Hard to Love

by S M Mala

  ‘Give me back my things!’ she snapped, trying to jump up but knew she would need a step ladder.

  ‘Where are you going?’ he asked, stepping in front of her every time she attempted to jump higher and grab the handle. ‘Mabel, you can’t reach.’

  ‘You’re a fucker!’ she snapped. ‘I hate the way you make little cutting comments about me. You have done since the first unfortunate moment we started speaking. Why can’t you say something complimentary for a change?’

  ‘I said you were beautiful a few weeks ago!’

  ‘Then you didn’t want to kiss me and ran off!’

  ‘I didn’t run off,’ he laughed as she continued to jump.

  Then as she leaped up once more, he caught her in his arms and kissed her gently on the lips.

  ‘I wanted to kiss you so badly, but you were eyeing up some man at the time,’ he whispered. ‘You weren’t concentrating.’

  ‘I’d seen Lee.’

  ‘Mabel,’ he sighed, putting her down. ‘I’m not going to have sex with you tonight, out of respect.’

  ‘Because there’s nothing to boast about,’ she said, smoothing down her dress and marching towards her drink. ‘You’re so rude!’

  ‘And you’re not?’

  Alex was standing behind her, and she felt him pull up her hair and kiss her neck. Mabel shut her eyes knowing her nipples would soon begin pinging forward due to his touch. Something about him turned her on rotten.

  This time she wasn’t pretending it was him.

  It was him.

  ‘Let’s go to bed and kiss some more,’ he whispered. ‘All above the waist and nothing that would question your dignity.’

  ‘You’re having a laugh, aren’t you?’ Mabel turned and looked up at his pink lips. ‘I smell of wine.’

  ‘What’s new? Alex grinned. ‘You want to have a shower? I can wash your dress. I have a short wash cycle and dry programme. I use it for Rose when she drops something on her clothes.’

  ‘You’re sweet sometimes.’

  ‘But first you have to get naked.’

  ‘Are you finished yet?’

  He shouted from outside the bathroom. ‘How’s the shower?’

  ‘It’s amazing,’ she sighed, feeling the jets of water come at her from different angles.

  ‘Hurry up. I need to come in. And you locked the door.’

  Mabel grinned, turning off the shower, and dried herself quickly before wrapping a towel around her body. Then she stepped outside.

  Alex walked in and shut the door.

  She didn’t know where to stand.

  ‘I fixed you another drink. It’s on the coffee table.’

  She walked towards it, and he had dimmed the lights in the living room.

  It was obvious what he was up to. She grinned at his audacity. Then she noticed the candles where he slept, behind the glass wall. Taking the opportunity to snoop around, she opened a door to see a lovely bedroom with a round window.

  Alex had decorated it for Rose, and she clasped her heart seeing how sweet everything looked.

  Next thing she felt was him pulling her back into the living room.

  Before she could open her mouth, he kissed her. That’s when she noticed he was dripping wet and had a towel around his waist.

  Then he picked her up by the waist, so she was still vertical and walked her into his bedroom.

  ‘This is your seduction technique?’ she asked as he placed her back down on the floor.

  ‘We would get here eventually. Seeing how slow you are on the uptake, I thought I’d take you here first.’

  ‘Eventually?’

  ‘I don’t screw around.’ He frowned. ‘And I’m not with anyone.’

  ‘I asked you if your girlfriend was well and you said she was, which means you’re seeing her.’

  ‘I replied she was well because she is.’ Alex rolled his eyes. ‘Do you want me to spell it out for you?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘W-H-A-T,’ he said with a smirk, then sighed. ‘I’ll show you because this is going to take forever at this rate.’

  Alex grabbed her gently and pushed her back onto the bed. Mabel felt her body crash against the soft duvet as he started kissing her face, then found her mouth.

  This third time was more whirlwind than before as she stroked and kissed his skin, feeling his hands reach under the towel and squeeze her arse. They were kissing for a long time, and things were getting hot in the room. Mabel noticed the steam on the glass brick wall.

  His breathing was heavier as was hers. Then he stopped and looked down.

  Mabel grabbed the towel from around her body and let it fall open.

  He smiled and removed his towel.

  She didn’t want to look down.

