Just a Number (Thirst Trap #2)

6. Mel

Chapter six

Mel

W hat the fuck am I doing? Not only did I practically drool over my son’s friend when he came in and kneeled to remove his boots, as I imagined what he could do to me from that position. Now, I’ve crept back downstairs after pretending to head up to my room. I don’t even know why. What am I planning to do? Spy on him? Listen to their conversation? I’m a 40-year-old woman, for god’s sake. I’ve got to snap out of this attraction before it becomes an obsession.

When Zack mentioned that he’d invited Alex over tonight, I struggled to contain myself. We’d been eating dinner when Zack told me Alex was on his way. I’d tried to subtly finger-comb my hair and was tempted to check my appearance in my phone camera. I didn’t do that, but I did pause by the mirror in the hallway on the way to answer the front door and I may have slipped an extra button on my blouse undone. Shameless hussy.

I’m not planning to do anything. Of course I’m not. But I guess I’m happy that something, make that someone, has got my juices flowing. I need to harness this feeling for good. Maybe play with that toy that Cassidy bought me once Alex has left and Zack is asleep.

When I looked through the peephole to check it was him, he smiled so sweetly. I hadn’t been expecting that. If anything, he came off as cocky the first time I met him. But he was sweet just now, smiling at me and asking me about my day. That’s dangerous, like we are easing into a friendship. And I have no business having a friendship, let alone anything else, with a twenty-something-year-old who’s friends with my son. I don’t even know his actual age. I daren’t ask; I don’t have a decent reason to check.

I tilt my head to listen to what the guys are saying and I hear Alex ask Zack, “You don’t know anyone looking for a flatmate, do you?”

“No, but I’ll ask around,” Zack replies. Zack mentioned the other day that Alex is saving up to move out of home. I find myself thinking about who I know that might need a lodger or a flatmate.

I mean, we have a spare room and there’s also the space above the garage. The people that lived here before had it kitted out for a lodger. There’s a tiny bathroom with a toilet, basin, and shower. Then there are kitchen cupboards, a sink and countertop in one corner. It’s basic but habitable. After my ex left, I even wondered about renting that space out. It’s mostly been used for storage since then, but it wouldn’t take much to clear it out.

I close my eyes for a second. If it was any of Zack’s other friends, the ones I’ve known for years, and had absolutely no sexual feelings for, it would be an instant yes. But this would be a bad idea. Not only am I attracted to Alex, I’ve not missed his glances at me either. Okay, maybe he doesn’t fancy me. I’m a forty-year-old divorcee, for god’s sake. But he’s a young guy and with that spark between us, I can’t help but think he’d be easy to seduce. And what the hell do I know about seducing someone? Fuck. It has to be a no. Thank goodness Zack hasn’t thought of it. I’ll just have to hope that Alex finds something soon and I don’t have to feel guilty about not offering him the space.

I get the fright of my life when there’s movement in the kitchen. I’ve sunk down on a middle stair, lost in my thoughts, and if one of the guys comes through that door I’ll be in full sight. Shit!

I stand quickly and start walking down the stairs as if I’m only just heading that way now. The kitchen door opens and Alex steps into the hallway, looking back at Zack as says, “I’ve got to get this. It’s my mum.” He closes the door behind him and is now so focused on the phone in his hand that he doesn’t seem to notice me.

“Hey, Mum, are you okay?” Snippets of speech drift out from the other end of the line, but I can’t make any words out. “He said what? No, I fucking didn’t.” He gets cut off by a response on the other end.

I’m torn. I know I shouldn’t be listening, but if I move, he’ll see me and know I’ve been loitering. Before I can decide to brazen it out and walk past him to the kitchen, he talks again, his tone agitated as he runs his fingers through his already tousled hair.

“He dropped his bottle of beer and it smashed because he was already drunk when he got home. I laughed, and he swung for me.” Another pause from him and furious chatter sounds out from the other end of the phone.

“I pushed him. Not hard. Just enough to stop him from hitting me. And then I left.”

I raise my hand to my mouth, trying to contain myself. Frustration drips from him as he clenches the fist not holding his phone. I want to reach out and soothe him, but I can’t. It’s not my place.

“I’m at Zack’s.” More talking from his mum.

“What do you mean? Why are you taking his side? I’m trying to find somewhere to live, but I haven’t found anywhere yet.” His hand drags down his face and I must make a movement that catches his eye because instantly I’m caught in his gaze. His eyes are dark and stormy as he lets out a deep sigh.

“Fine, I'll stay somewhere else tonight. I’ll let you know when I’ll be back to collect my stuff.” His long finger prods at the ‘end call’ button once he’s lifted the phone away from his ear.

He closes his eyes for a second, his head falling forward as he heaves in a deep breath.

“I’m so sorry. I was coming downstairs. I didn’t mean to listen, but I couldn’t get past without disturbing you.” I’m babbling. “I’ll get out of your way.” I try to squeeze past, but his hand reaches for my shoulder. Despite his clear agitation, his touch is gentle.

“It’s your house. I’m sorry I was in the way.” He looks like he wants to say something, but hesitates, his gaze boring into mine.

“Do you need somewhere to stay tonight?” I ask quietly.

“Err, yeah, it’s okay. I’ll call Laura.”

Ah, he must have a girlfriend. How can I be so stupid to assume he’s single and maybe slightly interested in me?

There’s the sound of Zack moving around in the kitchen.

“I’ll get out of your way so you can call your girlfriend.” I give him a small smile and start to walk away.

“What?” He sounds baffled. “Girlfriend? Laura is my sister.”

