She gritted her teeth. “His name is Elliot Longthorne, Adam, and it is none of your business. So I had sex? So what? I enjoyed it.” She lied. Her words were meant to hurt him as the anger both at herself and Adam bubbled to the surface. “It was great and I’ll be doing a lot more of it with or without your blessing. I’m an adult. Remember? Now if you’re going to stand there being all judgmental, then I suggest you fuck off out of my room!” she shouted pointing to the door.
He shook his head as he turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him. She let out an angry guttural scream and punched her mattress.
Chapter Six
Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime (The Korgis)
November 2000 – Edinburgh University
Adam and Lily didn’t speak for over a month after her admission she had slept with Elliot. Adam had no right to be angry or disappointed, and he knew this when he thought rationally about it. But it didn’t stop the rage from bubbling inside him every time he thought of her giving herself to the lanky streak of piss so freely. What made things worse is that the relationship she had run headlong into fell apart soon after they’d had sex, just like Adam knew it would. He wanted to comfort her but his stubbornness wouldn’t allow it, and so it fell to Eve to be Lily’s shoulder to cry on. Not that there had actually been any crying apparently.
“So…what did she say at lunch?” Adam asked as he and Eve sat in his uncharacteristically tidy room after walking back together once lectures had finished for the day.
Eve sighed and furrowed her brow. “I wish you two would just talk, for goodness sake. You’re both adults and I shouldn’t have to be your go between. When I speak to her it’s all Is Adders still mad? Has he said anything? And then I come to you and get the same.” She hit him with a cushion.
Adam huffed. “I know, I know…seriously though…how is she?”
Eve rolled her eyes and placed a hand on his face. “She’s angry as hell at you but loves you to bits and hates all this angst between you.”
“Is she upset about Pippy?”
She pushed his arm. “You need to stop calling him that. No, she’s not upset. They parted because…well…look just speak to her.”
Adam sat upright. “Because of what? Please tell me Eve. You’re worrying me.”
“Look, she only slept with him to see what it was like. He turned her on and she wanted to try it. But when it came down to it, he wanted a relationship, and…well she didn’t. Simple as that.”
“Really? So she ended it?”
“Pretty much, Adam, yes.” She kissed his nose.
“And you believe that?” Adam couldn’t.
Eve rolled her eyes. “Of course, I believe her. I have no reason not to. Look, can I ask you something?”
He snuggled into her neck and kissed her. “Anything,” he mumbled.
“Why are you really so wound up about her sleeping with him?”
He stopped his ministrations and pulled back to look into her eyes. He huffed again and ran a hand through his hair. “I told her dad I’d watch out for her. I feel like I’ve let him down. She should’ve waited until she was in love. She should’ve let it be special. She deserves that, Evie.”
“But, Adam, she’s not your responsibility. You need to let her breathe. You can’t protect her forever.”
“Look, can we please stop talking about her? You and I are what matters here. Not my stubborn arsed friend.” He gently caressed her lower lip with his thumb. Leaning in to kiss her, he lowered her back on the bed and deepened the kiss. Her hands found his hair and she moaned into his mouth.
All this talk of sex had got Adam thinking. He had been seeing Eve for around six weeks. He hadn’t tried to take things further. He respected her and wanted their first time to be special, not rushed at some stupid, alcohol fuelled house party. The most they had done is kiss and touch a little. She turned him on just by the way she returned his kisses and grasped his hair. Her moans of pleasure almost sent him over the edge on more than one occasion.
He moved his mouth to her neck, nibbling and sucking at her tender skin, getting the reaction he loved so much. Her fingers gripped his hair harder.
He wanted her.
Desperately.
His every waking thought now had Eve’s smiling eyes and beautiful face slap bang in the middle of it. But he would only take the next step for love. His mouth stopped moving. His head snapped up and his eyes met hers. Their blue depths were filled with lust but there was more there. The realisation hit him like a ton of falling textbooks. He loved her. He really, really loved her. Shit. I’m actually in love. Suddenly he sat up and pulled away. The worry that he saw flash in her eyes momentarily melted his heart but he lowered his gaze. Fear coursed through his veins riding on the back of the adrenalin.
