Page 115 of Finding Us
“I need to clear the table,” she says, standing and lifting her plate.
I do the same and follow her into the kitchen. She heads straight for the sink, and I’m hot on her heels. Turning on the tap, she starts rinsing her dish. I slide my arm around her tiny waist, and I hear her breath hitch as I lean around her to hold my plate under the spray. She makes no attempt to free herself from my grip.
I dip my face until my mouth is level with her ear. “Are you sure you want me to behave?”
She nibbles on her bottom lip but doesn’t answer. A smile tugs at my mouth. She doesn’t need to say the words; I know the answer. If my son wasn’t sitting in the other room, I’d lift her onto the countertop, spread her wide, and eat her for dessert.
When Blake enters the kitchen, I release my hold on her and take a step back. “Can I have my ice cream now, please?”
“Sure, sweetie,” she says, and I don’t miss the wobble in her voice. “Do you want chocolate topping and sprinkles?”
“Yes please.”
I lean against the counter, cross my arms over my chest, and observe her every move.The things I want to do to her in that dress.She glances at me over her shoulder. “Do you want dessert?”
My eyes shamelessly run down the length of her tight body. “I think you know the answer to that one, Red.”
I roll my lips together when she blushes again.
Blake is back on the lounge watching his show, and Red and I are sitting at the table. I’m eating my ice cream while she sips on a cup of coffee. Her attention seems to be hyper focused on the spoon in my hand, especially every time it enters my mouth. She’s trying to hide behind her mug, but I know what’s going on here, so I make sure I put on a good show, running the silverware along the length of my tongue and occasionally licking my lips. I don’t miss the way she squirms in her seat when I do. She’s hot for me, there’s no denying it. The sad part is, both of us will be left unsatisfied when this night is over.
“How have you been coping with everything?” she asks. “Connor told me they’re going to start excavating.”
I nod my head once and drop the spoon back into the bowl, pushing it away because my appetite is now lost. “Next week. I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that. I know we had plans to fly to Melbourne to see your parents, and given our current situation,” I say, clearing my throat, “I’m presuming that’s now off the table.”
She places her mug down. “I was still planning on taking the trip, I haven’t seen my parents in a few months.”
“Would you mind if Blake and I tagged along? Just on the flight. I know you’re still wanting space, so I’ll book us a hotel. I don’t want to be around here when …” My words drift off, and when I bow my head, Jacinta reaches across the table and wraps her fingers around mine.
“I completely understand, and there’s plenty of room at my parents’ place, if you guys want to stay there.”
“I appreciate it, but I think I’ll book us into a hotel.”
“Umm … sure, okay.” If I’m not mistaken, my rejection of her offer hurt her. It wasn’t done maliciously; I simply don’t want her to feel uncomfortable by having me around whilst she visits with her parents.
“I know the flights are already booked, but I’ll go ahead and make the other arrangements, and organise for an airport shuttle to pick us up from here.”
She rises from her seat, picks up her mug and then reaches for my bowl. When she leaves the room without another word, it confirms my suspicions.
Chapter32
Jacinta
I’ve been up since 4 am, because I couldn’t sleep. I’m in two minds about this trip to Melbourne today. Of course, I’m excited to see my parents and Cassie, I’m also happy that Mason and Blake are coming with me, but I’m not sure how I’m going to explain their hotel stay to my mum. I haven’t told her that we’re taking a break, because I’m worried once she finds out why she’ll tell me I did the right thing.I’m not sure if I did.
Does his fist going through the wall concern me? Yes. Do I think he’d ever direct that violence towards me? My gut tells me no, but that’s not a guarantee. I want to be one hundred percent sure before I walk through that door again.
By the time eight o’clock rolls around, I’m a bundle of nerves. I’ve been sitting on the lounge dressed and ready for the past two hours with my suitcase beside me. Mason said the shuttle bus will be here to pick us up at quarter past, so I probably should start making my way downstairs.
Our flight doesn’t leave until eleven. Mason wants to have breakfast at the airport once we’ve checked in, but I’m not sure if I can stomach food right now.
Connor has already left for work, so I’m home alone. I stand and start wheeling my suitcase towards the front door just as someone knocks. I told Mason I’d meet them out the front of the building when he texted me the information, but when I open the door, I find him and Blake standing there.
“Jazzie,” Blake shouts, rushing forward to hug my legs.
“Morning,” I say, but my eyes are on his father. Why does he make my heart race whenever I’m in his presence?
His eyes rake down my body before coming back to rest on my face. “You look lovely.” I’m wearing a pair of tight black jeans, a black top, and I paired it with knee-length tan boots and a matching suede jacket. “I’m a huge fan of those boots.”