  Slowly he kissed her forehead, nose, lips, throat and around her breasts.

  If she could have had an orgasm there and then, it would have happened.

  Then his lips clasped her nipple while his hand gently caressed the other breast.

  Alex kissed all over her top half as she ran her fingers through his hair.

  Then he stopped and looked up at her before smiling.

  His lips went straight between her legs, and she jolted.

  ‘Alex, you said … oh my God!’

  His mouth work was out of this world, and she flung her head back in shock at what he was doing. Within seconds, Mabel felt her body start to become taut as the build-up began in her fanny.

  ‘Alex!’ she gasped, looking down at him, looking up at her. ‘This is-.’ Trying to hold onto her breathing as she felt the orgasm. ‘Alex!’

  One after the other, the orgasms happened as she shuddered and shook, then she felt his lips kiss up her body. He reached out and grabbed a wet wipe, rubbing his face and throwing it on the floor.

  ‘I want to make love to you,’ he said, gently biting her nipples. ‘Please, can I?’

  ‘Yes!’ she gasped and within a matter of moment, he had put on a condom and pinned her down.

  ‘Mabel, I like you. Seeing you writhe on my bed is a turn on.’

  He kissed her, and she could taste herself vaguely on his lips before his tongue caressed hers, and she then bolted when he entered.

  Moving his hips slowly, she looked at Alex and stroked his back. They were joined by mouths and hips as he picked up speed. His body felt good and so what was inside her. Faster his hips moved until she felt him stiffen in her arms and pull his lips away, pressing his forehead against hers.

  Mabel came then she opened her eyes.

  She watched him reached an orgasm, all the time smiling.

  ‘Oh May Day,’ he gasped. ‘You’re simply bloody gorgeous!’

  ‘Okay.’

  She said, thinking she heard someone call her name. Then she felt something roll up and down her spine. As she opened her eyes, the room looked intensely white due to the sunlight. When she turned her head, Alex had his chin perched in his hand and was moving something up and down.

  ‘Morning,’ he grinned, kissing her nose.

  ‘What are you doing?’

  ‘Giving you a back massage with an orange. Did you sleep okay?’

  ‘Yes, I did.’

  That wasn’t a lie.

  She had slept perfectly well after they made love for a second time, which was more mind blowing than the first.

  ‘I’ll go in a minute,’ she said, touching his face as he grabbed her hand and kissed the palm. ‘You can go back to sleep.’

  ‘I want to stay in bed with you,’ he whispered, before smiling. ‘I feel a bit odd sleeping with the boss’s daughter.’ Alex laughed. ‘Nah, that’s a lie. I feel great!’

  ‘You said it would be above the waist only.’

  ‘I lied again. Twice,’ he whispered, holding up two fingers.

  ‘Are you going to regret this? I won’t tell anyone, I promise.’ She leaned forward and kissed his lips. ‘I thought you were amazing.’

  ‘I know,’ he smugly replied as she pulled a face. ‘And I
don’t expect payment.’ Mabel’s mouth dropped open. ‘That’s a joke. I’d gladly screw you anytime.’

  His hand started to stroke her back, then her arse.

  ‘I need to have sex with you quite a lot today,’ he whispered, kissing her back. ‘What time are the kids turning up?’

  ‘Around two o’clock,’ she whispered, loving the feel of his lips against her skin.

  ‘Stay here with me. Now we’re closer than acquaintances.’

  ‘Like what? Friends with benefits?’

  ‘Not that.’

  ‘What then?’ Mabel sat up, wrapping the sheet around her body. ‘You don’t have to answer.’ She smiled while stroking his face. ‘We don’t have to be anything.’

  ‘I want us to be something,’ he said, looking shyly away. ‘And I know you say you’re confused but I’m not.’ It was like a ping to her heart, hearing him say it. ‘Unless you don’t want to then-.’

  Mabel kissed him gently on the lips then took the orange out of his hand, kissing that too. Then she placed where she kissed against his mouth.

  ‘And I want you to be honest with me,’ he asked, looking anxiously at her. ‘I want to know all about you.’

  ‘Ask away.’

  ‘Who were you thinking about when you were having sex with this man?’ Alex pulled a face. ‘The one you probably faked it with.’

