Chapter 9

Nine

It feels like the next couple of months pass in a blur. Mum and I have established our routine: morning walk to the train, coffee in Rundle Mall, then go our separate ways to work and uni. We have occasional lunch dates, though not as often as we’d like. After uni, I head back to Mum’s office and study for an hour or so until she’s done, and we train home again. After dinner, Mum goes into her home office to work more. That is, if Robert doesn’t stop by with “important work documents.”

Honestly, neither of them is subtle about their excuses to spend time together, but I let them take it at their own pace. Besides, he’s keeping her so occupied that she hasn’t asked too many questions about the study group sessions I’ve been attending a few times a week, once she finally agreed.

I made sure the group has both males and females. They all seem nice and genuinely need a little help. It’s the perfect excuse and has the added bonus of actually helping me get a good grip on criminal law, not that I really need the assistance.

My favourite perk, however, is circling back after everyone else leaves, and getting some alone time with Anders. He has been the perfect gentleman over the last few weeks. We have progressed from chaste kisses to some hot and heavy petting. I’m hoping my rather obvious hints at wanting to move to the next stage in our relationship will be answered sooner rather than later. Tonight, in fact, if I have anything to do with it.

So, whilst I make sure to not appear any different on the outside, I take extra care getting ready. I shave, pluck, scrub, lotion, and potion. My hair is in my usual ponytail, but I’ve oiled the ends and straightened it, so it’s soft like silk. I have on my best black lace underwear, baggy jeans that are half a size too big to be called fashionable, and my T-shirt is loose enough to not give away the major boost my balcony bra is giving me under my tight tank top.

I will have to do without any makeup except a quick swipe of mascara, otherwise Mum will notice. As I bound down the stairs with my satchel of books, I hear Mum back towards the kitchen, laughing. Muffled voices follow and I know Robert is here. Perfect distraction.

I stick my head through the door and see them standing side by side over near the stove top. Mum is barefoot with a glass of Shiraz in her hand—it’s become a favourite since our trip up to the beautiful Barossa Valley—beaming up at Robert while he stirs something in a pot, a tea towel over his shoulder, looking right at home in our kitchen.

He takes a swig of his beer and seems to notice her gaze, blushing. They both look away with smiles. It is actually adorable. I am tempted to stay and just watch them for a moment, but then remember what awaits me.

“I’m heading out for study group,” I call from the doorway, watching them both take a small step away from each other as they turn to face me. I grab the car keys from the hook behind the pantry door and walk over, kissing Mum on the cheek. “It might be a late one, with assessments due next week and exams looming.”

Mum frowns. I hate to be the cause of her shift in mood, but thankfully Robert comes to my rescue. “I don’t envy you, Aria. Criminal Law in your first semester, being so outside your field of interest. It’s a good thing you were able to get into a study group with the teacher’s aide.”

“I am pretty lucky, considering most groups were full before the semester even started.”

I reach up to kiss his cheek also, showing my appreciation for his support. Mum’s eyebrows are practically in her hairline when I look over and make eye contact with her.

“Keep our girl company while I am gone, hey?” I smirk at Robert.

“You got it,” he replies, looking longingly at Mum. Her eyes lift to his again, and I know my cue when I see it, rushing from the room with a half wave. I practically run out the front door and jump into the car in the driveway.

Ten minutes later, I stop out the front of Anders’s place, checking myself in the rear-view mirror before getting out of the car. I am the first one here, judging by the lack of cars on the street.

Perfect.

I raise my hand to knock on the front door, but it opens before I get the chance. Anders is standing on the other side, and he checks the street before grabbing my hand and pulling me inside. His mouth is on mine the moment I stumble over the threshold, and he uses his body to push mine back into the door, closing it behind us. I drop my bag and he reaches for my hair tie, pulling out my ponytail. Taking my hair in his hands, he leans his body into mine fully, and I swear I can’t tell where he finishes and I begin. His hips press forward, and a moan escapes me before he pulls back.

“I couldn’t help myself,” he says, his eyes raking over my face.

“I get the feeling,” I whisper, my voice husky from the instant arousal.

He leans in and steals some quick kisses before stepping back.

“This next hour is going to be torture,” he groans.

“You don’t know the half of it,” I say, stepping past him to pick up my bag and move to the dining table off the lounge. At his questioning gaze, I remove the baggy T-shirt to reveal the very tight and very low-cut tank top, propping my hip against the table.

“I don’t know how I will keep my hands to myself, all worked up like this,” I purr, sauntering back over to where he’s still standing by the door watching me. “Especially in these very silly little lace panties. Every time I move, they rub against me.”

I run my hand over his chest and down to his taut stomach as I circle him. I grab my hair tie out of his hand and sweep my hair back up, giving him an eyeful of those lace panties when I lift my arms. The motion pulls my tank top up, and I know full well my very low-slung jeans have shown him the evidence, his eyes tracking the movements like a hawk.

“I’m not sure how I will ever make it through.” I sigh, dramatically.

He lifts his eyes to mine when I lower my arms, and I can feel the heat of them burning into me. He takes a step towards me, and I swear he is about to take me right here on the floor, but a knock on the front door pulls us both back to the here and now.

He sucks in a deep breath and turns back to answer the door, adjusting his pants in the few strides it takes to get there.

I take a steadying breath and head back to the table to get my books out as the rest of the group pile in. Oh, yes. The next hour will be torture indeed.