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jaegeraether · 9 months

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Sunsets and footballers (Part 33)

Lucy Bronze x Reader (31) & Alexia Putellas x Character (5)

Masterlist (other parts here)

(Only a little piece of Alexia in here...)

((**Any theories on who Joe is, send me a DM xD**))

YFN woke around 8:30am, having a decent sleep after her long day. She’d slept the best she had done in a week, and the only explanation was the warm right-back who was now gone. It was a disappointing feeling, waking to feel her not there, yet was superseded by the feeling of peace and security that came with the conversation she’d had the night before with Lucy. Lucy. She’d be halfway to Barcelona by now. She rolled over and could still smell Lucy there as if she’d only left a few minutes ago. She must be so tired, she thought, hoping she’d be able to sleep on the plane.

She woke and had her shower, letting herself chuckle a little at Lucy’s blue toothbrush and made her way out to the kitchen to find a note from Lucy on the kitchen island.

Good morning, little one.

You have no idea how difficult it was to leave you in bed this morning.

I ordered breakfast for you for 9am. I hope I got the timing right and they don’t wake you up.

Have a great day, please; I know I will now that I’ve seen you.

Remember: I won’t have a phone until the end of today or tomorrow… and please also remember to cancel the company car.

PS: I love you, and don't worry, you were too tired to talk in your sleep last night.

Lucy x

God, that woman. She pulled the piece of paper to her chest and held it there, unable to contain her smile. She looked at the time. It was almost 9am. Lucy knew she only slept seven or eight hours a night and had, of course, timed it perfectly.

She checked her phone and the first thing she did was respond to Joe.

Joe: Which do you like best?

Joe had sent a few links to cars.

YFN: I’m sorry, Joe. Please disregard. No need for a car. Do you have time for a phone call this morning?

Joe: Copy that. I’ll call in ten.

She went back to her other messages and emails which mainly concerned the edits that her colleagues had done. One by one, she approved them to be posted to social media. This first round had been a test for many things, one being the editing following the collection of footage at the games. She’d expected there to be some need for notes or changes, but she didn’t find any. Joe really had chosen some talented individuals.

Lumos group chat: YFN: Morning all! First round was a success! Fantastic job, everyone. The footage we’ve collected is remarkable. I’m happy for all of these to be posted today. As for the interviews, I’ve reached out for players approval and will post them once I have them.

Again, fantastic work, and a reminder to ensure we’ve sent the personal videos and photos to the players for their own use.

Our goal for next round is to post real time recordings of the game, goals and significant events.

Any suggestions, feel free to let me know!

The group chat started responding eagerly as a knock came at the front door. YFN jumped until she realised it would be breakfast. She checked through the peep hole before she collected it.

Lucy had ordered her an acai bowl, juice, and more of the banana bread she’d loved from last night. She dug in, hoping Lucy had a chance to eat before training. Her phone started buzzing and she dropped her spoon to pick it up.

“Morning, Joe.”

“YFN! Good morning, how are you after yesterday? I imagine you slept well.”

“You’re not wrong there!” She laughed. “It took a lot more out of me than I realised, Joe! But on a positive note, I think it was a success.”

“I think you’re being a bit modest there! I’ve seen everything and I’m beyond impressed. Whatever you’ve done to prepare all week was excellent, just excellent! And your interview with the Arsenal and Man City players? Brilliant. I know it was thrown at you last minute, but I really liked the way it was more of a casual conversation than asking generic questions. It really brought out the characters of the players.”

“Oh, I agree. Even if I did have time to prep questions, I still would have let them talk about what they wanted and just steer them ever so gently within the lines we wanted. I’m also a big fan of interviewing multiple players at once. They bounce off of each other well, even if they are opposite teams.”

“I was going to mention that! It’s the first time opposition players have been interviewed after a match together, yes? I love the dynamic. As for the other footage… I want to scale this up already. Did you want to talk about extra people to cover more of the games?”

YFN could hear that Joe was excited and knew that she’d give her absolutely anything she wanted. But that’s not what this conversation was about.

“Actually, Joe, I wanted to talk to you about something else..”

“Fire away, anything you want.”

YFN explained her meeting Mark at the charity event, about the photographer with Mark at the game last night, and then how she was followed. There was a long period of silence at the other end until she sighed.

“I knew this would be an issue, I just hoped it wouldn’t happen until later on.” She admitted. “Firstly, they won’t hurt you. Think of them as paparazzi. Mark is competition of mine when it comes to business, and he uses his PIs to try and get controversial gossip to undermine my business and partnerships. Saying that, I’d really like to apologise to you for putting you in this situation. Like I said, I hoped we’d be much more established by the time they came after us.”

“That’s a relief to hear, Joe. I’m glad they’re just that and not lunatics. I’ve dealt with too many of those lately.”

“Yes, yes you have.”

YFN hesitated. There was still an unanswered question there. “Joe… what did Mark mean when he said you would bring controversy to the business if people knew you were involved?”

She knew it was a personal question, and fully expected her to respond by saying he was lying. But she didn’t, because she was Joe and she was an honest woman. YFN trusted her.

She gave another heavy sigh. “Okay… okay. I think you need to know. It’s going to be much easier to explain in person. Are you able to get on a flight to my house tonight?”

She wasn’t expecting that. She didn’t care where she lived, she would go. Half out of curiosity to meet the woman, and half for the mystery. “Of course. I can fly from London or Birmingham.”

“Okay, if you head back to Birmingham today, I’ll have my assistant send you flight details for a flight out of Birmingham tonight. You can stay with me a few days. This will be good to fully discuss our future plans together and lay bare my hand. I have to go into a meeting now, but I’ll see you tonight, YFN. Great work again!”

The call ended after their goodbyes and it just left YFN even more curious. She truly didn’t know the woman, and the next few days would certainly be interesting to say the least.

“Lucia.” The teasing voice came from behind.

Lucy turned around as Alexia wandered over to her at the stretching station.

“Why are you smiling at me like that?”

“Because I think your London trip went well, si?” Alexia held that teasing expression. She wasn’t wrong. Besides the long day and minimal sleep, she had been in the best mood she had been for days. Alexia stepped forwards and slapped her face lightly like a proud adult. “The grin is back.”

Lucy tried to get rid of it, but she just couldn’t. If anything, it got wider.

“Thank you for your help, I definitely feel a lot better.”

Alexia tilted her head, giving her a cheeky look that seemed to assume sex had made her this happy. Lucy rolled her eyes at that. They’d definitely gotten a lot closer in the past few days, having supported each other through their relationship issues. “It’s not what you think.”

Alexia’s expression said she didn’t believe her one bit. Her head stayed tilted, her expression cheeky and knowing, and her lips remained a more subtle version of the Cheshire cat.

Lucy laughed and shoved her lightly. “I promise! We just talked and sorted everything out.”

“You feel better?”

“Oh, yes. You get to meet her in six days when she comes to Barca.”

“I look forward to meeting her..”

It made Lucy happy to see Alexia smiling. “And how goes your woman?”

Her smile faltered a little. “We have training-”

“Don’t you back out now. You had a plan.”

“Si, si. But we need to train and the game is Saturday.”

“Saturday afternoon.” Lucy clarified. “So there’s no reason you can’t go on Friday night..”

Alexia thought on it for a few seconds.

“Alexia, Lucy!” Jonatan reminded, pointing to the mats.

They took the hint and began stretching themselves out, both starting with their bad knees. Lucy’s felt much better after YFN had massaged it the night before, and she swear she could have come just from the release of pressure and feel of her hands on her. If only they’d wandered further up-

She caught herself and made herself stop. She was at training. She looked at Alexia who was now rolling her calf and thinking still.

“Would you like me to come?”

Alexia turned to Lucy, surprised. They didn’t usually do things together like that unless they were in a group, but perhaps it was time for that to change.

“Okay,” she said after another few seconds of thought.

“We won’t get drunk or do anything stupid. We’ll just go and have a chat and dinner and see if she turns up.”

“She…might not.”

“And that’s more than okay. We’ll have a good little date out, regardless, yeah?”

“Okay, Lucia. But only if you tell your girlfriend so she doesn’t break her phone if she sees photos.”

Lucy gave a sheepish smile. “She’s a lot better with her emotions than I am.”

“She sounds perfect for you.”

“Are we talking about YFN?” Kiera asked as she walked over and joined in.

“Si.”

“I haven’t met her yet, but Leah says they’re pretty adorable together.”

“I’m right here.” Lucy reminded.

“I know.” Kiera said, giving a little head pat. “But it’s more fun to talk over you.”

Lucy appreciated their relationship and how there wasn’t any jealously, they truly did want the best for each other.

“Are we meeting her this weekend?”

“Who are we meeting this weekend?” Mapi asked as she and Ona joined their ever-extending stretching line. Lucy looked at Ona who seemed curious at their conversation. She hadn’t had the opportunity to talk to her yet as she had arrived late, but she would. She made sure to give her a little smile, knowing it wouldn’t make up for how distant she’d been the past few days.

“Lucy’s girlfriend.”

Ona pouted. She wasn’t unaware of her because she must have seen Lucy’s posts on Instagram, but she still couldn’t help the look of disappointment on her face.

“She’s coming this weekend?” Mapi asked, completely unaware of Ona’s feelings next to her.

“Si,” Alexia said, sharing a look with Lucy that said she’d also noted Ona’s expression. Alexia changed the topic back to their strategies and training, a smart Captain manoeuvre around the previous topic.

YFN received her flight details not long after she’d finished her breakfast. Joe was definitely efficient. She was originally worried at her late flight time, 7pm, until she realised where it was to. Edinburgh. If she’d driven, it would have taken her over eight hours, so she appreciated the flight. Realising she had time to spare, she took her time to shower and pack up before messaging a few fellow Aussies about popping by.

Caitlin: See you soon, chicken! Warning: Kyra seems eager to see you. She’s in her annoying mood.

Erin Cuthbert: All good to pop by, bring snacks and Emma will fall in love with you.

Mackenzie: See you soon, I’ll let the girls know.

Caitlin had introduced YFN to Mackenzie Arnold, Captain of West Ham and goalkeeper of both West Ham and the Matildas during their dinner, and she hadn’t had a chance to see her play during the round so she figured she’d stop by to network and become more of a regular around the players.

She stopped by Chelsea first located south west of London at Cobham as it was the closest. Erin was right, Emma did appreciate the snacks, though she had to sneak some to the players when she wasn’t looking. She had a good catch up with the players and before that, she actually had a fantastic conversation with Emma Hayes. Emma was the manager for Chelsea, notorious for being hard, yet caring for her team. She was one of the best managers in the sport and had led the team to four consecutive WSL victories. When she spoke, it was slow but so excellently worded that everybody stopped to listen, including YFN even as they were alone on the sidelines.

“What you’re doing is so important for these players.” Her accent was rich and unapologetic. “I can’t say I’ve met Joe but I’ve heard of her, and she’s going to be the best thing to happen to this sport in a long time. If she’s chosen you to lead the way, then I know you must be excellent at what you do.”

YFN took the compliment with a smile. They’d been standing on the sidelines, Emma pointing out how they trained and worked strategies and weaknesses. It was all so interesting to her, and she assumed that Emma had appreciated her interest and questions from the compliment she’d just given her.

“I appreciate that, thank you Emma. You don’t think my lack of knowledge in the sport is a weakness?”

“Nah, not at all. I think that’s one of the reasons she chose you. You bring a new perspective. I saw the interviews you did with the other teams, Arsenal, United and such. They were a breath of fresh air to be fair. I’m sick of arguing with media.”

YFN chuckled. “Are they that bad?”

“Oh, sure. And just asking stuuupid fucking questions.”

Emma yelled advice at one of the players across the pitch who put their hand up in acknowledgement.

They spoke for a bit longer, really getting into some deep-seeded issues with media, and needed improvements for the womens game when one of the assistant coaches blew the whistle. Training break. Somehow, Emma had been so inspired by their conversation that she suggested YFN talk to the girls before they had a debrief. She obliged.

YFN had met most of the girls: Millie Bright, Erin Cuthbert, Hannah Hampton, Zecira Musovic, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Fran Kirby, Jess Fleming, the list goes on. She was actually quite surprised to see that she only hadn’t met a few of them. Emma gave her a lovely introduction and YFN made herself comfortable on a stool up the front as she dove into a conversation with the group about media and how to make them more comfortable. They had a lot of suggestions, even Emma looking impressed at their eagerness. They spoke for a good half an hour before YFN wrapped it up before it turned into too much banter and ate into Emma’s time. She’d written a lot of notes down and made sure to tell them to message her or come over for a chat at a game anytime.

With that, she took her leave for West Ham over at Chadwell Heath by 11am. Mackenzie was the first to greet her as they were on their lunch break. She was much taller than YFN who had to reach to the sky just to hug her, but she bent down for her.

“I’m used to it with this one!” She’d said, pointing to Kirsty Smith, her partner. Kirsty was Scottish and they’d been dating for over two years. Mackenzie had that sarcastic, Australian sense of humour YFN missed, though she was so soft around Kirsty. It made her think of Lucy.

They let her join for lunch, introducing her to the staff and players. YFN made sure to say hello to their manager, Rehanne Skinner for Emma just as she’d requested. There were only a handful of female managers in WSL, Emma had pointed out, and they supported each other. She also mentioned that Rehanne was a great manager, which was a big compliment from her.

The West Ham team seemed a lot more relaxed than the Chelsea environment, all with their own ambitions and goals. She was introduced around, having a good chat to the team and enjoying her catch up with the young Riko Ueki again who seemed excited to see her. Her most entertaining conversation, however, was with Hawa Cissoko who was a strong French and Malian defender, and notorious for her red cards. She was very vocal about racial abuse and asked YFN to bring awareness to it when possible.

YFN loved the dynamic of the West Ham team, there was such a mix of different nationalities and personalities and she especially appreciated Mackenzie and how she took care of them like a mother bird, especially the shyer players like Riko who was introverted and still a little shy speaking English at times. After joining them for their Subway lunch, and talking around the group for just over an hour, she was off to her final stop.

Her Arsenal girls were at the end of their training day, definitely slowing down and ready for the day to end. Kyra, however, was as young and eager as ever, especially when she saw YFN. Jonas drove YFN down to the field in a golf cart, dropping her off and she barely exited the vehicle when the young midfielder landed on her back, limbs wrapped around her like a spider. YFN was only small and barely managed to stay upright.

“I was told you’re in an annoying mood.”

“That’s rude.”

YFN laughed and hugged the limbs around her. “How are you, little sis?”

“Great! Can I ask you a favour before the girls get here?” She asked into her ear, her chin resting on her shoulder.

“Sure, mate.”

“At the game this weekend…can you ask for Courtney and I to be interviewed together?”

YFN paused. She hadn’t even thought about interviews yet.

She continued. “I don’t care if it’s in a group of us.”

“I can do just you two alone..” She offered. Thinking about it, it would be good to do a young player interview, and then a similar one with older players like Kim Little and Aileen Whelan.

“Can you?!” She squeaked and dropped off of her back as Katie jabbed her in the ribs.

“Chicken!” She was enveloped by the girls.

“Ew, you smell like Chelsea mate.” Caitlin said, scrunching up her nose fakely. YFN rolled her eyes.

“Calm down, mate.”

“We’re pretty much done with trainin’ today,” Katie said as she swung an arm over her shoulder and pulled her along as they began walking back towards the building. “I spoke to Kim and the girls are all keen for a chat.”

Although she didn’t have a favourite team, it was becoming more and more difficult not to as Arsenal had a lot of her heart. The players were all so free to be themselves, and she knew a lot of that was due to Kim and Katie who were the leadership within the team. They made sure it was a safe space and everyone could not only work hard but have fun also. Her chats with the group was more like a night out at town and she had to steer the conversation back to relevance a few more times than with the other teams that day. They all got along well, yet they all also had their little clicks that overlapped a lot. Beth and Viv. Beth, Jen and Steph. Katie and Caitlin. Caitlin, Steph and Kyra. Kyra and Alessia. Alessia and Katie. Alessia and Vic. She was caught unawares by Leah also being there, though she knew she shouldn’t have been surprised. Leah was already back up and running with the team, just not training fully yet. When she saw YFN, she came over for a polite hug and a few pleasantries. YFN could see she wanted to talk about Jordan, but they were too swamped by the eager girls wanting to talk to YFN about interviews, photos and such. She gave her an apologetic smile and made her way around the group for a few hours, or to be more precise, she sat in the same spot as the girls rotated through.

By 2pm she called it, saying goodbye to the team and collecting more than a few hugs on her way out. Her favourite though was the little head taps by Steph.

YFN was loading her work bag into the car when she heard a voice behind her.

“Do you think she’d be mad if I stopped by tonight?”

She turned around to see Leah looking like she needed some advice. “Do you two not have a day to catch up organised?”

“This Friday..”

YFN understood all too well why she didn’t want to wait any longer. “Leah… talk to her. Just talk. If Friday is too far away, then ask her for something sooner.”

“I don’t want to push her. Besides, you can be mediator tonight? That will ease tension a little.”

“Ah, that’s why you’re asking me. Well… I’m not sure if she’d be mad, however I won’t be there tonight.”

“Oh! Spain already?”

“No, Lucy was here last night. Edinburgh actually.”

Leah’s eyebrows shot up. “Lucy was here last night?!”

“Just for a few hours.”

“That’s why you look so happy.” She smirked.

“Don’t do that.” She laughed. “We just had a few things to sort out, as you know.”

“All sorted?”

She nodded. “Better than ever. I’m going to Barca on Friday.”

“What time are you flying out tonight?”

“7pm?”

“Okay… okay I can wait until Friday. I don’t want to mess this up.”

YFN gave her a supportive hug. “You won’t, Leah.”

YFN’S bag was packed for a few days, the peace lily Lucy had gifted her was watered, she’d cuddled with Blu and was just sitting down to an early dinner with Jordan as there came a knock at the door. They looked at each other confused. YFN shrugged and got up. She checked through the peep hole and sighed before opening the door.

“Turns out I can’t wait until Friday…” Leah said apologetically, a bouquet of flowers in her hand.

YFN bit her lip, thinking, and then stepped to the side. She wondered what Jordan’s reaction would be. Leah stepped in slowly and YFN closed the door behind her, leading her to the dining table.

“Who was it?” Jordan asked and turned around, freezing on the spot. Her eyes widened. She hadn’t expected that. Leah stood awkwardly with the flowers and YFN wanted to disappear.

“Uh…” Jordan struggled to find words.

YFN tried to break the tension. “Do you like ravioli, Leah?”

Leah nodded. “Yeah.”

“Okay…I’ll get you a bowl.” She looked at Jordan and gestured to Leah as if to say ‘be nice’.

“They’re pretty.” Jordan said.

“They’re for you.”

Jordan stood and YFN watched as she walked over and took them from Leah, their fingers softly grazing over each other. Both reacted physically to it. “I’ll put them in water. Take a seat.”

Leah sat down as Jordan went to the kitchen to find a vase. “What’s she doing here?!”

“I don’t know.” YFN whispered back. “She said she couldn’t wait until Friday, remember?”

“What am I supposed to say?”

YFN looked at the clock. “We need to go in thirty minutes, can we just talk about football, then you two can do all the talking you want without me.”

Dinner was mainly talking about their days, and YFN’s experiences around the different clubs. It started off awkward, but definitely became a lot more casual. Like roommates having dinner. YFN didn’t realise, but Jordan appreciated her there for the awkward part. Now when she dropped her at the airport, they would have avoided most of that.

Leah helped Jordan clean up, working together at the sink to wash and dry as YFN collected her belongings for the airport. The car ride was funny, Leah in the back listening silently to Jordan telling YFN to be safe and message her if she needed anything. Jordan had been extra protective since hearing about Mark and his friend, as well as Kristie being a maniac as per usual. Leah hadn’t seen that side to Jordan much, and she listened with interest. They dropped her at the airport and YFN gave Jordan and apologetic look before she hugged her, whispering in her ear.

“She loves you, Dory. Just be patient and be honest with what you need, okay? I’m a phone call away.”

Jordan’s hug tightened, nodding into her shoulder.

“Also, if she doesn’t sleep in your bed, she’s more than welcome to sleep in mine.”

Jordan scoffed and pulled away with a grin, slapping her arm.

“What? You have needs.”

She turned to Leah and gave her a hug and Jordan jumped back into the drivers seat. “She’s just as nervous as you are, Leah. Communicate, okay?”

“Thanks, YFN. Fly safe.”

“You’re welcome. And I’ll definitely try.”

The flight was short, barely an hour, and unfortunately it was too dark to see Edinburgh as they descended through the clouds. YFN hadn’t known what to expect once she arrived, the only note in her flight details being ‘private car hire to meet at airport.’ She exited with her smaller carry-on suitcase and immediately saw the sign with her name on it. The driver looked professional in his suit and insisted on taking her luggage. He introduced himself as David and was a polite, middle-aged gentleman who guided her into the backseat of the dark Mercedes before taking his place in the driver’s seat.

“How long is the drive?”

“Just over an hour, ma’am.”

An hour?!

“Do you know Joe?”

“I do. I’ve worked with her for quite a few years now.”

“How would you describe her?”

“She’s a smart businesswoman. A great mother. A role-model. A creative genius. She’s kind and very well read.”

“Did she…tell you anything about me?”

“Oh, I know all about you, ma’am. It’s wonderful what you are doing together. My daughters are still young and love playing football. We need this exposure, so they have a better pathway and more incentive.”

He knew all about her? What they were doing?

“Do you know why I’m here?”

David paused. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Is there anything you can tell me before we get there?”

“That’s really not for me to say, ma’am. It will all make sense when we arrive.”

What was this big secret?

They spoke a little more during the drive, YFN a little tired as they passed the 9pm mark. Eventually they turned off of the bitumen road and onto a long gravel driveway. She watched as a large estate came into view, still very much lit up, the warm lights escaping through the many windows of the large stone building. If she had to describe it, she’d say it was almost gothic, though repurposed to suit an English ambiance.

David stopped at the front of the steps leading up to the entrance. He insisted that YFN go ahead, claiming he’d take her bag to her room for her.

She walked up the steps, not knowing what she was getting herself into and as she raised her hand to knock, the door swung open. A man stood there, looking just as neat and tidy as David.

“YFN, lovely to meet you. Welcome. My name is Benjamin, and I’m the estate manager. Please come in.”

YFN smiled and introduced herself, entering and found her eyes were immediately wandering, looking up down, all around at the architecture of the place. Although an old building, it had modern refurbishments and she couldn't help but appreciate it, but also wonder at its cost. Where was she? Did Joe have some sort of link to royalty? Nothing else made sense. Until it did.

“You made it.” YFN turned to the voice she’d heard several times on the phone and whatever she was expecting, it wasn’t that. Her mouth physically dropped.

It all made sense now. The company. The secrecy. The controversy. The fact that they’d never met before. Why she’d hired her, a writer, in the first place, of all people.

Holy shit. It can’t be.

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thefanficmonster · 4 years

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Unlucky

Part 2: ‘Lucky Me’

Corpse Husband x Reader

Warnings: Swearing

Genre: Fluff

Summary: Corpse decides to email back a person who has sent him quite a few creepy stories. She never seems to run out of scary encounters of both sorts: paranormal and stranger-danger. He gets suspicious that the stories are all made up so she can grab his attention, but he’s in for a surprise.

U/N - username

Requested: No

Corpse’s POV

I’m looking through my most recent emails from fans. They are all of scary encounters they’ve allegedly experienced. By now, I’ve read so many, it’s easy to decipher which are real and which are just made up nonsense. Some, I must admit, give me chills. Big props to the people who write those, especially if they are made up. If you can make someone’s skin crawl with your twisted, frightening imagination, you have one, for lack of a better term and in the most positive way, fucked up mind.

My cursor lands on the familiar username I see almost every other week. U/N. They have been sending stories consistently for about three years now. They, and I’m saying they cause you can never be sure who’s hiding behind the username, are either the most unlucky person to walk the planet or the one with most twisted imagination and story telling skills. I’ll admit, sometimes I narrate a story just because it’s well written. Believability is not the only thing I go by, I also reward creativity. And this person, U/N, has had their spot in many of my videos in the last three years. I’m honestly hoping they are made up, or at least some of them, because not only are there too many of them, but none of them fail to give me that eerie paranoia after I read them or the chills while I read them.

Once again, they have submitted a downright terrifying story. It would be a shame if I didn’t narrate it.

It would be a shame if I....

If I never actually meet them.

This many run-ins with people with malicious intent, always getting away by some miracle, what if they one day don’t make it out alive to tell it.

My heart sinks a little at the thought. I feel like I know this person, like we’ve known each other for three years now. They know the things the whole internet knows about me, and I, along with my regular watchers, know their stories. That’s by no means enough, now that I think about it.

My next action is really out of character for me. I decide to reach out to them. My fingers fly over the buttons on my keyboard too fast for my rational side to try and stop them. Deep down, I know I’m doing the rightest wrong thing I’ve ever done. My previously sunk heart is now in its assigned spot again, beating quickly.

You don’t know what you’re doing

I maybe don’t, but knowing isn’t what’s important right now. I just wanna do it.

