Happy Now?

by S M Mala

  ‘I’ve been seeing someone, on and off since I was seventeen.’ He immediately noticed she looked disappointed.

  ‘That’s okay. I should have asked to be honest. Don’t break up because of this. I won’t tell anyone,’ she said and he could see she was forcing a smile. ‘Things happen.’

  ‘Me and you don’t happen all the time.’ Ed swallowed hard and looked her straight in the eye. ‘Flo, I’ve liked you for years and years but I never had the nerve to ask you out.’

  ‘But what about your friend?’

  ‘She’s twenty-three and has her own flat in Fulham. I’ve not contacted her for six weeks. We see each other but it’s not serious to be honest.’

  ‘Does she know it’s not serious?’

  ‘I’ve told her.’

  Flora took the sleeping bags he’d laid out on the floor, covering her naked body. She wasn’t looking at him and Ed knew she was thinking the worst.

  ‘I should go,’ Flora whispered. ‘I feel bad now.’

  ‘Flo, don’t say that,’ Ed gulped, looking at the sad eyes. ‘I didn’t expect us to get off with each other but I’ll be honest, I was desperately hoping it’d happen sometime. I’ll tell Diane tomorrow that I’ve met someone I really like and I really do like you. You have to believe me.’

  ‘You might be using me, based on my sister’s slutty reputation.’

  ‘You’re nothing like her,’ he said, moving closer and gently taking the sleeping bag away.

  Ed kissed her very slowly, realising she wasn’t forthcoming. He pulled away, stuck on what to do next.

  ‘I’m going away to Brighton next weekend,’ Flora said, stroking his face. ‘I won’t tell anyone what happened and, hopefully, you won’t either. We’ll call this a glitch.’

  ‘It will be if you don’t believe me that I’d rather go out with you,’ Ed sighed, shaking his head from side to side. ‘And if I’m being really honest, I don’t want you to go to Brighton.’

  Flora was grinning.

  ‘You want to go out with me? An arty farty person? Are you sure?’

  ‘I’ve wanted to go out with you for a long time but there was never a right time.’

  She flung her arms around his shoulders, kissing him hard while pushing him onto his back.

  Flora pulled away, her hair falling forward. He laughed again.

  ‘I really like your laugh,’ she said, kissing his face. ‘And that was the most romantic thing anyone had ever said to me.’

  ‘It’s the truth,’ Ed sighed.

  There was an odd feeling in his chest. He wasn’t quite sure what it was, but he felt extremely happy and alive. The sensation was new and Flora lying on top of him made everything seem perfect.

  ‘I need to call Gaynor. When she’s drunk she has a habit of forgetting things and will call me at home. Can we go to a phone box?’

  ‘You can use the one inside and there’s a toilet,’ he said, excited at the prospect of making love to her again. ‘Put on your clothes and I’ll show you.’

  They helped each other dress and walked, barefoot, to the door. He’d left it open.

  Ed went to his dad’s office and put the CCTV cameras on hold. No-one would notice as they never checked the footage unless the alarm went off. He turned and saw Flora standing in the middle of the office, looking around.

  ‘The kitchen’s over there and there’s a toilet. Shared, I’m afraid, but the cleaners would have come last night after everyone left. Dad doesn’t like it when they’re around at the beginning of the day.’

  He was nervous. His voice was starting to shake and he noticed Flora was watching him.

  ‘I’ll call from here. Is that okay?’ she said, picking up a phone. ‘Do I dial for an outside line?’

  ‘Nine,’ he replied and walked closer, stroking her neck when she started dialling the number.

  ‘Hello,’ she said and he heard someone at the other end. ‘Listen, I met up with some friends from college… What do you mean I didn’t like any of them? Look, I’m going to hang out with them tonight and they’re talking about an all-night party… No you can’t come, you’re too pissed. I’ll be round yours tomorrow at noon… Don’t ring my home as I said I was with you… Yes, I’ve got the book.’ Flora let out a disgruntled sigh. ‘Don’t cry. I forgive you and Priti for being bad friends and getting drunk.’