She touched her lips. “Adam…what is it? What’s wrong?”
He turned to her and touched her cheek. “Nothing…I’m fine honestly.”
Her cheeks coloured rose-red. “Did I do something wrong?” Her voice wavered as she spoke.
Shaking his head vehemently, he smiled. “No…not at all. I…I need to tell you something, but I’m scared you’ll run a mile.”
She backed away from him. “Oh God, Adam, what is it? You’re really scaring me.” Her eyes had become glassy and her lower lip trembled.
Clearly she feared the worst.
He pulled himself along the bed toward her. “Hey, stop.” He took her hands in his. “It’s nothing bad. I just don’t know if it’s the right time… I’m scared, Eve.” He looked into her azure eyes trying to communicate his feelings so that she would understand.
“Just tell me…please.”
He closed his eyes for a second, trying to conjure up some courage to say how he felt whilst terrified he was about to blow everything. Focusing on her once again, he took a deep breath. “Eve…I…I’m in love with you… I love you.”
A tear escaped her eye and his heart sank. She didn’t feel the same and he’d just ruined everything. He sat upright pulling his hands away and looked down at them where they twisted in his lap. He closed his eyes again as he felt the bed dip. She was leaving. He couldn’t bear to watch her leave, and so he kept his eyes closed tight. He listened for the door but was greeted with nothing but a shuffling sound.
When he finally dared to open his eyes, he looked up and his breath caught. She stood before him completely naked. It was the most beautiful sight he had ever be held. Her golden blonde hair tumbled over her shoulders and caressed her round, pert breasts. The tight pink buds beckoned for his touch as he raked his eyes slowly over her flawless skin. His hungry eyes followed the curve of her waist to her hip, and the soft hair at the junction of her thighs brought a gasp. He swallowed past the lump lodged in his throat. Blinking up at her he opened his mouth to speak, but she reached and pulled his hand so that he was standing before her.
She lifted her hand to cup his cheek. “Adam…I love you too.”
Relief washed over him and he thought his heart might burst with this new realisation. He leaned to kiss her, and stroking his fingertips down her bare back, he felt her shiver under his touch.
Anxious that he had somehow made her feel pressured, he said, “Evie, we don’t have to do this now. I’m so happy that you feel the same, but we can wait. I’m not Elliot. I’m happy to wait.” He kissed her again and his arousal betrayed the words he had uttered.
She pulled away and looked into his eyes. “Adam, I don’t want to try to plan for this to be perfect. I don’t want to put pressure on either of us by saying we’ll do this on that day, in that place… I want to give you this gift now. I want to make love with you, Adam, please?”
He inhaled sharply as he looked down at her. “But I want it to be perfect and what if it’s not?”
She smiled her usual breath-taking smile. “What makes it perfect is that it’s me and you. We have all the time in the world to perfect things. We’ll learn. But tonight we have all night. I’ve never done this
before and although I don’t know for sure about you I get the feeling that, whilst you have probably got some experience in other ways that maybe you’ve never done this either?”
“No…never. I’ve just never felt enough for anyone to go that far.” He felt the heat rise in his cheeks at the admission. He wanted to be the experienced one. He wanted to rock her world and make her see stars but felt disappointed in himself. On the other hand it dawned on him that they were about to share this most intimate and special thing with each other.
She pulled at his T-shirt and discarded it on the floor. She was braver than he gave her credit for. Always assuming she would be the shy one, he realised he was wrong as he allowed her to unfasten the button on his faded jeans and slide them down his legs, taking the boxers with them. His arousal sprang forth and she bit her lip as she gazed upon it. He was glad she had no one to compare him to. At least he didn’t have to fear he wasn’t enough for her.
