Too Late... I Love You

by Archer, Kiki

  “Do we?”

  Maria smiled at the cheeky tone. “Yes. This is great. Relaxing. Laughing. Enjoying a film.”

  “Having some slightly tipsy woman plunge her hand between your legs.”

  “You’re not tipsy.”

  “I might be getting there.”

  “And what are you like when you’re tipsy?”

  Connie returned to her original position and took hold of Maria’s fingers, pulling on a different one with each point that she made. “Well I don’t get aggressive, or lairy. I’m not one of those drunks who cry. I don’t suddenly think I’m gorgeous, or the best dancer, or want all the attention. I think I might become slightly more open. More natural. More me.”

  “Right, more wine.”

  “Ha, no honestly. I’m fine. I’m actually that boring tipsy girl who takes a breath and slows down.”

  Maria took control of Connie’s hand and stroked down each finger with each point she made in return. “You’re right, you’re not aggressive or lairy, you’re more confident. You don’t cry, but you’re sensitive. You might not think you’re gorgeous, but you are … before drinks, after drinks, during drinks.”

  Connie felt a shudder run through her body. The gentle fingers were expertly conjuring an uncontrollable sensation across all of her skin. “And?”

  “And you’re right. You are more natural. This is more like the real you.”

  “What is?”

  “This woman lying next to me. Relaxed, happy, no cares in the world.”

  “Because of you.”

  The smile was soft. “I like that, and you make me feel that way too.”

  “How? You’re so much better than me at everything. I squeeze your fingertips each time I make a point and here you are doing some sort of deep tissue hand massage that makes the hairs on the back of my head stick up in arousal.”

  “Arousal?”

  “You know what I mean. When you get all shuddery and you’re trying to hide it, which then makes you look like you’ve got a twitchy eye.”

  Maria laughed. “You’re funnier than me.”

  “We work. We just work. You taught me that.” Connie broke the contact, distracted by Julia Roberts who was now sticking out of the white limousine’s sunroof and whooping with happiness. “That’s what I want.”

  “Hair that looks great when it’s pulled out of a pony?”

  “Ha, see, you can be funny too. But yes, that would be lovely.”

  Maria turned her eyes to the screen. “Searching for fairytales stops you finding your story.”

  “Oh I like that. Let me add it to my phone.”

  “It’s true. The best stories have endings you could never predict. Fairytales are easy. Love never is.”

  “That too. Say that again.” Bringing her phone to life, Connie spotted the message box flashing in the corner and let out a groan of instant annoyance. “And here’s the wicked step mother-in-law ready to spoil all of the fun.”

  ****

  Evelyn prickled on the small sofa as her phone started to sing Jimmy Nail’s Crocodile Shoes. She let the crooning continue as she brushed some imaginary dust from the sleeves of her jacket, finally answering in her curtest possible tone. “Connie.”

  “Hello Evelyn, you asked me to call.”

  “Yes I did. It’s ten-thirty p.m.”

  “Right.”

  “And you’re not home.”

  “No.”

  “Where are you?”

  “Why?”

  “I’m in your lounge.”

  “Right.”

  “And you’re not.”

  “I’m working in the cupboard under the stairs.”

  Evelyn yanked herself off the sofa and raced to the small door, pulling sharply on the handle.

  Connie’s voice echoed out from the phone that was now at hip-replacement height. “Gotcha.”

  “You’re not…” Evelyn slammed the phone back against her ear. “Where are you? Have you been drinking? What’s going on, Connie?” She paused. “Who’s there? Someone’s giggling. I can hear someone giggling. Who’s giggling, Connie?” Evelyn closed her eyes, trying to make out all the noises on the other end of the line, pulling back as Connie’s voice became clearer.

  “Sorry. How can I help you, Evelyn?”

  “Karl doesn’t know where you are. You have his son. My grandson. You’ve worried him. You’ve worried me. You’ve worried us all.”

  “Karl’s in Manchester. I told him I’d do something to distract Noah this weekend. I’m sure he’s not worried.”

