Dirty Secrets

Rest of Chapter 5

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:15:00 +0000

The exchange was made and we crossed paths. He never said a word and seemed interested in watching the TV whilst spread out using up all the room on the bed. I watched him collapse on his back from the bathroom mirror. I threw the clothes on the floor and pushed the door closed part of the way and let the water run until steam was rising. I peeled off my clothes, feeling more exposed as each piece fell to my feet. The sense of relaxation flooded over me as the warm water waterfall-ed over my shoulders.
I liked showers, I’ve always been able to think and be calm. I reflected over the past few days. Meeting his family hadn’t been too daunting like I had first imagined, it was a little bit awkward to begin with but nothing I couldn’t handle but tonight - that was where I was worrying. The combination of looking good, living up to expectations and coping with large volumes of alcohol could prove to be a bit of a challenge. Throw in some high heels for good measure and I’m doomed to falling over or embarrassing myself to no less. Yet again… If it was to go as the initial days have, it should go well. Who am I kidding? Something has got to give, it’s about time that my good luck ran out.
Maybe this was the downfall of having showers and not baths. Too much time to think. I followed the usual bathing routine, shampoo, conditioner, shave, and shower gel until I felt clean. I turned the shower off and stepped out, grabbing at the towel and threw it around me - tucking it in so it stayed in place without the need of me holding it there. I stood over the sink my hands resting on the surface either side and looked into the mirror. In between the clouded patches I saw myself looking back at me. I sighed. I looked tired. All these late nights have caught up with me. I attempted a smile and decided that it was nothing that carefully applied make-up couldn’t hide!
Dressed in my underwear I began to make a start on my hair before it began to dry too much and would then be unworkable. I looked through the items and clothes that I’d brought with me. Nothing, it wasn’t there. I’d left the hair brush in the bag. I emerged from the bathroom and felt the sudden change in temperature between the rooms. It was colder, much colder and the body was now sat upright on the bed and was now dressed. I began searching through the bag, I knew I’d packed it but in the mixture of belongings it was hard to find.
“Are you ready to go?” He joked.
“Yes, I’m going to turn up and impress everyone with the little clothes that I’m wearing, should go down a storm” I rolled my eyes but hid my smile that I knew was trying to show on my face.
“Impress? I’m definitely impressed.” He sounded it. “If you don’t mind all the extra attention and looks, I think we have a winner for the choice of dress.”
He smiled showing off his white teeth.
I mimicked his facial expressions as I couldn’t hold it back anymore.
“Oh, ha-ha! Very funny! Now if you’ll excuse me I’m going to continue getting dressed!” I turned and walked back to resume my position. It didn’t take long to slip into the dress and get covered up. I finished off my make up and double checked my hair in the mirror. We were good to go.
I walked into his eye line and he smiled.
“You look great.”
“I know.” I smiled back as I pushed my toes into the matching red heels and suddenly became four inches taller.
He raised to his feet, possibly feeling intimidated by my rapid growth in height and looked me over again. He was still taller than me. I realised that I would need some seriously high heels to be able to have a chance at towering over him - not that I’d want to. I quite liked him being able to put his arm around me as I was able to lean on to his shoulder and chest.
“You’re looking not too bad yourself!” I complimented. His shirt was smart, crisp and white with the smart suit bottoms. The suit jacket was on the chair ready to be picked up as we left the room.

“Shall we go and make an entrance?” He suggested, his voice had a sense of excitement and adventure that I loved. There was going to be a lot of people attending, some more important that others but all equally as able as the next to watch us walk in together.
“Lets.”

Reaching the lobby again, we could hear the faint noise of voices indicating the direction of us to go. The lobby and it’s rooms were big and the decor was upper class. I marvelled at the busy employees, men and women, who were dressed in strict, smart uniform carrying out their duties. Suddenly, I didn’t feel so over dressed or out of place.
We stood with the doors to the function room in front of us. Two men stood either side, ready to open the doors for us, like in the films.
“Are you ready?” He asked, looking down at me.
My confidence dropped to rock bottom. I was nervous as hell and we hadn’t even walked through the doors yet.
He leaned in close to my ear.
“You look fantastic. Don’t worry, I’ve got you - I’ll be here by your side the whole time.”
His words were soft and comforting.
“God I love you!” I blurted out.
I made his lips touch mine before wiping off the lipstick marks I’d left behind with my thumbs. He smiled.
“You’re cute when you do that.”
I straightened up and his hand found my waist and pulled me a little bit closer.
The doors opened to reveal the large room. There were round tables with eight people at each spread around the room leaving an aisle down the middle that lead to a long table at the bottom. I could see familiar faces seated in the row. Great. We had to walk straight down and past everyone. My right arm went around his back for precaution. His hand gave a squeeze and we edged forward. Passing the first table was when people started to look. Men in suits or distinctive military uniform and women in dresses ( very few women were in any sort of uniform) turned in their seats to see the newcomers. A few whispered but most just looked. I hoped this was only because we were late and really we should have been already seated instead of walking straight through the crowd and possibly causing ourselves the most attention possible.
After the long stretch of watching eyes we finally made it to the table, we meeted and greeted before taking our places. I was sat on his right with Mark, Emma’s husband to my right and Emma sat along from him. Sandra was to the left and Ian next to her before the table continued to stretch with more faces filling places.
Food was served and people were happily eating and talking. There was a conversation going on that involved grandchildren. I presumed it was a topic being discussed by Sandra and the older looking lady that had appeared at her side. I had just placed the cutlery down on the plate when I heard Emma say my name.
“Come on Bex, let’s go get a drink.” That was the best suggestion of the night so far and I certainly didn’t need an excuse.
I looked to my other half who was busy trying to make conversation with his father in between the ramblings of his mother and her friend. I lightly placed my hand on his shoulder.
“Do you want anything to drink?”
He stopped and looked up.
“Err.. No, I think I’m okay for the moment. I wouldn’t let you pay for my drinks anyway.” He mocked.
“What a gentleman!” I laughed. “Don’t say I never offer!”
We smiled at each other before I joined Emma with out intentions firmly set on the bar. We weaved in and out of people, tables and chairs.
“You’re looking hot.” Emma complimented.
“Thanks. You’re not looking bad yourself.” I offered her the response she was probably expecting.
“Definitely dressed to impress, it showed as you walked in.”
I cringed.
“It can’t have been that bad. We grew up with these fancy parties and big events, it’s strange at first but now it’s just a fucking pain in the arse.” Emma smiled at people as she passed but chose not to reduce her language.
“A million eyes and all that..” I began.
“A million noses more like, people like to talk and know what’s happening. Probably a bit unexpected that Ian’s son would be walking in with an attractive female on his arm.” She paused. “Well, it’s not unexpected, God. I’m digging a hole here. He’s never been one to show off who he’s with. There! That’s said it a bit better.”
I stayed silent as Emma placed the orders to the young barman in a flirty manner, leaning onto the bar and not surprisingly showing off her ‘assets’ from the strapless, exposing dress.
I looked back to the family table and Mark was sat staring at his phone in his hands. The pair really couldn’t be any further apart and it confused me greatly. I had a sudden moment of panic and my heart stopped. What did I do with my phone? I must have left it in the room.. I would normally have risked it and put it safely in my bra but in a dress like this and no bra, it wasn’t really an option unless I was able to holster it to the top of my thigh under my dress - classy.
I could do without. It was actually one less thing to worry about. I notice that the seat next to me at the table was empty. I wondered where he had gone.
Two champagne flutes appeared on the bar top encasing the golden, sparkling liquid. I really hoped that I wasn’t being billed for this. One was handed to me and I thanked her for it.
Emma laughed.
“Oh dear. You might want to go and help him out over there. He seems to have been trapped by the evil stepsisters. They’re not really stepsisters but they’re Dad’s sisters and they couldn’t be any more alike.”
I followed her eye line to a table that only had three people on it. People had began to leave as they had early morning commitments tomorrow and it had gotten late and spaces and gaps at tables had become apparent.
Two plump looking women were sat next to each other. One wearing a purple outfit, the other in a navy colour, both looked similar. opposite sat the my familiar face looking a little bit bored.
“Best go and put him out of his misery!” I announced and began to walk towards them.
“Oh and Bex!” Emma called after me.
I turned back to face her.
“Good luck!”
I resumed walking. Good luck? Good luck? This was going to be a challenge, I could tell. The fact that luck was needed just confirmed that.
The look at relief was shown on his face as he saw me approaching, he stood and pulled a chair closer to his before walking a few steps to meet me.
“Am I glad to see you.” He smiled.
“I should hope that you always are!” I said cheekily. “You looked like you could do with a hand.”
“Yeah, these are my Dad’s sisters. They’re a handful to say the least… They’ll want to meet you and probably interrogate you a little. They’re a bit rude at times but they’re more nosy than they are dangerous.”
We walked towards the two sisters and I was introduced.
“Pam and Sue, this is Bex - Rebecca.”
I shook their hands and we took our seats.
Pam was in purple - how convenient to remember. She had a full face and dark hair that was in short roller curls on her head. Sue had lighter hair and was in Navy. Her hair was longer and pulled back. They both looked terribly old fashioned and wore skirts instead of dresses.
“Oh, so this is who you’ve been parading around with for the evening?” Sue commented.
“I must say it’s a bit out of character for you to be showing off with a girl on your arm.” Pam added.
I took a sip from the glass and slowly placed it down on the table.
“I wouldn’t call it showing off..” He started.
“My dear, when you make an entrance like that, it is certainly more than showing off.” Sue continued.
“It’s lovely that you’re both happy to flounce around and tell everyone that you’re, well… What’s the phrase I’m looking for Pam?”
“..Involved?” Pam pitched in.
“Yes, Pam! That’s a good term to use, less of this vulgarity that their generation use.” Sue shuddered and almost threw the contents of her glass that was in her right hand all over the floor.
I gained the feeling that Pam and Sue were not exactly supportive of our relationship.
“Rebecca is it? What do you do?” Pam asked. It was a simple enough question but I still found it quite intimidating as both pairs of eyes were engraving marks into my face.
“I’m a free-lance accountant for one of the major firms” I replied, hoping that it was a good enough answer.
Pam turned and raised her eyebrows at Sue.
“Now, I wasn’t expecting that. By the looks of you I thought you’d be a school teacher or a hairdresser..” Sue said.
That was not at all insulting.
“No, I’ve never really seen the appeal of being a school teacher, it looks like too much hard work for being paid so little and I’ve never really been good with my hands…” I argued.
“Well, I wouldn’t quite-” I hit the man next to me to stop him from saying anything more.
He laughed, knowing it had been heard and understood by all and would probably be classed as ‘vulgarity’.
He really had to stop talking like that, especially in public too.
His right arm rested over the back of my chair and his left hand went to my leg.
“Pamela, would you join me for a drink?” A man who looked in his 60’s had approached the table and Pam. She looked stunned.
“No, no I would not. Less of this foolish behavior!” She dramatically threw her words around the room.
“For old times sake?” The man persuaded. Pam suddenly flushed a bright red colour, any more so and she would have been a purple to match her clothes.
“How dare you assume I am old! I will accept your offer only in substitute of an apology!”

Sue was now left on her own. She looked over the table examining where hands were.
“I see you’re not wearing a ring…” She slyly commented.
I looked down to my hands that were holding his. His fingers moved to the finger that she was implying should have a ring.
“Oh… No, no I’m not.” I said stating the obvious.
“Hmm.. I remember the days when you got married before you ever thought of having children or even undressing in the presence of someone other.” She pulled a face of hard thought. “I suppose you never have been a man to do things by the books though have you?”
Her tone had become a scowl and almost hateful.
He finished his drink and the glass left his hand.
“You would never be satisfied with anything that I do no matter who’s rules I follow. If you don’t mind, I can’t help it if I just happen to see a bit of skin before I chose to marry the person.”
She must have known he would respond but obviously didn’t expect that. She sat with nothing to say.
“I don’t know about you Bex but I could do with an other drink.” He was posed ready to stand from the chair. “Whether you like it or not you’re coming with me!”
I laughed as he grabbed my hand pulled me up and lead me away from a rather shocked Auntie Sue.

When as far away as possible he turned around to face me.
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t the best of things to sit though.” He apologized.
“It was going to happen sooner or later, at least its out of the way now. It was a little bit funny.” I looked up at him. “Besides you can always make it up to me later!”
I flashed him a cheeky smile and ordered a drink.
“By the looks of things, you’re going to be making it up to me after I have to carry you to bed…”
“If there is to be carrying involved then I don’t think I’ll be in any fit state to be repaying my debts!” I said frankly. “I haven’t had that much to drink. I can still walk!”
“That is true…” He spoke quietly but truthfully. “Dance with me.”
I swallowed the drink I had just taken and put the glass down.
“Dance with you?” I questioned.
“Yeah, me, you, music, dancing?” He took a step towards me. “Don’t tell me that you don’t know how to dance, Bex!”
“Of course I do!” I explained a little offended that he’d even suggest that I had two left feet. “I just normally have had a lot more to drink before I contemplate dancing…”
He laughed.
“You’ve had enough, come on.”
Yet again I was let by the hand and following behind.
My right hand met his left hand and his right hand went around my waist. My left hand rested on his shoulder. I could still smell the lingering odor of his aftershave. I leaned in closer with my head underneath his chin. I loved that smell.
“It looks like you do know how to dance after all..” He commented.
“It’s just one of those handy things you pick up from somewhere!” I mentioned.
We danced a bit longer and the other occupants of that dance floor left, the room was looking emptier as it was approaching the early hours.
“Let’s get you to bed.” He breathed in my ear. “And before you say anything I wasn’t implying to sleep.”
“That’s a bit forward.”
“We did have a deal.. I don’t see anything happening here anyway. Mum and Dad will be here until it’s gone light, far too many old faces to just drop everything and think about sleep. There’s no-one worth meeting or seeing, they’d only be too drunk to have a sensible conversation with anyway.”
I saw his point. It was getting to be the more hardier few remaining. I left him and went to collect my bag and his jacket that he’d removed at some point in the evening. Sandra caught me.
“Oh! You’re not going are you dear?”
“I’m afraid so, we’re just going to go to bed now.”
“I see! Say no more!” She turned to her husband and the small gathering they had with them. “The children are going to bed. Thank them for coming and tell them to behave themselves.
“What are you talking about now, woman?” Ian questioned him wife. “Behave themselves? That’s the biggest joke I’ve ever heard. Those two-”
I smiled, thanked them and wished them a good night before leaving them all.
Phew. Close one, that could have been dragged out in to all sorts.
“What were they so chatty about?” He asked as I handed over his belongings.
“Thanking us for coming and there was something else.. Oh, to behave ourselves.” I laughed. “At the rate they’re all going, I really think that we’re the last of their concerns.”
He held my right hand and I was convinced it was to hold me upright and for his own satisfaction that I wasn’t going to fall over. Little did he know that if I was falling over, he was coming down with me and that was a promise.
“They’ll be none the wiser when they wake up.” He watched his feet for a moment ; one moving in front of the other. “I think the headaches might be a giveaway though.”
“You’re not immune you know.” I stated.
“From what?”
“Hangovers. I can actually remember you feeling pretty bad the last morning you woke up with one after one too many!”
“I never said I didn’t get them!” He corrected. “I just don’t complain about them… Very often.”
“Well aren’t you a soldier?” I sounded sarcastic.
“I am, you should be proud.”
“Hmm.. I’m not too sure about that. I can think of far better things to be proud of.”
“You do have quite a few talents…” He smiled.
“That’s an other thing!” I started. “You really have a bad habit of saying inappropriate things at inappropriate times!”
“What’s wrong with that? I can’t help it. Does it embarrass you?”
“A little.”
“Good. I’ll do it more often then.”
I laughed and let go of his hand, moving out of his ‘grabbing range’.
“I’m not that bad, surely!” He argued his case as I began to climb the stairs towards one of the lifts.
“Oh, I think you’ll find that you are!”
I pressed the button and the lift doors opened quickly almost startling me.
He followed closely behind and pressed our floor’s button before turning to face me. I was facing forwards with my back against the mirrored wall of the lift.
“I think you’ll find that I’m actually a rather good influence…” He said stepping forwards slowly towards me as the doors had closed.
I smirked to myself and looked to the floor.
His hands rested on the wall either side of me, pinning me in position.
“You don’t agree?” He asked.
“Hmmm…” I thought and kept avoiding his stares. My hands felt the front of his chest. He was surprisingly warm. “You’re a terrible influence. I would have usually gone to bed hours ago but instead I’ve been up until the early hours drinking and dancing with you.”
He moved even closer, having no regard for space.
“Is that the worst that you think I’m capable of?” The corners of his mouth twitched upwards. “Believe me, you’ll be adding a few more things to that list by the time you wake up tomorrow morning.”
I bit my lip. I couldn’t think of anything to say - Well, I could but I didn’t want to say anything in case it wasn’t quite up to his inappropriate standards.

We’d reached our floor and he pushed himself back to full height and walked out the lift backwards whilst smiling at me.
Now that was showing off! I followed him and hoped he had the room card in his pocket because I couldn’t be bothered searching through my bag for it, possibly because I was a bit of a drunken mess and everything became so much harder when under the influence.
I couldn’t even remember which room we were in.
“Where do you think you’re going?” He asked playfully.
“Errr… This way.. “ I began to think. “Shit. It’s not this way is it? Which room are we even in?”
“Come on Mrs! I can’t have you spending the night with someone else!” He held out his hand to me. “You’re the best hangover cure I’ve got!”
I went to grab his hand, was successful but tripped a little and found myself heading in close contact with the floor. My superhero caught me before the contact was made.
“Bloody hell, Bex! I didn’t realise you were this far past it!” He laughed at me.
“Don’t give me that crap!” I threw back without realising how out of character I was when drunk.
He couldn’t help but laugh. We walked back to the correct door and he inserted the key. The little square light flashed green indicating the unlocking of the door.
He directed me to a chair and sat me down by gently guiding the tops of my shoulders down. He knelt and removed both of my shoes.
“How the fuck do you walk in these?” His face looked so confused with one eyebrow raised.
“I really don’t know. It’s something you just pull off. If it works, it works, if not you look like a complete and utter idiot.” I sighed thinking of all the times I’d fallen or had a drunken - heel related injury.
He pulled off his jacket and threw it across the room and undid the buttons on the cuffs of his shirt and rolled the sleeves up. I sat watching wondering if this had any importance.
His hands slowly rubbed my feet. It was bliss! After wearing heels all night taking them off felt good but this was heaven! The tips of his fingers slowly began to grace over my ankles and up my legs, past my knees and towards the tops of my thighs. He leaned closer and his lips and tongue touched the right side of my neck. My head leaned backwards in an automatic reaction, my lips parted as the breath left my mouth. My hands grasped at his recently exposed arms as his hands moved the dress up, the hands soon found themselves caressing the small of my back. He leaned backwards and pulled at the dress to bring it over my head and off out of the equation. I was fumbling with the buttons on his shirt but managed to do well as, it too, was soon looking good on the floor.
“I told you that you were good with your hands…” He breathed at me as his teeth nibbled on untouched skin. “Especially when you add in that you’re drunk..”
“That was nothing..” I said in response as my hands pushed him backwards before running down his front to his belt, the familiar sound of the belt becoming loose was heard briefly before it was thrown aside carelessly. The button was undone, the trousers and underwear pulled off him quickly and he was stood naked. I moved forward in the seat but before I could do anymore I was gathered up in his arms and placed on my back on the bed. Obviously he had a change of plan.
His touch went to my hip bones and he pulled away the only piece of clothing I had left on. His arms went under my thighs and pulled me by my hip bone closer to him. His head went down and I felt a rush, my eyes closed and my breathing got heavier. My forehead crease and my grip tightened on the bed sheets that were within reaching distance. I felt the warmth of his touch ran along my stomach as I tried to catch my breath, I held my hand to my head trying to concentrate on my breathing wondering how he was able to make me so helpless.

