The Good Bad Boy Page 3

  Now, I thought he did as well. Because if he didn’t, there was no hope for us. I was not going to settle for second best. I deserved more, and okay, so did Noah.

  The expression pants on fire wasn’t far wrong. To want for a better expression, if he played his cards right—or even wrong—one of those looks and I’d be ready, willing, and able. Or his on a plate.

  Mrs. B seemed to feel the same.

  If it was like that with Mrs. B, God help us in the pub, or even worse, in the big wide world. No wonder he’d spent a lot of time on Sim’s estate and introduced himself to Mrs. B as Joe. His Noah persona would be known soon enough if he insisted on me accompanying him to what I called posh frock dos.

  “Nice lady,” he said amiably. “Very attentive.”

  “Well, duh. She’ll give me the third, fourth and fifth degree next time I go in.”

  “Ah well, such is life.” Noah swung the carrier around in a circle. “I could say welcome to my world again, but I don’t want to put you off before we get started. Seriously, though, Summer, I do appreciate all this. It won’t be all bad, honestly. Once the first throes of nosiness are over, interest will die down.”

  “If you say so.” I wasn’t convinced, but I wasn’t going to go back on my word. Apart from anything else, I wanted to see his film and I might as well do that from a comfy seat. The fact I’d have to watch a larger-than-life Noah making love to bloody Tawny, I intended to forget about. I could always try to remember my new timetable for the next school year, or recite the two-times table, and do the cloudy-eye-keep-them-open-but-not-look stuff.

  “What are you thinking?”

  Chapter Five

  We’d reached the pub garden and were heading for the door. “Eh?” How the hell does he always ask that at the right time? Do I have one of those bubbles coming out of my head with the words I am thinking in it?

  “You, you’re worrying I can tell.” Noah stopped walking. “What about?”

  Should I tell him? I took a deep breath. Why not? “Watching you and Tawny on the big screen.”

  He roared with laughter, to the extent tears were at the corner of his eyes.

  “You what? Oh, hon, apart from acting, I ate garlic so she didn’t overstep the mark.”

  I rocked on my heels. The visions that conjured up. “You what? Tawny the vampire?”

  “It wouldn’t surprise me. Then if I thought she was taking liberties, I breathed heavily all over her. Plus, I grew my fingernails. They got dug into her a few times before she got the message. Actually, I did her a favor because she winced and hissed once or twice and it looked like she was in the throes of ecstasy. The director was very impressed.”

  It was my turn to roar with laughter. “Oh, I love it.” And I’d remember it when I needed to. “When is this premiere, by the way, and why are you looking shifty?’

  He coughed. “Moi?”

  “Yes, you. Come on, Noah, truth time. Today is Monday, and the poster in town says the film is on here from Friday. So?”

  “Thursday.”

  “Thursday?” The screech I gave made even me wince. Three pigeons flew up and away in a hurry, and Lager, the pub’s tortoiseshell cat, which had been heading in our direction, turned tail and headed back the way he came. “Shit, Noah, and between now and then, I need to get a dress, get defuzzed, have hair, nails, and God knows whatever else done. Give me a break.”

  “I did. I almost left it until Wednesday and kidnapped you.”

  Just as well he hadn’t, I’d have killed him.

  “Never fear, though, all is sorted. If you’re agreeable,” he added hastily. “I’ve got it all in hand.”

  That was what I was worried about.

  “Sorted as in how?” I asked once we’d picked up our drinks and decided to sit in the garden. It was sunny and breezy, but by unspoken agreement, we’d decided to go outside where we could talk and not be under a microscope, so to speak. I’d forgotten all these sorts of things. Guess for a while I’d have to remember them.

  “Sheesh, I thought it was going to be twenty questions in there,” he said as he rested his chin in his palm and spoke softly without moving his lips much.

  That was something I hated. “Is this cloak-and-dagger talk behind your hand really necessary?” I asked, doing the same thing, damn it.

  He leaned forward so our noses were almost touching. “Dunno, but I bet you a quid someone in there knows it’s me and either has their phone cameras on us or is gonna come out and ask. After all, they know you all as Mrs. Jackson, don’t they?”

