Paul wasn’t a bad guy. He had a past, and so did everyone. They were supposed to be friends.
She thanked the waitress for the coffee and went back to staring out the window. What should she do? The desire to just get up and leave was so strong. She refused to run or to take the easy option. If she needed she’d lock them both in a room and force them to fight it out. That was the only chance of her having a happily ever after.
“Is this seat taken?” Rachel looked up to see Tracy Hall stood gazing down at her. The other woman wore her signature short, tight skirt and tank top that barely covered her breasts.
Before she could stop her, Tracy had already taken a seat across from her, invading Rachel’s much needed privacy.
“Wow, the heat today.” Tracy shook out her bleached blonde hair sending a wave of strong perfume across the table, almost choking Rachel.
She took a sip of her coffee and burned her throat in the process.
Rachel smiled at the other woman. She didn’t particularly like Tracy for the obvious reasons, but she didn’t want to cause a scene. Tracy was known for causing a scene. The other woman loved being dramatic. Staring out of the window, Rachel hoped Tracy would just leave everything alone.
“So, there has been a little rumour flying around about you and a certain hunky mechanic. Between us girls, you’re going to tell me the truth. Are you fucking Paul Ellis?” The maliciousness could not be suppressed in Tracy. Glancing at the fake blonde, Rachel saw the hint of jealousy radiating out of the other woman. Tracy was begging for a fight. Rachel wouldn’t give her the opportunity.
“I’ve nothing to say,” Rachel said, sipping at her coffee. Her thoughts strayed to Paul and Mitch. They were real problems. Not this woman in front of her.
She’s trying to get under my skin.
Tracy fucked my man.
Paul is all mine. She’s not got a chance again.
Taking a deep calming breath, Rachel waited for the interrogation to start again. She didn’t have long to wait.
“Come on, sweetheart. You can tell me.” Anger permeated the air around them.
“No.” Rachel was firm. She didn’t want to tell this woman about her relationship with Paul.
“Listen, you little bitch. Paul is mine, you hear me, mine.”
Okay, Rachel was not expecting an outburst like that. Tracy’s claws had come out.
“He’s not yours. Paul is never going to be yours. He can’t stand you anymore,” Rachel said. After the outburst from Mitch this morning, Rachel wasn’t ready to deal with Tracy and her attempt at claiming Paul.
“Who do you think Paul is thinking about when he is screwing you? Hum? He’s thinking about me. You’re nothing but a pathetic little kid compared to me. He wants a woman, Rachel. Paul needs a woman to satisfy his cravings.” Her voice was low, but Rachel detected the anger lurking.
Rachel would not be threatened by this woman in front of her. Leaning forward, Rachel grabbed jabbed a finger in her face. “Well, when he was fucking the hell out of me last night he wasn’t complaining. You only came up in complaint. He doesn’t want you. Paul loves me.” She pointed at her own chest as she released her anger over this morning. Mitch had put her in a seriously bad mood.
“Really? Has he fucked you that hard that you can only just walk the next day? How about in front of people? That drives him crazy. Or has he taken you up the ass yet—” Tracy stopped in her rant. Rachel refused to bite at the innuendo in her words. She wished Paul was there right now to wrap his arms around her. Rachel wasn’t shy about anal sex. She’d read plenty of books with it in. After only just losing her vaginal virginity, she wasn’t sure if she was ready to lose her anal virginity as well. “So he hasn’t taken you up the ass, huh? He loves that you know? He loves how tight and hot a woman can get.”
Rachel stopped listening to the woman’s vile words. Standing up, she threw a bunch of notes on the table and walked out of the diner. There was no way she was going to sit at the table arguing with Paul’s ex.
“Scare you away, does it?”
Rachel wanted to scream. The bitch had followed her out.
“Why don’t you fuck off and leave me alone?” She turned to face Tracy. Rachel wasn’t afraid of the other woman. With the argument she had this morning, Rachel was more than ready to smack down on the bitch.
“Leave my man, and maybe I will. Do you really think you’re woman enough for a man like that?”
“She’s more than just a woman. She’s my woman, and she’s everything I want.” Rachel jumped as arms surrounded her. Paul pulled her tightly against him. His arms surrounded her with his protection and male heat. Turning her head she was shocked to see Mitch stood by his side.
“Paul, there is no way that Rachel is your woman,” Tracy said.
Paul stared off with the cruel woman opposite. Glancing at Mitch she watched him wink at her.
What?
What was that all about?
Had Mitch and Paul made up?
She was so fucking confused.
“Rachel is my woman. Stay the hell away from her. Come on, baby, we need to take your brother to the hospital.” Paul steered her in the direction of his truck.
Once he seated her in the truck, Mitch climbed in beside her. When Paul got behind the wheel, he set off in the direction of the hospital.
“Are you two friends again?” she asked.
“We’ve come to an agreement. Paul treats you right, and I don’t kick his ass. That’s the best you’re going to get, honey.” Mitch wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her in close. Paul squeezed her leg. Her brother and boyfriend were offering her comfort. For that moment, it would do.
****
They both waited for Mitch to get his hand stitched. There was no lasting damage apart from the damage done to his pride. Once Mitch was done they took him back to his home. He promised to give them a call and practically ordered them away from home.
Paul was happy to have Rachel all to himself. She hadn’t spoken of the incident with Tracy. He sensed it beneath the surface.
She put her bag against the wall in the hall and walked down to the kitchen. He filled the kettle with water while she took a seat. Her hands were locked together at the table.
He couldn’t believe Rachel had to deal with Tracy and the nastiness the woman possessed.
“Sorry about Tracy. She’s a manipulative bitch.” He refused to take his eyes off her. The kettle boiled in the background. Rachel still hadn’t spoken.
Paul quickly put together two cups of coffee and sat next to her, taking her hands in his. “Please, talk to me. I hate this silence.”
“Tracy was giving me some kind of lecture about me not being the right woman for your tastes.”
Paul flinched at the hurt in her voice. Tears were in her eyes, but they didn’t spill down her cheeks. He felt that was a blessing. There was no way he’d be able to see her cry.
“You’re more than woman enough for me. She’s jealous because I didn’t take her up on her offer. Tracy wanted to become something more.” He reached out to stroke her cheek. Paul was thankful she didn’t pull away.
“She said you liked people watching.” She made it a statement, but he sensed she wanted answers, and if he was completely honest he was scared to give them to her.
“Let’s just forget about Tracy—”
“No.” She cut him off. “I’m not a child. You don’t need to protect me. I need to know what you like. I can handle this, Paul. Please don’t shut me out.”