Their Confession

by S. Valentine

  He’d just grabbed hold of a pan when his mobile rang. Glancing down, he noticed his knuckles were turning white. His heartbeat increased, and his throat suddenly became dry. Relax, he told himself, loosening the pan. It’s probably Gabi. He strode into the living room and picked up his mobile. His spine went rigid. It was the same number that ended in 369. Squeezing his eyes shut, he inhaled deeply. He knew he should answer it. He knew he had to face the situation head on, but he couldn’t. He was afraid. He pressed the reject button, and collapsed onto the sofa. A sharp ache shot through his heart as he became overwhelmed with guilt. Life really did have a way of throwing a spanner in the works. He knew he couldn’t ignore it forever.

  Having lost his appetite, he grabbed his jacket and decided to go for a drive. The apartment was stuffy and he needed fresh air, desperately. He didn’t bother taking his mobile with him. He wanted to be away from everything and everyone.

  ***

  Gabi

  “Hey, Kalli.” Gabi waved at her friend as she entered the room.

  “Hi, Gabi.” She beamed. “How’s it going?”

  “Great, thanks. You?”

  “Same.”

  Gabi pulled bottled water out of her bag, unscrewed the lid, and downed a quarter. She took in the empty hall. Only a handful of people were present, including the dance tutor who was setting up the stereo. She was early. Before she had left work, she had changed into black leggings, a matching crop-top, and trainers. She had been looking forward to the lesson all day. She always left The Royal Dance Academy feeling invigorated.

  When more people poured into the room, Gabi stuffed her bottle in her bag, and positioned herself next to Kalli, who was stretching her limbs.

  “Okay, everyone ready?” the tutor asked with a clap of her hands.

  A ‘yes’ echoed around the room, and then the music began.

  “Okay, let’s jog on the spot for a moment…get those muscles nice and ready.”

  Gabi mirrored the tutor and jogged on the spot. Stealing a quick glance out of the window, she could see clouds had gathered in the now orangey coloured sky, and the sun was setting. She wondered what Darion had done with his day. She had tried to ring him earlier, but hadn’t received an answer. She hoped he was okay. She knew it would take time for the loss of his club to set in. It was all he had known for a long time. Gabi couldn’t even imagine not working at Miller & Co Publishers. She had been there for so long she didn’t even know where she’d start if it came to new employment. All of those nerve-wracking job interviews, and then being up against people who may have more experience and qualifications. She groaned inwardly. At least Darion had always been his own boss, and had no plans of ever changing that. She had been relieved when he’d informed her his intentions were to run normal bars—no gentlemen’s clubs with naked women, and no adult clubs with kinky stuff going on.

  An hour and a half later, when the lesson had finished and Gabi had showered, she set off for the car park. She had just gotten comfortable in her seat when her mobile rang. Rummaging through her handbag, she dug out her mobile phone.

  “Gabi.”

  “Darion, hi.”

  “Sorry I didn’t answer your call. I left my phone at home.”

  “It’s okay. So, did you do much today?”

  “I stopped off at Dion’s to see how she and Odelia are doing.”

  “That’s nice.”

  “I should probably visit more often.”

  “I think she’d like that.” Gabi strapped her seatbelt across her body. “Are you doing anything tonight?”

  “I’m gonna get an early one.”

  She chewed her bottom lip. No explanation, short answers. It seems that Darion’s back to his usual closed-off self, she thought. “Well, if you need anything, let me know.”

  “I will. See ya, Gabi.”

  “Bye.”

  She ended the call. With a heartfelt sigh, she rested her head on her arms, which were draped across the steering wheel. She hoped Darion was selling the club because he wanted to, and not because he was feeling pressured that it was what she wanted. As much as it pained her to admit it, she didn’t want to take away something that meant so much to him and for him to be miserable. She’d rather walk away from him than ruin what he was passionate about. She silently prayed he’d soon find a new bar to rent, or buy, and his spirits would lift.

