by Tammy Lewis
dates, for as far back as I can remember. I’ve always had this
coping mechanism. Where I play the movie, Reservoir dogs,
over in my head. It has been the only way, that I could get
through the majority of them, but with you, it’s been
different.”
Bewildered and slightly curious, I asked “so what’s different?”
With nothing but sincerity in the tone of his voice, Quinn
replied, “I don’t know, but when I am with you, I don’t want
to be anywhere else, I don’t feel the need to escape. When I
am with you, I want to be in the present. Honey, I don’t know
how to play the perfect married couple either, if I could turn
back time, I would never have said that we were, but I am
sure that together we can pull this off. Come on honey, what
do you say?”
Looking down at my sweats, and then up into his eyes, I
replied, “I can’t go like this, and it’s going to take me ages to
go and get myself ready. Maybe tonight, you should go alone.”
Shaking his head in defiance, Quinn adamantly replied, “well,
I would rather turn up late than go without you. You could
always go as you are, I really don’t care. Whatever you are
comfortable with, to hell with what everyone else thinks.
Right now, as long as you are there with me, that is all that
matters.”
Biting my lip hard, curious, I suggested, “so you’d go to some
fancy restaurant with me, dressed like this, in front of all of
your friends and associates?”
Nodding, looking extremely carefree, standing up before me,
Quinn replied, “to hell with the dinner.”
When suddenly, right there before me, he began unbuttoning
his shirt. Alarmed, yet curious at why he was beginning to
undress in front me, I asked, “Quinn, what are you doing?”
When to my shock and amazement, he casually replied, “I’m
getting undressed and I am going to join you in bed for the
evening. I am sure that I could think of a million ways that we
could have so much more fun in this bedroom, than we ever
could surrounded by a bunch of pretentious suits.”
Struggling to hide my amusement, covering my blushing cheeks with my hands, giggling like a school child. I jumped
up to my feet, in the centre of my bed, while he began to tug
at his belt buckle. Running across my bed frantically and
jumping down on to the floor below, in the direction of my
walk-in closet. I called out, “okay, I will go and get dressed.
Just please, put your damn clothes back on.”
Hearing the rough tone of his laughter fill my ears, sure that I
could see the grin that had taken over his entire face, without
even looking. I knew that my reaction had played right into
his hands, one way or another, he was going to spend the
evening with me. Whether I liked it, or not.
Arriving at the restaurant, apprehensive I held back. Feeling
Quinn almost tug me towards the table, when suddenly,
someone familiar caught my eye. It was Marcia, that bitch
from the charity event. Thinking to myself, I began to wonder
‘what on earth was she doing here?’ Using all of my strength, I
tugged upon Quinn’s arm, making him stop instantly.
Turning to face me, he frowned and whispered “please don’t
tell me that you are having second thoughts now, Domini,
sweetheart, they’ve seen us.”
Widening my eyes, trying not to draw any more attention to
myself, I whispered, “why is Marcia here?”
Feeling my whole face, scrunch up in pure disgust.
Watching his face illuminate before me, stopping me from
going a step further, he pulled me into him. Feeling his lips
touch my earlobe, he whispered “is someone a little jealous?
She works for a development company, that brings a lot of
work my way, so please be nice.”
Releasing myself momentarily from his arms, just long
enough to look up at him, and give him a devilish glare. I
replied, “jealous, of that! Please. Mr H, I really don’t know what you are insinuating or suggesting.”
Giving him a cheeky little wink and a smirk, I continued,
“Domini plays nice with everyone.”
Feeling his arms playfully take hold of me once more, as his
smile widened and he playfully whispered into my ear, “yes
honey, that’s exactly what I am afraid of.”
Seated next to Quinn, with him resting his arm upon the back
of my chair. Showing the entire restaurant, the love and the
closeness that we supposedly shared. I was instantly
introduced to the entire table, quickly trying to remember
which name belonged to each person.
When a seemingly older lady asked, “so where did you two
lovebirds meet? I know that Quinn likes to keep his personal
life away from the office, but I just had to ask.”
Simultaneously we both answered,
I called out “at a bar.”
While Quinn called out “at a charity event.”
When suddenly in our defence, combining both of our
answers, Quinn grinned, gracing my cheek with a singular
kiss, he concluded “it was at the bar, of a charity event.”
And now, so it would seem, that it was Marcia’s turn to ask
the next question. Watching the evil glare, twist up her entire
face as she asked in a disbelieving tone, “so you’re married
huh! Where did you tie the knot? Because I can’t remember
getting an invite, or hearing of anyone else getting one
either.”
