Father, forgive me for what I’m about to... Helplessly, I fall to my knees in a praying position. But this time, I have no rosary beads, and I’m definitely not saying any Hail Marys. Unzipping my jeans, I dive a hand into my knickers and start rubbing, envisioning Dain slipping in and out of me with his amazing-looking cock.Oh yes, like that, like that,I moan silently; and within seconds, I come without warning, collapsing against the bedframe, my hand still wedged in my jeans.
A little shocked at the violence of my orgasm, I freshen up with a washcloth soaked in cold water and go back out, only to find Dain still in the kitchen, leaning against the counter and sipping his tea.
‘What were you doing?’ he asks. ‘Exercising?’
I press a hand to my forehead to discover it’s hot and bathed in sweat.
‘Um, no, some last-minute tweaking to my thesis structure. It’s causing me a bit of stress.’
‘I’m happy to look at it if you want.’
‘Uh, thanks, but I think I’ve managed to tame the beast.’ I laugh, but it sounds unnatural to my ears.
Dain finishes his tea and places his mug in the sink.
‘Speaking of beasts, I think I might go and buy some steak for tonight, to celebrate our new plumbing. Tell me, how do you like your meat?’
My cheeks flush as I remember him standing in the bath.I like it erect and soapy ...
I cough. ‘Oh, uh, m-medium rare, thanks,’ I stutter.
Dain grins at me. Oh no, he’s not stupid. Does he know I spied on him?
Chapter 19
She put up her hand to clasp his neck,
and bring her cheek to his as he held her.
(Emily Brontë,Wuthering Heights)
Two mornings later, I manage to wash my hair. It’s a hash job in the kitchen sink as the plumber and his cohorts have taken over the upstairs bathroom.
I haven’t seen Dain since the night of our steak dinner, which I stuttered and blushed through. Yes, my conscience made an appearance. I felt wholly ashamed of myself—first, for spying on him; second, for having the audacity to pleasure myself like a brazen hussy while he was in the Very. Next. Room. What on earth was I thinking? I need to stop reading his books!
Dain, bless him, attempted to keep the conversation going. But it kept sputtering out like a candle in a draft, thanks to my embarrassment. After dinner, I said I’d do the dishes, and he vacated to the parlour without a word. Now there’s a weird, strained atmosphere between us, and he’s obviously avoiding me. He must’ve somehow guessed I saw him naked in a compromising position because I’m acting so weird. Unless Tabby told him—that snitch!
The hammering, grunting, and general noise pollution in the house is making it difficult to work. So in the afternoon, I take myself off into Haworth to go shopping. I’m desperately in need of something to wear to this faculty function tomorrow night. It’s not a flash event, only a postgraduate meet and greet for students, lecturers, and various other stakeholders. But still, I can’t turn up in jeans and a hoodie as it’s being held in a fancy art deco hotel.
Haworth doesn’t have a huge selection of clothing shops, but there is one selling vintage items on the high street that is eclectic and quirky, so I head there first. While I’m browsing through the racks and idly wondering if Dain shops here, the door dings open; and Joelle breezes in, holding a cake box. She greets the shop owner cheerfully and lingers, chatting with her at the counter. Great, just what I need—Dain’s beautiful ex-girlfriend making me feel inferior. I swivel and pretend to inspect a real fur coat that smells like mothballs. But I’m the only customer in the shop; and my chestnut hair—now that I’ve washed it—is long, curly, and conspicuous.
‘Lizzy? Is that you?’ Joelle’s voice sounds from behind my hunched right shoulder.
I turn and feign surprise. ‘Oh, hi!’ I say, smiling at her a bit too brightly. This is the first time I’ve seen Joelle out from behind the counter, and I note we’re face to face, so we must be about the same height. She looks as willowy and pretty as ever and somewhat witchy due to silver hoop earrings and a black bat-winged jersey top that matches her perfectly applied inky eyeliner.
‘You didn’t come back into the café, so I thought you’d left to go back to Oxford. How’re things? I was dropping off a birthday cake.’ She nods towards the owner, who’s lifted the lid on the box and is checking the contents.
I finger the coat, wondering how much to divulge, and decide to keep it brief. As Gareth said, Haworth is a small town.
‘Nope, still here. I’ve enrolled in a PhD at Leeds Uni. So I’m staying here while I research my thesis.’
‘Ooh, I take it you’re doing it on the Brontës?’
I nod, and Joelle claps her hands together. ‘Fantastic! You and your boyfriend are so clever.’
Great. Even though I haven’t mentioned Klint, she’s assumed he’s here too. I wonder what she’d say if she knew I was living with Dain.
I mutter something non-committal and randomly pull out what I think is a dress. But it’s a black lace-up satin corset.
