When Lex walked in the door on Friday night, she was already grinning. Her week had been amazing; work was flowing smoothly, she was sleeping better, and every day, she came home to cooked food and Otis.

Her housemate was a godsend; in only a few days, he’d filled her house with laughter and song, and for the first time since she’d bought it, it felt like a home. They hadn’t progressed physically at all, spending long evenings on the couch, chilling and watching TV, but now it was the weekend and Lex had a plan.

Dropping her keys on the table, she kicked off her heels and called out, “Otis?”

“Lexi. In here. Now.”

His harsh tone caught her off guard and she hurried into the kitchen. “What? What is it?”

Otis sat at the small table in the breakfast nook, which was strewn with hundreds of sheets of paper. “This. Seriously, Lexi, how did you let it get this bad?”

“Hey, I said you could hunt down one phone bill, not give me an audit,” she huffed, scraping the loose pages back together. Before she’d left that morning, she’d asked Otis to call her phone company to report the crackling on the home line. It was one of those stupid, time-consuming tasks Lex never found time to do, and he’d been happy to help.

She couldn’t remember who her carrier was – just one of a million small details in her life that seemed beneath her, so she’d thrust her bills box at him and rushed out the door. The box was her shameful secret, a collection of statements and payment notices Lex added to daily, but never got around to dealing with. She hadn’t expected to walk in the door and find her shame spread all over the kitchen, and it immediately sent her mood into a dive.

Otis was in a mood of his own. “Lexi, you’re a smart woman; I know you know that box full of unpaid bills isn’t a long-term fix for dealing with your cash flow.”

“It’s been working fine so far,” she said, her voice rising as she jammed all the papers back into the box and slammed the lid on top. “When it comes to work, the only place it matters, I’m very structured. I don’t need a lecture on organisation from a homeless artist, thanks.”

He stood, towering over Lex. Stalking forward, he pinned her with his glorious emerald eyes and said, “Before I was a homeless artist, I was almost an accountant, and I know what disaster looks like. Let me sort out your mess.”

“No!” She felt more horrified than if he’d asked to inspect her underwear collection. “Look, can we just talk about something else? What’s for dinner?”

“Lexi.” There was a quiet force in his words, a determination she couldn’t run from. Still in his flannel shirt, his blond hair fell adorably into his eyes and caused him to flick it boyishly out of the way, but there was an aura about him. He was a man. Lex hadn’t seen it before now, because she’d only ever associated manliness with aggression and stoicism, rather than cheer and care, but it was there. “I’m not letting this go.”

“Otis, I don’t want to argue. It’s Friday! We’ve got the whole weekend ahead of us!”

“Us?” There it was, the goofy smile Lex had been slowly falling for. “You want to hang out this weekend? I thought you’d have stuff on.”

“Nope. I have plans for us.” Plans that ended with Otis finally lying flat on his back on top of her silk sheets while she rode him like a cowgirl, their cries disturbing the neighbourhood. Lex could almost feel his callused fingers playing her body like his personal instrument, and it sent a warm shiver flowing down her spine.

Of course, she wasn’t about to reveal all her designs, so Lex said, “I thought we might see that new Marvel movie tonight, the one you were telling me about. Then tomorrow, we can drive up to Manly beach for a swim, and then, I want to do something special for you.”

While she’d been speaking, she’d shed her white jacket, exposing her skin-tight tank and bare arms. Otis noticed the way her nipples were raised through the fabric, and he blushed, looking away. “What kind of special?”

“I want to take you shopping.”

“We’re pretty set for food at the moment, Lexi.”

“No, not food. Shopping for you.” Lex reached for him, needing the physical connection. Otis was surprisingly wily at avoiding her advances; he was quick to fist bump, or slap her five, but try to lay a hand on his thigh or stroke the back of his neck and he’d disappear.

Still, he let Lex run her fingers down the front of his faded shirt, and she felt the ridges of his chest through the material. “I want to buy you a new wardrobe.”

“Uh, no,” he said, drawing back.

