Whirl

by M, Jessie

  I decide to phone Kelly and let her know about my very interesting day. I fancy a good long chat, despite the cost of transatlantic calls. She's a night owl, up till two or three sometimes. Evenings and nights are when her creative juices are the most shaken and stirred.

  She answers straight away.

  “How's it going? Having a good time in the sunny 'ole US of A?”

  “Great. I went up in a helicopter a few hours ago.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, Bren arranged it for me on base.”

  “Cool. How was it?”

  “Simply brilliant. Scary, exciting, nauseatingly fast... The pilot's hotter than hot too.”

  “Oh?”

  “I think I'm about to have my first fling. We had a wild kiss today. Oh my God, Kel... I melted like an ice cube in a furnace.”

  “Well you didn't waste any time getting some Californication, did you?”

  “It was instant attraction. I couldn't help myself.”

  “So, what's he like?”

  “I'll send you some piccies. Tall, dark and completely edible.”

  “What's his name?”

  “Captain Alex Jackson.”

  “Mmmm lovely, and he's another Alex? Now that's quite amusing.”

  “It's okay, I'm Lex over here, so we can get by without confusion. What are you up to anyway?”

  “Ah well... I'm doing something new. I've entered another phase.”

  “Tell me...” I'm all ears. I simply love Kelly's paintings.

  “It's my modern expressionist phase. I've just started my first painting today. It's a small blue child kissing a white python in a field of purple and red opium poppies. I'm calling it Purity and Vice. It's my interpretation of temptation and the ruining of innocence in the drug world.”

  “Wow, that's deep.”

  “I'm doing more with people and animals this time instead of focusing on still life and scenic themes. Expressing strength of emotion and the living state of mind.”

  “Kel you are so full of artistic mumbo jumbo.” I'm trying to be polite...

  “I know. But it keeps me sane. Look I gotta go, my paint's drying and I need to work it fast or I'll lose the texture. Send me those pics. I'm dying to see Mr Top Gun of the chopper world.”

  “Will do, we'll talk in a few days then, bye.” I click end call, and then find the best three photos I have of Mr Chopper Top Gun and send them to her. I look at them all again, smiling to myself. You are one mysterious hot guy Alex. Hurry up with whatever you're doing...

  Later that day, when Toni gets back from work and Brendan reappears from the supermarket, I suggest we could go out again that evening, for just a couple of drinks. Toni looks tired and pale and I can see she isn't keen. Bren offers to take me himself.

  “Sure, I always fancy a beer. Let's go at 8, Sam and Ross should be around. They always are. How did it go today?”

  “It was absolutely stunning. The scenery, the exhilaration, the effects on my stomach.”

  “Yeah, I remember that well. Did you chuck it?”

  “No, I kept things down, but it was a close call once or twice.”

  “What about lunch, where did he take you?”

  “What's all this about lunch” Toni asks, butting in curiously.

  “Alex took me to Benji's.”

  “Did he now? And...” She prompts further.

  “And what?”

  “Did you get friendly?”

  “A little, let's just say the ice has thawed. Completely.”

  “I'll leave you girls to discuss that alone.” Bren disappears upstairs.

  “So...”

  “Don't get all excited on me. It was just a hot kiss. He's got a girlfriend already. He needs to sort things out during the next few days.”

  “Sort what? You're going home in three and a half weeks. He can't be starting a proper relationship with you, can he?”

  “He's a 'one woman at a time' man, apparently.”

  “How sweet. I would never have thought it. I always imagined him to be a bit of a rake, you know, having a few on the go at once. And poor old Mariel, fitting in between his real girlfriends. I feel quite sorry for her now, that's probably the reason why she's so damn miserable all the time.”

  “She might have the last laugh. Who knows? Can I help with dinner?” We team up in the kitchen making our supper.

  * * *

  I follow Brendan into 1950. I buy our drinks and have a look around as we stand at the bar. No sign of the cheery barmaid tonight. But Sam and Ross are here, over the far side playing darts. It's the first time I've seem them out of uniform. We amble over for a chat.

