The Book of Eve

by Julia Blake

  ‘I live here,’ he answered. I looked at Ally’s still watchful face, saw the whole evening had been a set up, a ploy to get me here, although for what purpose couldn’t begin to imagine.

  ‘I see,’ I replied slowly, my mind racing and raised my brows at Ally. ‘Something you forgot to mention during our catch up session?’ She flushed, then straightened and glared at me, still standing between me and the door.

  ‘I bumped into Mike two years ago,’ she said, her tone hostile and defensive. ‘He was out of prison and desperate to see you, to see if maybe you could pick up where you’d left off, even though you’d never made any attempt to visit him inside. He didn’t know, you see, Mel...’

  ‘Didn’t know what?’ I asked casually, my heart hammering with sudden fear.

  ‘Didn’t know it was you what shopped me,’ he replied.

  ‘That’s ridiculous,’ I insisted. ‘Why on earth would I have turned my own boyfriend in?’

  ‘Because you’d got in with Annaliese and her crowd, and we weren’t good enough for you anymore,’ Ally answered, eight years of fermented jealousy bubbling behind her eyes.

  ‘No,’ I said as calmly as I could. ‘It wasn’t like that, I came home and you were gone, then the police came. They questioned me, wanting to know if I’d known what was in the boxes,’ I paused, and allowed a pitying look to slide onto my face. ‘Oh Mike,’ I said. ‘How could you have been so stupid? Storing the goods in our flat, was that Wayne’s idea?’

  ‘No,’ he replied, almost petulantly, uncertainty on his face. I pressed home my advantage.

  ‘I didn’t know what you were up too, Mike, and even if I had I wouldn’t have shopped you because I could have got myself into trouble. It was only through luck I had an alibi for the nights of the robberies. As it was, my parents got to hear about it and were furious with me. They ordered me to have nothing to do with you, even though I was so worried about you,’ I injected a small catch of my breath into the speech, as though fighting with old emotions.

  ‘Do you have any idea what it was like for me, Mike? My boyfriend had been arrested, I wasn’t allowed to visit you and everyone thought I’d had something to do with it. In the end, I had no choice but to get on with my life.’

  ‘Huh!’ snorted Ally. ‘If you believe that, you’ll believe anything.’

  ‘Shut it, Ally,’ ordered Mike and looked at me, considering. I gazed back in wide eyed innocence. Suddenly, he smiled, a genuine smile, and I knew I’d pulled it off. He believed me, even if Ally didn’t. ‘It’s good to see you again, Mel...’

  ‘I don’t fucking believe this!’ exploded Ally in rage and Mike glared at her, his good humour vanishing in a flash. I saw a glimpse of what prison had done to him, of the violence simmering just below the surface and shivered.

  ‘Go make that tea you promised,’ he ordered, eyes narrowing to slits and I prayed for Ally’s sake she’d obey him. She opened her mouth to argue further, closed it again, hand straying to rub distractedly at her cheek as if remembering an old injury. I wondered if he’d ever hit her.

  ‘So, Mel,’ Mike turned back to me once Ally had flounced from the room. ‘What ya doing with yourself now? You’re certainly looking amazing.’

  ‘Thank you,’ I replied calmly. ‘I’m working as a freelance research assistant.’

  ‘Very posh,’ he pulled a face. ‘Used to the finer life now then, are you?’

  ‘You could say that,’ I shrugged, brain racing, wondering where this was leading, if he was going to touch me for money, or if he had something else in mind.

  ‘Tell you what,’ he suddenly said. ‘I’ve got something better than tea, Mel, something I’m sure you’ll appreciate a lot more.’

  ‘Oh yes?’ I replied, voice disinterested. ‘What’s that?’ To my horror he pulled a small plastic bag from his pocket, containing what I guessed wasn’t talcum powder. He smirked at me and cleared a space on the coffee table. ‘I’m ok,’ I reassured him. ‘Not for me, thanks.’

  He looked at me, I saw the crafty cunning beneath his friendly smile and realised all the while I’d thought I’d been fooling him, really he’d been fooling me

  ‘No, no, Mel, I insist,’ he replied, his smile growing fixed and steely.

  ‘Ok,’ I shrugged. ‘Though I know you Mike Tate, it better not be any cheap shit. Like you said, I’m used to the finer stuff in life now, you know.’ His grin broadened, and he leant back in his chair, staring at me in grudging admiration.