~ Hey, this is probably, what, your twentieth story so far. I’m just curious, how many of these are made up? By the way, your stories are amazing and I’ll probably keep narrating them even if they aren’t real. They’re just that good.

I send the email before I can talk myself out of it. I get up from my chair immediately afterwards, putting as much distance between me and the computer as possible, silently promising myself I won’t be checking my mail every five minutes.

Y/N’s POV

I anxiously refresh and refresh my email inbox, waiting for the dreaded email back from my professor. Being halfway through the college experience, I know how tough this professor’s class is and how much I suck at it. I sent him my completed assignment last night, barely making the deadline mind you, so now I’m sweating hardcore, staring my computer screen down.

After refreshing for the millionth time, I’m met with a new email which makes my heart stop for a second or two, my stomach dropping. Then I take the time to read the sender’s name, the subject and the first sentence of the email, and all the previous changes in me reverse. My heartbeat picks up speed, going faster than a galloping horse and my stomach turns, making me feel the sensation everyone calls ‘butterflies’.

Nah, man. This shit ain’t real. It can’t be.

But then again, what if it is. What if I’m about to full-on ignore my favorite youtuber because of my paranoia. Well, it’s not exactly unsupported. My life has been a shit show of unfortunate event and situations I’ve literally had to claw my way out of in order to stay alive. Now, when something of the sort happens, it’s just another weekday. However, I still wanna share these encounters. Not only because they are proof of the dangers girls have to deal with on a daily basis, but they also get narrated by one of my favorite people ever. What more can a girl ask for?

~ Listen, I’m really not looking forward to getting catfished. Please leave me alone

It’s short, not sweet, and to the point. It’s easy to understand, and it clearly states that I’m not falling for it if it’s a scam, but if it’s real....someone call 911 cause I think I’ll faint.

~ I get it, you have trust issues. But that’s understandable. From the creepy guy messaging you on all your social media. To the stalker you had from you high school, or even that teacher that turned out to not be a teacher at all and just a pedo, I see where the lack of trust is coming from. But I assure you, they only thing I wanna do is chat.

The shock and happiness overwhelm me when the reply arrives not even ten minutes later.

Holy shit, this is him.

I start typing and then erase the typed half-sentence at least three times before receiving another email from him. From Corpse Husband. Corpse freaking Husband. How the fuck am I supposed to compose myself enough to reply to him, let alone sound cool and leave a good impression.

My hand shakes as I click the newly received email.

~ You probably don’t know what to say. Either that or you just don’t wanna talk to me. If you’re just baffled and surprised, reply with your name. If you want me to fuck off, ignore this email completely.

The smile I didn’t realize was there grows into a grin as small bursts of laughter escape me. Laughter caused by disbelief and shock. The type of laugh you let out when you score a good mark on the test you thought you completely fucked up.

~ Y/N. My name’s Y/N.

PS: The stories are all 100% real. All happened. In the order I sent them too. And before you ask, I guess I’m just unlucky, but you are proving me wrong right now.

I don’t know where that confidence at the end came from, but I don’t care really. All that matters is that this might just actually be happening and it might be the best thing to ever happen to me.

~ Man, you’ve had it rough. Tell me, is there an easier way to access you than email. Like Insta DMs? I feel we have a lot to talk about and email is not the most convenient.

At this point, it feel so much like a fever dream that I decide to treat it as though it is. I just go with the flow.

~ Yeah, but first.....am I really not being catfished right now?

The email I receive as a reply to this message is empty of text but there’s a file attached. Not gonna lie, I am a bit hesitant to open it, but I decide that if this turns bad, I’ll just have to deal with it. In the meantime, I’ll believe it’s not a scam.

It’s an audio file: “No, Y/N, you are not being catfished.”

That voice. That god damn voice. It could convince me of anything.

And now it’s convinced me into believing him. And finally letting out that squeal I was holding back before sending him my Instagram username.

#corpse #corpse husband #corpse husband fanfic #fanfiction #fanfic #x reader #reader #requests open #request #husband #corpse simp #love #romance #among us

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yamagucji · 4 years

Text

love letters from cupid.

dear lovely anons,

i cherish every bit of interaction we have. im extremely grateful to know that there are people out there who read and enjoy my works. hm, hope you know that i care about each of you. honestly sometimes i just wanna make a post dedicated to each of you but idk!! if you’ll see it or not. hopefully this bit is enough to let you know how much i appreciate every single one of you. thank you.

dear readers,

thank you for reading my works. it’s comforting to know that there are people out there who will check out something that i’ve slapped on together with every bit of my effort. to those of you who have consistently supported my works in silence- you know who you are. im just... keeping my distance because ya’ll are really just minding your own business while i get giddy about seeing you pop up in my notifications again. im hoping to get around and send a ty note to as many special readers n special ppl on this blog. but im a little shy, so i hope you’ll give me some time. seeing you in my notifications from time to time makes me happy; sometimes i do wonder if you’re still here and in good health. i hope you all are right now. thank you.

dear dani,

what a wonderful being you are. never regretting the first time i *shyly* asked if there was anyone that wanted to be friends here. i probably already talk about my love for you and vera so much but who’s gonna stop me? you’re such a cool person. i look up to you (literally). i think it’s amazing to get to know a person who has a lot of passion for history like me. but also- screams about 2d men with me. truthfully, this site is much more bearable having you as a moot. i feel very comfortable talking to you, about anything at all. lomve you, you’re the best.

dear mayya,

kindness personified. im sure you’ve made a plethora of people smile with every rb and comment you’ve given; including me. i think it’s very refreshing to see such genuine comments. you radiate this calm aura that im always seeking for. thank you, for providing me (and many other people) with that. a little embarrassing that you see my uhm, messy sideblog, but... it’s comforting i think. to know that someone is listening. i hope that you understand it goes the other way around too— that i’m here for you.

dear hrituja,

my partner of chaos. when did it start? i can’t remember. all i know is that every little thing you send me on instagram really makes my day. i’ll have bad days and all i need to do is look at the silly stuff you sent me and get a laugh out of it. i think it’s cool that we’ve been able to build this space where we can talk about anything (literally), poke fun of each other, and also ourselves. you’re cool. i genuinely like hearing you go off about ace. if i could meet a moot it’d probably be you unless you’re secretly a fraud and you’re actually just a 80 yr old man looking for a sugar babie. in that case im in.

dear oz,

you overly sweet bean. i genuinely watch you in awe from afar, just by how talented and hardworking you are. your art is amazing, and i always look forward to the design you make for your oc’s outfits. thank you for understanding me, and for being patient with me. i care about you a lot, so if there’s ever anything that’s occupying your mind and you need to let them out, i’m here to listen. ps. i really don’t know any other mutual who listens to *that* comfort stuff like i do so im really thankful to have someone to talk about them with. you can always share your interests with me too, especially with your dearest tendou.

dear tate,

im such in awe of you. just the fact that you devote a lot of your time into writing and setting up the theme for your blog astounds me. not to mention, your art skills as well. i am still very much in love with that bokuto piece you made with the hanging leaves. i hope you know that bokuto loves you just as much as you do to him. i know you’re writing up something special atm, so i’m really looking forward to it. thank you for all the time you’ve spared just to send me an ask. it truly does mean a lot to me. it feels like someone is listening, and i’m very appreciative of having you as my dear mutual. please know that i’m here to support you too, with the best of my abilities.

dear winx club,

[ @wissbby @kageruna @pinkbunnyplushie @astrooliver @lovingtobio @kenmaki @lfjr @lcsbianist ]

im such a clutz, but thank you for dealing with me. i was little nervous to start up such a discord server because im bad at staying in one. though, the warm environment that you all provide makes me feel much more at ease. i think it’s funny popping in to the server and seeing a few people spamming the chat with hugs, headpats and kisses. it’s sweet, too. being in a group discord can get overwhelming for some people, so i appreciate you all for having that patience. another thing- thank you for understanding each other’s boundaries. its hard to be aware all the time especially when you’re interacting with people you don’t know to at a very personal level. im glad that you all helped each other make the space comfy. i look forward to more chaotic and genuine talks with all of you in the future. maybe we’ll still be in touch with each other after a long while? who knows. but im going to cherish every single moment i get with you all.

dear @nishinoya-is-baby @keitsukki11 @sullen-angel24 @smolbludandelions @whootwhoot @cheatingthroughthislife @tadashi-simp @oikaw-ugh @lostsealscreams @sleepykarabou @atsunflower @lfjr @globe-fish @bewwybun @tetsoleil @sleepykarabou @justcafewriter @rin-suna @atsumusc0ck @waitforitillwritemywayout @dorkyhaikyu @yemilnisu @sunseteyes @kenmaki @kenanami,

goodness, i would write you all individual messages if time let me. but, i hope this is alright. i just wanted to thank you all for interacting with some dummy like me because that shit takes real patience </3 y’all are some really cool people and im really glad to have you as a moot. im ngl im pretty sure i’ve stopped by all your inboxes just to forget to actually send an ask :’( or maybe im too shy. one or the other. hopefully i can come around to all your ask boxes soon and fill it with my love because it’s what you all deserve. ya’ll are such amazing and talented people. for the love of god- you have all my love and care in the world. i hope that these past few weeks have been gentle with you, but if not, please let yourself rest from whatever it is that may be putting you down. here’s a gentle reminder that im always here to listen, and i wouldn’t judge you for whatever it is it may be. thank you for being so kind to me, and i hope to return that as well. take care.

@insanitywrites @derpeedoo @killuababie @lespaghetti @ordinary-ace

i haven’t told you this until now but, thank you for giving me company and comfort during a time that i was deeply struggling.

ps. if there’s any grammar or spelling mistakes no u did not see that <3

#cupid speaks #some...#very important ppl in this blog #i love them.

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writerwrites · 4 years

Text

Had Spoke, Had Woke

Pairing: Ransom Drysdale x named!Reader

Summary: You’re a new waitress at a famous restaurant in New York City and you’re still trying to get your footing. Little do you know, when the hostess seats a single male patron in your section of tables it’s a bit of hazing. Notorious lothario, Ransom Drysdale, is a regular. Will you end up as another notch on his bedpost?

Word Count: 2k

Warnings: Sexy flirting if you squint, but no written sex scene. Mentions of boss’ voyeurism kink and implies Ransom might have an exhibition kink... again, that’s not written in here. Language. Cliffhanger?

A/N: *THIS IS A ONE SHOT* This is the Week 2 prompt to the Optimistic Captain Donut Challenge created by @captainchrisbaby @captain-a-rogerss , @optimistic-dinosaur-nacho , and @donutloverxo … The Week 2 Prompt will be in bold in the story. PS. Jammies!

Getting a job at the hot new Italian restaurant in Boston felt like pure luck. Aaliyah had no experience, few recommendations, and an odd availability because, in her senior year of college, she had an internship on top of her classes. Her life was a delicate balance of maintaining high grades to appease the donors of her scholarships, presenting well at her internship in hopes of a foot in the door, and working as often as possible to keep a roof over her head after graduation. That plucky attitude worked well, quickly getting Aaliyah into the position of a waitress, but the attention had consequences.

When the tall, broad shouldered blonde came in for the third Thursday night in a row, she’d picked up the hint that all of the staff had an opinion about the guy. Assuming that he hadn’t been placed in her section because the manager didn’t want a regular having a meal spilled on him, Aaliyah went about her own business, no time to engage in the whispers every time he came in. The decision to keep out of the restaurant gossip made her few friends and in a lush restaurant social climbing was a key focus of the menu. With confident strides, Aaliyah maneuvered through the bustling restaurant taking orders and slinging them back. Then her gaze landed on the only table left in her section, a booth that could have sat four, now occupied by the attractive blonde that never seemed to be in short supply of cable knit sweaters.

Chewing her lip, she swallowed down her options. First, she could go back to the floor manager and verify it wasn’t a mistake. Not the best choice but the man could make it out unscathed with a more experienced waitress. Second, she could play it off to the best of her ability and show the managers and staff that she was determined to do her job well. It didn’t seem like much of a choice and when his eyes landed on hers, an impatient squint demanding her to cross the room and assist him, her feet were already making their way to him. “Good evening, I’m --”

Her words were cut off, “I know who you are, Honey.”

The pet name rolled off his tongue like melted butter and Aaliyah shivered. Just as she picked her mouth off the floor and went for her pen to take his order, the man carried on again. “I’ll have the pan-seared halibut.”

Unfazed by the cutoff it was the pet name that bit and the waitress bit back. “Then you must have mistaken me for the midnight cocktail waitress in the underground. It’s Aaliyah, actually. You have the choice of two sides. I recommend the braised fingerling potatoes with garlic shallots and fresh herbs.”

The man was processing the cheek and Aaliyah’s mouth went dry as he watched her through long lashes, teeth nipping his own tongue. “Fine. Any drink recommendations, since you’re feeling so complimentary.”

She was no sommelier, but she didn’t miss a beat. “We have a sauvignon blanc from New Zealand if you would prefer a fruit note to the herby dinner, or a sauvignon blanc from France that stays with the theme of the meal you’ve chosen.” Aaliyah smiled, proud of herself, like a well studied student at an exam.

“I’ll have it with the Oregon Pinot Gris.” His tone was surprisingly amused, making the young waitress all the more unsettled by his unblinking gaze.

“Yes, Sir.” It was his turn to squirm, though she didn’t notice the way he moved his legs to adjust himself under the table.

Aaliyah turned on her heel and walked away, all too aware of the pair of deep blue eyes still on her. He unashamedly carried on that way through the entire meal, summoning her back now and then for more wine and then a glass of her recommended sauvignon blanc after a couple of bites of his halibut. She didn’t move when she brought it, stubbornly waiting for him to admit he was wrong. A few coworkers stared at her shocked with her behavior. When he brought the wine to his lips she stared at the lingering droplet and his gaze was back on her, tongue lapping it up, some unspoken incantation that it wasn’t just the food he found satisfying. “Sir.” Aaliyah purred with smug confidence and left him to finish his entrée.

When the manager pulled her from the floor by the wrist into the office she thought she was in for it. Instead, he dropped a key into her palm. “Mr. Drysdale will ask you for dessert, Chef will make it, the staff will clean and leave. He’ll take his time and pay in cash. You’ll need to clean up his mess and lock up so that we don’t have to wait on you tonight.”

“You just let him do that?” She scoffed.

“There are few patrons that tip as well as Mr. Drysdale and his family could tear down this block with one bad review. No stunts, just give him what he wants, clean up, and send him on his way. It’ll be a long week for you to know whether you cost us our best customer or not, so don’t.”

It wasn’t harsh, a clean cut and matter of fact plan no different in presentation than the specials on a chalkboard outside the restaurant, but it left Aaliyah with more questions than answers. Her eyes fell to the key, tucking it in her pocket before heading back to the floor to wrap up her other patrons and check on her sweatered guest. “Would you like a dessert tonight, Sir?”

The plate of halibut and vegetables was clean, his wine glass low. “That depends on whether you would like to join me with more of the sauvignon blanc.”

“I’ll bring you the bottle and the tarte aux fraises for dessert?” Her tongue twirled over the French with ease, this time noticing how his hips picked up briefly out of the seat. “If that pairing sounds satisfactory, of course, Sir.”

He gave a nod and Aaliyah walked away with confidence that she had survived the ordeal of having this patron in her section. She came back with the wine, pouring him a glass and leaving the bottle on the table, letting him know that she would be back with his dessert and to wave her down while she helped the other waiters. But, as soon as she was in the back of the building, the hostess caught her eye from the staff locker room. Aaliyah slipped in, opening her own locker to put the key in her bag. It wasn’t until her back was turned and other waiters came in that she heard their bets. While she may not have made out every detail she knew whatever was going to happen wasn’t over.

The second the last whispering voice walked out and the patron’s dessert set gently in front of him, he asked her an unexpected question, “Care to join me?”

Aaliyah had to wonder if this was what the whispering was about, whether or not she’d sit with the guy, share a drink, share dessert, settling on the nagging question: What else did he expect? Careful not to show any sign of weakness or overt interest, she sat across from him, pulling off her apron and busying herself with folding it onto her lap. “I apologize your weekly entertainment has been left to me, Sir. The other waitresses were a bit upset to see the favorite regular placed in the new girl’s section.”

His fork cut through the tarte, popping a bite into his mouth as he watched her and he didn’t speak until he’d washed it down with the wine, pushing the then emptied glass to her. Aaliyah poured and he spoke. “They do this every once in a while. Think about it as… pulling out the weak ones by the root.”

She watched him twirl the fork in the air as he explained his view on the hostess’ decision. There was something wicked in the way he spoke about people, like everyone in service was just a hair above a stray dog in his eyes. Still, as she looked at him, really watching his eyes, she found herself drawn into him. Aaliyah found herself determined though, to do as her boss had asked, to appease him, but she was no stray dog. If anything, she was a feral cat, more likely to take what she wanted than to put up with anyone’s antics. Maybe that’s why she knew how this was going to go. “You weed out the weak ones every Thursday?”

Ransom looked up from his wine glass, but not to Aaliyah. Her eyes left his throat to where his icy blue gaze had moved. She hadn’t really thought about it before, the cameras all around the place. He didn’t speak again for a few more minutes, washing down the last of his dessert. “I’m friends with your boss, we went to college together. I know that he’s probably watching this little dinner in his bed on his laptop.”

Aaliyah poured the rest of his wine into his glass, surprised to not see her hand shaking despite her racing heartbeat, “Do you tell this to all your little weeds?”

“Sure, I’m not a monster. Though I’m sure anyone with more than two brain cells knows there are cameras in here. It’s logical to assume that a waitress that mistreats a customer when their boss isn’t looking should assume the boss is going to look at the cameras to see what really happened.”

“As much as I want to assume everyone I work with is logical…”

The corner of his mouth turning up into a sinister little smirk told Aaliyah more than enough about the man she was entertaining and what he knew about what he was doing. Ransom seemed to be done with the chit chat, throwing back the last of his wine. “The question is are you…”

Aaliyah cut him off, resting her hand on top of his. “You’re going to pay your bill and cross the street so that the camera for outside seating isn’t going to catch me leaving this place with you. While you wait for me to clean up these plates, you can decide: your place or mine. I’m sure if you like the thought of someone watching you fuck a waitress on a restaurant table gets you off then there’s plenty more we can do outside of this place.” She could see the gears turning, his lips pressing into a thin line. “Spank me later for being so bossy, Sir.”

She watched his tongue ghost across his lips and, for a moment, she wondered if she wanted him as badly as he wanted her. That was the problem with feral cats, no one could own them but they still liked their back scratched once in a while. Slipping out of the booth he got up too. His long, broad frame casting a shadow over her and the table. The proximity took Aaliyah’s breath away and she looked up at him, thinking she’d been outplayed, her thoughts already on him taking her on the table, plate and glass smashing onto the floor. Instead he slipped the money into her pocket, a wicked grin on his lips as a whimper passed her lips from the smallest amount of physical contact. “I don’t like to be kept waiting.”

“Then don’t make me take longer than I need to.” Aaliyah nodded to the door and he draped his coat over his arm. The second the door clicked behind him a string of curse words passed her lips as she picked up the table and took it to the kitchen, cleaning everything and setting it to dry. A decision had to be made, her dark eyes moving from the front exit to the emergency exit out back. His voice rang in her head and a knot in her stomach told her the repercussions would be severe, be it for standing him up or keeping him waiting. The thought alone told her she wouldn’t be getting any sleep tonight. Pressing the restaurant key into her palm she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and took the anxious first steps toward her long evening, she’d endure the consequences tomorrow… Fuck it.

#captainsweeklychallenge #ransom drysdale x reader #ransom drysdale x you #ransom drysdale x oc #fic: ransom drysdale #writer: writerwrites

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softyoongiionly · 5 years

Text

Merlot 🍷

REQUEST from Anonymous: “Request for reader x Jimin fluff smut, like best friends to fuck buddies but not even romantic fluff just Jimin being really affectionate and cute with lots of compliments, giggles, and affirmation”

Pairing: Jimin x Reader

Genre: Fluff, smut, best friend! jimin, Friends to lovers Au

Word Count: 1.9k

A/N: I have a weakness for best friend Jimin, please send help! 🙃 Yikes I really hope I did this justice.

PS My requests are open, click here to send something my way! Check the Request Rules for more info!

---------------------------------------------------------

Attraction is a funny thing.

Sometimes, it’s obvious and in your face.

Other times…it’s a slow, painful, gut wrenching build-up that could be compared to get a tooth pulled…without novacane.

Sometimes, the object of your attraction is a far away, distant daydream that you can safely admire in the deep recesses of your mind.

Other times, said object is someone close to you, someone you spend all of your time with, someone, you should definitely not be attracted to.

Unfortunately for you, you check the second box, in both cases.

Because you see, the object of your affection was none other than, your best friend Jimin.

Smiley, angelic, ethereal Jimin.

Seriously, you were convinced he was some sort of malevolent species of Fairy that was sent specifically to torture you.

The two of you met your sophomore year of high school and, had bonded over many nights of you sneaking out of the house and, Jimin sneaking liquor out of his parent’s cabinet.

During college, Jimin went wild and, basically spent every weekend dominating the frat party scene and, hooking up with more people than you cared to count. He always talked about finding someone to settle down with but, his actions proved that he wasn’t interested in committing anytime soon. The two of you had a lot of chemistry but, other than making out a few times, nothing further had ever developed.

So, you sort of gave up on the idea of you and Jimin being together. You liked him yes but, your pesky attraction towards Jimin wasn’t worth risking your friendship over.

Right?

——————————————————————————

It was Wednesday night and, you had just pulled into your driveway. Your day had been long and, uneventful so, you were looking forward to shedding your work clothes and, relaxing.

JIMIN: are you free tonight?

JIMIN: I miss u >_<

The buzzing from within your dress pocket (yes, your dress has pockets, you’re no amateur) alerts you of Jimin’s messages and, your mouth seems to have a mind of its own as it’s immediately turning up in a smile. You hadn’t seen Jimin in a few weeks as the two of you had schedules that never seemed to line up.

YOU: I might be free...

YOU: what did you have in mind?

His chat bubble lights up momentarily before, his instant reply comes through.

JIMIN: c’mon jagi, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten about our tradition, it hasn’t been that long...

The pet name shouldn’t send a butterfly careening in your stomach but, it does and, you have to take a deep breath before, typing your reply.

YOU: how could you suggest such a thing?

YOU: I would never forget our movie nights. They’re iconic.

You and Jimin used to have a movie night every week for years, the tradition only faltered during finals and holidays. Although, post graduation world was a little different and, since the two of you had started new jobs, it had been about a month or so since your last one.

JIMIN: good. I’ll be over in 20.

JIMIN: wear something sexy for me 😉

Your eyes roll at his response and, you desperately try to ignore the stirring in your stomach. Jimin was a rotten flirt and, you had learned over your years of friendship with him, not to take his comments seriously.

Jimin arrives 45 minutes later as expected because, Jimin being on time is like Halley’s Comet: occurring once every 75 years. You, of course, ignored his request for you to wear something sexy and, opted instead, for a black pair of pajama shorts and, a fuzzy grey sweater. You thought about wearing some granny panties too, just to spite him but, decided against underwear all together. Catching up takes quite a while as the two of you have quite a lot of opinions about your new jobs.

Eventually however, you both end up cuddled up on your couch with a bad romantic comedy playing on your flat screen. Jimin always manages to worm his way into your grip and, he’s currently laying between your legs, black hair against splayed out against the material of your sweater.

He was letting it grow out...

"You listened...” Jimin murmurs, cheek against your stomach, a wry smile playing on his mouth.

With a furrowed brow, you glance down at him, “What do you mean?”

“I told you to wear something sexy for me...” As Jimin speaks, you notice his tone: lower and slower than usual, not exactly Park Smiley Jimin’s style. He trails one finger up your thigh then and, if his voice wasn’t doing something to you, his touch certainly was.

You snort, still staring down at him, “I’m glad my 6 year old pajama shorts are doing it for you...”

Jimin giggles, finger still trailing up your thigh, lingering at the cuff of your shorts, “They are...”

“I think that’s the Merlot talking...” You giggle, feeling slightly buzzed yourself because, the two of you had gone through quite a few glasses whilst you were catching up. Jimin just smirks, his hooded eyes glancing up at you before, rolling over onto his stomach, his chin now resting on the hem of your shorts.

“You’re really fucking pretty when you laugh you know that?” Jimin raises his brows at his question and, if it wasn’t for the slight amount of alcohol flowing through your veins, you would have been freaking out at his compliment.

Instead, for once, you play along.

“You’re plastered...” You giggle again, swiping a thumb over his pillowy lips, pink and swollen, almost asking to be kissed. As your thumb comes over his mouth, he opens it suddenly, sharp teeth catch the tip of it, holding your thumb in place.

“I’m really not...”

Your breath catches in your throat slightly as you stare down at him. Jimin was a rotten flirt yes but, this went beyond his usual antics.

“What’s gotten into you tonight?” You breathe, not moving your thumb from his mouth, feeling his warm breath against it.

“I’ve just been thinking...” He’s whispering now, saliva moistening the end of your thumb as he pulls off of it, a playful smile on his lips.

“About?”

“It’d be really good if we fucked...”

The butterflies are in full fucking chaos in your stomach right now and, if your heart wasn’t lodging itself into your throat, you would have doubted whether or not it was still beating.

