Page 14 of Just a Number

The door swings open and Mel stands there. She’s wearing a black pencil skirt that curves over her hips, paired with a silky-looking blouse that comes down to a V at the top of her ample cleavage. She’s wearing tights or stockings, but her feet are bare of shoes and I can’t help but wonder if she was wearing killer heels with the outfit. Her legs are shapely and I want to run my hands up them and discover for myself if it’s stockings she’s got on.

I realise myself, standing here checking out my mate’s mum when I should be politely saying hello. I meet her gaze and there’s that delicate flush on her cheeks again.

“Hi, Alex.” Her voice is soft and I love the way she says my name. It makes me want to hear her chant it in my ear as I pound into her.

“Hey, Zack home?”

“Sure is. He’s expecting you. Come on in.” She moves back and holds the door open for me. I step up to the same level as her and with no shoes on, she’s much shorter than my 6 foot 1. I get a thrill at the size difference between us. She seems as delicate as my most fragile ceramic pieces.

She closes the door as I crouch down to take off my biker boots, noticing that she hovers and I hope it’s because she enjoys looking at me. I glance up at her from my crouched position and see her lips part. Her chest rises with her breath and then she pinches her bottom lip between her teeth. I can’t take my eyes off her. I want to get to know her better.

“Busy day at work?”

She startles at my question, clearly lost in her own thoughts. “Yes, it was. Grateful to be home to relax.”

“What have you got planned?”

“Err, some reading. Have you eaten?”

“I grabbed some leftovers before I came over.”

“Ah, okay, Zack is just finishing his dinner now. He’s in the kitchen.”

“Sorry if I disturbed your meal.” I stand and tuck my boots beside the front door before I shrug off my leather jacket. She reaches her hand out and gestures to take it.

“All good, I was already finished. Let me hang this up for you. Head on through to the kitchen. There’s Coke or beer in the fridge if you want one.”

“Thanks, I’ve got the bike, so I’ll stick to non-alcoholic tonight.” I give her a smile. She’s standing watching me, clasping my jacket tightly. “Careful with my jacket. It’s precious.” I give her a wink and her blush intensifies. She spins round and hangs it on a hook, but I notice how her hand brushes down the soft, worn leather before she pulls away.

“Head through. I’ll see ya later.”

I try to contain my disappointment when she heads for the stairs, no doubt to disappear to the quiet of her room.

I wander through to the kitchen and Zack’s sitting at the breakfast bar where we all ate at the weekend, laughing at a video he’s watching on his phone.

“Hey,” I say to get his attention.

“Hey, man. Come and watch this. It’s hilarious.” He gestures me over and I lean at the counter beside him to watch a video of a guy trying to reel in a massive fucking fish. “How are you?”

“Yeah, alright. My stepdad is being a complete twat, but that’s not new. You don’t know anyone looking for a flatmate, do you?” I ask with a hopeful lilt in my voice.I really need to get away from Doug. I want my independence.

Chapter six

Mel

What 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 thatsomeone,has got my juicesflowing. 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.

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