Taking A Risk

by Caroline Easton

  The taxi journey home was spent with Grace holding her head in her hands and cussing at her own stupidity. She knew if she drank any more than two glasses of alcohol she was asking for trouble but still she insisted on making a fool of herself on a regular basis. Her phone beeped signalling a text message; flicking her thumb over the icon she opened the message from Alex.

  ‘I had a great nite shame u left early will call u 2moro cab paid 4 btw’.

  Great, now she would have to endure yet more embarrassment tomorrow. Did this guy not know when to give in? Grace toyed with the idea of replying to the message but thought better of it, with the alcohol still buoyant in her system she figured it was probably best to wait until the morning before responding. That way she would be sober and in complete control of her mouth. Besides she needed to talk to Sasha first.

  The car pulled up forty minutes later outside her flat. Grace let herself in, bypassing the lounge and kitchen, she threw herself onto the bed, burying her head in the pillows she let out a loud frustrated shout as she pounded her fists and feet into the mattress like a toddler who had just been denied chocolate.

  Ten minutes later she was tucked up in bed, make-up removed and exhausted after her outburst. Pulling the duvet up over her shoulders, sleep began to drag her under, eyes flitting she snuggled deeper into the enveloping bed letting the warmth wash over her, comforting her. She was vaguely aware of a phone ringing somewhere in the distance as she pulled the covers higher up to cover her ear, drowning out the offending noise. The persistent ringing dragged her from her dream like state, rousing her into realising it was in fact her own phone. Grabbing it from the nightstand she grunted some kind of greeting and waited to hear what was so important they had to ring in the middle of the night.

  “Hey, it’s technically tomorrow, and I promised to call so....” Alex’s gravelly voice drifted down the phone. “...I just wanted to check you got home safe and well I wish you hadn’t run out on me like that.”

  He knew the situation was fragile but he really didn’t understand this woman, he hadn’t had to chase anyone this hard since high school but strangely enough the harder she made him work, the more he wanted it.

  “Alex, could this have not waited until the morning? I mean really you had to call me at midnight?”

  “If I left it until tomorrow you would have had time to think too much. I’m not sure if I could salvage this thing then. You’re very...temperamental, shit, sorry. See, you’ve got me so tightly wound...Grace, I don’t usually have to do this much work; I mean I haven’t had to chase a girl since I was a fifteen and boy that was painful... Oh man...I don’t know my ass from my elbow when I’m around you. Can I see you again?”

  Grace sat up in bed now wide awake, grinning like an idiot to herself; she wasn’t offended that he thought she was volatile, quite the opposite in fact. “I can’t imagine you had to do much chasing in school either. Why don’t I call you tomorrow? ”

  “But will you though? Do you promise? I mean I could drop by if that’s easier...”

  “Do not come to my work Alex! People will talk about me, please. I promise I’ll ring you at lunchtime, ok?” Grace tried to appease him now, not needing him to cause yet another scene at work.

  “Well alright but if you haven’t rung me by one thirty I am coming to see you.” He meant it, there was something pulling him towards this girl, he had no idea what but he intended to find out.

  Alex hung up with a stupidly large grin spreading across his face, almost splitting it in two. Result - she asked if she could call him. Had he not been trying to get her to do the exact same thing for the past week?

  The soft morning sun broke through the flimsy curtains that covered the large picture window stirring Grace from a deep slumber. Checking the alarm she groaned before turning over clenching her eyes closed again, just a few more minutes. It only seemed like she had finished her phone call with Alex a few moments earlier but to be fair it had taken her ages to get back to sleep, she had kept running their conversation over and over in her head. Replaying his words, she didn’t think she was making him work for anything; they’d just had dinner a couple of times. Although Grace couldn’t get over the fuzzy feeling his voice created in the pit of her stomach or the stupid grin that was plastered across her face as her thoughts drifted back to the fish finger sandwich date, she was still unable to understand why he wanted to spend time with her. Well no time to ponder that one now, she had to be at work in an hour.

