Daniel stood with his bag and helmet. "Hi, Jazz. Belinda kicked me out. Can I come in?"

I frowned and pretended I didn't know. "Not again, Daniel. What's it been? One month. What did you do?"

He shrugged and slumped in the recliner. "Nothing that I can think of. She's your best friend. How about you give her a ring for me because I have no idea?"

"What did she say?" I asked, making out I didn't know a thing.

"Something about wanting her space, and it happened too fast."

"Yeah, it did, Daniel." I agreed. "I can understand that," I said and then asked, "Has she dumped you or just wants space?"

"Just wants space, I think. Maybe you could ring her for me and find out."

I laughed and shook my head. "No way, I'm not going to ruin my friendship over you. How about you send her some flowers tomorrow? Do a bit of work to keep her. That is, if you like her?"

He frowned at me. "Like her, Jazz? I love her. I was trying to work up the courage to tell her, and bang, she boots me out."

I slapped my hand over my mouth. "Oh! My! God!" I gasped. "Daniel Baker, in love with someone. Don't kid me. You're a player."

"Players can settle down. I know it's only been a month but that girl has got me good," he said with sincerity and then added, "Talking of players, where's wanker?"

I glared at him. "Away for a few days."

"Good," Daniel said and nudged his head in the direction of the bed. "You got clean sheets on that bed?"

"Changed them yesterday," I said.

Had I given Belinda the wrong advice? Poor Daniel was different because he wanted to tell her he loved her, not dump her. I didn't know what to do.

Should I tell her or let them sort it out?

It wouldn't hurt Daniel to fight to keep a relationship together for once in his life. What would Adam do?

I played squash first on Wednesday night and won in three games. Not something I did often. Leone lost in five and Emma looked like winning in four. She was by far our best player. I cheered with the rest of the girls as she won a long rally.

I was bent, sipping water, when a hand touched my backside. I jerked to standing. Adam smiled at me. I squealed, jumped into his arms and kissed him all over the face.

He laughed, his voice husky as he said, "You have the sexiest arse."

"I've missed you so much," I gasped. "I was so scared. Where did you go?"

Adam put his finger on my lips and shook his head. "Don't do this."

I bit my tongue as he put me on my feet and wondered if I should tell him I had seen him leave, but decided I had better not.

"You're back?" We turned, and Leone grinned at us. "Jasmine said you had gone away."

Adam smiled. "Just got back."

"So, you came straight here?" she said in shock.

"Pretty much," he replied with a smirk.

Leone laughed and flicked her fingers at us. "You better go home then, Jasmine."

"You guys won't mind if I go?" I peered at them wide-eyed.

My team grinned at us, shook their heads and said, "Go."

I lifted my racket and bag. Jacqui leaned towards me. "I know what I'd rather be doing if it were me."

I laughed and kissed her on the cheek. "Me too."

He was driving the black Ute again. I said, "Are you trying to steal this from your friend?"

"Maybe." Adam grinned. "How has your week been?"

"Okay," I said and added, "I've got Daniel staying over."

"Bullshit!" Adam spat.

"Belinda kicked him out," I said.

Adam let out a deep breath and grumbled, "That ruins what I had planned, then doesn't it?"

"I could stay at your place," I gushed, hoping he'd say yes.

Adam shook his head. "I have to go out later. I don't like leaving you there by yourself."

Disappointment swept over me. He was going to leave me again so soon. I fiddled with my fingers and murmured, "Daniel might be at Belinda's anyway."

Adam must have sensed my drop in mood. He said, "What happened with them?"

I told him the full story of how I had given her the wrong advice and how it wouldn't hurt Daniel to put in some effort.

Adam glanced at me, changed lanes and said, "You haven't told either one the truth."

"To be honest, I didn't know how." I lifted my shoulders and looked over at him. "What would you do?"

"Leave it as it is." Adam laughed. "I'll tell him to take a hike if he's home because I need some alone time."

My mood had lifted when I told Adam the story. I hoped Daniel had gone out.

It wasn't to be. Daniel was lying on the bed when I unlocked the door. He said, "You're early."

Adam followed me inside.

Daniel smirked. "That's why you're early, wank...Adam's back."

Adam clipped him on the head. "Get off my bed and take a hike, your sister and I need to talk."

"Piss off," Daniel jerked his head away and laughed. "I live here."

"Whatever." Adam shrugged with a grin on his face. "There won't be enough room in the bed for you when me and my big dick get in."

Daniel slapped his leg and roared with laughter. "You're a funny man, aren't you?"

"Tell me what's going on with you and Belinda because I want you to fuck off," Adam said as he plonked himself into the recliner.

"She dumped me," was Daniel's immediate reply.

Adam tilted his head in question. "Should I punch you in the mouth?"

"Just lend me your Harley." Daniel grinned and joggled his eyebrows.

"Done...will you go now?"

Daniel sprang off the bed. "Is the Harley outside?"