  Pulling out of the car park, her mood dampened when specs of rain began hitting the windscreen. Flicking on the window wipers, she pressed her foot firmly on the accelerator. She wanted nothing more than to sit in the warmth of her apartment with a book or magazine and a nice, hot cup of tea.

  Chapter Ten

  Darion

  “Have you heard anything from Gina?” Darion took a bite of his cheesecake. He stared at Lexi questioningly.

  “Not for a while. The last I heard she told me her mom was on the road to recovery.” She held her spoon in mid-air. “I take it you haven’t heard from her?”

  “Briefly.” He placed his spoon down. “She still with Johnny?”

  Lexi shook her head, took a final bite of her cheesecake, and stood up. “He left her.”

  “Any particular reason?”

  “He was too jealous, possessive, controlling…Gina was always going to be too much for him to handle, Daz.”

  Lexi swilled her bowl under the hot water before dropping it into the sink. Turning around to face him, she scooped up her red hair and tied it into a messy top knot on her head. “So, how is everything with you, being on the straight and narrow?”

  “I’m bored shitless, Lex,” he confessed. “I need to get working again before I drive myself insane.”

  “Me too.” She groaned. “What is Carl playing at? Surely it can’t take a fucking month to decorate the club.”

  “Carl likes to ensure everything is perfect.” Darion reached for his cigarettes. When he had hold of the box, he offered Lexi one. She accepted without hesitation.

  “How is everything going with Gabi?” Lexi popped the fag in her mouth.

  “Good.”

  “I’m real proud of you, Daz. Gabi is so good for you.”

  “I think so too.” He lit the cigarette, took a slow, long pull on it, and then blew out smoke.

  “I cannot believe Carl is hiring Eva!” she screeched. “Thanks for that. You could have intervened somewhere, on behalf of all of us that hate her.”

  “She’s not my problem anymore.”

  “Too right, she’s ours,” she huffed. “Come on, let’s sit in here.” She indicated for Darion to follow her into the living room.

  Darion stepped over a pile of clothes and shoes, removed a handbag from the sofa, and sat down. “At least the month off will give you more time to get this place sorted.”

  “Cheeky.” She shook her head with a laugh and tucked her feet under her bum.

  “Come and work for me.”

  “Darion, as much as I would love your company every day, I make way more money dancing than I ever would pulling pints.” She blew smoke rings at him. “Open another gentlemen’s club and I will.”

  He shook his head. “I’m out of that game now.”

  “Yeah, because you’re getting old.” She giggled.

  “Or wise.”

  “I’m gonna miss seeing your ugly mug every day.” She stubbed her cigarette in the ashtray.

  “You know where I live.”

  “Are you sure I’m allowed in the king’s castle? The place where you rarely ever took women?”

  “I took some there.”

  “Only the very special ones like Gina and Gabi.” He knew from her sparkling eyes she was teasing him.

  “You’ve been to my place before.”

  “No, I haven’t.”

  “Well…now you have an invitation.”

  “Don’t I feel lucky?”

  Darion rose to his feet and leant down. Staring at Lexi, he doused his cigarette in the ashtray and smiled. “You should.”

  “You�
��re such an arrogant asshole.” She chucked a pillow at him.

  “Arrogance and confidence are two different things.”

  “Darion.” She shot him a look. “I know you, remember? I see behind that bad-boy persona.”

  He held a finger to his lips. “Shh. Don’t tell anyone.”

  “Your secret is safe with me.”

  Taking his car keys out of the pocket of his jeans, he told Lexi he was heading home. He was surprised when she jumped up and threw her arms around him. It took him a second to accept the hug and then he reluctantly hooked his arms around her. Burying his head in her hair, he closed his eyes. He wanted to open up to Lexi, confide in her so badly about his problems, but he knew he couldn’t. Not yet anyway.

  “Call me soon.” She disentangled herself. “Don’t you dare forget about me.”

  “That won’t happen.”

  “It does happen. I’ve seen it happen a hundred times. Now we won’t be working together, you’ll be moving on, the calls will become less frequent, and then I won’t hear from you at all.”

  “Relax, Lex.” He ran his thumb across her cheek. “I’ll call you soon.”

