Rivers of Ink

by Julie Archer

  “Jesus, Callan! I’m almost there!”

  He smiled against her clit and stopped momentarily, then flexed his finger again.

  “Fuck!” Alicia came undone, her body convulsing as the powerful orgasm hit.

  Callan released her and sat back on his heels. His gaze ran over her, and Alicia could only imagine how she looked: flushed cheeks, clothes awry, eyes heavy with lust. As she recovered, he stripped off his shirt and Alicia admired his taut muscles covered with designs. Her own gaze dropped to his crotch and saw how his cock was pressing against the buttons of his jeans. Her insides contracted at the thought of him being inside her again. She knelt on the bed, hastily pulling her dress over her head. Her hands went to the catch on her bra.

  “Wait.” Callan’s tone was low and husky. “Let me.”

  Her hands fell to her sides as she waited for him to free himself; jeans, boxers, and socks ending up in a pool on the floor. Callan slid in behind her, one hand coming round to cup her as the other released her breasts from the confines of the black lacy bra. He tossed the garment onto the floor and pressed up against her. He manipulated her nipples, and Alicia could feel his length, hard and insistent, thrusting against her. The ache between her legs intensified as he pinched on her buds and all she could focus on was trying not to lose it again. She wanted to feel him inside her.

  “Callan, please…”

  He moved away, and she heard the foil of a condom packet being ripped. Before she had time to draw breath, Callan pushed her onto all fours and slammed into her from behind. The sudden force and the intensity with which he rammed into her took her by surprise, the second orgasm in as many minutes already building as he wrapped an arm around her, holding her close to him. They rocked together, the rhythm growing faster and faster as they headed for the stars. Alicia panted, the sensations consuming her entire being; she was so, so close.

  With a guttural growl, Callan tensed, signalling the arrival of his impending release. “Alicia, what the fuck are you doing to me?” he managed as he collapsed against her.

  They fell onto the bed, limbs wrapped around each other’s, both breathing heavily as they recovered. Callan adjusted his position, so Alicia was leaning against his chest. As she began to drift off into an orgasm-induced slumber, she couldn’t help but think this hadn’t been a bad decision.

  10

  The following morning, Callan awoke early. He stretched and encountered Alicia’s sleeping form next to him in the bed. Her dark hair was spread across the pillow, the sheet draped around her naked form, giving him a tantalising glimpse of the swell of her breasts. He felt the corner of his mouth curve up into a smile. This was the part of the last time they had been together that he had missed out on. As he watched her sleep, she gently moaned and stretched. He reached out and ran a finger down her cheek, tracing the outline of her lips. Her eyelids fluttered open and her green eyes sleepily met his gaze.

  “Morning, beautiful,” he said. “Sleep well?”

  “Mmm, the best.”

  “I guess fantastic sex does that every time.”

  “Ha, you’re pretty conceited, you know that?”

  Callan trailed his fingers across her stomach. “There’s time for round two before I have to go to work…”

  Alicia covered her hand with his. “Tempting as that sounds, I have things to do today. My boss gave me the day off, you see, and I don’t want to waste it lying around in bed.” Her eyes teased him. “But we can see what happens later?”

  “Who says I’m free tonight?”

  “You’re free tonight.” Her mouth curved up into a smile.

  He reached for her, taking her head in his hands and kissing her thoroughly. “For you, I am. Now get out of here before I change my mind.” He nipped her earlobe with his teeth as she giggled. His gaze appraised her as she slid from beneath the sheets, her naked body taunting him. He hardened at the sight of her and flopped back down onto the mattress, trying to think of anything other than Alicia.

  She returned about twenty minutes later, showered and dressed. “I really have to stop doing the walk of shame from your place.” She sighed.

  Callan propped himself up on one elbow. “Or you could stay over more. Leave a toothbrush and some knickers here?” He quirked an eyebrow as he extended the offer.