  ‘I didn’t fake all of it,’ she replied, turning to get out of bed. ‘I didn’t have to when my mind wandered off.’

  ‘Who was it?’

  Mabel looked over her shoulder at him.

  ‘Who do you think?’ she asked, grinning.

  ‘Me?’ Alex breathed in deeply before laying back on the bad. ‘I thought as much.’

  She laughed.

  ‘Any other questions?’ she asked, watching him laugh.

  ‘When can I meet your brother?’

  ‘You already have,’ she said, grimacing. ‘It’s Calum.’

  The next thing she heard was a thud as Alex fell out of bed.

  ‘Are you okay?’

  Mabel was laughing as Alex sat in her garden, still shocked by her news.

  His little accident hadn’t stopped his vigorous lovemaking, and now she was waiting for a cool breeze to go up her skirt to alleviate her sore bits.

  The man had certainly left his mark.

  He flicked through her family album of pictures.

  Alex didn’t believe her at first but after a few seconds, he was shocked.

  ‘Mabel, you were so cute,’ he laughed showing her a picture when she was three. ‘You had ringlets.’

  ‘Erm,’ she said frowning. ‘Did you check out Calum’s afro? That’s funny. The flattest afro in the world.’

  Then Alex closed his eyes and let his head hang back.

  ‘I’ve slept with both my boss’s relation,’ he groaned. ‘Fuck me, Mabel. I’ll get the sack.’

  ‘You’ll get a pay rise if mum finds out.’ Then she thought. ‘Don’t tell Calum. He’s funny about me and boys and things. Does this change anything between us?’

  ‘I want to kiss you all over,’ he whispered. ‘And I want to do it now.’

  ‘You can’t as the girls are turning up in fifteen minutes and you should go.’

  He got up and walked over, grabbing her before planting a very passionate kiss.

  ‘What do we have here?’

  Both jumped apart when she realised her mother was standing in the living room.

  ‘Ah!’ Joanna said, seeing it was Alex. ‘I was just passing and your door was open.’

  ‘It was locked and he knows,’ Mabel said, watching Alex turn beetroot before looking at Joanna. ‘I told him.’

  ‘Lovely! About time too!’ she grinned in response, walking up to him before kissing his cheeks. ‘I could tell she fancied you. I hope she wasn’t too exuberant in the sack. Her dad was a wilful little so and so. Use to shag me senseless!’

  ‘Mum! That’s not what you’re supposed to say!’ Mabel gasped out loudly. ‘Especially about my dad.’

  ‘Oh, sweetheart! Fucking’s fucking and that’s all you need to know.’ She turned and touched Mabel’s chin. ‘How long have you been doing the deed?’

  Both of then looked at each other before keeping tight-lipped.

  ‘Recently?’ pried Joanna. ‘Very recently. I can tell. Ah, new relationships!’

  ‘No more questions,’ Mabel hissed, walking up to her.

  ‘Is he a stallion in the sheets?’ her mother hissed. ‘He looks it.’

  ‘Don’t!’

  ‘I better go,’ Alex said, looking a little lost as Mabel pushed him towards the door.

  ‘You know she won’t let you stay over when the girls are here, but Mabel does have Friday afternoons off so you could always get filthy then!’ shouted Joanna as Mabel dragged him out of the house.

  ‘Oh-my-God!’ was all he could say. ‘That was surreal.’

  ‘That’s my mother.’ She winced. ‘She’s good at keeping secrets, but not her mouth regarding things no-one needs to know.’

  ‘Joanna Haynes is your mother.’

  ‘Even seeing the pictures didn’t convince you?’

  ‘What are you two talking about?’ her mother asked, opening the front door. Then she gave Alex one of her seductive smiles. ‘I won’t say anything. If her brother finds out, that’s something different.’ She frowned. ‘Mabel, have you told him about Calum?’

  ‘I’ll see you…’ Then Mabel hesitated. ‘When I see you?’

  ‘Tonight,’ he said then flicked Joanna a sideways glance.

  ‘Mum, can you give us a moment?’

  ‘Sure!’ she replied, carefully closing the door.

  Alex grabbed Mabel’s face and kissed her slowly, making her melt into his arms.

