Just a Number (Thirst Trap #2)

2. Alex

Chapter two

Alex

Z ack’s mum is hot. It’s official. She opened the door to me tonight, and I enjoyed getting a good look at her as she did the same to me. She’s shorter than me, wearing some kind of sweater dress over leggings which showed off her petite curves. Long, blonde tresses pour over her shoulders. Pale blue eyes with long lashes. And her lips were smudged with some kind of pink lipstick. It’s long gone now. Probably from the pizza and wine she had.

I finish my business in the bathroom and wash my hands, trying to decide if I should hurry past her bedroom where she was lying on the bed when I saw her a moment ago. Or should I stop and see if I can get her talking?

She looked delicious, all laid out, her concentration riveted to the television and not noticing at first as I approached. It was a shame she sensed me, as I could have quite happily stood and watched her for a while.

I unlock the bathroom door and step out. There are muted voices coming from her room and I guess she’s still watching the TV. I pause by her door and look in. I wonder if she had been listening for me because she pauses the show and looks in my direction as soon as I get close.

“Find it okay?” she asks. She’s not smiling, but her face seems softer than it did earlier. Maybe the wine mellowed her out some.

“Yep. I’ll get out of your way and leave you to your show.” I begin to step backwards, but she calls my name softly.

“Alex, wait. So, you work with Zack at the Arts Centre?”

“I work in one of the units there. We got to talking one day and realised we had a few things in common.”

“Which unit do you work in? I know a few of the artists there.”

“I’m at the ceramics workshop.”

“You help out there?” she queries.

“I create there. I’m a potter.” Her eyebrows shoot up. “Not what you were expecting?” I ask from where I am now leaning against the doorframe. She’s not the first person to be surprised at my line of work.

“What do you make?” There’s a slight blush beginning to creep up her neck, making me wonder if her skin flushes when she comes. Down, boy! This is Zack’s mum. You can’t be thinking stuff like that about her.

“All sorts. It’s like an apprenticeship. Part-time as I need to earn actual money to live. But I’ve learnt heaps in the time I’ve been there.”

“That sounds fascinating. Have you always been drawn to the creative arts?”

“Yeah, I guess so. Always loved drawing and making shit as a kid. Never really grew out of it. Tried pottery at school and got hooked.” She seems genuinely interested in what I have to say and I find myself warming to her. “What do you do?” I ask.

“Ah, nothing as exciting as ceramics. I’m in events management. We’ve used the Arts Centre for some events, which is why I know a few people there.”

She seems to realise she’s sprawled out on the bed as she suddenly sits up and swings her feet around and onto the floor. Shame. I enjoyed her lying there, looking relaxed.

“What are you watching?” I tilt my head in the direction of the television that’s still on pause.

“It’s a drama series about the Yorkshire Ripper.”

“You like crime stuff?” I ask, unsure why I’m lengthening this conversation with her. I really should be heading back downstairs to see whose arse I get to kick next in whatever game has been picked. But there’s something that keeps me here, wanting to talk to her. Zack’s great, but I don’t know his friends yet and I’m finding it easier to make conversation with his mum than them. What’s that about?

“Yeah, I like all sorts. This is good for helping me switch off after work. I usually get engrossed, and it helps me relax.”

“Your job is stressful?”

She grimaces. “At times, yes. I used to love it. I love planning events and managing them. I’m just struggling at the moment with the company I work with and some of my colleagues there.”

As I open my mouth to ask her another question, Zack’s voice shouts up the stairs.

“Alex, where are you? You’re up next.” A flush creeps up Mel’s neck again and she looks away.

“I didn’t mean to keep you. Head back down to Zack.” She’s not looking in my direction at all. Instead, she’s fussing with the hem of her sweater dress.

“It was good to talk to you,” I say, willing her to look back up, wanting her eyes on me again. She laughs in disbelief.

“Sure. Thanks, Alex.” She reaches for the remote control to press play and I turn around and head back down the stairs.

“Dude, what the fuck were you doing up there all that time?” Zack questions as I step into the living room.

“I was just talking to your mum. She stopped me when I was on my way back from the bathroom.”