  Ed bit his lip, knowing it was all on his instigation and waited for her to put down the phone. Then she turned, smiled brightly before kissing him gently on the lips.

  ‘I’m all yours tonight. What are we going to do?’

  She was riding him with his help. They were both naked in the van and Ed watched her put her hands against the roof while he moved her hips up and down his shaft before holding onto each of her breasts.

  Flora looked amazing and he couldn’t believe this was the virgin from a few hours earlier. If ever anyone had taken to sex like a duck to water, it was her.

  He gently pinched her nipples, hearing her groan with excitement.

  She loved it when he touched her breasts.

  His dick was fit to explode but he wanted to examine her while enraptured by lust.

  Smiling at him, she placed her hands on his chest and ground her hips in, shuddering as she did it.

  ‘Oh my god!’ he gasped. ‘You feel amazing. Fuck, you feel fucking good.’

  ‘Good! You just tell me what you want and I’ll do it.’

  ‘Just go with the flow, Flo, go with the flow.’

  ‘Are you being funny?’ she grinned.

  ‘I’m in the Flo and I’m certainly going with it. I’m going with Flo.’

  If ever he was in heaven, it was then.

  Ed realised he might be falling in love with the girl shagging the living daylights out of him in the back of his white van.

  He was ecstatic!

  ‘Flora are you awake?’

  … he asked, Ed’s arms wrapped tightly around her.

  It was the middle of the night and he’d made them cosy in the back of the van. She was warm in his embrace and didn’t want to move.

  ‘A little,’ she replied, feeling her heart pound with excitement.

  ‘I mean it, about going out with you,’ he whispered into her hair. ‘I really am.’

  ‘And I’d love to go out with you but I’m going to Brighton.’

  ‘Find another course. You can transfer.’

  ‘Ed, it’s a week’s notice,’ she laughed, looking up and seeing he was deadly serious. ‘I’d have to make phone calls and give a good reason.’

  ‘Say you’ve met the man of your dreams.’

  ‘I don’t think that’d work.’ Flora hesitated and then realised he wasn’t joking. ‘You don’t want me to go.’

  ‘I thought you’d stay in London but I know you’re unhappy at home. Please Flo, think about it. I don’t want you to go anywhere.’

  ‘Oh,’ she said, before doing her short breath breathing, trying not to cry at what he was saying. He started to grin. ‘I said I wouldn’t get upset again and I mean it.’

  ‘If that makes you happy.’

  ‘You make me happy.’

  ‘Well that’s a good a reason as any.’

  She held him tightly and didn’t want to let him go. Flora realised she liked him so much and this was the beginning of something good, something very new and magical for them.

  Putting her head in the crook of his neck, she felt at peace with the world. All the annoyances like her mother and sister had simply disappeared.

  This is what it felt like to be happy and in love.

  Quickly rechecking that thought she knew, once again, she was running away with the situation but she’d always liked Edward Carter. That stayed consistent throughout her school years.

  And now he wanted her.

  He’d had her and wanted more.

  Ed wanted her to stay in London and they’d be a couple.

  It was all wonderful.

  Flora knew she’d fallen in love with the boy and d
idn’t want to be with anyone else, ever.

  This time she instigated the love making, knowing being with him was all she wanted.

  The next time she woke, the sunshine was coming through the windows.

  Ed wasn’t there.

  She panicked and wondered if he’d left her but the back doors were flung open and he was standing wearing his jeans holding two mugs of tea.

  ‘Morning,’ he said brightly, handing one over.

  He looked drop dead gorgeous.

  Flora took the cup and sipped it.

  ‘I didn’t know if you took sugar so I got some sachets,’ he said, putting them down before moving closer, kissing her lips. ‘Morning.’

  Trying not sigh or lose her ability to breathe, she smiled.

  ‘We have pizza for breakfast, if you like,’ she asked, watching him sit in the van, grinning at her. ‘I have some money. Maybe we can go for breakfast?’

  ‘That would be good.’

  Sitting in silence and smiling at each other, they drank their tea. When Flora finished, she reached for her dress.