  ‘You’ve not put me off,’ he grinned afterwards, stroking her hair. ‘Any other surprises?’

  ‘Not that I know of.’

  He walked backwards, looking at her before turning to walk home.

  ‘Oh, he kisses well,’ Joanna said, flinging the door open.

  ‘You looked through the spyhole?’ grimaced Mabel, walking back in, feeling sore between her legs. ‘And say nothing to the girls. We only got together last night; that’s if we are together.’

  ‘Are you chaffing, darling?’ she asked as Mabel stopped walking. ‘Nappy cream helps me down there.’

  ‘We’re going to get caught.’

  Alex told her to go to one of the meeting rooms.

  Soon as she walked him, he pushed her against the wall and was frantically kissing her.

  ‘Alex! This is not safe,’ she said, as his hand went under her top, and she started kissing him back, feeling his finger go over the cup of her bra and touch her nipple. ‘I’m going to come if you do that.’

  ‘I want you to come,’ he panted, kissing her hard then he stopped and pulled away.

  ‘Are you okay?’

  ‘This is going to have to go down,’ he said pointing to his jeans where it was perky. ‘Or it will explode.’

  ‘As long as it does that in me.’

  ‘Fucking hell!’ he groaned, attacking her face once again before pulling away. ‘Right, I have to stop. We have the pitch to work on.’ It looked like he was concentrating hard. ‘Yep, got to work.’

  Then he walked out of the meeting room as she waited a few minutes then followed.

  While she aimlessly wandered around, she noticed Keith was speaking to Rodney Paisley. They were looking sheepish, and she hovered so they couldn’t see her.

  ‘But Ice Knickers will check. You know what she’s like,’ said Keith, full of scorn.

  Mabel scowled knowing they were talking about her.

  Right now, her knickers were far from icy. They were nice and toasty.

  ‘They’re making fucking Alex Chamber’s a board member,’ Keith angrily said. ‘Pisses me off that he’s only been here five minutes and gets it while I’ve been waiting years.’

  ‘He’s probably shagging Joanna,�
� hissed Rodney, starting laugh.

  ‘That old bitch and her black Labrador deserve what’s coming to them,’ Keith hissed.

  ‘Little shits,’ Mabel said, mumbling under her breath, with a good mind to punch him in the face.

  ‘Anyway, I’ve given the agency a heads up on our creative. And lover boy will get the sack.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘It’s his old place.’

  ‘Oh, my word,’ she mouthed in shock.

  ‘Are we going to be able to get away with it?’ asked Keith, sounding nervous.

  ‘You said you hate the smarmy git. What’s the big deal? I should have got his job, you know,’ Rodney angrily said. ‘These fuckers don’t appreciate what they’ve got. They must hire big shots from outside. Let them fuck themselves for all I care.’

  But then she saw Calum look at her, and then at Keith, as he walked down the corridor towards his office.

  Mabel ran to her office, shutting the door.

  Opening all the files with Fire Films, she noticed how much they were being paid. They also had eighty percent of the production work.

  ‘Fuckers!’

  Then she ran to her brother’s office, seeing Kendra, the executive assistant to her mother and brother, scowl.

  ‘Don’t look at me like that,’ hissed Mabel. ‘Right now, my knickers are probably older than you!’

  ‘Mabel!’ Calum shouted, walking out of his office. ‘What has got into you?’

  ‘We need to talk,’ she said, pushing him back in and shutting the door.

  ‘Why were you eavesdropping on Keith and Rodney?’

  ‘They’re intent in shafting this agency,’ Mabel hissed. ‘And we’re being ripped off. If mum finds out, then she’s going to go mental. I also need to check the clause in their contracts to see if we can sack them.’

  ‘If you were working here full time this wouldn’t have happened,’ growled Calum.

  ‘Don’t blame me! If you had been doing your job properly we wouldn’t be in this mess. And it gets worse!’

  ‘Oh, my days!’

  On Wednesday morning, Mabel’s legs were spread on his bed as Alex pounded her insides.

  After Calum and she had broken the news to Alex about Rodney and Keith’s plan, he took it on the chin. His plan was to present the third best creative, which everyone believed was the final work.