  ‘It’s good stuff,’ he assured me.

  ‘Ok, but I need to pee first,’ I replied. ‘Upstairs is it?’

  ‘Yeah,’ he agreed. ‘Second door on the right, oh, and Mel,’ he said as I turned to go. ‘Leave your bag, don’t want you getting the urge to phone the police or anything silly, do we.’

  I raised my brows, as if offended by the accusation, shrugged and dropped my bag onto a chair, slowly walking from the room and making my way upstairs. I found the bathroom, quietly but firmly shut and locked the door behind me, not allowing my control to slip until I knew I was alone, then rummaged desperately in my jacket pocket for my phone, thanking god I’d been unable to fit it into my tiny leather bag so had slipped it into my pocket instead. With hands that shook I dialled Scott’s number, almost sobbing with relief when he answered.

  ‘Scott,’ I whispered frantically. ‘Scott, you have to help me!’

  ‘Eve? What’s up? What’s the matter?’

  ‘I’m hiding in the bathroom and he’s downstairs, and he’s got drugs, I think it’s cocaine and he’s going to make me take some and I’m so scared, Scott, I can’t get out, the front door’s locked and I know if I try to make a run for it he’ll catch me.’

  ‘What, Eve, what are you talking about? Who’s going to make you take drugs?’

  ‘Mike Tate, my ex.’

  ‘I see,’ his voice was cold and distant. ‘Where exactly are you?’ Quickly I whispered the address, knowing it wasn’t far from his apartment, blood pounding thankfully in my head when he sighed and said. ‘Ok, I’ll be there as quick as I can, just... just be careful, Eve.’

  I stuffed the phone in my pocket and used the loo, tension and too much wine with dinner playing havoc with my bladder, took my time washing my hands, then sauntered casually back downstairs. Ally was sitting in the lounge, mugs of tea on the coffee table in front of her, and she glared at me as I came in. My eyes flicked to my bag, could see from its position and the fact it was half undone, they’d taken the chance whilst I’d been upstairs to go through it.

  ‘Better?’ queried Mike. I nodded, turning to Ally, adopted one of Annaliese’s best lady-of-the-manor poses.

  ‘Ally, dear, I couldn’t trouble you for a glass of water, could I? That wine has left me awfully dry,’ I kept the sweet smile on my face, until she flounced off again into the kitchen, pulled a superior face at Mike. ‘Oh dear, I think I’ve upset her,’ I said, deliberately trying to get him to side with me against her.

  ‘She’ll get over it,’ he replied abruptly, watching as she re-emerged and thrust a glass into my hands. Slowly I sipped at it, listened to the sound of determined footsteps on the pavement outside, followed by a sharp knock at the door.

  ‘Expecting company?’ I asked, putting my glass down. Mike jerked his head at Ally and she sidled into the hall. I heard her unlock the door and ease it open.

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘I’ve come to collect Eve.’ Scott’s voice, familiar and welcome, I gathered up my bag, gave Mike a dazzling smile.

  ‘Who?’ Ally replied puzzled. I stepped into the hall behind her.

  ‘He means me,’ I pushed past her. ‘Goodbye,’ I glanced back at Mike who hadn’t moved and my smile became grim. ‘You ever try to contact me again, either of you,’ I shot Ally a warning glare, ‘I really will turn you in.’ I stepped into the chill evening air
, seeing the disbelieving look on Ally’s face as I tucked my arm into Scott’s, walked away from the pair of them.

  ‘Oh my god,’ I gasped, beginning to shake now I was no longer in any danger. ‘Thank god you were home tonight, I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared...’ I broke off at the disdainful look he gave me as he pulled his arm free of my grasp.

  ‘What the hell were you playing at, Eve? You go out with a man you know is a burglar, has been in trouble with the law, then you must expect this sort of thing to happen.’

  ‘I didn’t,’ I retorted, stung by his accusation. He snorted, strode off, and I hurried after him, heels rapping sharply on the pavement. ‘I swear to you I didn’t, Scott. Ally called, said she hadn’t seen me for ages so could we meet up for a meal. I’d no idea she was seeing Mike, I mean, why should I? I haven’t even thought about him in eight years. After the meal, she offered me a cup of tea back at her place, I didn’t know he was living with her, not until she locked the door behind me and there he was.’

