by S M Mala
‘When Piers come back you out on your ear!’ added Samina. ‘I pack you toys to take to France as goodbye gift.’
‘Much obliged.’
‘And when Piers comes in Sylvie still do all work,’ the woman laughed then stood up raising her glass. ‘To Sylvie, who need to use product to know why we all look flush in morning.’
They all raised their glasses as Sylvie nodded then pulled a face.
‘All the cabs are turning up at eleven thirty and you’ll be called by name and postcode. Have what you want from the bar but please, please don’t ask for bottles of spirits. You don’t have to go home but the cab will drop you wherever you like if you want to go clubbing somewhere.’
‘I want to go clubbing!’ said Samina, flapping her arms like a chicken. ‘We need to dance.’ Then she proceeded to go to an empty space and dance away, much to the amusement of the others. ‘I got the funk!’
‘You can say that again,’ Finlay replied, before seeing Sylvie laugh and escorted her to the other side where there was a bar. ‘What time are you going?’
‘Probably a bit before them,’ she smiled and he wanted to kiss her before seeing she looked quite sober. ‘And you?’
‘I’ll put Toby in a cab then I’ll-.’
‘Hi there!’ said Stephen, startling the pair of them. ‘Fancy clubbing?’
‘Not really as I have to take Daisy to her class tomorrow and it’s not my thing,’ she replied as Finlay glanced at Stephen whose smile was starting to fade. ‘Go with the rest of them and have some fun.’
‘Maybe you and I could go for a drink. I know a quiet members only bar in-.’
‘Really, I’ve had a long day but thanks,’ said Sylvie. ‘Excuse me I have to go to the ladies.’
It was always difficult leaving a place without wanting to say goodbye. Sylvie had settled the bill and arranged for any other charges to be sent to her later on, but all she wanted to do was go back to the hotel room.
She went round to see to everyone for a chat and a laugh while constantly being bumped into by the ladies dancing in the corner. Just before eleven, she noticed a cab turning up and took her coat, leaving discreetly and headed towards the hotel.
Sylvie opened the door and noticed the small bag she’d left earlier on in the afternoon. She kicked off her shoes to relax for a moment before ringing room service for a bottle of champagne then checked the time. Her heart sank remembering what Finlay said about becoming a dad and if ever there was a rain check their romance was never to be something more, he’d confirmed what he wanted which she could never supply him with.
A baby.
‘What am I doing?’ she said to herself, going to the bathroom and examining her face.
Sylvie looked tired and she wondered what Finlay saw in her other than a shoulder to cry on with a shag included. Letting out a sad sigh, she took off her tights and douched before going to her case and putting her socks on.
Then she sat on the bed, waiting and wondering why she was putting herself through this when she knew, ultimately, she would be the one getting hurt. Sylvie opened the curtains and sat in the chair looking up at the very black sky to see the moon partially hidden by cloud. There was that lovely Christmas feeling in the air but after speaking to Piers about Finlay, she knew what she had to do.
There was a knock on the door as she got up and a waiter arrived with a bottle in a cooler jacket plus two glasses, which he put down on the side and then opened the bottle. Just as she was about to turn, Finlay was by the door and walked in, letting the waiter out.
‘Goodnight,’ he said to the man and smiled as her heart squeezed for her improbable lover. ‘Why the grimace? You should be pleased to see me.’
‘I am,’ she said anxiously. ‘How did you escape?’
‘Pretty much as you did, undetected, though Stephen was stood outside the female toilets waiting for you to come out and I have a little bad news,’ he said, taking off his coat then jacket before kicking off his shoes. ‘I think Toby went off with Wanda so you’ve lost your chance.’
‘And I don’t want you to lose yours, so promise me you’ll go and see your wife to sort it all out,’ she said, letting out another anxious sigh. ‘You’re throwing too much away.’
‘Hey,’ he said, stepping closer and touching her face. ‘What time do I have to return you?’
‘Ten thirty tomorrow morning. I’ve got to pick Daisy up from class.’