He pulled her into an embrace, his hands in her hair as he tilted her up for a long, deep kiss. Never in all his twenty years had he been more aroused or more in awe. Of course he had looked at magazines. He was a young man after all. But Eve truly was a sight to behold. And she was for his eyes only. He stepped back toward the bed, taking her with him. They lay down together and gazed into each other’s eyes.
She giggled nervously. “Okay…now I’m scared.”
He kissed her tenderly. “Me too…I want to please you so much. I want to make you feel amazing but—”
She placed her fingertips over his lips. “Shhh, no pressure, remember? Do you have protection?”
He nodded and leaned over to his nightstand. He shot a glance back over at her. “Oh God, Eve this doesn’t mean I expected… I mean I hoped that someday… I mean—”
She stopped his mouth with a kiss and an encouraging, tender smile that told him he didn’t need to explain. He took out a small foil packet and placed it beside them on the bed. He lay beside her and covered her mouth with his own. As theirs tongues danced, he smoothed his hand gently downward to her breast and caressed her nipple. She moaned into his mouth and gripped him tighter. Her skin was so soft, and he loved how she shivered under his gentle touch. With feather light movements, his fingertips travelled down her body until he reached the junction of her thighs. He slipped his fingers into her dampness and stroked her there for a while, taking note of the things that pleased her and the things that made her grab for him. Her breathing rate increased into breathy gasps and moans, which spurred him on. His movements became faster as Eve became more vocal. He touched and caressed until she tightened and cried out his name, clinging onto his shoulders, her eyes closed and her head back. He had made that happen. A sense of pride washed through his veins, the likes of which he’d never experienced before.
Nervously, as she watched, he sheathed himself and hovered between her thighs looking to her for consent. She stroked his cheek and pulled at his waist, urging him on.
He entered her on a long, low groan. “Oh, God, Eve…I love you so much… I never expected this… I never—”
She covered his mouth with hers once again and inhaled sharply. He watched her clamp her eyes shut tight. He knew she must be hurting but she continued to pull him in. Carefully at first, he moved inside the woman he loved, holding her close until he could hold back no longer and his movements became more urgent. He thrust into her one last time as pleasure rocketed right to his very core. Stars appeared and fireworks exploded throughout his entire body, the most wonderful sensations taking over him. He collapsed onto her and nuzzled her neck for a moment until his breathing returned to normal and his heart rate slowed. She held onto him and kissed his cheek and ear, sighing as she did so.
He pulled away from her and propped himself up on his elbows. Staring into her eyes he asked her, “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “I’m so much more than okay, Adam. I love you.”
He kissed her again. “And I love you. Thank you. That was the most amazing feeling I’ve ever experienced. Thank you so much.”
Suddenly feeling a little overcome with emotion, he bit the inside of his cheek and pulled away to unsheathe himself. Eve climbed under the covers and held her arms out to him. He climbed back in next to her and pulled her in to rest her head on his chest.
Wow. Just wow.
Chapter Seven
It’s My Party (Lesley Gore)
June 2001 – Edinburgh University
“Adam! We’re going to be late for Lily’s party! Come on!” Eve shouted through the bathroom door of the shared house. He had been waiting ages to actually get in there thanks to the fact that all six housemates (including Lily) were invited to the party. Moving into a house with only two bathrooms and so many people was the most ridiculous decision Adam felt he had ever made.
“I’ll be out in a minute, gorgeous!” he shouted back, nicking his chin with the razor. “Ah, shit!”
“You okay, honey?”
“Yeah, just bloody cut my chin.”
“Oooh. I’ll kiss it better when you come out,” Eve replied.
He smiled at his reflection. “You can’t talk about kissing me if you want to get to this damn party, Evie.”
“Just hurry up, okay?”
“All done.” Adam opened the door and scooped his girl up in his arms, kissing her neck.
