Faking It Page 6

  Megan raised her eyes up towards the ceiling, as if seeking some divine intervention. “I didn’t say that, did I?

  “Then prove it!” Alison snapped, in a voice that heralded the beginnings of an argument.

  The last thing Megan needed was another argument. Why did things have to get so damn emotional all the time?

  She sat up, the soapy suds sliding down her firm breasts and pulled Alison up to meet her halfway, cupping her lover’s glowing face between her hands and drawing her close. Her voice deepened as she leaned forward to whisper in her ear. “When I’m away, do you know what I think of when I’m touching myself,” she asked, as she slowly traced her finger around the outline of Alison’s breasts.

  Alison tugged on her bottom lip with her teeth, before a smile slowly crept onto her face. “No tell me,” she breathed more than said.

  “I think of you … watching me.” Megan looked at her through half-open eyes as she slid her hand slowly down her moist body. Her skin glistened under the seductive glow of the candle light, her hand coming to a halt between her own legs. She loved to watch Alison’s face when she was aroused.

  “Do you like me touching myself?” Megan moaned huskily as she sank back in the tub to rest her head on the edge, her finger rubbing against her clit.

  “Yes,” Alison answered with a gasp.

  Megan bit her bottom lip, feeling the pressure mounting within her, building and deepening, until she was nearly ready to erupt.

  As if sensing the impending final moment, Alison slid her fingers deep into her, increasing the speed as Megan’s hips pushed upwards towards her, hitting her sweet spot with every thrust. The sexy, encouraging groans from Alison pushed her faster and closer to the brink of pleasure, as waves of water lapped against their skin like the surf on a beach. Megan gripped Alison’s wrist as her fingers buried themselves inside her. She begged her to press harder as her breasts rose and fell rapidly. She was so close. Megan cried out as she felt the explosion between her legs, her body going limp as she basked in the final seconds of ecstasy.

  Megan inhaled sharply through her nose, then released a long deep breath as she raised her hand and twined it with Alison’s resting on the edge of the tub. Pressing their palms together, Megan pulled both hands back to kiss Alison’s fingers. “Hmmm, that was so good.”

  Alison smiled as she untangled herself from Megan’s legs and moved to lay over her, delivering a trail of kisses along her blood-flushed neck. “Just imagine Megan, it could be like this every day.”

  Megan let out a sigh as she began an internal debate. But what about Brooke? Her thoughts drifted from the pleasure of the moment to the cold reality of her other lover, miles away. What was the solution? Brooke drove her to distraction but like Alison, she had something that Megan wanted. Something that would be hard to relinquish. She loved to be needed and nobody needed her as much as these two women – she had made sure of that.

  She ran her hand over Alison’s short hair, stroking the planes of her back. She felt so good. She loved this woman’s body, every glorious inch of it. And each time she devoured her, she wanted her more and more. Feeling the shudder of Alison’s shoulders, Megan could sense the unfulfilled lust still burning within. She moved her mouth towards Alison’s, feeling a warm throb between her legs as her tongue found its way into her lover’s hot mouth. She was divine. She was beautiful. She was all hers … all night.

  Chapter Eleven

  “The mobile phone you have called may be switched off. Please try again later.”

  Brooke slammed her mobile on the dresser. A knot tightened in the pit of her stomach. The feeling that something was amiss had led her to leave a highly enjoyable party earlier than she would have liked.

  Since arriving home she had called Megan several times without success. She felt a stab of annoyance towards her for being so inconsiderate. Didn’t she realise how worried she would be not hearing from her? She should have arrived hours ago. Wasn’t it just courtesy to let your partner know you had got there safely?

  Why should it surprise me she didn’t?

  It was morning in Sydney, surely Megan would be up and about by now. She claimed she never suffered from jetlag and was always the first one up and ready for the day’s adventures. Strange then that she hadn’t heard a word. She sometimes wondered if Megan behaved this way just to torment her.