  “Lex, long time no see sweetheart, how was your day?” Sam sidles up to me for another overly long hug and a flirt.

  “Fine and yours?”

  “All the better for seeing you. Twice in one day, lucky me.” I can't help it, but I'm enjoying his flirting a lot. It's doing wonders for my ego. Sam has a lot of appeal; a cheeky fun personality, he's a big guy, his hazel eyes are beautiful and he smells so gorgeous all the time. Mmmm, lovely, lickable. My hormones must be going haywire or something. I'm not usually this man mad.

  “How about a game of pool, honey?” He whispers in my ear.

  “I'm pretty hopeless, but okay, why not?” He takes my hand and leads me off to one of the pool tables.

  We begin our game, Sam reminding me how to play, because to be honest I don't have a clue. I've only ever played snooker before, once, about three years ago. I can't even cue the ball properly and I have to have close up instruction. Not that I'm complaining, having such a handsome and attentive instructor is a very pleasant way to spend my time. I finish my wine and he buys me another. We finally complete my first ever game of pool after a lot of hysterical laughter at my hopeless technique and take our drinks outside for a breath of air in the courtyard garden. It's a pretty area, full of coloured table lamps, cute twinkling string lights hanging all over the trees, screens and fences, and awash with flowers everywhere. We sit facing each other astride a backless bench at the far end, well away from the two other people outside, sipping our drinks. I smile at him a little too flirtatiously. Cool it girl. Keep it friendly.

  “What are you up to tomorrow? It's my first day off in ages. We could go to the beach, catch some surf and sun?” To be honest, I'd like to go, if surf and sun is all it was, but I know he's thinking along other lines. This situation has the potential to get messy. Flirting is one thing, a date is quite another.

  “I don't think so Sam, no.” I try to put him off politely. I'm far too into Alex to start anything with Sam.

  “Oh come on. It'll be fun. I can pick you up on my bike.” He picks up my hand and squeezes it gently.

  I'm taken by surprise. He swoops in with a soft smoochy kiss. The wine, his masculine scent and his kiss all conspire to give me a mad rush, a heated whoosh, a wild sexy buzz and I lose my sense of decorum for a moment.

  “Lex baby....” He murmurs, taking a deep breath, pulling me towards him. He winds his strong arms around me, lifting me up on his lap and in seconds he's kissing me, much too passionately and deeply, his tongue lapping at mine. His fingers are suddenly in my hair, and then around the back of my ears, it's getting heated...

  What the fuck am I doing? No! I shouldn't be out here, doing this. It's wrong.

  I don't want him and I'm leading him on big time.

  I pull back sharply, sliding off him and sitting back down on the bench, breathing heavily. I'm feeling bad about it all. I've been giving him the come on all the time and this is the result.

  “I'd better go,” I whisper.

  “Hey it's okay. It's fine. I can wait a while.” He leans forward and twirls my hair 'round and around his hand.

  My God, what have I got myself into? How do I back out of this?

  “I think we should go inside now.” I need to get away.

  “I'm happy to sit here and talk to you.” His lovely face looks at me earnestly.


  “No, I'm going back to Brendan.” I get up and he follows suit.

  He drapes his arm casually around my shoulders as we walk inside, through the games area. He leads me back to the bar and orders a round of drinks for us all. While we wait he pulls me closer and nuzzles my neck and then tongue kisses my ear. I try to move away, to put some distance between us without offending him. I need to stop all this pretty quick. I'm going to have to tell him no somehow. I suddenly turn icy cold when I see who is now standing next to us. His blue eyes are simply furious.

  “Excuse me Corporal Chase, I need a quick word with Lex.” The next second he has taken my hand and drags me away, outside to the parking lot, where he turns to face me in a rage.

  “What the fuck are you doing? Working your way through the whole ground crew in one day?”

  “No, he was the one being over friendly.”

  “And you let him. I didn't realise you were such a slut.” I lose it and slap his face hard. He looks even more furious.

  “No one has ever called me that before.” I hiss at him, angry, shocked and upset.

