Page 27 of The Best Number
Mel works as an events manager and fills me in on the details of a lavish event coming up at the local arts centre.
“Ooooh, a masquerade ball? Do you think I could sneak in? I’d love to put that in a book.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
I look out of the window near my writing desk; the sun is shining and there’s a breeze evident in the swaying leaves on the trees. I decide to head out for an evening jog and make the most of British summertime.
I’m just heading out as the internal door near the stairwell opens, and Jack strolls through. He looks magnificent in smart grey trousers, a light blue shirt with an open neck and brown loafers. His sleeves are rolled up, and he’s carrying a smart looking, brown leather laptop bag on one shoulder. He’s looking down at the phone in his hand, but something must alert him to my presence because he pauses and looks up. He grins when he sees me, then takes a leisurely look up and down my appearance.
“Looking delicious as always, Cass,” he drawls.
“Thanks, Jack. You brush up well yourself,” I tell him with a cheeky grin.
“Heading out for a run?”
“Yeah, I’ve been inside writing all day and I thought some fresh air and exercise would do me good.”
“That sounds grand. Want some company?” He quirks an eyebrow.
“Er, I think you’ll be way too quick for me.”
The guy is a machine. I saw him running down the street once. He’d been on his way home from what he deemed a ‘long run’and still looked as fresh as a daisy. There’s no way I could ever look that effortless. Running is a constant struggle for me, but I know it does me good and I enjoy the smugness I feel after.
“I’ll go easy on you,” he offers. “I could do with some fresh air and exercise myself.”
“You’ve not been to the gym today?” I know he frequents a gym between here and his office.
“Nah, I’ve been in meetings all bloody day. So what do you say? Can I join you?”
“Sure,” I squeak, deciding why the hell not. I gesture to the now closed door behind me. “I’ll just wait inside until you’re ready.”
“Come in with me. I’ll only be a few minutes.” He strolls past me towards his front door.
“Sure.” I follow behind, watching as he unlocks his door and pushes it open. He holds it open, gesturing for me to walk inside first. I head towards the couch and lean there, pulling my phone from my back pocket so I can scroll while I wait. He closes the door and hangs his laptop bag up on the hooks next to it.
“How’s your week been?” He unbuttons his shirt as he moves.
“Good.” A blush makes its way up my cheeks. I’ve done unspeakable things with this man.Why the hell am I blushing?I’ve seen him naked. He’s done dirty things to me, for goodness sake. But the sight of him walking towards me, unbuttoning his shirt, makes me want to swoon.
“Writing going well?” He’s stopped in front of me now and is pulling his shirt out from where it’s tucked into his slacks.
“Yep, smashing my daily word count goal. It’s really coming together.” I try not to stare.
He nods, watching me closely. “So we gave you enough inspiration, then?”
“More than. I could write ten books from the experience last weekend.” I laugh breathlessly.
“I’m glad.”
He toes off one shoe and then the next, bending down to pick them up and strolls over to his bedroom. I can’t stop myself from watching as he makes his way in and tucks them under the bed. He’s facing away from me and I feel like a creeper as I watch him undo his trousers and ease them down his legs.
His thighs are a thing of beauty. Muscled and tanned. I remember noticing the muscles in his thighs moving as he pounded into my mouth. I gulp hard. I shouldn’t be watching. Just because I’ve seen it all before doesn’t mean I have permission to watch him getting undressed now. But as he bends over to take his trousers off one leg and then the other, nothing could convince me to look away.
I feel a little wave of smugness fall over me. I’ve had this man. This man has had me. And I’ll still be remembering it when I’m an old lady.
Jack walks away out of sight without looking back and I snap out of it when he’s no longer in my line of vision. Guessing he must be finding running gear and putting it on, I unlock my phone and open up Pinterest. I type in ‘grey slacks, blue shirt’ and scroll through the images until I find one that reminds me of how Jack looked just now. I pin it to my MMC (main male character) board for later reference. Sometimes I look through that board to get my juices flowing before I write a sex scene.
Jack strolls back out the bedroom wearing shorts and a singlet. He’s brushing his hair to the side and I watch as he puts a cap on.