Page 58 of Endgame

‘Disgusting! I knew it! Both of you are— Ooh, food, I’m ravenous.’ Lara and Honey walk through the door. ‘Shift!’ Lara demands as she pulls at the control shorts underneath her dress with a few yanks, followed by lots of wiggles to get them off, then discards them behind her, before plonking herself beside us on the couch.

‘Aaaaaahhhh…’ She exhales with relief, then loads up a plate and impatiently pops some confit cod into her mouth. ‘This is sooo good. Honey, want some?’

‘I’m okay.’ Honey approaches with an embarrassed smile.

‘How are your job prospects, Lara?’ Ariella asks curiously, climbing off me. No. Please, don’t go, I silently plead.

‘Great! I have a load of business cards and job openings that I’ve been told I could easily fill coming out of my ears. That Eden is a magician, the dress totally worked. I have so much respect for girls who use their bodies to get what they want. People who judge them are complete idiots and need to be slapped. They have no idea. It’s bloody hard work,’ she declares with her mouth full.

‘That’s fantastic. Tell me more tomorrow? I’m going to head to bed. Goodnight, guys. Caleb, thank you for the food and the talk.’ Aari kisses my forehead, then Lara’s, and, with a little wave to Honey, disappears into her room.

‘Bloody hell, slow down, Lara,’ I advise, pouring her a glass of water.

‘Shut up. Stop pretending you’re not dying to follow her. What are you waiting for? Skywriting? Just keep it down, you two, some of us will actually be sleeping.’

Lara is right. I don’t even argue. I jump up and follow Ariella.

She’s in her bathroom doing her teeth when I enter. Our eyes meet in the mirror and she knows I’m not here to talk. Lara and Honey be damned. I’m going to make her scream my name until she’s hoarse; but if I jump on her now, I’m going to last about two seconds, so I slow us down.

‘Mind if I take a shower?’

‘Nope. All yours.’ I hear her disappointment as she leaves me to it.

The cold shower serves me well and, when I emerge, I’m much calmer.

She looks up just as I enter the bedroom wrapped in a towel, and I register her surprise.

‘What?’

‘Nothing.’ She smiles and goes back to the resort map she is studying. Oh, it’s definitely something.

‘Tell me. What?!’ I laugh as I walk round to her side and sit on the bed.

‘It’s silly. I forgot how beautiful you are, that’s all.’ That’s all I need.

‘How beautiful am I, Ariella?’ I tease.

‘Put some clothes on and come to sleep.’ She waves dismissively, trying to control the smile pulling at the corners of her lips.

‘In a minute. How beautiful am I?’ I inch closer.

‘I am ignoring you, Caleb.’ She tries not to laugh. I move closer still and our bodies touch slightly.

‘Go on. Tell me.’

She sighs loudly.

‘You’re such a nuisance. Very. Happy? Go.’ She tries to shift away, so I put my hand gently on her knee. She stays.

‘Well, now that I’m here.’ I bring my face close to hers. I hear her swallow.

‘Now you’re here, what?’

The first kiss lands on her neck. Her shiver confirms her delight. I plant another light kiss next to it. She doesn’t move. I’ve missed her smell. I run my tongue along her collarbone and hear her take another sharp breath. I make my way back to her neck and start to make my mark with my mouth. She used to love being temporarily branded by me. I love it too. It’s my way of sending ‘get lost’ signals to anyone who might get ideas.

Aari unfolds and parts her legs, with her knees bent and pointing to the ceiling. I move her knees wider, ease between them and lie on top of her. I hold my face a breath awayfrom hers for a couple of seconds to study hers and make sure she doesn’t want me to stop before I kiss her. I expect it to be frenzied and urgent but it isn’t. It’s soft, gentle and seems binding somehow.

‘I love you, Aari, and it’s time to put my pride away.’ I hear her little sniff before she gently puts her fingers through my hair and brings my face back down to hers again.

---