“Just get your arse back here,” he said, softer now making her smile.
Twenty-Eight
“Are you sure this dress is okay?” asked Steph as she got out of the car at Stringers.
“It is perfect, darling, a bit like you,” he said pressing her body between him and the car.
“I think we both know that I am far from perfect and that this is a Sunday morning spent in bed together talking.” She grinned thinking that at that precise moment life felt as close to perfect as she had ever known.
“And a pretty sublime morning it was too. I can think of no better way to spend a morning, Sunday or otherwise. I think we should eat lunch and go back home to bed for the rest of the day.” He pushed an erection into her hip.
“You have a one track mind, Mr Brooker, and some seriously impressive stamina.” She laughed as she skipped out from beneath him.
“Only with you, Miss Pryor.”
She looked back at him slightly startled at his words and their meaning. She didn’t believe he was in the habit of feeding her lines and yet, when he said things like that she was always forced to question the sincerity of them.
“Don’t, Steph,” he told her and as he was about to add more words she turned away and continued walking towards the restaurant.
Entering the restaurant they found that they were one of the last to arrive and were followed in by the last of their party, Jason and a short brunette with a pretty face and huge boobs.
“Sis!” he cried, picking Steph up to spin her around excitedly. “You are looking very sexy in your posh frock,” he told her as he set her back down and took in her appearance.
“Thank you, high praise indeed from you, Jay.” With a smile for her brother, she turned her attention to Jason’s companion.
“Hi, I’m Steph,” she said and extended a hand.
“Hello, I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Mandy,” she replied. “And your dress is lovely,” she added, referring to the floaty cotton sun dress with a cream background and bold black floral print that Steph had matched perfectly with black strappy, high heeled sandals.
“Thank you and nice to meet you.” Steph smiled before Jon stretched across.
“We should probably join the others. Nice to meet you, Mandy.”
“This is Jon, Steph’s boyfriend,” explained Jason as they headed towards the huge table that was reserved for them in the middle of the restaurant.
The maître d’ was standing at their table and obviously recognised Jon as he beamed at him and almost ran to greet him.
“Ah, Mr Bro . . .” he said before Jon interrupted him.
“Marcel,” he said looking down at his name badge. “Thank you for sorting the reservation for my friends. Do we have the wine list?”
“I was just getting it,” he called as he scurried away, and returning a few seconds later he gave the wine menu to Roger after Jon had subtly gestured for him to do so.
Lunch was an easy affair and the conversation flowed with the exception of any questions relating to Jon’s business or family which made Steph very uncomfortable, so much so that she could feel her own body physically tense to the extent that she had held her breath at one point making her sister Jess frown at her across the table.
“This must be a bit intimidating though,” said Roger. “So many of us and only one of you,” explained Roger smiling.
Jon laughed. “I suppose it is because there are a lot of you and I am still unsure exactly who fits where.”
Steph introduced them all and although she explained where everyone fitted, wasn’t sure Jon would remember the details.
Another ten minutes passed when Steph excused herself from the table and was followed into the ladies by Jess who immediately asked, “What’s the story with Mr Perfect then?”
“What? I don’t know what you mean,” protested Steph.
“Course you do. You cringe every time anyone asks him about his work, his family or his past, so spill,” said Jess bluntly as she lifted herself up onto the counter to the side of the wash basins.
“Do the others have suspicions about him?” Steph was concerned that if anyone else was suspicious, her whole relationship with Jon could be blown out of the water.