  Fuck and bugger, I hadn’t thought of that. “Point taken.” I gave in to impulse and made sure our noses rubbed together. Noah stuck his tongue out and touched my lips. My nose twitched. Before, that would have led to lots of interesting things that would get us arrested if we’d attempted them in the pub garden. “Do we drink up and go, or suck it up and see?”

  Noah glanced over my head. “Looks like it’s the second. Incoming couple at three o’clock. Follow my lead. I bet my hut on the estate is sounding ever more appealing, eh?”

  He had a point.

  I watched as he straightened, held on to the hand I didn’t have curled around my wine glass. That was so no one could see it shake. Confrontations or meetings like this made me feel sick.

  Noah began to speak. “So, of course we can decide about the paint color later,” he said with an almost imperceptible wink. “I still like the gray, but your eye is much better than mine. We’ll check the charts, eh?”

  “Yes, why not, there’s no hurry,” I said and wondered what else to add. “Better to wait and be certain.”

  “Er, Mr. Jackson?” Two twenty-somethings stood at the table. One was the mum of one of the girls in my class, the other I didn’t know. Pam, the mum, and I went to the same ballet class for adults.

  Noah leaned back and glanced up at the newcomers. “Yes?” he said politely. “Can I help you?”

  “Hello, Pam,” I said to the mum of Diane. “All ready for the holidays?”

  She looked at me as if she’d never seen me before. “Oh, Summer. I didn’t see you there, sorry.”

  “Story of my life when we’re together,” I said in an amused—at least I hoped it sounded amused—voice. “I’m used to it.”

  She reddened. What a cat I was, and I liked Pam. Ah, well, I’d explain when I got the chance. “Anyway,” I added. “You wanted to ask my husband something?”

  “He really is your husband?” the other woman said in a disbelieving voice.

  “I really am,” Noah said. “Thankfully. So Pam and?”

  “Eloise, and Mr. Jackson, I’m so glad to meet you,” Eloise gushed and sat down next to him. Noah moved away slightly and his lips twitched.

  “Thank you, nice to meet you both as well.”

  Gah, I hated gushers. No not the sex gush. Though for ages, I didn’t believe in that and now I do. No, I wasn’t going into any more detail. Use your imagination.

  “I’ve seen your films and I wanted to say that you…”

  “Ellie,” Pam snapped. “At least have the decency to ask if you can sit down and if Mr. Jackson is who you think he is and if he and his wife mind having their valuable time together interrupted.” She turned to me and mouthed, She is a PITA. “I know Summer says they have little enough time together as it is.”

  I snorted and changed it into a cough as Eloise’s eyes widened so far, I thought her false eyelashes might fall off. “You mean you knew?” she said to Pam. “And never told me, your sister? You bitch.”

  “Takes one to know one,” Pam said. “And let’s face it, Ellie, you couldn’t keep a secret if your life depended on it. If Summer and her husband don’t want their relationship broadcast to all and sundry, I’ll do my best to help them.”

  “Thank you, Pam,” Noah and I said together as Ellie scowled.

  “Welcome, Joe.”

  He, bless him, took his cue. “It’s like you say, how often do we get a chance to wander out like this? We’
re making the most of it.” He waved his pint in the air. “And we better drink up or dinner will be ruined.” He drained the rest of his beer at a pace a Guinness Book of Records holder would be proud of. “I’m cooking, so I need time to burn stuff. Ready, hon?”

  I’d been sipping my wine all through the exchange so I had no need to gulp much down. I swallowed the last drop and stood up as well.

  Eloise looked at Noah. “Joe? She called you Joe.”

  Noah nodded. “My friends do.”

  “Oh.” I could see she wasn’t sure whether to ask anything else.

  “Come on, Ellie, we were only supposed to be here for half an hour. The men will be going mental with all the kids and no beer.” Pam waved her carrier. “That was our mission and for Ellie to have a crafty fag. See you at ballet on Thursday?” she asked as they began to walk in one direction and us in the other. “Last one before the summer break.”

  Noah looked at me and I know he was giving me the option to answer why I wouldn’t be there.

  I took a deep breath. “Actually, no, not this week. It’s the premiere of Dark is the Heart.”

