“Yes, I met a nice Italian couple from Sydney and we spent some time together,” she said, hoping her mother would accept this explanation, as it was half the truth anyway.
“I’m glad you aren’t spending the time entirely on your own. Just be careful. You never know about some of those foreign people. They could be like that awful Spanish fellow your father had the good sense to get rid of, only interested in doing you harm.”
“Oh Mum, he wasn’t like that,” she sighed.
“Come on Nicole. You know exactly what he was after.” Nicole turned on hearing a tap on the glass of the phone booth. Philip pulled a face at her, but Nicole shooed him away, not wanting him to overhear the derogative comments her mother was making about him.
“I have to go now. Someone wants to use the phone. Goodbye Mum.”
“Goodbye Nicole.”
“What was that frown all about?” Philip asked, when she stepped out of the box and faced him.
“Nothing. Mum’s just telling me to be careful as usual.”
“And to watch out for dark foreigners, eh?”
“Something like that,” she concurred, wishing he couldn’t read her so well.
“We’ll to have to do something about them when we get back. They’re going to be a right royal pain in the proverbial,” he muttered, thrusting his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
They returned to their motel room, and Philip leaned against the closed door, letting out a sigh.
“Alone at last,” he murmured, pulling Nicole into his arms. “We have to make up for lost time, don’t you think?” he whispered against her hair, taking her earlobe between his lips.
“Do we? And what exactly did you have in mind?” Nicole asked, knowing precisely what he was inferring to.
“Well, first I’d like you to undress me, seeing you were so reluctant to do so the other night.”
There was nothing Nicole wanted more. Obediently she began undoing the buttons of his shirt, pushing it from his smooth, broad shoulders. He gave a little moan of pleasure when she ran her fingers through his coarse dark chest hair. Then she brought her lips to the firm column of his neck.
“Oh Nicole! You really do have the touch of an angel,” he murmured, his body trembling under her touch.
She grew bolder, moving her hands down his body to undo the buckle of his trousers. He helped her by wriggling out of them, letting them drop to the floor along with his shirt.
“And you have the body of a god,” she whispered back, still not believing this perfectly formed man was hers to love. She started raining tiny kisses across his chest, flicking her tongue over the small male nipples.
Suddenly she found herself in his arms, being carried towards the bed. He deposited her upon it, and seconds later he was leaning over her, kissing her with such fervent passion, she cried her pleasure out loud.
“Got too much for you,” she managed in between kisses, but he didn’t answer her. He was too engrossed in devouring her lips, sending her senses reeling, scattering them across the ocean to where dreams came true.
Nicole was soon lost in a whirlpool of sensation, barely conscious of how she ended up naked in his arms. All she was aware of was his mouth, his hands, his skin against hers, as their kisses rose in urgency and intensity.
When they finally joined in the timeless rhythm of love, it was a slow, sensual journey of practiced control on his part, to bring her to the heights he’d promised.
This time Philip took her with him on the journey of no return. Before she knew it she was convulsing around him, her entire body quivering with waves of pulsing heat. Somewhere in the darkness she heard herself whispering his name, until he too followed her into the same convulsive void.
Crying out his triumph, Philip collapsed against her, his face nestled against her shoulder.
Later, how much later, she had no idea, he finally moved from her. Rolling over, he pulled her back into his arms. Nicole snuggled against him, sighing with contentment.
“Now
that
was what I was talking about when I said I wanted to show you ultimate fulfillment,” he whispered against her ear. “Oh, to see your face at that moment, Nicole. You’ll never know how happy that made me.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
“I’m so glad we saved this place for last,” Nicole stretched up to whisper in Philip’s ear. They were standing hand in hand on the front steps of the Kettering Guest House, an attractive white cottage, with a glassed in balcony overlooking a serene bay dotted with moored boats. The house was surrounded by an immaculate garden, and Nicole inhaled the heady scent of jasmine from a nearby bush.