  “Well I am. Where are you?”

  “In Brighton.”

  “Who with?”

  “Noah.”

  “And? Who else?” She listened carefully to the silence. “Someone like you doesn’t go to Brighton all by yourself. You don’t have it in you.”

  “I might.”

  “You haven’t. Who are you with?”

  “A friend.”

  “Which friend? Karl always said you didn’t have any friends.”

  “I do.”

  “So, who are you with?”

  “Evelyn, thank you for your concern, but I’m fine. Noah’s fine. Karl’s fine. We’re all fine.”

  “Give me a name.”

  “No.”

  “Why not?”

  “Evelyn, I’m going now. I’ll be home tomorrow afternoon if you want to pop round and see Noah then?”

  “I’ve been round twice today. I’ll be damned if I’m making a third trip tomorrow.”

  “Right, well I’ll see you soon then.”

  “It’ll come out.”

  “What will?”

  “Whatever it is you’re hiding. Or should I say whoever it is that you’re hiding. Goodbye, Connie.”

  ****

  Connie stared at her phone in disbelief. “That woman. She hung up.”

  “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have laughed.”

  “I shouldn’t have had it on loud speaker at the start.”

  Maria lay back down on the bed, running her fingers through her loose dark hair and as a consequence flashing Connie a glimpse of her toned stomach. “Maybe I’m better off single. The idea of a mother-in-law is just too horrendous.”

  “My mother’s nice,” said Connie, trying not to stare at Maria’s midriff.

  Maria patted the quilt. “Come back.”

  “No, I’m all uptight. I need to pace.”

  “I’ll give you a massage. We’ll talk.”

  “About what?”

  “About why you didn’t give up my name. About why you’re offering your mother as a potential mother-in-law for me.”

  “I didn’t… Oh right, yes, I see what you mean.”

  “Come on.” Maria shuffled herself up against the headboard and parted her legs, bending them at the knees. “Sit yourself in here. We’ll have a debrief under the influence of my magic fingers.”

  “Is that wise?”

  “It is if you want the truth. You can’t lie mid-massage. It’s been scientifically proven.”

  “It has not.”

  “It has. Come here and I’ll show you.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Connie found the lights in the bedroom completely switched off as she left the en-suite. The television was playing tracks from a late-night-love music channel but the glow from the open bedroom doorway was enough to make the atmosphere between two female friends, who were simply enjoying a night of gossip and giggles, just about acceptable. That’s what Connie told herself anyway, completely ignoring the fact that every red flag would be flying had Maria been a man.

  “So, where do you want me?” she said with a smile.

  Maria patted the space between her legs. “Right here.”

  “Okay.” Connie clambered onto the bed, positioning herself with her back at Maria’s mercy.

  “You’ll have to undo your top button.”

  “Really?”

  “And maybe the second one too. I need to access your shoulder
s without strangling you.”

  Connie laughed. “Maybe I should call Evelyn back. Tell her I have a lesbian wanting to access my shoulders.”

  “Lesbians can access other women’s shoulders without there being an ulterior motive involved.”

  “Access away. I’m past the point of analysing our thing.”

  “And what is our thing?”

  Connie moaned involuntarily as the strong fingers made their first deep knead into her shoulders. “It’s our…our…”

  “This works better if I ask the questions and you just give yes or no answers.”

  Connie's mouth dropped open, responding to the divine sensations spreading down her spine. “Okay,” she managed.

  Maria expertly worked her fingers under the shoulder blades and up and over past the collar bones. “Have you really stopped analysing our thing?”

  Connie was aware that she might possibly be dribbling and was relieved that no one could see her face. She moaned again. “No. Constant. Analysing.”

  “I told you you wouldn’t be able to lie during a massage. Does it worry you when you analyse our thing?”

  Connie gasped, feeling her muscles manipulated like never before. Ryan was a professional masseur and she had served as his guinea pig on numerous occasions and also been treated to the real deal at his salon many times before, but it was never like this, never as deep or electrifying.

