Spoilt (17 page)

Sarah applied the safety chain before opening the door a
crack. The girls heard her say “Thank goodness it’s you”, and when
she came back to the kitchen, she had Lucas in tow.

“
What happened?” he asked, seeing the scared look in Chelsea’s
eyes.

“
He called again.”

Charlotte filled him in on the latest call. Lucas listened
intently and said nothing for a few moments. Fear for her safety
threatened to choke him as images of the victims flashed through
his mind.

“
Please don’t open the door for anyone and, if you do, put the
chain on like Sarah did. Chelsea, please don’t go anywhere by
yourself.” He wrapped her up, pulled her close and kissed her
tenderly. “Are you alright?”

“
I’m a little shook up but I’ll be ok,” she answered, gazing
up at him. “You had your hair cut?’

“
Yeah, whenever I visit my sister she gets her scissors
out.”

“
I like it,” she said running her fingers through
it.

“
Have you had dinner, Lucas?” asked Sarah.

“
No, not yet. I don’t cook much. It’s not really my thing.
There wasn’t anything to eat at home anyway so I came by to see
what you girls were doing. I see I have arrived just in time. It
smells great.”

“
Well, there’s plenty here. I always make too much. Please
join us.”

They steered clear of any disturbing subjects over dinner and
Charlotte as always was the chatty entertainer. Lucas watched
Chelsea as she talked and laughed with her family. He suddenly
realised there was no way he could walk away now. She already
possessed his heart and he didn’t want it back.

Charlotte and Sarah discreetly decided after dinner there was
a café they wanted to try with great desserts. After Lucas warned
them to be careful, they left.

Once alone, Lucas scooped Chelsea up and carried her towards
the couch. He placed her lightly but with haste to the floor.
Impatiently he groped at her clothes as his lips sought
hers.

Her eagerness to feel smooth skin equalled his and she tugged
at his clothes with the same fervour. With arms wrapped around her,
he brought her with him as he sat on the comfortable cushions so
she was astride him. They made love on its softness, their bodies
pressed tightly together, their mouths exploring, their hands
buried in each other’s hair. They reached the crescendo together,
their groans of pleasure in unison.

As their slick bodies slowed to a stop, she rested her head on
his shoulder and feathered kisses along his neck and jaw while he
caressed her back and hair. Snuggling with her as she sat cradled
in his lap, was just how he imagined it would be.

“
Sorry to pounce on you like that but I’ve been thinking about
doing that with you on this couch for a couple of days.”

“
I’m not complaining.”

“
I’m also sorry for running out this morning.”

“
It’s ok, I understand. We have only known each other for a
short time and this is happening really fast.”

“
I feel like I’ve known you forever.”

She giggled. “Spoken like a true romantic cliché.”

“
I know but it’s actually true in this instance.”

She smiled, stood up, took his hand and guided him towards the
stairs.

“
Again?” he asked.

She just nodded and took him to her room. This time she wanted
him to make love to her.

* * *

As they did the previous evening, they sat out on the balcony
enjoying the scenery. They were feeding each other chocolate cake
while drinking wine. Lucas was grateful for the cover of darkness.
If Chelsea was being stalked, he didn’t want to give the maniac any
fodder for his delusions.

“
I wish we could stay here forever and forget about
everything,” Chelsea whispered. “I suppose that’s naive and
probably just as corny as what you said downstairs.” She
giggled.

She popped another piece of cake into his mouth with her
fingers, which he nibbled on.

“
It would be nice not to have to see another murder victim,”
he said once she’d removed her fingers.

“
Then why do you do it?” she asked before he put cake into her
mouth and she sucked his fingers.

He groaned and closed his eyes until she stopped. “I don’t
want other families to go without justice, like my family did.” He
clenched his jaw so Chelsea kissed him and his eyes turned amber
again.

“
That’s better,” she said, looking into his eyes. “I love it
when your eyes go that colour.”

“
Yeah, they tend to do that when I’m happy or ….” He kissed
her again.

“
Oh and how do you know this?”

“
I’ve been told.”

“
By whom? All those other girls you’ve been with?” A stab of
envy pierced her heart.

“
A few have mentioned it,” he teased.

“
Oh, I suppose there have been lots. I mean you’re attractive
and I don’t actually know if you’ve been serious with anyone before
... and you’re so amazing and a man ... who I guess has needs ...”
She trailed off, not able to look at him now.

“
Chelsea,” he waited until she brought her eyes back to his.
“I’m not going to lie to you, there have been .... a few but I’ve
never felt about any of them the way I feel about you.” He paused.
“Attractive huh, is that all you got?”

“
Okay, then, to quote my sister, you’re hot.” He
laughed.

“
I’ve just decided I’m going to enjoy teasing you.” He brushed
her face tenderly with his lean fingers. “If you must know, there
have only been a few who have seen me happy. It’s how my sister
knows, just like she did this morning. She hasn’t seen it happen
very often though, and not in a while.”

“
You were happy this morning?”

“
Deliriously.”

She smiled and began to play with his hair. “Not as much hair
to do this now.”

“
I’ll grow it back for you, then.”

“
I like it both ways, so maybe just more time between
haircuts.” She smiled again before her face grew
serious.

“
I’m scared, Lucas,” she whispered.

“
Me too”

“
What are you scared of?”

“
This animal getting you.”

He pressed his forehead to hers and held her hands in
his.

“
Don’t come out here by yourself, ok?”

“
Ok.”

