a great idea!

  Resolved to my new plan, I tuck the lace in my shorts pocket—for safe keeping, of course—and head back to the laptop to finish my study. It’s much easier the second time.

  I take notes like a boss and feel like I have a laser focus. I get through the lectures for all three classes that I’m taking. I’ve not felt this motivated in a long time.

  It’s like there’s suddenly a fire lit beneath me and I can smash out all-the-things.

  Once I’m done for the night, I carefully fold the lace and place it on my bedside table so I don’t forget my plan in the morning. I take off my clothes and throw them in the washing basket, before climbing in to bed to dream of the stunner who was here with me last night.

  This woman is under my skin. But one more meeting should get her out.

  Yes. This is the key.

  I’m sure I can bend my own rules just this once? Right?

  FIVE

  CATE

  I walk in the door after a long day work.

  It’s already 6:50pm and Lottie is due here any minute. My boss, Luke, decided that the team needed to stay late for a campaign meeting where he said nothing we hadn’t all already gone over at least ten times before. I swear he does keeps us late just so we ‘show our loyalty to the brand’.

  Whatever that means.

  I try to flick off my shoes but manage to trip myself in the process and only save myself by grabbing the entry table and knocking all the mail, I need to check, on to the floor.

  Nice one, Cate. So smooth!

  I grab the pile and shove it back where it was and remove my shoes. Slowly this time. I head into the kitchen to pull out a couple of wine glasses, just as there’s a knock on my door.

  “I’m coming!”

  I pull the door open to see Lottie with a giant grin plastered to her face, “I bet that’s exactly what you said last night,” she quips. Holding out two bottles of red as a peace offering for her sass, because she knows I could shut the door on her.

  “Ha-ha, very funny.” I deadpan. “Come in then.”

  She follows me into the kitchen, dropping her bag on the bench and riffles through the drawers to find the bottle opener. She’s here so often, she just makes herself at home. “Where’s the pizza?” She pours us each a generous pour of our favourite Pinot.

  “I’m just about to order it. Your choice tonight.” I wiggle my phone at her. “Luke decided to keep us all back and I only just walked in before you got here.”

  “That fucker. Was it even important?”

  “No. Of course not. He just likes to hold the power. You know how it is.” I open the app and place the order. “Pizza will be here in 20mins.”

  She opens my pantry and grabs out a bag of chips and a bowl to tip them in. “I can’t drink wine on an empty stomach and I need to know about last night. Like now!”

  “Couch then. I’m not telling you in the kitchen. You might want to be sitting anyway.”

  She raises an eyebrow. “That good, hey?”

  I nod and we take our usual spots on my trusty flat pack couch. I grab a handful of chips and shove them in my mouth just to build the suspense a bit more and to drive her mad.

  “Tell me! Now. Quit holding out, Cate! I took you to that party, I deserve details! Especially as I went home alone. I need details, you saucy minx!”

  I laugh at that. “Fine I’ll tell you. I’ll start by saying that it was so surreal. This shit never happens to me. His name is Blake. He was in the kitchen and he asked me a question.”

  I tell her the whole story. The kitchen make-out session. The cab ride. How he couldn’t seem to get enough. Lottie’s eyes get wider and wider as I tell the story. I’m a bit worried they might fall out.

  I’m just telling her how he tucked me in bed and spooned me all night, when the doorbell rings again. “Shit. The pizza is here.” I manage to trip over the air in my haste to get to the door. It’s a skill, I tell you.

  Lottie is still speechless. She tips her head to the side and just stares at me. I put the pizza boxes down on the coffee table, between our glasses, and grab a slice.

  Lottie grabs one too. Her brain, clearly still processing. You can almost see the cogs turning in her head.

  “So, let me get this straight. You had amazing sex and he tucked you in next to him all night. You got his number this morning, yes? Tell me you did?”

  “Negative.” I shake my head. “I snuck out before he woke up. I lost my favourite lace undies though. I’m kind of sad about that. They don’t sell them anymore.” I pout.

  “Let’s leave the lost undies situation for a moment.” She shakes her head, as though clearing it. “You snuck out after the best sex of your life and have no way to find this guy again? Have you completely lost your ever-loving mind?”

  “Ha. No! It was a one night stand, Lottie. You’re not supposed to see them again.” I raise my eyebrows at her as though this is obvious.

  “Hot guys like that don’t go for awkward girls like me. It was a fairy-tale night. One I’ll relive in my dreams for a long, long time. I’ve already made peace that I had the best sex I’ll ever have last night and that it was a once off.”

  Lottie eyes me with a frown and takes another bite from her slice of pizza. Then she puts the slice down and wipes her hands together.

  Ah, shit! She means business when she gears up for hand gestures.

