The Next Season (novella) (13 page)

What followed was a quickie to knock all other quickies out of the ballpark, their bodies moving in perfect sync, both feeling and wanting this more than anything. And when they were finished they collapsed against each other—him still inside her, chest against chest, her head on his shoulder—while they caught their breath and waited for their heart
rates to return to some kind of normality. Sweat beaded on Shaun's forehead and his legs felt a little shaky, but aside from that, he felt on top of the world. Higher.

And then he remembered he wasn't wearing a condom.

Shit
.

He was pretty damn sure flings necessitated safe sex, and that he should regret what they'd just done. Feel guilty.

But he couldn't.

Nothing had ever felt so real. The fact of the matter was that the woman in his arms meant more to him than anyone in the world. His heart struck up a heavy beat at the thought. At the realisation he'd fallen head over heels in love with Zoe.
Again
. Perhaps he'd never really stopped loving her, but they'd agreed very solidly to a temporary arrangement.

‘We didn't use a condom,' he said, to stop himself blurting out his other thoughts. He didn't want to scare her off.

‘Shit.' She didn't sound happy at all, but then added, ‘It's fine, I'm on the pill.'

He didn't feel the relief he heard in her voice. What had he been expecting? That she'd suddenly change her tune and say, ‘Hey, let's never use protection again? In fact, why don't we get married and try for a baby.' If they were to have a baby together, he'd be the happiest guy on the planet.

But maybe she didn't want that.

He half snorted, half chuckled at the ridiculousness of the situation and somehow made it sound like he was choking.

‘Are you okay?' Zoe lifted her head and looked into his eyes.

‘Fine.' He nodded, smiled and then gently extricated himself, tugging his jeans back up and buckling them. ‘Can I get you a drink or something?'

‘I'd kill for a beer.' She slid off the table and straightened herself up, and then together they headed for the kitchen. He leaned into the fridge to retrieve a couple of cold ones, cracked them open and then handed her one.

‘Cheers.' She clinked bottle necks with his and grinned in a way that made his heart squeeze. ‘Shall we take these into the lounge room?'

‘Sounds good.' He took her hand and they wandered into the front room together. The nights they hadn't made it to his bedroom to have sex, this had become a bit of a thing. They'd sit like teenagers, making out on the couch, more often than not doing the deal again, and half-heartedly watching TV shows while talking about everything from favourite foods to deepest fears. Zoe had an embarrassing fear of ladybirds, but one night she'd admitted that her deepest anxiety was not being able to look after herself—which was why she'd beaten herself up so much over Jasper.

Eeyore roused the moment they entered the room, bouncing up and over to Zoe like he hadn't seen her in months. She laughed as she gave him the attention he desired and then finally encouraged him back to his spot on the floor.

‘Guess what?' she said, her tone excited as she sat down on the couch and curled her legs up at her side.

Shaun sat down beside her and she leaned in as he wrapped one arm around her shoulder. ‘What?'

She opened her mouth but then hesitated. Finally, ‘Oh, it's not that exciting but I got paid today. Not much, but it means—'

‘That you want to go get your stuff from Jasper's?' He was already finishing her sentences.

‘Yes. Is the offer still open? You know, for you and the truck?'

‘Hell, yeah!' He pulled her even closer and kissed her on the forehead, happy that that part of her life would finally be over. Maybe once she'd cut her ties to Jasper the Jerk, she'd come round to the idea of trying again with a man who wouldn't treat her like shit. He wouldn't push her though, wouldn't rush her, but he hoped in time he'd win her over to the idea of them together for much more than hot sex.

‘Thank you.' It was her turn to kiss him, this time on the lips. But just as things started to get heated, she pulled back and said, ‘I was thinking maybe we could get up early, steal back my furniture, then go have some lunch and a surf. My shout of course.'

‘I'm in.' But no way in hell would he let her pay for it when he knew how close to the line she was. ‘When's your next day off?'

‘Sunday.'

Two days away. He could hardly wait. ‘Let's do it.'

Zoe smiled and then yawned, but tried to cover it.

‘You're tired.' He hooked a few strands of hair behind her ear so he could see her better.

‘I'm fine,' she protested. ‘How was your day? Make anything good?'