‘Then I’d prefer it if we didn’t talk for the moment and just enjoy this time together, okay?’ he said quietly. ‘But first, let’s drink.’
She was completely overtaken by how loving and gentle he was, compared to the rampant man the other night. There was nothing he could do wrong and she wondered why he was being so kind. Sylvie smiled as he lay on top of her as they made love, all the time kissing her face and holding her hand. She considered he might have missed her the day before then shrugged it off.
Finlay kissed her tenderly and looked into her eyes while slowly moving inside as she closed her eyes. Sylvie felt his breath on her neck, realising he’d propped himself up on one elbow and his other hand was squeezing her breast before his head moved down and he quickly sucked on her nipple. Gradually, he picked up speed, pounding her gently as she pulled his head so his mouth would reach hers. He came with a low groan as she lay there and wrapped her arms around him, feeling his smooth silky skin and stroking the back of his neck.
‘Thank you,’ he whispered in her ear as he pulled himself up on his elbows to look at her. ‘You’re a bit subdued.’
‘Am I?’ she said, forcing a smile. ‘I’m fine.’
‘You’re not.’
Finlay pulled out and lay on his back as she looked at the ceiling, knowing he was slowly removing the condom. Within seconds he’d wrapped his arms around her and she inhaled the scent of a man she was starting to fall for.
‘Twice this evening you’ve told me to go back to my wife. If I was a sensitive bloke I’d say you’d had your wicked way and now want to cast me aside,’ he whispered. ‘Is that the case?’
‘It’s Christmas and good will to all that jack shit,’ she began seeing him pull a face. ‘You should try and build bridges with Juliette. She must be missing you.’
‘She’s in Switzerland for Christmas so my wife doesn’t really miss me that much,’ he shrugged and Sylvie could tell he looked put out. ‘And I said I’d go back for New Year.’
‘That’s good,’ she lied realising he’d had his festivities plotted out.
‘I usually come over at Christmas anyway and spend it with the family. The difference is I’m not bringing Juliette. Her mother will be with her so no big deal.’
‘You can’t seriously mean that?’
‘What’s wrong with you!’ he snapped as she pulled away and sat up surprised by his outburst. ‘You’ve been making shitty comments since Wednesday night.’
‘No I haven’t!’ she barked back now agitated. ‘I just want to make sure you’re doing the right thing and-.’
‘Well screwing you isn’t the right thing but I’m still doing it.’
Sylvie gulped for a moment and bit her lip as his comment hit hard.
‘You’re so right Finlay. This isn’t the right thing at all and you’re not being forced.’
She jumped out of bed and rushed into the bathroom, locking the door and putting the shower on, ignoring the knocking on the other side as she swallowed back her tears, knowing he was right and it hurt.
‘I didn’t mean that,’ he said. ‘Just come out. You’re making me jittery with all your comments and-.’
‘I think we should just call it a day,’ she said, through gritted teeth, knowing that even though they had become close, the way in which he spoke could still wind her up. ‘I’m the one who’s going to be made to look a fool at the end of the day, not you!’
‘God Sly, don’t spoil it.’
‘It’s already spoilt, how could I spoil it anymore? I’m taking a shower.’
; Putting on a shower cap she took off her socks and went under, covering herself in foam and trying to wash away what was really bugging her.
She was starting to have deep feelings for Finlay and knew it would be far more devastating for her than he would ever realise.
To lose one man after another.
‘I have to protect my heart,’ she muttered spitting out water trickling into her mouth. ‘I have to protect me.’
Eventually she finished and moisturised herself before putting a large dressing gown on then her socks. She opened the door and saw Finlay propped up in bed, the sheet just about covering his hips.
‘I was pissed off with you on Wednesday night about not ever knowing you and the broken heart stuff, that hurt, so I didn’t call you on Thursday. I wasn’t busy in a meeting, I just wanted to know if you missed me and you didn’t,’ he said and she watched him sip his drink. ‘Then when I called you on Thursday night you were sleeping and then you tell me about being a teenager. That just confuses me. Why don’t you just say how it is?’