“Oh shit, was she giving you the third degree? I can ask her to lay off.”

“Nah, it’s fine, bro, just chatting.”

He frowns, looking confused, but then he shrugs and punches my shoulder.

“Come on, Roly needs bringing down a peg or two, and I know you’re the man to do it.” I can’t help looking back up the stairs and thinking about Mel. She was so easy to talk to. But as we make our way back through to the living room, my attention quickly switches to the gaming I’m here for.

We’ve been gaming for hours and now it’s just Zack and I. The others all ditched a while ago, sharing a ride. We’re into car racing now and I’ve got a low-level buzz from the few beers I’ve had.

“You sure it’s okay if I stay?” I check with Zack. He offered when he invited me over. I bought the bike, knowing I wouldn’t ride it after a couple of beers, but he hasn’t mentioned it again since I got here, so I wonder if he’s forgotten.

“All good, bro. You can sleep on the couch. Do you need bedding and stuff?”

“Nah, I’m all good. Do you need to check with your mum?”

“Nah, she’s sweet. Rich has been staying over for years.”

After a few more races, Zack is clearly ready to call it a night. I’ve beaten him three times in a row, and his clenched jaw and bouncing knee make his frustration clear.

“Dammit, you’re too good.”

I shrug. “Just had a lot of practice.”

“I’m gonna head up to bed. You sure you don’t need anything?”

“I’ll grab some water if that’s okay?” He nods. “And I just shut the door behind me when I leave in the morning? It doesn’t need locking behind me?”

“Stay for breakfast. Mum usually makes a mean fry up on a Saturday.”

“I've got work tomorrow at ten. I’ll see how I go.”

“Fair enough. Catch ya later.” And with that, he’s gone. I get up to turn the console off and switch to a television channel. I put the volume down low and then flick off the overhead light, using the glow from the television and a lamp in the corner to light my way.

I clear off most of the cushions from the couch, but keep a couple at one end to rest my head on. My jacket and boots already lay on the floor and I shuck my jeans and socks off and add them to the pile, knowing I won’t be comfortable enough to sleep wearing them. Wearing just my black t-shirt and boxer shorts, I head through to the kitchen, grabbing handfuls of empty beer bottles as I go.

Mel didn’t come back down again after I talked to her and clearly, none of the guys here tonight know how to pick up after themselves.

I place the bottles by the sink, then fold the lids over on the pizza boxes, which are all empty from the constant grazing we were doing between our turns on the gaming console. Grabbing a tall glass from the cupboard, I fill it with water and chug down two glasses before refilling a third time and taking it through to the lounge.

I stop by the floor-to-ceiling wooden bookcase on my way through. It’s overrun with books. A couple of the titles caught my eye earlier, and now there’s no one around, I want to take a peek.

My brows raise when the first book I pull out has a half-naked man on the front. I tilt the book towards the light from the lamp to read the description on the back and let loose a chuckle as I realise that Mel likes dirty books. I browse a few before taking one to have a flick through.

I lay on the couch, rearranging the pillows underneath my head. It’s insane how quickly I’m engrossed in the book. I used to enjoy reading as a kid, but it fell away in my teenage years when gaming took over. But I could get into this. My cock even twitches with interest as I read a scene with a woman being bent over and fucked while the guy lets loose a whole lot of dirty talk. Is this what Mel likes? I check the time on my phone and reluctantly tuck the book under the cushion when I see how late it is.

I wake much later and it’s pitch black. Despite not having a blanket or bedding, I’m roasting hot and can hear the faraway sound of a radiator gurgling somewhere. The central heating must have kicked on and warmed me up. I drag the t-shirt over my head, leaving me in just my boxers before rolling over and falling back asleep.

I’m aware of a loud squeak coming from the region of the door. Not a scream and not quite a shriek, but enough noise to have me rolling over and blearily opening my eyes to peer in the direction of the sound.

Mel is standing there, her hand covering her mouth and eyes wide with surprise. She’s wearing sleep shorts and a little strappy vest top and it pleases me to see her nipples making points against the fabric. I want nothing more than to reach out and tweak them.