I may tweak this bit but for now I’m fine with leaving it as it is.

Teaser for you:

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 02:14:55 +0100

We had eaten lunch and had a few glasses of wine to drink - passing the time, when we began to have thoughts of leaving. Ian had already gone from his ‘boys day out’ with some men from his unit, to the hotel, where Sandra had already left a while ago to meet him.
Emma was on the phone, organising her husband by the sounds of it. We both decided she would be able to look after herself and headed towards the car. I offered to drive but he declined my offer and told me that I didn’t know where I was going.
What a load of crap. I was sure he would be able to tell me where to go if he had to.

It was only a 40 minute drive to the hotel which gave plenty of time to get checked in and ready for the evening. As usual I was impressed with the hotel. Sandra had really left nothing out.
We waited at the reception for the key cards for the room. I was taking in the view when a few men in smart, crisp, formal military uniform marched past. I tried my best not to swoon too much but my eyes were met with a stare when I looked back towards the desk.
“Did you enjoy that?” He asked.
“I don’t mind a man in uniform!” I confessed.
He gave me a look that suggested that he was to be my only man, whether he was in uniform or not. He took the key cards and the bag and walked passed me while I hoped he hadn’t taken it too seriously. I followed behind as we kept to the left side of the corridor and out of other peoples’ way. He had decided to use the stairs instead of the lift and there seemed to be plenty of them - this was no doubt my punishment for looking at someone else in front of him.
Once at the correct room, he unlocked the door and walked in. Abandoning the bag in the middle of the room, he made his way towards the shower. I left him to his own devices and kicked off my shoes before lying on the bed, I turned on the TV and began to listen to a middle aged woman explaining how a renowned artists creation was worth millions although it looked like a child’s finger painting - I never did fully understand art and its hidden meaning, probably because I couldn’t draw to save my life.
Fearing that my brain might implode from all the confusion of art, I dragged myself to the bag and began looking through it for the clothes I was going to wear. Dress, shoes, underwear, make-up were all found near the bottom - He’d chosen to be Mr. Last Minute again.
I realised that I probably should have showered first.

Ahhh I love this story already! Can't wait for the next part.

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:34:53 +0100

Thanks for the lovely message! I’ve been a bit abandoned but a new part should be put on in the very near future. :)

Sorry it's been so long!

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:10:43 +0100

I’m back to working on this so hopefully should soon get something posted. Thanks for sticking in there. :)

Chapter 5 - Public Behaviour

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 20:44:00 +0100

I rolled over and my hand felt the body beside me. So he had decided to come to bed at some point last night, although I wasn’t sure when it was. I felt a bit groggy from the alcohol but not hungover.
He moved under my touch and pulled me on top of him.
He kissed my lips and began stroking up and down my arms.
“How are you feeling?” I asked him - he looked rough but saying that he could just have been sleep deprived.
“Hmm.. I’ve been better, I should have gone to bed with you.” He regretted his late night. “I’ll just have to struggle through today.. and tonight.”
Tonight was the party and as far as I could make out from Sandra’s precise planning, we had a hotel room booked so we didn’t have to worry with taxis although there was the option of getting one (pre-paid) if we wanted to. It would have to be something that we decided later.
I moved my right hand further up his chest to the side of his face.
“You’ve got plenty of time to sober up!” I told him as his hands felt my shoulders.
“Are you sure? I’m feeling pretty bad…” He complained pathetically, his hands gently moved down my back.
“I’m sure I could help you feel better..” I breathed onto his neck, my lips trailing down towards his broad shoulders.
One of his hands held the base of my head, his fingers in my hair. He sighed and I felt his chest rise and fall against my stomach and chest.
My hands moved down his body underneath me and clung to his hips, he was wearing as little as I was.
He sat up and leaned forward, holding me closely to him.
He kissed along my shoulder and up my neck to my lips again before caressing my ear lobe.
“You’re right.. I am starting to feel better..” He mumbled softly.
“I just have that effect on you!” I replied.
We both laughed as the door swung open. With the shock of being interrupted, he pulled me closer to his chest to cover my exposed breasts and I gratefully wrapped my arms around his back.
“Now, would you two like some breakfast? I made some-” Sandra cut off when she noticed us both in such a compromising position, and her son pulling the bed sheets further up to the small of my back as we both looked at her.
“Oh! You could at least have told me you two weren’t decent. Back when I was younger..” Sandra began to rattle on as I looked down.
“We used to do that old put a tie on the doorknob, now that used to work well.”
There was a moments pause - Sandra didn’t know what to say considering she’d just walked in on her son getting intimate with his girlfriend and we weren’t exactly in the talking sort of mood.
“Err.. Well, breakfast is.. err.. downstairs when.. You know..” With that she left.

I laughed as I couldn’t believe that she’d heard our laughter and walked in. I got off him and began to get dressed.
He sat in the same position watching me walk around the room.
“Hmm.. Maybe we should get a lock on the door..” He suggested.
I managed to find my toothbrush and toothpaste from the little cosmetics bag.
“You mean you don’t want to try the good old fashioned way of putting your tie on the door?” I sarcastically asked.
He laughed.
“Not unless you don’t mind everyone knowing what we’re doing!”
“Really?! I think everyone knows what we’re doing already! They must have special sensors built in to know when we’re both thinking after each other, even in the slightest!” I spoke the nearly truth.
He watched me unscrew the toothpaste lid and put some on the bristles of the brush.
“I don’t think they do.” He argued.
“Of course, that’s far too technical for you to comprehend.” I began, in the middle of brushing.
“No, they would already be here as they would know that I’m lusting over you.” He finished.
I spat out the toothpaste and rinsed my mouth before walking back towards him.
“Are you sure?” I mocked, pulling out clothes that I intended to wear for the majority of today.
“Oh, believe me,” He replied quickly.
I carried the clothes with me and sat on one of the chairs, I’d turned it to face him. I dropped the clothes onto the table top and looked at him.
“Well, then?” I teased at him. “What are you going to do about it?” It felt uncomfortable and new to talk like that but I knew it would get him going.
It took a moment before he realised what I had said but as soon as it had ‘sunk in’, he was off the bed in and stood in front of me.
He leaned forward and his face was close to mine, I smiled and pulled away from him as he moved in for a kiss.
“You’re playing hard to get.” He commented.
“You’re really not trying very hard.” I smiled.

I only managed to get as far as getting my bra and pants on when there was a shout of my name. I froze and looked up. Why was I needed?
He lay on his back on the bed smiling at me, caught in the middle of getting dressed. He threw a shirt my way but made no effort to go in my place. I pulled it on and stepped out into the hallway.
“Ah, there you are!” Sandra welcomed. She took a quick look at the clothes I was wearing or the lack thereof. “Oh.. Err.. Bad timing again? Oh well! You’re half-decent. I need you to try something that I’ve made, Em’s just not a morning person and doesn’t appreciate fine cuisine.”

She led me downstairs and I felt a sense of dread as we walked towards the kitchen. I could see it now, the disapproval and looks of disgust from Ian. I was pleasantly surprised when I found the kitchen table to be empty, all except one occupant; Emma. She was holding her head in her hands and had a pint sized glass of water in front of her, along with a packet of tablets. I didn’t envy her at all.
Sandra led me towards the oven and a bowl she had next to it with something that resembled porridge. Emma looked over the glass in front of her and suddenly looked alive again.
“You look perky this morning, I’m obviously on the wrong hangover remedies.” She smiled. “Were you really bad?”
I looked at her a little confused. “Really bad?”
“Hungover!” She replied.
“Oh, sorry. Should have known you were talking about that.” I answered. “No, it wasn’t me that was feeling the strain of a late night on the wine.”
Emma laughed. “Mum, you never said you were all having a good catch-up without me! Why aren’t you feeling rough?”
Sandra took interest in the conversation for the first time.
“Dear, years of practice and a few glasses of wine have no effect. I’m used to keeping up with your father and his drinking habits.” She passed it off as if it were merely a grain of sand in the wind.
“Anyway, as I was trying to tell you, Rebecca, try this.” She passed a spoon towards me carefully with some of the contents of the bowl on. “It’s something I’ve been working on.”
“Oh God, don’t tell me you’re actually going to eat that Bex!” Emma moaned. “It’s in its test stages, it could have anything in it - Mud from the garden for all we know.”
Sandra ignored her and waited for my reaction.
It was pretty good. It was warm like regular porridge but had a unique and quirky taste to it - probably the mud.
“That’s good! Different but really nice.” I complimented whilst trying to figure out what the secret ingredients may be.

There was a noise from upstairs and Sandra moved round to the table opposite her hungover daughter with a bowl and spoon. Emma begrudgingly took them and stared into the bowl, picking at the food with the spoon.
Sandra turned to face me.
“There’s more in the pan, bowls are in the cupboard above the oven to the left. Help yourself.”
I began to do just that when I was joined by an other person, his hands went to my waist.
No-one had mentioned his arrival and I couldn’t see if they’d noticed as my back was towards the table now that I’d moved to get the bowl.
He looked over me, watching what I was doing.
“That looks good.” He spoke softly, close to my ear.
“It is! Do you want some?” I offered.
He thought for a moment.
“No, thanks.” He decided. “I’ll just have some of yours.” He smiled and went to one of the nearby draws and pulled out a spoon. He closed the draw and returned, taking the bowl in his free hand and walking with it to the table.
I was now without food - robbed.

I followed him, determined to reclaim what I’d lost. He had pulled out a chair and was about to sit down. I took the bowl and spoon from his hands as he was busy trying to listen to the conversation taking place between Sandra and Emma. Once he realised, he gave his hands a look of confusion before pulling me back to him. He sat down and placed me on his lap.
“That’s not what I’d call sharing!” He explained.
“You stole my food!” I said after a mouthful. “And besides, I’m sure you’ll manage just fine.”
Emma was still finding it more amusing to poke at the food in the bowl rather than eat it. She sighed and looked up.
“Are you two getting a taxi tonight or are you just using the room?”
We hadn’t even thought about it. I placed the bowl safely on the table in front of us both but held the spoon in on hand.
“Er.. I don’t know what we’re planning to do actually.” I turned to look at him, indicating some input from him was needed.
He had one arm around me, ensuring that I was safely perched on his knee and the other hand slowly caressed my hand and freed the spoon from it.
“We’ll probably just stay in the hotel.” He decided. “It means I don’t have to worry about getting the Mrs back to bed whilst she’s drunk.”
It took me a moment to realise what he had said and what he meant by it.
“Hey!” I directed at him, trying to move away.
He laughed and held me tighter with both arms.
“You know I don’t mean that in a bad way.” He laughed in my ear. “I think you’re quite cute when you’ve had a bit too much to drink.”
He kissed my temple as he’d finished talking.

Sandra awed and stood, taking Emma’s bowl away from her. Emma’s eyes watched her go to the other side of the kitchen to begin washing up.
“You two are filthy.” She laughed. “You..” She said pointing at her brother. “You can’t keep your hands off her! I suppose that’s got something to do with your pathetic excuse for not coming home tonight. I’m sure its a real challenge for the both of you to get each other into bed!”
His hand moved up my thigh and gave it a squeeze. My hand went to his and held it there.
If only Emma knew.
“I don’t know how you put up with him Becca. Does that mean that there’s more to him than his good looks that he’s always parading about? And no, raging hormones do not count.”
I laughed remembering that I’d accused him of having uncontrollable hormones like a teenager before.
“Of course there is!” He proclaimed. “She knows that, don’t you Bex?”
“I do.” I said, enjoying listening to the siblings ‘argue’.
“You did not just say that!” Emma said loudly mocking a form of shock.
“Say what?” Sandra butted in, interested in the topic this conversation was taking.
“She said “I do”!” Emma pointed out.
Sandra sighed loudly as she came and picked up our bowl.
“I think you’re jumping the gun a bit there, love.” Sandra commented.
Emma popped two coated tablets from the foiled packet and washed them down with the remaining water in the glass.
“I know these things.”
Emma was determined she knew best with her hangover.
“Thanks for breakfast, Sandra.” I thanked.
She smiled.
“Not a problem at all, I’m glad you appreciated it. You’re welcome anytime.” She was lovely when taking praise.
“I’m going to go and get dressed.” I announced, beginning to rise up from where I was sat, I had barely moved when he was in hot pursuit
“ I’ll come with you.” He said, choosing to escort me upstairs through the dangers of the house.
“For fucks sake! She said she was getting dressed, not undressing.” Emma said frustrated. “Try keeping it in your pants and stop trying to get in hers!”
I laughed, it made me wonder what kind of relationship she had with her husband, Mark.
“Oh shush!” Sandra said silencing her daughter. “Leave them to it, it’s nice to see them so happy together.”

I only managed to get to the bottom of the stairs when his hand reached around one of my wrists and stopped me from going any further and I was soon back against his chest, facing him this time.
“I didn’t know that we were so filthy…” He began.
“No-one told you? We’re far too inappropriate for a civilised conversation over breakfast…”
“I’m not following… I think you’ll need to explain this in more detail.. Much.. Much more detail.”
I smiled, my hands ran down his arms and held his hands.
“You have… wandering.. hands.” I moved his hands so they moved up the sides of my body and over the shirt. I removed my guiding hands and let him do the wandering.
“Hmm.. I can see how that would be a problem..” He whispered.
“A problem?” I responded. “I really don’t see it as a problem!”
We both laughed and he removed his hands.
“You’re a distraction.” I told him. “I could have been dressed by now.”
He pulled a thinking expression.
“I’m pretty sure that getting dressed isn’t as fun though!”
“That’s what you think!” I shot back playfully as I left him stood at the bottom and made my way up the stairs. He laughed as he watched me go.

I was fully changed rather quickly, when I remembered I had promised to call Jenna and I still, as of now, hadn’t. I dialed her number and sat in same chair I was in earlier. As the call continued to dial, the cool breeze from outside was welcoming and made it pleasant to sit in the room. The sun was streaming in through the big windows.

“This is your midwife speaking, how can I help you?”
“Sorry I didn’t call you yesterday, Jen.” I managed to say after laughing at her for a few moments.
“So you should be.” She attacked back. “I’ve been waiting for all this gossip to shared!”
“Well.. there’s not really a lot to tell.” I tried telling her.
“There’s got to be something! Anything!” Jenna certainly sounded desperate. “What was the meeting like?”
“Good, yeah, it went better than expected. I’ve met his Mum, Dad and Sister.” I explained. “Oh and I forgot to say he’s an Uncle to a 3 year old boy!”
“I never get you. You say there’s nothing to tell and then you manage to tell me just a ‘few’ bits of gossip! Does that mean he’s good with kids?”
“I guess so. The boy’s with his Dad, who’s working so I don’t know if he’ll make an appearance.”
“I hope he’s shit with kids.” She began. “Mr. Perfect needs to have some flaws somewhere!”
“Oh! So he’s moved on to ‘Mr. Perfect’ has he?” I mocked her. “Has Jenna gone soft now?”
“Behave! You know I’m only kidding with you! I like that you’re really happy with him.” Jenna could be sweet at times and it made me smile, even if she couldn’t see it.
“I know that, don’t worry!” I reassured. “We’ve got this party tonight. We have a hotel room booked and he’s said it will be easier as it will save him the hassle of putting the ‘Mrs to bed!’ The cheek.”
“Oh, he won’t have any trouble trying to get you to be-” Jenna paused. “You don’t think he’s going to… never mind. Look, I’ve got to go back to work. You’re not back tomorrow or Thursday but Friday, is it?”
“Back Friday, yes.” I confirmed with her, staying a few days was turning into 5.
“I want to hear everything that you two get up to and of course how tonight goes, just drink a lot and stay out of peoples way- that could work…” Jenna suggested.
“I’d love to say that’s a great plan but unfortunately its not! I’ll talk to you later, can’t guarantee that you’ll be told everything though!”

We said goodbye for now and she hung-up for work. I sighed and walked out the door and back downstairs preparing myself for more family conversation. This was breakfast and I was hoping that tonight would go smoothly and easily. Somehow I knew it would be a long night ahead of us.

More Chapter 4:

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 22:29:00 +0100

He looked me over once I was safely on my feet before he turned me around so that I was facing away from him. His hands were warm and his touch was gentle as he felt every inch of my skin. His right hand pulled me closer to him before moving down, grazing my pelvic bone and finally between my legs. His left hand groped at my chest and smoothed over my stomach. It didn’t take long before I was worked up and the effects of his busy hand movements became apparent. My breathing became pants and moans.
“Fuck! Don’t stop!” I encouraged him, he knew what I wanted.
My body shivered and jerked a little after his long and loving time he spent pleasing me, my legs felt weak through the pleasure and light headed-ness.
He kept me close to him as I caught my breath and balance. His grip loosened as I turned around and kissed my way down his body until I was on my knees.
He let out a soft moan as my lips touched him, one of his hands cradled the back of my head, following through with its movements.
I looked up at him, keeping eye contact, he pulled me up and helped me to my feet.
His one track mind seemed clouded with lust as he didn’t dwell on the thought that we were in one of the most inappropriate places for sex. Although my mind was largely preoccupied with the act taking place, it still worked and told me that we should have thought this through better, no matter how spontaneous his urges and physical advances were.

He was being dominant and rough, he held me in tight grips and holds of which I was sure would probably leave marks. Under normal circumstances it would have been painful but adrenaline was pumping through us both and pain was non-existent. I was able to claw at his shoulder blades with my fingernails without him flinching or wincing, leaving my mark on his skin temporarily.