  “I could,” replied Alicia. She nodded slowly as if contemplating his proposal, her lips twitching. “Now, no getting hot and dirty in the shower thinking of me.” She leant over and kissed him deeply, which did absolutely nothing to stop ideas flooding into his thoughts. “I’ll call you later.” With a last lingering look, she headed out the door.

  “Jesus!” Callan collapsed back on the bed and shouted at the ceiling. His phone’s alarm chimed, and he knew he had to get ready for work. Despite Alicia’s instruction, he couldn’t help enjoying a little self-love, the release setting him up to take on the rest of the day.

  Callan stopped by Books ’n’ Beans for a coffee before heading into the shop. Wren was there, smiling and chatting to the customers as always.

  “Afternoon, honey, you look chirpy. It’s good to see.” She leaned over the counter and gave his arm a quick squeeze. “Any reason?”

  If he told Wren about Alicia, Aidy would know about it within the space of five seconds. He knew he hadn’t been completely honest with his best friend about why he initially favoured Alicia for the job at The Unbound Soul. For him to hear about it from Wren wouldn’t be fair. “Just happy to see my favourite woman today,” he said, realising that the statement could apply to Wren as well as Alicia.

  “Aw, thanks, Callan.” Wren grinned. “I mean it. It’s great to see you happy again.”

  He nodded as Wren passed him his coffee. “I’ll catch you later.” Callan continued the short walk along Fosse Arcade, his eyes darting around, wondering if he might catch a glimpse of Alicia. He was already looking forward to the evening.

  Aidy was with a client when Callan walked in. “All right, Callan? What did you get up to last night? You look suspiciously cheerful.”

  “I didn’t realise it was a crime. Your lovely fiancée has said pretty much the same thing. Although without the reference to what I did last night.”

  “Or should that be who you did last night? Finally got Isobel out of your system?”

  Callan pretended not to have heard him as he checked the appointments book to remind himself of what he was doing. His afternoon appeared to be peppered with short slots, which were either for existing clients or women who seemed to want a tiny star or moon on their ankle. He didn’t mind doing those cheaper, less intensive, pieces of work, particularly when he felt like he had the attention span of a gnat that day. Alicia had such an effect on him.

  It was getting on for half four when he came downstairs after his last scheduled appointment. A smile crept across his face as he saw Alicia standing at the reception podium. She glanced over in his direction and winked.

  “All right, boss? How’s your day been?” she asked.

  “Got off to a dreadful start,” he teased. “And it’s been a long afternoon.” Callan slipped in behind her, trapping her body between him and the desk. It felt so good to be close to her again. He restrained himself from burying his face in her hair and kissing her neck—just. She twisted around so she faced him, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

  “Must have been such a hard day.”

  Callan felt his cock twitch in response. Hard didn’t begin to describe it. He was suddenly aware of Aidy’s gaze on them and quickly put distance between himself and Alicia. “Good of you to pop in to check up on next week’s roster though, thanks,” he said, loudly.

  Alicia quirked an eyebrow at him, then followed the direction of his look towards Aidy. She nodded almost imperceptibly, as if understanding what he meant. “Oh, it was nothing. I was passing on my way to meet Nell. I’ll catch up with you another time about swapping that shift.”

  It was Callan’s turn to act confused, before he realised she was playin
g along with him.

  She briefly gave his hand a squeeze. “See you later,” she said.

  As she walked out of the shop, Callan watched her leave, images of the previous evening playing through his head like a movie. He wondered if they would have the chance to replicate them that night.

  “You want to tell me what that’s all about?”

  Aidy’s voice cut into Callan’s thoughts.

  “No idea what you’re talking about, mate,” Callan blustered. He headed up to the office, but Aidy followed him and shut the door.

  “You and Alicia seem quite friendly. I’ve noticed the lingering looks and whispered conversations too.”

  It appeared he wasn’t going to let it lie.

  “If I remember rightly, you were acting oddly when she came in for her interview,” Aidy went on. He scratched his beard and frowned. “I asked you then if you knew her and you denied it.”