As they stood on the porch, waiting for their host to open the door, Nicole surveyed the township, and couldn’t help imagining herself living in one of the cottages nearby.
The town looked relaxed as it basked in the golden rays of late afternoon sunshine, overlooking the bay and the rugged untouched countryside stretching along the Derwent River. Kettering was no more than forty-five minutes’ drive from Hobart, and Nicole found herself wondering if any social work jobs were going there.
“It’s breath-taking,” Philip acknowledged, placing a kiss on the top of her head. “Someone’s coming now.” With that he lessened his hold on her, but it was obvious they looked like a love-struck couple to the corpulent, middle aged woman who opened the door to them.
“Hello. I’m Carmel Davies,” she said with a smile. “You must be Nicole Cameron, and...” She cast Philip a wary glance. Clad in his skin-tight jeans and leather jacket, with the wind tousling his long dark hair about his face, she no doubt regarded him as a rather dubious customer.
“Philip Pelayo,” He flashed her a debonair smile, which immediately turned her speculative glance into a welcoming one. Nicole was still amazed at the way his smiles softened his face. He was capable of looking so endearing when he wanted to, particularly when his eyes sparkled golden with merriment.
“I could have sworn I was to expect two women, but then who am I to question why. You two look like you belong together,” she said with a beaming smile. “Come in. Come in. I’ll show you around.”
The house had been divided in two, the Davies’ living quarters on one side, and two guest rooms on the other. In the middle was the lounge and dining area. The place had an old world charm which Nicole immediately fell in love with. It was filled with knick-knacks; porcelain dolls clad in long pinafores and pantilooms, embroidered cushions, and scented soaps in hand-painted bowls. The hand carved furniture belonged to the Victorian era. Carmel informed them that a continental breakfast was included, but the club on the hill served tasty, inexpensive dinners. Once she had shown them to their room, she left them, and Nicole flopped down on the queen-sized bed. It was covered in a quilt embroidered in earthy colours; rich browns, deep reds and lush greens.
“I could give the whole idea of social work away and run a place like this,” she remarked, running her hand over the intricate embroidery of the bedspread.
Philip’s response was to dive onto the bed beside her, almost toppling her off the other side. Nicole playfully threw a cushion at him, which he caught and casually placed behind his head.
“It’s the ideal place, isn’t it?” he agreed. “And Carmel certainly seems to enjoy what she’s doing, but you have to have the money up front, and a second job. I take it her husband works. They wouldn’t be living on the money the guests bring in.”
“I suppose you’re right. It’s something to think about thought.”
“Right now all I can think about is my growling stomach. I would have thought the entire town could hear how hungry I am. How about checking out that club.”
“I can’t believe you’re thinking about food again!” Nicole gasped.
“Guilty. Coming?” he smiled.
Reluctantly Nicole dragged herself off the comfortable bed, and they set off towards the jetty. The yachts and motor cruisers were nowhere near as flash as the craft moored at the CYC. They obviously belonged to people who came here to relax and didn’t worry about trying to out-do the owner of the yacht at the next mooring.
When they reached the club, Nicole made her second-last phone call home, and Gail told her that the men had arrived that afternoon. It reminded her of how little time she had left of her own holiday.
They found a table near the window, and watched the sun go down while they ate their meal. She tore her attention away from the bright strips of crimson on the skyline above the ridge on the other side of the bay, and meet Philip’s golden gaze. When the corners of his mouth turned up with a tender smile, Nicole thought she could never be happier than she was at that precise moment. Despite, or in spite of, the hard life he’d lead, Philip was the most wonderful man she’d ever met. There was so much to admire about him, and she was glad she’d finally let go enough of her own fears and doubts to discover how sweet loving him could be.
It was almost dark when they headed back towards the guest house. Instead of going straight in, Philip suggested they continue further along the road. Several houses down they saw a
For Sal
e sign staked in the front garden on a quaint brick cottage surrounded by a white lattice-work veranda. It wasn’t as big as the Davies’ house, but as they peered into several darkened windows, Nicole deduced it would still have at least three bedrooms. From what they could see, the living area appeared to be quite large, with an open fire place. It also had a substantial front and back garden, and an overgrown vegetable patch against the back fence.