Once satisfied, we held each other close as if we would loose each other if we let go. Our skin matched, both with a glossy finish from the heart racing activity. His fingertips pushed the hair from my face and looked in my eyes. We shared a kiss to ‘seal the deal’ before I removed myself from his lap, he was sat on one of the chairs from around the table.
He too got up and he busily picked up clothes but he paused to talk.
“Go upstairs and run the shower. I’ll join you in a minute.”
I nodded and made my way up the stairs before operating the controls to the shower. It was awkward. You had to be stood in the bath to be in the shower. It didn’t make the idea of the two of us jumping in the shower together seem romantic, just more of a hassle.
My body was already covered in water and the droplets ran down the natural curves in my body’s shape, as he arrived. He joined me, executing his entrance rather well. An 8/10 and definitely improving!
I squeezed shower gel out of the bottle and into the palm of my left hand. I then rubbed my hands together before running them both up and down his front and along his wide shoulders, I could feel the imprinted marks that I had made on his back.
I let the water rinse away the soap before I carefully felt over the temporary scars again.
“Do they hurt?” I asked him, concerned that I had actually damaged him.
“No, not really.” He replied. “I didn’t know they were there.”
I tenderly kissed each of the wounds, I was glad he had been numb for the receiving of them. He inspected my body looking for bruises or signs of his rough handling, they were minimal being so recent.
He returned the soapy rub down and turned me around once again, telling me to relax. His fingertips ran through my hair, brushing at my scalp. Massaging my head and making sure the shampoo covered all my hair, he made sure that none went in my eyes as he washed it all out.
We switched places, ensuring that he was able to wash his own hair efficiently, I took this time to apply shaving foam to my legs, it felt soft and silky as it clung on to my wet skin. I loved the feel of it and took pleasure in dragging this process on for as long as possible. He had finished washing and watched what I was doing.
The razor glided swiftly up in one smooth movement, revealing my now soft and exposed skin beneath the layer of foam.
After a few strokes, he stepped my hand and took the razor.
“Let me do it. Rest your foot on the edge of the bath.” He instructed.
I did as I was told and braced myself. He was slow and took his time being precise, making sure he knew what he was doing before he put the blades to my skin, after the first he felt the ‘new’ skin, inspecting his job. Content - he continued, he was able to pick up speed and became quite agile with the instrument once he had finished making sure I was hair-free. I thanked him and followed on with praise, he had managed to avoid any shaving cuts completely, something that I was notorious for doing. They stung like a bitch, especially on the ankles and the knees.
He used the excuse of having shaved my legs to run his hands up and down my legs multiple times.
With the washing over, we both got out of the water and back on to dry land. He held out a towel and wrapped it around me before getting himself one too.
Walking into the bedroom after him, he moved the case - without throwing the neatly folded contents on the floor and gestured for me to sit down on the big bed.
He found a hair brush from the dresser and sat behind me, beginning to brush through the tangles and knots that my hair matted itself into after a shower.
It was quiet. There was no-one else, just us two. There was no noise from the TV, no sounds of the neighborhood kids screaming or even our biggest downfall - a phone ringing or going off. It was pleasant to be together, calm and peaceful.
He handed me one of his shirts along with one of my bras and underwear, all piled together messily. Shaking the shirt caused my floral, lace bra to fall onto the bedsheets, a matching pair of briefs joined it. I didn’t own the underwear, at least I hadn’t until now.
I smiled at him. He looked pleased with himself, some of his sneaky shopping trips were being brought to light and I was obviously pleased with them.
“Try them on.” He suggested. Holding his hand out, I gave him my towel so that I returned, once again, to being naked.
I stepped into the briefs and seductively pulled them up slowly. The slid up my silky smooth and freshly shaved skin before resting, clinging to the shape of my buttocks and hips. They fit well and seemed comfortable. I proceeded to put on the bra. I knew it fit well and enhanced my chest. It was my favorite. Adjusting it into place so that I was happy with it, I slipped my arms into his shirt. It was clean but his scent still lingered on the material, it was a smell that I loved so much.
I fastened the buttons somewhere in the middle letting the bra be slightly visible out of the top and the imagination do the rest from my thighs up, underneath the material.
“You’re making me need to take a second cold shower.” He commented, looking me up and smiling.
“You bought the lingerie… You knew how good it would look when I wore it for you… As for the shirt, I’ve worn it before, you know how revealing it can be and last time I wore it I had absolutely nothing else on underneath…” I teased him, knowing that his hormone driven mind would be well fueled with that statement.
I was right. His face had collected more colour to it than usual.
“What’s the matter? Can’t you handle me putting on clothes?” I laughed and left him and his mind to it.

I checked up on my emails, a few notices from work has been sent around and an email from Mum had arrived in my work inbox. She did that a lot, although I reminded her countless times that I would be more likely to get it promptly, if she sent it to my personal account.
I opened it up and found a few lines written. Dates of the wedding that they were attending, luckily next month, giving me time to recover from my first dose of parents. It was the line on the bottom that got my attention:

‘Everyone sends their congratulations and best wishes.’

Surely that was a bit much? Do you even congratulate people when they become in a relationship? I thought it through, revising the sentence. I stopped and stared.
She hadn’t, had she? I got that sinking feeling in my stomach as I began to picture it. My Mother telling everyone that she was to be a Grandmother. It made me feel a bit dizzy, I wanted kids but not now, not this early on. Unless there was a miracle, or a sudden act of God, I wasn’t pregnant.
I didn’t particularly fancy doing the whole ‘I’m pregnant’ speech.
I sighed. Deal with it when I need to, right now I didn’t.
I shut down the computer, watching the machine go through its sequence as it usually did until the screen was blank and all the lights dim.
It was getting late and I felt pretty tired after the excitements of the day. I dragged my feet along the corridor to the top of the stairs, he was lying in bed with the TV on, both hands behind his head looking thoroughly relaxed. I picked up the damp towels and folded them over my arm. I reluctantly went back downstairs, locked the doors and threw the towel into the washing machine. I could put it on in the morning. The rest of the house still seemed reasonably tidy, I was glad. It meant less work for me in the morning as I knew Mr. Lazy would probably find things to do which involved little work.
I finally jumped into bed with him. I had removed what I had been wearing and felt comfortable with the soft feeling of the sheets on my bare skin. He hadn’t bothered with clothes and seemed quite pleased that I had done the same when he cuddled me.
“What are you watching?” I asked, trying to decode the pictures on the TV.
“Some film that’s on, I don’t know what it is.” He vaguely replied. “It was just starting when I switched the TV on.”
I laughed to myself at how lazy he had been. The film was rubbish, the acting was dire and the plot was so predictable. It was perfect for me, as it sent my straight off to sleep. His chest would rise and fall with his breathing or a chuckle at a really cheesy joke, I was asleep before I was 10 minutes into the film.

I woke up at sometime after 0700, the sun was streaming through the curtains and any gaps it could find in between. It was bright and warm.
There was nobody next to me but I could hear the sound of the shower in the room next door. He must have carefully gotten up to make sure that he didn’t wake me, I never even noticed that he’d gotten out of bed.
I lay in the warmth of the sheets, the bed always felt so much more inviting in the morning when I had to get out of it than it was when I got in, of course it was better when he shared the bed with me.
The shower stopped and the house went quiet again. The sound of him getting out of the bath was audible, I sat up against the pillows, pulling the sheets up to cover my exposed body.

He walked in and we exchanged smiles. The sweet, husky smell of his shower gel clung to the air around him, it stimulated my senses and I felt more awake. He pulled on some clothes and inspected the pile of clothes from last night. He went to the draws and began looking through my things.
“Someone could get the wrong impression with you going through my underwear draw!”
He kept looking for what he was wanting.
“What are you going to wear for the party tomorrow?” He asked.
“I have a rough idea, I’m guessing it will be a smart affair.” I said.
“It should be.” He agreed. “I want you to wear that dress…”
He threw matching lingerie behind him and continued looking through the other draws.
I gathered up the lingerie and watched him, rather amused by his actions.
“Which dress?” I asked, he hadn’t really specified.
“You know, that one that makes you look really hot…” He was typical and didn’t know much else about it than that. “The one that makes me want to undress you.”
“Try the wardrobe, I think all my seductive and hot dresses are in there.” At least he noticed that I made an effort when I got dressed up.
He moved, his skin almost dry but his hair still damp. He opened the doors and continued his search.
He occasionally pulled something out and looked at it but then put it back again, it wasn’t what he was looking for.
I decided that he was never going to find it if I didn’t help. I put on the clothes he selected for me and ran my hands along his back, peering into the wardrobe along side him.
“Can you describe how it looked?” I asked, hoping for some help here.
“Red, it was a red dress.” He was getting slightly more descriptive. “It was low cut, both the back and front.”
I knew which dress he was looking for. I pushed passed him, the bra rubbing against his chest. My hand grabbed a hanger and I moved it out. The red dress hung loosely and showed off its beauty.
“YES! That’s the one!” He declared. “It looks better than I remembered… “
He had good taste, it was a dress to impress. The back was low cut, and halter necked. The front was low cut too but it was tasteful. The dress was long but one side showed off the leg underneath. Of course I couldn’t wear a bra but it wasn’t a dress that caused too much hassle to wear. Keeping it on seemed to be my biggest problem so far.
“Wear it.” He begged.
“Only if you promise to take it off me afterwards.” I needed something to look forward too, just in case it really was that traumatic.
“It would be my pleasure.” He grinned, kissing me. “I could give you an early sample if you’d like.”
“Don’t.” I replied knowing it wasn’t the answer he had ideally wanted. “I want you to surprise me.”
“You’re such a tease” He said with a sigh. “I don’t know if I can wait that long. I have all day, today and tomorrow to think about you in that dress and what I’m going to do to you…”
Who was the tease now?

“I’m going to get ready, you can make breakfast if it will help you keep it in your pants!” I laughed.
“Was that a suggestion or an order?” He provoked.
“It was whichever way you wanted it to be” I relieved him as I finished getting dressed.
He smiled and walked off. I hoped he was going to make food. I felt starving, as if I hadn’t eaten in days! This was a bit different as I never normally ate breakfast.

I spent time collecting all the remaining items we could possibly need over the duration of our stay and zipped up the case, it was still light considering it was packed for two of us. I carried it to the foot of the stairs easily and followed the smell of food.
Warm croissants were on the table along with cereal and toast. It looked great! My hands collected plates and bowls for us and set them at the table before taste testing the food. The croissants were heavenly!
He sat down to join me.
“Some-one’s got an appetite this morning.” He commented, noticing my greedy eating.
“I don’t usually.” I contradicted. “I feel like I haven’t eaten for days!”
He smiled and helped himself, probably a smart move at the rate of which I was going.
I finished my mouthful and then placed a piece of fresh toast to my plate. My eyes scanned the jars already on the table, jam, jam, jam. I raised from my chair and began searching through one of the overhead cupboards.
“What are you looking for?” He asked looking up from the newspaper he had began to reading.
“Peanut butter.” I replied sharply. “We’ve got to have some in here somewhere.”
“There’s loads of jam already out..” He hinted.
“I have a craving for peanut butter!” I told him. “The smooth kind, I don’t want jam, it’s not the same.”
I began to search through the various pots and jars.
“I mean, who even has jam on toast anyway?”
I closed the cupboard and turned around with a sigh, he looked at the toast he had in one hand and swallowed the mouthful that he had been chewing. He had jam on the single slice of toast. This was a typical awkward moment. They happened a lot but not as much as they probably should.
I sat back down in my seat and picked at the piece of toast.
He finished eating and folded over the newspaper before putting in on the table and looked up.
“Is it okay if I use the computer?” He asked being polite. He could do as he pleased.
“Sure, you’ll have to turn it on and everything.”
He gave me a smile as thanks and walked off.
I finished eating as well and began to clear the mess away. We still had an hour before we were due to leave and really just had to kill time.
I sat and flicked through the pages of the newspaper that he had already read. As usual the pages were dominated by sorrow and tragedy with little to no heartwarming words.
I got bored and threw it back to it’s place. What was taking him so long?

He eventually reappeared a short time later after putting the case in the car.

“Are you ready to go?”

We’d been driving for about an hour, I was busy with my head in a book to pass the time. The radio was on quietly but it was loud enough to hear. The voices were talking about music and then played a song before moving on to give out advice to listeners.
It began to cover lifestyle, health, diet and exercise and sex topics. Of course it was kept ‘clean’ for radio.
One man called in complaining about his wife and her obsession with flirting with younger men, the wife was 62 and the men around 20.
He laughed beside me. He obviously found it as disbelieving as I did.

We finally stopped at the services and I got out to stretch my legs and go to the toilet. I washed and dried my hands before heading back towards the car, I got to the entrance and was greeted with a cup of coffee.
“Thought I’d better get you one just in case!” He said, I was impressed at how organised he had been!
“Thank you! Caffeine sounds good right now!” I was tired and put it down to being trapped in a car for so long - travelling always made me tired.
“Well..” He began, putting his arm around me. “We’ve only got half an hour or so then we should be there. Of course that depends on traffic.”
We walked together towards the car. A woman with thickly applied make-up and orange skin was walking towards us, talking loudly on her gem-studded mobile phone.
“No babe, I can’t, you know I want to see you but I’m away on a business trip…” She told everyone, not only her ‘babe’ on the other end of the phone as she tip-toed along on her incredibly high-heels.
“Oh.. my..” I managed to finally say after she’d gotten out of hearing distance.
“That’s not attractive.” He said looking down at me.
“I never implied it was! If I ever get like that, PLEASE, shoot me.” I begged!
We both laughed rather loudly and the elderly couple that walked passed up gave us a disapproving look for noise pollution. It made me think we were teenagers causing a scene on the street.
We got back on the car and on our journey. I was getting excited to see where we were going, as we had come off the busy roads and into the narrower country lanes. It was a nice day, although it had started off cloudy and with threats of rain, it had now become warm and sunny.
The further we drove the more out of the way things became, we finally found a small town, it only had a few businesses and was spread out but the houses were big. It was tranquil, the roads weren’t busy and it looked like the place where everyone knew you.

We finally pulled up to the side of a house, in front of the garage. It was big. I guess this was what was meant by living the ‘high life’. There was an other car parked up to the other side of us. It looked up market and modern but not too flashy.
“Looks like Dad’s not home but Mum’s here.” He commented looking at the car.
I sat looking at my new surroundings. The house was surrounded by big green leaved trees.
He opened his door and went to get out.
“Are you coming or would you like to sit in the car all day?” He said cheekily.
I got out and still looked around me, there was an other house opposite this one but it was further back with it’s own track to it. There certainly didn’t seem to be any problems with nosey neighbors!
“Come on, we’ll just go in, I can get our things later once we’ve seen everyone.” He smiled as he came around the car and gestured for me to walk with him towards the door.
He walked straight in and held the door for me. I was welcomed by stairs straight ahead in the middle of the room. there were two rooms, one either side, The living room to the left and what looked like an office or study to the right.
The sound of the door being closed behind us caused voices.
“That must be them now!” A woman’s voice proclaimed sounding excited. The sound of heeled shoes on wooden flooring could be heard as an attractive 30-something year old woman stood with a glass of white wine in one hand. She was wearing a smart black dress that was short enough to show off her legs but gave her a thin looking figure. She had dark hair that was tied neatly back, her face was thin but not bony and she had blue eyes.
“If it isn’t my baby brother! Come here and give me a hug!” She chirped with her arms wide open.
This would be Emma then.
“Ahh! So this must be the woman that’s keeping you out of trouble!” She turned towards me. “I’m Emma, Rebecca is it? I’ll just call you Becca or Bex, it’s easier to say after a few glasses of wine!”
She held out her hand for me to shake it and then pulled it back and shook her head before gesturing for a hug instead.
I obliged, it felt a bit strange hugging a stranger.
“Shaking hands is too formal, we’re practically family and I do enough hand shaking at work!”
“Nice perfume your wearing, very classy. I can tell we’re going to get along just fine!” She turned and began to walk away.
“You better hurry up and see Mum because she has been waiting all day for you two to arrive.”
We followed on, he leaned close to me and with a smile whispered.
“I think she likes you.”
I laughed.

Walking through the living room and it’s big comfy looking sofas and chairs we found the kitchen at the back of the house, it was modern and well equipped. A blond haired middle aged woman stood from the chair she was sat at and threw her arms around her son before kissing his cheek.
“It’s so good to see you! You’re looking well, very in shape!” She commented looking at his figure.
“You must be Rebecca, lovely to meet you dear.” She repeated the same routine as she had done to her son.
“Take a seat you two, make yourselves at home.” She moved around the kitchen and pulled out two wine glasses from a cupboard.
“Your Father’s out, he had some work he had to finish off before he could be here to meet you both.”
She began to pour wine into each of the glasses and handed them out accordingly.
“So, you two are in the room at the end of the hall, it’s en-suite so you should be fine there. It’s not too difficult to find your way around.” She reassured.
I was still shocked at how pleasant our arrival had been.
“Thanks, if I look lost, just give me a gentle push in the right direction!” I told them.
Emma laughed the most. I think she probably just liked the idea of pushing someone!
We eventually all got sat at the table. I was sat next to Emma and the other two were sat opposite us in a square arrangement although the table was huge.
“Hey Becca, did he mention that he’s never stopped talking about you to us all?” She looked across the table at her brother who was having a separate conversation with Sandra, at least I hoped that was her name because that was the one I’d remembered.
“I’m flattered that he’s spoken so highly of me!” I laughed back a little embarrassed.
Emma picked up on my embarrassment.
“Don’t be shy! After tonight you’ll feel right at home, Dad should be back soon - I think he’s excited to meet you, we’ve never really met any of the girls he’s been shagging before.”
Sandra picked up on what Emma had said.
“Emma! You always get so rude once you’ve had a drink.” She was acting as if she’d never heard anything so vulgar in her life.
“Oh, come on! I can tell you that these two do not just kiss and hold hands…” Emma was right and she knew it.
Sandra looked over at me with an apologetic look on her face.
“I’ve heard worse!” I defended Emma.
“I bet!” Emma laughed and I couldn’t help but join her.
“Look, why don’t you two go and get your things in from the car, it’ll get it done and out of the way so that you don’t have to worry about it later.” Sandra suggested trying to move the topic along.
We both got up and abandoned the wine glasses and headed back out of the house to the car.
With him following behind, I went to get the case, he caught up with me and wrapped his arms around me.
“How did you find that?” He asked.
“Interesting!” I replied. “No, it went well, I think.”
“I knew you’d get along fine.” He said, sounding a little big headed. He pulled out the case from the car and passed my handbag to me from the front seat.
“I have no doubt, Emma says you’ve never shut up about me!”
“Can you blame me?” He asked.
“Well, no, it’s hard putting up with someone as great as I am!” I smiled.
He rested the case on the ground and took my bag away from me before picking me up over his shoulder.
I laughed.

There was the sound of a car engine and it stopped behind our car. He spun around to see who had arrived. I twisted around so I was able to see. An older man got out of the drivers seat and walked a few paces.
“Put the poor girl down! I didn’t realise that when you mentioned that you would be bringing someone with you that it would be a kidnapping!” The man laughed.
He put me safely down to my feet and shook the man’s hand.
“Hi Dad, how’d your work go?” He asked moving on from the ‘kidnapping’.
“There’s a beautiful young lady here and you want to discuss work?” The man said.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
“Dad, this is Bex, Bex this is Dad.”
I shook his hand and he leaned in and kissed my cheek.
“Pleasure to finally meet you, Bex. You can call me Ian if its more comfortable than calling me Dad!” We laughed.
“I do hope he doesn’t treat you like this all the time…”
“He’s a gentleman.” I smiled back.
“Well, I should hope I raised him well, especially when it came to the ladies!” It was surprisingly easy to talk to Ian, whether he was in the army or not, he certainly didn’t follow the stereotype.
“Anyway, let’s get in, I could do with a drink! You can tell me how much he paid you to mention how polite he is later!” He gave my arm a squeeze and headed for the door.
Ian was tall and still handsome in his middle age. It was clear to see where the likeness was between father and son. They both shared the strong blue eyes and dark hair although Ian’s wasn’t as dark and was highlighted with grey.
I picked up my handbag and looked at him.
“Did you enjoy that?” He asked, knowing that I had.
“Embarrassing you? No, you know how much it upsets me to do it, but I had to show a good impression to your Dad. It would have been rude not to!” I cheerily replied.
He gathered the other bag and walked towards the house.
“Well you certainly did that. Dad likes humor, if you’ve got it, he’ll like you more than if you’ve got just a pretty face. In your case he thinks you have both, obviously so do I..”
I smiled, things weren’t going too badly then!