  Chapter Six

  I could hear Eloise moaning as they walked away, and Pam saying something about, “Why should I tell you? Grow up.” I could have kissed her. I must remember to give her a proper explanation when I could.

  “Blimey, what a…” I hesitated. “Over-forceful woman.”

  “Yeah, so you really are coming? To the premiere?”

  “I really am,” I said. “As long as I get everything done. I refuse to go continental with hairy armpits or an upper lip moustache.”

  Noah almost dropped the shopping bag. “The pictures that conjures up. Well, I’ve got two options for you. Mac can take us to London tomorrow and we do everything there, or we sneak into Glasgow, if need be. Meanwhile, I have an option on two dresses for you from Leisha the new English designer who’s taking the fashion world by storm, and they can be couriered up to your house or mine on Sim’s estate. Likewise, Heather says she’s happy to do whatever you want her to. Don’t forget she qualified in everything you’ll need except the makeup and nails, and you’d be better getting that done down south anyway.”

  “Up here and Heather,” I said immediately. “As long as Simeon won’t mind.” And I thought there would be no need to go into Glasgow either. I’d gotten my holdy-in knickers nicely worn in and no way was I buying new ones that might give me the right shape but not let me breathe or drink fizz.

  “Sim is an idiot and I’ve told him so many times,” Noah said robustly. “Ignore him. I do.”

  That sounded good to me. “Then your house? Because once the jungle telegraph has got hold of the fact Joe is Noah, I bet I’ll have an awful lot of people passing by.” I’d got visions of everyone from Mag the postwoman to Tam the coalman knocking on the door for some trumped-up reason or another. “Like soon.”

  I had a thought. “Do you have two bedrooms?” There was no way I was jumping into bed with him. Well, no, let’s be honest. I wanted him to think that and persuade me otherwise.

  “Yes, Miss Suspicious, I do.” We walked briskly home. Once there, Noah wandered into the kitchen and opened the fridge door. “Shall we take the perishable stuff?”

  “Might as well.” I headed for the stairs and my bedroom. How long would I need to pack for? What the hell was in the wash? “Do you have a washing machine?”

  “All mod cons. Grab what you need and I’ll ring Mac to pick us up. How long do you need?”

  Forever. “Give me half an hour.”

  He laughed. “I’ll say three quarters.”

  Cheeky sod.

  “I bet you, half an hour.” I grabbed my suitcase and began to fling stuff in it. I could nip back if I forgot anything—or buy new. I was nothing if not innovative.

  I dashed into the bathroom, saw my pills, and shoved them into my sponge bag. They were something I couldn’t manage without. Not that I was sure we might get down and jiggy, Noah might not want to, but better to be safe than sorry.

  I dashed down the stairs somewhat out of breath with three minutes to spare.

  Noah appeared from the kitchen like a jack in the box. “Well, my sweetie, go you. I am impressed.”

  “Shades of a teacher’s life,” I said. “Timetables, always timetables. So, what now?”

  “Mac will be outside in a couple of minutes. I told him the back lane. Less chance of being waylaid.”

  Sometimes my husband was so sharp he’d cut himself.

  “Clever.”

  As we left by the back door, I heard the front doorbell. “Is that saved by the bell?” I asked as Noah opened the back gate with the code I gave him, locked it behind us, and a long dark-windowed car glided up. I’d never realized how useful this admittedly rough but handy lane was. About two hundred yards further on, it went into a farmyard used by the Forestry Commission, and nowhere else. But for us today, as a blessed shortcut that bypassed the village, it was perfect. I guessed it took a long way round to where I thought Noah’s house—barn? shack?—was, but if it meant we got away without anyone knowing, it was all fine by me.

  Mac turned around and grinned as we got in. “Runnni’ awaw?”

  “You better believe it,” I said. “I need time to get into role.”

  Mac guffawed. I’d forgotten that people ever made that particular noise, and oh now it took me back. “Lassie, you’ll be fine. Won’t she, Joe?”

  So Mac called Noah Joe as well. Interesting.

  Noah nodded. “In every way possible. But for now, let’s get home, and we can sort out more details.”

  I approved of that. I was a quivering mass of insecurities, so any help would be welcome. “Lots more details.”