  “No,” she finally replied.

  “Is this thing more than a friendship?”

  Connie arched her back, responding to the penetrative movements of Maria’s hands. “Special. Friendship. Thing.”

  “You could have told Evelyn you were here with a friend called Maria. Was it a guilty conscience that stopped you?”

  “Y-yeah. Maybe.” She gasped. “This is so good.”

  “Shush.” Maria used her palms to pull up the muscles around the back of Connie’s ribcage making Connie moan in gratification. “Do you want this to be more than a special friendship thing?”

  Connie’s staccato words were punctuated with pauses of pure unadulterated pleasure. “I’m. Not. Lesbian.”

  “That’s why I hate labels. Never label yourself.”

  “You’re. A lesbian. Label.”

  “But I don’t go round introducing myself as Maria the lesbian. Never be scared of your feelings, Connie. Feelings don’t make labels. Labels make labels. Feelings make experiences.”

  Connie groaned as Maria’s thumbs pushed deeper into her muscles. “This is. The best. Experience.”

  “Just this?”

  She couldn’t reply. She’d lost the power of speech. Maria’s hands were everywhere. Across her shoulders, down her spine, kneading her muscles into a splendid stupor.

  “Let me move to the bottom of your back. Lean forward a bit.”

  Connie didn’t hesitate in following the instruction, shifting herself down the bed and letting her own head drop towards her knees. Maria’s thumbs were now working their way up either side of her spine.

  “Can I unstrap your bra?”

  “Mmm-hmm.” Connie managed a small laugh as she strung a half-sentence together. “This works with the women?”

  “Every. Single. Time.”

  “You’re… taking… the mickey… out of my… ahhh… my… moaning voice. Ahhhhhhhh.”

  “Too hard?”

  The blonde head shook. “No, perfect.” Maria’s hands were now spread out either side of her back with the thumbs working up her backbone and the little fingers brushing both sides of her body. “So… good.”

  “Shush, enjoy.”

  Connie closed her eyes and let herself succumb to the structured movements. Up, down, in and out. She gasped as Maria’s palms kneaded the skin near the top of her back, forcing it towards her spine, causing her chest to widen as it was pulled apart, her nipples moving roughly against her top. She moaned. Maria’s fingers were so close, stroking the sides of her body, one movement and she’d be there, touching her nipples, kneading them like she was the rest of her skin. She opened her eyes, trying to erase her previous thought, but Maria’s hands were there once more, close to her sides, working her muscles. Connie lifted herself into a more upright position, freeing her breasts, feeling her chest forced apart once more by the movements.

  “So good,” she managed, pausing as Maria’s thumbs moved away from her spine and back onto her shoulders. Connie cursed herself. What did she think was going to happen? Of course Maria wasn’t going to slide her hands forwards and start cupping her breasts. She’d obviously been scared by her moaning and retreated to the safety of her shoulders. Connie moaned once more, she couldn’t help it. Maria’s fingers were now on her collar bone, working the muscles at the top of her chest. Two inches lower and she’d have her nipples, clasped between her fingers. Connie leaned further back, needing the contact, wanting the line to be crossed.

  “You have to lead this,” whispered Maria.

  Connie tilted her head back and opened her eyes, locking their gaze in an intimate connection. “I want this,” she said. “I want all of this.”

  Maria moved herself beside Connie’s body and took her face in her hands, slowly placing the tiniest, most delicate kiss on her lips. Connie could feel the emotion welling up inside her. The touch of Maria’s lips against her own was all the evidence she needed. This wasn’t infatuation or intrigue. It wasn’t even lust. This was love, in all its glorious splendour. She leaned forwards, wanting to taste it once more.

  “Kiss me,” she pleaded.

  Maria repeated the gentle embrace, pulling away slowly but maintaining the contact with her fingers. “Next weekend,” she said. “We’ll make this so special.”

