“We? You mean you’re not kicking me out on my ass? You want to do this thing?” Alex questioned, incredulous now.
“Of course I do, you numpty!” Grace laughed at his uncertainty.
“The dating, not the sex? How long do you normally wait? I mean, what’s normal?” It had been a long time since he had been in this situation. He wanted to get this right.
“Just for now yes, and I don’t know how long. A month maybe? But that doesn’t mean we can’t do other things. I’m a great fan of exploring the bases. Well the first few, anyway.” Grace looked up at him through long, thick eyelashes, the smile spreading wide across her face.
“Oh, I am familiar with the bases! I like the bases. Bases are good, right? But I think we’ve covered firstbase, haven’t we?” Moving in closer he clasped his hand around the back of her neck, pulling her into his embrace again.
Smiling against his mouth as he continued the slow onslaught of kisses, she spoke quietly. “I would say first and second base for you, anyway. I think I’m a little behind.”
“Well, I think we need to even the score a little, don’t you?” Alex bit her plump bottom lip gently, teasing her as he guided her hand towards his chest. “I’m all yours, baby. Explore.”
Grace did just that, letting her hands roam across his firm, tight chest and overly carved abdomen. They spent the next hour curled up together on the very small sofa, talking, giggling madly and covering second base thoroughly.
“What are you doing tomorrow? Can we spend the day together?” Placing her hand on his face she rubbed her thumb over his stubble as she waited for him to answer.
“You’re asking me on a date! Well, that’s a first. I would love to spend the whole weekend with you, babe. Come stay with me, please. In the spare room I mean – taking it slowly!” He ran his hand through her hair; brushing it back from her face he tucked the stray strands behind her ear.
“Okay, I will stay in your spare room...for now!” Grace winked at him as he resumed his gentle exploration of second base.
“I think I should get going. Shall I pick you up or are you gonna drive over in the morning?” Alex began to move out from next to Grace, righting himself on the well worn sofa.
“Well...you could stay here and we could have breakfast together then I’ll let you drive me over.” She sheepishly toyed with her fingers as she spoke, not daring to lift her gaze to meet his now, ever hopeful she could sway him.
“Whoa! What happened to taking it slow? Unless you’re hiding a spare room somewhere then...” He ran his hand through his mop of hair.
“Well, you could sleep in my bed. It doesn’t mean we would have to do anything, does it?” She was now regretting her earlier little-miss-innocent routine; she really didn’t want their night to end anytime soon.
“Grace, I don’t trust myself to sleep in your bed and not touch you, rush you into something you’re not ready for. You said a month, so a month it is. I want to do this properly. I really want this to work and if I have to wait then that’s what’s going to happen. Ring me when you wake. I want to come pick you up like a proper boyfriend. That is what I am now, isn’t it?”
Grace nodded, smiling gently at his confusion as he sat before her asking for clarity on their newly formed relationship. Standing he held out his hand to help her up. Unable to resist the stunning girl that stood before him he wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her body against him, planting gentle velvet kisses on her forehead, nose and mouth as he held her in his embrace. “Night, beautiful. Ring me as soon as you open your eyes. I want to have breakfast with my girlfriend.”
Watching him leave, Grace hugged herself, unable to believe he had just called her his girlfriend. She felt dizzy with the revelation but couldn’t help the feeling of rejection that was now slowly creeping through her veins. Why had she made the stupid comment about not rushing into anything? It wasn’t like she normally withheld anything but somehow she felt that things with Alex were different.
As his car disappeared out of view, Grace locked the door and began clearing up before heading off to bed. It was going to be a long night.
The feeling of absolute elation that was currently coursing through his veins was unbelievable. This beat anything he had ever experienced before. Even getting their first recording deal couldn’t compare to the pure joy he felt now. She had finally succumbed to his advances and he knew no better emotion. Turning the stereo up to a deafening level he tapped out the beat on the steering wheel whilst pushing the pedal to the metal, enjoying the sensation the car created as he sped through the dark night. It couldn’t compare to riding his bikes but it came a very close second.