“Oh yeah? What makes you so sure?”

But you play along because, it’s Jimin and, he’s notorious for flustering you but, you weren’t gonna back down, not this time.

“I mean, it’s obvious isn’t it?” He’s smirking down, hands coming up to assist him in kneeling between your knees, your legs spreading wider to accommodate him. “We’re so close...we know exactly what the other person likes...I bet I could make you cum pretty hard...”

Your breath is picking up slightly as Jimin’s hands come up to rest on either of your knees, your shorts likely growing damp from the words he spoke.

“I could make you cum really hard too, I’ve heard my pussy’s pretty tight...”

Jimin’s eyes widen slightly before, he regains his composure, a giggle breaking past his lips as he nods, his hands sliding down your inner thighs as he does.

“I really wanna fuck you...I’ve wanted to fuck you for a long time...” He confesses, zero shame in his tone, his eyes holding quite a bit of mischief but, there’s something else that’s swimming in them that you can’t quite pinpoint.

The truth is, you’ve wanted Jimin for so long. You couldn’t wait anymore, not when we was literally and explicitly stating that he felt the same way.

“Me too...” You breath, hips raising slightly as his hands get closer and closer to the wetness beneath your shorts. “You should do it...you should fuck me...”

A manic giggle escapes his lips, as he licks over them, feeling pretty delirious with desire. He nods, his fingers tucking in on either side of your shorts before glancing up at you, “You’re gonna moan real pretty for me right? Give me something to cum for?”

His words go straight to your clit which must swollen beyond belief. You smirk up at him, licking over your lips, your hips lifting to allow him to pull your shorts down.

“We’ll see...”

Fire flashes through his eyes for a moment before he chuckles darkly, ripping your shorts down your legs suddenly. The movement, though expected, causes you to gasp, your nipples hardening as the cool air hits your wet cunt.

“Wow, jagi you’re so sweet...leaving your panties off for me and everything...” He giggles, ridding himself of his jeans, his dick springing from them, pink and swollen, matching his lips perfectly.

Your mouth practically waters at the sight of him and, being the self-proclaimed attention whore, he notices.

“I’m gonna fuck you now jagi...and it’s gonna make your pretty pussy feel really good for me ok?” His tone his sweet but, you know he’s taunting you, he wants to see you fall apart, “and then...you’re gonna cum nice and hard all over my dick...”

Before you can deliver the sarcastic comment that’s been brewing in your throat, Jimin pushes into you without warning, his dick swelling slightly as he feels you for the first time.

“oh my god...” He groans out, his demeanor faltering slightly as he nods, another delirous giggle escaping his lips as he looks up at you, “How the fuck did you get a pussy this good hm?”

Your breathing further increases as he begins rocking in and out of you, his hips steadily increasing as he leans down to kiss at your mouth.

“Luck of the draw I guess...” You giggle against his lips, indulging in the sweetness of him as the two of you rapidly start chasing your highs.

“I’m literally gonna cum already...this wasn’t supposed to happen but, fuck jagi...your pussy is...” He whimpers, his playful demeanor ebbing and flowing as he continues to fuck into you, his eyes black at this point, hands exploring every inch of your skin he can find.

“My pussy is what?” You whisper in his ear, smirking, out of your mind with desire as your hips rock against his.

“It’s fucking gold...I’m...I’m gonna cum fuck...I’m actually gonna cum already...” He laughs in disbelief, his thumb frantically moving to your clit, rubbing tenderly against the swollen nerves to aid you in your release “Will you cum on me? Please? I wanna make you cum...”

You giggle at his eagerness, nodding back, the sensation in your stomach moving quickly to your pussy, the overwhelming pleasure taking over your senses.

“Jimin...I’m gonna...” You moan, eyes wide and desperate as you stare up at him and he smirks, nodding frantically as he continues to rub you, his hips never faltering.

“Let me see you cum pretty girl, let me see how pretty my girl is when she cums...”

His words, his touch, everything about him was too much...

You feel yourself pushed over the edge, dragging Jimin along with you, his dick pulsing continuously as he empties himself inside of you.

He shivers as his orgasm racks his body, his hands squeezing your hips as his pace turns sloppy. His beautiful when he cums, his head thrown back, his eyes clenched shut, his toned stomach spasming as he gives you everything he has.

“Oh my fucking god...” He whines as he slumps over onto you, his wild heartbeat matching your own.

The two of you lay there for a moment before you finally speak, breaking the silence.

“Well...I can effectively say our friendship is ruined...” You whisper, smiling playfully

He giggles, pressing a kiss against your chest, “Eh, we weren’t that close anyway...”

Attraction...it’s a funny thing

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mlinkwell · 5 years

Text

Model Student (part 1)

Pairing: Johnny Suh x OC/Reader (fem)

Genre: uni!au/bf!au // lil angst/lil fluff (smut in future parts)

Word Count: 2.4k

Warnings: strong language, mentions of sex, descriptions of nudity/nude images. This is a work of fiction. Please do not send nude photographs irl. Can go hella wrong.

AN: I just started my senior year of college (holy fuck)! To celebrate, here is *the* Johnny fic that I’ve been hinting at for so long. It’s my first original story on this blog. I’m so excited to continue this angsty ass tale very soon. PS, pairing says OC/Reader because while the protagonist has a name and description, parts from her pov are written in second person.

You moved from your shower to your bedroom, goosebumps appearing on your skin as you move from the small, steam-filled space to your air conditioned bedroom. You shivered ready to pull on some clothes and get in bed.

You were over the whole school thing before you even got off campus. You knew that you needed to get organized now or you would have a rough month - and probably semester - ahead. However, you wanted nothing more than to call your boyfriend over and lay with him for the first time in weeks. You had let school get in the way of your relationship, and you missed Johnny desperately.

After getting somewhat accustomed to the chill of your room, you took the towel off and used in to squeeze some water from your hair. You moved over to where your phone was charging on your nightstand. You sat on the edge of your bed, careful not to let droplets from your hair soak your sheets. The screen of your phone showed a missed call from Johnny. He had called you during your shower and sent you a text soon after.

Johnny (3:24): Just wanted to chat for a sec. I miss you babe

Johnny (3:24): Busy today?

You smiled to yourself, the reassurance that he missed you too warming your heart. Your smile turned to a sly smirk as you looked at your phone. You couldn’t deny how many ways you missed him, and you were hoping you could get him feeling the same way.

You moved so that your knees were resting on your mattress, wet hair pulled over your shoulders. You took the towel and positioned it over you just so: one hand holding it over the middle of your chest with the rest of it gathered between your thighs. The sides of your breasts, stomach, and waist were still visible, the towel only cover enough to leave him wanting all of you. With your free hand, you held your phone up and away from you, getting as much of your body in the frame as you could. You excluded the top of your face from the image, only allowing him to see the way you bit your lower lip along with the way water dripped down your bare body from your hair. You snapped the picture and sent it to Johnny.

Yena (3:41): Sorry I missed your call. Just got out of the shower.

Yena (3:41): [image]

Yena (3:42): Can we be busy together tonight? I miss you, too

With that, you moved off your bed and to your closet for something to wear. If Johnny wanted to see more, it would have to be in person. You pulled on some underwear and grabbed one of Johnny’s shirts that you’d stolen over a year ago. Before you’d even finished pulling it over your head, you heard your phone ring.

———————————————————————————————————–

Johnny walked up the stairs toward the door, backpack slung lazily over one shoulder. His last professor for the day professor dropping a completely new schedule out of the blue had sent the entire class into panic. Everyone, including Johnny, would have to rework whatever plan they already had for the semester around Dr. Young’s new outline. The walk from his final class to his house seemed miles longer than normal, every step spent trying to figure out when he would even have the time to sit down and accommodate his routine for this new course outline. He was far too exhausted for it to only be the afternoon, but uptight professors had taken a toll on him these past few weeks. He was stressed to say the least.

Not to mention that he’d barely had the time to see the one person he knew would help him keep his head on straight during all the confusion. Johnny already felt too wrapped up in the problem to step back and solve it. Head down and phone in hand, he began typing out a - probably desperate sounding - message as he pulled the front door open.

“Johnny!” His name was shouted as soon as he walked through the door. He looked up to see Yuta sprawled out on a couch in the living room. Yuta sat up as his friend and fraternity brother walked through the door. From Johnny’s posture and the look on his face, Yuta could tell something was wrong.

“Hey, Yuta,” Johnny replied a little less enthusiastically than usual and forced a smile. Yuta watched as Johnny tossed his backpack down and slump into a recliner. He looked at him for a few seconds longer before standing and hitting Johnny’s knee as he passed.

“Are you done for the day?” Yuta asked.

“Yeah,” Johnny breathed out.

“Come eat with me,” Yuta said. “We just got pizza. My treat.”

“Who is we?” Johnny asked as he followed along. He was in a bad mood, but not bad enough to pass up free food.

“Mark, Doyoung, whoever else wanders in before it’s gone,” Yuta explained as he led the way to the kitchen.

“Give me one sec,” Johnny called to Yuta as he moved towards the stairs. “I’m gonna put my stuff away.”

“Hurry back!” Yuta called back.

Johnny moved up the stairs and to his room. He carefully took the camera bag in his hand and set in on his desk before less gracefully dumping his backpack on the floor. He took his phone out of his back pocket, looking over the message he began typing out before Yuta’s pizza invite. He changed the wording of his message, however he quickly changed his mind and retyped the old message. He went back and forth between drafts. After landing on his original message again, he decided to delete it and call you instead.

He kept the phone tight in his hand, stress level raising lightly when he was sent to your voicemail. He was thinking of what to say when a loud knock on his door startled him, causing him to promptly hang up.

“Hey!” Yuta said through the door. “Food’s ready. How long does it take to put away your things?”

“I’ll be right there,” Johnny groaned. He shoved his phone back into his pocket as he bound down the stairs to the kitchen. As he made his way in, he found Mark and Doyoung already sitting on the table with a plate of pizza in front of each of them. Yuta was at the counter, loading up a plate for himself. Johnny followed Yuta’s lead, grabbing a few slices of his own before turning to the fridge for a bottle of water. Before he could turn around, Yuta was taking the water out of his hand and replacing it with a beer.

“Yah!” Johnny exclaimed as Yuta closed the fridge and pushed Johnny towards the table.

“You’re done for the day, aren’t you?” Yuta asked with a smirk.

“Just because I’m done with class doesn’t mean I’m done entirely,” Johnny clarified.

“We both know one beer isn’t going to get you too drunk to do your homework,” Yuta rolled his eyes as he settled beside Mark, who had been gushing to Doyoung about some new song he’d discovered.

Johnny took his pizza and beer and sat next to Doyoung, although he barely chimed into the conversation. He slipped his phone from his pocket, deciding to follow up his phone call with a quick text since he hadn’t left you a voicemail.

Johnny (3:24): Just wanted to chat for a sec. I miss you babe

Johnny (3:24): Busy today?

Every few minutes, he found himself checking his phone to see if you had tried to call him back or answer his texts. Eventually, he accidentally tuned his brothers out entirely, aimless scrolling through social media in the hopes of seeing a notification from you as soon as it popped up. He only looked up to grab his pizza, taking a large bite before returning to flipping idly through his phone.

“Yah. Johnny.”

Johnny looked up from his phone, suddenly confused and embarrassed as all eyes were on him. He moved his gaze from Mark and Doyoung’s stares to the source of the voice. Yuta was sitting across from Johnny, his soft expression in contrast to the loud voice he’d used to get Johnny’s attention.

“What’s going on?” Yuta asked, voice now matching expression.

“Just eating,” Johnny replied. Yuta chuckled softly.

“You know what I mean,” he said. “You’ve seemed down ever since you walked in the door. What’s wrong?”

Johnny sighed, tossing his phone on the table as he tried to find the words to explain what all was troubling him.

“Is it Yena stuff?” Mark blurted out, making all eyes move to him instead. His face turned red as he said, “Sorry, hyung. I, I wasn’t thinking before I said that out loud.”

“Does Mark being an idiot make you feel better?” Doyoung spoke up. The smooth delivery of his comment made Johnny and Yuta burst into laughter and a tomato-red Mark put his head down on the table.

“I mean, he’s totally wrong,” Johnny laughed out lightly. The other three died down their laughter quickly, looking to their friend with concern written across their faces.

“Oh shit, for real?” Yuta asked.

“I mean, we’re okay I think,” Johnny explained, “We’re not fighting or anything, but I haven’t even seen her enough to argue with her lately.”

“What’s stopping you from seeing her?” Doyoung asked.

“School just hit me really hard the past couple weeks,” Johnny groaned out. “My professors can’t make up their minds on our schedules and now I can barely keep my shit straight from reorganizing my plans.”

“And you’re not getting that stress relief from Yena?” Yuta teased, attempting to lighten the mood with a suggestive eyebrow raise as he tossed back more of his beer.

“Yeah, to be honest,” Johnny muttered loud enough for the others to hear.

“Wait! What?” Mark jerked his head up.

“I mean,” Johnny stretched his words out with a cocked head and a playful shrug. “I haven’t even heard from her today, so we definitely haven’t had time for other things.”

“Woah, woah, hyung,” Mark said through awkward laughter. Beside him, Yuta was almost red with laughter.

“Hey,” Yuta laughed out, “if you’re used to fucking all the time, a few weeks feels like a damn lifetime of celibicy.”

“Yah!” Doyoung interjected. “Stop. Mark’s a baby.”

His teasing only made Mark more embarrassed and the older boys laugh even more. Johnny finished off his pizza and beer, and he moved from his seat to clean his plate in the sink. Yuta slipped his plate in for Johnny to wash, a small fee for free food. Johnny quickly scrubbed down the plates before placing them in the drying rack.

“So, Johnny-hyung,” Yuta turned to Johnny, who was now leaning against the counter with another beer in hand, “why don’t you just, you know, ask Yena if you can..?”

“Nah, you guys told me girls don’t like that,” Mark interjected. “I thought you couldn’t lead with wanting sex because they’ll think that’s all you want from them.”

“They’ve been together for two years!” Yuta quipped. “It’s a little different after you’re committed for this long. They’re both without right now. It’s not like Yena will care.”

“Yeah I don’t think she cares,” Doyoung said, an awkward twinge to his phone. His eyes wide and looking down at Johnny’s phone, the screen illuminated from its place on the table. “Hyung, you, um - you got a text.”

His statement and demeanor drew the attention of the other two at the table. Both sets of fresh eyes went wide, an “oh shit” coming from Yuta’s mouth and a red tinge appearing on Mark’s ears to match Doyoung’s cheeks. Yuta was the first to tear his eyes away, snapping out of whatever trance the boys were in and covering the phone with his hand. “That’s not for us to see.”

“What is it?” Johnny asked as he reached for his phone. Yuta moved his hand away, not daring to look back at the device now that Johnny had come closer. Johnny held the phone up, his notifications displayed despite the locked screen, images included. Taking up most of his screen was a string of messages from you.

Yena (3:41): Sorry I missed your call. Just got out of the shower.

Yena (3:41): [image]

Yena (3:42): Can we be busy together tonight? I miss you, too

In between the two text messages was a photo of you. One hand was holding the camera far enough away to get a full shot of your body, which was only covered by the towel your other hand was pressing to your chest. Wet hair and skin, you were obviously fresh out of the shower when you sent it, and you were obviously just as needy for Johnny as he was for you.

He would have been wholeheartedly focused on how absolutely breathtaking you were to him, if it weren’t for the fact that you’d taken away the breath of three of his closest friends. He looked back at Yuta, Doyoung, and Mark, all of whom averted their eyes. Johnny could feel a little rage building in him as it sunk in that this is what they’d all stared at far too long. Johnny looked back at his phone, reading your last message again. Can we be busy together tonight?

“You’re all really fucking lucky I don’t have the time to kill you,” Johnny told them, only half-joking, as he walked out of the kitchen and towards his room, calling you as he went.

———————————————————————————————————–

“Hello,” you answered your phone as casually as possible, worried that Johnny would practically hear the teasing smirk plastered on your face if you were too obvious about teasing him upfront.

“Hey, baby,” Johnny’s smooth voice filled your ear. “What, uh - what are you up to?”

“Just got dressed,” you said. You let that statement set it for adding, “I’ll probably start on some assignments in a bit.”

“Same,” Johnny replied, completely ignoring your first comment. “I’ve got some reworking to do to my assignment scheduling.”

“Again?” You asked, genuinely distracted from your little act.

“Again,” he confirmed. “Dr. Young. Again.”

“Well,” you began as you gathered your laptop and notebook and took them to your desk, “Could we work on it together? We don’t have to if you’re too busy, but I really miss you.”

“I miss you, too, baby girl,” Johnny said, the sincerity in his voice making your heart flutter. “Let me gather my stuff up and I’ll be over in a bit.”

“Be safe,” you told him as you opened your laptop, attempting to type with one hand.

“Always,” he assured you. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

#johnny suh #johnny seo #Johnny Fanfic #johnny smut #nct johnny #nct fanfic #nct fic rec #nct smut #nct #nct127 #nct127 fic

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ill-skillsgard · 5 years

Text

The Offer - Henry Deaver x Mistress

Warning: 18+ brief mentions of sex/public teasing/cheating/etc.

Soooo here’s another Henry x mistress imagine that nobody asked for. And just so you all know, I will continue to use your prompts in these imagines as they fit the timeline I’m going for. So if you’ve sent an ask about this dirty cheating bastard, I haven’t ignored it! I just have this world unfolding in my brain and I have to make the pieces fit accordingly. Thanks for reading and, y’know... Not jumping down my throat about the content. Enjoy! PS, I wanna know who sent the original Henry and his mistress prompt. You have single-handedly ruined my life and I love you for it.

Enjoy!

The drive to the next city over started out great. Henry had picked you up at your apartment building exactly when he said he would and smiled brightly as you came out trying to hide your own eager grin. His eyes followed you, entranced for a moment until he snapped out of his short-lived daze, whipped his seatbelt off and got out of the car so he could open the passenger side door for you. You went red in the cheeks when you realized what his intentions were and stood next to the running car. Trying to get a good look at him before he approached only made you seem like you were checking him out, and you were, and he bubbled inside knowing that your stare was on him.

"Henry, you don't have to open the door every time. I promise you won't lose any gentleman points if you just let me do it myself," you lightly chided.

"Non-sense. I'm picking you up for a date. I pick you up, open your door, walk beside you, pay for dinner and then hopefully by the end of the night, I'll get a kiss."

"You'll get a lot more with that attitude," you joked.

"I don't see the mystique in allowing you to do everything. Open your own door, get in while I'm still sitting, split dinner and whatnot... No. That's not how a man takes a woman out on a date."

"If you insist, Mr. Deaver."

You loved the way Henry fumbled with his bottom lip and tried not to act like you referring to him so formally turned him on. He probably heard that all day long from his employees and peers but never in a context such as the subtle ribbon of seduction you wove around the title. You gave it a lustrous ring, a potent flick in the groin that made him want to hate you for tainting such an everyday greeting.

The drive drew out before you realized that Henry was taking you into the next town over. He didn't have to tell you why because you already understood his motivations. It was too risky for him to be seen with you in the city where so many people he might know had the chance to happen upon you. This he did not speak, but you were in silent agreement. The guilt you had been successfully suppressing so far was starting to leak out of the seams, threatening to bust out and flood your head with more than just a pang of liability. There was a monster of shame growing in you and you could feel it squirming already in its early stages. You could only imagine the size of Henry's own iniquitous beast; it must have sprouted legs by now.

Henry ordered whiskey and implored you to go nuts and order whatever you wanted regardless of the cost. The wine was brought to the table and you dove into your first glass with no hesitation. After he had had a thorough look around the restaurant, he settled into his seat, relaxed his shoulders, stretched his legs out under the table and reached one hand between the water cups and the centrepiece of shell white calla lilies until you threaded your fingers through his. The pads of your fingers rested on his knuckles and you smiled as he began stroking the web between your index and thumb.

His ring was off and you could only wonder whether he had been keeping it off or if he was trying to spare you the reminder again. You didn't want the answer as much as the question flapped around in your head like a bird caught in a flag. This was supposed to be a nice night— your first one together since Paris.

"What are your plans after dinner?" You asked.

Henry smirked, a weak scoff leaving him in the process. "You're already thinking about the end of our date, huh?"

"No, not like that. I just want to know what you're thinking."

Henry leaned in closer, tightening his grip on your hand and whispered, "Well, I was hoping to take a pretty lady back to my place."

"Your place?" Your whisper was rash with disbelief.

"Yes. The condo. It's officially all mine."

"I get to see where you live?"

Henry bobbed his head back and forth, weighing his words. "I'd hardly say that I live there. Most nights I'm in a hotel living out of a suitcase. But, yes. I'd like to take you there... If you would allow it."

You scrunched up your face jokingly. "I'll allow it."

"Great," his eyes sparkled as he raised your hand up to kiss your knuckles.

He only let go of your hand when your food arrived and he had properly thanked the server. You both ate and chatted about average topics, skirting around the fact that ninety percent of your exchanges as of late had been heavily laced with explicit details of how bad you both wanted to fuck each other. Was he ignoring that, or was he too much of a gentleman to bring it up in public?

Taking matters into your own hands, you slipped off your right shoe and lifted your leg up until you found his thigh with the ball of your stocking foot. Henry straightened in his seat, nearly choking on a piece of pasta. He grabbed his linen napkin to wipe at an invisible splotch of food at the corner of his mouth while you ran down the inseam of his pants and didn't stop until thigh met groin.

"Insatiable woman," he whispered.

"Sexy man," you countered.

Henry looked down to see your painted toes encased in nylon, pressing at his groin until he ran the risk of becoming too aroused. He clamped one large hand around your foot, halting you from rubbing at him.

"Hey, now... I have to ask you something. Let's uh... Save the tickle time for home... Or the car," his tone went dreamy.

You gave him your best evil smirk and withdrew your foot only because the premise of him having a question to ask you temporarily stole your attention.

"What is it, Mr. Deaver?"

He shivered slightly, trying to shake off the butterflies hosting a grand waltz in his stomach. "I've been thinking about you lately."

"I certainly hope so," you giggled.

"Not like that. Well... Yes, like that but also in a more professional way."

You were intrigued. Unsure of what he meant, you sipped your wine and listened intently for him to continue. "I know you don't particularly enjoy your job and I can't stand the thought of how people treat you... So I was racking my brain trying to think of some solution. There's school, apprenticeships, night classes... And then I thought of something else."

Henry paused for you to answer but you were caught up in the anxiety of what he might say next. "I'm all ears!" You urged him on.

"My assistant is going on maternity leave soon..."

"Oh... My god."

"Don't jump yet... Just listen. She's going on maternity leave for a few months and I need to find someone to replace her. She's had no time to train a stand-in, so I've been charged with hiring somebody that I think would fit the slot."

"Henry..."

"Let me finish," he raised his hand to quiet you down. "Look... I know it's a dumb, stupid, idiotic idea but I can't think of anyone better to fill the position than you."

"I don't know the first thing about being an assistant," you claimed.

"You know your way around a computer, yes?"

"Of course."

"And you can work a cell phone, I've gathered. You can write, you know... And read. All qualifying traits," Henry chuckled. "It's really just a glorified secretary job. Only... You get to travel with me and... Book my hotels, flights, dinners, lunches... set up my appointments, take my calls when I'm busy."

"Henry, that is absolutely ludicrous."

"I know," his eyes brimmed, and for a moment he looked like a vibrant young man that had just fallen in love. "It's really stupid! But... God, I just want you around me and I don't want to think of you making half of the minimum wage at a job where people don't even thank you."

"But an assistant? That's really playing with fire."

"Look... You don't have to say yes or no just yet. Have some time to think about it. She's not leaving for another couple of weeks. And if you still hate the idea then I'll find you something else."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why are you doing this?"

"I told you... I don't want you working in the café anymore. You're too good for that."

"What about—?"

"I'm taking care of everything."

"Maybe you should take care of your own business before you try taking care of mine," you looked down at his ringless hand.

"What do you think I'm in the process of doing?"

"I don't know," you admitted.

"As far as I'm concerned... We're separated. My business is my own. I can have dinner with whomever I want... Hire whomever I want. It doesn't matter anymore."

"Does she know that you're going around telling everyone that you're separated or is that just what you're saying to me?"

Henry withdrew into his seat, grimacing at you for the gentle accusation. It was to be expected. Your incredulity was not unwarranted and he knew that. With a sigh, he lifted his tumbler and sipped his whiskey slow.

"Nobody knows yet. It's not really something you can just casually bring up in the office."

"That's why we're in another city having dinner at a place that's nearly impossible to get a reservation for, isn't it? You haven't told anybody."

"Do I need to?"

"I guess not if you're still worried," you grumbled.

"Hey... Come on. This is all still very fresh. It's not like I'm going to parade through the streets telling people that my marriage failed and I've already fallen for somebody else."

The last part of his statement made your heart clench tightly in your chest. He had fallen for you. And now he wanted you by his side to oversee his day to day proceedings. It was a roundabout way of him saying something that he wasn't sure if he could say yet. Suddenly your skepticism faded and you chose to look at the endearing side of his offer.

"I hate you," you said with a wry smirk.