Edinburgh was heaving with Saturday night revellers as Adam and Eve travelled to the party venue in the taxi. Many of the stone buildings on the Royal Mile had long since been converted into bars and restaurants giving the age-old road a modern twist with its bright signage and trendy exteriors. When they arrived at the club everyone was already there. Lily greeted them, glass in hand. “You made it finally! Thought you’d bloody decided not to come!” She hiccupped.
“How much have you had already, Lil?” Adam scrunched his brow at his best friend as he noticed the bruise on her cheek. “And what the hell have you done to your face?” He lifted a lock of her hair.
“Oh that…I walked into the door in my room, can you believe it?” She laughed. “Bloody clumsy cow, I am.”
Adam shook his head. “Well, you need to stop drinking so bloody much.”
Lily rolled her eyes in an exaggerated manner. “Okay, Dad.” She turned and walked toward the bar. Adam followed her with his eyes.
Eve squeezed his arm. “You shouldn’t be so hard on her, Adam. She’s not your responsibility.”
“So you keep telling me. But she doesn’t take responsibility for herself, does she?” he snapped.
“It’s her life, honey. Give her some breathing room.”
He turned to her and slipped his arms around her waist. “What would I do without you to keep me level headed, eh?” he asked, leaning down to kiss her.
“Well…I think poor Lily would get even more stick than she does right now.” Eve giggled.
They walked over to the bar which was brightly lit in contrast to the rest of the club. The optics hung with their multi-coloured liquid contents, almost like works of modern art. All Adam wanted was a beer, but it looked like he may end up with some fancy cocktail concoction instead. He scanned along the row of fridges and spied his favourite tipple hiding amongst some bright blue monstrosity that wouldn’t be out of place in a laboratory. After ordering their drinks, he glanced over toward Lily, who was now tongue deep in her current boyfriend’s mouth. Carl. Dickhead. Adam wasn’t a fan. He pulled Eve onto the dance floor when a slow number came over the sound system. She nuzzled into his chest and he kissed the top of her head.
Later on, after the third or fourth song, he glanced around the club realising he hadn’t seen Lily for quite a while. Scanning the dimly lit place as best he could, his search was in vain. She was nowhere to be seen. Worry set in.
“What’s wrong Adam? You’re so distracted tonight.” Eve stared at him, lips pursed. He could see the frustration in her eyes.
“I’m sorry, Evie…it’s just Lily. She seemed…odd. Don’t you think? And now there�
�s no sign of her. I feel uneasy about it.”
Eve sighed. “To be honest, Adam, I’m getting rather fed up of this. You aren’t with Lily. You’re with me. Now I get that your friendship is strong but this is just getting—”
Adam gripped her arms. “Evie, I love you. And I’m sorry, okay? It’s not like that between me and Lil. You’ve known that for two years now. But something’s not right. Please believe me. I know her. I know something is off.”
Eve gazed at him and then nodded. “Okay…I’ll go check the ladies.” She turned sharply and walked away.
♥♥♥
Lily sat in the end cubicle. Tears fogged her eyes and the bruise on her cheek throbbed. She wondered why things had started to go so horribly wrong. She blew her nose, which made her cheek hurt even more. The door into the restroom opened and closed.
“Lily? Lily are you in here, honey?” Eve. Lily remained silent. “Adam’s worried about you. If you’re in here can you just say, so that I can tell him you’re fine?”
Lily sniffed as more tears came. “Lily? Is that you? Are you crying?” Footsteps moved closer to the end cubicle and the door rattled. “Okay, now I’m worried too. I was trying to defend you to Adam, saying that you were fine, but now I’m not so sure. Open up, okay?”
Lily stood and unlocked the door. Eve pushed it open. “What on earth is wrong, honey? What’s happened to make you cry?”
Lily shook her head and crumpled her face as she began to sob uncontrollably. Eve enveloped her in her arms. “Oh honey, please tell me what’s going on. Is it Carl? Have you split up?”
“Eve…please…please, don’t tell Adam, please.” She squeezed Eve’s arms.
Eve narrowed her eyes. “Tell him what? What’s going on?”
The Girl Before Eve Page 5