The Heart of Deception

Chapter 6

Lauren fell into a routine of a swim at daybreak, followed by a quiet hot drink on the veranda until Jessica awoke. She snuggled in the huge doona from her bed, her feet resting up on the green picket railings, legs crossed at the ankles. Her cold toes wriggled contentedly in the furry lining of her old Ugg boots while she gently rocked the swinging porch bench to and fro.

As she sipped her mug of Milo Lauren’s mind began to wander. The past fortnight had been uneventfully pleasant. A hint of a smile played on her lips, as her thoughts turned to Jessica.

Acting as her mother was becoming easier every day. She had fallen hopelessly in love with the infant and spent as much of her spare time as possible with her. The bond between them had strengthened so, she already felt as if Jessica really did belong to her.

Lauren was beginning to dread Diane’s return. Leaving her little niece behind was going to break her heart.

Her friendship with Helen was becoming stronger as well. The two women found they had many things in common. They sometimes sat like old friends, chatting about events in the hospital environment until Kurt, feeling like an outsider, would leave them to “talk shop”.

Their shopping trips to Maroochydore had turned into a regular girls’ day out. They would start with morning tea, followed by browsing one of the department stores and taking lunch at the food court. The groceries were always left until last. Then, after a quick visit to the mothers’ room to attend to Jessica, they would take the scenic route home again.

Even Digby had taken to her. He followed her around whenever his mistress was at work and lay at her feet or at the entrance to whichever room she was cleaning, and lapped up any attention she lavished on him.

Lauren was just settling into the porch swing, when her sixth sense sent a live spark down her spine. Awareness prickled over her body as Kurt quietly approached her from behind.

Nooo! It’s too early in the morning to be tortured like this, she thought with a groan as she shut her eyes.

Once Kurt woke up, he turned into an attentive companion and a loving father, openly displaying affection. Lauren frequently found herself weak at the knees and yearning for more than just a gentle kiss or a warm hug.

She couldn’t allow herself the luxury of responding with any of the passion he ignited inside her being. It frightened her to think she may lose control and give in to her baser needs and desires. So far she'd managed to accept his kisses with a casual coolness she had often seen her sister display, but she hadn’t dared initiate affectionate behaviour herself!

Lauren knew that by sunset, sexual tension and frustration would have her wound up as tight as a spring. Her nightly jog down to the gate to bring in the mail, was taking longer every night!

Thankfully, Kurt usually spent the mornings in his study, either glued to his computer screen, answering emails and faxes, or communicating with his secretary over the phone. By lunchtime though, he was a free man who organised his day around his family and looked into the running of the pineapple farm, which made it difficult to avoid him in the afternoons.

“Sounds like you over did it in the pool this morning,” he smiled, mistaking her groan for one of physical discomfort.

Kurt slid his warm hands beneath the bundle of doona, to massage her shoulders and neck. At his touch, her skin came alive with the amazing sensations his fingers created. Goosebumps spread rapidly over her back and up her neck into her hairline.

“You’re freezing in there.” His rumpled, sleepy features looked concerned.

Before she knew what had happened, he had taken the drink from her hand, and placed it on the little table next to the swing. Kurt unravelled her cocoon and settled in beside her. His strong arms drew her close, moulding her cool flesh against his warmth.