Walking up the stairs and turning left, I followed him Dow the corridor, he turned to face a door on the right wall. The bedroom was more than we needed. It was en suite and had plenty of room. It even had a TV and chairs and a table. The windows on the opposite side of the room overlooked the garden.
I couldn’t believe that this was a ‘spare’ room. I decided that I was to begin saving so I might just be able to afford this type of lifestyle.
He dropped the case and lay back on the bed and kicked off his shoes. I guessed that he was tired from driving.
I inspected the room before turning my attention to the bathroom. It had a big free standing bath and a big walk in shower, as well as the usual facilities.
I walked to the side of the bed.
“I know hotels that are worse than this!” I explained, still stunned by the room.
“You like the room then?” He held himself up on his arms.
“The whole house! It’s impressive to say the least!” I realised how easily amazed I was, just give me a hotel room for the night.
He smiled and then looked at his right wrist for his watch.
“We better go and see what’s going on. I think Mum’s making dinner and she’ll probably want to run us by a detailed step-by-step guide of how tomorrow is going to go.” He rolled his eyes, Sandra obviously enjoyed detailed planning and precision.

We were warmly greeted as we returned to the table, Ian was sat at the head of the table, a space was left to his left for his wife, and Emma was then sat next to her. We both walked to the other side and took the two set places that were to Ian’s right.
Unexpectedly, my chair was pulled out for me by my gentleman in between him and his father, he did so and then sat down in his own chair to my right and opposite Emma.
Sandra was busy dealing with the cooking of a roast, beef as far as I could tell. Ian poured out wine, red this time and passed it round.
The food was served and we all began to help ourselves, he definitely got his cooking from his mother.
“Where’s Mark and Ethan today?” Ian asked down the table.
“Mark’s got work to do.” Emma pulled a face as she said it. “Ethan’s at home with him although he was wanting to see his favorite uncle this morning.”
“How old is he?” I asked, hoping not to sound too intrusive.
“Ethan is 3. 4 next April.” Emma swallowed a mouthful of wine. “That is one piece of advice I’d give you two right now, if you’re wanting kids, plan to do it right.”
Everyone was silent around the table, Emma realised that she had said.
“I don’t regret having Ethan at all. I just with we had been more prepared and planned to get me pregnant. I didn’t appreciate waking up a couple of weeks later, bent over the toilet throwing my guts up from what I thought was the worse hangover in history to be told by my doctor I was going to be giving birth in nearly 8 months time.”
Emma made it all sound so glamorous.
I was glad when I wasn’t asked to comment on the conversation.
We finished eating and Sandra set to clearing the table before announcing there was desert. Chocolate cheesecake or black forest fruit crumble. I love chocolate and knew that I was having the cheesecake immediately.
I emptied the last of my wine from the glass before helping to take some of the plates away to help Sandra. She was grateful and beamed at me when I walked towards the sink with them as if she was happy that there were more to wash up. I helped her serve desert before taking my place again.
A familiar hand went to my thigh and he leaned closer to me.
“Mum’s used to dealing with mess on her own so a helping hand will go a long way.” He informed me, speaking softly to not be overheard.
I thanked him for his parents 101 tips before concentrating on the chocolate desert.
“So, Bex, what is it that you do?” Ian started the predictable conversation. I was trying to decide if he knew already.
“I’m a freelance accountant.” I told him. “I handle the books for a few firms both big and small. The come to me instead of me fishing through an agency and paying out to a 3rd party.”
Ian nodded. “That sounds well paid.”
“It’s a comfortable salary at the moment but it does depend on the amount of work I get and what sort of work it is too. Believe it or not it can be quite stressful!” I added trying to sound relaxed.
“I can understand that, I know a guy who did some admin and finance for my unit, he said the pay was great, he was hitting almost 60k but he said it wasn’t for him, too stressful with the number crunching.” He laughed. “Maybe that’s why we all took the piss out of his filling and shit dental hygiene!”
Sandra poured me more wine, maybe I shouldn’t be drinking so much. Emma had gone to bed a while ago and would no doubt feel the hangover in the morning. I didn’t want to be the same but I knew I could handle my drink well.
“Are you two moved in together yet?” Sandra asked as she emptied the last of the bottle into her husbands glass, after her own.
“Not yet. I have a lot of stuff that’s managed to find home at Bex’s, its easier for work but we haven’t done the proper move yet.”
He answered before drinking from the glass.
Both parents looked fascinated, I joined them in this conversation; equally as intrigued.
The conversation resumed, unfortunately not going any further than that.

Yet again, I helped clear away plates, before moving back around the table. Sandra began to explain tomorrow’s events after thanking me for my help. I was stood next to my chair to the right and close to him as his left arm came around me and his hand stroked at the side of my left thigh, my right hand rested between his shoulder blades. Ian had noticed his son’s public show of affection, his eyes watching the moving hand before he diverted his stare, his face was expressionless and there was no way to tell what he had been thinking.
Sandra continued on saying that we were meeting at The Swan for 7 o’clock tomorrow evening, taxis are all pre paid for when we need them, if we need them, and it was going to be formal. She made sure to tell us that we had a room booked under our names if we would find it easier to stay the night.
I made sure to take it all in before I announce that I was calling it a night. I thanked them for the hospitality so far and kissed the owner of the hand on my thigh goodnight being sure that all eyes were on us. I made it to bed and managed to just get my clothes off before I fell asleep, I didn’t know how long he was going to be or if they were talking about me, all I knew was that I was tired.

Chapter 4 - Close Relations

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 21:22:00 +0100

I was sat trying to watch the TV when he appeared and stood over me, watching me whilst he thought. I knew he had something in the works.

“You’re not working tomorrow, are you?” He asked, knowing the answer.

“No, I’m not working at all unless I’m told otherwise.” I told him the answer he was looking for.

“Oh, that’s good! It’s my dad’s birthday and Mum’s making a do of things, we’re invited to stay for a few days, both of us, together.” He looked at me hopefully.

“Are you kidding me?” I couldn’t help it, the words just fell out of my mouth. “You think your dad’s birthday is a good occasion for me to meet everyone and couldn’t you have told me earlier?”

“Oh, come on! You owe me and besides, once its done we can do what we like, come and go as we please sort of speak.” He persuaded.

It was true, I did owe him. There was no way that I could say that we weren’t going, so it looked like I had to go.

“Well, I can hardly say no, can I?” I told him.

He leaned over smiling and gave me a quick kiss.

“Not really, especially as I’ve already told them so much about you.” He looked at me with a smile on his lovely lips, his right hand on the side of my face, covering my right ear.

“You’re just lucky that I love you” I jeered back at him.

“And I love you too.” He moved to stand up fully and planted a kiss on the top of my forehead before giving me a look and walking in to the kitchen.

I sat there and began to think. What do I take with me? What do I wear? What if they don’t like me? I heard the sound of the kettle boiling and leaned forwards to pick my phone up from the table. I bent my legs up and put my feet on the edge of the table getting comfy.
I began to text Jenna, she had done this whole fuss of parents and introductions.

Placing my mobile on the arm of the sofa I turned my attention to the TV, someone was boasting about something they thought would make them millions- and it wasn’t numbers on a lottery ticket.

He casually walked in with two cups in his hands and handed on to me, I took it gratefully and kicked off my shoes before curling my legs under me as I sat back down. He too sat down, next to me. His left hand which was free landed on my right knee.

My phone made its usual chime and vibrated indicating a message. I snatched it being pleased that Jenna was a quick texter and read the incoming without moving from my comfortable position. His hand didn’t move, only his thumb moved backwards and forwards stroking my knee.
I expected the message to be full of advice and words of wisdom but Jenna had written:

‘Meeting the family? Congrats on becoming an official couple!! :-) Btw, the sex gets better, especially if you’re somewhere where you shouldn’t be doing it! ;-) xxx’

I laughed a little and his attention briefly turned to me, I carried on. Only Jenna!

I wrote my reply back:

‘Might have to celebrate our official status! ;-) I was looking for advice on the in-laws, Jen, not the bedroom - my sex god’s got that covered! xxx’

Returning the phone, I drank from the mug.

“You’re going to have to tell me about your family before I meet them, so I can communicate and have a civil conversation without cocking it up.” I posed to him.

He looked at me and then realised that I knew nothing about his family, as he did mine.

“Well, my Mum, Sandra, is - was a nurse. She did that for 30 years, loved it. My Dad, Ian, served in the army after he left school at 16, he stayed there for his career. They both don’t do much now, except live of their pensions and saving and live the high life.”

I nodded, trying to remember it all, thinking that Jenna would become handy with conversing with the Mother-In-Law.

“You might meet my sister, Emma. She’s in marketing for a big Norwegian firm, she works from home, is married to a guy called Mark who’s in the same line of work, they have a son together - Ethan.”

He was an Uncle! I smiled as he thought to himself for a moment.

“That’s it really. There will probably be extended family but that’s all I can think of as being the important few. Don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll all be more interested in what you have to say than how much you can remember about them.”

That hardly filled me with confidence.

“How long are we staying?” I asked, hoping that it wasn’t going to be a ‘count down the days until we returned’ sort of trip.

“Only a few days, leave tomorrow and come back for Friday.” He had planned this all out- he was working on the Saturday.

The familiar sound of my phone chimed again. I opened and read the text.

‘Call me once you’ve done the meet and greet, I want to know all the details!’

Great. Now I would have to sneak away to make a call to Jenna. Texting her back to say I’d comply, I put my phone back to its place. I took an other drink of my beverage and returned to the TV.
The adverts were on, trying to convince me that I needed house insurance or that I should give money to some cause or an other.

“When do you want to leave tomorrow?” I asked, breaking the silence of conversation.

“That depends on when you want to arrive.” He said plainly.

I sighed.

“A time would be good!” I pressured him.

“Leave here at, say… 12-ish, that gives us the few hours drive, plenty of time to stop and we should get there a bit earlier than need be to get ready.”

“That’s good, it gives me time to pack last minute and have a lie in.” I was pleased that we weren’t setting off at a ridiculous hour, although he was driving, I still liked to have slept and not felt rush and red eyed.

He looked at me but never said anything, as if he expected me to continue talking.

“I know you don’t want to do this, you don’t have to drag it out as much to emphasise this to me, I’m not stupid.” He said sounding defensive.

I was quite shocked. I hadn’t intended for that to sound so sarcastic or bitchy. I certainly never intended for him to take so much offence at it.

“I never intended for that to sound the way it did. It wasn’t an excuse or said for arguments sake.” I tried to scrape any amount of dignity I had back together again.
He stayed silent but sat looking at me. His hand hadn’t moved from my knee.

I placed the cup that I’d been holding on the table in front of me, this forced his hand off my knee and he pulled it so that he cradled his cup in both hands.
I sat back down facing him.

“We’re going. It doesn’t matter if I don’t like the idea of it, it was going to happen sooner or later so I might as well join in and do it now.” I hated when we argued, even a little.
“I’m going to go and throw some stuff in a bag, so it saves time tomorrow. In case we sleep in or something stupid like that.”

I went to stand up, as I moved he leaned forward and put his cup on the table freeing up his hands too.

His hands went with the intention to touch me but I’d already moved too far away and was walking through the door. I left him and decided that I could actually get something useful done, it was only getting me frustrated being sat talking this over and over. I decided the best method of attack was to bite the bullet and take it.

I pulled out a small suitcase that was perfect for travelling and began to sort through things I might need, shoes - both casual and smart (which meant the best pair of heels I could find). I did the same for clothes and decided what I might wear tomorrow, I chose something relatively casual, some nice jewelery and a pair of heels would make it look smart and possibly be a double for evening wear.

I decided to leave the things I may need in the morning and began to fold the last of the clothes to put in the case. I heard footsteps up the stairs and hoped to God that he wasn’t wanting to talk about this anymore. Couldn’t he see that I was making an effort to take this seriously and was getting things organised?

I picked up a pair of tight, dark jeans that I was taking and began to fold them, taking my time to get it neat so I had as much room left as possible. His hands planted themselves on each side of my waist. I continued to fold the clothes as I felt his front press against my back. I leaned forwards to pick up an other item of clothing and began folding again when I was back, stood upright, his hands moved up to my hands and held them still for a moment before pulling the folded clothes out of my hands and throwing it to the right side of the room. I had the biggest urge to shout at him and push him away when his lips gently teased at the side of my neck and I forgot any idea I had of shouting at him. I was frozen still as his hands wandered further up my arms and cupped my breasts.

“You know I’ll make it up to you.” He spoke softly right in to my ear, it made my heart flutter and my knees a little weak every time he did it.

“Oh really?” I joked. “And how do you plan on doing that?”

His hands wandered as I was talking and his lips found my collar bone that was partially exposed from the cut in my t-shirt. He was tall enough that it was easy to lean over my shoulder.

“I’m sure we’ll be able to come to some sort of agreement.” He mumbled.

My right hand held the back of his head, my fingers in his short dark hair.

“I don’t know about that.” I replied. “I’m a difficult person to please.” I couldn’t help but smile, I thought that was a good comeback even if he didn’t appreciate it!

His breath was warm on my skin as he exhaled. His hands spun me around by my waist to face him.

“Don’t worry, I think I’m more than able to sort that problem out for you. After all I do have some much needed experience in that area.” He smiled back, was he trying to outdo me and my witty comments?!

“I never said it was a problem! It just means that I need someone who’s able to provide what I need.” My arms wrapped around his neck.

He kept smiling.

“It just happens that I’m able to know what a woman wants. It’s a skill I have.”

“Really? Okay then, Mr. Incredible, you should know that I want you to get all your things ready so that I don’t have to shout at you tomorrow morning like a child who’s forgotten to pack their schoolbag.” I raised my eyebrows and waited for his reaction.

“I prefer Clark Kent or Superman to Mr. Incredible…” He corrected me with a grin, flashing his white teeth.

“Do you want me to shout at you? Is that what you really want?” I stood away from him and my arms folded against my chest.

He was stood with one hand on his hip and the other hanging loosely by his side.

“Well… I wouldn’t really mind.” He decided saying it as if he couldn’t care less.

I shook my head at him and rolled my eyes. I was pretty much done, packing-wise, other than the clothes that he’d thrown to one side. All I needed to get were the last minute things, like shampoo, razor and toothbrush and toothpaste that I would need in the morning.

There was a knock at the door downstairs. We both looked at each other, both not really knowing if we should leave it or not.
I made a move towards the stairs and turned back to him.

“So, this will be Lois Lane then?” I joked playfully.

I reached the bottom of the stairs and opened the door.
A middle aged man was stood with his dark hair messy showing its loss of colour. His face looked slightly flushed and his smart appearance of a suit was tarnished and a shambles, he was missing the tie and the shirt was loosely buttoned at the top. A black briefcase was in one hand while car keys and a mobile phone were in the other.
His name was Adam and he worked with the same accounting firm that I associated with.

“Hey, Becca, sorry to come over like this, it being at your house and it being after work hours but I need to you look at some of these figures, it’s either my maths that’s deteriorating or someone is taking money out of this company from the inside.” He looked panic-stricken and worried.

“No problem, I’ll take a look for you, go through to the kitchen, the table’s free for you to use as you need it.” I replied, not really knowing if it was possible to say no in a situation like this.

I closed the door and walked through, Adam was setting pages out and notes on the table, I filled up the kettle at the sink and put it on the boil before placing out two cups.

“Would you like a drink?” I asked out of polite habit.

“Err.. No thanks, I’m not feeling up to eating or drinking.” He was feeling sorry for himself.

I sighed.

“Look, if there’s a problem, then we’ll find it. We won’t know what it is or how they’re going to sort it but we’ll find it and then at least it will put your mind at ease.” My words were firm but I had to know he wasn’t going to melt into a puddle on the floor. He was as qualified as I was but obviously was a bit weary on what to do.
This line of work was usually straight forward, money came in to accounts, it was paid out to where it was needed and then any taxes and deductions were taken care of. All the numbers added up, but apparently not in this case - it was rare but not unheard of for large companies to be adding money away or for some of it to ‘disappear’.

“You do know that it doesn’t reflect on you, Adam.” I pointed out, pouring myself hot water over a tea bag. “If anything, they’ll be thankful that you caught it, of course that’s if there’s something going on.”

“For fucks sake! I’m not made for this, Bex! I panic and then stress over it.” Adam was only telling the truth and I could have handed it to him. His hair had to have lost it’s colour somehow. “I worry that if I find something the suspicion will come to me.”

I sat down at the opposite side to him with my back to the door.

“Calm down, can you give me the figures for the last profit report?” I asked getting on track.

We crunched numbers, adding and deducting, allocating percentages and loses. Working through it, Adam put his head in his hands as if he were worried that if he let it stay unsupported it might fall off.

Movement passed from the corner of my eye and I realised a 3rd party had joined us. Adam had noticed the strange man and had to do a double take, looking between me, concentrating on the numbers I had in front of me, and the man that had entered the kitchen.

I was getting annoyed and found flicking through so many pages and numbers tedious. As I concentrated on the work, Adam broke the silence between the sound of papers turning and the punching of numbers into a calculator.

“If you’ll excuse me, where’s the toilet?” He looked as if he might have a catastrophic breakdown there and then.

“Top of the stairs, the door straight ahead.” I gave him a brief reassuring smile knowing that it probably had no effect.

He rushed past and off up the stairs, I returned to the numbers and found that so far, everything seemed to be in order.
There was almost complete silence as I worked.

“I swear, if you keep biting your lip like that, I will take your clothes off right here, right now. I don’t need any more excuses to do it, what do you think I was trying to do earlier?”

I looked up to see a pair of blue eyes staring at me. I didn’t notice that I did it. I must bite my lip when I concentrate, I made a mental note to stop as I would probably sooner or later end up with cuts on my lip from where my teeth had been. I thought whether or not breaking the habit was a good idea, it did seem to have it’s advantages!

I looked behind me, Adam wasn’t in the empty space and I hadn’t heard an noise of him coming back down the stairs either so presumed he was still applying his make-up or sorting out his hair in the bathroom mirror. I stood up, dropping the pen I had in my right hand to the table and on to the cushion of papers. Walking to him, I stood facing him, but far enough away so that he couldn’t try anything, without difficulty anyway!

“Old habits die hard, they die even harder when you don’t know you do them until someone points it out.” I replied.
“I’m afraid you’ll just have to keep quiet and put up with my ‘annoying’ mannerisms.”

I moved closer to him, he didn’t move but watched me as I twisted around him grabbing the container off the worktop behind him. I opened it up and pulled out a handful of biscuits before placing it back on the side but not in its usual place. I returned to the table and set the biscuits down next to my mug and the sheets of work, I turned back to look at him, still clutching a single biscuit in my hand.

“Of course, you could always go and sit in the other room if it’s too much of a distraction or go upstairs and keep yourself occupied.” I raised one of my eyebrows at him and took a bite out of the biscuit.

There was a sound of running water from above us and I predicted Adam was either washing his hands or throwing cold water on his face as fast as he could.

I reviewed some numbers and found an error in the main spreadsheet. I smiled to myself. It accounted for some loses that Adam had recorded as he’d worked straight from the main spreadsheet and not referenced it with the original notes.
The familiar pressence in the corner stayed there and observed what I was doing like a hawk. I could see how it could get annoying but I didn’t mind, I was quite happy to sit and get through what needed to be done. Maybe that was what fascinated him so much.