‘You don't need to hear about what I made, Zo-Zo. You need sleep.'

She sighed and then made to slip out of his grasp. ‘I guess so. Damn Sandee making me stay up so late.'

He kept a tight grip on her so she couldn't move. And before he could stop himself, he made a decision. ‘Stay here tonight. Stay with me.'

‘What?' She turned to look at him and his heart went haywire again.

Too pushy? Too soon? Too totally-not-what-we-agreed?

He shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. ‘I've worn you out recently. The least I can do is offer you a place to rest. You look too exhausted to even walk to the door.'

She raised an eyebrow. ‘And can you guarantee I'll get a good night sleep with you in bed?'

He held up his hands. ‘Scout's honour. I'll even sleep on the couch if it makes you feel better.'

‘Oh no you won't.' She shook her head as she stood up and reached out to take his hand. ‘And I'm pretty sure you were never a scout.'

‘Maybe not,' he chuckled as he swung her up into his arms. She squealed as he switched off the light in the lounge with his elbow and then carried her down the hallway to his bedroom, Eeyore following closely behind.

Zoe couldn't believe this. But Shaun was right. She was tired, too tired to think about tomorrow—or what she'd say to Sandee when she found out. Too tired for anything but to fall into bed and snuggle up with the man of her heart as he wrapped his arms around her. Sleeping with him felt too good. Sex with him was off the charts, but this could be dangerous.

How was she supposed to go back to carefree shagging once she'd had a taste of what a real relationship with Shaun could be like? She'd wanted to tell him about Hannah's offer tonight, but had bitten her tongue a number of times because she'd been terrified of his reaction. She didn't want him to think she was accepting the job because she expected things to continue with him.

But then again, maybe
this
—being in his bed, his arm tucked into her side and his chest pressed against her back—was a good sign? Surely he wouldn't ask her to stay if the lines weren't blurring for him as well.

Somehow, despite these thoughts stirring a storm inside her, Zoe fell into slumber. She slept like the dead, better than she'd slept since discovering Jasper's betrayal, and it appeared that Shaun did too, for the first thing either of them was aware of the next morning was Eeyore launching himself onto the bed, demanding attention. Which she guessed meant breakfast.

‘Eeyore, get the fuck off.' Shaun sat up, laughter in his harsh words as he wrestled with the massive beast.

Zoe, startled into consciousness, couldn't help giggling.

Shaun glanced sideways at her and glared. ‘Don't just cackle. Help.'

Reacting quickly, she leapt out of bed and ran for the door. ‘Eeyore! Come!'

The mutt deserted Shaun, immediately bounding after Zoe as she jogged down the hall and into the kitchen. Without thinking, she dumped a few scoopfuls of dog biscuits into his bowl and then returned to the bedroom where she found Shaun yanking on his work pants.

‘What time is it?' she asked, frowning as she looked past him to the bright light bursting in through the gap in the curtains. Panic began to build in her chest.

He tossed her a cocky grin. ‘Just after eight.'

‘Shit.' She glanced around for her clothes, which she'd discarded before falling into bed. ‘I'm on the early shift at Hannah's. I'm supposed to be there already. Oh God, that's just like me. The day after she offers me a promotion, I stuff things up.'

‘Hang on. What promotion?' Shaun trekked across the room and put his hands on her shoulders, stilling her.

She gave him a half shrug and an apologetic smile, cursing inwardly at her awkward delivery. So much for easing him into the idea of her hanging around. ‘Zoe offered me a permanent job as manager of the café. She wants me to take over when she goes on maternity leave.'

‘She what?' His face lit up and he threw his arms around her in a bear hug. ‘Congratulations. That's fantastic news.'

‘It is?' Her heart leapt a little at his joyful display.

‘Of course. You'll be great at Hannah's.' He pulled back. ‘I'll drive you to Sandee's for your uniform and then take you back to the café. We'll think of an excuse on the way.'

‘Thanks.' Feeling as if she could float away at any moment, Zoe gathered yesterday's clothes and quickly dressed, while Shaun went to brush his teeth and put Eeyore in the yard.