“Uh, yes. Otis, you literally only have the clothing you’re standing in.” In fact, I’m fairly certain that you don’t even have a single set of underwear to your name. The thought that he might have been commando right there in her kitchen sent a hot blush racing between her thighs.

“So?” He was embarrassed now, turning away from her and hiding his face.

“So, I can fix that.”

“I don’t want your charity, Lexi.” He walked into the kitchen and pulled tray from the oven. The scent of chicken and lemon filled the air as he checked the meat. “You don’t have to buy me clothes; I’m not a doll.”

“I know that, you frustrating idiot.”

“I’m going to go find a job next week. I’ll be earning again, and I can replace my guitar and buy new stuff and move out.”

The thought of Otis leaving hit Lex like a punch to her throat. After only a week, losing him seemed unbearable. She scrambled for a solution to get their weekend back on track. “What about if I hire you?”

“For what?”

“For… the box.” Lex was still holding it and she dropped it on the bench between them. “What’s an hourly rate for an accountant? $100? I’ll pay you a full day, or however long it takes, and you sort out my box.”

His eyes widened in eager anticipation of earning an honest pay check, but still, he resisted. “That’s too much money. Besides, I never completed uni – I’m not technically an accountant.”

“Oh my God, Otis! Just say yes!” she said, stepping into the kitchen and playfully shaking the front of his shirt. “You need clothes, I need my box fixed. Say yes, and feed me, because whatever you’re cooking is making me drool!”

“Okay, okay, yes!” he laughed, taking Lex by surprise as he pulled her close and hugged her.

His scent surrounded her, his essence engulfing her senses. Lex felt herself melt against his firm chest, and another piece of her cold façade cracked off and floated away.

***

“Ugh! My feet are sore!” She flopped onto the couch a day later, dropping the shopping bags to the floor.

Otis stepped over her legs and placed the take-out containers of Thai food on the low coffee table. “Your fault for wearing high heels and dragging me all over Pitt Street Mall.”

“Worth it.” She leaned forward and began to rat through the bags of clothing, unable to keep the delirious grin from creeping over her face. The last 24 hours had been worth it, no matter what happened that night.

After eating their meal the previous evening, they’d headed for the movies, but it didn’t feel like a date. Instead, they’d argued like siblings, thrown popcorn at each other like teenagers and loudly discussed the complex comic book storyline like old biddies throughout the flick.

In the morning, they found a tiny French place by the beach in Manly who made amazing crepes, then after buying Otis a pair of Australian flag board shorts, they raced onto the sand and into the water. Lex couldn’t remember the last time she’d gone swimming; as a child she’d practically lived in the water during summer, but adulthood had reduced her swim days to nil.

In her navy and white sailor bikini, the ocean felt like an old friend against her skin. Otis and Lex had dived and played in the waves until hunger drove them home for sandwiches and showers.

The shopping, of course, was her favourite part of the day. Lex was exceptionally talented at spending money – if there was an Olympic event for speed shopping, she would have been a medallist.

She’d never admit it to Otis, but he actually was a little like having a doll to dress up; dragging him in and out of her favourite men’s wear stores, hiding price tags while piling his arms high with things to try on, and then lurking outside the curtain, eagerly anticipating his next look.

He rocked everything. From tailored pants to fitted sweaters, light linen shirts to skinny jeans, bright tees and pyjama bottoms, everything Otis appeared shyly modelling sent the ache inside Lex ratcheting up to the next level of desperation. She wanted to remove each item from his lanky frame, and discover what lay underneath.

Now, the evening stretched in front of them as they gorged on Pad Thai and Massaman curry. Maybe she was allowing the day, the week to affect her too much, but Lex swore, even take-away tasted better with Otis next to her.

“Mmm…” She sprawled back on the lounge, rubbing the bulge of her full belly. For once, she felt like a normal girl, one who wasn’t constantly chasing dollars and promotions, trying to outwit the other tigers in the corporate jungle. “Best. Day. Ever.”

“Best week ever.” Otis reached along the cushions and pulled her feet into his lap.

Lex squeaked, half-rising. “What… What are you doing?”