  Once he was in the warmth and comfort of his car, he took out his mobile and scanned through his call list. Clicking on the number that ended in 369, he waited with bated breath for an answer. When it rang out, he ended the call, relief sweeping over him.

  Switching on the stereo, he blasted “Me, I’m Not” by Nine Inch Nails as loud as the stereo would play it. The Audi cruised smoothly along the roads. Nodding his head to the tune, he sped up, and soon he was racing past buildings until they were too blurry to make out. The adrenaline rush was just what he needed.

  Chapter Eleven

  Gabi

  Gabi spritzed some perfume on her neck, and then fastened the cord on her black Mac coat. It just skimmed her behind and revealed her long, slender legs. She was wearing her best pink La Perla underwear set, and the highest black stilettos she had. She felt girly, sexy. She expected to, given the price of the set and shoes. The things you do for love, she thought, adding another coat of pink lipstick which matched her nails. Scrutinising her reflection one final time, she dropped on the bed and waited patiently for Darion. He was showering, but she knew it wouldn’t take him long to throw on some clothes, and give his hair a quick towel-dry.

  As she was skimming through the images in her mobile, smiling to herself, Darion’s mobile bleeped. Glancing toward the en-suite bathroom, she could hear the running water of the shower. Shuffling toward the bedside table, she picked it up. It was a text message from a number not listed in his contacts, ending in 369. She swallowed, feeling a hot flush spread up her chest, and a piercing pain shoot through her gut.

  07844***369: Call me please x

  Why would Darion not have the number stored? Who was messaging him with a kiss at the end? With trembling fingers, she quickly checked the call log. There were several calls from the same number that had been unanswered, displayed as ‘missed.’ Whoever it was, they were obviously desperately trying to get hold of him, and it appeared Darion was avoiding them. She placed the mobile down and stared at the wall before her, lost in thought. When she heard the creaking of the bathroom door, followed by Darion’s footsteps, she looked up. He was naked except for a teeny white towel around his waist. Water droplets glistened on his body, and his dark, chin-length hair was swept back, soaking wet. Desire coursed through her blood and she ached for his touch, forgetting about the text message instantly. He was way too distracting and tempting.

  His eyes, full of salacious longing, landed on her. As if he could read her mind, he dropped the towel. She couldn’t control the pounding of her heart. Catching sight of his firm, tanned arse in the mirror and muscular thighs, she wanted to grab hold of him, and yank him onto her, cancel the evening’s plans, and spend it in bed.

  “Let’s stay in,” she suggested.

  “As much as I’d love nothing more than to fuck your brains out, darlin’…” He sprayed himself with aftershave, “I promised Carl we’d meet him and his wife for drinks.”

  “You’re such a tease.” She shook her head.

  The bed dipped as he crawled across it toward her. He seized her face in his hands and kissed her hard. Gabi was lowered onto the bed. His tongue found hers, and they wrestled together hungrily, passionately and possessively. Their moans collided, and Gabi grabbed a fistful of his hair, pulling him in closer. She forgot everything but the feel, taste and smell of him. She fancied him so much. The raw passion between them was almost tangible. When he drew back to place kisses on her neck, the tension coiled in her stomach, a throb of desire pulsing between her legs.

  “Let’s…stay…in.” she murmured, the neediness in her voice clear. “Please.”

  Darion knelt back on the heels of his feet. Her gaze dropped to his erection, and she had never wanted him more. A dangerous gleam appeared in his irises, and he said in a silky and provocative voice, “If we hold it off, it will feel better.”

  “I can’t hold it off,” she sulked, feeling the pit of her stomach burn and ache. She glanced at the clock. “We can be quick.”

  Darion pushed himself to his feet and began to dress. Gabi threw a cushion at him and cursed. He infuriated her at times. Payback is a bitch, she thought, remembering she had a surprise for him. The surprise she had forgotten to do until now.