Smiling over at Quinn, placing a singular kiss on to his lips,
feeling my whole smile widen at her tone.
Quinn replied, “it was a very personal little affair, family and very close friends only.”
Though I could see by the expression on Marcia’s face, that
his answer was not enough. Repeating her original question,
watching the fury dig deep inside of her. All while she
watched Quinn closely, stroking my bare arm, she asked, “so
where was it, that you got married?”
Taking it upon myself to reply, I answered, “it was just a very
small, intimate ceremony, in my parent’s backyard.”
Watching her begin to snigger, almost embarrassed for me.
When another voice could be heard, asking “that sounds
lovely my dear, where do your parents live?”
Noticing that the eyes of the entire table were now focused on
me, when I mentioned that my parents lived in West
Portchester. Almost choking on her drink, Marcia asked,
“your parents live in West Portchester?”
Nodding, trying to sound surprised, I asked, “yes, do you
know it well?”
Ignoring my question, I watched her sink back into her seat.
When another gentleman, who I recognised as Mr Sutton
from the charity event, stated, “that’s pretty impressive. West
Portchester, what a beautiful place. A millionaire’s haven,
your parents must have done pretty well for themselves, to be
living in such a prestigious place.”
Agreeing, I nodded and replied, watching Marcia’s jaw almost
hit the floor, “yes, my father is Henry Stone, founder of Stone
enterprises.”
Noticing the excitement in everyone’s eyes that surrounded
us, sure that my father’s reputation had proceeded itself once
again. Not backing down, once more Marcia sniggered and
stated, “it must be great to come from such wealthy parents and then land yourself a successful architect.”
Almost laughing to myself, glancing over to Quinn, who’s
smile had also widened, at Marcia’s frail attempt at an insult.
When Quinn replied, “it’s not quite like that Marcia, have you
ever heard of Hassel and Viola models?”
Watching Marcia’s face light up once more, sniggering she
replied, “figures, you’re a model. I thought as much.”
Reaching over to take me into his arms, focusing all of his
attention on to me. Smiling from his eyes, Quinn replied,
“wrong again Marcia, Domini is head of the entire advertising
and promotional department over there. And believe me she
does a stellar job. Don’t you honey.”
Locking eyes with him, it was then that I could feel a
multitude of eyes resting upon us, gazing at Quinn as he
serenaded my lips with sweet kisses, in full view of everyone.
All while enjoying the exquisite dinner that had been laid out
before us, I felt Marcia’s eyes focus on to us once more.
Almost certain that she was not finished, watching another
grin consume her entire face, looking over the table at our
hands, her eyes fixed on to the cutlery that we held. Confused,
I could see Quinn’s glare, becoming uneasy when Marcia
asked, “so if you are indeed married now, then where are your
wedding rings?”
Staring down at my hands, sure that we had been caught out,
when suddenly Quinn exhaled deeply and his entire face lit up
in amusement.
Placing his knife and fork down on to the table, swallowing
the remains of the food that he had just placed into his
mouth. Giving himself just enough time to form a sentence.
Taking a sip of water, he replied “our rings are at the
jewellers. We thought it would be a great idea to have the lyrics to our first dance, engraved into the platinum bands.”
Reaching over, gently taking his chin in my hand and kissing
him hard. Loving each and every word that he had said,
cleverly shutting Marcia down, in an instant. Assuming that
would have been the last of her questions, when suddenly to
our surprise she asked “just curious, and what was the song,
that you chose as your first dance?”
It was then, before I could even think to answer, Quinn
already had, he replied “at last, by the incredible Etta James.”
Hearing the admiration of oohs and ahhs fill the air. Gazing
over at him, so proud. I began to wonder, where he was
getting all of these brilliant ideas from. And had he done all
this before, because he played fake husband, so much better,
than I ever played fake wife.
Chapter 22
Calling it a night with his associates, Quinn and I headed over
to a trendy little cocktail bar, at the other end of the city.
Laughing loudly, reminiscing over the question and answer
time with Marcia. With the both of us still convinced that
somehow, she knew that it was all an act. We settled at a cosy
little booth over in the corner, away from prying eyes and the
other revellers. Quiet enough so that we could chat freely, but
loud enough so that others couldn’t hear in.
Resting his arm, on to the back of the booth behind me,
Quinn began thanking me for coming to his aid this evening
and accompanying him to the restaurant. Catching his gaze in
the corner of my eye, I replied “it was totally worth it, just to
see the look on Marcia’s face, she hates me so much,” I laughed.
Noticing that his hand, was no longer resting on the booth
behind me, it was now placed on my forearm. Pulling me in
close, giving me an almighty squeeze, resting his lips at my
temple, Quinn whispered into my ear, the one question that I
didn’t expect, but most probably should have. He asked “will
you stay with me tonight?”
