Fallen Down Under (Down Under #2) (8 page)

Jess

I've had an anxious niggling feeling in the pit of my stomach all night. I'm not sure if it's down to seeing Max or the unexpected call from my mum earlier. Looking around me, everyone seems to be having a great time but I can't help that something, somewhere is wrong. Mal and Daisy seem relaxed as they sit side by side on the sofa. Outside, Heath and Max look deep in conversation; just their facial expressions alone have me curious as to the topic of their discussion, and Melissa. Well, she's just being Melissa. Sitting looking pretty while catching sneaky glances towards Heath when she thinks no one is looking. Honestly she couldn't possibly drool any more than she already is. I really hope that I don't look like that when I'm checking Max out.

In such a short time I'd like to think that I have become pretty close with Melissa and I'm really going to miss her when I have to go back home. Automatically my eyes lock onto Max as that thought passes through my mind. Yes something's I am definitely going to miss. Thinking of home, I pull out my phone and send a quick message to Jen and George when I notice another six missed calls from my mum. Jeez, is hurling abuse at me once already not enough for that woman? I swipe the screen and erase the missed calls. No way will I be calling her back anytime soon.

"More drama?" Melissa asks as she takes in my phone.

"No, nothing important anyway. I just wanted to check in with Jen and George."

"I've been thinking." Now that doesn't sound too promising. "What?" She asks when she sees my expression.

"I'm not sure in like the sound of that to be honest Liss. It could be pretty dangerous."

"Very funny, bitch. I was just going to say that I really hope I get to meet those two one day soon. Maybe when you and my brother make shit official and get married hey?" She smiles.

I almost choke on my drink at her words. No fucking way did those words just leave her lips. "That's pretty optimistic Liss, even for you."

"Oh believe me girly. If Max is going to marry someone then rest assured that someone
will
most definitely be you."

"That definitely isn't going to happen. Who knows it might be you and Heath that tie the knot. Now I'd happily invite them to see that." I watch as she splutters a little and her eyes pop open. "What? Surely it's not that bad?"

"That stupid fucking bitch. What the hell is she doing here?" Before I have time to ask what she means, Melissa is out of her seat and making her way out to the patio. My eyes automatically follow her and linger in that direction until they fall instantly on the hand that is places on Max's arm. My eyes flitter from that hand and to Max to try and sense some kind of reaction from him. He’s stood quite causally and doesn't seem as pissed off as I would have expected him to look. I know that I have nothing to worry about, jeez everyone has told me as much but I don't like seeing her touch Max at all. If I had my way then she would be out of his life forever and I know I'm being selfish but the woman cannot be trusted. It takes everything I have to stay seated at the table when all I want to do is head outside and make a stand. There is no way that I'm prepared to let her poison come between me and Max again. I have no idea why she would be turning up at Mal's house anyway.

From where I sit, I watch closely as Melissa confronts her. Unfortunately I can't hear what she's saying, to be honest, I'm not sure if I want to. Whatever she has said must have hit a nerve because she quickly turns on her heels and walks away. It's a shame she doesn't fall and cause herself and injury the cow bag. I feel Max's stare on me instantly, his eyes shining so bright that they burn into the depths of my soul. He looks at me with such passion that it hurts and his mouth curves into a delicious smile and I can't help but smile back at him.

My perfectly imperfect rogue, knocking me for six once again.

The rest of the evening passes by without any further drama thank god. Both Mal and Daisy seem to have enjoyed everyone's company immensely and they now sit out on the patio hand in hand looking happier than I have ever seen them.

"Hey." Melissa whispers as she sneaks up behind me a little bit merry from the alcohol that she's consumed over the last few hours.

"Hey yourself." I whisper back to her. "Why are we whispering?"

"I have no idea. Me and Heath are gonna head off soon." A megawatt smile brightens her whole face at the mention of his name.

"Jeez, you've got it so bad. Go, go, get out of here then you animal."

"Awesome. One last thing. Could you let Heath know that I'll wait for him down the road, the last thing we want is Mr Moody catching us and ruining our fun."

"No way will Max overreact as much as you think he will. He's gonna be more pissed that you both kept it from him."

"Jess I fucking love you. Really, really love you." Her hands grab my face as she kisses me on the lips. Slowly she pulls back to look at me, worry written all over her face. "I'm not ready for him to find out yet okay? Please don't tell him and ruin this for me."

"Go on then, quickly before he comes over." I get that she's having the time of her life right now but I don't like lies. If everyone was completely honest with each other then people wouldn't get hurt as often as they do.

"You're amazing Jess."

I'm still laughing at her as she staggers to the door slurring her goodbyes to everyone when I feel a strong, dominant presence behind me. I force myself to stay focused, but fucking hell it's hard. Whenever he is near me I melt. His voice alone is hypnotic. His hand rests just over the curve of my backside as he leans in close to me.

"It makes me so happy that you two get on so well."

"Yeah, she's a gem. I guess I've found my Jen away from home." I tilt my head slightly and look up to see him examining me with his eyes. His eyebrows hitch up a little when he finally registers what I have just said.

Without warning his head goes back on a laugh. "Yeah, I can see it now. It's uncanny how familiar they are." His face turns softer as he bends his head down towards me. "Jess. It makes me happy to see you happy."

"What did Stella want earlier?" The words fly out of my mouth before I have a chance to stop them. Me and my big fat gob, me and my big fat gob mixed with alcohol.
Way to go Jess.
Max's eyes darken and a frown creases his forehead very briefly and then a smile finds itself on his face again as he looks at me.

"It was nothing important angel."