He drove them the short distance and waited outside while she rushed in to get changed. Thankfully Sandee was out, so she ran down the hall to her room uninterrupted. There wasn't time to shower, so she washed her face and brushed her teeth, scooped her hair into a practical ponytail and then sprayed a liberal amount of body spray over herself before yanking on her uniform. She glanced in the mirror—the natural glow in her cheeks caused by Shaun meant she didn't need makeup—and then rushed back outside to join him.

‘Hey gorgeous, need a ride?'

She laughed and rolled her eyes, feeling as if she could burst with love for him and his cheesy lines. They took turns conjuring up ridiculous excuses to give to Hannah during their short drive and when Shaun pulled his ute up out the front of the Chocolate Dreams Café, Zoe turned to look at him.

‘Thank you,' she said, meaning so much more than those two simple words could say. She grabbed her bag from her feet and then placed one hand on the door handle, ready to push it open, but Shaun grabbed her other wrist and pulled her back.

Then he closed the gap between them and kissed her. Hard. On the lips. In the main street. In full view of the shop, his sister and anyone else who might happen to be wandering by.

She smiled as they broke away. ‘I guess it's time we have a little chat about the whole cloak and dagger fling thing.'

‘Tonight.' He chuckled and grinned as she climbed out of the car. As she watched him drive off, Zoe put her fingers up to touch her lips. They were stretched to capacity in the biggest smile ever, and still tingled with the feel of him. Then, realising she couldn't stand on the pavement grinning goofily all day, she turned towards the café.

That was when her heart jammed in her throat and her breathing halted. Across the road, in a perfect vantage point to see Shaun kiss her, was the bottle-blonde who had been in the café with her friends on Saturday. The woman who had broken Shaun's heart on New Year's Eve when she turned him down in front of everyone. Melissa, his ex.

She was staring at her, a mask of shock and distaste plastered across her face.

Zoe stared back, wanting to stand all tall and confident, wanting to shout across the road that Melissa had had her chance, but…she suddenly felt as if she might throw up.

What if he'd seen her? Had that public kiss all been for Melissa's sake?

She felt tears prickling at the edges of her eyes. Of course. When he'd had asked her to stay last night, he hadn't said it meant anything. And this morning when he'd congratulated her about her job, that had been it. He'd been happy for her but he hadn't said anything about it being good for
them
. Together.

She was still frozen to the spot when she heard the bell of the café door ring behind her. ‘Zoe? Are you coming in or are you going to stand around all day staring at the road.'

A chill filled Zoe at Hannah's playful words, called to her from the open doorway. It took her everything to turn around and smile at her boss, at Shaun's sister. ‘Sorry,' she squeaked. ‘I'm…'

Hannah beamed and rushed forward, taking her by the elbow and ushering her into the café. ‘Say no more. There's no need to apologise, I saw everything. And I'm
so
happy.'

For a second Hannah's words confused her. Hannah was
happy
that Shaun was using her to make his ex-girlfriend jealous? And then she realised. She mightn't have seen Melissa but she'd definitely seen the little display they'd put on in the car. Zoe opened her mouth to tell her that it didn't mean anything, but she found she couldn't.

‘I'll get right to work,' she said instead, and rushed off to tuck her bag under the counter and put on her black waitressing apron.

The morning passed agonisingly slowly, and when Shaun popped in for his daily slice of something fattening, Zoe feigned busyness, catching his gaze only briefly and tossing what she hoped constituted a nonchalant smile his way.

Finally, her shift ended and she could escape home. She helped make dinner and attempted chirpiness at the table, hoping Sandee wouldn't notice she was anything but or ask her where she'd been the last few nights. Sometimes Sandee could be far too perceptive. Somehow she made it through dinner, then helped with the washing up before slinking off to her bedroom while Sandee helped the kids with their homework and got
them off to bed. But try as she might to go to sleep, as much as she wanted to pass out and forget her heartache, she couldn't.

Shaun texted to ask if she were coming over and she replied with the age-old headache excuse. Typical guy, he told her to take a painkiller and get some rest. She rolled her eyes and went back to hugging her pillow. The tissue box emptied and her stomach started to rumble. When the house went quiet just after eleven, she took the chance to sneak out into the kitchen. She found a big bag of salt and vinegar chips, cracked open a can of Diet Coke and took them both into the lounge room to check what was on the box.