His rough palm strokes the hair back from my face. “I’m glad. We can watch them together this year.” He puffs on his joint. “At least I can give you one of your firsts.”
My centre tingles, making me wish I’d saved all my firsts for him. “You can introduce me to all the old classics.” I tease with a bite of my lip.
He quirks another grin. “Carry on, petal, and I will tickle you until you’re screaming for mercy.”
“Don’t make threats like that. I want you to tickle me, remember? Especially in a certain place between my thighs.”
He shifts underneath my head. “You don’t give up, do you? What happened to that toy I bought you? Isn’t it enough for your insatiable pussy?”
Another giggle escapes me, the effects of the spliff relaxing us both.
“Got the giggles now, Vi?” He rests his palm on my stomach, over the thick hoodie I’m wearing.
I stroke the back of his hand with my fingernails, enjoying the closeness of being with him in a platonic way, despite the protest from my vagina. He interlaces our fingers, then brings the joint to his lips using his other hand.
“Do you know what this is called?”
“No.”
“Violet Delight.”
“Come again?” I exhale, letting the smoke spiral above me.
“The gear, it’s called Violet Delight. A personal favourite of mine.”
A giggle rocks my chest. “What a coincidence. Was it a favourite of my mother’s too?”
“She didn’t smoke. I told you she was a good girl.”
“Ah yes, the celestial angel that can do no wrong.” My voice is a little condescending, but I don’t mean it to be. I just get sick of competing with her. I’ve had to compete with people my whole life and now I’m competing with a fucking ghost.
“You don’t need to be jealous of your mother.” Kane takes another drag of the joint and stares absently at the movie.
I am, though. The mere mention of her name makes me green with envy. She might not have had much, but she had the one thing I crave. She had Kane’s unconditional love, able to make love to the man without guilt or shame clouding any thoughts. He could be with her without judgement.
My fingers clasp his hand tighter, my thumb stroking the skin on his hand. He does the same, our thumbs duelling for affection. I want everything she had with him and more. I want him to kiss me whenever the mood takes him and not give it a second thought. I want him to take me to his bed and make love to me until sunrise. I want to be there for him and take all his pain away.
We both have what the other needs. If only he would give in to it, he could find some happiness in this miserable world. We both could.
25
KANE
Belle wags her tail with the clanking of Vi’s engine outside. I rush to the door, grabbing a tea-towel from the back of the kitchen chair.
She enters the house and bumps into my chest. “Oh. Hello.” Her knees bend and she gives Belle a stroke. Standing straight, she chews on the inside of her mouth. “Are you gonna let me in, then?”
With a grin, I hold the tea-towel up. “Put this on. I have a surprise.”
“Is this where you tell me all about your kinks?” She has the silliest giggle. “You’ve been to the toy shop again, haven’t you?”
“No, but I think I need to take you. You haven’t stopped going on about it.” I tie the rolled tea-towel around her head, pulling the knot taut at the back.
“This is damp. I hope it’s clean.”
“Stop your whining. Do you want your surprise or not?”
“Yes, but when you go back to the toyshop, get a proper blindfold, a tea towel isn’t sexy.” Her arms wave around in front of her. She’s completely disoriented and now facing the door.
