Escape down under Read online

  When I ended things with Josh, I swore I would let no man try to control or dictate what I can and can't do. It seems that with Max, I may have a slight problem on that front. However, I will try my damn hardest to keep my control.

  I look at my computer screen and it almost twelve o'clock. There is no way I'm going to be meeting Mr beautiful and demanding for lunch. I've got far too much to do even if I wanted too. He's just going to have to take his bossy arse elsewhere. I'm sure the hotel where he's staying will cater to his every need. That's what he's paying for isn't it? I make a quick call to George to see if he can arrange a takeout for us both, that way I can work from my desk during lunch but still have my man chat. Tim is still shaking his booty out front as I head out to grab my food. It looks like it's just me that is faced with the drama once again. No surprises there then.

  I shouldn't be shocked when I walk in and see George surrounded by women, it happens all the time. Wherever he goes, woman always follow. He spots me as soon as I make it to the bar. Without a moment’s hesitation he makes his way over and greets me with a kiss. This is a standard way for me, Jen and George to greet each other, but to passers by it signals that the girlfriend has just arrived. I'm used to the evil glares. Bloody hell, I've had years to deal with it. If only they knew it couldn't be further from the truth. It's laughable really and it's a prime example that you should never judge a situation.

  "I made you a ham salad wrap with a cappuccino to go, that okay?" He smiles enthusiastically.

  "Perfect. Thank you. You ready?"

  "You bet'cha. Let me just grab my phone and I'll be right with you princess."

  As we make our way back to Stanton's I hear my phone ringing in my bag. There is no way that I am going to answer it. I know who it's going to be anyway and I don't really fancy a confrontation at the moment. I'm pretty sure he'll leave a message and I can always call him later. I suppose I need to get it over and done with anyway. By the time we get back into my office, it's still ringing.

  "You not answering that princess? It's been ringing for the past five minutes; obviously someone wants to get hold of you pretty bad."

  "It'll either me Max or Josh. I don't particularly want to speak to either of them. Whoever it is, they can leave a message." I say. "Plus, I'm enjoying my lunch with you."

  "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Go back a bit." George says, his brows furrowed causing him to look cuter than ever.

  "What do you mean?" I ask, slightly confused.

  "Who's Max?"

  As soon as he says his name, I realise that I haven't had time to update him on yesterday's events. I pull out my wrap, and add some sugar to my coffee before I answer him.

  "Well, you know when I had to rush off yesterday?" He nods to show he is listening while he takes a bite of his sandwich. "Once I'd left Joe's and pushed my way through the rush hour, you know how stressed I get when I'm rushed. Well, I ended up crashing head first into some guy." I watch as George eyes me curiously. "And when I say guy, I mean completely out of this world, sexy as fuck kinda guy. If it was you, you would have practically been dry humping him in the street and there's no way you would have left without taking his number."

  "Neither did you by the sound of things. Don't judge me princess, if you have done the same. I wouldn't judge you, it would be a beautiful reminder that you are in fact only human, and that I have taught you well my dear. So, did you dry hump him? High five if you did." He laughs.

  "Did I balls. I would have loved nothing more, but in a crowded street? Really George? I didn't stand there long enough to get his number. You will be surprised to know that all I left him with was the remains of my coffee, plastered all over his expensive looking crisp white shirt."

  "Okay, now I'm even more confused. You didn't hump him and you left him wearing your coffee. So how the hell did he get your number?"

  "Now this is where it gets complicated." I tell him. I'm dying to eat my wrap, but I can't until I have finished my little story from yesterday. "I arrived at work, just in time, might I add and settled in for my day ahead. Perfectly normal so far. Then Mal calls me in for a meeting to discuss this new development project in Australia and as soon as I open Mal's door, there he fucking sits. I didn't know where to put my face George. I couldn't even breathe properly, let alone think straight. I'm surprised Mal hasn't questioned me on my odd behaviour yesterday to be honest." It feels so good to finally be getting this off my chest.