"If you hate me so much then why don't you put your foot back in my lap and try to get me hard again?"

"Yes, sir."

#henry x mistress #henry deaver fanfiction #bill skarsgard fanfiction

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drawacharge · 6 years

Text

so hi yes i know i barely exist anymore, anyone miss me? anyway, this is a little drabble au that takes place in the 2000s about veteran!Billy who served in Afghanistan and has just returned to Hawkins. there’s no strong depictions of PTSD in this one, only a discussion about how poorly we treat our veterans so everyone should be safe trigger wise. enjoy!

ps i got this idea while driving to work listening to this song which made me think about billy deciding to join up

Billy shows up back in Hawkins four years after he joined the Army. Steve hadn’t noticed him leave, and he doesn’t notice he’s come back until he stops at the grocery store to pick up a few things and spots him by the frozen dinners. His long hair and mullet are gone, replaced by short, chopped hair, a tease of curls trying to grow back at the top. And when he looks up to see who’s staring at him, their eyes meet in the reflection of the icy door. There’s bags under his eyes and an exhaustion Steve’s seen a few times before in others.

They stare for what feels like forever before Steve goes, “Don’t get the salisbury steak, it’s not actually steak.” And Billy just keeps staring at him before he finally turns around, looks Steve up and down quite blatantly and goes,

“Everyone knows that, Harrington.”

Harrington.

No one calls him that anymore unless there’s a Mr. tied to the beginning.

“Yeah, well, figured I’d let you know, just in case.” He shrugs, thinking maybe Billy’s just as unfriendly as he used to be. It’s not like the army is known for making people nicer, especially with the current war going on. But. “You look good.”

He’s lying.

“You’re lying.”

It’s not that Billy looks bad, per say. He’s always been handsome. He just looks like a man who has been put through the ringer. So, Steve gives a sheepish smile and concedes with, “Only a little,” and he thinks he might actually see Billy’s lips twitch for a second.

And.

That’s all that really happens. They don’t really exchange pleasantries, or ask what the other is doing now, they just say their awkward goodbyes and Steve checks out.

He looks back as he leaves, though, and finds Billy at the register he just left checking out the Help Wanted sign.

Turns out, Billy was honorably discharged according to Max. “Something happened,” she says, sitting in between Mike and Lucas as they work on their caps for graduation. “He won’t talk about it, and the Army doesn’t tell you anything, but something happened. Mom wants him to go down to the VA and get a therapist, but Neil says it’s for pussies.”

“Therapists aren’t for pussies,” Steve argues. He had a therapist and she was the only reason he didn’t have nightmares so much anymore.

“I know that! It’s just what Neil said!”

“Why does he listen to Neil anyway? Isn’t he like-- old like Steve?”

“I’m not old.”

“You’re kinda’ old.”

“Hey--”

Max ignores them all, “No, but he’s stubborn. He thinks it’s for pussies too.” Which, like, doesn’t surprise Steve at all because it’s Billy and that sounds just like him. Which sucks because Steve knows a therapist would help. The things each of them have been through might be incredibly different, but at the end of the day trauma was trauma.

“Maybe you can convince him,” Will offers quietly, eyes cast downwards as he focuses on his cap. “You’ve gotten closer since he left, right?”

“I guess,” Max shrugs. “Who knew being away from each other is what we needed.”

Beside her, Lucas snorts and goes, “Literally everyone,” and Max slugs him in the shoulder.

Next time he sees Billy he’s walking out of the diner with a scowl on his face so Steve thinks about just avoiding him all together until their eyes meet and Billy approaches. He looks hesitant, almost unsure, when he goes, “Hey,” and Steve says Hey back, and he isn’t sure as to why Billy’s acting all weird and awkward until he speaks up again.

“You... work for your dad right? Is there.. are you guys hiring? I swear I’ve tried every place in this town, but I have no experience, so.”

Steve frowns, “You were over seas.”

Billy just shrugs, “Doesn’t matter to them. No experience is no experience. And, look, I know your work is fancy or whatever, but I have a suit and I led my squad in a desert with bombs going off around us so I think I can handle--”

“You were in charge?”

Immediately, Billy’s demeanor changes to something more prideful, and he lifts his chin a little and goes, “Staff sergeant, yeah.” And Steve has no idea what that means, but he thinks it must be a pretty big deal to be promoted like that. It must have meant Billy was good at it. He’s not really surprised, though. He was a better leader to the basketball team than Steve had been and he’d been Captain, so in retrospect, Billy rising in the ranks in the Army just made sense.

“Well--” Steve rubs at the back of his neck, “I can talk to my dad? But... I’ll be honest, he’s just as bad, if not worse than the other people not hiring you. I don’t think he even has one vet working for him.”

“Oh.” Billy’s goes stoic and emotionless, but his shoulders slump but he nods anyway, tight and firm before stepping back and toward his car. “Thanks anyway.”

Steve can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that the most useless he has ever felt in a long while was when he was watching Billy, a guy who fought for his country, walk away dejected because he couldn’t get a job.

The idea comes to him exactly three days later while he’s having a late breakfast at his desk. He feels like an imbecile for not thinking of it sooner and immediately dials a number he has memorized by this point. The phone picks up on the third ring and a tired voice answers.

“Hey, Hop? You’re looking for a deputy, right?”

“I don’t have any experience.”

“Dude, you led a military team in Afghanistan. That’s plenty experience.”

Their at the diner that rejected Billy’s application just a few days before, having breakfast and coffee. Steve just told Billy about the opportunity to work for the Hawkins police department and he’s never seen the blonde look so skeptical. It wasn’t any weirder than Steve getting his number from Max and calling him up in the first place, though. Billy had sounded so damn surprised when he’d answered the phone, too.

“Isn’t there like... a police academy or something?”

He shrugs, “I dunno’ any details, but Hopper does. He’ll tell you everything you need to do. He wants you to come by today.”

“I--” Billy pauses, glances down at his untouched eggs and looks away again, back out the window. He hasn’t looked Steve in the eye once since he told him about the job. “Does he know I served?”

“Yeah. He served too you know.”

He almost seems to perk at that, “He did?”

“Yeah. Right out of high school, just like you. It’d why I called him. I figured if anyone was willing to give a veteran a chance, it’d be another veteran.”

That information seems to relax Billy some, as if he trusts Hopper a lot more now that they have something in common. Steve can’t blame him there, either. Something like war was one of those things that only people who have been through it too could really understand. Hopper might have served in a different war, but at the end of the day war was war and he’d be more than willing to help out a younger vet.

“Why are you doing this?”

Billy’s question pulls Steve out of his thoughts and he blinks owlishly at him before going, “What do you mean?” which only makes Billy’s frown deepen.

“We weren’t friends when I left. I was a total asshole to you and your nerd squad, so why are you doing this for me?”

Steve blinks, then blinks again. Then blinks again. Finally, he looks incredulous when he goes, “Seriously? It’s been four years, dude. I don’t hold grudges that long. Besides, friends or not it’s bullshit that you can’t find a job, and if I can do something to help, why shouldn’t I?”

The other man is real silent after that, just staring at his fucking eggs again, and Steve tries to let the silence have its time because he wants to be respectful and cautious, but he really hates quiet and he’s so close to saying something, anything, just to fill it, when Billy finally looks at him and says, “Thanks. I-- Thank you, man. This means a lot,” with so much sincerity in those striking blues of his that Steve’s caught so off guard he almost forgets to reply.

“... Don’t mention it.”

Two weeks later, Steve’s driving home when a police car pulls up behind him and flashes its lights. It’s not Hopper’s cruiser, so whoever it is is about to get bitched at because he was not speeding, he didn’t run a stop sign, and he’s so fucking tired. He just wants to go home and pass out, but he pulls over anyway and glares at his rear view mirror.

The glare immediately falters when none other than Billy Hargrove steps out and saunters over.

Steve rolls down the window and hears him go, “Have any idea why I pulled you over, sir?” While leaning down so he can rest his forearm in the open window. Steve’s about to respond, eyebrows pulled together in confusion and frown on his face when Billy suddenly grins and tilts down his aviators to look at Steve over the rim. “To show off my new uniform, obviously.”

Oh, Steve thinks, realizing Billy was just messing with him. He immediately relaxes, because even though he’s exhausted, he finds that he doesn’t really mind stopping for a moment to chat. Especially when Billy steps back so Steve can check him out.

It figures he’d pull off a fucking cop’s uniform. Steve honestly hates him.

“Seventeen year old you would be so pissed to find out he becomes a cop,” Steve says, and can’t help but grin when Billy’s smile gets a little wider.

“Oh he’d fucking hate me,” he laughs and leans back out of the window to rest his hands on his hips. Steve notes that he doesn’t have a gun yet, just a baton and tazer.

“How’s it going?”

“Good,” he nods. “Hopper is still the grumpiest dude alive, but he’s a good teacher. I get my own gun soon.” It’s kind of funny he doesn’t have it yet considering he probably handled guns a lot bigger and more dangerous over seas, but Steve figures Hopper has his reasons. “And I stopped and gave Karen’s useless ass husband a ticket. That was fucking satisfying.”

“You better watch it. The women around here are gonna hear you’re a cop and start running red lights and speeding just to get your attention.”

Billy’s grin settles into more of a smirk, something reminiscent of his younger days, and it does a little something to Steve he doesn’t want to admit. He was never really on the receiving end of that kind of look, and he was starting to get why it worked.

“But not you, huh?”

He pauses, wonders if Billy is flirting or just asking, wonders if he should be brave and flirt back or just lead the conversation into something safer because there was no way Billy was like that, but--

“I don’t think I gotta’ run red lights to get your attention, Hargrove.”

It’s risky, Steve knows that, and he waits for Billy to scowl at him and say something off color. But instead he just kind of looks at Steve with an unreadable expression before humming affirmation and going, “Just like in high school,” which leaves Steve positively dumbfounded.

By the time he finds his wits Billy’s slapping the top of the car, “Head on home now. I’ll see you later.” And a quick pause as he keeps Steve’s gaze before adding, “Pretty boy,” with a dazzling smile. Then he inclines his head and he’s gone, slipping back into his cruiser and turning around, leaving Steve on the side of the road a little awestruck, totally confused, and.

Well, kind of excited?

#harringrove #my drabbles #so i didnt include #all the details i wanted to #and i have other ideas with this #but i dont wanna bother if people dont care u feel #military au #2000s au

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bookofmirth · 7 years

Text

In That Dim Light, A Spark - rowaelin fanfic 5/?

Summary

When Aelin Galathynius is assigned to do extra work with a tutor to make up from her leave of absence in college, she finds herself at odds with what she thought the rest of her life would be like.

AO3 : Masterlist : tags - modern college AU, alcohol, drug use, Angst with a capital A, depression, anxiety, everyone is queer and wants to have sex with everyone else, HoF/QoS retelling

Tagging: @viridiantopaz @feysand-rowalin @xoluosox @rekaro12 @squaddreamcourt @photofeesh @urbisie @ny–lon, @ladycassian, @wealessy @not-illegal-if-u-win (ps so sorry I just saw your request to be tagged!)

*****

Finally, it was fucking Friday.

Aelin had plans to meet Lysandra, Dorian, Manon, Elide, and Aedion for drinks after she had her last class of the day. It may have been early in the afternoon, but she had no problems getting a jump on oblivion.

She checked her phone once before taking off down the sidewalk towards the bar. The usual suspects appeared in her notifications, but she didn’t bother responding to any of the messages, since the walk would only take a few minutes.

Their favorite place to drink wasn’t directly next to campus, but down a side street that most college students were too intimidated to venture down. It was a shithole, but Aelin thought of it fondly. They’d served her there even when they knew she was underage, but the bartender had always looked out for her. Now that she was legal and the thrill of breaking the law had worn off, it was still her favorite place to get comfortable, chat with friends when she was in the mood, and dance the night away when she wasn’t.

Not everyone who was gathering that afternoon knew one another. Aedion had never met Lysandra, Aelin had never met Manon, and there were some other combinations in there she couldn’t think of, but it wouldn’t be a problem. Alcohol was a great equalizer, and her main goal wasn’t to socialize, anyway.

Sliding into the bar, Aelin gave her eyes a moment to adjust to the dark. Even in the middle of the day this place gave one the impression that it was pitch-black outside. This place always had the same sense of timelessness, which had the nice effect of helping her to forget that a real world actually existed, and with it, her problems. Lysandra came bounding up to her, grabbing at her elbow.

“Aelin, Dorian got Manon to come after all, and he’s just so screwed, it’s hilarious. You have to come watch this.” Lysandra tugged at Aelin’s sleeve. “I’ll catch you up on what you missed later. She’s so pretty, by the way, I wasn’t kidding when I said I might be interested.”

Aelin pulled her arm away. “Let me get a drink first, Lys.”

“I’ll come with you, and I’m buying.”

Aelin started to protest, but Lysandra grabbed her hand. “After the week you’ve had, you deserve it.” Lys pushed up Aelin’s sleeve and rubbed her thumb on Aelin’s bare wrist. “We’ll find it. Promise.”

Nodding, Aelin let Lysandra guide her to the bar and buy her first drink before they made their way to the corner where their other friends were sitting. Somehow, it was even darker than the other parts of the bar.

The woman Aelin assumed was Manon was seated in between Dorian and Elide, and she seemed equally amused by both of them. Manon’s long, white hair and beauty made an impression even here in the dark, and Aelin ceased wondering about Dorian’s obsession. Introductions were made, and Aelin settled into a seat next to Lysandra. Lysandra, she noticed, had made sure to sit next to Dorian, within listening distance to whatever he and Manon might be saying.

When Dorian asked how her classes were going, Aelin’s answer was brief, but he let it drop. They had known each other a few years now, and he knew she’d share when she was ready. But it definitely was not on a Friday afternoon, with all of that work behind her

The next couple of hours passed in a haze that increased with each trip Lysandra made to the bar to refresh their drinks. Aelin made a mental note to pay her back the next day, but subtly. They were two sides of the same coin, supportive of one another, if not exactly known for being kind. Aelin knew that she owed Lysandra everything, and that Lys thought the same, but Aelin was certain she had the upper hand on who would be the better friend, since she was certain she would never actually be worthy of all that Lys had offered her.

All Aelin could do was help those she loved, and try to refuse whatever they had to offer in return. It was the least she owed the world.

Aedion joined the group an hour in. More introductions were made, and he stared so obviously at Lysandra that Aelin forced him to sit across from her. Eventually, Aelin lost herself in the music, resting back in her seat, watching her friends laugh and talk and enjoy the night.

Countless drinks in, laughter echoed across the table and Aelin glanced over. Elide had said something charming, apparently, and her face was flushed and glowing. Her eyes were glued on Manon, who reached over to tuck a strand of hair behind Elide’s ear.

“Dorian, I think you really do have competition, but not from me.” Lysandra raised her eyebrows and pointed her gaze towards the other end of the table, where Manon and Elide were huddled together, talking in hushed voices.

Dorian frowned. “What the fuck.”

Manon turned to him when she heard the curse. “Pardon?”

“Nothing,” Dorian mumbled.

Manon shifted in her seat so that she could reach over to him and placed her hand on his knee. “Do you want to go smoke what you brought?”

Dorian sat up straighter. “Yeah. Let’s go outside.”

Manon nodded and grabbed Elide’s hand. “The three of us.”

Dorian looked over at Elide, sizing her up. “Alright.” He shot Aelin a thumbs-up behind his back and they walked towards the entrance, and Aelin laughed out loud. Lysandra asked her what was so funny, but she just shook her head. Jumping up, she ran to join the trio outside of the entrance of the bar. Luckily, it was so secluded that smoking a joint just outside the front door was still doing it in a back alley. Another one of her favorite parts of this place.

By the time that they returned, Aelin was feeling pretty good in the sense that she had forgotten how shitty she felt on an average day. It wasn’t quite the same as happiness, but it would do, for now. Until she got her shit straightened out, which she assumed would either be any day now, or never. At the moment, it didn’t matter.

Dorian, Manon, and Elide sat back down where they had been, much more relaxed in one another’s presence. It would be interesting, seeing how that might turn out.

Aelin wanted to dance and make the most of the night, but her gaze caught on Aedion, who was sitting a bit too close to Lysandra. Lys was sitting with her back against her chair and her arms crossed, while Aedion was leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees.

Walking up behind them, Aelin tapped Aedion on the shoulder. “Can I talk to you?” she yelled in his ear, a bit too loudly, even considering the music.

“Sure?” He glanced at Lysandra. “Hold that thought.”

Aelin grabbed Aedion’s elbow and pulled him to the opposite end of the small space. “Hey!” she shouted at Aedion over the music. She shook her head at him. “No. Not Lysandra. Not a minute before she says she’s fucking ready. You hear me?”

“Aelin, what the fuck?”

“I just… you don’t know, Aedion.” Aelin’s brow furrowed, as if she were searching for something. “You don’t know what he did to us…” Her voice trailed off as she tried to remember her point, why she needed to be so angry and protective. Damn alcohol and damn pot, for making her this way in the few moments she needed to have her wits about her.

“What don’t I know, Aelin?” Aedion answered more gently that time, stepping in closer to her.

Aelin and Aedion had been close, as children. That was, before it all went to hell and people started dying around her. But what had happened between then and now wasn’t entirely known to him, and she wanted to keep it that way.

She blinked, trying to return her expression to neutral. “Just be careful with her, ok? Lys, she acts strong, but sometimes she needs help. She needs my help.” Aelin brushed past Aedion and sat back down next to her best friend.

When Aedion sat back down with them, he was much more reserved, and even a blitzed Aelin could tell that he was watching them for some hint as to what she hadn’t told him. They were too used to those kind of looks though, Aelin and Lysandra. They’d had years of practice with Arobynn, pretending everything was fine. He would never figure anything out that she hadn’t decided to tell him outright.

After a while, Aelin tilted her head towards the restroom when she caught Lysandra’s eye. Something had refused to leave her mind, even now, even three sheets and a joint to the wind.

“Watch my drink?” she asked Dorian. She and Lys stood and linked arms as they headed to the women’s room.

Aelin closed and locked the room behind them while Lysandra rested against the sink and crossed her arms. “What’s up?”

“I just needed a moment of quiet. I love you guys but honestly, you’re the only person I can be alone with. You know?”

Lys nodded. “I know, babe. Do you need to talk about anything?”

Aelin shook her head. “No. I don’t think so. I have no idea.” She leaned against the wall and covered her face with her hands. Groaning loudly into them, she let her arms fall back down by her side. “Actually, yeah. I had an interesting thing happen yesterday. With Rowan.”

Lysandra placed her hands on the edge of the sink and pulled herself to sit on its edge. “What did His Royal Assholeishness do this time?”

“Nothing. At least, nothing intentional. I went to go ask Maeve if I could get another tutor, and wouldn’t you know, Rowan is her grad student. And she assigned him to me on purpose.”

“You’re kidding… Why?” Lysandra reconsidered. “That doesn’t matter, I suppose. But she said no, I assume?”

“Yep,” Aelin answered. “She said no. But the weird thing is that Rowan seemed… intimidated by her? It was just really weird. It kinda made me wonder what his deal is. That’s all. I guess it wasn’t really that big a deal, it was just, after the way he treats me, all gruff and being a jerk and like his shit doesn’t stink? To see him like that? Kinda vulnerable or something? It really threw me.”

“And even now, on a Friday evening, you are here thinking about it, pulling me into the bathroom to talk about it?” Lysandra asked.

Aelin frowned. “I don’t know why I brought it up.”

“So what, do you like this guy now?”

Aelin laughed. “No! It’s just that I thought he was a total douche, that’s it, no personality traits outside of those that have the potential to make me freaking miserable. But then yesterday, I thought I saw something else, I guess.”

Lysandra stroked her chin and looked contemplative. “Yes, yes, I see. Go on.”

Aelin punched her in the arm, nearly knocking Lysandra over. “Don’t do that! Get your psych classes out of my personal life.”

Lysandra laughed as she righted herself. She jumped down from the sink and linked arms with Aelin again. “Come on, let’s go get fucked up. And we can find someone to take your mind off Rowan. Not because you want him!” she added quickly. “Just because, ya know, you’re young, you deserve some fun.”

Aelin rolled her eyes. “Yeah, you just want to talk to Aedion some more.”

Lysandra shrugged. “Him, Manon, really, I can’t decide.”

“I think Manon has enough competition. Not that you wouldn’t win. But you don’t want to piss off Dorian and Elide at the same time, would you?”

“Good point,” Lysandra replied, the lock on the door clicking open as they rejoined the din of the bar.

*****

Monday morning came, and with it, the usual attendant feeling of dread. Surely, adulthood couldn’t merely be a collection of moments in which one waited until they had the freedom to get wasted again, but that’s certainly what Aelin’s life was shaping out to be. Somewhere, deep inside, she was ashamed. Ashamed that she chose to ignore, to forget, rather than to face her past and deal with that pain. And yet, there didn’t seem to be an end to this cycle. Not that she could see.

Walking to her tutoring session with Rowan was no time to contemplate that, however. As she approached the room she noticed that he sat facing the glass wall so that he could see her approach, and she snickered.

“Good afternoon,” he said as she entered. He closed the book he had been reading from, something dense and practically unintelligible.

“Hi,” she responded. “How are you?” She nearly grimaced at herself. Small talk. Gross.

“I’m fine, but I think I’d be better off finding out how your weekend went. You know, if you did any work?”

“I got it done,” Aelin snapped. “If you saw me at the bar, it doesn’t mean anything.” She slumped into her usual seat. “I’m always functional, even on several drinks.”

“Oh,” Rowan said, “I believe it. But let’s get to work, shall we?”

Aelin nodded. “Sure. OK.”

Rowan began to quiz her, pushing for context and cause and all the things she figured by now that he would be looking for. In the midst of his explanations of the gaps she had in her answers, Aelin reached down for her wrist, circling it with her thumb and forefinger. Her stomach dropped again, remembering what she lacked. What she had lost.

“Why do you keep doing that?” Rowan asked, looking at her hands.

She pulled her hands under the table. “I lost something.” She sat up straighter. “Actually, maybe you’ve seen it? A silver bracelet, with an engraving?”

Rowan shook his head slowly. “What’s the engraving?”

“Just some names. I was thinking that since we tend to hang around the same places, you might have noticed it. That’s all.”

“Whose names?” Rowan asked quietly. This was going too far, and they both knew it.

“Friends. Family. I’m not going to give you a history lesson, Rowan, that’s your job. And I am certainly not the topic.” Aelin bit her lower lip and opened her book. “Can we get going?”

They spent the next two hours in calm discussion. Or rather, it was a relative calm. Rowan still pushed Aelin further, harder than she expected, and she still snapped back at him, but at least it wasn’t getting personal, this time.

Stretching and raising her arms above her head, Aelin let out a yawn.

“You done for the day, then?” he asked her.

“Only if you are,” she responded.

Shutting the textbook in front of him, Rowan nodded in the affirmative. “I think we’re at a good stopping point.”

Aelin sat back in her chair and remained silent for a moment.

“What is it, Aelin?”

After so few days, he thought he knew her? Whatever, it didn’t matter. Aelin had questions.

“You have a pale mark on your finger,” she said plainly. She looked at his left hand, and he quickly pulled it under the desk.

“What of it?” he asked brusquely.

“What are you missing? What did you lose?” She watched him as her own hand encircled her bare wrist. “Or who?” She was taking a step too far, and she knew it. Aelin watched as Rowan lost control of his expression, for the first time since she had met him. The fear that Maeve had instilled in him was nothing, compared to this. This was real, true pain.

Rowan placed his hand on the table, palm down, fingers spread, so she could easily see the place where a ring had been. She sat up, expectantly.

“It’s none of your business,” he ground out.

“Fine,” she said, slamming her book shut. “So you don’t ask about me, and I won’t ask about you. Neither of our histories are the topic for discussion, right?”

“Sounds perfect,” he answered.

Aelin called Lysandra on her way home, asking when they could meet for drinks.

#rowaelin #rowaelin fanfiction #tog #tog fanfiction #throne of glass fanfiction #sjmaas #my writing #reginald who lives in whales ho u're doing well!#In That Dim Light A Spark #Rowan #Aelin #lysandra #Aedion #Dorian #Manon #Elide #Maeve #Arobynn

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boopypastaissalty · 4 years

Text

It was an accident, I swear! Pg 6

Original comic: patton-sanders-killed-a-man.tumblr.com/post/618278832333520896/one-shower-and-change-of-clothes-later

"Patton, calm down, don't act suspicious. Just try to be real confident and stuff, no one will question you. Also, just curious, who was it?"

It was always that question, wasn't it? 'Patton, who was it? What was he doing? You probably had a good reason, but who was it?' Didn't they watch me do it?

"A good way to get people to leave you alone is to walk briskly and purposefully, and looking anxious doesn't hurt. Running catches attention, but if you look like you forgot something or are trying to reach somewhere quickly -which you are- people will usually figure you're busy with something and let you be"

That sounded reasonable

"Good idea, Pat! Try not to look suspicious though- you don't want to draw more attention to yourself."

Great now the don't be suspicious meme is running through my head. That sure helps settle my nerves. I heard a familiar voice that I hopes was just in my head, but sadly, wasn't say "Oh Patty boy!"

