Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty — Maree Read Online Free

you be working?’
    Brad turned to look at her and smiled that slow smile that should set her blood on fire. But she was doused in the chill of doubt and fear and felt nothing. ‘Something in particular you need me to do, Ms Haraldson?’ Then he winked.
    It was the girl who answered. ‘Surely you don’t need to do anything this afternoon, Brad? You can take me to the pub and start introducing me around. This should be a fun weekend.’ Then she batted her eyelashes.
    ‘It can only be a fun weekend once the work is done,’ Maree snapped. ‘The grass needs mowing.’
    ‘I’ll get right onto it.’ Brad touched the brim of his Akubra in salute and sauntered away.
    ‘I’ll wait until you’re done,’ the girl called out, then smiled at Maree, but it was a hard smile, the smile of a woman claiming her territory. ‘If I’m not breaking some law or something by waiting here.’
    Maree stormed across the yard and around the back of the library to the shed. Brad was pulling out the ride-on mower to get started.
    ‘What are you doing?’ Maree couldn’t believe the anger coming out in her voice. No, not anger—fear.
    Brad looked at her, his expression calm. ‘You wanted me to mow the lawn.’
    Maree wanted to ask him if he wanted the hot girl waiting for him by his truck, if he was over wanting her. But her throat was tight and her mouth was dry and she was shaking with overwhelming doubt . ‘Yes, please. Thank you.’
    She went back to the classroom, slumped into her chair. What the hell was wrong with her? So the girl was younger, in better shape, more the type of woman she’d imagine Brad with. He’d chosen her. He’d fucked her senseless several times over the past two weeks. What was she doing?
    Maree took a deep breath, and another, and the panic subsided. What a ridiculous, overwrought reaction. She had just as much to offer Brad as that girl did. More, it could be argued. Experience. Confidence. Willingness to let go and enjoy herself, without the neuroses that could accompany being young and still learning about yourself.
    Neuroses. Right, like she hadn’t just put on a grand display of that.
    The sound of a car door. Brad’s? Surely he wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye?
    Maree went to the window. It was Brad, and sitting next to him in the front of the truck was the girl. Maree watched, wide-eyed, as he started the engine. The girl waved to Maree as they drove off.
    Just like that, all the sexiness, all the confidence, drained away.
    Taking a deep breath to collect herself, Maree locked up the school and went home. The house was steamy after being closed all day. Leaving the front door open to let some air in, but locking the wire door, Maree went to the kitchen. She poured herself a wine, then went to sit out on the back porch. Her long backyard contained a large shed and some fruit trees before ending in a wire fence. Beyond was the flood plain, and in the distance the twin row of trees that marked the winding path of the river. Not that she needed to worry about flood, the way the drought was.
    Maree loved that simply by sitting near her back door, she felt like she was in the middle of nowhere and that the school was miles away. She’d been able to find an ability to turn off the teacher brain and just relax here that she’d never managed at any other school.
    She sipped the sauvignon blanc. If Brad thought he could have his fun, then come back to Maree when the weekend was done, he was going to find he was very much mistaken. Maybe Maree should hunt out a new lover. According to Brad, there were plenty of men around who would be happy to take the position.
    Planning a seduction required more than just a glass of wine. Maree went back into her kitchen and freshened her glass, then put together a plate of cheese, crackers and fig jam.
    Back outside, she luxuriated in her snack, and considered her options. The pub was out, with Brad and the girl there. Where else to go? Most people would be