  Connie gasped, left wanting more, but nodding as she remembered the monitor in the corner. Maria continued. “You’re perfect, Connie. Everything has to be perfect.”

  Connie shuffled down the bed and spoke over her shoulder. “Hold me?” she asked. “Let me sleep in your arms?”

  Maria slotted herself into the body’s contours, fitting instantly into the curves. “Just like a jigsaw,” she said with a smile.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “What the hell’s going on?” demanded Ryan once Noah and Alice were safely out of earshot and away on the pedal-karts. “It’s Wednesday! You’ve kept me waiting till Wednesday and you call yourself a friend?!”

  Connie walked towards the chairs in the corner of the community hall. “I’ve been busy.”

  “With Maria?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Look at you! Sashaying in here like the cat who’s got the cream! Where is she anyway? Have you adopted Alice already? Oooo look at you sitting down and crossing your legs like that. Why are you acting so sexy?”

  “Oh stop it.”

  “Tell me everything. Start to finish. I can’t believe you’ve left me in the dark for so long. Actually scratch that, I just want the juicy bits.”

  Connie stood up. “Let me get us a coffee from the hatch first.”

  “Sod the coffee!” Ryan banged on the empty chair. “Get yourself back down here.”

  Connie giggled.

  “Look at you lording all the attention! Something’s definitely gone on.”

  She sat back down and pulled the chair as close to her friend’s as possible. “I didn’t want to tell you over the phone.”

  “You fucked her didn’t you?”

  “No! Don’t be so crude.” She lowered her voice. “Maria held me. She held me all night.”

  The face Ryan pulled was one of sheer revulsion. “You lesbians. It’s true what they say. Gay men fuck, lesbians hire a truck.”

  “What?”

  “A removals truck, because it’s always about emotions, falling in love so quickly and declaring they’ve found their life partner within a matter of minutes. Gay men get it right. We fuck and fuck off. Life’s about enjoying the physical, Connie, not getting wrapped up in some emotional bullshit.”

  “Trust me I enjoyed the physical.”


  Ryan gasped. “So you did fuck her?”

  “No, she gave me a massage.”

  “Oh good god, this gets worse. I’m not sure I want to hear any more, darling.”

  “Shush, you can’t anyway, here comes Phoebe. Remember I told you the plan. She’s Maria’s old friend. We’ve got to show off Alice.”

  Ryan groaned. “I like soap operas, but this is getting too much.”

  “She’s anti gay parents. She’ll see how amazing Alice is compared to her exorcist kid then Maria can waltz in and take all of the glory.”

  “So she is coming today?”

  “Yes, and we can all go for coffee afterwards.”

  “Me, you, your lesbian lover and her anti-gay best friend. Can’t wait. Oh look there’s Earth Mother and Crusty, should I invite them as well?”

  “Might work. They’re married, but ashamed, so our other mission involves bringing them out of their shells.” She nodded. “But Maria said she’d take charge of that one.”

  “What? Who are you? One brush with the dark side and you’re camper than me.”

  “Not possible. Quiet, here she is.” Connie stood up and reached for another chair. “Hi Phoebe, I’m glad you came back.” She knelt next to Tabitha. “Hello little lady, how are you?”

  Tabitha furrowed her brow before lurching at Connie and gnashing her teeth. Connie held her ground.

  “Very nice and shiny. You must be good at brushing? Why don’t me and Mummy take you to do some reading over there with Alice and Noah? They’ll get off the pedal-karts if I ask them nicely.”

  The little girl paused, unsure how to handle the reaction. She tried a growl instead. Connie took hold of her hand. “Come on then, we can play doggies. You lead the way.”

  “No!”

  Sharp teeth suddenly sank themselves into the back of Connie’s hand.

  “Oww!” she gasped, releasing her grip and watching the wild child run off to the blocks.

  Phoebe slumped down onto the seat. “This happens wherever we go.”

  “Aren’t you going to call her back?” questioned Connie, shaking away the pain in her hand and checking for broken skin.