I muttered "Oh no" and turned around. It was my neighbor, Ms. Green.

She smiled at me "Patton, dear, it's been awhile since I've seen you, how are you? Also, can you help me carry my groceries to my apartment? My knees are getting creaky."

Act natural... Act natural... Act natural "I, um, would love to and I swear I'll help you another time, but you see I hmm..." I paused trying to frantically think of an excuse, "I'm sorry Ms. Green but I got, uh, an important business meeting, I'll see you later."

I turned around and started to walk away as she said "Um, alright" I felt bad for lying to her, but it was better than her knowing what I did.

---------

Ms. Green looked at her hands and had a realization "Wait a minute, didn't the kid get laid off just two weeks ago?" she muttered as she watched Patton walk away.

---------

It took me about ten minutes to get home and as soon as I did, I flopped down onto the couch and screamed into it, which kind of felt good to release.

"Just trying to help you out here pal, always good to have more people try to solve a problem, ain't it? Or is there anyone, ya know, real, you could ask for help in this situation?"

I lifted my head and whispered "Unfortunately the only people I'm friendly with are are, well, HIM and Ms. Green and one's dead in the alleyway and I really don't think Ms. Green would help me hide from the police... Virgil would have," I thought of my dark haired, emo friend, at least, he was my friend... "Ugh, I can't believe you're actually considering it, what are you even going to say? 'Oh hey, Virgil! I know we haven't talked in like three years but can you help me hide away from the police? Why? Oh, I just killed our former band mate' I bet that would go over so well, there's no way he would hate you more than he probably already does. HE was right, I am a horrible person" I face palmed at myself. I felt hopeless.

"Hey Patton? Why ARE you so afraid? I mean, if it was an accident as you said, you probably won't be punished that harshly. (It might be a different story now that you've hidden the evidence, though)"

Great the questions are back

"Mind if we get at least SOME kind of explanation Pat? We're on your side here!"

"Why don't you wanna talk? We can help you! You just need to let us know what's going on."

"Why are you afraid to tell us who this is? And why did you do it? Why did you stab this person so many times? Are you feeling alright?"

"Why are you scared to tell us? It's not like the cops will know what we say is true when they could just think they're going crazy and you can chat while you get your stuff. It's empty anyway, you're safe to talk, not too loud is all"

I sat there for a moment with my hand still on my forehead and then got up, I couldn't help but to smirk a bit "Okay, sorry, but I can't answer your questions at the moment, I uh, got to shower! I would really appreciate it if you guys don't follow me"

A few minutes later I was in the shower, the warm water felt good and was kind of relaxing when out of the blue a voice asked "So... Did you keep the teeth?" I jumped for a sec, glaring at nothing and pulled the shower curtain closed tighter.

After I showered, I picked up my bloody clothes and tried to figure out what to do with them when a helpful voice chimed in "Hi Pat! If you need to take blood out of your clothing, use hydrogen peroxide. Just small amounts can get rid of blood, and all you need to do is put it on the area, watch as the blood disappears, and rinse with cold water. Do this with the murder weapon too. Use gloves when you do, okay?" That one sounded oddly like a macabre advertisement.

"FYI, hydrogen peroxide gets out blood"

"Ya know, Pat, you should probably dispose of the body and other evidence. I'd recommend burning it. PS: Use cold water and soap to get blood out of clothes" [Quick little AN, don't burn a body to hide evidence, it smells, smokes, and is not high enough heat to cremate the body, all you're doing is creating a mess and a more disfigured body and idk why I know this]

"Can you somehow get your hands on some hydrogen peroxide? That should get the blood out of your hoodie. Or lemon juice, I've heard that works too!"

"Color me intrigued. Patton, about your clothes: pour hydrogen peroxide directly onto the stain (not to much, seriously use a cotton ball) and after the stain looks removed, rinse with cold water (repeat as needed). Also maybe do something that calms you down, like baking. That'll also help with the smell. Stay calm, take deep breaths. Drink a cup of water. We're here for you" Come to think of it, I hadn't even noticed the smell until now, I guess I was too worked up.

"Oh! And Darling, I forgot to mention, wash those clothes in cold water! Hot water just sets the stains. And you may want to do it by hand, just to be sure you get any stubborn spots. Blood doesn't stick to bathtubs, so that's likely the best place to clean up" How do you voices keep coming up with so many nicknames for me? I don't think I've had so many in my life, ever.

"I guess I can't avoid you guys-" I said, ignoring the advice for a moment, "Oh, nevermind, that's surprisingly useful, sadly, I don't think I have any hydrogen peroxide stuff, but I was actually gonna wash them with hot water since I thought that's what you do with stains." I went to the bathroom and but my clothes in the sink, thoroughly washing with soap and cold water, "I just realized that I don't have time to let my clothes dry before I leave" I said aloud, right as it came into my head.

"Hydrogen peroxide helps get bloodstains out!!! Do you have a hideout or a friend who doesn't ask questions?? Make sure that, if you're free, to bring money. And toilet paper because motel toilet paper is /a w f u l/"

"Okay, got my clothes, my wallet, my bus pass, my scrap book, a pillow, a small blanket, an umbrella, two books, one roll of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, the knife, and my phone..." I elongated the word as I stared at my lock screen

"What are you hiding, Patton?"

I didn't even look up from my phone "You guys wanna know that bad? Fine, I'll give you guys a hint. I trusted HIM with everything about me and HE broke that trust and I'm never gonna make that mistake twice." I changed my phone background. I couldn't have it be me, Virgil, and HIM.

Master Post

#tw #patton sanders killed a man #sanders sides aus #it was an accident i swear #it was an accident #fanfic interpretation

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theofficialcunt · 7 years

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Simplicité - Chapter 6

Simplicité Saturday ahhh! I can’t believe it’s already been another week. Is it just me or is this year coming to an end really fast? Anyway, this chapter is surprisingly fluffy, other then a few minor details! Thanks to @veronicasanders for always being a quick efficient beta! This story would probably be going nowhere without her ✨TW: Smoking, drinking. Teensy bit of angst. PS: The Biadore is coming 😉 “So you’re probably wondering why I’ve called you in here.” Bianca started, watching Courtney seated across from her. She was nervous, mostly because she felt like a terrible person and Courtney probably wasn’t going to forgive her for what happened between them. Bianca felt so bad that she had toyed with Courtney’s emotions that way, it felt like she was being crushed by it. “I am.” Courtney nodded stiffly. “Am I here to be reprimanded by my boss?” She didn’t know what was about to happen, but whatever Bianca decided she felt would be for the best. “I want to apologize to you, Courtney.” Bianca began, voice barely above a whisper. “I-I’ve been thinking all morning about what you and Bob said to me and it’s really sunk in.” Out of all of the things Courtney was thinking would happen, this was not one of them. She sat up straighter, feigning alertness and trying to hide the fact that she was severely hungover and wearing the backup outfit out of the trunk of her car. “I’m just really sorry I put you through that Court.” Bianca sniffed uncharacteristically. Courtney raised an eyebrow, slightly unsure of how to react to her best friend crumbling right in front of her. Bianca was usually rock solid emotionally, other than these last few months of her grieving. “Bianca-” “If you don’t want to work for me anymore then I understand.” Bianca sighed, shoving a stack of paperwork towards Courtney. “No pressure.” “Bianca, can you just relax? I’m over it,” Courtney said nonchalantly, pushing the paperwork to the side. “W-what?” Bianca stammered, thrown off by her cool response. She was over it? “Just last night you were going on about it-” “Honestly Bianca, I’ve done some thinking too and yes it happened and it sucked, but I just want to move on. You’re my best friend, and it seems like you’ve had some sort of epiphany or something. That’s all the closure I wanted really,” Courtney blurted out. “I just wanted an apology.” Bianca leaned back in her chair and studied Courtney. She seemed to be 100% serious about being over what happened, and she knew better than anyone when she was being honest. Her heart felt lighter now that they seemed to be on the same page, and for the first time in months Bianca almost felt normal again. “That’s it? It’s never that easy,” Bianca muttered in disbelief, still not sure. “Seriously Bianca. I don’t care.” Courtney shrugged. She coughed into her shoulder, holding back the urge to gag. She hadn’t been able to keep anything down today, which had made work very difficult. She gulped, clearing her throat trying to push whatever was about to come up back down. Bianca raised an eyebrow at Courtney, narrowing her eyes in disbelief when she noticed that she didn’t look 100%. Her hair was different and she swore she had seen that outfit somewhere…. “You’re hungover.” Bianca realized incredulously. “You’re wearing your backup outfit and you brushed out your curls from last night!” “I am not!” Courtney shrieked, trying to keep the smile from creeping onto her face. “Oh my god did you get laid?” Bianca teased, letting a long cackle ring out. “I don’t need to discuss my sexual encounters with the likes of you!” Courtney laughed as her cheeks burned red. “Since you aren’t firing me, I’m leaving!” “No, no, no! I’m curious, who had the honor?” Bianca smirked, amused. “It doesn’t matter, she lives in Indianapolis and it was just a one night stand-” “You went to fucking Indie last night?” Bianca roared. “God, no wonder you’re so tired looking. You must’ve driven all night.” “I did,” Courtney admitted. “Her name was odd, I can’t remember it exactly but she went by Will for short. She was pretty hot.” “Oh god.” Bianca chuckled, shaking her head. “Tell you what, go home. You don’t have anything scheduled for the rest of the day, right?” “No, I don’t. Are you sure you want to send me home though? You don’t want help with Adore?” Courtney questioned, standing up from her chair. “Adore is a grown woman, Courtney. I think I can handle it from here. Go home and get some sleep.” Bianca ordered. Courtney nodded as she walked around the desk, tackling Bianca in a tight embrace. Bianca laughed and squeezed her tight, thankful that Courtney forgave her. She was lucky to still have her in her life after everything that they went through. As Courtney squeezed Bianca, she didn’t feel like the usual tortured soul pining that she usually did when she hugged her. Things were different now, she was glad that they could stay friends and not be weird. “Courtney?” “Yes, pussyface?” “I’m glad to see that you’re back out there trying to date.” “Awe, I’m so glad you approve,” Courtney smirked. “Now I can continue my day in peace, knowing that I’ve finally gotten the approval I’ve been waiting for!” “I can’t stand you,” Bianca laughed. ——— Courtney and Bianca chatted for what seemed like forever before they came back upstairs from their meeting. Bianca clapped her hands loudly together as she entered the salon room, startling everyone out of looking down at their phones. Adore looked up at the both of them with wide eyes, wondering what exactly was about to happen to Courtney. “So before you guys start talking shit, I’d like to say that Courtney isn’t being fired. I am however letting her go home early, so Courtney, go home.” Bianca announced, waving her hands towards the front door. “Bye guys.” Courtney waved, scurrying out of the salon like a bat out of hell. Her face seemed calm, which was odd to Adore but hell, maybe things ended up working out between the two of them. She turned her attention back to Bianca, who also seemed at peace after what had happened. “As for the rest of you, shouldn’t you be working? Go practice on the mannequins or something. Or better yet, Valentina go stand out front and hand out brochures.” Bianca ordered. “Yes cousin.” Valentina mumbled, grabbing a pile of brochures before walking out. “Who’s going to answer the phone then?” Farrah asked confused. “Adore needs the phone because she’s about to make some phone calls for me.” Bianca smiled wickedly, brown eyes burning into hers. “I-I am?” Adore stuttered, suddenly feeling nerves infiltrate her stomach. “Yes, so come sit down and I’ll tell you who you need to call.” Adore walked meekly behind the desk, planting her ass on the chic looking chair as Bianca leaned over her. “Okay, so Modern Salon called and wants to set up an interview with me. The only days that work for me are Thursday morning and Friday evening, so see if that works.” Bianca ordered, giving Adore the phone number. Adore stared down at the piece of paper and nodded. “Why aren’t you writing anything down?” Bianca barked. Adore jumped, grabbing a nearby piece of paper and writing down the times swiftly. Bianca rolled her eyes annoyed. “Where the fuck is your notepad?” Bianca asked. “I forgot it! Sorry!” Adore exclaimed flinching slightly. “What else?” “I need you to book the Chicago Spring Fashion Week slot. We’re going to be doing hair and makeup there in about 4 weeks. I need you to book 6 slots: one for you, Courtney, Me, Bob, and Farrah. Oh, I guess that makes 5-” “Bianca, I can’t do makeup.” Adore reminded her. “You’ll be ready by then. Tomorrow you’re spending the day painting everyone’s face. Including mine. Hope you’ve been paying attention to your reading.” Bianca patted her on the back, smiling before turning to Farrah. “Can you go order food from Eureka? I’d like a cuban sandwich and a blood orange scone, Also, a skinny latte from Starbucks would be fabulous.” “Bianca I have no money-” “Take my card.” Bianca reached into her pocket handing her the business card. “Adore, do you want anything?” “Can Eureka make me a grilled cheese?” Adore asked. Bianca rolled her eyes, and Farrah nodded smiling. “Really queen, a fucking grilled cheese?” Bianca asked, shaking her head. “Add on a scone for her too.” “I’ll be back.” Farrah winked before walking out behind Valentina. “You better get going on those calls.” Bianca called as she walked downstairs. Great. ———- “Farrah! What am I getting for you today?” Eureka exclaimed, face lighting up as she walked through the door. “Hey,” Farrah said stiffly. “The usual for Bianca and I, and add on a Grilled Cheese and a scone.” Eureka’s smile faltered at the girl’s unusual mood, and she nodded inputting the total into the cash register. “14.50 please.” Farrah handed over the card, pacing awkwardly in the front of the cash register. It was a cute place, modeled partly after the café’s in France, and partly after the tea rooms in England. It was a weird mix but somehow, it worked. There were a dozen small round white tables, a couple spilled out in front of the quaint shop. It was decorated minimally, doilies littered the table tops and various pastries were on display in the front. “Do you have time today?” Eureka murmured, eyes shifting from side to side making sure no one was around. Eureka was too good to her, which was going to make this even more awkward. She visibly trembled as she realized the dreaded moment was here. “Eureka, there’s something I need to tell you.” Farrah started, voice cracking. Eureka looked up, eyes wide before she continued, “I uh, I don’t know how to say this but I met someone else. And I think we could have something. I know you aren’t ready to come out of the closet yet, and I totally respect that. I just want to kind of play the field a bit-” “It’s fine Farrah.” Eureka said, abruptly cutting her off as her eyes became glassy. “I get it. Let me go fix your food.” She quickly left the cashier area, pressing her lips together tightly to prevent herself from letting out a wail in front of the girl. “Eureka-” Farrah started but it was too late. Eureka was already in the kitchen. Eureka couldn’t really blame her, if she were in Farrah’s position she would probably do the same thing. She just couldn’t come out of the closet, due to her very religious parisian mother. She would probably disown her, and Eureka couldn’t bear to lose her mom. She was in Paris most of the time but her dad was here with her in Chicago, he helped her in the kitchen a couple of days a week. As she got the breads ready for the sandwiches, she sniffled, letting the tears fall onto the smooth quartz countertop. Today the food wouldn’t be made with love, today the food would be made with sorrow. ——– “Okay great, Bianca and I will be there Thursday morning!” Adore exclaimed. “It was nice talking to you too, buh bye.” “You and me?” Bianca asked confused, making Adore jump. “Don’t do that!” Adore laughed, jabbing Bianca playfully in the arm. “Yeah dude, the Modern Salon chick liked my energy so she wants to meet me too.” Bianca was pleased, she didn’t expect Adore to charm the editors just like that but she was learning everyday not to underestimate her. “And the fashion week booking?” Bianca asked. “4 weeks out, all 5 of us are set. We’ll be set up in between MAC and Redken.” Adore beamed. “What?” Bianca asked surprised. “How in the hell did you get us a slot in between those two huge names?!” “Oh, I just really stressed that we needed as many outlets as possible and that you wouldn’t do the show if we weren’t near at least Redken.” Adore shrugged. “On one hand, I’m pissed that you would risk our slot like that.” Bianca started. “But on the other hand, I’m extremely impressed. Nice work.” Adore felt her heart soar at the positive feedback from Bianca. Finally, it was starting to feel like she was getting the hang of things around here. “So I wanted to talk to you about my salary…” Adore trailed off. Bianca nodded in agreement. “Let’s go downstairs and talk about it.” ———– “Here’s your food.” Eureka handed the food to Farrah quickly before going back into the kitchen. “See you around, Farrah.” “Eureka, wait!” Farrah called, panic tainting her voice. She stood there for a few minutes, waiting for her to come back, hoping that a customer would come in so that she would have to come back out. But of course a customer never came, and soon after a defeated Farrah left. ——- “$17 an hour?” Adore asked, shocked, as she stared down at the piece of paper stating her salary. In LA that wasn’t much but here, that stretched a lot further than before. “Your job is very demanding. You haven’t really gotten into the full part of it yet, but once you do you’ll see why you deserve the salary.” Bianca nodded. “I’m open to negotiations if necessary-” “There’s nothing to negotiate.” Adore cut her off. At 40 hours a week, possibly with overtime pay, she’d be bringing anywhere from $2700 to well over $3000 a month. She’d have enough to buy whatever fancy clothes Bianca wanted her to wear. “Okay, sign here then.” Bianca pointed to the line underneath her own signature which was regal and elegant looking. Adore signed her name messily before handing the piece of paper back. “Okay, well I’ll let you study for the rest of the day and then after that we’ll go home and-” “Actually, I’m hanging out with Farrah after work. I’ll probably be back late. Is that cool?” Adore interrupted, tilting her head. “Yeah, that’s fine.” Bianca said through gritted teeth. She didn’t know why their friendship was bugging her so much but alas, she sucked it up. “We’ll talk when you get home.” “Great! Thanks Bianca.” Adore exclaimed happily, walking around the desk to engulf her in a big hug. ——— The rest of the day went pretty quickly, albeit Farrah acting a bit weird after coming back from Eureka’s. Adore waved goodbye to Bianca, who was flat ironing a clients hair as she clung onto Farrah’s arm. Bianca smiled faintly, watching the two girls run out of the salon and onto the street where Farrah’s mini cooper was parked. Bob stared at Bianca, shaking his head at her as he watched her pine for Adore. “Fucking lesbians.” Bob muttered under his breath, shaking his head as he refocused on mixing his color. From a few doors down, Eureka stared at the same scene grimly. The girl Farrah was with was beautiful, with long sleek black hair and on point makeup skills. Of course she would want to drop everything to be with her, she was literally everything that she wasn’t. Tall, skinny, and dark hair. She sighed, running a hand through her long bright blonde hair, hoping that somehow some way, Farrah would make her way back to her one day. Even more importantly, she was hoping one day she would muster up the courage to come out of the closet. Maybe that day would be soon, she thought as she watched Farrah throw her head back in laughter at whatever the raven haired girl had just said. —– Farrah had brought her to a vacant spot in Millennium park, where they were cloaked on a bench under a few trees. Rabbits hopped nearby, and Farrah handed Adore a joint before lighting her own. It took a few tries before it lit, due to all of the crazy wind. “It’s probably not as good as what you’re used to, but hopefully it satisfies.” Farrah winked. Adore took a hit and nodded, tasting the foreign weed for the first time. “I guess what they say is true. California really does have the best weed.” Adore laughed lightheartedly, tasting the sourness on her tongue. “Awe no! It’s not that bad is it?” Farrah whined. Well it wasn’t terrible, Adore thought. It did the job well enough - she thought, as she took another hit. “It’s not bad. Thanks for smoking me out.” Adore smiled, nuzzling her face into her shoulder. Farrah froze, feeling the urge to shrug her off but fighting it. What was wrong with her? Farrah and Eureka were just fuck buddies for a few months and nothing more. Why did she feel so guilty about the way she left things? Furthermore, why couldn’t she enjoy the time she had with Adore, who was fucking smoking hot? Eventually, Farrah relaxed, slumping into the bench, and let herself enjoy the moment as much as she possibly could. They sat there for awhile like that, Adore’s head on Farrah’s shoulder as they smoked their joints together quietly. Adore’s tolerance had already gone down a little, but she knew she still needed something to kick it up a notch. The silence felt awkward, she thought. Farrah also seemed a little bit off, she noticed as she had stiffened originally when she rested her head on her shoulder. The mixed signals. Lifting her head up, she sat up and dug through her purse, finding her bedazzled flask. “Oh my god where did you get that?” Farrah squealed, grabbing the flask. It was encrusted with a ton of swarovski crystals, shimmering in the low light. “Amazon girl. Have some!” Adore gestured. Farrah unscrewed the flask gratefully and tilted her head back, letting a generous amount of vodka swirl down her throat. She chased it with a splash of water, handing it back to Adore. Adore made a mental note that Farrah had basically chugged the better part of the liquid in the flask. She decided that maybe it was just the nerves, and thought nothing of it. They sat in the park, passing the flask back and forth and before they knew it they were off stumbling drunk and around the bean. “Adore,” Farrah slurred. “Look how fucking cute we are.” She grabbed her hand and pointed at their reflections in the giant mirrored bean. Adore smiled, stumbling into Farrah as she watched their reflections. Adore towered over Farrah, but the combination of dark hair and platinum blonde complemented each other. “Let’s take a picture!” Adore exclaimed, pulling out her phone. She pointed the camera at the bean, getting their reflection in it before snapping the photo. She then turned towards Farrah, who was already looking up at her expectantly, pink lips slightly parted. Adore closed the distance between the two of them, cupping Farrah’s chin up into her hand as she kissed her gently. She tasted of cheap vodka and weed, but smelled like a vanilla cupcake. It was confusing to her senses, but it just worked with her. Farrah stood on her tip toes, throwing both arms around Adore’s neck as the kiss deepened. Soon it was becoming violent, and Farrah ended up pushing Adore against the metal bean. Adore groaned, grabbing a fist of Farrah’s hair in her hands. She pulled away gently, before smiling and pushing her away. “That’s gonna be a hot picture.” Farrah finally said. Adore roared with laughter and grabbed Farrah’s hand, moving on as they spent the rest of the day exploring downtown Chicago together.

#simplicité

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eat-travel-live-repeat · 4 years

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A Foodie’s Guide to Bir Billing – The Paragliding Capital of India

Bir is a town situated in the west of Joginder Nagar Valley in the state of Himachal Pradesh in northern India. Now popular as the “Paragliding Capital of India“, Bir is likewise a prominent centre for ecotourism, spiritual studies and meditation. Bir is also home to a significant Tibetan refugee settlement with severable known Buddhist Monasteries . While Billing is the take off site for paragliding and Bir is where the landing site is; collectively it is referred to as “Bir Billing”.

In the past few years, Bir has become quite popular with the travellers, specially with those who are living the Digital Nomad Life. Popular hostel chains such as Zostel, The Hosteller, The Bunker etc have opened up properties in Bir, catering to the demand of the growing travellers, and likewise the Cafe culture has also grown and developed in the past 2-3 years.

A lot of creative minds, who chose to escape the city life and move to the mountains, have made Bir their home now! And the fact that there are direct buses plying between Bir and Delhi on a daily basis, has contributed significantly in the growth of tourism in the Paragliding Capital of India.

All these factors have made Bir Billing not only a popular Weekend Getaway destination, but also one of India’s growing Digital Nomad Hotspot.

I was fortunate to have spent around 2 weeks in March 2020 (Before Coronavirus aka COVID – 19 was declared an Pandemic by WHO), in Bir Billing, getting High on Himalayas, with a bunch of amazing people, and trying out different dishes to Eat in Bir Billing, on a daily basis, which helped compile this Bir Billing Food Guide, which mainly highlights what’s special to Eat in the different cafes and restaurants in Bir Billing.

These places have been listed in chronological order, with respect to their location, as you walk from Choughan Chowk towards Landing Site in Bir.

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Steamed and Fried Momos – Ram Bahadur Cafe

If you have a craving Momos, there’s no place better than Ram Bahadur Cafe !

This small ordinary looking food joint, holds a special place in the hearts of everyone who stays in Bir!

They have got Vegetable / Chicken / Mutton as a filling, which can be enjoyed either steamed, or fried. And my recommendation would be the Chicken Fried Momos, with spoonfuls of the yummy spicy chutney!

PS – Their momo chutney is to die for – just yummmm!

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Thukpa and Devil Momo’s – Nyingma Restaurant

Another few steps from Ram Bahadur Cafe towards Gandhi Chowk, and you’ll find Nyingma Hotel – a bright yellow structure, on the Left side of the road.

This will look like one expensive restaurant, because of the plush interiors, but trust me, the rates are pretty economical, and the food tastes yummy.

While the restaurant serves a variety of dishes, I found the Thukpa and the Devil Momos to be the highlights at Nyingma Restaurant. And Ginger Lemon Honey tea of course.

Unlike a lot of places, where the Thukpa turns out to be either bland, or too spicy, the Thukpa here is just perfectly balanced, and pretty heavy too!

Devil Momos are basically fried momos, tossed and served in a spicy garlic gravy.

If you are looking for a place where you can chat with your friends, while having some really sumptuous food, Nyingma Restaurant is the place to be!

TBH, I found this to be one of Bir Billings hidden gems, with respect to this Bir Billing Food Guide ! You will mostly find locals here, rather than the tourists and travellers!