‘You weren’t busy on Thursday?’ she said, trying not to get agitated. ‘You just didn’t want to see me, is that it?’
‘That’s not what I meant.’
‘Fine! I was a pissed off with you for not contacting me, getting into a sulk when I left on Wednesday and generally being a prick, which is what you are. Can’t you see I care and I want you to be happy? God forbid Finlay you end up being alone like me, it’s not nice!’
‘We could have met today but you didn’t want to. You’re busy meeting Piers for lunch and-.’
‘I knew I had a free pass for the night!’ she snapped at him putting her hands on her hips. ‘I wanted to stay the night with you and ... oh what’s the point?’
Sylvie walked around the room getting her strewn clothes and putting them in her bag.
‘The point is that I really like you Sylvie and I know you like me which isn’t helping matters when we’re squabbling like kids,’ he quietly said, as she turned to look at him staring at her. ‘I know you don’t think I like you but I really do.’
‘I like you and I don’t know what to do!’ she said loudly, wanting to scream. ‘And I don’t know why I’m feeling like this. It’s the first time I’ve liked someone since my husband and it’s very hard for me. I don’t know if I can carry on doing it, to be honest. I don’t know if I can cope.’
She slumped down into the chair as Finlay grabbed the phone.
‘Can we have two large brandies to 103 please?’ he said, before putting the phone down and going towards the bottle, putting the remainder champagne into the glasses then handing her one.
Finlay sat on the floor, propped up by the bed and pulled his legs to his chest.
‘You need to get it out, whatever seems to be the trouble,’ he said evenly as she sipped her drink.
‘You never ask me about my life, my husband, my past… actually anything. It’s a little strange and I take it because you’re not really interested,’ she scowled. ‘I was talking to Piers at lunch and I told him this, don’t know why, it just occurred to me.’
‘Have you noticed when we’re together we have people walking in and out of the office and then when we’re in here, we’ve got other things on our minds,’ he said gently. ‘And you might not realise it but when I have asked personal things you clam up or just don’t answer. I don’t want to upset you.’
Sylvie closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again. He had his head tilted to one side and smiled.
‘I hate to admit the fact but I miss you when I don’t see you, even before we started sleeping together and I hated myself for being a brat yesterday,’ Finlay said apologetically. ‘I know this is a very strange set up and it’s not good for you to know I am separated from my wife who is pregnant, with the possibility of the baby being my child. That, in itself, raises eyebrows.’
‘Oh god! I sound like a desperate old slut!’ she groaned into the sleeve of the dressing gown.
‘I love desperate old sluts,’ he laughed as there was a knock on the door. ‘Coming!’
Sylvie watched him walk into the bathroom and get a towel to wrap around his waist before holding a tray with two large brandies. He walked towards her and put the glasses on the small table before sitting back down on the floor.
‘Are you taking advantage of me and the situation?’ she asked quietly and noticed the raised eyebrows before he finished the remainder of his champagne.
‘I could ask you the same question.’
‘Are you doing this to upset your mother?’
‘Again ditto.’
‘Do you want me to lose concentration over the company before you make a move?’
‘My identical thought!’
‘You’re not really answering my questions,’ she said, feeling depressed and sank into the chair.
‘Ask yourself if that’s what you want to do to me, then you have your answer.’
‘Of course I don’t!’
Finlay started to laugh for a moment before reaching forward and grabbing her hand, kissing her knuckles and putting her palm to his cheek.
‘Oddly enough, you make me happy,’ he whispered and smiled gently at her. ‘And I can’t remember feeling like that for a long time.’
‘Why do you make me like you!’ she said, sinking to her knees in front of him feeling her heart pound.
He put his hand out and stroked her face for a moment before putting his arms around her. The hug was long and caring. Their bodies pressed against each other, even though she was wrapped in a large dressing gown, then he opened it up so their skin touched and she closed her eyes, melting into him as she buried her face in his neck.
