The Babysitter(57)

Mark looked up at her, smiling wearily. What Jade would give to press her lips softly against his and soothe his worries away. ‘That bad, hey?’ he asked her.

‘No.’ Jade smiled reassuringly back. ‘I thought one red wine wouldn’t hurt, though, if that’s okay? It might help me to relax. Busy day.’ She yawned and stretched, making sure to expand her chest, showing off her breasts, covered only by a flimsy strappy top, to maximum advantage.

Mark looked at her, his eyes travelling fleetingly lower before moving back to her face. He smiled again, obviously having appreciated the view. ‘Help yourself,’ he said.

Jade was so tempted to invite him to do the same, but… it was too soon. He was clearly worrying himself silly about Melissa, imagining himself responsible for her, indebted to her in some way for giving birth to his children, as if she’d done something miraculous. Well, Jade supposed it was a bit of a miracle that she’d managed to produce two, given that the woman was useless at the fundamentals. He must have been so relieved when she did finally manage to get pregnant and hang on to it – he wouldn’t have to keep going through the mechanics of having sex with her. Jade doubted he would have got much satisfaction there. And he certainly wasn’t getting any now.

Jade might have to do something about that, she decided. Fuck him long and slow. Jade’s insides clenched at the thought of him coming hard inside her. She could almost feel it.

‘Another?’ She turned, waving the whisky bottle, sure he would see the burning desire pooling in her eyes, possibly throw his principles to the wind and stride across to take her there and then. Mark’s gaze, though, was unfortunately elsewhere, studying the happy-fucking-family snaps lined up on the mantelpiece. Bloody Melissa. Jade reined in her irritation. It wasn’t his fault. It was hers, digging her claws in and holding on to him, manipulating him. The sooner the man stopped torturing himself and made up his mind to leave her, the better.

‘Mark?’

‘What?’ Mark snapped his gaze back to her. ‘Oh. Sorry. I, er…’ He looked from her face to the bottle, taking in her breasts, which she was holding the bottle strategically in front of, and then back to her face. ‘Why not?’ he finally said, handing the glass to her.

The poor man was beyond exhausted. He needed a massage, firm hands to ease away the knots in his muscles. Pouring his usual small measure, then adding another good splash, Jade carried the drink over. His fingers brushed hers as she handed it to him, sending an electrifying jolt of sexual tension right through her.

‘Thanks,’ he said, such longing in his eyes as he smiled up at her that Jade was tempted to throw her own carefully laid plans to the wind and peel off her top there and then. But no. The decision had to be his. She couldn’t rush it. She couldn’t give him cause to lay the blame at her feet should he lose his children. Though that was highly unlikely – there was no way Melissa would be deemed capable of looking after them, assuming she didn’t do them all a favour and end her sad little life before custody was an issue – but it was still better to err on the side of caution.

Offering him an encouraging smile, Jade walked across to the seat opposite him, making sure to swing her hips seductively, but not too overtly, as she did. Curling herself up on the chair, she watched him pondering for a while – probably questioning how he’d come to be trapped in such a destructive relationship. ‘I’m a good listener,’ she said.

Mark turned his attention back to her, his expression pensive. ‘I hadn’t realised how bad things were,’ he said quietly.

Jade waited, hoping he’d say more, but Mark fell silent, kneading his temple instead.

‘I’m glad I can be here,’ she said. ‘To help.’

Mark nodded, once.

‘And how’s the investigation going?’ she asked, keen to show some support with the obvious lack of any from his wife.

‘Not great.’ He sighed and took a large gulp of his drink. ‘I thought I was on to something, a possible location on Hawthorn Farm, but…’

Oh shit! Alarm bells rang loud in Jade’s head. ‘No luck, I take it?’ she asked, trying not to sound too interested, as her brain scrambled for a plan. She’d have to speak to Dylan, enlist his help, bribe him or goad him. It wouldn’t be a problem, she assured herself. The man was as malleable as Melissa’s clay, but she’d have to do it soon.

‘No.’ Mark shook his head disconsolately. ‘Turned out to be a wild goose chase. I was so bloody sure.’

Sighing again, he got to his feet and walked to the cupboard to top up his glass.

‘Is that why you were late?’ Jade asked.

‘Yeah, sorry about that. I was later than I thought I’d be. If I’d known Mel was working I would have tried to get back sooner.’

‘It’s not a problem,’ Jade assured him. ‘I get that you’ll be detained sometimes. I mean, with a missing child investigation underway it’s bound to happen.’ She hesitated, then decided to go for it. ‘I’m sorry Mel didn’t seem to understand.’

Mark looked at her quizzically as he sat back down.

‘I overheard, when I brought the tea out.’

Mark nodded, his jaw set tight. ‘She used to,’ he said, taking a small sip of his whisky. ‘For some reason, she doesn’t seem to trust me right now. I’m still not sure I understand why.’