I can’t even begin to explain the level of relief that floods me at that statement, which is ridiculous because this guy has nothing to do with me.

“Well, if you can’t stay with her, you can stay here tonight. You can even have the guest room. No need to slum it on the couch.”

Zack opens the kitchen door wide, suddenly frowning. “What’s going on? Everything okay?”

I slip past him into the kitchen, but I can hear Alex’s response.

“My mum’s chucked me out.”

“Fuck, what for?”

“Had a disagreement with Doug before I left tonight. He told her I hit him.”

“Shit. Did you?”

He lets out a deep sigh. “No. He tried to hit me. I gave him a push to stop him. Fuck! I need to call my sister and see if I can crash on her floor.” The frustration is clear in his tone.

My heart is breaking for him. His voice is gravelly and I can sense the emotion he’s bottling up, even from the next room. I want to soothe him. I try to busy myself, pulling some Coke from the fridge. I open one for myself and then grab two more for the guys.

“I heard Mum say you can stay here. Why don’t you do that tonight and then speak to your sister in the morning?”

“You sure that’s okay?” There’s a hint of relief in his question.

“She wouldn’t have offered if it wasn’t.”

“Okay, that sounds good. Can we game? I need a distraction.” Their voices quieten as they move into the lounge.

I load up a tray with drinks and snacks and bring it in for them.

“I bought you guys some refreshments,” I tell them as I lay it on the coffee table. “I’ll head upstairs and leave you to it.”

“Thanks, Mum. Alex is gonna stay here tonight and call his sister in the morning,” Zack tells me, obviously not realising I heard their conversation.

“No worries. Make yourself comfortable in the guest room. Zack can show you where it is. And maybe lend you some fresh clothes if you need them in the morning?” I look across to Zack with a raised brow, and he nods in agreement.

“No problems, man.”

“Thank you,” comes Alex’s soft reply. He has a hint of devastation about him, but at least he has a warm bed for the night. There’s not much else I can do to help. I quietly leave and grab my own drink and snack before heading upstairs.

The next morning, I wake earlier than usual. I spent a lot of time fidgeting around in bed last night, trying to find a comfortable spot to sleep. I thought briefly about trying out the toy that Cassidy had given me to see if an orgasm would help me chill out and get some rest, but I’d felt self conscious with Alex staying here. I slept eventually, but I spent far too long thinking about a certain tattooed, motorbike riding, and now potentially homeless guy.

I have an in-person meeting today with some clients. It’s currently the lull before the festive season and I’ve been trying to make the most of it before my evenings and weekends are filled with managing events.

I use the shower in my ensuite before I dress in a dove-grey trouser suit with a blue silk blouse. I spend time drying and styling my hair and then add some light makeup. I tend to keep my make-up light during the day and save the heavy smoky eyes and bright lips for the evening events I attend. The last thing I do to get ready is add a necklace with a charm that hangs down in the V of my buttoned shirt.

I head downstairs to the kitchen and get a surprise when I see Alex already sitting at the breakfast bar, one hand curled around a mug and his phone in the other. He’s wearing joggers and a t-shirt that I recognise as Zack’s. I must make a sound to alert him to my presence, because he looks up.

“Morning. How did you sleep?” I ask him.

He clears his throat. “Err, not great. The bed was comfortable, but there’s a lot on my mind.”

“Is that coffee? Do you want a fresh one?” I make my way over to the machine to make my first caffeinated drink of the day.

“That would be awesome, thanks.”

I’m aware of him getting up and moving towards me. He places his now empty mug down on the counter. He stands right behind me and I swear there’s heat emanating from him, which has my temperature rising.

“Thanks for letting me stay last night, Mel. I really appreciate it.”

“It’s no bother. Do you think you’ll be able to stay with your sister?” I abandon my coffee making to turn round and face him. He makes no move to step back, crowding my space, causing a flutter of nerves low in my belly. His gaze tracks over my face.

“I’m not sure. Hopefully. She’s in a small flat. Guess it depends if she has any other guests staying.” He shrugs.

“Well, the spare room is free if you need it.” I can’t quite believe what I’m saying. “You know, just until you get something else sorted.”

“Thanks, but hopefully I’ll be out of your hair today.”

I turn back to the coffee machine and crank it up to make us both a drink. He doesn’t move from his position close by and I find guilty pleasure in his proximity. Our fingers brush as I pass him the first cup and as he takes it from my grasp, I have to hold back my shiver. His fingers are rough, probably from the pottery, but his touch is gentle.

I don’t want to move my hand away. I want to savour this physical connection. I want those roughened fingertips stroking all the way up my arm, to my neck, across my lips. I take an abrupt step back, trying to disconnect from the thoughts I know I shouldn’t be having. His eyebrows raise and what might be disappointment is painted across his face.

“I better take my coffee to go. I’ve got an early meeting.” I’m lying. It’s not that early, but I need to establish some boundaries here. I need to clear my head and hopefully, when I get back later today, Alex won’t be here, tempting me.

He gives me a nod, watching me through his ridiculously-long-lashes-for-a-guy.

“I mean it, if you don’t have anywhere to stay right away, you can have the guest room for a day or two.” I continue to add the temporary time frame, as much for my own sanity as well as to let him know it can’t be permanent.

“I hope it won’t come to that, but thank you.”

I pour my coffee into a travel mug and fix the lid, giving Alex a smile and a nod as I leave.

I gather up my briefcase from the hallway cupboard and check I’ve got my laptop in there. Time to leave. And I can’t decide if I’ll be sad if Alex isn’t here when I get back or if I’ll be relieved.