Page 75 of Pretty Mess

“Why not?”

I laugh at his expression of stupefaction. “Because I’m knackered, and all my mates have finished and gone home.”

“What about Julian? You’re mates with him, aren’t you?”

His wary tone makes it sound like I’ve exchanged friendship bracelets with a crocodile, which isn’t too far from the truth if you know Julian.

“I am friends with him. He didn’t take this course option, so he finished yesterday and he’s going away for the weekend.” His client is taking him to Sussex for a few days. I smile at Caleb. “So, it’s a takeaway and an early night for me.”

And maybe Mac. But I keep that thought to myself. I haven’t seen or heard from him in two weeks when he texted me that he was going away on business again. The thought of seeing his handsome face makes me smile, and I nod at Caleb and walk away. I raise my face to the sun and wonder when Mac will be home. Now that my exams are done, I feel like I’m coming out of hibernation, and my body is stirring again. I need sex—the good, bone-rattling kind that only he can give me.

I walk past a black SUV, admiring its expensive lines, and then stop dead as the back window slides down. I hear a very familiar voice say, “So, how did it go?”

I can’t help my massive grin for the life of me. “You.”

Mac nods. “I notice your powers of observation are still spectacular.”

I approach the SUV, clutching my rucksack. Joy is filling me at the sight of him. Far too much joy. “What are you doing here? Are you waiting for someone?”

“You.” He opens the door. “Get in.”

I scramble inside. The car smells deliciously of Mac’s aftershave. It’s a scent I associate with wild, sweaty, and intensely satisfying sex, tumbled sheets, and wrecked beds. My cock begins to stir.

I settle into the leather back seat and grin at the driver. “Robert, how are you?”

His eyes twinkle as he half turns. “I’m fine, thank you, Wes. How were the finals?”

“They’re done, which is the best I can say.”

“I’m sure you’ll be fine.” He starts the engine, and the car pulls smoothly away. I turn to Mac. He’s dressed in a dark grey suit with a forest-green tie, and his eyes seem very blue in the dim light. We’re a study in contrast because I’m wearing an old pair of Levi’s that are so old they’re fraying at the hems, along with a T-shirt that I’m sure has a hole under the arm, a navy uni hoodie, and a pair of trainers that look rather grubby. I slide my feet out of sight.

“How was the business trip?”

He shrugs. “Successful.”

“I’m sure it wouldn’t dare be anything else.”

Robert coughs, and then concentrates very hard on the road when Mac flashes a glance towards him.

“How joyful it is that the stress of exams hasn’t affected your personality,” Mac tells me.

“I doubt a nuclear bomb detonating would do that.” I poke him. “I missed you.”

His eyes widen. “Did you?”

To ward off the cynical expression I know is coming, I say, “Yes, I did. Thank you for the food and the housekeeping.”

Every night since I last saw him, a meal from a local restaurant has been delivered. Astonished, I’d tried to pay the man at first but was informed that Mr Reilly was footing the bill for a daily delivery of the special of the day and a dessert.He’d also doubled up my grocery delivery, minus the energy drinks, which I’d been informed Mr Reilly had vetoed. He’d made me feel like he was thinking of me despite his lack of direct communication.

“Honestly, that was more for the sake of my soft furnishings than you. Plus, you and a hundred energy drinks are a dangerous combination.” A smile hovers on his lips that I’m longing to kiss. I want to take that full lower one and bite it before sucking it better.

His blue gaze reels me in like a tractor beam, and I shift closer as we share an impossibly hot look. When his hand drops to my knee and squeezes, I shift on the seat, trying to get his touch closer to my now-throbbing cock. His grip immediately shifts from caressing to staying me, and I remember Robert driving the car.

Sorry, I mouth, and Mac’s gaze drifts to my lips. The heat between us is palpable. “So, are we going back to the flat?” I ask, shifting away slightly to avoid throwing myself into his lap or blowing him on the back seat.

“No.” He clears his throat. “I have to be in Paris this week.”

“Really?” I say, unable to hide my disappointment. I immediately break into words to cover up my slip. “Is that why you were waiting for me today? So you could tell me in person?”