“Sorry. How did you manage to get here?”
I inclined my head over to where Fliss worked, setting up canes ready for runner beans in a couple of weeks’ time. She was totally focused on what she was doing. Her hair had started to come out of her ponytail. The shirt she’d had tied at her waist had gone, giving me a view of her perfectly pert tits beneath her tight tank top, and her lush, peachy ass.
A low whistle came from Marcus. “Is that Red?”
I didn’t like the interest in his words.
“Yes, it is. Hands off, Marcus,” I warned.
His brows shot up. “Oh, I get it. Waiting for a time to get your freak on with her?”
“Stop it, she’ll hear you?” I growled.
“No, she won’t. She’s focused on what she’s doing. Great set of tits, though.” He raised his brow in appreciation. “And that ass…”
“Shut it, Marcus!”
My words were louder than intended. Fliss stopped what she was doing and glanced over. I waved. She waved back and continued setting up the canes.
“Sorry.” He raised his hands by way of apology. “Come on. Let’s get you home.”
I was quiet all the way back, trying to process my time with Fliss. I attempted to get the image of her body pressed next to mine out of my head, as she helped me walk to my bench. I could still catch the faint scent of her perfume. Closing my eyes, I inhaled, trying to take it inside me.
“You want to know what I think?” Marcus indicated to turn into my road, eyes dead ahead.
My eyes shot open. “What?”
“You like her.”
“Who?” Who am I kidding?
“Come on, Luke. The sexy redhead at the allotment. You have to admit, she’s insanely hot.”
“Look, Marcus, nothing is going to happen between me and her. No doubt we’ll be back to fighting soon.”
He pulled up outside my home, hands still on the steering wheel. He turned to face me. “Keep telling yourself that. And if what you say is right and you start fighting again, there’s always the angry sex option.”
I was about to say something when he opened his door, coming round to the passenger side to help me out.
“Do you want to stay for a beer?”
Marcus shook his head. “I’ve got a hot date. But hear me out. Don’t close yourself off because of Leanne.”
Even the sound of her name made me flinch and my stomach churn. I rarely said her name out loud, preferring to call her my ex. That was a part of my past I didn’t want to revisit. Before I could respond, he’d left. The silence was deafening, leaving me alone with far too many confusing thoughts and scenarios to deal with.