Feeling my heart beat fast, while the knots in my stomach had
returned at full throttle, trying not to stumble. Biting my lip
so hard, that my teeth almost made contact, looking up into
his forgiving eyes, I replied “it depends.”
Leaning in, kissing my lips gently, he asked, “on what?”
Returning his kiss, I asked “do you have any peanut butter?”
Watching a huge smile take over his whole face, nodding
slowly, placing a singular kiss on to my lips. He replied, “yes
honey, I do.”
Feeling my whole body rise up into his arms, consumed by
the warmth and intensity of his kiss. Only releasing me, to
whisper into my ear, “I’m feeling a little hungry right now. I
think that it’s time that we headed over to my place.”
Excusing myself from the table and heading into the ladies’
bathroom. I Climbed up on to the window ledge, in front of
the other female patrons. Ignoring them all, I was positive
that I didn’t care. All that I knew right now was, if I left with
Quinn, I would have undoubtedly ended up in his bed.
Knowing that whatever this was that we shared, it had passed
the point of a one-night stand, we had become too close for
comfort. Which in conclusion, would have inevitably put us in
some sort of relationship. Leaving me feeling so unsure, if it
was something that I wanted or needed right now. Placing my
leg out and over the pane of glass, it was then looking down into the alley way that I saw him standing there.
Looking up at me, arms folded, grinning, Quinn asked, “do
you want me to reach up and hold you, or hold my arms open
so that you can free fall into them?”
Closing my eyes tightly, sighing heavily, I laughed at my
predicament, getting caught by the one person that I was
running from. Allowing him to help me down, I stood there
next to him, watching him lower his head, he stated, “Domini,
I am a grown man. If you didn’t want to come home with me,
all you had to do was say no. I can take it, I promise. You
didn’t need to do this.”
Instantly feeling ridiculous, I confessed, “it’s not that I don’t
want to come back with you… it’s just…”
Taking a deep breath, unable to continue, Quinn begged,
“what is it Dom’, tell me, please?”
Leaning against the outside brick wall, trying not to look up at
him, I asked “if we go back to your place, we are going to sleep
together and then you are going to want to ring me tomorrow,
right?”
Nodding, Quinn looked confused and replied “well yeah, isn’t
that how relationships work.”
Pointing up at him, I shouted, “see, I knew it!”
Now an even more confused Quinn asked, “so if I invited you
back and I didn’t call you ever again, then that would be
okay?”
Realising just how stupid all of this sounded, wanting to
scream, watching him lean against the wall beside me, Quinn
/>
asked, “you haven’t done the relationship thing in a long time,
have you?”
Shaking my head, cringing from head to toe, I replied, “one-night stand, yes. Relationship, I can’t do it again Quinn. I
can’t put myself out there. And this, what we have. I can feel
it, it’s where it’s heading.”
Pulling me into him at a great force, feeling his lips pressed
against my forehead, he held me so close and explained “what
happened, your engagement, it was such a long time ago. Are
you willing to allow it to define your whole future? Running
from one sordid, meaningless one-night stand to another.
Never allowing yourself to be loved, to be taken care of. To
share a future with someone, to find someone to grow old
with. Are you going to give him that power, to take everything
away from you, Domini are you going to let him win?”
Looking deep into Quinn’s eyes, feeling the most defiant and
focused that I had ever felt in my entire life. I shook my head
slowly, tracing his lower lip gently with the tip of my thumb.
Retracing with my lips, kissing him hard, feeling my whole
body rise up into his arms. Releasing myself momentarily,
only to ask him, “what are you waiting for? Quinn take me
home.”
Thrashing our way through Quinn’s front door, entwined.
Without a care in the world, to who or what had seen us enter
like this. Swept away in each other’s arms, with only one
destination in mind, lifting me up off of my feet, Quinn took
me straight into his bedroom.
There and then, held strong in his arms, with every tender
touch, he took me to another world, with a surge of euphoric
passion. I gave myself to him, mind, body and soul. Releasing
all of our collected and contained emotions. Feeling him want
to fulfil my every want and need. Devoured by his embrace,
over and over again, our yearning bodies became one.
The following morning, waking to feel Quinn’s warm breath tickling the back of my neck, his hand loosely caressing my
bare thigh. All while the knots in my stomach danced at full
pace. Hearing him whisper into my ear, “you were incredible
last night, I want to stay here, like this, with you forever.”
Opening my eyes, to see someone stood at the foot of the bed,
watching us.
Gasping with horror at the sight of Cynthia. Stood inches