Tequila & Tea Bags (13 page)

‘Shit. Really?’ she asks, her eyes wide with worry.

At least she wasn’t
deliberately
dropping me in it.

‘Yeah!’

She turns to Will, her eyes like a deer caught in the headlights. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘Don’t apologise to
him
!’ I shriek, slapping her arm. ‘Apologise to
me!’

‘I’m not worried about you,’ she snorts. ‘We’re soul sisters. I know you won't tell on me, but Will…’

‘What?’ he says, seeming offended. ‘I look like a tattle tale?’

I bite my lip to stop from laughing.

‘Well…’ she looks down at the floor.

I can't help it. I burst out laughing, clutching my sides from the ache.

‘Well thanks!’ he huffs over my chuckles, crossing his arms over his chest.

What a little drama queen.

‘I keep telling you, Will,’ I giggle, putting my hand on his arm, ‘you have to take that stick out of your arse.’

He throws off my hand, his eyes clouding with anger and hurt. ‘Whatever, I’m out of here.’ He stomps over to the door, unlocking it and storming out.

I roll my eyes at Megan and tell her to go back up to bed. She explains that her dad doesn’t get that she gets cravings when she’s due on. Her mum’s not around to explain. I don’t know what happened with her, but I decide not to ask. She’ll tell me when she’s ready.

I lock up and put the keys through the letter box. The village seems almost creepy this time of night. Only one street light and the stars are out to guide me. I really wish the church grave yard wasn’t across the road from the pub. Visions of a zombie Michael Jackson emerging from it and forcing me to dance clouds my head. I push the collar of my jacket up around my neck and cross my arms, my nipples already turning to ice. I don’t often see stars at all in Watford. Probably all the pollution. Or maybe I’m normally too wasted.

‘Rose,’ someone whispers close by.

I jump out of my skin, my heart trying to jump out of my throat, and instantly jump into a karate move. Who would have thought all of my martial art training would come in handy in this twee little village?  I channel all the Jackie Chan movies I’ve seen. Well… I’ve seen Rush Hour one and two. I focus in on the hooded figure, preparing myself to either kill him or run for my life. I’m not sure yet. My shins still ache from chasing the horses. I could really do without it.

He takes a step towards me, out of the shadows and into the shine of the street light. It's only then that I can see the smug smile of Will.

‘Will! For fucks sakes, I could have killed you!’ I shriek, putting my hand to my chest, realising my heart still not calmed down.

‘Yep,’ he grins rolling his eyes. ‘I was proper scared there for a minute,’ he deadpans.

‘What are you still doing here?’

He left ages ago. Well, he stomped off ages ago.

‘I’m a gentlemen,’ he says, as if in way of explanation. ‘I couldn’t leave you to walk home alone in the dark. Especially when it was my idea to stay up late,’ he says it as if this excuses him of hiding in the shadows and nearly scaring me to death.

‘I’d have been fine on my own,’ I snap, already turning and walking away quickly. I hate how he makes me feel like I’m an inadequate little girl that can't look after herself. I’m normally the one in control with guys. I make it that way.

‘Yeah, well, at the time I didn’t realise you had these killer karate moves.’ He chuckles as if it’s hilarious.

‘Shut up,’ I snap, slowing down slightly so he can keep up.

We walk together in silence for a little while. I can't help but feel awkward about the whole thing. I still can't shift the unsettling feeling that he doesn’t trust me and thinks I’m some trouble making slut from Watford. Which, you know, I am. For some reason I want him to trust me. It’s nothing to do with his warm chest that I can't stop remembering being snuggled up to. It was just so warm. It’s like the dark is giving things an exciting, erotic under tone.

Luckily his house is before mine so it's not long lived.

‘Well, thanks for walking me home,’ he says with a grin, a cheeky twinkle in his eyes.

‘Wait, was I
your
protection?’ I laugh.

‘Maybe,’ he grins. ‘It's not safe for pretty boys like me to be walking around unguarded. And well, the minute I saw your karate moves, I just knew you were the one for the job.’ He’s so sarcastic.

I giggle despite myself. ‘Well, I’m glad I could have been some help.’

I decide to walk him to his door in a desperate attempt to stay with him longer. I hear some music as I get closer to his door. I wrinkle my forehead in confusion. It’s probably the first time I’ve heard modern music since I moved here. It feels strangely unnatural.