‘Oh god, oh god, oh god!’ she said, realising he’d buried his head between her legs and was licking her out as she startled awake.
He was under the covers and trying to give her another orgasm. She felt his fingers massage her buttocks and a hand reached out squeezing her breast as the burn and burst of her orgasm began. Sylvie put her hand over her mouth to stem her sounds. Finlay’s lips were travelling all the way back up then he turned her on her side, kissing her back and coming up from underneath the cover. She could smell sex on the sheets and their sweat as he pulled up her thigh and started to screw her from behind, his head buried in her hair.
It didn’t take him long to climax as he wrapped his arms around her, not removing his dick. She squeezed her muscles around it and gradually opened her eyes,
It was still dark.
They lay there and she closed her eyes, happy to fall asleep again.
Finlay could feel small kisses on his face as he started to wake. There was a smell of toothpaste and her hair was touching his skin, making it tickle.
‘What’s the time?’ he asked groggily, realising light was coming into the room as he rubbed his eyes.
‘I wanted to say goodbye,’ she said. He opened his eyes to focus on her smiling face as he smiled back, something strange twisted in his gut which he put down to the brandies he had in the early hours. ‘And you didn’t open the envelope you got last night.’
‘Morning,’ he said and kissed her nose. ‘Do you have to go?’
‘Here,’ she said, giving him the white envelope. ‘Open it.’
He let out a small sigh and sat up on his elbow as he ripped it open and noticed the white card then focussed on the message.
‘Finlay, you make the best sandwiches but go to this butcher and their Cumberland sausages are juicier… like you. Sx’
He noticed a thirty pound gift voucher and laughed.
‘What if I’d opened this up last night?’ he grinned. ‘How would I explain that?’
‘You didn’t and the butcher’s on Turnham Green so maybe… next time?’
‘What’s the time?’
Finlay put the card on the side.
‘It’s ten so I thought I’d let you sleep,’ Sylvie replied and stroked his face gently. ‘You’ve been working hard last night.’<
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‘Come back to bed,’ he groaned and she grinned. ‘I’ve got the hottest and juiciest sausage waiting for you.’
‘You need to rest,’ Sylvie laughed.
Finlay grabbed her and pulled her down on top, seeing she had only her bra and knickers on.
‘I’ll rest when I’ve done one more thing,’ he said, turning her on her back and wrapping her arms around him.
Finlay realised she felt really warm and soft as he pushed her hair away from her face.
‘Don’t tell me but I know I look like shit in the morning because I avoid looking at myself for half an hour to make my face settle,’ laughed Sylvie and he stopped for a moment, examining her face, the small freckles on her nose and cheeks plus the luscious lips.
He thought she looked beautiful.
‘I won’t push my tongue down your throat as I’ve morning breath,’ he sighed as she stroked his stubble. ‘But I’ll push something else in.’
He yanked down her knickers as she laughed and nuzzled in her neck. She smelt of a beautiful warm sweet musk as he held his cock and pushed it in. Not as wet as usual, he enjoyed the dryness before meeting the hot sticky inside and started fucking her gently. All the time he stroked her gorgeous dark silky skin and kissed her face. He felt her touch his arse and back, making him tingle.
As he looked down their eyes met and he felt something hit him hard in the gut, wanting never to stop the feeling he was experiencing. Sylvie touched his face as she then held his hand, their fingers interweaving as the sun came through and then they both stopped smiling. Finlay, not moving, grabbed her face and kissed her gently on the lips.
‘Sylvie,’ he said seriously and noticed her face started to scrunch up.
‘Make love to me,’ she whispered back and that’s what he did.
He made love.
Thirty seven
They had broken one of their rules. They were emailing each other every day. Calls and texts were still unpermitted as Sylvie worried people might see but when they were online, they made contact.
Sylvie realised she was missing him as they hadn’t seen each other since that Saturday morning when she was on cloud nine and couldn’t explain why. Christmas had been warm and lovely plus she felt a glow of happiness and a pang of yearning. This year her mind wasn’t full of her husband it was completely intoxicated with Finlay.