Adam returned and gave the man a second look over before sitting down.

“I think I’ve found your problem, Adam.” I said with relief although able to feel the burning sense of eyes looking at me from the corner of the room.

He stared back at me in disbelief.

“You said there was net loss of 7.6%?” I asked to confirm.

“Yeah, that’s right.” Adam replied only able to manage small pieces of speech.

“Definitely found your problem then!” I said happily.
“The original notes and budget reports aren’t identical to the figures and data in the collective spreadsheet which I’m guessing you used for the calculations?”

“Let me guess, there’s a difference of 7.6%” He guessed.

“You got it.” I confirmed, looking at him over the mountain of paper.

“Fuck me. It took you an hour, not even that to figure that out.” He said. “All I had to do was double check the numbers that I put in the fucking spreadsheet!”

He was getting a little irate.

“So what? Sure, it may have taken me to look over it again to make sure that it was fine tuned and tweaked but be thankful that they weren’t losing more than declared. That would have be a whole lot of shit to wade through, not to mention the legality you have to go through.” I sighed. “Believe me, Adam, I’ve been there once. I’d rather have you coming and knocking at my door than it being the police.”

For the first time since he’d arrived the fellow accountant smiled.

“I’m sorry, you’re busy and it was just a mix up that took your time. I wouldn’t have known who else to ask, HQ would have executed me for a mistake like that.” He began picking up his notes and papers that he brought and the table slowly and gradually got emptier and bare.
“Becca, I owe you big time. Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you. The pleasure would be mine.”

“I’ll be sure to let you know.” I smiled as he glanced at the now empty table to make sure he had everything.

“I better go and leave you two to it.” He gave a nod behind him and gave my arm a squeeze as he went, I followed him out and closed the door behind him.

I counted myself lucky. I praised his human error and went back into the kitchen and collected the cups and placed them in the deep sink. I returned to the table and brushed off the biscuit crumbs into my hand, I placed two pieces of paper that were on one of the chairs on to the middle of the table and walked to the bin at the left of the room and emptied my hand.

“Has he gone?” The man finally talked.

“No, he’s standing out in the front garden getting some fresh air and a sun tan.” I answered back sarcastically, for someone who surveys everything it seemed like a stupid question to ask.

“Well, he can stay there for a while longer then. As long as he’s not here.” I knew where he was going with this. He didn’t seem to like Adam.

“You don’t like him do you?” I asked, although I was pretty sure I knew the answer already.

“If I’m honest, no. Not really.” He pulled a face that showed he didn’t know why or really care.

“Welcome to my world of work, it doesn’t stop even when I don’t have any scheduled to do of my own. Someone else needs something doing, checking or reading. Thank God for the overtime.”
I clocked overtime, as long as I had the work to prove I’d done it and it was authorised by a supervisor, or in my case the big boss, it was paid out at a higher rate than my normal salary.

He watched me closely.
The container I’d moved on the side was still in the wrong place, I picked it up and once again moved around his body to put it back in it’s rightful spot.
His hands held my arms just above the elbow.

“Take your clothes off.” He said bluntly.

“I don’t have time for this, I need to finish upstairs and get ready for tomorrow. I-”

“Am I going to have to do this for you?” He said cutting me off mid-sentence.

“You are not removing any of my clothes, mister.” I fired back.

“Why do you make things so difficult? Are you saying that you don’t want to sleep with me now?” He asked.

“Why do you have such an overactive sex drive? You’re like a teenage boy with hormone problems!” I spat.

We both looked at each other, both as offended as each other, breathing heavier than normal. It was like a staring competition to see who could out do the other. There was now a good distance between us, I’d made sure to move out of his grip when this kicked off. It was silent.

He suddenly stood fully upright and strode across, closing the distance and his hands clasped at the sides of my head and his tongue found its way into my mouth. My hands ran through his soft hair. It was like getting something you couldn’t have, it didn’t make sense that only seconds ago we were insulting one an other and now couldn’t be anymore passionate.

He lifted me up so I was perched on the kitchen worktop, I was just higher than him, something that never happened unless he was sitting and I standing. He pulled at my top, it came off over my head and arms to meet the floor. His hands worked on the clasps of my bra, I thought he would struggle but managed to unhook it relatively easily, I slid the straps off my arms and too, encouraged the bra to meet the floor. His hands moved down to the small of my back before applying themselves to my stomach all without loosing contact with my skin. His fingers worked on unbuttoning my jeans as I began to unbutton his shirt, swiftly and one by one the buttons were removed. He pulled at the shirt that now hung open, off his shoulders, he couldn’t get it off fast enough. My jeans and underwear, in one, were slipped off from underneath me with skill as I almost prepared myself to land at his feet from the counter. I was able to unbuckle his belt and remove his trousers quickly, it was an action that I had gotten my fingers used to after many times of ‘practise’. He’d removed his underwear too, we were both stark naked.

He courteously helped me off the high worktop so I didn’t embarrass myself, which could have really gone spectacularly wrong considering I was wearing no clothes!

More Chapter 3

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:45:00 +0100

Please note - I have used my name in this because it was easier for me to write it this way! Thanks!

He had come straight from work but was still prepared with the things he needed. Spare clothes and essentials in an overnight bag. For a guy he was extremely organised, not that I was a good example to compare by.

I’d made the house neat and clean earlier this morning as I’d been free from work since this morning and was for the rest of the week. I was stood washing the last of the plates and items from dinner, he was sat in the other room, at least I think he was, watching tv accompanied by the bottle of wine he had brought. It was his bargaining tool, I had made dinner for us both and he’d brought some wine, not cheap either.

Emptying the soapy water from the sink, I found a cloth to dry my hands with and made my way into the living room. I threw myself onto the sofa opposite the tv and next to him. I hadn’t realised how much work went into being a host to a guest, I’d been caught up with work and not had the motivation nor the energy to entertain these past few weeks. All this free time gave me an excuse to do it all, and by the sounds of things there would be a lot of it. No companies were looking for private accountants and until they were, I wasn’t needed. It was becoming easier to arrange when we would see each other as it was only organised around his work schedule.

He leaned forward and his fingers wrapped around a readily poured second glass and offered it to me, I thanked him and took it, I needed this. His now free left hand spread around me and encouraged me closer to him, my head rested on his shoulder, still turned enough to see whatever it was he was watching on the tv.

We sat watching and sipping wine until the adverts jumped on the screen, he made a move to go to the toilet.

It was strange having someone else in the house. Someone that knew where everything was and didn’t need directions. He had recently started to leave some of his belongings here, even if he wasn’t, it began to feel like we were both occupying the house all the time.

I sat hunched over the edge of the sofa and upturned the wine bottle before placing it back on the small table in front of me. Raising the glass to my lips and taking a drink, my eyes turned to see him stood in the doorway.

“I’ll get an other bottle if you’d like?” I said getting up, feeling only the tiniest bit guilty that I’d drained that one.

“Sure, you can if you’d like. You might need it!” he replied. I stood looking at him wondering why he was still and giving me an unfamiliar look that I didn’t recognise but with a smile on his face.

“You look like you’re up to no good.” I stated and shot him a worried look.

” Me? No, I just found this.” A blue material dress hung loosely from his fingers.

I closed my eyes and sighed, it was the fancy dress costume I’d worn to a friends Hen party. It was a pilot’s fancy dress costume and had all the details of buttons up the front, wings on the left breast and even a matching hat and underwear. The dress was short and was low cut to add to the sexy allure and hilarity of it all.

“Oh, THAT.” I said being familiar with the garment. ” Been going through my things have we? If you don’t watch it, I’ll have to supervise your bathroom trips!” I joked, knowing that he wouldn’t mind.

“Put it on.” He asked.

I moved closer towards him, wanting to pull the thing out of his hands and never talk of this again.

He didn’t move, his eyes fixed on me and his mouth a constant, mischievous smile. I stopped moving, still stood apart from him.

“It was embarrassing to wear the first time and believe me, I’d had far more to drink than this!” I argued knowing full-well that the statement was true.

He moved closer and closed the gap between our bodies and moved his head down, his mouth close to my ear.

“Strangers have seen you in this and you’re getting shy with me? I don’t know whether to be offended or not.”

His breath was warm and his voice made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. My eyes closed and my heart began to beat faster, my breathing quickened slightly.

“Put it on so I can take it off you.” He whispered, his lips brushing against my ear. “You do want me to take it off you, don’t you?”

My hands moved from my side and I planted them on his chest. I moved them slowly down, feeling his body under the soft fabric.

“You know I want you to.” I spoke softly. “I want you.” I finished whispering as my hands came to a stop at his belt buckle.

His hands met mine and I was able to take the dress from his grip easily, he was no longer trying to hold it.

“Wait here.” I told him, feeling a switch in roles as I was now in control.

I slid passed him, my body rubbing against his as I went. I turned and made my way quickly up the stairs and into the bedroom, I pulled at my clothes, not being able to take them off quick enough. I pulled the dress on over my naked body, it clung tightly to my figure and breasts. Finding the matching underwear and white, lace topped stockings, I put them on and glanced in the mirror to make sure I looked alright.

I was surprised, it did look good! I reassured myself that being extremely drunk was probably the downfall for the last occasion I wore it and the reasoning for the many bruises!

I pulled a pair of dark blue heels out of their box and put them on. It seemed a bit pointless as I knew I would be kicking them off later but I also knew that I wasn’t going to stay clothed for much longer either.

I had been quick in getting changed, but I knew he had been made to wait longer than he’d wanted. I walked through the door and stood with my feet wide apart and my hands on my hips looking at him, who was now sat on the sofa.

He turned and stared, grinning like a child would with a new toy.

“Well, what do you think?” I asked, feeling far too confident for being dressed like this.

He kept grinning as I carefully moved towards him, he lay back into the seat and I swung my left leg over both of his straddling him, I was sat facing him on his lap. My arms outstretched and my hands either side of his neck, I pulled forward pushing my chest towards his, as if I were down on my hands and knees and whispered in his ear again.

“Someone’s quiet… Don’t be going shy on me!”

My mouth was a grin when it finally found his and his hands grabbed at the back of my upper thighs, moving upwards his hands moved the fabric of the dress up to reveal the underwear, his hands grabbed at my buttocks before moving up to my lower back. He moved forwards, holding me, now sat fully upright.

He managed to roll me over so I was lying on the sofa with him on top of me. His hands moved down the sides of my body and legs until his hands found the shoes, working on one at a time, he pulled each off slowly and tossed them aside. His hands felt up my right leg and kissed the skin above the lace, he slowly teased the item off my skin and repeated the process on the other leg. He gripped my waist and stood up, making sure our lips made contact as he went. He began unfastening the cufflinks at his wrists.

I couldn’t do much as I was sat down and quickly felt useless, I stood and my fingertips readily worked on the top button of his shirt before swiftly moving downwards. Once I had finished unbuttoning his shirt, my hands ran up the full length of his front and slipped the shirt off his shoulders and freeing his arms. I threw the shirt aside as he picked me up, my legs and arms wrapped around him as I laughed.

He carried me towards the stairs, as I noticed, I couldn’t resist my comment.

“I am able to walk, you know!”

Well done, just killed the mood.

He dropped me to my feet and looked at me.

“Really? A strong shirtless man is carrying you to bed and you offer to walk as if you’re going up a flight of stairs normally?” He said pulling a face at me.

Oh, definitely blown this one.

I thought for a moment.

“You wanted to undress me, you never said I was to sleep with you. Maybe I don’t want to go to bed.” I replied being as awkward as possible and looking a little smug.

He raised his eyebrows at me, both of his arms folded together loosely.

“Now you’re just teasing me!” He looked me over, from the tips of my toes to my eyes and back again. “It’s impossible for me not to get hard when you dress so seductively and take my clothes off!”

I grinned, looking at his bare chest, or what I could see of it, and then eyeing him up below his belt.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realise how much of an… Effect… This would have on you…

“Me being dressed in a skimpy outfit…” I teased and slowly moved into him. “Would you prefer if I took it off?” I suggested.

My hands popped the first button free, revealing more cleavage. I didn’t wait for a response, I didn’t think he would able to think of words right now.

I moved as slowly as I possibly could, letting his imagination do the work as my tongue traced over my lips.

“Is this better?” I asked, biting my lower lip, once all the buttons were popped and he could see my partially exposed chest, stomach and the underwear beneath.

“Fuck, Bex” He said breathlessly. I felt proud, he never swore. “You… have no idea” He groaned at me. His breathing getting even heavier.

I pushed my shoulders back and my bust forward as I finally removed the dress, I was now stood completely naked apart from the underwear.

He stood in silence, only the sound of his deep and rapid breathing was being heard.

“How about now?” I purred, knowing that the teasing was taking its toll on him. The protruding lump in his trousers was obvious.

My hands gently felt the front of his trousers as I pulled at his belt, he exhaled loudly and moaned with pleasure as I finally got it unbuckled. His hands ran up and down my spine and exposed flesh before pushing the back of my head towards his face so our lips locked together.

My fingernails clawed at his back as he pressed his body onto mine, my breasts in contact with his manly chest. I gently bit his lip playfully as our kiss broke apart, I grabbed his hands and began to lead him up the stairs, him moving forwards, I, backwards. This time I let him pick me up like a doll. I was thrown into an over the shoulder lift, which was easily executed as I was stood above him on a step. His hands were holding me firmly at my hips and bum, making sure that he wouldn’t drop me.

He moved quickly up and into the bedroom before laying me on my back on the bed. His hands immediately went to the underwear and pulled them off, down my legs. I quickly stopped him and stood up, turning and pushing him on to the bed. At first he looked shocked but understood what was happening when I pulled his trousers and underwear off him, both at once.

I had decided that I’d teased him enough and chose to reward his patience.

Of course I had initially wanted to go to bed with him. It was stupid to even pretend that I hadn’t.

I woke up the next morning to the sound of the radio. The voice being heard was talking about how nice today was going to be. The clock radio had obviously got no compassion as it had decided to forget that I didn’t need a 06:30 alarm.

I rolled from my back onto my left side, leaning over the body next to me I began pressing the buttons randomly hoping one would cause silence. It eventually did and I sighed rolling back onto my back. The body next to me hadn’t moved, he was either used to rude awakenings or genuinely that exhausted he’d slept through it.

I lay for a while, trying to sleep when the phone made its annoying call. My outstretched hand found the phone at my side of the bed.

“Hello?” I said groggily into the receiver.

“Becca, are you up?” Jenna’s voice asked.

“I wasn’t until you called”

“Sorry, thought you’d be getting ready for work. Look, I’ll come round after we’ve done morning rounds and I’ve made sure no-one’s dying.”

How thoughtful of her.

I looked at the man lying beside me. There was no way I was kicking him out just to save the interrogation with Jenna. He did look kind of cute when he was sleeping.

“Okay, I guess… Jenna, there’s-” I began but she cut me off.

“I’ve got to go, Doc’s giving me evils. You can fill me in later, I think you owe me all the gossip!” She hung up before I could agree or decline. Everything always had to be fast paced and rushed for Jenna, that’s how she lived. I preferred the relaxed and organised method of living but somehow I managed to get led astray easily, especially recently. Everything was pretty unpredictable.

The phone left my hand and was back on the table again. There was a sigh from next to me and he moved onto his right side looking at me.

We smiled at each other, my hand moved to his face, my thumb stroking his cheek bone and skin, he hadn’t shaved yet and I could feel the stubble against my hand instead of his usual close shaved chin. It was an attractive look for him, I thought anyway. It made him look rough and ready.

His left hand moved up from the side of my bare thigh towards my hip and the curve in my side, his touch was gentle and loving.

“Are you always this popular at this time in the morning?” He enquired.

“Popular? How so?” I questioned.

“Phonecalls…” He began.

I laughed. “It was one call! And you were listening? Or is that a case of ‘selective hearing’?”

He didn’t deny it but laughed. I sat on his stomach, my legs either side, hunched over to be close to him. His hands couldn’t keep to themselves and he found the thinest part of my hourglass waist as a holding point. I pulled myself closer to him and I kissed him.

“We’ve got to get up.” I mumbled between kisses.

“Why would I possibly want to do that?” He breathed.

“There you go with your ‘selective hearing’ again.” I whispered teasingly. “Just because I have to get up doesn’t mean I want to!”

His hands stroked up and down my legs.

“In that case, I better make you some breakfast.”

I didn’t normally eat breakfast but certainly found both the time and appetite to when he was around.

“That sounds like a very good plan to me.” I praised his offer and got off his body. I found a robe styled dressing gown, thrown over the chair in the corner of the room and put it on. It was short but did the job. The mound of clothes on the chair reminded me that I needed to sort it all out and get some new things.

He began to choose which clothing he might need as I walked down the stairs. I remembered he had brought a bag of things with him but assumed he had left it somewhere downstairs. I got halfway when there was a knock at the door.

I swore under my breath and unlocked the locks and pulled the door open.

“For God’s sake! You could at least have put some clothes on, Rebecca! It’s not like you didn’t know I was coming!” Jenna joked, shaking her head at me. She handed over two milk bottles that had been left.

I gestured for her to come in, knowing that she would have anyway. I went to close the door but noticed the young postman dashing between houses and knew he would only knock if I did.

Jenna went in and sat in front of the tv, with the news on. The young man walked up the path sorting through all manners of parcels and post. He glanced up and noticed me.

“Morning, Miss.” He smiled obviously noticing how little I was wearing. I couldn’t help but think that this was becoming too much of a habit.

“There you go!” He said cheerfully handing over a handful of letters and two small parcels. He took a second look at me and with a smile wished me a good day.

I inspected the items briefly as I closed the door, juggling the two pints of milk and the post. Turning to see what was being said on the news, Jenna didn’t mention the wine bottle, the two glasses or the items of clothing that were thrown around. I wondered if I could only see them because I knew they were there or if she thought this was how I usually lived.

I felt two big hands at my waist as he walked past me and into the kitchen, I jumped a little, he had been extremely quiet and discrete. Jenna looked like a zombie, she was that engrossed in the current affairs so hadn’t noticed either. I listened to the news report before engaging in conversation.

“Do you want a drink?” I asked Jenna.

She went undisturbed for a moment before muttering back at me.

“Hmm? What? God, Bex don’t you think that David Cameron is such a twat?”

I sighed. She only watched the news to insult the government and she didn’t even really know what they did, but I agreed.

“Tea or coffee?” I asked again making sure she could understand the question fully this time.

“Err.. Coffee please, I have jobs to do today and I’m on the night shift again.” She justified her discision and returned to promoting square eyes.

I left her to it and walked though into the kitchen. I lay the post down on the side and put one of the two bottles of milk in the fridge. I walked over to the oven and the aspiring chef that was concocting something that I hoped would be edible. My free hand rubbed at his back.

“Would you like a drink?” I asked, placing the milk bottle down next to the kettle.

“I’ll take a whiskey chaser if you’re offering!” He joked throwing me a look that I read as him being proud of his joke.

I filled the kettle with water and switched in on to boil.

“Whiskey’s in the cupboard but I would say it’s just a little bit too early for that yet, dear.” I said in a disappointed tone. “How’s tea for an alternative?” I offered as I placed three cups in a row.

“You know I’m not one to complain.” He said suggestively. “Tea would be perfect, I don’t think I could stomach anything as strong as whiskey at this time in the morning.”