“Saying thank you.” He began to knead the ball of her foot with his strong fingers and she oozed in the seat, suddenly struck helpless by the touch of his hand.

“Lexi, this week… I’ve had a really bogus couple of years, what with my parents disowning me and my housemates kicking me out and every kind of rejection for my music – whatever!” He laughed as if he realised he’d become too serious and tried to deflect. “Anyway, being here with you, it’s the first time I’ve felt like I’m really home. So, cheers, bro!”

“Otis… What happened with your parents?” He seemed to avoid talking about family at all costs, which was fine with Lex since she felt very little other than annoyance at hers most of the time. But the grief in his voice that had slipped out while he spoke – it tugged at her heart. “Did they really disown you?”

“It wasn’t exactly one sided,” he said, stretching her foot from side to side. “My dad is an accountant, and so is my brother and my uncle, my mum is a book-keeper, hell, even the family screw-up, my dopey cousin, Ivan, has his own, unsuccessful accounting practice.”

“Your family reunions must be a blast,” she said.

“You have no idea. Anyone, I was always the weirdo, the kid who starred in musicals and wanted a keyboard for Christmas, instead of a slot-car set. Neither Mum or Dad can sing, and they just didn’t get me. I think they thought I’d eventually grow out of it, but when I started Year 12, I told them I wanted to study a music degree at uni, and they hit the freakin’ roof.”

Lex could imagine. To logical parents, the thought of their child wasting three years on an expensive qualification with little practical use in the real world must have been horrifying. “What happened?”

“My dad made me a deal; if I did my accounting degree, they’d support me in my music career.” His gaze was distant as a small bitter smile twisted his sweet lips. “It was an empty promise. It was just their way of controlling me for a few more years, trying to beat me into wanting their lives.”

“I’m sure they wanted what they thought was best,” she said. At least, that was what she told herself when her mum pissed Lex off with her endless requests for ‘family time’ and her quest to see Lex wed and settled.

“It wasn’t best for me, though. I actually got pretty good grades – music and maths are the same in a lot of ways – but it was killing my soul. For two years, I knuckled down, did the work, tried to put my creative juices on ice. Then, I started singing at the uni bar on weekends to pick up some extra bucks, and it was like the world had colour again.” He shook his head, remembering. “I knew I couldn’t do it anymore. I quit the course and told my parents.”

“And they took it super-well, I’m guessing?”

“Mum just walked out of the room without saying a word. Dad asked me if I wanted to ruin my life. I said, ‘No, but I need to live it.’ He opened the door, and said, ‘Then, go live it. But don’t expect us to help you.’ That was it. I haven’t seen them since.”

“Otis… I’m so sorry.” Lex genuinely was. Empathy wasn’t her strongest suite, but the thought of being cut off from the people you loved just because you didn’t fit their mould was upsetting – especially for Otis, who was so open-hearted.

He shrugged, as if he could send the old hurt rolling down his shoulders. “It’s fine. It was over a year ago, and I swore I wasn’t going back until I’d done something with my music to show them they didn’t have to be disappointed.” A bitter laugh barked out his throat, causing him to sound a decade older as he said, “That’s worked out so well.”

Lex had never been the person to entertain flights of fancy; she was the student who chose to go into finance because of the proven opportunities and returns. When the girls in her year had gushed about becoming models or dancers or actresses, she’d simply snorted in derision. If they wanted to throw themselves on the burning pyre of dead dreams, let them.

But she’d heard Otis sing, and Lex believed if anyone had the talent to make it, it was him. All he needed was the right opportunity. “You just never know what’s around the corner,” she said, an idea formulating in her head. I need to talk to Liesl…

“I’m just so sick of living in a world where everyone only wants you around if you can serve them somehow. My ‘rents just wanted me to be their clone, my housemates wanted cash, even me mates from school stopped calling when I couldn’t afford to go drinking every weekend.” His broad thumb stroked her inner-arch and Lex trembled. “Lexi, I think you’re the first person who’s ever kept me around just because I’m me.”