“I wonder how much they want for it?” Philip wandered out loud, taking her hand again, as they continued further down the road.
“Real estate wouldn’t be too expensive down here, but one needs a job first,” Nicole replied, wishing she could afford to buy the cute cottage.
“Perhaps one day,” he said almost dreamily. Nicole recalled his remark about wanting to move to the country, and started imagining them living together in the house. It would be a dream come true, but Nicole forced herself to banish the thought. It was much too soon to start hoping for such a deep commitment from him. They had to establish a steady relationship first, and that was going to be difficult enough, particularly with her parents against her even seeing him.
As they walked, the sky darkened, and soon a myriad of stars studded the velvet blackness of night. The only sounds were those of nature; crickets and frogs in the long grass; water lapping against the shore.
Yes, she could stay in this idyllic place for the rest of her life.
On their return to the guest house, Carmel introduced her husband, Frank. He wasn’t much taller than his wife, but more slightly built with receding brown hair streaked with gray. His hazel eyes were keen, but gentle.
“You don’t do shift work, do you?” Philip asked, as Frank motioned for them all to sit down.
“No, I just had a pile of paperwork to catch up on. Business in expanding so fast I’m going to have to employ another lawyer soon,” Frank stated wearily.
“Philip works in that field,” Nicole said, but Philip shot her a berating look, making her wonder why he wouldn’t want the older man knowing this.
Frank leaned forward in his chair, suddenly eying Philip with interest. Carmel, she noticed, appeared rather bemused, no doubt thinking him suited to a more physical occupation, such as running a gym.
“I work for Legal Aid. I’ve had no experience in private practice,” Philip dismissed.
“I couldn’t see that as being a problem - better than taking on a new graduate. We do conveyencing, business law, some family stuff, but I suppose you’re happy where you are. You wouldn’t be there if you didn’t like it. I’ve always admired the Legal Aid lawyers. It can’t be easy dealing with that side of society. But if you do decide to change your mind, and wouldn’t mind joining a small law firm in Hobart, let me know. Why don’t we exchange contact details?” he suggested.
As he wrote the information out on a sheet of paper, Nicole wondered why Philip wasn’t even showing an interest in Frank’s offer. He’d told her himself that he wanted to leave Sydney, and his wistful comment earlier in the evening made her wonder why he didn’t jump at the opportunity. It was only out of politeness that he gave the older man his contact details.
Half an hour later, when they were alone in their room, Nicole asked him about it.
“After all the rejections I received when I graduated, I decided never to work for a private firm,” he said grimly. “If he ever found out about my background he’d withdraw even the most tentative of offers. When I leave Legal Aid it will be to set up my own business.” She started to protest, but he cut her off. “Just drop it, will you. I know what I’m doing.” .
Almost as soon as she got onto the plane Nicole started feeling lonely and desolate. She knew it was because she had to say goodbye to Philip in Hobart. He hadn’t been able to secure a flight until the following day. She knew the reason for her depression was because Philip hadn’t made any firm commitment as to when they’d see one another again. So instead she’d promised to ring him. He’d merely placed a quick kiss against her lips, before ushering her in the direction of the departure gates.
Her mother was full of news, and Nicole sat silently beside her in the car barely listening to her as they drove home from the airport, grateful she wasn’t expected to contribute to the conversation.
As expected, neither parent was impressed with her decision to move in with Trisha so soon after graduating. Gail’s declaration that she at least get a job first probably stemmed from her reluctance to see her little girl leave home, but it would have been nice to actually hear her say it.
She started moving over the weekend, and on Monday morning after everyone had gone out, she rang Philip’s work number to tell him the good news. The last thing she expected was to be told he hadn’t returned from his holiday.