  Scott stopped, turned to look at me and sighed wearily. ‘Ok,’ he said. ‘Come on, I’ll make you a coffee back at mine and then I’ll run you home.’ He held out his arm again, gratefully I tucked my hand through it, allowed him to lead me up the hill onto the street where his apartment was located. I loved Scott’s apartment, topmost one in a block which had been converted from offices, the views from his floor to ceiling windows out over the whole town were spectacular.

  Silently, he let us into the apartment, leading the way to the ultra modern, spacious kitchen, flicking the switch on the kettle, getting down the coffee pot and mugs from the cupboard. I slipped off my jacket, slung it over a chair, watched as he efficiently spooned coffee into the pot.

  ‘What I don’t understand,’ he said, his back still to me. ‘Is why you went out with Ally, I thought you’d left that life far behind you, didn’t want to be reminded of Melissa anymore?’

  ‘I didn’t,’ I agreed, then hesitated. ‘I had to get away from the Hall, Scott, I feel so sorry for Mimi, of course, was devastated by what happened, but, sometimes, I have to escape, get out of it. When Ally phoned and suggested meeting, it seemed too good an opportunity to miss. It’s alright for you, you can get away by coming here when it all gets too much, if it ever does...’ I muttered under my breath.

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ he demanded, swinging round to glare at me.

  ‘Nothing... well, I suppose it’s because it doesn’t seem to have affected you... not like the rest of us, and I guess, sometimes, I don’t understand how you can be so cold and uncaring...’

  I broke off, afraid of the look in his eyes. ‘Sometimes Eve, you can be a thoughtless bitch,’ he declared flatly, ‘I really don’t know why I...’ he stopped, rubbed his eyes. ‘Andrew was my business partner, my friend, my best friend. His death has left such a hole in my life I doubt it can ever be filled. As for Essie, she was my goddaughter, I loved her, but if you can’t believe that, because I didn’t weep and wail and fall apart like the rest of you, well then I’m very sorry, Eve, but that’s just the way I am.’

  He turned away, threw coffee into the pot almost savagely. I stared at him, brain churning at the sudden realisation if it weren’t for the Scott’s and Caro’s of this world, who quietly coped and dealt with everyday details in the midst of a crisis, then people like Mimi, Annaliese and myself, wouldn’t have the luxury of being able to completely fall apart and let everything go. Something else occurred. Essie had been exactly the same age as Samuel when he’d died.

  I took a hesitant step forward, noticed the imperceptible trembling of his hands. Another step and I stood beside him, gazing at him intently, watching the tiny muscle that pulsed at the corner of his mouth. He glanced at me, his expression once more shuttered and unreadable.

  ‘What is it, Eve?’ he demanded warily. I shook my head, made the tiny movement that brought me so close to him our arms brushed as he laid the coffee spoon down and pushed the pot towards the kettle. Then, surprising us both, reached up, locked my hands behind his neck and pulled his head down to mine, pressing startled lips onto his beautiful mouth.

  It was like kissing an icicle, rigid and unyielding. I despaired, persevered, pressing my body to his, standing on tiptoe as I wound my arms about his body, poured heart and soul into the kiss. Suddenly, his arms grabbed at mine and pulled me away. I gazed into his stunned dark eyes. For a moment feared he was going to push me away, then something broke in his expression, he bent his head and feasted greedily on my lips.

  It was like kissing a volcano, hot and demanding. His mouth moved hungrily over mine. Desire and need ricocheted between our bodies. Hands closed over my waist, lifting me onto the counter, sending mugs skidding as I wrapped my legs around him, pulled him closer, felt his heat rub against me, groaning with desire as his large hands began to undo the buttons on my blouse, struggled with the zips on the inside of my boots. Touch, scalding hot on my bare legs, he ran his fingers up my thighs, pulled off the boots, tossed them heedlessly away, eyes widening at the long black socks I was wearing underneath.

  ‘Let me take them off,’ I muttered hastily, embarrassed, but he stopped me.

  ‘Leave them on,’ he ordered, his breathing ragged. ‘With the pleated skirt they make you look like a schoolgirl.’

  ‘Perv,’ I gasped, as he pushed my shirt off and his hands closed over my breasts, was rewarded by the sound of his rich chuckle, the first time I’d heard him laugh since the tragedy.

