Mandy's He-Man (4 page)

Caitlin and her younger brother Riley had recently become part of Mandy’s life. She enjoyed spending time with both of them. Caitlin was a good friend and Mandy enjoyed having a girlfriend to chat with about life. When they’d met, Caitlin had been going through a rough spot with her boyfriend—JT’s best mate, Brodie James. Mandy, happy to do anything she could to help, had spent time with cute little Riley, playing computer games to distract him. It had not been a chore at all. While all the drama between Caitlin and Brodie had been going on, she had met JT.

She’d been attracted to him from their first meeting, JT’s lips, in particular, had always seemed so tempting and she had fantasised on more than one occasion about what it would be like to kiss him. Mandy smiled because now she knew for sure—absolutely wonderful. Those same lips, which now looked relaxed and inviting, were right there next to her, in her bed. Unable to resist the temptation any longer, Mandy decided to make the most of her good fortune and kissed them, licking and nibbling lightly until JT’s eyes slowly drifted open. She felt the corners of his mouth curl up and knew he was smiling as he pulled her on top of his very expansive, warm chest, kissing her into oblivion again. She had to stop him to point out the time, to at least try to do the right thing even if she didn’t like the thought of him leaving.

“JT, you need to know it’s after nine. I don’t want to keep you from anything,” Mandy managed to croak out, after finally surfacing from the depths of his kiss.

“Shit…” JT groaned, still massaging Mandy’s bottom sensually with one hand. “Mags, I need to get to training, but woman, I just don’t want to leave it here. When can I see you again? Can we catch up tonight? I promised Riley that I’d take him to Mia’s Restaurant for a while to listen to Caitlin sing. Say you’ll come with me, honey.”

JT waited for her answer, looking deep into Mandy’s eyes, looking for a positive sign, hoping that she might want to see him again.

Needing for it to be so.

Never having wanted anything quite as much.

He was not really a confident type of guy when it came to romancing women or showing emotion. He had always been the tough guy. Certainly not a soppy man begging for a woman to see him again. He was big Jon ‘JT’ Thomson.

He had been embarrassed earlier on in life by his size, since he always seemed to stand out in a crowd. Rugby league had changed that, though. JT had learnt to use his big frame in a positive way and was now comfortable in his own skin. Still, he cringed a little every time he heard the same old comment—
Gee, you’re so big!
As if somehow he hadn’t noticed his hundred and ninety-eight centimetre frame or hundred and twenty kilogram build.

It had been one of the things that had struck him about his first meeting with Mandy—the unique young woman with her dark hair all spiked up, who’d been dressed in all-black clothing and those adorable black, army-styled boots. She had not once mentioned his size. In fact, the quirky beauty had stood on a window ledge, bringing her dramatically made-up eyes level with his. JT had liked those eyes right from the start and the way she had stuck out her tiny, delicate hand so formally to him.

JT needed to speak to his best mate, Brodie. Brodie was JT’s go-to guy and right at that minute, JT was thinking he needed all the help he could get to entice this amazing woman to agree to go on a date with him—he was acting like some love-struck teenager.

JT was so distracted pondering his dilemma that he almost missed seeing Mandy smile back at him, those uniquely coloured eyes twinkling.

She said the words he had been waiting for and worrying over.

“Yes, I’d love to go out with you tonight, but on one condition, He-Man. You stop calling me Mags.” She laughed, winked. “Actually, I’d go with you anyway. I think Riley is a cutie-pie and love spending time with him. You get up and dress and I’ll make some coffee. You do have time for that, don’t you?”

JT let out a sigh, relieved that he’d heard her say yes. He hadn’t been aware he had been holding his breath until that moment. But the little vixen was telling him it was because Riley was a ‘cutie-pie’.

Mandy and Riley—Caitlin’s young brother—had become close friends since the fracas a few weeks back. JT had a soft spot for the boy too. Riley had lost his parents just the year before in a tragic car accident. He and his sister had been struggling through life as best they could. It had reminded him of the loss of his own mother to breast cancer at around the same age. JT had, at least, had his father around to support him through those tough years.

