Outback Thunder (9 page)

Zoe breathed a
sigh of relief and wiggled her toes now free of the hot cramped boots. She
wanted to sink into a large tub of scented water and close her eyes but that
would mean getting up and walking into the house. For now she was content to
just sit and watch the stars shining brightly in the sky above. Legs stretched
out in front of her, she leaned her elbows back on the steps and relaxed.

"Zoe, hey
Zoe." A voice niggled and an insistent nudge on her shoulder startled her.

"Wha…what are
you doing?" The back of the step was digging into her neck and a chill was
creeping over her bare feet. Jonas crouched in front of her holding onto her
arm.

"You fell
asleep."

"No, no I
didn't. I was just resting here watching the stars." She rubbed her eyes.
"You don't get them like that in London, too much smog. I missed the clear
skies of home."

He planted his
butt on the path in front of her and leaned back on his hands. "It was the
same in the States. When I was in San Francisco the fog hid most of them. It's
funny what you get used to and how you miss it when it's no longer there."

She looked into
the eyes of the man that she had loved with a vengeance and wondered if she had
ever really known him. "Why San Francisco?"

"Because it
seemed like a good idea at the time, still is truth be told. I have a couple of
business ventures there that I wanted to see more of firsthand."

"What kind of
business ventures?"

"Property,
mainly. Although I do own shares in an up and coming research company I have
great hopes for."

"What kind of
research?" Zoe pulled her knees up and rested her chin on them. This was
something she didn't know and she was strangely interested.

"Cancer
research mainly. I have a friend who was looking for funding who just might
make a big difference to the world with my help."

"Why not do
it here in Australia?"

"Different
restrictions. We will get it here eventually once it has undergone the testing
we want but for now it stays overseas. It's in good hands."

"Hmm, how
come that never made the papers, Jonas? It seems the real you is a bit of a
mystery after all." Zoe grinned at him.

"You know me
well enough, you always have. I haven't changed at all. Made money and learnt
plenty along the way for sure. But I'm still the same guy I always was. How
about you? You've done alright by what I can tell."

"Yes I have
and I enjoy my life and my job. This is pushing the friendship though being
away. Luckily I have good staff but they can't take my place forever." Zoe
picked at a piece of grass on the edge of the path. "So, all those media
stories about you and your women, are they true?" Zoe held her breath for
his answer, wishing she could tell him about Lilly. It should be them that he
was escorting to balls and events, not some big breasted woman that didn't have
the connection with him they did.

"I can't
control the media and to tell you the truth, I really don't care what they
print."

"So... all of
those women you get caught with, not the real you?"

"I'm a man,
Zoe. I have needs and one of them just happens to be female company. Why should
that change?" A scowl marred his face and she drew in a quick breath.
"Did you expect me to turn celibate just because you saw something that
insulted your twisted ideas of right and wrong?"

"What do you
mean, twisted. I caught you in our secret place with that slutty girl who just
happened to be half naked. What the hell was I supposed to think?"

Zoe made to stand
but cried out in pain when her body protested.

Jonas jumped to
his feet and easily lifted her in his arms. "You stubborn little brat. You
wouldn't ask for help would you?" He walked up the steps with her
protesting to be put down. "This was too much for someone who hadn't been
in the saddle for years. Bloody hell, Zoe."

"Put me down
now Jonas or I'll—"

"What, kick
my ass? I doubt you could pull the skin from a rice pudding in the state you're
in. Sit still while I run you a bath and stop protesting."

He gently sat her
on a kitchen chair and walked down the hallway to her room. Zoe heard the sound
of running water as he filled her bath and she struggled to stand. Her body had
seized up, the muscles in her legs and back wracked with spasms when she moved.
Holding her hands out against the wall, she made her way to her bedroom. The
smell of bubble bath came from her bathroom and she ached to sink below the
warm water.

"I told you
to sit." Jonas came out with his sleeves rolled up and a frown on his
face.

"I'm not a
baby."

"Can you get
out of those clothes by yourself?" He stood in front of her, hands on his
hips as he looked down at her.

Zoe dropped her
head so he couldn't see the heat rolling over her cheeks.

"I'm not here
to drag you to bed. If you need some help, just ask. It's either me or you wait
for Brandon."

The thought of her
brother seeing her naked was worse than letting Jonas see her in that state
again. "Um, if you wouldn't mind I could use the help. I don't think my
fingers want to work after that muster."

She kept her head averted
as he undid the buttons on her shirt. He threw it on the floor and undid the
button on her jeans then slid down the zip. Her breath sucked in and she closed
her eyes when Jonas pulled them down her legs. Zoe had to put a hand on his
shoulder when he helped her step out of the jeans. She stood before him in her
bra and panties.

"Okay with
the rest if I just unhook the bra?"

Zoe held her hands
over her breasts and nodded her head. She swallowed when his fingers traced
over her back before unclipping her bra.

"Thanks."
She walked gingerly to her bathroom.

"Yell if you
need me. I won't be far away."

She let her breath
out as his footsteps faded down the hallway. Dropping the bra from her
shoulders she let it slide off her arms and fall to the floor. Zoe leaned
against the wall and slid her panties down her hips and kicked them off. On
shaky feet, she shuffled closer to the bath before holding onto the edge and
putting one foot into the water.

Perfect.

Carefully she slid
under the bubbles and leaned back closing her eyes. Bliss after two days in the
saddle. She ran her fingers over her palms and outlined each of the blisters.
Hard earned battle scars.