  ‘Oh god,’ I groaned, felt his mouth close over my nipple, suckling on it through the silk of my cream lace teddy, cried out desperately, ‘I want you, I want you so much,’ moved my hips, rotating my pulsing throbbing centre onto the bulge in his trousers, heard his breath catch as he thrust back.

  ‘I could make love to you right here and now,’ he gasped. I bent my head, nibbled at his jaw.

  ‘Then why don’t you,’ I begged, and his arms tightened around me.

  ‘Because I’ve waited too long to have you in my bed for it to happen anywhere else.’

  I shrieked as he lifted me bodily off the counter, carried me through the lounge and into the bedroom. Gently, he deposited me onto his king size bed, reached to undo the buttons on his own shirt, but I knelt up and pushed his fingers away. Need made me clumsy as I tugged and pulled them open, before finally being rewarded with his bare superbly toned flesh. I flattened my palms over his chest, felt the heat of his skin and the thud of his heart.

  Slithering down, I fumbled with the laces on his shoes, finally getting them undone and helping him to kick them off, pulled off socks, then crawled back up his body and undid his zip, eased trousers down over his hips, breath catching in my throat as I saw him for the first time.

  Long and hard and firm, he was gorgeous and I couldn’t help myself but took him deep into my mouth, heard him cry out, hands fisting in my hair as I tasted and teased. Starting slowly, then gradually becoming faster, relishing the hoarse cries being forced from his throat.

  Finally, he pulled me away, his eyes dark, glittering with lust and need, hands shaking as he undid my skirt. It dropped to the ground, leaving me in matching cream lace underwear, which he quickly disposed of, stepping out of his trousers and following me down onto the bed. We lay, heartbeat to heartbeat, skin to skin, our mouths joining in a frenzied kiss of ownership.

  ‘Please,’ I begged. ‘Now, I want you now!’

  He shifted me onto my back, knelt between my thighs. I felt him, hard and ready, groaned with delight, raising my hips to meet him as he rubbed himself between my swollen lips, easing in the smallest way, mouth closing firmly over mine. Then he paused, pulled away to look at me.

  ‘Are you on the pill, Eve?’

  ‘What?’ I was incapable of rational thought, struggled to focus on his words. ‘No, erm, no, I’m not,’ felt the effort it took for him to pull back, away fr
om me. I gasped, clutched at him. ‘Don’t stop!’ I begged. ‘I’m sure it’ll be fine, please, don’t stop.’

  ‘It’s ok,’ he reassured. ‘I’ve got some condoms somewhere.’ He rolled over, yanked open the top drawer of his bedside cabinet, frantically sifting through its contents, growling with frustration as he struggled to find them. I rolled over behind him, running my hands over his perfect body, pressing kisses and small teasing bites down his spine and over his hips.

  ‘Eve,’ he groaned. ‘You’re not helping...’ my fist closed over him, began to move and he gasped and jerked, the drawer flying out and upending its entire contents onto the floor.

  ‘There they are,’ I exclaimed, pointing at a small cellophane wrapped packet entangled in a mobile charger cord. He snatched them up, fumbling helplessly with the packaging, glaring at me when I giggled, rolling onto his back, his movements clumsy. Finally, it was on and he rolled back, gathered me up in his arms and simply thrust in one smooth glorious movement.

  Now it was my turn to cry out, head back, eyes closed to preserve the perfection of the moment in my memory. Yes, cried my body; at last, sighed my heart. I pulled him to me, mouths meeting in a kiss of such tenderness I wanted to cry for the love I fancied I felt behind it.

  We began to move together, perfect harmony, perfect rhythm, as he plunged and thrust, deep and even strokes which quickly brought me quivering to the edge of orgasm, then he stopped, held still and I clutched at him with dismay. ‘Don’t stop!’ I begged. ‘Please don’t stop.’

  ‘I have to,’ he gasped. ‘I want you so badly and I’ve waited for so long, I can’t hold back, it’ll be over too quickly for you.’

  ‘No, it won’t,’ I panted. ‘I’m there too, with you, come with me, oh god,’ I groaned as he began to move again. ‘Yes, that’s it, oh Scott, my Scott...’

  I clutched at him, my head thrashing from side to side, feet planted firmly on the mattress as my body thrust up to meet him, stroke for stroke. The world stood still for a glorious, infinite moment. Then the orgasm crashed down, and I felt him jerk, push deep inside me, throb and pulse in faultless tempo with my own climax, one word only being ripped from his throat.