"Oh." I reply, deeply disappointed with his answer. How tone sounded final and I decide not to press the issue any further. I just don't get why he won't tell. I know that it's absolutely none of my business but the other part of me is screaming to find out what that manipulating bitch is up to.

"Stella is definitely going to be an issue for me while I'm here you know?" There I've said it a few times. Now it's up to him how he plays this. I don't expected him to actually fire her but I'd fucking love it if he did. My head is swiftly pulled up so that I am forced to look at him, his finger and thumb securely holding my chin in place so that I can't pull away.

"It's want important angel, okay? Stella isn't important. Shit, no one is important to me, not the way you are. Do you understand?" Shitting hell. When he looks at me like that my head goes fuzzy and I lose all sense of everything completely aside from the two of us in this little bubble. "I said okay?" Max repeats his question while eagerly waiting for me to reply.

"Okay." Is all I manage to get out before his lips come crashing down against mine. Automatically the outside world separates itself from me and Max as we search each other desperately, both of us wanting and needing more. His hand presses harder against the base of my spine, pulling me into his as close as he can get. My body is on fire once again as I feel him harden against me. It takes every ounce of strength that I have to pull away as I remember our surroundings. I can't believe I have just allowed that to happen at Mal's house of all places. As I slowly peel myself out of his arms a loud round of applause erupts around us.

"About bloody time too, I say." My eyes rest on Max before I turn my head to the left to see both Mal and Daisy beaming at us with delight. Talk about embarrassing and I suddenly feel about twelve.

"Make sure you treat her properly Maxwell, otherwise it will be me that you'll be dealing with you hear?"

"Maxwell?" I ask with a shy grin creeping across my face. Maybe I should call him Maxwell from now on. Judging from the discomfort written across his face I think I could have endless amounts of fun with it. Max's arms embrace me as I'm pulled in close. All I want right now is for the world to open up and swallow me whole, anything to stop my flustered face being watched by speculating eyes.

"Well I think it's lovely dear and it's good that you have made up. Just remember to let him know who's boss and you should be fine."

Daisy's comment causes a laugh to break free. "Oh, you can most definitely count on it."

I smile as I take in the wonderful people around me and wonder just how long this feeling of euphoria will last.

"Are you ready to go?" I'm seated on the lounge chair discussing business with Mal when Max interrupts me mid conversation.

"Go where?" I ask, slightly confused while his eyebrows shoot up as if to say
tell me you're not being serious?

"Come on. It's time for me to take you home." My hand is taken within his as I am pulled out of the chair and settled into his warm embrace. His manly smell that is so unique to him is intoxicating. I don't truly think I will ever get my fill of him. I manage to say goodbye to Mal and Daisy just before Max begins ushering me down the driveway. He's bloody one dominating man, but I guess that's just Max and he is who he is and in all honesty I wouldn’t change him for the world.

We walk in silence for a while, neither of us sober enough to drive. It's not an awkward silence, more of
a we're comfortable just stealing shy glances at each other
kind of silence and it's nice. My hand is entwined within Max's and that contact alone has my skin breaking out in a heated glow.

"Where are we going?" I ask after sometime. Everywhere is still completely new to me, but at least Max is by my side leading the way.

"Always questions angel." My heart flutters as his face shines brightly against the moonlight. He is absolute perfection. "Try and trust me just once?" His eyes plead for me to trust him and my heart smiles at that reflect beautiful face of his. I'd love nothing more than to trust him fully, but he and I both know that I've been burnt too many times for that to happen. After a few more minutes we stop at a path leading out to the ocean.

"Where are we?" I ask, me and my curious mind never stops.

"This is one of my favourite places. I usually come here when I need to think or take a time out."

"So you spend a lot of time here then?" His shoulders are set, his facial expression hard and serious. I remain silent as his mouth opens and closes as few times as if he wants to say something but each time he decides against it.

"It's so beautiful here." I'm envious that Max gets to experience this every day. I think if I was to live here permanently, there would be no way I'd be able to get everything done that I needed to with these gorgeous distractions.

"What happens next?"

"Hmm?" I'm barely listening as I imprint these breath taking images into my mind for an eternity.

"You and me angel. Where do we go from here? I can't and won't lose you again no matter what. Fuck, I'm trying here Jess but I told you I'm no fucking good at this shit."

My loveable rogue walks away from me with his hands running through his hair in frustration. I begin to walk towards him when he suddenly spins on his heels and turns back to me.

"Stay." It comes out more of a painful plea than a question. Stay? What does he mean? I'm already at Melissa's and I'm happy there for now.

"I'm okay at Melissa's. Plus she loves having another female around apparently. We’ve already been through how much your sister loves me." I laugh, a little bit tipsy from the alcohol that I’ve consumed.

Max stalks forward towards me looking like a man on a mission. He gently places both hands on my face tenderly before placing a chaste kiss on my lips and then onto my forehead.

"I mean... Fuck. Stay with me. Stay here permanently goddamit."

"Max..." I begin but have no idea how I am going to end that sentence. What the hell does he expect me to say to that?

"I don't care what it takes Jess. I need you. Fucking hell, even my home doesn't feel like home when you're not there. That's now much you affect me, how much you have changed me. I don't care how; all I know is that I need you with me."

Whoa. Where is all this coming from? As much as I would love to, I just can't give up my life back home for him at the click of his fingers, not matter how beautiful and imperfect he is. "I can't just drop everything that I have ever known Max, not just like that."

"Why not?" His face remains impassive while searching mine and his serious deep blue’s burn right into me, pleading for me to give him the one answer that I can't.

"You're being deadly serious aren't you?" Oh, fucking hell he is as well. I haven’t got a clue where this is all coming from. He’s going back and forth like a bloody yo-yo and I can’t keep up with him.