It was good to be
home though. Back where she belonged but she couldn't stay here with Jonas so
close, even if she didn't have to go back to her own business. If she could
outlast him he would go back to his other businesses and she could relax again.
That was if she could keep him at a distance until then.

There was a knock
on the door. "Are you alright, Zoe?"

"Um, yeah
fine, thanks."

"I'm making
soup and toast for dinner. Should be ready in five."

"Okay,
cheers."

Zoe sat up and
watched the water run down her breasts. Her nipples puckered and she blamed the
cool air but her gut told her it was the man outside the door. Keeping her
distance was going to be hard when all she wanted to do was rip his clothes off
and throw him to the floor. Maybe if she did that and got it out of her system
once and for all she would survive with him so close.

They could just be
friends with benefits for the duration of his stay here. It would work for her
and she was sure he wouldn't turn down sex without strings. He'd already made
the comment of being a man and having needs. They always had great chemistry
and that hadn't changed by the look of things.

Zoe pulled the
plug from the bath and watched the water spiral down the drain. When her skin
started to chill she pulled herself up on aching arms and climbed out of the
bath. She wrapped herself in a towel and walked into the bedroom to choose
clothes that were easy to put on. Looking through her closet she settled on
sweat pants and a flannel shirt, her fingers struggling with the buttons. A
quick brush through her hair and she was ready for hot food.

Jonas looked up
when she walked into the kitchen.

 "Thanks,
that feels much better," she said.

"Welcome. Sit
down and I'll grab you a bowl of soup."

"Where's
Bran?"

"Down at the
shed. Haven't you noticed the new roustabout?"

"No way, Bran
has a girlfriend?" She laughed, the sound filling the quiet room. " I
never thought that would happen. Smitten, eh?"

"It would
appear so. They've had eyes for each other since she arrived a few weeks
back." Jonas put a bowl of steaming soup in front of her and sat opposite.
"Dig in."

The smell wafting up
made her stomach rumble and she realized just how hungry she was. Zoe dipped
her spoon in the bowl and blew on the rich golden soup before she sipped.
"Hmmmm, really good Jonas. Tinned?"

"This time of
night, yes. If you want homemade I need more warning but it's possible. Have
some garlic toast." He pushed the plate toward her and she took a slice
dipping it in the soup bowl before taking a hearty bite. Zoe closed her eyes
and groaned with pleasure after licking her lips.

The sharp intake
of breath Zoe open her eyes. Jonas was staring at her, his eyes dark and the
sexual vibes coming from him had her clenching her thighs together under the
table.

"Is that a
deliberate move on your part Zoe?"

"I don't know
what you mean." She looked at him trying to keep her face blank.

"Yes you
do." He pushed his plate away and stood up gazing at her like a predator.

She knew that look
and the heat pooled between her thighs. She swallowed to stop the mewling sound
rising in her throat but it passed through her lips. Their gazes locked, and
Jonas walked around to pull Zoe from her chair. Without protest she leaned into
his chest, her legs weak again.

****

Jonas scooped her
up for the second time today and walked down the hall to his bedroom. He kicked
the door shut behind him and gently laid Zoe on his bed. He leaned over her and
with his fingertips brushed her hair from her face. Her grey eyes were glassy
with the look he remembered so well. Resting his body down next to her, he
traced the line of her jaw, watching her throat as she swallowed.

His cock throbbed
in his jeans and it took all of his restraint to go slowly. This he wanted to
savor. After ten years without her in his bed, the first time was going to be a
search of rediscovery.

He ran his finger
down her throat over her shirt and underneath to her soft skin. He splayed his
hand across her stomach watching her eyes close under his caresses. Zoe arched
her body up and he cupped her breast teasing the pert nipple with his thumb.

Zoe reached down
and tried to undo the buttons but her fingers fumbled. Jonas brushed her hand
away and undid them, spreading the shirt to reveal her milky white skin.

He dipped his head
and traced around her rosy pink nipple with his tongue before sucking it into
his mouth. Tugging with his teeth, he gave into the fantasies that played in
his mind while she was gone pulling until she cried out his name.

Zoe squirmed under
him and she reached for his zip. Jonas lifted himself from the bed to give her
better access. With a groan he stood and helped her pull down his jeans. His
cock sprung free and she grabbed it greedily. She held him in her grasp while
he lay back down beside her. Nose to nose they lay together letting their
fingers go on a trail of rediscovery until he could stand it no longer. Pushing
her onto her back Jonas rolled on top of her burying his face in the soft skin
of her neck.

Zoe wrapped her
legs around his waist pulling him close. He smiled at the small mewling sounds
coming from her throat, a noise that had always made him randy and had him
lusting after her. Easing his body lower his lips captured her nipple. Zoe
pushed her breast up higher, begging him to suckle. Using his teeth, Jonas
worked the small nub of hardening flesh, tugging when she moaned under him.

Tracing his tongue
down between her breasts Jonas licked each rib, crossing her stomach in a dance
that was pushing him perilously close to the edge.

"Oh my God,
Jonas. Don't stop."

He laughed
quietly.

As if he could
now.

Dipping his head
lower he ran his tongue into her belly button. He knew the small dent was one
of Zoe's more sensitive spots. He swirled his tongue around the rim, flicking
the edge while she bucked under him. The pressure of her hands on his head
meant one thing. She was close to the edge and he knew she wanted his mouth on
her sex.

Willingly Jonas
conceded to her need. Zoe parted her folds with her fingers and lay herself
open for him. As his tongue swiped the length of her she moaned, a guttural
sound
made his cock jerk in anticipation.
Jonas ran his tongue up and down her sex again, playing with the small nub of
flesh that was hardening under his touch.