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Hogging on Momos in Bir, be it fried, steamed or the devil momos, will forever remain one of my Most Memorable Experiences in the Himalayas.

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Home Cooked Food – Kuckie’s Cafe

Kuckie’s Cafe deserves a special mention in this Bir Billing Food Guide !

Why ? You may ask ?

Well, ask any one who has been staying in Bir for a while, where they go to when they crave some Home Cooked food, and the answer will be unanimous – Kuckie’s Cafe !

The food served by Kuckie Aunty is simple, but yummy, and not that heavy on the pocket. The moment you step in Kuckie’s Cafe, you’ll feel as if, you’ve entered the living room of your house, and having a few words with Aunty will make you feel at home.

Whether you are looking for a quiet place to read a book, or work, or simply have a conversation – Its very easy to find a spot for yourself at Kuckie’s Cafe.

BTW if you are looking for a place to volunteer, Aunty is always on the lookout for a helping hand.

Yummy Home Cooked Food

Ghar ka Khaana

Kuckie’s Cafe

Hot Chocolate – June16

The strategic location of June16 Cafe, makes it one of the most popular and frequented cafes in Bir Billing, where travellers can be seen throughout the day, sipping a hot beverage like hot chocolate or coffee chatting with other travellers, and Digital Nomads, engrossed in their work, while sipping some yummy Hot Chocolate, which is what I would recommend you to try out as well.

Hot Chocolate @ June 16 Cafe

Vada Pav and Cutting Chai – Bombay Local

If you are craving some authentic and yummy Maharashtrian street food, such as Vada Pav and Pav Bhaji, along with the famed Cutting Chai, Bombay Local is where you should go to.

The Vada Pav is economically priced at INR 40, and will definitely take you back to the streets of Mumbai or Pune.

Vada Pav @ Bombay Local

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Pasta’s and Fresh Green Salads – Paloma Vegan Bistro

Probably the only Cafe in Bir Billing, that caters only to Vegan Food.

Paloma Vegan Bistro serves some really delectable cakes, pastas and fresh salads, which you should definitely try.

Fresh Green Salad @ Paloma Vegan Bistro

Himachali Siddu – The Northern Cafe

The Northern Cafe is one of the best places to catch the famed sunsets of Bir, with a panoramic view of the landing site in front, and the mighty Himalayas on the back.

While the food is a bit pricey here, its one of the few restaurants and cafes in Bir Billing, where you can have the traditional Himachali Siddu. Also to try are the yummy pakoras, while enjoying the sunset.

Also, if you are a Digital Nomad, and are looking for a quiet place to work, I would highly recommend you to make The Northern Cafe, as your workspace during the day, when there aren’t that many travellers present.

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Mint Ice Tea – Musafir – The Traveller’s Cafe

If you are a traveler and are interested in the Indie Music scene, you might be aware about Musicathon Bir. Musafir Cafe is where it all started!

The Mint Ice Tea is sort of a legend, and I highly recommend you try it at Musafir – The Traveller’s Cafe, while enjoying the sunset, with soft Indie Music playing in the background.

If you are an artist, you are going to love the vibes at Musafir Cafe for sure.

I’ve also heard that their chicken curry is also quite sumptuous. So if you happen to stay here post sunset, you might want to check it out.

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South Indian Food – Avva’s Cafe

Strategically located beyond the Landing Site in Bir Billing, overlooking the green terraced fields, Avva’s Cafe, serves the best South Indian Food in Bir Billing. Period.

Yes, dining at Avva’s cafe, will be a bit heavy on the pocket, but the moment you’ll have your first bite, you’ll realise, that its worth every penny.

The idlis are going to melt in your mouth, the sambar is perfectly balanced and is neither too sweet nor too spicy, the coconut chutney is something that you’ll keep asking more and more, the dosas will be crisp with just the right amount of filling. And did I forget to tell that, you’ll get Rasam with kaala chana on the house.

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Avva’s Cafe has one of the Best views in Bir Billing, from where you can see the gliders fly in the sky, all day long.

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Bnoffee Pie – Silver Linings

Another quaint cafe, famous with artists, digital nomads and the local community is the Silver Lining Cafe, just opposite Avva’s Cafe.

What usually happens is that, travellers have a heavy meal at Avva’s Cafe, and then cross the road and make their way to Silver Lining Cafe, where they just chill, connect with other travellers, and enjoy their cup of coffee!

The Bnoffee Pie along with Coffee is what I’ll recommend you to try at Silver Lining.

Bnoffee Pie @ Silver Linings

Anything and Everything – Kaafila

Tucked in the bylanes of Chaughan village, amidst bright yellow fields with the backdrop of snow clad peaks is a quaint cafe named Kaafila – from the streets of Bombay that offers you a slice of Bombay in the mountains.

From the iconic Bombay wada pav to pav bhaji and other mouth watering delicacies of mumbai street food, Kaafila serves it all.

Occasionally, you can find artistic souls creating soothing music or just leaving their footprints behind by painting a part of them on their art wall. Also, on bright sunny days they bake amazing sweet treats too giving you a complete experience of a guilty food trip filled with tons of entertainment as you connect with fellow travellers!

They also host pizza and burger nights, live sports streaming nights, BBQ and bonfire nights and gaming nights where the community of travellers meets and interacts with each other.

Musafir Cafe as mentioned above in this Bir Billing Food Guide, was previously where Kaafila, is today.

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Vegetarian Thaali – Suryansh Bhojnalaya

This is the only place in this Bir Billing Food Guide, which is not near the landing site in Bir Billing, but on the highway from Bir to Palampur. Its 4 – 5 KM from the landing site, and the best way to go there is in a cab / your own vehicle if applicable.

The speciality of Suryansh Bhojnalaya serving only Vegetarian food is the Himachali Thaali and its pretty simple and straightforward affair. The food is sumptuous, healthy, and very economical.

One Thali for INR 150, is sufficient to feed two people, if they are not that hungry.

Himachali Thali @ Suryansh Bhojnalaya

Maggi and Chai – Multiple Places

This goes without saying, that the joy of having piping hot Maggi, while sipping Chai, is an experience thats synonymous with getting High on Himalayas.

Any any trip to the mountains is incomplete, if you haven’t sipped hot Chai, and slurped the Masala Maggi, while enjoying the view of the mighty Himalayas.

Getting Maggi and Chai in the mountains, is very easy, and can be found at multiple places through out Bir Billing, but the ones where you’ll have the best experience, are literally in the lap of the Mountains, away from the town.

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I hope you enjoyed going through this Bir Billing Food Blog, and found it as a useful Travel Resource for your Trip to Bir Billing. Don’t forget to Pin this Bir Billing Food Guide, for your future trip.

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What To Eat and Where to Eat in Bir Billing (Himachal Pradesh, India) | A Food Guide A Foodie's Guide to Bir Billing - The Paragliding Capital of India Bir is a town situated in the…

#2020 #Bir Billing #ETLR Food Trail #ETLR Travel Diaries 2020 #ETLR With Arnav #Food blog #FoodTrail #high on himalayas #Himachal Pradesh #Himalayas #Street Food #Weekend Trip

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beardedwinnerobject-blog · 6 years

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I was rear-ended last Friday. The lady who hit me was totally at fault, and admitted it to her insurance company. I have filed through my insurance company, gave them a verbal and recorded statement and my vehicle has been assessed with damages over $5000 dollars. Here's the catch....the insurance company of the lady who hit me calls me daily (leaves messages) asking me to talk and give a second recorded statement to them even though they know I have already given my insurance company one. I have talked to my insurance company about this...and they said legally I do not have to talk to them at all....I am not filing through them and that's that. Is this standard or is the other insurance company trying to be sneaky?? Thanks!""

I can't afford my car insurance...?

I need transportation so I can work. But why should I have to choose between car insurance or food and medicine? Shouldn't the Government come up with a single payer plan for automotive insurance too! Its not fair that I have to pay for this out of my own pocket.

Car Insurance in California?

Anyone know a good low cost auto insurance company in California? Someone w/ a suspended licsence that is now released?

Why is car insurance so much money for seventeen year old males?

my daughters boyfreind has just passed his driving test, he has been quoted 5000 for his insurance by car insurers. is this true, or is it a joke.""

Cheap cars to insure?

What are some cheap cars to insure?

How long will car insurance...?

I'm a learner driver and have my driving test today.If i pass my test, how long will it take for my learner driver insurance to finish after i cancel it for me to start another insurance policy?""

Any advice on Medical Insurance?

My husband's job has an insurance plan that will take $200 out of his paycheck EVERY OTHER WEEK. He makes about $1200.. that is $400 a month which leaves us with $800 a month to survive. We think it's ridiculous.. can anyone give us advice on any other insurance policies? Blue cross blue shield maybe.. or anything... Thanks in advance!

How to get cheaper car insurance for a new young driver?

I passed my test the other day but ive been looking for hours trying to find some cheap car insurance on a 1.2 ford ka but all the quotes im getting are minimum 3-4 thousand pound and some are even quoting up to 8 thousand ! Im 17 and male does anyone know where to get relatively cheap insurance something between 1000-2000 pound? or any methods that are used to get cheaper car insurance?

WA Instruction Permit & Car Insurance?

I have recently been issued a Washington State Instruction Permit and was wondering if I need to be included to my mom's insurance before I can use her car to practice my driving? (I am of legal age already) Just want to know about the insurance thing. Thank you so much!

Collector Car insuance for 17 year old? Possible?

My 17 year old son wants collector car insurance for his 67 Chevelle that he heavily modified and uses it only for hobby and pleasure. He puts 4,000-4,300 miles a year. We live in California and were wondering if there was a collector car insurance like hagerty, american car collector, etc. that would cover a 18 year old or younger? Any Possible plans? Thanks. PS. He locks it up in our secure garage.""

Will the healthcare reform change the age limit on children on parents insurance?

I'm 25 and one of the great things about the affordable care act was that I was allowed on my parents insurance until I'm 26... Will this change? I'm still in school and there is no way I can afford insurance on my own!!!

Exactley how does term life insurance work?

Whats the difference between regular life insurance and term?How does term work?

Can you buy health insurance for only your baby?

we need insurance for our one year old,we did have the state welfare insurance for the first 11 months,now shes 13 mos. and her dad is working but no insurance for a couple more months and what if she gets sick and more shots will be needed soon,so can you buy insurance for only a baby or do you have to have an adult on the plan also""

1996 Chevy Z26 Beretta Insurance???

How much would a 1996 Chevy Z26 Beretta cost? Would it be really high because its a sports car? I have a great deal on a GREAT looking car and just wondered if i could afford the insurance..... Im almost 18 and a boy if that helps you answer....

""My car insurance was voided in the past, and now I can't get a quote anywhere, can anyone help?!?""

When I started learning to drive at 17, I decided to buy my self a cheap car so that I'd be able to get more experience behind the wheel, pass my test quicker and have a car as soon as I passed my test. I was insured on my provisional license with an insurance company which specialised in learner drivers. However, I ended up getting 3 points on my license the week before I passed my test, in what I still think were pretty unfair circumstances. My house doesn't have a drive or a garage and so I had to park my car on the road in front of my house, or on a street round the corner when there were no spaces. As it was my first car I was really excited, and without understanding that I could get in trouble for it, I used to sometimes sit in my car and listen to music with my friends. The week before I passed my test we were sat chatting when a police car came down the road and pulled up behind us. Someone had broken into some allotments nearby and they were questioning us as to if we had seen anything. They searched my car- for tools that could suggest we had done it I presume, and when they found nothing they ran my license and obviously realised I only had a provisional license. I still at this point didn't realise I had done anything wrong, I wasn't driving the car, simply sat in it so I didn't realise I had committed an offence. The police informed me that because the engine was running, I could have been driving or about to drive and on that basis they convicted me for driving without a license. I only got 3 points and a 60 fine due to the fact I wasn't actually driving and at the time I accepted that with relief, I was terrified I'd get a ban or lose my license or get a massively unaffordable fine. I could have appealed but that would have meant going to court and I was only 17 and that terrified me. I declared the points to my insurance company straght away, but due to the nature of the offence my insurance was invalidated and void. I've only just now realised how serious having insurance voided in the past is. I'm supposed to be moving a 5 hours away in a few months for a job, and I have plenty of money saved for car insurance and a car, as without a car, the move is completely unrealistic. Without a car I won't be able to get to work as the hours are unsocial and my job isn't very well connected with public transport at all and so relying on public transport or taxis is simply not an option. I found a car, went to get an insurance quote, and found out that getting insurance is practically impossible when you've had insurance voided in the past. The points don't seem to be a problem, when I tell companies about my points but not about my insurance voided in the past they happily give me a quote. They're expensive, but affordable and it's what I was expecting. However, as soon as I tell them that my insurance was voided in the past they refuse to even give me a quote. I'm completely out of options and I don't know what to do. I need a car, but I can't get insurance as much as I try. I know I was in the wrong, but it seems like the voided insurance is more of a punishment than the points are and surely that isn't right? And the voided insurance will stay with me for the rest of my life, so does that mean that driving will never be an option for me? I'm sorry for the essay, I just really don't know what to do! If anyone's been in a similar situation with voided insurance or know of a company that would insure me then please let me know! Just anything that would help, let me know! Thank you so much in advance and sorry again for the babbling!""

Need car insurance help!?

Here's my story: I am 23 yrs old and have gotten 3 speeding tickets. One already came off my record and another just recently came off. I got my renewal statement and my premium hasn't changed at all. Is there an error or tough luck for me?

Car insurance when go to college?

i'll be living in the dorm for college this fall, and my parents decide to cut my car insurance since i only come home for thanksgiving(7 days), winter break(1 month), spring break(10 days), and summer(2 months). is it possible to buy insurance temporarily for those breaks that i come back? thanks""

Sued by insurance company?

i'm 25 and get health insurance through my work. But just recently, they've upped the fee for it: from $4/paycheck to $8/paycheck (that's weekly, not biweekly). I'm technically still able to use my dad's insurance till i'm 26 and i figure, if i can save $8 a week, then why bother using it through my work at all? But my supervisor is trying to tell me that if my dad's insurance company finds out that i'm eligible to get insurance through my work and don't use it, then they could sue me. Is this true? It shouldn't be up to them which insurance i use. I shouldn't have to pay for something i can get free somewhere else.""

Will my provisional insurance go up after i pass my test?

evening folks, i have my test booked for 3 weeks away, i have been shopping around for car insurance and if i enter that i have a full license then my cheapest quote is over 2000, whereas if i put that i have a provisional then it drops to 1400.. question: if i take out insurance in my name on a provisional will the price go up after i inform them that ive passed?? all answers and opinions welcomed thanks ;)""

After a DUI how much does it cost for new car insurance if you are dropped by your old insurance company?

What is affordable car inssurance for new drivers?

Why do women get lower car insurance rates?

Is this true? Are women's car insurance rates lower? like here: http://bestquoteus.com/carinsurance/womencarinsurance.html

Life insurance for people with bad health?

Are there any cheap life insurance companies that insure people who have existing health conditions such as heart failure?

What's the best auto INSURANCE co. for CA?

meaning CHEAPEST and most RELIABLE

Insurance on a 95 camaro?

Im considering buying a pre-owned 1995 camaro for my first car. How do I find out how much the yearly insurance would be? Its not a convertible, and also its through allstate in new york. Would it be more than a 1998 maxima?""

Will I be able to buy car insurance?Thanks?

Im 19 and I was on my dads Metropolitan insurance company. I had 2004 Honda Civic but my dad had the car title in his name. I crashed my car and I was at fault so now we're waiting for the case to settle. My dad wants to wait for the case to settle before I buy another car. The case might take another year or more before its settled. I would like to buy my own insurance and my own car. How will the insurance work out or whats the cheapest insurance? Thanks

What is the best way to get cheap car insurance for young drivers in the UK?

How come when I look at comparison sites such as confused.com they quote something like 10K for a 17 year old male that has pased. I know that a better way is to add your parents as the main driver and yourself as the additional however, the issue is that non of my parents drive. So what would be the best way to get a reasonable car insurance for a 17 year old then?""

Can you have be under two car insurance companies at once?

My dad is considering in buying another car(ideally for me to use) but to avoid the high cost, he wants to be listed as primary driver to both. It seems that usually when youre under one company, I will most likely be forced to be primary on one of the vehicles. So would it be possible to be under two different car insurance companies so that my dad can be primary for both or would this be considered a type of fraud or something illegal?""

What cars would be cheap to buy and on insurance for a 16 y/o driver?

my years i like are 1995-2004 and i dont want to spend more than 2000-3000 and more than 100-150 on insurance

How much would i pay in fines for driving w/ out insurance in california?

Retirement and Health Insurance?

Hello, I am getting ready to retire and am having a hard time finding affording health insurance. I am retireing at 62 so am not able to get medicare yet. Does anyone know of any affordable health insurance plans for Seniors in Florida? Any info is much appreciated.""

""Car insurance, how much?""

how much would full-cover car insurance cost for a cadillac luxury coupe CTS, 2014? ----------------------------------------------- What about for a 2014 Nissan 370z?""

How can i get health insurance?

Hello I am 18yrs old and i am trying to get health insurance. I am a full time student. My mom is does not have health insurance either, Her income is really low and i dont have any income coming in.. Is there a health insurance that is right for me? Please answer""

Car insurance and crash?

ok well last night it was rainy and i was going down a street i tryed to stop and take a turn but i lost control and went over the curb scraped the left front of my car pretty bad. the damage was my front bumper is pretty much destroyed, the mirror broke off, wrecked the front left tire, and a huge long dent on the front left top of the car just before reaching the front hood and also a hole near the door and now i cant open the front door all the way. after i had to change the tire and i drove home. this was my first crash involving car insurance and im 17. will i still be able to drive if the car insurance covers it? i really dont know whats about to happen.""

What is car insurance and insurance quotes?

i'm not driving yet but i am taking driving lessons and i am just searching around for a car but i don't understand how things work. what is car insurance? why do we need it? and what are quotes? please help me!!! thank you much love xx

""Pregnant with no health insurance, Texas?""

Is anyone familiar with Texas Department of Health and Human Services. I just found out I am pregnant yesterday, two days ago my husband was laid off work. His old company added an HSA for us in December and we were under the impression everything was fine with employment if they added this for our family. I finally had a family HSA as of 1/1/12 and then on 1/3/12 it was taken away. He worked 90 hours on his last paycheck almost the most of the year, and was told work is slow so he was being laid off. They also added back matching 401k this year too, yep! We have been trying for years and had no idea this would happen this way. It is just crazy! So I found out on the website for HHS of Texas the income level for benefits. I am right there underneath the level for 2 people. Do they include the unborn child as a 3rd family member yet? Also I saw that you have to list assest out like vehicles. We have two cars and that is it. We make payments on both of them, so is it possible they will deny us since we have these assets. Other than those we have no other assets. But I remember my mom being denied for SSI on my brother due to assets so I am worried. Please can anyone help ease my mind?""

Cost of motercycle insurance?

when I search for this all I get is spam about how much you could save on your insurance. if it's not that then it: motorcycle gear, shows, accessories, video, ect. So I was just wondering is insurance cheaper for motorcycle than cars? Thinking about the differences; the cost of replacing the bike is less, the damage it could do it less, the injury to others is less, the injury to yourself is greater, it seems like it should be cheaper. espically considering that your health insurance will cover most of your injury costs this kind of insurance seems lower risk. But I wanna know from other bikers, is it cheaper?""

Best Home/Condo Insurance Companies?

I am looking to obtain insurance for my condo in British Columbia, and was wondering if someone could recommend the best company to with. Currently I am just familiar with BCAA who ...show more""

""After one month, auto insurance gets cancelled?

I changed auto insurance after my other policy lapsed due to direct deposit mix up. I went with State Farm for both vehicles and paid about 20 dollars more per month for a better policy. I got a letter 2 weeks into coverage stating my policies are being cancelled due to not showing 30 days of coverage at the time of purchase. So I guess they can cover me for a month and ditch me? This don't sound right. I have zero tickets and zero wrecks and the same goes for my wife. My agent says the rate will go up from 138.00 per month to 245.00 per month! ! ! ! ! WTF?

Becoming car insured in Ontario?

Recently I just acquired my G2. I am an almost-17 year old male, and I wanted to try to clear up a few questions about insurance before going to get some quotes. Firstly, would it be possible for me to have my own separate policy? With my own car - that's how my dad wants it apparently... I know it would be expensive..but I would probably end up choosing only liability coverage. Secondly, would it be possible to somehow prove to the insurance company that I am more responsible than the average stereotypical 17 year old male in hopes of lowering insurance? For example, can high school marks play a factor? I've heard about something like this, although I don't know if it applies to our provincial policies. I know the other factors, such as having a 4 door used sedan, in-class driving course etc. can also help lower the cost. All help is appreciated, thanks!""

What is the cheapest car insurance for an 18 year old?

Insurance on Giving Birth?

Me and my husband don't have any insurance and we want to have a baby, what is the average monthly payment for insurance that will cover everything from the ultra violet sound to the monthly check-ups to the auctual giving birth in the hospital.""

CAR INSURANCE for a17 year old??

i just passed my test and have the old ford fiesta waiting for me to drive but atm the quotes i'm getting for insurance is around 2000 What are the cheapest sites for car insurance? Should i do Pass Plus?

How much will my insurance go up?

I got in a fender bender and my car is now totaled, this is because my car is supposedly not worth as much as a hood and a radiator, but I plan on getting my 02 xg350l fixed. But about the wreck is was completely my fault but I was only cited no ticket, how much more will I have to pay considering no ticket was issued? I am 17 this is my first wreck and I live in Washington if that helps. Thank you.""

How did they steal my car? It a 2001 Lexus is200 . Stock immobiliZer fitted! Will insurance cover this?

Whill the insurance cover this? What todo? :(

Do all motorcycles have to have insurance? Can it have a legit title/registed but no insurance?

Also, How much do u think it would cost for a 18 year old, with Riders safer course certificate, 600cc sportsbike(kawasaki zzr600), in new york state? would it be cheaper to just get a car?""

Why is the insurance prices so high?

OK from what I have seen from my friends they have been getting car insurance for there cars for about 1000 a year, now when I check on gocompare.com the cheapest quote is around 7000, what is wrong I've only been searching a vauxhall corsa 1.2l. I don't see why it would be that much.""

50CC Does motorbike insurance cost more than moped insurance?

Ok so i just turned 16 and have got my provisional license and also have done a CBT my mum tells me that a 50cc Motorbike that you put your leg over costs way more in insurance then a moped that you put your leg through is this true ? also im talking About 50cc motorbikes and mopeds

Car insurers recommendations?

hi there people, Since passing my test in December, I have been looking to buy (and insure) a car. Shortly I will be able to afford a little run around and have been getting insurance quotes for cars like the Fiesta and Corsa. I have noticed that over the last few months comparison site quotations have jumped from an average of 1800 to 3000 for someone in my circumstances. I have read and understand why car insurance has been hiked up, no win no fee claims are more popluar, fraud and bogus claims and economic recession are responsible for a massive increase in car insurance premiums...Im so angry at these things. I cannot believe this as I though 1800 was extortionate to begin with. I have found Elephant insurance who are quoting me reasonable prices however, back to around the 1800 mark. Please can you recommend any other good car insurers for first time drivers. I am 33 and live in Manchester England. All the big name insurance sites that appear on comparison sites see like a rip off, so any smaller insurers you have had experience of would be useful;, Thanks.""

What's the best auto INSURANCE co. for CA?

meaning CHEAPEST and most RELIABLE

Where can I get affordable group health insurance?

I am a college student who has alot of anxiety right now due to the recent divorce of my parents. I would greatly benefit from having psychological treatment right now but I have no insurance & it is expensive. Does anybody know of an insurance that would cover this?

If i report my car stolen will the insurance company ask for the keys?

My car was tolen... But i lost the keys to it. Does either the police or the insurance company ask for the keys?

What kind of cars are good for teens insurance wise?

I know it depends on where I live and many other variables but I'd like to know in general what gets the best rates. I'm looking at a 1993 chevrolet s10 5speed with a 4.3l v6 right now but I don't know how the insurance would be on it yet. I'm 18 years old in Canada and I've been driving for 2 years total (1 year g1/permit 1 year g2 class license) and now I'm about to go for my full g license. What should I be looking for? import/domestic? engine size? number of cylinders? cars or light trucks? size of engine in relation to size of car? I thought I might get some relief on the s10 since it's domestic, manual (less people want to steal?), I can make some extra money at work, and since only 3 people can fit (originally a 2 seater) less people would be injured in an accident? I don't know, what do you think i should be looking for?""

Do you have to have insurance to drive a car if you dont own one?

My friend has been stopped by the police for driving an uninsured car. He borrowed the car from his friend while his friend was away, and his friend is an uninsured driver, my friend did not realise he was driving an uninsured vehicle as he believed his friend had insurance. He does not own a car, do you have to have insurance to drive a car and the police are telling him he has to go to court and pay fines,-is this right?""

How much would a BMW 325i be on insurance??? 16 year old?

Hi. I am 16... I will be 17 in september.. but I know insurance won't go lower for us until we turn 25... :( anyways! i want to get a BMW 325i cause i LOVE that car. But im willing to pay for the car but wondering how much insurance would be on it??? Like maybe for a 2001 bmw 325i cause i like that model.. i like the models up also but it will be more money and would it be more money for insurance for a newer car??? PLEASE help me !!!! I need to no. OH and ps. I live in canada, ontario - HAMILTON !!!!""