  When Darion was smartly dressed in navy jeans and a matching shirt, the top buttons undone and the sleeves casually rolled up, Gabi called a taxi. It didn’t take long until they heard the bleep of the horn. Gabi sprinted to the car, protecting her blonde waves from the rain with her clutch bag. The night air was chilly and she was relieved she had worn her Mac.

  When Darion provided the driver with the name of the bar, Gabi cuddled up to him. “So, am I allowed to discuss The Black Door with Carl’s wife, should she ask me any questions?”

  Darion nodded. “She knows all about it.”

  “Really?” She knew the shock must have been visible on her face. “Is she um…into that stuff then?” she whispered.

  “No, Gabi. She’s not a swinger. But she appreciates the fact Carl will make a lot of money, and business is just business.”

  Gabi straightened her posture. “Are you saying I didn’t appreciate that fact? Because it wasn’t just business with you, Darion, it was pleasure too.”

  “I’m not saying that. I just don’t want you to judge her.”

  “I won’t,” she snapped, crossing her arms across her chest protectively. “Did I judge you? Am I still here?”

  Darion roughly yanked her toward him and kissed her cheek. “I forgot to tell you how fuckin’ beautiful you look.”

  “You don’t even know what I’m wearing.”

  “I don’t need to know. You always look beautiful.”

  ***

  Darion

  Darion patted Carl on the back to greet him, and then leant down to peck his wife, Tara, on the cheek. He then introduced them to Gabi. She greeted them both before taking a step back and fiddling with her hair self-consciously. He snaked his hand around her waist, pulling her into him.

  “You okay?” he asked, leaning down to her ear.

  She nodded.

  “What do you want to drink?”

  “Um…wine will do.”

  “You’ll be okay here with Carl and Tara, right?”

  “Sure.”

  He wove through the vibrant crowd toward the bar. Feeling someone pinch his ass, he glanced back. A pretty brunette flashed him a smile, followed by a wink. He ducked his head with a chuckle. He continued to the bar, and when before it, he lifted his hand to get the attention of the barmaid. The blonde with silicone breasts sashayed toward him.

  “What can I get you?” she purred.

  “White wine and a whisky.”

  “Coming up.”

  Seconds later she handed him the drinks with a flirtatious grin. Darion handed her the money, and whilst waiting for his change, he sur
veyed the room. He noticed a group of men watching Gabi, mischievous grins plastered on their faces. Gabi was oblivious to it, talking to Tara. He clenched his teeth, making an effort to stay in control. He silently dared one of them to touch her. They knew she was taken, as he’d noticed their stares on her upon arrival, to which he’d shot them a murderous look. They were trying to wind him up, probably after a fight. He knew it. That and trying their luck with Gabi.

  “So,” the barmaid’s voice dragged him back to her. “Are you single?” She handed him a note and some coins.

  He looked her over slowly from head to toe. She was attractive. Her waist was decorated with tattoos and her belly-bar shimmered in the light. If he was single, he would have taken her home, no questions asked. But times had changed and he wasn’t a bad boy anymore. Well, he was, but for one woman only. No one could tear him away from Gabi. She made him a better man. He felt loved and secure when he was with her. He usually got bored of women quite quickly, yet he adored Gabi’s company. When they spent time apart, he crazily found himself missing her. He’d recently started to embrace the fact he was in love. He was no longer ashamed of his feelings, like Eva had so often made him feel. He just hoped what he had with Gabi was strong and that they could overcome anything. He’d made a lot of mistakes in his life, but some things just couldn’t be taken back.

  “Well?”

  “Sorry.” He shook his head. “I’m with someone.”

  “Aw.” She pouted. “That’s a shame. Well, enjoy your night.” She gave him a little wave and turned on her heel.

  Darion stuffed his change in his pocket, picked up the drinks, and strolled back toward Gabi. As soon as he placed them on the table, he glanced at the group of men, who were still checking Gabi out. His jealousy was unfamiliar. Usually when his girlfriend was the centre of attention, he liked it, got competitive, and loved the fact they wanted something he had. Now it seemed different. It was just like the time in the playrooms when it came to partner swapping and he’d been unable to get aroused, to allow Gabi to get intimate with another man.