Impact (The Fight for Life #2) (18 page)

She held up her hand. “Wait. I have more. I met with her delightful ex-boyfriend, Richard, the other day. Despite being completely terrified of you, he is not at all happy with his fall from grace and I know he can be bought.”

“I have no proof of what you did, but we both know you could give me the closure you know I need.” I knew my eyes were filled with hate and she winced slightly when she met my gaze. “I can’t believe you are here for more.” I shook my head, disgusted by her. “Why didn’t you just go out and find yourself a sugar daddy?”

“There’s only one way to keep your little princess safe.” She scoffed, and the sly grin had returned. “I want five hundred thousand dollars.”

I snorted. “I don’t have that kind of money.”

“Sell the farmhouse,” she stated, sitting back in her chair and crossing her arms over her chest. “Developers are sniffing around the area and the value has skyrocketed.”

“Never,” I spat. “It was my father’s house and it has always been passed down through the generations. I’ll never sell it. The farmhouse is mine.” Despite the horrifying memory of that one fateful day, I loved that house and the farm because it was all him. He lived and breathed in that house, and I’d let his death overshadow that.

“Find the money, Leo.” Her eyes were menacing and my rage began to bubble. She cocked her head. “Is she worth that to you?”

I wasn’t going to dignify her question. No one had a price tag, least of all Juliette. “It had been your home,” I whispered. “You had the love of the best man I’ve ever known and you threw it away.”

“That man didn’t love me,” she rebuffed. “He loved that stupid house, he loved his wine cellar and he loved you.”

“He worshipped the ground you walked on. I might’ve been a naïve teenager, but I know that was true.”

She shook her head and shivered. “That’s all ancient history now.”

“I know you had something to do with his death.” My acerbic words had no impact on her hard expression.

She smiled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, son.”

I was staring directly into soulless eyes, a reminder I didn’t need that she was evil. That was our truth, and sometimes there was no forgiveness, no rehabilitation or acceptance. Sometimes there’s just this—a forever damaged son staring at his mother’s black soul. Her cold indifference was something I’d never quite been able to block out over the years. It was the expression that had flashed through my mind every time I’d landed a punch on my opponent’s face, and it was staring right at me. “If I decide to get you the money, you’ll go back to Sydney or wherever the hell else you want to be as long as it’s far from here and never come back.” I was starting to lose my shit. “Unless you are willing to tell me what I want to know, you will stay out of my life. I stood up and leaned forward over the table to get in her face. “And you stay away from Juliette or you and I are gonna have a serious problem.” I waved my finger between us.

Though her face had visibly paled, she sat up straighter in her chair. “I was hoping you’d found someone you loved more than you hated me.” She winked. “She’s your weakness.”

I stared at the woman I hoped to never lay eyes on again. “I’ll be in contact when I’ve made my decision.” I turned my back on her and walked towards the exit.

“Don’t take too long,” she called out. “Having you was the biggest mistake of my life.”

I stopped and turned. “Well, I’d be happy if you pretended I didn’t exist.” I sounded remarkably calm. “Don’t call Juliette and don’t ever set foot on my property.”

My body shook as I walked out of that café and away from the woman who destroyed lives.

I pulled out my phone and tapped the screen. Derek, the illegal cage fight promoter, answered on the third ring. “What’s up, Leo?”

“I want in on your next fight.”

“That is really great news for me,” he replied. “I’ve had a few dropouts so you’d actually be doing me a solid.”

“I’m ready to fight. Thanks, mate.”

“The next one is a couple of weeks away so I’ll text you the details as usual.”

I hung up feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The prize money was going to help pay my mother off quickly, but I also couldn’t deny the lure of the cage. I would just have to make sure Juliette stayed away.

I knew of a store that sold sexy lingerie, and not just your standard Victoria’s Secret kind of sexy. From what I could tell from subtly glancing in the window, it was a whole new level of apparel designed with one thing in mind. Sweet Spot, located in Melbourne Central shopping centre, held everything I could possibly need to blow Leo’s mind and take it off the confrontation with his mother. When I’d come home from work on Tuesday evening, he’d hugged me like he hadn’t seen me in months. I’d asked what was wrong and he’d told me he’d met with his mother and we wouldn’t be seeing or hearing from her again. When I tried to press him for details, he’d said he would tell me everything at the farm, so I didn’t push it.