‘Oh, shit.’ He puts his hand up to his forehead, as if remembering something. ‘My housemate must have invited some people back.’

No way. Someone in this village having a party? I’m immediately itching to get in there. It’s like a magnet pulling me in. Could I…

‘Do you wanna come in for a drink?’

I stare at him in complete shock. He smiles mischievously, a sexy glint in his eye. Does he want to party with me?

‘Read my mind,’ I grin.

I’m suddenly up for a party. And the tingling sensation in my Lulu has nothing to do with it.

He leads me into a dimly lit living room filled with people. I’m surprised to see that it's bigger than Elsie’s, but obviously not as nice. The flowery curtains look like they should have been thrown out years ago and the carpet feels worn under my boots. He leads me into the small wooden clad kitchen and introduces me to everyone. I wave politely, but forget their names as soon as I hear them. He pours me a vodka and coke and hands it over. When he’s not looking I pour some more vodka in. I need to catch up with everyone. I feel stupidly self-conscious being the outsider.

By 3am I’m
slightly
tipsy and I’ve got the major horn. Will hasn’t been sitting with me and it's really pissing me off. My eyes have followed him around the room while he’s chatted to bloody everyone except me. His eyes have sought me out almost every time I stared, as if he sensed I was looking at him. I’ve watched as he laughed heartily, dribbling a bit of beer out of his mouth and catching it with the back of his hand. I’ve watched while he stuck the tip of his tongue to the corner of his mouth when he was interested in something someone was saying. It’s too much. I’ve waited enough.

It's like I can feel it building in me and I need the release of his touch. Desperately. Before I combust. I excuse myself to go to the toilet, just wanting to see his room. Maybe sit on his bed. That’s all.

I let myself into his room like the stalker I am. I recognise his hoody on the floor and I pick it up to smell it like the loser I am. Before I know what I’m doing I’m stripping down to my bra and knickers and jumping under the covers, a thrill of excitement buzzing through me.

Only…well, now I’m here I’m not so sure this is a good idea. I mean…he might just tell me to piss off. I could have completely misread the signs. But then, he’s not going to refuse a drunk girl in his bed, right?

I hear footsteps on the stairs and hide under the duvet, realising it’s too late to run. I brace myself for his shocked face. A tingle of excitement runs through me, though. I can't wait.

The door opens and someone stumbles in. That’s weird; I didn’t think Will was drunk. Maybe he’s one of those drunks that always appear sober. Then I hear a giggle. What the fuck? Will doesn’t giggle. And it weirdly almost sounded like…I hear them lip smacking aggressively against each other. Oh my God. I peer out from the duvet to see him kissing some brunette girl passionately, about to fall on the bed. My heart plummets. Shit. What the fuck am I going to do now?

I feel the bed dip as they collapse down next to me. I look at them in horror. I
have
to get out of here, while I can contain some dignity. AWKWARD! I roll and drop myself onto the floor. THUD. It leaves a silence. That and an aching hip! Ouch! I bite my lip so I don’t cry out.

‘Did you hear that?’ she asks. God, she sounds girly. I hate her.

I hold my breath over the giant pause. She doesn’t get a response. Just a grunt and then the gross lip smacking noises again. Ugh! Just the thought of someone else’s lips on his is like a dagger to my heart. I need to get out of here before I let this humiliation take hold of me.

I crawl around the bed, grabbing my strewn clothes. Why did I have to strip so dramatically? Maybe my mother was right and I should fold them neatly in one place. I start commando style crawling out of the room when I hear a gasp.

‘Oh, Jay!’ she coos in ecstasy.

Jay?
I sit up and look closely. It's Jay, not Will. Thank God. I must be in the wrong room. Relief washes over me. It's not Will. He’s still mine for tonight. Well, unless he’s already in there with someone else.

I crawl out of the room and stand up, running into the next one. Now that I’m in here it does seem more Will. He has proper curtains and blinds for one. The place is just generally cosier. As I crawl under the red covers I also notice that his sheets are far cleaner. I push my face into his pillow and smell the Ylang fragrance, mixed in with his own mint and soapy smell. God, I could eat the pillow.