  ‘Where are you going?’ Ed asked, taking her cup.

  ‘I need to freshen up.’

  Grabbing her bag, she took it with her to the toilets.

  As she brushed her teeth, Flora knew she was glowing with happiness, it was radiating off her cheeks.

  ‘What a wonderful day,’ she sighed to herself, full of hope.

  She’d packed a change of clothes but wondered if she should get changed. Somehow she didn’t want it to end. Taking her things, she went back to the van and saw Ed sitting down, looking out at the canal.

  ‘I know we have to go but I wondered if we could…’ She didn’t know how to say it. ‘I’d like to make love again.’

  He laughed and nodded.

  ‘I had chewing gum to freshen my breath,’ he said and Flora’s heart was beating faster. ‘And I want to do something else to you.’

  ‘You could have used my toothbrush.’

  Intrigued, she got back in and waited for him. She felt his fingers on her back, touching her dress and heard the zip being undone. He pushed his hands to the front of her, caressing her breasts and kissing her neck.

  ‘I want to turn to you on. I really want to,’ he whispered into her skin.

  ‘You have very creative hands, Ed Carter. I think you could turn on a brick wall.’

  Ed’s lips traced all the way down her spine and stopped at the base. She pulled off her dress and let his hands touch her skin. Slowly he turned her around and she was naked but he was semi clothed.

  ‘Lie down,’ he asked, pushing her back.

  The light of the morning sunshine was streaming into the van. It seemed quite bright and she suddenly felt embarrassed about her body. Ed kissed her lips, his hands pressing her shoulders down. He took off his jeans and she saw his naked body in the cold light of day.

  It was better than she’d thought and he had an erection.

  ‘Kiss me,’ he said and she did as she was told, pulling his neck closer so their mouths could reach.

  His strong tongue caressed her mouth and then he started kissing all the way down.

  As he stopped at her breasts, Flora closed her eyes, getting turned on by his lips. His hand parted her thighs and his lips continued to head south.

  She thought he would stop then felt his mouth above her pubic bone.

  ‘What are you doing?’ she asked, flinching that he would kiss her there.

  ‘Has anyone ever gone down on you before?’

  ‘Otis said he didn’t like the idea so never did.’

  ‘Well, fool him.’

  Then his mouth hit her nub and he gently nibbled and sucked on it. Never had Flora ever experienced it before and her back arched. His tongue licked her then went into her hole.

  She was startled at what to do but Ed’s mouth covered her and she was turned on, knowing she was going to come very quickly.

  ‘I can’t hold on!’ she gasped then the orgasm tightened her thighs before she hit the ride and felt her body shake. ‘Oh Ed!’

  She wasn’t quite sure how long the fireworks lasted in her body.

  He wiped his wet mouth on her stomach then clenched her nipple with his teeth.

  Flora felt like her body had come alive.

  Ed then sat on his knees, by her head, and she pulled at his dick, putting it in her mouth as he watched her.

  ‘You’re so sexy,’ he said, reaching backwards and she noticed he had a condom. ‘And I want to do this every day if we can.’

  She nodded, her mouth full of him and eyes closed.

  He pulled out of her lips and she watched him put the sheath on then reach between her legs, pushing a finger in then two, moving in and out.

  ‘I’m very ready,’ she sighed and he pulled her to sit up so she would straddle him.

  Slowly he moved her hips down and Flora tried not to scream at the orgasm she felt when he touched her sides. He kissed her and she smelt herself on his skin.

  ‘I want to really fuck you so much,’ he whispered in her ear, the words startling her but still a turn on.

  ‘I want you to fuck me,’ she gasped back. ‘I want only you to do it.’

  And so he did.

  This time for longer than before and in every possible position they could.

  ‘Now this is the joy of sex!’ she groaned as Ed pumped away. ‘And you’ve not even got a beard.’

  ‘I want you to stay,’

  … Ed said, holding her hand after they had breakfast.

  They were sitting opposite each other in a corner of the old café.

