Total pages in book: 150
Estimated words: 143633 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 718(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 479(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 143633 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 718(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 479(@300wpm)
My voice was low, or so I thought, but typically that was at the point the server arrived with our burgers on a tray, approaching from behind me. He nearly toppled the milkshakes onto the table, and Rosie was in hysterics, giggling her sweet little head off as he stumbled out some apologies and rushed away.
“Shit,” I said, but she was waving her hands, still finding it hilarious.
Her laugh was so beautiful it was intoxicating. It gave me more escapism than a whisky bottle. For once, I let pure humour embrace me, grateful that such a girl was lightening up the self-hate in my soul.
“Go on, then,” I said, as she sucked on her milkshake straw. “I’ll write you a scene to test it out, how about that?”
She nodded, still sucking. She swallowed with a smile.
“Thank you.”
Another thank you I didn’t need credit for.
The burger was crap, but I didn’t tell her that. I munched on fries, watching her munch on hers, and it occurred to me then that we could be anywhere. In the apartment, in a burger bar, in a park with sneers, or on a tropical beach. The location didn’t matter. My infatuation – love – for her would be enough to enjoy a walk across hot coals.
“I met a girl today at college,” she told me. “Lola. She came up to me in the library, and told me she’s been getting the same gossip and crap as me for over a year. She’s with a guy now who’s forty, and they live together. He was her neighbour from when they were young, everyone thought it was gross, like he’d been preying on her, when actually it was her after him. Just like it was with us.”
I still didn’t see it that way, but she had a point. There was no doubt that Rosie wanted me at least as equally as I wanted her. She’d been the one to charge into the apartment and suck on my thumb like a horny minx.
“Do they live in Crenham, too?”
“No. Dine’s Green.”
It was another cruddy estate with a close-knit community, as far as I’d heard. I could imagine the parallels.
“Did you like her? Lola?” I asked.
“She was great. Really cool. She’s an art student, studying digital. I think I’ll get on really well with her.” She paused. “Maybe you would, too.”
“Maybe I could meet her? And him, of course. We could go out on a double date sometime. What do you think? Me, you, Lola and her boyfriend.”
That thought was surprisingly appealing. Mutual friends. That could be something. I hadn’t considered friendship in any form since leaving Oxford.
I voiced what I thought was the obvious.
“Wouldn’t you be worried about me pursuing her, though? Another lovely college girl?”
Rosie looked at me like I was insane. “Should I be?”
“No, of course not. I was joking with you. But trust can be difficult when it comes to knowing pasts like mine. I’d understand if you’d be wary, even if you didn’t need to be.”
“I’m not worried one bit,” she said. “I don’t think there’s any chance you would do that to me.”
I looked at her there, sitting opposite me, a perfect flower in the bustling surroundings, and she was right. I wouldn’t ever do that to her. I’d give my all to keep her safe, not hurt her. There would be no chance of that.
My princess was growing into a gorgeous, heightened version of herself, glowing with confidence as she took a big bite of her burger. I wished the people around her could see how positive she was finding our relationship. Maybe new friends for her were the way ahead for her, at least for now.
“Ask Lola when you see her next,” I said. “We could go out for a meal, somewhere nice.”
“I’m not sure that’s the best,” she replied. “Lola told me earlier that Peter is still struggling a bit, stepping foot out in public. He still thinks people are judging him, and bitching about Lola.”
I could understand that. They probably were.
“Fine,” I said. “If it’s better for them, invite them over for a meal. They can sample my chef skills.”
“Can I?”
“Of course.”
Her nod sealed the deal.
“I will do. Thanks.”
We were hand in hand again when we left the burger bar and took the walk back home. My discomfort had eased away to virtually nothing, beyond caring about anyone else’s opinions. I barely observed the stares from passers-by. Rosie’s hand was warm in mine, and her pretty eyes kept shooting me glances as we approached the block. The chemistry was shifting from easy going burger sharers to dirty lovers. My sweet Eve was changing into Lilith with every step. And my sexuality was ready to strike from the very moment our front door closed behind us.
She was ready for it.
She was as desperate as I was for me to slam her into the wall and pin her arms above her head as I kissed her. She ground against my thigh and whimpered like a dirty little whore.