Friday lunchtime, I made my way to the store with a skip in my step. Leo had spoken to Adriana the night before when he’d gone into work, and she had actually been about to tell him she was leaving too. She was moving to Aireys Inlet with her new bank manager boyfriend, nicknamed Superman by Leo. He’d been looking for a sea change too. Leo was worried she was moving too fast with this new guy, but she’d reassured him she was deliriously happy. Leo, bless him, couldn’t argue with that.

Sweet Spot was all black, gold and expensive looking. I made the decision not to look at the price tags and was just going to be governed by my gut instinct. I’d know it when I saw it.

I knew lingerie and camping didn’t necessarily go hand in hand, but as we kept realising, we didn’t do anything by the book, and I was going to make him forget his own name. The thought made me smile as I entered the store.

“You look happy.” The friendly sales assistant made me feel comfortable immediately, despite being surrounded by sex toys and erotic underwear. “Are you looking for something special?” She was dressed in a form-fitted white shirt tucked into a tight leopard print skirt. Her skin-tone stockings had a black line trim down the back. Her heels were higher than I’d ever dare, but completed her surprisingly classy outfit. She completely owned her look with a confidence I admired.

“I am,” I replied with a small smile.

“Do you have anything in mind?”

“I… um…” I hesitated, blushing like a fool. “I’m not sure.”

She chuckled. “You don’t have to be embarrassed. Every girl needs sexy underwear.” She glanced over at the display cabinet, hidden from the front window by well-positioned lingerie racks. “Take a closer look.”

I shuffled tentatively over to the backlit cabinet and gasped when I saw a pair of leather handcuffs with a yellow-gold chain, several dildos and a variety of products in boxes. The word lubricant made me blush again and I quickly looked the other way. I was no prude, but these kinds of things made me feel awkward. Thoughts of trying out a few things with Leo made me feel slightly weak at the knees though.
Perhaps I’ll look online
, I thought to myself. I realised I was now grinning like a naughty school girl.

“See anything that tickles your fancy?”

She must have seen my kind of reaction a million times—not knowing whether to be embarrassed or excited by what was on offer.

“Maybe,” I replied slowly, smirking uncontrollably. “I’m really just here for some lingerie.”

“Okay then. Let’s find you something smoking hot. What’s his name?”

“Whose name?”

“The man who’s going to benefit from my merchandise.” She raised her eyebrows and smiled seductively.

“Leo.” Even the sound of his name rolling over my tongue made my libido stand to attention. “His name is Leo and I’m on a mission to blow his mind. Lingerie seemed like a good place to start.”

“Ooh, my favourite kind of mission.” She clapped her hands gleefully. “I’m Nadeira, by the way.”

“Juliette.” I blushed. I couldn’t believe I was now on a first name basis with the girl selling handcuffs and lubricant in downtown Melbourne.

“Nice to meet you, Juliette. Okay. Let’s look around and see if anything stands out. Tell me something about hot Leo. What’s he into?”

“How do you know he’s hot?”

“Oh, I don’t. I have Leo Decaprio in The Great Gatsby in my head.” She fanned her face. “Phew. That man is hot.”

I laughed. “Well I think my Leo is much hotter than DiCaprio.”
My Leo.

“Well, then. Sounds like I’m right, then.”

“He’s into lots of things. He’s a fighter. He’s strong. Really strong. And he’s kind. He has the kindest heart I’ve ever known.” I paused, swallowing past the lump in my throat and briefly closing my eyes. “He rides a motorbike.”

“Motorbike. Yes. That’s perfect. I just took delivery of a new line and I think it might just do the trick.” She pranced off towards the back of the store and I followed closely behind her, eager to see what she had in mind. “Here.” She waved her hand towards the sexiest lingerie I’d ever seen.

“It’s perfect.”

“This is our Ezy Rider suspender set.” She picked up the set on three different hangers and handed them to me.

“Is that leather?” I asked, trying to imagine the look on Leo’s face when he saw me in this. Above the cup was a series of triangles with a small gold stud on every corner.