  ‘I’ll try and sort it. I’ll have to check who has got spaces.’

  ‘I’ll help. Flo, you can’t leave me, not now.’

  He was being so honest, it even surprised him.

  The morning had been wonderful and the lovemaking, something he’d never experienced before. It was very loving and gentle. Flora was better than he could have ever imagined and he knew they were meant for each other.

  After the sex, there was a lot of laughter and he felt so happy, he was fit to burst. She seemed glowing and just sketched him as they lay naked in the back of the van. Flora refused to show him the drawings saying they were for her eyes only.

  Ed sipped his coke and Flora held her mug of tea in her hand.

  ‘You’re so experienced. I’m sorry if I wasn’t good in certain parts, I’ll make it up to you,’ she whispered as he smiled. ‘You show me what you want and I’ll do it. I want to make you happy, I really do.’

  The comment caught him deep in his heart.

  ‘You were amazing,’ he whispered, leaning forward and catching his lips against her cheek. ‘I want to do it again tonight.’

  ‘I’m a little sore,’ she said, looking shyly away. ‘But I’ll be okay.’

  ‘I’ll kiss and lick it better,’ Ed sighed, getting turned on at the thought.

  ‘Is it normal to feel like that?’ she asked, looking at him straight in the eye. ‘That surge of happiness in your chest it’s fit to burst.’

  ‘I’ve never experienced it before until I was with you,’ he replied, wanting to laugh from happiness. ‘You felt it too?’

  ‘My heart’s still pounding because of it. I think it’s something more.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Love.’

  He couldn’t answer but she was right.

  It was love.

  Ed nodded in response

  ‘This is where I brought you when you got beaten up all those years ago,’ Flora grinned, stroking his face.

  ‘You were very kind.’

  They just stared at each other, not saying a word.

  He didn’t want to talk, there was nothing to say, no need to.

  ‘I have to get back by noon so I can drop you off,’ Ed eventually said, stroking her fingers with his. ‘Then we’ll meet in the pub at six. If you’re late, call the pub and I’ll do the same. I’m sorry I can’t spend all day with you but I
will, soon. Then it’s bank holiday Monday so we can meet again. Maybe go to the Notting Hill Carnival?’

  ‘Do you really want to go out with me?’ she asked. He noticed Flora looked concerned. ‘You don’t have to if you don’t want to. It’s okay, I’ll understand.’

  ‘I want to very much,’ he said, cupping her cheek with his hand. ‘Don’t ask silly questions. And you still want to go out with me?’

  ‘Yes,’ Flora replied, dazzling him with her smile. ‘I very much want to be with you.’

  Ed was fit to burst.

  He parked up round the corner from her house. They were sat in the van snogging for a long time and he didn’t want to let her go. Eventually she came up for air and looked up at him.

  ‘Amazing,’ she mumbled.

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘My pleasure.’

  ‘You better go. I’ll see you in six and a half hours. Tell your mum you’ll be coming home late. So you know Flo, I don’t want to always make love in the back of my van. I’ll get a hotel room or we’ll sort something out.’

  ‘I don’t mind,’ she replied inhaling deeply. ‘It was wonderful and as long as I’m with you, then that’s good enough, isn’t it?’

  He had to kiss her again. She was saying all the right things but Ed wanted to treat her properly, the way she deserved.

  ‘Go on, go in,’ he said, kissing her cheek.

  ‘I love you,’ she whispered and his heart skipped a beat.

  ‘Good,’ he gently replied.

  Grabbing her things, she got out of the van and blew him a kiss.

  All he kept thinking was she was the most beautiful girl in the world.

  Driving off, it took him ten minutes to get home and park.

  Within that time, he had practically planned their life together. How he was going to find a place for them to live, marriage, kids… he couldn’t help himself.

  He walked towards the door, putting his key in the lock just counting down until he could see her again.

  Flora.

  He was head over heels.

  It’s only then he noticed a familiar car parked down the road.

  ‘No calls?’

  … she asked, waiting in the pub.

  He was half an hour late and thought he’d have called. The barman shook his head as she sat back down.