  “This is bullshit, Cate! Bullshit! You’re fucking gorgeous. And don’t pull that face at me.” She’s finger waving at me now. “You’re 32! There’s no room for that early-20s body loathing shit. We’ve been through this. Someone will like you for you and clearly Blake did last night from the way he worshiped your body.” I shake my head at her. I love her, but she’s wrong on this. “It was just a one off. It was amazing. But I need to move on. I won’t ever see him again, so there’s little point in rehashing it. I’ll add him to the lady spank bank and be thankful that I got my romance-novel-like night.”

  Lottie harrumphs at that and takes a big sip of wine.

  “What did you do last night? Did you not have a good time?”

  “Nah. It was fine. I caught up with a heap of people I know, but no one new really caught my eye. I argued for a bit with an asshat named Matt that I hadn’t met before, but after you headed off, I decided to call it a night.” She shrugs.

  “I’m so glad you came with me though. I told you that
you’d meet someone worth talking to. You obviously did.”

  “I can’t say that we talked all that much.” I let out a short laugh. “But, yes, I’m glad I went. Even if I was a little sore today.” I smirk a little and grab another slice.

  “Rub it in, why don’t you?” Lottie ribs, “Not all of us find sex gods on a Wednesday night!”

  We settle in to watch a movie we’ve seen a hundred times and talk over almost the whole thing. Except when we pause our conversation to yell at the infuriating bits.

  That’s the benefit of having a friend since the start of university, there’s an ease that you just don’t get with new people. They know your growing-up years. They’ve seen all the messy bits and still love you, despite them all.

  “That’s it! I need to leave you now, because Friday’s at work are absolute the worst.” Lottie makes a dramatic show of getting off the couch.

  She pauses for a moment, thinking. “You know, I just have a feeling that you haven’t seen the last of Blake. I don’t think it’s the end. I think it’s the beginning.”

  “Lottie...” I scold. “Don’t go meddling. You’ve had one night stands before. You know how they end.”

  “Who? Me? I don’t meddle!” She pulls a dramatic shocked face. “I reject that accusation! How rude! If I didn’t love you, I’d be very mad right now.”

  She gives me a quick hug, by the door and pulls it open. Holding the door handle, she leaves me with her parting words before shutting the door in my face, “All I’m saying is that you never know.”

  I shake my head. I love that woman, but sometimes I think she’s a little too happily-ever-after obsessed, like those books she loves to read.

  Don’t get me wrong, I love a steamy rom-com, but I don’t think a HEA is on the cards for me. I’m happy how I am. Work could be better, but I’m fine otherwise.

  I grab the mail I’ve been ignoring, toss all the mailing list junk and leave my bills on the to-be-paid pile for the weekend. I ignore all my craft supplies wanting my attention. They can wait for another night. I clean up my living room and head to bed.

  It’s been an intense 24 hours and it’s time to snuggle up with my kindle and enjoy some much-needed downtime.

  I’m trying to read, but my mind insists on replaying last night over the top of what I’m reading. I try scrolling on Instagram for a while, but Blake’s deep brown eyes keep boring into my brain and I don’t see the photos.

  I just see him naked and on top of me. The scruff burn I feel on my inner thighs, as I wriggle to get comfortable, isn’t helping either.

  I try a different book on my kindle, but it’s no use. The Blake show is playing and I have a front row seat. I give up on reading and take out my vibrator.

  It’s no match for what I had last night, but it will do the trick. I close my eyes and settle in. With last night playing behind my eyelids, I get off in no time at all. I’m all loose and limber and I fall asleep easily.

  I have a feeling these memories will keep me going for a long, long time.

  SIX

  BLAKE

  I practically bounce out of bed.

  Seeing those lace undies on my nightstand, when I open my eyes, gives me the drive to get going for the day.

  I jump in the shower and start to lather up. I can’t help but think of Cate lying on my bed in that green lace, just for me. Fuck.

  I’m hard as stone already and I know that it won’t go away without my intervention.

  Those noises she made play in my head. I loved that she was almost embarrassed to be that turned on. I’m used to women who play it up and act so sure of themselves and their sexuality. But Cate’s reactions were shy and fresh.

  Maybe no one had eaten her out before?

  Why does that make me harder?

  I shuttle my hand over my cock, just the way I like it and imagine that it’s Cate in this shower doing it for me.

  Just the right pressure on the head. I imagine what it would be like to fuck her mouth. I didn’t get the chance on Wednesday night. I needed to be inside her too much. Those lips though. They’d be perfect. I just know it.

  I’m so worked up thinking of her that it doesn’t take long before I’m shooting my load all over the shower wall. I aim the shower head at the mess and clean it all off.

  I rinse off one last time. Now it’s time to slather myself in sunscreen, get dressed in my hi-vis and get out the door.