In that moment, she felt her heart open. Lex wanted to show him that despite the fact they were totally incompatible, she liked him for him. He’d appeared in her life and changed the game, and she didn’t mind at all. Otis was everything she’d been missing; fun, energy, spirit. Lex wanted him to know that who he was, was awesome, and the best way she knew how to communicate was using her body.

She pulled her feet around under her and crawled towards him, her skin-tight black jeans stretching over the curve of her backside. Reaching his end of the couch, she straddled him and laced her fingers behind his neck.

“W-what are you doing?” he said, green eyes wide.

“Saying thank you,” Lex replied, then brought her lips to his.

The second their skin connected, everything inside her melted. He tasted sweet and smooth, his wide lips falling open and allowing her to breathe him in. His hands lifted and tentatively touched her cheeks with a feather-light brush, which made the flesh practically ooze off her body in a lather of pleasure.

She deepened the kiss, sliding her tongue forward, tasting him. Cautiously, his pressed back against her, as if he wasn’t sure how far he was allowed to go. All the way, Lex told him silently, tilting her body further forward, giving him access to whatever he wanted.

Otis moaned, a helpless sound that tugged directly between her thighs. He was losing control, and it was everything she’d been waiting for. With more confidence, his hands cupped her small waist, his thumbs stroking her belly, fingers holding her tightly.

She’d always had a thing for ears, and Otis had the most gorgeous lobes Lex had ever seen. She broke their kiss so she could move her mouth to the side of his head, skimming the pink shell of his ear with her tongue. His breathing was ragged, and as she sucked his earlobe into her mouth and tugged on it with her teeth, he groaned in pleasure.

Glancing down, Lex saw the tent inside his new jeans. The sight thrilled her, that she could cause that reaction in him, the way he’d lit a fire inside her. With all her heart, she wanted to give him something, the gift of her body, the knowledge that he wasn’t alone. Reaching between them, she stealthily pulled his fly open and slid her hand against the hard length, pressing upwards through his new Calvin Klein trunks.

His reaction was immediate. As if he’d been electrified, Otis pushed her aside, hands flying to his crotch, covering his erection. He stood up with a flushed face, refastening his jeans as he said, “Jesus! What the hell, Lexi? What are you playing at?”

“What? Nothing?” Puzzled and frustrated, she stood to face him, reaching for him, trying to understand.

“Is this what this whole day has been about? The clothes, the beach, it was all about trying to screw me?”

She paused, and it was her undoing. “…No. Okay, maybe it was originally, but I swear, Otis, it’s not like that now. I like you.”

His face was set in a hard line, brow lowered. “God, I’m such a dumbass. This is why you asked me to move in, wasn’t it? You were still trying to work out how to have sex with me.”

“No! Well, yes, but not now-”

“What happens when I give you what you want, Lexi? Do you chuck me out the morning after, or that same night?”

She hated the pain in his voice, hated knowing that she’d put it there. “No, not at all. Please, Otis, I’m sorry. I’ll admit, this was about the sex to start with, but it’s not like that anymore. You live here, you can stay for as long as you want.”

He strode away, eyes dark. Lex didn’t know how to stop him and she cried out, “I like you, okay! I didn’t think I would, and it’s freaking me out, but I like you, Otis. I liked kissing you, and I wanted more. I swear, that’s all that was happening here.”

Still moving, he ignored her words, but as he reached the stairs, he turned to say, “So much for thinking I’d found someone who liked me without wanting anything in return.”

And he left. Shivering, Lex wrapped her arms around herself, listening to the heart-wrenching thud of his bedroom door as it closed and locked for the first time since he’d arrived.

I know many of you have said you prefer Sparrow's story to Lex's - but there's a reason I have both women in this tale. Sparrow is far more likable, but Lex is a redemption waiting to happen, and they're always my favourite kind of story :)

Thanks for reading - as always, please hit that little star to vote if you appreciate the update. The only way you found this story is because other readers have voted for it or my other tales, so please, help let others know about this book by showing your support.

And if you'd like to comment, let me know - do you think money can damage the balance in a relationship?

Until next time, xxoo Kate