  Alex paced the decking outside the lighthouse, unable to sit still. He wasn’t used to downtime in the first place but now he was waiting on a phone call from the one girl he desperately wanted to hear from. He had given her a deadline of one thirty, that gave her another hour to call him or he would stick to his word and drive over there, whether she was embarrassed by him or not. Secretly he loved that she was uncomfortable being seen with him, usually girls fell over themselves to make sure everyone and his brother knew they were out with him.

  The last relationship he had been in ended for just that reason, Rhea was the less than popular one in a squeaky clean girl group. Chris his manager had introduced them at some awards ceremony where Uni-Fi had been nominated in the Best Single category, which they had won. Rhea had flirted with him all night and they ended up going back to his hotel room. That one night stand had turned into almost a year. The press, not to mention his PR team, where ecstatic at the coupling.

  Alex had fallen hook line and sinker for her until he realised that she had a hotline to the paparazzi, allowing them to orchestrate various photo opportunities or give away little snippets of information about him or his family. He had been distraught at her betrayal because she had known just how much he hated being in the limelight, she had witnessed firsthand his utter meltdowns at the beginning of every live show they did. It was because of Rhea that he refused to take any chemicals; he had witnessed all too clearly the absolute devastation that rubbish caused as he watched her destroy her career because she couldn’t function without a line of coke. That had been nearly two years ago, he had been in no rush to get involved with anyone after that. That was until now.

  The buzz in his pocket resonated down his thigh, jolting him back to reality. “Hey, you just made it. I have car keys in my hand and I was heading out the door.” Chuckling as he listened to her beg him not to just turn up unannounced when she was at work. “Yeah, yeah I heard you. You’re mortified at the thought of being seen with me. You could give a guy a complex. What time should I pick you up? I can order take out or book somewhere.”

  “I thought you could come to mine, I’ll cook for you but don’t come to the studio just come over to the flat at about eight?” Grace hadn’t meant it to sound like a question but she was still curious as to what he saw in her.

  Sliding his phone back into his pocket he felt like a teenager again. Giddy and lightheaded. How he was going to pass the next few hours he had no idea.

  As the doorbell rang loud and shrill Grace began to hyperventilate, she had left work shortly after their phone conversation earlier in the day so she could shop for food and start cooking. God knows it wasn’t her strong point. Now he was on her doorstep it didn’t seem like such a good idea, what if she gave him food poisoning? Taking a deep steadying breath she opened the door to let him in accepting the carrier bag he thrust at her as he entered the flat. Guiding him into the kitchen she peered inside to find a bottle of wine and a toddler cup with a lid.

  “What’s this for?” She raised her eyebrows quizzically at the man who was now leaning against the countertop, arms folded across his impressive chest.

  “Well the wine is for drinking and given your history of knocking your drink over me I thought the cup would be useful.” Alex grinned wickedly as he reached for the bottle to open it.

  “I don’t know whether I am insulted or grateful.” She scowled at him as he tried his best to look contrite but failed miserably. “I think you should pour that and sit while I dish up the me
al I have slaved over for the past three hours! I can’t believe you bought the cup!”

  Alex lowered his eyes, peering at her through long dark lashes. “I’m sorry Ms Harris can you forgive me?” She couldn’t answer him for the giggle that was now bubbling up in her throat, signalling for him to sit instead with the wooden spoon she brandished in her hand.

  Staring at the plate of food she had placed in front of him, Alex struggled to differentiate what was meat or vegetable or whether there was actually any of either in front of him. Picking up his cutlery from the beautifully laid table he poked around at the offering spearing what he hoped was a piece of beef. “This looks lovely Grace, thank you.” His mother had always insisted on good table manners. Sliding the fork out of his mouth, beginning to chew he realised it was a charred carrot and not beef. Jeez he was going to need that wine if he was ever going to finish this.

  “What’s wrong? Don’t you like carrots? It’s just chicken and veggies, Sasha gave me the recipe.” Grace eyed him suspiciously as he forced down the barely chewed vegetable. He was scared if he chewed it he may have to visit a dentist in the morning.