  We’re still landscaping the same property today, so it’s easier to get started. We have our morning huddle and get to work. By break time, the sun is beating down and the marquee is a nice reprieve from its heat.

  “You look chipper today. Find another girl to hang out with last night?” Matt asks.

  “Nah. But, I did find an excuse to see Cate again.”

  “Who’s Cate? The chick from Wednesday night?”

  “Yep. That’s her.” I smirk just thinking about her.

  “I thought it was a one night stand? Aren’t you the king of one-and-done?”

  “Yeah, maybe. But this feels like unfinished business. Plus, I found her undies in my room last night and I’m sure she’ll be wanting those back.” I give him a triumphant grin.

  Matt laughs. “Seriously? Surely you just toss them, or keep them as a memory like a creeper. Not try to give them back?”

  “But it’s the perfect ‘in’ to see her again, man.” I nod at my brilliant idea. “I just have to find her and we can finish what we started. Then I can get her out of my head once and for all. I just need another day or two. A weekend maybe?”

  Matt raises an eyebrow. “And you reckon that returning her knickers and giving her the old Blake smirk will get her to spend the weekend with you?”

  “Yeah. Why not? She liked me enough to come home with me once? Why wouldn’t she want an encore? I rocked her world.”

  “I bet you can’t convince her. I bet she doesn’t want anything to do with your dirty weekend.”

  “I bet I can convince her. In fact, I bet that I can convince her to come as my date to your Dirty 30 weekend, at that property in the Hills you rented just for the festivities.”

  “Ha! You think she wants to come to a stranger’s birthday weekend in the Hills with you? There’s no way she’d still want you in five weeks’ time. You really are full of yourself!”

  “Am not! I can convince her and I will. I bet I can get her to come along and come all night long too.” I smirk at that. I’m being a dick, but they don’t call me a cocky bastard for nothing.

  “You’re on. I’m looking forward to seeing you try to be the perfect date, Mister hit ’em and quit ’em.” We shake on it, nod and get back to work.

  I try to focus on the job, but there’s a niggle in the back of my mind that’s trying to figure out how to find my woman.

  My woman? She’s not mine by any stretch of the imagination. I don’t even know her last name!

  She said her friend’s name was Lottie, I think. The one that she went to the party with. Maybe I can ask Matt if he knows her? Or if the people who threw the party know her?

  Damn it. This might be harder than I thought.

  I also need to go to the supermarket tonight. Fuck. I need to concentrate where I’m planting right now and think about my to-do list later. This woman is so distracting. I need to finish what I started so that I can clear my head once and for all.

  Matt is already packing his ute by the time I finish up a more delicate planting, so I don’t get to ask him if he knows who might know how to find Cate. Probably for the best. He’d just give me shit for trying to find her. But, I’m on a mission now.

  I’m going to find her and convince her to have coffee with me. Then I’ll dazzle her with my wit and convince her she needs to come to Matt’s birthday next month. It’s five weeks away.

  How am I going to make this happen? I have no idea. But, I’ve got this. For sure.

  I pull into the supermarket car park and check my phone for the list I made at lunch today. Along with
being a little too neat, I also like to eat healthy.

  I’ve learned, over the years, that the best way is by knowing what meals I want to cook for the week and taking a list. It helps to keep me from the snack aisle.

  I know my job and my running habit keep me in shape, but I like to save my treats for meals out and special occasions.

  I’m 29. No early dad-bod for me.

  I grab a trolley and make my way through the aisles. I know where my favourites are, so it doesn’t take me long to get through most of the shop.

  My sister did say she might be dropping by over the weekend so I make a quick detour to the ice cream section. Ella would lose her mind if there was no ice cream in my freezer and I just don’t need the drama.

  That girl is a drama llama.

  I’m barely paying attention to what I’m doing when reach down with my left arm into the ice cream freezer and notice another arm reaching in at the same time as me.

  We’re aiming for the same ice cream container. It’s a woman’s arm and my eyes track it all the way up to her face. She’s on the phone listening to someone talk and hasn’t realised that I’m there. Our hands brush.

  I can’t help my triumphant grin when the woman, who is now blushing at me, is none other than the one I’ve been trying to figure out how to find.

  SEVEN

  CATE

  I’m barely listening to my older sister on the phone, as I reach in to the ice cream freezer to get my favourite flavour. Mint Choc-Chip, of course.

  It’s been a long week and I all I want is some ice cream and snacks to go with my Friday night on the couch. I “uh-huh” her, not paying any attention to the world around me as my fingers brush another hand also reaching for my ice cream.

  A blush spreads across my skin as the face of my one night stand grins back at me, like he’s the cat that got the cream.

  I pull my arm back, ice cream-less, and can only stare at him open mouthed. “Iss, I’ve got to go. Something came up…Yep, call you another night. Yep. Love you too.”