“Yeah,” I grumble.
A muffled fart cries out in the distance. It sounds like a guinea pig is being strangled.
“Ewww,” she whispers against my chest. Suds lifts her head and stifles her laughter with her hand over her mouth.
There are signs coming from everywhere in this Vegas hotel room. A sneeze. My phone. A fart. If another bloke in here farts, I’ll grab the fire extinguisher and spray them like we’re having a white Christmas.
I get the message. It’s time to break up this lip party, but as I live and breathe, I want this woman’s mouth again … and not just on my lips. I want it everywhere. I want to tell her I’m not done with her, not by a long shot. I want her in my bed.
I want her in my life, not just because I need her. I see something with us, and it’s playing on my mind. I want this girl …
The problem is, does she need me?
Suds creeps out of bed and pulls her top over her swimmers. She slips the long strap of her bag over her head, so it crosses against her body, drawing my eyes to her tits.
She leans down and kisses me on the cheek. “Don’t forget …” she murmurs, her eyes sparkling.
“What?” I ask, slipping my hand into hers.
“To ask your mate Brett what happened to him.”
I shake my head as my body jerks in silent laughter. “With great pleasure,” I whisper, and reluctantly let her go. She gathers up her thongs and sunnies and lets herself out.
I wrap the sheet around me, drinking in the remnants of her sweet scent, which clings to the linen.
Why didn’t she want the guys to see her? Is it because we’re getting close? Is she embarrassed at the thought of being seen here with me?
Be fucked if I know why, but one thing I do know is that something is happening. Slowly, Suds is weaving her way into a place I thought I’d never let another woman into. I just hope I’m letting her in for the right reasons.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
SOPHIE
When I get back to my room, I tiptoe inside. You could hear a pin drop in here, it’s that quiet. Thankfully the thick curtains have been closed, so you’d barely know it was morning. I gently place my things beside my bed, tug back the sheets and climb in.
“Get lucky, did we?” April says out from somewhere behind me.
“Jesus,” I curse and place my hand against my hammering heart. I roll over to find April standing in her PJs, nursing a cup of tea.
“It’s been a while.” I’ve neither confirmed nor denied. This better not bite me on the arse later. I can’t tell her that Rocco had a crisis. He was ready to jump off the wagon. I’m just glad I was able to be there for him, to help him through it.
“It’ll be hard to go home,” I say, changing the subject before there are more questions.
“Yeah, but it’ll be good to get home and get everything sorted.”
“I can’t believe that in only five more weeks you’ll be a married woman.”
“I can’t believe it either.”
“Be prepared for the baby questions at the wedding. People are nosey. They’re never satisfied. They always want to know what the next thing is.”
“I’m all for the practising, but I think we’re gonna wait at least six months before we get serious. Once we’ve gotten through the supercross season, then we can see where we’re at.”
I get out of bed and kiss her on the cheek, making a loud ‘mwah’ noise. “I couldn’t be happier for you, babe.”
“Thanks, Soph.” She gives me a smile, but then it slowly fades.
“What?” I prompt.
“It won’t be long, you know. I see big things happening for you, McKenna,” she says, with a play punch to my shoulder.
“You think I’ve got potential?” I say, faking the chewing of gum and putting a hand on my hip. Yes, I just went all Pretty Woman on her arse. Funny how the chick in that movie has the surname De Luca …
“Yeah. I do.”
****
I fasten my seatbelt, Vicky to one side of me, April on the other. I reckon after a couple of complimentary glasses of red, I’ll have no problems snoozing all the way through to Sydney.
“You have a good time, Vicky?” I ask, as she straightens out her black skirt and clips the belt low around her hips.
“Yeah, I did. It was amazing. Even though you probably took ten years off my life on that rollercoaster.”
“Yeah,” I say and laugh. “That was some ride.”
“I’ve loved spending more time with you … and everyone else.”
Is she somehow referring to the young motocross rider?
“You and Billy seemed to be getting along well. Any spark there?”
She blushes on cue. “Yeah, he’s nice, but—”
“But what?”
“I can’t see myself with him long-term.”
“From what I hear from April, Billy’s a nice guy.” I saw him opening doors for her, buying her drinks. He was the epitome of a gentleman. If I didn’t know better, I’d almost think they were together. They seemed quite comfortable in each other’s company.
“He is, I see myself with someone, well, more … professional.”
“A suit, in other words.”
She nods in agreement. “Yeah. You know, someone who works in my field. Someone with similar interests.”
“Just like I thought,” I scoff. “Can I give you some advice?”
“Of course?” she says, and blinks rapidly, as if she’s got something stuck in her eye.
“Don’t fall for the suit. You have to look at the man underneath.”
“Aw, look at you, Sophie. That’s beautiful advice. When did you become the relationship guru?”
“Since a man in a suit took me for everything,” I state, my tone bored. I pop another mini pretzel in my mouth.
She opens and closes her mouth as if she’s imitating a Guppie. I take great pleasure in the fact that the chatterbox is now lost for words.
“When do you start the new job?” April asks.
“A couple of days after I get back. Can’t wait.” I feel the ridiculous smile pull at my lips, and I don’t care. It’s only up from here.
“I’m so bloody happy for you,” April says, leaning across Vicky and grabbing my hand tight. “Like I said, big things happening for you, McKenna.”
I blow her a kiss.
God I love this woman.
****
The cab ride from the airport is quiet. I don’t bring up the kissing incident, and neither does Rocco. I still don’t know what to think about it. Maybe what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. I just don’t want things to be weird between us. Rocco is becoming a closer friend than I’d ever thought possible. I don’t want to jeopardise that. He kissed me when he was feeling weak. He was battling some pretty heavy shit. The mind can make you do crazy things.
When Rocco and I get home, we dump our bags in the hallway. I make a beeline for the kitchen. I’ve missed my staples.
“Noodles?” I ask, as I fill the kettle with water.
He laughs, pulls out a stool and sits. “Yeah, sounds good.”
Once I’ve drained off the hot water, I pass him a cup, and we head to the couch. I look at the clock, which informs me it’s nearly two am. I’d slept solidly for seven hours on the way home, much to my surprise, and I’m too wired to sleep now. It shouldn’t be too hard to get my body clock back in sync.
“Let’s see if I can stay awake until it’s time to go to work,” I say, as Rocco flips through the channel guide on the TV.
“Oh my God!” I cry out as I point towards the screen. “Go back up.” He presses a button and scrolls up the list of channels. Ah, there you are. “Can we watch Footloose? Pretty please?”
He grunts. Really, I don’t care what he thinks about my taste in movies. 80s all the way.
“What about Tattoo Nightmares?” he grumbles.
I stand up and stomp my feet on the floor. I don’t care that I probably look like a spoiled child right now. “That shit is on all the time. I need Footloose in my life right now.”