“The leatherette triangles are laser cut to mould to the breast. It’s inspired by leather biker jackets.” She took the underwear from me and turned it around. “See. The same detailing sits over your butt cheeks. And you have to own it. No being shy and trying to cover yourself up. “Come on. Try it on.”

She led me to a luxurious change room at the back of the store and gave me a quick explanation as to the easiest way to get the lingerie on. There were more straps and clasps than I was used to.

A short time later, I stood staring at myself in the mirror.

“How’s it going?” Nadeira asked.

I pulled the heavy, velvet curtain back and allowed her to see for herself.

“You flaunt that body of yours for this Leo and he won’t know what hit him. Sexiness isn’t about having the perfect body. Not that that’s a problem for you, but I don’t actually think physical appearance is the major factor. Sexiness comes from within. It’s how you feel and it’s how you convey those feelings to those around you. You’ve gotta ride it, honey.”

I burst out laughing. “I certainly hope to.” A fierce blush heated my face when I realised I’d said that out loud.

“Atta girl.” She winked at me. “So you don’t want to look at anything else? I can show you plenty of other styles if you like.”

“This is the one. I’ll take it.”

“Leo won’t know what hit him,” she said, winking.

When I’d paid, she handed me a stylish black bag with gold writing and trim. “Good luck, girlfriend. Come back and tell me how you go. Maybe bring Leo with you next time and he can help pick out a few other sets.”

I shook my head and chuckled. “With all due respect, Leo wouldn’t be seen dead in here, but I will come back and let you know. Thanks for your help, Nadeira.”

“You’re most welcome. We’re all about the happily-ever-afters in this shop, so I’m really hoping you get yours.”

“Thank you,” I replied sincerely. I was feeling more confident than ever about my mission, and at the very least, I’d gotten a lesson in sexiness from my new friend.

I hid my purchase under my desk when I returned to work. I had been told about the store by one of the other assistants who flirted with every man in the office. I didn’t need her recognising the bag and making a big deal of it in front of my colleagues.

The afternoon passed quickly, and at five, instead of going out for work drinks, I went home and was relieved to see I’d beaten Leo. He had been going to the farm again today and had said he’d be home around seven, so I had plenty of time. I loved that he now considered anywhere I was home. It really didn’t matter where it was as long as we were together. I hid my new purchase and stripped off. It was time to relax and unwind.

I tapped on my Spotify app and hit play. P!nk was still my go-to music for most moods, but I chose Enya instead. I decided a bubble bath was in order, so I turned the taps then went to the kitchen to pour a glass of red wine to get the party of one, soon to be two, started. As I reclined in the warm water, bubbles tickling my neck, I sipped on the wine and enjoyed the peace I felt knowing my life was really starting to come together. I’d carefully placed my Kindle next to the bath, so I switched it on and continued reading a beautiful romance novel I’d started the night before. I felt my eyes droop after about thirty minutes of reading, so I put the kindle down and allowed my eyes to close while I enjoyed the still warm water.

I don’t know how long I dozed. Couldn’t have been long, as the water was still warm when I woke up to a set of beautiful blue eyes gazing at me.

“Shit. You scared me.”

“Sorry, gorgeous.” He didn’t look sorry as he picked up my Kindle and placed it out of harm’s way on the vanity. “Mind if I join you?”

“Please do.”

He had stripped naked already, so he stepped into my surprisingly large bathtub for an apartment. We manoeuvred so my back was to his front, and I lay my head back on his shoulder while he ran his hands over my soapy body.

“I could get used to coming home to this every day,” he whispered in my ear.

I closed my eyes and enjoyed his strong, calloused hands massaging me, his erection digging into my backside. I let out a groan as he cupped my breasts and turned my head so I could kiss him. When I couldn’t stand the overwhelming sensations any longer, I straddled him, not caring that a wave of water sloshed over the side of the tub and onto my bathroom floor. I smiled against his lips.

“I need to be inside you, Jules.”

I didn’t need any further discussion. I lined myself up and impaled myself on him. “Oh my God. That feels good.” I’d never had sex in a bath before, and it wouldn’t be the last time. The warm water felt like a soft blanket that moved with us as I rocked back and forth, building towards our mutual goal.