“
I’m going to see about getting uniforms to protect the house
when I’m not here and to escort you to work.”

“
Is that really necessary?” she asked, pulling her head back
to look into his eyes.

“
It would ease my mind a little.”

“
Ok.”

He stood, scooped her up and carried her back to bed. They
made love slowly, looking into each other’s eyes. They cherished
every moment, both wishing they could stay this way forever. They
fell asleep that night in each other’s arms.

Chapter 18

Mabel and Tommy

Sunday

Chelsea lay watching Lucas, waiting for him to wake. He
stirred, which entailed an adorable groaning noise, opened his
eyes, gazed at her sleepily, and smiled. She poked him in the ribs
evoking a boyish giggle which delighted her even more.

“
What’re you doing today?” he asked.

“
Not sure. Charlotte probably wants to go
shopping.”

“
Would you like to spend the day with me and my niece and
nephew?”

“
I’d love to! I’ll go take a shower.”

She leaped out of bed and disappeared into the bathroom. When
the shower door opened, she was in the middle of washing her
hair.

“
Want some company?”

“
Yes, you can wash my back.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him ardently.
Using her vanilla body wash and discovering this was the source of
her delicious aroma; he lathered her body, leaving a familiar trail
of kisses down her wet body before coming to rest between her
thighs. When he brought his mouth to her, she threw her head back
and cried out loudly. He teased her with his tongue until she
shuddered and moaned out his name.

Lucas eased her up against the tiles and, as she wrapped her
legs around him, he thrust inside her. The water cascaded down
their bodies while they kissed feverishly and rode the waves of
ecstasy together.

“
You’re going to wear me out,” he whispered.

“
You’re the one who interrupted me,” she whispered in the same
satisfied tone.

“
I couldn’t resist knowing you were naked and wet.”

“
You’re a naughty boy, Lucas, and I love it!”

He eased her down to the floor and they finished washing each
other tenderly.

Once they were both dressed and ready to leave, Chelsea noted
his different attire and smiled smugly.

“
You brought a change of clothes. Very presumptuous of
you.”

“
I didn’t presume anything. I came here to stay.”

They drove in comfortable silence to Carrie’s house.
Chelsea, however, became increasingly nervous the closer they got
to their destination. How would his family react to the swiftness
of their relationship? Would they think they were rushing things?
Would they approve?

“
Don’t be nervous. They’re all going to love you,” Lucas
said.

“
How do you know I’m nervous?”

“
Let’s see, because you look it. I’m trained to notice these
things. You won’t be able to hide anything from me.” She peeked at
him from the corner of her eye and realised his serious tone was
all in jest as her favourite smile adorned his face.

“
Don’t tease me. I’m nervous enough.”

“
No need to be. Trust me, Carrie is the least judgemental
person I know.”

“
There’s something to judge me for?”

“
Chelsea, you’re making me happy and that’s all that matters
to Carrie and Nathan.”

As he helped her out of the car, her nerves intensified to the
point where she believed her heart would actually leap right out of
her chest. Lucas was important to her and how his family felt about
her suddenly became of the utmost significance.

An adorable blonde girl of about seven answered the door and
leapt into her uncle’s arms.

“
What have I told you about answering the door, Mabe Babe?”
he asked, kissing her on the nose. She promptly jumped down and
shut the door.

“
Who is it?” she sang.

“
It’s me?”

“
Who’s ‘me’?”

“
Uncle Lucas.”

The door flew open and she catapulted herself into his arms
again.

“
That’s better.”

“
Who are you?” she asked.

“
Chelsea.”

“
You’re pretty,” chimed a little voice from below.

“
Thank you.” She smiled and looked down to discover a
miniature version of Lucas. “You must be Mabel and
Tommy.”

“
How do you know who we are?” Mabel asked as she studied
Chelsea with big blue eyes.

“
Mabel!” warned a tall pretty auburn haired woman with the
same intense amber eyes as Lucas.

“
It’s ok,” she said to Carrie and turned to Mabel. “I know who
you are because your uncle has told me all about you but he didn’t
tell me you were so beautiful.”

Knowing she had made an instant friend, Mabel jumped down from
her uncle’s arms to give Chelsea a hug.

“
I like you,” she stated. “You can stay.”

“
Is she your girlfriend?” she asked Lucas.

“
Maybe,” he said smiling at Chelsea.

“
Ok that’s enough now, Mabel. Come in.” Carrie gestured for
them to come inside. “Hello, I’m Carrie.” She then turned to the
tall sandy blond haired man with the same blue eyes as his daughter
standing next to her. “This is my husband, Nathan. You must be
Chelsea.”

“
Hi, nice to meet you both.”

Carrie made coffee while Mabel continued her inquisition.
Tommy gazed at Chelsea shyly while Nathan and Lucas caught up. Once
coffee was served and Carrie was seated, her very own inquest
began.

“
So, what do you do, Chelsea?”

“
I own a shop - Bloom.”

“
Oh I know it. I’ve admired your work many times in the
window. Nathan has simply not gotten the hint yet.”

“
When he does I’ll be sure to make something
special.”

Carrie’s line of questioning continued regarding every aspect
of her life. After about twenty odd questions, Nathan
intervened.

“
Carrie, honey, I don’t ask this many questions in court.
Stop badgering her.”

“
I’m not! Lucas never brings a girl to meet us and seeing he
has, I wanted to learn more about her. This is a novelty for me.
The last time was ...”