Collecting Scars (8 page)

“Oh and you brought a friend.” The woman cried, launching herself at Asha and pulling her into her huge bosom for a hug.

“This is my friend Asha...Asha this is my Aunty Polly,” Xavier gestured between them.

“Oh, Asha what a beautiful name, for a beautiful girl. It's about time you brought a lady friend to meet Aunt Polly,” the older woman admonished him.

Aunty? Well, this was getting interesting.

“Well we thought we might have a few drinks and something to eat, is the kitchen open tonight?” Xavier questioned.

“Of course, it is! It's always open for my favourite nephew.”

“I’m your only nephew Aunty Polly.”

“Pft” she flapped her hands at him. “If I had ten nephews, you would still be my favourite. Come now, you two beautiful people. You can have the best room in the house. Reserved for special guests.” The old lady turned and winked at Asha, then led them down the hall and around a corner.

“I'll have Roger, bring you a bottle of my finest. Now you two make yourselves comfortable.” She reached up and kissed Xavier on the cheek, then swatted Asha on the backside as she left the room.

Asha jumped with surprise, she had not expected that.

“So?” Xavier raised an eyebrow. “Not what you expected was it?”

Asha stifled a giggle, “Ah no, not at all.”

“She's my dad's older sister, they don't really see each other much. But Aunty Polly is good value. My mum and dad aren’t really on board with Aunty Polly's questionable business dealings.” He chuckled to himself. “Especially as dad worked in law enforcement. Aunty Polly is a bit the 'black sheep' of the family. She never had any kids of her own. So I try to pop in and see her whenever I can and she makes the best steak in town.”

There was a clearing of a throat and they both looked up to see who Asha could only assume was Roger, standing in the doorway with a bottle of wine. Xavier met him in the doorway, taking the wine and glasses.

This room had a massive, majestic fireplace, well ablaze. An antique wrought iron daybed covered in a beautiful lace spread and lots of velvet cushions. As well a pretty, small round table set for two with beautiful high-backed wooden chairs. Of course in keeping with the rest of the establishment, there was a massive chandelier hanging above the table.

“This place is quite, um something different isn't it?”

“Yeah I like it, it’s where I got the idea for the curtains in the club, actually,” Xavier explained. “In its hey-day Aunty Polly, tells that she entertained many a celebrity. But these days, it's more just the locals that know it's here. I think she likes it like that, though, as she is very involved still in running every aspect of it.”

“Wow, that’s pretty cool hey?” Asha was in awe of this amazing old lady, who had given her life to running this place. It was not long before Aunty Polly was back with two plates of steak and salad.

Over dinner, Xavier explained that ever since he was a small child Aunty Polly had always doted on him, treated him like the son she never had. Always wanting to feed him, he needed 'fattening up' she would tell him. They wined and dined on the scrumptious meal, Aunty Polly had prepared for them and chatted about family and friends.

Asha was really enjoying herself and almost did not want to leave when Xavier announced it was time to go. It was so easy to get caught up in this whole other world. Aunty Polly, kissed and hugged them both and made them both promise to come back and see her again soon. They climbed back on the bike and headed back to Asha's house.

***

“Thanks so much for the fabulous evening out,” Asha gushed as Xavier walked her to her front door.

“That’s okay, I’m so glad you enjoyed yourself. She's pretty cool old Polly isn't she? I thought you would like her.”

“I have to admit, I was not really sure what to expect. Tonight was quite unlike anything I have experienced,” Asha giggled.

“I could say the same for you”

“Uh..pardon?”

“I mean that in a good way,” Xavier huffed out a laugh. He reached out and ran a finger down the side of her face. “You really are a gorgeous girl Asha.”

Asha could feel Xavier's beautiful green eyes boring into her soul. Reaching up he pushed a strand of her hair from her face to behind her ear, then he very gently slipped his fingers around the back of her head, under her braid, then his other hand was on her hip and his lips were on hers.