  Callan thought for a moment. If he did want to make a go of a relationship with Alicia, then he also had to be honest with Aidy. “Okay, I may not have been completely truthful.”

  “So, you had met her before?”

  “Um, well, yes, sort of.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means I slept with her the night before Xander’s funeral.” He couldn’t bring himself to meet Aidy’s eyes. “And again, last night.”

  There was a long silence as his words sunk in.

  “You’re kidding me?”

  “Aidy, I wouldn’t joke about something like that.”

  His best friend sank down onto the chair and let out a hard breath. “Is this Isobel all over again?”

  The situation was nothing like it had been between him and Isobel. She had been the one to do all the running, making it obvious she was interested in him, doing everything she could to make him go out with her. He wondered if she’d been the same way with Xander. He and Alicia had gravitated together, two lost souls who needed each other at exactly the right time. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to make it official, to let everyone know that he had been able to move on.

  “It’s nothing like that, Aidy,” he said. “Alicia came into my life at a point where I was really, really low. You know how I was after Xander died. When I met her, she seemed to breathe new life into me, made me laugh, have fun, everything I hadn’t been doing. I couldn’t tell you that after her interview because I didn’t know if she’d get the job or if I’d ever see her again. The more time we spend together, the more I want it to work out. She’s so different to Isobel.” He paused. “And at least I don’t have to worry about her getting it on with my brother.” Callan gave a harsh laugh, amused at his own dark humour.

  “Then I’m happy for you, Cal, I really am.” Aidy stood up and went over to Callan, embracing him in a man-hug. “You do seem much happier now,” he added, releasing his friend. “Can I tell Wren about it?”

  “I nearly told her earlier, so I’m glad you know now. You needed to hear it from me first.”

  “Damn right I did!” Aidy’s face took on a serious expression. “Make sure that you don’t let it impact on the business too much, like you did before.”

  “Of course, mate, you won’t notice any difference in our working relationship.”

  “Glad to hear it, Cal, glad to hear it.”

  11

  It was three weeks since Alicia had started at The Unbound Soul and she already felt like she belonged there. At first, she had thought she would find it difficult working weekends, instead having time off in the week was an unexpected delight, and she was rapidly getting used to it. She and Callan had coffee together most mornings, and she was spending the majority of nights over at his place. Nell had warned her about the speed with which things were going. There were times when Alicia agreed with her. Mostly she didn’t and still got the same buzz whenever she checked Callan out—when she knew he wasn’t looking, of course.

  That particular Friday was busy. Everyone had been working flat out all day with either booked appointments or walk-ins, and the atmosphere was buzzing.

  “Gotta be finished on time this evening,” said Aidy. He took the cash from his latest client and consulted the diary. “Need to make sure I’ve got enough time to make myself look hot tonight for the future Mrs Brown.”

  “What’s happening tonight?” asked Alicia. She was perched on the edge of the reception podium, legs dangling over the side, heels kicking back against the wood.

  “The party. Callan told you about it, right?”

  “Told her about what?” Callan materialised at the bottom of the stairs and gave Alicia’s thigh a quick squeeze.

  “Seriously, Cal? Alicia doesn’t know she’s invited?”

  Alicia shook her head. “What’s the party for?”

  Aidy gave a huge sigh which Alicia suspected was directed at Callan. “Me and Wren decided not to have separate stag and hen parties. Our friends are mostly mutual ones, so it made sense to combine it into one. We’ve hired the top floor of the Fork and Dagger for dinner and drinks, then a DJ friend of ours is going to play some tunes until the early hours.”

  “And I’m invited?” Alicia raised her eyebrows at Callan, who at least had the decency to look rather sheepish.

  “Of course you are! Who else is Callan going to bring to the wedding as his plus one?” Aidy gave her a hug. “That’s if you’re free and don’t have other plans.” He released her and turned to Callan, who he punched on the arm. “Idiot.”