His eyes went back to the cooking, he was adding batter to a frying pan and I couldn’t help but smile. I loved pancakes. I grabbed the warm cup of coffee and began to walk through with it, I spied the blue material dress from last night and kicked it further out of sight, feeling my cheeks blush.

Jenna held her hands out and took the cup gratefully. She took small drinks and blew at the liquid in an attempt to cool it. I removed the wine bottle and two glasses from the table, Jenna’s eyes watched me.

“So… It was a good night last night then?” She asked, I wondered how long it was going to be before she couldn’t resist asking.

I smiled and looked at the floor so I wouldn’t have to make eye contact with her.

“I don’t know what you mean!” I lied sarcastically.

“Oh, come on, Bex! You have all this free time from work and you’ve recently been meeting up with some guy at a fancy hotel probably more times than I can count and you’re telling me that you just hold hands and cuddle? There is no way that you just decided to drink a bottle of wine to yourself with two glasses or throw your clothes around the house and live like a complete slob!”

I laughed, not realising how observant my friend could be at times. There was a sound of plates being put down on the table in the next room and Jenna’s eyes widened.

“You filthy, lying bitch!” She whisper shouted at me. I rolled my eyes, this was not the first time she had insulted me like that, it was often used as a compliment actually.

“He’s STILL here?!” She sounded a mix of anger, nervousness and excitement.

“Do you really think I was going to kick him out of bed because you had called and said you were coming round? He offered to make breakfast just before you arrived.” I said honestly.

“You are such-, you mean you’ve been sneaking him around like a hostage while I’ve been here?” She wasn’t getting this.

I rolled my eyes at her and moved to walk away.

“Feel free to come and have something to eat.” I told her.

She got up and handed me her cup.

“Don’t mind if I do!” She accepted.

She smiled and made her way towards the smell of food.

I waited a moment as I heard them making conversation, they introduced themselves. I knew he’d probably shook her hand, he was always polite like that, it was either something he brought to his job or a habit that it required.

Balancing the glasses, cup and bottle I followed the crowd. Jenna was sat on the right side of the room at the table quite happily helping herself to the food that was in the middle and placing it on the plate in front of her. There were only two plates at the table. I wondered if she’d stolen his desired and planned seat - It wouldn’t surprise me if she had.

They both looked at me as I placed the cup and glasses for washing in the bottom of the deep sink and placed the bottle on the side next to it.

“So Bex, this has been your dirty secret then!” Jenna said knowing it would cause me embarrassment.

I moved and sat down at the table opposite her.

“I wouldn’t quite say secret.” I replied back.

Looking to the right, he was slouched against the worktop with a plate in one hand and a fork in the other. The two plates at the table seemed intentional He seemed out of the conversation although it revolved around him, his eyes looked over the plate towards us and he smiled at my response to Jenna. He’d realised what I had done, it made me smile as we had our own ‘private joke’. Really, Jenna had no idea about the dirty part, I thought filthy should go in there somewhere - It definitely seemed more appropriate.

Jenna really couldn’t decide whether to be polite or go straight for the obvious and point out that I never denied the nature of our sexual relationship.

I placed the fork in my mouth and tasted the homemade food for the first time. It was amazing! The pancakes were small individual sizes and were fluffy and light. I finished the mouthful and opened my mouth to talk.

“Remind me that you can do all the cooking from now on.” I praised him.

He smiled back. “Thanks but I don’t know about that. Last night’s dinner was really good.”

He moved to the sink and placed his used items there and began to run the tap. Jenna watched him until his back was towards us before looking at me with a smile that indicated she wanted to laugh but was holding it back.

“What?” I mouthed at her making no sound.

She raised her eyebrows and smiled before mouthing back “Nothing”.

We sat eating for a moment before Jenna attempted conversation.

“Have you looked in Ann Summer’s recently? I meant to say to you earlier.” For Jenna this was a genuine conversation.

“No, I haven’t been in for a while. Hopefully I’ll be in town sometime this week for some retail therapy.” I answered.

“They have a 20% sale on and some pretty nice looking stuff in.” She informed me. “That reminds me, did you get that stuff from Sarah’s Ann Summer’s party that you ordered?”

I had to think back to what it was.

“Not all of it, no. I only got the bra out of the set, Sarah gave me an I.O.U for the underwear!” I laughed.

“Yeah! That sounds like Sarah! That’s a shame, which set was it?” She asked. “You might be able to get your pants in store.”

“It was one of the Knickerbox sets, black, floral something or other.” I said vaguely.

“Oh! I remember that! It has the lace on?”

“That’s the one!” I said only just remembering that there was a man stood in the room and with his finely tuned ‘selective hearing’, I was positive he was hearing all this although he never said anything.

There was the sound of the water leaving the sink and he began drying his hands. He returned the cloth to the side and walked over.

“I’m going to leave you two ladies to it, I have a few things I have to do around town.” He announced.

He pulled his car keys out of his pocket and made sure he had a piece of paper, which I presumed was a list and his wallet.

I quickly stood up and held a finger at him indicating for him to wait as I rushed to the front door. I searched through the draw in the little table in the hall and found what I was looking for. I walked back to him and proudly presented a spare key.

“Take it.” I told him. “You probably won’t need it today but keep it.”

He looked touched and a little taken back. His fingers went around the key in my hand and carefully removed it.

“Thanks.” He said a bit lost for words. “I’ll see you later.”

He gave me a kiss goodbye and waved at Jenna. We both didn’t move until we had heard the sound of the door closing as he’d left and the engine of the car starting.

“Jesus, fucking, Christ! Do you two just want to jump in each others pants while I’m here?” Jenna was almost shouting, astounded. “Here’s a key to my house for whenever you want to come round and shag me!”

“Calm down! It’s a key, big deal! He won’t even need it!” I explained.

Jenna looked at me. “Oh, I bet he won’t…”

“You’re right. He won’t!” I agreed.

Agreeing with Jenna would either: A) Shut her up because she can’t argue, or B) Get her angry/ even more vulgar.

She laughed.

“You really like him don’t you?” She said sounding sincere.

“Of course I like him.” I responded.

“No, no, Bex, you’re REALLY falling for this guy, as in marriage, kids, spend life together - like.” She emphasised.

“This is the reason that I don’t kiss and tell, especially not to you! You sound like Mum and Dad!” I moaned like a teenager.

“Hey!” Jenna said offended. “Dont go off on a bitch and offend Clare and Paul!”

I sat down. Jenna knew my parents well, they knew her too.

“I don’t know what this is, at first I thought it was just sex and I was up for that but it’s more than that. We don’t have to be naked or turned on to have a good time.” I felt like I was pouring my heart out and for some reason I doubted this ‘relationship’ for that moment.

Jenna frowned at me. “How can you not see the way he looks at you?” She pointed out. “When you gave him that key, I swear, I thought he was going to cry like a girl.”

She paused.

“Whatever you’re doing, Bex, keep it up. He’s not going anywhere.” She insisted

I smiled at her from across the table and felt flattered.

Jenna sighed. “Cam will wonder where I am.”

Cameron was Jenna’s longtime partner, I’m surprised they hadn’t tied the knot by now and entered into Holy Matrimony.

I walked with her to the door. She turned and hugged me before opening the door.

“Give me a text, I like to know how you’re doing without having to make the effort to come round! Even if you do have some hunky chef on breakfast duty!”

“I promise I will. I’m going to catch up with Mum and Dad today so I’ll tell them to get in touch with you or they usually make me pass on a message.” I planned.

“Good! It’s been too long since I’ve heard from C and P!” She turned to leave and then turned around again to face me. “He’s getting you those pants.”

“Pardon?” I said. Thinking this wasn’t quite doorstep discussion.

“Your sex god, fancy man or whatever shit you call him. I’m telling you now, he WILL get you your missing underwear!” She declared, proud of her suspicions.

“I’ll let you know how that turns out!” I said hopefully, holding out my crossed fingers.

“You certainly will!” She shouted behind her as she was half way down the path. “Now go get some clothes on, you whore!”

After tidying up what was left of breakfast, I moved into the living room and picked up the clothes as I went. Grabbing his bag, it definitely wasn’t mine, I made my way up the stairs and into the bedroom.

I spent a good hour sorting through clothes and determining what I didn’t need any more. I changed the sheets on the bed and made it up fresh before deciding that I had done my domestic duties for the day.

I pulled on some clothes; a light blue sporty tank top, knee length black shorts and running shoes. I grabbed my ipod from the table in the hall and paused wondering whether to leave a note or not. I threw caution to the wind and decided not too, I was hardly going to get kidnapped and afterall, he did have a key.

Putting my ipod in, the music giving me a rhythm to run to, I began on my usual route after I’d set the timer on my watch. It lead my past the houses where I lived, up into the woods for a good few miles before completing a loop through some secluded little paths and back round home. If I ran fast I could complete the 11 miles in just under 50 minutes. I used to run a lot more than I do now and praised the fact that I was still able to jump into it whenever I wanted to.

Running let me clear my mind and concentrate on my breathing. I found it hard to stay focused though, as Jenna’s voice kept playing over.

‘You’re REALLY falling for this guy… How can’t you see how he looks at you?’

I picked up the pace and found that I was struggling to keep it up as I began through the woods towards the last leg of my route. I blamed last night’s activities and breakfast but kept going. I knew I would be feeling this later but knew I would only get annoyed with myself if I slowed down.

Finally, seeing the familiarity of the houses, I knew I was close to the finishing line and sprinted the last 800 meters or so, bringing me to the path in front of my house. I glanced down and stopped the timer and read the display. ‘43:52’

I was happy with that. Looking up I noticed the silver-grey car parked next to mine. He was back. Making my way towards the door, a voice shouted at me.

“Got yourself a fancy looking fella there, Missy.”

I turned to see Sam, my neighbor making his way over to me. Sam was older than me, by 10 years or so. He was always friendly and looked out for everyone, or that’s what he liked to call his nosey behaviour. His brown hair was starting to grey young but the majority was still a hazelnut colour like his eyes.

“Hi Sam.” I replied. Knowing that he’d probably decided it had long enough and that he and all the other nosey neighbors wanted to know everything about the man I was sleeping with.

“How’d your run go?” He asked, knowing I had completely disregarded his observations about having someone in my house.

“Good thanks, personal best!” I smiled back. We were a little lost for words.

“I better go and get showered.” I excused myself.

“Sure.” He said with an understanding nod of his head. “I’ll.. umm… Catch you later.”

I smiled back and waved as I walked towards home. As much as I liked Sam, I didn’t need him broadcasting my private life anymore than he already would. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d heard Jenna this morning.

I threw the ipod on the table by the door and followed the sound of rustling plastic bags.

“Hi.” I greeted as I came into the kitchen. There were quite a few bags and not all of them plastic.

“Oh, hi.” He said back, slightly shocked to see me in different clothes. “Did you have a good.. err..”

“Run.” I said, finishing his sentence for him. “I did thanks.”

I wandered around the big room and poked in a few of the bags.

“Hey!” he shouted at me. “Let me worry about the shopping. You can go and find something else to do!”

I held my hands up in a surrendering pose and smiled at him.

“You should have told me that yiu were going to buy so much, I would have told you not too.” I was gratefull that he had but wondered why. He ignored that I’d said anything and kept going.

“Right then, Mr. Housewife. I’ll leave you to it and get a shower” I walked away shaking my head.

I quickly showered, got changed into casual clothes and made my way to examine my kitchen again. It was empty as if no bags had ever been there. I looked around to find that he wasn’t in the house either. I sat in front of the tv and noticed that outside the window there he was talking to Sam. I was surprised that this hadn’t happened sooner as up to now, the inquisitive neighbours had only eyed him up from afar.

I felt like going out and being nosey myself. He had been caught by Sam midway between the car and front door with bags in his hands. These weren’t plastic bags. I felt like a nose neighbor looking out the window at them. I was still confused at how a few ‘jobs’ had resulted in all this!

Sam had finished interegating and let the stranger pass. I heard the sound of the door close and him walking through, the sound of his smart shoes on the wooden floor. He was up and down the stairs a few times and in and out of all the rooms.

He finally seemed finished and stuck his head through the door about 20 minutes later.

I looked at him, expecting him to have something to say, he didn’t. I turned back and gave the tv my attention. He stepped in to the room and looked over me.

“Are you ignoring me?” He asked a little confused.

“I’m not 12!” I scowled at him. “Have you finished your secret activities yet?”

“Yeah, I just had a few things to sort out.” He seemed relieved I hadn’t blanked him.

I snorted at him.

“A few things…” I laughed.

He sighed and pulled a face at me.

“What’s up?” He enquired, sitting on the arm of the sofa. “I’d rather you talked about it with me than you being snappy because it’s bothering you.”

I felt a wave of guilt rush over me as I knew I was taking it out on him. I moved from the seat and held his head in my hands, looking at him.

“I’m sorry.” I apologized. “You do know that you don’t have to explain yourself to anyone else or why you’re here.”

His facial expression changed as he realised what I was talking about.

“Let them guess all they like. I never told him anything, other than what was in the bags when he asked.” He didn’t seem at all bothered that he was still under neighborhood scrutiny although this was by far not his first time with me. “Unless you want to go around and discuss who you’re sharing a bed with, I don’t see why anyone else should care if it’s not them.”

He was even more attractive when he talked like that.

“Personally, I think they’re jealous.” I stated my mood picking up.

“Jealous of you sleeping with people?” He asked.

“No, of you.” I corrected him. “All they’ll see is you looking sexy, dressed up from work, with your expensive car and bags and bags of shopping.. What did you say was in the bags?”

“That would be telling. Keep complimented me though and you might get a clue.” He played.

We shared a ‘make up’ kiss.

I went to put on the kettle for a hot drink when he stopped me.

“I think we should have argued more, really fallen out and made a scene.” He shared.

I was confused.

“Why would we have done that? I didn’t think we were that bad!” I thought over.

“Because then we could have had an excuse to have mind blowing make up sex.” He suggested. “If everyone knew we had gone through a ‘rough patch’ and saw we were perfectly fine the next morning, they would have know what we had been doing.” He smiled to himself seemingly proud of the way his mind functioned. He was still sat on the arm of the sofa, I walked back towards him from the doorway and placed my hands on his things.

“But we don’t need to fall out and make up again to have amazing sex, that comes naturally..” I told him truthfully. “Next door can probably tell what we’re always doing!” I grinned at him, as he went a bit flushed.

I notice a flashing green light on the landline, a message had been left or a call had been missed. Scrolling through the options I found a missed call from ‘Mum and Dad’. Damn. I’d put it off too long and should call them to keep them at bay.

Pressing re-dial, I placed the phone to my ear and left to sit in the empty kitchen, leaving the man free to himself.

It was Dad that answered the phone.

“Hello?” He asked.

I rolled my eyes as he didn’t recognise my number and hadn’t read the display before answering.

“Hey, Dad its me.”

“Becca? It’s great to hear from you! We’ve been leaving you messages and tried calling you.”

It had began.

“Yeah, I’m sorry for not calling earlier. I’ve just been a bit tied up recently, some new commitments have come up and I’ve only just found myself with a bit of a break from work, so-“

“”Is that her?!” A new voice shrieked. Dad had put the phone on loudspeaker so Mum could hear. She hated being left out of a conversation. Especially if I hadn’t called in forever.

“New commitments? What new commitments?” Oh God. I could have worded that so much better.

“She’s with someone! You’re with someone aren’t you, honey? Oh Paul! She got a man!” This was the frantic and over-excited ramblings of my Mother. Although it was unofficially true, hey, we hadn’t even done the relationship talk yet.

“Clare, dear, I think you need to breath and let your daughter do the talking, afterall that is why she called.” My Dad was sensible and I admired how calm he was, it made sense for him and my Mother to be together, him the other half to the madness. I still didn’t understand the ownership of me being placed on Mum. I was pretty sure he was my Dad, either that or Mum had gotten it on with the Milkman. “Sorry about that, you know how your Mum gets when you call.”

I laughed. I knew full well.

I breathed, now was the time to bite the bullet and prepare for nothing to be made into something.

“If you really must know, yes.. I suppose you could say I’m seeing someone but it’s early days.” I felt a little relieved that I’d managed to get that out of the way, they knew and all I had to do was sit there at the kitchen table with the phone to my ear.

“I KNEW IT!” Mum shouted in an ‘i told you’ kind of way. “What’s he like? Is he nice? Do you like him?”

“Yes to all of the above.” I said, keeping my answers to a minimal volume.

“So, when do we get to me this mystery man?” This time it was Dad that asked. I was a little shocked that he was joining in the same game as Mum.

“Err.. I don’t know.” I answered honestly. “We’ll have to talk about it and I can get back to you, if you’d like?”

“Is he there now?” Mum snapped being nosey. “Go and ask him, do it know, we don’t know when you’ll next call and by then you could be married, expecting and living abroad. I don’t know if I could take that.”

As if he was able to hear the conversation on the other end of the phone, the subject of the conversation walked discretely into the room with the direction of the fridge in mind. I glanced at the clock on the wall and realised it was getting later into the day.

“No, Mum. I think you’d soon know if I’d left the country.” I argued trying to put her mind at rest. She knew as well as I did that I was happy and settled where I was and that Jenna would soon snitch on me if I did suddenly jump overboard and take the plunge into international waters.

There was a pause down the phone before she spoke again breaking the silence.

“You’re not are you?”

“I’m not what?”

“Expecting!” She said as if it was the most obvious answer.

“For Gods sake Mum, no. I’m NOT pregnant!” I found myself shouting down the phone at her without realising.

The noise of him looking through the fridge ceased as the word ‘pregnant’ left my lips. The fingertips of my free hand was massaging my temples.

“Well, how were me and your Father going to know if you don’t call. We just have to guess these things and hope for the best.”

“Did you really expect me to call you just to say ‘Hey Mum, just to let you know I’m expecting. It’s not big deal or anything.’”

I was getting moody again.

We argued about it for a while, Dad eventually came back into the conversation, obviously being too pre-occupied with something and had to leave for the duration of the pregnancy talk. The man in my kitchen was doing his appear to not listen, listening in technique.

We moved on and they told me how they were thinking of visiting in the next month or so as they had a friends wedding to go to in a small hamlet close by. I insisted that they could visit and even stay with me but they both were adamant that they would get in the way of my ‘daily routine’ and therefore would get a hotel room. I didn’t argue but knew exactly what they meant by it.

They gave me dates and said they’d know for definite if they would be coming next week and would let me know.

We struggled through the usual catch-up of how Mrs. Brown, my Parents elderly neighbor was doing. For some reason they thought I’d care.

We got to the point where it was dragging on. I wished them the best and told them I was exhausted from my busy day of doing nothing. They said their lengthy goodbyes and we eventually hung up.

I let the phone lie on the table in front of me and put my head in my hands. I was exhausted - it had been no lie.

It was almost deathly silent and I nearly forgot he was in the room. I pushed the chair back and felt a sudden thump of exhaustion.

I was given a concerned but silent look.

“I’m fine.” I managed to lie. “I just over did the exercise.”

Sliding off and throwing myself down on the soft substitute for a bed, I fell asleep almost as suddenly as my eyes closed.

I woke up a few hours later with a blanket over me. I realised that I hadn’t even gotten changed when I fell asleep. The small and kind gestures he made always got me the most. I was pleased that he hadn’t woken me, I felt refreshed and caught up with my sleep.

