Page 62 of Birds of a Feather

At first, I fought to stifle the groans that formed from deep within me. I’d always thought it was an exaggerated cliché in sex scenes on TV and in movies when people screamed in ecstasy. Eventually, I gave into them, and found that they freed some of the energy that was building inside me, like releasing a pressure valve.

I became aware I was gripping the pillow behind his head so tightly that my knuckles were white; it felt like it was the only thing anchoring me to Earth.

As I breathed more deeply, I sensed the smell around me had changed. The sophisticated notes of his spiced cologne had mixed with something earthier, something more organic. Sweat and skin; the smell of sex. It made me even hungrier for him.

‘Oh, Beth,’ he murmured as our movements quickened, and the sensations consuming my body intensified. I’d never heard my name said with such desire.

Eventually, I surrendered to the pleasure.

‘I’d like to do that as many times as possible before I go away tomorrow and you leave London, if that’s okay with you,’ he said, as we lay on the couch, our legs entwined, our respiration rates returning to normal.

Previously, I’d had little interest in post-coital canoodling, but I was enjoying lying with him.

‘So, why didn’t you suggest we do that days ago, if you’d wanted to?’ I asked.

He issued a little huff. ‘To be honest, I wasn’t sure how you’d react. I’m not sure if you know this, Beth, but you can be a little tricky to read. You don’t give much away.’

I lifted myself onto one elbow and feigned surprise. ‘Me? I’ve never been told that in my life,’ I said sarcastically.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t, though,’ he said, pulling me back into his embrace. ‘That was fun. Also, it might have distracted you from wanting to go on the London Eye.’

‘At least I know that every time you see it, you’ll think of me,’ I speculated.

It felt like a cloud had just passed over the sun when I realised that this perfect night might live only in our memory, prompted by the sight of a large, bicycle-wheel-shaped landmark.

He traced the length of my arm with his fingers, sending a fresh wave of goosebumps down my spine.

‘Will you stay?’ he asked, pulling me closer.

‘I should really check what Gran is up to,’ I replied, not able to silence the voice that reminded me that if she was staying with Gerry and I was staying with Nick then our hotel room would be sitting vacant. It was a complete waste of money.

I untangled myself from his embrace and reached for a cushion to cover my breasts. As I pried myself away from this blissful oasis, I felt like someone had turned on the lights in a dimly lit bar and it was only a matter of time before the patrons noticed the worn carpet and torn pleather furniture.

I reached for my phone on the dining table and saw I had a message from Gran.

Hi darling. I’ll stay at Gerry’s tonight. Hope you’ve had a good day. X

Nick stood naked in the middle of the lounge room. I took in his slim, toned physique with a sense of renewed yearning.

‘Fancy spending the night at the hotel?’ I asked coyly. ‘Gran is staying at Gerry’s.’

‘I’ll grab my stuff,’ he said with a mocked urgency that made me giggle.

As he walked towards his bedroom, he left me with a glimpse of what I concluded was his most endearing angle.

Chapter 28

Beth

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes the next morning was Elise the Kangaroo bobbing along the hotel room floor. The large foil balloon Nick had brought with him to the airport had started to wrinkle and deflate, which had hollowed its face and transformed its smile into a downward frown.

The second thing I saw was his note.

I didn’t want to wake you. You looked so peaceful. Thanks again for last night. I can’t wait to see you when I get back from Copenhagen. Nick x

I felt as glum as Elise the Kangaroo looked. I couldn’t shake the sense of self-pity I felt that I had finally found someone who I connected with, and who seemed to like me too (if his enthusiasm during the last 12 hours was anything to go by), but a scheduling conflict had taken him away – for now, at least. That he would be back for my last night in London was some consolation.

I opened the blinds on a beautiful, sunny morning. There was no point in moping around, I thought. I was in London.

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