  Alicia slid off the podium and punched Callan’s other arm. “Nice of you to mention it.”

  “Ouch!” Callan fended off any further blows by ducking out of the way of the two of them. “I totally forgot it was tonight.”

  “You’re the best man and you forgot tonight was the stag party?” Alicia rolled her eyes. “Or hen party. Or hag party. Whatever!” She checked the time. “Do I have permission to head off early and make myself look hot, boss?”

  “You always look hot to me, babe,” said Callan. He pulled her towards him and smashed his lips to her. “Shall I meet you there?”

  “Probably best, we don’t want to be late…” Alicia winked at him.

  “Eugh, too much information, guys,” said Aidy. He pretended to stick his fingers down his throat. “Don’t get me wrong, I think you two are great together, but I don’t want to know every detail.”

  Alicia laughed and went to get her stuff from upstairs. She was grateful that Nell was at home when she got there. Her fashion stylist elect would be able to help her find a knockout outfit to wear. However, when she found Nell sitting on the sofa, sobbing her heart out, all thoughts of dresses went from her head.

  “What’s wrong?” Alicia rushed to sit beside Nell, gathering her up in her arms for a hug. Nell’s shoulders heaved as she tried to catch her breath.

  “I’m probably being silly,” she gasped.

  “Whatever it is that has made you this upset can’t be silly.”

  Nell hiccupped a bit and wiped the sleeve of her sweatshirt across her face. “It’s Rory. He’s working late again, and we were supposed to go out for a nice dinner at Sarastro in North Ridge. I’d been looking forward to it for ages because he promised me he wouldn’t duck out and now he has.” She looked at Alicia, her tear-stained face blotchy and red. “Stupid, isn’t it?”

  “Not at all. He’s an idiot.” Alicia fiddled with the strap of her bag. “Did you want me to stay home tonight? We can find all your favourite chick-flick movies that Rory hates and eat ice cream.”

  “Don’t you have plans with Callan?”

  “I can cancel. I only just found out about them anyway.” Alicia rubbed Nell’s arm, hoping she wouldn’t spot her crossed fingers behind her back.

  “Oh. What were you going to do?”

  “It’s Aidy and Wren’s joint stag and hen do. I was literally told about half an hour ago. That’s why I’m home early.”

  Despite her tears, Nell forced a smile. “No, I can’t make you miss your first pro
per night out with your new work colleagues. I’ll be fine. I’ll hang out with Ben and Jerry and Tom Hardy…”

  Alicia breathed a mental sigh of relief. Despite it being sprung on her last minute, she had been excited by the thought of the dinner. “Will you help me pick a killer outfit first though?”

  Nell brightened at the request. “Of course! Now you go get a shower and I’ll find something for Cinderella to wear.”

  A niggling sense of guilt still hung over Alicia when she arrived at the Fork and Dagger shortly after eight o’clock. She felt bad for leaving Nell on her own; Rory really had been letting her down lately. Nell had insisted, telling her she shouldn’t miss out on the night. It had been ages since she’d been to the restaurant. The three storey Victorian building was on one corner of Oakridge’s busy shopping centre, the whole of the top floor dedicated to private parties. She made her way upstairs, following the sound of loud chatter as she got closer. There were around thirty people there, the team from the shop: Jason, Miles, Aaron, Marek and Pearl; Wren and other people Alicia recognised from Books ’n’ Beans; plus a lot of other people that she didn’t know at all. She went to the bar and was handed a complimentary glass of Prosecco. Callan was already there, mingling with the crowd, effortlessly moving from group to group, kissing the women on both cheeks and either shaking hands with the men or gathering them in a hug. She watched him, admiring how sexy he looked, his dark hair roughly styled, the stubble darkening his jaw, how his fitted dark grey shirt clung to his muscular chest.

  “Alicia, you made it!” Wren embraced her, interrupting her reverie. “I gather Callan forgot to ask you to come tonight.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s not always the best at the detail.”