“Alex.” She finds her voice finally. “I didn’t know you were here.” She crosses her arms across her chest and I berate myself for staring too long.

“Zack said I could stay on the couch. Just let me get dressed and I’ll get out of your hair.” I sit up, placing my forearms on my knees to disguise the morning wood that’s made an appearance.

“You don’t have any bedding.”

“I just used some couch cushions. Hope that’s okay.” My voice comes out more gravelly than usual and I try to clear my throat, but it comes out sounding like a growl.

“There’s a spare bedroom upstairs with a bed fully made. Why didn’t Zack put you in there?” Her brows come together in what looks like bafflement.

I shrug. “I dunno, but I was fine on the couch. Just got warm when the heating kicked in.” I look across to my pile of clothes, wondering if I should get up and get dressed, but my cock is still standing to attention. It’s not an unusual thing to happen in the mornings, but it’s definitely been exacerbated by Mel’s nipples and breasts clearly on display in her strappy top. I just need to distract myself for a moment so I can get it to go down, and then I can pull on my clothes and get out of here.

“Ah yeah, I just altered the heating settings with the change in weather, but I think the temperature is set too high. I’ll… uh… go turn it down.” She looks flustered, and it’s kinda cute. I watch as she spins on the spot and can’t help but admire the swell of her arse cheeks sitting pretty in her shorts as she leaves the room.

I use the opportunity to reach over to grab my jeans and pull them on. I half button them and then grab the book I’d been reading last night, snapping a quick photo so I remember who it’s by before tucking it back on the shelf. Might have to download that and finish it later. Or maybe Mel would loan it to me.

“It’s okay. I’ll head out. Don’t change it on my account,” I call after her. I see her in the kitchen with a look of amazement on her face.

“Did Zack tidy?” she asks, sounding shocked.

“Er, that was me. I wasn’t sure where to put the recycling but I'm happy to do it now. And I can take the pizza boxes out to the rubbish if you let me know where it is.” Her mouth gapes as she stares at me.

“You don’t need to do that,” she whispers.

“No worries. I tidy up after myself at home. Was surprised none of the other guys did it, to be honest.” I frown.

“Ahh, I think Zack’s used to me doing it over the years and his mates just followed his lead. I probably dug that hole for myself,” she says with a grimace. “You want some breakfast?” She’s fiddling with the fancy-looking coffee machine in the corner.

“I don’t want to be any bother.”

“It’s no bother. Do you drink coffee?” She has a cup under there now and the divine aroma wafts towards me.

“I’m fairly certain I need coffee to survive,” I tell her and her chuckle, when it comes, is like a reward. I want to keep making her laugh—it lights up her whole face.

“Coffee coming right up.”

“What can I do to help?”

“Here, you have this one, and I’ll make myself another.” She holds out the cup she’s just filled, and I take a couple of strides closer to her. I forgot the size difference until now and there’s a perverse kind of pleasure when she has to lift her chin to look up at me. My fingers brush hers as I take the cup, and her throat bobs with a swallow.

“Thanks, Mel,” I say quietly as I tilt my lips in a smile. She stands and stares at me and I make no effort to step back, choosing to relish in the way she watches me. I take a swig of coffee and sigh with pleasure. “So good.”

“Mmm,” she agrees. There’s a stray wave of hair across her forehead and I lift my hand to brush it away. She flinches and takes a step back.

“I was just going to brush your hair away from your face.” Dissatisfaction floods me when she does it herself. Her blush is back, and she’s struggling to look me in the eye.

“I’ll start breakfast once I’ve had some coffee. You want some?”

“Some what?” I ask, hoping against all odds that it’s something dirty.

“Bacon, eggs, hash brown, toast.”

“Sounds good.” I try not to let the disappointment filter through in my voice.

“Why don’t you finish getting dressed and it’ll be ready soon,” she says, still not looking at me. I have an urge to take a step closer and push her flush against the worktop. I’d love to watch the blush intensify, but deep down, I know that’s not appropriate. She’s Zack’s mum, for fuck's sake. I need to rein myself in.

“Sure thing.”