I will have to sort the kid out. No more cutie behaviour towards my girl,
he thought jealously, then felt quite ridiculous at the overreaction. Riley was only eleven years old, for goodness’ sake. He reached towards the woman who had so quickly stolen his heart, and growled.

“No time for coffee, Mandy. I won’t need one. I’d rather take my fill of you!”

* * * *

JT was feeling awesome. Since leaving Mandy’s warm bed earlier that morning, he’d had an abundance of energy, causing many a grumble from his fellow teammates during tackle practice as he’d crashed them repeatedly into the ground. Even Brodie—who had been acting like a happy little puppy these days, enjoying a new lease of life since Caitlin had become a part of it seemed normal in comparison.

Right from the start of JT’s career, Brodie James had been there. A tough, young front-rower, Brodie had already been touted as a future star of rugby league. JT had at first been nervous when meeting Brodie, wanting to make a good impression. They had trained side by side, each pushing the other throughout the vigorous session, always keeping up and trying to outdo one another, whether they’d been weightlifting, tackling bags or running. Trying in some stupid, alpha-male bullshit way to find out who was tougher. JT had been exhausted and incredibly relieved when the coach had come over and explained that both men were needed for the game, and had requested that they not kill each other.

JT and Brodie had stood side by side on and off the field since then.

JT checked the night’s arrangements with Brodie, confirming that Caitlin was to be singing at Mia’s Restaurant—her regular job—and reminding Brodie that he was fine with the arrangements to look after Riley afterwards, but added he would need another seat for dinner as he was bringing a date.

“So I assume your unusually cheery mood this morning has something to do with that dark-haired friend of Cait’s then?” Brodie flicked a dirty football sock at JT. “Lucky I stayed over last night, mate. If I’d turned up to take Riley to squad and seen your car at Caitlin’s, I might have jumped to all sorts of wrong conclusions.” He laughed a deep, chuckling laugh. “Wouldn’t have worried for long, though. My angel
has better taste than to hook up with a beast like you, JT. So how is Mandy, anyway?” Brodie winked and elbowed JT good-naturedly.

“Mate, she is a bloody beauty—definitely a keeper.” JT smiled broadly and winked. “But that’s all the information I’m giving you, Brodes. A gentleman never brags. I’ll catch you later. Say hi to Caitlin and let Riley know I’m looking forward to another arm wrestle.”

* * * *

With the day’s training session behind him and a skip in his step, JT strode up the path to the house he shared with his father. Thinking about all that had happened the previous night brought another broad smile to his face. It had been amusing to see the young players suffering at the training session, so hung-over and ill from last night’s celebration, while he was so alive, fit and raring to go.

He was happy to find his father sipping coffee in the airy, light-filled kitchen. A fresh pot had just brewed, and the comforting aroma roused his senses. JT sat down to have a chat with his old man. By the end of the pot, he had filled his father in on the previous night’s adventures with Mandy. Well—not all of the adventures in detail!

JT also wanted to get some advice from the retired policeman as to how he should handle Mandy’s violent ex.

Jon Senior was quick to recommend that Mandy get an AVO—Apprehended Violence Order—which would stop the violent man from coming near her. If he did, he would be arrested, JT’s father explained.

“It should be easy enough to do, son, what with your eyewitness evidence. Pop on down to the station with your young lady. I’m sure Detective Morrin will help you out.” JT’s father was referring to a long-time friend and former co-worker. As he stood from the table, Jon Senior also had a final warning for his son. “Violent ex-partners often don’t want to let go, JT. Make sure you watch out for your lady friend.”

Rugby league had been taking a hiding in the press lately, but so had a lot of sports and sportsmen. That was why JT and Brodie kept a close eye on their younger teammates, trying to keep them on the right path while they got used to the lifestyle and flickering, fickle limelight. “Yeah, okay, some young upstarts should be given one on the chin for the way they act, disrespecting the public in displays of uncouth behaviour—but hey, people are not all angels. Just ’cause you can play sport doesn’t make you a nice bloke or good role model, just sporty
,”
JT had often commented. It wasn’t only high-profile types that knocked their missus or kids around. Those lowlife types existed in all walks of life, and JT despised them all. If JT ever saw that dirtbag who had hurt Mandy again, he hated to think what he might do.