I push myself up by my elbows and take a look around. It’s all so perfectly organised. I wouldn’t even be surprised if this was a woman’s room, it's so clean. Just a small desk next to a wardrobe. I pick up the photo frame on his bedside table. It's a little boy with a woman in her thirties with long auburn hair. They’re both on a horse and when I look closer I realise its Mitsy. That must be his mum. I can see where he gets his looks from. She’s breathtakingly beautiful.

Footsteps begin to bound up the stairs, so I quickly place it back and slide under the covers, my hair pooling above my head. I hear him enter, the door creaking on its hinges, but I’m suddenly scared that this isn’t a good idea. I should have run when I had the chance. Why do I let vodka make my decisions?

I’m expecting a gasp or something, but instead I hear him unbuckle his belt and get undressed. My scalp prickles with nerves. Doesn’t he notice a big lump in his duvet? I’m hardly invisible.

The bed cover is pulled back and he squeezes into bed next to me. I can feel his body heat warming my skin, even though we’re not touching. The anticipation is killing me. This is quickly becoming humiliating. He’s not saying or doing anything. I turn round to face him, smiling shyly.

‘Hi,’ he smiles, completely unshocked. ‘Do you make a habit of sleeping in strange men’s beds uninvited?’ he asks, scrutinising me.

‘You think you’re strange?’ I smirk, ignoring the question. I seriously need to get the upper hand back here.

‘Maybe,’ he grins. God, that
dimple.
‘But I can't be that bad, or you wouldn’t be sleeping in my bed right now.’ He puts his arm under the pillow, propping his head up.

‘Who said I want to sleep?’ I purr seductively, pushing my boobs out with a wink. Thank God I only wear lacy matching underwear. Tonight I’m wearing my neon pink one with black polka dots.

His eyes become hooded, hunger flooding them. His chest rises and falls faster than normal, but he looks unsure. God, I want him. All the more for being shy. He’s bloody adorable. Maybe I need to
show him
how eager I am.

I lean into him and let the vodka buzz consume me. I cup his cheek in my small palm, relishing the feel of his soft skin, the softest hint of stubble beginning. I pull his lips to meet mine, and God, they feel incredible. Soft and sweet, but also powerful and in charge. He runs his hands through my hair, sending every nerve ending in my head into over drive and then rests them at the back of my neck. Oh God, I want him to touch me that delicately all over.

He presses me down against the mattress and hovers over me, smiling mischievously. He slowly draws his fingertips down my body, starting with my collarbone, past my nipple and navel, pausing just before getting to my Lulu. I smile against his mouth in anticipation. I cannot wait for this. I’m already panting, my heart in my mouth as if I might sneeze it out.

Just when I feel I’m about to combust with longing, he takes his hand away from me and pulls back, leaving me feeling cold and bereft. He lies down next to me with his hand behind his head again, as if nothing ever happened. What the hell? He smiles arrogantly, making me feel crazy angry.

‘What’s wrong?’ I sound slightly more desperate than I was going for.

‘Nothing.’ He smiles broadly. ‘But I’m not having sex with you.’

My mouth drops open. Did he
seriously
just say that? Did he really just refuse me? My jaw juts out as I start to sulk like a toddler.

‘Why the hell not?’ I whine. I don’t mean for it to come out as pathetic and needy as it does, but I can't help it. How can he tease me like this and then just stop? He must have the willpower of an ox.

Then it hits me. He’s too much of a gentleman. Of course; he thinks I’ve had too much to drink and obviously doesn’t want to take advantage. Sweet, sweet Will. It only makes me want him more.

‘I’m not drunk, you know.’ I smile mischievously. ‘I’ve only had a few drinks. Don’t feel bad about that.’ I stroke my finger down his chest. He’s got just the right amount of light brown chest hair on his perfectly sculpted chest. He’s bloody ripped, but not in a weird muscle man kind of way. That beautiful line of hair down from his belly button is leading to what I want. God, he’s sexy.

He smiles devilishly and climbs over me again. My breath accelerates. His smell is incredible; mint and soap invading my nostrils. I wish I could bottle it. Or at least steal his pillow to sleep with. This is it. Me and him. It’s gonna happen.