  Her frustrations towards her own relationship made her mind jump to the subject of Danni and Josh. Now they seem like a couple that really work. Brooke thought of how nice it must be to be with someone more caring, someone more thoughtful. Danni and Josh seemed to have that, a real respect and understanding. But of course, nothing is ever as it seems, she consoled herself. Who knows what really goes on behind closed doors?

  To be honest, she was feeling a little confused by her feelings towards Danni. There was something about her that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. She just couldn’t get her out of her mind. Was it normal to feel attracted to somebody when you were supposed to be happily in love already? Maybe that was it – maybe she didn’t really love Megan anymore. Perhaps she was just trying to cling on and make it work.

  Brooke continued the debate in her mind as she walked to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. Despite her annoyance with Megan, a smile played on her lips as she thought about the party and more importantly, Danni. She wondered if it was such a good idea taking her number. Surely that was asking for trouble.

  Hey, stop getting ahead of yourself! Danni’s engaged - to a man! But then, what about that spark she had felt between them – surely she couldn’t have imagined the way Danni looked at her. Brooke was always the last person to realise anyone was attracted to her, it was a long-standing joke amongst her friends.

  Dismissing thoughts of Danni, she filled a glass under the tap then walked to her bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. She picked up her phone from the side and pressed redial, “The mobile phone you have called may be switched o–”

  She cut off the message abruptly as paranoia rose within her. A vision of Megan in the arms of another woman leapt into her mind. The ugly image of Megan giving all her love and attention to someone else.

  Laying back against the cushions, her torturous thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of her mobile. It was Megan. She hesitated before answering it – she didn’t want her to hear any annoyance in her voice. She pressed accept and put on her best upbeat voice.

  “Hi, sweetheart.”

  “Hello,” Megan’s voice was barely a whisper, she sounded strange.

  “Are you okay, Megs?” Her heart rate started to increase. She pressed her ear closer to the phone trying to hear some background noise. There was none.

  “I’m fine, I’m just tired.”

  “You should have a nap.”

  “I will. How did your party go?”

  “Oh that.” Her thoughts immediately went to Danni and the guilt she felt at the attraction. “It was okay. I wish I was there with you. Why do you have to stay there so long?”

  “We discussed this Brooke, It’s only for a two weeks. There was no point me travelling all this way without staying on to see the sights. Oh, uh, sorry I have to go. Call you later.”

  There was silence, a strange ruffle, and then the phone went dead. Brooke immediately called back but it went straight to voicemail.

  Confused, she rolled off the bed and wandered into the living room. She couldn’t sleep with her mind racing with so many crazy thoughts. Slumping down into the brown leather sofa, in the clutter-free, spacious room, the sight of Megan’s laptop under the white lacquered coffee table caught her eye. She couldn’t believe that she had actually forgotten to take it with her. Normally that was the first thing she packed. Was this an omen? What if she looked at it? What if she actually turned it on and checked her email? In an effort to dismiss the impulse, she grabbed the TV remote, trying to stay focused as the plasma screen jumped to life.

  Seconds later, her attention was drawn back to
the silver lid of the laptop. An inner conflict began inside her. Wouldn’t it be better to know the truth? That way at least she’d know what she was up against. No, Brooke, another voice contradicted. What did that say about their relationship if she had to stoop to such levels? She was not a spy, that was not her way.

  One thing was for sure, the fact she was even tempted to look spoke volumes. It told her she didn’t trust Megan. Something in her gut was setting off alarm bells but the question was, did she have the courage to do anything about it?

  Chapter Twelve

  It was exactly two seconds after Danni opened her eyes that the horrific flashbacks began. What the hell had she been thinking? Her drunken alter ego “Danni Diablo” had taken possession of her earthly body after her fifth glass of wine, or thereabouts. Who was counting? Frankly, not her. What she yearned for more than anything was a deep dark hole to crawl into, or better still, a time machine. The latter not yet available on Amazon, she would have to settle for the solace of her fourteen tog duvet.