He had always tried to be a good role model, but then, that was more to do with his father and the way he had been raised than anything to do with playing rugby league. He despised men like Mandy’s ex-boyfriend, who were able to knock a women around but always ran scared when it was someone more their size. JT was not going to let anything happen to Mandy, that was for sure, and he was going to discuss his father’s advice with her later tonight.

Recently JT’s life had been a solitary one when it came to women—a celibate life, what with training, travelling to and from games, playing then recovering. Throw in sponsor commitments and public appearances for charity or fundraising, and it was a busy schedule. He’d given up trying to form any sort of relationship, and was sick of the meaningless one-night stands. Representing Australia—standing proudly beside his best mate and captain as the sounds of the national anthem of Australia rang throughout the stadium—had been enough. That was, until now.

Until Mandy.

Now he wanted more than just footy.

Chapter Eight

Mandy had spent the morning lazily soaking in a bath, the fragrance of the lavender oil she’d added to soothe her deliciously aching body wafting in the air and the feel of the warm water lapping against her skin.

She had replayed, in minute detail, every precious moment of the night before—her time with JT. Her mind had been full of a mix of relaxing, soft and comforting pastel hues.

What a man!
she’d thought dreamily, her eyelids closed as she had been consumed by images of JT. He was utterly gorgeous, and had such a talented mouth. He had drunk her incredibly dry, milking several orgasms from her before pounding his thick cock into her again and again
.

“Who would have thought Mandy Magenta would be awestruck over a He-Man footballer?” She’d giggled out loud, the sound of her voice bouncing around the quiet bathroom.

But knowing there was still a lot to do in preparation for the next day’s markets, before she could prepare for tonight’s date with JT, Mandy had reluctantly dragged herself from the tepid bathwater.

She needed to stock up on more of her earring designs, having mostly sold out of her products at the last market stall.

It was an unusually relaxed, contented Mandy who set to work on designing more of the intricate and original earrings she created, humming away continuously. She heated the tinted glass rods and twirled them to create the unusual patterns and shapes, often using the colours in her mind as the blueprints.

Needless to say, the designs in progress heavily featured pretty, romantic hues and flowing whimsical shapes. Mandy had not even bothered to turn on the heavy metal music that usually accompanied her creative process. Up until now, more often than not, Mandy—unable to sleep as nightmares of Con had invaded her dreams—had worked throughout the night with the music blaring in her ears.

As the day grew into late afternoon, Mandy was buzzing with excitement, couldn’t refrain from looking at the clock every few minutes. She had made some good headway with her jewellery designs but could not settle. Thinking that a nice, girly chat with her new best friend might help make the time pass more quickly and bring with it JT’s return—not to mention the fact she was bursting with the need to fill Caitlin in on her night’s adventures—Mandy made her way downstairs.

Mandy had, on many occasions, listened to Caitlin discussing her new but intense relationship with Brodie. It had not had an easy beginning and Mandy had been impressed at the level-headed attitude of the twenty-year-old with regards to the relationship. To Mandy, it seemed that Brodie had been going full steam ahead, wanting everything at once. But Caitlin had stayed resolute, wanting to take it slow, to not rush into living together since she wanted to keep her own place for a little while longer.

Caitlin had also spoken of her affection for June, their elderly neighbour, and didn’t want to move away and leave her yet. June had taken on an unofficial grandmotherly role towards Riley, and because of Caitlin’s and her brother’s tragic past, it was an important role. Caitlin had also mentioned her blossoming friendship with Mandy being an important factor as well. Mandy had to admit the sentiment had made her feel a little teary.

“Plenty of time to live together in the near future,” Caitlin had apparently promised Brodie, when he had asked her to move in with him.

Mandy had understood her friend’s explanation completely, of course. With Brodie often away, playing games interstate and in New Zealand, Caitlin would feel more comfortable, happier, in her own home. After they’d spent some time together in the off season, Mandy believed Caitlin would feel more at home in the very stylish and spacious waterfront apartment she’d heard Brodie owned.