  “Well they’re not my favourite thing no, but I like chicken. Shall I get us some water too? Don’t want to drink too much wine.” Excusing himself from the table he grabbed two glasses from the drainer filling them with tap water before returning to what he now recognised as a sacrificed carcass that sat on his plate. At least now he knew it was chicken, he just had to find a bit that wasn’t blackened. Not wanting to offend her he attacked the plate with gusto, sawing away at what he presumed was the breast before popping it in his mouth enthusiastically. Taking a large gulp of water he hoped to soften the meat enough to allow him to chew it. He watched smiling as Grace put a forkful in her mouth before almost gagging on her food.

  “Ok, the take out menu’s are in the drawer. Go pick what you want while I clear this.” The giggle soon turned into an almighty laughing fit as she threw her head back in hysterics.

  “Whoa! Careful, did you swallow that? Spit it out Grace, you’re gunna choke laughing with that lump of chicken or whatever it is in your mouth!” His comment only fuelled their amusement leaving them both falling about laughing.

  “If you ever speak of this again I swear I will hunt you down and poke your eyes out with a spoon Alex!” She was horrified that he had even tried to eat her burnt offerings.

  “I can see it now in black and white, my next meaningless interview: So Alex tell us about the last date you went on: Well it was memorable to say the least, I had to have three teeth repaired and the poor girl choked to death on a charred vegetable.” With lightening reflexes Alex caught the napkin that she threw across the table at him with renewed vigour before they both laughed uncontrollably again.

  They sat on the lounge floor surrounded by Chinese takeout boxes from the veritable feast they had ordered in. Music drifted out from the little speakers positioned next to the old stereo situated in the corner of the room. “Shall I make some coffee?” Grace asked as she began collecting the rubbish.

  “Why don’t I make it? It’s the least I can do after all the trouble you went to.” Alex leapt to his feet almost racing Grace to the kitchen; remembering the last one she made him. At least if he made it he knew he could drink it.

  Chapter 11

  Alex clutched his cup as he stood pondering Grace’s music collection, recognising one of his own album covers he turned to smirk at her as she stretched out on the couch. “Didn’t know you were a fan. Which track is your favourite?”

  “Well I’m not really that big a fan but I kinda like Fallen, it’s more...haunting than a lot of the stuff you do.” Her cheeks flushed again at being caught in possession of his music. She was desperate not to come across as some Fangirl.

  “I wrote that one. Took me ages to get them to agree to record it for the album. Erm if you’re not a big fan then why have you got all of our stuff? I think the lady does protest too much.” He chuckled as he ran his finger along the edge of all five of their CD covers.

  “Busted... what can I say? It’s the drummer, Jez. He is the only man for me.”

  Alex snorted. “It’s always Jez, everyone falls for him. I have no idea why though, if they shared a tour bus with him, man the smell is atrocious! Do you wish it was him who came to do the interview instead of me?”

  “Alex, I was messing with you. Come and sit down.” Grace shifted up patting the sofa next to her motioning for him to join her. As he sat he pulled her legs over his placing his hand firmly across her ankles, effectively holding her in place forbidding her to move. Smiling up at her they both felt the atmosphere change, becoming more charged. Placing his cup down on the floor Alex leant across to pull her into his lap, seating her comfortably across his thighs he wrapped his arm around her back whilst stroking her leg with his other hand. She nestled her head into his shoulder sighing as she revelled in how at ease her made her feel.

  “Comfy?” Alex rubbed his hand up and down her thigh, resting his chin atop her head.

  Grace snuggled in tighter to him, her hand rested on his chest. “Mmm very actually. Is this your signature move then, sit them on your lap, make them feel special?” Chuckling as she teased him. Feeling his body tense beneath her, his breath hitch in his chest, she lifted her head to meet his stare. “What? What’s wrong? What did I do now?”