  She heard Josh’s footsteps outside the door and in anticipation of his arrival, peeped from beneath her blanket of shame through one blood-shot eye. She cringed as she watched the handle turn and the blurry image of Josh grew clearer in the den of doom.

  She was too embarrassed to even look at him. “Josh, I’m so sorry about last night,” she said. “I don’t blame you if you want to call off our fake wedding and end our pretend relationship.”

  Josh’s face cracked into a warm grin as he walked over to the window and drew the curtains open.

  “What are you talking about?” He laughed. “I had a great time last night, and from what I remember, so did you! Not that you look quite as enthusiastic now, Miss ‘Sambucas for everyone!’ So, guess who has the evidence?”

  She looked up at him timidly. Evidence? She prayed she hadn’t been snapped doing her famous dance-floor cartwheel manoeuvre, not in that skirt!

  Josh flopped on the bed beside her and thrust his phone into her pallid face. Oh Lord, here we go. She winced. Daring to open just the one eye, she reluctantly looked down at the screen to behold the full horror of the picture. Sweet baby Jesus in a manger! Was that really her? Exhibit A: A shoe-less Danni, legs akimbo, performing the Macarena with six unnaturally supple O.A.Ps! How is it even possible for a human to get their leg up that high? She pushed the phone away. “Oh my God. What must your dad and cousin think of me?”

  “They loved you! They think you’re great. Last night was a total success.”

  “Are you serious?” she mumbled, her face now thrust into the pillow.

  “Yep.”

  “That’s unbelievable. Speaking of your dad, he’s pretty, well, very, uh. ” She rifled through her fuzzy brain for a polite description as she looked up at him. “Flamboyant, isn’t he?”

  “Do you think? He’s just ‘Dad’ to me. I guess he is pretty flamboyant.”

  Hello? Josh? Wake up and smell the camp coffee! Was she missing something or was Josh simply in denial?

  “Josh, most dads don’t go around in shocking pink waistcoats with hair like a member of One Direction!”

  “He just likes vibrant colours, that’s all – he says it cheers him up. Anyway enough about my dad. Let’s talk about you and a certain Brooke,” he teased, nudging her playfully in the ribs.

  “Brooke!” A sense of excitement rose within her.

  “Yes, Brooke. You two looked such a cute couple.” He grinned, raising a single eyebrow.

  “Yeah right,” she scoffed. “Fat chance of that ever happening, and it’s all your fault, Mr ‘Please pretend to be my fiancée.’”

  “Come on. I didn’t think she’d be your type.”

  “And what is my type exactly?”

  “Well after that last girl you were seeing, I’m not really sure.” He laughed, ducking as she tossed a pillow square at him.

  “Very funny, Josh!”

  He straightened up. “So, are you going to call her?”

  “I gave her my number. I’d really like to get to know her, even if it’s only as a friend.”

  Josh looked at her incredulously. “Yeah right, and you expect me to believe that? I know you Danni. You wouldn’t be able to resist her.”

  “Could any sane woman? Anyway, there’s no point of going into the ins and outs of what might be. In Brooke’s eyes, I’m some straight woman and not just any straight woman but the fiancée of her boss’ son. I don’t think I will be getting myself out of that one too easily.”

  “I suppose not. But on the positive side, just think of how you helped me out. I’m really grateful.”

  “I know. I’m just sorry you can’t be yourself. Oh anyway, my head hurts too much for such a heavy conversation.” All she wanted right now was a little Danni time to replay the evening with Brooke in her head. She wanted to relive every delicious minute of it.

  “Are you going to write today?”

  She closed her eyes. “Yeah later.” The thought of writing the book was actually more appealing to her now that Brooke was on the scene. She imagined if Roy did publish her book she’d be able to have a lot more encounters with Brooke, which could only be a good thing. She rubbed her hand over her face and yawned. “It’s coming together a lot better than I thought. I’m thinking if I carry on like this, I should have a full synopsis and first chapter finished within a week.”