  “Well there's a first time for everything.” I go to slap him again, but he grabs my arm mid-air.

  My eyes sting with tears. I'm humiliated and embarrassed and don't know what to do to make things right.

  “So what if I had a friendly hug with Sam? Why does that make me a slut?” I definitely had a moment of mad sluttiness tonight. I shouldn't have gone into the garden with him. That was a bad move.

  “He had his tongue in your ear Lex. How much friendlier were you prepared to let it get?”

  “I was actually trying to cool him off. I didn't want to upset him.”

  “I don't believe you. That's pathetic.”

  “He's Brendan's pal, and one of his crew... It was difficult.”

  He rubs his face in frustration. “Why do I still want you after this...?”

  The next moment I'm in his arms and he's raining kisses all over my face and neck. He finally lets loose on my mouth. I'm on fire, a wild forest fire, out of control... The Sam issue is instantly forgotten with the intensity of feelings whipping through me. I clutch at him madly, my hands roaming all over him. He squeezes my ass and slams me hard against him. I wrap myself around him in ecstasy, flooded with a wave of desire so strong my legs feel weak beneath me. We sink into each other in a groaning heated frenzy.

  This is all too much. I can't take it. I break free, shaking all over.

  “Oh Alex, I'm sorry about all this tonight. I'll keep well out of Sam's way while I wait. I promise,” I gasp in desperation.

  “No, no waiting... you're going to tell Sam and Bren you're coming home with me. Right now.” I can hear from the tone of his voice that he's just as desperate as I am.

  Christ Almighty... He's claiming me and doing it publicly.

  He takes my hand firmly in his and leads me back inside for another dose of humiliation. I know I deserve it.

  Brendan is standing at the bar getting himself a snack. He is fine about me hooking up with Alex, and gives us both a wicked little smile. We make our way over to the darts area. Alex has his arm tightly around my waist, possessively.

  Sam is not so fine. Understandably.

  “Ummm Sam... I'm with Alex. I think you misunderstood the situation between us.” I can't even look him in the eye to begin with and squirm with embarrassment. I force myself to face him properly. I allowed this to start and I've got to finish it.

  “So I see. Are you sure this is what you want Lex?” Sam's voice barely conceals his anger. He looks just as furious as Alex was earlier. They eye each other up with intense animosity. The air is thick with bad vibes. I feel so bad. Sam is part of Alex's deck crew. I've caused a real problem between them.

  “Yes, I'm sure, I'm sorry,” I finish, disgusted with myself for starting this whole wretched business.

  “He's not for you,” Sam spits out. The comment is definitely aimed more at Alex than me.

  “I think she's the best judge of that, not you.” Alex moves forward and squares up to him. They are inches apart and I'm getting more than concerned. My stomach is churning with anxiety as the situation escalates.

  “Would you please remove yourself from my space, sir.” Sam is practically incandescent with rage, but desperately trying to hold back as he's facing his superior officer. His fists are clenched and I'm worried there's going to be a fight. This is all my fault. The thought of two men fighting over me might be appealing in theory, but in practice, I feel so sick. I like both of them too much for this to be anything other than dreadful.

  “I think you'll find you're in my space now. Stand down, Corporal,” Alex says in a dead calm tone of voice, standing supremely confidently in front of him.

  “Yes Sir!” Sam forces the words out reluctantly and moves back as requested, his breathing visibly heavy.

  “Come on Lex. Let's go.” Alex has made his point and that seems to be as far as it's going.

  Alex turns and leads me away. I look over my shoulder as we leave watching Sam struggle to get himself under control behind us.

  “That was so, so awful.” My heart is still pounding and I'm tearful and shaking as we leave the bar and walk across the parking lot.

  “He'll get over it. Not that I care one way or the other.” It seems Alex has a hard and rather evil streak to his nature.

  We get in his car and I hang my head in shame. I'm so mortified by my flirting and bad behaviour this evening that I can't handle what has happened because of it.