Double up on individual health insurance?

Can you have more than one Health Insurance Plan for your self? I have to buy my own insurance, but even the best individual insurance is crappy and I wanted to now if people ever buy two insurance plans? The insurance i have now only lets me see the doctor twice a year. If I got another insurance plan would it pick up where the other left off?""

Can I buy Motorcycle Insurance for 3 months?

Is it possible for Geico to do that?

""Founders insurance refuses to pay for an accident, how do we get them to pay?

my friend got rear ended and the hit was so severe they bumped into the person in front of them and the car at fault ha founders insurance wont pay they have to cover medical expenses as well as the car being totaled..they refuse to answer their phones or return any calls at all. i looked up the reviews for the company and everyone says they suck...so now my question is now how do we get them to pay for the car and medical expenses its been a week now and nothing

Any good/affordable individual health plans for me and unborn baby in Connecticut?

My boyfriend and I are moving to Connecticut in Nov. from Seattle area. His plan can't be renewed until next summer. I got laid off in July and am currently on COBRA plan with my ...show more

Will my child automatically get added to my car insurance when he gets his license?

My 18 year old son is getting his license tomorrow. And I was wondering, when he gets his license through the DMV... Will he automatically get added to my car insurance? If so when? Is there anyway to prevent him getting placed on my insurance without me doing so. My rates would be a killer. Thanks""

Car insurance advice?

I cancelled my car insurance with liberty mutual about a year and a half ago. I owed them about $700 which I payed off a few weeks ago. I was looking to insure with them again until they told me my down payment would be the whole years worth of payments which is almost $4000, due to previous cancellation and nonpayment. Then they told me the best they could do would be half of the years total. My question is, if I go to other companies are they all going to tell me the same thing for down payments on policies? I do not owe any money to any company at this time.""

Car insurance - will it change from CA to NJ rate?

my car has a california license plate and i have a illinois driving license..i just wanted to change my illinois license to NJ driving license... will this affect my car insurance.or will it affect only if i get my license plate changed from CA TO NJ

Car Insurance Am I covered? The car has it but im not on the insurance!?

I had a wreck saturday, im not on the insurance but the car has insurance.. I was just barrowing the car.. Would it still be covered and be able to get fixed?""

Cheap Uk Car Insurance?

Which car insurance company in England is cheaper?

Car insurance increase?

my friend was pulled over for speeding while unlicensed due to a 6 month lapse in insurance, she was arrested and charged with a misdimeanor of aggrivated unlicensed operation of a vehicle as well as speeding 20 miles over the speed limit. She had at least one other ticket from several months ago that she never paid. it was for talking on a cell phone (illegal in nys). She has gotten other tickets in the past as well but those have long since been taken care of. She is 25. she believes that her car insurance is only going to be $80 a month in a few months when she is able to get her license back, and told me that the speeding ticket it will raise it a little, but the driving without a license and not paying car insurance for 6 months does not affect her rate. Can someone prove her wrong? Has anyone experienced an increase in their car insurance because of a lapse or becuase they were arrested for driving without a license?""

Incorrect no claims bonus quoted on my renewal for car insurance?

I have recently had my renewal quote through from my current car insurer and have noticed it states more years for my no claims bonus then I've actually got. I've looked back at my previous paperwork and it looks like I made a massive error. I really wanted to stay with the same insurer but know I will need to inform them of the error. Has anyone been in this situation before? Not sure what happens! :0

Can i claim insurance if i'm driving amother car?

if i was driving my friend's car and we got into an accident, can i claim insurance on her car under MY NAME/POLICY, since i have my own insurance with my own car?""

""How can I tell the difference between regular car insurance policy ,and a group insurance policy?""

How can I tell the difference between a regular car insurance policy ,and a group insurance policy?""

Is it possible to get car insurance in new york? sign the contract but not available?

I just bought a used car, and insure that car though an agency, they told me my insurance will be available at 0:00 next day. However, unfortunately, I involved in a car accident 2 hours later after I sign the contract. Is it possible for me to get insurance? What should I do? Is there anybody who can help me?""

How can I get a car insurance quote if I'm under 18?

I don't have my license yet but a large part of what decides what car I can get depends on what the car insurance would cost. Since I am under 18 not of the car insurance websites will give me a quote and if i lie about my age it will change the cost. Any ideas?

How much does car insurance cost for a new driver?

Best Car Insurance For young Couple ?

Me and my fiance are starting to get estimates for major bills we'll know will be high (rent,car insurance, etc) What's the best car insurance for a young couple (20 year & 19 year old) for just basic coverage Im in the process of getting just a plain normal 4 door car like ford Taurus (1998-2000).. He has a ford 86' truck without 4wheel drive Neither of us have tickets, nor pricy sport cars But I've almost 20 and only been drving for 2 years (due yo bein homeschool, it was hard to get into drivers ed_) He's 19 and been driving less than year (cause hes school schule didnt allow for extra class like drivers ed)""

Teen insurance cost on a leased c300?

i just got my license, and i am 16 going to be 17 in 2 months :) i wanted to know how much insurance is for a new leased c300 mercedes.""

Cheapest car insurance in ontario?

What is the price range for insurance on a 07 mustang premium v6?

I am 20, I live in AL. no accidents or violations. I want prices or estimates please, not what I should consider n etc... Thank u""

What's the best auto INSURANCE co. for CA?

meaning CHEAPEST and most RELIABLE

""I'm about to shop for auto insurance, but I'm afraid it could hurt me?""

I know that too many inquiries will look bad on a credit report. The guy at my current insurance office said inquiries for auto insurance aren't the same as others and dont bring my credit score down. Im not sure if he's lying or not. The last time I checked my report, I had 2 inquiries on it from when they looked for the best rate for me last time in Sept. He also said they could shop for me (for the best rate) at agencies that dont go off of credit scores . Why are there some agencies that use my credit score and some that don't- whats the difference? Does it affect my score/ look bad in general to have sevral inquiries from auto insurance agencies?""

Car/insurance sixteen yo?

I'm sixteen and I'm thinking about this car: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=296014776&dealer_id=100012676&car_year=2002&systime=&doors=&model=&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&scarid=296515424&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=25&min_price=&rdm=1303705998432&drive=&marketZipError=false&advanced=&fuel=&keywords_display=&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=y&make2=&certified=&engine=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&transmission=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&color=&address=72076&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=&awsp=false&make=AUDI&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=22&standard=false How much do you think it would cost a month for insurance? I'll have a job and my parents have offered to pay a lil each month and help me out. Sorry, I'm completely new to all this and I just need a ballpark estimate.""

""I bought a car in NY, I have VA insurance and i wanna kno How can i register the car?

Need registration for car with VA insurance

I'm a 17 year old guy wanting to earn some extra money to help pay car insurance what can i do?

I'm a 17 year old guy i'm looking at an extra way of earning some money sensibly to help pay towards my monthly car insurance i already hold a day job any help would be appreciated thanks

Cheapest car to insure for a 17/18year old new driver?

passed my practical 2 weeks ago. im 18 end of feb and want to get a car....i dont mind paying up to 2500 insurance however, im not sure to what car will be cheaper. is automatic cheaper or more expensive than manual? please someone who actually knows let me know please :)""

""Are most companies going to switch to Obamacare, for their insurance coverage plans.?""

Are most companies going to switch to Obamacare, for their insurance coverage plans.?""

Cheapest car insurance for 18 Y/O male?

Im getting quoted 8000-11,000 for a group one insurance 107. my mate was quoted 2000 for a 1.8 mini one. ive tried all comparison sites admiral, churchill and directline but they are unable to quote. im going on my mums policy or dads btw. Thanks for any help.""

Temporary car insurance for Provisional License holders?

Is there a company who offer provisional car insurance for only a short amount of time? I am taking my test in December, and feel that it would be useful to be able to drive at home as well as in my weekly lessons - but can't afford the full whack right now. Can I get insured for just a few months until I pass my test?""

I am low income. Do I have to get health insurance?

I am a poor 30 year old guy going to school full time. I do not have health insurance. I live in Virginia. I make under $9,000 a year and Virginia does not expand Medicaid. What do I do? I am too poor to get health insurance at full price! :(""

Best Dental Insurance Plan?

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anavoliselenu · 7 years

Text

This man chapter 9

A treacherous moan escapes my lips as he pushes himself against me, breathing his hot, minty breath on my lips. I’m supposed to be bloody mad here. Instead, I’m being held against my will – kind of – and wanting to strip my captor in front of all of my colleagues, who are all squashed at the office door, fighting for the best view.

‘Mouth. You stood me up.’ He presses his lips to mine before he pulls away, his sludgy eyes softening as he looks at me expectantly.

I can hardly tell him why I cancelled now. I imagine he’ll go up the wall. ‘I’m sorry.’ I sigh. Will he accept that? I need to get back into the office and sort my head out. No, I need to go home and sort my head out, preferably with a bottle of wine.

He shakes his head mildly, and then he attacks my mouth purposely, right in the middle of Bruton Street. My fingers thread through his hair as I surrender to his impossibly addictive mouth, without much thought at all. He’s unashamed and oblivious to the hustle and bustle of lunch time pedestrians passing and, quite probably, staring as he completely consumes me. He swallows me up every time. He thrusts his groin forward aggressively, coaxing a moan to escape my mouth. This is a look-what-you-missed kiss, and I’m beginning to damn Matt to Hell.

‘Don’t do it again.’ he orders, in a tone that dares me to challenge him. He releases me from his grip and my feet hit the ground, the loss of support causing me to stagger forward.

He grabs the top of my arm to steady me, causing a slight stab of pain to radiate through me, snapping me out of my spellbound state on a sharp inhale. He drops my arm and stands back from me, his soft eyes raging and focused on the scatter of bruises at the top of my arm, courtesy of Mr Baldy Jag. His jaw starts ticking, his chest puffing, as he stares at my arm.

All I can think about is how lucky Mr Baldy Jag is that these bruises weren’t present yesterday. ‘I’m fine,’ I cover my arm with my palm in the hope that concealing the offending area might snap him out of his fuming state. He looks positively homicidal. Is he mad because I have a few bruises? ‘I need to get back to work.’ My voice is small, nervous even.

He drags his stare from my arm, back to my eyes, looking at me like I’m the offending object. A flash of irritation passes over his handsome face as he reaches up to rub his temples with his fingertips. It’s an obvious sigh of stress.

He eventually shakes his head lightly and stalks off, without another word, leaving me standing on the pavement wondering what in the world just happened. I look down to the ground, my eyes darting about, like I might find the answer written in chalk on the slabs.

Is that it? Is it over? The look on his face said it is. I’m not sure how I feel about that. One second he’s thrusting his h*ps into me on a moan, the next he’s looking at me in pure irritation. What am I supposed to make of this? I really don’t know. I shake myself out of my reverie and head back into the office. The silence is awkward, everyone obviously pretending to look busy.

‘You okay?’ Tom asks, slowly passing my desk. I look up, seeing his usual nosey expression is dotted with concern.

‘I’m fine. Not a word to Patrick.’ It comes out harsher than I intended.

‘Of course, I’ll say no more.’ He holds his hands up in defense.

Fuck! All I need is Patrick to find out that I’m caught up with a client. I should have been stronger and resisted his advances. I’m really not very comfortable with how I feel right now. I think…I think it’s somewhere in the realms of…abandonment?

Chapter 16

I practically crawl through the front door in an exhausted heap. I find Kate in the kitchen, hanging out of the window having a cheeky fag.

‘You need to pack that in.’ I scorn her. She doesn’t smoke much, just a couple here and there, but it’s a bad habit, nevertheless.

She takes a last drag and throws it out of the window before hastily climbing down from the worktop. ‘It helps me think.’ She defends herself. Yes, she claims this whenever I catch her having a sneaky puff. Now, I’m supposed to ask what she’s thinking about, but I already know the answer to that question.

‘Where’s the wine?’ She grabs my bag from me, pulling it open, before looking at me in disgust. I’ve just committed a cardinal sin – I forgot the wine.

I shrug. I’ve had other things on my mind. ‘Sorry.’

‘I’ll go to the shop, you get changed. Fish and chips?’ She grabs her purse from the table as she shoves her feet in her flip flops.

‘Just chips.’ I make my way down the hall to my bedroom. I feel completely deflated.

I sit with Kate on the couch, picking at the chips on my plate. I have absolutely no appetite, and I’m only half watching the re-run of Friends. My mind is all over the place, and I’m so furious with myself for letting it be.

‘Come on then, spit it out.’ Kate demands.

I turn to face my fiery friend with a chip half way to my mouth. I was an idiot if I thought I could get away with mooding in peace. I give her a non-committal shrug, popping the chip in my mouth and chewing lazily. Talking about it will only emphasise the fact that I am actually mooding over it – “it” being a man.

‘You like him.’

Yes, I do. I don’t want to, but I do. ‘He’s bad news. You saw him today.’ I grumble.

She makes a dramatic display of rolling her eyes and throwing herself back on the sofa. ‘You stood him up for your ex-boyfriend,’ She puts her plate on the coffee table in front of the sofa. ‘Selena, what did you expect?’

I frown at her. ‘He didn’t know why I stood him up. As far as he’s concerned, I just stood him up.’

‘Well, he doesn’t like being stood up then, does he? She laughs. ‘Oh, by the way, I’m seething with you.’ She turns all serious.

What have I done? Oh, yes. She must be talking about my little Dan grenade. ‘Would you have preferred it if I hadn’t of told you?’ I ask.

‘You’ve not left me much time to leave town!’ she wails at me.

Oh, the drama! ‘You’re overreacting. You don’t have to see him.’

‘No, I don’t. And I won’t!’

‘That’s okay then, isn’t it?’ I go for subject change. ‘Sam?’ I raise my eyebrows.

‘Isn’t he yummy? Justin came back to the bar – with a face like thunder, by the way – so I left them to it. He took my number.’

‘You’re a tart Kate Matthews!’

‘I know!’ she shrieks. ‘How were things left with the Lord?’ She looks at me carefully, weighing up my reaction to her question.

‘He was still mad, he stormed off.’ I shrug.

She smiles. ‘He’s pretty intense.’

I start laughing. ‘Pretty? I lose all cognitive thought when I’m around him. When he touches me, it’s like I hand over all control of my mind and body to him. It’s frightening.’

‘Wow.’

‘Yes, it’s pretty wow.’

She turns back to the television. ‘I like him,’ she says quietly, almost like she’s afraid to admit it, like it’s wrong to like him. ‘I’m just saying.’ She shrugs but doesn’t look at me. ‘He’s rich, steaming hot and obviously well into you. A man doesn’t behave like that when he’s just f**king about, Selena.’

Well, that may be so, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s cleared off and my phone hasn’t rang since. It’s probably a good thing.

‘Do you fancy a proper night out on Saturday?’ I ask. It’s a stupid question that I already know the answer to.

The look she fires me is mischievous. I grin back at her.

The next day, I breeze into the Royal Park hotel at twelve fifteen, all set for my appointment with Mikael Van Der Haus. I’m directed into a snug sitting area with plush sofas. Gilded frames swamp the walls and a carved fire place dominates the room. It’s typically regal. I’m offered tea which I decline in favour of water. It’s bloody hot, and my black pencil dress is clinging to me.

Twenty minutes later, Mr Van Der Haus enters looking impeccable. He’s really very handsome. He smiles brightly at me, revealing a perfect row of white teeth. What is it with me and older men at the moment? I hastily bat away my wayward thoughts.

‘Selena, please accept my apologies. I never like to keep a lady waiting.’ His mild Danish accent is only just detectable but really sexy.

Stop! I rise from my seat as he approaches, putting my hand out to him with a smile. He takes my hand, but shocks me when he leans forward and kisses me on the cheek. Okay, that’s slightly inappropriate, but I’ll go with it. Maybe it’s a Danish thing. Ha! I would do well to remember what happened that last time a male client kissed me on a first meeting.

‘Mr Van Der Haus, it’s not a problem. I’ve not long arrived myself.’ I reassure him.

‘Selena, this is our second project together. I know you dealt with my partner on Lusso, but I will be involved in The Life Building a lot more, so please, call me Mikael. I hate formality.’ He takes a seat in the chair opposite me, crossing his long legs. ‘So, I’m looking forward to going through ideas with you soon.’

Huh? Isn’t that why I’m here now? ‘Yes, I haven’t really had the opportunity to research the development yet. I was hoping you would give me a brief and a week to get some ideas rolling.’

‘Of course!’ he laughs. ‘I’m being very rude dragging you here at such short notice, but I’m flying back to Denmark on Friday. I have your email. I shall send you the specific requirements. You did such a good job at Lusso. It really does lighten the pressure when you work with proficient people.’ He smiles.

Isn’t he going to give me the specifics now? That’s why I’m here, isn’t it? ‘We could have a quick chat now.’ I prompt.

He sits for a while, regarding me quietly, before leaning forward in his chair. ‘Selena, I hope you don’t think I’m being audacious, you see… well, how can I put it?’ He drums his fingers on his chin. I’m a little worried. ‘I’m afraid I’ve brought you here under false pretenses.’ He laughs nervously, shifting in his chair.

‘Oh, how so?’ I ask baffled. And then it hits me. Oh, no! Oh, no, no, no! I lean back in my chair, instantly tensing from top to toe, and mentally beg the Lord Almighty to talk some sense into him before he says what I think he’s going to say.

‘I would like to ask you to join me for dinner.’ He looks at me expectantly, and I’m sure my face must resemble that of complete horror. I’m burning up. ‘Tomorrow evening, if it’s convenient with you, of course.’ he adds.

Shit! What do I say? If I say no, he might withdraw his business from Rococo Union, and Patrick will go spare. What is it with men suddenly falling at my feet? Older men in particular? He’s way past Justin in terms of age. At least, I think he is. He’s very good looking, but good God, he’s got to be twenty years older than me. I inwardly laugh. At least he hasn’t got me locked in a suite upstairs. How do I play this?

‘Mr Van Der Haus…’

‘Mikael, please.’ he interrupts me with a smile.

‘Mikael, I’m not sure mixing business with pleasure is a good idea. It’s kind of a rule for me. I’m very flattered.’ I laugh at my own audacity. Since when has that been an issue of late? And why did I say pleasure? I’ve assumed, and suggested, that it would be pleasurable to have dinner with him. It might not be, or it very well could be. Oh God! I mentally throw myself into the lovely fireplace.

‘Oh, that is a shame, Selena.’ he sighs.

‘Yes, it is.’ I agree, re-launching myself back into the hearth when he looks up in surprise.

He leans forward. ‘I admire your professionalism.’

‘Thank you.’ I’m bloody blushing again.

‘I hope this won’t affect our business relationship, Selena. I very much look forward to working with you.’

‘I’m looking forward to working with you too, Mikael.’

He lifts himself from the couch, approaching me with his hand stretched out. Thank God! I take it, letting him gently shake it. Did he really just drag me here to ask me to dinner? He could have called me.

‘I shall endeavor to email you at my earliest opportunity. Once I return from Denmark, I would like to show you around the building. Until then, you can draft some schemes. I’ve had the drawings sent to your office, and I’ll email you the specifics.’

‘Thank you, Mikael. Enjoy your trip.’

‘Goodbye, Selena.’ His long legs take him out of the snug.

Well, that was uncomfortable. I sit and finish my water while deliberating over my current emotional turmoil. If Justin was as gracious as Mikael, then I wouldn’t be feeling so shitty right now. Never mixing business and pleasure has never been a rule because I’ve never had to make one. In the space of two weeks, I’ve had two wealthy and very handsome clients pursue me. One I’ve declined, the other I‘ve caved in on. And, as a result, I’m all over the place. Not mixing business and pleasure is now a firm rule and one I intend to stick to. Not that I need to reinforce it. Mikael took my decline rather graciously and Justin hasn’t called since abandoning me. Abandoning?

By two thirty, I’m back in the office. I don’t mention to Patrick the strangeness of my meeting with Mikael Van Der Haus, mainly because I’m concerned that, in the name of business, he’ll demand I go to dinner with him. Patrick will assume it would be a business dinner, but Mikael made it perfectly clear that there would be no business involved. Instead, I just mention emails, drawings and his intention to show me the building upon his return from Denmark. This seems to keep him happy.

I get my phone from my bag, noting no missed calls. I ignore the pang of disappointment and start making a few notes on Scandinavian design. I know I’ll be basing my design around clean, white, easy living, but I’m comforted by the fact that it will be tranquil and warm, not sparse and cold.

My phone rings and I grab it, way too hastily. It’s Kate.

‘Hi.’ I greet in an over the top, chirpy voice. I don’t know why I bother. She sees straight through it.

‘Faking detachment, are we?’ she asks.

‘Yes.’

‘I thought so. Have you not heard from him?’

‘No.’

‘Liking monosyllables today, huh?’

‘Yes.’

She sighs heavily down the phone. ‘Whatever. Have you asked Victoria and Gayboy if they’re up for Saturday night?’

‘No. I will, though. I’ve just got back from a very strange meeting.’ I open my top drawer to grab a paperclip, noticing the calla lily squished down the side of my stapler.

‘Strange how?’ She’s intrigued.

‘I went to meet the developer of Lusso, well, one of them. He asked me to dinner. It was really uncomfortable.’ I grab the lily and chuck it in the bin quickly.

She laughs down the phone at me. ‘How old is this one?’

I bristle at her insinuation. He’s much older than Justin. How much older is unknown, but he’s definitely older. I’ll probably never know now, though. ‘Mid-forties I guess, but extremely handsome, in a Scandinavian kinda way.’ I shrug to myself while guiding my mouse aimlessly around the screen. He’s nowhere near Justin’s league, but he’s handsome, nonetheless.

‘You’re like a mature man magnet at the moment. Are you going?’

‘No!’ I screech. ‘Why would I?’

‘Why not?’ I can’t see her, but I know she has a questioning eyebrow arched.

‘No, I can’t, because I have a new rule…no mixing business with pleasure.’

‘MOVE!’ she screams, making me jump at my desk. ‘Sorry, some prat just cut me up. No mixing business with pleasure, ah?’

‘Yes. Are you driving and talking on your mobile, Miss Matthews?’ I challenge her. I know Margo doesn’t have a hands free kit.

‘Yeah, I’d better beat feet. See you at home. And don’t forget to tell Gay boy and Victoria the plans for Saturday.’

‘What are the plans?’ I blurt before she hangs up.

‘Get drunk, Baroque, eight o’clock.’

Get drunk. Yes, that’s a very good plan.

I leave the office at six with Tom and Victoria. ‘Saturday night, Guys?’

Tom stops abruptly, dramatically putting his palms out with a shocked expression on his smooth, baby face.

‘Oh my God, yes! I brought the most amazing coral shirt at lunch time. It’s divine!’

Victoria giggles, slapping his arse to push him onwards. ‘Where are we going?’ she asks.

‘Baroque at eight.’ I answer. ‘We’ll see where the night takes us.’

‘I’m in!’ Victoria sings at me. ‘But no g*y joints, Tom. It’s my turn to pull.’ she grumbles

Tom frowns. ‘What about me?’

‘You’ve had your feed. It’s my turn,’ she spits, ‘Besides, what about the scientist?’

‘You know, science is actually very boring.’ he grumbles.

We say our goodbyes at Green Park Station. I take Jubilee to Central, while Victoria and Tom hop on Piccadilly.

Chapter 17

‘Morning,’ I know I sound like a miserable cow, but I’m trying really hard not to be.

Tom looks up from his copy of Interiors Weekly and lowers his glasses to the end of his nose. ‘Darling, why the long face?’ he asks. I can’t even muster up the energy to plaster on a fake smile. I slump in my chair, and Tom’s sprawled across my desk, like mature ivy, within a second. ‘Here, this will cheer you up.’

He presents me with a feature in the magazine he’s reading and there, sat casually on the velvet chaise lounge at Lusso, is me. ‘Wonderful,’ I sigh. I don’t even bother reading it. I need to eradicate all things relating to Lusso from my mind.

‘Man trouble?’ He gives me a look of sympathy.

No, not man trouble – there’s no man to be having trouble with. I sulk. I knew it would be the last time I saw him. When he stalked off, I knew deep down that I wouldn’t see him again. I’ve not been checking my phone every ten minutes, I’ve not been mooding over it and I’m not twiddling my hair as I think this. I reluctantly admit…I really miss him. How ridiculous. He was a rebound f**k.

‘I’m fine,’ I find the strength to slap a smile on my face. ‘It’s Friday, I’m looking forward to getting plastered tomorrow night.’ I need a good night out.

‘Are we really getting plastered? Fabulous!’

My attention is turned to the office entrance when I hear the high pitched screech of Victoria.

‘Oh…my…God! You will not believe what I just saw.’ She’s on the verge of passing out.

Tom and I both look at her blankly. ‘What?’ we ask in unison.