  "What did he say when he saw you?" George loves a good bit of gossip and he's not wasting anytime lapping up my misfortunate events.

  "Some smart arse comments about the coffee that I kindly spilt all over his shirt. As soon as the meeting was over, I tried to get out of there as fast as I could but he held me back and told me he wanted to discuss the plans further over lunch." My heart rate is picking up just thinking about it.

  "I'm guessing you said yeah?" He says as he leans over my desk so he doesn't miss anything I say.

  "Nope. I told him that I had a conference call to keep and shot out of there hot on my heels. I'm amazed I didn't fall flat on my arse on my way out. Mal popped in later on and passed me my phone, said he found it on the side."

  "Okay, so how did you get his number then?" He asks impatiently. He's really after some juicy stuff here.

  "It would seem that the arrogant little shit decided to rifle through my phone to get my number once I had left Mal's office and he's been constantly messaging and calling ever since. Fucking hell George, he's something else entirely. He turned up in my office this morning because I told him I wouldn't be going for lunch with him again today."

  "Shit Jess, if he's as hot as you say then what are you wasting time for? After the shit you went through with Josh, you deserve some fun. Think of him as an awesome rebound. Find you, let him make you feel sexy, let your bloody hair down for a change woman." He drinks the rest of his coffee with a smug look on his face as if he has just answered all of my questions. "What do you have to lose?"

  "My job and the promotion of a lifetime. Not to mention my feelings. There is no way I can get involved with someone that I am going to be working with. Can you imagine how awkward that would be?" My mind is now conjuring blissful images of us both together. Oh how good that would be.

  "Don't be so uptight princess. Bloody go and have some fun and stop winging. The next time we talk I want to hear you telling me how good of a fuck he was and I want all the details, every last one of them. You hear me?"

  MAX

  Sweat beads down my back, my heart is hammering away at an accelerating rate, but I continue to push myself. I need to push myself; I need to feel the pain. Feel the burn spreading through my veins. Thoughts are running wild in my mind. Thoughts that begin to make my blood boil, causing a wild rage to flicker inside of me just waiting to explode.

  Like a mother fucking time bomb.

  I increase the speed on the treadmill in the hope that it will help to clear my head. I could kill for a surf right now, but this is the only release I'm going to get. No matter what I do, how fast I go, how much pain I endure; I just can't shift the image of her wrapped in the arms of another guy out of my god damn fucking mind. Shit. Why am I getting so worked up by her? I don't even know her and I feel the primal need to know where she is, what she is doing and who she is with. Shit Max, you don't fucking own her. No but I fucking want to. I want every fucking bit of her and I will get it.

  She didn't show for lunch. I sat and waited; fucking waited and waited for her to show. I called and called and she didn't even return any of my calls. What a head fuck. Max Wild finally stood up. Stood up by a chick that I barely know and have only met less than a handful of times.

  I laugh to myself. I don't know why I am so surprised. Shit, Jess isn't just your average girl. Damn she's far from your average girl. She's something else entirely. Fucking out of this world. One thing that I do know, is that I need more of her in my life. Anytime and anywhere, just as long as I have her.

  Once I realised
she wasn't going to show, I decided to make my way to the coffee shop that I came across yesterday. Damn, if she was going to work through her lunch, I was going to make sure she had something to eat. It's not rocket science to work out she puts everything she has into her work.

  The rage begins to heat up again inside me as I remember the sucker punch to the chest when I saw her in the shop already in the tight embrace of the prick who works there. It took everything I had to walk away, when all I wanted to do was storm in there and drop one on him. I know it’s not rational, fucking hell, nothing about this is rational; but damn that woman is driving me insane.