  “Don’t forget to mention it if, sorry, I mean when she calls you. She seemed pretty interested and she might even look at your book too!”

  “JOSH!” Danni’s eyes opened as she burst into laughter and launched herself at her tormentor, wrestling him onto the pillow.

  “You fancy Brooke … you fancy Brooke!” He chanted in a childlike voice.

  A new book and a new love interest. Things really were looking up.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Despite it being the middle of October, the morning sun descended through a break in the clouds, its rays caressing Megan’s neck and shoulders as they filtered into the bedroom where she stretched out underneath the cotton sheet. The smile that illuminated her face had been there since she had awoken minutes earlier. Thank God for schools. The last thing she wanted today was to have to plan all her activities around a five year old. She didn’t know how Alison did it; or any mother, for that matter. She would have been carted off to a mental institution if she had to watch one more brain-numbing children’s TV programme, while all the time pretending to be engaged with Kelly. What a drag. Now if every night was like last night, she could see herself hanging around just a little while longer than she intended. She slipped out of the bed naked and walked to the bathroom, eyeing her toned body in the mirror as she entered. Women just loved her body, not that she blamed them of course. Turning to the left then to the right as she admired her firm breasts, a grin slowly formed on her face as she relived Alison’s tongue caressing them. She couldn’t wait until tonight. Maybe she’d get Alison to take Kelly to her mum’s for the night. As if that would ever happen!

  Irritation swept through her as she leaned over and pushed the plug into the bath. What was the likelihood of separating Alison from her precious Kelly for one night? The way Alison carried on, you’d think she loved Kelly more than she loved her. Bloody kids. The whole nation seemed to be fascinated with them. Why, she didn’t know. They were just needy little parasites who turned into entitled nasty adult ones. Well that wasn’t going to be a problem for her. She had no intention of being around the kid in one year’s time, let alone thirteen. She wasn’t going to waste the best years of her life looking after somebody else’s child. She totally accepted that this predicament was her own fault. When her friends had started to drop off the radar as a result of finding partners and consequently having children, Megan had felt alienated. As there was no way on earth she was going to have a parasite living inside her body and ruining her figure, the idea of a readymade family had appealed to her, hence Alison and the brat’s arrival into her life. But the reality was just too much
for her.

  She slid into the bath and dunked her head under the warm water, closing her eyes. The water soothed her racing mind. She sighed, letting calmer, more pleasant thoughts flow through her. Alison’s body for one. She slowly opened her eyes and let out a scream when she saw a figure looming above her.

  She jerked up into a sitting position and ran her hand over her hair. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

  Alison laughed. “I was calling and calling for at least a minute. What were you so deep in thought about?”

  Megan’s mouth softened into a smile. “Oh, just about you … and Kelly and how happy I am.”

  “Likewise,” Alison said unbuttoning her dress and letting it drop to the floor. “Anything else?”

  “Hmm, let’s see,” Megan said reaching out for Alison’s hand and tugging on it. “Last night …”

  Alison stepped into the bath. “I haven’t stopped thing about anything else. How about a repeat?”

  “Definitely. As long as I’m all you think about, you and me are going to do just fine,” Megan said as she pulled her into her arms.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Josh kicked the empty beer can lying in the middle of the pathway as he made his way through the alleyway that divided the shops on either side. The usual hustle and bustle of busy shoppers had died down making the dimly lit area seem creepier than usual. Why his dad chose to play snooker in such a rundown area he could never fathom. Each Monday at eight o’clock his dad could be found racking up the balls and getting ready to whip any worthy opponent. It wasn’t the most private place he could think of to talk to him, but he hadn’t wanted to go to his house. What he needed to tell him was best said on neutral ground.

  He stopped when he reached the neon-lit entrance and took the stairs two at a time to reach the landing. Glass doors led the way to a dank, large space with fading paintwork and a stained carpet. A bar scaled one side of the wall and at least six full sized snooker tables occupied the remaining space; a brass rail and green light shades hung low above each of them.