Spoilt Read online

  Chelsea’s face paled and her hands started to shake.

  “Chelsea, what is it?” Sarah asked, rushing over to her.

  “He knew Lucas was here and he called me a spoilt bitch, which is what he has been leaving on his victims. Lucas was right. I am a target. Who would do this?”

  The knock at the door startled them and they all yelped in surprise.

  “We’re all a bit jumpy,” said Sarah, trying to calm her daughters. “I’ll go and see who it is.”

  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 ...”

  “Carrie,” Lucas interrupted. “Chelsea doesn’t need to know about ... that.”

  Chelsea glanced at him. Who was it he didn’t want her to know about? She brushed aside her annoyance so they could enjoy the day. There would be plenty of time to quiz him later.

  Lucas decided this was the perfect time to leave before the girls talked the day away. Chelsea suspected it was before Carrie gave away too many secrets.

  As they were leaving, Carrie whispered in her brother’s ear “she’s adorable.”

  “I know.”

  “And whether you know it or not little brother, you do love her.” She waved goodbye.

  Chelsea turned to wave and saw the couple embrace, seemingly grateful they would be spending the day alone together. Her appreciation for Lucas increased and her annoyance completely dissipated. He wasn’t only doing this to spend time with Mabel and Tommy.

  “That is very thoughtful of you, giving Carrie and Nathan some time together,” she said to him quietly.

  “I try and do it once a fortnight, when I’m not working. I love spending time with them. They’re great kids.”

  “Yes they are.”

  It was a bright warm day and the beach and water looked inviting. Once a year for two weeks the carnival was held by the shore and Chelsea hadn’t been since she was a teenager. There was an assortment of rides for all ages and sideshow games with the usual novelty prizes along with all the junk food and sugar one could consume.

  As they walked from the car to the carnival, the children jumped around excitedly while they chatted about what they wanted to do first. Lucas took Chelsea’s hand and pulled her close.

  Mabel and Tommy went and lined up for the carousel while Lucas and Chelsea watched them go around. After several laps involving enthusiastic waving, Chelsea and Lucas became completely absorbed in one another and it felt as though there was no-one else in the world around them. They stared tenderly into each other’s eyes, shared little kisses and whispered their mutual admiration.

  “I feel like a love sick teenager,” he told her. “It’s wonderful.”

  “I think you’re incredible,” she told him. “I can’t wait to get you alone again.” His eyes spoke his assent.

  They were oblivious to the children, who had run up to them, until they spoke.

  “Eeeww, gross! They’re kissing like Mummy and Daddy do,” said Mabel with disgust.

  “You’ve got a girlfriend,” Tommy mocked.

  The rest of the day flew for all concerned. After they had been on every ride they could, eaten as much sugar as was humanly possible and played every sideshow game until they could not carry their prizes anymore, the sun had started to set. They piled into the car and headed home.

  During the drive, Mabel and Tommy promptly fell asleep in the back and Lucas had not let go of Chelsea’s hand.

  “Thank you for today,” she whispered. “I had a wonderful time. It was nice to forget about every
thing for a while. Having children around reminded me how to have fun.”

  “Yeah, me too,” he answered.

  They dropped the children home and said their goodbyes. When they pulled up at Chelsea’s, Lucas walked her to the door but it didn’t appear as though he was going to come in.

  “I really want to stay with you tonight but, if I do, I know I won’t sleep much.” He grinned before his face grew serious. “I’m worried about leaving you alone though, but I have to be focused tomorrow. We have to catch this guy and soon. I really need to sleep.” His brow furrowed in confusion.

  “I have to open the shop tomorrow but I’m sure I can be a little later than normal.”

  She was determined that now they’d found each other they wouldn’t spend a single night apart. Life was too short.

  “I thought you didn’t open Mondays.”

  “I don’t usually but I’m not opening Tuesday because of Elle’s funeral. Come on, big guy, stay. I promise I’ll let you get some sleep.”

  “Oh, of course. Do you want me to come with you?” He resisted her seduction for the moment.

  She nodded and waited.

  “You promise to be good,” he asked playfully.

  “Only a little bit.”

  * * *

  With excitement Anna glanced in the mirror for a last check before grabbing her handbag from the bed. Sophie would no doubt accost her again as she headed out the door but she wasn’t going to reveal anything to her sister, not yet. Chad asked her not to share their growing affection with anyone. The idea of a secret affair thrilled Anna. Having an identical twin usually meant there were no secrets. It was nice to have something that was just hers for once, something she didn’t have to share.

  Meeting a shy Chad, all blond and beautiful, was the nicest thing to happen to Anna in a while. The least she could do was keep their secret. His coy nature drew her to him that day in the coffee shop. She determined this was his reasoning behind their budding relationship remaining between them for now.

  Anna cheered as she went to close the door - she was going to make it without the questions - until Sophie pounced.

  “Where are you going?”