Thanks as ever for the kind reviews – they always make my day. Anyone want to know what happens next?

.

xxxxxx

Chapter 4

"Christ … can't hold on Trude … fuck … yes …"

Martin collapsed on top of her, breathing hard, and she stroked his hair absent-mindedly, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. After a few seconds he withdrew and moved back onto his elbow, his eyes searching her face.

"Sorry. You didn't … um … do you want me to …"

He ran a teasing finger down her stomach but she put her hand over his to stop him.

"No, its fine. Honestly. I'm just really tired, that's all."

"Well, if you're sure ..."

Giving her a quick peck, he flopped back down next to her and in less than a minute he began to snore softly. She breathed a sigh of relief and rolled restlessly onto her side, one hand straying down between her thighs as her eyelids fluttered closed. Mmmm, Mack … don't stop. Oh God … yes … yeeessss …

She came with his name on her lips and a hollowness deep in the pit of her stomach.

xxxxxx

One week. Seven days. And then he'd be gone. She chewed the end of her pen, her mind wandering, unable to concentrate. He'd been as good as his word, giving her space, not pressing her for a decision, and she had to stop herself making her way up to the office every five minutes just to catch a glimpse of him. What's wrong with me? I've got Martin home, the business is back on track and I need to think about our future. Together. I love him, don't I? I must do, I married him, for God's sake.

She wasn't sure though, not any more. And as for Martin, although on the surface he was his normal affectionate self there were times when he seemed preoccupied and she had to ask him the same question twice over. The baby was due any day now so it was hardly surprising, she supposed. Still, he'd never really told her where he'd been while he was away and a nagging doubt remained.

She gazed out of the window, watching as Martin had a word with one of the drivers and turned to walk away just as Mack approached from the other direction. Her heart leapt into her mouth as her husband and her lover squared up to one another, their body language betraying their deep antipathy. She glanced from one to another as they shared a few curt words, Martin with his arms crossed defensively and Mack with his hands thrust deep into his pockets in that pose she'd come to know so well. Mack had the height and the power advantage and he used it with practised ease, making Martin seem smaller and somewhat insignificant in comparison. As Mack nodded curtly and strode past her husband she felt a stab of guilt at the thrill she got just watching him, her eyes glued to his broad shoulders and his elegant gait as he made his way unhurriedly across the tarmac. She sighed heavily. What on earth am I going to do?

xxxxxx

The factory staff had been expecting some kind of a leaving 'do' but in the end Mack said he wanted the minimum of fuss so they all ended up in the pub a couple of nights before he was due to leave. Trudy and Martin were introduced to the new manager who seemed both friendly and capable, his handshake firm, his smile genuine as he told her how much he was looking forwards to the challenge of running the factory and of forming a good working partnership with Graham/Leach.

As the evening progressed and she downed a few more glasses of wine she couldn't stop herself staring surreptitiously at Mack, devouring his features hungrily as though trying to burn them onto her memory. He was surrounded by several of the machinists, all fluttering their lashes and flirting outrageously, and he looked a little surprised and overwhelmed by the attention. She felt a rush of jealousy when an attractive girl she didn't recognise touched his arm, letting her hand linger a few seconds longer than necessary as she stared brazenly up into his face. As he glanced across the room, their eyes met briefly and she had to avert her gaze, afraid that the intensity of the look that passed between them would be noticed by one of the more observant among the group.

It had been an evening of pure torture, there was no other word for it, she thought, collapsing into bed exhausted and thanking God that Martin had passed out before he had a chance to initiate anything.

xxxxxx

All too quickly, it was Mack's last day. She knew he'd already moved out of the house and was spending the night at a hotel near the airport before he caught a flight to Palma the following afternoon and she watched the clock as the minutes ticked by with depressing inevitability. Finally it was gone six and she couldn't put it off any longer. She took a deep breath, picked up the bottle of single malt she'd bought especially for the occasion and made her way over to the office, nodding to the odd straggler. The outer office was deserted, his temp having already left for the evening, and she knocked tentatively at his door, her heart thudding in her chest.

"Come in."

He was sitting with his feet up on the desk, the remains of a drink in his hand, and he smiled warmly at her.

"Hoped it might be you."

"I see you've started without me. Shame, really."

She held out the bottle and his eyes lit up.

"Now that's more like it."

Downing what was left of his whiskey, he grimaced as it hit the back of his throat and half turned to rescue another glass from the filing cabinet next to his desk. He'd already discarded his tie and the pale blue open-necked shirt revealing a tempting 'V' of chest almost had her salivating. If she didn't know how little interest he took in clothing she'd think it was a deliberate ploy.

He poured them both a generous measure of the amber liquid and they clinked glasses before taking a sip. Her breath caught in her throat as he closed his eyes and an angelic smile lit up his handsome features.

"Ah, now that's more like it. Heaven in a bottle."

His eyelids fluttered open again and he regarded her from under long lashes, his brilliant blue gaze holding hers.

"Hmmm. No luggage, I see. I take it you've decided to stay put, then?"

She swallowed hard, feeling the tears begin to prick at her eyes. She couldn't allow herself to cry, couldn't let him know how this was tearing her apart.

"Mack, I … I'm married, for God's sake. And I've just risked everything I have setting up a new business … I can't just walk away … not now …"

Her voice shook and she turned away from him to hide her raw emotions, but she heard the creak of his chair and then two strong arms went round her. He pulled her back against his chest as she fought to stay in control.

"Shhhh, love. It's alright …

He nuzzled into her hair and her shoulders began to shake as all her pent up feelings rose to the surface.

"It's far from alright. I just … don't know what to do … I don't want to lose you, but …"

The sentence ended on an unsteady hiccupping breath. Slowly he turned her until he could look down into her face, wiping a tear away with his thumb. His eyes searched hers, his gaze intense.

"You won't lose me, Trude. The offer still stands and if you change your mind, just hop on a plane. I'll be waiting …"

Then his mouth took possession of hers and she kissed him back with reckless abandon, her fingers tangled almost painfully in his hair as their tongues duelled passionately, desperately with one another.

Finally she broke away from his embrace with a gut-wrenching sob and yanked the door open, dashing out of the office and down the steps in an attempt to get away, to find somewhere, anywhere that wasn't near him. Mack sighed heavily and downed the remains of his drink, grabbing the bottle and taking one last look around the office before closing the door quietly behind him.

.

xxxxxx

OK, anyone up for comforting Mack? Form an orderly queue … ;)