  “Come here, please?” He says softly and pulls me across to his side of the car. I sit across his lap. He hugs me for a while, relaxing me, stroking my back gently. This is just what I need. Gentle, calm affection. I breathe him in, sighing deeply. His gorgeous man scent kicks my sensual side back into action. It's something fresh and very sexy that he's wearing.

  “I've been thinking about you all afternoon,” He murmurs against my ear.

  I pull away for a moment and look him in the eye. Until the temporary madness with Sam this evening, I'd been doing the same thing. I need a breather from all this heated stuff, to get my head straight.

  “Alex, would you run me home, please?” I say coolly as I slip off his lap, back to the passenger side. I want to get away from this place, from the scene of my humiliation. I want to lie down on my bed and forget. Being thought of as a slut and deliberately leading men on doesn't sit too well on my conscience. There's no way I'm going back to his tonight. It wouldn't feel right. No matter how much I want him.

  “Lex, I'm sorry, about what I said earlier. I was just so mad.”

  “Let's call it a night shall we. I need to recover my self esteem.”

  “Don't make me feel worse.”

  “It's not just you. It's me. I should know how to handle things better at my age.” To be fair to myself I've never been in this situation before. Having two men hot for me sounds like a dream come true, but I don't like hurting people like this. I'm sure some women would thrive on this type of situation. I'm not one of them.

  “I'll drop by tomorrow evening, if you like. Maybe we can go for a drive up the coast?”

  “Give me a call. I'll see.”

  As we drive home, I'm aware of Alex looking at me on and off. I pretend I don't notice and stare straight ahead. I'm so relieved to get out of his car and with a quick thanks and 'bye I run up the driveway to the door and go inside. What a goddamn awful evening.

  I tell Toni that Alex ran me home because I was suddenly tired. Brendan was still playing darts with the guys. Toni and I sit and watch TV together having some tea until Brendan arrives about a half hour later. He is obviously surprised I'm home, but tactfully doesn't say anything. I finally slink off to bed and thankfully fall fast asleep in minutes.

  Chapter 3

  I wake the next day and go downstairs. Brendan has gone to the gym and he's taking his car to the garage after that. I'm on my own in the house. Just me and little kitty. I get ready and do some washing fo
r Toni and run the vacuum 'round downstairs. I like to think I'm helping them. Not being a lazy guest.

  It's eleven when I get a call from Alex.

  “How are you today?”

  “So so... What about you?” I'm actually thrilled he still wants to speak to me, to be honest.

  “Okay, I guess. I'm at work right now, having a quick break. Look, about tonight. I've got to do something this evening, but could I see you at 8? We could watch a movie or go to a bar I know at the coast.”

  I'm careful not to sound too excited. I'm cool about it.

  “I wouldn't mind seeing a movie. What's showing?”

  “I know World War Z is still on, you know, end of the world as we know it stuff.”

  “Oh yes, I've read the book and I love that type of thing. Brad Pitt's in it, isn't he? Let's do that, shall we?”

  “Okay, I'll see you at eight. Have a nice day.”

  “I will. You too. 'Bye.”

  I sit smiling to myself. Captain Jackson sounds very keen on me. Which is just as well, as I'm more than keen on him. I really thought I might have ruined my chances once he'd thought it all over, but it seems to be quite the opposite. I'm so glad I came home last night. It was the right thing to do.

  I spend the afternoon pottering about, doing nothing much until Brendan appears with the car repaired and Toni arrives home a couple of hours after. I let her know I'm out for a steamy date at eight.

  I get showered and ready for my big date, I choose pink underwear and a pink skirt and matching top. It's one of my favourite sets. I'm pinker than a ball of cotton candy tonight. I hope he likes pink, 'cos it's gonna be everywhere he looks. I apply a good slick of pink lipstick and pink crystal earrings to finish it off.

  He arrives at the door, drops in to say 'hi' to Toni and Brendan and then we leave.

  I'm in a far better mood than last night. We take little looks at each other as we make our way to the cinema. I'm very impressed with his smart jeans and shirt look. I can see he's openly admiring my pinkness. Oh good! We park and start walking. He takes my hand.