  “You and drink just don’t go well together, do they? Grace, I can imagine what you’ve read about me but I can tell you it’s all rubbish. I don’t have a string of women in my past; in fact I have only ever had three girlfriends, one in high school, one in college and one whilst I have been in the band. I don’t have a signature move and in answer to your question from the other night, I don’t get laid a lot! Yes I have the opportunity handed to me most days but I don’t partake in the goods, why would I? They don’t want me they want the lead singer of Uni-Fi, the persona that has been drip fed to them for years by my PR team. I don’t want to have sex with someone who is gunna run straight to the media or plaster some story about me all over the internet.” Alex breathed out long and slowly. “I don’t know what I have to do to convince you otherwise. I am not that guy.”

  Face flushed with embarrassment, she lifted herself from his lap to reposition herself on the sofa. “Sorry, I’ve done it again haven’t I? I guess I’m just struggling with whole fame thing, I just don’t know what it is you see in me. I have no idea why you’re here when you could have your pick of beautiful women. It’s a self defence thing I think.” She kept her face down avoiding his gaze, unable to believe that she had let her mouth run away with her again but the truth was that she really didn’t understand what was happening between them.

  “Well I think you are the most beautiful girl I have ever laid eyes on. I also love the fact that you are completely embarrassed to be seen with me. I like that you make me work for your attention and I have to wait out of sight when I pick you up. I like spending time with you Grace; I want to get to know you properly and just see what happens. If you’ll let me.” Alex placed his finger underneath her chin, lifting her face so he could see into her green eyes, slowly he lowered his face to meet hers, never taking his gaze from her eyes. “Can I kiss you Grace?”

  The timid girl in front of him could only nod, she had lost the power of speech, having him in such close proximity was overpowering. Lifting her mouth to meet his, gently sucking on his bottom lip. Alex reciprocated with fervour nibbling at her top lip before he ran his tongue along her lips. Pulling her back onto his lap he held her tightly in place whilst he continued to kiss her deepening it further as he caressed her tongue, tasting her mouth. The whimper that escaped her only served to boost his eagerness. He slid his hand underneath her top, drawing small circles across her back with his fingertips. Grace groaned at the feeling he was creating deep inside her, reaching up she placed her hand on his face holding him in the embrace, urging him to continue the gentle kisses.

  Taking her lead Alex moved his han
d around her torso making his way up to cup her breast in his large hand, caressing her nipple through the silky fabric, rubbing his thumb across the hard bud he had created. Grace lifted her hand placing it on top of his, halting his movements. Taking note he moved down towards her stomach using feather light touches as he went, revelling in the goose bumps that danced across her skin in the wake of his touch. Moving lower his fingers traced the waistband of her jeans sliding his hand down the back of her clothing as he increased the grip on her bare behind. Holding her tightly in place as his hand slid lower while his other hand moved to work free the buttons on her top.

  Grace broke free from the embrace, breathless and flushed. “Alex don’t rush me.”

  “Rush you? I wasn’t rushing you, I thought you wanted to. I asked if I could kiss you and you agreed.”

  “To the kiss, I agreed to the kiss. I’m not going to sleep with you tonight; I’m not one of your groupies. It’s a big deal for me to have sex with someone.” Moving herself out of his lap once more she righted her clothing before leaning in to kiss his lips softly again.

  “I just thought...well you know, everything was going alright and you said yes, it’s kind of the natural thing to do isn’t it?” His voice stumbled across his words.

  “Maybe for you but not for me, I don’t jump into bed with someone I hardly know Alex. We’ve had a handful of dates. I don’t want to be another notch on your bedpost. If this is going to work then we need to take it slow.” She stared at him now earnestly.

  “We? You mean you’re not kicking me out on my ass? You want to do this thing?” Alex questioned incredulous now.

  “Of course I do, you numpty!” Grace laughed at his uncertainty.

  “The dating, not the sex? How long do you normally wait, I mean what’s normal?” It had been a long time since he had been in this situation. He wanted to get this right.

  “Just for now yes, and I don’t know how long, a month maybe? But that doesn’t mean we can’t do other things, I’m a great fan of exploring the bases, well the first few anyway.” Grace looked up at him through long thick eyelashes, the smile spreading wide across her face.