The sound of the radio could be heard from the kitchen and I followed it through.

He was sat at the table, his back towards me. His hands flicking between papers and charts. I walked up behind him and ran my hands down his shoulders. He turned to look at me. He didn’t seem to jump as I was sure I would have.

“Hello Sleeping Beauty!” He smiled. “How are you feeling?”

“Much better, thank you.” I replied.

“Good. I was a little worried.”

I moved round to his side my right hand gently moving along his broad shoulders as I went.

“You don’t have to worry. It was just a sign to tell me that I should run more regularly instead of when I feel like it.” My eyes were surveying the many pieces of paper he had on the table. “What are you working on?”

“Oh, nothing much. Just going over some old booklets that need reading through and checking to see if they’re current enough to be used.”

I nodded silently, all his work seemed foreign - my knowledge was extremely limited. I hadn’t booked any more teaching since we had gotten romantic.

“You could help me if you want?” He offered.

“To read over things I don’t understand? No, thanks!” I said pulling a face at him.

His hands grabbed me at the waist as I was attempting to walk away. He knew I was going to try and get out of this.

He pulled me so that I was sat on his knee.

“Oh. So this was a ‘you WILL help me, whether you like it or not! Situation?” I said in a tone that sounded a bit like I’d just lost a game of some sorts. I was quite happy being sat there with him.

“You don’t actually have to do anything.” He said. “Just stay here and keep me company.”

It sounded fair enough and I agreed, wondering how he could get anything done while I was being a weight on his left leg. He began to order papers and look things over. I got bored almost immediately.

I moved so I was sat better on his knee and whispered in his left ear. “Do you REALLY need to do this now?” I caressed the length of his jaw and chin before I kissed his lips. He responded immediately, showing consent and that I’d done the right thing.

He slowly pulled away and replied. “No, I don’t. I was just waiting for something better to do.”

“I’m always willing to offer my help.” I said.

After a moment of kissing and touching he looked at me seriously.

“Are you okay?” He asked. “You’re not too tired.”

I was a little confused but touched at his thoughtful manners.

“I’m not in work tomorrow, you’re not working tomorrow. That is the perfect excuse to be tired and spend all day in bed together.” I explained. He always seemed up for sex. “Right now, I want you and only you. I kissed you, stop talking and help me take my clothes off.” It felt a bit strange telling him what to do but he didn’t need telling twice and happily (without complaining) removed the lower half of my clothing.

Introduction to Chapter 3 - Dirty, Harmless Lies

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 23:43:00 +0100

It was getting late and Jenna had called to say she had to pull an extra shift at work so would be late. She worked as a nurse at the local hospital and enjoyed it but it worked her hard and she truly did earn every penny she made. She was often scheduled to be pulling long shifts and then would be called because they needed extra cover for a trauma of some kind. I liked to think it kept her on her toes. As much as I had enjoyed last night and this morning, I was pleased to be sat on the sofa, in my lounging clothes; pyjama bottoms and a t-shirt that was a few sizes too big, watching TV and not having to worry about anything. I managed to find a tub of ice-cream in the freezer and had to find excuses not to eat it, I couldn’t think of any and found it even more enjoyable because it was a tub and spoon job. None of this messing about with a bowl and having to wash up afterwards… I’d eaten quite a lot and felt a bit sick. After being treated to breakfast this morning and only just had dinner, I was starting to regret attempting the ice-cream. I threw the spoon in the sink and returned the tub to the freezer before getting comfortable in front of the TV. Exhaustion got the better of me and I feel asleep on the sofa for the best part of an hour. I realised I would be unable to do anything other than sleep and carried my heavy body up the never-ending staircase to bed. I was sure that as soon as my head hit the pillow I was asleep, this time I was alone.

We tried to see each other as much as possible, it didn’t bother us where we met as long as we were both there. His work began to get more routine as more staff were taken on, easing up his hours, my work slowing and too, freeing up time.

Two months into our ‘relationship’ and I found it to be a Wednesday - Mid-week. My week had already consisted of being in the office at work and meeting clients but it was starting to show signs of thinning out. My workload was becoming less as each day was passing. I got in the shower and did my usual routine of washing, shaving and scrubbing. Once finished and dressed, I sat in front of my computer with a hot drink, typing up some budget reports that I hadn’t completed for one of the supermarket giants that were based locally. Finishing them off I sent them to head office for approval, although I was a free-lance accountant, I still had a boss and a paper pusher he was at that.

Browsing the news on the web was cut short as my phone rang. His name and number flashed on the screen, giving me the feeling of trapped butterflies. I answered.

“Are you free tonight?” He asked immediately.

“I’ll have to check my busy schedule and let you know.” I replied being difficult, I didn’t want to seem easy.

“I don’t care about your schedule. I want to see you again.” He said sharply.

“You’re very forward.” I stated.

“I am when I know what I want.” He insisted.

My stomach did flips and made me feel a little sick. I began to play along.

“Tonight I’m all yours.” I treated him. “What time are you free?”

“What time do you want me?” I liked how he’d changed this around to be my decision.

“Half Seven to Eight o’clock.” I informed him. “I’m cooking so don’t be late.”

“Understood.” He said sounding uniformed. “Seven thirty to eight. At yours”

There was noise in the background and I presumed he was at work.

“Oh and you might want to bring some stuff with you just in case you get lucky tonight, not that I’m implying that you will.” I joked.

He laughed down the phone. “Does bringing a bottle of wine count for bonus points?” He asked.

I smiled. “I’ll let you know when you get here.” I promised.

“I’ll look forward to it.” He promised. “I’ve got to go, I’ll see you later.”

I agreed it wasn’t the best discussion to be having at work and said goodbye. I laughed to myself. Suddenly Mid-week didn’t seem so bad. I hadn’t seen him in days and desperately wanted to.

More Chapter 2:

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 23:15:00 +0100

I parked in my usual parking space and turned off the ignition.

“I’ll try not to be too long, I’m only getting changed and sorting a few things out.” I said turning to him, looking past him and out the passenger window towards my house, there was a red-headed woman sitting on my doorstep. “Shit…” I quickly grabbed the keys and got out of the car, walking around the back towards the house.
Jenna spotted me, probably from hearing the sound of my heels on the concrete.

“Where the HELL have you been?” Jenna was mad. “Have you never heard of answering your phone, we have them for that very reason - Wait… You haven’t been home yet have you?”

Jenna paused for breath and her thoughts quickly stewed over as I responded.

“I’m sorry, no, this is me just getting in now.”
She pulled a face of amusement and shock with her eyes wide and her mouth in a wide grin.

“You’re doing the walk of shame! You blew me off to do what?”

Before I could answer she was talking again.

“Or should I say who did you do? You dirty stop-out.” She began to laugh at here own joke.

I laughed along with her genuinely. Jenna was never angry for long - if there was any other emotion she could feel then she would quickly move on. Right now, she hadn’t noticed the stranger sat in my car and was happily questioning me, rather loudly, on my doorstep.

“I’m going to go in and get changed now that you’ve announced that I’m still in last nights clothes to all the neighbours! You can come in if you want, make yourself a hot drink, I shouldn’t be too long.”
I offered.

Jenna thought, pulled out her phone from her jeans pocket and stared at it. She winced at the screen.
“Better not, I’m going to be late for work. I don’t have days off for steamy romances, unlike you! I’ll be round after work - about 6-ish. I want to hear ALL about it and don’t skimp on any of the details! I know you, you’ve probably been up to all sorts!” She turned and began heading down the road, turning back to smile and wave at me.

I stood watching her get further away, pretty shocked that I’d now sorted out one of my ‘to-do’s’ and it had gone relatively well. I didn’t dare look back at the car, it was hard not to have heard Jenna’s screeches, this could be awkward. I unlocked the front door and stepped in the the familiar setting.
I immediately took off my shoes and headed upstairs to get changed before I checked my house phone messages and washed up the pile of items that was stacked in the kitchen sink. Checking myself over in the mirror again, I turned and walked out the door. Again.

Chapter 2: Update

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 23:05:00 +0100

“Do you have somewhere to be?” He asked.

“Not that I know of.” I answered honestly but knowing that we couldn’t stay here all day.

“Then, why the concern with the time? Unless you just needed an excuse to hold my hand.” His hand moved and I removed mine from his wrist, his fingers interlaced with mine.

“I think you’ll find that it’s you that’s holding my hand!” I laughed. “I was thinking that breakfast would be a good idea, especially after last night.” I avoided making eye contact with the bottles.

“Sounds good to me.” He agreed. “After all, you’ll need some energy if you want to keep this routine up!”

I pulled away from him and sat up being a bit shocked by his expectations. I laughed as I threw a pillow in his direction showing my childish side. He caught it and threw it onto the bed next to him. He moved forward and grabbed me by the waist pulling me on top of him. I tried to squirm away but his grip was strong yet gentle and I eventually gave in. His grip loosened as my face moved closer to his, with only inches between us I teased him by moving past his lips and and leaned over him and the edge of the bed. My fingertips found what I was looking for as I grasped a handful of his shirt that he’d tossed aside earlier when undressing me. I smiled knowing he had wanted to kiss me as I moved my left leg over him so I was now sat on the edge of the bed on his other side, this time he hadn’t tried to stop me. I slipped on his shirt over my shoulders and stood up with my back towards him. I pulled the shirt closed but couldn’t see logic in buttoning it up as I was only collecting my clothes and taking it off again when I jumped in the shower.

I walked around collecting the clothes as I had done before; feeling the deja vu and the repetition from earlier that morning. Turning back around I began making my way to the bathroom,I threw him a cheeky smile and he rolled onto his side holding his head up as he was leaning on his left elbow and watching me move around.

“It looks good on you” He finally said, breaking the silence.
I pulled a puzzled look, my brain was not in the mood for quick thinking.

“My shirt” He added to ensure I knew what he was referring to.

“I know” I said, again with a playful smile. I began wondering if vanity had gotten the best of me as I found that this time I wasn’t at all embarrassed by his clothing being the only thing I was wearing. I kept walking into the bathroom, which was equally as impressive as the rest of the room. I dropped the clothes and messed with the controls to the shower making it come to life, the steam rising from the water.

There was the sound of talking from the TV bursting into life in the other room, I’d almost forgotten that there was a TV as I’d had no desire to watch it while I was here. The sounds were familiar, it was the morning news; broadcasting all the misery and worldwide drama. I let the shirt slide off my shoulders and arms and drop to the floor before I stepped into the stream of water. It was warm and relaxing, the shower was so much better than mine at home. I took my time, letting the water run over my head and down my body, I was happily stood in the warmth collecting my thoughts.

After a while I washed my hair and began to make my move towards getting out and dressed. I turned off the water and took the plunge into the cold air outside. I wrapped the huge towel around me as I had done yesterday and began to dry my body and begrudgingly started the tedious process of getting dressed. Once fully clothed, I picked up his shirt that I’d thrown to the floor and held it in my grip as I walked back into the main room.
He was sat on one of the sofas facing the TV, he was already dressed and wearing different clothes from last night - Someone had come prepared, I thought to myself. Was I really that predictable that he knew I’d be straight to him like metal to a magnet?

Where were they? I was looking around the room for my shoes, he noticed me and took a quick look before returning to the TV, he did a double take before saying anything.

“Looking for these?” He said holding up one of my shoes.
I really couldn’t remember how it got there.

“Yes!” I sounded thankful as if it were money I’d lost. Walking over, I leaned over him and took the shoe from his hand and held out my open palm expectantly. He picked up the other shoe that was by his feet and handed it over. I moved round and sat next to him finding it easier and less humiliating when not having to watch my balance when putting on the heeled shoes. Once done I turned to him and smiled, he’d already turned off the TV and had been watching me with a look of curiosity on his face. He was a man, he had never worn heels, or at least I’d hoped he hadn’t, and his expression showed that he didn’t understand the attraction of women and high, towering shoes.

“Are you ready?” He asked.

“I think so” I answered pausing to think of anything else I’d forgotten that I’d brought with me the night before.

“I just need to grab my phone on the way out.”
We both stood and I headed in the direction of the mobile, he’d placed it on the bed side table along with his, I picked it up along with mine and suddenly remembered the phone call. As soon as I unlocked the device the screen flashed with ‘8 missed calls’. 8? 8? I flicked through the options in my phone and looked under ‘Call History’, the eight calls were logged from ‘Jenna - Mobile’; 4 times, an unknown number; twice and ‘Mum & Dad’; twice. It was nice to see that Mum and Dad had impeccable timing as always. Jenna was going to be so pissed with me when I try to explain my way out of this one.

Mum and Dad were used to my ridiculous excuses, I was hardly going to confess that I had met a guy at a hotel for a steamy night together, not only would it be embarrassing and awkward but the questions would start piling up too. ‘Oh, he does what for a living? I hear that’s quite well paid. Is it serious? Have you thought about kids? Marriage?’
I shook my head at the phone and held it in my hand, he came over and his phone exchanged hands.

“What’s up?” He asked.

“Eight missed calls.” I still couldn’t believe that for one night I had been so popular. “Never mind though, I’m sure I can think of some explanation for not taking them!”

“Explanation? Sounds like an excuse to me.” I just realised I had probably just offended him and he would now march me downstairs and make me pay for breakfast.

“I never meant it -”

“Don’t worry about it, I was only joking! I’ve already had work on the phone to me” He reassured.

“You were supposed to be working?” I asked amazed at the idea of him skipping work.

“No, they wanted me to double-check something and were then asking for cover for today. Of course I turned them down without giving them a… How do you put it? Valid.. Excuse.” We both laughed knowing that wee weren’t going to be indulging anyone else in our private time spent together.

Making sure we had everything we left the room, making sure the room was locked behind us and found the nearest lift, getting in he pressed the ground floor button and we began to move down but stopped at the floor below us as a group of old ladies stood looking in as the doors opened. I moved back and up close to him as the flood of bodies filled the spaces. His right arm moved around me, holding me closer to his body and protectively out of the way of one woman’s bulky handbag that looked like she’d got it from the the 60’s. My left arm automatically moved around his body and one of the ladies turned around and smiled.

“Don’t those two lovebirds make a good couple, Vera?”
The woman next to her turned and flashed her unnaturally white dentures when she smiled.

“Oh my! I can remember being that young and in love, can’t you, Muriel?” She beamed at the woman I presumed was Muriel. They began having an entirely separate conversation the the other women in the lift and often glanced over at us with a look that suggested they knew what we had been up to.

The lift stopped at the 3rd floor and the old dears began to shuffle out to re-join with the rest of their group, all of which were equally as old and interested in us, as Muriel and Vera’s description of us began to repeat to everyone en mass which was finally silenced as the doors closed. We were alone again, we both stayed with our arms around each other as we descended down the floors one by one before finally making it to the reception floor.
We began walking out, my arm around his back and vice-versa. We went to the reception desk and waited as he returned the spare key as we would never need it. The fake looking woman with too much make up on returned. She recognised me and gave me a disapproving look before turning to the man I had my hands on.

She smiled flashing fake white teeth.
“How can I help you, Sir?” She was staring at him.

“Can I return the spare key to our room please?”

“Certainly.” She smiled. “You can always request it back again if you need it.”

“I’m sure we’ll manage.” He smiled back at her.
She went a bit red and took the key from the desk, punching in a few numbers and details into the computer.

“That’s everything sorted for you, Sir.” She waited as a dog would wait for a reward after doing a trick or behaving well.

“Thanks.” He responded at her, leaning close to my ear he whispered. “ I don’t think she likes you.”
I laughed, finding it funny that it was so obvious and probably true.
We were both sure that we saw the woman turn scarlet as she awkwardly sat looking at the computer in front of her as we left.

Walking towards the parked cars, I unlocked mine and opened the door before getting in.
“I need to get a few things from home and quickly get changed before we go to eat, is that alright?” I asked as if he was going to turn round and say that it wasn’t.

“That’s fine with me.”

We began the 15 minute drive to mine. It was still quiet as it was early on a Friday morning when most people were at work and we got there quicker than usual, we were able to hold conversation and talk to each other without having to be rude or suggestive. Any of my previous concerns that we were in it for the sex was minimised although it was amazing.

Sorry it’s been so long! Thanks to everyone who’s following and reading, I love you all! <3 x

Chapter 2 - The Morning after the Night Before:

Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:24:00 +0100

I woke, hazy eyed and blurred, rolling onto my back trying to focus on the ceiling. My head was filled with a hollow buzzing sound. This headache which felt like I’d been kicked in the temples numerous times was certainly not intended.

Regaining consciousness, I looked around observing my surroundings of the hotel room; it was big and well furnished. Large windows which gave great views lined the opposite wall to the bed. A table and two comfy big chairs were positioned close by. The table was host to a fine gathering of wine bottles which I knew were empty, the screw caps and corks sprinkled around like confetti. The two abandoned wine glasses were empty, only showing drops of red alcohol that couldn’t be removed the night before. To the right of where I lay was a sofa and TV mounted on the wall. To the left was a wardrobe, the bathroom door which was slightly open and the rooms exit point. The bedside table closest to me had a glass of water and two white coated tablets sat waiting for me. I praised my organisation and sensibility in what seemed to be an absolute night of unpredictability and disorganisation.

My eyes quickly snapped to the clothes thrown carelessly across the room and I shook my head in disgust – this scene had ‘messy’ written all over it. I clutched the bed sheets to my naked body and began to pick up items that looked vaguely familiar. The smart, grey, tulip dress that I had been wearing was easily found; it still smelt of alcohol and perfume. I followed the clothes trail, picking up each garment as I found it and cradling the clothes like treasure, in my arms as well as maintaining some dignity with the bed sheet. I froze as I picked up one of the pieces of clothing. A mans’ shirt. My stomach lurched and I remembered like a flash.

“Shit.” I whispered clutching at the collar of the shirt as I pulled it up to meet my nose- it had the clinging aroma of an aftershave and alcohol cocktail, the aftershave was his scent – I remembered from the last time I was close to him.
I remembered the phone call: “Come and meet me. I want you” He wanted me? I’d wanted him! There was no other reason as to why I’d made the effort to get here. There had been something so appealing and reassuring about not having to worry about if someone walked in, as we’d both found out previously.
But I hadn’t intended to stay; to sleep with him. I knew I hadn’t, not that I hadn’t wanted to as this morning proved.
I pulled on the white shirt which sat at mid-thigh length. I fastened the buttons leaving a few open at the top but it still covered everything respectfully. I returned the bed sheet messily which made it look like I had just gotten out of the bed again before finishing my scavenger hunt for my own clothes, which I also threw onto the bed. I stopped, walked over to the table and leaned on the edge observing the evidence of the night before. I pinched the neck of one of the wine glasses between the index finger and thumb of my right hand and rolled it between my fingers making the glass spin in circles. I wondered if it had been the one that I had sipped from. The whirring and buzzing noise that had been in the back of my head stopped. My brow creased as I heard the sound of movement but it quickly stopped. Relaxing, I stopped messing with the glass and looked up out of the windows enjoying the silence.

“Good morning!” An unexpected, yet familiar voice sounded from behind me.
I jumped and spun around on my heels to find a half naked man stood leaning in the doorway to the bathroom. His dark hair, face and upper body were wet, while his lower half was covered by a towel which was tied at the waist. He was grinning at me. I suddenly felt both self conscious and embarrassed, explainable only as I was stood wearing nothing more that his shirt.

