“Sure, that’s what they all say.”
Stella refilled their glasses and kissed Lisa on her cheek. She was feeling a little tipsy herself, but she had the day off tomorrow, so it didn’t matter. The banter between Fergi and Ebony was amusing, and she was sure there was some mutual interest there, even though Ebony claimed she wanted nothing to do with him in the romantic sense. The way they bounced off each other and kept glancing in each other’s direction almost bordered on flirtation. It was something she never sensed between people before, but she did now.
65
“Thank you for being so nice and welcoming to Fergi and Ebony.” Lisa was lying in Stella’s arms, tired but happy after a long day of socialising. Stella’s warm naked body against her own felt wonderful and the steady sound of her breathing was soothing. “They had a really nice time and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
“You don’t need to thank me. It’s easy; I like them.” Stella trailed a finger over Lisa’s breast, then circled her nipple. She smiled when it rose to attention and moved down to run her tongue over it.
“Don’t tempt me,” Lisa warned her. “I won’t be able to be quiet and I don’t want my brother to hear me. That would be…” She moaned softly when Stella sucked it hard into her mouth, stinging her sensitive skin in the most delicious way. “That would be so awkward.”
“He won’t. I just went to get water and he wasn’t on the sofa, which means he’s downstairs in Ebony’s room.”
Within a split second, Lisa sat up. “I don’t believe that,” she said with a frown.
“It’s true. He wasn’t there.”
“Then he probably went back up to the roof. Ebony has no interest in him; she’d never let him sleep in her bed.”
Stella chuckled, got up and put on a dressing gown. “Want to come and check with me?”
“Sure.” Lisa grabbed her own dressing gown and locked the bedroom door behind her so the dogs wouldn’t follow them. They snuck up the stairs, past the living room where indeed, the sofa was empty, then continued up to the kitchen and saw the door to the roof terrace was open. When she heard whispers and giggles coming from the seating area, she quickly grabbed Stella’s wrist to stop her from going outside. Ebony and Fergi were sitting close together, their silhouettes visible in the vague light of the candles that they’d relit.
“Mmm… You’re a good kisser,” she heard Ebony say in a sultry voice, and her brother mumbled something in return.
“Confession?” he said, a little louder.
“Go on.” Ebony draped her legs over his lap.
“Let’s go back to bed, we shouldn’t be listening in.” Stella tried to pull Lisa away from the kitchen, but she shook her head, wide-eyed with curiosity.
“No, I want to hear what he has to say.”
“But it’s—”
“Shhh…” Lisa placed a finger over Stella’s lips and turned her attention back to the couple outside.
“I’ve had a crush on you for years,” her brother said a little awkwardly. “But I never dared to tell you how I felt.”
“Then why are you telling me now?” Ebony asked.
“I’ve had a lot of time to think in hospital and during my recovery,” Lisa heard Fergi say. “I guess I’ve taken a good look at my life and realised I want to do things differently now. I like you and I’ve got nothing to lose, so what’s the worst thing that can happen? You could laugh in my face, but I’ve survived worse things.”
“Well, I’m not laughing.” Ebony sounded emotional and Lisa knew she was in the wrong by listening in, yet she couldn’t help herself. “And I’m glad you told me because I feel the same.”
At that, Lisa and Stella exchanged surprised looks, and Lisa slammed her hand in front of her mouth to stifle a gasp.
“In fact,” Ebony continued, “I’ve thought about messaging you a couple of times. Just in random moments, you know, after too many drinks. I don’t know why I didn’t. I suppose I did find you a little immature.”
“I was. But I mean it when I say I’ve changed. My priorities have shifted.” Fergi hesitated. “So, if I asked you out again, would you say yes?”
“Why don’t you kiss me again and I’ll think about it,” Ebony said in a playful tone. When she straddled his lap, Lisa swiftly turned around and headed for the stairs.
“Gross, I don’t want to see my brother like that,” she whispered over her shoulder.
“So, you’ve seen and heard enough?” Stella laughed as they fell back into bed.
“Yeah, really I wish I could erase that last part from my memory.”
