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When I’d given permission for him to let go and roll over, he’d taken control quickly. That wicked tension built hard and fast, with Tom acting on some of his threats to my delight and then guiding me to climax first and him immediately after.
The memory caused heat to swirl in my core.
My mobile buzzed in my pocket, and I startled, sloshing wine over my hand. I retrieved it to find four missed calls and a message from the research assistant on the project with Richard and me.
Rachel: Wanted to see if you were okay. Have heard what happened
Rachel hadn’t been at the awards night. I could only imagine the gossip she’d heard from others about the shit show that had gone down.
“You alright? That’s not him, is it?” Amanda asked, squaring her shoulders as if ready to fight for me. She was so fierce, and I loved her for it.
“No, no. It’s a colleague checking in. I’m fine.”
Get a grip, woman. One look at the back of Tom’s knees and you’re fantasising about him.
Why was she feeling pangs of regret—and, oh god, was that longing?—for Tom?
It was two weeks of my life. I just broke up with Richard and I’m thinking about what happened with Tom four years ago.
Rachel’s text had brought my mind right back to the cold reality of the evening. I slipped my phone back into my pocket.
“Actually, I think I might go to bed now.” Amanda studied my face with a frown. “I’m fine, really. It’s just been a huge night, and I’m still wearing my awards dress; I should shower and change.”
“You don’t need to be alone if you don’t want to be.” Amanda paused and then added, “I’m always here for you. You can talk to me about anything.”
Even how I slept with your little brother and was about to declare a relationship and a future with him?
No. Some things couldn’t be discussed with Amanda and never will be.
Even talking about the disintegration of my laughable engagement and relationship with Richard when Amanda was planning a wedding to Stuart felt off.
“I know.” How I needed a best friend but felt so far apart right now in this moment. “Go have fun. I don’t want to ruin the party.”
“You’re not,” Amanda emphasised.
The song faded into the last few chords, and the circle of men cheered.
“Go, enjoy. I’ll see you in the morning.”
I managed a tight smile and then walked back to the shearers’ quarters to find my room and try to banish thoughts of cheating fiancés, Amanda’s brother with his jeans around his ankles and how ticklish he was behind his knees.
* * *
Tom
I pulled up my jeans to several uni mates clapping as the final chords to ‘Daddy Cool’ faded away. In the distance, there was movement between two of my uni friends. Like floral ruffles moving in the firelight.
Rosie.
She’d been watching. I was sure of it.
“Heyyyy, Tom Cat!” Pete slapped me on the back. “This party is a blast.”
“I need a beer or something stronger,” I muttered.
“Ainslee is just over there if you’d—”
“No. I do not want anything or anyone over there.”
