Saviour (Saviour #1)(51)
“Jesus f*cking Christ Lauren”
He wipes his fingers over mine, weaving them together our juices joined, he raises our hands to my mouth and I kiss and lick and suck, he does the same, our mouths on our fingers, on our hands, then on each other and his breathing almost matches mine in a way that it is only just, not a sob, only just. The whole scene is so intimate so intense, just for us, never to be spoken about to anyone, just for me and just for him. He takes my face in his hands and looks at me, into me.
“You’re my world now Lauren. You’re my f*cking everything. I don't give a shit about anyone else, because no one else can touch us.” He's almost sobbing out the words, and I can see his lips quiver as he tries not to cry.
“No one will ever hurt you again, I will never let him lay another hand on you, do you hear me, do you understand now, what you mean to me, what you've done to me baby, do you?”
His tears are falling now and for a few minutes we both just sit and cry. It's a moment in my life, no matter what becomes of our relationship that I will ever forget.
~
We eventually pull up at Karen Palmers Red Hill property bang on eleven. It has a huge in and out drive, with sweeping views down across The Mornington Peninsula and out across Port Phillip Bay and over to The You Yang’s. And that’s just from the drive.
Gabe drops me off and tells me to call him when I am done and he will pick me up. He waits for the door to be answered before driving off with a bib and a wave.
Karen is married to a TV personality and radio host. They have a few properties around Melbourne and I have done work on the family home in Toorak and an apartment they let to high flying corporate types in docklands. This place is a new holiday home for when they don't have time to fly up to Queensland to their other place. She is around fifty I would guess; she looks well for her age and is always impeccably groomed in a big hair and too much make up type of way. She reminds me a little of Ivana Trump or whatever her name is these days. We have always worked well together, although on occasion, she can be a little smug about their wealth, bragging about how much money you have is an ugly trait I have always thought.
“Lauren, how you going? Thanks for driving up here at such short notice, come in, come in”
I step inside an impressive entrance hall with a sweeping staircase to my right.
“We only picked up the keys yesterday and I really want to crack on so we can have the place organised and ready to use by summer so I do hope you’re not busy?”
She talks as she leads me up to an open plan living, dining and family room, it is huge, and it is truly awful! The wraparound balcony and views from the house are indeed spectacular but the kitchen cupboards, carpet, tiles and colour scheme are truly terrible and a throwback to the worst of the eighties. Actually, that's why this place probably appeals to Karen; she wouldn't look out of place on the set of Dynasty!
I haven’t noticed she has stopped talking and is staring at me as thoughts of Crystal and Blake are running through my mind.
“What on earth happened to your face Lauren, have you been in an accident, shit, I didn't drag you from your sick bed did I?”
“No, no I'm fine; it’s nothing, just too much to drink after a night out with the girls and me not looking where I was going”
I smile back at her. I know she doesn't believe me by the look she gives me. She's quiet for a moment before saying
“Oh well, as long as you had a good night before hand”
“I did, very memorable” I say, as thoughts of my first encounter with Gabriel Wilde spring to mind.
We wander through the property. She wants the living areas revamped first, then the bedrooms and bathrooms. There are four with full en suits and two more without. There's a rumpus and games room downstairs, along with another small kitchen and wet bar leading out to the pool area.
She gives me her thoughts on colours and styles but as always asks for my ideas. I take notes as I wander through, trying to get a feel for the place first, before making any decisions, which is the way I've always worked.
“I was hoping Jason might have come with you, we need some work doing outside, as well as new tiles and bathrooms, and of course a new kitchen, I wondered if he would be interested in giving us a price.”
Jay had worked on the family home and built an extension on the back for them, which they had been really pleased with.
I don't know why I feel the need to tell her, it's like a trial run before telling friends and family so I just come out with it.
“Actually, Jason and I are no longer together so you would have to call him directly if you want a quote or I could source quotes from other local builders if you want me to?”
Despite everything, I would never take work away from Jay but there is no way I could have him working on this job alongside me, not yet any ways.
“Oh no Lauren, what a shame, are you okay, are you coping?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine; it was me that left him actually”
“Right, well, I always thought you looked very happy together, but no one knows what goes on behind closed doors, but I am sorry Lauren, it’s always sad when a marriage breaks down, but I’m sure you have your reasons” Okay, time for a subject change
“Actually I could get someone up here now, a builder I mean, if you know what it is you want doing” Gabe on the other hand, could work beside me anytime!