While I went back upstairs to shower, Sebastian insisted on clearing away the dishes, which was a novelty for me. I hoped he would manage not to break anything.
I’d just finished rinsing the conditioner out of my hair when the shower door opened and Sebastian pressed his chest against my back.
“Mmm, you smell great,” he said approvingly.
“Sebastian!” I said, my voice a warning, as he ran his hands over my breasts and kissed my neck. “We don’t have time for this.”
“I’ll be quick,” he mumbled into my skin.
I didn’t even try to resist him.
Which made us horribly late.
“I told you!” I said crossly, as the highway traffic congealed in front of us. “You’re going to be late and get fired!”
“It was worth it,” he grinned, reclining his seat all the way back and pulling his sunglasses over his eyes.
He was acting like he hadn’t a care in the world. How did he do it?
“Look, I’ll drop you around the back of the country club; you haven’t got time to run down from the entrance.”
“Whatever,” he said carelessly.
I shook my head, a little irritated, even though I was just as much to blame.
I drove too fast down the avenue leading to the club and skidded into my favorite parking lot at the back.
“When can I see you again?” he said, curling his fingers into my hair.
“Tomorrow morning?”
“That’s ages away. Can’t you sneak out tonight? I mean, you’re in the guest room – he’ll never know, right?”
“Sebastian, I don’t think so. It’s too risky. We’ve just got to be careful for three more months and that’s it. After that you’ll see me every day and you’ll soon be sick of me.”
“That’s not funny,” he said frowning.
“Sorry. Bad joke.”
He sighed. “Okay, tomorrow, then.”
Instead of getting out of the car, he pulled me towards him and we kissed with the desperation of our imminent separation.
For a moment, he leaned his forehead against mine, and then pushed open the passenger door. And froze.
Ches was staring right at us – and from the shock on his face it was obvious he’d seen everything.
The floor dropped away and I stared back at him in horror.
“Fucking luck,” said Sebastian bitterly. “Let me go talk to him: it’ll be fine, Caro, I promise.”
My hands locked on the steering wheel as Sebastian walked towards his friend. For three of the longest minutes of my life, I watched them talk. Well, Sebastian seemed to be doing most of the talking; in fact it looked like he was pleading with Ches. It was a twisted replay of yesterday’s scene with Brenda, except this time it was Sebastian who was doing the begging.
Ches’s body language was hostile, his arms folded across his chest, his face stiff and angry. Eventually I saw him nod curtly then stalk off in the direction of the clubhouse.
Sebastian looked upset as he got back in the car and pulled the door shut.
“He’s cool,” he said, an expression of pain on his face.
“What did he say?” I whispered.
“He promised not to say anything.”
“He didn’t look very happy about it.”
Sebastian sighed. “He wasn’t.”
“What did he say?”
Sebastian shook his head.
“Please tell me,” I said softly. “I’d rather know.”
“It doesn’t matter – the important thing is that he won’t tell anyone.”
“Please tell me,” I repeated, quietly.
“Why?” said Sebastian, angrily. “What difference does it make? He’s just pissed at me generally.”
“I thought you wanted us to be honest with each other,” I reminded him gently.
His temper exploded.
“Why do you do this, Caro? Why do you have to drag out every last fucking, miserable word? Why can’t you just let it go?”
“How the hell am I supposed to ‘let it go’?” I snarled, my fear and anger getting the better of me. “I’m the one who’ll be prosecuted if Ches tells anyone!”
“He won’t!” shouted Sebastian.
“Well, I’m glad you trust him so much!” I yelled back, “Because he’s the loose-lipped idiot who told Brenda that you got a job here!”