  I know she wants me, I can tell in the way she looks at me whenever I am near her. It was written all over her face when I had that tight arse backed up against her desk. I should have taken her over it right there, right then. She would have been too occupied with me to stand me up for some other fucking guy. I let out a frustrated moan as I turn the machine off. There's no way in hell I am letting this go. I want her, she obviously fucking wants me. I don't see what the problem is or why she keeps running from something that is inevitable. I just need to find out what’s holding her back. One way or another I will get her. She just better make sure she's fucking ready for when that time comes.

  "Yo Max, what you doing in there?" The familiar voice brings me back to the here and now.

  "Working off some stress man. I thought you were at work?" I say, grabbing the towel. My whole body is dripping in sweat.

  "That's some serious stress. It's gone six, how long have you been on that thing? You sure that still works?" he says as he points to the treadmill.

  I swat him around the head with the towel and say "Don't be a pussy man, that's what you call a workout. I'm gonna hit the shower."

  "Someone clearly needs to get laid sometime soon." He says as I throw a punch to his arm.

  "What makes you think I haven't got down and dirty with your recent piece of pussy?" I leave him with a sour expression while he takes in what I just said.

  I completely forgot to call Melissa back yesterday. My balls are going to be non-existent when I get home. I never go back on my word where Melissa is concerned, ever. Fuck, my head is completely screwed over Jess. I send her a quick email to let her know that I am still alive and I will call her as soon as I have some free time. My hand hovers over the screen that little bit longer. If I call will she answer? If she does, what do I say? Balls to it, what have I got to lose?

  "Hello."

  "You didn't return my calls." I snap. I get so frustrated around her, even on the phone. It's not intentional but shitting hell; I like to know where I am with people. Is that too much to ask?

  "What's your problem Max? I told you I couldn't make lunch. I already had plans. Look, what do you want?" she pleads down the line.

  "You." straight to the point Wild, straight to the point.

  Silence. Followed by more silence. I know she is still there, I can hear her breath picking up slightly. Damn she's so affected by me. Why the hell is she denying herself what she wants?

  "What?"

  "You heard me. I want you. All of you Jess. Don't tell me you don't feel it because I know you do. Fighting it will only make it worse sweetheart, believe me."

  "Bye Max." Her voice is rushed and slightly high pitched. Then just like that the line goes dead. Fucking Jess Townsend. That woman is going to be the death of me. The sooner I'm back on home turf the better. If I can get through these next few weeks of pure torture then fuck, I can get through anything.

  JESS

  I am encased in the aromas of Jen's cooking as it fills the house. It's a welcome smell, one that has my stomach rumbling in anticipation. I love it when she cooks for me.

  "Something smells good." I shout through from where I am perched, cross legged in the middle of the living room floor taking my pick of Jen's clothes. I don't have time to eat a decent meal these days, let alone find time to hit the shops for a new summery wardrobe. Plus it states in the best friend bible - thy shall clothe and feed thy friend in times of need, and right now is most definitely a time of need. I have five days left before we depart to the Gold Coast and I haven't planned anything. I'm normally a sucker for organisation. It just all seems to have gone right out of the widow this week.

  Jen has far more expensive taste than me. I'm actually scared to be borrowing some of these items; most of them cost more than my monthly rent per item. I'm more of a leggings/ jeans kind of girl. Comfort is my thing.

  I sit here surrounded by piles upon piles of clothes; seriously it could quite easily put Harrods to shame. I'd be happy to pack a few pairs of shorts, vest tops and some jeans, but Jen? No, she has accessories in every colour with shoes and bags to match. I have been given firm orders to pick a different outfit for each day with accessories. Mal's going to have a shit fit when he spots the amount of luggage I'm going to be taking, especially seeing as I don't know how long I will be out there for. I wonder if the expenses will cover the cost.

  "Get stuck in." A plate piled high with Jens homemade chilli con carne in slapped in front of my face. Every other thought leaves my mind as my hunger takes over.

  "What's happening with lover boy?" I say. I watch as a huge grin spreads across her face.

