Lisa Heidke by Lucy (mobi) (rosie project .TXT) 📕

it was a bit quick,’ I say, breathing in the wood smoke.

‘A bit?’

‘I didn’t think you cared. After all, I did throw myself at you that night.’ I cringe at the vivid memory.

‘And I loved it. Do you know how much self-control it took for me to leave the next day?’

‘Didn’t you think I was pathetic?’

‘Never. It was all about timing.’

‘Isn’t it always?’

‘I knew I could wait. And you?’

‘I can explain . . .’

‘The clock’s ticking, sweetheart. I was gutted about you and Max. I wrote you a letter.’

‘I didn’t get it.’

‘I didn’t post it.’

‘What did it say?’

‘Don’t marry him.’

‘I could have done with that advice.’

‘Would it have made a difference?’

‘I’m not sure,’ I answer truthfully. ‘I thought I was in love with Max, but I knew I was in love with you . . . ah, at the time when I knew you,’ I say, back-pedalling.

Dom leans forward and kisses me. It’s been thirteen years. And his kiss is definitely worth the wait.

‘Mmmmm,’ I say.

‘Mmm good? Or mmm bad?’

‘Mmm, more . . . Maybe I still have a little crush on you . . .’

‘What? Only a little one? We’ll have to see what we can do about that.’

A small voice breaks the moment. ‘Mummy, I had a bad dream.’

It’s Sam. Perfect timing. Perfect.

Reluctantly, I wrench myself away from Dom and walk Sam back to his room where I tuck him into bed. After I’ve rubbed his head and kissed him goodnight, I try to leave, desperate to recapture the magic with Dominic. But Sam won’t let me.

‘Please don’t go, Mummy, I’m scared.’

Fair call. We’re in a strange house, staying with a stranger.

‘I’ll take you into my bed,’ I say. ‘Would you like that?’

He jumps up and is in my room before I’ve gathered his dressing gown and stepped out into the hallway. When I catch up with him, I see that Bella has already put herself to sleep in my bed as well.

‘Are you getting in, Mum? It’s freezing,’ Sam says, snuggling next to Bella.

I change into my comfortable pink-striped flannelette pyjamas (see, I wasn’t really expecting romance) and am suddenly exhausted. The three of us cuddle in the king-sized single bed. With Rusty lying across the foot of the bed, it’s very crowded in here! As I’m drifting off, I realise I don’t ever want to leave my kids or for them to ever leave me.

I’m happy just the way we are.

Day 63

It’s after nine when I wake. There are no little people in my bed. Surprising, given their fear last night. And there is no dog.

Oh . . . last night.

I realise Sam saved me from making a complete fool of myself. As if I haven’t got enough on my plate without adding the heartache of unrequited love to the list. Did I really believe that Dom and I could make wild passionate love on a sheepskin rug in front of an open fire with only scented candles and the moonlight to guide us? How old am I? Eighteen?

I stretch for a few minutes before deciding I really should get up and tend to my children, even though I’m sure Gloria and Dom can handle them.

‘Must be that fine country air,’ says Gloria, when I finally wander into the kitchen.

‘Coffee?’ Dominic asks.

I nod and quickly look away. What was I thinking last night? The past is in the past. I definitely have to get over it . . . and him. But I can’t stop my eyes wandering back to the man. His hair falls boyishly over his forehead . . . and his hands . . . so strong. His fingers, long and perfect. Just like the rest of him.

His right hand brushes against mine as he sets my coffee down on the table. Dear Lord! At this point, I’d sell my soul for half an hour with Dom naked. Don’t get me wrong though. I wouldn’t sell my children. Rent them, maybe. But never sell them permanently.

‘Glad you slept,’ Dom says with a smile. ‘I didn’t sleep a wink.’

‘Where are the kids?’ I ask, looking around.

‘Watching the Disney channel,’ he replies.

I raise my eyebrows.

‘In the TV room. We’re not as backward in the country as folks would have you believe. We have electricity, telephones and, yes, cable television. As well as a flying fox rigged up over the river nearby.’

‘My kids’ll never want to leave.’

‘That’s okay,’ Dom says. ‘I could use the company. But at the moment, I’ll settle for you,’ he says, looking straight at me, ‘coming outside to collect some eggs so we can have omelettes for breakfast.’

‘Don’t mind me,’ Gloria says and waves us off. She’s happily ensconced at the kitchen table, coffee in one hand, weekend papers in the other.

‘I didn’t know you had chooks,’ I say once we’re outside in the dazzling morning sunshine.

‘I don’t, so this little expedition could take a while.’

Dom takes me by the hand and leads me through a field away from the house.

‘Where are we going?’

‘Up here, so we can be alone . . . maybe talk.’

I want to ask what he means by ‘maybe talk’ but the words aren’t forthcoming. My throat is dry and those stomach knots are back.

Ten minutes later we’re lying on the grass under a gum tree at the top of a hill. There’s no one around; except for a few black and white cows dotted on the hillside and a slight breeze blowing stray leaves, it’s quiet. The sun is warm and the air is a heady mix of cow manure, eucalypt and honeysuckle.

Dom leans across my body and kisses me on the lips. He pulls back and looks at me. I wrap my arms around his neck and we kiss again, this time more insistently. For a very long time. But still nowhere near long enough for me.

I tug at his shirt. Even though my hands are trembling, I pull it over his head and do a double-take . . . He smells fresh, is