Asha closed her eyes, it had been such a long time since anyone had kissed her and she could never remember a kiss this nice. His lips were soft and warm as they moved ever so gently against her own. She felt him pull back and without conscious thought she reached out her own hand and grasped the back of his head, pulling him closer to her. She did not want to break this amazing spell she was under. Xavier did not complain, he pulled her in closer to him, until she was flush up against his hot body. Asha could feel the heat rising in her own body, as her tongue danced with his.

Eventually, they both pulled back, panting for air. Both their faces flushed, Xavier's eyes still boring into her soul, now burned with lust.

“Stay,” Asha whispered, more as a demand than a question.

Without saying a word, Xavier's lips met hers once more. He pushed her gently with his body so her back was pressed against the front wall of the house. It still didn't seem close enough and she snaked her arm around his back, pulling him even closer, feeling every part of him, pressing into her. Her body burned with need to have him closer still.

Chapter 9

“JEEZ,' IT'S ABOUT TIME YOU two got together...took you long enough,” Joanie muttered.

Asha could hear her talking to Xavier as she walked into the kitchen, twisting her plait into a bun at the back of her head. Xavier rose from his chair at the kitchen table, smirking at Joanie, he walked over and wrapped both arms around her waist. Planting a soft kiss on her cheek.

“Morning gorgeous.”

Asha felt her heart might melt into a puddle. When she woke alone in her bed, she thought perhaps he had left while she was sleeping. She had taken a shower, and dressed for work, all the while thinking about how wonderful Xavier had been last night.

Her body had aches she had long forgotten. They had made love several times last night before they had both fallen asleep exhausted, Xavier's strong arms wrapped around her. There were no nightmares. Just a long peaceful, dreamless sleep. The best she'd had in a long time. She had never slept so peacefully with a man in her bed before. Xavier made her feel so comfortable it was inexplicable.

“Good morning,” she smiled up at him, with his messy bed hair.

“Hm you're lucky,” Joanie snorted across the kitchen. All eyes flashed to her. “She's never that nice to me in the morning.”

Xavier looked to Asha for an explanation

“You don't look as good as him in the morning,” Asha breathed out a laugh.

“Oh Gawd,” Joanie rolled her eyes. “Is this the sort of thing I have to look forward to now?”

Asha certainly hoped so. She could quite happily get used to having Xavier around.

“I made you some coffee,” Xavier announced, ignoring Joanie, he moved to the table to pick up the cup he had prepared for her. Yes, she could definitely get used to this.

“What time do you have to start work?”

“Half an hour,” she replied glancing up at the clock on the wall above the oven. “I will have to leave in twenty. It takes me ten minutes to walk there.”

“I'll take you,” Xavier quickly jumped in.

“Oh you’re so sweet, you don't have to do that.”

“But I'd like to,” his eyes sparkled.

“What will Gemma think?” Asha opened her mouth and covered it with her hand, in mock surprise.

Xavier rolled his eyes at her now and huffed out a laugh. “That her friend had a good night out.”

“And that’s she finally loosening up a bit,” Joanie interjected.

“Hey,” Asha scowled.

“Well, it's like the first time you have had a man sleep here... like...ever. I was starting to think you had taken a vow of chastity,” Joanie dead-panned.

Xavier looked back to Asha with raised eyebrows in question, but he did not say what he was clearly thinking.

“Not true...” Asha argued furtively. “Xavier stayed here before.”

Xavier and Joanie, both let out a laugh.

“Whatever,” Asha exhaled in frustration at the pair, rising from her chair. “If you guys are just going to poke fun at me, because you all think I’m a ….a prude, or whatever. I'm going to get ready for work.” She stomped off down the hall, annoyed at them both. Mostly Joanie, just because she liked to sleep around.

Leaning over to fasten her shoes, she felt a pair of hands come to her hips from behind.

“Hey, beautiful.”

She stood and spun to face Xavier, his hands quickly moving back to where they had been. A wide grin on his beautiful lips. Asha was so tempted to kiss those lips, but then she remembered, she was supposed to be mad at him.

“What?” she managed in her best grumpy voice.

He ran his finger down the side of her face, leaving a ticklish trail. She loved how he did that.

“I had an amazing night last night,” he said softly, looking into her eyes. “You are amazing, don't let Joanie get to you.”