I was sure I was blushing as I could feel the heat in my cheeks, I couldn’t tell if I was blushing because I was dressed in his clothes or because I had been senseless enough to not even think he was here. It took a moment to realise that he was probably wearing just as little as I was.
“Hi” I managed to respond, my words a bit shaky.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you jump.” He apologized sounding concerned - he had noticed my shock at the sound of someone else being in the room and began to walk over. His eyes trailed past me to the bottles and inspected them as I had done.
“Wow. You had quite a lot to drink considering you said you were adamant you weren’t going to stay.” He teased.
I knew it!
Both that I had drank too much but more importantly that I had intended to leave, thank God I could remember some of the finer details about the past 12 hours or so.
“A raging alcoholic? That would be me!” I laughed. “I’m not too sure how I managed to get from being so reluctant to drink, to waking up feeling half dead and still being here.”
I’d confessed.

His attention focused on me again and he moved even closer, less than an arms reach away.
“Well, that’s easy enough to explain. The part in between is where we both took off our clothes, or should I say each others, and you had a drink.” He said being cheeky.
I smiled. He was telling the truth, I knew that too.
“Was it in that order? I had to be naked before any liquid would pass my lips?!” I quizzed playfully. “I’m afraid I’m a bit sketchy on the details…” I moved closer to him and his arms wrapped around my back, pulling me close to his chest. My right palm was placed on his front, I could feel the heat radiating from his damp but hot body and his heart beating rhythmically. My left hand was clutching at his back in an embrace.
He looked down at me from his tall stature and pulled an expression that depicted thinking.

“Now that you mention it… I’m not too sure. You’ll have to refresh my memory…” His left hand cradled my chin and pointed it upwards so my lips were closer and my eyes directed at him. My lips parted and his met me half way. I became lost and oblivious to my surroundings, knowing that only he was close to me. He turned me and gently pressured me to step backwards, the back of my legs met the bed and I grinned. He pushed me backwards until I was lying on my back on the messed up sheets and clothes, my right hand pushed the clothes away before finding comfort on his cheek as I encouraged his lips to mine, which took little persuasion.
His left hand moved smoothly up the outside of my right leg; I could feel the material of the shirt slowly move upwards as his hand moved further up my thighs. I ran my fingers through his hair and my arms wrapped around his neck and upper back, keeping him close to me.

Suddenly, the bliss bubble burst and the sound of a phone call was being heard. I stopped kissing him and turned my head to the right and towards the bedside table where I could spy what I thought was a phone amongst the tablets, that I hadn’t taken and the glass of water. He had chosen to ignore its continuous alarms and his lips moved to my newly exposed, left-hand side of my neck as if the turn of my head was a gesture of invitation.

“You’re phones ringing” he managed to say in between applying kisses to my neck.
“So there’s more to you than just good looks?” I said cheekily.
We both stopped and directed ourselves towards the phone. I attempted to move away from him as he took his weight off me and whisked the phone from the table to his ear and answering my call, he was sat upwards looking at me. He smiled as I propped myself up on my elbows behind me looking taken a back as he’d actually taken the call.

“Hello?”
I could hear the mumble of a voice at the other end saying my name before changing its tone as if it had only just realised a male voice had answered my phone. I wondered who it was.
“No, I’m afraid she’s a bit busy right now. She’ll call you back later, much later.”
And with that he ended the call without any regard to the response on the other end.

“Sorry. I had a phone call to take there, now where were we?” With a mischievous smile his lips returned to my neck as I laughed at his stupidity.

The caller obviously understood the message clearly as the phone never did call again. We were able to enjoy each other undisturbed, this certainly made a change. We both lay quite happily in each others company, my head lay on his chest and his arms were wrapped around me, safely. His left hand traced up and down my left arm and body. I began to realise that we couldn’t stay here all day and we would both have to attempt to integrate back into normality and routine. It was Friday morning, was it still morning?
My hands gently pulled at his right wrist which was lying lightly on my stomach and turned the face of his wristwatch towards me. The hands indicated 08:43 on the intricate design. No matter how much alcohol I had consumed or how late I had slept with him (the first time), we had both been awake and functional by 07:00. I sighed.

Dirty Secrets - Everyone Has Them.

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:37:00 +0100

Chapter 1 - The encounter:

I found it rude to have someone talking to me and yet not making any eye contact. Not that any could be made as he was leaned close over my shoulder pointing at the papers that were gathered in a clutter of organised chaos in front of me. I would occasionally glance to my left attempting to try and make some means of signalling that I was still awake and trying to take in the information he was telling me. I found it hard keeping up this routine; he was close, really close - close enough to seem that he was talking into my ear. I nodded, trying to keep attentive and engrossed in the conversation and what was being said. Truth be told, I was paying attention, more to the sound of his voice than what was actually being said but I tried not to show this and keep my strong front up. He stopped talking and I heard the noise of him taking a step backwards and couldn’t help but exhale and attempt to re-establish personal space. He returned swiftly which almost caught me off guard and ill prepared, by placing the new item on the table directly in front of me, leaning over he turned to me and smiled. I realised this was possibly the first time in a good few minutes that I’d been able to see his eyes, as he was always behind me. Blue - A light shade of blue. The corners of my mouth pulled upward into a smile without my consent, I could feel the colour flush my cheeks as I became transfixed on his eyes.

Snapping out of it and gaining control I glanced down at the sheet he’d place in front of me, his hand still holding it down as if it would fly away if he dared to move it. He hadn’t moved an inch, frozen like a statue. I risked a second glance and met his eyes again. I was debating whether or not to ask if he planned to stare at me all day when he lunged forward in one swift movement and kissed me. My eyes were wide open as his lips touched mine- my brain began to piece together what was happening. The adrenaline started pumping and the initial panic faded. My hands found his face and were holding it in between them as his hands moved further down the top of my arms towards the small of my back.

In one smooth and perfectly executed movement he scooped me up in his arms, my arms swung around his neck, my right hand moved to grasp the opposite size of his neck, my fingers moved through his short dark hair feeling the heat his body radiated as it clung to him. Our lips broke contact as I couldn’t help but smile as he pushed the papers off the table and perched me on the edge, smoothly and safely. I began to think he’d done this before.

I moved my lips closer to his, indicating my intentions when a knock came at the door, my heart skipped a beat and he pulled apart quickly. My hands fell to the top of my thighs casually as the door opened and a young boy came in, I recognised him as the boy from reception. He wasn’t much older than I was and had somehow managed to carry two cups of tea in.

“Tea for two?” He beamed. Placing a cup on the table to my right and he handed me the other. I thanked him and grasped the warm mug, its heat reminded me of the body heat I had felt only moments ago. I took a glance to see if it had became obvious we weren’t strictly p rofessional, he was leaning casually against the wall opposite me with his arms folded against his chest. I avoided his beautiful eyes, the reason for my downfall in the first place. The tea boy stepped back and gave the thrown papers that now found home on the floor towards the other side of the room a disapproving stare, before giving us a final look and said “I’ll leave you to it.” Closing the door as he went.

It was quiet, I stared blankly at the hot liquid in the cup as he yet again appeared to be a statue. His arms broke their defensive position and he pushed himself up to his full height. He was tall. Tall, dark and handsome. He came to the left of my knees; I glanced up as he leaned over to me, expecting him to make a second move, instead his hands made a move for the cup that was placed to my right. My lips tightened together and my eyes sunk back into my drink as he moved back with the cup, inches away from my face, to stand back against the wall. I took a mouthful of the hot beverage and returned the cup to my hands where it was held protectively. He was watching me, looking so intrigued. I finally looked up at him as he pulled the white porcelain cup to his lips; where my lips had been, his eyes still not breaking from me as he took a drink. “Have you gone shy on me?” He jested.

I hopped off the table with a half laugh and moved left walking past him, resuming my seat back in the chair. He was now to my left but moved round to the opposite side of the small table and pulled back the chair. Placing the cup on the table in front of him, he sat down. I leaned on the wall that was on my right and looked out the window, wondering if anyone had seen more than they had bargained for. I smiled at the prospect of someone walking past and seeing our brief but intense moment of passion. My index finger of my right hand began to trace the top of the cup.

“I’m not shy. Well, not usually..” I responded with a second half-hearted laugh and the shrug of my shoulders. It was true, I was never really quiet and could make conversation quite easily, now however, I could not - no matter how much I wanted to. From being so close moments ago, the distance between us was huge. I looked down at the floor examining the sheets of paper. It was a mess. Unless a tornado had flown through, it would be a strange thing to try and explain. I leaned over to pick some up but found my arms weren’t long enough to collect many whilst I was sat still. I placed the mere sheets I’d collected on the table in the middle, moving the cup aside and pulling myself up to my feet I walked closer to the other side of the room and him, picking up the papers that he’d carelessly thrown on the floor. I could feel him watching me but he would occasionally shift his glance to the bottom of the cup he had in his hands as he took a drink. Here I was, picking up after a man! Typical! I managed to gather up most of the papers but couldn’t find the motivation or point in crawling under the table to gather the straggling papers that had floated out of view. Turning I placed all the sheets together and felt proud as I stood looking at them with him to my left.

“You didn’t have to pick those up, you know.” He teased.

“Thanks for telling me after I’ve already picked up most of them.” I sighed. “I didn’t pick them all up.” I continued “I left some under the table for you to get.”

“Thanks to you too! I’ll make someone pick those up later.” I suddenly thought of the boy from reception being ordered to get on hands and knees to reach the papers, probably pulling the same puzzled look he gave them when he realised that they were sprawled on the floor. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“What’s so funny?” He looked almost offended, as if I was purposely laughing at him. I explained what I found humorous, still holding a smile on my face.

He laughed and moved his cup aside as I had done previously, holding his hands together in front of him he leaned forward over the edge of the table towards me.

“You know me too well.” He admitted- It was a lie. “I was going to leave them for him to pick up anyway, it gives the staff something to do. I wouldn’t have made you do it.”

I felt flattered over such a vague compliment. There was a knock at the door and yet again the young boy appeared. I was growing tired of this. It was apparent that we both were as he gave a sigh but turned hiding his frustration.

“Hi guys, sorry to annoy you again but the next appointments here.” He looked somewhat apologetic. It was probably a face he had perfected and reserved for interrupting. His face suddenly filled with relief as he noticed I’d picked up most of the mess. “Oh! You’ve tidied up. That saves me a job! I still don’t understand how you made such a mess though…”

If only he knew.

We were both looking at the boy, I standing and him sitting, both with a humoured expression on our faces as he rambled on.

He sighed. “Anyway, just thought I’d let you know. You’re time keeping has always been pretty bad.” He threw a look at the sitting man and with that he left. I couldn’t help but think how annoying the reception staff are!

I left the sheets and moved back to the chair, picking up my books and papers that I had brought with me. I examined the bottom of my cup and made sure that I hadn’t left any valuable liquid in the bottom - I hadn’t.

I looked at him sat opposite to me, still hunched over the table a little; he was looking at his hands. I wanted him to say something, anything, but he didn’t.

“I’ll go…” I suggested and made a move towards the door.
He looked up and quickly raised to him feet before I’d taken two steps. I expected him to do something spontaneous as before but instead he opened his mouth to speak.

“Sure, errr… we can continue this next time you’re in. There are only a few more things I need to go over with you; you seem to be picking it up well.”
I nodded and smiled back, not knowing which part of the briefing he was implying to. He returned the smile and pulled the door open. He stood holding it open as I passed through and walked down the corridor towards the office.

A man in his late 50’s was sat in one of the chairs. He looked out of place and lost in this environment. The young boy was having a lengthy conversation on the phone about dates and times. I gave a quick smile to him as I passed and headed towards the door.

“I’ll see you later.” A voice called behind me. He’d followed me. I was pleased.
I turned to face him; he was leaning on the desk, collecting the papers he needed for the other man, smiling.

“Sure. I have an appointment made so I’ll be in then.” I said with a smile - wishing that we could say goodbye properly instead of this rushed chaos that we’d managed to keep collected and somewhat organised.

“Good. I’ll look forward to it.” This time he grinned.

I smiled back.

“Me too”. I turned and left, knowing he was still watching me.

Outside was cold. I was tempted to go back inside to savour the warmth. Instead I kept walking over to the other side of the tarmac to the car I’d left there earlier. I unlocked it and sat in the drivers seat listening to the wind growing outside, trying to fight its way into the vehicle. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in and out. My mind was a mess. How had that all happened? I started the journey home, my mind stewing over all that had happened in the past few hours. Parking and turning off the ignition, I’d arrived home. Closing the house door behind me, I walked through the corridor past the stairs on my left; facing me and the doorway to the living room on my right. I walked parallel to the stairs and through the doorway to the kitchen. I threw my keys, books, handbag and coat all over the table and the nearest chair. I walked over to the counter and stared at the kettle, willing it to fill and boil itself. It didn’t. I dragged myself around the kitchen and finally made a cup of tea. As I went to the fridge to pull out the milk a post it note with my spidery handwriting jumped out at me.

“Oh shit!” I had been so mixed up in what had happened earlier that I had completely forgotten my previous plans. I pulled it off its place and read it over. ‘Jenna’s house warming 19:30’. The microwave’s digital clock read 19:42. I kept hold of the post it note and finished concocting the beverage. I picked up the cup, my phone and the post it note, retraced my steps and found comfort in the living room on the sofa. I really wasn’t in the mood for getting wasted and spilling my heart out to Jenna. She was my best friend but I wasn’t even sure what this was, I didn’t need her overreacting about how I was involved with someone. I picked up my phone and began to dial her number, after the 4th digit, I deleted it and decided that I would deal with her later, right now I just needed a shower and to curl up in bed. It was early yet but after a day like today I craved being alone with the possibility of a bottle of wine for company. I made my way upstairs and into the bathroom, I began to run the taps, I don’t usually take baths but I was in that sort of unusual mood. I poured in some bubble bath for the fun of it finding that the bottle read ‘Stress - reliever’ I prayed it would do as it was labelled.

I peeled off each layer of clothing and slowly slid into the warm bath. My body was engulfed in the water with only my arms, neck and head still dry. I turned off the taps and lay there, my eyes closed and concentrating on the darkness. For once I felt relaxed and calm. There was a buzzing noise. I turned to see my phone on the surface next to me lit up and vibrating. I rolled my eyes and leaned over, looking at the display, expecting it to say ‘Jenna - Home’ written across it and her picture. It didn’t. There was no picture and there was simply a mobile number. I didn’t have the number saved. I was curious as to whom it was but I let it go to voicemail. Anything and everything can wait. I finished off having the long soak in the bath, washed my hair, shaved my legs and wrapped myself in a towel as the water ran away. I examined the bubble bath bottle and made a mental note to get more. Picking up my phone I moved into the bedroom and sat on the bed, drying my hair with a new towel. Again, my phone lit up, this time on the bed next to me. I pulled it towards me and noticed this time it was a message. I selected it and began to read; ‘Voicemail has one new message, call 2345 for your messages.’ I finished drying off my hair and dried my face and neck, making sure my ears were both dry before dialling the number. I placed the phone to my ear and went through the tedious and automated service; pressing ‘1’ to listen to my messages.
“One new message, received at 20:19” The annoying female robot said down my ear. I was loosing patience and began to mess with my hair when the message that was left finally began to play.

“Hi, it’s me.” It was him! My heart stopped and I almost forgot to breath as I realised he had tried to phone me. “We never really got a chance to talk today… I felt bad for being a little abrupt.”

Abrupt?

I pondered on what he meant. There was nothing wrong with our goodbye. The message continued with him mentioning the name of a local hotel and a room number. I began to feel guilty that I hadn’t answered the call. “Come and meet me. I want you.” Suddenly I was glad that I had let the call go to Voicemail. I wouldn’t have been able to say anything back to that and I knew an awkward silence would have formed on the phone. The message ended and I was left sat, with water droplets running down my shoulders before being caught in the towel. His voice was still in my head.

I had made my decision and hoped that I wouldn’t regret it.

I walked over to the wardrobe, opened it and stared in. I found the grey tulip dress that I was going to wear to Jenna’s, it was smart, slimming and looked sexy with heels. I began dressing, matching lace bra and pants, the dress went on and I looked in the mirror. It looked good. I found a long beaded necklace and the perfect heels to complete the look. I sorted my hair and put on some make-up. I made sure not to over do it and slipped on the heels. I grabbed my phone and walked downstairs to grab my handbag and keys from the kitchen table. The house felt barely lived in - I’d hardly been here today and here I was preparing to leave, yet again and it was now 20:59 according to the kitchen appliance. I bid the house goodbye and promised that I’d be back soon and tomorrow I would be in all day. Locking the door behind me I slipped back into the drivers seat of my car, replaying his message to confirm where I was going. I drove towards my destination on autopilot, I wasn’t thinking, just doing. After the 15 minute commute, I pulled up to the hotel. It was out of the way and quite secluded, I was surprised, it looked expensive.

Following the signs for the main entrance, I made my way into the big lobby and investigated where I needed to be - Room 532. As I was walking towards the lifts the woman behind the desk came to life.
“Hello madam, can I help you?” She was pretty but wore far too much make-up, she looked overworked and her smile fake.
“Which floor is room 532 on, please?” I asked, making use of her.
“Are you checking in?” She enquired. I knew she was going to be difficult.
“Yes” I lied.
“Oh” She said shocked. “I’ll take a look for you… A gentleman checked in and paid for the duration of the stay earlier this afternoon.“ She paused and looked me over. “Are you two together?”
“Yes, he’s my… Fiancée.” I spluttered out trying to sound genuine. What did she think I was? Part of an escort service?
“Your room is on floor 6. Have a pleasant stay Miss.” The woman then went back to work. I breathed a sigh of relief as I was apparently engaged and yet wore no ring on my left hand.
I finished looking her over and made my move towards the lifts for the second time. It was then that I decided I hated reception staff completely.

Stepping out of the elevator, I followed the room numbers. 526, 527… I finally found the correct room and stood staring at the door. What do I say? Why am I even here? I contemplated going back to my car and driving home. Jenna would understand if I turned up at hers now with some pathetic excuse as to why I was so late. My fist knocked on the door before I knew what I was actually doing and I began to feel sick.

The door opened and the tall man stood looking at me. I was glad to see he had changed his clothes too. He was now wearing a smart white shirt, black suit trousers and black shoes. He’d made an effort and looked incredibly sexy.
He looked me up and down as his lips parted and formed a grin.
“You called?” I said mischievously with a smile, knowing that he hadn’t expected me to look like this.
“I did.” He said still looking at me still smiling. “Come on in.” He held the door and gestured with his other hand. I walked past him; the smell of aftershave was a strong turn on. The room lived up to my expectations; it looked as if it had cost an arm and a leg. I stood still, inspecting the room, looking amazed. He walked past and moved to a table which had a bottle and two glasses on it. He popped the cork of the bottle and poured sparkling liquid into the two glasses before putting the bottle down and carrying them both, holding one towards me. I hesitated but my fingers wrapped around the glass, brushing over his in the exchanging of hands.

“I shouldn’t be doing this” I stated disapprovingly.
“Meeting handsome men in hotel rooms?” He said still facing me.
I laughed.
“Of course, that tends to be frowned upon.” I joked. “I was referring to the drink; I don’t want to risk getting done for DUI!”
He took a drink from his glass and stepped closer to me.
“Who said anything about you going home tonight?”