‘So, I was in Starbucks, waiting for my double shot cappuccino with extra chocolate, and this guy walks in – I recognise him from somewhere. I’m not sure where, but he’s one hot piece of man. Anyway, he’s just stood there, minding his own, and this woman comes strutting in and tips a frappuccino all over him,’ She pauses to draw breath. ‘So, the woman starts screaming at him, calling him a lying, selfish arsehole, and then just walks out, leaving him dripping in frozen coffee and cream. It was all very dramatic.’

I sit and watch as Victoria recovers from her two breath commentary about the happenings of Starbucks on a Friday morning. Nothing like that ever happens when I’m in there.

‘It sounds like someone’s been a naughty boy,’ Tom smirks. ‘How hot was he?’

I roll my eyes. No doubt Tom would have flown to his rescue.

Victoria hands come up in front of her, palms forward. ‘We’re talking Men’s Vogue.’

‘No!’ Tom takes his glasses off. ‘Is he still there?’

She screws her pretty little face up. ‘No.’

Oh, this is ridiculous.

Patrick comes barrelling into the office. ‘Guys, have we any work to do, or is it fart around Friday?’ He passes us swiftly, heading into his office and shutting the door behind him.

‘You two, let’s get on with some work, shall we?’ I shoo them away from my desk.

‘Oh, I forgot.’ Tom swings around. ‘Van Der Haus called to say he’ll be back in London on Monday. He’ll call you upon his return. He’s emailing you the specifics and had these sent over. Is he hot?’ His eyebrows jump up suggestively as he hands me an envelope.

He’s the biggest g*y tart, but I’ll humour him. ‘Very.’ I take the drawings, widening my eyes for affect.

He screws his face up. ‘How come you get all the dishy clients?’ He walks back to his desk. ‘What I wouldn’t give to have an Adonis walk in here and throw me over his shoulder.’

I wince at Tom’s referral to Justin’s performance the last time I saw him and pull my phone out of my bag when it starts bleeping with a calendar reminder. Oh, my hairdresser’s appointment, tomorrow at noon. I forgot about that. Well, that’s improved my mood slightly. And I’ll be nicely groomed for our big night out. Perfect.

I work my way through heaps of quotations, delivery schedules and contractor requirements, before calling my live clients to check all is well. It is, apart from Mrs Peters swags and tails drama. An email lands from Mikael. I scan it quickly, deciding to look at it in more detail on Monday.

Sally comes scuttling up to my desk with a delivery. ‘Urm…I think this may be for you, Selena.’ She shifts from side to side with a box in her hand. ‘Do you want it?

What? Yes, I want it. If it’s a delivery for me, then I guess I want it. Oh, this girl is painfully anxious. I take the box from her hands.

‘Thank you, Sally. Will you make Patrick a coffee?’

‘I didn’t know he wanted one.’

Oh, the panic on her face has me wanting to make her a coffee. ‘Well, he doesn’t look right. Let’s look after him.’

‘Is he okay? He’s not ill, is he?’

‘No, but I think he could do with a coffee.’ I press, trying my hardest not to lose my patience.

‘Of course.’ She scuttles off, her brown plaid skirt swishing around her court shoes. I couldn’t even hazard a guess at her age. She looks about forty, but intuition tells me she’ll shock me and be nearer my age. I open the box and find all of the material swatches I ordered for The Life Building. I throw the box under my desk. I’ll deal with them on Monday too.

As six o’clock approaches, I pop my head around Patrick’s door. He really doesn’t look right.

‘Patrick, I’m off. Are you okay?’

He looks up from his computer and smiles, but his eyes don’t sparkle like usual. ‘I’m just feeling a little peaky, flower.’

‘You should go home.’ I’m worried.

‘I think I will.’ He heaves his big body up from behind his desk and turns his computer off. ‘Bloody woman’s fed me something dodgy.’ he mutters as he picks up his briefcase.

‘Everything’s been turned off. You just need to set the alarm.’

‘That’s good. Have a good weekend, flower. I’ll see you on Monday.’ He wipes the back of his hand over his sweating brow. There’s definitely something wrong.

‘Okay, see you on Monday.’

***

I stand in my bedroom ready to go. My hair is behaving – happy that it’s been blow dried into tumbling waves, courtesy of Philippe, my hairdresser – and the new dress I picked up from Selfridges was a panic buy to make me feel better but fits perfectly. It’s black, short and very tight. With dramatic, smudged eyes and nude lips, I’m looking pretty sultry.

I walk into the kitchen, finding Kate hanging out of the window having a sneaky fag. What’s she thinking about now? She looks her usual lovely self, in a cream backless dress.

‘Wow!’ she blurts. ‘Someone’s out to impress tonight.’ She jumps down from the worktop, slipping her feet into her gold heels. ‘Short enough?’

I arch an eyebrow at her, running my eyes down her dress. ‘Pot…’

She laughs her carefree laugh that never fails to bring a smile to my own face. ‘Here.’ She hands me a glass of wine. I take it gratefully, pretty much necking it. It’s very welcome. ‘The taxi’s here.’

I dump my empty on the side and follow Kate out to the taxi. I’m looking forward to my recovery night, but ignoring the fact that my recovery night is to recover from a few steamy encounters with a steamy male, and not to recover from the breakdown of my four year relationship with Matt. It’s ironic. I never felt the need to go out and get steaming drunk after my break up with Matt.

We walk into Baroque, spotting Tom and Victoria at the bar immediately.

‘What the hell?’ Tom exclaims, running his eyes up and down my black clad body on a grin. ‘Selena, you look lethal!’

‘Really good, Selena.’ Victoria adds.

It’s just a dress. ‘Thanks,’ I shrug, pulling the hem down.

‘What are you having?’ Kate asks.

Well, I’ve already had a glass of wine, so I guess I should stick. I did say I was going to have a good drink. ‘Rose, but make sure it’s Zinfandel, please.’

Kate orders the drinks, and we make our way to a tall table near the DJ. Tom’s wearing his new coral shirt and too tight jeans – he may as well have g*y tattooed on his forehead, and Victoria looks as pretty as always. Everyone’s really made an effort tonight, me included. Why is that?

As the wine flows down, my troubled thoughts flow away. We’re laughing and chatting, and I’m beginning to feel normal again. I feel foot loose and fancy free. I like it. My Mum has always said “Alcohol makes for loose lips and loose lips sink ships”. This, I have just discovered, is most certainly true because I’m totally lit up, and I’ve filled everyone in on recent events. Considering I wanted to forget about it, I’m doing a bloody good job of hanging on to the memories.

Tom is thrilled about all of the rebound sex I’ve had. ‘So, he just stalked off and you haven’t seen him since?’ he asks critically.

Victoria pipes up. ‘That’s really un-cool.’

Kate rolls her eyes, looking at the pair like they’re a sandwich short of a picnic. ‘Isn’t it obvious?’ she huffs. Tom and Victoria look at each other, then to me. I shrug. Is what obvious? Kate shakes her head. ‘You lot are dense. It’s simple…he wants her. No man behaves like that over a quick screw. I’ve told you this, Selena.’

‘Why would he disappear then?’ Victoria leans in, truly captivated by Kate’s explanation for Justin’s behaviour.

‘I don’t know! I’m just saying. I’ve witnessed the chemistry. It’s way off the scales.’ Kate flops back on her tall chair in complete exasperation.

I laugh. I’m not sure if it’s too much wine, but that’s just…funny. ‘It doesn’t matter. He was a rebound f**k and that’s it.’ My explanation doesn’t seem to satisfy because they all carry on studying me with doubtful looks on their faces. I don’t even think I’m satisfied with my explanation, but it’s been four days and I’ve resisted the overwhelming temptation to call him. Besides, he hasn’t called me or made any further appointments, so that pretty much says it all. I’m moving on. I’m just massively pissed off with myself for relenting to his persistence, putting him in the position to drop me – and he has.

‘Oh, can we change the subject, please?’ I snap. ‘I’m out to enjoy myself, not to analyse the details of my rebound f**k.’

Tom stirs his pina colada. ‘You know, everything happens for a reason.’

‘Oh, don’t start with all that airy fairy crap!’ Kate chides him.

‘It does. I’m a firm believer in it. Your rebound f**k is a stepping stone to the love of your life.’ He winks at me.

‘And Matt was a four year stepping stone.’ Kate points out.

‘To stepping stones,’ Tom sings.

Kate joins the toast. ‘And shots!’

I finish my wine and raise my glass in agreement.

‘Yes, shots!’ Tom shouts, dancing off to the bar.

We sway down the road to our next destination, The Blue Bar. We make it past the doormen, although one does eye Tom’s shirt suspiciously. Tom and Victoria charge for the dance floor when they hear Flo Rida and Sia singing about Wild Ones, leaving Kate and I to get the drinks.

I order a round and take Tom and Victoria’s over, putting them on a ledge nearby under their instruction. The dancing is that serious; they could be some time. When I join Kate back at the bar, she’s talking to a man. She doesn’t know him. I can tell because she’s notched up her flirting by a few gears.

As I approach, she raises her voice over the music. ‘Selena, this is Greg.’

I smile, putting my hand out politely. He looks normal enough. ‘Hi, nice to meet you,��

‘Yeah, and you. This is my mate, Alex.’ He signals to a cute, dark haired guy next to him.

‘Hi,’ I shout.

He smiles confidently. ‘You wanna drink?’

‘No, thanks, I’ve just got one.’ Rule number one: Never accept drinks from strangers. Dan’s drilled it into me since I started going out.

‘Nah problem,’ He shrugs.

Kate and Greg move away from us, leaving me and Alex to make conversation. I didn’t really want this. I came out to be rid of men in general. Now I’ve been lumbered with one.

‘What do ya do?’ Alex asks me.

‘Interior design, you?’

‘Estate agent,’

I inwardly groan. I have an aversion to estate agents – cocky, over confident, gold plated salesmen. Alex is all of these, with the added bonus of a dodgy cockney accent.

‘Nice.’ I say, because he’s just lost all of my interest, not that there was any in the first place.

‘Yeah, got myself a few grand bonus taday. Give me a shit pit and I’ll sell it, nah problem. I’m living it large in Landon and laving it.’ Oh God, slime ball! ‘Ya fancy going out samtime?’

NO! ‘Thanks, but I’m in a relationship.’ It’s a good job Cockney doesn’t know me and my bad habit. I’m twiddling my hair frantically.

‘Ya sure?’ he asks, inching closer and stroking my arm.

I pull away, planning my escape. ‘Positive.’ I smile sweetly, looking around for Kate.

Within the space of time it takes me to raise my glass to my lips, Cockney quickly disappears from my line of vision. It takes me a few seconds to piece together the events that are unfolding before my eyes, but when I do, I’m appalled.

Justin has Cockney in a firm grip around his neck and pinned up against a pillar.

Chapter 18

‘Keep your f**king hands to yourself.’ Justin snarls at a poor, startled Cockney. He doesn’t know what’s hit him. I feel bad; he was only trying his luck. I would have dealt with it. Where did he come from? This is all I need on my night out, supposedly free from arrogant men. Or not so, it would appear. He’s left me for four days wondering what happened, and now he’s turned up, out of the blue, raging like a wild bull. Has he even calmed down from Tuesday?

‘I’m sorry mate. I didn’t mean any offence. Your girlfriend and I were just chatting about shit, ya know.’ Cockney explains, completely panicked.

Girlfriend? Oh! I want to advise poor cockney that I’m not even the girlfriend of the maniac pinning him up by his throat, but judging by Justin’s obvious mood, I’ll decline at the risk of pissing him off further.

‘Justin, let go of him, he wasn’t doing anything.’

Cockney looks at me gratefully. He knows I’m stretching the truth. A few more seconds, and I’m pretty sure I would have been throwing a drink over him. I gently stroke Justin’s arm in an attempt to calm him down, ignoring his warm firmness. He looks like he could explode with anger. I’m pissed. How dare he turn up and trample all over my recovery night.

‘What’s going on?’ Kate arrives next to me.

‘Nothing,’ I snap. ‘Justin, let him go.’

He doesn’t appear to be listening. What am I supposed to do with this? I don’t want to see him. I’m feeling derailed already, and he hasn’t even looked at me yet. I can hardly walk away and leave poor Cockney to bear the brunt of Justin’s unjustified rage. Where the bloody hell has he been for four days?

I’m beyond relieved when Sam turns up on the scene. ‘Sam, please sort your twat of a friend out,’ I turn towards Kate. ‘Come on.’

Kate’s eyes light up like The Blackpool Illuminations at Sam’s unexpected arrival. I hear Sam calmly coaxing Justin from Cockneys throat as I drag Kate away, heading for the dance floor.

‘What was all that about?’ she asks.

‘Don’t. What happened to Greg?’

‘He was a total dick. Come on, let’s dance.’

Tom and Victoria welcome us with waving arms as we join them on the dance floor. I’ve been thrown off guard by Justin turning up. Is this a coincidence, or did he know I would be here? How could he know? I was having a great night, not having thought about him for at least an hour. That’s a record for the last four days. Damn it!

I push Justin out of my mind and soon let The Source & Candi Staton take me to a better place. I love this track.

After half an hour and a string of some great tracks, I haven’t seen or heard from Justin. Sam must have ejected him, or maybe the doormen did. Either way, I’m free to resume the great night it had been up until Justin crashed in. I signal to Kate that I’m going to the toilet, smiling when she acknowledges with a shimmy and a laugh.

As I exit the cubicle, I fish my nude lipstick out of my bag to re-apply, and check my phone to find ten missed calls from Justin. What? Oh, he’s angry all right. But what on earth has he got to be mad about? Any pangs of Justin withdrawal have been extinguished by his unreasonable behaviour. Who does he think he is? I don’t dwell on it, though. I clear the missed calls, making my way back to the dance floor, only to find the others making their way to the bar.

‘Drink!’ Tom clenches his throat in an exaggerated signal of thirst.

It’s Victoria’s round. As I wait for her to get served, a wave of unease washes over me. He’s still here. I know it.

She hands me my drink, her mouth gaping open. ‘Oh…my…God!’

I take my wine. ‘What?’

‘That guy, the one in Starbucks I was telling you about,’ she explains, nodding over my shoulder. ‘There he is. I told you he was yummy.’

I turn in the direction of Victoria’s stare and find her looking at Sam. But that’s not what catches my attention. Every fine air on the back of my neck prickles when I see Justin leaning against the very pillar he had poor Cockney pinned up against, not an hour ago. His severe stare is piercing me, while Sam and the other guy from The Manor, Drew, are busy chatting and drinking. Justin’s not engaging in the conversation, though. No, he’s stood there looking as angry as he did earlier, drilling holes right into me. Victoria’s information suddenly filters into my brain.

I turn back to her. ‘What happened?’

She looks vague as she hands drinks to Kate and Tom. They accept, swiftly returning to the floor. ‘What happened where?’ she asks on a frown.

I roll my eyes. She’s so dim sometimes. ‘Starbucks, what happened?’

‘Oh.’ She’s back in the game. ‘She just walked in, started screaming and shouting, and lobbed a coffee over the poor bloke.’

‘What did she say?’

‘Oh, I can’t remember. She called him a selfish, cheating something or other.’ she flips casually. Sam has a girlfriend? I’ll have to warn Kate, she seems to like him. ‘Hey, he’s with the guy who hoofed you out of the office.’

‘Yeah, listen, keep that to yourself, okay?’

She frowns at me. ‘What?’

‘I mean the flying coffee. And while we’re at it, not a word to Patrick about the hoofing either.’

She shrugs. ‘Whatever. Oh, I love this song. Selena, come on.’

I watch as Victoria dances her way back through the crowd, but I can’t move. I can feel his eyes burning into my back. I know I should just walk away, but the magnet affect he has on me sets me turning towards him instead. He has his phone in his hand, and he waves it in the air in a kind of look gesture. I don’t know why I do, but I do. I get my phone from my bag, and not so much to my surprise, Justin’s name is illuminating my screen. I glance back up, seeing him put his phone to his ear. He wants me to answer it.

The loud music around me fades out into a dull base, pulsing in my ears, and the hum of laughing and chatting diminishes into a low mumble of sound around me. I’m being swallowed up by his eyes. I’m completely immobilised. My senses are assaulted by the presence of Justin Ward, the sight of him triggering all the memories of his voice, his smell, his touch. The unforgiving power he holds over me is playing the Devil’s advocate with my intelligence, and my heart is hammering a wild, uneven beat in my ears.

I watch as he lowers his phone from his ear, shaking his head. He starts towards me. I see Sam look in my direction as Justin leaves their group, Drew flipping his eyes up too. They both look uneasy at Justin’s obvious target.

I momentarily recapture my senses when Sam grabs Justin’s arm to pull him back, but gets shoved out of the way. The music and activity crashes back into my brain. I plead with my legs to listen to the sensible side of my brain and take me away from here before my stupid side allows me to fall victim to his physical magnetism again. I abandon my drink on the bar and kick my legs into action, bolting through the crowd, knocking people out of the way, as my retreat becomes fraught with the need to make it to the safety of the toilets. No contact and no derailment. Hazardous doesn’t quite cover it. He’s proved tonight exactly why I need to avoid him like the plague.

I throw the cubicle door shut, fighting to secure the latch as he pushes against the other side, hindering my attempts to keep him away. My adrenalin is pumping. For the briefest of moments, I think I’ve managed to block his access because the resistance on the other side eases, but not enough to for me to get the lock engaged.

‘Selena, I’m coming in or you’re coming out. I don’t want to hurt you, but if you don’t stop fighting me, I’ll break the f**king door down.’ His breathing is heavy.

Resting my back against the door, I try to get some air into my lungs. I look up around me. I’m cornered. You would think I would be safe in the ladies. I can’t look at him, I’ll cave if he gets is hands on me. I need not to be in this f**king position! How did I get myself in the situation? I jump when the bang of a fist on the door resonates through me.

‘God damn it, Selena!’ Bang! ‘Selena, please.’

I repeatedly jolt forward under the thumps of Justin’s fist. I’m screwed. ‘Go away, please!’ I shout.

His fist collides with the door again. ‘No, f**k. Selena!’

I just have to leave. He won’t restrain me in such a public place. I need to walk away. Block it out…block him out. There’s silence. I hold my breath. Has he gone? I stand quietly for a few minutes, my eyes darting around the small cubicle, constantly looking up to check he’s not coming over the top. He’s gone. I stupidly relax against the door.

Within in two seconds flat, I’m thrust forward and he’s in. When I turn around, there’s less than a foot between us, and the first thing I notice is his rapid breathing, his black shirt lifting with the rise and fall of his chest. I stare at his jeans. If I look up at his handsome face, I’m at an instant disadvantage.

‘Selena, look at me.’ he demands harshly. I clap my hands over my ears, lowering myself to the toilet seat. I need to block it all out. ‘Selena, why are you doing this?’ he asks.

Oh, how long have I got to sit here and block it all out? I start humming in my head as I stare down at the floor. I feel his hands clap around my wrists, pulling my hands away from my ears. His touch heats my skin. Why does he think I’m doing this?

‘I don’t want to do this in the toilets of a bar, Selena.’

‘Then don’t.’ I try to regain possession of my hands but, as usual, he overpowers me. ‘Please, just let me walk away.’

He slowly crouches down in front of me, still holding my wrists. ‘Never.’ he whispers.

The tears in my eyes spill over, splashing the top of my bare knees. ‘Why are you doing this to me?’

He clenches my jaw, pulling it up so I have no choice but to look at him. His eyes are glazed. ‘Doing what?’

Oh, the arsehole. His impudence knows no bounds. I use my free hand to roughly brush the dampness away from my cheeks, suddenly horrified that I am, yet again, crying all over him.

‘You persistently pursued me, bombarded me with calls and texts, f**ked me into oblivion and threw a wobbly when I re-arranged our meeting. You stormed off four days ago, and I’ve not heard from you since!’ I pull my other hand from his grasp. ‘Now, you turn up, trampling all over my recovery night.’

He’s the one to look away now, he’s ashamed. ‘Watch your mouth.’ he murmurs.

Watch my mouth? After all that, he tells me to watch my mouth? He’s impossible!

‘Fuck off, Justin.’ I spit.

His head snaps up. ‘Mouth!’

I look at him in shock, and he scowls at me, his frown line deep on his forehead. I can’t cope with this. I’ve had four days to put my encounters with this man down to experience and rebound f**king. I was well on my way to forgetting him – kind of. Why is he here refreshing it all for me? I knew I should’ve stayed away. I could kick myself.

I stand up in front of him, leaving him crouching, but he reaches up and clasps behind my bare legs. The fear of his evocative touch is completely warranted. I’m immediately on guard. The heat emanating from his palms is spreading like wild fire through my blood stream, and there is no way to free myself from it. The toilet is behind me and he’s blocking the door.

‘Let me go, Justin.’ I grate, with all the firmness my quivering vocal cords will allow.

He looks up at me. ‘No.’

‘You seemed to manage just fine on Tuesday.’

He pushes himself up to his feet, sliding his palms up the backs of my legs as he does. It sparks a vicious bang between my legs. ‘I was mad.’ he says quietly as he looms over me.

‘You’re still mad. Did you know I would be here?’ I ask. He stares down at me, but he doesn’t answer. ‘You knew I would be here, didn’t you?’ I push.

‘Sam.’ he offers, completely unashamed.

‘Sam?’

His face is poker straight. ‘He rang Kate.’

‘She never said!’ I cry in despair. The devious cow! I can’t believe she’s done this to me. There will be some seriously strong words exchanged when I get my hands on her.

‘I’m going to kiss you now.’ It’s that tone, and I know I’m doomed. ‘You’re lucky, because if I had you anywhere else, you would be getting a reminder...right...about... now.’

I gasp as he takes the one step forward that’s needed to close the gap between us. With the toilet behind me, there’s no retreating space.

‘I like your dress,’ he murmurs, stroking my bare arm with his finger tip. ‘It’s too short, but I like it.’ He leans down, nuzzling my neck on a groan. My knees buckle. Damn him. And damn me too.

My eyes close without command, my head turning into his hot breath on my neck, my willpower scattered to the wind, just like that. It’s impossible. He’s impossible.

I feel him crouch slightly, his arm creeping under my backside, and with one effortless pull, he straightens his legs and lifts me from the floor. I’m secure against his chest and looking down into his eyes.

Game over. In a tiny toilet cubicle, I’ve absolutely no hope.

‘Do you have any idea what you do to me?’ His husky voice breaks as he looks up at me. ‘I’m a f**king mess.’

He’s a mess? That’s rich! He releases his grip on me slightly, causing me to slide down his body until our lips meet. He swings me around, pinning me up against the back of the door. I don’t have time to be concerned by our location; I’m too busy searching for the willpower to stop this. His tongue brushes across the seam of my closed lips, tempting them open, and I’m furious with myself for responding. But I should know by now…it’s unavoidable. I open to him like I always do, meeting his tongue with mine, clamping my hands in his hair.

Groaning deep and low in his throat, he locks his free hand around the base of my neck to hold me in place as he pushes his body further into mine. Our mouths are fused and our tongues colliding, rolling and stabbing together. This is a possessive, demanding kiss, and I’m back to square one. With just one kiss, I’ve surrendered. I’m weak and desperate.

He breaks away, leaving me panting and feeling the violent rise of his chest pressing against my breast bone. His forehead meets mine and my nostrils are instantly invaded with his minty breath.

‘There she is.’ he pants surely.

‘Yes, you got me again.’

He smiles slightly, circling his nose with mine. ‘I missed you, baby.’

‘Why did you go then?’

‘I’ve no idea.’ He plants a lingering kiss on my lips and lets me slide down his body.

I feel the undeniable hard ridge of an arousal as I slip past his groin. He’s being very reasonable, especially considering his current hard condition. I look up at him, finding a dark smile playing at the corners of his lips.

‘I should force you to sort this out.’ He places his hand over his crotch and my eyes widen in shock. Fuck, I probably would as well. He bashes down all of my defences and tramples my rational thinking. He has a frightening effect on me. ‘But I’m not having you on your knees in here. We’ll make friends properly later.’

I’m not sure if I’m disappointed or relieved. He opens the door, manoeuvring so I can leave. I walk out to be immediately confronted by two wide eyed women. They start talking about anything and everything, looking anywhere and everywhere, except at me. But then Justin makes an appearance and they can’t hide their blatant interest. They both stand with their lipsticks half way to their lips, gawking in the reflection of the mirror at the magnificent male who has emerged from the cubicle behind me.

I turn to Justin. ‘I need to sort my face out. I’ll see you out there.’

‘You face is perfect as it is.’ he reassures me softly.

I can’t help but smile. ‘I won’t be long.’

With no regard for the women still gawping at him, he walks over and kisses my forehead, looking at the dumbstruck women in the mirror. ‘Ladies,’ He nods, they swoon, and then he’s gone.

I shuffle over to the mirror to sort my face out, the silence painful as I re-apply face powder, eye liner and lipstick. In other words, I basically re-do my whole face; it’s a tear stained mess. I do all of this in an uncomfortable silence, as the two women shoot each other questioning glances every so often.

When I’m done, I wash my hands, smile sweetly and leave, hearing them coo and melt all over the ladies bathroom. I escape and find Justin waiting for me outside. He holds his hand out on a smile. Of course, I take it, letting him lead me to the bar. I scan the dance floor as he pushes his way through the crowd, making a clear path by holding his spare arm out. I see Kate, Tom and Victoria, all still busting their moves.

s: norm�6�

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