Lustful Hearts
Chapter 27: Rесоvеrу- P3

In her arms she held our pizza order. I ignored the rest of her, which were all skinny jeans and legs that went on for miles. I was now feeling bedraggled after spending hours non-stop cleaning. I fidgeted with my hair, but I didn't need a mirror to know I looked a mess.

An obvious look of disappointment crossed her made up face. She pouted her ruby red lips in annoyance, she had no doubt been expecting Joel.

"Joel not in?" she asked, not even hiding her disappointment. Her eyes slowly looked me up and down. When they did eventually return to my face, I ignored the sneer, handing over the money quickly taking the food.

"He's inside, he's not well." I could see the cogs turning in her small brain as I stood impatiently waiting for my change. She obviously wasn't buying my excuse when she rudely stuck her head past me trying to peer indoors.

Looking at her I inwardly rolled my eyes, she truly was a walking, talking Barbie girl. Obviously the tight top brought in great tips, using her womanly charms in her favour. I was guessing she'd be a hit particularly amongst all the male customers.

"Aww, what's up with him? I'm sure I can nurse him better," she purred, smoothing down her top as she pushed her breasts forward.

My fists curled at her comments. The only thing she'd be nursing was her face after my fist rammed into it.

She cracked her chewing gum bringing my attention to the fixed smug grin she was wearing. I could only imagine the thoughts going on in her head.

Bitch.

She needed to be knocked down a peg or two.

"Don't worry I'm taking good care of him." I gave her an equally smug smile back. Barbie bitch was not getting one over me.

"That's nice he has a sister to look after him, but if he needs someone to tend to his needs, tell him Claudia is always here for him." She gave me a wink in a 'know what I mean way.'

Sister?

Oh, Barbie was going down.

I let out a huff of disgust. "Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not his sister and I can't stand here all day. We need to eat and get our energy up for later, know what I mean?" I gave her a wink and the smug smile instantly dropped from her face.

"Oh by the way, keep the change." I slammed the door in her face, walking off laughing.

"What are you laughing at?" Joel asked when I stormed through banging the box down hard on the table.

My eyes snapped to his. "Oh just Claudia, she sends her regards, said if you need a nurse she'll only be too happy to help." I grimaced at my own words, trying and failing to keep a lid on my anger.

Joel pulled a face, the guilt already present in his eyes. Claudia had already insinuated they'd hooked up, and from the look on his face I knew for definite.

I served the food, keeping my back to Joel. He sat in silence. I knew he was working his way up to confess, but I didn't need to hear the words confirmed out loud.

"Iz, I need to tell you something." He exhaled loudly like he was preparing himself for the worst. I closed my eyes for a moment, taking in a deep breath.

I turned around to see a pained expression on his face, the guilt was radiating off him. His eyes were closed, obviously too scared to look at me. He was preparing himself to deliver the news. He knew was going to hurt me.

My eyes softened at the look of panic on his face. We'd been through so much already to let Barbie come between us. I couldn't bear to let him torture himself a moment longer.

"Joel, I don't want to know, that's your past and I'm your future, end of."

His eyes slowly opened in surprise, he looked slightly bewildered at my words. He was obviously expecting me to totally lose it.

I sat down beside him, hugging him. He sighed with relief, and I kissed him softly on the lips, stroking his hair. I watched the tension slowly leaving his face.

He kissed my cheek tenderly, bringing his mouth to my ear. "It will only ever be you, Iz. No other woman will ever come close to what we have."

I kissed him once again, overwhelmed by the sincerity shining in his eyes. I felt tears begin to form, so I jumped off the couch and distracted myself dishing out the pizza.

His eyes lit up, when I handed him the plate loaded with food. He was almost drooling, looking like a starving man that hadn't eaten for weeks.

"I'm ready for this." He grinned, taking a large bite and judging by the hunger present in his eyes, he wasn't lying.

After a few days Joel returned to the hospital to replace his ribs were bruised not cracked, so would heal faster. The stitches had been removed from his face, but the bruises and cuts would take longer to heal.

My mother had called several times to check up on us, but she knew to keep her distance. I was enjoying our time together, we felt like a regular couple but we both knew it would eventually have to come to an end, much to our dismay.

When I returned home from the shops, I was greeted with a grinning Joel. Who was sat reclining on the sofa, looking overly excited with my laptop open. I groaned inwardly. I could only imagine the kind of pornographic sites he might have accessed while I'd been out.

I narrowed my eyes, bending down to kiss him. His lip was starting to heal, so we'd more than made up for the kisses we'd missed out on.

"What are you looking at?" I asked peering at the laptop screen. Hoping nothing nude was about to pop up and scar me for life.

He turned to look at me with an anxious look on his face. "Don't get mad, but I've booked us a week away in Cornwall for next week." His eyes searched mine for a response, and he didn't have to wait long. "Cornwall? It's bloody March, we'll freeze."

He laughed at my reply. "Well it's paid for now, so we're going. I have another week off sick, and you're on your Easter break, so we might as well use that to our advantage. I've booked us into a nice cottage, we can stay holed up in there if the weather is too cold." He grinned, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

I pursed my lips in that 'oh we will, will we' way but who was I kidding? Being alone with Joel was my dream scenario. "So you think you'll get lucky, huh?" I teased grabbing his hair so his face was looking into mine.

"Yeah, I have good odds, let's just say they are in my favour." He winked and pulled me onto his knee, wrapping his arms around me.

"I can't wait to get away from here, even it's just a week, you and me and some alone time. We can hit the beach, the shops, do all the touristy things and finally get to act like a couple. I can show you off in public."

His smile made me melt. I pulled him into a kiss to show him how much I loved, cared and appreciated his kind gesture. "Sounds perfect, when do we leave?" I asked, resting my forehead against his. Enjoying his warm breath tickling against my face.

"Sunday." He grinned, squeezing me tight.

I kissed him again, enjoying the connection our mouths and tongues made.

Would I ever get enough of these lips? I knew my answer before even asking.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