He looks at me seriously. ‘Rose, no matter what you might think, I’m not being a perfect gentleman here. I
will
fuck you.’

My mouth gapes open.

‘But when I do, you will be completely sober, you’ll be officially mine, and there won't be anyone else in the house to hear us, because, believe me; you’ll make a lot of noise.’

I’m stunned into silence, my mouth gaping open so wide he can probably see my tonsils. I try to discreetly shut it and compose myself, but my head is spinning. Just hearing him speak like that makes me want to chain him to the bed and take him against his will. Officially
his?
What does he mean by that?

‘Good luck,’ I snort. ‘No one has managed it yet.’

He narrows his eyes on me questionably.   

‘O…kay,’ I stammer, swallowing down the lump in my throat. I look at the bed, unable to talk.   Well, this is awkward. ‘I…suppose I’ll go then.’ I sit up and swing my legs over the side of the bed, resigned to going home alone and unsatisfied.

No matter what he’s said I still feel rejected and humiliated. I’ve never been refused sex before. Ever. It stings like he’s hit me in the chest. Probably my pride dying.

Will’s arm is around my waist, pulling me back into bed in an instant. I look up to him as he leans over me with an affectionate smile.

‘Why would I want you to go?’ His face turns serious, as if he’s worked it out. ‘Do you think sex is all you’re worth or something?’

Do I? I think back to every relationship I’ve had. If I could call them that. I don’t think I’ve ever just hung out with a guy without it ending in sex. Is that weird? It’s never
felt
weird. I’ve only ever done what I wanted to do at that moment. Even if I do regret it in the morning.

I look away from him, unsure of what to say. I’m embarrassed and half naked. It’s a bad combination. He grabs my chin, forcing me to look back into his probing eyes.

‘I’ll answer the question for you.’ He locks his pale green eyes with mine so intensely that if he wasn’t holding my face I’d probably pass out. ‘You’re worth far more than that.’

I feel myself physically swoon, melting into his touch. Where the hell has this even come from? I was up for a quick shag, but I had no idea he really liked me like that. Hell, liked me at all.

I feel so exposed, up close and unable to look away from him. Not that I’d really want to. I could look into his eyes forever. But why is he being so nice to me if he doesn’t want sex right now? I don’t get it.

‘So…what do you want to do instead?’ I ask awkwardly, clasping my hands together in my lap.

‘I’m tired,’ he yawns. ‘I want to sleep and I think you should too. So roll over and let me spoon you.’

Is he for real? Or have I fallen asleep downstairs and this is all a dream?

I grin, giggle, and follow his orders happily. He presses his warm body against me, and it's then I realise that he has a raging erection. He
does
want me.

‘Are you
sure
you don’t want to play? Your body is telling me different,’ I tease, reaching my hand back to grasp it.

He grabs my hand and places it back in front. ‘Don’t listen to Big Willy. He’s always hard.’

I laugh at the nickname, my shuddering giggles vibrating off his strong chest. He pulls my hair away from my face, tucks it behind my ear and then kisses the back of my neck. It’s so tender and sweet that it makes me tingle.

‘Goodnight, Rose.’

As if I’m going to be able to sleep with that thing tempting me. I think Big Willy and Lulu are going to be great friends.

***

Sunday 19
th
October

‘Rose!’ Elsie calls up the stairs. ‘You have a visitor!’

Ugh. My head rattles. I got next to no sleep last night while Will seemed to snore happily away. I got up at six and snuck away, retreating back under my own warm duvet. The thought of having to face him was too much. I drag myself out of bed and stomp down the stairs, not bothering to look in the mirror. Whoever it is can fuck off anyway.

Elsie’s grinning like a Cheshire chat. What does she look so happy about? I squint at her questionably as I swing the door open to find Will.

‘Are you ready?’ he asks, smiling casually as if I didn’t spend the night in his bed. He’s wearing a navy beanie hat, which only seems to make him more utterly gorgeous. I have to physically stop myself from drooling.

Ready? What is he talking about? Then I remember. Shit. I completely forgot we’d arranged to go to the stables today to attempt to ride Mitsy. But then, I thought he said he’d only think about it? I was sure that was a no. Nothing was properly arranged. I can tell he’s nervous. He’s biting his thumb nail, which I’ve noticed he seems to do when he’s unsure.