Alex was lost in the music emanating from the speakers as he pulled up at the traffic lights. Rocking his head back and forth, he got carried away and sang the lyrics loudly. His powerful voice totally drowned out the radio with his rendition. Glancing to his righthe became acutely aware of the couple now waiting in the car beside him. Recognising him instantly, they sat with ear splitting grins, watching in amazement as he carried on his private performance. When the song ended the girl clapped giddily in the car opposite. Alex tipped his head in an acknowledging nod before flooring the car again. Speeding ahead, he was all too eager to create some distance between him and the impromptu audience. He knew it wouldn’t be long before his little performance went viral on some internet site, but right now he couldn’t care less. He was acutely happy. Christ, if they’d asked him to he would have stood on the street corner and performed if it meant he could feel how he did tonight.
His thoughts slipped back to Grace as he drove back to the lighthouse. Beautiful, sweet, innocent Grace. As his mind replayed the evening back to him his body began to respond. He was in awe of this girl, the way she knew her own mind, remaining so unimpressed by his lifestyle and success. Chuckling to himself he hit the hands-free button, calling up her number. She answered almost immediately. Just hearing her voice filled him with elation. “Night, babe.” He could hear the sigh slip from her mouth before she spoke.
“You’re mental! Sweet dreams, Alex.” Her voice danced over the words.
Oh, they would be. He could almost guarantee that they would be filled with images of the stunning girl that had captured his heart in a way no-one else had ever done.
Alex woke early the next morning, something which was unusual for him. Being on the road a lot he rarely woke before the afternoon, needing to save his energy for the band’s late night gigs. He had forgotten how much he enjoyed the early morning air; so much fresher. Climbing out of bed he grabbed his phone before pulling on last night’s underwear. As he made his way to the Juliet balcony, pulling open the doors, he stood looking out over the ocean. He ran a hand through his messed up hair. Glancing at his phone he was distraught to see he had a missed call from Grace. He had forgotten to take his phone off vibrate last night. Shit! Pressing the redial button he prayed she would answer. After all the work he had put in over the last few days he couldn’t mess it up now. Not after last night.
Breathing a sigh of relief as she answered the phone he could only apologise as he explained the error of his ways. Giggling softly she forgave him before ordering him to get in the car, informing himthat she was starving and he had after all promised her breakfast with her boyfriend. Alex’s heart literally skipped a beat as the ‘b’ word escaped her mouth. His breath hitched in his throat as he spoke. “On my way, baby.”
After directing him down meandering streets towards the main street, Alex could feel the familiar panic rising in his chest. Grace directed him to a parking space. Killing the engine he turned to face the girl who sat there with a huge grin across her face. “My favourite restaurant. They do a mean breakfast menu here. You ready?” Leaning in she planted a soft kiss on his lips before turning to open the car door.
“Hang on a minute, are you serious? I can’t go in there. Really, I can’t go in. I cannot go in that place.” Scrubbing his hands over his face he tried to rub away the tension that was slowly building. “Grace, I’ll get recognised. It’s packed with students. They’re gonna rush us, want autographs. They’ll start to hassle the both of us, take pictures of me eating. You will be plastered all over tomorrow’s papers. Come back to mine, I’ll cook you a mean breakfast. Please, Grace.” He pleaded with her now as the all too recognisable black spots began to swim in front of his eyes. His fingers were beginning to go numb as he grasped the steering wheel too tightly.
“Are you for real? Nobody is going to look twice at you. Stick your cap on, cover your arms and I can guarantee they won’t even notice you. Come on, for me, please?” Squeezing his hand before she exited the car, she took her place on the pavement, waiting for him to join her. Glancing around the surrounding street he took a deep breath as he left the car. Only for her would he endure this agony.
“If anyone as much as looks at me we are outta there.” Grumbling, he grabbed her hand tightly, all the time scanning the backdrop for crazed fans who may or may not be lurking in the shadows.
