Chapter Two

Sam wandered into the kitchen then pulled the fridge open. Cold beer in hand, he slammed the door shut and passed back through the lounge. Meg’s little friend was ogling him again. Shame Meg didn’t look at him that way.

“Ladies.”

Meg ignored him and Laura smiled. No, not a smile, definitely a leer. Unfortunately, she wasn’t his type, too skinny, too needy, and way too easy. He preferred a woman with handles, one that presented a challenge.

“I’m going to have a shower then I’m off to work.”

Laura’s grin widened. “You want some help washing your back?”

God, the girl never gave up. It had been a while since he had a real woman, but he was waiting for the right girl, or rather the opportunity to convince the right girl to give him a chance. He glanced at Meg lying on the sofa, her long dark hair draped over the arm, her deep blue eyes focused on the ceiling, her soft kissable lips pursed with annoyance. She found Laura hitting on him as offensive as he did, there was still hope. “Maybe another time.”

Sam opened the door to the hallway, making sure to close it behind him. Time was marching on. He would be late to the gym. A flat closer to work would be a better option. He’d visited dozens and they’d all been adequate, but this one had the edge. His share cost more, the location was further from work, and the lack of space left little room for privacy, all black marks, until Meg showed up. The landlord had been hiding his trump card. Saggy sweats, unruly hair and all, she’d mesmerized him. Her dark blue eyes, ready smile, and easygoing personality made him want to live with her and so much more. All he had managed to do so far was win her friendship. They constantly sniped at each other, she cast aspersions on his manhood, and he hit on her whenever the opportunity arose. But, to date, he hadn’t had the nerve to make his move. At least while he bided his time he got to share the sofa when she watched chick flicks and got a cuddle when she needed a shoulder to cry on.

Occasionally, he sensed her starting to weaken, but she always shored up her defenses just when he thought he was about to break through. If only he’d found where she’d gone to hide the day she walked in on him. The expression on her face had driven him wild—lust, pure unadulterated lust. Her eyes fixed on his wild stallion as he whacked off, she wet her lips with her soft pink tongue and he imagined how it would feel to have those lips wrapped around his cock. That was one of his favorite fantasies, her warm wet mouth sucking him deep into her throat. The thought made him harden. Turning the shower on cold, he stepped inside. He didn’t have time for this before work. Bike shorts hid nothing from view.

* * * *

Meg glared at Laura. Why didn’t she write ‘fuck me silly’ on her forehead and be done with it? She could have any man she wanted. They had fallen out over men before and it wasn’t like Meg wanted him. She wasn’t interested in his little pony, much. No matter the reason, Meg didn’t want her to have Sam. Maybe she should be more like Laura and go for it without worrying about the consequences. Except she would never have the guts to make a move on him, sex was never as good as she imagined, and she had a great imagination when it came to Sam. “If you want him that much, why don’t you go and get in his shower?”

Laura grinned. “Sorry. I really don’t know how you can live with him. Aren’t you ever tempted to climb into his bed at night?”

Stupid question, the only thing keeping her out was the knowledge having sex would make living with him impossible. She liked sharing her flat with him. They rubbed along well together, but he was so out of her league. All his come-ons were jokes. A man who worked at a gym didn’t belong with a woman who wore track pants to hide her fat arse. Once he saw the blubber she hid in her pants, he would run a mile. Besides, she didn’t do one night stands anymore.

“Never. He’s not my type.”

“You mean you’re not his type, but you could be if you sorted yourself out. Why don’t you tidy up your hair and try working out once in a while?”

Laura’s comment hit home. She was comfortable hiding behind her daggy, badly fitting tracksuits, and not worrying about how she looked. So, she got worse since Sam moved in. She could admire him from afar and know he would leave her alone, as long as they remained just friends she wouldn’t get hurt again. “I’m happy the way I am, thanks.”

“You know what I think, hun?”

Meg didn’t bother to answer, what would be the point? Even if she said no, Laura would tell her anyway. “I think Sam might be on to something, maybe you are sexually repressed.”

“Sam has no idea about my sex life.”

“Okay then, when did you last sleep with someone?”

Hell, what a question. She cast her mind back. Geez, no wonder she couldn’t remember. It was at her twenty second birthday party. She wanted to forget she had sex that night. Dennis Mead had gotten her too drunk to know what she was doing, she’d let him drag her out of the back of the club and bang her against the wall. In the process, he ripped her tights and stained her dress. The whole thing lasted all of two minutes. No sooner did he stick his pathetically inadequate pecker inside her than he’d come. The bastard didn’t even have the decency to wear a condom. It had been months before she was convinced she wasn’t knocked up or carrying some horrible disease. The memory made her stomach roll with disgust. Mind you, now Laura had asked, she realized the whole debacle happened four years ago.

Meg shrugged. “It’s been a while. Anyway, we’re not here to discuss my sex life. We need business ideas.”

Laura leaned forward, her eyes wide, her cheeks tinged pink with excitement. “I’ve got one. What does every woman want?”

“A Coach purse?”

“No, try again.”

“Um, a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes?”

Laura sighed loudly. “No.”

Meg thought hard. What would she want other than shoes and a purse? “Oh, oh, I’ve got it, a date with a millionaire movie star.”

Arms folded and a full pout on her face, Laura glared at her. “You’re not really trying.”

“Okay, the only thing I can think of is a lifetime’s free supply of Ben & Jerry’s.”

“Take this seriously.”

What did she mean? No one took ice cream more seriously than she did. Laura only had to go check the freezer if she didn’t believe her. “I am being serious. I love Ben & Jerry’s. I give up. Why don’t you just tell me?”

Smug smile on her face, Laura leaned back and put her feet on the footstool. “To be sexually liberated.”

Meg had no idea where this discussion was going, but so far she couldn’t see any business opportunities.

“How is that a business opportunity?”

“Let’s grab a glass of wine and I’ll explain my idea.”