  Mac laughed again. “Mrs. Summer, just go with the flow.”

  That would help if I knew what the flow was.

  Noah grimaced. “I’ve thrown her in at the deep end. I think I need to offer a viable plan of happy action.”

  He could say that again. I nodded. “Yep, you better believe it.”

  Mac grunted. “Ahm just the driver.”

  Noah laughed. “Get away, man. But okay, I’ll do the plot, and you better be able to carry it out.”

  Mac muttered and turned down the sort of track guaranteed to give you nausea. This area was covered with them, but I mostly walked or cycled on them and missed the worst of the ruts. A car was hard pressed to do that. I swallowed several times and counted to ten. There was a reason for this route, so I had to suck it up. Luckily, before I gave in and threw up, we stopped.

  “Welcome to my humble abode,” Noah said.

  I stared out the car window. Humble, my arse. It might be a barn, but it was twice the size of my cottage and I bet ten times as opulent. “Your idea of humble and mine are a bit different,” I said as I got out of the car. “Like by a hundred percent.” Even so, I was looking forward to seeing inside.

  “Well, it was a wreck the first time I saw it. Still had animal crap, and I mean that literally, all over it,” Noah said. “It took me three weeks of hard labor, all by myself, to clean it. Then I worked out what I wanted.” He cleared his throat. “What I thought we would want. I lived in hope you’d come here one day and like it as much as I do.”

  Aww. Now how to reply?

  “Well, I think it is gorgeous from the outside and I can’t wait to see inside,” I said. “But don’t blame me for anything.”

  “I won’t. Shall we have a cuppa? Before we go see Heather and find out what’s what?”

  I nodded. Anything to delay Simeon’s disapproval.

  As ever, Noah seemed to understand my thought progress. “He’s loyal, Summer. Don’t judge him, he saw the state I was in. Heather saw further and tried to say so were you. But to him, you didn’t even try to see my side of it, even though I told him the circumstance. Hell, I would have been like you, but to Sim, it was a no-go, and in the end, Heather and I agreed not to say anything to him. He has high blood pressure.”

&nb
sp; Shit, that was all I needed.

  “Well, don’t make it higher cos of me.”

  “No fear. I think he gets it now. If he doesn’t, Heather might shoot him.”

  How to install confidence in twenty seconds—not.

  “I think I need that cuppa.” Wine might be better but I reckoned I better keep a clear head.

  Noah opened the front door of his barn and stood back to let me go in.

  Gobsmacked was an understatement, believe me. The hall was wide and airy and went from the ground up to the roof, which was a long way. The staircase wound around one side and I could see a long landing with doors off it. I itched to go and be nosy. In front of us, three doors were ajar.

  “Kitchen, lounge, dining room,” Noah said as he propelled me into the kitchen. Behind us, I heard Mac grunt, and presumably drop my case, before he shouted, “Ahm off,” and a door closed with a thunk.

  Just us then. Shit. All of a sudden, I was uncertain again. It was all well and good having deluded myself that I was over Noah, that I could cope with being around him and not want to jump his bones when we weren’t together. Not so easy when we were. Every nerve end was on high alert—if that was possible.

  Noah switched the kettle on.

  “Time for a guided tour while we wait for it to boil?”

  Chapter Seven

  “Why not?” After all, I was itching to see upstairs. What red-blooded woman wouldn’t? There was something so arousing about the way a man decorated his own personal space. Plus, if he’d hoped I would come here one day, would it be all masculine or would there be something softer that would appeal to me?

  Noah took hold of my hand. Was I being fanciful and imagining he stroked it with his thumb as we left the kitchen and peered into the lounge and dining room and cloakroom? Well, if I was, it was a bloody rousing imagining. Talk about tingles and shivers up and down my spine. Rock-hard nipples again, and yeah, something that sounded so bloody ridiculous I hardly dare say it. What Heather once described as a quivering clit. We’d both gone into fits of giggles when she said that. I mean, talk about flowery, purple prose. However, now I honestly knew what she meant even if I thought it could be described differently. I wasn’t sure how, exactly, because let’s face it, damp knicker-making doesn’t conjure up a pretty picture, does it? But I reckon you’d get the gist.