Adam laughed and shook his head. "You mean you want it now?"

"Yeah...wanker," Daniel huffed with disgust.

I listened to them banter. I'm sure they secretly liked each other. I said, "Daniel, why don't you go and visit Belinda? Tell her you've missed her. I'm sure she'd like that."

He shrugged and sighed. "I'm supposed to be leaving her alone. She asked me to give her space."

"You know nothing about women." Adam laughed as he got more relaxed in the armchair. "If she asked you then it means she doesn't want space she wants you to annoy the shit out of her. Do what Jasmine says. Go and tell her you miss her."

"Are you sure?" Daniel studied his face.

"No," Adam chuffed.

Daniel frowned, so Adam continued. "I really need you to piss off and what could it hurt."

"Okay, I get the hint." Daniel laughed and pointed at the bed. "Jazz, I want the sheets changed before I get back."

I sneered at him and then went into the bathroom. I expected Adam to follow, but he didn't.

When I came back into the room, he was on the verandah talking into his phone. I climbed into bed and waited.

Adam came inside and closed the door, leaving the lights on. As he took off his clothes, he said, "Get undressed, Jasmine."

I didn't like the tone in his voice, but I did as he asked anyway.

He kissed me aggressively. I turned my mouth away because I didn't like it. Adam didn't notice. He shifted his mouth to my neck and breasts, then he pushed my legs open and forced himself towards me. I was so shocked at his aggressive approach. I shoved his chest. "No. What the hell are you doing, you're going to hurt me!"

"I don't have time for the fancy shit tonight."

"No!" I yelled. "I don't like it! You'll hurt me!"

He groaned. "Just relax, and I won't."

"I can't when you're being rough!" I hit him again. "What's the matter with you?"

Adam drew me towards him. "I'm in a hurry. It won't take me long."

"No! I said no!" I yelled and pinched his face.

He rolled away, got off the bed and swore. "Fuck!"

I curled against the bed head and buried my face in the covers, shocked by his behaviour.

He sighed. "I'm sorry. I just...shit, Jasmine. I... I'm under pressure." He paced and ran his hand through his hair. "I thought... shit, I don't know what I thought. I'm short on time. I have to go. I'm sorry, but I don't have time for the other stuff."

His words made me angry. I lifted my face and yelled, "What? I'm some whore you come and fuck when you've got a minute to spare! Piss off, Adam! I've never been so humiliated in my whole life! Just go!"

Adam shook his head and sat on the edge of the bed. "I'm so sorry, honey." He ruffled his hair and then said, "I've thought about you for days and shouldn't be here now." He hung his head in shame and added, "I'm under so much pressure." Sadness spread over his face. "God...I'm so sorry. I'm a stupid prick! I need you so much. Please forgive me." He slunk his shoulders, hung his head again, and then covered his face with his hands.

My anger left me. I forgave him in less than a second because he had always been considerate. I guessed whatever was going on must have been worrying him. I touched his shoulder.

He put his hand on mine. "I'm sorry, Jasmine."

"I'll cut your dick off if you ever do that to me again," I said.

He drew me towards him and then kissed me. "I'm sorry, honey. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, I forgive you," I whispered as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"I have to go," Adam murmured into my hair.

I kissed him. "Stay. If you're gentle, it'll only take a minute."

He gasped against my mouth and pulled me on top of him.

"Shush, slow down", I whispered. "Or you'll hurt me again."

Adam cradled and rocked me. "I love you, Jasmine. I love you so much. I'm sorry. I'll never do that to you again. I wanted you so much. To be with you and then the phone fucking rang. I'm going crazy." He held my face and looked deep into my eyes. "I have to go, honey. I love you so much and I'm so sorry."

"Thank you for knowing it was wrong," I whispered and kissed him again.

Adam's phone rang as he was getting dressed. "Yeah? Okay, okay, I'm on my way." He shoved it into his pocket, finished getting dressed and bent to kiss me. "I'll make this up to you. I promise."

I touched his face with my fingers. "I worry about you."

"Don't please." He smiled at me. "I've been doing this a long time." He kissed me and said, "Come and put the chain on."

I slipped my nightie over my head and followed him to the door. "Can you come over for dinner tomorrow night? I'll wear something sexy and cook you a hot meal," I joked, trying to lift the mood.

He laughed and kissed my cheek. "I'll try. What time?"

"Around seven would be good."

"Cook something that can be reheated. If I'm late, it won't matter."

His words deflated my excitement. I had visions of candles and soft music. I bit my lip as I said, "You have something on tomorrow?"

"Yeah," he sighed. "It's not a good week for me, but I'll try."

I closed the door, lasagne would be a good choice, but I wouldn't have time to get it ready by seven, so I decided Spag Bolognaise would be easier.

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, ADAM!! Insert angry face here.

Oops, Jasmine has given Belinda the wrong advice. But you know what, it won't hurt Daniel to put in some effort.

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