  "What can I say? It’s fucking amazing Jess. We get on so well. Obviously it’s nothing serious, we're just having a little bit of fun. You should try it; a rebound fuck never hurt anyone." She laughs. "You never know, you might just find a hot Aussie hunk to pass the time while you’re away."

  A little bit of fun my arse. The girl's besotted already. I just hope she knows what she's doing.

  "Any more calls from Josh?" she scowls.

  If only she knew it wasn't just Josh that I had to contend with anymore and that I had a hot Aussie lined up and waiting if I wanted him. It's too exhausting to go into detail about the whole Max situation so I leave it left unsaid. As I do my phone starts buzzing to life next to me. I notice the caller I.D and let it ring off and switch it to silent. I've already put the phone down on him once today. How many more times is he going to call?

  "Josh?"

  "No. It's Max; the guy who's flew in from Australia to oversee the transfer. He probably just wants to schedule a meeting or something." I really hope she can't see the heat that has flooded to my cheeks, it’s not as if I can blame the chilli’s as Jen only uses a sprinkle of the stuff in her con-carnie, the soft cow. I hate keeping things from her, but I can’t cope with the questions right now.

  I'm saved from further interrogation as the doorbell rings. She throws me a look that translates to, this conversation isn't over Jess. Oh it most definitely is, for now anyway. I don't think my mind can cope with the mental exhaustion of trying to explain Max Wild twice in one day.

  "You may as well get it, seeing as you have demolished your dinner. I'm still eating here."

  "Anything else while I'm playing host?" God I love her but she can be a right bossy cow at times. I make the short distance from the living room to the door. The second I open it, I come face to face with a tall, dark haired man. His whole image screams sex. Holy fucking hell, he's fucking oozing in sex appeal. Not as much as Max, but still, he’s pretty tasty.

  "Hi." I say after taking a moment to appreciate his beauty.

  "Hey yourself." He says flashing a cute dimple. "Is Jen around?" He seems a little unsure whether or not to say anything else and as if on cue Jen comes barrelling towards the door, slightly flustered.

  "Luke. Hey, don't just stand there, come in. I wasn't expecting you around 'til later."

  I just stand here watching the sexual tension bounce off them in waves. As he pulls his jacket off, I can't help but notice his exquisitely toned biceps. If he turned up on my door step in just a towel I don't think I would ever have let him leave either. I can't help but stare. Jen soon notices me and a smug grin flashes across her face. I can mentally hear her say "I told you so."

  I follow them both through to the living area, sudd
enly feeling like the third wheel. I am amazed at how in sync they are based on how long they have known each other. They must be dynamite in the bedroom. I gather my clothes in a rush, desperate to get out of there. Jen and Luke seem to be making up for lost time already. I can see them practically dry fucking each other out of the corner of my eye. That girl really needs to learn some manners. I go into the kitchen so I can leave a brief note for Jen thanking her for dinner. Judging from the sounds that are coming from the living room now is definitely the time to leave, the horny bitch. She could have waited until I had left, or at least said bye.

  Once I have made sure I have all of my belongings I head to my car. It's a beautiful evening, the sky is clear and I even begin to contemplate walking back to mine when I realise I'm going to need the car for most of tomorrow. Nothing clears your head more than a dose of fresh air.

  Max is still playing on my mind. I just can't get him out of my head. Night or day, he's constantly there. A mixture of pure bliss fills me when I think of the possibilities of getting to know him, enjoying a rebound fling with him, but then the nerves kick in. Anxiety begins to bubble at the prospect of letting anyone in again. I am only going to see him for a few weeks, maybe a month at the most but I know if I let him in, that won't be long enough. Maybe I should let go and have some fun. Do I even know how to have fun anymore? Why did he have to come barrelling into my life now? I take a moment to gather myself before setting off back home. Pulling out my phone, I see a few missed calls from Josh and one from Max earlier. I still haven't arranged to meet Josh and I really should before I leave. I just haven't been able to find the time and deep down, I want to put off what he has to say to me for as long as possible.