How could she stay mad at him when he spoke to her like that? He looked at her like she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. This man was certainly charming.

“Thank you,” she leant forward and pressed a kiss to his soft warm lips, he tasted like coffee. She let out a small moan of pleasure. “I had an amazing night too.”

“Now we better get you to work huh?”

“Yeah I guess so...time to face the firing squad. A.K.A Gemma,” they both laughed.

***

Gemma only stirred her up a little bit when she arrived on Xavier's bike. Mostly she just pestered her for details. Asha told Gemma all about Polly, the wonderful meal she had cooked her and Xavier and about her club, the 'dollhouse'. Gemma listened enthralled by the story. Telling Asha, she had heard of Polly's dollhouse. Apparently it had been spoken of in hushed tones around town for years. Also confirming, she had heard rumours of local celebrities frequenting it years ago. Including one story of a police commissioner who was embroiled in a sensational story about having an illicit affair with Miss Polly herself.

The day passed without Asha hearing from Xavier. She couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, but she knew he had a business to run and neither of them had time to be in each other's pocket. In reality, she had spent more time being with Xavier or thinking about Xavier than she probably should have in the past week or two and she really should be concentrating more on work anyway.

She went home alone, Joanie had gone out for the evening, so she ate a microwaved meal. Had a shower and popped into bed. It was still early, around nine o'clock, but she was tired from her night spent with Xavier. Just as she was drifting off to sleep, she heard her phone ping and reached for where she had left it on the bedside table.

X- Hey beautiful, hope you had a good day, wish I was there with you now. Have work tonight. Good night sweet dreams X

“Aww,” she whispered. “He really is the sweetest.” She quickly tapped out a reply.

A-Wish you were here too, good night x

Chapter 10

“DO YOU GIRLS EVER DO any work?” Maria yelled as she walked past Asha's office.

“Looks like she's in a mood today, we better get back to it,” Asha warned Gemma. Seemed it was going to be one of those days.

Asha left her office, closing the door behind her and wandering out into the clinic. She had to speak to one of the patients who had come in for their chemotherapy. Reports had been coming in that this patient had not been attending pre-organised appointments.

Suddenly there was a commotion coming from the waiting room. Asha stopped in her tracks and went to see what was happening. Walking into the waiting area, a chair came flying toward her. In the nick of time, she launched herself out of the way, unfortunately not quite fast enough to completely dodge the flying missile and it clipped her right arm causing a fierce pain to shoot through her arm.

“Ow,” she cried out in shock.

Her eyes flew around the room, doing a quick assessment. Gemma sat in her chair, frozen, eyes wide. Several patients were inching towards the door, trying not to be noticed. And standing across from Asha was the aggressor.

A man in his early twenties, wild hair going in every direction, sunken eyes, scratches to his face. His body was thin, his clothes sagging on him, looking like they were a size too big.

“Can I help you?” she asked trying to stay calm and not antagonise him any further.

“Where is she? Where is that fuckin' mole? Get her out here!” he screamed at her.

“Who? Who do you want?”

“That fucking stupid cow, she's out there hiding from me isn't she? Thinks she can take my shit and I won't notice.”

Asha shot Gemma a glance, she had never seen her friend look so terrified. Asha was scared as well, her blood pumping so hard she could hear her own pulse in her ears. No one else was coming to help, she was the only one here to deal with this situation, Gemma was in no state to do anything. Where was Maria? She was the manager shouldn't she be here dealing with this?

“The duress Gemma,” Asha whispered, nodding at the desk, hoping Gemma would hear her. All the desks were fitted with duress alarms that would alert a security guard at the hospital.

Asha held her arm where she had been hit, sucked in a deep calming breath and took a tentative step forward. Keeping her voice as even as she could, she did not feel calm on the inside.

“I can't help you if you don't tell me who you’re after.”

The man moved forward and she took a hasty step backwards.

“That fucking woman I know she is in there,” he seethed. Then started yelling towards the hallway behind her. “Get out here, you fucking bitch before I come in there and fucking find you.”